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threedogfarm

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Everything posted by threedogfarm

  1. I like FLL and WWE. I'm not sure where your son should start with those. They are straightforward, comprehensive, and together cover reading, writing and grammar. We use How to Teach Spelling and you can just jump in with your son in level 2 or 3. I'm not saying that he cannot spell but my children CAN spell and I decided to go back from 3 to 2 last year. Yes we breezed through it but it covered a few things that I felt were holes in our spelling. I have found that doing WWE, FLL, and Spelling DAILY there wasn't any complaining like: "Oh, not this again, can't we just skip it today?" All three were done in under 30 minutes total. And because we do it daily it always got done. All three are open and go curriculums. I would use the work books with HTTS along with the teacher's manual because it just made more sense than trying to work through the teacher's manual on its own. The workbooks are inexpensive.
  2. Thank you for the extended discussion about voice vs. piano, etc. I am going to talk to my neighbor about this. She was/is a professional opera singer and she may have some good thoughts on this. I do want my children to have some exposure to music but I am just unsure how to go about it. A lot of Waldorf families I know just groan about the music lessons (all students are required at a certain age) because it is ONE MORE thing. So I have always been hesitant to go in that direction and commit to the lessons and the instruments. I think that this discussion brings up a very good point about the minimalist approach to homeschooling--not only to keep it simple in terms of the schooling itself, but with the "afterschool" activities. I find more and more the fewer "organized" activities we do, the happier we are. This doesn't mean that my children don't do fun things but I do not have "scheduled" things for them. In our town this is NOT the way to do things and it has taken a long time for me to come to terms with it because it is not what I see around me. The only thing scheduled this fall is First Lego League for my son. Other than that, we're on our own. But I'm no longer panicked by it. AND I'm not complaining about all the driving I'm doing and the fact that no one is ever home for dinner at the same time.
  3. Ohhhhh, I NEVER considered this. I have always wanted my children to learn an instrument but neither have shown an interest and, well, buying or renting a piano is such an investment in time and space. And a violin, hmmmm, not our style. You have solved my dilemma!
  4. Thank you for posting this--I will definitely be looking for these! We use composition books for WWE, history and spelling. These will definitely be useful because we never use the whole page. . .and they are soooo cute!
  5. If you catch it right away--use salt (yes table salt). No stain, no smell. Pour it in a pile and you'll see it soaking it right up. You may have to add more. You will use quite a bit of salt. Leave it for a while and then sweep it up with dust pan to get the majority of it up. THEN vacuum. Works like a charm. If this happens a lot then buy the salt in bulk bags.
  6. I agree with Momofthree about smaller chunks. That way if you accelerate in one subject and slow down in another, you won't be too far off. I would still prefer to do each subject separately though. For example, last year my son was getting a little bit lifeless with Singapore so we switched to some more "fun" things for a week here and there. Now my son is very good as seeing the whole picture and if he knew we were skipping Singapore daily in favor of doing something else (i.e. we're bypassing the singapore pages) then he would figure out how to get around math regularly (acting bored = switching things up). BUT if singapore is on its own then we're all set. I just present it as introducing a new topic. I also agree with the other poster(s) that mentioned they did not like the whole processing of taking out and putting away books after each subject. I solved this by having a hanging file folder box for each child. Each book or folder is kept in a hanging folder in the file folder box which is kept by their chair. Now it's easy to switch in and out (also useful for creating a study carrel when each child wants a little privacy at the table). Now that our subjects have grown in number there are two folder boxes per child. They can be taken out at the same time but I prefer to arrange them according to "before break" and "after break" subjects so only one box is out at at time (we have three dogs and the floor space fills up quickly). Each subject is put back into the folder box after each subject. I use these (a different color for ds and dd): http://www.amazon.com/Oxford-Decoflex-Black-Desktop-23013/dp/B0012VIJGS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1373639794&sr=8-3&keywords=hanging+folder+box I don't always bind my subjects. For example FLL is in a two pocket folder with a three hole punch area down the middle http://www.amazon.com/Filexec-Report-Blueberry-Strawberry-Tangerine/dp/B002G9TXDI/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1373639946&sr=8-33&keywords=filexec+folder. Left side is for completed lessons, right side for future lessons. New lesson is taken out of the right side, paper clipped and put on L side at the end of previous lesson. Three hole punch area is for memorization poems and grammar rules as we go through them. I divided the lessons in half and made two folders for each child for the year. That way there is no daily filing. WWE I use a