3monkeys
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Posts posted by 3monkeys
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:bigear: I feel your pain!
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I will say I have made schedule after schedule and nothing ever seems to stick. My latest one is doing pretty well. I can't decide if it's me, having a toddler, or just the nature of homeschooling that makes me feel like I'm always behind. As far as my house, I never feel like it's clean. I feel more like I "maintain" instead of actually cleaning. So my point is.....I know how you feel! :grouphug:
Without writing out my entire schedule, I will just tell you what has finally made sense for us. (If you would like to see it, let me know and I will be glad to type it out.) I made a schedule with the heading's MOM, DS1 and DS2. I have all the times to the left as you do. I schedule each child something in each time frame. I make sure when I'm working with one child the other has something to do independently. So under my heading for example, it may say Math. It will say Math under DC1 as well and that tells me I'm working with him for math. Under DC2 heading during the same time frame, it may say math games or hands on math. Just something he can do alone. That way each child is busy while I work with other child and our day goes by a lot faster. My K'r is usually done by lunch which gives me time in the afternoon with my 2nd grader to do more in depth stuff. I will also add I combine as much as I can!!!!
As far as chores, I try to get all these done in the morning...kids too! Start school, break for lunch, more chores, finish afternoon work, finish any chores, then free time for kids.
Finding sufficient time to cook meals.....well still fine tuning that one! I think the crockpot needs to become my best friend. Every time I use it, I think..."I need to do this every day". But then forget to pull it together in the morning! It's all a vicious cycle!!! :lol:
Not sure if any of this helps but just know all us homeschool moms are in the same boat and can sympathize.
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I have a K and 2nd grader. So I'm using the 1st grade level and plan to keep at that pace. It's worked out great. This is my first year using it, so don't really know about the K level. Honestly, the content is so well done that my 2nd grader hasn't even noticed it's 1st grade. The information is well written and I think even your 3rd grader would get a lot out of the 1st grade stuff and if you choose to do 2nd grade, I would almost bet your K'r would be fine. That way all kids can be doing the same thing. Now with that said, the workbooks would be to babyish for your older one. My two are not even that fond of the workbooks, so we just read the lesson together and have discussions. I've learned so much myself from the 1st grade material, so whatever you decide I believe your entire family will benefit.
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I have 8 and 5 year old. My ds8 still will do that when I leave room. For some reason they think work ends when you leave the room. I don't have any answers for you but here are some things I've been trying.
Setting an egg timer beside them. They have to complete work in X amount of time.
My new favorite...you have X amount of time to finish your math sheet. If not done, we're moving on to next subject and you will finish it during your free/play time.
Have him chew gum during independent work. It works wonders!
Say things like, "I'm going to change brothers diaper. I expect X amount of words to be written when I get back.
Something I plan to start are independent notebooks. Thinking I will put worksheets I want completed and need no to minimal help from me. I will organize by week and expect all sheets to be done by end of week. If not, dc will have to do over weekend. My thoughts are to teach personal responsibility and time management. I hope they will realize if they work hard they can finish early and possibly have a few days off.
Not sure if this helps or answers your question!:lol:
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:iagree:
Sometimes it seems from reading this board it is easy to get the idea that every child can read by age 3 and that they taught themselves and that any child who is slower has a LD.
:iagree:
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What finally helped my child to blend was this....
I took letter tiles and with 2 sets of vowels made a large circle. Then I started with a consonant (say b) and had child keep in his hand but hold it next to the a and say 'ba'. Then kept moving around the circle saying ba, be, bi, bo, bu, bu, bo, bi, be, ba. (all short vowels). Then I would give him the c and do the same thing. We did this until we moved through all the consonants easily before ever making words. That is what finally helped him "notice" that first sound. I saw this technique with Sing, Spell, Read, and Write.
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There is no way level 1 can do BTC! I started around book 3 or 4.
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Hi all,
For 3monkeys or anyone else who's been using EIW for a few months. Have you found the grammar component to be enough? We will be using this next year for Second Grade and I just want to make sure we don't need to supplement with an additional grammar program.
Thank you!
I haven't started using it yet. However, there have been threads about the grammar being enough. I also asked the author and he told me the only thing I needed to add was spelling. So hoping this is the case!
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I started with my ds8. He hates to write but loves to draw. So I had him start a journal where he draws a picture and he has to write about the drawing. It has worked out great. No more complaints. Another tip if you have a perfectionist. I do not correct journal until next day or so. I want him to write without worrying about me coming behind him the second he's done to correct it. It really has relaxed him since I made that rule.
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I'm planning to switch next school year (Aug). I just love the idea of dvd lessons, the ease of printing a worksheet for that lesson, and no need for a separate grammar program. I especially like the price and the fact I don't ever have to buy the same grade twice (or 3 times).
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How about listen to SOTW while in car. We do that and get lots done driving to and from sports, co-op, and piano. Just a thought!
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To be honest, I don't think I would use as a stand alone. Both mine loved it in the beginning, but of course when I purchased it it became boring or groans when I told them to do it.
