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Capt_Uhura

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Posts posted by Capt_Uhura

    article: Why did San Francisco schools stop teaching algebra in middle school

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I don't have an issue with Algebra in Middle School if there has been a strong foundation in elementary which is sadly not the case.

     

    The battle I'm fighting right now is that my son, first year in public school finishing 7th grade, has been accelerated in science but not math b/c he was not in the district for 6th grade where the math testing is done to determine who  goes on the accelerated track. So now his science will be ahead of his math instruction. His math teacher said that the 7/8th grade math only covered 3 more "strands/topics" than the 7th graders covered. She felt I could easily teach him those topics this summer but head of the math department said no way. So my son who would have done AoPS algebra 1 in 8th (we got a bit behind b/c I was dealing with my chronically ill teen) will now spend all year learning three new topics rather than doing algebra 1. So I suppose 3/4s of the year will be review.

     

    Capt_Uhura

    MCT language arts: Convince me

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I would like to second what Caitlin posted. MCT really helped me to appreciate the beauty in the written word. I did all elementary levels of MCT with my two boys. We use the poetry books one level behind. My boys absolutely LOVED MCT and ASKED to do it. I kid you not. I think front loaded the information and then addressing it daily with the practice books really delivered for us. Their retention has been near 100%. In late elementary they were testing high school level for grammar on MAP annual assessment as well in Language arts of MAP due to the emphasis on poetry in that assessment. We are constantly coming across Caesar's English words in our literature. It most definitely is a cuddle on the couch and read together curriculum. It's not a hand-to-the-student curriculum. We spent a year doing a grammar workbook program (not any of SWB's) and my boys had ZERO retention. It was quite disheartening. It was then we switched to MCT. We also did what SWB put out of AAS and I loved that as well. It was a nice reinforcement/review of what we had done w/ MCT.

    It is just my feeling but over the years it seemed that a large majority of those that posted a successful year w/ MCT were homeschooling boys. My boys loved the humor in the stories and still remember them. I also absolutely adore his Self-Evident Truth Series. Nothing has made me appreciate the POWER of the written word to move people or get a point across than that series. 

     

    If I were teaching grammar, poetry, vocabulary again I would used MCT as well as AAS if SWB finishes it. 

     

    As Kalmia echoed, we only read through MCT's writing curriculum for the overall picture. My boys needed more incremental teaching and I needed much more hand-holding. We successfully used WWE1-3, WWS1, and we dabble in LToW. I will be afterschooling WWS2 now with my boys who are attending public school. 

     

    Do I feel MCT has a place in the 4th edition of WTM? I think if the goal is to give people an overview of what's available, I certainly feel it deserves to be mentioned, especially in a section of different approaches.

    • Like 7

    MCT language arts: Convince me

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Others have expressed exactly how I feel about MCTLA. We have used the first three levels and love it. I do not do the writing assignments though. We read through the writing portion of the curriculum, but we need more for writing, as not all of my kids are natural writers.

     

    For me, the most important aspect of the curriculum is the whole-to-parts approach. I graduated high school, tested (via an essay I wrote) into an honors English/Writing program in my college, and functioned in life without understanding grammar at all. I'm serious. I couldn't tell you what a participial phrase was until I started using MCT with my kids. It turns out I'm a whole-to-parts learner. I figured that out while getting my Master's Degree. It wasn't until the capstone course that everything finally made sense. LOL

     

    Anyway, we tried FLL, Voyages in English, LLATL, and Abeka LA before finding MCTLA, and we have never looked back. When I purchased the Island level for my oldest, my second child was a year behind the suggested grade level for the Island level, but he saw me doing MCTLA with my oldest, and he wanted to do it too. I didn't think he'd do well, but I told him he could try it out and see how it went. He excelled at MCTLA, and is becoming quite the grammar snob. I couldn't be prouder.

     

    We love the vocabulary, grammar (practice book included--we love the 4-level analysis), and poetry books, but only read through the writing portion and discuss the ideas. Actually, the discussion of the material is where the strength of the program lies. At one point I had my oldest doing the books on her own, and she was not doing as well as her brother (who was doing the same level), so I started making her do it with us. The discussion is the best part.

     

    For anyone who fears the ML level, let me tell you, I fear it too. I actually decided not to use MCTLA this year because we'd be moving into the ML level, and I wasn't sure if my middle child was ready as I heard there's a huge jump from the Voyage level to Magic Lens 1. Well, MCTLA has come out with a new level that fits in the gap. I can't remember the name of it, and they haven't yet released all of the books for the level, but it's what we'll be doing this year. I'm so glad this is available because we weren't sure what we were going to do if we didn't do MCTLA.

