Anyone using Oak Meadow in the fall?

[tinkhs]

We are going to be using OM 3 and OM 1.

 

:lurk5:

[Aurelia]

I'll give a firm "maybe." :001_huh: I'm in the process of reconsidering all my choices for next year. We used it for the first time this year and I like some of their content, but have to supplement. If we do, we'll be doing OM3.

[tinkhs]

Oh, how exciting to see someone else using the same grade as I am.... maybe. :)

[Wee Pip]

I picked up OM 5 from the library for $1. We got started on the book reading already, and then I really tweaked the writing assignments. So I don't know if you can legally call me using OM 5, lol. But I like the looks of it!

[Just Robyn]

Me! We'll be using OM 1 and 5. (Probably just the history and science parts of OM 5, but I haven't had a chance to really look over the math book yet in order to make a firm decision on that part.)

[NanceXToo]

We will be using OM6 and OMK! :)

[StephanieF]

Can anyone tell me what om4 math looks like? I like the look of om4 LA but don't know whether to order the math at the same time, even if kiser it alongside something like math mammoth?

Stephanie

[tinkhs]

Can anyone tell me what om4 math looks like? I like the look of om4 LA but don't know whether to order the math at the same time, even if kiser it alongside something like math mammoth?

Stephanie

 

I am interested also. We use Saxon now, but next year we might try OM 4.:lurk5:

 

 

Glad to see all of you. :seeya:

[5forMe]

I have been thinking about Oak Meadow a lot too! My soon to be second grader has been in public school since K. I have been thinking about taking him out for a while now because he is incredibly bored and dreads going to school.

 

When I look at Oak Meadow online, it looks like there isn't enough meat to the curriculum. I need experienced Moms' advice.

 

My son reads at a 3rd grade level (according to the reading teacher and library specialist). I realize that Oak Meadow is aligned more with the Steiner/Waldorf model of learning, so what do I do about the reading aspect? He needs fundamentals in Math, since our public school uses the Everyday Math Curriculum. My son has a hard time with Math, is Oak Meadow strong in Math concepts?

 

I am drawn to Oak Meadow because of the living crafts aspect...should I just order the craft kit and then use something else for curriculum? My son is very artistic and his attention to detail is amazing. He is my only left handed child, I am guessing it is a lefty thing.

 

Help.

[happyWImom]

I was going to use OM 3 this past year, sold it, bought it again-and I am going to use it this year! I have OM 4 also, but I think it would really benefit my dd to do 3 first, to get used to the writing.

 

I am very excited to try it this year, and really do it the way I should. My problem last year was that I kept trying to change it too much & add too many other things in. When you really look at it closely, it is a very full curriculum.

 

I'm happy to see others doing OM 3 on here. Have you seen the OM Yuku group? http://oakmeadow.yuku.com/ Hope to see you there.:001_smile:

[StephanieF]

Anyone used OM4 math?

Stephanie

[funmamacita]

We're planning to use OM4.

[StephanieF]

Have you seen the math portion? I wanted to know whether it is on grade level since we have just finished MM3

Stephanie

[funmamacita]

This is our first year using Oak Meadow, but my friend (who has used it since 1st grade) always supplements the math part (she uses Math U See), and we are planning to do the same. The Oak Meadow math (to me) seems very gentle and tactile, but I think my particular child needs more structure and skill reinforcement than what it provides. FWIW, I read through both the 3rd and 4th grade syllabus pretty thoroughly before deciding to go with OM, and the 4th grade math is much more robust than the 3rd grade. But if you're already using MM, I would probably plan to keep using it and just adding in the OM math where it seems beneficial to you.

[tinkhs]

This is our first year using Oak Meadow, but my friend (who has used it since 1st grade) always supplements the math part (she uses Math U See), and we are planning to do the same. The Oak Meadow math (to me) seems very gentle and tactile, but I think my particular child needs more structure and skill reinforcement than what it provides. FWIW, I read through both the 3rd and 4th grade syllabus pretty thoroughly before deciding to go with OM, and the 4th grade math is much more robust than the 3rd grade. But if you're already using MM, I would probably plan to keep using it and just adding in the OM math where it seems beneficial to you.

