(no subject)

[mommydama]

I'm spending way too much time researching this stuff...

Okay, so now I'm intrigued by some new ideas. I found this: http://webs.integrity.com/backhome/BHI_Catalog.html. Spell to Write and Read. It is supposed to be the Spalding Method (aka The Writing Road to Reading) specifically designed for homeschoolers. I love the concept of the Spalding method, but was totally overwhelmed by how to implement it in a home setting. Anyone know if Spell to Write and Read is any good? If it is I'm wondering if it takes care of reading, spelling, AND grammar, or if I need a supplement, especially for grammar. I can't find any reviews of it that aren't sponsored by the creators.

I also a looking closer at Math U See. I read about Miquon Math and I think it wouldn't be good for Mari...maybe Zoe, but I'm not so sure about Mari. I'm reading more and more reviews that are not very favorable about Saxon, but I'm finding very few negatives about Math U See. I don't know...I'm confusing myself. I guess I should just pick something and go for it until it doesn't work, right?

So my entire plan is shifting...
I need more info on the History Portfolio series, but if Spell to Write and Read is what I think it is and does what I think it does then my plan is looking more like this now:

Phonic/Spelling/Grammar?: Spell to Write and Read
Reading/Literature: Any one of the many "great books" lists out there and a library will provide this, along with beginning readers books.
History: History Portfolio with SOTW and/or Kingfisher History Encyclopedia and lots of library supplements (I don't know what I actually need to own here, what the History Portfolios include)
Science:Kingfisher First Animals, My Body, and Green Thumbs
Math: Saxon or Math U See
Religion/History: the new Bible Storybook by the GOA, daily readings and saints/feasts of the day readings.
Art: Draw Write Now and/or Lamb's Book of Art 1 for a more sequential study of art and art history (I could use some suggestions here...justamy, have any ideas for an "art" curriculum of K/1st grade?)
Music: I need a book or something that will help me introduce the girls to composers and music history. Mari WILL be taking violin lessons as soon as possible and I'm starting the girls on the recorder to learn some music basics.

Obviously we wouldnt do all of this everyday. "Religion" and Reading/Literature everyday, Phonics/Spelling/Grammar four to five days a week, Math and History two to four days a week depending, Science, Art, and Music probably only once a week, though recorder "lessons" may happen more often. It doesn't seem too overwhelming that way.

Comments

[moobabe.livejournal.com]

I know this isn't helpful, but if you're looking into Math-U-See, you might want to consider RightStart Math, too. (I know, you're looking for more, and not less.) I just started Hannah on RightStart, and she's really enjoying it so far. Admittedly, we've only been doing it for two days, but she asked to do more after we stopped today, which is usually a good sign. I'm taking her really slowly, though, because it's a kindergarten-level program. Still, it's really hands-on.

Anyway, I have an e-mail someone wrote comparing RightStart and Math-U-See, which I can send on to you if you like?

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

That would be great!

[moobabe.livejournal.com]

I sent to your @livejournal.com e-mail address and it didn't go through. Not sure what your e-mail address is now?

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

braddama @ yahoo . com

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

Wow. I've looked over what you sent and looked up a bunch of other reviews of RightStart and I'm really impressed. It lookes like a really neat program. More expensive at the outset then MUS, but really cool that the manipulatives go through the entire program. If it works for someone, it will end up being a good deal. Did you buy the manipulatives kit? Where did you get it?

[moobabe.livejournal.com]

I bought the starter kit from eBay, which ran about $90 including shipping. I'm not seeing it for that price there now, but maybe in the future? I didn't want to buy ALL the manipulatives, just in case.

The only thing I didn't like about getting the kit was that the abacus in that particular kit was the plastic one. I heard rumors about 2 abacuses (abaci?) being helpful in the future; if that's the case, I'm going to get the wooden one.

So far, Hannah really likes it. I'm going slowly, though, because she's still really in the habit of counting even two things, when RightStart is all about visualizing quantities. I know she knows how to do it; she was playing with her dolls and I asked her to show me three of them, and she did right away. But if I ask how many of something, she still would rather count.

[aeoconnor.livejournal.com]

Hi Dama! Sorry this is completely off topic. Kizmet told me to contact you since my family and I are moving to San Antonio. If you aren't too busy, could you drop me an email and tell me things like schools, where to live etc....what to avoid? Only if you have the time! Thanks! aetotin@gmail.com

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

I sent you an email. Let me know if you don't get it!

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you saw my comments about homeschoolreviews.com and Miquon math, but, I'm mentioning them again in case not.

I always have a natural tendency to want to do reading, writing, phonics, grammar etc every single day but math only a couple of times a week, but Grant always says that is wrong, and me showing my OWN strengths and preferences. He points out how math is something done daily in "regular" schools right along with language arts, and not an "elective" that is saved for a couple of times a week. So, I always end up trying really hard to fight that inclination in myself and do them equally. What do you think about this? Is it part of classical education to emphasize things the way that you are?

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

I did read about Miquon Math. I think it sounds fascinating, but most of the reviews I read said it did better as a supplement to another math program than the sole math program someone is using. Maybe I'm reading that wrong though...

I LOVE the homeschoolreviews.com site, but most of the stuff I wanted reviews of (history portfolio series, spell to write and read) weren't there.

As to Grant's take on Math. I agree...sort of. In classical education, the early grammar stage is focused very much on acquiring the ability to read and write and spell. This is the foundation for all future learning. Until a child is reading well and independently, everything else is secondary. Math is an important part of the grammar stage(after all there is a "grammar" to math too, basic groundwork that must be laid for the later logic stage, higher math), but not as intensely as reading/writing in the first three grades especially. Don't get me wrong, depending on the math program we choose we will probably do math every "school" day (which I plan to do four times a week). Reading to the girls and bible/religion studies will be seven day a week things. Formal "school" will only happen about four times a week, in my plan. And as I said, I plan to do math two to four times a week, depending on what program we choose. The fifth "school" day will be a project/field trip day, I hope.