Amie
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Posts posted by Amie
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"European handwriting" can mean various things, but here are some ideas and inspirations that may help:
http://www.penmanship.ca/shop/book-10-european-handwriting/ (you should really download the sample of this one and take a close look)
http://www.dafont.com/deutsche-normalschrift.font (so many different fonts on this site! this is just one of many German scripts)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2534576/Vikas-Cursive-Writing-Book-Part-1
http://quotidianmoments.blogspot.com/2009/08/cursive.html
http://www.bmukk.gv.at/medienpool/15138/1994_56_beilage1.jpg
Also, we have really enjoyed these fountain pens: http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Disposable-Fountain-Assorted-90029/dp/B00092PRCA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397057870&sr=8-3&keywords=fountain+pens+pilot+varsity
(they were cheaper when I ordered them though--price fluctuates)
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:iagree: I was going to recommend Mystie and Dawn (ladydusk) too.
http://www.simplyconvivial.com/
You'll have to search for memory work/ memory binders there. They have a lot of other great info and ideas as well.
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I want to "like" all of your posts! I learn so much from you lovely ladies. I enjoyed the Big Circe Thread before and I'm enjoying this one now. Nothing major to report here...we just keep on keepin' on...
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No one? I guess I will just have to try one for myself...
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I am looking for some variety to add to our upcoming cursive practice. Anyone use any of these?
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Rod and Staff makes blank tablets for each grade (different sizes): https://www.milestonebooks.com/item/1-15127-1/?list=Rod_and_Staff_Penmanship
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I clicked on this by accident. I'm glad I did bc I thought it was going to be a discussion on the different eds of the WTM.
For those reading Abolition of Man, you might enjoy this lecture by Kreeft. Kreeft is unapologetically Catholic, so his POV is definitely philosophically from that direction. His love for Lewis and discussion around the devolution of man to the trousered ape is an enjoyable listening experience from my perspective (but I am also unapologetically Catholic and a diehard Lewis fan and Kreeft fan, too)
http://www.peterkreeft.com/audio/13_lost-in-the-cosmos.htm
I have N&N on a shelf somewhere.....never read more than a few pages. I am in an intellectual funk, so I am game if I can find the book.
Thanks for posting the Kreeft lecture again. I finally listened to it this morning and really enjoyed it. I've had it saved on my to-do list since you posted it, I don't know, years(??) ago! I recently finished my second read of Abolition... so the timing was right. I've had N&N on my Amazon wishlist for years now too, but it is expensive and I have so much to read... (We'll see if you all talk me into it.)
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Count me in; I'm up for giving it a go!
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If I use A4 paper then it won't fit nicely into regular binders, though. And that would drive me crazy, too. I just have to be difficult, don't I?
Haha, this sounds a lot like me. I have certain perfectionist attitudes about certain things...and it can really hinder my progress. I tend to feel like I have to have everything just so before I'll even attempt it. Lately, I have been trying to focus less on the little details and more on just diving in and making progress. I love following a step-by-step plan, ticking off the perfect boxes and then filing it away in the perfect binder. :) We've had some great math days lately though where we take rabbit trails and pull out the c-rods, abacus, manipulatives, games, books...and it looks so messy...and half of my MEP page numbers are missing...and there are no boxes to check and not much to file in my binder...and that kind of irritates me...but they have been some of the best math days we've had and the kids are really learning.
So all of that to say, you may just have to lower your standards...er...I mean expectations. ;) But if those things are truly getting in the way of you teaching math (and I get that), then, by all means, make a switch. Something like Math Mammoth all printed and bound/filed may be just the thing. I know it has tempted me more than once...
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I have tried not shrinking them down and the partial numbers really bother me for some reason. The measuring ones have been few enough so far that I don't think it will be too much of an issue to just print them full sized on the back.
