CalicoKat
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Posts posted by CalicoKat
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DH and I have celebrated our 15th anniversary this year. I found TWTM boards about 3 yrs back. We use suggestions from TWTM as well as Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education
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My oldest dd, just turned 9, has always been impetious (according to my mother that's the word).
She's the kid who rather than answer the opthamologist's questions about which viewing option was better or worse decided it was a game and answered each question opposite. The opthamoligst was very professional with her an at no time during the appointment gave her/or me the impression that he was playing with her.
She's the kid who asks for help, from me or any other adult, and then proceeds to act completely silly or stupid when help is given. She loves to cook and I gave her a new cookbook for her birthday. And I invited her to make lunch today from a recipe in her cookbook. She was excited, but then she acted like she didn't know what to do -- not so! She acted like she couldn't read. She acted like she didn't know how to find ingrediants in our cupboard. And then when I helped she got silly and shut down--literally she laid down on the floor in front of the stove. She wouldn't answer my questions--are you OK? Am I doing too much? Is this too hard? Do you not want to do this any longer? Do you not want my help? It seems that you are upset. Are you upset?
She's the child who will hide directly behind you, and turn to stay directly behind you, in public just when you call her name and start to panic because she's not visible.
She convinced everyone that at 8 she still couldn't read--when she reads very well! My former elementary teacher MIL and special ed teacher Dad were both very concerned there for a while.
She's the kid who can't find anything despite the directions you give her. And then when you get up to find it (in plain view) she acts offended. "The socks are in the basket next to the washer." I can't find them. They're usually right there.
She behaves this way with all the people in her live, at Church or Homeschool Co-op, and in her interactions with our babysitter.
I know my dh wants her to do standardized testing this year. But I'm afraid, from experience, that she'll see it as a game and answer everything opposite. Just because she can.
I coach her on what her behavior makes the people around her think about her and perhaps about being around her. I tell her that when she's acting aloof, incommunicative, etc. that it makes people very uncomfortable. And that when they ask her questions to find out what's wrong they're truly interested in helping make things better--it's not a game--and the best thing she can do is it respond!
Does your 9 yo act this way? Is there something you've shared with your little person that has helped them to understand that acting in these ways isn't good?
She'd rather act contrary regardless of how her behaviour impacts her.
thanks for your thoughts
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when they like to start taking them off and the poop lands on the floor for the dog to dine on, or as a landmine to step into when you're busy running through the house chasing said naked baby. . . . :eek:
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BUT homeschooling is so much more than just teaching academics. I AM the expert on my children, their personalities, their likes, their dislikes, their preferred ways to learn. I AM the expert who is passionate about my kids and finding the best learning environment, curriculum, methods, and motivation for them.
Perhaps they're experts, but I am the specialist.
I don't disagree that perhaps my kids would be getting more education in a public school environment. I don't disagree that perhaps there is a better teacher for them to learn from. Yes, our homeschool might not be the best academic environment with 5 kids.
BUT homeschool is not just about academics. We've had a ton of unsolicited feedback from the numerous visitors in our house these past 2 months while I've been sick and recovering. I've been hearing reports of how my kids have blown away people with their politeness, ability to have a conversation, taking loving care of their younger sibs, helping out with the chores in the house, etc. This is encouraging to dh and I. We want more for our kids than to just be the smartest kids, we want them to also be the nicest kids--kids who are enjoyable.
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so very sorry for your loss.
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www.worksheetworks.com I don't know if they are "speed" drills persay, but you can create TONS of math drill sheets of various kinds. Oh, and although I haven't used them, I think Saxon might possibly have some online. HTH
wow! Love this website.
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a tip from OPTGR is to cover all but the first letter of a word. Have them sound that out and then uncover the rest of the word.
MAN
M - an (covered with your finger tip)
mmmm - an
CAN
C- an (covered with your finger tip)
KKKKK - an
Another tip was to have her do a continuous sound for each letter and not to stop until the end of the word. mmmmmaaaaaannnnnn.
My dd is still using these hints and some words she's committed to memory.
You'r dd's reading fluency will come. She's pretty young yet. 4? One day it will all click and she'll take off.
We've had success with OPTGR. I'm not sure how it compares with 100EZ lessons. We do supplement with the Bob books and ETC.
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I'm looking for the printable kind.
We've used the online program at MUS but I don't think the kids are getting a sense of their progress with that.
Thanks.
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I do forget once in a while to put them back in the van. But my kids are into it now too so they're helping remember the routine.
The reusable bags hold more and are easier to pack in the van. Even though they're from the grocery store and have that name on them I use them all over town. They're great.
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I am looking into using these next year (K) with my ds for phonics instruction, maybe along with Happy Phonics.
Is this a "stand alone" program?
What kind of readers, if any, did you use with them?
Do I need the Teacher's Manuals? Is there a point where they would become helpful?
