happy-hs
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Posts posted by happy-hs
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I suppose we do a "filing" system, but I've never thought of it that way. It's different than the system outlined in those threads, but I only read the first few posts. ;)
Each child has an accordion-style file that holds all their work and assignments for a 12-week semester. There are 12 tabs in the file and each tab has a week's worth of materials behind it. Each day within the week has a cover sheet detailing every assignment for the day. It includes all the books they are using, boxes for the kids' to check off their work, a place for grades if needed. Each cover sheet has all worksheets, copies, etc paper clipped behind it.
It's a giant pain to put together each semester, but it saves so much time over the course of the semester. It's well worth all the time and effort spent in advance.
Melissa :)
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I really enjoyed your blog. You little boys are too cute. I wish I had a bunch of littles running around me all day! :001_smile:
Awe, thanks. :) They are delightiful little boys, full of energy and lots of fun. They do keep me busy and exhausted most of the time and they tend to get into a lot together, but I wouldn't change a thing. :) Preschool is a blast with them as well because there are four of them so close in age (4 boys in 4 years).
Melissa :)
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I put a highlight post on my blog each week. I have several preschoolers so there is a lot of preschool stuff. It also includes highlights for my 1st, 3rd, and 4th graders. www.withasmile.wordpress.com
I also like homeschool share, homeschool creations, and counting coconuts.
Melissa :)
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We did most of WW4, but moved into WWS when it came out. My 3rd and 4th graders are doing great with it. They work independently as outlined and are doing very well. Your 4th grader could probably move into WWS without any problems.
Melissa :)
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My 8yo wants to be a computer programmer. I don't know if that dream will become a reality for him someday, but I want to encourage his interest in programming.
He uses KidCoder (www.homeschoolprogramming.com) It's geared towards upper elementary and junior high (4th-8th I think). He loves it and is blowing through the program. I wish we would have started him last year when he first asked about it.
Melissa :)
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Bump :)
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Please help me pick a Latin curriculum. :)
My 3rd and 4th graders are using Visual Latin and loving it. I'm trying to decide on an "extra" Latin program to go with VL simply because I want to add in some additional work. I'm driving myself completely crazy in my search.
I've looked into Lively Latin, Latin for Children, Getting Started with Latin, Minimus, etc. I think my top picks are still Lively Latin and Latin for Children, but everything is starting to get a little muddled in my mind. :)
I'd like something that is engaging and fun and has variety. I want lots of vocabulary with emphasis on English derivatives and root words. Visual Latin is more of a "whole to parts" type program. This is my overall preference, but I'd like our additional work to come from a "parts to whole" program instead.
So... Based on the above paragraph, who wants to pick my Latin curriculum for me? :)
Melissa :)
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Don't forget to check out Minimus, I Speak Latin, and Latin Prep!
I'm no help at all, am I?
Ha! Ha! This made me laugh! :lol:
There are too many great options out there!!
Thanks for the suggestions. I've looked into Minimus as well, but haven't found any samples to check out. Maybe I'll keep looking, lol...
Melissa :)
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We've been using and loving Visual Latin this year. I'd like to add in some extra Latin though. I'll probably grab Lingua Latina just for fun, but I've also been looking into additional texts that might be beneficial.
I was pretty much ready to buy Lively Latin. It looks fun, engaging, substantial, and seems to have lots of variety.
Then I found Latin for Children. I've heard of it, but never looked too closely. It doesn't look as bright and visually appealing as LL, but I've read that it includes more grammar and vocabulary that LL.
So now I'm torn between the two and seriously wishing I could drop several hundred bucks to get both LL and LfC. :tongue_smilie:
I'm not asking a specific question and I've already poured over lots over lots of threads about LL and LfC. I am wishing I had more $$ though, lol.
Melissa :)
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I recently started highlighting each week of homeschool as a record for our family. This thread seems similar so I'd like to join in! The post is on my blog. http://Www.withasmile.wordpress.com
Last week was light for my big kids with lots of St Patrick's Day fun. :)
Melissa :)
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I love using multiple math programs. I use one as a spine and then supplement with the others, though we do finish the books we use as supplements.
My older two use TT as a spine. I feel that TT, while it does a great job of presenting and reviewing material, doesn't really get kids to stretch, apply what they've learned, or think outside the box when it comes to math. I try to provide supplements that stretch them, present material in new ways, and really make them think.
If you feel that both programs serve a purpose, maybe you can keep them both and adjust your schedule and timeline for them. Pick one to use daily and the other to use a few times a week, or alternate days with the two. You could also pick days that you know are less busy and do both on those days.
