Okay.... DD7 has always been a visual only child. Give her worksheets, she would do them. Even now, we sit down, I give her what pages to do in her workbook. When she runs into a question, or for a new topic there is teaching time as well, but a lot of what she does is read and self taught. DS5 is NOT this way. HE is a visual learner but also needs audio and kinesthetic as well in order to really comprehend. He abolutely detests sitting down and doing worksheets and each day turns into a fight. I've found a solution for reading, well, using the same one I used for my daughter anyway - www.starfall.com - greatest site in the world. I'm looking into changing Math curriculum. ALSO, next year he will be in 1st grade, so I'd like to add Bible, History & Geography and Science. A friend lent me Primer & Alpha of Math U See - and I'm wondering what others thought of it OR if there are other Math Curriculums out there. And others. I have the A/O Science & History & Geography - I may get two or three of the workbooks and try him out - they are simple and can be hands on. UGH!!!! I hate Curriculum shopping! LOL
Mystery of History or Story of the World are my recommendations for History/Geography! SOTW has a workbook that has a lot of hands-on activities---it's great! However, it's from a secular standpoint. MOH is from a creationist view. They are both excellent---way better than any other history I've ever tried or heard of! For Enlish/Language Arts, especially now so he could start out the right way right off the bat, I recommend Rod and Staff English. They are of a religious bent also. The material is very good, and teaches you about it in a way that by the time you're at a 4th or 5th grade level with R&S, you're way ahead of what most kids learn all through elementary and some highschool! My dh and I are strong on having good English skills, and this on is impressive! They're not very expensive either! (*Note: My younger two have not done well with other English/Language programs, and are behind. The R&S is the one we found that the kids "get it"! They have to work hard, but they're finally making some good progress! YAAAAY! ) These are just things that have worked for us when nothing else did. So they may at least worth a look!
I was the same way. My dd was a workbook learner. But now my ds was more hands on so we went to mus with him and it was wonderful. We did it in the family room and had the video on the tv and we laid on the floor building the house, motel and castle. He lays a great foundation for the children. My son not only knows the answer but how to get to it. It really worked for him. I have tried many others and this was my favorite.
My 6yo daughter is also very hands on. For Grammar I'm using First Language Lessons by Susan Wise Bauer- same person who does SOTW. The lessons are short and to the point. There really isn't much writing or hands on work unless you want there to be. For example, yesterdays lesson we talked about proper nouns as in people's names. We've also talked about common nouns. Yesterday we reviewed both and I gave her a worksheet where she had to circle the common names and underline the proper names. Then I had her write the proper names of our family and draw a picture of them. I supplement a lot with this book but it's easy to do. I like who simple yet to the point the lessons are. For history I'm going to be using SOTW- just haven't received it yet. Has taken me a while to decide and since I really don't need it till next fall there's really no rush at the moment. Right now for social studies we're doing a rain forest unit. Science we're studying air but I'll be buying noeo science here soon. Math I'm using Miquon and Singapore with Miquon as my core. LOOOOOVE Miquon. They are inexpensive and very hands on- they use cuisenaire rods. I also like Singapore, and the base 10 to go with when the books get to that point. I ordered the Miquon 1st grade books which are perfect for dd and the SIngapore K - should have ordered 1st but the placement test told me otherwise. It's taken me 4 months to figure out what to buy for next year lol.
Mystery of History is awesome for both auditory and visual learners. I also have taken a glance at Math U See and it looks awesome! I am using Singapore right now...fine for an auditory but my visual still needs the object lesson...so I am thinking of Math U SEe for next year.
Math I started mine wiht is Horizon Math. via Alpha Omega's site. It is full of color and fun pictures, my hardest learner loved it!
For the rest of this year, I think we're going to implement Mathematical Mondays! She's so far ahead in everything else, but a grade-level behind in math. Thanks to hs'ing, taking a whole day for math is a viable option. We are currently using AOP LIFEPAC 1st grade math, 2nd grade jump startand a book of math facts timed tests (just recording the time it takes to complete and looking for improvement each time, only competing against her previous times) by American Educational Publishing. We've used this site a couple of times for the addition flash cards and she likes it. http://www.aplusmath.com/Flashcards/flashcards.html I'm interested in Math U See, but have read some not-so-good reviews. I think I'm going to check out Minquon... Has anyone used the book "Math Magic for Your Kids" by Scott Flansburg? I've checked it out from the library for the second time and may not have time to get to it this go 'round either, but was hoping someone else could give me the low-down on it.
I don't know that book, but my dh said using too many "tricks" or shortcuts to get answers more quickly is not a good idea in the long-run. It leaves out certain step that they use in higher maths. He said to be careful of those kins of things. I don't know if that's what that book is about, but just thought I'd say what dh said.
I think your husband has a good point Deena, but I also think it's good to do things more than one way- especially with math. Gives you more tools to work with as it gets harder and more than one way to look at it and work it out.
today was a horrible day with him. Fighting, tears, etc. UGH...I should just put him in kindergarten! Feeling like a huge fat failure today!!! Going somewhere to cry....boooooooohooooooooooooooo The worst part is I feel like I'm failing him and he'll end up hating school and learning.
Okay, in regards to Higher math, I am wanting to know what higher math you mean, and also my dd asks me all the time when do we use Algerbra in real life?
one more thing.. in regaqrds to Kindergarden, that is too young to be stressing over math sweetie! dont force him to do it, its only kindergarden, let him hve a few days off, In kgarden here you mostly need to know up to hundred counting and knowing simple addition with pictures... what is ther to stress over? IN fact you can learn a lot of math by way of playing, blocks, leggos etc, how many leggos did you use in what color could be a lesson.. when you made whatever you made? Make lessons fun for K or the rest of school will be too hard to handle too when the child grows. that was why I origonally wanted to be a Kindergarden teacher, so I could teach kids with fun! I want kids to love school not hate it, while they learn that at the younger ages then when it becomes a real chore its easier because attitude is everything.
I'm trying to find a good math curriculum that my kids will be able to do that is gong to get them caught up where they should be and challenge them to go further. Right now I'm pretty worried about my younger two. I have been looking but I'm lost.
My dd is 6 and we do kindy work, I use all kinds of manilupitives with her from noodles, to popsicle sticks to whatever is on hand. I am using saxon 1 math and she enjoys it, I try to make it all fun and hope she is enjoying it and learning at the same time, which I know she is by what we talk about "outside" of school time. GL! I was very frustrated at our beginning I can't tell you how many times Ive said "go get dressed Im taking you to school" but I didnt do it...I stuck it out now we are progressing but she also knows that Im not about to do that. Good Luck with all your choices, its so hard when they are young.
As I already mentioned my ds was on mus for several years well for those of you who have seen the dvds will get a kick out of this. Everytime my son would see Dr. Phil on tv he woud say theres my teacher mom! We would go round and round. Finally I would just agree with him, yep your teacher is on tv again. LOL. Don't stress out in the younger years, make it fun theirs alot more school ahead of you and enjoy the younger years, it goes fast. Just build a love of learning with them.
