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seemesew

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Posts posted by seemesew

    Might need to change math for 3rd grade!!!???

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    3 hours ago, MissLemon said:

    I don't know if Horizons 3 has changed in the last few years, but when we used it 7 or 8 years ago, it was fairly colorful. 

    It is colorful but NOTHING like The good and and the beautiful, they have full on gorgeous pictures intertwined with their math. Its really beautiful and so fun! Horizons is colorful but it isn't like that.

    • Like 1

    Might need to change math for 3rd grade!!!???

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    7 hours ago, Janeway said:

    OK..I know you said you are not interested in other suggestions...BUT.....

    Alright, I will say, of the ones you listed, Horizon's is the best choice. I think you will like it. I like Horizon's just fine, it is great and all, BUT, I like BJU a little better.

    I wanted to add in our opinion of TGTB Simply Math. I think it is an excellent and solid program. However, it just "felt" cumbersome. It took a long time for each lesson and in some cases, had unnecessarily complicated games. I felt it was one of those programs where half the review problems needed to be crossed off. But crossing off problems always makes me feel like we are missing something and/or wasting workbook.

    I just can't add another math to my thinking at the moment 😉 but thanks for the suggestion!

    I LOVE TGAB simply math but for whatever reason it hasn't been working, And its not just something new we really struggled last year too and ended up taking 6 weeks to 2 months off in the middle of the year just because it was a fight (It wasn't just him either I had to fight myself to want to do it). So I feel like I've given it a year and after starting up new after time off and still feeling this way I think we should switch.

    Might need to change math for 3rd grade!!!???

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    17 hours ago, amiesmom said:

    I haven't looked at TGTB math, so I don't know if this is possible, but what about using Multiplication Facts that Stick to teach multiplication specifically by fact family. Would it be possible to leave out lessons specifically focused on teaching multiplication from TGTB but continue using it to teach other concepts?

    I think that is what I'll do. He can look the answers up on his multiplication chart for things where he needs to know them in other places.

     

    • Like 1

    Might need to change math for 3rd grade!!!???

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, HomeAgain said:

    I wonder if a "full cup" strategy would work...where it doesn't matter what he does during his independent time.  You don't get angry or frustrated that he only did two problems, but the result is he looks at the same image for several days.  When he completes it, he's able to use the rest of his time that period to look at the next lesson, which in turn helps him get that out of the way before the next one.

    It won't get math done quickly at first, and it might be something you've already tried, but it has helped here when something is visually stimulating.

    That is amazingly brilliant! I have not tried that but I think it may work. I'm definitely going to try this strategy starting tomorrow!  Thank you!!!

    Might need to change math for 3rd grade!!!???

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, HomeAgain said:

    If something works, I wouldn't throw it out just yet.  Is there any way you can prep the lesson ahead of time so that you can do more orally/on white paper?  Or conversely, sit with the independent work and continue to keep him on task?

    I could possibly do some prep work... I'm not really sure how i would do that but I'll give it some thought. As for the sitting with him during independent part I'm not sure that would be helpful or not. The images are distracting even when i sit with him 🙄 but maybe i can give more direction during that time or set a timer... I'm not sure. I did look at the next levels and they cut the color images quite a bit so if we can just get through this level he might be okay in the next ones. 

     

    Might need to change math for 3rd grade!!!???

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by seemesew

    Okay here we go again! I really thought we had found the math we would stick with till my 3rd grader gets to Saxon but we need to change. He isn't ready for saxon yet because his handwriting isn't good enough yet to copy into a notebook that is why I'm not switching straight to that,

    We've been using The Good and the Beautiful math his whole schooling and I have completely satisfied with everything they have taught, he is very good at math and his thinking is beyond what any of my other kids have been at his age. I credit it to the hand holding I've had as a teacher using Tgab math. However, the last year my son has been frustrated with the math and it boils down to 2 things, the biggest issues is the color their new editions are SO colorful that he will start his independent work and then before he knows what is happening he is off to daydream and can't do a simple 11-5= problem and math ends in tears because he has spent 30 minutes on 2 problems most of which is because he is so distracted by the fun images that basically cover the whole page. The other issue is now that he is 1/3rd through their 3rd grade book I am NOT liking the way they teach multiplication. They don't do it by families but random problems based on music the author wrote that has no rhyme or reason to the facts, they say its because it all has be memorized so why teach by families and waste time? This may be true but my son has not mastered any of the problems and we've been doing it faithfully. I think their method is just plain weird.

