titianmom
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Posts posted by titianmom
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Hi,
I've written people offline but no one is responding, so I'll try this on the forum.
I've been researching and what little I can find in discussions, etc indicate that many people don't finish the book during the year. Also, I get the impression that many of the books aren't used. Also, that many are doing their own History on the side and not using the Western Civ book that is recommended.
I also read on one thread that some versions of books recommended by veritas are nec, and some aren't, like Beowulf for ex. (I have another translation than the one recommended by Veritas, so that's good to know.)
Questions:
IYO, which books are really nec and which aren't? I know, the primaries are nec. But, how many of the primaries did you actually use? (I'd love to be able to plop down $350+ dollars for this one course, but I can't, so I need to find a way to use it without selling my house to pay for it, ha! ;)
Can you do some chapters/lessons and skip others? I'm building my own history with lots of reading, which I would prob scale back to accomodate this text, but I might simply take lessons from the Omnibus this year and massage it into what I'm already doing, which has Church History already in it.
Critically think about this one: How much do you really use the CD? I know Omnibus comes with a lesson plan, etc; how many of you actually followed it?
How much time do you devote to the Omnibus during the week? Daily, but for how long? Did you actually make it all the way through the book?
Thanks a bunch.
Kim
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OH, definitely more..... the principal, the guidance counselor, cook, janitor, nurse, person who picks the curriculum (above the principal in pay), and several teachers all in one. :)
:iagree:
...and I didn't factor in some of these positions. Hmmm....let's see. Now we're up to at least 500K. Prob more....
Kim
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Well homeschooling moms on the HS board, many of you have been homeschooling for quite a long time.
I know it's a labor of love, and that the rewards are being with your kids and knowing that you've played an important part in your
child(ren)'s education.
And, we're blessed to be able to do this.
But...sometimes I wonder.
How much do you think you'd be worth out there in the real world, considering your org skills, talents, and broad range of knowledge after teaching every (stinkin') subject under the sun for up to 12 years straight, often several times with multiple students?
This, of course, is tongue-in-cheek. Let's have some fun with this. :D
I'd say I'm worth at least $200K, considering all the additional things I have to do on top of homeschooling, no? :)
Don't worry, this isn't a pity-party thing. But I am tired, sometimes. Esp at curriculum-hunting time.
(After all, I *did* volunteer for this job, so I can't very well whine about the work. )
Any thoughts?
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Hello?
How nec is the teacher's CD?
Thanks,
Kim
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I'm pretty glad overall with what I've done. I didn't buy anything, really, until mine was in the 3rd grade. We focused then, and still focus on the big 3: Reading, Writing and Arithematic. In the beginning we used the library extensively and the first priority was learning to read. Then math concepts and handwriting.
I've hodge-podged and built my own curriculum over most of the years of homeschooling except for some rare periods when I thought someone else could do better. I did a stint in K12, and a brief excursion with Sonlight. K12 was getting so ridiculously expensive I dropped it. And the child didn't get more education by using it, either. Sonlight? I was hoarse and the child did little to nothing for herself. Not my kind of curriculum.
What I learned: High price tags don't equate to better quality, usually.
Secondly, the child needs to learn how to study and work independently, eventually. And work, did I mention that? They need to learn how to work toward their ed. You're not in school, they are. :)
Take care,
Kim
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Pls respond if you know anything about it...
Kim
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Hi all,
I'm looking at the sample online for Omnibus II and I'm in love. However, given that the program is $100 and you still have to buy the books, I think it's pretty outrageous price-wise.
Yeah, I know; you get history and Bible in with the Lit, but still...$100? Whew.
Is it worth it? WHo can sing it's praises for me to sell me on this? :)
Thanks!
Kim
PS: And who thought it wasn't worth the price to them....
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Hi, I'm considering this program for my 8th grader who is a drawing fiend. Any input would be appreciated, thanks!
Kim
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Agree completely.
We have good schools and we have bad ones. There are homeschooling families doing a thorough job, and there are some that are prob doing more damage than good to their kids. There are kids who probably would benefit greatly from a homeschool environment. And there are kids who, because of their home environment (millions of situations come to mind), are prob better off in the PS system.
I did fine in public school growing up and made very good grades. I went on to college and had a high GPA in Computer Sci and a minor in History.
However, when I compare my education with my husband's, I'd say his school prob did a much more thorough job than mine did (elementary/HS). He simply knows more vocabulary and math, etc, and is much more "well-rounded" than I am, by far. (We went to the same college.)
He had a real advantage going into college. I had to work harder in college.
My point is, there are HUGE differences between the schools out there. You can't lump all PSs in the same pile and say they're all alike.
You can't lump all homeschooling families together, either.
So, most of these types of articles are so myopic that they're simply valueless, IMHO. That's why I usually don't read them and have no interest in reading them.
Kim
In the past few weeks I've read posts on this board that link to articles which are hostile to homeschooling. All the articles linked have a reactionary tone and clearly do not demonstrate the author's ability to substantiate his or her argument with verifiable fact, rather the writers rely on anecdotal evidence for support. It seems these writers feel threatened by the power of parents to choose. It is so much easier to sling mud than to unearth facts. While it maybe true some home school students would benefit from a public school education, the same could be said that many public school student would benefit from home schooling. What is left unsaid is why parents~ rich, poor, of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are rejecting American public education. If American public education worked, then people might not feel the need to home school or send their children to private school. -
On her own, mine wouldn't look up anything, either, because...well....she's a bit...ah...okay; I'll say it: LAZY.
:)
But when we read together, we usually have a dictionary nearby to look up words and talk about them.
The other day we were reading <gasp> a Hardy Boys from 1929. Yes, way back when kids could actually read and write well, and even though these are dime novels done on the cheap, they actually have some decent vocabulary in them. Sigh. Enough lamenting over the current teen novels out there with a reading level of, say, 3rd grade.
Anyway, we came across the word "pugilistically" (pugilism) and took a guess as to what it might mean without finishing the paragraph. Then we looked it up together and laughed that we had the definition *so* incorrect.
Anyway, not pushing the old kids' series, but we found 3 words in one chapter that we didn't know.
Yes, we read classics, also, together and do the same thing.
Kim
that assumes that they are looking up all those words that come across in their reading, right?????? I know my daughter doesn't like to stop reading to look up words. Comments....Thx,
Whitney
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FWIW, Sonlight NEVER had much of a grammar program IMHO. I tried it long ago and sold it about half-way thru the year because all I did was read read read, and my daughter didn't do much of anything but listen. I was hoarse after every school day.
Enough lamenting over Sonlight. I know lots of people like it, so more power to them, I suppose. :)
I think R & S is an excellent program. I have some of their materials.
But...I love CLE's LA program because:
1. Spiral approach
2. Covers every area of English thoroughly; there are no weak areas IMHO.
3. Gentle approach with little "extras" that make it interesting to learn. For ex, this week the daughter was telling me about where the word "sandwich" came from, among other things. (12 yo's think about food constantly...)
4. diagramming. She can now diagram truly scary sentences with ease and she actually knows what ea part of speech is and uses diagramming on occasion to figure out what a sentence isn't "working" for her.
5. As the child ages, the child becomes more independent and can work on their own. Not a big deal to me because I like to teach and have the time, but some folks need this for obvious reasons. It teaches the child to work independently and this is important. Let's face it--in college, no one will be holding their hand and following them around to see if they did their work.
I could go on, but if you're interested in a complete program, then you might consider CLE's LA. Also, their separate Reading program is very good, also. She has learned so much literary analysis, terms, vocabulary this year, it's incredible. My husband has a degree in Economics and is very well read (you should see the stuff that he reads), and he was really impressed at the vocabulary and spelling, etc in these programs. He said most adults don't know these words, and just shook his head and said she won't have any problem with the SAT, etc. And this is just the 700 level...
Kim
My oldest two kids will be in 3rd and 5th grades next year. They have not had a lot of grammar. We have been using Sonlight's newer LA programs and they do not do very much with grammar.So far, I am planning on using Rod and Staff English levels 3 and 4 for next year. But since I am not very familiar with it, I wanted to double check if there is anything else I should be considering. Thanks for your help!
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Just a thought. I know that sometimes getting your kids to help is more of a battle than just doing it yourself...but....
Over time and much consequences, you can get them to help out with the cleaning. :) Esp their areas of responsibility.
