Annabel Lee
-
Posts
2,468 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by Annabel Lee
-
-
I currently use all of the things you listed, including the old white Kingfisher encyclopedia rec'd in the 1st ed. WTM. Feel free to ask further questions, if you'd like.
-
-
I'm not able to spend as much time as I'd like here either, although it's still probably more than I should. I only had time to read this last page, but when I think of this group or individual members with requests, I pray. Chucki, Jean, & Freckles, I'll be praying for relief & healing.
To be completely off-topic, I'm curious if any of you have read or heard Art Matthias of Wellspring Ministries? What are your thoughts? http://akwellspring.com/
-
I didn't understand the point of copywork but trusted TWTM so blindly at first that we did it anyhow. BIG mistake. I had no idea I was supposed to be pointing things out & teaching them to my kids through the copywork. After all, the TMs & curriculum I had at the time didn't say to, and like I said, I followed things pretty much like a robot. I didn't get why we should do the copywork - for penmanship? So the kids will magically absorb the beautiful language and sentence structure by osmosis? My kids weren't absorbing it. I thought it wasn't working.
Anyhow... that was just an extra thought that popped into my head. I really began this post to say I sure didn't mean to intimidate anyone. I know the OP and others are happy doing their own thing, and others are happy doing a mix or a WTM-inspired style of hs. Even I have some WTM-inspired stuff going on in my hs now vs. exactly by the book, for some subjects. I was hoping to encourage those who might write it off prematurely with misconceptions or misunderstandings. My post was meant for those who wish they could but think they can't, but might end up gaining something by reading TWTM (even if following it closely doesn't ensue). I think we can all live comfortably together here on the boards. I've gleaned bits (and sometimes mountains!) of wisdom on these boards from posters on all sorts of home schooling paths. I'll echo the plea above for those that have such wisdom to share to come back! We need you!
-
It leaves out ALL references to the age of the earth, chemical dating methods, fossil assemblages, etc, and has an odd passage about "worldview" and a passage about how there are 2 types of geologists, "physical geologists" and "historical geologists" which is a division you won't find in any secular college geology classes and a misuse of the terms. I think a student that has only this understanding of the science of geology will be at a disadvantage in college science.
What I do recommend? I really like a lot of the Intellego units. :)
Wow, that's terrible. My problem is that I want it all - secular and the many Christian views all in one. I'm Christian and lean towards YE, but I don't want my kids to be at a disadvantage in college science. So, this program won't work for us, either. I think it should be presented one way or the other. The way RS4K is doing this forces parents of ALL views to add to the program. Is this for grammar or logic stage? Maybe they're planning to include those topics in the logic stage (or not, but I'd be disappointed). Thanks for the Intellego rec.!
-
I disagree with memorizing things out of context, so no, we don't do much, and I'm fine with that. I'm constantly amazed at what my kids remember - that they actually understand - without spending time reciting things. We memorize math facts, and we'll work on foreign language stuff. We memorize grammar definitions as we learn them.
Obviously, CC wouldn't be a good fit for me. :D
This is why I decided against CC, too, after seriously considering it a couple years ago. I wasn't willing to change the content of my hs to follow CC's, and I just couldn't bring myself to devote so much time to memorization of what would be trivia to my kids without additional context.
My kids memorize verses for Awana, FLL poems & chants, and math facts. I've wanted to add more from other subjects but never made the time to figure out an organized, efficient way. The above idea of using a notebook with tabs for review is inspiring, though! Currently, they just go through their previous work in their notebooks for review, but not regularly. Thanks for the idea!
-
I've read & re-read TWTM, 2nd and 3rd editions which are highlighted, underlined, dog-eared, and hope to get my hands on a 1st edition someday. :) I've taken notes multiple times from SWB & Jessie Wise's audio lectures. I freely admit to feeling overwhelmed for the better part of 18 mos. when I first read & began implementing TWTM. I persevere anyhow because I believe in it. There are many things to consider that are easy to overlook at first:
(The "you" I use below is a general, collective "you" to whomever it applies; not the OP or anyone else specifically.)
1) Susan is a university professor, a historian, a published author, and was herself homeschooled by a well-educated mother. Unless you're similarly educated *and* familiar with homeschooling when you set out to implement WTM, things that are intuitive to SWB & her mom may not be to you. This is evident in the difference between TWTM logic stage writing &Susan's lectures on writing, and her published Writing With Skill for the logic stage.
