Homeschooling

[meandtheguys2]

Mathusee is the program here. Concrete, nice manipulatives, and just enough repetition.

Although we used Miquon when they were little, also.

Really like both programs.

 

[disneymom3]

Oh man! Don't get me started on Math!!! This has been a math nightmare year for us. We used to do Singapore, but when DD was part way into 4th grade, she just started to HATE math. So, I took her out of it and we spent a year doing a variety of workbooks, games and activities. It worked well and in her testing she actually gained two years of grading over the year before. This year though I got all freaked out and decided that since she starts middle school next year, I needed to get more structured. So, I bought one curriculum--don't remember the name right now. It was bad. DD didn't get it and I could NOT figure out how to teach it. So, then we moved to Horizons. Holy heck! That was even worse! DD was a basket case about math. She just could NOT handle all of the spiral learning with review built into every lesson. She wants to focus on one concept and do it until she gets it and then move on. Well, it occurred to me last week that that is exactly what Singapore does. So, back we go. Interestingly, I found that what Singapore has for the second half of the first semester of 4th grade is exactly what Horizons was doing for the beginiing of the first semester of 5th grade.

DSs right now are both in Moving With Math though I supplement older DSs with a workbook I got at Sam's club. There are a few more concepts I want to cover with him and then he is moving into Singapore 1A. Youngest DS will finish the K Moving with Math and then move to Singapore.

 

[Tink561]

I agree about loving Teaching Textbooks! My oldest son is using Saxon and he is doing well but my younger two started Teaching Textbooks this year and I plan to continue with that. It's so easy to understand and since I'm poor at math it works for us.

I'd love to hear what you all like for younger math. I've never done homeschooling with little ones. My sons were all in 2nd grade and above when we started. I want to find one program to use and stick with for Gracie when the time comes.

 

[momto2girls]

We use Math U See. We absolutely LOVE it!! I love the use of the manipulatives in the lower grades, the amount of repetition and practice is perfect for us, and the concepts are explained so well. I'm so glad that we went with it.


Jaycns-- We school year round too. We have a lighter schedule in the summer, but we don't stop. I do it for the same reasons you do. I don't like an having an extended break and having to spend time reviewing. And I love being able to take a break whenever we feel we need one.

 

[jaycns]

MATH

All I have to say is..Teaching Textbooks!

LOVE..LOVE..LOVE this program!

Makes things so easy to understand, and my DD who HATES math actually changed her tune once she started using it!

Check it out here..www.TeachingTextbooks.com

OH ME OH MY!!! OH MY GOSH!! WOWSERS!!!!!! I think I am going to buy the Math 6 when it comes out (It said January 2007 was the release date so hopefully it will be available soon) for my oldest son for next year. It seems to use the small incremental steps as Saxon and has plenty of practice...but that tutor...WOW...the individual attention to each problem. Him not having to wait for me to ask a question...just click and the problem gets a work through. I think it's so much more user friendly then the DIVE cds that I was planning on getting him for the Saxon program.

I will continue my other two in Saxon until middle school level...but WOW WHEE...that program looks like some sort of wonderful to me!! And it doesn't hurt to hear good things from some of you and see very supportive reviews by some of the "powerhouses" of home schooling on the website!!

If we try it for 3 months and it's not working...I can always pop him back into Saxon.

Thanks for the great suggestion! I didn't even know I was looking...but seeing that program (I just spent an hour and a half clicking every link there while the boys painted a pointillism picture...oh my messy table) has made me excited about it!!

THANKS!!!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Math - I use Singapore. I was also using Miquon with it, but due to time and $ constraints I stopped. It does work well as a combo.

I plan on using Teaching Text books next year for dd once she gets through Singapore 6B. That's what Sonlight recommends.

I would love to hear more about why it works so well for your families!

 

[jaycns]

SNOW DAY!! Not only because the schools are out...we usually work through those...but we have this beautiful covering of about 2 inches of white fluffy snow! The boys finished up math and spelling...and for the rest of the day we are going to take off and go out and make snow angels and snowmen and snowballs and snow anything we can think of!!

*I also have a snow unit study I have been waiting TWO YEARS for snow to do!!*

I know for most people this would not be so delightful...but it's been forever...my now 5 year old baby has never built a snowman....I am so excited he gets to build one!!

OKAY...I leave you with a new "topic" of the day: GRAMMAR

I will update with what I use later. I just wanted to throw it out there before I went out to throw some snow! Sorry for being so overexcited for snow...but I cannot wait to see my boys playing in it!!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Easy Grammar. Basic, and thorough.

You aremuch happier about the snow than I am...I've been in this blankety blank blank blank house since sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looking for smilie banging head against wall!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ilovejack02]

SNOW DAY!! Not only because the schools are out...we usually work through those...but we have this beautiful covering of about 2 inches of white fluffy snow! The boys finished up math and spelling...and for the rest of the day we are going to take off and go out and make snow angels and snowmen and snowballs and snow anything we can think of!!

