Kathie in VA
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Posts posted by Kathie in VA
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Okay, I am down to homeschooling 3 (the other 2 are in community college). My oldest homeschooler will be taking all outside classes, so I'm mainly driving, helping, and focusing that one. On the other end is the rising 3yr old turning 4 in Nov. We will do basic pre-k stuff like Kumon books, read alouds, and Alpha Phonics. Next is my rising 4th grader. She will be my focus this year. Her end-of-year testing highlighted LA and math issues I knew where there but haven't had the time to really solve. So this year I'm thinking of taking the typical time for history and science and using it for additional time in her trouble areas. Is this crazy? I got her reading early chapter books last year but she is still slow and hates reading. This was an issue on her end-of-year testing and I see it when I watch her read. Her testing results for spelling barely made the charts... (maybe she was off on the bubble answer sheet, I don't know. But we both don't think she was learning much from the spelling we were doing.) Now her math computation is slow and this affected her end of year testing... She didn't even get to the multiplication and division problems which I know she can do (and yet her score was still average??).
I'm thinking 4 days a week on LA and math. The 5th day for any makeup work, field trips and/or one day for history/science... and this would use what I have here or what's in the library or online. I thought it might be fun to learn about our town, county, and state for history/geography. For science we have Lyrical Life Science: Human Body which would work some for both little ones and I have some Chem which she is interested in doing.
So the main part of our week would include:
LA:
I'm going to use those great books that tend not to get included in the typical history/literature picks like the Narnia series, Secret Garden, etc. We alternate reading sentences/paragraphs/pages aloud.
Spelling: switching from Rod & Staff 3 to How to Teach Spelling 2
handwriting: Handwriting Skills Simplified D
typing: Typing instructor
Reading Detective sw: to help with reading comprehension
Writing/grammar: CW Aesop B
I was going to use Editor in Chief to help with standardized testing on spelling but it doesn't really have spelling! Maybe I should try the Great Editing Adventure instead?
?was considering Lively Latin (for grammar and latin) but now not sure if this is a good time for it or not?
Math:
finish the last chapter of Singapore Math 3a, then do 3B & 4A (use the HIG and mental math more)
get SM CWP 3
get SM Math Express 3 (to help with fact recall and speed)
calculadders, flash cards, TimezAttack, RightStart math games -- for fact recall (I have these here)
? co-op a game day (RightStart Math games, rummy roots, etc)
Next year we can go back to TOG and she will be ready for UG reading.
So I guess the question is: does this make sense? or am I over reacting?
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Yep it is just spelling lessons.
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Megawords covers reading and spelling multi-syllable words ... starts at 4th grade level...
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First time I used HTTS I used it with the phonogram cards from SWR and it worked fine. I also used ABC's and All Their Tricks and the Alpha List (from SWR). Can you tell I was tempted by SWR but didn't want to make the jump?
Anyway I am now switching my 9 year old from Rod and Staff Spelling to HTTS this year.... glad I kept it, now I just need a new workbook for her.
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I haven't used this but it might be what you are looking for... Explode the Code Online version
https://www.explodethecode.com/
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Update:
Looks like the praire primer co-op might take more weekly time then I thought. So this means I probably will need to drop any ideas for a separate history/lit with either TOG 3 or SOTW 3. :( But some sort of consistent co-op is important for dd.
Science ideas may also get dumped due to co-op.
Math will need to be SM 3b n 4a as I can not seem to get her to work over summer and breaks to start the year on an A book.
Spelling. Decided to stick with R&S spelling since there are less books to complete. I like SWBs idea of finishing spelling and the using that time slot for logic.
Need to start cleaning out the school room.
ug.. making changes again ...
End of year testing made me realize that we need to really focus on LA and Math! So I am thinking of . . . not really doing history or science this year! :eek: :ph34r: I'm thinking of spending extra time on LA and Math 4 days a week. The 5th day will be for any catch up that might be needed or field trips or a day for some history and science. I'm thinking of learning about our town, county, and state for history. And for science, I already have Lyrical Life Science: Human Body which she can sing with her soon to be 4 year old sister. If we actually finish that then we can do some astronomy or weather studies.
