msjones
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Posts posted by msjones
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I may be a convert! The whole SWB approach to LA used to put me off in the worst way; that may be because my first son's area of strength is language and he has needed very little instruction.
Sweet son #2, however, has had a slow-ish start in the language arena and needs much more teaching. I've read every bit of info about WWE that I can find, and believe it may be right for him.
Some questions for you WWE users:
1) Are you pleased with your child's progress?
2) Is your child enjoying these lessons or dreading them? Or something in between? How about you?
3) Where would I begin with an 8 year-old 3rd grader? He just began reading independently and writes and spells hesitantly.
4) Would this program be appropriate for his older brother? Big brother loves to read and write, and already learns writing conventions and spelling 'with ease.' He hasn't had much formal instruction in these areas, however. I'm sure he must have gaps. Do you think he could benefit? If so, which level would be for him?
Many thanks to you for any input you can provide.
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I'm going to have my husband read through your responses and let him choose.
This is so helpful. I had never heard of any of these books, and appreciate your input.
Thank you!
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Look in to Sinclair Ferguson's "The Big Book of Questions and Answers" - that is one we are doing right now.
My dh is leading the kids through "The Peacemaker for Kids" in the evening. Your kids would be a perfect age. Conflict is definitely a part of our every day life and these Peacemaker books have great tools on how to deal with conflict in a godly manner. Wonderful for kids and parents! It might be more of a lesson then a devotional.
I just looked on Amazon for "The Peacemaker for Kids" and don't see it. Who is the author? Thank you!!
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My husband does devotions with my kids each morning bright/dark and early at breakfast. He has finished with Leading Little Hearts to God. The boys thought it was "okay," but "little kid-ish."
What have you used and liked with your kids? The boys are 8 and 9 1/2.
(If we had to classify ourselves in the world of Christians, I suppose we would be main-line-Protestant-Christians.)
Thank you!
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Nope. I would find what he enjoys and is good at and pursue that. For my family, sports is that thing so that is what we do. However, as a Mom who has seen others struggle before kids their age, I don't think you are doing him any favors by putting him on a sports team if he is not good at it at all. To be honest, kids are just cruel sometime and it certainly won't help his self-esteem.
I try to teach my dc's to be considerate but not all kids are like that. Personally, I think childhood goes by so fast that everyone should get a chance to be themself and participate in the activities that enhance those things. Not everyone is made for team sports.
I was talking with my husband about all this last night, and he pointed something out that goes along with your point, Frontier Mom.
He has kids come to play football every year who have never played on a football team. He says the coaches are happy to have these news guys, and that most of them do fine, contribute to the team, and enjoy the game.
That's a good reminder for me that sports don't need to begin early. And there's no doubt that my son is one of those kids who just isn't good at sports. Somehow he isn't miserable, but I'm sure that's not the same as "finding what he is good at and pursuing it."
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I appreciate all these responses.
I'm going to do my darndest to stay positive for the rest of baseball (just three more weeks) and then look into swimming. He is not interested, but I feel that I can require it since both my kids need to firm up their swim skills.
There is also a martial arts teacher at our resource center -- lots of kids like him, so I may look at that.
I wish there was a place for speed skating. He is SO FAST on his skates -- he looks like a different kid! And he loves it. But the only skating around here is ice hockey (soooo expensive) and figure skating (grace is not his strength...). Maybe I could at least get him out on the local trail on his skates more often.
Thanks, all of you, for your perspectives. There are many days when I wish kids came with a how-to manual and a check list!
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I do require team sports and I require them to try different ones each year.
I do this because so much of male relationships, small talk, etc... is founded (at least around here) on sports. I don't require that my boys love sports, but I consider helping them to gain an understanding of the rules and basic skill of the sports to be almost etiquette issues.
If my boys are hanging around with a bunch of boys who want to play touch football or baseball or whatever, I don't want my kid to be the one who opts out saying "I don't know how to play." He needs that skill as a social one.
I also think that it is much easier to learn to lose as a part of a team rather than as an individual.
This is part of my motivation -- I want him to be able to join in and have fun when kids want to play soccer or football or baseball at the park, or on a camping trip, etc. Most of the kids around here (just about all of his friends) do play soccer or baseball or basketball. We hadn't done those things up until now because my boys weren't interested.
