FrogMom5
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Posts posted by FrogMom5
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Wow! You all are great. This info. is wonderful. I haven't been able to finish reading everything, we're preparing for the possibility of hurricane Isaac, but I have read most of it. Many of the techniques described here will help my younger ds too.
I especially want to check into the ability to move info. between long and short-term memory. I think that may be a piece that I've been missing.
yllek, if you don't mind, what is n-back and dual n-back exercises? Is it the letter/digit span work you did w/your ds?
The way the brain works is endlessly fascinating to me. If I find anything new during my searches, I'll post it. Thanks for all the great info.
Denise
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Thanks for the tip on how to better search and the links, llolly. As for the working memory, I think we need visual and auditory. Ds has done VT and Auditory Training-lots. Still, he recently tested very low in working memory and processing on an IQ test. I want to help him bring those up as much as I can before he heads off to college in 2 yrs.
I know it's late in the game. We worked on his sensory and health issues for many yrs. And then, I think I was just exhausted and overwhelmed. Well, in the span of 2 yrs., we adopted, had a baby and moved. That's when we stopped doing anything. I just wanted him to live a "normal" life-no dr. appts., therapies, etc. Maybe I wanted to live that life, too.
Anyway, ds is doing well but, he works so much harder than he should to get his work done. He has to work very hard to memorize terms (bio., chem.), names, dates and so forth. He's pretty good at math but it does take him longer than average. He is one of those really smart kids who doesn't know the date of Christmas, kwim? He carries his phone number and address w/him b/c he can't always remember them correctly.
Thank you all for your help. You ladies are wonderful.
Denise
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Can someone link or point me to threads on how to work on working memory? I thought I remembered reading about this topic here on this board but, after several searches, I haven't been able to find any threads.
Thanks for your help.
Denise
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Thank you so much, Lori. This list really helps.
Denise
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I make a list of plenty of selections, way too much to cover in a school year... and we get started and work our way through as much as we manage.
I personally do not believe that setting numbers like x novels makes much sense - there are short novels and fat novels; some that require a lot of analysis and discussion and some you just read. Or you may have a kid who delves very deep into a single work, chooses to read Hamlet seven times, watch two different video performances, listen to three different audio recordings, read books about Hamlet, write essays and fiction about Hamlet, watch Hamlet adaptations in popular culture.... you get the idea.
:iagree: For both 9th and 10th grade I tried to cover a certain number of novels, a certain number of plays, and so on. What I found is that the amount you complete depends on what you choose and how far you delve into it. This yr. I have a long list of works and we will accomplish what we accomplish.
Denise
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We used it for about 2 years. It helped ds focus and process more quickly. He was also calmer. But, that was a negative too, b/c he was less animated and energetic than he had been before starting the medicine. He has the non-hyper ADD, so we wanted the energy.
He came off the medicine b/c he was working as a camp counselor and was sporadic about taking the medicine. Then he went on a big hiking/camping trip and forgot to take it the whole 10 days. We decided to leave him off the meds. to see how he would do. The gains he made in focus and processing stayed while his more energetic and humorous self reappeared.
He still has anxiety, which we currently treat with anxiety meds. and neurofeedback - both are helping a lot.
If I had to do it again, I would put him on the Strattera. He may need it again in the future and I do think it helps w/out really bad side affects.
HTH
Denise
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Thank you all for the discussion. The information surprised me. I had to wonder, is it just Illinois State relaxing out-of-state tuition or is this becoming more common among Midwest colleges.
Regentrude - Thanks for the info. I will check into MS&T. My ds wants to double major in math and physics. We have a couple of colleges on our definite list but, we need to make a decision on a few more.
I do apologize that I posted this thread and then just left it. I caught my dd's cold. Hers turned into pneumonia, mine just put me out of commission for a few days. Summer, right before school colds are the worst. Yuck.
Of course, she got it from aspirating water in our community pool, then passed it to dh and I.
Anyway, thanks for the interesting discussion.
Denise
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From my alumni magazine (Illinois State Univ.):
"There is a gradual decline in the number of Illinois high school graduates due to changing demographics. Competition for Midwest students is so intense that financial incentives are crucial. The Board of Trustees consequently approved removing the out-of-state tuition differential for selected students."
The article goes on to say that the reduction in tuition may be offered to high-achieving students eligible for certain scholarships (they don't specify which ones), "artistically talented students recruited by faculty for specific majors," and students who are recruited by Admissions.
The University predicts this program will only impact a small group of out-of-state students but it will build regional diversity on the campus.
What do you all think? Is there a decline the number of students entering midwest colleges? If so, does that bode well for those of us from other regions? It's certainly something to watch.