Thanks for your help! :)
I like to use ETC in combination with several curriculum choices. It seems like my Ker's attention span and interest is short and if I rotate between differernt kinds of materials that teach the same kinds of things they're more engaged more of the time. kwim?
With my Ker this year we're using MFW K, ETC, Bob Books, Pathway Readers, and OPTGR for Language Arts. I've also got several different kinds of lang. arts games that help too. It does help that he's my 3rd Ker so I didn't buy all of it this year for just him. Curriculum kinda accumulates, ya know? I've got 2 more ker's coming so I'm sure they'll have the most choices. :)
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I liked fitteds and plain old unbleached cotton prefolds with a Snappi:)
Folded in a bikini twist. http://www.babycottonbottoms.com/cloth_diaper_folding.htm
For little boys especially its thicker in the middle to catch all the pee.
I also liked the Bummis Super Snap diaper covers. Velcro isn't baby proof. My kiddo figured out how to rip off the velcro covers-eww!
LOVE Snappi's. So much easier to get off those pee soaked diapers. Plus they keep the diaper on there tight unlike regular pins.
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when dd 7 was evaluated last fall the final recommendation included a blurb about doing more work with her visual perceptual skills. They explained it as solving mazes, puzzles, etc. So we've been doing that.
What do you do? How do you know they're making progress other than just that they can solve a maze or puzzle by themselves?
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not that I want to minimize what you're feeling. But please don't forget that our emotions tend to get depressed at this time of the year.
Go back to the beginning and remember the good things that have happened this year--however small. Progress is just one step at a time. Write them down in a journal for next time you get down.
And then get a big bar of Toblerone, a cup of hot tea, a bunch of candles, and a good book. Fill the bath tub with suds and don't get out until the water turns cold and your treats are gone. Pamper yourself a bit.
Then make any decisions you need.
(hugs)
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Just curious who is or isn't homescholing actively right now. I see alot of responses from folks who that make wonder.
Thanks.
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it's great on the grease. A razor works great for those baked on crusty's that are flat on the surface. My stove came with one of those and it was recommended so you won't wreck the surface.
I thought I would really like a ceramic stove top. In my small kitchen it is nice because it does double as a counter top surface if we're baking. BUT my new stove for the new house is going to be a gas range. :)
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is a 6.5lb loss. The scale is still creeping downward daily so I still don't know how much to attribute to my surgery.
BUT I do know that if I indulge my cravings for steak, mint choc. chip ice cream and dorritos I won't be able to keep it off. :D
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My dh actually took time off today to be at my 2 week post-op visit. He wanted to find out if I was ready to be working at 100%. My new oby/gyn was very intuitive and looked him directly in the eye, "Oh, so very slowly or we'll be put her back in the hospital for another 10 day!" She said it jokingly but she meant it. I think she and I are going to get along just fine. :)
Anyway, back to you . . . do you live in a college town? Call the campus and see if they've got a job board. Some of those are online. Or hire the first babysitter who can drive themselves over to your house. Let them know up front you'll be there so they don't get uncomfortable. Bring them in for YOU and your nap. :D
Maybe it's another homeschool mom's older dd who might like a job for the day.
In those dire moments that I don't have a sitter, I get a nice long movie for the big kids and put the younger kids in bed for a nap. My 2 yo has outgrown nap time and he isn't interested in TV just yet so I'll have to get creative when the Nanny isn't coming daily. It's not as restful as being able to tune everything out, but it is helpful.
Tell your dh that you need to hire some help. You can't do it all and you don't want to unexpectedly end up in the hospital like your friend CalicoKat on TWTM boards.
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Math
$40 - Alpha (2 student workbooks)
$55 - Delta Student & Teacher Package
$15 - Primer student workbook
Language Arts
$40 - R&S English 4
$15 - R&S Preschool
$14.45 - R&S Spelling 4
$15.30 - Pathway Readers Grade 4
$7.25 - Italic Handwriting Book F
$7.25 Italic Handwriting Book A
$7.25 - Italic Handwriting Book B
$7.25 - Italic Handwriting Book C
$5.95 - Explode the Code Book 1
$5.95 Explode the Code Book 2
$5.95 Explode the Cook Book 5
$15.95 - Ready Get Set Go for Code A, B, C
$20 - Writing Strands Level 3
$29.95 - English from the Roots Up
History, Science, Bible, Art
$305 MFW Exploring Countries & Cultures - Grade 4
$200 MFW 1st Grade (2 students) ?
Foreign Language
$199 Rosetta Stone Level 1 Spanish
$199 Rosetta Stone Level 2 Spanish
The total is approx. $1230. This doesn't include extra curricluar activities, of course. And it's for 4 kids.
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We have to remind each of them that God has gifted them each and their gifts are very different from each other. And we remind that that each gift is different, not better. And we remind that God needs people will ALL different kinds of giftedness.
