-
Posts
10,233 -
Joined
-
Days Won
1
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Everything posted by alisoncooks
-
Adding FLL/WWE on top of a full language arts curriculum?
alisoncooks replied to alisoncooks's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Thanks again for all the feedback! What I have decided to do (I think :tongue_smilie:) is return the CLE materials. I just don't know that *I* can keep up multiple programs without feeling overwhelmed. (We are still using CLE Math, though...) So we'll be doing FLL, WWE, some separate handwriting (A Reason For Handwriting, maybe) and spelling...but I don't know what to do for spelling (possibly A Reason for Spelling). So I'm researching, right now. -
For me, it was most helpful to find a teaching/learning philosophy that resonated with me. I spent my DD's K year just doing *whatever* and skipping from 1 thing to the next. Frustrating and a waste of time and money. I recently read The Well-Trained Mind and really liked the ideas expressed. I'm now having an easier time deciding on what I want to do and how I want to do it...
-
Adding FLL/WWE on top of a full language arts curriculum?
alisoncooks replied to alisoncooks's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Hmmm...she writes somewhat grudgingly, complaining of hand fatigue....which means we don't do a lot/long stretches. I just let her do some things orally. With CLE having all the workbooks, I'm wondering if it'll be overwhelming. Well, shoot. Now I'm tempted to return all the CLE, and just go with OPGTR + WWE+ FLL. But then I think I'd need spelling....GRRRR. This really shouldn't be so hard, LOL! :lol: -
Adding FLL/WWE on top of a full language arts curriculum?
alisoncooks replied to alisoncooks's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Thanks for the feedback. So -- does anyone think that (even though they don't overlap) it will be too much for a young 6 yr. old (FLL + WWE + CLE LA + CLE LTR). Thank you! -
We have CLE's Learning to Read and Language Arts program lined up for the fall. CLE describes it's LA program as: Sounds complete, right? But I can't shake my interest in FLL and WWE. Here are my options: Return all of CLE and use OPGTR (have), FLL & WWE (don't have). Keep CLE LTR (phonics), return CLE LA. Use LTR + FLL + WWE. Keep CLE LTR + LA. Use FLL and WWE as separate/extra practice (relaxed). Do CLE LTR + LA this year. Begin FLL & WWE next year. Thoughts? Just to get a feel for how full our year will be, we'll also be using CLE's Math, and light geography, art & science (of my own picking/choosing -- "living" book based).
-
I'm completely ignoring my house.....
alisoncooks replied to stm4him's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Me too! I've been deep cleaning drawers and cabinets and tossing out old hair products (& the like) from, oh...2002. :001_huh: And my lil' girls have been enjoying some wonderful outside play while I do this. Everyone's happy. :D (And after this initial burst of productivity, I'll return to my regularly scheduled slackness...) -
I received my CLE materials (for next year) this week. After flipping through the Reading items ("I Wonder" and LUs 101-105) I've decided that we really don't need them. Plus, I think the dictionary spelling (schwa stuff) is a little confusing and can wait until later... Anyway, does my 1st grader even need a formal reading program? We'll already be doing LTR and the LA, so she'll be getting plenty of phonics, writing practice, grammar....right? Can we simply supplement with reading REAL books and doing our own comprehension/retelling/basic narration & notebooking? Sound like a good idea? Also...does a child using CLE need an additional, formal handwriting program (i.e. Zaner-Bloser workbooks or something?) I think CLE has TONS of writing already...think it's sufficient? THANK YOU so much for all the opinions & feedback you guys so freely give! It really is helpful to us newbie-homeschoolers!!! :hurray:
-
We just got ours in the mail this past week. DD previewed all the items, as I was checking it over and putting away for next year. She begged and begged to go ahead and begin! :thumbup: And as we're only doing some kiddie devos, I say "Ummmm....YES!" (Can't turn down a kiddo who's begging for Bible!!!)
-
Easter activities/crafts?
alisoncooks replied to melissad2's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I'm in charge of the Children's Ministry at our church, and I've been looking around for good easter activities/crafts that are meaningful...they're hard to find, surprisingly! Here are some I'm considering (I have to plan for 1 Easter event and 2 Sunday's worth of children's church, LOL): Memory Match http://www.christianpreschoolprintables.com/Pages/Easter/EasterMemoryMatch.html Make-your-own Resurrection Eggs http://www.christianpreschoolprintables.com/Pages/Easter/EasterResurrectionEggs.html http://ministry-to-children.com/easy-easter-crafts/ Painting, yay! http://ministry-to-children.com/painted-cross-craft-project/ Booklet http://ministry-to-children.com/easter-sunday-cross-craft/ http://www.dltk-bible.com/mrollstoneangel.htm -
Same here. All I can say is research-research-research. (But even that may not preserve you from mistakes!) I have a K'er now. Had I a chance to do this year over? I'd do Letter of the week and just enjoy it without stressing out over curricula. :D (No worries, lil' sis will benefit from my guinea-pig eldest.)
