JoJosMom Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Lynn said duct tape. :drool5: :laugh: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Ivy Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) It sounds pretty typical for the age, actually. Little dd is this age. Their thinking is linear and straightforward. It is a simple time for them. They are on the verge of abstract thinking but many or most are not there yet. I think it's developmental. It's one of my beefs with public school, the requirement that teachers assign writing that is not developmentally appropriate. And teachers seem to get little choice in the matter, even though it is ineffective. I would be frustrated, too. Little dd is doing Writing Tales, which relies on the retelling of Aesop's fables, adding her own fun changes. She is a natural writer, but she would be lost with an opinion paper at this stage. That is more a middle school developmental task, IMO. Even some of my 9th graders struggle to find their own opinions and write about them. I have done a lot of in-class modeling of how to brainstorm, take notes, and then craft a paragraph or essay. I don't want bs from them. I want them to find their own "voice" in writing. The curriculum I'm using is formulaic, which provides support for struggling writers. I don't know how much leeway you have, but in a perfect world in your classroom, I would model in the board how to come up with opinions and points and turn them into sentences and organize them into a paragraph. I would do this a lot. Even my high school students need good models so I would hand out an example of a 4th grade-appropriate model for am opinion paragraph. Ok, good. So, maybe I"m not as crappy at this as I thought! :) We model. I write, then they write. eta: I start with a blank 5 square writing planning page. I model how I think it through. THEN, we all get a planning page. I say "For this square, write xyz". Then, we discuss supporting details for each central reason. We talk about all the things that could go under that reason. I walk step by step through the introductory square and each central reason. Then, I let them work in groups to come up with their central reasons (they need 3) and their supporting details. Then, we walk through (I model, then they write) how to write the introductory paragraph, the central reason paragraphs, and then the conclusion. It should be fool proof, but it's not. lol Edited February 23, 2016 by Southern Ivy 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 The boys are doing fine with school today. I am just about fed up with myself. One page of rectangles to solve sides by the quadratic equation and I copy the problem down wrong TWICE. I think (hope) I just need more caffeine. But it's days like this that make me sympathetic when the boys have their own brain spasms. :laugh: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) My daffodils are blooming and yet it was so cold that I had to scrape my car windows this morning. Edited February 23, 2016 by Jean in Newcastle 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Ivy Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I think it might seem that way but the reality is that kids slowly develop this. My step-son has not been spoon-fed. He's an intelligent, voracious reader. He simply can. not. think. critically. It's not there yet. He thinks he can, but at most he can ridicule. I promise you, his mother, his father, his step-parents, his teachers, we all will point at essay answers and say, "This doesn't give me new information. You need to connect a specific detail in the text with a thought you have about it, not an opinion but a what-if statement, or a value statement, and explain why." We keep telling him. We keep saying over and over "I liked it because it was good" is a fine opinion to state at dinner when we asked if you liked the movie, but that is not critical thought. You need to explain why. You need to make connections. In the seventh grade he's just starting to get there. He is getting to the logic phase. Pre-logic phase he was 10,000% parrot phase. I think that the girls, being more verbal, were able to construct parroted logic very creatively. Like I don't see my older step-daughter or DD1 making any original connections, however they were always able to use the formula to insert the appropriate bull honkey. DD2 is actually pretty original. She makes nuanced connections, more than some of the older kids do, actually. But the others? Nuh-uh, that came in middle school. It's just not developmentally appropriate. I would agree with Texasmama. I think many boys, but also girls, deal with this. Give them more formulae. I know it feels like spoon-feeding but I think it is helpful for them. The words don't come easily to many. We get to play more and that makes me feel like a: We get to run more and running makes me feel like: Before I run, __________. When I run, __________. (Give an example.) After I run, __________. I like to play _________. When I play, I think about __________. Etc. The blank page is so scary for some of them. We are onto our rough drafts now and I'm helping edit. But, I will probably use this with the next writing assignment. I guess my expectations were too high in regards to this. Thank you for the insight. I'll try to remedy some of the issues just through one-on-one editing. :) (I've had classes in the past who have fared much better on this writing assignment, but they were a higher group of kids, so I'm sure that's part of my issue.) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJosMom Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 My daffodils are blooming and yet it was so cold that I had to scrape my car windows this morning. I hear you. We had almost a week of above freezing temps, but it was 21 degrees when I got up. Brrr! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJosMom Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 The boys are doing fine with school today. I am just about fed up with myself. One page of rectangles to solve sides by the quadratic equation and I copy the problem down wrong TWICE. I think (hope) I just need more caffeine. But it's days like this that make me sympathetic when the boys have their own brain spasms. :laugh: Here ya go, Critter: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Ivy Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I love daffodils. Daffodils and tulips are my favorites. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Ivy Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 It sounds pretty typical for the age, actually. Little dd is this age. Their thinking is linear and straightforward. It is a simple time for them. They are on the verge of abstract thinking but many or most are not there yet. I think it's developmental. It's one of my beefs with public school, the requirement that teachers assign writing that is not developmentally appropriate. And teachers seem to get little choice in the matter, even though it is ineffective. I would be frustrated, too. Little dd is doing Writing Tales, which relies on the retelling of Aesop's fables, adding her own fun changes. She is a natural writer, but she would be lost with an opinion paper at this stage. That is more a middle school developmental task, IMO. Even some of my 9th graders struggle to find their own opinions and write about them. I have done a lot of in-class modeling of how to brainstorm, take notes, and then craft a paragraph or essay. I don't want bs from them. I want them to find their own "voice" in writing. The curriculum I'm using is formulaic, which provides support for struggling writers. I don't know how much leeway you have, but in a perfect world in your classroom, I would model in the board how to come up with opinions and points and turn them into sentences and organize them into a paragraph. I would do this a lot. Even my high school students need good models so I would hand out an example of a 4th grade-appropriate model for am opinion paragraph. I will remember this next year. Thank you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 BTW you sound like a GREAT teacher. Teaching is so hard, and balancing curriculum and classroom management and bureaucracy, more so. Thank you for doing what you do! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikslo Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 No, I will not spoon feed you that information. You are an adult with access to the same systems as me. Do your job and look it up yourself. I am not your default admin just because I am a female. :rant: 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJosMom Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 No, I will not spoon feed you that information. You are an adult with access to the same systems as me. Do your job and look it up yourself. I am not your default admin just because I am a female. :rant: Here ya go, ikslo: 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJosMom Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I have been sitting here, waiting patiently for a "before 11 am Pacific time" phone call. I have accomplished nothing, because I have a very hard time getting started on something knowing that I could be derailed at any time. The phone has yet to ring. Le sigh. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Openhearted Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 We are back from homeschool day at the library. It was good. I'm glad we went. Kinda. I would've rather stayed home, but at least the children were socialized. Which is all we have gotten done. So in trying to get caught up with ITT, I had 3 phones calls. I also had to return a call. I should have uninterrupted time when ITT ketchuping. :D In other news, chocolate boosts brain power, according to a report on Good Morning America this morning. I would link it, but I'm too lazy.:) 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 We are back from homeschool day at the library. It was good. I'm glad we went. Kinda. I would've rather stayed home, but at least the children were socialized. Which is all we have gotten done. So in trying to get caught up with ITT, I had 3 phones calls. I also had to return a call. I should have uninterrupted time when ITT ketchuping. :D In other news, chocolate boosts brain power, according to a report on Good Morning America this morning. I would link it, but I'm too lazy. :) Sounds like you need some chocolate. :D 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Openhearted Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Sounds like you need some chocolate. :D :lol: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I bribed 7yo dd with a Jimmy Fallon lip-syncing video (on you tube) if she would finish her school work. We also watched the periodic table song for good measure. #thestruggleisreal 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 There is no reason for this, except I was counting February out too soon. This is one of those days when I think why don't I just get a DVD writing course for the kids next year. And a workbook for grammar. Why did I want to engage with them this much? :hat: 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 So, my other dd this morning (who was on prevacid solutabs for a year) audibly refluxed this morning and complained of the fire in her throat. :( I think we're going to put everybody through a gluten free trial. We are already mostly dairy free. I've been delaying doing this for forever, but this afternoon I am meal planning..... What are your budget friendly staples? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I am not getting very far on this 150-200 word biography. I currently have 73 words and have been working on it all morning. Well, with the exception of taking care of Gymnast (who was being a brat), directing dd16 on what to do for chemistry, stopping at McD's for lunch, and picking up stuff from Walgreens. Other than, I've accomplished nothing. It must be a February thing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 What grains don't have gluten? Can one have quinoa? I don't know if I could go gluten-free if I had to give up quinoa... Well, not really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 What grains don't have gluten? Can one have quinoa? I don't know if I could go gluten-free if I had to give up quinoa... Well, not really. I just found the answer to my own question. http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/gluten-free-whole-grains 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJosMom Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Quinoa is a seed, isn't it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJosMom Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 We are back from homeschool day at the library. It was good. I'm glad we went. Kinda. I would've rather stayed home, but at least the children were socialized. Which is all we have gotten done. So in trying to get caught up with ITT, I had 3 phones calls. I also had to return a call. I should have uninterrupted time when ITT ketchuping. :D In other news, chocolate boosts brain power, according to a report on Good Morning America this morning. I would link it, but I'm too lazy. :) Sounds like you need some chocolate. :D Ta da! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 quinoa is a seed. It's in the amaranth family. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 quinoa is a seed. It's in the amaranth family. Of course it is! Now, I have to look up amaranth. Brb... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Isn't wheat a seed too? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 There was a huge debate over the grain v. seed thing for those on kosher diets. Technically, yes, it is the seed part of the plant one eats when one consumes wheat. I take it you've never threshed your own wheat for supper? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Here's part of the debate: http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/498035/jewish/Is-Quinoa-Kosher-for-Passover.htm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (((ITT Folks))) All y'all need some hugs, chocolate, gluten free yummies, and coffee and/or tea and/or hot chocolate! I am down to 10 Braindead Tuesdays, plus one Braindead Thursday, and then I am done. Congratulations on your morning run, Lynn! I couldn't have done it. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I think this may be what we're having for dinner, minus the coconut sugar. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/43065740165273669/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) The one complaint I had about the Whole Foods tour was a boy, maybe 10-12yo, who picked up EVERYTHING! If he was standing near it, he picked it up, stuck it ON his nose to smell it, and then shoved it onto other kids' noses to smell. Fruit, vegetables, herbs, ginger, soaps, cheese, etc., etc. And it wasn't enough to smell just one orange or one soap. He had to pick up every orange and soap within reach. His mom was standing right there watching, and getting a little annoyed that I was preventing my own kids from touching and smelling every single thing in front of them. #getsomegloveswhydontyou Edited February 23, 2016 by Susan in TN 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 There was a huge debate over the grain v. seed thing for those on kosher diets. Technically, yes, it is the seed part of the plant one eats when one consumes wheat. I take it you've never threshed your own wheat for supper? No, we decided to grow sugar cane instead of wheat. We don't have enough room to grow enough wheat to make it worthwhile. Yes, we have apparently discussed this, lol! The living history museum has two working mills, so I do have wheat grains I slipped from one of those bins to my pockets. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Link to gluten free yummies, since Susan brought it up: https://www.pinterest.com/sagibug/gluten-free-recipes/ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Yum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Openhearted Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Today I have: 1. Dealt with the cutting of timber on my and my mother's land. This is the beginning stages, and I expect she will change her mind, again. I say it is her and my land, but it is her decision, and I am expected to carry it out while making sure she doesn't get ripped off. 2. Dealt with the moving of a headstone at the cemetery of which apparently I am the decision maker. There is a board, and I am the treasurer. However, no one is doing their job. 3. Done the homeschool thing at the library, and dealt with children hyped up on sugar from the late Valentine's day party. 4. There is more, but can you believe it? Now they want food, and expect me to prepare it. And clean up too. The nerve.....:D 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Link to gluten free yummies, since Susan brought it up: https://www.pinterest.com/sagibug/gluten-free-recipes/ I will take a few of every single one of those, please. Mmmmmm...peanut butter cookies! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I have looked up the answer to dd's chemistry problem that we had trouble with this morning and we answered it correctly. Except we still don't know why our answer contradicts what the chapter was teaching. Sigh. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) Wheat-grain slipping is the method how I've come about growing corn monstrosities: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15YBB4NHhmfEqIa5BMlI76sYGA9K6ZiNY2A/view?usp=sharing I consider it keeping heirlooms alive. Edited February 23, 2016 by Renai 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 That's some awesome corn. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 One of the things I love about homeschoolers/homeschooling is that we tend to be an interesting bunch of people. :) 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 That's some awesome corn. I know, right? And considering it was grown in a 5ish x 10 space along with tomatoes, chilies, squash, and other foods, it continues to amaze me. And for those who think I'm stealing corn seed: The museum doesn't sell it. If they did, I'd buy it. As it is, it was either in a loose bin or an ear that had dropped to the ground. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Oh, also remember I'm 4'11". But, it's still tall corn. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 We got through the last half of the rainy, cloudy, brain-dead Tuesday by the power of chocolate. Now we'll have my GF staple food, the humble potato, before heading out to hob-nob with our fellow beekeepers this evening. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Bob's Red Mill gluten free 1:1 flour---good? I am thinking of making some sweet breads for the kids to go with their eggs and fresh fruit in the morning for breakfast. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junie Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 :seeya: I have ketchuped. After running around (not literally) in the rain taking various children hither and yon. And dinner awaits... Be back later!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) I feel sort of guilty saying that today was a good day. But it was a good day for me. A Good Day Booyah! Edited February 23, 2016 by Jean in Newcastle 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Bob's Red Mill gluten free 1:1 flour---good? I am thinking of making some sweet breads for the kids to go with their eggs and fresh fruit in the morning for breakfast. I tend to mix my own from a variety of flours. I've got to say that I did adapt a banana bread recipe for GF that involved Teff flour that is pretty tasty. But I'm not just great shakes at baking GF yet. I've mastered a pie crust, can do a cake and I've got my banana bread. Not bad, but not great either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I did a gluten free trial for myself a few years ago, and invested in a ton of GF cooking supplies. It was $150 to stock my pantry with the bare basics to make things. I have almond flour, chia, and a few things that I've kept, but not all of the gums & specialty flours. I don't want to have to buy all the things unless it turns out that gluten is behind all of the reflux and rashes. But I know I can't survive this without brownies and the occasional loaf of banana chocolate chip bread. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) I do love Bob's Red Mill brownie mix. I don't have a ton of specialty flours. I've got almond and Teff as my special flours. I keep a little corn flour too. My staple flour is a 1:1:1 mix of brown rice flour, tapioca starch and potato starch. I mix it as I need it. I might add a little corn starch in there at times. ETA: I keep xanthan gum too. Use it as I need it. Edited February 23, 2016 by Critterfixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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