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Creative Play Bilingual Homeschool
Jul. 2, 2008
Spanish phonics revisited
Back on Valentine's Day of 2007, I wrote a blurb of how I taught my daughter to read in Spanish
(http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/creativeplay/285282/). Since the books I mentioned are no longer available (that I've found), I thought I'd try to upload a couple of files of one of the orders one can teach the syllables. I got this printout from a bilingual teacher named Linda Flores with whom I worked in a first grade classroom.
After teaching the vowels, then I used these as a general guideline of how to introduce the consonants.
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May. 26, 2008
Under the waterfall
We walked down to through the Santa Fe Arroyo- oops, I mean River- because there was actually water in it and we wanted to see it. This is the day after she performed in two shows, three dances each, which came after two days of dance rehearsals. But I think today will be what I remember most about this weekend.
We got to a point in the walk where there is a short waterfall. As we were walking back to the house, my husband decided he wanted to jump off the waterfall into the water below, and of course my daughter had to follow him. They were already wet from chest to toe, so a little more water wasn't going to hurt.
So, she jumps off into his arms (after a bit of coaxing, and nudging in the right direction as we do not want her jumping onto the large rock below- yikes!). They spent a couple of minutes there splashing and allowing the waterfall fall onto them. She had a blast.
This child is the one who couldn't stand a shower two years ago. As we only have a shower, we spent three years of listening to torturous screams as I bathed her. If one drop of water started down her face, the battle would begin. Washing her hair was disastrous. If I had lived in any other neighborhood, I probably would have had CPS knocking on my door. