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AspenSong

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Everything posted by AspenSong

  1. Thank you so much for sharing! My kids will love some of these...math lends itself so well to games, and it's so nice to interject a different and fun alternative into our math time!
  2. We, too, often skip items on the IEW checklists. Some of the dress-ups are easy to include, like -ly words and quality adjectives, but if we can't fit in a who-which or because clause without difficulty or awkwardness we don't bother. I would agree with how Julie Smith described her use of the checklists as almost more of a guideline. I definitely need help in teaching my kids to write, at least for now, and I have to say that I couldn't be happier with the quality of their writing since starting IEW...but we definitely tailor it to fit what works best for us.
  3. We have the CD and I agree that the figures are truly beautiful. The only downside for me is that there are so many (1260) it's daunting to go through them all, though they are indexed nicely. I also love that you can choose to include the text when you print them out. I don't know what the current price is, but if a very comprehensive, artistic timeline is what you are looking for, I haven't seen anything more lovely.
  4. Just wanted to add that you can use "spaced repetition" with Quizlet...they call it Long Term Learning and it is part of the upgrade that costs $14.95/year. The upgrade also makes it extremely easy to add pictures and sound.
  5. My kiddos haven't yet learned to type so we're going to start with Dance Mat. I'm having trouble seeing how to track where they are in the stages, though. I also don't see a way to set up two kids since there's no log in/account setup...it seems they just pick a stage and start, and I don't see a way to avoid having to start the stage over when they quit without finishing. I'm wondering if it's best to work through a complete stage and then just remember which stage to start with next? I'm wondering if I'm missing something obvious...can anyone help? Thanks so much!
  6. Thank you all for taking the time to respond...I really appreciate your thoughts and opinions, and it gives me more to think about! Just wanted to say thank you. :001_smile:
  7. Hi all...I am feeling quite conflicted on the subject of grammar and would appreciate any thoughts! I've linked to two articles below, the first saying that traditional grammar instruction does little if anything to help children become better writers...and the author of the second saying essentially, "So yes, I think we should teach grammar, not because it will help people write better, but simply because it’s interesting and worth knowing about." I've since spent a great deal of time reading further and thinking about this, trying to clarify my thoughts, but I still feel confused. I used The Sentence Family with my children when they were younger and then the first part of Treasured Conversations. I've looked extensively through the MCT materials and can see why so many here love them, especially for whole-to-parts learners and those that appreciate the linguistic beauty that shines through. I've also looked through CAP's new Well-Ordered Language, which offers reams of practice pages while claiming to teach the "curious" child grammar in a "creative" way, in perhaps a blend of Charlotte Mason and Classical style. I know I want my kids to have a solid foundation in grammar, but I guess I am unsure as to the depth and breadth of study that may best benefit them. Should I teach a separate grammar curriculum during "grammar time," or should I strive for addressing grammar during the writing process? Are the basics enough or is it truly worthwhile to spend lots more time and go to greater depths? I am really trying to feel my way through this and would love to hear any thoughts or insights you might care to share! Thanks so much. http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/02/the-wrong-way-to-teach-grammar/284014/ http://www.arrantpedantry.com/2014/03/04/why-teach-grammar/
  8. I've been following this thread since we are most of the way through Botany and have Zoology coming up next. I just want to say, please don't nit-pick this book too much! We use 100% secular materials in our homeschool and we've found the book to be nothing but a fun way to supplement what we are studying in the plant world in an engaging story format. If you are so inclined I guess you could find something to bother you one way or the way, but really, it's a fun story that imbeds botany into the story line in a way that "texts" can't...in my humble opinion, just read and enjoy!
  9. I have taken my son (almost 11) in every for year for the past three years for free pre-treatment consultations to see how his teeth are progressing. I live in a fairly small community, but both orthodontists offer free yearly or twice-yearly consultations until treatment starts. My son has a very crowded mouth, but neither ortho would put braces on until he has enough adult teeth, around age 12. And the last one I saw said they try at all costs to avoid extractions....and they certainly try and let things progress and not do it prematurely. I know many kids who have gotten braces and it's all been around 11-13 years old...I've never heard of an 8-year old getting braces, but maybe your daughter has a very unique situation. I believe I would feel the same way as you. I would try to get a second and possibly third consultation, and they should be complimentary until treatment starts. My dentist told me of some parents who will visit two or three orthodontists, not only to get their pre-treatment opinions, but also to find the doctor that feels best to the family. So I recently did that, and am so glad I did, as the second ortho was ions more helpful and thorough, not to mention friendly, than the first.
  10. Alibild.....I feel exactly the same way! I read the rules so many times and I actually did google for more explicit instructions and/or a video, but I just couldn't figure it out either! My kids ended up making up their own rules, but I feel like we were really missing something, and the game now sadly remains sitting on our shelf! Ravin...please let us know if you can talk your DD into making a video! It would be much appreciated!!
  11. Sorry, I didn't see your post until just now! The book can be gotten through as quickly or slowly as you desire. Each page adds a small piece to the work done on the prior page...in very small increments. You could work quickly through many pages....I think we we are doing around 8-10 pages in about 10-15 minutes. I don't want to work through it so fast that it becomes a blur...we add a few countries and then read about them in our geography book. But you could certainly work through it much more quickly if you wanted to. I can easily see us re-visiting this multiple times over the years to really cement the country locations onto our mental maps!
