txhomemom
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Posts posted by txhomemom
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I am a total curriculum junkie that is always changing, tweaking, adding, etc. I just will never be 100% happy with any one item plus it is fun to put my spin on things. I like to think that when I pull from multiple sources I am producing a more well rounded curriculum or maybe I am just keeping myself entertained! I think I have changed curriculum every year we have homeschooled, mostly math because my dd's needs change from time to time and if one book/product does not explain something well, usually something else will do a better job.
After using so many math programs I know which one to pull to help with certain math problems. For example, this year we are doing Key to books for fractions, decimals, and percents plus a little Life of Fred to keep things light. I have decided to add in some supplemental stuff from Chalkdust Basic Math videos and am pulling some practice math problems on older topics (multiplication, division, etc) from that and our older curriculum K12 and Mastering Mathematics. I have to keep my dd on her toes or she forgets stuff, however, I don't like to do a purely spiral math program with her because she gets bored with that day to day.
Grammar is another thing we have changed year to year, going back to GWG this year, hopefully, will stay there for a while. History is the most difficult, like a lot of products out there, but don't love anything yet.
If anyone else is a curriculum junkie in training, come join the club!
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I am glad you asked this question about Latin, because I have been debating about starting out my dd in Latin in 7th grade and working through 8th grade. I am considering it for similar reasons, SAT prep, going into science, etc. I am pretty intimidated though since I have absolutely no Latin background and would feel like a fish out of water trying to teach it.
Does anyone have any experience with any of the following?
-Latin Prep/So You Really Want to Learn Latin (Galore Park)
-Lively Latin
-Latin Alive
I need something that is easy for the teacher and maybe a little self directed for the student, something a little fun (we don't take Latin completely seriously around here), mostly secular, and something that would give us the most bang for our buck since we will only go through using one program for two years before moving onto another foreign language in high school.
I am a little confused as to whether to start with Latin Prep 1 or something else if I go with Galore Park (my dd is 13). Is Lively Latin for this age group or is it more geared towards the elementary age? Anybody used Latin Alive yet? It is so new not sure how it pans out in the long run.
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My dd also has really thick long hair, although not as long as you describe. We struggled for the longest time with hopeless knots in her head and she hated brushing her own hair. I finally had enough and took her to have her hair thinned out. It was a lifesaver! She also let the hair stylist take a few inches off the length which helped as well. I think my dd was amazed at how easy her hair was to brush after that. She knows that every time her hair starts getting difficult to brush it is time for a really serious hair cut (thinning).
My dd still has been very reluctant to cut her length drastically, but I just try to encourage her a little at a time. Maybe you could convince your daughter to start with cutting a few inches off and thinning the hair.
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We use LOF Fractions as a supplement. My dd needs way more math practice with fractions than what is in that book so I also have her doing Key to Fractions. Once we finish those then we plan to move to LOF Decimals/Percents and continue with the Key to books for Percents and Decimals as well. It seems to work great. LOF is fun to read and makes math a little more interesting, but then Key to helps my dd to practice problems enough times that she remembers the steps a little better.
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I have been looking for the same thing. You could definitely use either TOG or SL in a secular manner. I just bought a used copy of TRISMS History Makers and it reminds me a lot of TOG but it is pretty much all secular. There are vocabulary words, lists of books to read, mapping, other activities, language arts, writing, etc. The main difference is that TRISMS is not scheduled as much like SL and TOG. There are things to do each day, but the readings and research can be scheduled or completed as you fit them in. It has a much more flexible schedule. For instance, SL or TOG might say read a certain book this week or read 2 chapters of a certain book, but TRISMS just has a list of books to choose from and then you read them at your own pace. Of course, some people just tweak TOG and pick the books they want to read which works well too, but TOG overwhelmed me with all the details, teacher's notes, etc...it was just too much for my brain. I feel like TRISMS is a trimmed down version of that. It gives you the framework and somewhat guides you, but you decide on what direction to go with the rest of your studies. It is much better for someone like me who is easily overwhelmed by details.
Edited: I just realized that you have younger kids and TRISMS does not cover that, but you might want to look at Oak Meadow.
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We have the same thing going on in our house...pure chaos! My 12 month old is into everything. Luckily we have a LOT of baby gates which helps a little, but it is hard to keep her interested in anything for more than 5 minutes.
When I want to do schoolwork with my 12 year old we:
-do the schoolwork during her nap times which is usually at least 2 hours
-do the schoolwork after dad gets home which gives us a little more time
-do the schoolwork when little one is at grandma's
-put her in the highchair and give her some snacks
-give her something to play with that I normally would not (cups, bowls, laundry whatever looks interesting and safe)
I have to say it is tough with a 12 month old because they are old enough to get into a lot of trouble, but not old enough to be kept busy by the majority of what you would give an older toddler (crayons, paints, etc).
