Stacey in MA
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Posts posted by Stacey in MA
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Hi there -
Quick explanation on my Singapore comments. Well, I wanted an answer key (which the HIG has), and up until now I've used the HIG. While I appreciate the answer key in the HIG, I've never liked it otherwise. SO...I thought I'd get the answer key I need through the Teacher's Guide, all the while, trying a different guide to see if I like it any better. SWIM? Of course I ended up getting NOTHING I needed from those dumb things! Ha!
I didn't realize there were answer-keys-only! That woulde hve been great! I just ordered the HIG's.
Thanks for the posts!
- Stacey in MA
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We are new to using Rosetta Stone. Making my long annoying 1.5 hour support call and installation story short, turns out it doesn't run well on Vista, and we have to change local application permissions and also remove Internet "parental controls" to make it happen (yes, to run a local application - weird).
Have you encounntered this? Found any work-arounds?
Regards, Stacey in MA
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Hi all! Just starting in on school for this year today. (It went as expected - our usual train wreck of emotions! The kids have a hard time transitioning from tons of free summer time, to our very structured school regime. Ah, well... I know it gets better in a few weeks! Hanging onto sanity until then! ;-p)
But here's my math gripe: I went to correct DS's Singapore 6A in the new guide (this one http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Primary+Math+6A+Teacher+Guide/004591/1251687147-1434905) I purchased and shelved a while back. Turns out it doesn't have a workbook answer key!! It has TEXTBOOK answer key (there are lots of examples in the textbook as you are teaching through the lesson, and this gives the answers to those). So they weren't giving a false description when saying there is an answer key in this guide, BUT it's not the one I want - not the one I would have expected!!! How totally obnoxious and annoying. Now I have wasted $40 and have to spend $40 more on the "old" guides that I used before and know there is an answer key. I guess they are more valuable than I previously thought.... (these good 'ol ones are the ones WITH the workbook answer key: http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Primary+Math+6A+Home+Instructor%92s+Guide/009641/1251687147-1434905)
OK, rant over. Hopefully I have warned someone into not spending the money on those guides w/out the workbook answer key!! :-)
Happy Monday to all!
- Stacey in MA
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....but it sounds like Saxon's "Destination Math", but for the older children's levels. I just ordered Destination Math for the first time, so I don't know how good it is (my daughter will be doing Saxon 3), but my understanding is that it has computer animated math games that correlate to the Saxon lessons.
Intersting. Good to know that they continue to provide that type of reinforcement for those kids who need or want it at the higher levels too.
Thanks! - Stacey in MA
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Yes, United Streaming saved my life when I had a new baby! hee hee! There were many days when I hadn't prepped well enough for history or science, and those are days when I'd just look up their appropriate topics on DE and let them watch a video to cover that topic for the day! And when they had finished, they'd all get to enjoy watching Magic School Bus or Peep in the Big Wide World (on DE as well) with their little 3yo sister. It was like a prize, "When you finish your work we can turn on an episode of Peep!!" ;-p
I don't know the difference bet. the 2 versions (United Streaming and United Streaming Plus). I know one is $129 and the other is $199 at Homeschool buyers coop. I will have to look into the differences and see if it's worth it to upgrade this year.....
Good luck to you!
- Stacey in MA
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I have their "Christian Studies Level I" program which is obviously not secular (:-))
We also use their Latin program, and though I'd say there's plenty of Christian content, you can either ignore it and still learn Latin. You may also include those few phrases and such, and choose to view it as a history study instead of religious material. You won't avoid it though - I'd say each lesson has at least a touch or CC. The songs and prayers that are supposed to be reviewed each lesson are complete CC.
I also own have a MP cursive copybook, and it's almost all Latin CC copywork.
GL! - Stacey in MA
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Put my order in for fall school books! $300 or so on rainbow, and $200 or so on Amazon. It always is a touch painful to hit that "Place Order" button!! But, I went ahead, and DID it! Phew!
There are so many more things that are surely forgotten and/or will get ordered later - always a second round of ordering to do sometime during the summer! But at least now I know we can start school in Sept. and have the majority of materials to start...