     

    I agree that this method isn't for everyone, but for us, it is a huge hit.

     

    Angie

    Angie, there is a new level of MCT that is in between Voyage and ML to fill that large leap! The Vocab and Grammar portions are out now. It's called The Literature Level.

     

    Sybil

    • Like 2

    High School with Lyme Disease

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    My son has been dealing with Lyme disease for 4years. He went to public school for 9th after being homeschooled for 3rd-8th grade. He tried to play high school soccer which was wayyy too much for him and his body basically shut down. He has been home w/ homebound instruction since November. He's been IgM negative for 4 years for Lyme and just came up IgM positive which seemingly indicates an active infection. I know this child has not had another tick bite which just tells me all of his illness the past 4years was chronic lyme infection even though all of his doctors said no. He also is therapy to deal w/ this but they were convinced it was just teen depression. Anti-depressants/anti-anxiety meds haven't really helped in my opinion. His main complaint is the never ending fatigue and brain fog. He is now able to play rec soccer on the weekend but it wipes him out for about 2days. We are waiting for the rest of the blood work then will have to decide on the course of treatment. He's already been treated 4x including IV antibiotics.

     

    Big hugs to you. I know how devastating this is, especially to an athlete.

     

    Sybil

    • Like 4

    Dr Hive, could I have Sjogren's?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I haven't posted in a long time because I have been plagued by so many medical issues. Even small ones take the wind out of you, if you suffer 15 of them at the same time. Anyway, I have been having these symptoms lately and recently I went to the dentist and the hygienist there pointed it might be Sjogren's? I read a little bit about it and I think she has a point. Here go my symptoms

    I started having blepharitis last November.  I got a stye and soon enough I had a really severe case of blepharitis. Blurred vision bad enough I couldn't drive for a couple weeks. I got this under control, somewhat but now I started having a really severe case of dry mouth. I keep waking up in the middle of the night to drink water. I have never drank so much water in my life. I tried to change foods, supplements etc. Nothing seems to help. I also developped a rash on my left hand around the elbow and my neck that seems to flare up with just simple contact with fabrics or jewelry or anything that touches it really. I also have a case of the brain fog. I just cannot seem to keep my head together. I have to read my emails 3-4 times to make sure I am coherent and when I talk, I have a hard time sometimes remembering even simple words. 

    I know I need to see a doctor but my physician changed practice and I don't want to follow her, so it will take me a while to find a new one. I am really reluctant to trust a new doctor. So, what does the Hive think? Could it be Sjogren's? Do I need to find a doctor urgently?

     

    I have SJogren's. I started with the dry mouth and chocking on food. I would wake up 3-5x/night to drink water. It felt like pouring water over sand paper. It was my eye doctor that mentioned Sjogren's b/c I kept getting abrasions on my corneas. My grandma had Scleroderma so that puts me at higher risk for autoimmune issues. I also developed a lot of gastrointestinal issues. I've had low white blood cell count etc. I had a LOT of fatigue, tiredness, sleepiness, and brain fog. Based on symptoms and some markers of inflammation (negative for both Sjogren's antibodies however), my rheumy diagnosed Sjogren's. By following autoimmune protocol diet, I've largely been able to keep Sjogren's symptoms to a minimum. I use eyes drops when I need to. Make sure to use the preservative-free ones if you use them often. I like Systaine Ultra. I was also subsequently diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis by a neurologist so my husband wanted me to go a Sjogren's specialist in the city. He wanted a lip biopsy. That came back inconclusive. I have a lot of inflammation in my salivary glands, destruction of the ducts, scar tissue etc but not the specific, usual pattern in Sjogren's. My hematologist said it's simply b/c I'm in a different phase of the disease right now. With my diet, I have not had to deal w/ too much dry mouth issues and have not had many choking issues lately. At one point, the skin would peel out of my mouth like spider web and I would have cracks in my cheeks but no longer. Many, many people w/ Sjogren's are negative for the antibodies but I would certainly go to a rheumy for a full autoimmune panel. 

     

    Send me a message if you want to chat privately. Big hugs.

     

    Sybil

    • Like 1

    Honesty question

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I think it depends on the situation as to how much you disclose. Speaking as a Beachbody coach myself, your brand is your story. People will connect with you based on that. For example, if you have a blog, certainly blog about your WLS, why you made the decision and how it went for you. Of course then the key is to stress is that it's not the solution it's your FIRST step - your next steps are fitness and nutrition. Now if you do a 21 Day Fix challenge for example, and post your before/afters - then give your before stats and your afters for that challenge. Let that sell it itself. If you do a then and now - talk about your WLS and show you new pic. I think you have the opportunity to reach a lot of people who are in the same position and struggling w/ the same questions and issues.

