Grade 7 plans - opinions please!

[scoutingmom]

Just want to get some thoughts on my Grade 7 plans for Delta, who is dyslexic….  

 

I’ve kind of broken things down into rough ‘courses’…  And it looks like there will be 7 core ‘courses’ , plus 3-4 options….    (This is assuming I can get these resources – I have a few back-up ideas in my head)

 

• Math – (finish) Right Start Level E, along with something else.   Not sure if the something else will be MEP 7, or something like SCM Business Math or Hands On Equations or Calculus without Tears….
  
• Science – Apologia General Science  (With audiobook)
  
• Social – SOTW Vol 4, the rest of My First History of Canada, and a Geography book – probably Story of David Livingston.   Possibly a biography or 2….
  
• English Skills
  
  • reading – SRA reading Labs for about 9-12 weeks (with some other English skill topics not started until after)
    
  • spelling – tbd (Sequential Spelling, or AAS, or something good for dyslexics that is independent?)
    
  • grammar – Smart Grammar
    
  • handwriting – Getty-Dubay (not sure which level….)
    
  • Writing – Write Foundations (level 0 or 1)
    
  
  
• Literature – selections from AO years 5 or 6
  
• Religion – details tbd – Scripture reading, Scripture mastery, Duty to God,
  
• Other – Picture Study, Composer Study, Nature Study, Citizenship, a becoming an adult (responsibilities, basic economics etc)
  

Options:

Ok – here is where I need a bit more feedback.   I’ve been thinking of requiring one music option, one language option, and one ‘other’ option (can do 2 if willing to do the work)  

But – I know that Delta isn’t thrilled about doing music and also not thrilled about doing another language.   BTW – universities in Canada don’t require a second language generally….

 

• Music Options:  
  
  • Instrumental (with a list of instruments we have from the basic recorder on up);
    
  • Singing (learning to sing in parts, etc); 
    
  • Music Theory (the others would have some music theory of course…..)
    
  • – any other thoughts?
    
  
  
• Language Options: Latin/French/German/Spanish/other
  
• Other Options:  
  
  • Extra Language or Music Option,
    
  • Art,
    
  • Biographies,
    
  • Logic,
    
  • Genealogy
    
  • Special Interest  (say Gardening, or Architecture, or Science/Engineering of War, or whatever (with my approval.))
    
  
  

Delta is leaning towards…

 

Music – Drums (if I allow) or Singing if he HAS to…..

Language – not sure yet

Other – Logic (he was really interested when I explained what it was), and Special Interest – Science/Engineering of War…

 

So – thoughts?

 

Sounds like enough for year 7? too much?   (It sounds like so much to me – yet it is less than AO Year 7 or Milestones Academy would be….)

 

Do you think I should require Music/Language for a student that really doesn’t like it??  (I’m not looking forward to dragging them through it figuratively kicking and screaming…) – yet I feel that music is fairly important, and as Delta would be expected to serve a 2 year mission which might involve another language….   (but then other languages are typically very hard for a dyslexic student….)   sigh.

 

Any other thoughts/suggestions?

 

(Edited to fix formatting)

[scoutingmom]

No thoughts at all?

 

Well - I'm thinking a bit differently on Options...   This is what I'm thinking of offering.

 

A Options (pick 2)

 

Note that students will be expected to take the same A options at a higher level in Grade 8 (and possibly high school) unless there is a convincing reason to change.

 

q       Instrumental Music (Recorder, Violin, Guitar, Flute, Organ, Keyboard, or other(with approval) instrument.) 

o       Do you enjoy music and wish you could play?  This course is for you!  Using mostly self-teaching (with some coaching) you will learn to play one of the available instruments, as well as learn how to read music.  A selection of music will be available including simplified popular music, folk songs, classical, and hymns (exact music will be depending on instrument chosen)

q       2nd Language & Culture   

o       Would you like to be able to converse with people who speak a different language?  Perhaps you are considering joining the Canadian military (where ability to use French is desired)?  Or maybe you want a head-start on learning languages in case you are called to a foreign-language mission?  Students will learn basic conversational, reading, and writing skills in the language using computer software, videos, opportunities to talk to speakers of the language, and books.  Exact resources will vary from language to language.  Students will also learn about the culture of the main country for that language.  

§         Latin - The advantages of learning Latin include understanding how many languages work, understanding of various phrases and documents.  The student's understanding of English will grow greatly.  The student will also find benefits of knowing Latin if they study Science or Medicine, or even History,  where Latin is used often.

§         French - The second official language of Canada!  French is a valued language in Canada, and there are some professions where knowing French will be a definite advantage, such as a politician or an officer in the military.  French resources are readily available - even including the French 'track' on many of our DVD's.

§         German - Many of the inhabitants of our province have German speaking roots - and, of course, our homeschool principal is conversant in the language!