 

Thank you. I might do some of their suggestions alongside Saxon this year, then decide. It's not as structured as Saxon 3, that's for sure. :lol: It might be a good thing.

[NanceXToo]

I did use OM4 math, but it is an older edition from like 1998, so I can't swear if it's the same as it is now, and I have no idea how it would compare to the math you've been using.

 

In my older edition, OM didn't used to have its own math curriculum from 5th grade on though and recommended Saxon instead. Knowing I didn't want to use that, I did some research and decided on Teaching Textbooks. That has gone so well for us (including pretty decent improvements in standardized test scores from one year to the next) that I plan to just continue with that.

 

So basically we use Oak Meadow for every subject BUT math and plan to continue on that way.

[Oakblossoms]

I was trying to enliven the Oak Meadow Social Group. Anyone want to pop over there?

[truebluexf]

I've always wanted to use OM. Tried with DS, but it just wasn't the right fit for him. I would LOVE to do OM2 with DD1. This is when homeschooling gets sad...I just don't think I could do two whole OM currics! OM4 might be a good fit for DS, but how do you manage to carry on two completely different sets of lessons?

[Ann@thebeach]

I've considered it for the last 2 yrs but finally bought OM 4 and OM 7 for this fall.

I'm planning on using the science and history for gr 7 for sure, not sure about English-we'll have to see about that since I already have a lit program, writing, and grammar that works for us. We'll stick with TT7 for math.

 

I'm excited about simplifying this fall since I feel like we've been scattered this last year.

[NanceXToo]

I've always wanted to use OM. Tried with DS, but it just wasn't the right fit for him. I would LOVE to do OM2 with DD1. This is when homeschooling gets sad...I just don't think I could do two whole OM currics! OM4 might be a good fit for DS, but how do you manage to carry on two completely different sets of lessons?

 

Oak Meadow doesn't have a lot of 'busywork' to it. OM4 (and subsequent) does start to get bigger on writing assignments, but OM2 really shouldn't be overly time consuming.

 

I would think that there would be SOME aspects of OM4 (not all!) that your son can do independently. So you might want to work with him on something you do together, then tell him "okay, now you can work on this and this independently and if you finish before I'm ready, you can have silent reading time" or whatever. Then, use that time to work with your 2nd grader... at those grade levels, you should be able to fit it in without a problem. And your son is only going to get more and more independent from here... there are still things I do with my OM5th grader but she's also getting a bit more independent with at least some aspects of it each year.

 

That's how I plan to do OM6 and OMK in the fall- working with him while she's busy doing something independent and continuing to work with her on the things we do together.

[truebluexf]

How heavy is the writing? Up til now we have only used WWE, completing WWE2 this year. He has zero experience writing paragraphs, creatively, etc except what little he has done on his own (which is basically none since he's just not into it.) I know the guide is written to him in 4th as opposed to me and fosters some independence. I'm not sure the lower scheduling structure would keep him on task though lol. As it is, we do zero busywork in any of the work we've done anyway. Hmmmm. I wish I could see more than the little samples on the OM website!

[NanceXToo]

How heavy is the writing? Up til now we have only used WWE, completing WWE2 this year. He has zero experience writing paragraphs, creatively, etc except what little he has done on his own (which is basically none since he's just not into it.) I know the guide is written to him in 4th as opposed to me and fosters some independence. I'm not sure the lower scheduling structure would keep him on task though lol. As it is, we do zero busywork in any of the work we've done anyway. Hmmmm. I wish I could see more than the little samples on the OM website!

 

Amy,

You can check out this link on my blog and see if it helps you any with seeing what OM4 was like...

 

http://nancextoo.livejournal.com/126472.html

[truebluexf]

Thanks, that was helpful! :) Just not sure it's going to be a good fit. :( It's one of those curricula I've always wanted to work! I'll have to mull it over more, but I think I might need something with more handholding. I'm not sure if it would help him get more excited about writing or hate it? We need a change next year, but I have everything mostly picked out already. IDK if I should switch gears this majorly or not. I think DD1 would love the creative stuff, but at the same time she is miss independent so might do better with workbooky stuff that keeps me out of the way, lol!

