agst1967 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Hi All!! I am halfway through my first year of homeschooling!! YAY!!! It has gone surprisingly well!! Some things have worked really well, some things not so much!! (All my research really seemed to pay off!) I am currently homeschooling my DS (8); DS (7); and DD (5) Here is where I am needing help...planning for next year! Here's the deal: when I started this journey last year, I wasn't sure how long I would be homeschooling. Decided to just see how this year went, and then go from there! That way, I didn't put TOO much pressure on myself...or the kids!! Well, guess what? We all LOVE it!! I think we may be in this for the long haul!! Just realizing that, took a lot of weight off my mind...but with it, came a whole new set of stressors!! Now, I am thinking "long term" not just "short term" I want to start having some fun...now that I don't have to worry so much about keeping them on track, should we decide to put them back in PS!! I love the idea of Classical Education...it is how I would LOVE to have learned...so I am totally on board with that! I am not really a CM type person...although I do love the "learning through books" ideas because I am a reader by nature! But, I am more structured...and really, the kids tend to be also. (Except the 7 year old) So, that definitely factors into the curriculum choices...I also like things written out and planned for me! (I have 5 kids total and DH that travels a lot..not a lot of time to curriculum plan!) So, here is what we did this year and if it did/did not work: DS(3rd grade-8): MATH: We did a combination of McRuffy Math (for the manipulatives and variety) and R&S (for the drillings/getting facts down) I really liked the combination of the two. But for next year, not sure which direction to go....DS wants to be an engineer and has already said he wants to go to MIT! (YIKES!) I am NOT a math person...so, what would be a good rigorous program..without causing him to HATE math??? He likes worksheets and not really an "outside the box" kinda kid. I am all over the place with this decision!! Please help!!! (Considering CLE for next year) GRAMMAR: We did MCT Island (LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!) and will continue with Town next year! We also did GWG 3 (great for him to review what we are learning) I will probably do GWG 4 next year because it is so user friendly! (Considering CLE-LA for next year) WRITING: WT 1...this was ok. But DS was not crazy about it! We skimmed the grammar parts because we were getting grammar in other places and just used it for the writing part. However, he really struggled with the writing. Not sure if there would be something better? He has a really good imagination..but just struggles with putting in on paper. Considering WWE 3 or 4 or CW Aesop A and B) Any other ideas to get him just writing??? NOVEL THINKING: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...we have REALLY liked this!! We are taking our time and he is really getting good at retention/analyzing the story. And it is great for vocab too! Will probably choose another book next year within this series. HISTORY: Chose to go with Bringing Up Learners free online curriculum! I cannot stress how GREAT this was. It used SOTW 1 as the spine, we also added the SOTW AG and have done lots of other fun activities! She also has a curriculum for SOTW 2...but not as detailed as 1 that I will probably use next year. Although, I am already stressing over the "4 year cycle"...and have also been all over the map with TOG/MFW...thinking I will save TOG for logic stage. (OH! And then just yesterday received a brochure for Trail Guide to Learning...and I LOVE the look of it..especially since they tie everything together...however, we weren't going to do American History until 5th grade...but I don't know????) HELP! SCIENCE: Haven't really done much...just some weather stuff, outside nature study...will hit this a little harder next year. Would love ideas here, too! Do I try to keep all the kids together...or have him doing something separate from the other ones? ART/MUSIC: Again,not much. Will do artist study next year and thinking of doing recorder as well. Would love some ideas for this!! LATIN: Didn't even attempt this year...but plan to next year. Thinking Song School so they can all do together, then I will move him onto more challenging in 5th grade. VOCAB: Purchased Dynamic Literacy, but never go to it. Since I have it, will probably try to fit in next year...or maybe Wordly Wise because I just like the sound of it! SPELLING: Didn't do any. He spells REALLY well, but thinking we may need something, as the more advanced his writing is becoming he is have some trouble with the bigger words...any suggestions??? (Again, CLE-LA??? maybe) I guess I would value any input as far as "big picture" is concerned...especially math/writing/vocab/grammar...knowing this kid has high asperations with education and I want to make sure he is prepared for the SAT (long time away, I know...but time flies!) I won't bother you with the 7/5 year old now...don't want to scare you all away!! :tongue_smilie: If you are still reading...THANK YOU!!!!! Alicia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agst1967 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarrieF Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Alicia, So glad to hear your first year has gone so well - that IS