J&JMom
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Posts posted by J&JMom
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OP here. Thanks for the replies!
1) Caved and received AoPS Pre Algebra in the mail today. It appears to have great resale value so I'll see if we can make it work.
2) The thought of spending an hour+ on math is frightening as our classes to date have been 20 -40 minutes - tops. Daily lessons is review quiz (5 problems), teach new concept by working several problems together, a few problems on his own for me to check, and if he "gets it", no homework. He gets concepts quickly and that works for me as I need to spend more time with younger son. I guess I'll prepare myself as AoPS looks to be time-consuming...
3) We are looking at Youth Digital Minecraft Mod class to satisfy his programming needs. Is this a good course? HSBC offers it for $150 often.
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My boys stopped TKD in favor of another activity, but as of this past December it cost $7 a class (teaching and skills, 45 minutes each, both on Wednesday) per boy per week. If you paid a whole semester (3 per year, 16 weeks each) in advance it cost only $6. So, prepaid was about $100 a month for both boys in both classes. Testing fees each semester were $20. Clothing and gear extra. Our church location was one of 3 in the DFW area.
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We write in them. I use a small post it to mark the page they are on. If it is as the top of the page that means it is assigned. When they finish they move the post it to the side. Therefore, I can tell at glance if their workbook assignments are complete and prevents wasting time flipping for the pages. I can't imagine handling all that paper so I leave the workbooks intact.
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If you have an Ipad, I highly recommend PianoMaestro App. It is a great sight reading app that "hears" your piano for pitch and tempo. My ten year old (piano for 2 years) loves it. If you have a teacher you sign up, it is free. Check out the website: http://parents.joytunes.com/
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If I read your post correctly, she scored 44/48 questions correctly, which placed her in the Level III Advanced (top 20%) for the 2015 Spring Administration. IMHO, she doesn't have a weakness or 'gap'.
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OT, but an observation.
As far as textbooks being "Common Core" it is a racket.
Just this week a friend of mine and I compared a textbook for her son next year. She bought (used) 2012 Pre-Algebra student edition. I had the same publisher's [Holt] teacher edition but was copyrighted 2005. Her copy had "Common Core" splashed on the front cover. We went page by page and found everything the same - chapter, topics, example problems and exercises -word for word the same. But, the Common Core edition deleted one Geometry chapter from my older edition.
All these school districts wasting money for a sticker placed on an old edition...
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To see the word lists for the entire series, go here: http://www.wordlywise3000.com/word_lists/and select your level.
My boys have used the online program this past year and plan to continue this next year. My youngest is 'catching' up so he started on grade 3 and moved to grade 4 last year. I predict the same this year as he progresses to 5. If I were to pay for three series of the print books, the online edition would be paid for since you can move at will between levels online. I appreciate the independent nature of the work (read, I don't have to grade). You can adjust the starting lesson and which activities to complete as well passing percentage. You can turn on audio support, set puzzle timers and turn off crossword puzzles.
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Thanks to everyone who replied. Pre-Algebra is the way to go. My son is disappointed though. His best friend, a G&T private schooler going into the sixth grade, is taking pre-algebra next year. I think my son feels a little left behind, no matter how much I tell him he is ahead of the game as it is. His younger brother is on track for 9th-grade algebra which, as I understand it, is the norm. Plus, he wants to get into programming (he already does some), but we think he should hold off on Java, etc al. until algebra. So, we will work on some holes over the summer and dive into Pre-algebra in the fall.
Now, the next question is - which program? AoPS looks interesting because it can cover the topics with more depth. His textbook this past year, did lots of hands-on, discovery math stuff which he loved. But I like the support my current program gives me, not to mention the cost - $15 for both TE & Student used editions, with free online videos, testing, workbooks, etc. Decisions, decisions. :)
Thanks again!
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I have some time before we start in August as we just finished last week, but I am waffling on my math decision which impacts what we do this summer. While we are not 'year round' homeschoolers, we do a little bit of review over the season so as not to lose too much by the fall.
The decision: Pre-Algebra or Algebra 1 for 7th grade
Background:
Homeschooled since 5th grade.
Took regular 5th grade math (Pearson Envision) and did well. ITBS math total 82%ile. Took a publisher placement test and scored for 7th grade.
This past year worked through Glencoe Mathematics Course 2 with little trouble. ITBS math total 88% [concepts 95%ile problem solving 92%ile, computation 80%ile]. Took publisher placement test and scored for Algebra 1 by a good margin.
Concern: He still has issues with long division, remembering how to divide fractions, and has had limited exposure to exponents (operations with). I don't know if these are big enough gaps to warrant a complete pre-algebra review, or rather, should he solidify these concepts over the summer and press on with Algebra.
My husband is all for Algebra, but I don't want to stress my son out if he struggles. He is up for the challenge, and I told him there is nothing wrong with switching to pre-algebra if it gets too much (though looking at the first few chapters of the Algebra 1 book, I shouldn't be).
Thanks in advance for reading and helping me out.