composition book instead of loose leaf paper. Again, no filing, easy to use daily. Dictation used to require keeping a folded piece of paper to cover the previous day's copywork sometimes but now we don't do copy work (advanced on from that) so it's not a problem. I don't know how your spelling works but we also do our spelling in a composition book (we use HTTS). Spelling is kept in same hanging folder as WWE and FLL since we pull all three out at the same time and do them together (it takes less time to do spelling sometimes than just taking out and putting away those books individually). Math is bound in quarter year sections (I have my own binding machine). Maps for history are bound by the time period. History composition book is kept in there. Latin is bound by sections (vocab, etc.). All bound sections are kept in hanging folder. Science is done in a composition/lab book. Any additional books are kept in the hanging folder. Unit studies, when done, are bound separately. Geography is bound for the year. An atlas is kept with it in the folder. The best maps I have found are the Painless Placemats. Easy to ready, and we use them at lunchtime as place mats. Ours are three years old and are still in great condition. The kids even take them down to the play room to use when they are playing. They can be written on with dry erase markers AND have an outline map with out labels on the back side. Art, Music, and Nature Journal are kept in separate hanging folders and consist of a book and a presentation book where the notebook page is filed when completed. I have tried using magazine holders, three ring binders (they were just too big and bulky AND I hate filing daily) and vertical cloth hanging folders on the wall (now holding scrap paper, construction paper, extra blank forms for nature journal etc.--much better for that). This works the best for us, remains neat, and makes it easy for me to pull out and make changes as necessary. I really prefer a neat, clutter-free system that is efficient. This is all three (and they fit in one kitchen cabinet's bottom shelf with the pen/marker/pencil caddy). I realize that this system won't allow you to take a single book to grab for each child but you could just take a couple with you. Also, if I was going away for a couple of weeks and needed to do that, it wouldn't be that hard to put that together. But I am like another poster, I really don't bring school with me many places. If we are going out for our school time some reason (this is rare) we either do school earlier or I bring something totally different but portable with us. Before I make any changes I always ask myself if I am just creating more work for myself. I also check to see if my system is redundant. I also want it easy for my kids to use. Next year we're going towards more independent work and I am going to modify my system just a bit. One box will be independent work and one will be for the work we do together. I also like to have my systems be something that my children can use and modify for themselves as they get older. If I am always given them something that is "just do the next thing" they would be at a loss when they have to create that for themselves b/c college courses don't work that way. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to answer all your questions and I think I managed to do it!
  7. I don't have an ipad and the above quote is the reason. I do have a kindle fire and for me it is like a toy too--I use it to search the internet, check email, take on vacation instead of a laptop, read, etc. I really like the whispersynch function on the kindle fire so we can either read a book aloud or listen to the professional recording. But it's not a tool for me and I don't think that having all the apps on the ipad would make it any different for me either. But I felt that the kindle fire was a good price point (the 7" version--less than half the price of the ipad) for what I was going to use it for. Maybe that would be a better option for you? So, if you're not loving it, return it within the two week time period. Set the money aside and see if you are still finding all the things to do it. You can always go back and buy one--and if you wait long enough you'll probably even save money!
  8. Check out www.smallnotebook.org. Rachel has a very nice, simplistic view of decluttering and its benefits. Having less really is having more. You can find what you need when you need it and you know what you have. As for toys, I always thought that if it has only one or two functions then it is not a keeper (i.e. an toy that plays music vs. blocks). I'm the same way in my kitchen.
  9. Has anyone bought the kindle edition yet and can give a review of it? Or, for those of you who have the hard copy--is this better to have as a hard copy? Thanks in advance.
  10. Thanks Hunter for letting us know. I was thinking about getting a second copy of the set of books for the kids--now I don't have to if I get the kindle version and we can all be reading at the same time (and save on bookshelf space). I was a very late and reluctant kindle user but going on vacation with one suitcase just for books finally made me rethink my stance. We just got back from vacation and I have to say--it was great to not be lugging books around anymore.
  11. Thanks for pointing that out for everyone. I did not scroll all the way down--I had seen that Amazon was suggesting that you get it bundled with software for filing. . .and since that was not in the top part of the description I thought that it didn't have it. The suggestion for the Mac seems like a good program too. I also agree with everyone that duplex is the way to go!