So for our LA and Math focus I'm thinking of:
MATH --I want to work on her fact memorization, confidence, and mental math
*finish the little left in Singapore Math standards 3A, do 3B and 4A but use the HIG and the Mental Math in the back
?CWP level 3 (although I already have Primary Challenge Math and Challenge Math that I could use, so not sure here)
Calculadders, flash cards, TimezAttack, RightStart Math Games (already own these)
{?also considering other supplements from SM like Math Sprints/Math Express or Process Skills/CWP ... totally not sure here}
(I may be starting a game co-op for this & other educational games)
LA --I want to work on her reading and spelling [she is reading early chapter books but it is slow....]
*Lots of reading together, alternating sentences, then paragraphs, then pages....
*Reading Detective SW to help with comprehension (already own it)
*Editor in Chief SW to help with editing (already own it)
*switching from R&S Spelling 3 to How to Teach Spelling w/wkbk 1 or 2 (already own it)
(would love to use Megawords but it starts at 4th grade and I'm not sure if she is there yet... time to use their assessment to check)
*Handwriting Skills Simplified level D
*Typing Instructor (already own it, need to fix it though <_< )
*CW Aesop B (for writing and grammar, just need a new wkbk and I'm set)
??considering Lively Latin to boost the grammar in prep for CW Homer, but wondering if it should wait a year at this point? (already own it)
Art: Draw Squad when time permits (already own it)
Music: Piano lessons ??
PE: winter swim
For the reading I'm thinking of picking those great books that tend not to fall into our history/literature lineups. Ex. Narnia series, Phantom Tollbooth, The Secret Garden, Teddy's Button, A Peek Behind the Scenes, Little House, Wizard of Oz, etc. (& yes I'm enjoying the thread that is listing everyone's top 5 books!)
Next year we can get back to TOG. (already getting it for older brother's co-op)
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I'm not familiar with CAT. However the syllabication test questions in my older boy's tests are the ones that trip him up. He can spell, can pick out the spelling errors but is not keen to think for how to break a work into syllabus so he lose some points there. If you have her test script maybe see what kind of spelling questions trip your daughter up.
Example in link are the typical kind of questions my older boy is likely to get wrong.
I had to return all the questions so I don't know what she got right or wrong.. but her score was low enough to know something isn't right. But you are right... I should probably test her myself to see where she really is before deciding which program to use. I have the Megawords assessment .. that should let me know if her problem is with syllables or phonograms...
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I use Singapore Math. It is working great for the most part. My dd learns the concepts quickly. I do wish it specifically called for more memorization of the basic facts. We needed to stop the program and work on the basic fact memorization. I am going to add in the mental math from the HIG and I'm trying to figure out which supplements to use to help with her slow speed. So my problems are solvable by using the HIG more... I gather I'd need to supplement drills with any program though.
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Fyi: Rod and staff English grammar does have workbook pages for many of their lessons.
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Alpha Phonics ... One book and done. Cheap. Can be used for initial spelling also.
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For long division I prefer to teach it as a short cut for repeated subtraction.
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I hVe used it and really liked it. Book 1 is for 4tb graders. I haven't used AAS so cNt compare there. It is pretty independent except maybe for the occational dictation. You can prob do it either way ... Independent or teach a lesson then give the wkbk pages.
I wish I could use this with my 4th grader this year but I don't think she is ready for it.... But I will use their assement first to check.
Another option is How to TeAch Spelling with the How to Spell wkbks.
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Bump... iPad app for Singapore math??I couldn't find it either. I found a few things that looked like they might possibly fit the bill, but I'm very curious to find a link or name of the exact app referenced in this thread.
Very curious on this one!!
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This is so timely for me as I'm looking for these great books to focus on this year.
hmm this is difficult with a large age range ... and you asked two different questions
stories that they should be at least familiar with (then again, hard to say as I haven't even read the originals...)
