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Heathermomster

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Posts posted by Heathermomster

  1.  

    Do you use a retelling like the one by Olivia E. Coolidge?

     

    The Coolidge book seems expensive. I have found the following links as an alternative:

     

    http://classics.mit.edu/Caesar/gallic.mb.txt

    http://www.forumromanum.org/literature/caesar/maps.html

    http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/literature/Gallic-Wars-Book-Summary.id-305.html

     

    We're on deck to use this next year. Will likely supplement with the Oxford Press books, map work, and read aloud plays about Caesar. I'm not sure yet. Nothing sexy like translating from the original language or anything.

  2.  

    I'd love to hear what books you have planned for Reading! Care to share?

    These books are a part of the HO level 2 reading list, and I haven't picked these up yet.

     

    Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green

     

    The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

     

    The Children’s Homer by Padraic Colum

     

    Greek Myths by Olivia Coolidge (I picked this up by another author.)

     

    Theras and His Town by Caroline Dale Snedeker

     

    Caesar’s Gallic War by Olivia Coolidge (This books looks extremely difficult and I may select something else about Caesar)

     

    I'm hoping to download Japanese Folk Tales and other WTM recommendations.

  3. 7th grade....Lord, help me...

     

    Reading--6-8 texts that coincide with Ancient History

     

    History- History Odyssey Level 2 Ancients, with Oxford Press books, and K12Vol1 for back up

     

    Science -- CPO Life Science with a ton of supplementation and labs

     

    Math-- Math Mammoth supplement with Dolciani Pre-Algebra

     

    Writing- WWE3, Killgallon Sentence Composing for Middle School

     

    Grammar-Analytical Grammar (never tried diagramming before; hoping this works)

     

    Logic- Mind Benders

     

    Vocabulary - Vocab from Classical Root

     

    Tutoring---Wilson tutor twice per week

     

    Music- Trumpet lessons and hopefully performance band once per week.

     

    Bible- Memoria Press Vol 2

     

    Wish me luck people...I need to acquire a microscope and the lab materials and then I'll almost be ready...My history ref library is looking pretty amazing at the moment and there are books everywhere.

  4. I've tried Khan, I've tried Math U See and we are currently using Teaching Textbooks but my otherwise on grade level 7th grader (has CAPD and autism) is struggling with the concept of regrouping and with adding or subtracting three or more numbers.

     

    Any ideas on something that might help him grasp the concept?

     

    Thanks

     

    I would demonstrate pulling numbers apart such as 567= 500 + 60 + 7 using base 10 blocks. Follow that up by using the blocks to demonstrate regrouping.

     

    Here's an interactive website.

  5. I don't like many cursive fonts. Weird loops and flourishes can be scrawling and annoying to look at and read. I prefer Italics because manuscript and cursive are about the same.

     

    Also, I don't see the point in making handwriting an issue as long as the manuscript is legible and clean looking. Typing is always handy skill to teach.

  6. Also, look at Developing Number Concepts: Counting, Comparing, and Pattern by Kathy Richardson. There are tons of activities that are based on developing subitizing and counting skills.

     

     

    Anyway, there are lots of ideas and activities in Kathy Richardson's book. It's a good one. :001_smile:

     

    Those look REALLY good. Which ones have you used, and would you recommend the activities for pre-K to K? I'm looking for something to use with my DD.

  7. I have never heard of this before. I have a feeling ds can not do this because whenever we work with tally marks he can not recognize how many there are beyond 2 without counting. He also can not look at 5 tally marks (4 then the 5th one diagonal) and say that is 5 he has to count them every time.

     

     

    So, I think I will work on this before anything else. Anybody have tips on how to do this? (other than the ones mentioned ;))

     

    Ronit Bird has written a few books that are helpful. After subitizing, you'll need to work on number sense activities. I'm a fan of C-rods and the

    abacus. Sousa has a book out that is very helpful too.
  8. Well I was hoping not to have to make my own since all of my kids have special needs plus I run a full day care but I guess I will have to. :glare: I agree that there are many acceptable Bible curriculums that aren't offensive or that I can tweak. I just thought it would be nice for an open and go class. Plus as they get older I want to move into a secondary theology class along with Bible. I am looking early :)

     

    My dad suggested using the Beacon Hill commentary and I found there is a new revised one coming out a couple of volumes at a time. I guess if i start now maybe I can afford them all by the time they are ready for theology :lol:

     

    Can't you borrow them, one at a time, from your Pastor? Also, performing map work and looking at all the missionaries your Church supports would be fun. Have the kids keep a notebook and a list to pray for your missionaries.

