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Kiara.I

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Posts posted by Kiara.I

  1. Since you have Rightstart already, use that!  Definitely.  Do you have edition 1 or 2?  (In other words...do you have the games book?)

    Start working with the place value cards, I think that's definitely a gap she's got!  Regarding this test:  I'd let it go.  You're not going to be able to scaffold up the numeracy in time to get her adding coins in her head by the time the test shows up.  So just don't worry about it, and start building the numeracy skills.

  2. Well, you have a 4 year old.  Yes, I think three math curricula would be too much.  I think two math curricula would be too much, unless you're planning on taking it pretty slow.  You might consider doing math only about three days a week.  (Unless your child ASKS for more.)    If you're doing only three days per week, will you want to do two different curricula?

  3. Having just read a few threads on phonics, and remedial reading classes....

    I'm now having a crisis of curriculum.  Do I need to be specifically teaching phonics?

     

    My two olders both started reading at around 5, before starting kindergarten.  I had done some Progressive Phonics with them, but eventually stopped as they started reading all the black text as well as "their" text, and besides they were too busy reading books to bother doing reading instruction.  But I see all these posts about the importance of phonics rules, and how critical they are for instruction, and I wonder if they need to be taught it specifically, or whether at this point it will suffice to correct it as it comes up when reading out loud.

    I was an early reader too, and in a second language immersion program, so I don't know phonics rules as such either--but I have a very good working understanding of how words sound in English, and rarely get tripped up on pronunciation.

     

    So what do you think: specific phonics instruction for children already reading fluently?  (And if so, what, since they don't need to "learn to read"?)  Or not, and just correct small errors as they come up?

  4. I expect you'll be doing SOTW with both together?

     

    Grade 2:  I have a grade 2 right now too.  If his reading is great, I'm not sure I'd bother with phonics at this point.  Maybe have him read out loud to you a couple of times a week and correct whatever needs correcting?  Or, if you've already purchased the Grade 2 Abeka, could you just use the phonics from it and skip everything else?

    Spelling: We just picked up Spelling Workout.  So far so good (3 or so weeks in.  It's relatively cheap, anyway, so if you find you hate it, it wouldn't have been a big investment.)  Alternately you could just find spelling lists online and do them yourself.

     

    Math, I don't know, we use Righstart.  I'm not familiar with most of the other programs out there.

    Science?  Were you doing something for that?

     

    Grade 1: If it's cursive only and that's not working, would adding some manuscript practice be good?   We found WWE 1 worked well.  I didn't start FLL until this year (Gr 2) with my older, so we're doing FLL1 for him.  But the kindergartner is following right along with it.  For working on reading, maybe Progressive Phonics (online, and free)?

  5. We're really enjoying Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding.  It's a good, thorough overview of basic science principles.  It's not Christian-based, although to be honest I haven't found a specific theological bent to be necessary in the text. Science itself is a study and explanation of HOW God made the world to function.  I find it easy to discuss it in that way with my children.

     

    We're using the K-2 book right now.  I don't know whether you can jump straight into the 3-5 book or whether it's better to whip through the K-2 book quickly and then move on.

  6. I have tried taking him to the library. But he's just not interested.  I did purchase the Frog and Toad set but haven't opened them yet, so maybe I'll give those books a try.

     

    Has he encountered the Asterix books at the library yet?  Try those!

    To be honest, I'd get him a bunch of comic books.  I know it's not the "recommended method" but there's an awful lot to be said for motivation.  So try Asterix.  Yes, it's way beyond him.  That's okay, that's what the pictures are for.  ;)  And he may find his interest in reading increases dramatically.

     

    Also, do a quick test.  Have him sit facing you, hold your index finger up and move it closer to him between his eyes.  Watch his eyes.  Do they track properly?  (This is only a super-quick test, but if they're NOT tracking properly, or one is jumping around, then he may have real trouble reading.)

  7. Thanks! You'd think as a 2nd generation homeschooler I wouldn't have these sort of questions. Monday I'd ordered level B and then started the what if game. He's ready for it now but what if down the road, or what if I had to put him in school etc. Anyway I'll just deal with things as there come and carry on! Thanks again!

     

    What if down the road....you take a break and play games for a month.  ;)

     

    And what if you had to put him in school...he'd be about three grades ahead.  But...wasn't the point of homeschooling to give him work that was suitable for him, rather than giving him what the grade-level expectation was?  It sounds like in his case for math that will land him well ahead of grade level.  But there's really no point in holding him back so that he might fit in better in a classroom...

     

    By the way, finishing level B (grade 1) meets ALL of the Grade 2 learning outcomes in my area except for subtraction.  One, tiny point, and otherwise Rightstart is a full grade (at least) ahead of school.  Oh well!

  8. Agree, move forward.

    I have a Grade 2 who just finished up level B in October and is *racing* through Level C, and a K who will be finished A before the end of the year and will start Level B.

     

    Do like you always do with Rightstart: move ahead at the child's pace.  If you hit a wall, back off and play more games for a while.  Remember, games ARE a large part of the curriculum, so if you want review, break out that games book!  You don't need to get different curriculum unless you really, really want to.

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