74Heaven
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Posts posted by 74Heaven
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Stick with her passion for now. Give her at least another year of Spanish before even considering adding a second language. Also consider supplementing RS with free reading (get Spanish children's books from the library) and conversation with a native speaker if you can manage it. Let her passion carry her studies along.
I would def. start Latin right away if possible (even at a half-pace). Latin makes Spanish so much easier for us. Other can wax eloquent on why that is - but I can just say that Latin (4+ years for my high school dtrs) has been a huge blessing for us and a huge benefit as well for language arts and Spanish. (One dtr is year 2 of Spanish and one is in her 3rd year.) I can also say that the benefit of Latin in Spanish studies makes me wonder why public elementary schools don't offer it!)
If it helps any, most of the elem Latin programs are easy to use, almost self-teaching and if your dtr is able to fairly easily pick up a language, then Latin should be enjoyable and an "easier" class for her.
Lastly, if it were me, I am such a believer in Latin study as the basis for foreign language, that I would do the Latin before hte Spanish since your dtr is young. I can see where that might not work for you as you and/or your dtr may not want to "give up" Spanish at this time.
I'm not a big fan (iow, we didn't like the one we used) of the Latin roots we used. We found it boring so I'm not a good one to ask there.)
Lisaj
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I apologize if you weren't really looking for ideas right now! Sometimes I want someone to brainstorm with me, and other times I just want someone to listen and understand. KWIM? In the case of the latter, I'll just say that I can relate (and you can ignore the brainstorming)! ;)
thanks - i printed your ideas out - glad to browse this thread
lisa, schooling 5
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I would print out the samples from IEW fables, myths and fairytales and do it. There is an example of how they want you to outline in there. Then you could print out samples of Writing Tales and outline those after that model as well.
I really think that WWE 2 is probably all he would need before starting it.
This would be an easy solution. Also, can you elaborate on how WWE fits in (transitions to?) IEW style writing instruction/assignments? If anyone has time, a brief descrip of WWE 2 might help me to decide which way to go - IEW samples and/or WWE 2?
Thanks!
Lisaj, who has used IEW in the older grades
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We may have the oppty to join a co op next year where IEW has been used since 1st grade for the students who will be 4th graders next year. Any idea how to "jumpstart" my 3rd grader with little writing experience (and very little interest in writing) to help him be able to join his classmates at their rough skill level next year?
I guess what is the best way to get him up to speed quickly - something fairly "canned" or "ready to use" would be best. He is a smart boy with good (tho not amazing) language arts skills. Is there a set of IEW DVDs I should buy? Would the SWI-A DVDs work?
Lisaj
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I can't help but be curious:
Why is it taking from 7:30-5:00 to get all her schoolwork done? That seems like a long time to finish school. That's 8.5 hours (I included a 1 hour lunch break) of schoolwork time. Is there something that could help her get her school work done in 6 hours, so she could wake up later? Waking up at 8 and starting school at 9 would give her 7 hours to complete school by 5 including an hour lunch break. Is 7 hours of school not enough time for her to complete the work?
Just curious.
The how-tos of getting 10 hrs of sleep and still fitting in the most important things. I was not ignoring the sleep posts - but..... I'm not sure how to do this. It did pique my interest when a poster mentioned her student accomplished more in less time when she was well-rested. Maybe we'll have to try a 2-week test! I'll think about doing that and reporting back!
As far as the 730-5p - with a nonmotivated high schooler in academically challenging classes, I am guessing many can relate to how long it all takes. Lunch/snack breaks, Chemistry, Geometry, History and Literature each take about 1.5 to 2 hrs a day; Spanish, Latin, Piano, Devotions/Bible and chores take other 20-40min each. Voila! Wake up, dive in and 11 hours later ... its dinner time... The first four + Spanish are my requirements; the Latin is dtr's love!
Dtr is a slow-worker so to speak, def has ADD tendencies - and just struggles (but perseveres) to get everything done in a timely manner with an acceptable quality of work.)
Anyone else want to think about a 2week test of 10 hrs of sleep for our teens???
Lisaj
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with no valentines tie-in really - but just a get-together oppty. Call it a Game Night or Red Party (wear red) and invite everyone to come and everyone bring a snack. Either you provide the games or have everyone bring their favorite games. Set up a few game tables; put pretzels and pop out!
