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LisaD

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Everything posted by LisaD

  1. I have a 3rd grader and a 1st grader. We started out with Getty Dubay Italic and my DS was into Book D and my DS was into Book C. After repeated requests by my DS, I have switched them both to Cursive First for a more simple and traditional cursive and because we use Spell to Write and Read. Obviously, we did printing first. So far, we have followed the directions and done all the steps (saying the strokes out loud, doing it with our finger- in the air, on the card and in salt, writing it with a dry erase marker and finally writing it on paper) with the beginning strokes and letter a. However, we are all finding it boring and tedious. My DS keeps chomping at the bit to just get to the writing. He would be fine to do that- he has very neat writing and attention to detail. My DD (6) has a harder time with neatness although her motor skills are fine, so she would benefit from more, I think. The only reason I hesitate to skip any steps in the process is because I want them to know the how-to inside out, not just copy. But, at the rate we are going, we'll never finish because it's the first to get dropped when we get busy since we all find it to be drawn out. Do any of you who use Cursive First NOT do all the steps and just say the strokes and write it? How well did that work for you in the long term? Any other suggestions? I would like both of them to work thru cursive by the end of this year (and they want to also!). Help! Thanks in advance!
  2. We are using Aesop A (3rd gr), and so far I have felt like the grammar portion hasn't been rigorous enough (we used FLL1 and 2 in first and second grade), so I was going to supplement with R &S but then looked at Aesop B and realize the grammar gets more rigorous, which is good. But for the rest of this year I was wondering if I should do 1 week (grammar and writing in the same week vs one week) for each passage, then move into Aesop B whenever we finish during this school year OR continue at same pace and supplement with some R&S to beef up the grammar in Aesop A? I feel like the current 2wk per passage pace drags a little and I feel like I want a more rigorous grammar (Like what I see in Aesop B). I do have R&S English 3, so I can supplement as needed. What are your thoughts? So far my DS has done very well with the outline, first draft, final draft retelling process. I'm still doing a lot of directing during the outlining, but there has been some obvious gains in independence. I'd like to iron out my plan before break is over so I can start fresh after break with no lag time. Thank you in advance for your insights. :)
  3. Thank you everyone for your tips and perspectives. 😊 I've decided to have my 3rd grader start the Rod and Staff English 3 after the break. I'm getting the workbook and tests. I may speed up or skip anything he already shows mastery in and hopefully we can get thru most if not all of it this year. For my 1st grader I decided to just reinforce the concepts she's already learned (which is built into writing with ease), put our current grammar on hold and start with Rod and Staff 2 in the fall. 😊 Thanks again! 😊
  4. 1- have any of you started your child in Rod and Staff English 2 in first grade? I used first language lessons for 2 years with my oldest and have been doing FLL 1 with my first grader, but she is bored with the repetitive nature and slow progression. After looking at the table of contents for R&S 2 I am considering switching to it for the second half of the year. 2-my 3rd grader successfully completed FLL 1&2, and is currently using the first year of Classical Writing Aesop- which he is doing well with and we like. However, I feel like he doesn't have a very wide base of grammar knowledge, (although he has mastered all concepts learned, it just doesn't seem like a lot). I am considering starting R&S English 3 with him in Jan and just using it in place of the grammar portion of his writing curriculum (classical writing). Any thoughts or experiences? I'd appreciate any input you all might have. Thanks in advance!
