How about another Classical/CM thread? - Page 9

[KathleenSLP]

Originally Posted by *Jessica*

These are a few things that I have come across.

The Five Kingdoms (pdf file)
Classification of Animals
Animal Classification Graph (pdf file)
Sheppard Software Animal Classification

Great links, Jessica! I saved them for the future.

[Momma Aimee]

I have a Question --

Has anyone read Ruth Beechick

The Three R's (Now all in one book - A Home Start in Reading, An Easy Start in Arithmetic, and A Strong Start in Language)

You CAN Teach Your Child Successfully

A Biblical Home Education

Dr. Beechick's Homeschool Answer Book

The Language Wars: and Other Writings for Homeschoolers

Heart and Mind: What the Bible Says about Learning

I ahve been looking on teh yahoo group and she seem to me to be a good fit with WTM and CM and Classical Ed -- granted from a Christian angle (which is for us a plus).

anyone?

any thoughts?

[Momma Aimee]

we will be "in travle status" with DH for 4 to 6 weeks. we HOPE 6 weeks, we know of 4 soild weeks.

So I have been buying little things to have in a surprise bag for the boys -- we have 24 hours DRIVE time alone to get to GA then will either drive 24 hours back here, or up the coast to PA then back here ...

I am buying some new books on the beach and ocean for them --

Oceans Seymour Simon
Curious George Goes to the Beach
The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor
In One Tidepool: Crabs, Snails, and Salty Tails (Sharing Nature With Children Book)

i also took advangtage of this as an excuse to buy some other new books.

I went though the 4 for 3 list on amazon.com and got some new "classics" that we don't have.

I compiled a list of pre-school and Kindy books from
Ambleside Online
www.angelicum.net
simplycharlottemason.com
materamabilis.org

and i have been working though it, a good number we had -- either that i had bought or that we had mine of from when i was little (blueberries for sal and a lot of them)

-- so all 4 i ordered are from that list

One Morning in Maine (Picture Puffin) Robert McCloskey
The Story about Ping (Reading Railroad Books) Marjorie Flack
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World (Dragonfly Books/)
Marjorie Priceman
The Story of Ferdinand (Puffin Storytime)

I will hold them back and when we are board, or it is a rainy day and we stauck in side OR momma gets tired of the books we have -- WOW a new book ........when we were in tralve statue 3 weeks when i was 5 months preggo and Theo was not yet two -- i had to make two trips to buy new books LOL

[rootzdawta]

Hi everyone. I'm starting classical homeschooling in the fall. I'm kind of nervous, worried I'll be overwhelmed but it's so appealing to me. I'm looking at curriculums now starting with math and trying to go about it step by step. Found this thread through a search for Saxon math. I thought I'd subscribe and come back to read the whole thread.

[theretohere]

Originally Posted by rootzdawta

Hi everyone. I'm starting classical homeschooling in the fall. I'm kind of nervous, worried I'll be overwhelmed but it's so appealing to me. I'm looking at curriculums now starting with math and trying to go about it step by step. Found this thread through a search for Saxon math. I thought I'd subscribe and come back to read the whole thread.

It can seem overwhelming, but it all comes together really well. Let us know if you have any questions!

[crunchy_mama]

I want to join as well! I am loving all these great ideas and have so many bookmarks now I don't think I will ever get them read. We have slowly been adding things and am looking to get a bit more formal come this August. Right now we do TONS of reading new and classics. We do informal nature studies, science experimentsart, geography and various other things informally and formally.

What I am looking at for this fall:
RightStart Mathmatics
HWOT (not 100% sure but think this is where I am heading)
Reading Reflex
BFSU + Comstock's Nature Study
Religion- bible stories + CHC A Year with God Celebrating the Liturgical Yeat +??
Art- Discovering Great Artists +companion books from the library
Music- still working on that- hoping for sugestions!
History- agonizing on this one- was going to do a more formal program- but now I am thinking of doing various biographies based on the season along w/ activities and keeping it at that for this year- also I found a book - All Through the Ages- which is supposed to be a collection of great literary books for historical reading.
Geography- Galloping the Globe- he loved the unit study/lit approach to this so I want to keep it
Latin- Sing School Latin (I think is the title MLW had suggested it and it looks like a great intro to me)

I am stressing now over how to do our schedule what and when and how much of everything. Luke really loves and excels at the Science, geography etc so I want to keep that going. I am still not sure on the History either but since he will just be turning 6 I *think* I will just worry about incorporating the other things first.

