Rainbows
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Posts posted by Rainbows
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This is for my first grader. I'd like something that is:
--not going to require lots of experiments (some are good, but not one for every lesson)
-- not a lot of additional readings/books etc (I'm fine with suggested additional readings but want the program itself to be complete since money and time are limited )
We are hoping to do science a couple days a week. Would one of these programs be better than another?
thanks
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thanks.....sounds like it would work for us
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^^ we used ETC as our intro, then went into McRuffy. I think that ETC alone wouldnt have been enough for DS. But I do think its a great teaching tool if you add some more practice to it. DS liked it because it wasn't overwhelming and frustrating to him (he previously insisted he never wanted to learn to read lol)
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I think Id be ok with legends, mythology, religious stories ---it just would depend on how they are presented. I also don't have a problems altering or leaving out something (but I tend to expose my kids to things and then discuss them as opposed to just eliminating things---but I wouldn't want a program where Id have to do that constantly)
(hope that made sense, Im multitasking lol)
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thanks :)
I am definitely getting the "What your first grader needs to know" book as I have the kindy one and like how it touches lightly on a lot of things.
Still looking into SOTW too. Not sure what to do about science. I like the idea of student driven but I know myself well and we aren't always motivated to go out and get books at the library as often as we should. I tend to do better with at least a basic program and can always add/subtract from there
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Im trying to find a "light" history program to do with my upcoming 1st grader.....don't want something too intense as I want it to be fun and interesting and not feel like work. Was considering SOTW but just read some Amazon reviews and one said that the author teaches biblical stories as facts (and therefore the reviewer didnt like it)
I dont want a Christian based program, but am not against exposure to some Christian ideas (we kind of have a mish-mash of religious/spiritual beliefs and I like to expose my kids to a variety of teachings). Anyhow, is this book heavy on the Christianity or do you think it would work ok?
If not, any other programs you could suggest?
Ive got reading/phonics and math covered, but am having a hard time choosing history and science
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thanks :)
I looked at some of those other threads and the lists of all the subjects being taught for 1st grade had me overwhelmed. I'd like to stick with reading/phonics daily, math daily or a few times a week, and then maybe science and social studies each a couple times a week (in small doses)
ETA: would prefer not to use religious based curriculum
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We've got 2 days left of kindergarten and I think the BOB books are too easy for DS but chapter books are too hard. He has just learned long vowel sounds, oa and ea words, and some blends....plus a few sight words. But he still sounds out almost everything (even after reading it on a previous page). We recently got some I Can Read type books from the library and he is able to read a good bit of them but needs help with some words
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We have 2 days of lessons left for kindergarten...woohoo! We've used Explode the Code and McRuffy for reading & phonics, and Singapore Math.
I'm trying to figure out what to use for first grade.
I've been very happy with McRuffy so I'll use that again for reading, and don't have any complaints about Singapore but may look around and see if there is anything else to add in.
I'm wondering if I should be adding in some kind of science or social studies? I may do French since I got an intro program from HOP super cheap lol, but that would be more for fun than anything. If I were to add science or social studies, would you recommend a program or just suggesting some ideas to DS and going with what interested him?
thanks!
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we did Explode the Code and McRuffy.....I had DS do some of the work orally instead of writing it out (did this often with the spelling tests) and we haven't done the handwriting pages with each of the lessons, just occasionally (I'll probably have him do some of them next month just for review)
McRuffy also has games you can play, sliders, flash cards etc....lots of things you can add in to change it up a bit. DS liked them all
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Started with Explode the Code and went through the first few books so I knew DS had a good grasp on the letter sounds. Then moved on to McRuffy Phonics and have really liked it. DS loved the readers, they were challenging without being too difficult/frustrating and DS found the illustrations entertaining. Also think the teacher's manual was laid out really well and it was very easy to teach. If we homeschool next year, I will use McRuffy again
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I originally wanted to try this...but the cost was a factor. Instead I ordered the McRuffy Phonics set after reading good reviews on it....it should be here soon
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thanks....Id rather start with level A I think :)
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thanks for all the replies :)
I think I'm struggling because there was one question on the questionnaire that I was iffy on, and depending on which way I answered it, he got placed in A or B (it was the reading question....he can't read yet, but we are working on phonics now)
I guess Id rather work through the program faster and have him gain confidence than try something too difficult and have him feel discouraged....perhaps I will try and email the company
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DS is almost 5 1/2. If I ordered Rightstart for him, would it be best to get A or B? I called the company to ask but didn't hear back
I believe B does review what you learned in A...but does it go at a much faster rate? Do you use manipulatives the same amount in both levels? Do you do any writing in level B (I think I read that there is not any or perhaps very little writing in level A)
thanks
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I am the one who gave you the info above. Right now, I'm looking at the samples for the the traditional and modern samples of McRuffy K. The traditional sample's arrows are not showing traditional "ball and stick" instructions. If you look at arrows of the sample letter b, it shows to draw a line down then draw a circle clock wise. It does not say if you are to pick up your pencil in order to draw the circle. I guess you can choose. If you do not pick up your pencil you are forming the b the same way you would in HWT's. In traditional ball and stick you would draw a counter clock wise circle (ball) then pick up your pencil and draw a line straight down to the left of the circle (stick). To make a d you would start with a counter clock wise circle, pick up you pencil and draw a stick from top to bottom on the right.
