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Aug. 20, 2006
Gena Is Having a Contest
Well Gena is having a contest. She wants to know:
1. Your favorite spelling or phonics program
Well that might be tough. I don't really have a favorite. I didn't use one with my oldest. He was so curious about each word he encountered, that we just naturally introduced him to new concepts as he asked about them. When we officially started school, I attempted to use "Reading Made Easy" by Valerie Bendt. It lasted one week. I found he already knew half the book, that it was pointless to continue. I have since used this book with my middle child, with great success and am now using it with my third child. It is nice being able to follow the dialog provided to talk them through the steps of reading. I have found that once we start accelerating toward the middle of the book, my children are able to read the dialog to themselves, which makes the book obsolete at that point.
2. Your favorite math program
We are using Math-U-See. I have always been impressed with Steven Demme's methods of teaching new concepts. The manipulatives are great for making concepts concrete.
3. Your favorite history and/or science program
We use Ambleside Online and are really impressed with the quality of the History materials we use. History has been made very interesting through the many living books we encounter on a daily basis. We love reading "Our Island Story" by H. E. Marshall. What I enjoy about reading these books is that AO has made what I always considered a tedious, boring subject, into the best subject ever! Now I understand why my dh always enjoyed it so!!
For Science, we have like to read Thornton Burgess books about nature. We are also using Jeannie Fulbright's "Exploring Creation with Astronomy". It falls in nicely into the Charlotte Mason method and fits well into our school day.
Also, tell us your family's basic schedule. Do you do math in the mornings or afternoon? Or do schedules take a back seat so that each new day dictates the learning? How, using your favorite curriculum choices, DO you homeschool in your family?
We have a schedule, but we do have some struggles keeping it:
7-8 Morning Routines (All)
8-8:30 Breakfast (All)
8:30 - 9:30 Chores (All)
9:30-10 Pledge, Recite CM's School Motto, The read a story out of Arthur S. Maxwell's "The Bible Story" (All)
10-10:15 History (Me with Little Man and Po Po, Rayman alone)
10:15-10:30 Spanish (LM & PP)/Copywork or Studied Dictation (Me & R)
10:30-10:45 Literature (same as History
10:45-11:00 Poetry (Me w/LM & PP)/Spanish (R)
11:00-11:15 Geography (Me w/LM & PP)/Poetry (R)
11:15-11:430 Copywork (Me & LM)/Freetime (PP)/Geography (R)
11:30-11:45 Math (Me & LM)/Freetime (PP & R)
11:45-12 Math (Me & R)/Piano (LM)/Freetime (PP)
12-12:30 Lunch/Cleanup
12:30-12:45 Phonics (Me & PP)/Quiet Time (LM & R)
12:45-1:30 Quiet Time (Me, LM & R)/Nap (PP)
1:30-2:30 Baking/Cooking (Me)/Freetime (LM)/Nap (PP)/Piano & Free Reading (R)
2:30-3 The Arts-Composer, Artist, Hymn, Folksong, Art (All)
3-4 Science/Nature Study (All)
We are officially done with school by 4, but often times we don't quite make it to the art/nature subjects. I have, in the past done those subjects on Fridays as a little reward for completing the week's subjects. I may go back to that set-up as I think we all enjoyed the break.
I highly recommend using "Managers of their Homes" by Steve and Teri Maxwell. It is great for helping to get your day planned out.
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Aug. 24, 2006 - Your school
Pam
www.tootlestime.blogspot.com