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coffeefreak

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Everything posted by coffeefreak

  1. HA! I see you! Have you had your shot of tequila yet? ;) Feel better!

    1. MariannNOVA

      MariannNOVA

      I am thinking about a shot of something at this point. The throbbing has begun and I pretty much had no pain this time yesterday. I am icing, and I know dh has a bottle of champagne. Worst case scenario, he will need to mix a chocolate martini for me. Happy new year!

    2. coffeefreak

      coffeefreak

      Oh you poor thing! I'm not getting notifications from this feed??? So, what did you decide? Chocolate martinis are the best! I'm telling you! If you ever come to see me I'll take you out and buy you one. When I had my wisdom teeth out, I slept on ice packs and would massage my jaw with the cubes. That might help the throbbing.

  2. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossions 3:23

    1. Tenaj

      Tenaj

      Thanks! I needed to be reminded of that right now :)

    2. coffeefreak

      coffeefreak

      I need reminding every single day. Happy New Year! :)

  3. I don't have a problem with outsourcing. We've outsourced. We continue to outsource, but because of our philosophies and budget, we only outsource things I can't teach, or feel would be better taught in a group setting. That is going to vary from family to family. I can teach literature, writing and German with confidence. Math, Art and Drama, not so much ;) So, I have employed other people to teach my daughter and it has only enhanced and benefited her education. We are intending to do duel enrollment her Senior year because it's a great transition into college, it's cost effective here (high school seniors pay MUCH less than college freshmen), and available to us. Here's where I answer the OP's question. Moms have been co-oping and outsourcing from the beginning so in that case, it is a nationwide trend. What is not a nationwide trend is the degree to which we are outsourcing, the amount of money being spent, and what is available to homeschoolers. That varies from state to state and I would say from community to community. We made a MAJOR move this year after 14 years of living in the same town (why I've been absent from the boards :P ). We're talking across country, the cultures couldn't be more different, the values are different and we are constantly in culture shock....and homesick, but that's another topic. In our previous state, we were NOT considering duel enrollment for our daughters AT ALL even though it was available to us. It wasn't cost effective, there were serious problems with the community college campus and I was already researching out of state colleges and what they required with the knowledge that we did not want our daughter to attend the local colleges. We had done a live online class and were considering more of those. We were also discussing co-oping with some other moms for state history and science labs, but that was it. Now, we have many more opportunities available to us, and that's great! However, when I politely tell people we're not enrolling in THE group to enroll in, they are baffled. I've even been told if I want my daughter to succeed in college, I NEED these groups/that teacher etc. I was offended at first, but now, I feel sad for the moms that are driving from group to group, paying thousands of dollars to homeschool when it doesn't have to be that way. If that's what works for your family, great, but to tell other homeschoolers that they HAVE to follow your path or they're doomed is ridiculous. I am so grateful to live where we live now and have all these support groups and opportunities available to us. However, I have more than once thanked the Lord for 10 years of homeschooling in a state where I had limited resources. It built our confidence to the point where I'm able to look at all the choices as options, not necessities. Mommy wars are stupid. After 10 years, i am fed up with the stupid questions from non-homeschooling families and I can't understand why homeschooling families are taking aim at each other and fighting over the RIGHT way to school. There is no right way. If there was, don't you think we'd all be doing it? I hope that makes sense and I hope I come across as I intended. Every family has to make these decisions on their own. I don't think the OP was saying outsourcing is wrong, just recognizing that the face of homeschooling has changed in the last decade and is it that way everywhere. The answer is no. Blessings!
  4. We avoided OT with our oldest (didn't even realize she needed it until she was in 2nd grade) by using Dianne Craft's methods. It's worth a try. Our daughter is mixed dominant and dysgraphic. I went to one of Dianne's workshops and talked with her personally. We never had to meet with her and we never bought any of her books (although we probably should have), and we still did well. I wish I had found her when my daughter was 5 instead of 7, it would have saved us a lot of heartache and tears. Give it a try! It might help you guys too! http://diannecraft.org/ Blessings! Dorinda Oh and PS HWT is the way to go for sure! ;)
