Just wanted you to know you're not alone. My husband experiences similar episodes. I just bite my lip and pray Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Anyone? I see several people have read this post but no one is replying. Does that mean you're just as curious as I am?

I'm not sure if I'm posting this to the right board or not. But.... I'm considering Sonlight Core 100 for my 8th graders and since Literature books are included, I'm thinking about getting the LA to go along with it. I know past editions of SL LA weren't well favored by the users of this forum, but SL changes things pretty frequently, so I'm hoping they've improved it. I'd love to know your opinion of SL LA in more recent years? Thanks so much!

I'm considering Sonlight Core 100 for my 8th graders and since Literature books are included, I'm thinking about getting the LA to go along with it. I know past editions of SL LA weren't well favored by the users of this forum, but SL changes things pretty frequently, so I'm hoping they've improved it. I'd love to know your opinion of SL LA in more recent years? Thanks so much!

Thank you all so much for your expertise :001_smile:

Thank you so much! I'd never heard of that one. This one may be better suited for our purpose. I have zero experience in literary analysis. Which one should I start with? Are these meant to be read aloud to my students before reading actual reading selections? How I imagine their intended use to be is for me to read this book aloud to my students and discuss the situations, then we use that information while reading real books together as read alouds as well. We usually do shared reading where we take turns reading out loud. Am I correct or missing the point completely?

Anyone ever used Deconstructing Penguins for 6th graders and up? When looking at the book's description, it only mentions up to grade 5. But it looks like a book that even I would greatly benefit from. Is this a guide that we can use while studying any book or only the books suggested? Thanks

I'm. In the same boat with my 6th graders. They don't read for pleasure but I really want them to love reading. I don't want to force-feed them which will likely have the opposite effect on them.

Thank you all for replying. I ordered it and I'm excited. I think knowing that there won't be any new material after 10 weeks of season 1 will be motivation for my kids to buckle down and give it their all. They didn't like diagramming with previous curriculum (k12) but I believe in diagramming and with proper instruction, I hope they will too. I hope they start to see it as a puzzle or game.

Starting school in a little over a week and I'm still undecided on grammar. My newest love is AG. We didnt use JAG though. Will that pose a problem? I have a pretty good understanding of grammar, although I'll need some brushing up. I've also considered Easy Grammar and Growing with Grammar. But the idea of really giving topics time to sink in for a few days before moving on and then simply staying fresh with ongoing reviews and not repeating each topic anew every year just makes sense to me. But I'm a little afraid its too much. Help me decide please.

Thanks for responding. Did you ever check out the tutor?

I received my used copy of Spelling Power and the Teacher's Resource CD-ROM was broken in half. I know I can buy one from the publisher for $8 including postage but only if I need it. How useful is it? I understand there are blackline masters on it which I believe we can live without. What I'm curious about is the searchable word list and the Digital Spelling Tutor. I can see where the searchable word list could be helpful. BTW I will be using this with 11yo and a 15yo struggling speller. Can someone describe the Digital Spelling Tutor to me. Thanks

Bump

DonnaYoung.org has all kinds of free forms for download.

I believe Soaring with Spelling also includes vocabulary. Looks like you've got a good plan.

I missed the part of it being New Years Eve. That makes a difference. I was envisioning a secret, parents are out of town sort of affair.

I believe I may have stronger feelings about this than most. How big is this classroom book bin, that the teacher doesn't have time to give each book a quick check before turning her students loose in it, If only to get an idea of who the readers are that the book is written to. I don't mean she should read each book cover to cover. However, I think its her responsibility to flip through each one and skim it. I don't think that's too much to ask. I personally believe that a book speaking of parties until after midnight could potentially have more questionable content as well. Who wants their kids (encouraged?) to have late night parties? What does that have to do with working teens anyway. It sounds like a book to instill rebellion rather than responsibility. JMO

Thanks so much for replying Keep them coming :bigear:

Anyone?

I really want an all-in-one language arts program for my 6th grade twins. I originally thought I would use LLATL but I feared too much supplementing would be necessary I'm leaning toward CQLA. Reviewers have said that their students' writing skills improved greatly as a result of CQLA. We've been away (virtual schooling) for about 3 years and the twin's writing skills are pretty weak, so I want to put a good amount of focus on composition this year. I'm a little turned off by all the bad reviews on CQLA. Those reviews seem to be geared more toward the confusing format of the lessons and typos in the books. (I could actually use this to our advantage and instruct my kids to be editors of the curriculum itself) Having this knowledge prepares me to give us plenty of time to get used to the format, so I would be less likely to scrap it early in the year. But I'm afraid there may be something else that I DON'T have knowledge of which WILL make me scrap it early. While searching the threads for bits on CQLA, I noticed a lot of members raving about MCT, so I've been checking them out. I'm not totally impressed. To me, the idea of having 8 or more books to juggle seems MORE complicating. The content looks juicy but at the same time, cutesy. I'm not sure if they would appreciate or resent the cuteness. I did check out the Literature and LOVE how it has lessons built directly into the books. However, my kids are not gifted. I'm not aware of any learning disabilities, but they are pretty average students. Basically, I would like opinions on using CQLA for; Spelling, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Composition. And use MCT for Literature. Would the Literature studies suffer as a result of NOT using MCT for the other LA subjects. I do plan to get the twins' input on this matter as well but I wanted to get this thread started. I just hope I don't end up more confused afterwards. I went to bed thinking about MCT and had a dream that the curriculum was a monster and attacked me :zombiechase: DH said he wouldn't choose that one if he were me. Yeah, thanks Dear. I truly appreciate your input.

I have them all but I ended up only using a few of the speed drills and blacklines. I did use the TM and the flashcards. IMO, there is plenty of written work in the workbook. They have their flashcards arranged differently than most others. They are sorted by the sums and differences. For example all the facts that add up to 7 are grouped together. I think it makes learning the facts a breeze. There are also other groups of cards besides just facts. It's really a great set of cards.

I used clear contact paper and I didn't leave a border. I printed, laminated and then cut the cards. They got pretty bent up and creased, but I don't think they peeled. But I've decided that to give the kids a change and keep their cards fresher, I will make them different workbox number cards every so often (like maybe once or twice a year). I'm not throwing the old ones away so we can reuse them later. I just wanted to give them something different to look at once in a while. I made my dd6 cards with butterflies on them. I made my ds6 cards with sheriff badges. I made my ds10 cards to look like little Reward posters. The boys are into cops and toy guns right now.

Looks like a good plan to me. My twins and I just started SL Core K and Science K on Monday. We're really loving it so far.

:bigear: :lurk5:

I have wanted to learn to play piano all my life. Last night, my dear, sweet husband took me to Best Buy and bought me a nice electronic keyboard for my birthday. I went onto Amazon to look at different instructional books, DVD's CD's and I really don't have the foggiest idea which to choose. I don't want to hire a teacher. I prefer to learn in my home in my own time. Then possibly my kids may follow suit, using the same materials. BTW, I hear that it's easier to learn "chording?", which I understand is sort of a short cut. This is not what I want. Forgive my terminology, but I want to learn to fully play all the notes. I need to learn to read music and the whole nine yards. Any suggestions? Thanks