I have also tried just looking at the laptop (don't have a tablet) and it just doesn't work well... I'm not sure why. But it always seems to go better when I have everything we need printed ahead of time. Which is why it's been a struggle using MEP... I'll think "oh, no big deal, I'll just read that from the computer when I need to" and then it just doesn't happen. I am using MEP because it is an interesting and quality math program, not because it's free. If I wasn't using it, I would be spending money on a pre-bound, prepared curriculum. So, for me, it makes sense to spend the money to make MEP as legit and easy to use as possible. Spending the time and money to get it pre-printed, bound and organized makes it feel more like a "real" math program and will make me want to stick with it longer. And it will still probably be cheaper than buying Primary Mathematics or any other program I am interested in.
I often end up filling in the rest of the page number with a pen...but not always these days.
And I do understand the issues with using the computer. I have a mixed relationship with it. It is so easy and convenient and yet also the reason we may hesitate in getting the "math ball" rolling for the day. I am very much a pen/paper/book in hand kind of person. I am actually planning on printing out the teacher lesson plans like shown in the fisher academy link above beginning with Year 2b. My original reason was to have more of our curriculum to show at end-of-year evaluations, but I really think it will help our days be more organized and efficient. I don't feel too bad about printing it all out either knowing I'll have another student to follow.
I think a lot of my MEP success depends on the prep work I put into it, but a lot of that prep work can be done once at the beginning of a year or semester.
Also, I forgot to mention earlier that we are covering all of the money/measurements in MEP as is and add in US money/measurements in everyday life (so far). But I'm thinking of purchasing a little workbook or the Math Mammoth section on money and measurements to round that out.
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Here are a couple of my favorite old blog posts about setting up MEP for the year:
http://ohpeacefulday.blogspot.com/2009/06/mep-101.html
http://fisheracademy.blogspot.com/2010/05/mep-organization-in-pictures.html
(There are probably other great posts by now, but I haven't searched in quite a while.)
I do not print our worksheets on A4 paper and I never shrink to fit. You can print normally on our 8.5 x 11 copy paper and you will only lose the bottom half of the page numbers. That way the measurements will work out as they should.
I haven't printed any of the OHP's/posters up to this point. If I use one I usually pull it up on my laptop or iPad (this may not be an easy option for others) for us to view there. This has been especially helpful in beginning Reception with my younger (all that color in Reception!). I usually do his lessons on the iPad opened in Notability so we can mark on the worksheets with our fingers.
I have fewer children and a shorter MEP career than you do, so I am still learning and looking for better ways to organize. But I wanted to chime in with our (limited) experience anyway. I'll be watching this thread with interest.
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I'd get new friends or do without because no, your kids do not need other kids to hang out with, especially kids like that. Children in history did just fine without other kids to play with.
I too understand always hosting, and I'm okay with it, but I wouldn't host people who disrespected me like that.
Yes! Martha said what I was trying to say, but in three sentences! :)
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We 'try out' new friends all the time. We've moved, on average, every 15 months. Our families don't live nearby and the kids need other kids to hang out with. I've found there aren't many people willing to invite a large family over to their house so we end up hosting all the time. It's too hot this time of year to do anything outside and a couple trips to indoor play places every week would get expensive. It is what it is, part of military life is having to constantly be trying to make new friends.
Well every family/individual is different when it comes to friends and socializing, and I know for a fact that I am nothing close to the social butterfly. That being said, I would suggest re-evaluating your thoughts on how much kids really "need other kids to hang out with". Yes, everyone will have their own thoughts on this and you have to decide what is best for your family. However, it is quite possible to raise normal, healthy, happy, well-adjusted kids without giving them play dates with peers a couple of times a week. I get that some people simply enjoy doing that, but this sounds like it is adding unnecessary stress to your life. Not to mention--honestly?--these don't sound like the kind of kids I'd care to have mine around for long periods of time. We work very hard to teach our kids to be the very opposite of what you described...especially when visiting someone else's home. I want my kids to be able to hang out with other kids sometimes too, but not at that cost! It isn't always worth it.
