wallingjan
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Everything posted by wallingjan
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Does learning to read have to be difficult?
wallingjan replied to mamashark's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I don't really want to get into the intervention debate except to agree that 5 is young. I've always chosen a love of language and literature as a priority over learning to read. But i do want to encourage you that it may not be difficult in the future! Every child really does learn according to their own schedule and in their own way. -
My daughter was almost 8 before the magical "click" happened. She jumped over 4 grade levels in less than a month. I was freaking out! But my frustration definitely made things worse so I kept reassuring myself that my goal was a love of learning and a love of literature. I read to her and we just kept it fun. Easier said than done, I know!
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Can you help me make 1st grade fun?
wallingjan replied to jkl's topic in General Education Discussion Board
My daughters sound a lot like yours! We start with a morning basket at breakfast. This has nature readers, geography, picture studies, and literature. Then we pound out a little math and language arts. When it's not their turn to work with me, they get an iPad turn to do educational stuff (15 min.). After that, I release them to art heaven. They can work on whatever they want. I sneak in the Magic School Bus science schedule someone posted and SOTW activities. (We listen to the disc in the car.). They have no idea that this is school work. Magic school bus has been a huge hit here. -
2nd grade planning thread
wallingjan replied to Coco_Clark's topic in General Education Discussion Board
Here it is. We've actually started this and everyone is loving it. I can be as simple or enthusiastic as the week dictates. https://wateronthefloor.wordpress.com/free-curriculum/magic-school-bus-science/ -
Where do you buy your curriculum?
wallingjan replied to Mom28kds's topic in General Education Discussion Board
Amazon Rainbow resource Homeschoolclassified Christianbook Direct from publisher -
Hugs! The baseline is scary. I'm having a glass of wine with you ;)
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Best Creative Toys people have never heard of?
wallingjan replied to Porridge's topic in General Education Discussion Board
For my younger crowd, Bilibos have been used constantly. A bunch of kids got them as Easter baskets one year and they get used for everything. From doll cradles to hot lava stepping stones to sleds. -
if you source out art class...
wallingjan replied to ProudGrandma's topic in General Education Discussion Board
Art is hands down our biggest expense. We probably spend thousands for our 3 kids. But the classes are there favorite social activity and they live and breathe art. We cut expenses elsewhere. -
I want to thank you for providing fodder for a wonderful discussion with my 13 year old. Her initial response was that this was not ok because the communication with the parents should be better as a matter of respect for all the hard work we do getting our kids places this is a girl that recognizes that her theater rehearsals are killing me :). When I asked if she had heard of grooming her eyes got wide. Her answer, "Someone needs to speak to his supervisor. I'll bet he's innocent, but he's kinda making himself look guilty!" I loved how her first response wasn't looking for red flags, but she quickly was able to look at the bigger picture.
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2nd grade planning thread
wallingjan replied to Coco_Clark's topic in General Education Discussion Board
She'll be doing a lot of combining with my 1st grader. Here's what I'm thinking so far. Morning basket- poetry, Shakespeare for kids, SCM picture studies, nature reading, Sonlight read alouds A Math- she finishes CLE 1 this week and is a little burnt out on workbooks. I have math on the level so I'll test run that for the rest of the year and then choose for next year. Language arts- Bravewriter and Reading Horizons, HWOT History- Finish SOTW 1 and continue on to 2 Science- either BFSU or the magic school bus video schedule that was posted on here. Art- outside music, art, and piano classes and never ending home projects PE- ballet and Family Time Fitness (this winter was crazy long and my group of preschool-early elementary loved this- we called it wiggle workout) -
High School World History (Farrar Williams)
wallingjan replied to wallingjan's topic in General Education Discussion Board
Thanks for responding! The SWB books are next on my list to check out. I'm definitely finding a lack of comprehensive programs. -
I know this is a strange place to post this, but I'm trying to catch Farrar's eye. I'm a mostly lurker that has gotten myself completely overwhelmed by world history for next year. My daughter is going into 9th grade and I was thinking of using Oak Meadow world history, but the Glencoe book seems too busy for my distractable girl. I prefer secular resources and I'm starting to question the feasibility of doing this in a year. Any suggestions for other programs out there? I'm already writing my own lit and biology. I was hoping not to have to create history too.
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I need to chime in and agree with Lori D. Attempts to over analyze poetry in middle school is a fabulous way to end up with life long poetry haters. Keep reading and enjoying!
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What is out there for literature based
wallingjan replied to mom2agang's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Classical house of learning - and it's free! -
Lightning Lit Grade 8 question re: research papers
wallingjan replied to wallingjan's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Ha! My daughter was reading Lively Art of Writing for fun yesterday. I guess I'm just disappointed. I was hoping for a good stand alone language arts program, but it does seem that the writing guidance is lacking. I was hoping not to have to piece it all together. If I scrap the writing, I have to figure out something else. -
Lightning Lit Grade 8 question re: research papers
wallingjan posted a topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
We like Lightning lit a lot, but I'm confused about research papers. It appears that they often assign research papers as a writing option, but I can't see where they give any support or guidelines. It seems a little silly to just say, "Write a reasearch paper. You have one day and it doesn't matter how long it is." I see a year of slapdash work without actually learning how to write a research paper. Would it be better to wait and have her do it well next year? What are you doing? -
I've been having a terrible time as well. I have called customer service for 3 different issues. On the positive side, they always clear it up easily. I had so much trouble last week with how the program was running that I wrote an email telling them that Keyboarding without Tears was bringing me to tears. They replied that they were down for unscheduled maintainance. Hopefully, they are just getting the kinks worked out.
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Cross-post...help needed with curriculum for my eighth grader
wallingjan replied to Merry's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Hugs to you. My first husband died when my daughter was 3 so I understand how difficult it can be to care for grieving children while still grieving yourself. My daughter is now in the eighth grade. If it was me, the focus of my year would be on good mental health for your son. Keep up with math and encourage reading in all the other subjects. If he is exposed to good literature and exposed to the other subjects (maybe gentle unschooling with good discussions) he will be able to catch back up when he hits high school. Addressing his grief will allow him to avoid a slow downhill spiral.