:-) Just had to share....
- Stacey in MA
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I once knew a little boy named D'Artagnan (pronounced Dar tan yan). The name is made famous from the Three Musketeers - he was one of 'em.
:-)
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I love thinking of baby names! Here's a few that crossed my mind when we named our last (who is a boy):
Cyrus (think Cyrus the Great - my daughter ended up using this one for her snake Webkinz instead - ha!)
Galen ("Chief" on Battlestar Gallactica - his character first name was actually Galen. The meaning has something to do with a medieval medical healer scientist guy - can't remember. DH was wondering if it sounded too much like "Gay" and then the kid would be teased when older. It really grew on me though, and almost made it to the top of the list!)
Duncan - means darked skinned warrior
Auric - means golden
Merrick - means something like warrior god of the sea;
Oh there were more! I can't remember now. He's 2 and it seems like so long ago! Good luck to your sister (inlaw??)! And to you, auntie! :-)
- Stacey in MA
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First of all - HI BECKY!!! :-) Nice to see you here! I've been away from the boards - living life mostly - but will be back more as the school year kicks in soon....
Anyway, I know you're talking about your 5yo here, so this will probably be no help. (but of course I'm compelled to say it anyway! ha!) There was an exercise in the SOTW AG on the Mayans (I believe), and how they used a base 20 system (presumably b/c we can count on our fingers AND toes??). My 2 olders (age 10 and 7) learned this concept and how to convert other numbers into a base 20 system. I saw some serious lightbulbs go off that day! And they were saying how "cool" that was! So maybe your little one is wondering why do we stop at 10? I suppose b/c we have 10 fingers, right? But we COULD stop at other numbers, in other base systems, right?
Anyway, there's my 2cents on that one! Hope you are doing well! We're enjoying the beginning of summer, and all of the activities that go along w/ it - camps and such. Have a good one!
- Stacey
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DS10 did:
Singapore 5 (we are ahead in math....)
Various cursive copy books (SWB recommends writing daily practice through 6th or 7th grade, I believe)
SOTW Vol 4
RS4K Physics, Lego science mechanisms kits, some Plato science - Physics(online, and too far over his head - won't do that again)
Writing with Ease 2 (still working on it)
Finished FLL3 and Started FLL4
Latina Christiana I
ALSO: Lots of reading - I require 30 min. of assigned (an author or person of of importance from the history period, a supplemental history book, a supplemental science book, or something of that nature - tied into our other learning for the week) and 30 min. of "fun" (kid's choice) reading daily.
Also did these:
Typing Instructor for Kids (DS enjoyed this a lot. He didn't improve tremendously, but he does now have a good sense of where the keys are without looking - just can't go super fast).
Music: Story of the Orchestra (helps to learn the instruments of the orchestra and what they sound like; quick and easy; all my kids could sit in and listen to this one!)
Art: Come Look With Me books (Modern Art, Photography, and some others) (Again, quick and easy, all of the kids could listen in).
So, I think that with your list, plus reading time, I'd call that complete. The extras like typing and music come in if you can fit them in, make them work and have time!
Good job! Have fun!
- Stacey in MA
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Just saying a quick "hi"! Sorry - no other great wisdom to pass on.... ;-(
Since my DS is still 4th grade, I have a little time for this, and I haven't put my mind to it at all. I guess I better get with the program! I like the MP Latin materials, so will likely enjoy their Logic stuff too. I'll have to take a look....
Good luck! Hope some other moms have some answers for you!
Hope all is well!
- Stacey
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My DS10 is doing Vol. 4 this year, and although we didn't have time to READ Anne Frank, we watched the old b&w movie of it so he could get the gist. (i really enjoyed the movie myself!).
This 1959 version:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052738/
I imagine when we go back through this era in a few years, he will be actually reading it though, and I'll have to watch out for this. Why or why do people these days think that such explicit talk is necessary to show/display/publish! Drives me wacky! I'm not uptight, but I just don't find it NECESSARY! It adds no value. Ah well....
Thanks for the heads up!