I'm sorry you're dealing with this and I do hope you can find some quality friends. However, you don't have to settle for stress and bad influences in the meantime just because you feel pressured to give your kids regular play dates. A "social break" won't ruin your kids. We've all gone through seasons where good, local friends were scarce if not completely absent. But hopefully it only lasts a short season. At least with a bigger family you have some built-in relationships and playmates already at home; don't undervalue those! (I come from a large family). Hugs to you!
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No idea if schools around here collect/redistribute supplies or let kids keep their own. It would be interesting to find out.
I can't really try and claim my house is not set up for babies, toddlers, or preschoolers when I have children those ages myself. Our kids have learned what they are and are not allowed to touch and when they may or may not go in the classroom. Kids who come over don't know those rules and I don't have time to go explain then enforce a bunch of rules. I need to be able to say 'you're not allowed in there, if you really want to play with similar things they are in this box and can be played with elsewhere. Maybe I could try phrasing it in terms if school. 'You wouldn't go into the classroom next to yours to play, would you? Think about our classroom like that, it's set up for our family to do work so we don't let anyone play in there'.
The big problem is parents who stay. It's been an issue in other areas. One mom gushed about how funny it was her kids were 'helping' me organize the master bedroom closet. Uh, those kids were out of control - they were sweaty and dirty from playing outside then ran around in and wiped their faces on every article of clothing we had hanging in there. Rewashing everything took days and left me behind on our regular laundry. They shouldn't have been in there in the first place. I kept telling them, so the mom could hear, they shouldn't be in there. She didn't do anything and, really, what could I do? Drag them out? Another kid was told, by me, over and over not to go in the pantry. The mom didn't do anything, just said how her kid likes to explore and how she encourages it. Great. That kid explored despite my protests until a huge bag of rice was dumped out which the kid decided to start walking on in bare feet. It took hours and moving the appliances to get it cleaned up then we had ants coming in anyway on top of being out $15 worth of rice.
Those are the sort of things we have encountered in the past that make me feel like I have to guard the classroom (and keep the master bedroom locked) when other kids are over. I don't want books or supplies ruined, messes made, or personal desks gone through. I guess I just want one part of our house that doesn't have to be set up to accommodate other people. I don't mind the kids having friends over and playing outside or in their rooms even though I have to put some things away so they won't be broken first (like baby toys).
Maybe what it comes down to is my annoyance over the lack of respect. When did it become commonplace for kids to ignore what adults are saying to them and treat other people's houses and belongings as if they were their own?
WOW. You need new friends. Maybe this sort of parenting attitude varies by region?? I was originally going to suggest some sort of friendly sign you could hang on the outside perimeter of the your schoolroom--like a "closed" and "open" sign on a store front. Maybe something about school is/is not in session. Then maybe a small list of rules listed underneath. But after reading this last post? This goes beyond your school room and you are obviously dealing with some difficult parents. I really can't quite imagine...?? It sounds like almost all socializing needs to begin taking place in a location outside of your home.
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Wow, you took nature study to another level...impressive! I was thinking nature study wasn't for the faint of heart last week when my boys' female Hercules beetle broke free during the night IN OUR HOUSE!! Yeah, they don't call 'em Hercules for nothing! This thing was enormous and there was no way I was going to get much sleep in this house until she was found. She turned up that afternoon, thankfully.
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You do the best you can. And then you just have to laugh a little when you find Simon's Cat on the shelf beside The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. :001_rolleyes: Or at least that's what I was doing recently while re-straightening books...again.
My kids are young, so I'm often tweaking and tidying the shelves. The tidiness issue gets easier as they get older, but I still struggle with how to divide the books when some titles could go in more than one category. I do know, however, that Simon doesn't belong in WW2 history. ;)
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I agree with above poster, our local Dollar Tree usually has workbooks (nothing amazing, but something for them to do).