For my little ones birthday this week we are giving her a water activity play table and I will let her play with that either in the kitchen or outside on the patio...so we might move our schoolwork to wherever we place the table so we can use that time as well.
Another idea, do school outside if possible and let the little ones run around a little bit. I might try that this next year with mine, but I might have to put up some kind of fenced area in the yard because our yard is huge and she could get away from me fast.
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Thank you for the heads up on CLE. I have looked at it once or twice, but always ended up choosing something else. We are catholic, but we tend to use secular materials because most of the catholic curriculum is either textbook based (not the learning style that would work with my dd) or just seems to be outdated...but maybe I have not looked hard enough. I would love it if something like CLE was available in a secular manner even...don't think I have come across something like that either.
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What about one of these video/online courses:
http://www.derekowens.com/1011/index.php
http://liveonlinemath.com/classes/
http://www.myhomeschoolmathclass.com/index.html
http://www.algebraclassonline.com/
Here are some more Algebra Lesson Links:
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Although it is hard to find time to workout with a 12 month old (she really does not like watching me exercise), I try to make it a priority. I exercise during her naps either walking on the treadmill or doing an exercise video. Sometimes I take her for walks in the stroller in the neighborhood (depends on the weather). I also try to do another exercise session in the late afternoon/early evening usually either walking outside or weight training/various classes at the gym (my dh watches the kids at that time). Sometimes I only get in 20 minutes here and there, but that adds up to something and I have been losing weight so every little bit helps.
I also exercise to reduce stress and believe me I would be one unhappy mom if I could not get my exercise in. I noticed that when I did not exercise for a while I was feeling depressed and rundown. For the first few weeks I had to force myself to actually do something, but then once that time passed I found myself craving the exercise session and I felt significantly more happy in general!
Wish I could get my dh to exercise with me, but he is not as motivated!
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I am interested in this as well.
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I mainly use Microsoft Office OneNote which has been a HUGE help in organizing all of my homeschooling links, curriculum ideas, etc. You can also copy and paste pictures in there. You can put tabs in there for different subjects like history, science, etc.
Another thing that I do to keep track of what curriculum I am considering each year is I make a table in Word. I organize the rows by subjects and list different curriculum options on a different row under the subject. Each column is the year (6th grade, 7th grade, etc) since I like to plan in advance. This helps me to narrow down curriculum choices a little and if I am having trouble deciding sometimes I move things around to the next year so that I can at least try to do everything.
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I love all the levels of RS. My guess as to why people jump ship are two fold. One is the child outgrows the need for manipulatives, and two, the parent needs more time with the younger kids.
We were one of the ones that jumped ship at Level C and I agree about the reason that the child outgrows the manipulatives. If I could have I would have stayed with Rightstart. We came in later and once my dd had mastered a lot of the skills she had outgrown the abacus, etc. She just was not interested in using manipulatives anymore. RS is also teacher intensive and that is another reason we switched. I just needed something simpler because I was working a lot of hours at the time. Even though it did not work out for us to completely go through the series, I highly recommend RS!
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Actually I am currently using Key to books with LOF for my dd. We are currently working on the Key to Fractions books (almost finished up on those) and the Decimals books (barely started that series) along with LOF Fractions (we will add the Decimals and Percents one later).
I have not used the MM series so I don't know how well it would go along with LOF. It is not too hard to put Key to and LOF together. I don't match up the topics necessarily. I just start with several lessons in the Key To books and then once we master a few topics I start my dd in the LOF Fractions book. So, most likely, once we hit a topic in LOF we have already done it in Key To. It has worked out great, because the LOF series is fun and it reinforces things we have already learned.
Once we finish the Key to Fractions books and LOF Fractions, then we will finish up the rest of the Key to Decimals and Percents books alongside LOF Decimals/Percents in the same manner...doing Key To lessons first then doing a few lessons in LOF.
BTW, I highly recommend the Key To series, cannot recommend it enough. It has simplified math for my dd and she does not like math textbooks, so they are perfect for her. I briefly looked at MM and I might still use some of their geometry books, but comparing Key To and MM I found that I liked the way the problems were presented on the page in Key To. MM seems a bit cluttered which I knew would overwhelm my dd. Also, Key To is really inexpensive for a printed math workbook, I think Rainbow Resource has them for around $3 for each book or around $15 for each set (for fractions and decimals) and $12 for the set for percents.