Denise
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Don't the IEW folks have a book about running a business for teens? Give me a few minutes and I'll try to dig it out for you.
Denise
Ok, here it is - it's called "Lemonade to Leadership." It says it includes record keeping, marketing, merchandising, writing and implementing a business plan, among other things. It also says each lesson offers an optional writing assignment, so it could do double duty for you!
Is this what you are looking for - minus the writing assignments? If I come across anything else, I'll let you know.
HTH
Denise
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15 and 6 wks. The ps here starts around Aug. 20. Ds has a summer birthday. When he was little, we decided to start him later rather than sooner to give him a bit more maturity.
As far as work level, he's ahead in some areas and on level in others. We never accelerated him, just try to go deeper in areas of interest.
Denise
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I took it for many years to combat mild depression. At 50 mg./day, I had no side effects. It just took the edge off the depression and allowed me to think clearly. Exercise and being out in the sunlight helped too. Without the 5-HTP though, I wouldn't have gotten myself outside at all.
You can buy it at Wal-mart now. When I first began using it, I had to order it. Back then, I bought it from Village Green (used to be The Apothecary).
I hope it helps you.
Denise
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This coming school yr.- 10th grade, 5th grade and K. The middle one tries to fly under the radar and not do much work. I have to keep tabs on him all day long. :tongue_smilie:
Denise
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We did something in between moving ahead and repeating Alg. I. I tested my son using placement tests, then had him work on those sections that he did not ace on the tests plus an area I knew he needed more practice-quadratic equations. It took 3 months but it did solidify his skills. Alg. II has been fairly easy and fun for him this yr. Geometry, well, he doesn't like it but he did well, even with him dragging his feet through it. :glare:
Denise
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Maybe you need to go a completely different direction and develop your own writing curriculum. You could try brainstorming fun ideas with your kids and then develop something out of those ideas.
Here are a few ideas off the top of my head:
- write and produce a play based on a good literature piece of their choosing,
- make several observations trips to the ocean to study animals or plants and then present a research paper on what they studied, along w/drawings, photos, etc.
- choose several places to visit where you live and then research some topic about each area or something that connects the areas and develop a presentation on it.
Frankly, I want to travel and then produce my own travel brochure for each place. But, that's for another time in my life. :001_smile:
All of this involves researching and writing good papers. If you have them do a presentation, they get public speaking and probably computer skills too.
Is this kind of what you're looking for? Or have I completely missed your question?
HTH
Denise
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For those of you who have or are using Write at Home, is there another way to contact them? We get an error message when we try to send a note to the coach. Then, when I try to e-mail the staff, I get screens that want me to set up an account with Internet Connect Wizard. I really don't want to do that, I just need to communicate with them, somehow.
Thanks for your help.
Denise
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Thanks for your help everyone. I haven't formed any specific questions yet, just gathering basic information about it. I will look at the Memoria Press website more closely. They usually have really good materials.
Thanks again for responding to my question about SRA Reading.
Denise
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We use/have used Mind Benders, Mathematical Reasoning series, Math Detective and Building Thinking Skills. They are all really good.
After using the Building Thinking Skills and Mathematical Reasoning books, my dd, age 5, finds MEP Math easy. I do think my dc have had their logic and thinking abilities really stretched.
Denise
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Hi,
I would agree with the others who said that SOTW and MOH are not going to give your dds Catholic Religious Ed.
I used the religion portion of the Mother of Divine Grace Syllabi for my children up through the 8th grade. I purchased the grade level syllabus (adoremus books and emmanual books sell these on-line), and we just did the religion lesson plans. Here is a link to info on the 4th grade syllabus, for an example.
http://www.motherofdivinegrace.org/curriculum/syllabus/6
We really enjoyed the MODG approach because it varies year to year, and does not consist solely of text/workbook combinations. The approach is more classical in style, and do I think it fits very well with the ideas in TWTM. The lessons include things like having the child re-tell a reading, draw an illustration, or for older children, write a paragraph summarizing a reading.
MODG uses the Baltimore Catechism, and a combination of other materials on church history, the saints, apologetics, and Bible history depending upon the grade you are doing. The student works on specific catechism questions and then the other main focus area (or 2) at a specific grade-level. MODG does use Faith & Life a couple times; I think in grades 5 & 8, if I am remembering correctly.
The one thing that I started doing many years ago when my children were older elementary age is to do the daily Mass readings from the Bible each morning together. We used (and still use) the daily reflection from the magazine "The Word Among Us" with the readings. These readings and a few prayers take us about 15 min at the start of each school day, and it is well worth the time. No other RE activity we've done has helped to deepen our faith more, and when you read the daily readings over several years, you really get an appreciation for the liturgical year and the richness of our faith.