§         Spanish - This is also a language that is very common in Canada, and even more-so in the United States. It is a native language of Mexico and Spain.  There are many people in our church Ward whose first language is Spanish, so there may be many opportunities available to practice!  Some of our DVD's will have Spanish tracks.

§         Other - Interested in another language?   Let me know, and I'll see if I can find appropriate resources for you!

q       Biographies 

o       Do you finding out about peoples' lives?  Do you find that History comes alive with a good story?  This course will allow you to expand on your history time period by learning about some of the famous people from that time.   What made the Explorers - like David Thompson or John Franklin - risk their lives trying to cross Canada?  What motivated Sir Isaac Newton to work so hard on his inventions?  What was so special about Helen Keller?  Students will discover the answer to these types of questions using books and movies about important people from this time period.

q       Drafting with the Drawing Board

o       Did you enjoy learning to Draw with the Drawing Board and T-Square?  Continue learning to draw various geometric shapes (with a bit of math thrown in).   This course will likely lead to learning basic mechanical or architectural drafting, and Computer Aided Drafting, in High School

 

 

B Options (pick 2)

Note that students will be able to change B options if desired each year.  Some courses will have higher level courses available, and some might not.

 

q       Extra A Option

q       Singing & Conducting

o       Prefer to express your enjoyment of music through song?  Learn how to sing harmony as well as melody and be familiar with 4 part harmony.  Learn to read music while singing.  Although a variety of music will be used, there will be an emphasis in Choir singing.  Students will be expected to participate in any opportunities to be in Ward or Stake Choirs.

q       Logic 

o       "A cloud is 90% water.  A watermelon is 90% water.  Therefore, since a plane can fly through a cloud, a plan can fly through a watermelon."  Is this a good argument or not?  How can you tell?  Learn this and so much more!

q        Art

o       Do you love to Draw?  Paint? Otherwise express yourself?  This course will provide many opportunities to expand on your skills. 

q       Genealogy

o       Which family member lived in England in the time of William the Conqueror?  Which ones moved to Canada and why?  What is a primary source and what is a secondary one - and who cares?   Take this opportunity to  climb our family tree and see what type of 'nuts' we can shake loose!

q       Special Interest

o       Is there something you have a passion to learn about?  Convince me, and help design a course of study!  There could be a wide range of topics - but it may take some convincing!  Some possibilities could include (but you still need to convince me)

§         Gardening

§         The Architecture of our city  (building design)

§         The Engineering/Science of War

§         ???

 

[Mom22ns]

I didn't read your second set of options, but the first plan sounded fine. It does sound like a lot. You have a lot of English going on and for a dyslexic, I would think that would be a huge time drain. Because of that, I would be careful about adding too many extras. Adding drums and logic seems good, especially if you do a light fun logic like Fallacy Detective. You might hold off a year or two on Foreign Language. It is likely to be a struggle for a dyslexic. Let him get through some of the English skills first. By the time we add foreign language, we are no longer doing spelling or grammar. If he isn't interested, save it for high school when it becomes a requirement. 

 

I would not force extras on a 7th grader that he really doesn't want. Rather, I would make sure he has time to pursue his own interests. Not everything has to count as school.

[SnMomof7]

Drop the options. If he isn't interested, don't make him. It will just be painful.

[Momling]

It sounds complicated. I'd start with the basics and skip the extras unless your child is asking for more.

[mom2bee]

Wow, how are you scheduling this all? I didn't read your 2nd post in detail, but 7 courses and 3-4 extras is a lot to pull off if you have other commitments or kids. Then all those options and A term and B term plans...it can get messy quick if you aren't already comfortable operating like this.

 

For Math, I would want to make sure that while we were exploring "else" that the core skills were being maintained so I might give a few assignments a week after RS-E just to make sure none of his skills were eroding. You want him solid and cozy with all the basic math skills for when he starts high school mathematics. You might want to look into Number Power or Keys to...or after RS-E to be used while you are on a mathematical rabbit trail if you are postponing Algebra until 8th or 9th grade.

 

I think that people like Apples and Pears for Spelling with dyslexics, so you might consider that as an option if you don't have a solid spelling candidate

 

 

[scoutingmom]

 

For Math, I would want to make sure that while we were exploring "else" that the core skills were being maintained so I might give a few assignments a week after RS-E just to make sure none of his skills were eroding. You want him solid and cozy with all the basic math skills for when he starts high school mathematics. You might want to look into Number Power or Keys to...or after RS-E to be used while you are on a mathematical rabbit trail if you are postponing Algebra until 8th or 9th grade.

 

 

It would be 4 days of Right Start, the 5th day would be Hands On Equations, or whatever. But if, for some reason, we had a break from math, we would be doing math games and probably a daily multi-vide from RightStart.

[Jilly]

I would stick with your core classes and only add an option if he seems to have a handle on the core subjects. It might be too much for him (it seems like a lot to me). If you do add an optional class I would probably choose logic if he has expressed an interest. At this age being interested in a topic goes a long way towards being successful.