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Another one I forgot to mention earlier: Razzle Dazzle Language Arts (has both writing and grammar curriculum that is completely secular)
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Here are my tentative plans for 7th grade:
Math: Continue working in Key to Percents and LOF Percents/Decimals book and then add on Geometry (either Patty Paper Geometry or RS Geometry). We might review some topics from the Chalkdust Basic Math course. The main focus of the year will be to make sure all the basic math topics are understood well before we move on to Prealgebra.
Spelling: Soaring with Spelling and Vocabulary 7 and Spelling Wisdom
Word Roots: English From the Roots Up and Excavating English
Grammar: Growing with Grammar 7
Literature: Lightning Lit 7 and we will compile a reading list for the year as well. Thinking about trying Total Language Plus for at least one of the books we read (maybe Island of the Blue Dolphins or A Wrinkle in Time)
Writing: Somewhat undecided, using either Write with the Best 1, suggestions from WTM, IEW, or Meaningful Composition
History: TRISMS History Makers or Oak Meadow History (have not decided yet)
Science: Life Science-either Elemental Science or CPO Science, might add on McHenry's The Brain-Neurology
Geography: Not sure if we will have time to fit in geography, but looking at Runkle and Mapping the World with Art. If we don't get to geography in 7th, then we will definitely get to it in 8th.
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We are still working on 6th grade through this summer, but have used so far and will be using in the summer:
Math: Key To books in Fractions, Decimals, Percents and LOF Fractions and Decimals/Percents
Grammar: Growing with Grammar and various grammar workbooks (thinking about adding Giggles in the Middle for fun)
Spelling/Vocabulary: Soaring with Spelling and Vocabulary and English From the Roots Up
Literature: Reading whatever floats our boat. Next year we will try Lightning Lit.
Writing: Igniting Your Writing and Wordsmith Apprentice
History: Originally we did WP QMA, but did not finish it. Planning on trying something new, possibly either TRISMS History Makers or Oak Meadow
Science: Started Elements from McHenry, after we finish that, might go into either CPO Life Science or Elemental Science Life Science for Logic Stage
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I have not taught K-3 grades in a while since my oldest is 12 and the youngest is 12 months, but I would choose:
Reading and Language Arts: McRuffy
Math: Rightstart Math
Science: Real Science Odyssey by Pandia Press or Elemental Science
History: SOTW, Sonlight, and/or FIAR
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Critical Thinking Company has tons of secular products for various subjects including Editor in Chief, Math Detective, Science Detective, Reading Detective, Mind Benders, Punctuation Puzzlers, Word Roots, etc.
Also, EPS is good for lots of different options (some already mentioned on here), Explode the Code, How to Teach Spelling, Just Write, Writing Skills, Spell of Words, Spellwell, Vocabulary from Classical Roots, Worldly Wise, Writing Skills, and more.
I wanted to mentioned that Grammar of Spelling is NOT secular. It is usable in a secular manner, but there are several words within the spelling lists that would be questionable for someone trying to buy 100% secular products.
Edupress is another company that has strictly secular materials. They have history and science coloring and activity books and more.
Then there is Evan-Moor which makes a lot of workbooks in various subjects like math, language arts, history, geography, etc.
Texas Tech has a completely secular K-12 program.
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I think the math path that each child takes is individual based on their needs and direction in life. I definitely will not be placing my dd on the precalculus path, because I don't want to rush her through math just for the sake of saying that we got to precalculus, calculus, trig or whatever.
Now there are higher expectations for college admissions, etc, but the weird thing is when I was in high school if you wanted to go to college then you simply took Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry. I had a few friends that took precalc/trig, but they were highly interested in math. I was actually behind in math so this is what my high school years looked like:
9th-Prealgebra
10th-Algebra 1
11th-Geometry
12th-Algebra 2
When I got to college I was able to start with College Algebra and did fine. Later I took Trig (not my cup of tea, but I did okay) and then Calculus 1 (which I hated as well, but I still did okay). I could tell my strengths were in algebra, not geometry, trig, etc.
I would not worry if you want to take a different route with your dd. Just choose the math curriculum that best fits her goals.
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Thank you. You are a genius. I was trying to figure out how to afford science curriculum...cannot thank you enough.
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My dd is 12 right now, but if I could go back in time I would have started with Rightstart Math and continued all the way through.
For early elementary ages I like the idea of using manipulatives with the curriculum like RS Math or Math U See, etc. When you get to a point of the child having difficulty with a particular topic then bring out supplemental materials like Math Mammoth, Singapore, online math websites and games, or math board games and electronic games.
Some people might like using MM, Singapore, CLE, etc all the way through as well, but I had a kinesthetic hands on learner so that route would not have worked for me.
