kalusignan
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Everything posted by kalusignan
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Need suggestions to teach a 5 year-old to read...
kalusignan replied to LearnFromHome's topic in PreK and K
I used AAR pre reading program with my younger dd, and I loved how the concept was presented there. The teacher/mom says three sounds (for example: c-a-t) and then the child has to guess what the word is. It was a fun game that we could play together and I honestly attribute this and so many of the other language exploration exercises in that program with her ability to blend at a young age. You could easily take a break, play some low-key 'games' like this and come back to it later. I wouldn't stress over it too much at this young age. -
I waited to start WWE 1 with my oldest dd until 2nd grade. No regrets! And, I plan on the same for my younger dd. In first grade we were so focused on learning to read and even working on the mechanics of writing and proper letter formation, that I really didn't even feel the need to start WWE until later.
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Quiet time with elementary kids
kalusignan replied to lovinmyboys's topic in General Education Discussion Board
LOL I actually heard my own voice while reading these rules. Seconding the adding minutes rule. If you actually follow through on it, it works. Also adding: 6. Don't ask me when quiet time in going to be over/how many minutes are left. I will let you know! *threaten to add minutes if they ask* :lol: My kids are 4 and 9. They have to stay in their room. It's the only time any of us gets a break from each other, so even if they say they want to play together, just say NO. They aren't allowed to watch TV or use any device unless it's strictly for listening to audiobooks. They usually read, listen to audiobooks, dress up, craft, and who knows what else. I don't care as long as they clean up the mess. We try to be done with formal school work before lunch, sometimes finishing up during lunch or for a brief time after (rarely). After quiet time is outdoor free time, so my oldest is especially motivated to finish school work and get an early quiet time, which means more outdoor play time. That being said, I feel like quiet time will be my legacy someday. It's a VERY rare day (even Saturday and Sunday) when we don't have quiet time. My kids actually look forward to it and/or plan what they want to do during that time each day. -
Thought Experiment: PreK-Kindergarten as a time for "Electives"
kalusignan replied to mom2bee's topic in PreK and K
I generally agree with this and find it interesting that you listed specifically music, language, and sports. Most of the items on the list above can be explored through play in a very relaxed manner at that age. The only formal lessons my pre-ker is doing right now (as it relates to this list) is World Language (Spanish immersion) and Sports (swimming lessons). Music (Suzuki violin) will follow shortly when she turns 5. Kindergarten will be more of the same. -
Living near DC - American History to go along? (X-posted)
kalusignan replied to sangtarah's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I live very near DC. I don't think the program really matters at all. The biggest thing, at least for me, is to keep your schedule open enough that you have time to drop everything and take regular field trips. There is so much to see! Choose a program that is not going to bog you down with a lot of seat work and over scheduling. And feel free to let a lot of that stuff go in order to go see a battlefield or historic place. -
I plan on using WWE methods, basically continuing narration and dictation, daily across the curriculum until my dd is ready to start WWS. If you like the workbook and having it laid out for you, you could slowly work through WWE4 at your child's pace knowing that you might need to adjust expectations when it comes to the length and difficulty of dictations.
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I lived in S. Korea for a few years. Their view of education I find at the least, insane and at the most, inhumane. They send children to preschool at age 2. Small, elementary age kids go to school in the early morning, then directly to hours of after school privately owned tutoring schools, then home in the evening to complete hours of homework, many times very late and into the wee hours of the morning. Kids are sleep deprived and HATING their life! And there's a TON of pressure from parents and family to do well and get into a good university and become a doctor or some other revered occupation. The 'education' is extremely geared towards 'teaching to the test'. If it's not on the test, it's not worth knowing. It's all about how to regurgitate information. I would NEVER want my children to experience that! That type of education is the exact opposite of what I'm trying to do in my homeschool.
