[Faraway tree audio by Kate Winslet?]

NM

[Faraway tree audio by Kate Winslet?]

That is odd, we have the series but it is unabridged. Maybe mine are a different version being in Australia??? They are read by Kate Winslet.

We love our copy, it has been so well loved i think my girls can recite most of the books off by heart lol

[Delay first cycle of history and science?]

My kiddos are just over 1 year apart but because of where their birthdays fall they are 2 school years apart. I started the first history and science cycle when dd1 was starting 1st grade and dd2 was K4 (although advanced and could have easily done K that year). DD2 listened to all readings etc, participated in craft activities for history and helped with science experiments. She was not required to do anything other than listen to the initial lesson but she wanted to join in with everything. We took it very slow and ended up taking 2 years to do SOTW1 and RSO life. This was not to accomodate dd2 but rather dd1 just needed more time and doing either of those programs entirely in one year was too much for her in 1st. If doing it over again I would do exactly the same thing, I would not wait an extra year and this is why: it took us all (except the K4 kiddo lol) a long while to get in the groove of things in terms of readings, narrations, activities etc for history and science in addition to our core subjects. We all really needed to spread that first rotation out over 2 years and starting earlier gave me the feeling that I had more time to achieve that and for us to do things our way. DD2 got so much out of it, she was not in any way too young and recalls probably more of SOTW1 than I do. I firmly believe that even had I of waited a year we would still have taken 2 years to get through that first rotation, it was mostly a matter of logistics in the end that took so long and working out how to do things the right way for us.

My kiddos are now in 3rd and 1st and we are doing SOTW2 and RSO earth and space, we are in a good position to complete both of these programs within the current school year (calendar year). The kids now know what to do and how to approach things and I have finally found my groove in terms of lesson planning, teaching, organising etc. It took us all quite a long time to get there though and i swear the mummy learning curve was even steeper than the kiddo learning curve

[Science - secular and independent for 4th grade?]

Since this is in addition to a science program you will be using with her....I would suggest not getting another science "program".  If it were me....I'd get What's Science All About (which is a combined book that includes 3 titles: What's Biology All About, What's Chemistry All About, and What's Physics All About).  It's a really nice kid-friendly science book.  Then I'd get a bunch of science kits...such as the ScienceWiz kits.  Those should be able to be done independently.  Rainbow Resource has the science book (Amazon has more sample pages) and the ScienceWiz kits.  

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! DD is going to LOVE that book, I have added it to my wish list. Those sciencewiz kits look perfect too, I might have to get a few of them too :)

[Science - secular and independent for 4th grade?]

Thanks fourisenough, galore park junior science looks like it fits the bill perfectly and is relatively inexpensive too which is a definite bonus

[Science - secular and independent for 4th grade?]

PeachyDoodle, I will look into NOEO and see if i think she can do it, thanks :)
Both my bigger girls spend hours every week reading either science or history encyclopedias or reference books in their own time, they love them so much

[Science - secular and independent for 4th grade?]

I am busy planning my daughter's 4th grade year, eek, 4th grade!!!

Yesterday I asked her what she likes the most/least and if there is anything she wants more of or to change etc. Apart from us both wanting to change writing (working on that already) the only thing she really wants altered is to do extra science, yes extra lol. Oh and she only wants to only do 1 page of math a day but I told her that is not going to happen lol and she will have to deal with the 2 she is currently doing. We do RSO (chemistry next year) as a family and I am not looking to add anything more to our combined subjects or to my mummy workload so I am wondering is there a secular science that she might be able to work on independently? Does such a program exist? I am not concerned about the area of science covered, the main criteria is that she can work on it independently.

Other than this extra science and the yet to be determined writing program I think I am sorted and own nearly everything already :)

[writing program, please help!]

Oh thanks kiwik, I will wait and check out the bundle sale, fingers crossed :)

[writing program, please help!]

