MDL
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Posts posted by MDL
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We are just finishing up 1st grade. He is an able reader, and loves math. We did Classical Conversations, although I followed through poorly at home, and we missed most of second semester. Here is what we did:
Math: MUS Alpha, and about seven lessons into Beta
Science: physics experiments (I bought a box of 12), read aloud from Newton Story of Science--but only got about 1/3 of the way through. Quark zoology
Spelling/phonics: AAS --finished level 1, continuing on in 2
Reading: English Lessons Through Literature level 1. Started with Explode the Code online, but he revolted. Now he is enjoying the ETC workbooks again, but the subscription expired. Daily copy work. His handwriting is surprisingly impressive
History: CC memory work, plus SOTW 2 & 3
Latin: finished Song School Latin 1, working on 2.
Art: sporadic painting, drawing etc
Plus lots of read-alouds--how to teach your children Shakespeare, Beautiful Feet Character books, and more that I cannot recall at the moment.
Most of the time I felt like a slacker, but looking at what he actually accomplished shines light on the reality!
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Thanks for your replies. It's more of a daydreaming thing than ADD or ADHD. He's more of the creative artist in his own little world. He has never been thought to have ADD or ADHD, and can focus well on things that interest him. I am familiar with the signs of that too from others I know. He can read or do science projects for hours. He just gets distracted by three younger siblings quite easily and is always curious about what they're doing. He does work better when they're not around, and he will often finish a list of work when I am away. I guess its mostly math that bogs him down, sometimes cleaning or other unpleasant chores. He will doodle instead of doing his work sometimes. I am thankful he will have a quiet dedicated space this year, and I am hoping with better checks and oversight and systems in place, it will work better.
But I am wondering how others have built better independent study habits and quelled distractions so that we have a productive year. Thanks!
He sounds a lot like my 12 year old. I am having him work through Super Star Student from The Great Courses. And I think I'll put a desk in his room over the summer so he can have a quieter workspace. His younger (7year old) brother can be distracting. And the latest thing elder is trying to "show up" younger by actively participating in the 1st grade lessons, as opposed to 6th. It's like he is looking for praise for getting it right, and all I want to do is admonish him for taking the opportunity for learning from his little brother. It can be brutally difficult! Makes me think of Dory, "Just keep swimming!"[emoji245]
Oh, I also have shooting range type headphones for each child to quell the others noises. But they've balked at those a bit lately. I wonder if classical music on an iPod would help?
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I've been wondering about this too. We travel and like to lighten the volume of school books, so I'm definitely going to get the online version. And I love that it is integrated to the teaching videos-a huge plus as it streamlines things for you. However, the solutions are only an easy click away, which makes a student give up too quickly I think. I think I will likely end up getting both.
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My 12yo is a natural speller, and I am still working him through AAS level 7. I would keep at it, having a good foundation in spelling will be really beneficial and worth the effort[emoji106]
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I use a spare bedroom as our school room. It has lots of closet space, whit shelving and a built-in along the window wall with a window seat, drawers, open shelving and two cupboards for each child's work. (I am extremely blessed with an awesome room!) My boys are 12 and 7. When the 7 yo was littler, he had a spot next to my chair with a kids desk and chair. Now they both work at the big table in the center of the room. His little desk is still there, holding my pile, a lamp and the pencil sharpener [emoji3]
They are both rather wiggly, so the lions share of work happens in the window seat, on the floor, or across the hall in their rooms. Computer stuff in s generally downstairs. And, I'll probably move a proper desk into the elder sons room over the summer so he can have a place to focus.
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My little guy is finishing up 1st grade. I was planning for him to use Song School Latin 2 for 2nd, but he is already half way through. I don't think he will be ready for LFC A next year, so I'm looking for something for him in the interim.
Can anyone say if Minimus would be redundant after SSL? (He is breezing through because he listened and watched while his older brother worked through both levels, and he rather enjoys a Workbook)
If you think Minimus would be a useful refresher/continuation....do you think I need the teachers manual?
Any other recommendations?
TIA[emoji253]
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We are planning to see Romeo and Juliet this summer too. (I have two boys, 7 & 12) All the books mentioned are great.
And that board game looks awesome, Masamama!
We have watched quite a bit of Shakespeare's work, and violence not been much of an issue. Live shows are usually not very violent. Nearly everyone in Macbeth is murdered, but it is via fake stage stabbing with no blood. I guess it depends on the child's sensitivity, though. We are still recovering from some very bawdy, catchy tunes in taming of the shrew. [emoji15] every once in a while my boys break out in song.
[emoji445] some like a girl who is pretty in the face
Some like a girl who is slender in the waist
But give me a girl who will wiggle and will twist
Down below the belly lies the cuckoos nest!
