Heathermomster
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Posts posted by Heathermomster
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Look what I found. This woman is a Rock Star!! I came across this thread for CPO Life science yesterday and wanted to share.I need a secular science curriculumThere is a free online PDF book and lab manual. The CPO book is laid out far better than my McDougal-Littell text. I may use CPO instead. I'm going to wait and brew on it for awhile.
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I'm not seeing this in her posts. With all the bolding I did in quoting her posts, I see a boy who is *past* many of the difficulties of his younger years.
This child needs to be tested. LDs never go away. In spite of the fact that a child learns to read, write, whatever,..the underlying mechanisms that caused the difficulties exist and will manifest themselves in other ways. If her child has a learning disability, and she expects a university or even public school to provide accommodations like extra test taking time, tutors, class substitutions, calculator use (if necessary), audio books (can't use Learning Ally without a diagnosis), and/or lecture notes, she must get a neuro report.
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Wish I could help you. We never did prism glasses. The only people I've heard of who needed them did VT. It doesn't make sense to me that he would need them and not VT, but obviously I don't know everything. That's not a pretty position to put you in. I'm guessing the glasses will help. It just really don't answer the question of WHY the eyes are fatiguing, kwim? My dd's eyes were fatiguing with reading, but it was because she wasn't focusing and converging properly.
Sorry I can't be more help.
The fatigue comes from extended focusing due to the esophoria. As I understand it, the anti-fatigue glasses are a fancy name for lineless bifocals, with a +.75 difference between far and near vision. The prism does something with the light to further reduce eye fatigue but is not absolutely necessary. He needs the slightest prism. No eye exercises were recommended. She owns another business that does the VT. I'm assuming I'll have to go over there to get further testing. It's all very confusing. She's COVD. One of her practices accepts my insurance, and the other does not.
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You need to google "gallon man". Here's an example.
http://www.schools.manatee.k12.fl.us/221djh/efolio/gallonman.html
When I drew mine for DS, I made the pints (feet and hands) like lobster pincers and called the 2 cups off each the pints, prehensile toes. My son loves that.
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The Scottish Rite Learning Centers provide dyslexia screening for free to everyone. This organization is located all over the country and keep odd hours as they are volunteers. Call the nearest one and set up an appointment. If he tests for dyslexia, they will be able to recommend professionals for further testing.
I despaired for my child until he hit 5th grade. I feel your pain. Now go give that boy a hug for me.
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Have you ever allowed your child to take picture notes? Basically, in the margins allow him to draw little pictures relevant to him and the story as he reads. Afterwards, let him look at the pictures to help him develop the narration.
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I found an OD from the COVD.org website, and DS was seen today. DS took a basic tracking test, not the computer tracking test wearing green/red glasses. She performed some eye alignment tests using a red filter and mentioned that DS was fine with eye alignment.
DS requires anti-fatigue glasses with a prism. The OD sells eye-ware, but doesn't accept my vision insurance. I told the OD that I would like to wait until I reviewed her written report prior to making any financial decisions. These lenses are very expensive.
I spoke with my eye doc that accepts our vision insurance, and he has agreed to order lenses to help DS. He wants to look at DS again with the report in hand, so I will make an appt once I receive it. Everyone has been very friendly. Apparently, the report will detail any therapies that she feels are necessary. Outside of my copay, insurance paid. The appointment was all very anti-climatic, which is good. So we wait for the report... Thank-you for reading (listening) ...Heather
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Skillet fried bologna with cheap American cheese in the middle.
Hamburger helper.
Microwave baked potatoes.
Chicken and rice.
Some canned green bean concoction with diced tomatoes on top.
Lots of boxed mac and cheese, straight from the pot naturally.
Any kind of generic cereal or pop tart that you can imagine.
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I'd encourage you to add in some scientific and historical documentaries and discuss them. Can be a great family activity as well.
:iagree:
I don't know if you have Netflix instant downloads. We watched documentaries by Ken Burns about Jefferson and the Civil War in the evenings. They were great.