exciting! :001_smile: And, you are wise to be planning ahead because time DOES fly. Not only will one year build on the last, but each year is the foundation for the years going forward. For math, I would suggest that you look into something like Horizons math (we use it here) because they use manipulatives, but also have drills with flashcards and timed drills to make sure the facts are solid. The topics are taught in a spiral fashion so the students learn something new, but aren't pounded over the head with it, rather they keep coming back to it in small increments to make sure they "get it." It is similar in style/content to ABeka (which the Wise girls rec. in TWTM), but doesn't have as much drill/as long of exercises. For writing, I'd go with WWE-3 or 4 as it lays a great foundation. Also, if you are using MCT Island level, you'll start adding in some writing with Sentence Island. We are using MCT Island level, too (with my 3rd grade son) and LOVE it! We are just getting ready to add in Sentence Island, so I'm not yet sure just how much writing there is. I know in Town level there are paragraphs and I am okay with waiting until we get there. : ) Oh, also, we are using GwG for a "supplemental grammar workbook" because while my son loves MCT, he "missed" having a grammar workbook (go figure!), so I'd stick with what you are already doing! We are just getting ready to switch over to AAS (All About Spelling) because I want my kids to have a solid foundation in phonics based rules and AAS provides that (and then some!). It is not a workbook based program, so some tend to shy away from it (myself included!), but it is so solid in presenting the rules that I was quickly won over. English is my background, so I tend to be more analytical when it comes to researching LA curricula, but AAS is rigorous and logical in its presentation, so it got my vote for spelling. :) For science I have been very happy with Elemental Science. It follows the classical cycles and is SO well laid out/planned that it makes planning almost effortless. Paige, the creator, is on the boards here and is always willing to answer questions or offer insights, so that is a special bonus! I think I addressed everything, but if I missed something just ask and I'm sure someone will respond! Best wishes in your homeschooling journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarrieF Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Forgot to "plug" Lively Latin for when you do add in Latin - the Wise girls recommend it and we LOVE IT! It is well-paced, there are video lessons taught by the creator, and the work is not only academically sound, it is FUN! Just thought I'd throw that out as food for thought! : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn E Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) Welcome! I'm no expert, but I'll give you some random ideas. :) Math: We just switched to CLE and I'm really liking it a lot...as is dd. By "not outside the box" are you referring to the fact that he would prefer a traditional program? If so, CLE would fit that bill. Being a mathy kid, he might like Math Mammoth. There are a lot of samples at their site, so you can get a better idea of the program. It is less traditional and more conceptual, though. Also, CLE is spiral where MM is mastery. Grammar: If your son is a natural speller CLE would be a good fit because you would be able to cross off handwriting and spelling in addition to grammar. Writing: If WT did not suit him, you may not want to go the CW route. WT is the same method just in a more user-friendly format. You may look at IEW or Meaningful Composition. The writing in the Town level of MCT also may be sufficient. Latin: SSL will definitely be beneath him, but perhaps you could let him be your helper helping to teach it to the younger ones. Also, you might add in Getting Started with Latin for him. It is an inexpensive program and your younger dc could follow along in it when they can. Starting in 5th you may want to look at FFL from Memoria Press or Lively Latin. Edited February 3, 2011 by Dawn E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyP Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Welcome! Math: I love Math Mammoth. You could search these boards and hear the wonderful reviews. It is also very cost effective for 5 kiddos. The best advice I can give is: find a program that "clicks" with you and stick with it. You do not want to curriculum hop when it comes to math. Research, make pros and cons lists (I love these:001_smile:) and try your hardest to make it work. Grammar: stick to what is working! It looks great. Writing: If it were me, I would add WWE to MCT. Remember that you can use the text and do the writing across curricula instead of using the workbook. Some find the workbook easier. I didn't know there was a text when I started and I prefer working from it. History: I'm a TOG user. It is wonderful for a large family. Science: I second Elemental Science. It follows the recs laid out in WTM and you can combine your kids. HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Year Round Mom Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) Hi, Alicia! My kids are still young, but I've been "researching" for years, ha! I don't have advice about specific curriculum choices, but one thing I did do that might be helpful to you was make up a "projected plan" for the kids' education. Let me see if I can describe it: The first