Some Sweet Moments...and other things

[tnahid]

Well, just want to say that both my sons are really loving the History read-aloud time and the Story-Time read aloud. I think this is their favorite part of the day! I did move my story-time to their bedtimes instead of during the day because I just couldn't seem to get to it. That is working out great. And I actually read their Bible and History/Science during breakfast, so that is great too. Also want to say that my oldest son says his favorite thing is READING HIS BOOKS! I am so glad about that! My youngest is excited about getting into the rest of his ER books, as he has been in the Early Bible reader the entire time until now. They both even like the poem read-aloud time and copywork on that. So, woo hoo!! That is exciting!

Another praise, my 4 year old daughter really enjoys Little Hands to Heaven. She loves the songs and is learning so much!

Now, I must say that my oldest son really DOES NOT like the DITHOR workbook at all. He really likes to read the books, and he will tell me all about what he read, but he doesn't like writing the workbook sheet or talking about it. Hmmm... I am actually okay with setting it aside for now and just letting him summarize the books to me. What do you think?

Also, on my part, I am having an issue with keeping everyone on task with their independent work. Any tips for doing this better? I really want to instill a drive in them to work independently.

Lastly, I was having a lot of difficulty keeping up with the science as well. So I had a thought to give my youngest son the science book and have him read it on his own a couple of pages a day and to share with me what he read, as well as do the actvities or experiments. He seemed to like this idea better. I actually did the same with my oldest son, only I ordered the 3rd grade CLP science book for him to read and do the activities in on his own. Any thoughts?
I just cannot seem to keep up with doing the experiments together. I know they are very easy and great, but I keep getting behind, and when I do, I am feeling stressed about that.

So overall, HOD is working really well for us. I enjoy the overall layout of it. It gives me a great foundation to go by, and the Bible, History and Storytime are such a blessing to us, as well as the reading selections in DITHOR. Thanks for any input!

Tina

[tnahid]

Also, just thought of something. What if I just printed out the science portion out of HOD for my sons and had them go do that independently? That would work to wouldn't it? It's just that my oldest doesn't like doing experiments really. He told me he just wanted something like a textbook that he could just read and "fill in the blank." Blah. What do you think about that?

[deltagal]

Also, just thought of something. What if I just printed out the science portion out of HOD for my sons and had them go do that independently? That would work to wouldn't it? It's just that my oldest doesn't like doing experiments really. He told me he just wanted something like a textbook that he could just read and "fill in the blank." Blah. What do you think about that?

Tina,

It sounds like you're experiencing some rather predictable issues that one has with a child who is transitioning from school to home or from textbook to living education. To move from being one who is fed information to one who has to dig, ponder, think. I would encourage him to set up and prepare the science experiments independently. However, I would suggest that you have him invite you when he is ready to conduct the experiment, so you can enter into the conversation. He can be the Master Scientist imparting his knowledge to the rest of you.

Regarding the DITHOR. I'm not sure what level you are using, but if you don't have it I would suggest using the 2/3 level. This level focuses more on talking and less on writing and would help him transition into the work. You could use it for this year and then go back to a higher level next year. There are so many good exercises in the DITHOR book that I would not suggest setting it aside and narrating....you'll miss the challenge.

Finally, regarding working independently. You'll have to take some time to teach everyone how to work independently. HOw to structure their time. What to do. Where to sit. Where to put their books/supplies when they're done. Use a timer. Tell them to set it for X minutes and then to move on to their next subject. Explain to them that you need them to do this, so you can do this. This is very important training for the success of your homeschool.

Sounds like you're off to a great start! Enjoy the journey.

[Tansy]

The science experiments are so much fun. Yes they take time to set up and can be distracting. But what they teach is Scientific Method. A system our kids will use in any science class. I love Joys idea of master scientist. Put him right in charge have him be proud of his science note book! I started out By always showing my husband her note book when he got home. Look at the exciting things were doing. Look at her drawing.. Praise praise praise... Now She is showing off her work to her Papa. What we are making a fuss over must be important!

Some things that may help you get them done. Take a few minutes on Sat or Sunday to gather the materials you will need. I always end up doing the experiments in the bathroom SO I stick everything in there (on a good week). So when its time, I'm ready! I have a high ideal some day I will make up pre made experiment procedure sheets so I will just have lots of blank copies to use, but at this point I'm still just creating them as i need them. Some day! I'll get my act together.

Today I almost skipped the Benjamin West art project. but decided to do it at the last minute. My dd has a paint box just like the one described in the story. So I also got that out. So I ended up expanding her art. we did one painting made from grape juice and food coloring. Then she did a painting with the real paints and paint box easel thing.. She was like Mom Benny must have been really happy his cousin sent him real paints no one wonder he skipped school... She had a blast. Even tho it ate into my time things, it was so fun! And think I almost skipped it!

[tnahid]

Thank you very much! Those are great ideas! I did put a desk in his room today and told him that he could use this as his "office like Dad's" so that he could do his work there. He really liked that idea! I even let him eat his lunch in there on his desk while he did his spelling and reading assignment. He put his own pencil holder and sharpener on it, and it has a drawer. I have another desk just like it for my other son and I told him that could be his special space if he wanted to use it. He was glad about it, but he is very content doing his work anywhere. He is more focused than my older one!

I like the Master Scientist idea too. Showing what they have done to Dad is always great. My son spent about 2 hours outside today building a fort with old wood from our deck that we are redoing. I just let him stay out there because he was so into it, even though he didn't have some of his assignments completed. I think it was worth it.

Also, I am doing the 2/3 level of DITHOR, and I have decided to do it orally with him instead of making him write it all down. He is just not ready for that much independent work / writing right now. He doesn't mind sitting with me and talking it out though, so I guess that is what I will have to do. Maybe next year, he will do it more independently.

Thank you!

[Tansy]

One thing I did with my eldest when I was using DITHOR.. I started by scribing for her, then I moved to doing the work on a white board. Then having her copy it for her notebook. As long as it wasn't to much writing. So maybe you could transition him to the workbook by the end of the year that way. Never over loading him with writing tho just adding a bit her and there.

[Carrie]

Wonderful advice in this thread, ladies! Thank you for helping one another and giving of yourselves!

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

It sounds like much is going so well, so I'm celebrating that with you! As far as helping dc strengthen the writing skills needed to do DITHOR, I did the same thing as Tansy, and wrote down my ds's answers for him in his DITHOR Student Book at first. Then, I wrote half his answers on his paper for him, and wrote the other half on a markerboard and he copied from that. Finally, he wrote his answers, but I helped him with any word(s) he wanted me to spell by writing it (them) on a markerboard. For science, I think it's a great idea for ds to set up the experiment and be the "master scientist" showing it to you. I'm remembering that one myself! Love it! Anyway, using living books, incorporating CM style learning, doing hands-on work, and having follow-up discussions/activities is such a more meaningful way for dc to learn than textbook reading and filling out multiple choice/true and false/fill-in-the-blank papers. Your ds is having to really think about what he's learning, and that can sometimes be a difficult change from ps learning. I think he will grow to love it over time, but for now, he may just see it as harder work or as more work. Stick to your guns with it - you will see such fruit from it over time!!! Learning has such a greater purpose than giving the "one" right answer or receiving an "A". I'm excited for you to unlock this style of learning in your ds's heart, and I think HOD really can be the key to accomplish that! Keep up the good work - you are off to a good start!!!

In Christ,
Julie