  12. My son didn't start reading proficiently until halfway through his 10th year. He got hooked on Beast Quest books and read 23 of them, one after the other. He's now almost 11 and can read just about anything, even complicated instruction manuals. I believe he has slight dyslexia and still has trouble with spelling but it me amazed how, for him, it really did "click". I was never very concerned about it...I knew it would come, and I never put pressure on him.
  13. We just started Draw Asia by Draeger and are loving it. It's a beautiful book, colorful, pages are really well laid out, her country hints are amusing....We just ordered Draw the USA and I'm sure we'll end up with all of them, in my opinion they are really well done! (If you choose Surprise Me on the Amazon Look Inside feature you are able to see many more pages than when just paging through in order)
  14. I have just started the Charlotte Mason system as described above by Targhee for science. I've read that it's fine to just let the kids read the cards, without actively working on memorizing them, and that over time the memorization will come simply through the consistent review. Those of you that have been doing this for awhile, do you find this to be true? Thank you!
  15. I've seen a few people here highly recommend using Anki flashcards for everything from science to foreign languages. I have looked at the website and watched tutorials on You Tube, but I am still having difficulty seeing how making these flashcards is not an enormous amount of work. If anyone who uses them wishes to share insight into how time-consuming it is, I would sure love to hear about it! Thank you!
  16. Thank you, AttachedMama, for all that time you've taken in this post (and others) to share about Quark Chronicles...it is indeed so helpful! I really like the idea of the ANKI flashcards...the website makes the cards look a little daunting time-wise, though! Can I ask...in the examples that you listed (I think in another post on Quark) where you say something like, "Explain how such and such works..." do you input the answers on the back of the cards? I am trying to see how this could NOT be really time consuming! Thanks again for your time and help! Lisa
  17. I have been looking at the first two books as well...would you say that it is important to read Botany first, then Zoology? I thought I read somewhere that order doesn't matter, but as I read the first few pages of Zoology I couldn't help feeling like I was missing some history that happened in Botany. Thanks if anyone can help!
  18. I just got an email today for $10 off $30 or more, specifically printed books. The coupon code is FREEMONEY
  19. We recently purchased Level 4 but have only used the first few lessons, which are about atoms and how they form molecules. This has been great for us, since we haven't studied it yet. The "textbook" is very kid-friendly and engaging, at least to us....and the lab workbooks seem well laid out. They include sections for drawing what kids are seeing or doing, and "think about it" (what would happen if....?) and "what did you discover" sections. We may do some of these questions aloud together, rather than writing it all out. The first lab experiment was simply to take apart an old cell phone to see how various elements of science may have contributed to its design and build...trying to relate how science is apparent in everyday applications. The second lab we did was modeling various atoms and combining them to form new molecules. I have used Nancy Larson in the past, which was so scripted as to be very tedious for us. I also have both BFSU volumes, which I've used on and off, but I, too, suffer from the ability to consistently plan and implement those lessons. I intend to use RS4K BB as our guide, and then incorporate BFSU, The Elements, and various science encyclopedias/ videos to thoroughly explore as we go. We also prefer being able to experience the many threads of science in one year instead of focusing on just Life Science (or whatever it may be) for a whole year, which is why I bought the Building Blocks series. I bought the whole bundle from Rainbow Resources, as it was the cheapest option. I had a hard time finding reviews on it as well, but there is a Cathy Duffy review, I think maybe an Old Schoolhouse review, and then I looked at all the sample pages I could find for all the levels (RS4K + Amazon). Sorry I can't be of more help since we just started, but so far I am excited about this program and optimistic that it'll work well for us!
  20. I recently purchased this math game based on a recommendation in the "relaxed" math thread, however, I am having such a difficult time fully grasping exactly how to play it! I feel so silly but I'm ready to pass it off to two teenage brothers I know to let them figure it out and teach it back to us! Does anyone have this game and would be willing to answer a couple questions? I'd be awfully grateful! Lisa
  21. I recently purchased just the Secrets to Drawing Class for $30 and there is no expiration date on it. We are on Module 5 and we're all really enjoying it.
  22. I have been doing IEW SWI A with both of my kids...my daughter is almost 9, and my son is10.5. I've been doing it in combination with the first section of Treasured Conversations, which is teaching a lot of the grammar that goes into creating good sentences. I plan to start MCT after the holidays, and I don't see any reason why you would't want to combine them. I believe they'll complement each other nicely.
  23. BatmansWife....have you used the Guitar Homeschool Edition course? If so, could you share your thoughts on the program? I looked at all the samples and it seems heavy on theory and I wonder if it is too much for younger kids... Thank you!
  24. justinguitar.com is a whole series of free lessons that are very sequential and well done. I am using it with my 8 and 10 year olds and find it great. I often see references to it on other sites and it seems very highly regarded.
  25. My kids did Foundations A - C and then started Essentials, which really became too rule/phonogram intensive for us without enough actual practice of the spelling words. So we switched to Apples & Pears and so far it's been great. I don't feel like it's any more writing than Essentials was and we can get a lesson done in 10-15 minutes. I do have to read the words and sentences for them, but I, too, do other little things while they're writing. I think the constant reinforcement of writing the words out is cementing them in my children's minds, much more than was happening in Essentials. I am glad we learned all the phonograms and many of the rules, and I do point them out where applicable in A & P, so I don't regret going through all of that.
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