chart is the overall plan. First column is for the year: for example, Sept 2010 - June 2011 Second column is for the grade each kid's in: DS - 1st; DD - K; DD - pre-K Third column is for History. Fourth column is for Science. Fifth column is for Other, like languages, Bible, etc. So, those are my columns. I have one row for each year that I'll have a child in school. That way, I can fill in the blanks as I research. For example, I have SOTW I for history this year. I wanted to get through it this year (my oldest is in 1st) and get on a four-year history rotation. My original plan for History, as was laid out in my handy dandy chart was: SOTW I SOTW 2 SOTW 3 SOTW 4 TOG 1 TOG 2 TOG 3 TOG 4 TOG 1 TOG 2 TOG 3 TOG 4 That would take me to DS's senior year. Then I'd cycle through with the girls until they graduated. But I just changed my chart today because I'm re-thinking history. I just won't be able to get SOTW I done this year. After reading a few threads on VP, I'm thinking of going with their history, one, because it starts in second grade (so my DS would be on-target) and two, because I like the idea of the songs and cards, with the focus on retention in the early years. So, now my history cycle looks like this (I'm undecided about what to do when DS gets to 7th grade, but that's okay; I've got loads of time to change my mind!) DS 2nd - VP -ancients 3rd - Greece and Rome 4th - Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation 5th - Explorers to 1815 6th - 1815 to present The girls would sit in with DS and then cycle through when DS goes on to 7th. The second chart is what I call my "General Outline for Skill-Based Subjects", like language arts and math. First column is for grade: K, 1st, 2nd, etc. Second column is for Math. Third column is for Language Arts. Fourth column is for Trivium (mostly for logic and rhetoric stages). Fifth column is for Other, like cursive, instruments, etc. I only have Math figured out up to 5th, but it could change. I just have Right Start A, B, C, D, and E in my chart! For Language Arts, I only have Phonics Pathways for K and 1st and FLL for 1st and 2nd. So each child, for 1st grade, will be using PP, FLL, and RS. Each child in 2nd grade will learn cursive and piano. Etc. I figure I have more flexibility in these areas because they seem easier to change...maybe I'm incorrect in this, though! I've not tried to switch curriculum on skills subjects yet! The last little chart I have on my Word doc is how I want my school year to go. I saw on these boards a 6-week rotation that looks like it might fit my needs better than the 9-wk quarters I tried earlier this year. So, my last chart is simply this: School Time Rotation 6 weeks on / 1 week off (starting after 4 July) 6 weeks on / 1 week off 6 weeks on/ 6 weeks off (Thanksgiving and Christmas) 6 weeks on/1 week off (starting after New Year's) 6 weeks on/ 1 week off 6 weeks on/6 weeks off (summer) All the charts are subject to change as we change and grow and find out what works and doesn't work for us. It really does help, though, with seeing the big picture. That, in turn, helps with choosing curriculum! Sorry so long! :D Edited February 3, 2011 by LivingOutLove trying to clarify...stuff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agst1967 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 Thank you! Thank you!! It really does help to see a "big picture" for history! Keep any and all suggestions coming!! I can use all the help I can get! Alicia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Math: As an engineer myself, I prefer the Singapore type methods. I use Math Mammoth for my son, and absolutely love it, as it's very easy for ME to teach - I don't have to go to a separate teacher's manual or get out extra practice books and such. If your son didn't like the MM format and wanted more colorful, spread out pages, Singapore would be a great route to go. Both are more rigorous in math education. Either one would be a great choice. Writing: Listen to the audio lecture available at Peace Hill Press on teaching writing in the elementary years. Some of the comments you have about him having a good imagination but struggling to put it on paper... that exact thing is addressed very thoroughly in that lecture, and she specifically talks about BOYS and their extra challenges in writing. Have you been doing copywork/narration/dictation? If you've only been homeschooling for half a year, I doubt he'd be ready for WWE3. It's a progression of skills, not a grade level. He may be able to quickly move through WWE1 and 2, but I wouldn't skip them and jump into WWE3. If I were you, I'd get the instructor text and evaluate where he is now (whether he needs level 1 or 2) and then start using that with passages you select. It'd be easy to speed it up and progress to where you want him to be. But again, listen to that audio lecture!!!! Seriously, it completely opened my eyes and made me feel like I really can teach my son to write really well. :D Spelling: I think since he seems to be a natural speller, I'd go the route of studied dictation... Spelling Wisdom, Simply Spelling, etc. If I hadn't gone with AAS now for my first grader (which I LOVE, but don't think you need for this child), I was planning on doing Simply Spelling when he got to the age for that (I think it's 4th grade? Maybe 3rd). What I liked about Simply Spelling is that it pointed out some of the rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agst1967 