  5. Jackie and I have been talking all semester via e-mail about this (Hi Jackie! :seeya: ) My Ancient History switch was last year, and I went from MOH to Beautiful Feet. We LOVE Beautiful Feet Ancients. I love the price, I love the ease of use (open and go), and I love that my daughter can do it independently. OH, and I love that it is 2 credits, history and literature. Here's the link to the program: http://bfbooks.com/Literature-Packs/Ancient-History-Packs And here's the link to the credit breakdown: http://bfbooks.com/What-credits-am-I-able-to-award-my-high-school-student-if-he-uses-BFB If you've already decided to go with Biblioplan, ignore me, but I decided to pop in and throw one more option in there if you were still on the fence. Blessings! Dorinda
  6. You research, read and research some more. 3 years ago I realized I owned 6 or 7 writing curriculum and I had to laugh because I wasn't directly using ANY of them! I was using bits and pieces and using them as references. They were teaching ME how to problem solve and teach to my daughter's weaknesses. It took us two years to get through The Elegant Essay, and that's just fine. She keeps it as a reference tool and pulls it out often. She never mastered the art of narration or dictation, but has learned how to take notes and write a decent paragraph just the same. Whereas my youngest could narrate orally at 5, had no problem with copywork and dictation, but can't seem to remember that every sentence begins with a capital letter and every sentence ends with a period. It's OK, I've learned that we'll get there. But I have to quit looking to the curriculum to be the magic fix. With my youngest, we're concentrating on mechanics and doing the Rod and Staff writing assignments as they're assigned. With my oldest, we tackled intros one year, conclusions last year, and now we're working on the body and the transitions. We're going to get there. And in the meantime, I continue to read, research and read some more. Blessings! Dorinda
  7. We had moved in town several times, but had never made a major, out of state, earth shattering move. We did everything the wise, military moms are suggesting and we still took over 6 weeks off and never really recovered our year. So, here's my advice: Plan, but don't worry if you need 2-3 months off. The trauma of moving, especially over the job market is much worse than I ever expected. We are still struggling to get established and find our way in the homeschooling community here. Give yourself a lot of time. Make it a simple year. We school August to June usually but things were so crazy, it ended up being year round. You're one step ahead of me :) However, I made stupid curriculum decisions last year and, because of that, made equally stupid ones this year. So bad that pretty much everything I bought to use this year has been scrapped and replaced in the last 2 months. When I say, "Make it a simple year," what I mean is, stick with the familiar. Don't use this year to try something new or create your own plan (oh yeah, I totally did all that both last year AND this year). If nothing else, plan your 3r's and that's it. Over the summer, we did math, and read a lot of good books. It was lovely. :) Think about choosing things the kids can do independently. How old are your kids? I bought my oldest a curriculum she could do on her own and it worked wonderfully. She was in 7th grade though so that might not work for you. HTH! We're 6 months out and it's getting easier and easier, but it was a hard year. Blessings! Dorinda
  8. Last year when we did Apologia General Science, my dd struggled with the tests. I actually allowed her to take open notebook tests for the 1st semester because I realized it was mainly a problem with test taking skills and study skills. It worked too! I was going to ease her into taking the tests without the notebook, but the first test after the new year she told me she could do it on her own and she made an A! Just something to think about. She is doing Physical Science this year too and we are in a routine where she does it independently. We go over experiments, the study guides and the optional summaries. That's all. HTH! Dorinda
  9. We used BF last year and she did it completely independent. I marked off what she was supposed to accomplish each week and we tried to check in at least once a week. The guide is perfect because you can write in it just like a notebook.
  10. A friend gave me her copy of the first edition and I read it all the way through. Then, I found the old boards by accident while researching curriculum. I never posted there, but when the new boards were created in 2008, I created an account and started posting. Since then, I've purchased the 2nd edition of TWTM in hardback, and the 3rd edition on Kindle. Even if you don't follow it religiously, it's a wealth of information.
