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claire+3

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Posts posted by claire+3

    Backing Up to Master the Basics and How Far?

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    How do you know your child is ready for the logic stage? And is it wise to spend a year solidifying the basics: narration, summarization, dictation, parts of speech, spelling, math facts etc. before moving on?

    Our story: My oldest DD (just turned10) is in fourth grade at a private Christian school this year. I homeschooled her for K & 1st using WTM recs and SOTW1 and Saxon. She flourished. For 2nd grade we found a great classical school. They used SOTW for history but Singapore for math and Shurley for grammar. Singapore really threw her. She is a kid that needs lots of repetition and drill and she became almost math phobic because all of these problems were being introduced that she had never seen before. We worked through that, but she lost some confidence in Math along the way.

    Sadly the school folded due to not enough enrollment/money concerns. This year we sent her to a private Christian school and I could just kick myself for doing it. We happen to live in a really good school district and this school consistently ranks #1 or #2 with the highest test scores in the state, etc. But this year has been a disaster. They have learned no grammar (I mean NONE). Their writing consists of going on line and using this tool called “Letter Generator,†which is like a fill in the blank form letter or massive amounts of journal entries. Her math skills are all over the map. She does really well with stuff she has done or seen before, but she has a hard time with anything that’s new. I end up having to teach it to her myself at home before she really gets it. She has been bullied. And worst of all she has lost her spark and her love for learning. :crying:

    This fall we are bringing her home for good (fingers crossed).

    But where do I jump in? I have been reading the "Nan and her wisdom" threads and the spin-offs. I also have been reading the WTM again and trying not to panic.

    I gave her a WWE writing evaluation and she failed the WWE2 assessment. (trying not to hyperventillate). She does great with narration/comprehension, though she does have a hard time summarizing. She has a killer memory when she hears something read aloud. She can remember almost every detail, but she has a hard time distilling all of those details into the main point. She did poorly with dictation. She understands the sentence perfectly, but she always subtitutes synonyms or puts it into her own words. Grammar, she remembers some of from the Shurley drills. She can pick out a noun, verb, adjective, pronoun and direct object but that is about it. She is rusty from having absolutely no grammar this year. Outlining will be totally new for her. Spelling is a question mark. She did SWO A-B in 1st. At the classical school they used SSRW with spelling lists. She made a 100 on every single spelling test. At the Christian school she is in the group that does the hardest spelling words. She has always aced the tests. It is very easy for her to memorize lists and regurgitate for tests, but she is not a good speller! She doesn’t know the rules of spelling. Math she is all over the map. Sadly, due to switching around to 3 different programs in four years has left its gaps. She is about 90% on her math facts. She is a bright, sweet-tempered girl. She is not necessarily “quickâ€â€”things have to be explained slowly and thoroughly, but once she get it, she’s golden.

    So here’s what I’m thinking so far. Would love your input and wisdom:

     

    History: Ancients using Kingfisher, SOTW 1 as a spine (with her brother who will also be in 1st.) May wait to start outlining until other skills are solidified.

    Grammar: ??? R&S 5 (if she can hang?) if not back up to R&S 4. Fill the gaps as we go.

    Writing: WWE 2 crash course this summer and hopefully start WWE 3 by fall?

    (This is the subject that is making me panic the most).

     

    Spelling: ??? SWO back up to B or try her at level E?

    Math: I’m thinking Saxon 54 or 65 depending on which she tests into. Fill the gaps as we go.

    Science: WTM recs.

    Latin: Latina Christiana 1 (she had some Latin at the classical school grades 2 & 3)

    Logic: Mind Benders? Or do I wait on this until she has a more solid grasp on the basics?

     

    That’s as far as I’ve gotten. Thanks so much for reading our story and thanks in advance for any input or guidance you might provide.