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 Math: As an engineer myself, I prefer the Singapore type methods. I use Math Mammoth for my son, and absolutely love it, as it's very easy for ME to teach - I don't have to go to a separate teacher's manual or get out extra practice books and such. If your son didn't like the MM format and wanted more colorful, spread out pages, Singapore would be a great route to go. Both are more rigorous in math education. Either one would be a great choice. Writing: Listen to the audio lecture available at Peace Hill Press on teaching writing in the elementary years. Some of the comments you have about him having a good imagination but struggling to put it on paper... that exact thing is addressed very thoroughly in that lecture, and she specifically talks about BOYS and their extra challenges in writing. Have you been doing copywork/narration/dictation? If you've only been homeschooling for half a year, I doubt he'd be ready for WWE3. It's a progression of skills, not a grade level. He may be able to quickly move through WWE1 and 2, but I wouldn't skip them and jump into WWE3. If I were you, I'd get the instructor text and evaluate where he is now (whether he needs level 1 or 2) and then start using that with passages you select. It'd be easy to speed it up and progress to where you want him to be. But again, listen to that audio lecture!!!! Seriously, it completely opened my eyes and made me feel like I really can teach my son to write really well. :D Spelling: I think since he seems to be a natural speller, I'd go the route of studied dictation... Spelling Wisdom, Simply Spelling, etc. If I hadn't gone with AAS now for my first grader (which I LOVE, but don't think you need for this child), I was planning on doing Simply Spelling when he got to the age for that (I think it's 4th grade? Maybe 3rd). What I liked about Simply Spelling is that it pointed out some of the rules. I have recently looked at Math in Focus, which I believe is based on Singapore..which I was considering for my 7 year old...who already "sees" math in his head. It is amazing to watch, especially since I was always terrible with math...until I had an amazing math professor in college) Anyone heard or have anything to say about that program? Alicia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Hi All!!Hello, and welcome! DS(3rd grade-8): MATH: We did a combination of McRuffy Math (for the manipulatives and variety) and R&S (for the drillings/getting facts down) I really liked the combination of the two. But for next year, not sure which direction to go....DS wants to be an engineer and has already said he wants to go to MIT! (YIKES!) I am NOT a math person...so, what would be a good rigorous program..without causing him to HATE math??? He likes worksheets and not really an "outside the box" kinda kid. I am all over the place with this decision!! Please help!!! (Considering CLE for next year)We like MM but it is more mastery in approach than what you are using. The best advice I can give here is to pick something and stick with it. Switching math curriculums every year is going to cause gaps. Also make sure your dc can do math outside of their math program. Sometimes a dc can be whizzing through their program but when they are given a math problem in a format they aren't used to, such as those that occur in real life, they have trouble figuring out how to solve it. GRAMMAR: We did MCT Island (LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!) and will continue with Town next year! We also did GWG 3 (great for him to review what we are learning) I will probably do GWG 4 next year because it is so user friendly! (Considering CLE-LA for next year)Diagramming, in my opinion, is important for understanding grammar and is helpful later on when they start writing. If your favorite program doesn't include diagramming you could pick up a supplemental diagramming workbook to teach it and then just incorporate it into your program. WRITING: WT 1...this was ok. But DS was not crazy about it! We skimmed the grammar parts because we were getting grammar in other places and just used it for the writing part. However, he really struggled with the writing. Not sure if there would be something better? He has a really good imagination..but just struggles with putting in on paper. Considering WWE 3 or 4 or CW Aesop A and B) Any other ideas to get him just writing??? I think this is really going to depend on what your philosophy on writing is. WWE doesn't encourage creative writing. I would recommend you listen to SWB's writing lectures, if you haven't already, to get the big picture of her writing philosophy. They are the ones labeled "A Plan for Teaching Writing" there are 3 of them.http://www.welltrainedmind.com/store/audio-products/audio-lectures.html WWE, in my opinion, is best gone through systematically so as not to miss any skills. If you want to start with level 3 or 4 then I would recommend doing the placement evaluations first just to be sure your dc has the skills necessary to move up. CW lends itself more to creative writing in that you are still working from a model but once you have isolated the essential components of a model you are encouraged to use a wide variety of grammatical components in order to embellish\re-write the story and make it your own but keep the underlying message of the story the same as the original. This works well for creative