Mom22ns
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Posts posted by Mom22ns
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In Missouri ps must offer all IEP students the same services they would receive in public schools even if they homeschool. Until I got on these boards, I thought that was true nationally, but now I know I am just lucky :001_smile:
That doesn't mean everyone chooses to use the ps for services, many would prefer to keep away, but at least it is an option.
Debbie
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I used BJU science 6 this year and we loved it. It is very readable, gave great info and plenty of hands on time. It is the first year we've tried it, so I can't speak to the younger grades. It did take quite a bit of teacher time, but we have had a great year with it!
Debbie
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We did Fast Forward. My son was such an advanced reader, they mark their success by reading levels gained and his was already at high school level (he was 8) when we did it. It was hard to say if there was a response to FF. We couldn't measure it by their normal standards. No reading levels were gained :001_smile:.
We also did IM (Interactive Metronome) and I would say we saw more response to IM than Fast Forward. We first did IM through a clinic that we were getting a variety of non-traditional therapies through. They helped my son quite a bit when he was about 8. He made a big jump in his processing with them. However, IM overstimmed him at that time and he had trouble processing at school the next day after he would do IM. We backed off and gradually stepped back up. After we completed therapy there, we went back to IM training with the OT at school who was also certified with IM and that worked really well. She actually did IM before school in her school office, but we paid her on the side because the school didn't own the program and her license. It was goofy, but it worked and we didn't quibble. By the time he was finished, ds was following classroom interactions and instructions at grade level. It was awesome!
Debbie
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By the way, I asked the author of LoF about waiting a year before doing algebra, even though it would mean leaving his curriculum. This was his response:
"You are absolutely right. I was about 14 or 15 when I first started beginning algebra. It does take time for the brain to mature. There is plenty of time for your son. If he starts the Life of Fred: Beginning Algebra when he's 13, he will be solidly into calculus before the end of high school."
That was from a PhD in math who has taught both high school and college math. His recommendation was to take a year off his curriculum and come back in 8th grade. Don't feel like you have to rush to meet someone else's time table.
Debbie
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I am struggling with the same decision for math next year. This was our first year of homeschooling and my ds did SOS 6th grade math. He finished the year in Jan and we did Life of Fred Fractions and now we're starting the next Fred book (which I do expect to take longer). I used the Freds for a review to make sure he had everything he needed for this year, but now I am just baffled with what to do next year. I really don't think my ds is ready for Algebra. His logic and reasoning skills just aren't strong enough and I think he needs some more time for his brain to mature. He is still just 11. That leaves me doing pre-algebra for next year, but I am not sure which one to go with. I think I am going to go with math-u-see. I'll share my reasoning and see if it helps you any.
I've considered a lot of options, Chalkdust, MUS, TT, VideoText and just going on to Jacobs algebra among others. Chalkdust, has a lot of content, but is just not engaging. My son is ADD and he isn't going to get a lot out of these videos. He knows a lot of what is covered already and just doesn't seem worth it. TT, no content, waste of time. Videotext, poor quality, these are old and just not impressive. The math may be ok, but they are not engaging and we aren't going to stick with the full course of algebra, so I don't think its the program for us. Jacobs, I really like this book. I may do it along with LoF algebra, but I really think I want to give it a little more time first. I just don't want to get my ds in over his head. MUS a different approach. Self paced so we don't have to spend a year there if it doesn't take that long. Hands on, hopefully it will get my very visual learner involved and make sure he has a deep grasp on all the concepts presented before we take the next step.
I'm always looking for other thoughts and am still debating myself, but thats where I am so far. GL with your decision
Debbie
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I'm still confused with LOF. It looks really fun,and I'm interested in using it, but I have a few questions. Can Lof Fractions be used with a dc who is in TT7? Or do they go into Decimals and Percents? Ds13 is supposed to start TT pre-alg this fall so could he start Lof Decimals/percents or Fractions?
Also, ds10 will be starting R&S5 in the fall. However, I'm wondering if LOF would work for him? Could I start him in Fractions or is that too early? I'm just baffled by it all. Also, is it necessary to supplement with any other curriculum? I see a lot of people do that, but I thought I read it was an independent math program. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated! Thanks
If I were in your situation, I would skip TT7 or do it along side the two Freds (but I hate TT, so take the skip part with a grain of salt). With your 13 yr old, you could do a quick pass through the first two Fred's, (they should go very quickly for him), and then go right into Algebra. He should move much faster than the middle child. I would continue R&S with the youngest one more year. If he does the first set of Fred a year later at 11, then he is still at Algebra at 12. Maybe by then, there will be another Fred book ready to stall him if he needs a year to mature before Algebra and if he is really mature, then he could go on.
Debbie
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He just finished Linear Algebra and is just starting pre-algebra. It will be awhile. I thought my son was not really mature enough in his reasoning to do algebra even though his math skills are fine with all the earlier material. The author agreed that 11 is too young and to stall for a year in another curriculum and then come back to LoF. He said he is going to write a book to fill the need for those who need time to mature before algebra, something with math and physics maybe, to keep them entertained and learning.
He said he was 14 or 15 when he started algebra and that if a child begins his series at 13, they should be able to complete calculus by the time they finish high school. (He's a nice guy, very helpful)
Debbie
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Personally we are doing LoF Decimals and Percents right now and will be doing a pre-algebra course from someone else next year based on the recommendation on Stanley Schmidt the author of Fred. We will return to Fred the following year for Algebra. He is writing a pre-algebra course to go in between the current books and algebra right now. Many older students are successful going directly from the first two books to Algebra, but it is not really a "pre-algebra" course and does not teach any algebra. Younger students are not always able to make the jump. The two book set does shore up the early math skills if you think your child might have any weaknesses, which was why we used it. I thought my son needed review after what we had used so far this year for sixth grade so we are working through those two books for the second part of the year.