As long as you followed the arrows and did not pick up you pencil while forming letters, traditional would be in the style of HWT's.
Another example of HWT's vs. "traditional" ball and stick is the letter m. HWT would have you draw a line down, follow the same line up, hump over and down, follow the down line up, hump over and down again. You would never lift your pencil. In traditional ball and stick you would; draw a line down, lift your pencil go to the top of the line and hump over and down, pick up you pencil go the the top of the hump and hump over again and down. This causes you to lift your pencil 2x's to form the letter. KWIM?
You could teach your child to never lift their pencil and be ok.
excellent explanation...thanks for clearing it up :)
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oh ok....when I asked the other day, someone said that the ball and stick (traditional) was not like HWT b/c in HWT you dont pick the pencil up when making certain letters, and in ball and stick you pick the pencil up. I can't tell from the McRuffy online samples whether they have you do the letter in one stroke or pick up the pencil
The modern is similar /same as D'Nealian, right?
I think it would be nice to have the handwriting book since it ties in with the McRuffy phonics, but maybe I'd be better off with HWT since that's what our school district teaches
thanks :)
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DD is currently working on the HWT cursive book (from school) and I hate the way it looks....there isn't any slant (which doesn't bother me that much) and the bottoms of the letters look flat---like you are writing on top of a ruler and then take it away.
Im trying to find another cursive program for DD to use at home
ETA: Have you seen the Cursive Connection books at Rainbow Resource? Im considering one of those
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did you use their handwriting books too or did you buy something else (like Handwriting Without Tears)?
Im ordering the kindergarten phonics kit and they have a "traditional" handwriting book but they describe it as ball and stick (and our school district uses HWT)
Just wondering if I could use the HWT with the phonics lessons.
thanks
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is it the pre-k or the kindergarten HWT book that only teaches capital letters?
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I didnt homeschool my older kids, but I did experience the same things with them.
For my oldest son reading was a challenge...then one day something clicked and it was like night and day. I remember reading a book with him (similar to a Bob book) and the word "one" was in it......every time he got to that word he'd say it like "oh-knee"....and every time Id say its "one". Next page, "oh-knee" again. Was frustrating at the time, but we laugh about it now. For what its worth, he scores "advanced" in placement tests....so he was/is a bright kid, just took a while to grasp some concepts
DD struggled with numbers in kindy but got much better in first grade. Don't get me started on letter sounds...ugh! We had crying every single day. She was (and sort of still is) one of those kids who melts down when something doesn't come quickly and easily. Some time towards the end of kindy things clicked for her.
I'd keep taking it slow, trying to make it as fun as you can.
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Thanks for the responses....
Im having a hard time figuring out if I should buy both SM and RS and see which one DS takes to better (but I hate putting the $$ into it).
If I got SM and tried it for a while with DS, would it be hard to switch over to RS? Would he have to un-learn/rethink his approach to problems if we started with SM and switched to RS?
Also, which do you think would be the better route if he may go to public/private school next year (1st grade) or the year after?
thanks so much!
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Yes. EB teaches counting on as a an addition strategy, a practice which is strongly discouraged in RightStart. However, I think the point is moot as from your description you'll probably find that EB is far too easy for your son.
I think that 1A/1B will probably be way too easy, but I can hang onto them for younger son if that's the case.... I think he may fit into the 2A/2B books but won't know for sure until I see them. Seems like jumping into the Primary math may be too big a step right now (from what Ive read online)
Im such a visual person and if I could hold the different math programs in front of me and look over them it would help greatly...but just seeing 1 sample page is not enough for me, kwim?
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Believe me, by the time you get to RS C, there is plenty of worksheets! And I had a 5yr old who loved nothing more than filling out worksheet after worksheet after worksheet....they soon get over it, or at least mine did.
I had to laugh at this part :lol:
Its funny, DS hates to practice handwriting, but so far loves workbooks....silly boy!
What to teach for history (and when)?
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
Thanks for this....I like this since I'll have a kindergartener and a third grader in 2 yrs.