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Everything posted by alisoncooks
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Anyone help me with Math...Singapore, MM, ?
alisoncooks replied to Murrayshire's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I don't know that I'd use Singapore as a supplement, but that's just me. I do think Math Mammoth is excellently suited for filling gaps, etc. But if you're looking for a new main/core math program (ie. instead of Saxon) then I'd definitely go with SM. IMO, it's much more fun and well-rounded in instruction; I like how they teach new concepts (concrete then visual). We have used both SM and MM 1A, and I have (and have looked through both SM and MM 1B). I had hoped that we would switch to MM from SM (no reason, just looking for something "easier" for mommy to teach :p) but DD much prefers SM. I have to say, I do too... -
If you started HSing from K or 1st....
alisoncooks replied to IceFairy's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Well, my oldest is still only in 1st, but she has been my guinea pig. What I wish I'd done with her for K: Singapore Essentials and ETC primers (A, B & C). We did start this year with SM 1A but I just received Essentials for 2nd DD and it's perfect for K (and a perfect lead-in to 1A). -
If you started in August, what day are you on?
alisoncooks replied to amselby81's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I lost track. But I'm pretty sure it's not as far along as we should be... -
We're finishing 1A and have found the HIG to be a wealth of info. And I don't consider myself a slouch in math...
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Love it! Just the excuse I needed to hit up the chocolate aisle at Target... *Raising my hand* I have those moments in February. And October. And November. January...etc, etc. ;) I did think all of *this* would be easier. And quite frankly, if the local charter school didn't open so dadgum early, I'd probably sign oldest right up. (Alright, 8:30 isn't that early, LOL, but we're not big morning people here -- and I can't imagine being up and ready and making the 15 min. drive to school each and every day.) And so we plug on. :) I don't have any helpful advice...just commiserating.
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I just discovered & bought a set of books by Irene Luxbacher called 1-2-3 I Can Draw! (Starting Art). It can be purchased rather cheaply (used) and other titles include Sculpt, Paint, Collage, Print, Architecture. But they are wonderful! Step-by-step pictures, elements of art/technique simply discussed, and the projected are super-cute and DO-able. We've been looking through the print one and there are different types of print demonstrated and a cute project to practice. I also have How To Teach Art to Children, but it's too much for my 4.5 yr. old (as well as my 6.5 yr. old)... but it's also very nicely done. We'll use it in a year or 2. I also like Art Treasury, which shows a work of art and then teaches a technique to be modeled from it.
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I've been afraid to start long vowels. :o Looking at our curriculum, we're probably about 2 weeks from introducing them. I'll keep an eye on this thread and see if you get any great hints/tips! Also, just something to keep in mind: one of the phonics programs we're currently using says that children are developmentally ready to read long vowels at around 6.5. But, obviously, that's not a hard and fast rule. It may not even be proven, scientifically -- IDK.
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Is Singapore H. Educator's Guide Necessary?
alisoncooks replied to aprilhwth's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I've read on this forum previously that --as the grades progress-- the textbook really does become more necessary. I haven't found the textbooks necessary for Grade 1... but I plan to continue buying them to have on hand (especially since I was not taught with this style of math). -
What does your first grader's day look like?
alisoncooks replied to Motsy802's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Well, my DD is 6.5 (so we're technically 2nd semester of 1st).... but I'm fairly relaxed compared to many. I'll tell you exactly what we did today: *ETA: Ooops, we forgot Bible. Usually we'll do 1 lesson from CLE Bible 1 or we'll read a story or 2 from our Beginner's Bible.* We started with 1 page from Lollipop Logic (she had to put 6 pictures in order by numbering them). Reading: she had 7 CVC words to read, then write them in her notebook (just a journal we're using to record something from each reading lesson). Then she did one page from Scholastic Grammar Gr. 1 (which I love because she can actually read it! It's like ETC1 had a grammar-baby.) Her page today did not require any sentence writing -- but tomorrow's page will have her write 3 very short sentences. ***Note: DD is a "late" reader, so this was sufficiently challenging for her.*** Math: re-taught a lesson from SM1A using counters and a 10-frame. Then we played a "reinforcement" game using a deck of cards (addition game). Then I had her do one small segment from a Math Mammoth page. Then because her little sis' wanted in on the card action, we all played War. We had lunch and then both girls watched 2 Disney movies while I did some lesson planning. :o Now they're outside playing. That's it for the day, so far. If I were productive, we'd do an art lesson -- but they're playing so nicely together, I'll probably let them be indefinitely while I wash clothes. :D :D Later we'll do a read-aloud (right now it's fairy tales). So yeah, not the most rigorous 1st grade on the block. :p -
Is Singapore H. Educator's Guide Necessary?
alisoncooks replied to aprilhwth's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
At this point (we are just finishing up 1A, about to start 1B) we use the teaching ideas & games from the HIG more than we use the textbook. -
Similar to ETC (and from the same publishers) is Primary Phonics. The workbooks are inexpensive and they have lots of repetition/practice. I like them better than ETC.