  12. I also recommend the scansnap. Fijitsu makes great scanners. They're fast and reliable. I noticed the scansnap that was linked does not come with a scanning software. This is also something to consider when purchasing a scanner. How are you going to organize your scanned images? I personally like a filing cabinet system. Scansnap used to come with a software program that allowed you to store things in cabinets. Check out whether you can still get that software. I think it was called ScanSnap Organizer. It was pretty good. I use File Center now which is faster and easier to use. Essentially it is just an interface that allows you to see your folders as filing cabinet drawers and folders. A lawyer developed this system as a way to organize his cases and clients. You can view it here: http://www.lucion.com/filecenter-overview.html I have the standard version, not the pro. It's also easy to back up the files from File Center because they are all stored in one folder on your computer as "My Cabinet" or "File Center". So you just back up that folder. You can also directly access them from that folder too without having to open File Center.
  13. I guess then the only thing to say at this point is good luck!
  14. First off, a filly? Do you mean a mare (female horse) or are you getting a horse that is under 1 year of age? If you being offered a filly I would really rethink it (or even a two year old for that matter). By the time the filly will be ready to be ridden regularly your daughter will be just about ready to leave for college. Also, why are you thinking of having two horses? Do you ride? Do you want to ride? And if you do, a filly will not be the right way to go either. Are you asking questions about how to handle all the chores or fitting in the riding? Another horse doesn't really add on that much more work if you have an efficient routine in place which it sounds like you do (out 24/7, just having to pick out the paddock). I would be more concerned about taking on the additional expense (twice the feed, vet bills(even just yearly shots can add up), farrier bills, and worming). All of that DOUBLES even if the work does not--which I do feel that it does. Also, consider what you plan to do with the horses when your daughter goes to college or out on her own. She may take one horse with her but probably not two. Are you prepared to sell the horses at that point? Are you planning to keep the horses AND take care of them yourself (as well as keep them exercised)? These are the questions I'd be asking myself before I tried to figure out how to schedule the chores and riding. But that's just me.
  15. The Wilder Life http://www.amazon.com/The-Wilder-Life-Adventures-Prairie/dp/B00AZ8DDPG/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1369574026&sr=8-33&keywords=laura+ingalls+wilder does a great comparison of the TV show and the books. The author explores how her own life was influenced by reading the books when she was young. It didn't get the best reviews but I found it very interesting (I listened to it on audio). She talks about how the books do not parallel Laura's life and the reasons why, among other things. She also visits the different home sites, does some wacky things like make butter, etc. I think it is definitely worth reading. . .
  16. I just received this book from the library so I don't have any comments on it yet. I have also started "Why Don't Students Like School" based on another book discussion thread here. I am so happy that these discussions are being started because I am finding it's not always what I teach (in the content sections) as how I teach it and approach it that can make a difference. I know that the way we homeschool can set up good or bad habits in the future. I too was one of those students where things came very easily and then I hit college and took organic chemistry, etc. I struggled, not because I wasn't capable of doing the work, but I didn't know how to approach actually learning it. I feel that I should keep this in mind when I homeschool and I think that the WTM does a very good job of highlighting this. I also asked on the last book discussion if there was a book(s) that described how children learn and develop--along the lines of SWB's comment about how children learn to write (in first grade, for example, it is overwhelming for most students to be asked to answer the question in writing, "What did you do yesterday?" Some books were mentioned but none really addressed the stages or approached it like SWB in direct relation to how children develop cognitively in relation to learning. . . I'm looking forward to reading more comments and adding my own as I read the book.
  17. I also highly recommend the Well Trained Mind as a hand-holding manual. Start with their suggestions, even if you don't like them at first, give them a fair try for a number of weeks before tweaking things (one at a time). I also recommend listening to the audio lectures from PHP. All of them are great but if you only want to start out with a couple here are some good choices: http://peacehillpress.com/what-is-literary-analysis-mp3.html (great overview of literary analysis--answered a lot of my questions about whether I should be asking more questions about what my children read, etc.) http://peacehillpress.com/elementary-grades-mp3.html (teaching writing in the elementary years) http://peacehillpress.com/educating-ourselves-as-we-educate-our-children-1.html SWB does a wonderful job presenting this material. She's down-to-earth, easy to listen to, and packs a lot of info into those lectures. Congratulations and good luck!