[crunchy_mama]

Oh, and does anyone else have a hard time finding a lot of the classics? It seems my library never has them. I am trying to build my collection up but goodness the list never stops. I just spent about $200 on various books but between the curriculum I want and more books I will likely be spending at least $500 more this summer. I know there are some free resources online but I just hate reading books online and thankfully we can afford it now, so I want to take advantage while I can! I just wish I could try more books before I buy to make sure I am buying the best ones!

[rootzdawta]

Just wondering . . . how do you feel about the Hooked on Phonics Program? We have just one more box to go and we'll be done with it. I am quite pleased with the results I'm seeing. My son is solidly reading right now so I think it's been a good foundation. I'm researching where to go next.

[MyLittleWonders]

Originally Posted by rootzdawta

Just wondering . . . how do you feel about the Hooked on Phonics Program? We have just one more box to go and we'll be done with it. I am quite pleased with the results I'm seeing. My son is solidly reading right now so I think it's been a good foundation. I'm researching where to go next.

We have used and like HOP. The one thing I found is there is not enough practice of just reading words for my boys. So, we have taken a break from the workbooks (well, for ds#2 - ds#1 is done with the program and will do the Master Reader this summer), and have been using Phonics Pathways as there is much more reading from a pure phonics point of view. Ds#2 is still reading through the HOP books and is doing very well (he's in the 2nd half of the first grade books/chapter books). But, at least for mine, Phonics Pathways has been a great reinforcement, review, help in building their fluency. So, if you want something to continue to reinforce phonics and help your ds move towards more complex multi-syllable words, you might want to look at PP. It's just one book and goes from learning vowel and consonant sounds all the way through multisyllable words (and it's designed that it can also be used for spelling dictation once they are at that level too).

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mama

Oh, and does anyone else have a hard time finding a lot of the classics? It seems my library never has them. I am trying to build my collection up but goodness the list never stops. I just spent about $200 on various books but between the curriculum I want and more books I will likely be spending at least $500 more this summer. I know there are some free resources online but I just hate reading books online and thankfully we can afford it now, so I want to take advantage while I can! I just wish I could try more books before I buy to make sure I am buying the best ones!

if i can go alone, i crush used book stores. I alays find some there. At least the "older" ones -- ie the adults ones (Huck Finn, Scarlett Letter -- that kinda stuff). I buy all i can -- i don't have time to read them at the moment, and the boys are too too young for them --but this let's us have them, someday we'll get to them.

AS for children's classics like The Story of Ping and so on ... Amazon.com has a decent number of them in the 4 for 3 deal program.

before vacation I got
One Morning in Maine Robert McCloskey
The Story about Ping Marjorie Flack
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World Marjorie Priceman
The Story of Ferdinand

I also looove http://www.bethlehembooks.com/ they carry many older family readers, classic series from even the 1800 and early 1900's. GREAT stuff.

and check out this site too:

http://oldfashionededucation.com/

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mama

Oh, and does anyone else have a hard time finding a lot of the classics? It seems my library never has them. I am trying to build my collection up but goodness the list never stops. I just spent about $200 on various books but between the curriculum I want and more books I will likely be spending at least $500 more this summer. I know there are some free resources online but I just hate reading books online and thankfully we can afford it now, so I want to take advantage while I can! I just wish I could try more books before I buy to make sure I am buying the best ones!

Also I request all my books ILL before i buy anything -- that allos me to handle a book, really look at it, read some of it -- i love it. i feel much more confident buying books no.

i can ILL reqest anything -- even if i don't have any plan to buy it -- but jsut desire to look at it.

[crunchy_mama]

Our library just recently started doing ILL on a larger basis, before they charged me $4 per book and then most books they couldn't even get. Still yet my luck has been spotty finding the books I want! I am watching the various classfieds forums though- hopefully if I am patient enough I can find all that I want!


I just joined the BFSU group and am interested to see what I can glean from there and start planning!

[Momma Aimee]

everyone ready for fall????

[Bluegoat]

Originally Posted by Momma Aimee

everyone ready for fall????

