[Khan Academy Algebra Question]

It's for my son. I watched a video and couldn't find any practice problems. It seems the videos and practice problems don't match up?

[Yay! My ds is learning from DIVE science!]

If you want to use a specific textbook that is not listed, the author said you could send in a request and he'd make a Syllabus for you.

[Khan Academy Algebra Question]

What is the best ways to go through the videos? They have numerous sections about algebra. Do I just start at the first video and go from there? I think I'm going to have to add myself as a coach to make this work best.

[Yay! My ds is learning from DIVE science!]

He's using Integrated Chemistry and Physics. This is very Christian which I love, but others may not. The cost was perfect for us too since there was no textbook to purchase.

[BFG, yuck!]

Okay, I hate this book. My dd doesn't seem to mind it, but I think it's boring and don't like reading the crazy dialogue. When do you stop reading a book? I don't have any moral issues that make me HAVE to stop reading. I just don't want my dd to think she shouldn't finish a book just because she doesn't love it. Reading aloud on a regular basis with this child is fairly new. Maybe if we've read numerous books together already. Do I drop it? Could it possibly get better?

[Khan Academy Algebra Question]

Is there a course outline to follow if your child needs more algebra help? Are there problems to work out in these lectures? I thought I saw this on TV, but I don't remember seeing this in the few lectures that I saw.

[Yay! My ds is learning from DIVE science!]

I've heard that some kids don't learn from DIVE science because the instructor gives all of the answers during the lecture. It's very easy to just copy the answers down without learning anything. While watching my ds, I see that he is breaking during the lecture to work out the problems and doesn't give me the same wording in all of his assignments.

 

I told him that the 4 exams that he will take will be worth a large chunk of his grade. Although he hasn't mastered the art of studying, he still managed to get an 85% on the exam. This is a win for him! He struggled where I thought he would: math.

 

I just needed to share my excitement about DIVE. I am loving this curriculum for him and hope to stick with it through high school.

[SOTW- can I skip the activity book?]

You can do whatever works for your family. Maybe you could read one day and do an activity the next. That way they aren't waiting too long. We have the same issue with our science. My dd loves her science book and wants me to just keep reading. I chose to keep our activities because she enjoys them. It's just hard for her to wait on the reading.

[Your thoughts on changing things up]

Thanks for all the thoughts. We read a lot today. I have to read in smaller spurts because my voice gets tired easily. This seems good for us because we fit in some other subjects in between. We still did math, spelling, a science project, and handwriting.

 

Also, my dd loves to draw. I allow her to draw while I read, and she loves that. Today had a great flow. As long as we have good results, I'm gonna continue with it.

[Your thoughts on changing things up]

My 3rd grade dd HATES books. She hates reading just about anything. I've tried comics. I've tried magazines. I've tried the popular easier series. I've bribed. Nothing seems to work.

 

She does love being read to. I always feel like I don't have time to read to her because schoolwork takes up too much time. So what do you think of taking time off from most school to just read books? I'd love to take an hour or two to just read.

 

Am I wasting precious educational time or opportunities? Is this a disservice to her? I don't want to necessarily concentrate on educational books. I want fun and exciting books to hopefully peak her interest in eventually reading for fun.

[Questions.]

In what areas is she behind? Math, reading, comprehension, etc? Have you had her tested for learning disabilities?

 

My 3rd grade dd has Dyslexia. We use All About Spelling along with R&S reading and phonics (Christian). There are many other wonderful programs that others will suggest.

 

As far as math, many folks like Singapore math, Math-U-See, and Right Start Math.

 

I'm sure many others will have suggestions. Good job, Momma, for being so proactive in helping your dd!

[Teaching cursive to older students]

My ds didn't learn until 8th grade. He used Zaner-Bloser.

[Snap Words review]

I appreciate you taking time to share your review and how you are using Snap Words.

 

We are using Snap Words for learning to read purposes, but I'll definitely be hanging on to the cards and keeping this in mind. I also think ds would enjoy the spelling dictionary for himself when he tries to write for personal enjoyment.

 

Here's a sample from the 1st edition for those who want to see what it's like. http://www.child-1st.com/new_site/Free_Samples/978-1-936981-21-2.pdf

 

I had previously look at the Illustrated Book of Sounds & Their Spelling Patterns, but it didn't seem to fit my ds. Here's a sample of that. http://www.child-1st.com/new_site/Free_Samples/STSPSamplePages.pdf

 

I like the idea of using the snap words for spelling though. The cards look like the sample, it's just that the back side has the word written without visuals.