  9.  

    There are a ton of Nazarene colleges, universities, etc and Free Methodist (which I actually am) also has a lot of Bible schools around the world. I know they have day schools in other countries, they must have a curriculum... right?

     

    I am starting to think about attempting to find a college theology book to at least get ideas from. Bible has been the hardest subject for me. Everything is KJV (don't necessarily have a problem with that but kids with speech & reading disorders can barely read it much less understand it) or strongly Calvinist. We just started using CLE for LA and Math. However we don't cover our hair or wear only dresses. We just have a very holiness-purity based focus. I haven't seen a Bible light unit though to judge how much time is spent on Anabaptist theology vs what really makes up Wesleyan theology. As I understand it they are from different branches of the "denomination tree" LOL (I could be wrong and love to be educated though!)

     

    Speak with your Pastor about Bible curriculum. If you are teaching the WTM way, Arminian primary and secondary sources are plentiful. Look at your Church history, belief statements, systematic theology, and any foundational documents.

     

    The NIV (1984 Version) is easy enough to read. You may be able to find a Wesley Study Bible, and simply read through it with your kids. You should also look at your Church's Sunday school materials and peek at the publisher. BibleGateway.com has several versions of the Bible online. Print up some passages from the various Bible versions and compare them with your children.

     

    With the exception of Bible, we're using secular curriculum and inserting our beliefs as we teach. DH and I insert our beliefs and discuss theology all the time. I can't imagine any one curriculum fitting the bill. DH and I keep a running dialogue about how he wants me to approach history and science. I also speak with experienced, homeschooling friends that I respect.

     

    ETA: Reflecting God looks good as a study Bible.

  10. I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Math U See yet.

     

    DS is diagnosed dyscalculia/dyslexia/dysgraphia and gifted. He is highly visual/kinesthetic learner. I homeschooled 2nd semester, 5th grade and taught him the times tables by doing the following:

     

    1. We sat down and he looked at domino cards to verify he could subitize to 5. He can...

     

    2. Then we practiced basic math facts, adding and subtracting to 20, using a Slavonic abacus. He knows those facts backwards and forwards.

     

    3. Used a Singapore Mental Math grade 2 book and practiced mental math.

     

    4. We reviewed number bonds ie, 32= 30 + 2; 104=100 + 4; 9=10-1

     

    5. Heavily reviewed place value.

     

    6. Practiced adding and subtracting big numbers using base 10 cubes and number lines.

     

    7. Practiced skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.

     

    8. Ultimately used Cuisenaire rods and the area model of multiplication to review the commutative and distributive property of multiplication. DS drilled the times tables using a simple computer program nearly everyday for 10 minutes for about 2.5 months. Whenever I remember, I randomly ask him times questions. Which reminds me, he needs to practice some more....

     

    9. No flash cards and we limited instruction to about 30 minutes at a sitting.

     

    I read two books by Ronit Bird and a book titled "How the Brain Learns Mathematics" by Sousa.

     

    DS is presently sitting a 6th grade classroom and will start pre-algebra in the Fall, at home with me.

     

    ETA: Area model of multiplication is a great way to break down multi-digit multiplication. Lattice multiplication is helpful for some and eliminates the problems associated with carrying. We also use cm sized metric graph paper for just about everything.

  11. I believe also that ps will not remove meltdowns, but how do I convince my husband that ps will not change his meltdowns? I know that my husband says it so that I am not stressed but I keep telling him that if they are in ps I will be even more stressed. Not sure how to convince my husband.

     

    In PS, I'd be more concerned about other kids having meltdowns on my son.