  11. This is one of those posts that we need to sticky somewhere for all the moms who suffer with that ONE subject their child just doesn't seem to get. Thanks for those wise, encouraging words OhElizabeth. I absolutely agree with you, and it's nice to know someone out there (your friend) is living my life LOL! We absolutely have to remember we're the teachers and curriculum is not the magic pill to all our woes. I KNOW that in every other subject besides math. I have looked at Rod and Staff and said, "WHAT?!?! Forget what they said, here's what you need to know," and I have abandoned writing curriculum altogether in favor of teaching it to my daughter in a way that makes sense to her and helps her with her weaknesses. So going forward, I am determined to remember that with math. I am so glad you brought up what I highlighted above. Some kids will never fully understand certain concepts, no matter what you used, and some students just don't test well on standardized tests. I looked at her scores again and she simply didn't attempt over half the problems last year. The ones she did she got right. Since she scores off the charts on all other subjects, math is her white whale and I think she freezes when she comes to that part of the test. That's something we need to work on, and I already see her confidence rising since she feels like she's caught up with her peers. Tabletclass was totally worth the money, even if we decide to add BJU in half way through the year. If nothing else, it's giving her a gap program since I was supposed to start school the 9th and there is no way we'll be able to get another program here before then. I hear you on math prices! I think there's some price gouging going on in the curriculum world. It's the most expensive subject for us, even more than science. :glare: Seriously, a great post. Thanks! Dorinda
  12. I think so too. It's why I totally jumped on it. Don't you love it when that happens? It's such a relief to have math settled. We start school in a week.
  13. Ok, so in the last 2 hours, I looked at a thread that mentioned AoPS, wanted to know what it stood for, found a thread on Pre-Algebra Fence Straddlers (there's one for Algebra too), discovered a curriculum called TabletClass, discovered they're having a sale ($50 for the entire year), watched the demos, stalked people using it to find out what they think, and bought it. :w00t: :scared: :svengo: I decided to give it a try. It's getting good reviews, BJU DLO is $350+ per year, TT is $180ish, and, I figure the worst that can happen is she struggles with it and we have to pick up BJU and we're out $50. dereksurfs said his son transitioned to it from MUS and that further encouraged me. So, there you have it! I'll let you know how it goes. Blessings! Dorinda
  14. I feel like I've been stalking you and dereksurfs all day reading about Tabletclass. :lol: So, I'm chiming in to say, I too took the plunge (for Pre-Algebra) and thank you for doing all the research and having a kid ahead of mine in math. ;) We were on the fence between BJU and TT, but BJU is uber expensive for just the one online class. DD likes TT, but we were concerned about the foundation it gives. Tabletclass is offering a special, $50 for the entire year so it's TOTALLY worth trying out. So, THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU! I'm being serious when I say you guys helped me out. Blessings! Dorinda
  15. I do appreciate your input Debbie. It gives me another perspective. One of the things DH and I discussed was, we can always go back to MUS, but it would be hard to switch out of it later KWIM? She would be missing things. I think 8th grade is a good year to try mainstream math without scaring her too much ;) . She's game so we might as well. I think she also would like to do better on her standardized tests, and she is excited that she's finally "Caught up" with her peers. Many of her friends are in BJU or TT this year and I think that's why she's interested in trying something new. It's like we have finally tapped into the part of her that believes she can succeed. We've always felt some of her math issues were self esteem. Everything else has come easily, TOO easily to her, and we were so hard on her in the beginning because we felt she was just giving up without trying. She does have some learning issues (glitches as Dianne Craft calls them), but once we got past those, it was hard to convince her that we needed to leave the mistakes of the past behind and look forward. The poor oldest child is always the guinea pig. I tell you what, if I only had that 3rd child..... LOL!
  16. LOL! And this is why I say I'm going to give myself a week to think. I'm trying not to let cost factor in but I HAVE to have the videos teach, and I'm hearing great things about TT 2.0 *ahem Amber* ;) And, since my friend I mentioned above uses it and had success with it, I'm seriously considering it. Blessings!