There will be some heart-shaped snacks for sure so the kids will feel the "Valentines Day" holiday vibe a little, but the emphasis will be on just having a fun gathering.
This will fill the "void" your teens may be feeling if they are complaining about being social outcasts (read: non-dating kids in a world of daters), the "romance" emphasis is pretty understated.
As a parent, we try to do this often, both organized and spur-of-the-moment and I am a great low-key party thrower because my goal is to be a place where my teens are (at home) with their friends (rather than my teens being elsewhere) - and my goal is not to be the great party thower/perfect themed hostess.
Our other emphasis for our teens is good supervision so plan on playing some of the games with the kids if more "mom/dad supervision" is needed or just float the edges if not.
And btw, we have had the same Vday parties as you -at home, just the family!
Lisa
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Seton's position on science is precisely why I did not want to use them for our homeschool. I was shocked to see that several Catholic homeschooling companies teach a young earth position and to criticize any other interpretation as being un-Catholic. Clearly not the teaching of the Church.
I was raised in Catholic schools (gr1-8) and I don't remember being taught evolution as fact?
As an adult, I left the RC church and accepted Jesus as my Savior and the free gift of salvation by grace and no works or human effort (and the Bible as God's infallible Word of Truth) and I now teach and believe the Creation account as given in the Bible. I have studied the case for evolution and found too many unexplained areas to accept it as fact.
I am wondering what other 40-somethings who were raised Catholic remember as to the science teachings of their Catholic grade schools?
Lisa
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we really needed the reminders to let dtr "own" her problem with getting up.
We have the same struggles as everyone in terms of dtr's evening activities being part of her well-rounded "homeschool & social education" as well as (at the same time) being somewhat optional (and the swimming is expensive as well!).
All her extras are "her" interests and commitment and not mom's. However, she is not motivated (academically) by losing privledges usually so there is a struggle to make her pay attention without being overwhelmed by the to-dos.
However, thanks to the advice, I am steeling myself to drop fewer hints, and let her stay home when things don't get finished by leave-the-house time. I really "know" this is best, but my mothering "instinct" kicks in and I end up with more reminders and nagging and occasional mother temper tantrums.
so thanks, we are pressing on to let dtr own - and if she so chooses - correct the fact that sleeping in is making her miss the things she vallues.
We went over the groundrules so to speak - and I am walking around muttering to myself not to give reminders, "rules" speeches, hints, etc.
lisaj, practicing on my oldest
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We have a great Latin teacher at the co op and she did a thorough study and decided LFC was better.
We have made the switch and it has been good timing for us because my oldest 3 dtrs loved Latin but found the LC2 DVDs very boring. My son found Latin boring from the get-go with LC and is finding LFC very fun! I think the boring LC 2 videos might have cemented his dislike of Latin. He's gr 3.
I know LfC hits the principle parts right from the beginning and I like that. I also like all the teaching of LFC that is right in the student books (in LC, most of the teaching is in the TM or the DVDs. (I also think LC II video goes overboard on derivatives!). I was very annoyed at the typos and errors but I think the company has remedied that and the new materials are betters.
Just fyi, I have 2 high schoolers in Henle MP Year 2; one 6th grader in LFC Primer B and one 3rd grader who finished LC I in chap 3 of a quick review of LFC Primer A.
lisa
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Pls give me advice, tips, etc.
I just broke my wrist so I am only at about 70% efficiency and we have been fighting this battle off and on. This week, she slept in by getting up and staggering over and turning off her alarm *every* school day. (Most weeks it is 2-3 days a week.)
She never sleeps in on ski day or early morning fun activities. She has 2 alarms and often even with reminders, she forgets to set both. They are across the room from her. So there is no hitting the snooze from bed.
She is active and tired (630a wake up; 730a school start) And she must get up and get going because of 5p dinner followed by 6-9p either AWANA or swimming every night - so most school work must be done by dinnertime.
LMK your sugg. Believe it or not, I refuse to be her alarm clock on a daily basis. I will however, assist her anytime it is not a habit. I alos have 3 youngers to get thru the morning routine and getting my oldest out of bed is *not* something I will do. BTW, she has anaenforced 10p lights out rule - I rarely catch her reading (and she is retruning about 9p from swimming) so I don't think she is staying up til all hours of the night.