    All that to say I am now looking at Horizons, Saxon 3, or possibly Abeka (not sure about his one). Except I'm worried about them because tgab math has such great logic and rea life math that its been so refreshing instead of just facts, I'm worried my sons great understanding will go away with using these very fact driven programs. I know Singapore or beast academy is good but I am ONLY considering those 3 I mentioned because I wouldn't be able to teach the others.

    Question 1. Do they need to all the multiplication facts for Horizons 3? My son knows 2,5,10,1's, he understands the concept completely but the others aren't memorized yet.. He passed everything for 3rd grade horizons except the multiplication without help.

    Question 2: Do you think doing tgab lessons with me (only the lesson not the additional practice) and then horizons work pages would be too much or even work? I love the way they teach and hold my hand without being too much work or manipulative heavy and the only reason I'm considering switching is because he can't focus with the color pages.

    Any other suggestions to make tgab math work would be appreciated.

     

    Anyone looked at Gather Round yet?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by seemesew

    On 7/2/2022 at 10:23 AM, HomeschoolingHearts&Minds said:

    IWe have purchased GR units here and there, but I've used it intermixed with other stuff, so I've never been "all in" on it. I would never buy a whole year on presale, though (even before the current issues) because it's too risky. I've been burned previously by another curriculum writer who didn't live up to presale promises and learned my lesson. 

    I get the distinct impression that Rebecca is in over her head. I would recommend only purchasing already published units.

     

     

    I agree completely!

    TGTB Language Arts compared to AAR

    in PreK and K

    Posted

    21 minutes ago, HomeAgain said:

    Let us not forget that Lucy Calkins was a reading specialist.  They are not created equal.

    I have a very difficult time with the insistence on giving an untrustworthy company like TGTB numerous chances.  Their first edition language arts was muddled crap.  They inserted dangerously wrong geography lessons.  Their "banned book list" included synopses that indicated that they hadn't even read the books they were against, or at the very least looked at their pictures.

    And yet, they come up again and again as a company that should be regarded as being in good standing because they are pretty even though they have no idea what they are doing or bothered to do anything right.

    Well, that's your opinion 😉 the fact they are trying to make their products better is a GOOD thing in my opinion. Their first editions were written by a mom with no editing by anyone else and as they have grown their resources have changed so they have tried to make it better. its simple really. I know you are anti tgab and that's fine. I was simply letting them know that these new editions are better and have changed from what the other poster was saying had been in them. I hated their earlier editions for the same reason @ktgrokmentioned but having looked at it thoroughly it doesn't seem to be an issue anymore. 

    TGTB Language Arts compared to AAR

    in PreK and K

    Posted

    15 hours ago, ktgrok said:

    I have not seen the new kindergarten yet - if MAY be better. The old one did have some great phonemic awareness stuff, but then would throw in spelling sight words that had never been taught, etc. I was constantly crossing stuff off. I think the new one will be better. 

    Another option is doing some worksheets from teachers pay teachers for a while, and using apps before going into AAR or Abecedarian or similar. The Phonics Fairy was what I used for DS at that in between time. Fun, easy, no weird phonics pictures that left me scratching my head or anytihng, and cheap!

    Also, Nessy has a newish reading app for that age, it starts with phonemic awareness stuff and goes from there.It does jump into blending too quickly though. My recently turned 5 kid likes parts of it, but can't do the blending stuff yet. She's not ready. 

     

    This is exactly what the new edition changed! They used actual reading specialists for this edition and they didn't before.

    • Like 1

    Strange juxtaposition: Kid fights school but is good at "life"

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    If he likes reading biographies then let him read all he wants! Try to suggest ones about mathematicians and maybe he will want to try some of the problems they were dealing with himself. Maybe taking a class on construction would be his geometry because he'll need to know how to compute for different things.  Just a few thoughts. He doesn't sound college bound and trades might be a better direction for him since they are real life and might be something he enjoys more.

