Homeschool Chat Part III

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I need some math suggestions for my dd, who will be a junior. This will be our first year homeschooling, and I was going to start with Algebra 2. She's already had this class in ps, but she didn't understand it and the teacher made fun of the kids if they asked questions. Ugh.

I'm starting to wonder, though, if starting with Alg 2 is a good idea. It seems each company teaches math a certain way, and may or may not cover everything. If we start with Teaching Texbooks Alg 2, will she be lost?

I am pretty sure that with all math you are looking to purchase that it will have a placement test that will help you in planning where to head next.
Good luck!!

 

[tkbbmom]

Teaching Textbooks has a placement test. You could begin with the Algebra I test just to get her feet wet and hopefully give her confidence. Then the next day she could take the Alg II placement test. It will specify if she gets "x" number correct she's ready for Alg II. If she doesn't test ready for some reason you need to decide if she only missed a certain type of problem or if it's more widespread. If it's only a certain type of problem you can always have her review just that area by using things like Kahn Academy on-line videos.

 

[Corjack]

Can some people give me a overview of your school year as in when you actually attend? I am trying to decide what our year will look like. I am thinking 3 60 day periods instead of 4 45 day ones.

Just interested to see other ideas.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Can some people give me a overview of your school year as in when you actually attend? I am trying to decide what our year will look like. I am thinking 3 60 day periods instead of 4 45 day ones.

Just interested to see other ideas.

I look up the local school calendar and use that as a spring board. I then tweak it to meet our needs. For us, it's just easier to have a similar calendar because of other activities. However, lots of families school year round or 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off, or something similar. You can do what meets your needs, depending on your state's requirements, or lack thereof.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good stapler and pencil sharpener? I have had terrible luck with both. I want something that works well and will last, but doesn't cost a fortune. TIA!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We go to school year round but in July we go to school only 3 days a week. This is our way of getting a little 'vacation'!

 

[jdcthree]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good stapler and pencil sharpener? I have had terrible luck with both. I want something that works well and will last, but doesn't cost a fortune. TIA!

We've had this pencil sharpener for 3 or 4 years and it is the best I've ever used. We have it mounted on the wall.

http://www.discountschoolsupply.com...r&scategoryid=0&CategorySearch=&Brand=&Price=

Sorry for the long link. I still can't figure out how to embed them while I'm on the app.

 

[100AcreWood]

Any tips for teaching a preschooler how to read? My son has one more year of preschool but he is almost 5. He told me he really wants to learn to read so I pulled out the sight words and started with those. Any tips on where to go from here?

 

[MommyBell08]

Any tips for teaching a preschooler how to read? My son has one more year of preschool but he is almost 5. He told me he really wants to learn to read so I pulled out the sight words and started with those. Any tips on where to go from here?

My Son loved learning the sounds with the leapfrog DVDs and flash cards...letter factory and word factory are favorites...good luck to your son

 

[::danielle::]

My Son loved learning the sounds with the leapfrog DVDs and flash cards...letter factory and word factory are favorites...good luck to your son

I agree with this. I regularly reference the leap frog videos when working with my 5 year old. Letter factory is great for the sounds. Word Factory 1 and 2 were really helpful with my oldest. Specifically the silent E rand two vowels rules.

 

[Neesy228]

Hoping for a little feedback from anyone who could help.

I'm trying to decide if I should go with Math U See (again) or mix it up and do Teaching Textbooks for my DS12. He's dyslexic and struggles with math. We've used Math U See for the past three years. We've had decent success and I think that the manipulatives have really helped, but he's getting pretty bored with the format. I've had two friends recommend Teaching Textbooks over the past few months. I had decided to go with TT, but I'm ordering all of my curriculum now and I'm second guessing myself. Any thoughts on which would be the best way to go?

Thanks in advance!

 

[DisHmsklMom]

Any tips for teaching a preschooler how to read? My son has one more year of preschool but he is almost 5. He told me he really wants to learn to read so I pulled out the sight words and started with those. Any tips on where to go from here?

I really recommend the Bob Books, Hop on Pop, and also the Dick and Jane books. Just don't read them aloud to him have him sound them out. If he likes computer inter-actives, both of my children loved Disney's Ready to Read with Pooh. I also second the Jump Start products.

Enjoy this time, it's really exciting to watch them put it all together.

 

[100AcreWood]

Thanks for the advice! He loves the Leapfrog DVDs.

