meggie Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I hope this makes sense; I'll try to keep from rambling. I know my oldest is only 6, but I'm looking ahead and trying to figure out what I should do to educate myself so I'll be ready for the upper years. I only have the 1999 edition of WTM, I'm thinking looking at the rhetoric stage resources in the newest one and going from there. I would also appreciate any additional ideas. For math: I was never any good at Algebra 2 or above. I managed to get a B in Trig but stopped there. Anything beyond that is completely scary. I'm thinking about using the Life of Fred high school books to refresh my memory and see if math actually makes sense. Any other recommendations? For science: I did earth science, biology and chemistry in high school. Biology was easy; chemistry was difficult. Physics doesn't always make a lot of sense to me. I struggle a lot with the mathematics of physics and chemistry. Any recommendations? For history: I've tried reading SWB's history books. They just go over my head. I'll probably just keep trying those. Any other recommendations would be appreciated too. If you have any tips, ideas, or experience on how you educated yourself, I would love to hear it. :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 My advice is not to start where you stalled out, but to go WAY back and build the foundation rock solid. I have home schooled 2 boys through high school, but with my own self education I've gone all the way back to first grade. I've suffered some brain damage from seizures, but even still, I now realize how much I missed, during my education, and while rushing ahead to get the boys ready for college. Don't worry about the middle school stuff. Study elementary level vintage books and modern books and educational theory. Wallow in phonics and math journaling and the scientific method. Read John Holt and about Waldorf and also about the differences between neoclassical and Latin centered methods. Read about the differences between a Hebrew and Greek worldview as well as worldviews of non Christians. Read about the Declaration of Human rights and the Declaration of Independence and decide what you think about them. Learn to research, and to write about what you researched. Practice on small 5 paragraph research essays instead of longer papers. Hang a big world map on the wall and start cooking recipes from around the world. Maybe start studying a language. Your children will probably want you to teach them all sorts of languages, but teaching a language is a lot of work. Pick the one YOU want to learn. They have the rest of their lives to learn other languages, but can be content with being spoon fed yours as a child, and picking one for themselves when they are willing to put the work into learning it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 Thank you for all your ideas. I'm gonna cross post this on the general board too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 I started reading classics, many which I had avoided as a teen. I also started in on the Great Books, taking my time. I started again on pre-algebra, it's been a long time since I've been out of school. I use a lot of college texts (we used to have a great thrift store), and books recommended here. Even though your dc are young, I would be intentional about your studies. I started our journey when ds was in 5th (not sure why it took that long!). I veered off track a few times and in some subjects I'm not as far ahead of ds as I hoped to be. Time does fly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 I started reading the booksnfrom Ambleside online...beginning innyear one, writing my own narrations and continuing through. I stalled out in year 8 due to illness, but plan to continue soon. Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Something I wish I had done when my first child was 3 is read Conceptual Physics. I had physics in high school and physics in college and like it both times, but Conceptual Physics is very practical. It explains things like what causes the seasons and tides, about rainbows and stereo speakers, and why the air in a bicycle pump gets hot. Another thing that might be helpful is to see if your library has any of The Teaching Company audio books or DVDs. This is their website: www.thegreatcourses.com Their materials are a nice way to learn about history and literature. If you have the time and resources, this would be a good time to learn a foreign language or brush up on one that you already know. I think the Life of Fred math books are a really good idea. Many people find that it works better to outsource science and math and possibly writing in high school when their students get to the point where they are no longer a good teacher. There are many possible ways to do this, everything from arranging for your child to take a class at your public high school to sending them to the local community college to a homeschool coop to hiring a tutor to signing them up for an online class like K12 or Keystone or Laurel Springs or Oak Meadow (just to name a few - not recommending any in particular). If you can't find the time or energy to study these things on your own, you might want to start saving money to outsource them later. It is probably not a bad idea to brush up on your own academic skills, things like outlining and writing. I'm not sure how you are going to find time for any of this, but it is a very good idea. Good luck! Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I will check around at our library and thrift store to see if I can find some of these things. Our library doesn't have Life of Fred, but I put in a ILL request and will hear soon if they can or can't get it. DH wants me to look at them before buying any of them. I may get FLL and WWS ahead of time too. I think out of all my subjects, writing was the one that was severely lacking. I guess it's easy to understand; in high school they have to fit grammar, vocab, reading, and writing in the same amount of time as other subjects. I was good at grammar, vocab, and reading, but never even heard about sentence diagramming or doing some of the other things they have in the WWS sample. I'm glad to hear that I'm not being super crazy or OCD or anything by trying to get a head start. I know I can't give my kids a perfect education, but I'm really hoping I can give them one worthy of their potential. Thanks all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewelma Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) I self educate all the time. I read read read, and listen to audios. The Teaching Company lectures are wonderful (often you can get them at libraries) http://www.thegreatcourses.com/ For history, I would read History: the definitive guide. Beautiful pictures, good summaries of world history and historical trends. http://www.amazon.com/History-Definitive-Visual-Civilization-Present/dp/075663119X For writing, I have been reading Corbett's Classical Rhetoric for the modern student , and have found that it is helping me see the BIG picture, which helps in curriculum choice. http://www.amazon.com/Classical-Rhetoric-Modern-Student-Corbett/dp/0195115422/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328341675&sr=1-1 (I have an older version for less $$) For grammar, I would use (and have used) the KISS website. http://home.pct.edu/~evavra/KISS.htm The website is a mess but the program is EXCELLENT and free. Search the logic board for KISS and you will find some threads on how to navigate it. For literature, I am listening to free audio books of all the classics I read as a high school student. (I listen while I do dishes, laundry, exercise, etc.) http://librivox.org/ Use Amblesideonline if you need a list. http://www.amblesideonline.org/ For science, I have heard good things about Conceptual Chemistry, and Conceptual Physics. If you have time, Tarbuck's Earth Science is excellent (but fat) http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Science-13th-Edward-Tarbuck/dp/0321688503/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328342183&sr=1-1 (I have an older edition for less $$). As for Biology, I would suggest reading The Way Life Works http://www.amazon.com/Way-Life-Works-Illustrated-Reproduces/dp/0812928881 ,the Cartoon Guide to Genetics http://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Guide-Genetics-Updated/dp/0062730991, and Biozone's Evolution http://www.biozone.co.nz/modular.php . This will give you a nice overview of the topic minus human anatomy and animal diversity. For Math, I would recommend Jacobs' Algebra. It is gentle and actually starts with prealgebra. http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Algebra-Harold-R-Jacobs/dp/0716710471 But if you need to back up more than that, I would suggest you work your way through the MEP website (K through 10th grade). It is an excellent curriculum and free! http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mep/default.htm Well, I think I have just outlined a few years of study for you. Hope you enjoy self-educating! I do! Ruth in NZ Edited February 4, 2012 by lewelma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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