Homeschool Chat

[wvdislover]

I used a lot of this stuff with my 7th grader this year too. The LLATL was ok, but he was super bored. She may like it--I did!! I ended up switching him to Rod and Staff. But, I am probably going to use the LLATL blue book for my 1st grader this year. I like the program.
I agree you should wait on the Lord about your dd. If you aren't sure, wait! He will guide you--His timing is so different from ours. You'll know when the time is right.

Thanks, Shawna. I know hs her would make my life easier, but it's not all about me. I need to do what's right for her. We have told her that she will definitely be hs in middle school (there is NO WAY I would send my kids to the middle school we're assigned to!), and she is fine with that. My wise 2nd grader told me recently, "I want to hs in middle school and high school, b/c that's when you have all the bullies in school, and I don't want to be around them." Pretty scary that a 2nd grader has this figured out

 

[disneymom3]

Hello Tink & Pirate mom~~
I can't answer your questions about the hs days, just wanted to say welcome and we have been in Jan our last 2 trips and we reallllly love it!!! I didn't even realize they do hs days in January!!! Where have I been? I only knew about September. Maybe someone can help us both out!!

It is generally the week after Martin Luther King I believe. I know some one here has gone to it....gray gables maybe? Chime in if it's you. I want to go too and have to get my timeshare days down. Really wanted to go in Sept and take advantage of free dining, but we have 5 so the cheapest we can do is the mod that sleeps five which is escaping my memory right now. Plus we have access to timeshare trades through my ILs and $180 for the week is simply impossible to beat. So, we are waiting til Jan. I have MS and the temps should be more friendly to my stamina then too.

For the one who asked about something/Aspie, I don't have one with that, but my middle one has sensory integration disorder, motor planning issues and we are testing next week (using a Mel Levine test) to figure out what area of his memory is not connecting. We think it is tranferring to long term from short term and then accesssing long term for working memory. So, we have to do a LOT of non traditional stuff. He pretty much can't write and I have been trying for 3 years now with daily practice and he really hasn't improved. Makes some areas of learnign very very challenging.

wv--I LOVE homeschool conferences for the shopping! This year I was bummed though because almost all of what I planned to buy AT the conference was either sold out or they didn't have it all. (Like Sonlight you had to go on the website after the conference and order it. Plus they didn't even have the level of LA I was looking at for DD. So sad!)

Highly recommend any Apologia science you can get your hands on. We have used the Exploring Creation with...for several topics as well as DD doing General Science for 7th grade this last year. Going to a used sale and hoping to lay my hands on Physical Science for 8th grade.

 

[wvdislover]

For the one who asked about something/Aspie, I don't have one with that, but my middle one has sensory integration disorder, motor planning issues and we are testing next week (using a Mel Levine test) to figure out what area of his memory is not connecting. We think it is tranferring to long term from short term and then accesssing long term for working memory. So, we have to do a LOT of non traditional stuff. He pretty much can't write and I have been trying for 3 years now with daily practice and he really hasn't improved. Makes some areas of learnign very very challenging.

Doesn't it, though! Don't give up, though...it could still click

wv--I LOVE homeschool conferences for the shopping! This year I was bummed though because almost all of what I planned to buy AT the conference was either sold out or they didn't have it all. (Like Sonlight you had to go on the website after the conference and order it. Plus they didn't even have the level of LA I was looking at for DD. So sad!)

What a bummer! I looked at Sonlight, but they didn't have ANY of the readers for the 7th grade curriculum. I wanted to see how difficult they would be for DD11 to comprehend. So sorry they didnt' have the LA you needed, either

Highly recommend any Apologia science you can get your hands on. We have used the Exploring Creation with...for several topics as well as DD doing General Science for 7th grade this last year. Going to a used sale and hoping to lay my hands on Physical Science for 8th grade.

Good luck at the used sale! Hope you can find what you want! I am excited about the Apologia. I looked at a science curriculum by Beginnings Publishing House, called Rainbow, and was thinking about maybe using it (it looked really interesting), but I think I'm going to stick with Apologia, since so many people love it. Plus, a friend of mine has a General Science Apologia book I can have!

 

[graygables]

It is generally the week after Martin Luther King I believe. I know some one here has gone to it....gray gables maybe? Chime in if it's you.

Yep, my DDs went in January. I had just started my College Program, so my older DDs had to take the younger ones. It was at DHS and the speaker was a musician who was a C.S. Lewis expert. They REALLY enjoyed her. They took the production class which was interesting. I arrived for the tail end of it and thought my girls were a wee bit bored by that point. I'm hoping the American History one at MK in September is better.