We're to: Don't keep up your areas? Then you don't get to (watch TV, do you computer games, draw and play, etc etc until the work is done.)
Just a thought. I'd also close off areas. You can make a large home into a smaller one easier than you can make a small one into a larger one. :)
Kim
I love our house. My husband contracted it and put a lot of time and energy into building it. We have a perfectly level lot (which in Pittsburgh is a gem) and great neighbors. I have a great garden and a lovely creek that runs in the back of my half acre. We are situated within half mile to the soccer fields, where we live in the spring and fall. Our church is only 3 miles away and my husband's commute is just 9 miles.But this house is too big for me. There's just so much to care for. Between the five bedrooms, hardwood floors, and large yard, I'm just exhausted trying to keep up.
Also, when we moved in 3 years ago, we built an inlaw suite in the basement for my inlaws to stay when they come to visit from their Florida residence. But they have hardly used it. I feel like it's just wasted space and yet I have to keep it clean too.
Lastly, with the economy turning, my healt issues, and another baby on the way, I wonder if maybe we bit off more than we could chew financially. We were in a very different place financially just three short years ago.
I still want to stay in the township. But I just think a smaller house might be more manageable. Of course with 7 kids, I'm not sure how small I can really go without losing my marbles and feeling we're on top of each other.
Any thoughts?
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I don't read these articles.
I know that homeschooling works for us and that my girl is pretty well adjusted and getting a decent education. It may not be for everyone, but it works for us.
There will always be 2 camps of thought on homeschooling. There are 2 camps of thought on just about every topic under the sun, so why should homeschooling be any different.
Peace,
Kim
This article, titled Parents Must Consider Disadvantages Before Homeschooling, was published this week in a local newpaper, one that is published in our state capital. Please help respond to this article and show the readers how completely off the author is. Some of his statements include: -
http://down.platoweb.com/cybered.htm
They're shutting down Plato. ?? Am I understanding this correctly?
Kim
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I imagine before the summer is over...prob sooner. I don't know if he'll be picking up a text in order to create the syllabus but I suspect so.
Kim
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You might want to build something on your own. Most of what I've found out there for elementary level is pretty lame IMHO if you're child is past the basics or into more of the physics side, etc.
I was thinking RS4K but their Physics 2 isn't completed yet. Just their Chem is, which is something you might consider. In the end, many of the sciences are inter-related if you know what I mean.
I'd also focus on math. Science and math go hand-in-hand. Make sure she has a good foundation if she seems to be headed toward a science career in the future; esp Engineering. 99.9% math if you know what I mean.
Lastly, have you checked out Thames and Kosmos kits? They are more hands on where you build things, etc. Great even as a main course for science at the elementary level! They have solar-powered physics projects, reg physics, chem kits, etc. that are supposed to be pretty good. We might do their powerhouse next year.
We're doing Astronomy next year; we have an observatory up the road and a pair of binos. I have a few books and an online course I'm considering, plus we may use SLOOH. http://www.slooh.com and http://www.synapses.co.uk/astro/astro.html . (He also has a mini CHemistry course that's supposedly pretty good.)
For 9th grade we'll be doing CPO's Foundations of Physical Sci text with the DIVE Physical Science program, FWIW. It's an honors science program; Dr. Shormann has all the honors science programs avail with kits, etc that you can use with Apologia, BJU, internet, Prentice Hall, and soon he'll add the CPO syllabus. http://www.diveintomath.com
Hope this helps some. Sounds to me like she'd love the Thames and Kosmos kits, tho. AND, don't forget the library!
Kim
PS: I have to add that, at the elementary level, you have more flexibility. Do what's fun and fill the year with things in areas SHE wants to cover. Don't worry about following what everyone else does. It's at the HS level that she'll have to fulfill requirements, like the Chem/Bio/Physics stuff. But really as long as they have like 3 or 4 courses of science and at least 2 (I think) with labs, she'll be okay...if you can do, like, 2 Physics courses and skip biology for ex I think you can do it. For ex, physics and advanced physics if she's going into engineering. Chemistry would be a good idea of course, also. (I'm doing physical sci at 9th to see what my daughter will focus on, myself. Bio? Chem? Physics? None of the above, ha?) But check with your county to make sure they don't insist on the typical trio.