[NanceXToo]

Thanks, that was helpful! :) Just not sure it's going to be a good fit. :( It's one of those curricula I've always wanted to work! I'll have to mull it over more, but I think I might need something with more handholding. I'm not sure if it would help him get more excited about writing or hate it? We need a change next year, but I have everything mostly picked out already. IDK if I should switch gears this majorly or not. I think DD1 would love the creative stuff, but at the same time she is miss independent so might do better with workbooky stuff that keeps me out of the way, lol!

 

Well, it's up to you how much hand-holding you want to give. My daughter and I did almost everything together still in fourth grade. Some assignments I might get her started on and then leave her to finish if I knew she could, others I had to sit there with her the whole time offering feedback or input or guidance or whatever. If you want to do that with his writing for a while, you certainly can. If there are aspects of OM you like and want to use but you feel like you need to switch or replace other things.... you're the boss, after all. :)

[LoveBaby]

I am using OM 5 (well, we'll start again in a few weeks) and the writing assignments are too open for my daughter. I recently reviewed IEW writing and am going to use the OM 5 history as the resource material to teach writing with IEW. I think my daughter needs more "this is how you write" teaching than "write a story describing your expedition across america". I am more concerned with the mechanics of writing than the creative process at this point. I think this will be very beneficial to her and I plan on doing the same with the next kiddo's down the line.

 

The kiddo's are at Grandma's this week so I'm going to sit down with the IEW units and start plotting in writing assignments into OM 5. I'll update on my blog as I go along!

[Just Robyn]

I am using OM 5 (well, we'll start again in a few weeks) and the writing assignments are too open for my daughter. I recently reviewed IEW writing and am going to use the OM 5 history as the resource material to teach writing with IEW. I think my daughter needs more "this is how you write" teaching than "write a story describing your expedition across america". I am more concerned with the mechanics of writing than the creative process at this point. I think this will be very beneficial to her and I plan on doing the same with the next kiddo's down the line.

 

The kiddo's are at Grandma's this week so I'm going to sit down with the IEW units and start plotting in writing assignments into OM 5. I'll update on my blog as I go along!

 

I'm in sort of the same place as you. I've been going over OM 5 to use next school year and I want more writing instruction, not just topics/ideas. I'm planning to try using techniques from The Writer's Jungle with some of the content and exercises in OM 5. It will be experimental. My poor guinea pig/eldest child...

[LoveBaby]

I'm in sort of the same place as you. I've been going over OM 5 to use next school year and I want more writing instruction, not just topics/ideas. I'm planning to try using techniques from The Writer's Jungle with some of the content and exercises in OM 5. It will be experimental. My poor guinea pig/eldest child...

 

I know!! Poor things...at least they can't say there schooling was repetitive, predictable or that nothing new was ever going on! :lol:

[NanceXToo]

I'm just curious, what type of writing instruction did you guys hope to see that wasn't there?

 

Honestly, I've never even really thought about it, I'm just going along with OM5 for our last week or two here, but I haven't noticed that it DIDN'T give an adequate amount of instruction.

 

Yes, many of the writing assignments are creative (I actually like that the kids are given choices of creative ways in which to do their writing assignments). But they also get writing instruction each lesson in the form of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, etc., and often the goal is that they will use what they learned in that lesson when doing their writing assignments. So when the grammar assignment is about how to use direct quotations, for example, they may be asked to be sure to use direct quotation in that week's writing assignments (or you can tell them to do so).

 

They are usually reminded to use proper capitalization, punctuation, to proof-read and so on.

 

The English Manual in the back of the syllabus covers various things such as how to write proper paragraphs of various lengths, how to write outlines, business letters, and so on and so forth, so they/you can always refer to the relevant info prior to doing a writing assignment.