 

[lori1043]

My DD11 uses LLATL and we both love it for her-we are in the tan book. I do find it 1/2-1 year behind literature wise, but she is an avid reader. It didn't work for my DD9, not an avid reader. She is a workbook kid-so we use Easy Grammar and Daily Grams. DD11 uses Daily Grams too but not daily.

WE just LOVE Apologia- we make it last a year. Some chapters can be done in a week, some take 2 weeks. We did science 2x per week-once for reading and notebooking(used Apologia book extras for notebook pages), drawing/charting and once for the experiments and projects in each chapter. We have our Land Animals year mapped out if you would like a peek I can PM it to you. The first semester is more drawn out as we take one semester at a time and we are moving- so semester 2 will be up to just ME. Right now 2 other moms and I plan together.

I am doing Biblioplan with 2 other moms next semester too-then i am on my own till I get to know some like minded classical homeschoolers in Texas. I like doing classes with just about 4-5 kids, incl my own-it is FUN and they share thier work and retain it well. We played Astronomy Jeopardy on our last day of class. I have that in a word doc too if anyone is interested.

happy summer!

Lori

 

[graygables]

About Apologia...it says it's "creation-based", but what, exactly does that mean? Is there intelligent design discussed at all? Does it make any claims as to the Earth's age (and, if so, what are those claims?) Not much info on the website...

 

[lori1043]

About Apologia...it says it's "creation-based", but what, exactly does that mean? Is there intelligent design discussed at all? Does it make any claims as to the Earth's age (and, if so, what are those claims?) Not much info on the website...

Ok so this is part my opinion and part your specific answer-hope I do not offend at all, just differentiating! I have a hard time seperating the 2 sometimes....


Apologia-Creation based means it follows the bible view of when creation began(like 3,000-4,000 BC). It does NOT talk about the big bang or any other theories. It mentions them mostly in disclaiming them. I am a Christian and always thought we were millions of years old from my education and from a big bang-but was introduced to complete creation based theory this past year. It all is VERY interesting! I am learning with them! While I have NO idea, nor does anyone else, when the earth came about, I DO know that God created it all. So I just tell my kids all the theories and possibilities out there, and that we are going to choose to beleive in the creation theory b/c we beleive what the bible says. I am one to tell my kids all of it so they can think about it and question these things themselves as the grow and learn. Some people I know do not touch the big bang with a big stick - that just doesn't work for us.

I think it does refer in it's disclaiming any other theories, the age of the earth, but I do not remember the specifics and I sold the Astronomy book already!! I do not know what your reference to "intelligent design" quite means at all. If you mean it was made intelligently, for a purpose, and in some kind of order-well of course!!! It WAS made intelligently!

All in all, Apologia is a great and fun science curriculum and as far as a secular/athiestic homeschooler using it, I think it would be hard to do b/c there are bible quotes and references to our beleifs all over the chapters. Secular homeschoolers can use it if they are comfy with a bit of Christianity in thier curriculum.

Also, it can help to look up Apologetics-learning how to deal with just the kind of questions you and I ask about these things- in a well founded Christian manner. Or something like that!

Hope I helped a bit-Lori

 

[graygables]

VERY helpful, Lori, thank you. By "intelligent design", I guess I meant evolutionary creation, so I'm guessing that's a "no" if it's saying creation began 3-4,000BC (which is a theory I've been hearing a lot about lately and not in a good way...whole other story). It sounds like it's pretty flexible, though.

Thanks again!

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

Hi! My internet's been down a few days so I'm slow to post- thanks for the responses

Hello Tink & Pirate mom~~
I can't answer your questions about the hs days, just wanted to say welcome and we have been in Jan our last 2 trips and we reallllly love it!!! I didn't even realize they do hs days in January!!! Where have I been? I only knew about September. Maybe someone can help us both out!!

We were there in January last year, and February the year before, and loved it. We are new DVC members and plan to go regularly in January- my kids are SO excited about this- and now I can say it's an official school trip

I just wanted to come in and say Hello, we just got back from Disney on Wednesday morning. We had such a wonderful time, it was amazing.

Now all of this talk about the homeschool days is getting me excited because we are planning to go back September 2010, specifically for homeschool days, and I know we'll enjoy the Halloween decorations that should be up!!!

Can't wait to hear about everyone's experience with HS days after they go!

I'll be sure to post how it went for us!

 

[NiniMorris]

DisneyMom3,
I hope the testing gives you the answers that help you. We have been working on handwriting for 4 years now, at public school, OT and now at homeschool (for 3 years)...we have finally 'graduated' to the first grade writing with Handwriting Without Tears. He is really excited about going to the 'first grade'! I am planning on it taking at least 2 years to go through all the first grade stuff.

