ChildofGrace
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Posts posted by ChildofGrace
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Has anyone used this yet? What I really need to know about is the Chem set that is used for experiments - Does the kit contain everything you need or is heavy supplementing needed?
Thanks
Sandy
Hi, I haven't used, but have looked at it.
With regards to the experiments, you can look here at the IG sample for a list of items (not included in the kit) needed each week.
Hope this helps!
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Hi. I haven't used the program (but have looked at it extensively.) If you check out the WP website and click on "Explore Theme Programs" you can take a look at a description of the program that includes a sample of the Guidebook. Here is a link to the guide--if you'll scroll down, you'll find the "Overview of Studies", listing the countries studied by week.
HTH!
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Yes my ds is in kindergarten. He is at level when it comes to math. And usually at level when it comes to reading comprehension (though the k12 language arts seems to bore him). He is below level for phonics, history and social studies. And he is at level with writing. He just needs more practice. His speech was diagnosed at moderate to severe. I also feel he has a retention problem as we always are repeating the same stuff over and over. He doesn't know his numbers and abcs well, though we work on it a lot. Sometimes I tell him stuff, question him, and ten seconds later he has no idea what we talked about!
Well, again, if you are needing free materials, you could try the above mentioned Tanglewood Really Reading program, or you could utilize Starfall online. Since you feel he is not retaining well, perhaps you could use both--a varied approach might help with that.
For math, both IXL and Aleks offer free trials that could get you started. Also, here is a site that provides links for making worksheets, etc.
Other than that, I still maintain that kindergarten should be focused on laying a solid foundation in the 3 R's-- and that need not be a hugely stressful endeavor at all. Beyond those skill subjects, one could easily make use of the library for science, reading and history.
However, if you are at all interested in purchasing an inexpensive, "all-in-one" curriculum, I would suggest looking at either My Father's World or Heart of Dakota. I personally never used either of their kindergarten programs (because I already had phonics and other materials before they came along) but they seem to cover all the bases and I've heard many good reviews of both.
HTH as you consider all your options!
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My ears are open! :bigear: I want to do what's best for DS. I'm just not liking what I see at k12. The sales pitch and the reality are two different things!
Sorry if I missed this somewhere in the thread, but I'm assuming that your ds is in kindergarten? Could you tell us more about his skill level--if so, we could know better what suggestions to offer?
For example, one free suggestion for reading would be Tanglewood's Really Reading program.
Also, math could definitely be done very inexpensively at the K-level, and free handwriting sheets are fairly easily to find online as well.
Really, kindergarten should be a fairly low-stress year, as the major focus should be on the 3 Rs...everything else is icing on the cake!
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After reading so many rave reviews, I did look into PR fairly extensively and will definitely say that Phonics Road appears to be a wonderful program. Probably the only aspect that gave me pause was the use of rule songs mentioned by a previous poster--that would not go over well here at all. At any rate, we began using LLATL many years ago (when my oldest dc was young) and have been very happy with the results, so I decided to just stick with it. Here are some thoughts I shared a while ago regarding the "lack of rigor" charge so often leveled at LLATL.
Best wishes as you choose!
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I am using Core 7 with an 8th, & 7th grader and have a 4th and 2nd grader joining us for the History/Read-aloud time, so I'll share my thoughts.
1. Can I really not jump into it without doing Core 6? The website is redirecting me because SL doesn't recommend starting with the second half of the 6/7 series. I think we have the history knowledge base to just do it, but is there more to it than that?I can't think of any reason inherent in the Core for which you wouldn't be able to jump in to Core 7--no references back to Core 6 or anything like that. If you feel comfortable moving into the study, I don't think it would be a problem.
My eighth grader reads at an adult level, so some of the readers are quite easy for her. I personally don't mind that, because, first of all, the reading of historical fiction merely "fleshes out" our historical studies for us. It is enhancing her enjoyment of learning and I like that. Second, I'm not concerned about the easy readers due to the fact that she gets plenty of more mature reading on her own and through our Language Arts studies.2. I would be doing this with 8th graders. Are the readers a little easy for good 8th grade readers?
I am, for the first time, using a Core basically as written (without heavily tweaking, adding another program or combining with another Core)--I just needed something easy to use this year. However, we do not use most of the Language Arts. I pick and choose from the Creative Expression assignments, but that's about it. Having said that, IMO the Core Bible, History, Read-Alouds and Readers make the purchase of the Core worthwhile.3. Is it worth buying if I already know that we are not going to do the language arts elements? Or not much of them? I mean, apart from the readers ....
Well, my dc complete the Bible component, Usborne assignments and readers on their own. I read the SOTW, poetry, and read-alouds to everyone. So it usually takes me about one hour with everyone.4. How much parent time would you say this requires? Are there quizzes or tests included?There are no quizzes or tests, although SL does provide comprehension questions for the readings which might possibly be used as quizzes. I believe there are also SOTW tests one might purchase as well.
