yellowperch
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Posts posted by yellowperch
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I tried. our ps is lovely and the teachers care. Even still it was impossible for them to truly engage and challenge my gifted child. He tried. They tried. I tried. They just have too much to deal with and ever shrinking resources. We tried a charter, which was worse.
He has a right to an education, and the school system has a responsibility to educate him, not just put him in a classroom with children the same age, or slightly older, and hope for the best. He has a right to be engaged, challenged and TAUGHT something. I could advocate for that, but I'd rather spend my time giving him what he needs myself for as long as I can.
PS wasn't particularly challenging for my other children either. So here goes.......
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X-posted:
How would you do science with a gifted, lazy autodidact 9 yo and a hard-working, grade-level, curious and game 7yo. It’s ten days before our official start of school and still don’t have a plan for science. I’ve looked at a few things, and I’ve liked several of them, but I’m just not sure.
I’ve listened to SWB elementary science lecture, and I like the approach of taking one major science area and cramming lots of facts into their eager little brains; discovery, observation and real analytic thinking should really not be the focus. Filling their little brains with lots of nifty nitty-gritty knowledge is. Lots of experiential stuff seems like the life blood of science, but I want this are of study to be more than “wow, cool, look at that.†I want them to learn facts, the scientific process and how to apply learning skills to science. I also want them to have fun and have many aha! moments. (well, who doesn’t?)
Both DS and DD love science--I mean, really, what child doesn’t?--and they both have sky-high expectations about what they are going to learn. DD was in school last year, and did five or so science units. DS began homeschooling in the spring. His science was mainly reading and doing some of the activities in the Story of Science conducting his own nature study of the lake near our house (which means he did a few drawing and diagrams, took a few measurements and caught a lot of fish).
DD, DS and I all love life science so this is waht we will do for our first all-out, multi-age, full year of homeschooling. The problem is this: DS9 is very well read in science; he simply knows a lot about science, and has a few disparate areas of extensive knowledge. A few things that’ve I’ve liked at first glance seem like they would have too much of a focus on things we already know a lot about. For example, Real Science 4 Kids has chapters on butterflies, frogs and food webs, which we have down cold. (My daughter would gain much from the other chapters but I do need to do science together for them.)
I’m really looking for material or an approach that has high level content that doesn’t require advanced academic skills to do the associated work. Does that make sense? I like what I’ve seen of the Ellen McHenry materials (DS11, who goes to school, has been reading through her elements program. He really likes it and wants to try to start an after school club to work on it) but we really do want to do animal studies.
We did buy a batch of dissection specimens that I plan to use this year, but I’d like some real guidance about how to do this with young children in a way that is more than simply “coolâ€.
Anyway, If you’ve read this far I can only say thank you. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Our science has to be secular, FWIW. Thank you.
Also, FWIW, DS is not an independent learner, which is to say that he does not have great follow through on assigned work.
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X-posted:
How would you do science with a gifted, lazy autodidact 9 yo and a hard-working, grade-level, curious and game 7yo. It’s ten days before our official start of school and still don’t have a plan for science. I’ve looked at a few things, and I’ve liked several of them, but I’m just not sure.
I’ve listened to SWB elementary science lecture, and I like the approach of taking one major science area and cramming lots of facts into their eager little brains; discovery, observation and real analytic thinking should really not be the focus. Filling their little brains with lots of nifty nitty-gritty knowledge is. Lots of experiential stuff seems like the life blood of science, but I want this are of study to be more than “wow, cool, look at that.” I want them to learn facts, the scientific process and how to apply learning skills to science. I also want them to have fun and have many aha! moments. (well, who doesn’t?)
Both DS and DD love science--I mean, really, what child doesn’t?--and they both have sky-high expectations about what they are going to learn. DD was in school last year, and did five or so science units. DS began homeschooling in the spring. His science was mainly reading and doing some of the activities in the Story of Science conducting his own nature study of the lake near our house (which means he did a few drawing and diagrams, took a few measurements and caught a lot of fish).
DD, DS and I all love life science so this is waht we will do for our first all-out, multi-age, full year of homeschooling. The problem is this: DS9 is very well read in science; he simply knows a lot about science, and has a few disparate areas of extensive knowledge. A few things that’ve I’ve liked at first glance seem like they would have too much of a focus on things we already know a lot about. For example, Real Science 4 Kids has chapters on butterflies, frogs and food webs, which we have down cold. (My daughter would gain much from the other chapters but I do need to do science together for them.)
I’m really looking for material or an approach that has high level content that doesn’t require advanced academic skills to do the associated work. Does that make sense? I like what I’ve seen of the Ellen McHenry materials (DS11, who goes to school, has been reading through her elements program. He really likes it and wants to try to start an after school club to work on it) but we really do want to do animal studies.
We did buy a batch of dissection specimens that I plan to use this year, but I’d like some real guidance about how to do this with young children in a way that is more than simply “cool”.
Anyway, If you’ve read this far I can only say thank you. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Our science has to be secular, FWIW. Thank you.
ETA:
Also, FWIW, DS is not an independent learner, which is to say that he does not have great follow through on assigned work.
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I just read through quite a few pages of that mega thread on filing. Most of the posts were written a year ago, on the eve of the school year.
A year has passed. What do you all think? People were thrilled on week 2 and 4, but what about week 25? 36?
Finally, how long did you spend setting this up?
Thank you.
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In Mandarin, Russian, and Finnish. for fun.
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Packing for the beach as I write. We will start the day after labor day, with a canoe ride to discuss our plans. We will start begin Alice in Wonderland as we read and float.
The real work start Wednesday at 8:15 when the math coach arrives. I'm torn between trying to squeeze every last bit out of this glorious summer, and getting all things ready for school. So far the beach is wining out, but I'm paying for it with some late nights.
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exactly what I was asking, Jen. Thank you.
And the sked you have looks sane and even possible, Anabel!
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one more bump. sorry to be a noodge but I really am stumped here and I'm hoping the evening crowd can help.
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Yes, I suppose I could, Bill. Why didn't I think of that?
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Hi! I was hoping you would answer!
I think I will go for it then. I find that the more flexible, and concept-y materials are in certain areas, the more useful they can be.
Cha-ching
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DS9 has finished FLL3 but will be using MTC Town level for grammar this year. What I will miss is diagraming, which he enjoyed (sort of) as well. We picked up a copy of RexBarks, but I was hoping to find something daily-type diagraming work to put in his independent work file to keep that skill alive (MTC doesn't require diagraming).
Thank you.
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WE will be using WWE2 and WWS1 as well as some MTC. But my 2nd and 4th graders like creative writing, so I'm casting about for ideas about how to encourage and develop this in a fun but somewhat systematic, age-appropriate way. I like what I have read about Writer's Jungle, and I think the kids might do an online course at Bravewriter sometime in the future. I know of a used copy I can buy (just the book, not Arrow, etc).
What do you think?
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Looking at it now. Looks good. Thank you.
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Is there a resource you'd recommend for this for grade 4? I'm looking for daily practice to add to a daily independent work folder. Thank you.
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My 2nd and 4th graders will be using MCT materials for the first time. The will be using them more or less as described. I'm trying to think through work flow/organization issues for the year, and I'm stumped by how to do this with this program. For some math and spelling we have workbooks. For other subjects we use binders ala WTM. But I'm wondering how people organize "to do" work and "completed" work. It doesn't seem obvious to me. I like things on the simple side so we can sustain whatever system we have over time.
Thank you.
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Moscow 4 years
Paris, Cairo, Istanbul and Bangkok, and Winhoek all for between 6 and 18 months
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Dh and I are worried. Ds9--gifted in math, talented in everything else he does from swimming to piano to drawing--is turning into a bit of a prig. DH summed it up this morning. "he wants it on a silver platter or else he wants to be left alone". We are not white glove people so this will not work out for us in the long run.
How do we help ds not become a horrible insufferable beast? Seriously.
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I have threads of nagging doubts, so I pulled a little on one today, and now I feel like the whole blanket is unraveling.
I have no choice about homeschooling ds9. He's flourished when we've home schooled, and cried in frustration when we tried both public and charter schools. He's gifted in math, better-read than most adults, and an autodidact. So this part is easy.