Here is the weird math route we took (I don't suggest jumping all over the place like we did):
-1st grade - Used Excel Math for a few weeks then decided to completely switch to something else, K12 1st Grade Math.
-2nd grade - Used K12 2nd Grade Math and also briefly tried Singapore and Developmental Math neither of which we liked. Halfway through year switched to Mastering Mathematics and completed the addition and subtraction books. Used supplemental games and electronics to learn math facts (Math Mat Challenge, etc). Also used a computer game called Math Missions that my dd really loved.
-3rd grade - Used K12 3rd Grade Math for part of the year then decided to completely switch gears and do Rightstart Math C. Used supplemental drill programs to learn multiplication facts.
-4th grade - Rightstart Math C (continued with this for a while and although we liked it eventually decided to try something else since it was too teacher intensive for us at that time). Switched back to Mastering Mathematics and worked on the division and multiplication books.
-5th grade - Continued with Mastering Mathematics working on fractions and decimals books.
-6th grade - Switched to Key to math books in fractions, decimals, and percents and Life of Fred Fractions. We are loving the math books this year, they really fit my dd.
For the rest of this year we will finish up percents and decimals in the Key to books, start the LOF decimals and percents book, and start doing some kind of geometry program (either Rightstart, Patty Paper Geometry, or Math Mammoth geometry books). Once we finish geometry then I will put my dd into a prealgebra program of which I have not decided (maybe Kinetic books). I plan on starting that in her 8th grade year since she needs a lot of practice on other topics before she gets to that point. Even though now most kids are doing Algebra in 8th grade, when I was in school, I did not take Algebra until 10th grade and I did perfectly fine, so I think the slower route can work out okay. My philosophy is that it is better if she understands math really well at each level before she moves on even if that means spending a lot longer on one particular topic.
Anyway, this is my roundabout way of saying just pick something and go with it. You may end up changing your mind at some point, but eventually you have to quit researching math programs and actually teach the math (a lesson that took me a long time to learn). The best thing you can do is stick with a math program. I used to think that when my daughter struggled in math, it was the program, not always the case. A lot of times she just needed to sit on a topic for a little longer until it sunk in. I am sure if I had stuck with any one of the programs that I tried, K12, RS Math, Mastering Mathematics, etc she would have eventually learned everything she needed to know to progress to prealgebra. Also, if you have to use a few different programs to get to the end of the road in math that is okay too, the important thing is they are practicing their math skills and reinforcing their learning by seeing things enough time for connections to be made.
In summary, I recommend Rightstart Math as a good math program to use as the main program. Alternatively, if you cannot complete a teacher intensive program like RS Math because it does take time from the teacher to implement then consider just using Singapore, MM, CLE, etc as your main program.
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This is an interesting thread. I actually have a daughter who is 12 and sounds similar to your son. The interesting thing in my house is that my dd and I are extremely right brained individuals...makes for interesting homeschooling adventures to say the least. My dh is extremely left brained...I am sure you can see where there are conflicts. That is why I do most of the teaching, dh can do it, but he does not have much patience and he expects everyone to follow a very linear path in their thinking.
Anyway, my dd most of the time says she hates school, fidgets and wastes time when we are trying to do math and most other subjects, complains about everything in the universe, says she is never going to college, etc. She is a VERY creative soul. That is all there is to it. She loves art, designing, video games, sports, and basically anything that either keeps her body moving or her mind in a creative mode.
I have tried to choose curriculum over the years that allows my dd's creativity to come out, but some subjects are a struggle because they require something called "work." I frequently have to keep my dd focused on what we are doing and literally have to tell her to turn her brain on. I have learned that she is capable of much more than she thinks she can do. Once you get through the initial brain fog, there is an amazing amount of thinking going on.
Just this past week we were working on math, adding and subtracting fractions and finding common denominators. She understood it really well and then I had the idea that I would give her a math placement test just to see where she was in grade level (I knew she was a little behind but I was just curious). During the test, all the sudden she cannot remember how to subtract with regrouping...I am thinking to myself how is that possible. Subtraction used to be her favorite thing to do in math and she knew it really really well. After several long frustrating hours of explanation of subtraction, the light bulb finally came on, and I could relax knowing that I was not a bad teacher for her not knowing something so simple. Anyway, sometimes it seems like there are moments in time where my dd just forgets EVERYTHING! I have to remember not to freak out or blame myself, etc every time she struggles, sometimes she is just having a bad day, we all do.