Also, just a thought, can you encourage her to venture out on her own more instead of always requiring worksheets you've provided? For example: give her access to a stack of colorful catalogues you no longer need, some scissors, glue, etc. See if she will make something on her own or give her an assignment like "Can you find (circle, cut out) pictures in this magazine of things that begin with the 'b' sound?" (or things that are round, or blue, or animals, or things you would find outside, or things you would take on a trip, etc., etc,).
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I love it! ~Florida girl here! :seeya:
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We like the Archkidecture site too. So while we're at it...
Here is an Architectural ABC's coloring book we've enjoyed (free pdf): http://www.crt.state.la.us/hp/mainstreet/mainstreet_coloringbook.pdf
This site includes timelines of great architects and buildings plus lots of photos, maps, 3D models, etc.: http://www.greatbuildings.com/
And http://madebyjoel.com/ is fun for the younger crowd to make an itty bitty paper city or to include in a study/survey of famous structures around the world (Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House, etc.).
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I've been reading about the life of Beatrix Potter. I know she is not known as an artist, but she really was a talented artist. She was quite amazing at a young age.
I was going to suggest Beatrix Potter as well--especially if this is for younger children. Maybe not the most mainstream pick for an "artist", but appealing and accessible for children. (We found a great book about her art at our library, btw.)
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I've seen some pretty cool things made out of cardboard boxes come through my Pinterest feed. Try googling cardboard box garage and click on images...see if anything inspires you. A couple of years ago we were visiting my sister/brother in law and kids were playing with bil's old toy airplanes. Bil got the idea to make them a last-minute airport/runway out of some old shipping boxes, tape, and a Sharpie. The kids loved it and still look forward to digging it out of sis/bil's closet every time we visit!
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Another victim of Icy Hot...
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Curious what you think -when is this cool bilingualism and when is it linguistic confusion or laziness? I mean, people deride Spanglish and other "mutt" hybrids as signs that someone doesn't know either language. (Granted the use of "entree" should be fair game as it's a French word to begin with!)
:lurk5:
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I have been on this exact search! We, too, enjoy memorizing longer passages (like an entire Psalm) at a time. I have some illustrated poems we enjoy (like Paul Revere's Ride or Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening), but I can't find much variety for Bible passages yet. Thanks for the link; I have thought about just letting the kids (as they are old enough) copy them down in journals/notebooks and illustrating them themselves.
What I do know of:
Tasha Tudor has a couple...Psalm 23 (again) and The Lord's Prayer...maybe something else if I can remember...
Gennady Spirin has illustrated the 23rd Psalm as well and also the "Christmas Story" taken word for word from the KJV.
Somehow I own this little book: http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-All-New-Leaf-Press/dp/0892214937/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352858729&sr=1-1&keywords=the+wonder+of+it+all
It has a large passage of Job set to beautiful photography. I like the idea of it and wish I could find more of something like this. I thought about making/ordering my own photo book with scriptures in it. (?)
I think one of the Bluedorn's daughters (Trivium Pursuit) illustrated a Psalm or two, but I haven't seen those.
This book is on my Christmas wishlist. A British soldier illustrated the book of Psalms as a gift for his wife. I think his son had it published after his death. It may serve as inspiration for us in making our own books.
Hopefully others will have suggestions I haven't found yet.
Easy "open and go" pre-k that is just enough to keep the little occupied while the biggers do school
in PreK and K
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We like the Rod and Staff workbooks too. Also, dollar store workbooks are nice if you have one who goes through them fast.
A great (free) idea I got from another mom here: give them a pretty catalog or magazine you are done with and a pair of kiddy scissors; ask them to find and cut out objects of a particular category for you (like objects that are red, or things that begin with the 'b' sound, or animals, or food, or things you might take on a picnic...etc. depending on the contents of magazine). Then they might enjoy gluing the pieces to construction paper or whatever.
Keep certain educational play things put away until school time so they are more fun and special. Rotate through them like "subjects" (Cuisenaire rods, abacus, geo boards, puzzles, legos, tangrams, stringing beads/buttons/pasta, pipe cleaners, sewing cards, magnet letters on a board...)