Ps, you can usually find live recordings from The Globe at the library.
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How do you use Brain Pop? Via the app, which is only $7? Or a different, online subscription, which maybe costs more? Is the ap worth it/enough?
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We have used MUS all the way up through 6th. (Youngest still in Beta, but he is very mathy and getting bored with MUS). I wish I'd supplemented with BA earlier, and slower.
Other regrets: I kinda wish I hadn't bought all those manipulatives. I bought two sets of blocks, then the fractions, then the decimals. Fraction overlays were outright loathed. Decimals have not been touched and the only real use for the blocks has been building ships and tanks to infuriate me by wasting time[emoji36] I also regret buying the entire LOF collection. They don't like being made to do the "your turn" and revolted against it.
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Here is where we are at the moment:
Writing: LTOW Jessica Chow(Tuesday 10-11)
Math: prep for AOPS Pre-algebra (finish Zeta, all BA 4 & 5)
Grammar: Fix It! 3
Latin: finish Latin for Children A, start Latin Alive 1
Foreign Language: Swedish continuation vi after school class for expats
Art: Artistic Pursuits 3 (with artsy younger brother)
Music: piano & choir
Logic: Art of Argument, maybe online (M & W 10:30-11:45)
Spelling: finish AAS 7
Typing
History:VP Omnibus 1 Primary + Lit
Character: Laying Down the Rails
Science: apologia zoology 1, 2 & 3 (not actively participating)
Science: Ellen McHenry Elements & Carbon Chemistry
If I add Build Your Library 7 to this will it be too much? (We will use the McHenry science in lieu of the Elemental Chemistry)
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Does anyone know when it is? My clicking buy finger is getting itchy![emoji15]
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That doesn't sound like a disaster, it sounds like you're doing awesomely!!
Online G3 has a class Physics for 21st century students https://www.onlineg3.com/product/physics-for-21st-century-citizens/
My upcoming 7th grader was begging for chemistry next year (he wants to blow stuff up!![emoji15]), and I let him choose from a few options. He went with Ellen McHenry The Elements/Carbon Chemistry. http://ellenjmchenry.com/product-category/elements/ We haven't tried it yet, but it looks good. There are also some fun things at Guest Hollow. http://guesthollow.com/store/product-category/curriculum-schedules/
Why not ask him what type of science he wants to do and let him help choose the curriculum? [emoji7]
Hth
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well free is free so while only covers two you listed Character First education has a very very slowly growing collection of free guides: http://characterfirsteducation.com/c/curriculum.php
My favorite things about them is that it list five "I will"s for each guide because I feel that with my kiddos they need really simple tangible "what does this virtue want me to do?"
might be worth trying before shelling out for something else or at least give you more time to find tune what you are looking for.
Thanks, Macmac. We have been through most Character First traits. I too love the positive affirmations of the I will statements.
We tried out Kids of Integrity Honesty this morning and by the time I edited out statements that paint a fearful, vengeful God, there wasn't so much left. We believe God is all Love, all Light, and judges no one.
Anyhow, I don't really mean to go down a religion hole. Maybe I'll just order LDTR.
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I have used Konos (only a bit, very difficult to implement for me), We Choose Virtues, Character First, Character Badges and the Beautiful Feet book guide.
Nothing has really stuck so far. Now I'm looking at Laying Down the Rails and Kids of Integrity.
My boys are 12 and 7, and we are struggling with Trust, Obedience, kindness and Attentiveness. We are basically a mess, as our foundation seems to be lacking!
What would you do next?
(We are very spiritual, believe God is the Source of all things....probably Unitarian if I have to label it)
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AOPS also has videos...which are free on their site. The book is c. $50
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Thanks for this info. I just signed up for ancient Egypt/Old Testament for my upcoming 2nd grader. And Omnibus 1 Primary for the 7th. I understood Omnibus being 5 days a week, but I thought the lower level history was not as many lessons. The syllabus has 32 topics, but I don't know how many days that breaks down to.You can use it for all the kids but it would be hard to use it together at the same time. It is a series of videos broken up by multiple choice questions and games. Only one child can play the games at a time (which in my house would lead to a big problem ;-) ). It's not really a program you can just sit down and watch/listen to together. It's designed to be interactive with the student. There are meant to be 5 lessons a week. The new card is introduced on Monday. The material is taught Tues-Thursday and every Friday is a quiz on the card. The lessons vary quite a bit in length (with Fri being the shortest as it is only the quiz) but are generally 15-20 minutes. It would be almost impossible to use the program to study only specific things as the games review all the previous material and usually do not let you go on until you've played them.