She has spurts of improvement but lately is on downward spiral of 2-3 days a week of failure. Oh there is also the lying about it when I ask problem. (I am only up at same time about 50% of the time.)
Love Lisa
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Need a novel or nonfiction book for a teen - it is supposedc to be about a foreigner's view of America. The essay or report that my teen needsto write will answer questions like:
character's insight into American life?
how did character iew American life?
What did the character view as problems in America at the timeperiod of the book?
What did the character feel were strengths about America at the time?
when and why did the person come to America?
The two books dtr found at the library were about fitting tinto the typical high school & who's popular, who's dating who, and how to date teenage boys?
Surely there are some books with deeper issues or more developed chractres for this type of reading assignment?
LMK some suggestions, authors, etc. She has 2 weeks to find the book, read it and write the report.
thx
Lisaj
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if you have more than 2 kids, otherwise you might be overwhelmed...
I would start with the WTM or SOTW reading lists. If your dtr is a voracious reader, that part will be simple. Then, start with ancients with the 4-yr history cycle and Latin (if your child is 3rd/4th grade). Latin grammar has been such a wonderful thing for us in English grammar in the middle school and high school years. Since we started with elementary Latin ,the whole learning curve has been very gentle. (And I knew no Latin so we started with Latina Christiana (now doing LFC).
I think most everyone "tweaks TWTM".
HTH
lisaj, mom to 5
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Has anyone had children who had trouble with math have success with any thing other than MUS?:bigear:
my11th gr dtr has struggled w/ math since gr K, incl being close to 6yo when she mastered counting to 25 lol - something my 2 boys mastered about the time they were 4 (of course dd was oldest and 2 sons are last born. )But..one thing we found works very well is the one-on-one tutoring virtually every day. We used Saxon which worked well and about 3rd gr I switched ot A Beka using all the tools and the Curriculum/Lessons Plan practically verbatim 3-4 days per week. IOW, skipping a day of "Mom Math Instruction" didn't sink her, but regulaly missing 2-3 days a week of Mom Math Tutoring did.
One thing is we drilled extremely hard on facts and were heavy into manipulatives (we used cusinaire rods) but allowed no fingers. If they needed fingers, we got the rods out. OTOH, we drilled heavily on all math facts and so manipulatives were not a crutch.
I would just say you can probably be successful with anything if you are consistent.
My dtr always "gets" math eventually and it is always a struggle. I think she works really hard at it and deserves a lot of credit for perseverance and hard work. But with a dedicated tutor (mom or dad), math may always be a struggle but your child will be able to press on and conquer each topic.
Lisaj, mom to 5
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My high schoolers work about 7 - 8 hours a day. It's a lot. And part of the trickiness to high school is finding the balance for your particular child and your family. It's great to challenge our kids so they are ready for college, but it can easily become too much. For my kids, it has helped to up the ante a bit every year. So that 9th grade becomes just one more step up from 8th grade (with lots of documentation!). You may be able to estimate your dc's workload based on what she's doing now and what you will change/add.
HTH,
Lisa
Unless your kids are gifted in math in a big way, I would sugg appprox 1.5 hrs a day for high schhol math. Many days around here it goes over, but I also encourage math vocab terminology and we correct nearly every problem.
Any weekly writing assignment of one page or more takes my two dtrs 2-4 hours. The lesson on it, the brainstorming , outlining ,rough and final draft (typed). The review of mom's edits (maybe rewriting here?), etc. This is usually in addition to our continuing English grammar lessons. If you are doing Literature instead of grammar - well I would guess the reading, rereading for comprehension and discussion would once again add to the 20-45minute "lesson" of the day.
I agree that balance is tricky and we have yet to achieve it! But... add in AWANA, p.E., youth group, church, devotions, Bible class and one co op morning a week, and the hours are really long with most high schoolers I know, etc
Btw, our courses are: Spanish, Henle II MP Latin, Chemistry, Geom, Engl & Lit (1 sem ea), U.S. History, Bible (1 sem), piano (30-45min/day - 1 sem credit) and swimming P.E. (1 yr-1 hr/day); so our sked is 7.5 credits instead of the traditonal 6.
If you can keep workload as reasonable as possible, that will help - as you can add more in.
Lisaj
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This seems trivial but I read the greastest BTDT tips here, so.............I broke my radius and am in a cast with my "writing hand" mostly immobilized for 6+ weeks?
Any tips for schooling (or changing schooling plans/methods) for the next 6 weeeks? Just any tidbits, advice re: hm management, schooling, meals, etc
Just any BTDT tips - kids are good students but need a lot of continual motivation from me to succeed, study, stay on task etc.
Pain is not too bad, my writing is illegible, slow, tedious
We have an extremely busy household: church, AWANA, swimming, skiing, volunteer, etc
Grades K, 3, 6, 9/10, 11
Lisaj
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I got into a discussion about this last night with several friends. We were all thinking a Bible quiz team might be a good idea for our kids, but none of us has any experience with one. I'd love to hear thoughts or recommendations from this board.
(I cross-posted on the General Board.)
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Hi, I don't know where in ID you are but the some ID and Washington teams Bible quiz in Spokane (and I think another meet is in TRi-Cities) together thru AWANA and I think, in Tri-Cities, WA. It is only set up for AWANA club members but if you wanted some info on setting up your own, I could prob. get you a 8-page rule book *or* (the better idea imho lol), you could get the kids in AWANA next year :() and quiz with us.
But, an easier solution to DIY would be to make a Jeopardy type game with 30-50 key verses (I could give you an AWANA book run down). You make a (science-fair type) board with 4-6 categories, write verse references down as the "question" and then turn the 3x5 card over and write the verse out and you have your questions.
There you go. HTH, you can email me direct if you want more ideas -
ljdeerparkATaolDOTcom
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Film Buff is officially done with high school. He finished his coursework with us in December, but then we found out he had to have a GED to apply to VCU in Richmond.
Congratulations to *you* and *your son*. I wonder what that feels like - to finish with the first child? We're not there yet.
I am intrigued that VCU wanted him to take a GED test. Can I ask why? Did he have SAT or ACT test scores?
I don't mean to be nosy but my limited research says there are exceptions (of course!!!) but that usually Homeschool diplomas are accepted alongside standardized test scores. Anyone know what percentage (or a wild guess from a knowledgeable source) wants a homeschooled graduate to take a GED test.
Lisaj, mom to 5
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One of the options I am looking into is using BJU for literature but adding some whole books into it. I know the high school lit book covers portions of certian books or covers certain authors so I am thinking we could read the whole book after we do the BJU lesson on that book or author. I don't think we would cover the great books this way, but I think we would cover some good literature in depth. What do you think?
So, if you are still considering BJU, you can ask me in a few months? We are doing gr 11 "American Literature" and I really have no idea what to expect. It does look like a "broad" coverage rather than a deep coverage of the subject, though. I would like to assign whole works but with our gr 11 workload being quite heavy (as well as additional reading assignments I am assigning from lists of classics), I don't know how much "whole book" readings I will assign. I may even just assign them in the summer.
Maybe if you did decide to use BJU, you could assign several of the whole books the preceding summer? (I wish I'd thought of that!)
Lisaj, mom to 5
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Thanks so much for responding. I do the same, work at the problems and when I can't get it, I ask my ds. Or....my dh will come home and figure it out for me. :-)
I'm hsing three children and find it very difficult to find the time to watch every lesson. I wanted a math curric. that he could do himself.
I'm at a bump in the home schooling road to begin with. I'm feeling overwhelmed and overworked. I'm having thoughts of sending my 14 y/o ds to school next year. I'm so confused and the difficulty I'm having helping him with algebra is making things worse. AHHHHHH (pulling my hair out).
Val
I relate to your last paragraph and understand the time commitment is a lot. HOwever, you might look at it as time "investment" that you will only make once and your next 2 children will benefit from all the time you spend in VT or any other algebra program.
I love VT because it is so thorough and the explanations are available for reviewing when need be. There are a few videos that we have watched many times before getting it (Mod D or E I think?). Sure the key and the student textbook leave some things to be desired (I can't even squint enough to see some of the exponent answers in Mod E,F.) But the instruction is golden imho.
For those of us with math strugglers, I don't think there are many math currics that they can do without a lot of hand-holding. The lack of rigor or thoroughness in TT Alg 2 sent me back to VT with my firstborn dtr. Now, at the end of VT with my "more mathy" secondborn dtr, I can see that my firstborn dtr missed out on so much algebra instruction and background since we ditched VT after Mod C with her and swtiched to TT Alg 2 (only for 2 months) and then Math Relief Alg. 2.