2) In this same vein of thought, it was a mistake for me to jump from where I was into trying to follow TWTM precisely. I only had a high school diploma, and it was a mediocre education at best. I had always relied 100% on the scripted teacher's manuals I used before TWTM. I was too inexperienced to know that just because I adopted the practices recommended by such a scholarly lot, the results would not automatically match. I treated it like a formula in which we could all reach the same outcome. In a way, I still think that is true, but it's more complicated and involves a great deal more work for me than I originally knew. Again, a person can teach from their own well of knowledge & experience but if they do not yet have it, it might not occur to them something is even missing. This is where self-education, DVD/computer/online courses, and outsourcing become necessary. Anyone can do it, but for people with a background similar to mine, I think it's best for the parent to prepare for TWTM early if at all possible, and to start incrementally if switching mid-stream (i.e., switch only one or a few subjects over to TWTM method at a time, slowly, until proficiency in using the method is achieved).
2) SWB says in the book or on one of her lectures that TWTM is their recommendation for how to do many possible areas of study, not a recommendation to do all of those listed subjects all at once. She gives an example of rotating or alternating extras like art, music appreciation, etc.
3) There is more philosophy behind the method than even the book fully explains. I struggled to believe the useful purpose of some things; grammar stage history memorization included. It took quite some time and exposure to other classical education models for me to realize the usefulness of certain aspects. It works like a puzzle that comes together beautifully in the end - some parts might appear to be random, unrelated bits at the time, but the memorization, etc. will be useful later. It's not required, but familiarity certainly makes an easier go of those lofty goals in the higher grades.
4) There is a chapter(s) in TWTM on starting in the middle, so all is not lost if you've missed the grammar (or even logic) stage but want to pursue a classical education. How far a student gets in TWTM by the end of 12th gr. might vary due to a late start, but as an example, any study of rhetoric in high school at all is more than what most students are doing.
5) A wise veteran hser once told me that if she had to wake every morning to implement someone else's vision in her homeschool, she'd probably rather lie in bed. She described meshing what resonated with her from TWTM with her own passions, talents, and vision. This broke me of trying to plug away at homeschooling robotically as if TWTM were only a formula.
6) It's easier than it might seem. I've heard some say they loved TWTM upon first read because of how interwoven the subjects are & how streamlined it is. I, in my inexperience, did not recognize this. I've come to appreciate it and I try to guard this aspect. It's easy to sub out other things for individual subjects, but too much of that takes away from the overall cross-curricular, interwoven nature. Another great thing about it is that even though with TWTM you're following a prescribed overall plan, you can pick your own books for literature, history, and science. Specific spines are used, and supplements are suggested, but in so many places (TWTM, WWE hardback, lectures) SWB mentions choosing your own books so that no part of the curriculum seems like an arbitrary, unconnected piece.
Finally, I hope everyone feels welcome here, WTM follower or not. It is true this forum is a great help and impressive resource of collective knowledge, useful to many homeschoolers, not just WTMers. Hopefully my rambling is of some use to someone out there reading.
-
Welcome out of lurking! :)
-
Sorry for the hijack, but I have read about Jann in TX's online math classes for years on this forum but have never known where exactly to find it or sign up. Does she have a website? This is at the top of my list for math next year for a rising 7th grader. Thanks!
-
After reading through this thread, I'm still not clear on which book to use first: the one with Grammar in the title or the one that *only* has Sentence Composing in the title. Which comes first?
-
Sue, that has to be hard beyond words. :grouphug: I can't imagine. You & your sister are in my prayers, as are the rest of you who have also made requests. <3
-
I love the old hymns! I like some of the new stuff and am comfortable with a mix - but those old hymns are powerful, majestic, full of the gospel, and very worshipful. I prefer them sung in the old way, too - should I duck and run? :)
Me too! I miss the old hymns so much, and like a PP said, some bring tingles when I hear them. I was at church a minimum of 3x/wk from birth to my early teens, and I can still hear in my memory the exact notes of all the frilly "extras" the pianist played for the hymns. I ordered a small set of hymn CDs a couple years ago, but it just doesn't sound the same.