  5. I'm still thinking through curriculum and scheduling for next year. I love teaching the classics and will use it again next year. I am considering using it with the 2nd grade book list (reading roadmaps) for my up and coming 1st and 3rd grader. I would do this with them 1x/week. Another thought I had was to use the methodology and teach the concepts using the literature selections that we already use for Talestry of Grace. Has anyone already done this? My only two causes for hesitation are: if I stick to reading roadmaps book lists through the years they get a comprehensive exposure to good, classic literature. I don't know if I want to give that up.; If I use the Tapestry of Grace literature, it won't have been chosen to show a certain theme or type of conflict, so I don't know how systematic the instruction (teaching the classics) would be going this route. If anyone has tried this or has any input, I would love hear it! Thanks, in advance m
  6. My kids like Stack the States and stack the countries. tHe Human Body is a good one. There is a piano app that has a monkey head for the picture that is great for beginning piano players learning the grand staff. (I can't figure out the name?!) We don't use a lot, but those are some of our favorites. 😊
  7. This may be a shot in the dark, but do any of you have a book list, or a good resource that might, for literature books and any other style books about Alaska state history? We will be doing it in two years (ds will be 4th gr and dd will be 2nd) and we are new to the state. Thanks in advance!
  8. To the original poster: A couple of thoughts based on my experience with my high achieving 7 yo and my past experience teaching a self contained GATE class (5th gr).... Spelling - my son is a natural. It was clear pretty quick that he wasn't being challenged so I gave. Diagnostic test part way through the year and adjusted his level to match. Since he is still learning specific spelling rules, I just made a schedule to incorporate the rules he missed into our regular lessons. (We use spell to write and read) When I taught math to my 5th graders, I gave each chapter test before I taught the chapter. If they earned a high enough score, they didn't have to sit in on lessons but were able to do fun and challenging math game, logic problems, brain teasers, etc. (of their choice). Also, When you review any missed answers on the 'pre test, it's usually pretty clear if they didn't know how to do the problem or if they made careless errors. Don't know if that helps or not...
  9. For example- I'm considering using the teaching the classics with my first grader and third grader next year in the same lesson time, perhaps using the 2nd grade book list. I've done the beginning with both of them (dd in k and ds in 1st and 2nd) but didn't stick with it for various reasons. They both know characters, and setting for sure. I can't seem to fit it all in. But I find literary analysis to be an essential part of language arts. So tonight I thought what if I do it with them together and just use a grade level between them for the book list? (My soon to be third grader reads at 5/6th gr level and my soon to be first grader is reading I can read books and just about ready for the beginner chapter books.) Any thoughts from those of you with more experience? Next year will be the first year to have both kids doing all the subjects and so I'm trying to streamline where I can. They already do science, history and Spanish together, but my dd will also be adding her own piano lessons to the mix. TIA
  10. Article mama, ondreeuh, and Tammy K where are you located? We just moved to the valley a couple months ago and live southwest of wasilla. It's nice to connect with fellow Alaskans. :) We didn't have smoke at our house, but wasilla is starting to get smoky and many youth sports practices were cancelled today. The last update from Alaska dispatch news reported 8500 acres...(930 pm Monday). It is devastating, with no rain in sight. :( praying for all affected. I will say, however, that it is amazing to see how many people, complete strangers even, are coming together to do whatever they can to help. Alaska May be a big state, but everywhere we have gone has a small town feel.
  11. I liked the idea if AAS and seriously considered it. But after looking at a friend's materials I decided against it. The phonics approach, the phonograms used and the rules all coordinated with the phonics program we used (teach America to read and spell) however, I didn't feel like the spelling lists were comprehensive enough. Instead, we began using Spell to Write and read this year (my son is 1st gr) and I love it. It's two books and a few little supplemental things (journal, binder, etc). My son (likes rules, early fluent reader, somewhat visual memory), also loves it. I also tested him mid year and moved him ahead based in performance. A mentor mom to me who used it with her kids usually used the program thru around 6th grade which is when her kids progressed to the end of the lists. I like the layout and the increasing difficulty of the words.
  12. That's a great idea! I may end of buying the core book. Does any one else also have some helpful insight? I was looking online tonight at the primer sample and it looks fairly easy...I'm wondering how it progresses? I figure I have three main possibilities: 1- he could do primer starting next year in 2nd grade and progress from there or 2- he could do Aesop starting in the fall for 2nd grade and progress from there or 3- we could do WWE 2 and FLL 2 next year then start with Aesop in 3rd grade. What do those of you with CW and WWE and FFL experience think (based on his skills I described in my original post)? Thanks!
  13. I posted this in the writing workshop earlier today, but didn't realize that was the wrong place. :( Sorry! ... I am seriously considering using CW with my DS starting next year for 2nd grade. This year we are finishing WWE 1 and FLL 1. He has no problem completing any of the copy work (short or long), has no problem with answering most narration questions in WWE although I sometimes need to reread a section for him (occasionally he would rather be outside and isn't focused- typical of a very active 6yo boy! Lol) and I still have to remind him to use complete sentences. As far as the grammar skills being taught in both, he totally gets those and will often volunteer the info and has great memorization skills (very visual; we also do lots of memory work- poetry, bible, music etc). To give you an idea of his ability/experience (I only offer this because based on what I read on the CW website about placement and looking at samples, I would place him at Aesop and not in the primer): He reads above grade level....informal testing using McCall-Crabbs reading test lessons and the highest level passage he read (before I stopped) was 7.6 and he answered 9/11 correctly), but I really don't know how accurate that is. He can read almost anything he picks up fluently (nonfiction kids books like DK etc, bible, fiction, and anything I'm reading to them). He reads magic treehouse, and busy times (pathway readers). He tested at the middle of third grade for spelling (using spell to read and write). Although we haven't done formal dictation with WWE yet, I have begun giving him a sentence to write at the end of his spelling test and he does fine with 10 words or less...we just started this. He is also very verbally articulate (aka- Chatty Cathy lol) and has a high vocabulary for his age. If you have used CW, what do you think? Does he need more dictation experience before going into Aesop and I should wait til 3rd grade? Or will he be fine to go into Aesop at 2nd grade? I don't think it will be too challenging based on the samples online, but while I don't want it to be too challenging, I also don't want it to be too boring if it's not challenging enough. KWIM? Thanks for any input! (Also: if you are familiar with Ruth from NZ's extensive and very informative reviews on writing curriculum from a couple of years ago, I have read it thoroughly and have been taking notes. ) Lisa
  14. I am seriously considering using CW with my DS starting next year for 2nd grade. This year we are finishing WWE 1 and FLL 1. He has no problem completing any of the copy work (short or long), has no problem with answering most narration questions in WWE although I sometimes need to reread a section for him (occasionally he would rather be outside and isn't focused- typical of a very active 6yo boy! Lol) and I still have to remind him to use complete sentences. As far as the grammar skills being taught in both, he totally gets those and will often volunteer the info and has great memorization skills (very visual; we also do lots of memory work- poetry, bible, music etc). To give you an idea of his ability/experience (I only offer this because based on what I read on the CW website about placement and looking at samples, I would place him at Aesop and not in the primer): He reads above grade level....informal testing using McCall-Crabbs reading test lessons and the highest level passage he read (before I stopped) was 7.6 and he answered 9/11 correctly), but I really don't know how accurate that is. He can read almost anything he picks up fluently (nonfiction kids books like DK etc, bible, fiction, and anything I'm reading to them). He reads magic treehouse, and busy times (pathway readers). He tested at the middle of third grade for spelling (using spell to read and write). Although we haven't done formal dictation with WWE yet, I have begun giving him a sentence to write at the end of his spelling test and he does fine with 10 words or less...we just started this. He is also very verbally articulate (aka- Chatty Cathy lol) and has a high vocabulary for his age. If you have used CW, what do you think? Does he need more dictation experience before going into Aesop and I should wait til 3rd grade? Or will he be fine to go into Aesop at 2nd grade? I don't think it will be too challenging based on the samples online, but while I don't want it to be too challenging, I also don't want it to be too boring if it's not challenging enough. KWIM? Thanks for any input! (Also: if you are familiar with Ruth from NZ's extensive and very informative reviews on writing curriculum from a couple of years ago, I have read it thoroughly and have been taking notes. :) ) Lisa