    Claire

    Spelling for older student

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    I know you said no one else respond, but I just had to send:grouphug: and say that I am sorry for the misunderstanding. I have been lurking on this thread because I too have an older student with a spelling problem. I am on the fence as to whether or not to go back to SWO B and start over or just let it go.

    FWIW, my husband has a PH.D., is brilliant and is the worst speller I know. Sometimes I think it just might be in the genes. He cannot be bothered by details in some cases. He is very much a big picture person.

    Anyway, I'm sure this is not very helpful to you, but I do understand your situation.

    Claire

    A complete distortion of my words

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted · Edited by claire+3

    Dear Susan,

     

    This is about how one reads the Bible and who's in and who's out. I am very sorry that you are personally having to endure this vitriol.

    We are close to the family of another public figure who just this month was outed as a heretic via twitter. To have to endure the public character assassination by anyone with access to a smartphone has been very painful for the family.

    These are interesting times in which we are living. Perhaps your next book could be The Art of the Public Kerfuffle. :)

    Carry on with your head held high. Any thinking person sees this guy for what he is.

    Blessings and full support,

    Claire

    home schooling overseas?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I started homeschooling while living in Israel. Like the others I ordered curriculum before we went and packed it in an extra suitcase (that was before all the weight restrictions lol!).

    I used WTM as my main resource, but you may also want to check out the Sonlight cores. They have a good selection of age appropriate books all picked out for you. Even if you don't go with Sonlight, it's nice to have their books around when you don't have ready access to a well-stocked English library.

    We never registered anywhere. With whom would you register? Isn't that a state thing?

    Enjoy your time overseas! I am a little envious. That was a wonderful time in the life of our family.

    Claire

    5th History book list

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    Is there anyone here who follows WTM closely (or fairly closely) and would be willing to share or (direct me toward) their history book list for 5th grade Ancients? Also what did you use as you spine, Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History, Kindersley's History of the World or SOTW1?

    Or if not a whole list, were there any books not to be missed?

    TIA,

    Claire

    S/O Gentiles who practice Judaism

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I didn’t want to hijack the other thread, but have lurked with much interest. I wonder if any of the Jewish posters particularly have read Shmuley Boteach’s article in the Jerusalem Post from a few weeks ago:

     

    http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=195506

     

    To sum up, roughly, he calls for a dissemination of Jewish values and spirituality to “the whole earth.â€

    He calls for a middle ground between Jew and non-Jew; what he terms “Judaizers†or what has been historically called “God-Fearers.†He then puts forth seven values including Friday night as Family night, Keeping Kosher and celebrating the themes of the Jewish Feasts.

    I am particularly interested in a Jewish response to this article, though Christian and non-Christian responses are welcome. Does the idea of a “God Fearer†also offend?

    Personally, I am also repulsed by Messianic Judaism. But I guess I understand what I think is behind the attraction, at least for Evangelical sorts. In the tradition (or anti-tradition) that I grew up in, there is a huge void when it comes to things like symbol, ritual and connection to any kind of calendar. Your values that come across in things like lighting the Sabbath Candles, keeping kosher and celebrating the feasts are all very attractive. Also, we are taught to follow Jesus as closely as possible and become his disciple. Jesus was a Jew and what better way to become like him than to become Jewish. (I don't agree with this, but I understand it.)

    I also agree with the Orthodox posters who say that void can be filled by going deep (and pre-Reformation) in Christianity. But for me, I have a real problem with the icons. It’s just a hurdle I cannot get over. To me they are graven images. (I have great respect and many friends in Orthodox Christianity—I realize this is my problem not yours!)

    I agree wholeheartedly with Boteach when he says:

    "In every part of the world, there is a growing spiritual crisis. Religion is either not addressing the spiritual needs of the people or inspiring extremes."

     

    Personally speaking, I feel I am in a spiritual no man’s land. I have the utmost respect for Judaism. But I also have respect for my parents and my husband’s parents (his Dad is an evangelical pastor) and could never convert, though we have considered it. Boteach’s idea of a middle ground is very appealing to me.

