We are new to HSing, we have a DS, 10 and DD, 4. We just pulled out DS this year, gifted but also ADHD inattentive (ADD). Daughter is in 1/2 day PK b/c of vision impairment. I was wondering, for those who have been doing this a while...how do you get to a state of balance? I really, REALLY, think I need to know. We have a full curric for DS and also have been supplementing to enrich. He is methodical and takes a little longer, but really loves to learn and will put in the time. We put most time in when DD is at PK 5 afternoons a week (just 3 hours, plus bus), but he also works on his own on assignments, projects, and reading. We have done 2 co-ops all year. We wanted to do this to continue giving him classroom experience. One I've just been helping in the PK group, the other I teach 1-2 classes each session for the olders. We also have a 3rd co-op which is a morning preschool playgroup. This is our 3rd year with the group and it is a very laid-back group. Son comes and works on his own during this time. I think I'm a little stressed, we are also leading Cub Scout den and dad is coaching travel soccer. We also take care of a lot for my mom who is in her 80s, financial and medical. I've felt a little tight on energy all year, but have really felt pinched the last couple of months. I'm also getting a little impatient with some of the other kids at the co-ops who run a bit wild. My last class last week it almost seemed like the kids didn't have a strong curiosity, they just wanted to get through. I don't want to give up co-ops, I think they are wonderful in many ways -- but should I scale back to basics a bit? I really don't care for having to keep other kids in line in a class (running, messing around) -- time is so precious I feel if they don't want to learn they shouldn't be there, or their parents should be there to monitor them in class. I also feel like this limits how much our DS can learn in these groups--this isn't what I want at all. So, how do you ever manage to find out what works for you, and cover al the bases? Please, any suggestions would be much welcomed. Oh, and my house looks a bit like a tornado has come through it. Actually, we did have a flood last fall which caused significant damage as we were just starting HS year. And my mom and DD have had some health issues to address. Again, any suggestions or magic wands to make things smoother would be much appreciated! Amy

I heard someone at our co-op say they were doing Montessori math, and that it was great. Can anyone tell me what is Montessori math? We are planning to do FIAR with our kindergarten age daughter next year and are looking for a math curriculum. What makes the Montessori math special, and where do I find this curriculum? Is this similar to Cuisinaire rods? Amy

Our son is in 4th grade and I'd like to use Khan to supplement his text -- particularly long division. He's been very good at math but the multiple steps for him are hard, he is super bright but also has some difficulty with working memory and processing. He has trouble with the steps involved with dividing 3 digit numbers by 2 digits, etc. I've heard so many good things about Khan, and that it can even be used itself as a curriculum. BUT...I am at a loss as to how to get started. I do not want to set up a FB account for our son, and he doesn't have an email of his own. Is it possible for me to set it up with my FB and email only? I also heard something about a teacher account. How does this work and do I need to have a separate email account for this? If anyone can give me a few pointers I would really appreciate it. I keep looking at it, wanting to start, and giving up b/c can't figure it out. Amy

Our DS (10, in 4th grade) is superbright, but diagnosed ADD inattentive and also with sensory and some auditory processing issues (listens but only may internalize part of auditory instructions that are more detailed). He was doing well in school but the loudness/pace/commotion of school was not a good fit for him and beginning to be a problem. Thank you all for the info about the Linguisystems sale. Can anyone tell me more about each of these, and/or about which might be most useful for us? I have heard of the EF Workbooks ....are they one of these? We are looking for something that has actual exercises or other things that we can work with him on to improve working memory and executive function especially. The ones I'm looking at are: Executive Function Training Elementary Executive Function Training Adolescent The Source for Development of Executive Function The Source for Learning and Memory Tasks of Problem Solving Also, what are the source books like? Are they workbooks or how useful are they? And is there anything outside of Linguisystems that you would recommend to supplement? Also wondering if there is any chance that any of these would be available through a library. Trying to hold costs down... :) Thank you so much, Amy

Our DS (10, in 4th grade) is superbright, but diagnosed ADD inattentive and also with sensory and some auditory processing issues (listens but only may internalize part of auditory instructions that are more detailed). He was doing well in school but the loudness/pace/commotion of school was not a good fit for him and beginning to be a problem. We pulled him this year to HS. Thank you all for the info about the Linguisystems sale. Can anyone tell me more about each of these, and/or about which might be most useful for us? I have heard of the EF Workbooks ....are they one of these? We are looking for something that has actual exercises or other things that we can work with him on to improve working memory and executive function especially. The ones I'm looking at are: Executive Function Training Elementary Executive Function Training Adolescent The Source for Development of Executive Function The Source for Learning and Memory Tasks of Problem Solving Also, what are the source books like? Are they workbooks or how useful are they? And is there anything outside of Linguisystems that you would recommend to supplement? Also wondering if there is any chance that any of these would be available through a library. Trying to hold costs down... :) Thank you so much, Amy