  12. Many dyslexic students can and do learn foreign languages but the efforts will likely be more successful when multisensory strategies are used in teaching, and when students are given more time for learning, more explicit instruction, and more repetition than the typical learner. The standard classroom approaches and timeframe for teaching foreign language are often not effective for dyslexic learners.

     

     

    Do you know of any foreign language programs that teach this way out of the box?

     

    My state has a list of their high school graduation requirements and 2 years of foreign language is required for the Advanced diploma. In college, Pascal and C++ programming languages were substituted for my foreign language requirement. With DS, I was hoping to teach him programming as a substitute. I'm going to have to look more into this.

  13. DS has two lists that he follows: one is located in the bathroom and taped to a mirror(morning list) and the other is in his bedroom (night list). DS follows those routines daily. I've resorted to this because DS struggles with organizing himself.

     

    There is a book titled ADD Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life that we are using to incorporate better habits into our lives. Secondly, I've picked up the EF book by Linguisystems and hope to start using that over the Summer. DS is not ADD but presents with many of the symptoms.

  14. My 12 yo dyslexic began Wilson tutoring at the beginning of 2nd grade. Outside of handwriting sheets, he's always done the same work as his peers, which include all classroom assignments, memorization, and homework.

     

    Presently, his accommodations include using a calculator for math, word processor, and the teachers have always made allowances for spelling in assignments, outside of spelling tests and writing assignments. He averages 90s or above in every class except grammar which is 83.

     

    Class is far easier than homeschool for us. DS has to stay focused with me. He can drift or do whatever in a class of 25-30 students. When the working memory is taxed, individuals start to shut down or act out. My son turns inward. At home, I limit teaching a new concept to 10 minutes. We take frequent breaks and use a timer to keep us on track. He listens to books on tape and sometimes uses text to speech software.

     

    I've read and used the following books: The Dyslexic Advantage, Overcoming Dyslexia, How the Brain Learns Mathematics, and a couple of book by Ronit Bird.

     

    DS has healthy self esteem. We've always stressed that this is a condition that he was born with. He reads fluently aloud. DS volunteers with us at church. We try very hard not to make an issue out of dyslexia. His LDs certainly don't define him and he's popular, loving and kind. Quite frankly, compassion is his real gift.

  15. I have suspected that my son is dyslexic for a few years. We recently had him tested through the local school district and the committee agreed unanimously that he is dyslexic. I was thinking about buying either The Gift of Dyslexia or The Dyslexic Advantage. I know I have read people reviewing both of these books here and I will probably get both eventually, but I was wondering which one would be better to read first.

     

    Janet

    The Gift Of Dyslexia appears to be geared more towards dyslexia caused by tracking and other visual causes. I'm certain that some would argue that vision is the root cause of dyslexia. I don't care to debate that. The author offers anecdotal evidence without any MRI or other research based evidence. I'm not saying the book is bad, I'm just saying that at the time the book was written, there were no research models evidenced to support his claims. The author recommends some "minds eye" exercises and other practices, like taking play dough and shaping letters with it by hand....This has worked for some...Not my child, but some. I also found the book a little sad. The author shares his early learning experiences and was mistreated by adults due to his LD. The author did mention highly successful LDs too, which I suppose offset the sad somewhat. Overall, I didn't care for the book.

     

    I would first read Overcoming Dyslexia. This book was extremely helpful for my family. The book is filled with research based brain studies. I felt really guilty about my son's reading disability until I read this book.

     

    If I were Elizabeth, I'd probably be telling you to get your child's eyes tested by a COVD.org Developmental Optometrist and ensure your kids eyes are tracking properly. Heather would say follow that visit up with a trip to the bookstore and purchase Shaywitz's book and learn the hows and whys of reading development. Later and after you have a good handle on understanding dyslexia, purchase and read The Dyslexic Advantage.

  16. Howdy Hive,

     

    I was speaking with a mother recently that told me her children have poor visual memory, which makes spelling and handwriting difficult. She ask me how I work with my dysgraphic son. Our children's needs are entirely different. I suggested she speak with an OT or get a neuro report done. I gave her the name of my son's tester.

     

    Now I'm curious, what is the usual remediation for poor visual memory? How do you approach teaching? Is everything more hands on?

     

    Thank-you,

    Heather

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