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CourtneySue

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Everything posted by CourtneySue

  1. Tina and Katrina, I do like the books she's chosen. But recently, I was listening to a lecture by SWB about using Great Books to teach history, etc., and she warned against doing literary analysis in the grammar stage because it's really a logic/rhetoric stage activity. She said that the problem with dissecting a book too much in the early years, when you are trying to cultivate a love of reading, is that the child may come to see books as puzzles to be solved and not something to enjoy. She also said that most kids after analyzing a book will most likely never want to see that book again. If those of you that have gone through PR2 and above haven't had that experience I would love to hear about how you think it's developmentally appropriate and hasn't had this effect on your children. Clearly, I haven't used it yet, so I'm sure you know better than I do how it's actually done. Thanks for your responses!
  2. Here's my situation: I currently own The Phonics Road that a friend who was planning to homeschool, but decided not to sold to me for $50. I had AAS that I was planning to use, but sold it thinking I was sold on PR. I own WRTR and liked it a lot, but it seemed a bit confusing to implement myself, although I did get a little booklet that breaks it down and makes it a lot simpler. I like almost everything about PR. I don't like the literary analysis because I think it's developmentally inappropriate. And I'm using the Getty-Dubay Italics program instead of the traditional Palmer. I do feel when I watch the DVDs that I'm getting an education myself and I love the way she does the spelling because she's so thorough, but is it worth spending the $$$$ on it if I'm not going to use it all. That's the part that I'm struggling with. Do you think AAS is as thorough? Julie-I was reading your blog and noticed that you switched to AAS in March. Are you still happy with it? Mothergooseofthree- I didn't know that about the phonograms. Do you know if more words are introduced, as well. Thanks.
  3. I'm trying to decide between these two curricula. Obviously, The Phonics Road is more than just a spelling program, but I'm impressed with how thorough it seems. Would you say that AAS is just as thorough? Has anyone used both? Any thoughts or suggestions would be great!
  4. We get the CDs every month and then I put them on my ipod, then pass the CDs around to my friends. I'm excited about the upcoming series on the Parables. Here's a good blogpost about it by Mike Horton: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2010/10/08/exploring-the-parables-of-jesus-part-1-2/
  5. I heard this interview on the White Horse Inn recently and thought others would appreciate it as well. It's with Kenda Creasy Dean about her most recent book titled Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church. I found it very eye-opening and insightful as a parent. If you want to check it out, go to http://whitehorseinn.org and scroll down just a little bit to the box that says "Listen Now!" Then click on the show that says "Almost Christian."
  6. I like the Mark Kistler recommendation. I'll have to check that one out. A couple of other good ones are: Drawing with Children Discovering Great Artists This one is more painting, etc., but the kids actually produce nice artwork and it can be used to motivate kids to like art.
  7. I don't think I even knew they existed until now and we have not missed them. Previous poster is right who said that they give instructions on each page regarding what kind of manipulatives to use for each lesson and how/what to discuss with the child. Singapore really is more hands on than people realize.
  8. For my 5 YO DS. I'm still working on schedule, but this is what we're covering. (I guess it's about time I put this in my signature.) Phonics/Reading/Spelling/Penmanship: The Phonics Road Math: Right Start Level A with some Singapore Early Bird (he's very mathy and often asks for more, so I thought I'd throw this in when he wants more to do) Science: Keeping it at the level of nature study Bible: The Child's Story Bible plus memory Latin: Song School Latin History: Beautiful Feet Books Early American History Guide Violin Lots of great read alouds!! Also considering throwing in Spanish and a formal Geography course, but I may be crazy.
  9. Thanks! I've been looking for book recs for my 3 year old and I love good book lists. I also love Honey for a Child's Heart and The Read Aloud Handbook. I usually take these with me to the library when we go. Ambleside also has some good recommendations in the 'Year 0' section.