 

One of the main things about Oak Meadow is how integrated everything is. Social Studies for instance consists of reading living books in conjunction with short lessons in the syllabus and then the writing assignments (English/Language Arts) are assigned based on the social studies material, and the grammar/vocabulary/spelling stems from those things or are used in those things, too... I really like the way it all ties in, all without being overly dry and textbookish.

[Oakblossoms]

I find if you can get a kid writing, and you look over it with them from time to time, and they read quite a bit, their writing will improve naturally:D

[Just Robyn]

I'm just curious, what type of writing instruction did you guys hope to see that wasn't there?

 

Honestly, I've never even really thought about it, I'm just going along with OM5 for our last week or two here, but I haven't noticed that it DIDN'T give an adequate amount of instruction.

 

Yes, many of the writing assignments are creative (I actually like that the kids are given choices of creative ways in which to do their writing assignments). But they also get writing instruction each lesson in the form of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, etc., and often the goal is that they will use what they learned in that lesson when doing their writing assignments. So when the grammar assignment is about how to use direct quotations, for example, they may be asked to be sure to use direct quotation in that week's writing assignments (or you can tell them to do so).

 

They are usually reminded to use proper capitalization, punctuation, to proof-read and so on.

 

The English Manual in the back of the syllabus covers various things such as how to write proper paragraphs of various lengths, how to write outlines, business letters, and so on and so forth, so they/you can always refer to the relevant info prior to doing a writing assignment.

 

One of the main things about Oak Meadow is how integrated everything is. Social Studies for instance consists of reading living books in conjunction with short lessons in the syllabus and then the writing assignments (English/Language Arts) are assigned based on the social studies material, and the grammar/vocabulary/spelling stems from those things or are used in those things, too... I really like the way it all ties in, all without being overly dry and textbookish.

 

And yet you're using Kilgallon's Sentence Composing book, so I think you can understand finding something amazing and wanting to incorporate it into your homeschool curriculum, even if the curriculum is meant to be complete on its own.

 

I'm not suggesting that a child who uses only OM will come out unable to write a paragraph, just that I've found something I love (and consider superior, with respect to the fact that different things work for different families) and after looking at OM, I wouldn't consider for a second using OM's English instead. (We'll be continuing with MCT too.) OM's English is not bad or incomplete. It's just not everything I want.

[NanceXToo]

And yet you're using Kilgallon's Sentence Composing book, so I think you can understand finding something amazing and wanting to incorporate it into your homeschool curriculum, even if the curriculum is meant to be complete on its own.

 

I'm not suggesting that a child who uses only OM will come out unable to write a paragraph, just that I've found something I love (and consider superior, with respect to the fact that different things work for different families) and after looking at OM, I wouldn't consider for a second using OM's English instead. (We'll be continuing with MCT too.) OM's English is not bad or incomplete. It's just not everything I want.

 

Oh, of course! I'm not saying that people wouldn't want to incorporate other things they enjoy or shouldn't make replacements as desired (I use TT math instead of OM math at this point for instance because I like it better; I checked out SCFES because it sounded interesting). I was just curious why some of you felt that open-ended/creative topics meant there wasn't enough instruction as I do feel there is writing instruction included, too. (I do know what you're saying though! I'm not suggesting that people wouldn't or shouldn't prefer/use other methods that work for them)!

[Ann@thebeach]

For those wanting a "technical" writing resource we used Writing Skills by Diana Hanbury King this year and it has been just what I was looking for in terms of teaching how to write a sentence, how to write a paragraph, letter, etc.

 

It starts with Book A, then Book 1 and Book 2.

 

I think it would be a good remedial resource for an older student (how I used it) or a solid general "how to write" program (which I used with my 3rd grader).

 

It's a simple workbook that we'd do 1 lesson a day in. Straightforward and to the point! And only about $10 a book I think.

 

I will continue to use this with OM next fall regardless of their program.

Just wanted to share.