Thanks guys, checking them all out :)
I have added wordsmith apprentice to my wish list to order for next year, that looks great. And I have downloaded all the scott foreman books, they look like something my girls might like so i might give those a go for now and keep researching what direction to head in next year and add in a new writing curriculum when I place my big order for next year (in october, I only do one order a year as postage is a killer!). I think I am still, maybe, heading towards either writing and rhetoric fable 1 or writing strands for next year but I might just make do with the scott foreman books until then and increase the writing required in our science and history.
Oh and I remembered I have levels 1 and 2 of EIW on my shelf, never opened oops, might just see what we think of those too

[writing program, please help!]

We need to try a new writing curriculum ASAP, we have been using WWE for the last 2 years and have completed 1 and 2, we have started 3 but honesly neither dd or myself can bring ourselves to work through it. It is working fine for her when we do get around to using it but it is tedious and just not appealing to either of us so it hardly ever gets done, we are currently 15 weeks into our school year (jan-dec) and have completed only 5 lessons all year. Yup, it is that unappealing that it does not get done even though she finds it quite easy. So now what? I have been researching for months thinking I 'might' suppliement WWE to break it up a bit (seeing as we already own WWE3) but now I think I might want to jump ship completely?  So undecided and confused. My daughter is mid way through 3rd grade and is not a strong writer, she is not really behind in writing but she is by no means ahead. Depending on the program I choose I will go with either a 2nd or 3rd grade level to begin with.

 

I think my top contenders are writing and rhetoric fable 1 or writing strands but honestly I am so lost and confused and not even sure if those should be on my list at all let alone at the top.

 

I have looked at bravewriter before and it is so confusing.

 

Preferably I would like something that is a bit less parent intense than WWE as that is one of the factors that is contributing to it not being used often enough. Something that sets out what to do (for her) in clear and logical steps. My daughter likes workbook style programs best and because of this they get done and are less stressful for me. And finally, ideally I would love something that is available as a PDF so i can download and use immediately and not have to pay huge postage to australia (and that I can use with my other 3 kiddos when they get to that stage).

 

Does this sound like a writing program that you know? Please tell me there is the perfect book out there just waiting for us :)

[Suggestions for STEM kits]

We love all things STEM in this house but I often find I just don't have the time or energy to out into preparing as many activities as we would like. This year the kiddos have been focusing on lego contraptions when I am not prepared for other activities and they have been great, they both love them and really love making their own contraptions (they have this set each: http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/001150 )
I am looking at getting more STEM type kits or sets and just after ideas.  I am thinking along the lines of snap circuits or lego tecnic or ???? Hit me with your favorite products please, I would ideally love a good selection on my shelves to mix things up a bit.
My girls are 6 (1st) and 8 (3rd), they are working around 3rd-4th levels.

Thanks :)

[Long "u" sound - July, June]

Loving this thread :) As an Australian I opened this thread wondering how on earth people pronounce June or July without the long U sound, turns out it can be done in many, many different ways lol

 

However we often run into words in OPGRT or AAS that are in a group of words that we cannot for the life of us figure out why or how they could possibly be in that pronounciation group.

 

This reminds me of when I first started homeschooling and i was reading about changing AAS to australian where needed and it said there were 4 ways to pronounce the letter a in australian and only 3 used in AAS, it then said that the 4th way is like in swan. Well that got me thinking, if my 4th sound of a is in swan then how on earth do others pronounce swan then??? (for the record swan is pronounced swon). I posed the "how do you pronounce swan" question on facebook and that lead to months of debate with friends from all over the world. Or was it 5 a sounds in australian and the 5th one was in water (wor-ter) and war (wor)???

[Introductions]

Hi all,
My name is Laura. I have osteoarthritis and have been recently diagnosed with hashimoto's.  I am also currently getting tested for lupus and MS.

 

I have been in constant pain for as long as i can remember and many of my memories of early school life are of not being able to join in activities as it hurt too much or even going home early as I could not walk because of the pain. Doctors have been brushing me off that entire time (30+ years!). It was a bit of a shock recieving the hashi diagnosis but in a way it was a huge relief, finally I have a name and a reason for some of my issues. My doctor is running a couple more tests in the next few weeks and then I will be starting thyroid medication, I am optomistic that finally I will see some improvement. At the moment my most pressing concerns are muscle pain (entire body), joint pain (biggest concerns are hips, shoulders and wrists), chronic fatigue, memory loss and numbness in hands and feet.