DS11 is going to the charter he attended last year. He's a good student, works hard, and the environment at the school is positive. It is not as academic as I would like, but I've made peace with myself on this one. They are placing him ahead one year in math and putting him in a tiny group with one other math-accelareated kid so that is something, at least.
DD7 was home schooled for 1/2 of kindergarten and attended PS for first grade last year. She had a great year socially. Academically she was not challenged very much, but she also wasn't so far ahead either. She liked school and her friends and overall I would say her school experience was generally positive. Unless you really think academics are the point. In which case, her year was eh. She wants to homeschool, mainly because she froths at the mouth when she hears names like Galileo and Mozart and wants to do REAL work.
DS5 isn't the strong reader most of his sibs were at the start of kindergarten but he is coming along. He just tuned 5 this summer so he would be one of the younger kids in his class. And he is tiny for his age. So our plan was just to keep him home anyway this year. But he doesn't have a real cohort of little friends and the three buds he does have are all starting school and I know from experience that he will soon be out of the loop if he is home.
I've been so excited to really start home schooling in earnest. I have the books, the plan, the organization, etc. etc. etc. It's been my focus all summer. I'm ready.
But the little thread of doubt has to do with the bickering my kids have been engaged in--esp. DD7 and DS5--and the peaceful and cooperative attitude my strong-willed DD has in school. I'm worried that the family dynamic will interfere with her ability to learn. I'm worried DS5 will miss out on a chance to get out from under his bossy sister's yoke.
I'm just worried..........
DH supports HSing DS9 mut he has doubts about the efficacy of HSing the other two with all the kid dynamics and the baby and his constant travels.
So I'm worried.....
Thanks for listening....
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Just do it, Bill. Why the heck not?
Mine (ours? Ds'?) arrived today. All day rain gave me time to read. Laughed when I opened it and saw "24", one of our favorite games.
My DS9 will be using this. He finished SM 6A this spring and has been monkeying with other stuff this summer (esp. the word problems and the IP). I'm trying to figure out if he needs to finish 6B before he launches. There are many awesome problems in 6B (esp. the word problems and the IP) , but not sure if he really needs to finish. Pre-test in the AM.
DS11 is also doing pre-algebra this year, but in school. The text they have looks gloomy. It's his choice, and a carefully considered one, but there we go.
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I love this place! how in the world would I find all this great stuff without all of you? My children will love these. Thanks for posting.
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First I'll admit to being both a little giddy and a little queasy. After years of hobbling along on DH's discard computers and of late my mother's iPad, I am now the proud owner of a smoking new iMac. Yes, it's gorgeous. Yes, it's speedy. Yes, my kids take very funny pix of themselves looking like bugs. But I feel like an old lady taking a jaguar out for a spin--and I'm afraid to drive faster than 20 mph.
One of the (many) things I hoped to do with this new rig is buy homeschool tracker plus to get myself organized. From what I now understand it is not actually made for macs. It doesn't really matter that much as long as I find a highly functional something to do my planning and tracking with, and as long as that something is luddite-proof.
What are your favorite apps that might serve this purpose? I'm happy to learn about other apps that would be useful for me and my kids this year. And general help about navigating apple land would be welcome.
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A little uneasy about the privacy thing. Probably silly.
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Love your answer, wendyk. I was about to try to explain what I know of this approach, but your answer is perfect.
Science for advanced 9yo and curious 7yo? Long, but I'd be very grateful for any help
in Accelerated Learner Board
Posted
I am posting a new question about dissection. I'm thinking I may start the year by diving into dissection, and see where that brings us. I want to prepare so that we can get the most out of the experiences, and make it intellectually meaningful as well as pizzaz-y. Do any of you know of any resource for doing dissection with younger kids? I'd love something with big bright diagrams and colorful illustrations and clear instructions. The dissection manuals that came with the specimens we have put me to sleep.
My thinking is now that I will go WTM style. I would love to read the BFSU books, but the pair of them are $50-plus. Are they a must have resource for serious science families? The library doesn't have them. I have been eyeing them for some time, but I have to keep my budget under control.