     

    Capt_Uhura

    • Like 5

    Lyme disease

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    LIzzie, How do you know your daughter has neuroLyme? My son just had a brain MRI w/ and w/out contrast which was normal but I understand abnormal results on MRI is only in about 20% of patients. My son is still dealing with stomach pain, now chronic nausea, fatigue, brain fog. 

     

    Sybil

     

    The book Why Can't I get Better is our Lyme bible, can't recommend it highly enough.  It has protocols in the appendix.  I bought a copy for our primary and she is treating youngest and now me out it it. 

     

    Doxy is great if it is a new case or in combo with other drugs. 

     

    If you had it 5 years ago, two weeks of doxy is likely to have just thrown it into cyst form and it's hiding.  A single lyme specific band from what I call a "crap lab" is significant.  I would accept no less than 4-6 weeks for a new case but there may also be co-infections, which the tests are also flawed for and if they are involved, the meds are different.  So if you don't get better, refractory symptoms, co-infections could be the culprit.

     

    Most regular bloodwork is normal in Lyme patients, another reason we get blown off. 

     

    For example, youngest had her symptoms return after 3 years, inadequate treatment 1st time around because I (and obviously our doctor) didn't know any better, fatigue, anxiety, swollen and painful knees, headaches, wrist and neck pain.  She is currently on Bactrim, Clarithromycin and Plaquenil and we are treating until she is symptom free for two months as is recommended.  She also has bartonella.  Which is what the Bactrim if for.

     

    I just tested positive for the first time, a single band, but it was band 34, highly specific for Lyme. I am on the last of 6 weeks of doxycycline.  Also had mycoplasma pneumonia, a co-infection and was on azithromycin for that.

     

    And oldest is a battle for her life, she's had it the longest, went undiagnosed the longest, and is on a combo of oral and iv drugs that gets changed up every 8 weeks.  She has NeuroLyme, Neurological Bartonella and Babesia.  The bartonella is the worst of it currently.

     

    Everyone's immune system reacts differently, some people do great, from what I understand 70% of cases do well with adequate treatment the first time around.  If you are lucky enough to have a bulls eye rash, and lucky enough to have a doctor who knows what adequate treatment is.

     

     

     

    Is anyone familiar with Sjogren Syndrome?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

     

     

    One of the best things for me, is to avoid nightshades.  That doesn't work for everyone, but for me, it is a major factor in my inflammation, pain and flares.  I have also found that I benefit  limiting/omitting dairy and corn. 

     

    If I control my diet, go to physical therapy to help with range of motion in my back, and try to avoid stress (my plugs help the eye issue)...I can keep most of my symptoms under control.  I know many people have it way worse that me so I am very thankful that I can control it for the most part.

     

    What is it w/ those darn nightshades? I finally realized that Indian Food was a no-go for me. I love spicy foods but nightshades just do me in. 8-(

     

    Sybil

    Is anyone familiar with Sjogren Syndrome?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I have Sjogren's as well as Myathenia Gravis and Raynaud's phenomenon. I have severe dry eyes that burn. I have very mouth and throat that often wakes me in the night. Drinking water is like running water over sand paper. I frequently choke on food. Sometimes it is because my throat is so dry but other times it's due to muscle weakness from the Myasthenia Gravis. Sometimes my body just hurts. When I wake up, I feel as if my feet have been beat with canes. That eventually goes away but if I go shopping, my feet are sure to feel tender. The joints in my thumb and forefingers will be very inflamed and red and painful. I also have slowed digestion from the Sjogren's which causes discomfort and bloating. I have developed several food sensitivities as well. 

     

    I use Restasis in my eyes 2x/day. I used to take Salagen to increase saliva but now that I'm on Mestinon for Myasthenia Gravis, that also increases my saliva so that drug is a 2-fer! I mainly control my diseases with nutrition and exercise. I try to follow autoimmune paleo protocol. When I do, I do not have belly bloat, inflammation in my hands, sleepiness, etc. With our bodies always fighting inflammation, nutrition is even more important. Exercise helps me to deal with stress which in turn, lowers my inflammation.

     

    I hope that helps,

    Sybil

    Human Odyssey (K12) and The World in Ancient Times schedule

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    Oh my.....this thread brings back such memories! So many good friends! I"m planning history for my now 6th grader. We've had a very rough 3years with my oldest being chronically ill and myself being diagnosed w/ autoimmune disease and my husband being treated for thyroid cancer, so I haven't been on here much. It's so nice to see so many familiar names!!! 

     

    So I'm mapping out Early Modern for my 6th grader and there are just too many good choices!

     

    Capt_Uhura (Aka Sybil)

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