If your child likes WWII info, there's an excellent series called Battle 360 that follows the USS Enterprise. DS loves that stuff.
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Has your DD been diagnosed with any learning issues? Can she read? How's the math going? Has her binocular vision been checked? How about the ears?
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I have never even heard of what you are talking about; however, DH and I have to reorganize ourselves in order to assist our son, and we both find that very difficult.
Checking boxes, following directions, remembering to make observations...This makes me appreciate my child's difficulties so much more and the challenges he faces. If it's difficult to keep up on the parent end, imagine the obstacles the kids face? Am I making sense?
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McDougal Littell Life Science for 7th grade. I'm hoping to supplement with a Van Cleave book and a book called Creepy Crawlies and the Scientific Method. There may be a worm dissection in our future and slides looking at onion roots, paramecium, and whatever else we can find. The future is wide open with the microscope at the moment. It's my dream at least.
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One way to break down multiplication is to explain it pictorially with the area model of multiplication. Once that is understood, move on to the abstract way. Here's an example.
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Private high schools and colleges all over the country allow their students to type and carry laptop computers. Many professionals type as well. Incorporate basic computer skills like how to use Excel and Power Point as you teach typing. He could present a project to you using Power Point. My 14 yo niece has done that for a public school English class. Typing is extremely common, not a set back.
ETA: When I taught DS, we set a digital timer. The typing program that we used allowed us to set the typing speed low, something like 10wpm. It could have been lower, but how low is irrelevant. Stress ergonomics and accuracy. I used rewards. He typically practiced 20 minutes, with a break after the 1st 10 minutes. Typing will empower your DS. My son thanked me when it was all done.
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How the Brain Learns Mathematics by Sousa.
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Just so that you know, the Scottish Rite Learning Centers perform free dyslexia screenings to everyone.
Cursive is supposedly easier to write than manuscript. I prefer Getty-Dubay because there are no loops or weird flourishes.
Typing...Can your son type? If not, get that boy typing ASAP. When my son was in 4th grade, he started using a Neo AlphaSmart because I didn't want him to have access to my computer. You can purchase one used, and they will print directly to an All in One HP printer via a USB cable. DS has also used Dragon Speak which is a voice to text software.
You will need to have your child tested by a PhD Neuropsychologist if you want him to have accommodations in college.
Good luck,
Heather
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That being said, I ABSOLUTELY believe that homeschooling is the right choice for my dd. We are seeing huge improvements in her anxiety and mood and social skills, and I feel certain that is because she isn't having to navigate "school" every day.
;)
Absolutely...Are you going to have your child take any standardized tests?
I did that last year with DS after HSing for six months and his SAT-10 tests soared. Standardized testing was relatively laid back at the homeschool cover, especially when compared to sitting the reg classroom. If your DD does test, I expect you will see a nice improvement.
I think I must be lucky that I knew nothing about the WTM board last year when I homeschooled for six months. I farmed out Wilson tutoring which was huge. There is no way I could have taught that because it's so highly specialized and stressful. Grammar was tough. I used the books that he had in the classroom. I realized in the end that I should have changed the grammar and used something different. Math was tough too, so I read a ton though and straightened that mess out.
I'm surprisingly disciplined with DS. We homeschooled two days when the tornadoes struck, and we were without electricity for a week. I told DS if Abe Lincoln could homeschool with just a Bible and a candle, we could too, by an open window with a fully charged laptop. I have been afterschooling him for years. Last spring, the transition to homeschool was nice, and he refers to me as his tutor. Outside of math and grammar, DS is relatively easy compared to the SNs that I'm learning about. I have to remember to get out of the house alone, once per week, quit teaching at the same time every day, go to bed early, and have dark chocolate on stand-by.
Ladies, thank-you for keeping it real.
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I find the actual grades matter less and less with homeschool.
Are you going to fill us in on your other decisions?? :bigear:
I agree with you.
The only other curricula that I've selected thus far is a standard Life Science text by Littell-McDougal and a Memoria Press vol 2 Bible study. I'm not entirely settled yet with writing and grammar. Those will likely be Easy Grammar 6 and WWE3. Math is wide open at this point. Definitely some Mind Bender Logic. I suppose we should start another thread?
