strawberryjam
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Everything posted by strawberryjam
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What about learning about the vitamins and which foods contain them? My kids are 8 and 6 and they love learning that stuff and are more eager to eat specific foods that they know help for specific things.... "I want to eat spinach cause it will help me have good blood" (Vitamin K, blood clotting)... "Can I have a banana before bed so I can have good dreams?" (Vitamin B6, contributes to vivid dreams) ... seriously, I think it's funny but it works, they eat so healthy! Learning about Scurvy and Vitamin C can be interesting for this age group... sailors, pirates, etc. it's that whole adventure theme. I know my older kid would also be interested in learning about the vitamin deficiency diseases we rarely see anymore in the first world... Pellagra, Beriberi, Rickets. The way the cures were discovered reads somewhat like a mystery novel. I'm not aware of any kids books about those but a good one for adults is "Terrors of the Table: The Curious History of Nutrition" by Walter Gratzer (it's hilarious as well as educational).
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Spinoff: using CLE for both math and LA
strawberryjam replied to KeriJ's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
My older kid is very active too and he enjoys the workbooks. He likes the consistency and knowing what to expect, exactly how long it takes him to finish, etc. and he also likes that he can just take off with the workbook and do his school work anywhere he wants... the couch, the stairs, his bed, etc... cause it's all independent so he can just do it anywhere. I think the CLE workbooks are actually his favourite out of all the curriculum we use. The math for sure - he prefers CLE math to Singapore big time, and he is retaining way more. He loves the speed drills (and the chart to keep track of scores) and he loves the frequent quizzes and tests cause he's always trying to get a higher mark. -
Check out "Just Write" by EPS.
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Oh my goodness your kid sounds exactly like mine. My daughter is fascinated with Chinese too. I don't know how serious she is about learning it, but she likes it. She also has a speech delay, we think she might have an Auditory Processing Disorder (she hears things TOO well). She also has some mild general sensory processing which may be related to Giftedness (her brother is Gifted so I'm all too familiar with the sensory stuff related to it). Anyways... I would go for some fun exposure to another language for sure. Is your daughter left handed? Mine is. I think it effects the way her brain is wired. She just approaches things differently (kind of out of order) then most people do and she is always surprising me with the things she is able to do or understand without taking the logical step-by-step process that most people would think is necessary. Maybe it's the same thing with your daughter and learning another language might actually accelerate her English skills? I'm bilingual myself and I think immersion would be detrimental at this age, but casually learning a new language could be good. I really like this blog for ideas on foreign language exposure at this age. She's got some great resources listed: http://eclectic-homeschool.com/ *Edited to add... I did read a study recently about the effects of immersion on young kids. It's kind of a myth that young kids learn foreign languages better then adults do. They may pick up the accent easier, but it's just as difficult to learn the language as it is for an adult and they are more likely to pick up improper grammar. Not a popular view I know, but if you google it you'll find some supporting documents. I was in immersion when I was 6 years old and I would agree that it's not a good thing.
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Spelling Suggestions for 2nd Grade
strawberryjam replied to BusyMom5's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Check out Spelling Power. It's 15 minutes max. It's open and go. Very organized. It comes with a quick start DVD to explain the process, and once you get what you need to do there is no more prep beyond that. It's also one book that will last you from Grade 2 all the way through high school. -
All About Reading 1 - Readers & Cards
strawberryjam replied to GypsyHomesteader's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
The readers are essential for level 1 and 2, after that the child should be able to read "regular" first readers up to around level 3/4. We like the Penguin Young Readers series of levelled readers which we get from the library. -
Spinoff: using CLE for both math and LA
strawberryjam replied to KeriJ's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
We are using CLE for LA and Math. Just started using both a few weeks ago but so far so good. The lessons are short enough that it doesn't feel like workbook overkill. Since there is quite a bit of review, I can cross out a couple questions here and there if I feel my kid doesn't need to review them. He's come such a long way since we started using CLE, very impressed. I'm actually considering adding a third or even fourth CLE workbook (Bible and Socials and perhaps some science to fill in any gaps he has) ... they are just so good. -
Large Print Dictionary Good for 7 & 8 Year Old
strawberryjam replied to TheAttachedMama's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
The Scholastic Children's Dictionary. After doing some research I decided on that one for the format and we just got it a few days ago and it's perfect. -
AAR is one of the best buys I've ever made, curriculum-wise. My son improved his reading four grade levels between level 2 and 3 of AAR. He's flying through the lessons now, I'm not sure level 4 will be necessary. We always did the Explode the Code books too, he's currently on book 6. We did most of the half level books in Explode the Code as well. Together with AAR it was a winner combination for my late reluctant reader! I also love that both programs are very phonetic and introduce very few sight words. That's so important IMO. (I guess both are folllowing a Orton-Gillingham phonetic approach... I'm friends with a school teacher who specializes in this approach and she's also a big fan of Explode the Code).