My DS7 has severe short term memory issues, but we are beginning to see some hope of the integration of short and long term memory. It is showing up mainly in his inability to read...flashcards he can read, but stories and sentences...not so much! We have made the decision to read his lessons to him so he can go on with History and Science and such...and keep plugging away on the reading/phonics.

My kids are really into the Vacation Education series. They look forward to 'Disney School' every day. We plan on going through the series twice, once pre-trip and then again a few weeks after we get back. This should help to reinforce some of the things they observed on their own and hopefully encourage then to delve a bit deeper into a subject. Especially my 5th grader.

Since we do year round schooling, we really don't take much of a break...we will do 4 days this week, mostly Disney related stuff, and then start our new year on June 1. For the first month we will do a limited amount of work, focusing on more fun stuff, then after the July Fourth holiday start doing school in more depth. Here in GA the weather will be hot enough by then that the kids would rather be inside in the air conditioning, so it is a win/win!

Nini

 

[DawnM]

This is where we are as well. I grew up with a very "new earth" way of learning and didn't even study any evolution until I was an adult. I really felt out of touch with the way people thought growing up so restrictive.

Sonlight curriculum has many who believe in new earth (the earth is only 7,000 years old or so) and many who believe in the old earth theology.....that God created it no matter WHEN it actually took place and there could be a period of millions of years.

We use Sonlight for History and Science.

Dawn

Ok so this is part my opinion and part your specific answer-hope I do not offend at all, just differentiating! I have a hard time seperating the 2 sometimes....


Apologia-Creation based means it follows the bible view of when creation began(like 3,000-4,000 BC). It does NOT talk about the big bang or any other theories. It mentions them mostly in disclaiming them. I am a Christian and always thought we were millions of years old from my education and from a big bang-but was introduced to complete creation based theory this past year. It all is VERY interesting! I am learning with them! While I have NO idea, nor does anyone else, when the earth came about, I DO know that God created it all. So I just tell my kids all the theories and possibilities out there, and that we are going to choose to beleive in the creation theory b/c we beleive what the bible says. I am one to tell my kids all of it so they can think about it and question these things themselves as the grow and learn. Some people I know do not touch the big bang with a big stick - that just doesn't work for us.

I think it does refer in it's disclaiming any other theories, the age of the earth, but I do not remember the specifics and I sold the Astronomy book already!! I do not know what your reference to "intelligent design" quite means at all. If you mean it was made intelligently, for a purpose, and in some kind of order-well of course!!! It WAS made intelligently!

All in all, Apologia is a great and fun science curriculum and as far as a secular/athiestic homeschooler using it, I think it would be hard to do b/c there are bible quotes and references to our beleifs all over the chapters. Secular homeschoolers can use it if they are comfy with a bit of Christianity in thier curriculum.

Also, it can help to look up Apologetics-learning how to deal with just the kind of questions you and I ask about these things- in a well founded Christian manner. Or something like that!

Hope I helped a bit-Lori

 

[DawnM]

My 11 year old has Asperger's.

Dawn

If any of you are HSing a HFA/Aspie child, I'd love to talk to you, just for some general support, etc.
Thanks

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Lori,
How do you like Easy Grammar/Daily Grams? I like Ruth Beechicks method of learning Grammar-if you have never read her stuff she is awesome! She believes that once you learn basic Grammar rules and parts of speech,etc., that you don't have to do the same lessons year after year. My older son has done Lang. Arts forever! He is going into 8 grade this year. I don't necessarily make them stay on grade level--once we learn it, we move on. He had a really great course last year with Rod and Staff. They are very thorough and we both learned a lot. So much I forgot since college Anyway, I don't feel that he needs a whole year again this year for grammar. I am looking at Daily Grams for him-just to keep things fresh, and doing a writing program. I have looked at Story Starters--this is a subject I am reviewing right now to see what's out there. Can you tell me what you like/dislike about EG and DG? I may switch my middle one to this too. He did Rod & Staff 4th grade last year. He ended with learning the basics of diagramming sentences. I think DG and a writing program for him may work as well. What do you think? I don't know anyone that's used it for these grades.

 

[Praise2Him]

We just received the Rosetta Stone Homeschool French level 1 program yesterday - it is soooo cool! Has anyone here used this program? We're really looking forward to setting it up on our computers this weekend

My DD is using it and she loves it!

However, we are thinking of going to the January HSdays too. I'm wondering if any of you have gone before, and if you know how the tickets work if you order the 5 day park hopper? It seems a good deal, and we will be going in January fairly often anyway. How many days do you have to use it up? I assume it's not just five days? Any help is very appreciated! Thank you!!

I haven't been to HS days, but I think I remember others saying that you have 14 days to use them.