  17. Ah, I see. I have met two IRL. One was prepared for college math but had to retake his ACTs because he didn't understand what they were asking him to do. The mom said she thought Steve corrected the problem in the 2009 edition, but I don't know. When I compare the terminology I MUS to the terminology in BJU, BJU is familiar to me, MUS is not. And maybe that's the thing. Since I am not comfortable with MUS, I'm going to gravitate toward the familiar. I know that's my problem, but all I have to go on is my own experience in college and the advice of math teachers, some of whom are current homeschoolers. One friend of mine realized in Geometry that her daughter was not getting enough geometry to prepare her for the PSATs and ACTs. She switched her to TT and then enrolled her in the community college for math the following year. That's when she realized she didn't have enough Algebra from MUS either. I asked her to weigh in on this and she said she would definitely switch next year (Algebra I) if not this year. Her daughter had a lot of catch up to do to prepare for a 4 year institution. That has weighed heavily on my decision. Blessings! Dorinda
  18. Thanks OhElizabeth and everyone else for the help. I sold our MUS (had to to buy something new) and I THINK we're going to switch to BJU. I emphasize think because I'm going to give myself another week to think about it. :001_unsure: Our goal has always been to prepare our kids for college whether they choose to go or not. I know we've discussed this time, and time, and time again, but I have a hard time seeing where MUS will do that. But, I've also never made it a secret that I don't understand MUS and over the last two years it was DH that took over with her for math. HE says it's time to move her into a more mainstream math program and that's why I'm doing it. I've been trying to move her for years and this is the first time DH actually agrees and says she can handle it. So, here we go! I know TT gets a lot of good reviews, but I sense that BJU will better prepare her for college. I find it interesting that everyone would rather have an A on a transcript from a remedial program than a C from a mainstream, rigorous program. While it brings her GPA down, it actually better reflects her capabilities. Not only that but it more accurately lines up with her standardized test scores. If a child leaves school with an A and then thinks they can handle college math, but fails the class or has to re-take Algebra at the community college, doesn't that further prove to the colleges that homeschool transcripts are inaccurate? That's one of the arguments for the Common Core from the colleges. They're tired of students whose GPA does not match their capabilities. Just a thought from a mom who isn't there yet but is pondering these things. Thanks so much for helping me think this through! Math is the one subject I loathe in this house. :ack2: Blessings! Dorinda
  19. That helps a lot! So, I can use MUS this year and decide next year what to do going forward. OK, so why did you switch with some of your kids?
  20. Kiana - I missed this the first time. With BJU's DLO, the teaching segments are all taped. You can watch them as many times as you want and there are multiple worksheets/reviews for you to do before moving on if the student is struggling. My youngest used the DLO program last year for 4th grade and it was actually overkill for her (she's my mathy kid). That's why we're considering it. So, theoretically, we could require mastery before moving on with that particular program. Thanks! Dorinda
  21. Hmmmm..... Ok, I see what you guys are saying. Here are a couple thoughts/questions. 1. It wasn't that we were going to do two complete programs, I was going to use it as a back up. If she doesn't understand the lesson for Bob Jones, here's Steve to explain it another way. I look at it as MUS would be her tutor for what she doesn't quite get at first. I had math tutors all through high school, not that it did a whole lot of good honestly, but I'm not sure what else to do. 2. When I look at MUS's Pre-Algebra, it does not feel complete to me. MUS is so simple and basic and I don't feel like there will be retention. There isn't enough review for retention. On her final Unit Test this year (she completed Zeta) she got a low A, but that's on the new information covered in the unit, NOT on the review portion of the test. She did that all year. On the final exam for Zeta, she received a 75%. Everything that she had just covered she aced. Everything else was hit and miss. I'm VERY concerned about this going forward. I know my Math grades didn't reflect my actual retention in school, but I think the idea that a child has to have an A or a B before moving on is unrealistic. I think the grade should actually reflect the knowledge and ability. This is something I've gone round and round on. Is an A or B in MUS REALLY acceptable knowing that it would be a B or a C for her in a more mainstream curriculum? 