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Straight-forward, easy-to-teach math
strawberryjam replied to AnniePoo's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
As for CLE not being challenging enough... I disagree, it's just a different style of learning and teaching math. After doing both I can say confidently it's not an "easy" math, at all, compared to Singapore. It's just an easy format and easy to get done, but the actual math is solid. -
Straight-forward, easy-to-teach math
strawberryjam replied to AnniePoo's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Another vote for CLE! We also were doing Singapore but dove into CLE recently and we love it!!! I plan to continue with CLE and do Singapore style math as a supplement. -
I wish my teacher would have used...
strawberryjam replied to RunsForSanity's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
- conceptual math (anything is better then what we used) - grammar and diagramming (First Language Lessons would have been a great start...) - chronological history with living books (SOTW) - Latin - more Geography - Astronomy - more in depth Biblical studies, and world religions in general. -
how long will it take? 3rd and 4th graders
strawberryjam replied to chelsmm's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
That's tough. We used to have a similar schedule but couldn't make it work with academics. We did school on weekends too but it wasn't enough. Had to streamline our "out of the house" stuff and drop a few things. We also school year round, partially to make up for the past couple years. -
Simple plan for Kindergarten.... we are just finishing up Kindergarten here and what worked really great is: 1. The Kindergarten workbooks from CLE. There are five units. They cover phonics, numbers, and a bit of handwriting. 2. "Get Set for the Code" books A, B and C by Explode the Code (start with this before anything else) 3. Handwriting Without Tears workbook (none of the extra stuff, no teachers guide, no manipulatives - she didn't need them) 4. Reading Eggs and Math Seeds games on the computer or iPad. Eggy Phonics and all the other apps they have are great practice too. 5. oh and the most important thing.... LOTS of read alouds!! We got a list from our library "100 books to read in Kindergarten", we made it through half plus extra that weren't on the list. We did Singapore Math for Kindergarten but not the essentials... I was drawn in by the colorful classroom curriculum and shouldn't have been, was not a fan. We didn't even get halfway. If I had to do it all over again I'd pick something different. Not like you need much for math in Kindergarten anyways. We have lots of fun math manipulatives so she learned a lot just by "Playing" with them. There is enough math in the CLE Kindergarten workbooks to prepare for Grade 1 adequately.
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Using Miquon to supplement Singapore
strawberryjam replied to LauraBeth475's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Following cause I'm curious about Miquon too ... but just FYI, Singapore is very hands on. The hands on stuff is all in the Home Instructor Guides. :) -
We have a lot to cover next year as we're still recovering from 3 years of unschooling... I copy and pasted this from my blog, sorry if the formatting is off. Whatever we don't finish we'll do in the summer after Grade 4 or Grade 5. *Note that my son is Gifted and Asynchronous. So much of this might not apply to an average student (especially the science!) Language Arts: Phonics All About Reading 4 Explode the Code workbooks 7 & 8 Language Arts: Reading Independent Reading Book List - based on Classics and high-interest STEM topics. CLE Reading Language Arts: Handwriting A Reason for Handwriting CursiveLanguage Arts: Writing Writing With Ease by Susan Wise Bauer "Just Write" workbooks by EPS Writing & Rhetoric: Fable - by Classical Academic Press Language Arts: Spelling Spelling Power Spelling Workout, if needed. Language Arts: Grammar & Vocabulary First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind Evan Moor Language Fundamentals Vocabulary from Classical Roots (half the year) Wordly Wise (half the year) Evan Moor "Word a Day" Language Arts - Poetry "A Child's Introduction to Poetry" Poetry Unit Language Arts - Other Supplements Online Typing Program Read Alouds MCT Grammar (only if the other grammar stuff doesn't work out and we want to try something different) Math CLE Math workbooks Math in Focus or Singapore Standards (IP and Word Problems) "Key to..." Topical Math Series, as needed. Canadian Social Studies Unit adapted from Outlooks SeriesHistory Story of the World series with activity guide, projects and read alouds - finishing Ancients and starting Middle Ages. "A Child's History of the World" by Hillyer "History through the Ages: A Record of Time" Timeline Scrapbook History of Science Unit from Beautiful Feet Books Geography "The Complete Book of Maps and Geography Grades 3-6" Guesthollow's Geography Curriculum Science & Nature Study - planning for a heavy science year this year. We haven't done formal science in a while mainly cause I can't figure out where to start. He is a few grade levels ahead in his scientific understanding, more at a Jr. High level, but he has a couple of gaps and I like to be thorough. Term 1: R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey Life Science Level 1 (Biology) Decided this was too easy. He can join in with some of the labs if he wants to (will be doing this level with his younger sister who is in Grade 1). Planning to do Biology for half the year in Grade 5 so we might just skip it this year. Term 2: R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey Earth and Space Science Level 1, Science in a Nutshell Kits, and independent high-interest reading (including Planet Earth by Tiner and Basher Science series). Term 3: R.E.A.L Science Odyssey Chemistry Level 1, Science in a Nutshell Kits, and independent high-interest reading (including Chemistry by Tiner and Basher Science series). Summer School: R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey Physics Level 1, Science in a Nutshell Kits, and independent high-interest reading (including Physics by Tiner and Basher Science series). History of Science Unit (from Beautiful Feet Books) Chemistry Unit: "The Elements: Ingredients of the Universe" by Ellen McHenry Read Alouds: Burgess books (Seashore, Birds, Animals), The Story-Book of Science by Fabre. CM style nature journaling, sketching. HBO DVD series "The Inventors Specials" Whatever we don't finish we'll continue with in Grade 5. Optional: Marine Biology Unit Acorn Naturalists - website Microscope Telescope Tree Ring Kit Rock Collection and field trip to a real mine, go panning for gold. Geocaching and Letterboxing "Molecules" by Theodore Gray DK Science Encyclopedia Biblical Studies "Telling God's Story" by Peter Ens, Year 1. (I have it... but not sure about it) A Beka Flash-a-cards story series (Use this and love the illustrations) Bible Road Trip Curriculum by Danika Cooley (Maybe... either this or CLE Bible, I don't think we'll do both) The Gospel Story Bible "God's Providence" by Sally Michael "God's Wisdom" by Sally Michael CLE Bible workbooks Art Artistic Pursuits Gr.4-6 Home Art Studio DVDs "Drawing with Children" Monart Method "Getting to know the Worlds Greatest Artists" book series (from the library) Ed Emberley's Drawing books (from the library) "A Child's Introduction to Art" HBO DVD series "The Artists Specials" Music Little Mozarts piano series (taking a break from 2 years of piano lessons just to review and have fun) "Getting to know the Greatest Composers" Series HBO DVD series "The Composers Specials" Health & Careers - not sure yet. Foreign Language - nothing official yet Phys Ed. gymnastics swimming lessons
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I agree with the article in theory, but as homeschoolers it's amazing how consistent effort can pay off. For example, my son is finishing up Grade 3 right now and when he started the year his reading level was at about an end of Grade 1 level, now he's reading at a Grade 5/6 level. So it's possible to make up ground during this crucial time. His writing is still behind, but we are working on it and I know he will catch up. He doesn't have any learning disabilities so it's just a matter of consistency and practice for him.
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who has thought of doing this! I've been thinking of doing MiF together with CLE next year and was wondering if it was going to be overkill, or the best of both worlds? We are currently taking a break from Singapore U.S. Primary Edition to do CLE but I'm considering switching to MiF cause the teacher guide seems more user friendly. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
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A recipe box doesn't work for the cards, I tried. I like the box they sell - it's worth it. I have one for reading and one for spelling and am able to fit both my kids levels in them. I will probably get some extra boxes to store the levels they aren't using currently.
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I haven't used R&S, but my kids love workbooks and dislike using a text and their own paper or notebooks, so CLE is perfect for us. :)
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All About Reading! All About Reading works perfectly together with ETC and AAS. We did all at the same time, but if ETC hasn't been enough that's what I would do. Also the "Beyond the Code" workbooks are not meant to be used after Explode the Code, they actually are meant to go along with the first 3-4 books of ETC. They just focus on different skills (more comprehension stuff).
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U.S. History for me, the teacher?
strawberryjam replied to AspenSong's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Someone recommended "Lies My Teacher Told Me", and also the "Great Courses" on American History (I think it had the word Skeptic in the title).