I am just getting things together in their final form now so I can submit what I need to for registration. I've decided for our first year to be very low-key, just about two hours four times a week, plus ballet and music, and riding as long as the weather is good. I am planning to teach dd1 to hook rugs too.

[*Jessica*]

Originally Posted by Momma Aimee

everyone ready for fall????

We've already started. Nik is in first grade this year and Nate insists on doing school, too (and he calls me "Teacher" when we're doing lessons! It totally cracks me up every time he does it!) For Nate (age 5) we're using HWoT, Really Reading from Tanglewood, Family Math for Young Children, and he tags along for history, science, art, music, etc.

For Nik we're using Math Mammoth, Noble Knights of Knowledge, and Afterwards: Folk and Fairy Tales with Mathematical Ever-Afters by Peggy Kaye for math. We do 3 days of Math Mammoth, 1 of Noble Knights, and on Friday we use Afterwards.

For reading Nik is reading at a 4th or 5th grade level. But he still has issues with some words because he doesn't know all of his phonics rules. We're using Hooked on Phonics Advanced Reading and I think once he has completed it he will have a burst in reading ability and will be reading at an even higher level. (Gulp! Time to hide the books we don't want him reading before he reaches a certain maturity level. He doesn't need to be like his mom and reading Clan of the Cave Bear in 3rd grade. lol)

For spelling we're using All About Spelling. I don't know that it's necessary, but he likes it so we're going to keep at it.

For grammar and writing/copywork we're using First Language Lessons and Writing with Ease.

We're using Song School Latin, because Nik wants to learn how to speak like an ancient Roman or a knight.

For science we're using R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey Earth & Space, unless we decide to go with a more relaxed interest-led approach (which is what I'm leaning towards.)

We're using SOTW Volume 2 for history. I got the audio books so I could have a break from reading (Classical and CM-style education involves a LOT of reading!) and we're using the activity book as well. History is Nik's favorite subject; he spends a minimum of an hour everyday reading the Usborn Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History.

We're doing artist/picture study on Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael. Which means we have to incorporate the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! I'll be posting my plans to my blog. (Can I post the link here?) We're also using Discovering Great Artists for art projects.

For music we're doing piano lessons and using Classics for Kids and YouTube videos for a study of 9 different composers. (My plan for that is also on my blog, but I don't know if I can post the link.)

And of course the literature. I don't have my plans for that done yet. We're reading Little House in the Big Woods right now for homeschool group book club. We're over halfway through, so I guess I need to get my plans started!

I'm still a slacker with nature study, but I'm trying to improve. We use the Outdoor Hour challenges when we do manage to get to it.

I'm using the file crate system this year and it is working out SO well! We have accomplished so many fun things already that I would have forgotten to do with my previous system (or lack of a system, I should say!)

Ok, this seems like it has become a very long post, so I'll stop before I bore you all. What is everyone else planning for the upcoming year? Did your plans change as much as mine did?

[MyLittleWonders]

Jessica - our HSing looks so similar. We have also started. We go year round for a few reasons: the boys (and us) need consistent structure and we all like having more frequent, smaller breaks. Plus this year I need to plan some maternity time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so we started even earlier than normal.

I'm also using the file crate system. I'm almost done with the whole year; I started with doing weeks 1-6 for all subjects and have been filling in the rest slowly. We are in week 5, and will take a break after week 6, so it should all be done before we begin week 7 in September. I love having everything all planned already, all copied already and just plain ready to go. I also think I'm doing more with my PreKer by having things planned and in files for him as well. (He's still a wild card and I don't make him do anything, but often he will willingly come sit and do some activities with us at the table.)

For ds#1:
Miquon & Singapore Math 3A/B: He's in the Yellow Miquon book and half way through SM 3A. The goal is to be done with Miquon and 3B by June. This coming spring/summer, he will start Life of Fred Fractions on Fridays (basically once Miquon is done we'll start LoF).

WWE 4 and FLL 3/4: He's half-way through FLL 3; he should be starting FLL 4 in January. I'm debating, though, putting him in Growing with Grammar 4 instead of FLL 4 just to free up a small amount of me-led instruction in his day. He's also finishing up HOP Master Reader and working through the last part of Phonics Pathways. I think by the spring, he'll be considered on grade-level for reading; it has been a long journey, but once we started HOP and PP, he has made huge improvements in a relatively short period of time.