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I have a kid exactly like yours, my 12 yo, and no I have not forced him to pick a sport. He doesn't like sports for one thing, and he would completely humiliate himself. Completely. I refuse to put him in that position just because the world thinks sports are the be all to end all. :tongue_smilie:
I don't put a lot of stock in self-esteem, and my ds would be the first to point out his weaknesses and laugh at them, but I also don't feel like a child needs to be ridiculed and made to feel like a complete failure either. This boy inherited his lack of coordination. He takes after his dad who, still to this day, cannot sing and clap at the same time. But he can do all sorts of really important things...like currently building me a porch and extending my laundry room. :D
Not all children MUST play sports. That is a lie propagated by society's love of all things sports. My two older boys played LL baseball for several years starting with coach pitch, they loved it and wanted to play. When they got tired of it, they quit. No questions asked, no trying to force them to continue. My oldest was an excellent pitcher too, who was wanted by several coaches. While my middle son was a fantastic catcher. They were very good players. Long story short, we do not make sports a god in our home, regardless of ability. It just isn't a priority. ;)
I hear all of you with your concerns about him being teased. The funny thing is, it hasn't happened. I think he's a likable kid, and the other kids and coaches seem to know he's trying. And he's good at cheering everyone else on. So, even though he is such a poor player, he's enjoying this. (!)
My husband isn't pushing it at all. (Thank goodness. I don't know what I'd do if he 'needed' our son to be a football player. That would be distinctly bad.) He sees that our son's gifts are elsewhere and appreciates that. (Plus, our younger son is quite athletic and LOVES football, so there is one 'football boy' in the family.)
While I realize that not everyone MUST play a sport, I also think that sometimes people need a little push to get started with something.
I guess I'd just like to direct him toward a sport that he could have a little more success with. For you martial arts parents, how does it go for the uncoordinated kids? I know almost nothing about martial arts.
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My son is 9 1/2. He is very verbal, a complete bookworm, a lego 'expert', enjoys musical theatre/drama, likes to draw, writes cool stories, likes to hike, camp, ride his bike, loves tumbling at his gymnastics class, and is a great inline skater.
He is not good at organized sports.
There's no way around it. His hand-eye coordination is very poor as is his overall large motor coordination. He is currently playing baseball (his idea) and it is very difficult for him. (We knew it would be.) We're working with him to make it a positive season, but, geez, it is hard to watch sometimes.
My question: If you have a kid like mine, do you push a sport? Part of me thinks that the team experience is important. And it can be so fun, too! I want him to be able to enjoy participating on a team.
I know people require musical instruments, even if their children don't want it or don't seem talented.
Do any of you require a sport? If yes, what sport for a sweet, clumsy boy like mine?
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We stopped progressing through lessons and worked on using the strategies while playing the games. We did that for 4 - 6 weeks somewhere in Level B. My son loved it, and it really paid off.
In my tutoring, I see kids all the time who have never nailed down their math facts, or who use inefficient strategies. They usually hate math and feel "stupid" about it.
My husband even sees this in high school -- it's hard to enjoy math if you don't have efficient strategies for the basics.
Our 'game break' was a fun change from the normal routine and I'm so glad we did it!
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I never said one should do this out of fear. What I am saying is that some people actually do begin treating their spouses this way and are then flabbergasted when the spouse begins looking elsewhere. I have seen women who are just content having all of their material needs taken care of and happy to be able to stay at home but let the rest of their marriage fall to the wayside. Then when their husband starts enjoying the company of another woman, she is astonished.
What I was saying is that we would all do well -- for lots of reasons -- to treat one another like we did when we were pursuing one another.
:iagree: And, once again, well said, Nestof3! I wish I had been encouraged in this way sooner in my marriage. It's very easy to be complacent.
I wonder what the OPs SIL would think if she read this perspective. It may be that this is closer to what she meant, only she wasn't able to clearly explain her thoughts.
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I'm :lol: at the tags on this thread.
For these who agree somehow with my SIL, here's a quote from my second post on the subject.
Do you agree with her opinion here too?
I wouldn't say I agree with your SIL, but I still think it may be wise to routinely schedule those rehearsals somewhere public-ish.
Why not?
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I agree. It's not a competition. We are to love and honor our spouses until death through good times and bad.
I was really more addressing what goes on inside of a man's head -- that men are responsible to keep their lusts reigned. I have found many women are rather naive toward how much more easily a man's mind can move into more than just admiring a woman's beauty but not doing anything that would be physically considered an "affair." I think for the most part, men are not comfortable telling their wives about this. I have had more than 15 men admit this -- from pastors to writers to members of the church body. I have read men's posts on forums admitting that they are this way in their minds but that they would never tell their wives that there is such a struggle.
Well said.
I believe it is almost impossible for women to truly understand male sexuality and the level of temptation they may deal with daily.
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Thanks, everyone.
I know that SWB finds early composition-writing to be 'putting the cart before the horse' as per the classical approach.
I just wanted to be certain of what I would be paying for if I purchased WWE.
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I see and like the narration and dictation in WWE. I just looked at the Peace Hill Press site and viewed the samples.
My question:
How much actual writing do students do in Levels 1 & 2? By actual writing I mean essays, reports, letters -- that sort of assignment.
Is that sort of writing included, or is the idea that that type of student-produced writing comes later?