It is definitely more challenging to teach a right brained child. My dd is also visual spatial so I have to find ways to teach related to that mechanism. What has been challenging for me is that I have a natural spelling ability, actually like math, love school (most of it anyway) and my dd is completely opposite, spells all over the place with invented spellings, complains about math (although I think she is pretty good at it), and complains about schoolwork. I have had to really think hard as a parent and teacher and figure stuff out that I never had to when I was in school. I never had to try hard at spelling, so it is hard for me to get where she is coming from sometimes. I never know if I am doing enough or coming at her from the right angle. Sometimes, I swear, she looks at me like I have three heads and am speaking Greek.
I am sure that there is something that your son can eventually do in this world that will fit who he is and what his strengths are. Sometimes I get so caught up in the weaknesses that my dd has that I forget her strengths. I don't see her having the typical kind of job or going to college, but I could see her doing something creative in the arts, maybe a writer or maybe using her hands like a massage therapist or possibly even working with animals since she loves that so much.
Here are some other suggestions for jobs for creative right brained people (and I know this well since I am one):
-personal trainer or fitness instructor
-health educator or CPR instructor
-EMT or paramedic
-counselor, psychologist, or social worker
-nurse/nurse practitioner (some areas are more right brained than others)
-real estate agent or real estate flipper
-architect or designer
-writer or journalist
-physical therapist or occupational therapist
-business owner
-website designer
-game designer
-artist
-entertainer (actor, singer, comedian, stuntman, etc)
-chiropractor
-human resource specialist or recruiter
-informational speaker
-creative director
-legal mediator
-landscape designer
-corporate trainer
-consultant
-literary agent
-teacher
-nutritionist
-pet walker or groomer
-animal trainer
-chef, caterer, baker, or restaurant owner
-alternative medicine practitioner
-computer animator
-photographer or videographer
-tour guide
-ship captain
-scuba diver or instructor
-massage therapist
-life coach
-appliance repair, carpenter, electrician or painter
-firefighter or police officer
-criminal profiler or FBI agent
-virtual assistant
-professional organizer
-DJ
-audio/visual technician
-house cleaner
-private investigator
-merchandiser
-travel agent
-wedding planner
-personal shopper
-school bus driver, chauffeur, or limousine driver
-golf instructor
Some of the above do have a left brain component to them, however, what most of them have in common is that either they involve working on your own time (being your own boss) or having flexible hours/shifts or possibly even a job where you can come and go as needed. I find that as a right brained adult, even to this day, I gravitate towards either jobs where the shift is later in the day, there are part time hours, I can set my own hours, or run my own business. I have a hard time working the typical 8-5 job.
I have also seen people come up with a unique idea and make money doing something that most of us would not think of like storage facility owner, boat rentals, snow cone stand, or vending machine owner. There are too many things to list.
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It sounds like you need to go back and review concepts from math that lead up to prealgebra. Here are some options for reviewing math:
Use a textbook:
-Lial's Basic College Math (do a search on WTM for more about this)
Use review books or workbooks:
-Excel Math (they have shorter summer review books that might work)
-Math Mammoth (use the blue series for review of individual concepts)
-Key To Books (decimals, percents, fractions, etc)
-Mastering Essential Math Skills (have review of all math concepts in one book or they have individual books on certain topics, some of the books also come with a DVD that has lessons of all of the topics)
Use a website:
Phonetic Zoo-"Budget Package"?-What do I need?
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
This past year I tried to use Phonetic Zoo without the audio CD. I picked up just the Spelling and the Brain DVD at a convention for $15 and thought I would save money by just using the lists which you can print from the DVD. It is basically the entire Phonetic Zoo program (lessons and lists) without the audio and cards. I was starting with an older student so I did not see the need for the cards. Since I have never had the cards not sure if you could use just the cards or if it would be better to go with just the DVD with the lists.
When we were using Phonetic Zoo as I described we used Spelling City for testing purposes. Anyway, the main reason I did not go with their audio component (which I am sure is the main reason people buy it and it works for many) is that my dd hates listening to other people dictate words to her. So I did the dictating instead. The main idea behind Phonetic Zoo is hearing words in a sequential manner, letter by letter, so you would have to figure out how to incorporate that if you choose to forgo the audio CDs.
After a few months of using Phonetic Zoo we ended up going with something else, not because it was a bad program, mainly because my dd needed to work a little more independently on her spelling and I wanted her to get more practice writing the words through copywork, etc. Right now we are using Soaring with Spelling and Vocabulary and loving it! I like the amount of exercises in the book and the fact that mostly it can be done independently. There is a list of words at the beginning and end of every lesson that you have to dictate, but all of the other activities are independent.
I think there is a sample of the audio of Phonetic Zoo on the IEW website if you need help deciding whether to use it or not.
Hope this helps.