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Chloe

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Everything posted by Chloe

  1. Just finished reading The Princess and the Goblin, starting Rolf and the Viking Bow on audio to give me a break. Dh is reading aloud Little Britches.
  2. "Your list otherwise seems to miss a lot of the "world" for "world history" adjuncts." Yes, I noticed this the more I looked at it. Thanks for the suggestions! I think I'll have to look into more documentaries.
  3. Ds adores those Hazardous Tales books - I see you have a couple of them on there. They're graphic novels and it's not like they're beautiful writing, but they're super informative and full of information. Ds is not a voracious reader and he usually dislikes nonfiction but he read them all for fun. Good to know! Thanks! The books on your lists that I just love are Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt, Jenner and the Speckled Monster, and The War to End All Wars. Very helpful! There's a lot more out there though... I don't tend to plan so much so we often get a pile of books from the library and I let the kids choose among them. Like, I like that Adams book on your list, but there are other Adams books and I wouldn't mind letting my kids just pick the one they want and then set a time goal for reading it depending on the length and complexity. I really like this idea! I might do this! For historical fiction... from your list, definitely give Carry On, Mr. Bowditch a try. And maybe Johnny Tremain or Across Five Aprils. It sounds like he liked the traditional well-written boy historical fiction novels, you know? Thanks so much!
  4. So, you mentioned you plan on covering "the second half of World History" next year… That's a whacking big chunk of History and people to cover -- I'm guessing that means something like 1500 to present?? Even if it's "only" 1700 to present, I'd suggest keeping a very global focus, so you could bump the very specifically American History-based books and save them for a year when you focus on American History. That would cut your list by about half, by bumping those books. For more ideas for the 20th century, check out this thread from Chrysalis Academy, when she was planning for her 6th grader -- almost everything in that thread would work for an 8th grader: "Okay guys, help me refine a Modern Era Reading list for my 6th grader". Thank you! Yes, 1500 to present. Great idea cutting out most of the American focus. Also, your list of books is all in support of History. How much Literature will DS also be reading (these would be works read in support of English)? Usually along about 7th-8th grade, students start studying Literature a bit more formally, learning about literary elements, and learning how to discuss, analyze, write about, and "dig deeper" into a work beyond just plot. About this stage, students also start being exposed to a variety of types of Literature (novels, novellas, short stories, poetry, plays, and possibly an essay or two), and also exposure to different genres of fiction (realistic, adventure, humor, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, etc.). So, will DS be doing a Literature program, or reading Lit. and doing individual Lit. guides? I ask, because especially with a dyslexic, that's going to suck up a lot of his reading energy/abilities and will leave less for the History readings (your list). Yes, this list is just for history. We will do a separate literature program.....not sure what yet. Also just going to throw in there that with a dyslexic, you might consider keeping the History reader level low, and do a lot more with audio books, recordings of speeches, but especially with documentaries and feature films of historic people and events. Modern era esp. has LOADS of great non-fiction videos out there, often with footage of the actual history-makers and their own words. I have considered this as well. I haven't had an opportunity to pull together a good list of documentaries and films yet. I do plan to do some books on the list as audios. And then as far as reading, maybe plan on a total of no more than 9 History-based books for DS to read (1 per month), and 9 Literature units (an average of 1 per month, and allows a novel to go longer than a month, and a unit on poetry or on a play to run for just 1-2 weeks). Or, plan out your Literature reading, and then do as Farrar suggests above with library books and a book basket to choose from for History support and for enjoyable solo reading -- biographies, non-fiction, and some historical fiction, plus any other fiction works that DS enjoys -- maybe some speculative fiction that is easier to read, but has "meat to chew on" to think about/discuss -- things like Tuck Everlasting, Below the Root, A Wrinkle in Time, The Giver, etc. Yes, I was thinking I would like to narrow the history book list down to 12-15, giving