HTH!
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I have already purchased the SL core ,but am concerned about all the discussion about that lack of analysis. TOG seems to tie it together better and help make connections. The main reason I want to add TOG is for the teacher notes and questions. I can afford the DE but cannot afford $35 a piece for all of the America in the 1900's books. My library cannot get them either. Can I use a different text (spine) to answer the R level questions? I called a rep and she said that I could use Western Civilizations. However a post on that topic stated that WC was used alot in yr2 but not at all in yr4. I don't want to invest all that money only to find we can't afford the neccessary components to make it work.
This will be for my ds in 11th to tidy up the lose ends of Omnibus 3.I will probably not use it for the other two (one is using MFW and the other is dyslexic). I already have the 2 resource books for SL and BJU US History. Is there any way one of these would work? Has anyone tried to do these two programs and lined up a reading schedule? Any direction would be appreciated. Thanks
My thoughts as one who has not used TOG, but who has researched it fairly extensively... I would say that it is a very full and complete program--I personally would not want to combine it with anything else. I seriously considered Year 4 for my students this year, but for various reasons chose to go with Core 300 instead.
With regards to SL, because my dc have used some of the upper-level cores already (combined with other material as well)-- including Core 530 British Literature last year-- I feel confident that they are well-versed in literary analysis. I will simply add some questions/essays from Sparknotes to round out the Core and leave it at that.
If you feel that your student needs further instruction in literary analysis, I would suggest either adding a resource such as Teaching the Classics or The Well-Educated Mind to SL 300, or returning Core 300 to SL and going totally with TOG. If you did that, then perhaps it would be easier to afford the necessary resources?
If, however, your dc has a solid foundation in analysis, an easy-peasy solution for you would be just to add Sparknotes to the Core and enjoy your year.
Just MHO. Hope this helps just a little.:)
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I started out as a physical therapy major, and I had a *horrid* time with Physics in college (didn't have it in high school) but the math was fairly easy in college. I think this is because I started out with college algebra and worked my way up. For science I just went from Biology to Chem to Physics. So I will be the dissenting vote and say Physics is more important in HS. ;)
Thanks for letting me know this. Dh and I spoke with our dear friend who is a PT, and he agreed with you.:)
So, we will definitely do Physics. Ds doesn't really want to go the entire year without any math, though, so I think we will go the 1/2 credit route for Calculus.
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If he doesn't take calculus, what will he take for math? I wouldn't take a year off from math.
Yeah, that is a concern of mine. I'm wondering about having him do Calculus for 1/2 credit. Maybe he could do it 3 days a week over the course of the year?
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Physics... My dd wants to be a PT and I have looked at the requirements for 5 or 6 different PhD programs that she might attend. The highest level math that any require in college is calculus. One only required college algebra! On the other hand, they ALL required at least 2 semesters of college physics. I would make sure my student was prepared for physics - it is a big part of the college requirements. If you student has already done pre-calc, they are already prepared for the math requirements.
There was a very recent thread on this board about a student who wants to be a PT. Two PT chimed in. Here is a link to that thread: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193621&highlight=PT
Ah. Thanks so much for this information, and the link. This really helps!
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Thanks for being willing to go against the grain.:001_smile:
I think he would be most interested in physics, as he's a little more "science-y" than "mathy". Still deciding....
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He does have 3 colleges he's choosing between right now. Maybe I'll have him call and check.
I'll have to look into the possibility of block scheduling. Hadn't thought of that....
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Thanks for your thoughts. Unfortunately, I've tried to include him in this choice, but he's having difficulty with it.:tongue_smilie:
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:iagree:
I was an engineering major, and in college did Calculus and Physics concurrently, which was the norm. In fact, I was just looking at my college Physics text (Tipler), which clearly states that it is intended to be done concurrently with Calculus. I remember as well that I was extremely grateful for my algebra/trig-based high school Physics course, which had given me a great introduction to the concepts. In college, some of the math was stepped up a notch, but I wasn't having to learn the concepts for the first time.
So, would you say that an algebra/trig based Physics would be the best choice?
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Thank you everyone for your replies.
There seem to be valid points for both options, so I'm still hoping to hear more thoughts on the matter.
(Any PTs-- or parents of PTs-- out there who could weigh in?)
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Several variables would exist: will the physics be calculus/trig based, are these both high school level, what is the student's natural ability, what about teacher help?
I really can't answer as to whether the physics would be calculus/trig based, as I haven't made any decisions yet. The calculus would be Chalkdust. He is very science/math oriented, but is feeling a bit burnt-out right now. I'm able to provide very little help, but dh can provide quite a bit.