[mommymilkies]

We might be. I bought OMK, OM5, and OM4 for three of my kids. The 4 and 5 are much older editions and look great. I just have so much I try to cram into a day. :lol:

[Wee Pip]

I've been using OM 5's book list, but changing the writing instruction. My 10yo is a very "just the facts" kinda gal that cannot write a "creative" assignment. IOW, if I say "pretend you are...", I lose her completely :lol: As for direct instruction, she needs this: "Write 5 sentences. Each sentence should be 8-10 words long", and then she negotiates down a sentence or two, lol. So her instruction needs to be fact-based and very specific. If I can provide that, we're cool. My 8yo OTOH I think could handle OM 5's creative assignments. She's the type that says "I wrote 6 sentences instead of 5, but I plan to write more later, so it's not finished yet", and then she never gets back to it, lol. So lately, with OM 5, I've been having the kids read so-many pages per day and then jot down 3 sentences about it in their writing journal. At the end of the book, we'll write a report about the subject matter, using our notes. We'll see how it goes. So far, I am pleased with the short 3 sentence summaries the kids are writing each day. I think they are choosing appropriate facts to include in their summaries. This is probably a lot less writing than OM 5 would do in 1 sitting, but spread out over a few days we have a nice amount of writing to work with.

[tinkhs]

I was trying to enliven the Oak Meadow Social Group. Anyone want to pop over there?

 

I'm sorry to ask a silly question, but what is a social group and where is over there?:blushing:

[Audrey]

I'm sorry to ask a silly question, but what is a social group and where is over there?:blushing:

 

At the top of every page there is a blue bar that says "user control panel," board rules/FAQs," "Community," etc.

 

Click on Community.

Click on Social Groups.

Normally, you would be able to enter Oak Meadow in the search box, but the search function is not currently working. You can either click on "all categories" then scroll to find the Oak Meadow Social group, or just go straight here. There is also a separate forum (borne out of the Social Group) at http://oakmeadow.yuku.com/ There are many WTM posters there, plus others using OM. Feel free to drop by either place or both of them!

Edited May 30, 2011 by Audrey

[tinkhs]

Thank you Audrey. You have been so helpful.

[saja1029]

We used parts of OM4 and OM6 this year.

 

We will continue on with OM5 (in full) and OM7 (minus the English/Lit part).

[saja1029]

Can anyone tell me what om4 math looks like? I like the look of om4 LA but don't know whether to order the math at the same time, even if kiser it alongside something like math mammoth?

Stephanie

 

We used OM4 and OM6 math this year. They both worked out great and we are continuing with OM math next year.

 

My youngest really enjoys math (average student, not excelled or behind), so the games, etc. in OM4 were right up his alley. I felt he learned a lot, and it wasn't torturous. If he didn't get something, or needed more practice, I just printed some worksheets off of math-drills.com. FWIW, we did have a brief stint with Saxon, which killed his love of math. Too much drill :(

 

Also, there are no tests at this grade level.

[papillon]

Yes, we are. We're still working through parts of OM4 and did some of OM2 this year, and we will be using OM5 Science and parts of OM3 in the fall. Looking forward to it!

[momto2Cs]

I am trying not to really want to do OM6 (over a year and a half or so) with my 5th grader, and then I'd use OM3 with my 3rd grader....

[Asmaa]

We'll use OM 1 (third trimester), 6, and 8 in the fall.

 

Asmaa

[oleladyintheshoe]

I'm reviving b/c I just found this. I have seen OM a bunch of times and skimmed it. Today for some reason I saw something I never saw before and I really love the looks of it. I have to run out the door and will obsessively devour everything I can find later, I'm sure, LOL. But for now, I have some real quick questions.

 

I would be doing OM1 and OM5. My youngest is already reading so doing letters seems way beneath her level. What do you do about that? Also, how do you AFFORD it??? Geez, can you just get certain guides and get some stuff at the library or as you go? I'm already looking at switching to Teaching Textbooks for my 5th grader and well, it just all adds up. This would be a last minute change after I've already spent pretty much what I needed to for next year:glare:.

 

Are there some basic basics? And by that I mean still being able to do the complete program, with the exception of math.

 

TIA

[Aurelia]

I'm reviving b/c I just found this. I have seen OM a bunch of times and skimmed it. Today for some reason I saw something I never saw before and I really love the looks of it. I have to run out the door and will obsessively devour everything I can find later, I'm sure, LOL. But for now, I have some real quick questions.

