Kerileanne99
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Posts posted by Kerileanne99
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Ashleyfs,
This is us as well:)
We started with a word of the day, and made it a game for the whole family to see who could use the word the most times (correctly!) in a day, recorded in a tally sheet by my kiddo.
Whilst she is 3.5 she is very advanced in language. We also allow her to underline new vocabulary words in her books with a pencil, which is fantastic as she will not just glide over words she doesn't understand, I am able to see what she needs to work on, and there is instant feedback for comprehension.
After we introduced her to literary terms and concepts informally, she really began asking for more. Obviously there are fantastic language arts programs out there, but I am not willing to go there until her writing catches up a bit...so, I have found a few things that work well. Since you specifically asked about vocabulary, here are our favorites:
1) Marie's Words- this is our absolute favorite because it is right-brain based, with accompanying pictures to enhance memorization. They are a set of business-sized cards that are designed for SAT prep, but don't let that phase you. The SAT uses them for a reason:)
http://www.marieswords.com/buy.html
Amazon usually has them but I just saw they are out of stock there. Still, there are a lot of reviews there.
We play games with these after we have picked a new one, usually still 1-2 per day. We might arrange them in a grid and make it a challenge: find the word that is a synonym for...or I am thinking of a word that is an antonym for...
She likes to play with these cards, look at the pictures, drop them one by one into her toy mailbox, etc.
I much prefer them to a workbook or the fun Vocabulary Cartoons as I am wantin to stay away from a workbook format and encourage her love of words rather than stifle it:)
2) we also have a handful of these vocabulary flip books, as well as one by the same company for similes/methaphors, and one for common idioms. They stay on the table so she can flip through them. If you do get these, I would not purchase any lower than the 2nd/3rd grade levels if he is advanced and reading. I discovered this by accident!
Also, if you have an IPad, both Marie's words and WordlyWise have apps that are useful...fun, but we find the hands on works best...and then she gets a huge thrill from finding our words or new words as we do our reading!
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This looks interesting, but there's no samples or previews. Can you give a brief synopsis of what is in the book? It is lists, similiar to what the Hannah Wilson book is? Or more in depth?
'Living Memory: A Classical Memory Work Companion" is MUCH more detailed than the Hannah Wilson book...I think it has close to 450 pages, in every category you can imagine. And because it follows a classical style, can be aligned with just about any program you choose to integrate. And it is NOT just lists of material that require more research and preparation! He has done the work for you:)
Here are some past threads and a review that helped me decide. Really, the absolute best parts are how comprehensive it is and the fact that it is well-organized by topic and subject. This is how I incorporate memory work into our lives. It also outlines a nice plan and suggestions for how to incorporate memory work into your schedule...the first thing I did was follow the suggestion to put together a binder, and we use the ideas to organize how often we review material as well.
I would say we spend about 5-10 minutes a day to work on new material...and it is incredibly effective. A very nice alternative, or even companion to CC. In my opinion, it is even more organized and comprehensive.
http://www.thecurric...ndrew-campbell/
http://forums.welltr...-living-memory/
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I have the Hannah Wilson free book, and whilst it is a nice resource (an free!), I was looking for something more in depth. After seeing several recommends for the book 'Living Memory' by Andrew Campbell in this forum (search for memory work), I purchased the download from Lulu, and absolutely LOVE it. It is based upon a classical education, is well-organized, cohesive, and very comprehensive!
Previously I was coming up with ideas and searching them out...way too much work and not organized enough for me!
I highly recommend the book-you will have memory work for years!
http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/andrew-a-campbell/living-memory/ebook/product-17520206.html
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I lived in Germany for a few years and am anxious to take my family back there. My dh is from the UK and we stumbled upon this great set of resources for learning German. It is through the BBC, and there is even a show for kids called The Lingo Show on Cbeebies:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/german/
Also, if you live near a military post you might be quite surprised at the availability of resources such as play groups or support groups...
ETA: forgot to mention we have this app, the basics of which are free (in app purchase for entire course or travel phrases, vocabulary) which has been useful:
Learn German with busuu! by Busuu Limited
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/learn-german-with-busuu!/id379972533?mt=8
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We just released our ten Painted Lady butterflies from an Insect Lore kit a couple of weeks ago, and it was SO much fun!
Re the confusion over the milkweed: you only need milkweed if you are raising Monarch butterflies! This is their food, and where they lay their eggs.
If you are going with a kit from Insect Lore, the Painted Lady butterflies are what you will be doing. Everything is included in the kit, with the exception of the sugar-water you will make (exact ratio included in instructions). And yes, ours tended to spend a lot more time on the orange segments we put in:)
And as other pp have mentioned, you will need to gently clean away the excess silk and frass that is sort of tangled around the chrysalides once they have hardened a bit.