My oldest took calculus as a concurrent senior and went on to take physics his freshman year. He needed the calculus to do well in the physics. I, on the other hand, took calculus and physics the same semester and found it to be a bit of a struggle.So...if he is planning on physical therapy, I would assume he will be taking physics in his college course line-up. I would have him take calculus as a senior in order to be ready for physics. I, personally, think calculus is easier than physics because it's pure whereas physics (college level), by necessity, relies on calculus.
Ahh. Thanks so much.
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If you had to choose to offer either Calculus or Physics for a rising senior aspiring to Physical Therapy, which would you choose and why?
Thanks!
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Yes. Dana Mosely is amazing.
I don't pick curriculum based on my child's wishes or desires. I pick the best. They do it. Simple.
It is irrelevant to me if my kids 'enjoy' a subject or not. As an adult, we don't have the luxury of 'enjoying' our responsibilities. If so, bonus. If not, oh, well. Life happens. :)
Math is math. If it was fun they'd call it fun. But it's called math. Few students will be thrilled at the notion of an algebra lesson, imho.
Not sure if that helps. A wise friend told me this years ago and it resonated with me.
Some homeschool moms I know let their kids pick everything. I pick what is best and that's the way it goes.
You are her best advocate and know what she needs when she needs it. (This was my mantra during our Latin regiment.)
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm in complete agreement.
I guess I didn't communicate my thoughts very well. My concern lies not so much with making math "fun", but with making it clear enough for her that she feels confident she can do it. She currently ends up in tears just at the thought of math, and I am hoping that very understandable instruction will alleviate some of that. The "com[ing] away enjoying math even a little more" would be just a bonus.
The posts that mention CD not working well for "non-mathy" kids bother me. I don't want to spend the $$ for something that will only aggravate the situation. Kwim?
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My oldest son is not "mathy" but he did well with Chalkdust. I love how Dana Mosely works through the math problems, I really appreciate how he encourages students to show the work. I wonder if the math isn't really the problem, but rather the vocabulary D. Mosely uses. Here's afor Prealgabra.
We switched to Saxon because Chalkdust is $$$ and I couldn't find the level I needed used.
Thank you. I read through a thread about Chalkdust not working for people, and it seemed that a lot of kids who are less mathematically inclined really struggled with CD. Since I would be purchasing Chalkdust specifically to increase her confidence in this area, I would hate to have it work in precisely the opposite manner.:tongue_smilie:
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Shameless bump. Really looking for insight.:001_smile:
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...a non-mathy type kid who utterly loathes math?
I've been planning on having dd 13 retake Prealgebra this year alongside her 12 yo brother because she not only abhors math, but is also simply not comfortable with it. She can do it, but feels that she can't, iykwim. So, my thought was to have both using CD. In researching, however, I've seen many comments to the effect that Chalkdust is not a good fit for students who do not like math or who are not particularly gifted in that area. Thus, I am wondering if I should try something else.
Has anyone here had experience with a dc like mine using Chalkdust? Did your student do well with it and did she come away enjoying math even a little more?
Any thoughts?
TIA!
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...a non-mathy type kid who utterly loathes math?
I've been planning on having dd 13 retake Prealgebra this year alongside her 12 yo brother because she not only abhors math, but is also simply not comfortable with it. She can do it, but feels that she can't, iykwim. So, my thought was to have both using CD. In researching, however, I've seen many comments to the effect that Chalkdust is not a good fit for students who do not like math or who are not particularly gifted in that area. Thus, I am wondering if I should try something else.
Has anyone here had experience with a dc like mine using Chalkdust? Did your student do well with it and did she come away enjoying math even a little more?
Any thoughts?
TIA!
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Hi, Kendra.Further complicated by the fact that I'm assuming they sent me the wrong binder tabs since mine say "read-aloud study guide" and I'm not thinking Sonlight 300 has read-alouds...Just wanted to quickly say that I would contact SL regarding your tabs. The catalog lists item #B300 as a binder with tabs "specifically designed for Core 300", so perhaps this was a simple mistake on their part?
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Awesome! I'm off to check these out...
Thank you!
Just for the heck of it...Biblioplan
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
I have been looking at purchasing BP Year 1 for my two high schoolers next year (actually, I would be repurchasing due to the fact that our previous version did not include the high level as it is now) so wondered if I could ask you a couple of questions regarding the high school level?
You mentioned that the literature selections are not scheduled at all. So, are you saying then that the high school selections are merely listed, without any scheduling suggestions whatsoever? Also, the BP website mentions usage of the Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature--is that scheduled at all? And would you mind sharing just a couple of the literature selections they suggest--other than the typical suggestions like Gilgamesh and The Odyssey?
Finally, with regard to the non-scheduled Bible reading--would you say those are handled in a similar manner as the high school literature portion?
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!