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Are there any black Friday deals for curriculum?
kalusignan replied to mommyoffive's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
They always have a cyber monday sale. They've already notified customers through their Facebook page and email about the upcoming sale. If I remember correctly it's not a huge discount - something like 10%. HTH -
My dd8 is currently in RS D (2nd ed) and doing well. RightStart has and continues to be a perfect fit for her. She's done levels B and C previous to this year. She's not naturally math-y (whatever that really means). She needs a lot of review, problems/concepts presented in different ways, and the variety, manipulatives, and games that RightStart offers. IMO, people most often leave RS because it's too difficult to accelerate for an intuitive/math-y kid. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of RS's placement test; it seems way too simplified. Personally, I would call them and talk to them about it before deciding and spending that kind of money on a math curriculum. They have great customer service! HTH
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GED prep? I'm 22, no formal education.
kalusignan replied to MikaylaR's topic in General Education Discussion Board
Every military base has an education office. They should be able to, at the very least, point you in the right direction. At the most, they will provide prep classes and administer the test as well. Also, Military OneSource is a good place to go for information. Anything you need to know should be located there. Good luck! -
Need Perspective On Music Practice
kalusignan replied to SeaConquest's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I highly recommend this article for music parents: http://www.maestroclassics.com/blog/music-practice-with-children-a-parents-guide I would also talk to your dc about his goals, write them down, and work together to achieve them. Maybe start a 100 day challenge? Above all stay positive, have fun, and encouragement enjoyment of music. -
I only review 10 word cards per day. Monday is the only day that cards will possibly go into the mastered file. I figure is she remembers and spells the word quickly and correctly on a Monday morning, then it's mastered. Occasionally I go back and pick a few out of the mastered file to double check. After awhile you'll find your groove and it goes pretty quickly. In Level 4 now and we spend about 15 minutes a day on spelling, completing a step in roughly 4 days.
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Children's Shakespeare adaptations in AUDIO BOOK
kalusignan replied to Monica_in_Switzerland's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
We've enjoyed the Jim Weiss audio of Romeo and Juliet and his 'Shakespeare for Children' (Midsummer Night's Dream and Taming of the Shrew). -
Something like SOTW, but available on audible
kalusignan replied to ReadingMama1214's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
You might like Joy Hakim's A History of US series. This is book 1. So far, we've listened to books 1-3 over the past 2 years, and we've been enjoying it. -
Audiobooks your preschooler loved
kalusignan replied to kalusignan's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I completely forgot about the Cat in the Hat/Dr. Seuss one! We got that one from the library when my oldest was little and LOVED it! -
Audiobooks your preschooler loved
kalusignan replied to kalusignan's topic in General Education Discussion Board
We already own the first 4 books on audio! Maybe I'll bring them out again. Thanks for the suggestion! -
I'm looking for audiobook recommendations for my dd4. My older dd listens to A LOT of audiobooks, and her little sister wants to be just like her and is asking for her own audiobooks to listen to at quiet time. We also listen together to lot of audiobooks and kids podcasts in the car, but I usually cater them towards my older dd and the little one picks up whatever she understands or is interested in. I've never really picked any just for her... Please let me know of any titles your preschooler has loved!
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Book Recommendations: Pioneer/Frontier Life
kalusignan replied to SeaConquest's topic in General Education Discussion Board
I definitely recommend Louise Erdrich's Birchbark House series. I like reading them alongside the Little House books. Two different perspectives and set in approximately the same geographic region and time period. -
Elemental Science - Chemistry or Physics??
kalusignan replied to kalusignan's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
bump I was really hoping to hear from those that have used both. I've used both Biology and Earth Science and Astronomy and definitely prefer Earth Science. I was curious if others have preferred one over the other - Chemistry or Physics? -
Nature study based science curriculum....
kalusignan replied to calihil's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Simply Charlotte Mason has a few open and go nature study/science options. I've used Outdoor Secrets and enjoyed it. https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/product-category/product-science/ -
I've done/tried both. This is my experience. We did Elemental Science Biology for the Grammar Stage in 1st. While it was not horrible and it got done, I didn't love it. Mainly because 20 weeks of animals was just looooong. In 2nd grade I decided to try CKE Earth and Space. I hated it! It was completely unorganized, difficult to implement, and definitely not as user friendly as Elemental Science. We did about 6 weeks, scrapped the rest of the year, and finished with nature study for the remainder of our year. In 3rd grade I decided to go back to Elemental Science, and since we didn't get much covered in Earth Science, I purchased Earth Science and Astronomy for the Grammar Stage. We are on Week 9, and I'm loving it. I actually like it a lot better than their Biology, it's getting done each week, and we're enjoying it. Hope that helps!!!
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Island of the Blue Dolphins?