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WahM

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Posts posted by WahM

  1. Thank you! I’ll take a look at the group.

    1 hour ago, cintinative said:

    We really haven't (we just used one syllabus) but I can tell you that there is an active facebook group for Kolbe Academy families and these sort of questions are asked and answered all the time there.  I know they do allow some replacements but I can't answer specifically. Here's the facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1431780353741636

     

  2. Has anyone used Kolbe Academy homeschool? I’m look into the flex option and wondering if they will easily approve non-kolbe curriculum or if they give you a difficult time to switch out their curriculum with your own choices? This would be for the high school level.

  3. Thank you both for the suggestions. She seemed to like the video samples of Mr. D much better than DO. It’s disappointing to hear he’s on the lighter side since she is coming from a strong algebra 1 background with math without borders. But if she doesn’t like the teacher/videos it makes it much harder to pay attention. So we may give Mr. D a try since she liked his videos which means she’ll pay more attention and hopefully get more out of it than with a teacher she doesn’t care for. 

  4. Hello, I need some math recommendations for geometry and beyond. We used MWB (uses Forester’s) for algebra one and my daughter did well in class. She wasn’t ever too thrilled with videos and didn’t always want to watch them. So I’m looking for possibly a different teacher. I like the format that makes it fairly independent because limited time on my part is a big factor. I like that there are video lessons and videos for the solutions as well. Is there anything similar out there you all would recommend? She’s good at math, but doesn’t love it. I’ve thought about possibly TT, but there’s so many mixed reviews and not sure if there’s a better option out there.

  5. I’m looking for some type of resource, preferably workbook style, that includes math facts practice for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. If one resource contains all four that would be great, if I have to break it up into two books that’s okay. I’d definitely prefer to not have to get four different books. I’m open to other types of resources as well. 

  6. 5 hours ago, SusanC said:

    Well, if not Dragonbox, have you looked at Khan Academy? I think it has some quests similar to Alcumus' style. I don't know if you have to watch their videos to progress or if you can just do practice problems. It is a far second to Alcumus', but for the price I haven't heard of anything else even in the ballpark of those two.

    I’ve never looked at Khan. Thank you for the suggestion I’ll look into it more.

    • Like 1
  7. I’m looking for some suggestions for a site with algebra practice to use as a supplement. We’ve been using alcumus for a long time as our supplement, but my daughter needs a break from it and would like to use something else. I’m not sure what else is out there that would fit this need. The other sites I’ve come across seem to be full algebra programs/curriculums.

  8. I prefer SM and used it until my oldest was ready for pre-algebra and she was definitely prepared for pre-algebra as well as algebra. It was a great foundation. I love enough that I’m planning on using it straight through with my youngest. We’re working though 3a/b this year. 
     

    We tried MM a couple of times because I liked the idea of just one book and my daughter found it too cluttered and didn’t like the explanations. She felt they were too confusing and worded odd. In SM we only use the HIG, textbook, and workbook. I had used the challenging word problems for a few years, but felt it was overkill. 

  9. 45 minutes ago, Lori D. said:

    It must be a moment of written posts being misunderstood on both sides. 😉 
    Your post didn't seem controversial to me, and I didn't have any intentions of my post being controversial in response. 😄 
    I did provide a few solo-working ideas (and explanation of why I suggested those), but then I felt I had offended you from your response to my program suggestions for you... haha!

    So I will take it that we are all good. 😉 Sorry what I suggested wasn't a fit, and I do wish you the best in finding what works best for your family. Warmly, Lori D.

     

    Very true! I agree just a misunderstanding because I’ve been part of these board for quite a while and everyone is always so helpful! I think the pandemic has everyone just not thinking straight! 🤣 or me for that matter! I’ve just been through two surgeries in 6 months and still in recovery from the most recent, so it was probably, most definitely, me that misunderstood or I’m just not using the correct terms. 

  10. I really didn’t think asking for something less teacher intensive would be so controversial! Haha wow! 
    I was honestly thinking I’d get lots of great ideas of curriculums to look into that are not so teacher intensive. I do know that there will oversight and teaching involved he is only in third grade, but I do also know there’s lots of more independent programs out there that are great and comprehensive and would fit during this time in our homeschool journey. Sorry if this struck a nerve with some, but if you don’t have any program suggestions I’m not sure why you’d stop and comment? 
    Anyway, thanks for those who did help. I think I figured something out for the rest of the school year. 

  11. 3 hours ago, OKBud said:

    Hmm I don't think that's quite right. If there is a classical model for LA that correlates with curriculum, it would probably be the progymnasmata. And LLATL definitely isn't that. 

    English Lessons Through Literature and Cottage Press both start out with Charlotte Mason methods (as far as you can in their respective formats) and then turn to the progym. Writing Tales is closer to Classical Academic Press's Writing and Rhetoric, which aims toward the progym, than anything else. But LLATL is truly just based on Beechick and while there's certainly overlap with Classical outlooks in intent, I don't think there's a case for much similarity in execution, if that makes sense.

    I agree, definitely not classical, but as you said there is some overlap that I do like in her methods that I do like and agree with.

  12. 56 minutes ago, OKBud said:

     

    I've not used Abeka (there is a thread going here about it rn), but as I said, I like both CLE and LLATL. These two are very different from one another. CLE is a lot more grammar in third grade. LLATL is based on Ruth Beechik's methods. It all "works." LLATL gets a bad rap... because it's based on Ruth Beechik's methods (lol) which don't look like much on any given day, but add up over time. 

    Given my druthers, if I could only pick one, I'd pick LLATL every time. In your specific case, it will fulfill those gentle requirements for third grade without going overboard in any direction...and you can either move on next year OR keep going with it and both are good, fine options. CLE, otoh, I would encourage you not to do year after year. People do, certainly, and they like it. But it just doesn't strike any kind of balance, yanno?

    Thank you so much for your input it’s very helpful. I do like that LLATL seems to follow the classical model more so than the other two. 

  13. 2 hours ago, OKBud said:

     

    Oh yeah you can go a lot of directions and have a great third grade year! 

    There are plenty of worktext programs that the student does work through on their own, just showing off their work to you or asking for clarification here and there. My kids used Cottage Press Primers. We've also used CLE LA, but it's more than most people need most years IMO. I personally have a great love for Learning Language Arts Through Literature and used five levels of it over two kids. Writing Tales is a great program and has more writing than the others. 

    There are also non-worktext programs that are just less teacher-intensive...SCM's spelling+Using Language Well, PLL and ILL (and you can buy worksheets from someone online), English For Thoughtful Children, ELTL, TGATB...

    There's video-based instruction, such as with Essentials in English. Or something more text-y like BJU. Even FLL only takes 10-20 minutes a day.

    There are more of course. Truly in third grade you're basically just building good habits for the future. So the MAIN thing is to find your sweet spot where you aren't overwhelming the kid, nor making things so stunningly easy that come 4th grade, he or she won't balk at adding a little bit to their expectations. So whatever gets you there is what you want. It's really good that you are going into it avoiding busy work, because once you eliminate that at that age LA can take very, very little time in your day LOL.

    As I am sure you know, a lot of third graders really and truly can not do much in the way of writing and won't get grammar at all, even if you hammer it home all day. ...it's TOTALLY legit if you just do copywork and cursive or spelling practice and call it a day! Especially if you have an otherwise full school time. For example, there's some grammar in the Cottage Press Primers, but my one son didn't get any of it at all. It was basically this all-in-one-place for copywork, fable and poetry reading, and drawings. I needed a thing though, because I was out of commission. It didn't matter to me that he didn't get the grammar parts because I was already basically in tune with CM's admonitions not to overwhelm young children with something so abstract as grammar rules. 

    So, just whatever you think you need this year. 

     

    Thanks for the suggestions! I’m leaning towards Abeka, CLE, or LLATL. They seem comprehensive, but less teacher intensive than I’m used to which is just what I’m looking for. 

  14. 1 hour ago, SilverMoon said:

    For 3rd grade? I'd probably grab an Evan-Moor book too. The Daily Language Review books have five exercises a day that keep grammar concepts in regular enough rotation to keep them from falling out of heads. This is all my 10yo is using for grammar this year (to reserve time for other things that need more attention). If you're coming from FLL I'd recommend going up one grade. DS does ask for help once in awhile, like it expected him to know what an almanac is. Nothing that I couldn't easily explain on the fly though. 

    Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into them.

  15. 5 hours ago, Lori D. said:

    For grade 3, I'd suggest just setting aside Grammar for the year (many people don't even start Grammar until grade 4 or 5), and then just do informal writing as it comes up, or as your child wants to do a project of interest. Or, if needing something for writing ideas and to just keep a little writing going:

    - Spectrum Writing (grade 3) -- 42 different project ideas -- more than enough for a project a week
    - Evan Moore Daily 6-Trait Writing (grade 3) -- 125 lessons -- enough for 2-4 lessons per week


    ETA -- I know you mentioned that you are not looking for busywork/fluff -- but I really think that LA topic of Writing can NOT be realistically done as "mostly hands-off" by the parent -- esp. at the young age of grade 3. Writing requires a lot of 1-on-1 and scaffolding for students up through the middle school grades, and for many, into the early high school years.

    Because I just don't see how to do writing as a "solo working" subject (unless it is more just for fun with the goal of keeping a pencil in hand and getting some words on paper so that the student doesn't forget how), that's why I'm suggesting skipping Grammar this year (or maybe do some fun online games to practice parts of speech and punctuation if you can't let go of Grammar entirely)... But that's esp. why I'm suggesting either interest-led non-essential writing projects for fun, or a workbook approach with various ideas.

    Note: I do think that some of the ideas in both of those grade 3 workbooks I linked above have some ideas that are really much more appropriate for grade 5 and up, so if you go the route of one or both of those workbooks, I would pick and choose lessons that are a fit for YOUR student, and that you know the child can do mostly solo. 

    Just my 2 cents worth. 😉  BEST of luck, whatever you go with! Warmly, Lori D.

    I have to disagree with this a little as I have been homeschooling for almost ten years I think it can be done. I'm just not sure what curriculums are out there that fit this specific need as I've always had my go to for the elementary years. I feel it would be completely do able as mostly hands off with guidance from me, of course, just not as teacher intensive.

  16. 1 hour ago, Ellie said:

    For more independent work, you could look at Rod and Staff Publishers' English text. R&S doesn't have a website, because Mennonite, but you can call and request a free scope and sequence, a free catalog, and free curriculum samples. (606) 522-4348,

    I tried R&S when my older was in 5th and we needed something after WWE/FFL and before WWS. For some reason neither one of us liked it at the time. Maybe I’ll take a look at it again. 

    • Like 1
  17. I’m looking for recommendations for a writing/grammar program that is not so teacher intensive. I normally use very teacher intensive curriculums, but during this specific time I need something that is a lot more hands off. I don’t want “fluff” and “busy work” which sometimes I worry that the more hands off curriculums are full of such work. Which is why I’m asking for suggestions to look into. I don’t mind if it’s religious or secular. This would be for 3rd grade since my older is already set with her work. 

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