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I don't have the game, but I googled it and saw that on the wikipedia entry...is there somewhere on the case or in the instruction book that shows that?
Very helpful! Thank you. I looked for that sort of thing, but couldn't find it. The directions seem to have been translated from another language and are not too straightforward.
I'll have to look and see just how many videos are on there. I definitely prefer the goofy avatar guys.
I have a feeling this is going back to the store.
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If you like the game and are just trying to avoid the videos, I think it can be done. There is an options menu somewhere at the beginning of the game where you should be able to do this. Check the owner's manual, or look online.
I had a few of the DDR games for PS2, and loved it. (I even bought myself a foam core dance pad!) But I am not impressed with the game for Wii. Sure, the graphics are more flashy, but for someone who uses it as an aerobic program, the steps just aren't enough to get your heart rate up! They focus too much on the "gimmicks" like hand moves and surprise steps. And when you shut those off, you're left with a pretty goofy routine.
I think it's a sweet Mom's Day present, especially if they know you like the fitness aspect of the Wii. But for the $$, I think the whole family (you included) would get more out of Outdoor Adventure.
Just my 2 (well, three, actually) cents!
-Robin
It was a sweet gift -- they know I get a kick out of DDR and they had gotten me a Wii Fit for my birthday. It's helpful to hear that you aren't enjoying Dance Dance Rev. much for exercise. That was what I had in mind.
I'll have to look into the Outdoor Adventure game. I've not heard of that one.
My concern with the DDR is that I'm going to have to monitor it if it has those videos. I don't want to have to make sure the kids aren't sneaking a peak. And I'd say that's a big temptation for the age of boys who come to our house nowadays (up to age 12).
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My family just gave me a Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 game for the Wii. (Interesting Mother's Day gift, doncha think?)
Turned in on, and the first song I chose (Bust a Move) had the song's MTV video playing behind the game graphics. :mad:Scantily clad women, overt sexuality -- I would never have chosen this had I known.:glare:
Nothing on the box suggests that live video will play. I assumed it would be the usual goofy and entertaining avatar dancer guys. (love them!)
My question: If you own this, can you tell me just how many of the songs include video of this type? I'd rather not take the time to check if one of you can tell me.
If it's more than just a few (2 or 3), it's going back to the store.
Thanks!
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This is not a drop out rate. This is the graduation rate. Isn't that different? I admit, the stats are confusing.
The statistics are very confusing, and the same school can have widely varying 'dropout rates' depending on which definition is used.
Here's a great article if anyone is interested:
http://www.ncset.org/publications/essentialtools/dropout/part1.2.asp
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In 2007 my district's graduation rate was 56 percent. That is so dismal. I can't imagine most homeschools doing worse than that. This is with all the money they throw at the schools and all the experts and all the testing.
It doesn't give one much confidence! It also makes me feel like "how can a parent do worse than that". I'm sure there are parents who DO worse than that. But with a school that is being held accountable for teaching our children that is just down right terrifying. I don't worry much about the homeschoolers around here.
But, to be fair, I agree, that in many cases a public school is the best chance and opportunity for some kids (and parents).
We homeschoolers are heavily regulated here in NY. My biggest beef about that is that it is not meaningful.
Your district may seem less "dismal" if you consider the term 'drop-out rate' a little differently.
It normally simply refers to the number of students who do not graduate from the high school in which they were enrolled as freshmen (or sophomores, depending on your district).
This 'dropout' number includes any students who transferred to other schools. Once the student leaves a district, that district cannot track them to see whether they graduate. The student may have gone on to graduate, or may have 'dropped out' of education.
Areas with lots of apartments have lots of families moving frequently, and their 'dropout rates' usually reflect that.
It may be more helpful when considering a district's success to learn what percentage of students who stay in the district take upper level math, or 4 years of foreign language, or attempt to pass an AP exam -- something like that.
Or, your district may be truly dismal and actually have 44% of their students leaving school permanently. I'm just pointing out that 'dropout rates' aren't always what they seem to be.
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I have a few rules for myself.
~No phone calls. I don't answer the phone unless it is an emergency, and I make no calls until the school day is over.
~No personal computer use until lunch break or after school is over.
~I am out of bed, exercised, fed, and fully dressed prior to my kids getting up.
All these things get me pointed in the right direction. I once heard a speaker say, "the mother sets the tone." I think that is so true, and a huge responsibility. I can't imagine what the tone would be if I were in my pjs and socializing throughout the school day.
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Have you tried a pre-made curriculum? One with the schedules all made out for you? (Obviously, I don't know your family and beliefs, but we use Sonlight, for example.) I know they can be quite expensive, but it may be worth the cost to get you pointed in a new direction.
I find it so helpful to have the planning done for me. Of course I adjust it, but that starting place has made all the difference for me as a teacher.
The question of 'rigor' has been on my mind lately, too, so I'll be watching this thread.
