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Emma S

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Posts posted by Emma S

    Charlotte Mason Geography and the Holling Books/ CM and BF

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I haven't used BF. We did use paddle to the sea last year -  we followed his journey in an atlas, and I just printed maps from the internet for us to colour/mark.  I'm not sure how CM that is! My son was more interested in just hearing the story, to him the map work got in the way. I'm not a huge fan of Holling, so that's the only book we've tried...

     

    I bought the Sassafras books to use as a science read a loud, but to be honest they've actually became far more useful as a geography resource than anything else I've used. Again, we follow the journey using atlas/globes/wall map and then we have either drawn free hand (or I've print off maps) for them to colour/write on/mark/etc. Topics such as compass directions and landforms etc just seem to naturally occur.

     

    Sorry, not really answering your question!

     

    These links might help.

     

    http://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/teaching-geography-subject-by-subject-part-4/

    http://www.pennygardner.com/geography.html

     

     

    Any Circe devotees who AREN'T Christian?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I'm not religious, but have been very inspired by the Circe threads. Reading those threads has given me the push to believe that I am good enough to teach my children without having to have the latest curriculum, or to jump around from education theory like a madwomen trying to find one that 'fit's us. I'm an (ex) curriculum junkie. I have tons of the stuff, lots never used. Today I got rid of 5 bags and a box full of it! I've sold some stuff, and am currently sorting out my bookcases which have lots and lots of fiction/non/fiction/living books we have never read. I spent a week reading Dickens to my kids last year which they loved. We had lots of discussions, watched videos, did some notebooking style stuff which they enjoyed so much and still talk about now. I want to do more of this. I'm planning on starting a morning time session with lots of reading/discussion. Picture study, revisiting Dickens, poetry, Shakespeare, living science...Science is something I've really struggled with. I think we've tried almost every curriculum, but nothing sticks. Reading those threads made me realise that I don't have to follow a curriculum, or do experiments that I never have the right supplies for...we can read and watch videos and talk and go to museums, etc. This is a bit of a ramble, but I've taken what I really needed to at this time from those threads, and am making it work for us. I feel inspired and positive about homeschooling again. I'm very grateful to those threads for giving me the push I needed. :)

    Will I have to give up my literary girl status if I admit

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I love Wuthering Heights! So much so that rather a long time ago I dragged (my then) boyfriend off to Haworth for the day, and wandered about (got lost) on the moors. There were lots of sheep from what I remember. We did eventually find the Bronte waterfalls though. I'd love to go back now. Part of my thesis at university was on Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre :) .

     

    Edited to add my youngest dds middle name is Emily. My dh did not like the name (hence my oldest dd does not have the it), but my perseverance worked in the end! 

    Handwriting/language arts questions

    in PreK and K

    Posted

    My 5 year old loves writing. She is not reading yet, but knows all her letter sounds. She enjoys asking me how to spell things and writing them down. I have done very little handwriting with her, and want to encourage her in a gentle way as I notice she is writing her letters from bottom to top.

    I have a very limited budget so if anyone could suggest a cheap/free resource that would be great.

     

    I was also wondering (even though she isn't reading yet), if there is a language arts curriculum or something I could start using with her?

    Her vocab is excellent and she will sit and listen to chapter books for up to 40 mins. Again free or cheap would be great.

     

    Thank you.

    Siblings at opposite ends (academically)

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Great update!

    He could probably do above grade level physics or chemistry if you read it for him, and mechanical engineering types of things, gears, etc.

     

    Thanks ElizabethB. You are right. These are subjects he's good at, and he's especially drawn to engineering. It's just a case of thinking outside the box and finding videos or audios he can use. I also still read lots to him, and we do much of the written work verbally rather than him having to write it down. :)

    Facing a spring/summer with no backyard

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    We had a house with a tiny courtyard area for about a year. I'm in the UK so small gardens are normal, but this was tiny by normal standards! Honestly, it encouraged us to go out more and walk more which was good! We grew a few things in buckets (herbs/veggies/flowers...even a tree!), and I bought some chalk and we drew or played hopskotch. Skipping ropes are also an option. Equipment you could take to the park with you? Balls, scooters, bikes, etc. A small indoor trampoline might be useful. Or a swing ball? We managed to have a small sandpit as well. Hope some of this is helpful. I still miss that tiny garden!

    Is everyone too busy or is it me?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    This is me too. I have one really close friend who is lovely, but also has lots going on right now. I was quite ill over the past year and couldn't do much which might have something to do with it. Sorry, not any advice really but lots of sympathy. I'd have coffee with you if I lived near!

    Siblings at opposite ends (academically)

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Sorry for digging up such an old post, but I just wanted to thank everyone for the replies you left. I always meant to come back and say thank you, it helped so much knowing that I was not alone in this. I was given some great advice and ideas. Unfortunately just after I posted this I became very unwell and have only just made it back to the forums. I'm on the mend now, although taking things slow as I have to be carefull not to overdo it. In amongst everything, and perhaps because I could only do the very basics with my son when unwell, he has started to choose to write now and again! His reading has also improved, although I doubt he will ever read for pleasure his confidence grows everyday. He also loves latin! Who would've thought! He learns in such a different way to me and my girls that it hasn't (and isn't) an easy journey, but we are getting there.

    Thanks again everyone.

    Siblings at opposite ends (academically)

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Hi,

     

    I was just wondering if anyone else struggles with children who are very, very different? My oldest dd (14), is working way ahead in most areas (except math), she is academically very bright and is gifted in English. On the other end of the spectrum her brother (10) has dyslexia, dyspraxia and other developmental delays. He is working well below his grade level.

     

    Lately his self-estem has been very low. We have never made a big deal of it, but he is starting to realise how far behind he is. Not only when he compares himself to his sister at his age, but also his peers. He also has a very bright 4 year old sister (who is very like her big sister), and it looks like she will over take him academically in a few years.

     

    If anyone has any ideas of things we could do to boost his self-estem I'd be grateful. He is hands on, loves lego and science kits. He enjoys being outdoors and adores animals. I'm trying to add in more of these things, but we spend such a long time each day just getting some reading, writing and math done it can be a bit of a struggle.

     

    TIA,

    Emma

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