We've only used the parish RE program when required the years for sacraments because, frankly, our own program of MODG and Bible readings (and regular attendance at Mass) has provided my children with strong faith knowledge and roots.
Also -- I agree with the lady who said that SOTW1 is fine, but that you probably will want to supplement SOTW2 for a more Catholic approach. I highly recommend this CD series from St. Joseph Communications about Martin Luther:
http://www.saintjoe.com/productos/7/520
After 11 years of homeschooling, I can happily say that really learning my faith by teaching it to my kids has been one of the highlights. I usually hang out mostly on the high school board, but I happened to see your question when I first visited the main page this afternoon. If you have any other questions, feel free to send me a PM, as I might not see it here.
Oh -- one other thing for folks who have older middle schoolers and high schoolers, we have really enjoyed the teen Bible studies from Ascension Press over the years. We started with the Teen Timeline (for an overview of Bible History), and we've done their other 3 studies on Acts, Matthew, and Revelation over the years. I wouldn't recommend these for 4th & 6th grades, more like probably 7th grade & up.
HTH & many blessings to you on your hsing journey!
Brenda
Brenda,
Great info. The CD series on Martin Luther looks especially interesting. I'll also check into the teen Bible studies. Thanks.
Denise
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Have any of you used SRA Reading Program by McGraw-Hill? I did a search on this board but didn't find anything. I'm wondering what you all know about it.
The charter school that we're looking at for my dd uses it. They said research shows it's the best reading program available. After that, they said very little about it and that makes me uneasy.
Thanks for your help. We're on the fence about sending her to school vs. homeschooling her so any info. we gather is very helpful to us.
Denise
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I use Our Holy Faith from Our Lady of the Rosary School. Not many people on this board use it but we love it. I found it when my oldest was in 7th grade. He was desperate for something meaty and this series fit the bill. Now, I use it with both my older dc and they both love it. Even my dd stops to listen to her brother's lessons.
If you don't want the whole package through OLRS, you can buy just the main text through Neumann Press. I believe Amazon sells them too.
I do hope you find a good program for your children.
Denise
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We used More Mudpies to Magnets 9-10 yrs. ago and had fun with it. It would meet all of your requirements. I don't remember any experiments in which a little one could not participate but, I only had one dc at the time.
We also used Developing Critical Thinking Skills Through Science from the Critical Thinking Co. (3 yrs. ago). All the necessary materials were household items and my two little ones were 8 & 3. My 3 yr. old enjoyed it more than her older brother.
HTH
Denise
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We're using Thinkwell for Government. It's pretty comprehensive. It is completely online, though you can buy the notes in book form. Ds enjoys it b/c the instructors are energetic and interesting. They make him think about issues and bring out opposing sides without appearing biased, imho. It's been a fun course for him.
I've never used SL so I don't know anything about that one.
Denise
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Oldest ds works as a Scout camp counselor in the summers. It's not much pay but it is good leadership training and work experience. During the school year, he does volunteer work at our church thrift shop.
Denise
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My entire family is this way (sigh). It's not carelessness or laziness, imho. But, it does get better.
It helped me to know that most boys are like what you describe during the middle-school and early high-school age. One of the moms on the high school board described it as "their brains falling out." My dh is an assistant scout leader and says the same thing. So, your ds's age is part of the problem.
I also know that when I get frustrated and reprimand my son a lot, it really hurts him. I've had to learn to back off and let things go. Instead, I try to focus on the areas that will affect his well-being in life (deadlines, keeping track of important papers, grooming). Even then, I'm careful not to let my frustration show. Reducing the pressure I put on him seems to help him relax and function better too.
Finally, my dh does many of the behaviors you described. Yet, he's very successful in his career and social life. Yeah, some of the things he forgets/loses frustrates me but I adore him and love him very much.
So, I guess I'm trying to say to relax a bit. Yes, help your son w/tools and reminders (those EF books sound good), but enjoy him too.
Denise
Isaac. Who's in the path?
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
We are in Panama City Beach, so we're squarely in the cone. Tonight's news said Isaac is predicted to be a 2 when it hits us on Monday. So far though, our schools are open for Monday and there has been no talk of evacuating.
Personally, we won't ride out a 2 b/c of the kids. It's a wait and see game until Sun. night.
You know you're a homeschooler when your main concern is how to bring all of your school supplies. :001_smile:
Prayers and blessings to all of you in Isaac's path.
Denise