If in doubt, email the author personally. He is very friendly and will respond. I am a huge Fred fan!
Debbie
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Wordsmith Apprentice. A 9 yr old can do it. Its lots of fun! Great for a reluctant writer and in your price range. Its a great way to get him started putting thoughts on paper.
Debbie
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Gee, I always thought I just had bad speech therapists. I did work with a therapy center that did some non-traditional therapies that were designed to help verbal processing and those in turn helped my son's speech. The speech therapists who used to work with him though seemed to quit being useful around 6-7 yrs old. He needed language help, not speech and they just really didn't seem to be able to do that for him.
Debbie
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No requirements, no plans to give them. The PSAT will be the next standardized test my homeschoolers take. My ds does have multiple disabilities that make testing difficult though and that probably makes me more strongly opposed than I might be otherwise.
Debbie
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I have run TT on VMWare Fusion on an Intel based Mac. My ds hated TT and so did I, so we haven't bothered to stick with it, but it certainly can be done :001_smile:
Debbie
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I wonder what approach to math you are using? What sort of learner is your dd? Hands on?
:iagree:
This kind of resistance sounds to me like a curriculum mismatch. There are many curriculums out there in different styles even for MATH! My son could not handle a spiral curriculum that required lots of writing. Approaches to math can be as creative and varied as any other subject. If your child hates it and can't stay focussed, I'd start shopping! But then, I love curriculum shopping :D
Debbie
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I wonder what approach to math you are using? What sort of learner is your dd? Hands on?
:iagree:
This kind of resistance sounds to me like a curriculum mismatch. There are many curriculums out there in different styles even for MATH! My son could not handle a spiral curriculum that required lots of writing. Approaches to math can be as creative and varied as any other subject. If your child hates it and can't stay focussed, I'd start shopping! But then, I love curriculum shopping :D
Debbie
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I just want to encourage you that my son used to have a huge gap between his reading and spelling levels. He really didn't have any reading issues at all, but spelling was a nightmare. He is not dyslexic, but PDD. Anyway, through first and second grade we were so frustrated with spelling. In first grade we barely mastered 1 syllable words and in second grade we were struggling in 2 syllables. In third grade, spelling began to catch up, it wasn't as good as his reading which really took off at that point, but showed improvement. By fourth grade he was reading at a high school level and never missed a spelling word the first time it was given, no matter what it was. He has continued that way since.
I'm not saying that your ds will suddenly become a spelling genius or that reading and spelling will suddenly become easy for a dyslexic child. However, I am telling you, don't give up and don't let the current frustration overwhelm you. Don't let anyone tell you that what is true today will be true forever. I never used any of the programs that you are asking about, so I won't tell you what to use, but I would say consider his learning style, and go with small steps that he can accomplish and just keep moving forward. :001_smile:
Debbie
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No, beginning algebra in LoF is Algebra I, it is not pre-algebra. He is going to write another book to go in between decimals/percents and algebra for those that are too young to go straight into algebra. That is his next project. He just finished a linear algebra book which is at the other end of the spectrum :D
12.5 should be ok. That is where mine will be a year from now after we have done a year of pre-algebra.
Debbie
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I wrote to Stanley Schmidt and asked him about going on to LoF algebra. He told me to use another curriculum for a year and wait. He recommends not doing algebra before 13.
I've decided to do MUS pre-algebra to stall for a little while. It will allow my ds to move at his own pace through pre-algebra and give him a little more time to mature before we try algebra.
Debbie
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I'd really like to get some more opinions. I am so torn. It is a good thing I have a little time to make this decision because it is really the only thing I just can't pin down.:confused:
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I used BJU for 6th grade this year. I didn't get the TM and maybe if I did I would have liked it more. That said, it explained the grammar very well within the student lessons and I didn't feel I needed the TM.
Debbie
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My ds has been seizure free for 7 yrs and off meds for 5 or 6 now. I can remember the first clear eeg :001_smile:
I hope you can continue the progress and that with the changes in meds you can gradually get to a healthier happier child!
:grouphug:
Debbie
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I looked a lot at SOS. My ds is a computer lover and I wanted these to be good. I think you would be well advised to switch. I don't like Apologia's approach, but many people do. They certainly have more science in them than SOS do. Personally we will be using Life Science from BJU next year for 7th grade and I'm excited about it. I've love their 6th grade program. :D
Debbie
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This face :eek: should be added to this car :auto:
:lol:
My ds is just about to turn 12 and I think about this every time I see a 16 yr old start driving. My ds has great hand eye coordination and I think he will be an awesome driver, until he forgets he is driving because he gets mad at someone for cutting him off or... well you understand. He is mildly ASD and VERY ADD. I just don't know how this works. I really want to see more people who have already been there respond!
Debbie
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My oldest is right where your younger daughter is. I posted almost this same question to the K-8 board earlier. We're finishing LoF up after flying through them as a review this spring. My son will be in 7th grade next year and I'm trying to decide where to go. I thought MUS pre-algebra, but then I'd probably switch again for Algebra. I'd considered video Algebra, Chalkdust Pre-algebra. I won't do TT. My ds tested into Pre-algebra in it straight from ps 5th grade where math was his worst subject. That is just not good enough. I also won't consider Saxon, he is not the spiral type and doing a ton of problems/day is not our goal.
I really hope you get some great answers because as you can see, I can only join you in pondering the question. :bigear:
cursive question
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
I would let her try it, but I would back off if it doesn't go well. It is true that some kids find cursive easier than printing, but if that turns out not to be the case for your dc, then let her print for awhile longer and see if she can master printing first. There is no rush to learn cursive. :001_smile:
Debbie