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Home Art Studio or Artistic Pursuits?
alisoncooks replied to EmilyGF's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
We're only on K because I have a 4 yr. old who is doing it with my 1st grader. Maybe I should have a look at some of the later years... (I know K isn't going to produce great works of art :p ... I just wasn't hugely impressed with the projects in that level.) Ah, but it's so pricey! :o There is no way I could justify spending that much on an art program (not when I feel I'm somewhat artsy and could teach many techniques myself...) But thank you for the suggestion! -
Home Art Studio or Artistic Pursuits?
alisoncooks replied to EmilyGF's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I thought I would love HAS.... just hand over the reins to a dvd instructor and voila! Art is done! But honestly, I'm not loving it. The projects are ... not what I'd choose to do to teach/practice the different concepts/elements of art. They're a little too craftsy for me. I will say, my kids have loved the lessons they've done, but I'm still thinking I'll sell the set (geez, and I got them all, K-5, sure we'd love 'em). I think I'd much rather just do our own thing (so probably any *curriculum* would fail for me....) -
Encouraging a math & science GIRL
alisoncooks replied to alisoncooks's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Thanks for all the great ideas! Off to check them out! -
I think Phonics Pathways/Reading Pathways do a good job at covering how to "chunk" multiple syllables.
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I only have 1B from MM and SM.... We used SM 1A, then moved to MM, but I think that we'll be going back to SM. My DD just can't handle the pages full of problems and I personally don't think there is enough *teaching.* I like the way SM presents concepts (very hands on, more fun, IMO). I will say that we needed more practice than SM offers. Right now we're using our MM books as a supplement, but I plan on moving to the Math in Focus workbooks and texts to help solidify concepts. I have had a chance to look through 2A and 2B of MiF -- and while I'm not ready to make the switch entirely, I think it's got something worthwhile... Same teaching style as SM but broken down into more manageable bites, a bit more practice in the workbook. (I wasn't a fan of the teacher's guides, hence keeping SM and their HIGs). Anyway, just another viewpoint... :)
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Need a cursive program other than HWT
alisoncooks replied to Alicia64's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I like Logic of English's cursive program. It does stand-alone, separate from LOE's other language arts. Quite affordable, too, IMO. -
Favorite, inexpensive art curriculum...
alisoncooks replied to Susie in MS's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I like this, too. We plan on using it some next year (bought it for this year but haven't gotten to it.) I also like the 1-2-3 I Can (Draw/Sculpt/Collage/Paint) series. You can get these books really inexpensively... -
Reviews for Math in Focus
alisoncooks replied to A home for their hearts's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I have to say, I ordered a few levels of MiF (used -- there's NO WAY I'd pay new prices).... but I'm quite impressed. I particularly like the looks of the workbooks and textbooks. I'll probably merge those with SM Standards. I've been able to sit down and compare Singapore 1A and Math in Focus 1A and they're pretty comparable. Anyway, just wanted to throw that out there. Big thanks to the posters in this thread!!! -
Colorful Spelling workbooks
alisoncooks replied to ...................'s topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
A Reason for Spelling looks fun? And fairly independent. But I've not used it. It's 1st-6th. -
Buy: all/most books that are needed for SCHOOL Borrow: many, many books for FUN With the exception of BUYING books that are fun ... but become FAVORITES or are CLASSICS
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If I buy Math Mammoth, do we need Singapore
alisoncooks replied to mitzvahmommy's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
:iagree: We started with Singapore 1A. Then -- swayed by all the MM raves -- we tried to switch over to MM about a month ago. It's great for extra practice (we needed it for addition!) but I don't think DD or I could handle MM as our ONLY program. It was missing the fun, the *something* special we enjoyed. We quickly picked Singapore back up -- now we do a few pages from each book each day (but only because I ordered 1A/1B printed books -- I probably won't reorder it.) -
earrings irritate my ears - help! - update page 1
alisoncooks replied to HappyLady's topic in The Chat Board
Mine are like that exactly. Irritated within minutes. :( -
Shirts under tank tops or sleeveless dresses?
alisoncooks replied to Veritaserum's topic in The Chat Board
I think all of those look fine (but then again, this is coming from a woman who most frequently dresses like Sheldon from BBT or Ellen DeGeneres - lots of long-sleeves under tees, jeans/cords, snazzy tennis shoes, LOL). I have often layered a fitted t-shirt under a tank top babydoll dress/top for my little girls. It looks cute. Long sleeves or short sleeves work and when it's cold, we add leggings. Presto -- summer wardrobe turned fall. :) The key is *fitted* t-shirts. This look doesn't work with a bulky, oversized tee. -
I don't think you'd get much of a curriculum if you took the Bible out of MFW 1st. All of the reading/writing/copywork is from the Bible (Proverbs, I believe, plus their Bible reader.) According to their site: I personally think MFW is somewhat weak in the Science area (though some disagree) and it's likely tied to Bible concepts (Kindergarten was, anyways). And MFW 1st doesn't do a "formal" math program, just a math workbook. Anyway, just my thoughts.... I'd probably go another route if I didn't do the Bible aspects. (Funny enough, I wanted to do JUST their Bible reader/notebook, LOL.... we have our own science/math/phonics. :p)