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Hmmm. Personally, I thank God for annual standardized testing. It keeps me "in the box". We take the ITBS each year. It forces me to be objective about what I've adequately covered. We have a month of regular home schooling to go before I start two weeks of standardized test preparation. Then the kids actually take the test. Then we're done for Summer, except for a few things I feel should be done continually in order not to lose skills. I'm as lazy as the next broad, possibly lazier. We took 3 weeks off for Christmas, and some days we knock off early because we run out of steam.
I know a lot of families who are much more laid back than we are. There seem to be a few myths out there that are giving home school families the excuse to fail.
1. (Public schools waste so much time/Home schooling is so efficient) that you can do as well or better by spending about 3 hours a day on school.
2. It doesn't matter what you study.
3. My kids are doing better than So & So's kids.
4. Science is too much trouble. We'll get to it someday...or not.
Let's tackle those, shall we?
1. Sure, public schools waste scads of time. That being said, kids on the highest track, (don't tell me they don't track any more, that's hogwash), work very, very hard in school and bring home scads of homework. Many public schooled kids spend as much as 4 hours a night on homework, particularly in HS. Which "track" are your kids on?
2. It matters what you study. Kids need materials appropriate for their learning styles. They deserve to have material that covers what they need to succeed in their next academic environment. If your kid had to go to public school tomorrow, would he be adequately academically prepared? The answer needs to be "Yes!" It's an uncertain world. We need to be prepared for what comes.
3. Don't let perception and gossip distract you from Truth. Gossips never know the truth, and never speak the truth. Who would confide in a gossip? If those twits knew that of which the spoke, they'd know when to be silent. Homeschooling families of whom people think and speak ill of often outperform those whose reputations seem unassailable. Perception is NOT reality. People's self-reports aren't as reliable as we might imagine either. One hard working homeschooling mom may wring her hands because Johnny got an 80 % on his Spelling test and she cut lessons short by 45 minutes to rush the baby to the doctor's. She looks exhausted and broken, and self reports that she's doing and "awful job" and doesn't know if the can "handle all of this!" Another homeschooling mom who is in charge of every church committee, co-op and coffee clatch in homeschooling circles may be smoothly unconcerned that her kids have only studied for 5 lonely, disjointed hours that week. Everybody tells her she's doing great, she looks great, the kids look great, everything's "Great!" ...not. None of us should be basing our self-assessment on something as unreliable as our perception of our performance in relation to the performance of others. We need to stick with objective standards and concrete measures of results.
4. Science is important. It doesn't matter how you teach it. It's part of the core curriculum. Besides, it's fun. The same goes for Social Studies, Literature, Composition and Mathematics. Yes, your kid needs to get through Algebra, even if s/he isn't college bound. Algebraic processes are a big part of modern life. We all need to spend a little time looking at the national standards for each grade level, and making sure we check most of the blocks sooner or later. It's not as hard as it sounds. Don't get distracted by fads in education. The core curriculum matters. Phonics vs whole language is a red herring debate. All that matters is that the kid can read and write. Science vs Tap dance is a critical decision. Don't make the wrong choice with regard to core curriculum.
We're here to help each other, but we shouldn't be universal cheerleaders for every "choice" a homeschooling family makes. We can offer to tutor or share curriculum before endorsing the choice to skip a core curriculum subject. We can trade off kids to give each other respite. We can make each other's lives easier in thousands of ways. It's easier to say "It's all right." rather than "Let me help." Unfortunately, sometimes "It's all right." is a lie.
Excellent points here. A big frustration of mine is the mindset that home-schoolers can do very little since "they don't do anything in public schools, anyway."
A helpful motivation for me on those days when I feel lazy: remembering everything that I used to do with my classes each day when teaching public school full-time.
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My husband teaches AP Calculus and has a large group of kids planning to take the test this week. When he gets home I'll ask him about this. I'm sure there must be a back-up plan. (His school isn't closed but several in our district are and I know this has been discussed.)
I'll get back to you.
Tips for keeping a tidy home?
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
Of course there's help for you! ;) We all need systems that suit our individual families. You just haven't developed yours yet. I started with Flylady's list and adjusted it for us. I bet it would work for you, too.
The 'daily' work around here includes:
Make all beds.
Do 1 load of laundry (from start to finish -- including putting it away).
Wipe down all kitchen counters.
Clean kitchen sink and leave it empty (requires doing dishes).
Wipe down bathrooms and 'swish' out toilets. (This is Flylady's 'swish and swipe.')
Tidy public areas (I try to do a 15 min Flylady 'room rescue' in the living room/school area.)
Sweep eating/cooking areas.
Run the dishwasher.
This keeps the place livable, and none of these things is really too much work. My kids do the bathrooms, beds, sweeping. I also add the Flylady 'Kelly's Missions' on most days. You can find those on her web site.