Wizard of Oz
Pinocchio
Alice in Wonderland
Charlotte's Web
Little House
For reading, I like:
Winnie the Pooh
Narnia
Phantom Tollbooth
Lord of the Rings
Teddy's Button (Lamplighter books... also liked A Peep Behind the Scenes)
<gonna hit post before I second guess this again!>
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OP here. Just thought I'd update my post since I now have the results.
My dd basically scored just below grade level. :o
In the comprehension, where we had lots of tears and didn't even come close to finishing, she scored better then 41% of other 3rd graders... Stanine score 5
With the math computation, where she knew how to do the +,-,x,/ but only finished with the + and - problems, she still got a Stanine score of 4. :confused:
Apparently her vocabulary and grammar are her best ... her stanine score was 6
and spelling is at an all time low ...Stanine score of 1 :( and here she was doing fine with her spelling work at home .. :glare:
I gather she probably would have similar results with the old CAT, but the stress level would have been much less. Lesson learned, I am going to try to stick with tests that target just her level .. if they are available.
I was already planning to focus more on her this year as my older ones are all in co-op classes or college. I'm actually thinking of really focusing on her LA and Math. I want to strengthen her reading. I got her into chapter books by the end of last year but she is still slow and doesn't like reading. Her spelling needs attention and I think I'll add in some editing skill work ... these tests really use editing skills. She understands her math fine. I think she had problems because she is slow. So its time to be more deliberate and consistent with learning her facts. I watch her think through her math and if she can get her facts down it will help her tons.
So here's my thoughts for her 4th grade:
MATH
finish SM 3A, do 3B and 4A
?CWP level 3 (although I already have Primary Challenge Math and Challenge Math that I could use)
Calculadders, flash cards, TimezAttack, RightStart Math Games (already own these)
(I may be starting a game co-op for this & other educational games)
LA
Reading Detective SW to help with comprehension (already own it)
Editor in Chief SW to help with editing (already own it)
switching from R&S Spelling 3 to How to Teach Spelling w/wkbk 1 or 2 (already own it)
(would love to use Megawords but it starts at 4th grade and she isn't there for spelling yet)
Lots of reading together, alternating sentences, then paragraphs, then pages....
Handwriting Skills Simplified level D
Typing Instructor (already own it, need to fix it though)
CW Aesop B (for writing and grammar, just need a new wkbk and I'm set)
??considering Lively Latin to boost the grammar in prep for Homer, but wondering if it should wait a year at this point? (already own it)
Art: Draw Squad when time permits (already own it)
Music: Piano lessons ??
PE: winter swim
For the reading I'm thinking of picking those great books that tend not to fall into our history/literature lineups. Ex. Narnia series, Phantom Tollbooth, The Secret Garden, Teddy's Button, Little House, Wizard of Oz, etc. (& yes I'm enjoying the thread that is listing everyone's top 5 books!)
Basically that's it. I'm thinking of schooling the above 4 days a week. The 5th day is for catch up or for maybe history and science (&/or field trips). One year not focusing on these is not going to hurt at this point. If we have time: History might be local history.... our town, county, and state. Science will start with Lyrical Life Science: Human Body since I already have it and I can see her and her little sister singing the songs together. If we actually finish that then we can do some astronomy or weather studies.
Next year we can get back to TOG. (already getting it for older brother's co-op)
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Too funny. And here I am tryin to get ds off those games... Oh well, too late for him anyway...he's too old for the class.
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I usually use the basic CAT to satisfy VA state requirements. But this year I am testing two kids who finished 3rd and 8th grades. It turned out that Seton can no longer sell the basic CAT for 3rd grade:
"* Note: CAT E- Survey Level 13, 3rd grade test no longer Available. Substitute CAT 6 Level 13. "
http://www.setontesting.com/cat/
This is a longer test. When I looked around to see what other companies were doing I found that Christian Liberty sells the basic CAT 5... I asked why the difference and they said that they have the older CAT 5 from1970 which can still be used. So I went ahead and got that one.