And, for what it's worth, I calculated book costs at VP vs Amazon for Omnibus 1 p, and it was $90 at amazon vs $130 at VP. Six of the twelve were available at my library and a few for as little as $.99 or free kindle editions, so that cost can be lowered considerably [emoji106]
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Have you tried Usborne history encyclopedias? They are vast and very engaging.
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Nobody using this? We are going to check out the second sample today
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Veritas....I can't seem to edit my subject, sorry.
I am thinking about getting the Omnibus 1 Primary for my 7th grader and the Ancients/Old Test. History for my 2nd grader. We tried out some sample lessons yesterday and my boys were enthusiastic about it. This is huge, as my 7th currently resists everything and is a general bear, and my 2nd insisted he doesn't like history. I've been trying to encourage some online classes, especially for the older one, but he is seriously against it. So, I'm thrilled they got excited to try/do this VP program.
I'm just wondering if anyone can give me an estimate on what % is literal biblical history interpretation? While we are Christians, and I welcome different views to open discussions, I might not want to do it every day, all year.
Alternatively, does anyone know of a secular program that is similar?
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CAP also has Song School Greek. https://classicalacademicpress.com/subject/greek/
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*listening*
I'm having a really tough time deciding on pre-algebra too! I thought I was going to use AoPS, but now I like the looks of DO too, and Jacobs appeals because I read it is humorous and my DS will eat that up! I'm also looking at Tabletclass. So many good options!
He is average to average + in math, we have used MUS since 2nd grade and are now working through BA. He is generally very good at mental math and would rather not be troubled to show his work in a legible way[emoji849] that makes DO note taking seem like a hurdle, although I think it would be really good for his study skills in general.
Since we will begin 7th finishing up BA 5 and MUS zeta, I'd like something self paced. And, self grading would be awesome!
So many choices! Do you (general) involve your child in the choice? I've tried to encourage him to watch sample videos, and he has tried out Alcamus, but he is mostly annoyed that I'm talking school to him and I don't feel like he is giving serious thought to any of it. [emoji848]
ETA: I've just spent *another* hour looking at math curriculum! And, I'm back to AoPS. We are both mathy, husband more so, and he loves Alcumus, and their new online books. We also think the guy in the AoPS videos is just goofy enough to appeal to our son. Plus, the price can't be beat, non consumable $54, and our other son can use it too and it is self grading if he uses Alcumus.
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My son is now on his second WTMA class. It does tend to be mostly audio, but his teachers have always put the relevant passages or questions or etc on the screen to look at during discussions. I cant say it is never a blank screen, but it's not the usual state, and he has had two different teachers. Would it be possible for you to ask the teacher to throw up the question being discussed etc? They can type and have stuff show up pretty easily. I am sure there are many students who could benefit from a visual to focus on during discussion.
Sorry I wasn't more clear about that. She does put up the relevant material--either PowerPoint or whiteboard style. We just find it less engaging without live faces. And students who have frequent microphone mishaps do type their answers in a chat box as well.
Which reminds me to add typing to the list of 7th grade subjects. I'm fast becoming the most loathed mother[emoji3]
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Can you tell me a bit more about how the Socratic discussion class works? Considering that for my Dd sometime in the next year or two. Sorry your boy doesn't like it!
Sure, it works through Blackboard, which also has an app. The teacher posts a link to a reading assignment (i.e., chapter 2 in Tom Sawyer). I cut and paste it into a word document and email it to my son. (We are at our vacation home and there is not easy access to printer. If I were home, I would print her assignment and the reading--which may be better for him.) then he annotates in the word document and writes some critical thinking questions at the end. Next, he (we) have to upload his assignment to blackboard for the instructor, remembering to save it in the proper folder, with an adequate name--these seem to be an issue for my boy, who finds it burdensome to type his name and date in the title[emoji849]) if he misses something, he has the opportunity to submit a redo...but, again, he finds this to be overbearingly burdensome.
The actual class does not involve video, only audio. I think he'd enjoy it more if he could see the other students, or, at minimum, the instructor. He is a very outgoing, social kid, and we are dropping out of Classical Conversations for various reasons, and I was hoping he could find some social outlet via online classes. He enjoys a little competition, etc in a classroom setting.
The trouble is mostly in my sons attitude, but video feed would definitely enhance the class.
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Learning from and speaking regularly with native speakers is ideal. (My boys are learning Swedish, which is equally obscure). Where we live, there is an expat group, and we have weakly lessons with them. Daddy is native, so our house is bilingual, although heavier on English.
Have you seen the Mango Languages app? Our library offers "free" subscription, but you can also purchase it.
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Prodigy Math Questions
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
We love prodigy, but it does not teach new concepts. It's designed for review only, I believe.
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