-
I'm definitely on the "you need to learn cursive" team (for the reasons listed above: being able to read historical texts, etc). Just curious: for those that teach cursive from the beginning...do you go back and teach print later? :confused:
-
If you miss the first history cycle (grammar stage)?
alisoncooks replied to alisoncooks's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Okay, great! Thanks for the feedback. *shew!* :D I'm reading TWTM for the first time and really enjoying it....but at the same time, it's hard to not question what we're doing (especially those parts that don't fit perfectly into TWTM formula). -
My mind is at war: what I already have planned vs. the recommendations in TWTM. My already-laid plans: 1st - mapping skills/basic geography 2nd - study of our state (some history, Lost Colony, Wright brothers, etc) 3rd - US study (50 states, colonial times) 4th - World study (countries & cultures) That would have us starting Ancients w/ my oldest a 5th grader (and my youngest, 3rd). Has anyone who has followed a classical plan miss that grammar-stage cycle? Do you feel like you missed out? My oldest will JUST be in first grade next year, so technically I could change my plans... I just don't wanna.:sneaky2: Do you think it would be too much to do SOTW as read-alouds (in addition to my above plan), just to get it in her brain. No activities, no notebooking. Just reading w/ some retell (like bedtime stories)? I wonder if it would be confusing... I'm so torn. Opinions please!
-
Anyone still watching Once Upon a Time?
alisoncooks replied to Jen500's topic in General Education Discussion Board
We watch it. I really like it! -
Is there a program like this? (sounds of the week?)
alisoncooks replied to NotAVampireLvr's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Those links were really helpful! Thanks for sharing - they're just what I was wanting! :) -
What is the worst educational/HS item you've ever bought?
alisoncooks replied to MamaHappy's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I was also disappointed with MFWK (and I wanted SO badly to love it). The problems could've been me, though... Wastes of money: almost every cheap-o workbook that I've bought on a whim (um...and there've been a lot) -
Ordinary Parent's Guide, then CLE LTR? Redundant?
alisoncooks replied to alisoncooks's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Well, after doing some more reading, it looks like it takes quite a while to work through Ordinary Parents Guide.... So, I guess, new question: would it be a good source to help DD learn letter sounds more firmly? And could I either continue on alongside CLE LTR or up until that point (6 solid months of it or so)? Any suggestions? Should I just skip OPGTR? -
Ordinary Parent's Guide, then CLE LTR? Redundant?
alisoncooks posted a topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
If I were to do OPGtTR for Kindergarten (5yo), would doing CLE's 1st grade LTR/phonics program be boring or redundant (with it's gentle start and basic phonics)? Or would it be okay b/c of CLE's inclusion of actual WRITING with the phonics/etc...? (Boring or a confidence booster?) Thoughts? I'm interested in trying OPG for the remainder of this year (DD is weak on some letters/sounds) before starting CLE in the fall (already purchased, so that's non-negotiable). TIA! -
How many math programs do you use most levels?
alisoncooks replied to Pamela H in Texas's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
It never occurred to me to use more than one! :001_huh: I just *assumed* that a purchased math curric. is complete and whole and doesn't require supplementation.... :confused: (FWIW, we have CLE1 Math on the way next year. I wouldn't know what to add to it even if I could...) -
I have to come up with something this year; we're coming up on the time when we have to make it legal w/ the state. It's a difficult process!
-
"What a funny thing to say."
alisoncooks replied to bookfiend's topic in General Education Discussion Board
Haha, I'm loving this thread. When people make inappropriate statements re: my decisions/family, I tend to be of the stammering/blushing/mumbling/shrugging sort. :001_huh: (But I can come up with all manner of witty replies later. Much later. :glare: ) -
Okay, I'll admit...I've avoided the Classical model of education. After all, I've got 4 years of college training as a teacher + several years of teaching in the public schools and we never did any of that stuff! (:rolleyes: please note sarcasm...) Last year an acquaintance of mine read TWTM as a pre-requisite to enter her child into a private academy. It was as though she'd consumed some cult Kool-Aid; every time we spoke (she knew I was going to homeschool) she was pushing this doggone book. "You have GOT to read this!" "It'll change how you look at education!" Yeah, right. Crazy nut. Well, I've been frequenting this forum b/c it's a wealth of hs info/opinions, though I'm not teaching "classically." I'd planned on following the history cycles starting in the middle elem grades simply b/c I thought it was "cool" that my young child learn about the ancients. (I don't remember learning that in elementary!) Anyway, on a whim, I checked out TWTM from my library. Needed some "light" reading. :001_huh: Anyway.....WOW. WOW WOW WOW. I feel like I'm at a church revival. Every other sentence I read, I'm raising my hands and giving "AMEN!"s. (Actually, I'm not much of a hand-raiser in real life, but I digress...) But (at about 45 pg into it) I have not found a single thing I DON'T like...and most of what I read has made GREAT sense to me. I made my poor DH listen to countless excerpts last night. Anyway, just wanted to share. I should call my acquaintance...tell her I drank the Kool-Aid. :D
-
Biting the Homeschool Curriculum Bullet
alisoncooks replied to txhomemom's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I've bought most of our curriculum new, but I do check Amazon to see if I can find books used, etc. I have found, however, that buying new doesn't guarantee I'll like it. :glare: (We bought MFWK Deluxe pkg + their Literature Collection --after much research-- only to find it wasn't a fit for us.) Luckily I was able to sell it and recoup most of our costs... Actually, I'm a little sticker shocked right now b/c I just ordered our 1st grade materials. Wowzer. And we went with one of the not-so-expensive programs (but not b/c of cost, but preference)! :001_huh: -
Aw, sorry for your experience. We like our story hour, haha, but I never notice any snobbery. (I'm the one in the corner, in sweats and a ragged tee, reading a novel or checking through the big stack of book the kiddos picked out. ;)) Our town is pretty laid-back and artsy. Eclectic collection of people make it to our story time. Our only drama is everyone is bringing their reusable bags to check out tons of books....gotta race to get the good new ones on display. :D