Turns out the 3rd grade test (level 3) is for those finishing grade 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade! She is a little slow but usually does fine. Oh the tears during this test!! The reading is difficult for her .... There are 42 questions in the reading comprehension to be done in 35 min! Yes I did explain that she wasn't expected to finish but still... It's hard on a 9 year to find herself struggling on a test and understand that it was meant to also test kids two grades up and that she will only be graded with other kids her age. And she hasn't even seen the math sections yet! She is doing fine in math, just finishing Singapore Math 3a standards but this test has lots that she hasn't done yet ...like a whole test on computing fractions!
I know she doesn't have to score too high for the state and I only test for the state but I hate having to put her through this. Ug.
Thanks for giving me a place to rant.
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We live in northern VA and homeschooling here is easy. FYI the community colleges here are good too. Maybe they will give you a similar deal??
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I used CW from Aesop thru Herodotus. I use the workbooks also. Read first thru the introduction and prep week. For the actual teaching, my suggestion is to let the workbook lead. Turn first to the lesson in the workbook, then note the pages in the core to read. Read those. Lecture/teach from those. Then turn back to the workbook pages. I tend to do some if these with my students and leave some to do on their own. FYI we also didn't always do everything in the workbooks. Use the answer key... It's is not just for grading but also to help understand the work (imho) oh and feel free to post questions on their message boards! They do answer them!
Good luck!
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Alpha Phonics supplemented with Bob Books and sometimes Explode the Code
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Apples daily spelling drills
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Kathie, thank you! So you use all of the writing and grammar in Aesop and beyond, parts of the spelling and vocab; then in addition you do a spelling program and occasional grammar. You do a separate lit program, and don't pull copywork, narration, or dictations from your history or lit, but solely do those with CW?
How do you decide when to add R&S into the mix?
You got it. If we do the copy work or dictation it will be from CW. R&S Englush 3 might get done with Aesop B as we are usually done with FLL 1n2 by then. After Diogenes grammar time should be replaced by logic study.
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This is one if the reasons I don't like Common Core...sounds like they are asking for more then she is ready to do. She's young and it sounds like she is doing great already. jmho...
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I've used CW from Aesop thru Herodotus.
The spelling in CW is not expected to be a full program. I use a separate spelling prgm but I do some of the CW spelling lessons because I like the different approach... It is similar to the SWR program. In fact I got the Wise Guide To a Spelling to supplement the CW ... But it is not required.
I treat the vocabulary in Homer m Diogenes in a similar manner. I make sure to do some of the vocabulary sheets ... I think they are a great idea.
The grammar starts light in Aesop but gets serious at the Homer and Diogenes levels. By the time you are done with those two levels you do not need any more formal grammar. I do FLL for 1st n 2nd grades. Sometimes I will do R&S Eng 3 also since I have it. But once I get to Homer I use Harvey's. ..usually orally to save time. I do think that R&S English grammar is a good alternative. (I have friends that used just the odd number years and it worked just fine.)
I also do separate literature since I combine history n lit. (Although combining writing n lit is an interesting thought).
How important is math really?
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
well... it will affect her ability to take science classes in high school and college. High school level chem really needs PreAlgebra as a pre-requirement. Plus knowing basic math is handy in life when shopping, dealing with discounts, cooking, paying bills, picking insurance packages, etc. So yes, I think math is really important. My kids fell 'behind' in math and I didn't think too much about till it affected their ability to take upper level science classes... oops! Not getting their facts down really showed when their upper math took even longer then most because they were thinking about 8x7 in addition to the entire algebra or calculas problem at hand.
I don't think she is too young to pause and work on this... maybe even consider a tutor. My oldest and I clashed over math for awhile before I finally got her a tutor. It wasn't an overnight explosion of knowledge, but it was helpful! BUT I do think that you are doing GREAT thinking this through for her while she is so young! You have already tried a few different options and you are still looking... she probably doesn't know to say this yet so I'll say it .. way to go Mom! (she'll get there though..)
hmm, she likes math if it is story ... does she like games? maybe RightStart would help?