Each of them has to learn to be confident in who they are before God. Their abilities, challenges, and successes in life probably aren't going to be the same. But as long as they're doing their best, following God hard, then they're super!
You can't change a dog into a cat. And a cat will never be comfortable or happy if you treat it like an elephant.
It's a great life lesson to start to learn. Hard, but rewarding.
I wonder how God is going to use your son's gift for learning another language so well.
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We also do history, science, art, and Bible all together. This year we're using MFW Adventures for that -- none too consistently. In previous years we did SOTW with better success.
Now for the rest. It's done at separate levels of ability, but it's the same curriculum series. I found that if I learn the flow of one curriculum series I can be more consistent as a teacher.
We use MUS for all. One kid is in Gamma, and right now two are finishing up Primer. Next fall I'll probably have Delta, Alpha, and Primer all going. See how that works. I don't have to relearn how to teach math. AND my older kids can jump in and help out with the youngers.
The two kids in Primer at 7 and 4. One is delayed and the other is well, advanced. It's a hard bit for the older one to swallow. But we keep reminding her that everyone has their talents and we shouldn't get upset if her db's gift is mathematics. She's gifted in areas he isn't, like helping with the younger babies.
Next fall we'll start with FLL - the 2nd time I'll have gone through it as a teacher. And my eldest will continue with R&S--I really like it. The others will graduate to R&S after FLL.
Everyone is doing Getty Dubay Italic - We've got Books, A, B, and D going on right now.
Reading is ETC, Pathway Readers, and OPTGR. Most of these are my 2nd time through.
Also by using the same curriculum for the up-coming students I'm not having to spend as much. Just have to replace consumable workbooks.
Not having to re-learn a new method each year also frees up some of my gray matter to think of crafts--or at least that's the idea. :) It also make it easier for dh to plug in occasionally while I'm out--since it's not completely new to him either having taught it once before to another kid.
The younger kids also have a sense of accomplishment to finish a workbook that their older sis has finished. And they can look forward and know what's coming, sometimes with enthusiasm.
I have 5 kids 8,7,4, 2, and 9 mos. (3rd, 1st, K, Pre-K, and nursery)
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ran away with the missing socks!
We have a pencil box, but that's MIA today too. Buy in bulk. Then buy stock in the company. :)
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MFW Adventures for all - but we've only made it to week 7 before the holidays, flu season, mom's surgery & recovery overtook all but the necessaries.
QUOTE]
Uh, holidays, flu season, surgery & recovery.... They certainly take their toll on schooling, don't they. :p You're covering reading, writing, and arithmetic for all your children. Don't worry about what comes your way, just keep working the plan... You're doing fine.
I only have one suggestion, it helps me to have 1 or 2 subjects we do everyday regardless of what happens, so I'd suggest you make certain phonics/reading happens everyday. Math and handwriting are certainly important but reading takes precidence for young children. Last year, we had a bad year, but we got math and Latin/phonics done everyday. (Nothing else regularly though.) My oldest caught up in math, and my middle 2 children started reading independently. :D
But yes, I'm starting to plan for next year. But unlike last year we're moving forward quickly and will be finishing the year in April or May. I like to school year around and will need next year's material soon.
Best of luck with your recovery!
My 1st grader and Ker are just starting to read independently! That's been a lot of work this year. They're both enjoying the Bob Books. I'm glad my Ker didn't struggle with it as much. And I'm so grateful my 1st grader is making progress!
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I'm sure it's just from a lack of energy during my recovery, but when I read posts about ordering, planning, or scheduling next year's curriclum I get a bit panicky. I start to doubt what we're doing THIS year when I see what other's are planning for the same grade for NEXT year.
We're still in the midst of this year. Are we doing enough?
MFW Adventures for all - but we've only made it to week 7 before the holidays, flu season, mom's surgery & recovery overtook all but the necessaries.
3rd Grader
R&S English 3 - struggling with quotations. Just finished 2nd section
MUS Gamma - only on lesson 13
GD Italic D - not yet half way through
1st Grader & Ker - doing the same work because the 1st grader is delayed
1st grader
MUS Primer - painfully slow, but she's getting it finally.
GD Italic B - 1st grader is making good progress but it's sloppy.
OPTGR- Lesson 55
ETC Book 1 - workbook is MIA since my surgery :(. But she was about halfway done.
K'er
MUS Primer - he's a math whiz!
GD Italic A - workbook is MIA since my surgery :confused:
OPTGR- Lesson 35
There, I've cleared my conscious. It's my ugly homeschool confession.
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Beware of going low fat and low carb cold turkey
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
for a long time nuts were my snack of choice. Although they're not low in fat, just a few of them gave me enough to not be hungry and crabby. In the end I ate less when I snacked on nuts.
Today -- I can't stand nuts. :eek: