Placement Questions
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:35 am
Hi,
I am homeschooling my 5 girls ages 13.5(8th grade fall), 11.5(6th grade fall), 9.5(4th grade fall - dyslexic - just below grade level language arts and math skills, but rising steadily), 7(just turned- 1st grade in fall), and finally 3.5(pre-schooler - ready for a few activities in the fall) This completed our 3rd year homeschooling. While I have a M. Ed. and teaching experience in 1st and 2nd grade I have not been able to develop a balanced homeschool plan for our family. I'm a great implementer and have a good sense of what kids need to learn a topic! But after looking over great resources I struggle to put it all together in a balanced way. HOD looks like it does just that, in fact if I was a talented writer it is how I would write it. I was determined to have my students studying the same history and science track (to make my life simpler) It really hasn't. Too much work and not enough learning retention in my opinion. Also, what is great for olders is terrible for youngers. A few things work together like a great read aloud and great poetry even an art project. Anyway, I have become my worst nightmare: curriculum hopping and looking for the next best thing (history especially - mostly because I thought all should study same).
Don't get me wrong we have stuck with a few things that have really worked for us. I think this is important for you to know so you can advise us: SIngapore math, Write Shop Writing, All About Spelling, Elemental Science Biology (2 levels and 2 different assignments worked great), monthly read aloud for library book club, poetry study. My oldest has used Center for Lit. middle school on line discussion class (super).
Brings me back to Heart of Dakota. Here is what I really like: Short lessons in each subject - completely planned - there is flexibility- but all in all planned. No assignment seems overkill and it is broken down into bite sized chunks. The older kids even read their own guide and it is coded Independent, semi independent, with mom. It provides a balance of all subjects. It is completely Christ centered. Am I reading too much into this or is this really how it is day to day? I love that I may be able to give up my 2 hour every Sunday dig through books and curriculum manuals to write lesson plans for each student.
Placement Chart:
7yr. old would be at Beyond Little Hearts: She is easily reading emergent readers for first half of year (some we have already read- reads Magic Treehouse easily) She could easily do this curriculum - but the first week writing assignments seem exactly right for her, she still doesn't love independent writing would rather copy still. This independent writing is just emerging. I think we are ahead in spelling - but she has had no intro to grammar at all - periods, capital letters still need a lot of support. We are 1/2 way through Singapore 1A. (She seems like she might be able to do Bigger Hearts, but when I look ahead to Preparing it seems like it would be a long wayfrom now to that first week. But maybe.)
9.5 year old seems like she falls into Bigger Hearts but maybe Preparing. She reads easily the level 3 DITHOR. Writes full stories - but struggles with grammar - has had little formal instruction. She is able to easily write 3-5 sentence narrations for Science and Social Studies. We are starting Singapore 3 A. But she struggles with some basics that I think the earlier level would address. She does work independently now following an assignment sheet and completes it well.
11.5 and 13.5 would do the same level Revival to Revolutions. I would add extensions for 13.5 They each did one 10 week cycle of Analytical Grammar two years ago. Junior and 1st cycle of regular. It wasn't for us. But they did learn a lot and retained quite a bit. Not sure where that would place them in Rod and Staff. Both are good writers with exposure narrative, exository, persuassive, summaries etc. We have used Write Shop this year. Great readers with experience talking about elements of literature and reflecting in a reading log.
Am I crazy to use 3 guides? Technically 4 because I will have lessons for 3.5 year old doing 30 minutes per day. Or in all will this be easier??? Teach everyone's school at their level - no worry about boring the olders or the youngers for that matter. Is it possible to combine 7 year old and 9.5 year old or will I do so holding back 9.5 year old and pushing 7 year old too much. This was the feeling I had with their science this year. 9.5 year old got bored waiting for 7 year old to finish her step to go on to the next step together. However, I can adjust for 7 year old if you think she is ready and extend for the 9.5 year old. And this would keep them in 1 guide. Having not seen how the whole year plays out I just can't decide what the right decision is.
I have been too history focused - and accomplishing very little. I read a post about not letting the history topics drive our curriculum choices but let the basics. I think this is really true.
I just want to get off this hours of planning every sunday track I'm on. I want the kids to remember what we learn and I want to feel organized on a clear path. I also just want to use a few books well.
Thanks for your insights. Let me know what else you may need to know to help me place our kids.
