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bluebonnetgirl

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Posts posted by bluebonnetgirl

    Writing from pictures

    in The Learning Challenges Board

    Posted

    Is there any ready made curricula that is a writing program that begins with the student writing from a picture prompt?  Maybe using the 5 w's?  I am looking fr something like this for a child who thinks in pictures but has trouble with expressive language.  I am exploring the use of writing to help with expressive language as well as writing skills.  Once he is proficient from writing from pictures, I would like to evolve to short paragraphs. 

    Catholic Moms - Middle school English curriculum?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    For religious reasons, I would like to switch out of ACE School of Tomorrow English to a Catholic or secular English.  My soon is presently doing 6th grade level ACE English, which I understand runs a bit advanced compared to other providers.    He is also doing Total Language Plus, which covers reading, spelling and vocabulary and some writing (there are quarterly book reports), but I need a solid grammar program.

     

    When he gets done with 6th ACE English (or maybe before if I can find a seamless fit), I am considering Seton English.  I have heard Seton's English program is very good.  Are there any other good Catholic English grammar providers?  I have heard that CHC is too gentle.

     

    For a secular option I am considering Analytical grammar or Easy Grammar.

     

    He will also be doing IEW and probably another Literature course when finished with 6th grade ACE English.

     

    If it helps, he is a visual learner, struggles with attention to detail, but catches onto patterns and loves a good story.

     

    Thoughts?  Any other suggestions?

     

    Thank you!

     

    Notgrass America the Beautiful for 8th grade

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Thank you Jennifer - you are always so helpful.

     

    I am strongly included to do a history/literature combination for 8th grade especially since my son seems to get a lot out of historical fiction versus a textbook only approach.  I am deciding between Notgrass America the Beautiful and Mother of Divine Grace's 8th grade course that uses Old World and America with accompanying literature.  The first is American History and is nondeniominational Christian and the other is World History and is Catholic.  

    • Like 1

    Notgrass America the Beautiful for 8th grade

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I am thinking of using Notgrass America the Beautiful for 8th grade to cover history and literature. I understand it is light, but my son will be starting IEW next year at a coop and I know that will be heavy, so trying to balance things out.

     

    If you had an average 8th grader doing America the Beautiful and IEW would that be enough for history, literature and writing? If not what would you add to make it more high school ready?

     

    He will also be doing math, Ace English, and art.

     

    Thank you!

    Anyone using ACE for their schooling?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Every family is different no doubt.  Different strokes for different folks.  The old math (think 1960's style) works Really Well for this family, especially in the elementary years.  The new math was a disaster here.  The new math he struggled through in public school reminds me too much of common core math, of which I am no fan.  Just wanted to speak up for ACE Math which has been a lifesaver for both my boys.  I think there is a time and a place for math theory for sure, but for my boys, they needed their math  facts and calculation down cold. That was the confidence builder, along with their brains maturing to understand and be ready for more theoretical concepts.   That confidence and brain maturity has led them both to greater ease in working with variations on a theme, more complex word problems, algebra and other abstract concepts.  

     

    Anyone using ACE for their schooling?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Silver,

     

    Our different perspectives are likely due to individual experience and the eye of the beholder.   It all depends on what the learner needs and the stage they are in.  For my son, he came out of public school in 5th grade very weak in math, mostly because he did not have his math facts down cold.  The public school was all about pushing the "new math", with an emphasis on theory and being able to tell why you were using a particular operation and showing 5 different ways you can solve a problem.  Which I think is total nonsense in the elementary grades.   What was lacking was any emphasis on mastery of math facts and lack of proper drill, review and math calculation fluency.   The way that I was taught and all my brothers were taught were drill and review of math facts in elementary grades (oh the flash cards!), so that by late middle school we were finally ready for  the theory.  We all wound up fine with that, all have advanced degrees in science or engineering.  My son desperately needed drill and review of math facts and calculation fluency before he cold feel confident taking on the more abstract ideas of why.  I have to credit ACE Math and their mastery approach to getting him up to speed quickly and giving him the confidence he needs to move into pre algebra and geometry.   Math is becoming one of his better subjects and now with his math fluency up, he is less stressed and better able to reason through word problems and more abstract concepts like algebra.

    Illustrated books written at a 4th-6th grade level

    in The Learning Challenges Board

    Posted

    Thank you for the ideas. Here is one I found that is about what I want....Betsy Maestro books have gorgeous illustrations and just a paragraph or two on each page, perfect for visual learner.

     

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s//ref=mw_dp_a_s?ie=UTF8&i=books&k=Betsy+Maestro

     

    Are there more author illustrators like this team? I give this a big wow for visual appeal.

     

    I'd love to find some fiction and biographies like these.

     

    Anyone know?

    Most flexible umbrella school for high school

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Jennifer,

     

    It is great to know you have also confirmed that Kolbe is maximally flexible. I have a 7th grader too, and when he gets into 9th grade we are likely to register him with Kolbe for the accredited transcript.

     

    Even though one does not have to take any of their courses to be enrolled, I do like the looks of some of their online courses, especially in literature and history (which are always nice for group discussion), so he may take a course or two each year from them once he is in high school.

    • Like 1

    Illustrated books written at a 4th-6th grade level

    in The Learning Challenges Board

    Posted

    I  have a hyperlexic teen whose comprehension is late elementary level, (though he can "read" at probably 8th grade level).


     


    I am looking for highly illustrated books for leisure reading that are not too kiddish - i.e the content (no childish pictures or stories) and wording is at least at late elementary level.


     


    Very, very hard to find.


     


    Most Hi/Lo books have no illustrations or very few.


     


    I don't care if it is fiction nonfiction, biography, historical, whatever - so long as it has loads of pictures and reading level between 4th and 6th grade level.


     


    Ideas anyone???


    Illustrated books written at a 4th-6th grade level

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I have a hyperlexic teen whose comprehension is late elementary level, (though he can read at probably 8th grade level).

     

    I am looking for highly illustrated books for leisure reading that are not too kiddish - i.e the content (no childish pictures or stories) and wording is at least at late elementary level.

     

    Very, very hard to find.

     

    Most Hi/Lo books have no illustrations or very few.

     

    I don't care if it is fiction nonfiction, biography, historical, whatever - so long as it has loads of pictures and reading level between 4th and 6th grade level.

     

    Ideas anyone???

    Total Language Plus - 6th grade boy

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Kristi,

     

    Just wanted to follow up and let you know that my son is now doing the TLP class this year, as a new 7th grader.

     

    ACE School of Tomorrow's 5th grade Literature and Creative Writing course really prepared him well for the Junior High level Total Language Plus (TLP) class.  He is breezing through "Carry on Mr Bowditch", whereas I think it may have been too much for him 1 year ago.  

     

    Thanks again for your feedback.

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