So if you can learn from VT, stay with it I suggest. Just my opinion as to it being time well spent on those videos and daily lessons.
Lisaj, mom to 5
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It is more expensive to live out here than in town, but for me it is worth every penny. I have my eye on 4 adjoining acres I want to snatch up when the time is right.
I feel like we have a very rare and high quality of life, particularly when I compare it to how we used to live.
I suppose it is more expensive in some ways. I feel that the lack of seeing/wanting what the Joneses have balances the costs out. Also, we shop less because we aren't in town as often.
We live on wooded acreage and do some minimal land steward-ship/usage. We have had chickens in the past, have lots of woods to play in, heat our house with the downed timber ea year and lots of privacy. We have gardened off and on - we clear brush and work hard to take good care of the land. Dh hunts and we are good neighbors to our area.
Mostly, though it is privacy and the amazing gift of being in the quiet, peaceful, beautiful surroundings. I feel so blessed most of the time. It is incredibly beautiful and just a gentle, safe and peaceful place to raise children! It is so nice to give your children such freedom and space to roam safely and creatively.
Sometimes we still have to work hard at *staying home* though. It really ruins it if we are trying to life our lives running around all the time.
lisaj, mom to 5
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and well, I think it is tolerable. Here's what I do like:
1) Comprehensive
2) Enthusiastic Video teacher (we are doing DVDs she's a little to much enthusiasm for my girls0
3) Tons of material to consider (activity book, text, DVDs, projects)
4) Video clips and exerpts are interesting and helpful (not just teacher head shots)
5) Strong Christian emphasis - great job there!
And what I don't like:
1) Learn all the facts, regurgitate them on a test
2) A ton of information to digest and spit back out on the test (I think BJU could have focused on less, but more important, info (seems like a lot of cram the facts in)
3) Minimal emphasis on orig. documents
4) Really textbooky (!)
Two close friends had used it and raved about it. I can't figure out exactly what I don't like, but it just seems like a "regurgitate the facts for the test" course. Prob most textbook history courses are like this. My girls (9TH & 11TH GR) are doing okay - one likes it; one hates it.
Both girls were a little weak in U.S. History as the last time we did U.S. Hist was in 4th grade A Beka (which I liked). Then, we did a 4yr history cycle with SOTW (which we loved) and a one-year World History with Streams of Civilization which was so-so. Then we floundered for a year and did a Worldview course (1 sem) and a State History Semester.
I really wanted the girls to get a solid U.S. History course because I felt U.S. History was a "gap" for us. So overall, BJU does that job but I'm sure there are more exciting, more hands-on and more "writing/essay" based classes - and I would have liked those better.
But, I do recommend this course for getting the subject covered and covered well. (Kind of a grit-your-teeth and get thru it recommendation.) It is comprehensive and my girls (using hte DVDs and BJU assignments) easily have 1.5hrs a day of history work - counting the DVDs which are 30min).
HTH
lisa, mom to 5
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To tell the truth, I haven't thought much about honors classes or weighted gpas, etc.
How will a college admissions officer (such as at a state university or medium-tier (lower tier?) Christian Bible college) compare a student with a homeschooled 3.5 to 4.0 gpa with a 4.5 gpa ps graduate with (I assume) honors classes? and the higher gpa.
Is a 4.5 gpa is roughly = a 4.0 student who took honors classes? Does a college admissions care much about 4.5 (etc) gpas **if** the SAT and/or SAT subject scores are comparable for someone with a 4.0 gpa and no honors classes.
Should I be paying more attention to gpa and honors classes? I think my second dtr (just 9th grade now; taking 11th gr courses) maybe able to do some honors classes but I am hoping I have 2-3 years to figure this out?
Thanks for any advice.
Lisaj, mom to 5
Quiver - BJU sciences
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
However, we are not "science-minded" and we are really struggling with the workload and homework. I do like Mr Harmon for the most part ,but I don't like all the BJ LINC call-ins (all taped in 2003) that much.
We really are not enjoying the class but I don't think that is BJU's fault - it is just the deep subject matter of chemistry. We stress vocab because I think it helps my "language-arts minded" dtrs grasp chemistry and we have done over 1 chapter due to failing (ch 8 - January) the chapter. We have come close 2 other times. So some of thes things are time consuming. There is a lab every other week approx and we are doing all of those.
Lisaj