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Not required to teach it, but I searched Amazon for cheap public school health book (McGraw Hill Health and Wellness is what we used for the last 2 years) for $5 shipped. Once a week, the boys listened to me read aloud about 2 lessons and we discussed it. Watched a Brain Pop video, if it applied and called it a day. Took about 20 minutes and was actually one of my youngest's favorite subjects. Next year, I am doing a middle school text (5th and 7th grader) and plan a 20 minute class daily for a semester.
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I used TenMarks this year with my 4th/6th graders, but it is a bit clunky to use.
To change the presentation of topics,
1)log in as parent
2) Go to "assignments" tab
3) select your student name
4) scroll down to
Future Assignments (XXX Playlist)
Here you will the upcoming assignments for your child. You can only edit by category, but you can delete (click 'trashcan' or reaarange (hold topic box and manually move it up or down the list). Also, you can click "add albums" to work on other things as you wish.
I like the questions as they are more like standardized test questions and they offer topic videos to review before working on that 10 question assignment. But I do find I had to sit with my boys to work through the problems because of the wordiness and the multistep/multi operational nature of the questions - and, to me, that's a good thing. YMMV.
HTH
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Read aloud time is one of my boys' favorite time of the day - we read to start our school day. For my 10-year-old and 12-year-old (rising 5th & 7th graders) during the school year, I plan to read at 30 minutes a day a novel plus throw in a relevant biography a week and readings from SOTW and a Mythology book. Over the 2014-2015 school year we read 57 books including 18 biographies, 2 volumes of SOTW and D'lulaires Greek Mythology. Over the summer we shoot for at least 6-10 books read aloud. I do the vast majority of the reading as my youngest prefers my voice, but we have a Learning Ally subscription to read textbooks and books I am too tired or sick to read aloud myself. This is all in addition to their literature program, novel studies, and independent reading.
While reading aloud, the boys are free to doodle, play with clay, do jigsaw puzzles, legos, etc. My older fancies himself an artist to he does computer art while my ADHD kid keeps his hands busy. As long as they can retell the story and answer a question or two, I'm good with that.
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Last year, I had my then fifth grader write a 2-page research with citations using MLA. He didn't quite get it. But, as we speak, he is editing his three-page paper, and I am ruthless with the citations. His writing book gives examples, so there is no excuse for not citing properly or writing a works cited page. My fourth grader is a bit behind in writing, but I still required him to cite sources on his power point presentations :)
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We started on Wordly Wise 3000 online edition this year with my boys, currently 4th and 6th graders. My oldest doesn't really need it, but my younger, late reader could use a boost in this area. He skips words and has trouble with contextual meaning. We will not be studying latin, but do use Word Roots program by Critical Thinking company and their language arts texts to help.
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I believe in long summer breaks. It rejuvenates and with all the activities (camp, beach vacations, pool) and public school friends, they/we need the time. It serves to mark the end of one academic year and transition to another.
But, it does not mean stop learning. .Even when the kids were in public school, I had them read daily and complete the summer bridge workbooks to keep their skills sharp. For last two homeschool years, several weeks were devoted to half days catching my younger son up. This year, now that he is 'caught up', we plan on several weeks with about 2 hours of 'academic' work per day - read aloud, free read for an hour plus math workbooks, critical thinking company programs, and Wordly Wise catch up lessons. That should do the trick to keep the summer slump away. BTW the math workbooks were from Scholastic dollar day sale: http://shop.scholastic.com/shop/en/teacherstore/product/Kaleidoscope-Math-Grades-4-6.
We also take lots of breaks during the year. I, personally, can't go for weeks at a time. So we schedule at least 1 week per quarter off and three weeks around the Holidays. It is amazing how refreshed we are after a week away from the grind. So, our school year is 34 weeks, with about 5 weeks of summer "program". It is getting the job done and keeping every one sane.
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I used Holt literature basal text with my 6th grader and novel studies. We read several of the excerpted novels and recommended novels in the text as read alouds which we simply discussed. I also added Memoria Press recommended. Novels that we read over the quarter (4 this year- Anne green gables, Bronze Bow, Trojan Wae and Robin Hood). These novels we would tag team read aloud a couple of times a week. I had him work the first study guide with vocab and questions, but I didn't like the method of the guides, so we dropped to read and discuss orally the comp questions only by the end. Plan to do the same next year. With my rising 5 grader we used the treasures basal and read high interest novels with book reports every 2-4 weeks. This is all in addition to independent reading and read alouds with both boys. Whatever works and stimulates and encourages skills building and a LOVE of reading.
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We test annually using ITBS for my 10 and 12 year old because: 1) practice for testing, 2) verify the boys are improving, 3) I want to know how they compare with their peers, 4) ease the process when sending them back at some undetermined time. I also make them work the state assessments that I print out, just because I want to know if they can do it. I am very data driven and look at deficiencies to emphasize and advance where they excel. The validation from an outside, unbiased source is inspiring.
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Next year I have planned for my DS in 7th:
Language Arts - Holt Literature 7, Memoria Press Guides paired with Hobbit, Tom Sawyer, Treasure Island, As You Like It, Wordly Wise 7 online. Independently selected novels and group read alouds. Grammar and writing supplemented with Write Source 7 and IXL.