thinkers who have a hard time coming up with original content. CW is teacher intensive and there is a learning curve involved in learning how to teach it so that may sway your decision. We are using Homer this year for my older dc and so far am very impressed with the skills my dc are learning from it. Used as written this is a writing, grammar, spelling, vocab and literary analysis program. If you are looking for pure creative writing instruction neither of these will fit the bill for you. HISTORY: Chose to go with Bringing Up Learners free online curriculum! I cannot stress how GREAT this was. It used SOTW 1 as the spine, we also added the SOTW AG and have done lots of other fun activities! She also has a curriculum for SOTW 2...but not as detailed as 1 that I will probably use next year. Although, I am already stressing over the "4 year cycle"...and have also been all over the map with TOG/MFW...thinking I will save TOG for logic stage. (OH! And then just yesterday received a brochure for Trail Guide to Learning...and I LOVE the look of it..especially since they tie everything together...however, we weren't going to do American History until 5th grade...but I don't know????) HELP! We aren't partial to the 4 year cycle. We are going to be using Trail Guide to Learning starting next year in combination with Time Travelers CDs. The company is writing a 3 year World History also for middle school so once we finish the 3 year American we can move right into the World History for 6th, 7th and 8th. Even though it is all inclusive we will still will add in our own writing (CW) and supplement with additional grammar (R&S). You could probably make this work for all 3 of your school age dc. SCIENCE: Haven't really done much...just some weather stuff, outside nature study...will hit this a little harder next year. Would love ideas here, too! Do I try to keep all the kids together...or have him doing something separate from the other ones? I would definitely do this all together. Other than that I can't make any recommendations because I have yet to find a science program that I absolutely love. For this young age, you could consider just doing lapbooks\unit studies throughout the year instead of going with a formal curriculum. My older dc are doing interest projects right now and I wrote a botany unit study for my younger for this semester. There are a lot of people here (most of whom are mostly on the middle and high school boards now) who don't do any formal science or history until middle or even high school grades, instead letting their dc learn through personal interests. Highschool science text assume no prior knowledge so they are going to start from square one at that point anyway. Letting your dc concentrate on their scientific passions in the lower grades is going to serve them well. LATIN: Didn't even attempt this year...but plan to next year. Thinking Song School so they can all do together, then I will move him onto more challenging in 5th grade.Hated Latina Christiana, loving Latin Prep. VOCAB: Purchased Dynamic Literacy, but never go to it. Since I have it, will probably try to fit in next year...or maybe Wordly Wise because I just like the sound of it!An SAT prep vocab along with a Latin based root study will more than prepare your dc. SPELLING: Didn't do any. He spells REALLY well, but thinking we may need something, as the more advanced his writing is becoming he is have some trouble with the bigger words...any suggestions??? (Again, CLE-LA??? maybe)We like Megawords...start with the first book. I guess I would value any input as far as "big picture" is concerned...especially math/writing/vocab/grammar...knowing this kid has high asperations with education and I want to make sure he is prepared for the SAT (long time away, I know...but time flies!) When setting goals don't look so much at "what he needs to know by the end of 3rd" look more at setting goals for where he needs to be to enter logic stage and then again highschool. It helps me to write out a course of study for each of my dc so that I can see where everyone will be at the same time. For example I didn't want to start two different levels of CW at the same time. I'm also trying to decide on science and history sequences from now through highschool because what they have to do in highschool for credit requirements will have an effect on what we study up to that point. For example my cover school requires a year of World geography so I can't do it in 8th. (which is when I had wanted to do it). Alicia I guess the other advice I can give is to remember to be flexible. Just because you like the classical method doesn't mean your dc will learn best that way. I started out using the classical method but have discovered that I am having to totally re-vamp my methods and programs for two of my dc. Also, even if it takes your dc twice as long to "get" a concept or to become proficient in a skill as you wanted it to take, make accommodations and don't worry about grade level. There is nothing worse than getting to middle school and gearing up to do pre-algegra and then realizing that your dc lacks basic math skills. (ask me how I know...no, actually, don't ask me.:tongue_smilie:) Most importantly though is to have fun, and don't get bogged down with your curriculum...work the curriculum, don't let it work you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 My biggest piece of advice is to not change anything that