 

[lori1043]

I like EG and DG for my youngest(9) b/c she doesn't need bows and whistles for learning this. I also learned that once you know it that is it. I was even told by another HS mom that you don't NEED to do grammar at all till the jr high grades b/c it is really not something that builds on top of something else(she is a mom of 5, 4 of which are in or have gone to college on scholarships, so I take her word seriously!)-it is just there, just facts and if you can diagram a sentence(which is also a questionable skill) or just know what is a noun, verb, subject, predicate, etc, etc... that that is all you need to know! It is not like math, where you need to know one step to get to the next.

I think DG and a writing program sounds great if he has conquered grammar. Writing is sooo important. I think we will be using an online writing program-well you get your assignment online and send it in each week for grading/fixing or whatever they call it! DG gives just enough refresher. My LLATL DD also uses that a couple times a week. I was about to take her off of LLATW, but realized she IS getting it! I just think EG and DG are just more direct.

here si the Write at Home site I am thinking of using for our spring semester for my 6th grader:

http://www.writeathome.com/Display.aspx?tabid=1

Hope it helped, sorry if it was vague!

Lori

 

[littlepeppers]

My son is having trouble reading. He has decoding issues.

He is finishing 1st grade at a private school on Friday. (Our public schools are a joke.) He missed somthing w/ the reading this year. There are many tears being shed right now.

We are trying a program called Fast Forward this summer to try to get him reading before we start HS. Has anyone tried it?

 

[disneyelaine]

We did use Fast Forword for my son at about that age. He did good with it. I purchased it and his spec ed teacher tutored him with in during the summer. I'd try it, but if you continue to have issues with his reading, I highly suggest the Lindamood Bell program. We did both these before my son turned 8. We did not homeschool him until he was 10/11. These were
programs we had to pay privately for, no way would our public school provide Lindamood Bell. Heck, even our Director of Special Ed sent her son there for his reading issues! It is expensive, but good.

 

[littlepeppers]

We did use Fast Forword for my son at about that age. He did good with it. I purchased it and his spec ed teacher tutored him with in during the summer. I'd try it, but if you continue to have issues with his reading, I highly suggest the Lindamood Bell program. We did both these before my son turned 8. We did not homeschool him until he was 10/11. These were
programs we had to pay privately for, no way would our public school provide Lindamood Bell. Heck, even our Director of Special Ed sent her son there for his reading issues! It is expensive, but good.

Thanks a million. I looked into this one, but we live in the sticks. I doubt there is a center anywhere near us. I'm a certified secondary teacher & don't want to do the extensive training that is required to use that program. (English/Language Arts is not my thing.)

I found a site that said that ABeCeDarian Reading Program is easier to do at home. Anyone hear of this one.

It breaks my heart to see him struggle. My DS was born 6wks early at only 4lbs 5oz. I had PIH & was starving him of oxygen & nutrients. We always thought that he had dodged most of the premature issues. This is the first setback that he has ever had. I hope that my DD doesn't come up w/ some late onset issues. I had PIH w/ her too, but she was 8wks early & only 2lbs 15oz.

 

[Denine]

Hello again. Haven't had much time to post lately, but I should be back now.

We were just in Virginia for 4 days visiting friends and took a side trip to Williamsburg. We didn't have any tickets cause it wasn't a planned trip to the historical area.

We are so ready for school to be over for the summer. DD has lost all concentration.

Secular curriculum: We use Calvert and really like it. This is our 3rd year. We have used pre-k, k and 1st. I am going to use it for 2nd as well.

 

[wvdislover]

Thanks a million. I looked into this one, but we live in the sticks. I doubt there is a center anywhere near us. I'm a certified secondary teacher & don't want to do the extensive training that is required to use that program. (English/Language Arts is not my thing.)

I found a site that said that ABeCeDarian Reading Program is easier to do at home. Anyone hear of this one.

It breaks my heart to see him struggle. My DS was born 6wks early at only 4lbs 5oz. I had PIH & was starving him of oxygen & nutrients. We always thought that he had dodged most of the premature issues. This is the first setback that he has ever had. I hope that my DD doesn't come up w/ some late onset issues. I had PIH w/ her too, but she was 8wks early & only 2lbs 15oz.

I wouldn't be overly concerned about his reading issues, esp. if you are going to be hs him this fall. The issues may have nothing to do with his being a premie, esp if he hasn't had any issues up till now Maybe he's just a late reader. I was at a homeschool conference last weekend, and in one of the workshops, the speaker told us that 2 of his kids actually didn't read until they were 10 Sounds shocking, but he said they didn't worry about it, and the kids learned to read on their own time. He said those 2 are now the best readers in the family, and that once they started, they took off. One of those kids is only 11 or 12 now, but can read a 300 page book in only a day or two There IS hope! Don't give up! And tell him not to give up, either...one day it just may "click." Good luck!