us the flexibility to skip a few if need be. I love the book basket idea. I'll have to give that some more thought. Just some quick thoughts on books from your list that I am familiar with: Isaac Newton by John Tiner I'd substitute one of Tiner's books that cover a LOT of key science people in one book, since you're trying to cover a huge chunk of very rich/dense History in just one year ("the second half of World History") -- History of Medicine, Exploring the World of Chemistry, or Exploring World of Physics would all be good substitutes, as the majority of people covered in those books are 1500 to the present These books would be quicker reads as they are at a 4th-6th grade reading level: Peter the Great by Stanley Lincoln: A Photobiography by Freedman The Boys' War Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt! by Fritz Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity Ug. Not a fan of Daugherty's VERY old-fashioned writing style -- VERY slow-going and not terribly lively: Poor Richard by Daugherty (Ben Franklin) Of Courage Undaunted by Daugherty (Lewis and Clark) Also tougher reads: The Story of My Life by Helen Keller -- very flowery, convoluted, long sentences (DS with stealth dyslexia hated it -- we managed to finish it only by alternating pages as aloud-reading) Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass -- older vocabulary and sentence structure, but easier to get through than Helen Keller -- could just do selected excerpts No: Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl If you're looking for something on the Holocaust, this is NOT it; it is mostly the typical thoughts of a teen girl -- who happened to be in hiding during WW2, so WW2 and the Holocaust really don't come in to it -- with some brief passages on sexual awakening; our DSs found it mostly boring and then a bit "squirm-ish" at those sections. There are a TON of great historical fiction works, and young adult fiction based on real people/events for WW2 and the Holocaust, so I would pick from those instead of Anne Frank. JMO. Here is a past thread with lots of ideas: "Number the Stars or Diary of Anne Frank" This helps so much! Thank you! Just my random ramblings, FWIW… ;) BEST of luck in planning your 8th grade History (and Literature). Warmest regards, Lori D. So grateful for your ramblings! Very helpful!
  5. Good point. It's difficult to say. Ds claims he prefers to learn history through mostly biographies and nonfiction. However, I record which books were my dc's favorites each year, and looking back I now see it's the historical fiction he enjoyed the most. Some of his favorites have been The Bronze Bow, Hittite Warrior, The Great Wheel, My Side of the Mountain and The Sign of the Beaver.
  6. My ds will be studying the second half of world history next year as an 8th grader. He's dyslexic and reads slowly, so I know he won't be able to get through this whole list. I'd love opinions so I can narrow it down. Also, some "not to be missed" historical fiction suggestions would be great. He prefers to read biographies and nonfiction, so the historical fiction will be read-alouds. TIA! The Sea King by Marrin (Sir Francis Drake) Struggle for a Continent by Marin (French and Indian Wars) Duel in the Wilderness by Farley (Washington in French and Indian Wars) Isaac Newton by Tiner Peter the Great by Stanley Jonathan Edwards by George Westward Adventure by Steele (true pioneer stories) Poor Richard by Daugherty (Ben Franklin) The War for Independence by Marrin The Revolutionary John Adams by Harness Nathan Hale: One Dead Spy by Hale Charles Dickens by Stanley Carry on Mr. Bowditch Kit Carson and the Wild Frontier by Moody Wild Bill Hickok Tames the West Of Courage Undaunted by Daugherty (Lewis and Clark) Lincoln: A Photobiography by Freedman Amazing Grace (film) A Volcano Beneath the Snow by Marrin Guts and Glory: The American Civil War Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Stonewall Jackson by Fritz Amos Fortune, Free Man The Boys’ War David Livingstone Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt! Dr. Jenner and the Speckled Monster The Story of My Life by Helen Keller Flesh and Blood So Cheap by Marrin Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales (WWI) The War to End All Wars by Freedman Sergeant York by Perry Years of Dust by Marrin The Good Fight by Ambrose Guts and Glory: WWII The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler Children of the Storm by Vins Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl Hey, Mac! By McMurdie Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity C. S. Lewis: The Story Teller Gandhi by Fisher Basher Five-Two by O’Grady
  7. Good to know. We are not concerned with our dc getting in to college there either. We know we will eventually make our way back to the US, even if it isn't until dh retires. But regardless, our dc will be going to US colleges.