3. From what I read here, MUS is not complete for High School, especially Geometry. My concern is, if we do only MUS for Pre-Algebra, she will not be prepared for Algebra I in High School. I would LOVE to just use MUS for pre-Algebra this year and consider TT or something else next year, but I'm worried waiting will be a mistake. Will she really be prepared for a mainstream Algebra I program if we use MUS this year? I talked to someone else that said because MUS uses different language than what is on the ACTs, her son got very confused and basically had to take them over because of how poorly he scored on the math portion. Back to my daughter, she was not tested this year because we moved. Last year, after 6th grade, she tested higher than the year before but still under the 50th percentile. She had just finished Epsilon (fractions) and scored on the middle to low end. She had not covered decimals yet and did not score well at all. I assume she would score better if she tested this year, but I don't know. :confused1: So, the way I see it is if I continue with MUS, she may make good grades, she may understand the basic ideas and concepts of what she's studying, but she won't at all be ready for college level math. I want to try to give her the tools she needs. I don't see where it's possible with MUS alone. :confused1: I think my head is going to explode LOL! Dorinda
  22. Are you kidding? You'll do fine!!! You can do it! You can do it!
  23. I've been perusing old threads and new threads regarding my oldest's nemesis, MATH. :scared: We're ready for Pre-Algebra (seriously never thought we'd make it), and I'm thinking about combining Math U See with Bob Jones' Distance Online Learning classes for this year. My thoughts are, she does really well with Math U See, but I know it's not going to be enough for High School. After reading several threads where people have talked about their experiences, I feel like it's a good tutor type program, but not a good stand alone program. I also feel like the time is coming where colleges are going to be very familiar with different homeschooling curriculum, and it would be better to have her in a mainstream type textbook curriculum, rather than an alternative curriculum. So, here are my questions: 1. Am I on the right track? Do you think my plan is a good one? 2. Is it better to have her in a mainstream program making Cs, rather than in an alternative program like Math U See making As? 3. We own MUS Pre-Algebra, but I've heard and read that Teaching Textbooks is a better program for High School Algebra and Geometry. Should we switch to TT next year alongside a traditional textbook program? 4. If you are using two programs, how do you grade? I was thinking we would list BJU as the curriculum and only grade those assignments/tests. MUS would be a tutor type program and the assignments would not be graded. I think that's it for now. Thanks for your help! Dorinda
  24. When I read your post I will admit I laughed. Not at you but with you because I WAS YOU! :lol: My best advice is go ahead and plan but know some things: 1. Life will happen and your plans WILL change. Don't marry them. 2. No curriculum is perfect and odds are what you love for one child you won't love for another. 3. By the time your 1st grader is in 5th grade, there will be a whole new generation of curriculum out there, and something will probably be better than what you had your eye on. Not only that but all the curriculum you're looking at right now for Jr High and High School will probably be revised or maybe even obsolete and you'll have to rethink your whole strategy. Take Sonlight for example. When we started homeschooling in 2003, they were on their original teacher's guides. I think they've gone through 4 or 5 rewrites since then? And, there was a time I never would have considered them for High School, but now, I'm considering them. MFW didn't even have a high school curriculum when my oldest was in 1st grade, and they weren't done writing their rotation for 2-8th grade, and HOD didn't even exist. God I feel old! :scared: Anyway, I know what it's like to feel the NEED to plan, and it's a good idea if it helps you out, just don't get too hung up on, "THE PLAN." Maybe look at it in increments. Plan for next year as you go through this year, and the next year etc, etc. Or even plan in quarters. You know you're going to use SOTW for the next 4 years. Why don't you wait to look at what's out there for the logic state until your oldest is in 3rd or 4th grade? A lot happens in 3 years, you never know what will come along. I got so hung up on planning, I sometimes forgot to enjoy the year I was in. Just remember your goal should be meeting the needs of your child instead of following someone else's plans for their kids. TWTM is a guideline and even SWB has admitted it's an ideal, not always a reality. Blessings! Dorinda
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