Our DS (10, in 4th grade) is superbright, but diagnosed ADD inattentive and also with sensory and some auditory processing issues (listens but only may internalize part of auditory instructions that are more detailed). He was doing well in school but the loudness/pace/commotion of school was not a good fit for him and beginning to be a problem. Thank you all for the info about the Linguisystems sale. Can anyone tell me more about each of these, and/or about which might be most useful for us? I have heard of the EF Workbooks ....are they one of these? We are looking for something that has actual exercises or other things that we can work with him on to improve working memory and executive function especially. The ones I'm looking at are: Executive Function Training Elementary Executive Function Training Adolescent The Source for Development of Executive Function The Source for Learning and Memory Tasks of Problem Solving Also, what are the source books like? Are they workbooks or how useful are they? And is there anything outside of Linguisystems that you would recommend to supplement? Also wondering if there is any chance that any of these would be available through a library. Trying to hold costs down... :) Thank you so much, Amy

Hi, Loved seeing other garden threads. I was wondering if anyone could suggest early spring crops that would be okay to plant now. We're in southern New Jersey, have a large garden with lots of sun. It is actually a community garden plot. I know some greens maybe, radishes...anything else? Would love any suggestions. Amy

Our 10 year old is currently in 4th and doing division. He's having a little difficulty with estimating quotients. I tried to explain it to him, it does make sense -- but I find I'm not always getting the "right" answer either. I think I am just so used to just doing the long division. Can anyone point me to a place to provide some advice on estimating quotients, walk us through the process, etc.? Thanks Amy

to go with the alternate option (but will look at all the suggestions and tweak it to fit). I really appreciate Calvert 4 and it has worked well. They have lots of supplemental activity suggestions. But the Calvert K program sample pages on the site looked like some might be too easy for her next year, especially if she could almost do them now. It was a hard decision and I hope it will work out. I like the idea of the alternate too and it would be easy to substitute in if she needs more challenge or if the book style does not hold her interest. And our alternate plan, is so much less than the Calvert (less than 1/2). Unity when your sons were ahead, and the Calvert K was too easy for them did you ever go back with them at a higher level? Amy

For Kindergarten level -- need manual etc. Only thing I have are the wooden letter set and letter sheets. Amy

Our son took a couple of intro courses in Scratch programming at libraries when he was 8 and 9. This is a very simple, visual drag and drop language which is lots of fun. There is also a Scratch for Teens book -- he is working through the book, it has lots of exercises etc. (not just for teens, we checked first and it's good for ages as young as 8 or 9). Scratch is downloadable from MIT, no charge. He just turned 10 and is really into Scratch and now learning a somewhat similar language called Alice. Amy

Love the support for Braille. :) Actually, with low vision kids like my daughter our state commission for the blind does not support braille instruction. They believe that since she sees, she learns primarily visually. So they won't support Braille instruction. And that is another reason we would like to opt out of the system. We do support it. Even if she does see and is a very visual individual, we see it as an option she should have. For instance, she is very photophobic and wouldn't be able to read outside if there is glare. If she knew Braille she would have that option open to her, even if she read print most of the time. It seems to make sense that she could learn both. So we indeed would like her to learn Braille as well. That would be in addition to her curriculum. I am learning it so that I can help her learn it. Right now she is only learning pre-Braille skills. Amy

Love the support for Braille. :) Actually, with low vision kids like my daughter our state commission for the blind does not support braille instruction. They believe that since she sees, she learns primarily visually. So they won't support Braille instruction. And that is another reason we would like to opt out of the system. We do support it. Even if she does see and is a very visual individual, we see it as an option she should have. For instance, she is very photophobic and wouldn't be able to read outside if there is glare. If she knew Braille she would have that option open to her, even if she read print most of the time. It seems to make sense that she could learn both. So we indeed would like her to learn Braille as well. That would be in addition to her curriculum. I am learning it so that I can help her learn it. Right now she is only learning pre-Braille skills. Amy

Moving this up...