  10. My DS does all of the above and we just began Phonics Road and it hasn't been a problem at all. In fact it probably makes it a little easier on him. In fact, IMHO, I think it would help to at least know the basic phonograms before starting the program. - hth
  11. I haven't used either. I just wanted to add that I heard Rea Berg speak at my local homeschool convention last weekend and I was so impressed and inspired that I decided to go to her next talk. The one thing I will say for her is that she has impeccable taste in children's literature. So, even if you don't use her guide, be sure to include her recommendations in your studies. Also, if your child is an advanced 4th grader, why not do the Intermediate Level? Or would that take too long? Just a thought.
  12. I think it's a brilliant idea. And there's definitely a need. I was a Classics major and love Greek, and hope to teach it to my kids some day. What ages is it geared toward? Thanks.
  13. So you think Singapore supplemented with Miquon and Right Start games is a better combo? Good point about redundancy. It does seem that using two curriculums in their entirety might be a bit overkill. Katrina, I will check out Math Mammoth. It definitely sounds appealing if it is easier to teach. I'm just afraid to tease my indecisiveness anymore.
  14. I'm just getting started home schooling my 5 yo ds in the fall and I really like both of these programs. I'm wondering how I might go about combining them? Is this even doable or totally unrealistic? Thank you in advance for any input!
  15. What is it that you don't like about it? I have sometimes thought it tried to cover too much in too short of time. I like the fact that Veritas Press spreads their history program over 5 years. It seems like you would be able to get more in depth. I'm still figuring out what I'm going to do as I get started and am on the fence regarding SOTW.
  16. Karen, So why do you think sticking with LFC is the right choice? I'm asking because I'm vacillating between LFC, LC and LL for teaching to my students at my home school co-op. My students are fairly advanced second and third graders. I'm wondering, based on your experience, which you would choose? We used Minimus this year and I want something that focusses on grammar a bit more--although I may still use it as a "reader." Thanks for any input you may have.
  17. Who was your 11th grade English teacher...that's exactly what my 11th English teacher said too.
  18. I'm in the same boat as you. I was a classics major in college so I took lots of Latin and Greek. The curriculum that I think you would enjoy is Minimus by Cambridge. It has kids reading Latin from day one, and I think a little background in Latin definitley helps. It will also be perfect for your son's age. It is recommended for 7 yos.
  19. Just a few comments: A method isn't a box; it's a guide. While I'm not advocate of textbooks myself, I actually found her comments on textbooks naive: a single textbook will have a chapter on physics, then a chapter on astronomy? One of the few memories I have from high school is when I had to serve Saturday school (don't ask), which is pretty much detention for the whole day, and we were only allowed to do school work (no magazines, etc.). It was the only time that I think I ever read my history textbook. It was so interesting to me that I still remember what it was about: the Protestant Reformation. Even though I had grown up in a Christian household, I knew very little about church history. I also almost always enjoyed my college textbooks. My point is that they aren't all bad. The article also gave me anxiety at some points. How many of us need to be encouraged to change curricula frequently? Just my thoughts.
  20. My son is confusing his pencil hold with his violin bow hold. He used to have a very natural textbook hold. But, about a month ago, he started holding his pencil the same way he holds his violin bow. I tried holding my pencil in the same way to see how it would feel long term, and it's painful! He's only four, but I always read moms on here saying to fix these problems early before they set in. We don't do a lot of writing, but he loves his Rod and Staff preschool books, which are mostly writing. He asks to do them. I'm open to any suggestions for how to correct this. Thanks for any help!
  21. :iagree: This book really opened up my eyes as to why reading aloud is so important. It's a great read and a great resource.
  22. I remember going through that during my last pregnancy. Is it easier to read when standing up? I remember it was always a lot harder to breath when I was sitting down.
  23. The Shurley Grammar jingles CD might have what you're looking for. I know they cover other topics, like linking verbs, but I can't remember if it had prepositions. I'm sure someone on here that has used it would know. It was used at a school I worked at years ago, and I can't remember . . . .
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