- Stacey in MA
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My kids love kitchen and cooking projects. I found these and thought I'd share:
The American History Cookbook
This is great b/c it goes all through American history (from settlement to modern), is chronological (recipes are dated with a date range), and offers a nice paragraph or more as a historical background to the recipe. Great find!
Also this one:
The Classical Cookbook
I found this at the library. Haven't tried it yet, but it surprised me to find something that we could use w/ The Ancients! Again, nice historical explanations, along with recipes the kids can try.
Have fun!
- Stacey in MA
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If I am recalling correctly (help me out, ladies who were there!), SWB said that by about 7th grade, almost all work is typed (at least in her family).
Of course, we still need to keep up on our handwriting practice. Still, I think it's the norm to be typing most paperwork by then.
GL! - Stacey
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Yes, thanks so much for posting. They came out great! You and that camera are a nice combo! :-) All my snapshots came out moderate or bad b/c of lighting/flash issues....
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Yep, that's me, right in the middle with the blue shirt and black hair, seemingly looking at the ceiling....hmm...why??? (yes, I always take a strange picture - can't figure that out! hee hee!)
Great day! That was right at the very end. We we all so tired and filled with INFO at that point! We should make it a more regular gathering....
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And I was often confused about when it was serious vs. when it was just something they were "getting over". General skin color confused me b/c some were more pale, and my #3 has a sort of tan/olive natural skin color. The Dr. said that if the whites of their eyes are still yellow, then it's a jaundice issue. If it's just yellow skin (but whites of eyes are white), then it's not jaundice, but either something else, or nothing.
Now, those are baby anecdotes. I imagine there are other things that may apply to adults with skin discoloration issues. I wouldn't mess around with it though. Stop eating all yellow/orange veggies. If it's not better in a full day (I think that's what the Dr. told me once about the kids on a couple of occassions when they were little), go to the Dr.
If it's the whites of your eyes, I'd spend the $ and get it checked out. A simple blood test will tell you if you need to step it further through the Dr. chain. I bet you could get this at any walk-in clinic.....
HTH and GL! - Stacey
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But never ever really had a problem with it. My mom noticed it b/c when I ate popcicles, my lips (and sometimes my fingers if i were holding too close) would swell a bit. My allergy Dr. did the 'ol ice-on-my-hand test, and then proceeded to tell us what this was. My mother made me carry an epi pen the rest of my child for fear that I would fall into some abnormally freezing cold pool of water on the way home from school or something (yes, I am/was cynical about it!), and that was the last I've heard of it in my world. It's really a non-issue in my daily life. I suppose it would only be an issue if I were a diver, or a fisherman, or someone w/ a likelihood to fall into freezing water (in which case the threat of internal swelling comes into play). I have learned to deal with popcicles in my own way.... hee hee!
Are you having a big problem with it?
:-) Stacey in MA
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...was an Armstrong. Open holed, B foot, silver head (maybe whole silver body? can't remember....easily dented though, btw!! ha!). I adjusted to the holes very quickly, so I wouldn't worry about that. In the long run, it's such a huge tone improvement that it's worth the effort of the change IMO. It was an ENORMOUS improvement over my previous Yamaha student instrument. I think I had a rental for the first 2 years (grades 5 and 6), then the Yamaha for a couple of years (gr 6, 7, 8), then the Armstrong (around gr 8, 9, 10, and on....) Anyway, I still have that flute. Don't play too often these days, but it is still just right. Hasn't needed a tune up in ages, and still plays beautifully.
The Armstrong was a gift from my parents, but I think it was in the $800 or $1000 range, and of course that was 25 yrs ago! wow....
Congrats to your DD for continuing on! GL finding a flute to match your situation....
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Claritin has NEVER worked for my family. I remember thinking "how does this stuff stay on the market??". It literally was like drinking water - no effect whatsoever! Zyrtec has been the one for us. My DS10 has taken it for years (since before it was OTC - very allergic kid), and also my DD7 sometimes, and myself sometimes. I don't feel ANY bad side effects (no sleepiness and such), and my kids don't either.
