lacell Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 I really like interest-led learning but recently started CLE math 1 for my almost 7 yr old (review and filling in gaps for him) and almost 5 yr old (new for her) due to my own teaching style issues (parental ADD and OCD). It gets done, and We are really loving it. I transcribe for my daughter when she starts to zone or or get that "I'm done" look. I add in some Right Start and c-rod stuff when a new conceptual topic appears. I'm really thinking of adding CLE reading and then language light units, just for 1st and half or 2nd grade. After that I plan to just do SWR or Logic of English Essentials combined with lots of interest-led creative writing. But I'm concerned that doing 2 subjects of workbooks will burn the kids out or make them hate learning, especially the younger child. Right now they love learning and I don't want to ruin that!!! Maybe I could spread out the workbooks by having more informal child-led projects every third day or something. My son likes writing stories to go with drawings to make a book, for example. Or we like math labs sometimes. I love the workbook approach in some ways, at least for this first grade year but I've heard so many anti-workbook statements that I'm afraid to do too much workbooky stuff. Quote
Rosie_0801 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Some kids really love workbooks. Your hang ups may not be theirs. Play it by ear. You'll notice if you're overdoing it. :) 6 Quote
lacell Posted January 25, 2016 Author Posted January 25, 2016 Thanks Rosie. I stress too much :) my son loves the workbook. Just a year ago he hated them. But I think what he likes about this one is that he colors it. He's very artistic and the lack of color in the books helps him express that Quote
lacell Posted January 25, 2016 Author Posted January 25, 2016 He also colors while his catches up Quote
Coco_Clark Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 I think it sounds like you are borrowing trouble ;) Right now, what you are doing is working. It "gets done" and you're all "loving it". When it STOPS working, when you begin to see signs of burn-out and the kids stop enjoying what you are doing- THATS the time to reinvent the wheel. You are right, sometimes a workbook approach really does work during those younger years. And I've definitely experienced the back-lash from mom-enforced child-led learning, lol. Believe me, you will notice when what you are doing isn't working anymore, and it sounds like you will be ready with lots of ideas when that day comes. Until then, enjoy this! 3 Quote
sewingmama Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 We are going for a more interest led approach this year. However it took us forever to find a math program that worked for us (CLE) and I am not about to mess that up so we will still be doing that. We will also continue with CLE LA. My kids HATE workbooks...with capitals.... but they do not protest at doing the CLE math and LA ones. Anything else and the tears start. I don't think just the two workbooks for those is too much and the first grades are relatively short lessons as well. If it's working...keep it going till it's not. 1 Quote
abba12 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 My husband and I adored workbooks as kids. My eldest thrives on them and the solid, tangible achievement of completing a page. She actually doesn't respond well to open ended projects, she fails to see a goal to pour her perfectionism into. If you like workbooks you may find your kids do too. I find learning styles are seemingly inherited to a point 2 Quote
greenbeanmama Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 The one thing that jumped out at me from your original post was that you scribe for your five-year-old when she get's that "I'm done" look. I would try to stop just a smidge before she feels that way. I'd rather go through the workbook a little slower and have her still love it by the end than burn her out faster by making sure we "get done" each day. 4 Quote
lacell Posted January 25, 2016 Author Posted January 25, 2016 Great advice about stopping sooner. Maybe I'll break each workbook into 2 sessions with breaks. Quote
lacell Posted January 25, 2016 Author Posted January 25, 2016 The older child asks to keep going after it's over, so I can give him see extra things to do while she breaks, like MEP sheets or the creative writing I mentioned. Quote
KSinNS Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Nothing wrong with get-er-done, especially at this age. I loved workbooks as a kid, and my kids are fine with efficient for certain things, so they have time to read, ponder, play, and go down rabbit trails (as they got older). 1 Quote
Minerva Posted January 26, 2016 Posted January 26, 2016 If you spend an hour, or even two, a day on workbooks, there is still ten(ish) hours in the day for interest led. I think it's a great approach 1 Quote
Mommee & Baba Posted January 28, 2016 Posted January 28, 2016 I've learned to keep what's working and let it be just that. I always saw gaps and ways I could improve in certain areas. When I decided to switch things up because of my own insecurities with their education, I ended up messing up what was working. We are now back to the basics and I wouldn't trade it for the world. We now have more time to do FUN engaging and hands on activities! 1 Quote
Faithful_Steward Posted January 28, 2016 Posted January 28, 2016 You know what kills a child's love of learning more than workbooks? Inconsistency. It sounds like you've found what works for you. Do it!!! 2 Quote
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