Melissa :)
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What a fun thread! I'm tempted to participate, especially because I recently started recording our weekly highlights on my blog. Are there any requirements to be involved? At the very least, I'll watch for these threads from now on and enjoy reading about what everyone is up to!
Melissa :)
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We have fun on Fridays too. It's a perfect day for field trips, exploration, games, outside time, relaxing. I'm going to add in a "memorable moment" for preschool on Friday as well, things like a teddy bear picnic, a trip to the zoo, an afternoon at the botanical gardens, etc.
I like having a day off from formal schooling so that we can focus more on fun things. It also gives us a day off to catch up on anything we missed, scour the house, and take weekend trips.
Melissa :)
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I am constantly finding new and exciting things I want to buy. Reading here doesn't help at all. :tongue_smilie: I do try to stick to my budget, but I'm a sucker when I find something really neat. I've always loved books anyway and it's so easy to justify more spending when I'm putting the money into educating my children...
Now I just always give myself extra wiggle room when I make my budget. This gives me a little extra money to spend and I don't have to feel as guilty when I splurge.
Melissa :)
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My oldest DD still struggles with memorized math facts. She can memorize a poem easily, but math facts frustrate her. Math Rider has really helped. She uses it daily, isn't frustrated by it, and she's making progress. My other two kids are using it as well, even though they don't need the review as much. I think it's been helpful for all of them.
Melissa :)
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Thank you all for the great suggestions! I am still debating, but at least I won't be buying until July. I have plenty of time to consider my options. :)
Melissa :)
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I have 4 in school (4th, 3rd, 1st, and PreK), 3 younger boys (3, 2, 1), and we're expecting #8 in June. It's nice to "meet" some other large homeschooling families.
Melissa :)
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Thank you for your thoughts and for the link! To clarify, I don't feel the need to fix something that's not broken. I just wonder if we could get more for our time and money.
There's so much to consider! :)
Melissa :)
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My DD has used Right Start for nearly 2 years- K last year and she will finish C this summer as a 1st grader (we're on a year-round schedule). I LOVED A and B. C has been okay. I find that we are not using the manipulatives as much now. The lessons are usually really short, but we're working through the geometry portion of C so maybe that's why. I also feel like she's ready to start reading through some problems on her own, and RS doesn't really give her that chance. I guess I'm just not as thrilled with C as I was with A and B...
I've read that lots of people move on from Right Start, but I've never found any real reasons why. Now I wonder if these are some of the reasons.
I'm not sure what to do. We'll finish RS C, but I don't know where to go next fall.
Option 1:
I could buy Level D and just stick with RS. After all, it has worked well so far! Maybe not being thrilled with this level isn't enough of a reason to jump ship...
Option 2:
I'm also debating moving her into Teaching Textbooks. I know it has a bad reputation, but my older kids use it and have had great success with it. I know DD would love the computer-based approach.
I supplement TT for my older kids so I would supplement for DD as well. If she moved into TT, I'd get Beast Academy for her as well. What a perfect excuse to buy Beast! :lol:
Hmmmm....
Melissa :)
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My 9yo is using Primary Grade Challenge Math. It's a nice fit for her. There are leveled problems at the end of each chapter. Usually the first few levels are easy for her, but the Genius level problems really make her think. The other Zaccaro books would be too much for her at this point. HTH. :)
Melissa :)
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My 4th grader is using TT5. She does one level per year.
My 3rd grader is using TT Pre-A. He moved through the books quickly during our first few years, but I am slowing his pace down for Pre-A. He is bright when it comes to math though.
Melissa :)
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My 9yo is using Primary Grade Challenge Math and my 8yo is using Becoming a Problem-Solving Genuis. We love both and we'll definitely buy more of the series when we finish these!
Melissa :)
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I don't know how to quote another poster, but someone mentioned that TT changed their child's attitude about math. I completely agree! My DD (9) is in her second year with TT. She has never been a math-oriented kid, but she was especially frustrated in 2nd grade. I moved her into TT 4 for 3rd grade and it was the best thing I could have done for her. TT has boosted her confidence in herself. She views herself as "good at math" and she actually enjoys math now. She's come a long way from the tears and "I can't do this" that we were dealing with before TT. To me, that change in her is worth a lot more than a good test score (even though the test score is nice too). So I just shrug when people say TT is "behind" because we've had great success with it, in both test scores and self-confidence in math. :)
Melissa :)
Writing With Ease: What level is your student using, and at which age/grade?
in K-8 Curriculum Board
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We started WWE 1 when my oldest were in K and 1st. They are now in 3rd and 4th and using WWS. My 1st grader is using WWE 1.
Melissa :)