*I also have a snow unit study I have been waiting TWO YEARS for snow to do!!*

I know for most people this would not be so delightful...but it's been forever...my now 5 year old baby has never built a snowman....I am so excited he gets to build one!!

OKAY...I leave you with a new "topic" of the day: GRAMMAR

I will update with what I use later. I just wanted to throw it out there before I went out to throw some snow! Sorry for being so overexcited for snow...but I cannot wait to see my boys playing in it!!

Take pics and post them!!!!

 

[Brier Rose]

Ugh..i'm so jealous!

We beg for snow down here, but we haven't even had a flurry in 2 years!

As for Grammar...DD is starting the grammer program through Keystone National High School today, so I don't have any feedback on that yet.

BUT

They did list several websites for her to use with her work. I haven't had a chance to check them out yet, but a few of them are...

Grammar Bytes at Grammar Bytes at chompchomp.com

If the name doesn't catch your attention, the URL does! This is a fun, humorous site that covers parts of speech, terminology, and grammar rules. Interactive exercises allow you to test what you've learned.

Shared Visions at http://www.shared-visions.com/explore/english/
Learn about the wonders and quirks of the English language. Topics include parts of speech, punctuation, and style guidelines.


Bartleby at www.bartleby.com
This is one-stop shopping!! Whether you want to check spelling, definitions, alternative word choices, or add a quotation from a famous, or not so famous, person, you'll find links to tons of sources to help you.


The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation at www.grammarbook.com
Have you ever taken a test that includes the answers? This site covers usage and puctuation rules and includes exercises, tests, and test answers for immediate feedback.

Word Central at www.wordcentral.com
Looking for that perfect word for a composition? This is a great site for help with vocabulary and links to dictionaries and thesauruses.

Paradigm Online Writing Assistant at www.powa.org
A great site to help you get started! You'll learn how to choose a topic, organize your thoughts, and revise and edit your work. It also examines the different types of essays and explains the characteristics of each of them.

Perdue University Writing Lab/Tutorial Center at owl.english.purdue.edu/
You will find online tutorials here to assist you with homework assignments. Other homework help links are available as well.
Need to cite references or quote material? Click on link, then OWL SEARCH, type in MLA
This is the Modern Language Assoc. format that we use."

 

[Ellester]

Mathusee is the program here. Concrete, nice manipulatives, and just enough repetition.

Although we used Miquon when they were little, also.

Really like both programs.

Another MUS fan here. We tried Horizons last year, but my daughter was too quick on picking up the patterns in the exercises and was answering them based on the patterns, not using the math. So we switched to Math-U-See and I've been very pleased with her progress. We also used Miquon with the Horizons, and I really liked that although I personally wouldn't want to use it alone. MUS has been great for my 5yo as well. She is already adding 100's and solving for an unknown! Skipcounting is throwing her off a bit, but I just ordered the sing-along CD so I'm hoping that will help.

We also go year round. I hate reviewing, with year round there is much less of that. We took most of August and September off last year as we were in the midst of moving and settling in. We took a few weeks off at Christmas and of course, we just took a week off for Disney! Our state requires 180 days, we have no problem meeting that.

 

[sahwifeandmommy]

For Grammar we love Grammar Tales by Scholastic (I honestly don't work for them). You can get the set of books and a really neat teacher's guide from Rainbow Resource. I think there are about 8 books and each one is a story about a different part of speech. They are so neat. We normally read the same one all week as part of our storytime. Even my younger ones enjoy them. We also listen to Schoolhouse Rock.

 

[5starmom]

Singapore math and then will move into Teaching Textbooks, too. We started out with Horizons Math when my oldest was in K and it just bored him to death.

My 2 oldest also use an online math instruction/tutoring supplement type of thing at www.aleks.com and they really enjoy doing it along with Singapore. I like that it tracks their progress and they can do it almost entirely alone! We're doing this for about 6 months to make sure we catch any of those dreaded "GAPS" (lol) before they move onto TT.

 

[meandtheguys2]

We also don't do formal Grammar every year. I alternate it. Grammar doesn't change much. We do Winston, every other year, so it isn't forgotten. They write a lot, and it is done until correct. I think that time is best spent using rather than studying, sometimes!

 

[RockyMtnMaria]

Does anyone have a favorite spelling program? We are currently using Spelling Workout. Spelling Power worked very well in the short term, but few words ended up in the long term memory bank. (These are only my son's problems with the program, I have heard many stellar things about it from others, so I am not knocking the program). Any other suggestions or feedback on programs you are using? Finding a good spelling program that works for my children is at the tops of my "wanted" list. TIA!!