is working. Greener Grass Syndrome is a huge problem for us hs moms, especially the first few years. So, here is what we did this year and if it did/did not work: DS(3rd grade-8): MATH: We did a combination of McRuffy Math (for the manipulatives and variety) and R&S (for the drillings/getting facts down) I really liked the combination of the two. But for next year, not sure which direction to go....DS wants to be an engineer and has already said he wants to go to MIT! (YIKES!) I am NOT a math person...so, what would be a good rigorous program..without causing him to HATE math??? He likes worksheets and not really an "outside the box" kinda kid. I am all over the place with this decision!! Please help!!! (Considering CLE for next year)I would stick with what you are doing. No changes. GRAMMAR: We did MCT Island (LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!) and will continue with Town next year! We also did GWG 3 (great for him to review what we are learning) I will probably do GWG 4 next year because it is so user friendly! (Considering CLE-LA for next year)Ditto WRITING: WT 1...this was ok. But DS was not crazy about it! We skimmed the grammar parts because we were getting grammar in other places and just used it for the writing part. However, he really struggled with the writing. Not sure if there would be something better? He has a really good imagination..but just struggles with putting in on paper. Considering WWE 3 or 4 or CW Aesop A and B) Any other ideas to get him just writing???Have you read Writing With Ease? If not, I would read that before ordering the workbooks. I think it would be a good choice, but you should really have the big picture before deciding where to start him. NOVEL THINKING: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...we have REALLY liked this!! We are taking our time and he is really getting good at retention/analyzing the story. And it is great for vocab too! Will probably choose another book next year within this series. HISTORY: Chose to go with Bringing Up Learners free online curriculum! I cannot stress how GREAT this was. It used SOTW 1 as the spine, we also added the SOTW AG and have done lots of other fun activities! She also has a curriculum for SOTW 2...but not as detailed as 1 that I will probably use next year. Although, I am already stressing over the "4 year cycle"...and have also been all over the map with TOG/MFW...thinking I will save TOG for logic stage. (OH! And then just yesterday received a brochure for Trail Guide to Learning...and I LOVE the look of it..especially since they tie everything together...however, we weren't going to do American History until 5th grade...but I don't know????) HELP! It's not broken! Stick with SOTW + AG. I personally don't think that the 4 year cycle is that big of a deal. Don't stress yourself over it, and just have fun! SCIENCE: Haven't really done much...just some weather stuff, outside nature study...will hit this a little harder next year. Would love ideas here, too! Do I try to keep all the kids together...or have him doing something separate from the other ones? There are all sorts of opinions on science. Have you read TWTM section on it? I think you should keep the kids together as far as content, but require more output from your oldest. I land in the dollop of interest led, with pinch of structure camp. ART/MUSIC: Again,not much. Will do artist study next year and thinking of doing recorder as well. Would love some ideas for this!!I got nothin'. The only way that the arts have ever been consistently covered in our house has been through co-op classes. LATIN: Didn't even attempt this year...but plan to next year. Thinking Song School so they can all do together, then I will move him onto more challenging in 5th grade.I like song school and Lively Latin a lot. This is also one of our co-op classes. VOCAB: Purchased Dynamic Literacy, but never go to it. Since I have it, will probably try to fit in next year...or maybe Wordly Wise because I just like the sound of it! I don't think vocab is a huge deal if you are doing latin and reading high quality literature. Try Dynamic Literacy first before getting WW. No reason to buy 2 programs if 1 will work. SPELLING: Didn't do any. He spells REALLY well, but thinking we may need something, as the more advanced his writing is becoming he is have some trouble with the bigger words...any suggestions??? (Again, CLE-LA??? maybe) Could you make weekly spelling lists using his Dinamic Literacy words? If he is a natural speller, you probably don't need to do much more than give him a spelling list and test each week. I guess I would value any input as far as "big picture" is concerned...especially math/writing/vocab/grammar...knowing this kid has high asperations with education and I want to make sure he is prepared for the SAT (long time away, I know...but time flies!) I won't bother you with the 7/5 year old now...don't want to scare you all away!! :tongue_smilie: If you are still reading...THANK YOU!!!!! Alicia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agst1967 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 Thank you all SO MUCH!! I guess I really need to sit down and decide where I want to be with each stage and then plan accordingly! Any and all ideas continue to be welcomed...I am taking notes!! :001_smile: Alicia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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