Math - Glencoe Math Course 3 (Pre-Algebra)
Science - Glencoe General Science (focus on physics, earth science, cell and plant biology) Grade 7
Social Studies - Holt World Geography and SOTW Volumes 3 & 4
Spanish - Glencoe Como Te Vas? B (2nd half of high school year 1)
Art - Glencoe Introducing Art (1/2 year with Ds grade 5)
Health - Glencoe Teen Health Year 1 (1/2 year with DS grade 5)
Music - Piano Lessons
Current Events - Junior Scholastic Magazines
Critical Thinking Company Games and books
Mythology - Egyptian and Norse
PE - time at Rec center
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I am surprised to see the wide spectrum of prices for similar activities.
Last year my two boys took TKD lessons at a local church for $7 a class (2 classes a week x 2 boys) ~ $120/month, but we dropped this year because DS12 wanted to join a gaming club that meets on the same night. Other TKD schools charge almost 2x and we just can't/won't afford that.
Local Rec center for indoor track/basketball court/pool for $750 a year for our family.
Scouts. $1,500-$2,000 a year for dues, uniforms, camp outs/activities (usually about 6 a year each boy), gear, and summer week camps. As DS12 ages into the high adventure stuff, the camps will increase dramatically (summer from $225 to $700 or more). He better sell a lot of popcorn, lol.
Piano: Currently, DS9 is in lessons along with myself for $80 a month per person plus books. I hope to get DS12 enrolled in the fall. I taught them at home and it wasn't a pleasant experience (by the time our homeschool day was done, I had no patience left over for piano) so music has a bad taste in his mouth. But the teacher is wonderful so I hope he'll warm up to her and music again.
Memberships: We have a museum membership at $100 a year. We go to the zoo 1-2x a year on half price day for $20 each, and other museums when cheap or free. However, we did go sleep overnight at NASA with Scouts and stay three more days to visit family and museums - that trip cost over $500 and, yes, it was school :)
So, replacing TKD with piano, rec center, and scouts, we pay about $5,500-$6,000 a year.
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I think rising college costs have many contributing factors, but two stand out for me:
1) Loans are seen as a viable way to pay for an education. This can lead to overpaying because of easy access to increasing lines of credit regardless of ability to repay because it is "good debt" and "an investment". Therefore, schools can charge more because loans are available for eager enrollees. If the money wasn't so readily available, schools might be forced to reduce prices. Supply vs. demand, baby.
2) Increasing infrastructure. I attended Liberty U distance learning program for a master's degree, and, as an alumni, I receive the quarterly magazine detailing building projects to increase pride in my alma mater as well as an unveiled attempt to open my wallet to fund these projects. The school has an ice rink, snowboarding arena, and a 90,000 square foot student union complete with swimming pool, rock climbing wall, and indoor soccer field. Dozens of new dormitories boast apartment style layouts, and the cafeterias offer a plethora of customized dining options.Is all of these necessary for an education? Or to attract new students with the wiz-bangery? It must be working because enrollment is at all-time high as well as the price tag.
I think back when I start my undergrad at modest Texas university in 1988. Tuition was $16 a credit hour or $48 a class. You could earn that in just 12 hours working at McDonalds. Now that school costs almost $200 a credit hour - $600 a class! We have purchased pre-paid tuition contracts for our boys because no investment can keep pace with increases like those.
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I use the cheap 3rd party ink for my brother printer. If the cheap ink kills the printer after ~2,000 pages, it is cheaper to buy a new printer than the equivalent brand name ink. I am taking the risk and I am at 1,500 pages with this printer thus far. I don't print photos so I don't notice quality differences.
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I had planned to do this program with my boys last year, but unfortunately didn't get around to it then or now. But, I did find a website with information, and an online store to order awards if you so desire. I thought it would be easy to implement a training schedule a month or so out from a scheduled test date but life happened :) Better luck to you!.
This year the website even has a link for homeschoolers:
https://www.presidentschallenge.org/participate/ed-homeschoolers.shtml
Here you can order the awards:
https://www.presidentschallenge.org/celebrate/physical-fitness.shtml
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EasyCBM has a series of fluency, word reading lists and comprehension tests for free under "lite". You create an account and it will graph the results over time as well as give percentile benchmarks. Great site I have used for a couple of years now. Also has math assessments.
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5th Grade Planning
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
Language Arts - McGraw Hill Treasures Grade 5 (includes spelling, grammar, and writing), Wordly Wise, Novel Studies (Clementine, Beezus & Ramona, Borrowers, Cricket in Times Square to start), group read alouds and independent chapter books. Supplement with IXL, Write Source, and Raz-Kids.
Math - Pearson Envision Grade 5 supplement with IXL
Science - Harcourt Science Grade 5
Social Studies - Finish Texas History in Quarter 1, then US History for the rest of year with Scott Foresman as spine. Supplement with read alouds, SOTW Volumes 3&4, Liberty Kids and Story of US documentary.
Other weekly subjects with Grade 7 brother - Glencoe Health Grade 6, Scholastic News Magazine Grade 6, Egyptian/Norse Mythology, Piano Lessons, Glencoe Art (Middle School), activities at rec center, Critical Thinking Company games, typing and computer skills.