Costco also sells generic, but only in pill form - very chep though! The kids liquid comes in generic at the drug stores though....
I guess I'm including this in case you have the same experience that we did. If Claritin doesn't work, don't despair. They all work differently. Go on over to Zyrtec and try that next.
Good luck!
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I have seen my DS with his cub scout group and I'm not always impressed with these little kids. Pretty wild, pretty unkind sometimes, pretty undisciplined. Sort of Lord of the Flies-ish!
Anyway, I attended the WTM conference this past weekend and was so glad that Susan commented on this in a way. She mentioned that once in a while her kids would complain that they "had no friends". And her response? "Oh well, you'll get those when you're 18....." Hee hee! Her kids seem way too busy with their academics, family life and farm to bother with peer groups anyway. She also said that she has stuck hard and fast to her rule that each kid only gets 1 outside activity a week. What a relief for me! I have often wondered how people balanace "all these activities AND school AND a4-kid family"! Just one....hmm, wonder why I didn't consider that? ha!
She does consider INTERACTION and important, but NOT PEER interaction. Older adults and mixed aged groups seem to be her chosen route. From my little experience with peer groups, I believe I agree. It made me feel better to hear her say it though. My kids do wish for more friends and buddies, but they will have to make do with what they have for now. Perhaps it will help them value more what they DO have. Quailty, not quantity, right?
Anyway, I guess my quick reaction to situation would be - ICK!!! Ditch 'em and don't look back! Don't worry about filling that time with some other peer group. Just bring him home and stick some more books in his hand! Give him so more chores to help you with, teach him a new hobby or skill, etc. Don't bother with those wild peer-group activities if they are ideal. (and they're usually all like that....).
FWIW, Susan's 2 older sons were at this conference helping out. They helped run the Powerpont shows, helped at the book sales booths, helped entertain the younger children with stories, etc. - whatever they could do. They were very mature-seeming, charming, respectable young men. There's some nice anecdotal evidence in their example that it's going to be OK!
Just my 2 cents. HTH!
GL - Stacey
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My DS10 has had ALL of his baby teeth that are out so far (about 7) pulled. His adult teeth grow up and behind them, coming out of the roof of his mouth, and never pushing the baby teeth out. So the Dr. must pull them to make room for those adult teeth to float forward (and they do, mostly - this is def. a kid who will need braces!). He has had no problem with getting those teeth pulled at all! He wasn't nervous, he wasn't in lots of pain, the procedures were incredibly quick, and he healed quickly. I don't think he even needed any Tylenol or Ibuprofin after any of them!
But MYSELF on the other hand....I have had teeth pulled before and felt days of aching, throbbing and discomfort afterwards. I would need to be on perpetual ibruprofin to keep it at bay. I also just had a root canal a few weeks ago that left me really in pain for almost 2 weeks! Maybe my mouth or nerves are just more sensitive than his?
So I would say play it by ear, but if any sign of discomfort, start the ibuprofin and do it on schedule to keep the nerves in his mouth calm. Kids are so resillient though - I bet he'll be totally fine!
Good luck to you and to him!
- Stacey in MA
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Hi there! I'm sorry I missed meeting you. I think I wasn't down at coffee the night you were there.
Yes, so much info - on overload! It will be great to review it all! It's always so nice having a little power-boost like this to get us pumped up for another marathon school year!
I agree - SWB, Jessie and Jim (and Susan's boys!) all seem like the sweetest, kindest, people! A real joy to learn from and be around. I would take them for neighbors or friends any day! :-)
Have a good night....off to sleep so I can catch my early flight.
- Stacey
Singapore Teacher's Guide aggravation!
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
OK, thanks for the replies. I see now, that the TG DOES indeed have the workbook answers!! (and yes, I have already ordered the HIG....sigh...) Those answers were well hidden in a very short section after the Textbook Answers.
Haste makes waste, as they say..... :-(
- stacey in MA
PS Haven't dug into the TG yet (hee hee! obviously....) , so not sure of my opinion on it..... I never loved the HIG though, so that is why I switched....