Homeschool post

[mommydama]

I think I'm finally completely sold on the idea of intensive phonics. I do not like the way Mari is learning sight words in Calvert right now. It makes it easier for her to read beginning readers I suppose, but she is constantly guessing words based on the first letter and reversing letters when she writes. She isn't decoding as much as I'd like, though I am supplementing with Spalding phonics as much as I can. Both Zoe and Luci are learing more phonics from writing (coming to me and saying "how do you write...?" and then sounding it out with me) then anywhere else. I think the writing to spell and read concept really seems to fit with how they are all learning anyway. So...I'm pretty definate about trying the Spell to Write and Read program next year. It is a hefty investment, but I just keep reminding myself that it is the only thing we need for the first three or four years for phonics/grammar/spelling. And I've seen people sell the program on the yahoo group really quickly, so I think if we hated it I could get some of my money back.

I received the Children's Bible Reader I ordered for the girls today. I'm so excited about this thing. A children's story bible that tells the stories from an Orthodox perspective. I can't even express how wonderful that is. Not only for the girls...but for me too!

I want to get started on all this stuff RIGHT NOW! I'm sooooo not good at waiting.

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[mommydama.livejournal.com]

http://store.goarch.org/product.php?productid=18899&cat=0&page=1

It has been around for a few years, but only in Greek. The English edition just came out a few months ago. I've been waiting with baited breath! I've flipped through it and it is what I'd hoped it would be. A very simple, children's illustrated bible story book, but the illustrations are icon-like and the stories have that "Orthodox" feel, if you know what I mean. They don't differ all that dramatically from any other children's illustrated bible, but they just have that...well...feel to them. The wording and phrasing and attitude behind it. Don't know how to explain it exactly. I'm just in love with it...