I live in Australia and have 4 kiddos ranging from 8 years to 12 months. My husband is away 4 weeks out of every 5 so I am mostly parenting and homeschooling on my own which is very trying when you can hardly get out of bed and your hips are so bad you can hardly walk :sad: Also my 3yo daughter is on the spectrum and between her additional needs and her therapies she keeps me busy.

[How long daily in 3rd grade]

thanks guys :)

[How long daily in 3rd grade]

mucis and art are covered in both our history session with the friend on monday and then often on thursday and friday afternoons informally after everythign else is done. I would like to add in a formal art session but i just cannot fit it in realistically.

Oh forgot to add that we are doing one weekend a month (couple of hours) as a family working on STEM projects, mostly engineering type projects, building and testing model bridges/lego challenges etc

[How long daily in 3rd grade]

I appologise as i am sure this has been covered many times before but I simply cannot find the answer on a search.

My dd is starting 3rd grade this month (jan-dec school year) and I am currently working out her daily "routine". How long do you expect each topic to take in 3rd grade?
 

MORNINGS

I am thinking phonics and general LA worksheets about 15-20 minutes daily (she is finishing ETC soon and then no more phonics), she likes the LA worksheets, they are mostly scholastic or evan moor books and are fun ones

Language arts: 2* 15-20 minute lessons daily. We alternate between spelling (AAS), writing (WWE) and grammar (FLL) doing each 3-4 times a week

reading 30 minutes daily

LA total: about 1 hour plus 30 minutes reading.

 

Math she usually does 2 complete MUS pages (double sided ie 1A and 1B). This will be cut down to only 1 page if it becomes too hard however the 2 double sided pages generally is only taking about 20 minutes on average.

Maths game or manipulative exploration 10 minutes+ daily (depends on the game chosen).

Math total: about 30 minutes daily. Is this enough???

 

Logic and geography are about 10 minutes a day alternating.

 

I am hoping to add in a 30 minute block of either history or science here but am worried it will be too much???

 

AFTERNOONS

Mondays we have a history activity and craft session with a friend - 3 hours ish total but only about 1 hour working. We are going to add in 30 minutes of science to this session this year. (combined with sister in 1st grade and a 3rd grade friend)
Tuesdays swimming lessons and socialising with homeschool friends

Wednesdays homeschool group - this is a play and socilization group only
Thursdays 1 hour of science (combined with 1st grader)

Fridays 1 hour of history (combined with 1st grader)

 

 

Daily schedule currently looks like this (all times are very approximate)
9am to 10 LA book work etc
10 to 10:30am reading
10:30 to 11 break and snack time outside!

11-11:10 logic/geography
11:10-11:40 math book work and then game/manipulative play
Maybe add in 30 minutes ish here for history/science

Lunch time from time math is finished (or after the history/science) until maybe 1:30ish

1:30 onwards as above.

Thoughs? Am I expecting too much? Not enough? Anything major I have missed? hubby wants me to do a language this year and I am still working out what we will use for that, I might put it in on one or 2 of the 30 minute sessions before lunch maybe?
Thoughs? TIA

 

[Chapter books for first and thrid grades]

Thanks :) Looks like I am on the right track here as I already had a few of those suggestions in my cart. It is such a difficult stage, i want her to enjoy reading and not be reading books that are too young or easy but i really don't need any more "junk" books in the house either, she is really wanting to read "real" books lol and keeps trying to read Roald Dahl which she can read perfectly fine except for his long made up words. she has so far turned her nose up at all the early chapter books we own as they look too babyish and not like a "real" novel to her but she is just not quite there to read the books she wants. Hopefully some of these suggestions will appeal. And thanks pitterpatter for the scholastic branches link, i have never heard of those series but that looks about what i need. We are bored with "readers" but not quite at real novels and that inbetween stage is so tricky.