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DS will be coming home in the Fall for 7th grade. With the exception of 2nd semester 5th grade, he has attended the same private Christian school since Pre-k. His studies have never followed the WTM path. This year he will complete history from 1865-modern. Last year was Explorers to 1865. He's never seen Ancients or MARR.
From what I can tell, starting Ancients with VP online would be too easy. Omnibus for 7th would likely be too hard for a child with dyslexia. DS has received outstanding expository preaching at school and at Church. He has always used text books, mostly secular. While going over material, DH and I always discuss the Christian worldview.
For 7th and 8th grade, I'm going to stick with a secular History and include the Christian worldview. I think I'm going to use Hystory Odyssey level 2 Ancients and Middle Ages books for 7th and 8th grade. The k12 Human Odyssey Vol 1 looks like an excellent resource, and they are cheap when purchased used. I'm picking one of those up to use as a reference manual.
I would prefer DS learn to work a bit more on his own. I plan to start the Linguisystem EF book with him soon. He is actually fully incorporated into his 6th grade classroom, works very hard, and gets very good grades. Grammar and math are the most difficult.
Thank-you Ladies for all your input and help. I realize that it takes time to sit down and issue a written response. I'm amazed at all the materials available and all the things that one has to consider. I'm not afraid to tweak or change if things aren't working out. It's also good to have options.
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It might also burst your bubble to know she doesn't do all her kids' teaching.
It would burst my bubble if she did all the teaching.:001_smile:
Honestly, I could care less either way. I make every effort to not feel mother guilt. Life is hard enough as it is.
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Shari and OhE,
You both mentioned the VP online course. I like the look of it. My issue is that I may require some deprogramming to present it. DS has always been taught from text, and I've always supplemented with videos and other books.
Without a doubt, Omnibus is huge. I can see where they are wrapping Bible, lit, and history all in one package. For a 7th grader, I'm not going there and may never. I placed that curric in a holding place for later use.
Do I want to teach Pre-history? I'm new and just assumed that history would start on the Fertile Crescent, 10,000 B.C. That was a wrong assumption and I see that.
Here's the deal. I purchased MOH Vol 1 &2 and discovered that Creation occurred 4004 B.C.. I'm simply not Young Earth and would prefer to avoid it, unless all Gen 1-2 Creation views are presented.
You Ladies are awesome. Thank-you for helping me. I've been left with much to consider.
ETA: I'm a PCA Presbyterian and am familiar with Wilson. My Church nor family hold to Federal Vision.
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Check out the following:
This isn't a curriculum but makes for excellent on-line vocabulary drills...
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would you please give me some information about it or where to find information on it. I have researched some sites on the web, but I am turning to the forum because I trust your input. How can you tell if your child has it? How do you adjust their school work?
Thank you
My 12yo DS has it and was diagnosed by a PhD Neuropsychologist. We never went to an OT and eventually used Getty-DuBay Italic cursive. DS types about 40wpm, using MS Word at home and a portable AlphaSmart Dana at school (that he hauls every school day). He started with the AlphaSmart NEO in 4th grade. DS will occasionally use DragonSpeak, a speech to text software, and I scribe for him as well.
I suggest you get your son's binocular vision checked, teach cursive and typing, and reduce written work where possible. My son's hwing is legible, but typing is so much easier and has been life changing for him.
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Omnibus begins with Genesis and goes in chronological order from there. If you go to Google Books, there is a pretty extensive sample of Omnibus I.
As far as needing to start Omnibus in 7th, I'd say no, not with a dyslexic learner. Some folks do Omnibus I - III (is the IV out yet? I don't know) for high school. It's pretty hefty.
Thank-you...I'm going to email VP directly and get the scope and sequence. This looks like an excellent resource for high school.
HELP: Need a Human Biology Source
in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges
Posted · Edited by Heathermomster
The CPO Life Science book is available as a free pdf download. Everything you mentioned is covered at or about Unit 6.