A couple of other things: when the caterpillars arrived I was almost positive they were dead as they did not seem to move at ALL...but after a day they were all moving around, eating, and growing very quickly!
The other thing...we took pictures at every stage and smallest change that my dd noticed for her little lab notebook (she is only 3.5, so mostly pictures with mom scribing a few sentences for her). When the butterflies emerge, it is very fast! So toward the end you will want to keep a close eye on it. If your dc are young, you might warn them they might see a drop or two of bright blood when the butterflies emerge. This comes from when blood begins to circulate through their wings.
Good luck! The experience was enough for us to plant a butterfly garden and we plan on repeating the experience every year!
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I happened to glance through today's email from Homeschool Giveaways today, and they have a free download from All About Learning Press entitled
"Break the 'Word Guessing' Habit...
It seems fairly extensive, and explains four different types of 'word guessers.'
I just thought of this post and thought you might find it useful...
http://homeschoolgiveaways.com/2013/05/break-the-word-guessing-habit-free-download/
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If you are already doing this, you might want to add a fun book, such as Penrose the Mathematical Cat. It has thin "story" of the cat owned by a mathematician, who is constantly investigating his mistresses papers and chatting about them with the mouse in the wall, etc. There are two books in this series by Theoni Pappas, and they are great :).
We love The Penrose the Cat books, and I think they can be credited a great deal for my dd love of all things math.
NittanyJen, you might be happy to learn that there is know a third book in the series (came out in March) called Puzzles from Penrose the Cat.
Perfect for summer fun :)
http://www.amazon.com/Puzzles-Penrose-Mathematical-Theoni-Pappas/dp/1884550703
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Real Science-4-Kids has Focus on Middle School Astronomy that is gorgeous and pretty advanced. Athena's Academy uses it for their middle school astronomy as well:
There is a companion workbook as well.
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Definitely for K/1st material! You can always use the Activities for Al Abacus as well.
I have a very young, mostly pre-writer who wanted math ALL the time so this is how we went about much of it.
You might also take a look at GiggleFacts math- a series of 26 steps in the form of fun, brightly-colored games, that teaches/reinforces addition and subtraction. My dd still asks to play them.
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My daughters current fav is Mystery Math! Settings to adjust for 1-10 facts, 11-20, etc., and multiplication can be turned off or on as needed. It also has a setting to include dice and tally marks...
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Of course parents influence play, but the above poster implied that if you spend 10 minutes a day playing around with sight words, you will not have enough time to teach pretend play. Since most babies/tots have hours of free play time each day, I was pointing out the absurdity I see in that thought. And also the way it was worded sounded so formulaic. Yes, of course I provided my kids' play castle etc in the hope that they will play with it. Then I sat back and watched to see what they'd do. If they never did anything with it for months and months, I might initiate a play session one time or maybe twice. If it didn't catch on I'd let it be, watching to see what does interest each particular child. Is that very strange?
Not strange in the least:)!!! I actually agree that this is as it should be.
I was trying to point out that I really disagree with the idea that doing a few minutes with flashcards or computerized flashcards, in no way precludes or hinders 'pretend' play. In fact, I would argue that it only serves to enhance it, for the reasons I provided in the example I gave.
And for what it is worth, I think that attempting to shape or push or alter a child's unstructured imaginative play is MUCH worse than 'subjecting' them to a a few minutes of flashcards.
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"I see nothing in pretend play that precludes the addition of directed early learning activities. Nothing, Unless I am missing something, in which case you should point that out. Pretend play or make believe, is something children do and not something we need to teach. It is often best done without parents. We ruin things for them. If you are talking about a particular philosophy of education involving pretend play ( i did not glean that from the link you gave) then you may indeed be right. I don't know. The following is interesting however:
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I am quite certain that your 2 year old could start MEP Reception as it is such a kind and gentle introduction...especially at a nice slow pace, with plenty of extra manipulative work and things pulled in from experience with big sis. I think you may find that progress may not be in a strictly linear fashion at this age, as I did. If you use it as a spine It is a great program for littles.
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I can't compare Apologia and BJU, so hopefully someone else can chime in about that. But as someone with a doctorate in physical chemistry, I can't stress enough that developing strong math skills is one of the best things you can do to prepare him for the science field.
This!
Dh and I have degrees in chemistry and biology, and he (Ph.D) teaches at the Uni level. It is NOT the chemistry that gives the students fits, but rather BASIC math!