    Would love your thoughts!

    Math for 1nd 2nd

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    We have had luck with Horizons. We've tried Saxon and Singapore and we like Horizons best. I think math is highly dependent on both your teaching style and your children's learning style. There is no best program for everyone.

     

    Best Wishes,

    Claire

    Any craft/art in a box programs for Moms who hate crafts?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Well, count me in the craft-despising corner. Do you have to do them? We don't really do them. Thankfully, my kids really are not aware that they're missing anything.

     

    We're starting to do art using The Art of Teaching Art to Children. We do handicrafts (aka non-throwaway crafts) with Woodshop for Kids as a guide . We'll start using Made By Me this fall. I am VERY impressed with this book. With kids 5-8, I would just get them each a supply kit as laid out in the intro of the book and set them loose. Let it be their hobby if it takes.

     

    When we study Native Americans, we'll do weaving. We'll do needlepoint for colonial times, quilts for pioneers, etc. (I'm a quilter who also embroiders so this stuff doesn't scare me too much. Glitter, paper plates, cotton balls, sequins, etc. on the other hand...yikes!)

     

    Does that make it more palatable for you? I don't like "arts and crafts" but I sure do like art and handicrafts. :001_smile:

     

    Food for thought. I do hate throwaway crafts. I think I could get into handicrafts. Made By Me looks great. Thanks for the suggestion.

     

    Claire

    what is your favorite poem?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    This poem has kept me going on many days.

     

     

    Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front

     

    Love the quick profit, the annual raise,

    vacation with pay. Want more

    of everything ready-made. Be afraid

    to know your neighbors and to die.

    And you will have a window in your head.

    Not even your future will be a mystery

    any more. Your mind will be punched in a card

    and shut away in a little drawer.

    When they want you to buy something

    they will call you. When they want you

    to die for profit they will let you know.

     

    So, friends, every day do something

    that won't compute. Love the Lord.

    Love the world. Work for nothing.

    Take all that you have and be poor.

    Love someone who does not deserve it.

    Denounce the government and embrace

    the flag. Hope to live in that free

    republic for which it stands.

    Give your approval to all you cannot

    understand. Praise ignorance, for what man

    has not encountered he has not destroyed.

     

    Ask the questions that have no answers.

    Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.

    Say that your main crop is the forest

    that you did not plant,

    that you will not live to harvest.

    Say that the leaves are harvested

    when they have rotted into the mold.

    Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.

     

    Put your faith in the two inches of humus

    that will build under the trees

    every thousand years.

    Listen to carrion - put your ear

    close, and hear the faint chattering

    of the songs that are to come.

    Expect the end of the world. Laugh.

    Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful

    though you have considered all the facts.

    So long as women do not go cheap

    for power, please women more than men.

    Ask yourself: Will this satisfy

    a woman satisfied to bear a child?

    Will this disturb the sleep

    of a woman near to giving birth?

     

    Go with your love to the fields.

    Lie down in the shade. Rest your head

    in her lap. Swear allegiance

    to what is nighest your thoughts.

    As soon as the generals and the politicos

    can predict the motions of your mind,

    lose it. Leave it as a sign

    to mark the false trail, the way

    you didn't go. Be like the fox

    who makes more tracks than necessary,

    some in the wrong direction.

    Practice resurrection.

    Anyone make hummus? Can to share your recipe?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    My hummous recipe:

     

    1 clove garlic

    2 cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained

    zest and juice of 1 whole lemon

    1 t. cumin

    1 t. salt (if you use beans that have a lot of salt added reduce by 1/2)

    3/4 C tahini

    1/2 C water

     

    Combine all in food processor and let run for 5 full minutes.

     

    I like to serve with toasted pine nuts and a little olive oil drizzled over top.

    We grow spicy oregano in our herb garden and dh and I like that over top. Tastes a lot like za'atar but too spicy for the kids.

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