I have been in the same situation as you and spent several years searching for the "right" spelling program. In the mean time we kept a spelling notebook, and logged any misspelled words under the spelling rule they follow. Those words were used to form the weekly spelling lists.

This year I switched to Sequential Spelling, and it has worked wonderfully! It isn't a bear to teach, and my children enjoy the patterns (and being able to use a white board and different color markers). http://www.sonlight.com/spelling.html I have seen major leaps in spelling ability.

 

[paper1225]

Morning everyone! I have to say thank you again for all the great information. It is taking me a while to get through it all and really read it. This weekend was a high/low time. It started Friday with the end of Catholic schools week. Our school goes to 8th grade, and oldest DD is in 7th. Well Friday was the big volleyball game with the 8th graders and some staff. It is huge apparently for the 8th graders-this was my first year to see it. So, I sat feeling guilty about keeping her from this next year. I talked with her Saturday about it and I do not think she really cares. We talked about all the other things we will be doing as a Homeschool family and she said she was excited about it!! DD11 is still on the liking it track too!
Saturday DH and I went to a teachers bookstore too. Not a lot of info there,but then went to the library..........TONS of info, which included a booklet very well laid out by a local hs group. I am very impressed, they have a band and a choir-both girls will love this! Unfortunately for me the next meeting is not until the end of February-patience is not a virtue I carry.
I am really excited about it now. I have also realized that I do not have to pick my cirriculum right now-just need to make a yes/no decision. I am 90% there-just a little sorrow about leaving the school and a bit of self doubt about being able to do it all!
This thread has helped me greatly! to all!

 

[meandtheguys2]

That is great! I'm so glad you have so many opportunities in your area for your kiddos!

 

[jaycns]

Morning everyone! I have to say thank you again for all the great information. It is taking me a while to get through it all and really read it. This weekend was a high/low time. It started Friday with the end of Catholic schools week. Our school goes to 8th grade, and oldest DD is in 7th. Well Friday was the big volleyball game with the 8th graders and some staff. It is huge apparently for the 8th graders-this was my first year to see it. So, I sat feeling guilty about keeping her from this next year. I talked with her Saturday about it and I do not think she really cares. We talked about all the other things we will be doing as a Home school family and she said she was excited about it!! DD11 is still on the liking it track too!
Saturday DH and I went to a teachers bookstore too. Not a lot of info there,but then went to the library..........TONS of info, which included a booklet very well laid out by a local hs group. I am very impressed, they have a band and a choir-both girls will love this! Unfortunately for me the next meeting is not until the end of February-patience is not a virtue I carry.
I am really excited about it now. I have also realized that I do not have to pick my cirriculum right now-just need to make a yes/no decision. I am 90% there-just a little sorrow about leaving the school and a bit of self doubt about being able to do it all!
This thread has helped me greatly! to all!

I know it's scary...to consider a change of any sort...but especially one that will have so much impact in the lives of your entire family. You will come to the right decision for your family. Trust yourself. No matter what you end up chosing...it will be a much thought about and prayed about decision...that will make it the right one for you*.

*and if it's not...simply revisit your decision again...nobody has to make one choice and stick with it for life. GOOD LUCK!!

 

[jaycns]

I start my kids in first grade with First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind (another Peace Hill Press curriculum). It's a two year program in one small book. It claims to be a writing program as well...but we use a separate one. It starts out fairly slowly. In fact, the first time I used it I was worried that it was "too slow". I didn't feel like we were accomplishing a lot. Upon completion of both years however, my oldest son was more then ready to jump into Easy Grammar. He started with level 3/4 and breezed through it having memorized lists of prepositions beforehand using First Language Lessons. Also, he had memorized definitions for other parts of speech and those seemed to serve him very well.

I am another believer in using rather then studying for grammar. We complete the First Language Lessons and then three levels of Easy Grammar and that's basically it. At least that is the plan. If they have any sort of grammatical error that repeats in middle school/high school we will study that rule in depth until they understand it. But I think that fluency with the English language comes from using it, reading it, writing it...not diagramming it. However, we will have one middle school level course of grammar that is split up over the two school years. I figure we can complete it in about 2 years by fitting in about 2 lessons a week. That will give them constant review but it will not take any appreciable amount of time from their other studies.


I really like Easy Grammar as it is so well laid out and my son doesn't seem to hate it (I would not go as far as saying that he likes it ).

Here are some links if you are interested in checking out either curriculum.
First Language Lessons: http://www.peacehillpress.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=69

Easy Grammar: http://www.easygrammar.com/index2.html

 

[jaycns]

So...what do you use to teach History? I love hearing about the choices that have worked for everyone else! I will post our history program later as I need to get all three boys in for their teeth cleanings.

Have a great day!