My favorites are:
It Is Well With My Soul
Redeemed
Then Sings My Soul
How Great Thou Art
At Calvary
The Old Rugged Cross
Victory In Jesus
There are other songs from my childhood church that are simply Scripture put to music. Those, I treasure.
-
I got a Hoover Wind Tunnel (ETA, the one with the picture of the dog on the front of the box) specifically for my dog that sheds like crazy. Really, with the amount of hair she sheds, I should vacuum daily. It gets done slightly less often, but multiple times per week. No complaints so far, and I've had it since last spring when the dog hair killed our Bissell.
-
Hi all,
It's so nice to have found this group! I've been on a frustrating journey in my spiritual life in the last couple years. I started reading all those threads on the old WTM site about Calvinism vs. Armenianism, then the ones about Reformed and Eastern Orthodox. I have more questions now than when I started. The description of this group does fit me, so at least there's that.
I've got an interesting mix of beliefs and things I wonder about. I really just want to know His truth, His message how He intended us to have it. I could best be described as Charismatic Baptist, if there were such a thing, lol. I do have a lot of questions that I hope to post eventually. I've attended a non-denominational church for a long time now, and became frustrated with what I perceived as a lack of specific teaching a couple years ago, but I don't know that there's a perfect solution. I guess I started having a "crisis of church", not so much a crisis of faith. We even tried a very different church for some time, but then we thought it best not to continue there.
There are some fundamental things I was taught as a child, backed with Scripture, that have recently been called into question - get this - with Scripture. I look forward to being able to discuss these things in a loving environment like this where we all share a common goal, with sisters in Christ. What a wonderful idea you had to start this group, OP! (Inspired, I might add!)
-
Ok, confession time. I am a total Downton Abbey ho. I'm in love with all the men. Branson, Lord Grantham, Matthew, Bates....I even have a soft spot for Carson. And let me offer this as an explanation for my wanton behavior. http://www.charlie-g...on-abbey-gq.htm You're welcome. :D
They forgot that Pamook fellow who only lasted one night. :toetap05:
-
*sigh* I think Netflix labeled a DVD as the wrong season. I found DA on my local PBS station, which hasn't shown Sybil's death yet. I watched all of season 1 on Netflix streaming, then ordered disc 1 of season 2 on DVD. I don't know what season or disc that really was, but Netflix really ruined the timeline of the story for me because that disc had Sybil's death on it. In what season does this actually occur? I continued watching on Sunday, thinking it was the most up-to-date episode, and suddenly Sybil was back, and she and the chauffer weren't even engaged yet. I'm relieved to hear they didn't just scrap the story and restart a new one with the same characters for each season as I first thought. That was very annoying. I think I need to rewatch them all in order now.
-
Awesome, Jenn! Thanks for sharing!
-
-
:crying: :grouphug: Oh my goodness, thank you all so much! I think I really just needed to get it all out.
-
Chucki, I don't know that this applies, but I'll throw it out there for your consideration: My mom found out her body was producing cholesterol because her estrogen was low because it can draw some estrogen from the cholesterol. Her body was seeking to self-correct, just in a way that traded one ailment for another. There's more to it than diet & exercise.
-
-
I took a moment to follow Zoo Keeper's link, which led to more links. I found a post by SarahV (or similar - I apologize) on how she uses it as part of a classical, LCC-inspired education with a large family. After reading many of her posts, I think the biggest problem I have with ACE is the implementation in my school. A lot of private schools make this mistake with ACE, assuming it's completely self-teaching. That was a point my school even advertised to prospective students' parents. I still have my own ideological issues with the curriculum itself - not the unrelated Bible verses, cheesy cartoons, etc. - the actual curriculum.
-
About activity books, I like History Pockets (Rome & Greece) and the Ancient Civilizations series by Frank Schaffer Publications (Egypt, Israel, Mesopotamia...). The questions in the Ancient Civ. series make kids think and make connections. There are some activity pages & projects in them as well. This link shows the whole set: http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Civilization-Series-Middle-Volumes/dp/B008ZGXQQQ/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357432287&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=Ancient+Civilizations+by+Frank+Shcaffer
-
Swellmomma, what co. do you use for the online classes, and how do you like it?
SOCIAL GROUP: Bible Believing Conservative Christians
in The Chat Board
Posted
Sure thing, Karen.