  15. Wow! This thread has been so helpful to me! My DS is in 1st grade and finishing up WWE 1 and FLL 1. He reads fluently above grade level and spells at the mid third grade range (we use spell to write and read). I originally had planned to do WWE for two years (with FLL) then go to IEW for the remainder years. As I thought more about starting IEW and moving away from the classical approach I wanted to do some more research. I realized I needed to think big picture and see what my goals are for writing for my children and then explore how to get them there. As a former 5th/6th grade teacher, I know that writing has always been the subject hardest to teach mainly because the lack of an all encompassing curriculum (like the other subjects have). I had started another thread asking about writing strands and somebody posted about classical writing. Researching that has led me to this post. I so appreciate all the work Ruth has done and her willingness to share with us. Thank you also to all of you who shared based on your experiences. I also really appreciate the wealth of information regarding sources to have on hand through the journey. Here's a question as I reflect and consider which writing path I want to take and which curriculum I'll use: I will be with a charter school and while I stand strong on my freedom to school how I want, I am partly concerned with any 'hassle' they might give me about my DS not turning out formal writing assignments in the traditional ps sense. (I'm new to this state and charter school, so it may be a non issue, I don't know, especially since WWE and FLL are on their list of choices.) Do any of you who use CW (or similar) or WWE all the way through and who homeschool under a charter school have any issues with producing writing assignments for your samples or if you find this to be challenging, how do you handle it? Thanks for answering my question. :) Lisa
  16. I am also looking for TOG Y3 used. I bought Y2 copyright 2013. I want to get pretty current year for Y3. When was the last year it published? Also, if I get an earlier year, but still redesigned, will there be any negative impact as far as the books go? Thanks!
  17. I have the McGuffey readers and always wanted to incorporate them, but never quite did. I would love to see what other people suggest. :) Following...
  18. Thank you for all of your input! There are a lot of good points to consider. Please, if anyone else has anything to add I would appreciate your input as well. :) Quietchapel- we live just outside Wasilla, near Anchorage. Good luck to your husband! We just moved here a couple weeks ago. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to chat more. :)
  19. I have been wrestling with what writing program to use for my children. As a former 5/6th gr public school teacher I used the 6+1 traits of writing successfully in the classroom, but my colleagues and I always bemoaned the fact that there isn't a widely adopted curriculum that teaches how to write the different genres....we were always left to reinvent the wheel. Now, as a homeschool mom, I have been researching curriculum to use at home. My DS is finishing 1st grade. We currently use WWE (and FLL) and he is an advanced reader and writes sentences and letters to people on his own initiative. I feel like he will be ready next year for some formal instruction. Initially, I loved the idea of IEW, but more recent research has led me to writing strands and I like the long term scope and sequence, the simplicity and explicitness of what I see in the online samples and information. I feel strongly that I need to, if at all possible, commit to a program long term to reap it's benefits. In the end I want to produce excellent writers and whether the curriculum is parent intensive or not doesn't netter to me. I do want thoroughness, though. If need be, I do have an arsenal of resources to pull from to supplement any program I use (from my teaching days). Has anyone used either IEW or WS all the way through? (Or even just for several years?) What do you recommend based on your experiences? Also, we live in Alaska and I don't have as many options for places to go look at the curriculum myself. I have been looking at the websites and samples online. Thanks for any feedback you can offer! :) Have a great day!
  20. Hi. We just moved from CA to AK and are using EM grade 1. Due to the upheaval of selling/buying a house, hotel living, transporting our household, vehicles, kids and pet and unpacking, we have taken a long break from school. I am now sitting down to plan and prioritize school for the next couple months so that we can be ready for fall. I know, from teaching math in public school as well as my experience with EM that there is repetition (of the previous year) in the first part of the new year. Does anyone have the TE for EM grade 2? Could you take pics of the TOC for me to see what areas I can condense this year based on my child's ability? We aren't really in a financial position to buy next year's curriculum yet, so I'm trying to be creative. Thank you sooo much if you can be of help! Lisa
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