 

[Ellester]

I really recommend the Bob Books, Hop on Pop, and also the Dick and Jane books. Just don't read them aloud to him have him sound them out. If he likes computer inter-actives, both of my children loved Disney's Ready to Read with Pooh. I also second the Jump Start products.

Enjoy this time, it's really exciting to watch them put it all together.

Seconding the Bob Books type of books. They also have lots of easy reader/phonics sets based on characters so if he loves Mickey, or Scooby, or the Backyardigans or similar you can probably find a set. We use the "Explode the Code" series for beginning phonics. It worked well with the first two I taught to read and my 4yo dd is starting on them now.

Many people swear by "100 Easy Lessons" but we found it way too dry. Lots have had success with it though. It really depends on your teaching style and our sons learning style. It is a fabulous privilege to be there when the light goes on in your reader's brain and they read their first words. Brings me to tears every time!

 

[Ellester]

We've had this pencil sharpener for 3 or 4 years and it is the best I've ever used. We have it mounted on the wall.

http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=26386&keyword=Pencil%20sharpener&scategoryid=0&CategorySearch=&Brand=&Price=

Sorry for the long link. I still can't figure out how to embed them while I'm on the app.

This is a great shapener, but you do have to have a good place to mount it. We had it in the garage until it pulled out of the wall. It really needs to be in a stud, the torque the kids put on that thing was crazy! It is currently on a garage shelf awaiting a new mounting. We bought an electric Xacto sharpener from Staples last fall for aabout $30 that has held up really well. The disadvantage is that it won't do the bigger pencils/colored pencils that my preschooler used. The one linked about will. I really need to get it mounted again. Of course it's the type we all had growing up in school. When I brought it home my then 8yo son exclaimed, "WOW! I have ALWAYS wanted to use one of those!" Oh the sadness of what they have missed by not going to "building school"!

 

[MAGGIED]

Hi folks.... sorry if this has been answered before but 143 pages was a lot of reading. My nephew was recently given orders to Moron AB in Spain. He has a second grader and a two year old. The base is very small and only provides school for k-2. There options for grades 3 and up are to home school or send their daughter to the Navy base which is a 1hr 35 minute ride each way every day.... my niece says she will home school. Since this is new to them the googled it...lol... and needless to say there was a wealth of companies offering their product. So I thought I would come to the DISBOARDS .... friendlier group!!! So I am looking for your recommendations..... thanks

 

[monkeybug]

Hoping for a little feedback from anyone who could help.

I'm trying to decide if I should go with Math U See (again) or mix it up and do Teaching Textbooks for my DS12. He's dyslexic and struggles with math. We've used Math U See for the past three years. We've had decent success and I think that the manipulatives have really helped, but he's getting pretty bored with the format. I've had two friends recommend Teaching Textbooks over the past few months. I had decided to go with TT, but I'm ordering all of my curriculum now and I'm second guessing myself. Any thoughts on which would be the best way to go?

Thanks in advance!

Have you looked at Right Start? It's a very hands on program with lots of manipulatives.

 

[monkeybug]

Hello! I posted on here awhile ago but then got busy with life and never came back!

I turned in our letter of intent and we are officially starting homeschool on September 5th! I'm excited to add this thread to my list of resources! I'm a total homeschool newbie so I'm sure I'll have lots of questions as we go!

 

[monkeybug]

Hi folks.... sorry if this has been answered before but 143 pages was a lot of reading. My nephew was recently given orders to Moron AB in Spain. He has a second grader and a two year old. The base is very small and only provides school for k-2. There options for grades 3 and up are to home school or send their daughter to the Navy base which is a 1hr 35 minute ride each way every day.... my niece says she will home school. Since this is new to them the googled it...lol... and needless to say there was a wealth of companies offering their product. So I thought I would come to the DISBOARDS .... friendlier group!!! So I am looking for your recommendations..... thanks

There are so many choices! I think narrowing down curriculum was the most difficult thing for me!
The best way to start might by making a list of what they value most in education. A sort of mission statement if you will. For my family I wanted something secular, based in living books as much as possible, hands on, lots of open ended questions, very few worksheets, and a fairly complete program with lesson plans laid out for me.
The curriculum I considered was--
Sonlight (not secular but easy enough to take biblical parts out)
Moving Beyond the Page
Build your Library
Oak Meadow
Five in a Row

I settled on Build your Library for now! We will be doing the 2nd and 5th grade curriculum and supplementing with Brave Writer, All About Spelling, and Singapore Math.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Did anyone else begin the new school year this week? We are on Day 3! We homeschool year round but this week, we introduced the new books and fresh supplies, along with a new schedule!