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Just wanted to let folks know that in the near future, Dr. Shormann will have a Syllabus written for CPO Foundations to go with his Physical Science program (DIVE cds; the folks who do the DIVE Saxon, etc.).
Kim
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Hi,
Well, the reviewer just glanced at it, but she felt it was a decent text.
More importantly, Dr. Shormann from DIVE took a look at it and agreed to write a Syllabus for CPO (Foundations in Physical Sci, 9th grade level) to use with his CD for Physical Science, if anyone is interested.
What makes me happy about this is his CDs include Labs to view and he sells kits to go with his programs. So you can do an Honors level course with the CPO text (or Apologia, BJU or PH or Internet links) should you choose.
Kim
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is very helpful. I won't use CPO next year but plan on using it for 6th-8th.Do come back in June and let us know what the reviewer says about CPO.
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I contacted Dr. Shormann and he viewed the samples of CPO online (Their Foundations level Phys Sci, not the middle school level). He liked what he saw and felt it was very thorough and agreed to write a Syllabus for CPO! Great!
So, you can use either Apologia, BJU, his INternet links or CPO (soon) for Physical Sci.
He said you have to do some supplemental reading from the above texts or the Internet in order to receive Honors credit.
Take care,
Kim
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Hi,
Recent Barna reports (I think that's the group's name) are saying something like 70% of people sitting in pews today do not have a Christian worldview. A lot of them don't even believe that the Bible is God's word.
So with those statistics, I would think teaching our children that we are more than Christian in name only is important. That God truly is Lord of this world, etc.
But it's more than teaching, as you say; you have to live it out in front of your kids. You have to love the unlovable, forgive, believe in the power of God to change lives and have your life radically changed by God, etc. Too many kids are hearing the Gospel but not seeing it demonstrated by those professing Christianity. They want reality, and they're NOT finding it in the Church. That's the problem.
Take care,
Kim
At a couple of homeschooling conferences I've been to over the past couple of years I've heard speakers say that children are falling away from Christ because they haven't been taught biblical worldview. They'd be better off it it were taught.I have to say, I'm just a little confused about this. Don't we live it at home? If we are teaching our children from the bible, and subject are tackled from my belief system, why do I need to specifically teach biblical worldview? Why didn't I hear of this while I was in my teen or 20s? Why only now? Is it a fad, in your opinion?
I've looked at curriculum such as Summit Ministries, but it's quite cost prohibitive. If I should be tackling BWV as a separate subject, what resources are out there that are a reasonable price?
Thoughts?
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I wrote to them asking about CPO and if their CDs is considered an honors course without any other supplement (BJU, etc).
Hopefully they'll write back early next week and I'll post.
Kim
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Hi all, I'm considering the DIVE CDs for Physical Sci. ANyone use these? Anyone use these with a secular science like CPO Integrated Science or Foundations in Physical Sci? Apologia?
Thanks!
Kim
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You do plenty of whole sentences in CLE. Don't know what you're refering too, here. There are some one-word ans for defining grammatical terms, but often the student is asked to re-write sentences with dangling modifiers, for ex, or copywork of scripture or historical passages, etc in their best penmanship.
My daughter complains because there is too much writing, as a matter of fact, and asks to skip it. ;)
Kim
CLE is a wonderful blend of everything IMHO. I love it.
I prefer R&S for this age because it requires the child to write the sentences instead of filling in the blanks. I have the worksheets in case he needs any extra practice on a lesson but I find that he retains more if he writes the sentences he is studying. One reason may be that it slows him down and makes him think a bit longer about the answer. Another may be that he wants to get it right the first time so that he doesn't have to write it all again. :lol:
Omnibus II users, a few more questions, please!
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
I do have netflix and yes, we've watched the BBC Shakespearean plays. We also have Shakespeare all over the house and MSND somewhere already. :)
I've read where others have used, say, Mystery of History and it worked out just fine for them to just read the periods nec, etc.
How much of that hour and a half to 2 hrs is history? :) If it's mostly a THeology/Lit class, I'll have to rethink things. My daughter gets tons of theology and Lit already. Hmmm....but it *still* looks good to me.
THanks again,
Kim