    TGTB Language Arts compared to AAR

    in PreK and K

    Posted · Edited by seemesew

    On 6/15/2022 at 4:26 AM, HomeAgain said:

    I would look into Heggerty Phonemic Awareness for the gap.  Or this free program from Tennessee that goes up to 2nd.

    TGTB was not impressive to us.  It felt muddled and pulled together and not systematic.  I think if you're going to continue with an OG program after it might not be best to start here.

    They have redone the Language arts k as of this month and other more recently and I feel they are FAR better than they used to be.

    OP, I have used tgab for a few years and I feel like for me it is easier to implement and my kids enjoy it a lot more than something like AAR. As far as comparisons with there new editions there are some similar principles taken from OG that I felt were beneficial and it helped a lot. If you used the preschool course and then kindergarten prep then AAR 1 would flow great afterwards!

    • Thanks 2

    Free McGraw Hill grammar/writing handbooks/workbooks

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    On 6/10/2022 at 2:22 PM, JumpyTheFrog said:

    I don't suppose you know of any links for similar free products but for math?

    The good and the beautiful has math K-6th free pdfs! I actually created a document for free homeschool stuff there are a couple maths depending on the grade your looking for. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YKjwdXG1tYiEHi6ZCb6fMzkbxDNXfAcKk2K9PyuAXLc/edit?usp=sharing

     

    • Thanks 1

    Masterbooks? Too Light?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Ting Tang said:

    After using Abeka math, I switched my two oldest to Master Books for math.  Honestly, an Abeka mom who was just as overwhelmed by all the "pieces" sort of convinced me.  I do feel in the lower levels, the core subjects are very light (though by grade 6, I thought they were less light and less behind).  So we are switching our math to Singapore.  The kids were working grade levels ahead, but my oldest struggled a bit with their level 6, and I didn't feel it had good instructional support.  They also post about TGTB on their Facebook page, saying the company is not Christian.  I saw nothing alarming when I purchased (but didn't use) materials, and I am not really into attacking religions, even if they are not my own.  But I had a problem with TGTB Facebook page, too. I was removed for no apparent reason, and there is no getting back in, and it really bothered me there was no "due process."  But I wonder if it was because I said something like "we are not using it this year."  😞 I considered Master Books for their World's Story curriculum---I love the pictures, but someone mentioned something not being accurate about church history.  I can pick up on inaccuracies in American history, but not with church history, so I decided to shy away.  It looked like a colorful alternative to the SOTW series.  All in all, I won't be using Master Books.  I prefer to stick with curriculums known for academic rigor or success in helping struggling learners for my more challenged child.  And I love having really good teacher support.  

    That is odd about their FB group! I have said worse and am still there, lol! They had some glitches at one point in group because of FB wonder if that was why...

     

    Masterbooks? Too Light?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    8 hours ago, lulalu said:

    The elementary books for math and LA have been around for a while. Written by a homeschooling mom. She just partnered with MB as a publisher several years ago. Her stuff was free on her own site for a time. If I am remembering correctly she does not have a math background. The math is very weak in my opinion. I looked at it when it was free. I am sure some changes were made with the change to MB but from what I read it doesn't seem like much changed. 

    They actually changed very little content wise. I own the originals and have compared them.

     

    What do your homeschooled kids feel like they missed out on and what do they appreciate?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    21 hours ago, freesia said:

    Is that because of not having a common touchstone with others or because you felt you didn’t learn common knowledge. 

    I'm not sure what you mean by the bolded part.

    We were involved in a lot of things I never felt awkward or that I was inferior because I didn't go to school. I felt like I wasn't educated because there wasn't time set aside for learning other than through our work at home/jobs as we got older. I do think my parents tried a lot to teach us in unconventional ways but I wanted to learn more and wasn't able to because of various reasons.

    My friends feel like they missed out on learning and felt embarrassed that they didn't seem to know what others did (same with many of my siblings). That has never bothered me I simply wanted to learn more and wasn't given a chance.

    • Like 1

    What do your homeschooled kids feel like they missed out on and what do they appreciate?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I do not have graduated kid yet but I was a graduated homeschooler and my biggest regret was imply not doing anything "school" related. My parents were major unschoolers but didn't know that was a term and we didn't even have time set aside to pursue any learning it was always through life. 

    All of my friends who parents homeschooled the same way have the exact same regrets, interestingly enough.

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