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I also just wanted to add that if you do choose to go the phonics-based AAS route, you may find that your dd blows right through several levels fairly rapidly! Because my dd is 3.5, I was reluctant to test for level and wanted to start from the beginning...but ended up really accelerating through until we found a place to slow down a bit in the middle of level two. She seemed to internalize the rules and intuit the spelling. I think this tends to happen with many strong readers, so fair warning:)
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Another option- for my dd (3.5) who recently finished reading Charlotte's Web, we use AAS. As a phonics -based spelling program, I can reassure myself that nothing is overlooked, but we do much of the 'writing' of spelling words with the letter tiles and a spelling app on iPad...she can quickly spell out her words, and we can reinforce with handwriting practice at another time- or not, as meaningful writing (such as letters to Grandma!) are more enticing for that purpose...
The spelling app we use ( in the moveable alphabet portion) is called 'L'Escapadou presents Montessori Crosswords'
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Lots of math programs for little ones that have the interest and the ability but are not writing well (or at all yet!)
I really like RightStart in the beginning, and a fantastic supplement called GiggleLearn that is only game based:
But! Any math program that you ultimately choose can be adapted (as in starting with 1st grade level even)with a bit of thought and creativity. We used number stamps so that my dd could focus on the math rather than getting frustrated with the writing...
Writing can then be done separately, which I loved. Without that, I think that her frustration/ perfectionist tendencies in the writing area would have bled stifled her love of anything number/ math related.
Edit: is he comfortable with time and money yet?
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Okay, first post in this thread but have really enjoyed reading about everyone's children!
Here is one from my daughter this last week.
We were outside drawing with chalk on the patio, and got into a discussion of perimeter versus area. We drew several large polygons on the cement, and my daughter (age 3.5) was walking the perimeters.
She was walking the perimeter of a huge right triangle, and had only the hypotenuse left. Instead of walking it toe-to-heel, she began hopping down the chalk line shouting, "Look mommy, it's a 'HOP-ontenuse! Hop, hop, hop! Ha, ha, that's PUNNY!"
This thread has motivated me to keep a notebook of 'funnies' for her. Thanks for the giggles from everyone else in this thread:)
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We just received a package with fun summer materials and I can see right now that we will have a hands-down favorite!
If you enjoyed The Adventures of Penrose the Cat and The Further Adventures of Penrose the Cat, DEFINITELY try the new book that came it in March. It is filled with math puzzles and challenges!
It is called: Puzzles from Penrose the Mathematical Cat
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1884550703?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links
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UPDATE:
As stated above, I sent an email to to the creator of Dinosaur Chess asking about an Android version:
Guess what? It IS available for Android, but through the Google Play store. I have never used That source for apps, but I am sure Android users will have more experience.
He also noted that an update for Dinosaur Chess with more lessons and improvements is to be released in the next few weeks:)
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Oh no!
I actually have it for IPad, but had earlier checked Amazon to make sure it was available for Android--
The same little icon popped up, complete with the little Scottish Dinosaur in a kilt, and I failed to read below:( Amazon only sells it as software!
Sorry for the confusion....it is truly unfortunate because it really is the best I have seen for young kids.
ETA: I actually just sent an email to the company enquiring as to when/if an Android version will be forthcoming, so will repost if I hear:)
I also noticed there is a free trial download for PC:
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Have you tried Peter Weatherall?
For math, specifically his Mathematicos Fantastikos...
Although honestly, I would buy all the Math and Science pack! (~$40) It is an awesome deal, packed with enough info to last even to college level Anatomy classes, yet most appeal even to my preschooler.
They come with both DVDs and CDs. The Simple Science and Human Biology are well-loved here. My 3.5 year old will sing the Platonic Solids song for hours if you let her:)
Fantashttp://www.kidsinglish.com/newspeak/video_clips/fantastikos-math-wmvs/fant-math.htm
You can find some on YouTube as well, although IMO they are not his best!
Problem Solving challenge for families, groups, etc., for kids of all ages.
in Accelerated Learner Board
Posted
This looks like a lot of fun, and I think our family will combine with another family to work together on it. Here is some more information quoted from a 'Let's Play Math' email:
"Here is yet another wonderful summer math opportunity for homeschoolers or anyone who works with kids: a free, 3-week mini-course on math problem solving for all ages.
mpsMOOC13: Problem Solving for the Young, the Very Young, and the Young at Heart
The course is being organized by Dr. James Tanton, Dr. Maria Droujkova, and Yelena McManaman. The course participants include families, math clubs, playgroups, and other small circles casually exploring adventurous mathematics with kids of any age.
Would you like to join us? Check out the mpsMOOC13 home page for instructions. The deadline for joining and completing the entry tasks (a short forum post and an online chat with one of the organizers) is July 7.
And then the real fun begins!"
http://www.moebiusnoodles.com/mpsmooc13/
Anybody else doing it or did the previous course?