Yes, she'll be an early 5. She doesn't turn 5 until mid-August. She actually doesn't have learning issues. She has a vision impairment (low vision). She is in a SN classroom now b/c she gets a teacher of the visually impaired to come in and recommend ways to adapt the classroom to her vision needs. No light in eyes (she is very sensitive to light), needs things really up close, etc. For example any picture books she brings up practically to her nose. Even with glasses, her vision is around 20/200. One of our biggest fears is that when she gets older, and the print gets smaller and the reading needs increase (1st-2nd grade) she'll suddenly have a reading issue -- only because she can't keep up b/c of the size of print and also b/c her eyes might tire more easily. Right now she gets a second book because in story time she can't see the book even if it is 2-3 feet away. She needs things very close. She is very bright and quick to pick up things. She's only in pre-K and 4, but she is writing many sight words (she loves to draw and fills her drawings with many words she knows). So she is really on the cusp of reading. Part of our issues are with the education system itself. Too many students in a classroom. Although next year if she stayed in public school she would be in a class of 20 with a general K teacher, SN teacher, and an aide. So this would be a better ratio. But I really think she would benefit by more one-on-one attention (every kid would, I think). And we are finding that the TVI (visually impaired teacher) only visits a couple times a year and aren't really providing a great deal of hands-on assistance. The other consideration we have is although we con't have a learning issue per se, she is very very active and especially when she can't see up close becomes very impatient. She was always very busy and impulsive so I'm not sure if we are looking at attention issues at some point down the road... Thank you to everyone who is giving suggestions. We really appreciate them! Amy

Hoping to get more comments, am feeling very mixed about the decision. Perhaps it is better to use a planned curriculum so that I can focus on enrichments and special projects, rather than spending all of my time and energy on planning assignments. My energy today is at a real low, and realizing that I do get a bit scattered and having the planning done might help me focus... Amy

Just wondering if this is a useful set or if the folks on this board use it... Amy

Can you explain why you would choose Calvert over the alternate? Is it the materials themselves, or the teaching manuals, or what? I do very much like Calvert 4 with our son, especially the teacher's manuals. But when I was looking through the Calvert materials for K, it looks like a lot of it are phonics readers and then phonics instruction. Was thinking that I do have that with the HOP, so wondered if I could substitute. Do you like the structure of having the days planned as in the suggested schedule? I haven't actually done this as our son is on a number of different lessons in the different areas of his manual. But the flexibility to do this is actually something I like. So many people have also recommended FIAR. I borrowed the books and like them, it would be nice to use them, although I do think that my daughter might not go through 5 days of a book -- maybe 3. And it skips around a bit more than I know Calvert would. Any comments or thoughts would be very helpful, am really wondering what to choose. Amy

Our daughter has a vision impairment and is currently in a integrated SN preschool, next year K would be 1/2 day in our school system. We are planning to pull her out next year and homeschool. We just started homeschooling this year, with her brother who is in 4th grade. Have been using Calvert 4 but been very happy supplementing this with online, SOTW, additional reading, and two co-ops. We're in a bind today. There is a 30% sale on Calvert which ends today. We were considering their K program for her, which is pretty cost effective, and supplementing with a few additional materials. BUT... Here's an alternative option, would like to get opinions from folks if this would be a pretty inclusive K year for her. Here's the option: FIAR (a person at our co-op is selling about $100 for 1-3 plus holiday plus cookbook) Hooked on Phonics K Learn to read set (we actually have the complete K-2 set already, bought unused at a library sale for $5, has everything) Handwriting Without Tears (HOT) -- we have wooden set already and comklete letter pages, she is working on these) and then the additional materials are ideas to complete her curriculum: Handwriting -- HWOT K - Letters and Numbers for Me ($11.64) Phonics -- Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons ($12.73) Explode the Code Vol. 1 ($9.05) Math -- Singapore Early Bird Textbook A & B ($24 and $29 respectively) Science -- Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding: A Science Curriculum for K-2 ($22.34) Science Arts ($12.89) ************* (I'd appreciate any alternatives to the above, I got from a great post on web site For Love of Education) *************** Anyway, it looks like if I bought all the above it would come to about $121.65. And then if I bought the FIAR books too the total might come to $200. Is this a fairly complete curriculum? This would be less than 1/2 what the Calvert would come to even on sale. Please help me decide. I like the idea of having things laid out and how to work with the teaching materials with the Calvert. But something is pulling me to go the other way (now that I'd decided last night on the Calvert, am having second thoughts.) HELP! Amy

I'm planning what to do next year for our daughter's K year. Right now she is in an integrated preschool afternoons, but we will probably pull her out next year for K. (Even if we didn't pull yet, the school's K is 1/2 day so we could also school at home.) At a recent library sale I paid $5 for a box of Hooked on Phonics, which I now see was probably a very good buy. It is a deluxe learn to read set for K-2, which appears all unopened and unused materials. Can anyone tell me if this is a pretty complete phonics curriculum, would I need to add anything to it? For K there is a set of 14 HOP books, 10 HOP companion boos, Helper Words and Word Play cards, stickers, a game board, several more sets of cards with what look like rings, and 3 CDs, a Parents guide, stickers, and Yellow Workbook. Any help would be great. We were thinking of going with Calvert K curriculum but seeing everything we have here makes me thing perhaps we could just use these as the phonics component and add to it. But please help -- don't really know WHAT to do with all of this. Thanks! Oh and need help ASAP as there is a 30% sale on today for Calvert and I need to decide right away. Amy