I should say we haven't been using it all that long, but my gut tells me to keep my other phonics going. Definitely keep FLL. No grammar is covered that I've seen as of yet.
Two things that bugs me are I have no progress report that's worth a flip and Child must pass test to get to next level, but questions are easy. The following material my 5 year old may not be ready for. You can repeat lessons for extra practice but neither of mine will go for that!
I do however think its a great supplement for us and gives them a new way to learn the same concept.
Hope that helps!
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I will have the same grades next year as you and plan to use Expedition Earth. I have it and it looks really great and easy to use and implement. Being that it's only $15, I felt like if it didn't work out or turned out to be a supplement, I wouldn't feel bad. However, I'm pleasantly surprised how well done it is. I don't know much about the other two options you mentioned, Sorry!
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Glad to know I'm not the only one! Maybe it's in our subconscious to "forget" because we really don't want to cook in the first place!
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You can get it free from some states. I live in SC and just got it this week. I think it's the basic, not sure yet!
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Every Sunday night I printed out our weekly plan. Each day had listed what I wanted to accomplish. If we didn't complete, we did our best to get it done before the week was up. It has kept me on task and gave boys a visual of their day. I can now look back and see all that we've accomplished.
Switching to MUS
Adding ETC
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MerryAtHope,
would you agree with author there is no need to add grammar?
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I vote Phonics Pathways along side ETC.
Just so you know, the newborn stage is the easiest, IMO! They nap all day long and you can still get things done easily for a K'r.
Now the next 2 years will be another whole ball game! :lol:
Wishing you the best!
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Great! Thank you!
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oh, it's awesome. there are a TON of educational videos, and it really can be used in so many ways to enhance your curriculum. it is subscription based, but some states offer it for free (like SC). here's the link. you won't be eligible for the free membership until you are registered as a homeschooler. it's great though!:)
I've been homeschooling in SC for several years and have never heard of this. I just looked around their site but can't figure out how to sign up. Looks like I have to call my district to get the code??
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If you have a MAC computer, all you do is open the document and click print. There is an option to save as a pdf. Click it and there you go! Why it's under print, I will never know!
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I love, love my iPad, but if any of your school requires the use of Flash, you will never be able to view it on iPad. For example, my boys use Reading Eggs online, but can only use computer not iPad because of Flash. It drives me crazy! Also, it is possible to print from iPad, but I don't have the right printer for wireless printing and not buying a new one!
With that said, you should determine exactly what you plan to use it for. If nothing mentioned about iPad makes a difference to you, then I say iPad all the way. Size and convenience alone is worth it! Still my favorite Mothers Day gift ever!:D
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link?
Here is the link for MUS worksheet generator. Couple of things you need to know if you're not familiar with MUS.... the first drop down window will say Alpha, Beta, etc. These are the levels or grades. Alpha is 1st grade, Beta 2nd and so on. The 2nd drop down are the facts which are in the parenthesis.
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My 2 year old at the time decided it would be a good idea to lock the bolt of our back door while I took out the trash. I was 9 months pregnant and could not get back in the house. My ds could not figure out how to unlock the bolt since it was his first time even being successful locking it. The scene of me trying to talk him through unlocking the door is funny now but not at the time. I was freaking out inside but trying to remain calm as my 2 yr old hasn't realized yet he's locked inside alone. I run next door to use my neighbors phone to call my husband who was 20 mins away. As I'm waiting, my ds realizes he can't get out and starts running around the house screaming. Then I start running to all the windows trying to keep him calm. It was by the way 102 degrees that day! That was the longest 20 mins of my pregnant life! Now my ds who is 8 just loves to hear that story! Little Stinker!!
ds tested....opinions please
in The Learning Challenges Board
Posted
I finally had my ds privately tested because I was sure he was dyslexic. First i will say my ds has always been homeschooled. He continues to reverse letters/numbers, slow reading, skipping small words, losing place when reading, not able to copy from board or book very well and writing/spelling struggles. He is right handed, but swings bat left, and he is left eye dominant as well. So there is definitely an issue of mixed dominance. He also has a terrible time focusing and staying on task. He is not hyper but inattentive with things he's not interested in.
Fast forward to test. They did all the testing in one sitting...3 hours worth. Full psycho-educational testing along with ADHD testing. Results came back average across the board except for processing speed and working memory which were just below average. Diagnosis was learning disorder non-specified. Not enough point spread for learning disability. They ruled out ADHD and felt like attentive issues were result of processing speed. So basically I'm right where I started with no answers or suggestions of how to help him. Then prayer led me to vision therapy. We have a specialist 15 mins from my house. Turns out my child has convergence insufficiency which causes double vision. We start therapy this week. Do you think this will solve majority of our issues? Could he have actually scored higher IQ in testing if vision issue was out of the equation? Why did the tester not pick up on this as being a possibility? If vision therapy isn't the answer, then what should my next step be? Thank you!