  8. That's what I'm thinking. We won't exactly be expats, as it would be a new job with a new company, so we would be there as long as dh keeps the job. However, we would be intending on our dc coming back to the US for university. My oldest, a senior, has already been excepted to her college of choice here in PA and will be attending after a gap year. It would be great if she could spend part of that year in Spain. Being able to homeschool in Spain is a deal breaker in whether or not dh takes the job.
  9. Good idea. Being able to homeschool there is a deal breaker in whether or not dh takes the job.
  10. Exactly. I can't even figure out if it would be legal for us.
  11. My dh is considering a job offer in Madrid. Is there anyone on these boards homeschooling in Spain? I'd love to hear some personal experiences.
  12. I've been on TWTM boards since 2002 when my oldest was 4yo. I remember spending a lot of time researching what to use to teach her to read, and now she will be graduating this May and was just accepted to her first choice college. :blink: Where did the time go?! I don't post frequently, but I have been helped and encouraged so much by TWTM community. I prefer this newer format to the old board.
  13. Dd was accepted to Grove City College yesterday! Decision made! It was her first choice and only early admissions application. Now she can enjoy the holidays without worrying about finishing up the applications for the other colleges on her list.
  14. That is my 9yo dd's favorite book. She's an avid reader and is reading it for the third time now. I don't remember my mother reading to me at all. I remember my father reading a Bible story to me maybe a handful of times.
  15. My 7th grade son struggles with math. We are using TT for the first time this year. He tested into the grade 7 book, but I feel like he's not doing well. I don't like the second chances the program gives. He's dyslexic and has focus issues anyway, so I feel like having a second try at each problem gives him liberty to not pay close attention to his work. For that reason, I have a rule that if he has to redo three or more problems or gets three or more wrong in a lesson, he has to redo the lesson again the next day. Am I being unreasonable? He's only on lesson 17 so far and he's had to do the past four lessons a second time. Some of the errors are silly, not paying attention mistakes and some are forgetting how to work the problem. For example, today he forgot how to do long division. He's a kid who needs lots of repetition in a given concept, but also lots of review so he doesn't forget. Is TT not the right math program for him? It took him two hours to do his lesson today. He missed two practice problems and had to redo three of the lesson problems, still getting one of them wrong on the second try. I have Saxon, but feel like it would be too wordy for him due to his dyslexia. I could teach him the lesson, but he prefers to do most of his work independently. Any advice? TIA!
  16. :iagree: I have used TRL with three of my four dc. Love it!
  17. I'm sorry I have no real help, as I've just moved to a high regulation state (PA) this year myself, but I wanted to give you a bump.
  18. A big part of homeschooling is trial and error when it comes to curriculum. At least it has been for me. Personally, I like to take a minimalist approach to Kindergarten, allowing lots of time for free play and read-alouds. We concentrated mainly on reading, handwriting and math. Things we liked.... Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears Reading: The Reading Lesson Phonics Pathways Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons Explode the Code Math: Rod and Staff Math-U-See
  19. I'm not sure if it has everything you are looking for, but we like Visualize Geography.
  20. We love "How the States Got Their Shapes"! Looking forward to checking out the other suggestions!
  21. -I submit a VERY vague set of objectives every year. It's pretty much the same, although depending on the age of the child, I use either "improve handwriting skills" or "improve typing skills." It says stuff like "explore topics of interest to the student" and "broaden student's knowledge of US, PA, and world history," blah blah blah. They don't question it. It never mentions the specific books we plan to use. Like this idea! -I get the evaluation done and include the letter from my evaluator (I make a copy first). Our support group offers a list of local evaluators, but askpauline.com has some too, I think, and so does CHAP. Good to know! I missed that info on askpauline Good luck, and please ask if I can offer any other help! Thank you!
  22. Thank you! So glad to hear your school district is satisfied with a thin folder as apposed to a giant binder.
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