Melisa, this is a great idea. I'm not sure how I stumbled on group last month, but so glad I did. It was very fun and am looking forward to doing it again this month. Amy

I posted earlier on the afterschooling board, but also wanted to post here. Am looking for more thoughts on how to approach this issue right now -- and also help in weighing what do do next year... We just started HSing this year, with our 10 year old son (4th grade). We also have a 4 year old daughter who is in public preschool. She has a vision impairment and so after turning 3 (end of EI) she started an integrated preschool class in our public school, in afternoons. This year she is also doing several mornings a week in our homeschool co-ops with her brother. She is bright, quick, and very social. She also has very much a mind of her own! We are considering homeschooling her at some point in the future BUT: 1) vision devices may not be covered if she is not in school system and 2) she's very very active (wondering how hard it would be, esp as her brother is super bright but has attention issues(no problem with behavior at all) and is better in quiet environments. Am wondering how it would be to handle the two together--he has inattentive/ADD and with her we are looking into overactivity and impulsivity. It would be like driving and braking (he needs to be revved up, she needs to be slowed down). So that's our background. But the question now is: Yesterday she and two of her friends were apparently not listening (maybe in circle, not sure) and following directions in her preschool class. So she missed her outside time and stayed in to do math which she missed while she was "playing". This is pretty much what her teacher wrote in her daily logbook. I was wondering what you all think. Is this appropriate? This is the 2nd year she's had this teacher and she really has been a good teacher. My initial reaction though is YIKES! --isn't this really taking away recess, and when she's still in preschool? Especially if they are acting out perhaps they need the active time to settle. She's only 4 1/2, won't turn 5 until next August. I guess I'm sensitive b/c when her brother was still in public school he tried very hard and always good behavior but when he did not finish work he was held in from recess repeatedly. Even when he was also receiving OT b/c activity helped his attention issues. So what do you all think -- am I overreacting or is this appropriate? How could it have been handled differently? And...with our background, would you consider considering pulling her or continue working w/in school system and then afterschooling? She does currently have an IEP and is special needs because of her vision, but is on par or ahead in most areas. Amy

We just started HSing this year, with our 10 year old son (4th grade). We also have a 4 year old daughter who is in public preschool. She has a vision impairment and so after turning 3 (end of EI) she started an integrated preschool class in our public school, in afternoons. This year she is also doing several mornings a week in our homeschool co-ops with her brother. She is bright, quick, and very social. She also has very much a mind of her own! We are considering homeschooling her at some point in the future BUT: 1) vision devices may not be covered if she is not in school system and 2) she's very very active (wondering how hard it would be, esp as her brother is super bright but has attention issues and is better in quiet environments and wondering how it would be to handle the two together). And we are looking into overactivity and impulsivity So that's our background. But the question now is: Today she and two of her friends were apparently not listening (maybe in circle, not sure) and following directions in her preschool class. So she missed her outside time and stayed in to do math which she missed while she was "playing". This is pretty much how her teacher wrote in her daily logbook. I was wondering what you all think. Is this appropriate? This is the 2nd year she's had this teacher and she really has been a good teacher. My initial reaction though is YIKES! --isn't this really taking away recess, and when she's still in preschool? Especially if they are acting out perhaps they need the active time to settle. She's only 4 1/2, won't turn 5 until next August. I guess I'm sensitive b/c when her brother was still in public school he tried very hard and always good behavior but when he did not finish work he was held in from recess repeatedly. Even when he was also receiving OT b/c activity helped his attention issues. So what do you all think -- am I overreacting or is this appropriate? How could it have been handled differently? And...with our background, would you consider considering pulling her or continue working w/in school system and then afterschooling? Amy

I love to supplement too! Our son is doing Calvert 4th and I still do in certain areas where he needs more. He just takes the spelling tests, but we also had a spelling bee list. And we love their CHOW history text but we are also going through SOTW at the same time. I do like Calvert, always think of it as a good solid curriculum -- but we go for enrichment too. At the same time I can see where this might not always work. Our daughter, 4, is a different sort altogether! Very bright but needs a different approach. So I think for now piecing together a K curriculum would work best. Will have to see when she gets older what to do. Thanks again! Amy

I appreciate your comments. Not sure about going in unannounced though -- at least the way it was with my son (we just started HSing this year in 4th) you had to have a reason ("job") to go into the classroom. It is hard to get in these days! I can't stop shaking the feeling that parents are not encouraged to be part of the educational process. (Not what they say, but certainly what is shown.) Amy