AAS 4-6: He's almost done with level four of AAS. We love this program. He'll more than likely finish level 5 and 6 this school year. After that, I may continue him on Phonics Zoo from IEW, but have not decided. It depends on how he's doing with spelling in his writing/dictation/etc. to whether he needs more spelling reinforcement.

He's also working through SM Challenging Word Problems 3, ETC 5 & 6 (and maybe 7 and/or 8), Building Thinking Skills, Mad Minute math facts, and Beginning Outlining as independent work - he has a box with those books and a check-list to work through as he's waiting for me while I teach a brother.

Ds#2:
Miquon & Singapore Math 1B/2A (and maybe 2B): He's almost done with SM 1B and will start Miquon Blue when done. He'll probably listen along with LoF but won't actually do LoF on his own until 4th grade.

WWE 2 and FLL 2.

AAS 3 & 4 (and maybe 5): He's doing very well with this too. We take it a little bit more slowly than ds#1, but not by much.

And he is working through SM CWP 1, ETC 3 & 4, Building Thinking Skills, and Mad Minute math facts as independent work.

Together the boys are doing:
Latin for Children A: We just started and it's going well. I am spreading LfC A over two years for us all to get used to the vocabulary and grammar.

Michael Clay Thompson Island level: We do this together at lunch time. We have read through Grammar Island once already and are now reading through it a second time while we also read through the other books. We do 3-4 Practice Island sentences on the board each week. They are getting pretty good about labeling the various parts of speech.

History Odyssey Ancients, level 1: We started this last year so we are finishing it this year, taking 2 weeks per lesson. It's almost too slow, but it's already planned, copied and filed, and I don't feel like speeding it up and then needing to plan, copy, and file HO Middle Ages.

REAL Science Odyssey Earth & Space level 1: I'm not 100% happy with this (I have yet to find a science program I/we like), but it is helping us be a little more hands-on in our science, and with planning, filing, and copying (and using a modified loop schedule), we are actually getting science done, so I'm going with it this year.

Ds#3:
HWOT preK, Get Ready for the Code, some K level math pages, PreK/K unit books (right now we're doing insects), and just reading. He also loves doing Phonics Pathways and really wants to learn to read.

Phew ... I think that is all! Right now dh is still home on summer break, and though it's nice having him here, the days he's been gone (meetings), we get more done in less time.

[theretohere]

Originally Posted by Momma Aimee

everyone ready for fall????

Yes! We started first week in August, so we're on week 3 already.
This year we are using:

Le Francais Facile for French
Math Mammoth
Singapore Primary Math
Rod and Staff English
R&S Spelling
SOTW 1
WTM science
Artistic Pursuits

[MissRubyandKen]

About as ready as I can be . I'm wondering how things are going to go with a two year old in the house alongside 3rd and 5th graders!

We're using-

WWE
Simply Grammar and Daily Grams
Miquon/Singapore/and trialing MEP so that I can see if we might use it next year
History Odyssey Ancients/SOTW 1 and UILE of World History
Noeo Chemistry 2
Draw Write Now
Artistic Pursuits
Song School Latin
Roots and Fruits Vocabulary
and for Literature they are both assigned a chapter a day from a book in our home library which consists of lots of very good books I've found used at thrift stores, yard sales, and library sales

We're scheduled to start Sept. 1st. My dd 10 is excited, ds 8 not so much.

[MyLittleWonders]

I forgot we are using Artistic Pursuits too. Even though ds#1 is 4th grade, I went with the K-3 level as I wanted to keep them together (at least the older two).

MissRubyandKen - I had to chuckle when I read the beginning of your post, as I realized that next school year I'll have an almost walker (at least the first half) and a K and a 3rd and a 5th grader. I wonder if we'll get anything done for the next couple years, at least until the baby is old enough to be able to/want to sit with us and color, cut, and paste stickers everywhere.

[MissRubyandKen]

MyLittleWonders- I spent the almost walking/newly walking stage mostly with the little one on my lap or at my breast during school, lol. Now she is more demanding of my attention and wants to be part of everything we are doing. Which is great, but sometimes tricky. Like when she wants to grab the microscope, take other people's whiteboards even when she has her own, climb on the table, throw the math manipulatives, etc. She isn't easily distracted at all. She doesn't do the booster seat, but I may try it again it at the school table and see if it helps.