  18. I haven't used AAS but I really like using How to Teach Spelling. I have two children (3rd and 4th grade) and we do it all together. I use the workbook as a nonconsumable and they do the work in a composition book. Love, love, love this program (once I figured how how to do it). I haven't seen level 1 but we started with level three this year and then I took a step back and went to level 2 which was a good fit for us. Level 3 assumed too much other information. If you search this program in the forum, someone had a really nice explanation of how to use it. It is also VERY inexpensive, even if you use the workbooks as a consumable. I don't do that because I also use spelling as "handwriting" as well ("Copy the words in cursive. . ." and "Let's do this dictation in cursive. . .").
  19. I am very, very proud of us this year. We still have a few weeks to go but all the main subjects have been completed. I didn't under-schedule things but I found that we did much better doing all subjects daily. And in doing things daily we got through the material much quicker. I am lucky because except math, both children are being schooled together. So that helps to make our day shorter even though everything is done daily.
  20. I think that it's helpful to be well-prepared for the subject. It's hard to be enthusiastic when you're not sure where you're going with it. History is not my strong point so I make myself read ahead and more in depth on the sections that we're reading in SOTW. That way I can help direct my children when there is something that interests them. The same thing with nature walks--I need to have some idea what's out there this time of year so I can answer questions as they come up (not necessarily ALL the questions but at least some of them). So the short answer would be: become an "expert" in a couple of topics. And it's OK if somethings are dry and maybe even (gasp!) boring. My children do not get excited about doing FLL, but we do it for a short period of time daily. That works for us. It makes the other things that much more interesting.
  21. Get the first book from the library and then go from there. . .that's what I would do.
  22. I have just placed an order for the Willingham book (my library doesn't have a copy). I also put a hold in the library on the other books mentioned. I look forward to participating in this discussion. I am especially interested in how this applies to history and math. I let learning new math concepts take a backseat to drilling this year and saw rapid improvements with this approach in both children when the facts became more natural. I'm glad to see that there are "experts" backing up this approach. We also have horses and I just purchased a youngster to bring along. Exploring HOW horses learn (based on factual research, not theories) really helps in approaching the training of this boy. It even has helped with my daughter's pony who is well trained but that good training is hidden under a couple of layers. Are there other books that discuss cognitive development of children as it relates to how they learn (in an accessible way)? SWB mentions how children learn in many of her audio lectures. One example would be how a child processes being told to write about what he did yesterday and what a daunting task that can be because so many different things need to happen BEFORE the child puts that on paper. This kind of information was very helpful to me when I started homeschooling. Where did she find this information and other info like it? Thanks in advance. Michelle
  23. Ohhhh, enjoy those books are great! My daughter just loves them. And they are so easy to implement into school time. I love the Holidays book to use when one child is finished but the other isn't. Assign them that date in the book and have them do a written or oral narrative afterwards. They'll also spend time flipping through other stuff. The other books are great for that too. The pieces are short and interesting and it keeps the dc occupied.
  24. I agree with farrar. As long as your library is halfway decent you should have a good, constant supply of books. Keep a small bookcase for library books ONLY and hang a hook on there that can hold the library bag. Books that are being read are kept on the shelves, books that are finished go in the bag. Make it a habit for you, your children and your husband that the books from the library are always on the shelf or in the bag (we use separate shelves for adult and kids books). The fewer books you own, the less likely the library books will become "lost". We have a set of the World Book Encyclopedia and ChildCraft set which takes the place of so many reference books even. It doesn't even take up that much shelf space. With fewer books I have an easier time finding what I need when I need it (shelves are organized by subject: kid's fiction, field guides, gardening books, horse books, medical books, reference books, curriculum, etc. This way shelves don't end up stuffed, either). I do not own many fiction books for myself or my husband--that's what the library is for. So now we're down to mostly reference books and some kid's fiction. That's it. I let the library keep track of books, shelve them and dust them for me. They will even pull them off the shelves for me and let me know when to pick them up now. How much better can you get? How do you get started? Assess the shelving you have and then limit yourself to what can be fit on the shelves (no storing books in boxes!). Be ruthless. Most books are replaceable. If you want, have a nice journal or book that you keep track of favorite books or books that you really enjoyed reading. You don't need to own the book that you or your child enjoyed reading just so you can remember it. Good luck! Michelle
  25. Written work at our house must be done at the kitchen table (where we do school) or at their desk (project center) in the living room. As they get older and more responsible I'll allow it them to do it at the desk in their room. I just cannot imagine my children's work being that neat if it's done on the couch. HOWEVER, reading can be (and is) done anywhere and everywhere. That being said, I don't think it's ever come up that they can or should do it somewhere other than a table/desk.
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