I've been researching project based curriculum for Noah. If I could make learning interesting to him maybe school wouldn't be such a struggle. Anyways I came across Laurel Springs, and their project based curriculum. Anyone familiar with it? Any other curriculum suggestions?
Well, I've never heard of it... and that doesn't happen very often... so I'm going to go research it until I'm blue in the face, talk to people who HAVE used it, etc etc etc. I'm one of those "must find out EVERYTHING" kinda people and have a system by now. LOL So no, I probably won't TRY it (unless it's free? LOL), but I'll know a lot more about it in a week - I'm just that way. Not that you couldn't do the same things, :lol: I just meant that you'd mentioned one I hadn't heard of and now I *must* go find out about it myself! Got a link to start me off? And, psst, you never know. My boys are visual-kinesthetic as well.
Jackie, I haven't used that one, but what all are you looking for? We do a lot of hands on with all of our stuff. So, is it just a specific subject or do you need ideas for all kinds?
I just need ideas. I'm a workbook type person and my son is more of a hands on kinda guy. I want a program that will give me all of the daily "what to do's". I was looking into teaching children with ADD and teaching tips (gotta love Google), when I stumbled upon someone suggesting Laurel Springs for their hands on type of learning. Is their another curriculum I should look into? I'm just looking for ideas, not necessarily a particular program.
For science http://www.homeschoolscience.com/ (all hands on, comes with simple worksheets w/o too much writing) For geography I just recently purchased A child's Geography http://www.achildsgeography.com/ it has fun hands on things to do, (also not to much writing) sequential spelling is also a favorite here. Oh, and our all time favorite is Rightstart math. All of these are set up with daily instructions. The science he could do himself even. The geography is just plain fun. (I just got done reading the book before we start and it has so many fun things to do) There is a couple right off hand. My son doesn't have ADD, but if it is not hands on he doesn't understand.
thanks for the geography link, looks cool, I will have to look into that one for next year. I have seen the science one before and like it too!
I was worried at first I would not like the geography. I usually teach all secularly, but I love it. You start off with a out loud reading, then you do some notebooking, make a post card, tell about it, have some activities, then at the end there is a suggested (but not a have to) additional reading list. The first book (the one I have) exploring is world. Deals a lot with the earth as a whole, the atmosphere, and such. Then there is the other book that goes into it more. I really like how it is laid out. Sorry for highjacking here!!!
We're using Math-U-See for math, and LOVE it. We've been using Mystery of History for ancient history, and I'm happy to say that we're going to add the Winter Promise guide! WP is a literature-based curriculum similar to Sonlight, only it is more hands-on and activities based. I'm excited and will update in a few weeks, after we've had the chance to use it a while. My oldest enjoys doing lapbooks for any subject that I'll let him. Have you tried any of those? Look at the Hands of a Child sets - those are awesome. I also tweak whatever we're using so that it's more hands-on and less writing than prescribed. For instance, we do a lot of our English and spelling on the computer instead of writing it out by hand. We don't have ADD or any other dx's, but my middle one would probably be slapped with that one if we put him in ps, and ALL of my kids are very visual-kinesthetic. (Except my middle one... he's... kinesthetic-visual? LOL)
:shock: Have you looked at the website for Laurel Springs yet? Just checking, because the first two things I see right away are: 1. It's distance learning. 2. It's $1600 for a full year, full project-based curriculum for second grade. :shock: Er, have you looked at Winter Promise? From what I've seen in less than 5 minutes :lol: they seem to be similar, only WP is *not* a distance learning program... and it is specifically Christian. I don't know if that matters, and I don't know if LS is or not, yet. And, for certain, which level/grade are you looking at needing? Any specific subjects, or are you hoping for everything together? (LS is unit study style.)
Laurel Springs has a book only option. It's hard to find it on their website. It's still expensive though. I'm not interested in doing distance education... no thanks! LOL. I have another thread started on Winter Promise and I think I'm going to try that instead of LS. I like that I can use my own Science like Apologia, and an assortment of other books. I'm already using MUS so I'll stay that while it's working for Noah. (He likes the video but not the blocks, it's the strangest thing!) I do supplement MUS with Horizons, just because Noah likes the colored pages and variety.
Cool! Sounds great! What I was looking at was the projects-based portion; I saw that they had three options with either project based, web based, or text based. I just assumed that since you were asking about hands-on, that you wanted the projects-based. :lol: We'll be getting a hold of the WP Quest for the Ancient World instructor guide and make your own notebook; I'll pay the lady as soon as dh's check clears the bank, tonight or tomorrow. I'm so excited! What grade or level will you be using? Is Noah your 7yo or 5yo?
Oh, The book only one just means that you buy their products and dont enroll in their school. I would have used the project based curriculum. Noah is my 7 yr old. He's very bright... a friend thinks he should be tested for the gifted program at school. :lol: In a school setting this kid would fail. He cant pay attention to anything unless your constantly riding him. It's not that he doesnt want to do the work, he just cant focus. This is where the beauty of homeschooling comes in. He's just thriving here at home, one on one attention, and I can try to tailor his curriculum to fit his style..... try getting that at school.
Today I had all 3 boys sitting on the couch listening to a story..... thats never happened before! I think it's a good sign WP will work for us. Would one of you kind ladies tell my hubby I NEED this curriculum? :lol:
Hey! Jackie's dh!! She *NEEDS* this curriculum! What's more, Noah needs it! I totally understand - we've juggled and juggled to find what works here, too. God found a used WP IG for me, and let me know about it today. Maybe He will do the same for you! Start prayin! I'm excited to get started with it.
DaLynn, I noticed you use Rod and Staff Language..... thats my next area of concern.... I think it'll either be R&S or IEW. Have you tried IEW?
Chiming in... LOVE Math U See....my 6 year old does this (he's a hands on learner, for sure!) and he's really getting it now. I'm looking at/planning on using www.homeschoolinthewoods.com Time Traveler's Series' for History with my kids...it seems very project based. Still contemplating Science...but that can sure be hands on!!! I really hope you find what works for you!
Jo Anna, Your reply got lost in the mix... I didnt see it. That looks good to. I'm off to look into it more. I like that Jeannie Fulbright likes it... that has to mean something right? I love Jeannies Apologia books.