 

I would be doing OM1 and OM5. My youngest is already reading so doing letters seems way beneath her level. What do you do about that? Also, how do you AFFORD it??? Geez, can you just get certain guides and get some stuff at the library or as you go? I'm already looking at switching to Teaching Textbooks for my 5th grader and well, it just all adds up. This would be a last minute change after I've already spent pretty much what I needed to for next year:glare:.

 

Are there some basic basics? And by that I mean still being able to do the complete program, with the exception of math.

 

TIA

 

I bought OM 2 used and it was a better fit than OM 1 was. (I also bought OM 1, looked over it, realized it was WAY below Ariel's skill level and bought OM2. It works much better.)

 

If you really want to do it, I recommend selling or returning what you've already bought. You need the syllabus. All the teaching is in the syllabus, at least at the lower levels. You can sub different books for readers and supplemental literature, and/or check them out of the library.

[Ann@thebeach]

Also, how do you AFFORD it??? Geez, can you just get certain guides and get some stuff at the library or as you go? I'm already looking at switching to Teaching Textbooks for my 5th grader and well, it just all adds up. This would be a last minute change after I've already spent pretty much what I needed to for next year:glare:.

 

Are there some basic basics? And by that I mean still being able to do the complete program, with the exception of math.

 

TIA

 

Buy used, buy from amazon seconds (sold from OM), and yes, you can buy the guide/syllabus and use some of the other books from the library.

 

I bought both my OM 4 pkg and OM 7 pkg used in the last few months. The OM4 was half price and is in perfect shape and the OM 7 was probably half and is in fair to good condition but I don't mind that.

 

There is a yahoo group-I think it's "waldorf supplies" or something close to that that sells a lot of OM used. That's where I got a lot. You can also find it here on the FS boards.

[oleladyintheshoe]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check out those used spots.

 

Aurelia- I will take a look at the 2nd grade material. I just looked through the stuff briefly and knew the language arts was way below where she was but I wasn't sure about the rest. I really only did LA and math with her and let her catch the drops that fell from sisters science and history lessons.

 

And, yeah, I didn't mean that I had already bought all OM material for next year!! I bought all OTHER curriculum for next year! This would be a last minute presto-chango!! So, I have to justify spending a couple hundred MORE dollars b/c I "changed my mind":D kwim?

[Murrayshire]

To 5forme..... We used OM for the first time for my daughter's 2nd grade year...she also was in public school for k and 1st.....I loved OM's social studies, science, and stories...I thought it was lacking writing skills, Language arts, readers and math. OM came with only 2 readers which my daughter finished the first month of OM second grade!

Those areas had to be supplemented for my daughter! I was a little dissapointed in having to purchase more curriculum after buying OM......

This year for 3rd grade we are sticking with saxon math, wwe and fll3, and Sonlight history and science with alot of electives!

Hope this helps!

Jana Murray in NC

dc...10, 8, 5

[mamachanse]

We are starting OM1 with our 5.5 y/o. We'll probably go through the letters quickly...read the fairy tales, draw the letters. We will slow down when we get to word families. I'm using it for LA, social studies, and science. We will be using Singapore for Math. In the late winter or spring we will be ready to move into FLL1 I believe. I plan on spreading out the science and social studies though.

Edited July 7, 2011 by mamachanse

[RainbowSprinkles]

Ds will be using Oak Meadow 1. I decided to do the whole program even though he knows much of it. I will use it to review. Also, I plan on using Singapore for Math and continue with OPGTR.

 

I'm really looking forward to starting Oak Meadow.

[RainbowSprinkles]

Ds will be using Oak Meadow 1. I decided to do the whole program even though he knows much of it (because I want to educate the "whole" child, not just the academic child). I will use it to review. Also, I plan on using Singapore for Math and continue with OPGTR.

 

My dd will be going into 4th and she will learn to knit and play the flute along with her brother. I think I will also have her do form drawing and do some of the art lessons he will be doing.

 

I'm really looking forward to starting Oak Meadow.