[Chapter books for first and thrid grades]

I am finalising my order for books and games etc for next year for my girls and am after suggestions on books to buy for them. I am specifically after pleasure reading novels/chapter books for my girls to read independently. Next year they will be starting 1st and 3rd grades in january.  I already have quite a few books in my cart for the then 3rd grader (who is currently reading Roald Dahl, I am guessing about 4-5th grade level reading) but I am completely stumped on good chapter books for dd5 who will be starting first grade in january. She is advanced in reading, probably around an early 2nd grade level currently at half way through her kindy year. So I am really looking for the very best in chapter books for a 5-6yo girl who is a good reader. Ones she will enjoy reading. She is not quite reading our easiest chapter books independently but can read them perfectly fine, just lacks ot confidence to do so on her own. She should be easily reading early chapter books independently by christmas.

 

So please, please hit me with your best suggestions for favorite chapter books for girls, especially for my almost first grader but also for the 3rd grader.

 

I am sure this has been asked before but a search is bringing up nothing, links to old threads also appreciated :)

 

TIA

[Just a little brag :)]

My DD7 has always excelled in math and logic type activities from an early age and is easily 3 years ahead in these areas with the work still being way too easy for her. On the other hand language arts has been torture for us both since day 1. She could not get the concept of rhyming, it took us nearly a year for her to be able to correctly identify the sound at the beginning of a word and phonics and reading instruction has been a long, hard road. Well in the last 2 weeks she has started reading for pleasure :hurray: i cannot tell you how amazed and proud i am that she has finally been able to pick up a book and enjoy reading it. Not only that, she is currently half way through second grade and the books she is reading for pleasure are 4th grade reading level :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy: 2 weeks ago i would have said she was reading on a 1st grade level and now she is reading 4th grade books :laugh: I have always hoped that reading would finally "click" for her, she is so bright and it has been hard on her with her reading being so far below her other skills and yay, it looks like finally it has happened. So. Damn. Happy.

[logic help]

Thanks for the suggestions, logic links added to my rainbow cart and I am checking out the other books now :001_smile: I have all of the game suggestions bar 2 already and many more as well, we really don't need anymore games but I have about 5 already on my list too lol, we all love logic here

[SOTW narrations with 3rd and 1st graders]

In 1st I asked dd to give me one sentence about one thing she remembered from the story.

In 2nd she is still only required to give me one sentence but it generally will contain 2 facts she remembers not just one.

Next year when she starts 3rd she will be required to give me 2+ perfectly constructed sentences while my younger dd who will be starting 1st will have to give one basic sentence.

[logic help]

thanks, will check out those suggestions. It is just so tough when her reading is not great but she wants some independent work that is not "too easy"

[logic help]

Probaby a tough one but here goes, fingers crossed someone has a suggestion to help :001_smile:

I am after recommendations for my second grader for logic. She is a young second grader and quite advanced in logic and mathematics (about 4th grade level in both) but slightly behind in reading and language arts (pretty much late 1st grade across the board in LA). Because of her reading ability I am having trouble finding logic that she can do on her level independently.  She is a very independent child and wants to do logic daily on her own. At the minute the only thing I have that she can do on her own is mind benders book 2 (apart from logic games, we have heaps of these but are wanting workbooks). This book is for grades 1-2 and is WAY too easy for her in terms of logic but book 3, which i also own, is too hard reading wise. We also have logic safari book 1 (grades 2-3) and primarily logic (grades 2-4) and both are way too easy logic wise but too hard reading wise :sad: Does anyone have any suggestions of what else I can look at? TIA

[I need to just choose one]

We use both MM and MUS, i love them both for different reasons and I love how they both teach concepts in a slightly different way thus giving my kids a choice (once both methods are mastered) of how to approach a problem depending on what works best for them. We do tend to do MUS as our main program and only do bits and pieces of MM where it teaches different topics or a different method which i feel will be beneficial long term

[Quick Math Mammoth question]

No, we have gone through all of 1a-2b and never used the answers yet