Kim
I am homeschooling my 5 girls ages 13.5(8th grade fall), 11.5(6th grade fall), 9.5(4th grade fall - dyslexic - just below grade level language arts and math skills, but rising steadily), 7(just turned- 1st grade in fall), and finally 3.5(pre-schooler - ready for a few activities in the fall) This completed our 3rd year homeschooling. While I have a M. Ed. and teaching experience in 1st and 2nd grade I have not been able to develop a balanced homeschool plan for our family. I'm a great implementer and have a good sense of what kids need to learn a topic! But after looking over great resources I struggle to put it all together in a balanced way. HOD looks like it does just that, in fact if I was a talented writer it is how I would write it. I was determined to have my students studying the same history and science track (to make my life simpler) It really hasn't. Too much work and not enough learning retention in my opinion. Also, what is great for olders is terrible for youngers. A few things work together like a great read aloud and great poetry even an art project. Anyway, I have become my worst nightmare: curriculum hopping and looking for the next best thing (history especially - mostly because I thought all should study same).
Don't get me wrong we have stuck with a few things that have really worked for us. I think this is important for you to know so you can advise us: SIngapore math, Write Shop Writing, All About Spelling, Elemental Science Biology (2 levels and 2 different assignments worked great), monthly read aloud for library book club, poetry study. My oldest has used Center for Lit. middle school on line discussion class (super).
Brings me back to Heart of Dakota. Here is what I really like: Short lessons in each subject - completely planned - there is flexibility- but all in all planned. No assignment seems overkill and it is broken down into bite sized chunks. The older kids even read their own guide and it is coded Independent, semi independent, with mom. It provides a balance of all subjects. It is completely Christ centered. Am I reading too much into this or is this really how it is day to day? I love that I may be able to give up my 2 hour every Sunday dig through books and curriculum manuals to write lesson plans for each student.
Placement Chart:
7yr. old would be at Beyond Little Hearts: She is easily reading emergent readers for first half of year (some we have already read- reads Magic Treehouse easily) She could easily do this curriculum - but the first week writing assignments seem exactly right for her, she still doesn't love independent writing would rather copy still. This independent writing is just emerging. I think we are ahead in spelling - but she has had no intro to grammar at all - periods, capital letters still need a lot of support. We are 1/2 way through Singapore 1A. (She seems like she might be able to do Bigger Hearts, but when I look ahead to Preparing it seems like it would be a long wayfrom now to that first week. But maybe.)
9.5 year old seems like she falls into Bigger Hearts but maybe Preparing. She reads easily the level 3 DITHOR. Writes full stories - but struggles with grammar - has had little formal instruction. She is able to easily write 3-5 sentence narrations for Science and Social Studies. We are starting Singapore 3 A. But she struggles with some basics that I think the earlier level would address. She does work independently now following an assignment sheet and completes it well.
11.5 and 13.5 would do the same level Revival to Revolutions. I would add extensions for 13.5 They each did one 10 week cycle of Analytical Grammar two years ago. Junior and 1st cycle of regular. It wasn't for us. But they did learn a lot and retained quite a bit. Not sure where that would place them in Rod and Staff. Both are good writers with exposure narrative, exository, persuassive, summaries etc. We have used Write Shop this year. Great readers with experience talking about elements of literature and reflecting in a reading log.
Am I crazy to use 3 guides? Technically 4 because I will have lessons for 3.5 year old doing 30 minutes per day. Or in all will this be easier??? Teach everyone's school at their level - no worry about boring the olders or the youngers for that matter. Is it possible to combine 7 year old and 9.5 year old or will I do so holding back 9.5 year old and pushing 7 year old too much. This was the feeling I had with their science this year. 9.5 year old got bored waiting for 7 year old to finish her step to go on to the next step together. However, I can adjust for 7 year old if you think she is ready and extend for the 9.5 year old. And this would keep them in 1 guide. Having not seen how the whole year plays out I just can't decide what the right decision is.
I have been too history focused - and accomplishing very little. I read a post about not letting the history topics drive our curriculum choices but let the basics. I think this is really true.
I just want to get off this hours of planning every sunday track I'm on. I want the kids to remember what we learn and I want to feel organized on a clear path. I also just want to use a few books well.
Thanks for your insights. Let me know what else you may need to know to help me place our kids.
Kim