 

Yes, I teach it as spelling, but they also learn those smaller words that don't necessarily have pictures with them (the, a, then, when, etc.) and help with reading.

[Snap Words review]

I recently purchased the snap words dictionary of 607 most common words for my dyslexic VSL 8yo dd. Since I am so NOT VSL, the whole concept seemed kind of crazy to me. They show the word in a picture that describes the word. Then there is a sentence and a motion to along with the word. Since my dd has had a lot of reading and phonics practice, we are moving through the words alphabetically.

 

I am amazed at her enthusiasm! She loves seeing the picture and makes up the story to fit each letter. If the picture doesn't help her with the spelling (she likes each letter to represent a character in a story), she will spend 5-10 minutes drawing a picture that helps her.

 

I then have her "snap a picture" in her mind of the word. She then spells it for me forward and backward. I often have her close her eyes when she does this to "see" the picture in her mind.

 

She is excited about learning in this way. We still use R&S phonics and AAS to teach phonics and spelling. I see no reason why phonics and sight words cannot reinforce each other.

[Yard & neighborhood signs for high schoolers -- are these prevalent in your area?]

I'm near Chicago and we have these everywhere. Especially at the end of the year. Annoying.

[Math help for 8 yr old]

I second Education Unboxed. My dd loves to play the math games and is finally learning her facts. We also do her math problems on a whiteboard. I work them out aloud and then she works some out.

 

Also, xtramath.com is a great site for reviewing facts that most kids don't mind using. We like it here!

[Do other kids doing AAS hate the tiles?]

My dyslexic dd loves AAS. This crazy VSL child loves to use tiles, write the words, mix tiles and marker, scribble with markers and then wipe away the letters, draw pictures to match the word with a picture, etc. I wish she would just write the words so we could move on, but this is how her brain works!

[is this a problem?]

The question may just not make sense to her. When it says "I am ____", she may think they are asking about her?? It sounds like an imaginative 7.5 yo. I personally wouldn't worry about it.

[R&S English vs. CLE]

I adore R&S! I haven't found anything better. If it's working, don't fix it.

[Advice on helping child to become "fluent in math"?]

Education Unboxed! If I knew how to imbued websites, I would. This site has a lot of fun math games that don't feel like school. My dd asks to play these with me during her free time.:001_smile:

[Rod & Staff phonics -- reviews & comments]

It's great to see the different reviews of R&S. My dyslexic 8yo dd is currently using R&S phonics and reading unit 2 along with AAS 1 (lesson 20) and Why Johnny Can't Read. I find that they all compliment each other well. My dd learns well with sight words, but I am trying to give her a strong phonics foundation as well. We just purchased snapwords to give that visual for over 600 of the most common words.

 

I feel like I'm covering the bases. None of it contradicts each other. The phonics in one correlates well to the phonics in another, which correlates well to the sight words. She then notices how the phonics rules fit into the words that she has learned "by sight."

 

Another thing I love about R&S is the repetition. Now that my dd has been using their phonics and reading for a while, she can often pick it up and go with little instruction. It moves at a great pace.:001_smile:

[Which writing program do you LOVE for Jr/Sr High?]

I LOVE Essentials in Writing. I like Mr. Stephens and his teaching ability. I like the progressive nature through the grades in writing ability. I like that grammar is slowly phased out so that there is more emphasis on writing. I love the price! My 9th grade son seems to enjoy this writing program as well.

[typing instructor for kids-how to use this?]

I just don't get how to assign this. There's this map with games and typing practice, but I don't see any way to pace it. I'd like to take this real slow, but it seems to be progressing too quick. Does anybody use this with success?

[Dyslexia, VT, primitive reflexes, incontinence, oh my!]

I will looking into the vitamin C tablets. The snow angels exercise used to help with spinal galant reflex is supposed to help with overnight incontinence if that is a retained reflex.

[s/o length of school day - how do they use that time?]

I did not include study time in my son's average of 5 hours a day. He's not a great studier, but we are working on those skills. I do make him correct his work which may take an extra 1/2-1 hour a day.