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Jen+4dc

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Posts posted by Jen+4dc

    Disappointed in physical format of book [VENT]

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I prefer spiral bound teacher's manuals so they open flat in addition to a student workbook with grade appropriate lines and enough space around the question to work and answer it completely (for grammar, math, etc.).

     

    :iagree::iagree: I'll even spend a little more if that's already done and I don't have to go to Kinko's!! My time is worth A LOT!;)

    WWE workbooks - line size??

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    You could just use the workbook to teach from and have dc write on their own paper. Then, you could resell the whole thing when you're done and get at least part of your money back.:D

     

    Is coming up with your own narrations/copywork/dictation really that hard? That's what I'm thinking of for ds next year. Every time we read an excerpt from a new story in WWE 1 workbook he adds another book to the list he wants me to read him!:tongue_smilie: That's great, I'm glad he wants to read more, but there's only so much time in the day, kwim?

    Disappointed in physical format of book [VENT]

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    If I recall correctly, the most expensive part of a book is the binding. So dividing them into 2 separate books would significantly raise the price.

     

    Why not sell them seperately then? I, too, find the huge lines too big for my dc. I'd like to just buy the teacher part like they let you buy an extra set of the student pages. I could buy just the teacher part and have my dc use regular paper? Just a thought!:001_smile:

    Happy read-alouds?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    We LOVED this book, but IIRC I believe his wife dies very near the end of the book. I'd have to dig it out to be sure, but just wanted to say a word of caution to read through the last few chapters first just to be sure. I could be confusing it with another book since we've read quite a few over the years.

     

    Yes, she does, but it's near the middle and Bowditch gets remarried near the end. This was a fantastic book, but I wouldn't call it a "happy" one, or a light summer read. Although, I highly recommend it!

     

    How about most Beverly Clearly books? Not terribly academic, but Henry and Ramona are just hilarious.

     

    We also laughed our way through "The Great Turkey Walk" and "By the Great Horn Spoon."

     

    We enjoyed all of Baum's "Oz" books, I think there are 10 of those.

    Couldn't I just use a root-word program instead of Latin?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I learned more English grammar from my high school French teacher (a Norwegian woman who spoke 8 languages) than I ever did from any of my English teachers (even A.P.)! Basically, you cannot learn another language without some knowledge of grammar principles. Do those principles need to be Latin? Well, what are your goals?

     

    My goal is kids who can think and speak and write intelligently with a respect for others and a love for God. I want them to be able to function in the global society that they will be living in. Does that require Latin? Not in my opinion. Does it require grammar and knowledge of roots and a foreign language? Yes. FWIW.

     

    I plan on doing just what the OP said, teaching my kids roots and learning a foreign language that is still spoken today. I'd love to learn Latin but there's only so many hours in the day......;)

    Can I use 2 levels of RS4K at once?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I ended up buying Pre-level and Level 1 Chemistry for next year. They cover the same material at the same time, just in different depths! Supposedly, I haven't used it yet, but that's how it's marketed. If it really works that way, and my kids learn from it = a hs mom's DREAM!! I'm excited about it!

    Jump In by Apologia

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I sure appreciate everyone's advice to help me make an informed decision! I think we'll keep looking. Wordsmith Apprentice, IEW, there are pleny of other choices (maybe too many!)

     

    Finding a writing program has been the hardest home schooling decision so far!! Am I the only one??:banghead:

    Lightning Lit 7??

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I would recommend a separate writing program especially if you are unsure of your ability to teach. IEW gets great reviews.

     

    I've been happy with Write Shop and can provide a review for you if you wish to consider it.

     

    I would LOVE a review! Thanks!

    Lightning Lit 7??

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    By the way, reading aloud and narration are a strong foundation for any writing program. You are off to a good start.

     

    To make your head spin, (if my post doesn't) check out http://www.bravewriter.com/program/home-study-courses/the-writers-jungle/ This is for you, not your kids. I currently sleep with The Writer's Jungle under my pillow. My writing curriculum is being sold (except for LL and Best of...) and my dc have no complaints.

     

    Whoooa! sorry, Jen. I knew I shouldn't have had that coffee today:lol:

    I can still pm you about the Best of ...series, if your eyes haven't rolled back in yuor head.

     

    Yes, I'd still love the info on the Best of series!

    I've looked at Bravewriter before and it seems to creative for me, I couldn't wrap my head around it. Of course, IEW might be just as much to wrap my tiny brain around......I have a friend who is going to walk me through it this summer so I can see if I want to use it.

     

    But, I'd love any other recommendations!

    Lightning Lit 7??

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Thanks! I recently bought Easy Grammar, it arrived yesterday so we'll probably start it next week, after I've had a chance to familiarize myself with it. I've also ordered Wordly Wise, we'll see if LL is enough vocab, we can always add WW if needed.

     

    So, would you recommend an additional writing program in addition to LL7? I have no skills and no confidence in my ability to teach writing. Will LL's writing instruction be enough?

     

    My focus the last couple years of hsing has been history (that's my passion so that's what's easy for me). My goal next year is to step it up a bit with LA, which I am not very good at. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to read, but we never do more than discuss it.

     

     

    How can I find out about the "Best of" for 5th and 6th graders? I'd really LOVE to use the same program with both kids, even if I have to use different levels. Then I only have the learning curve of one program (helps when you've got 4 to school!).

     

    Any more thoughts??:bigear:

    Lightning Lit 7??

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Is Lightning Lit a complete LA program? Would I need writing or grammar to go with it? My dd12 will be in 7th grade next year and I'm looking for a something to teach literary analysis and writing. I've been looking at IEW. (She has almost no previous writing instruction! She did 1/2 of Writing Strands 3 in 5th and then I've been doing a crash course with WWE over the last month or so but that's it since I pulled her from ps in 5th grade). Would these two programs complement each other or be overkill?

     

    I've also got a ds10 who will be in 5th grade next year. He's a voracious reader and a deep thinker, but he's still a 10 year old boy. Could he tag along with his sister and LL7? Or, would that kill his joy of reading? Lightning Lit looks so good on the website, is there anything like it for 5th grade?

     

    Any input is appreciated!!

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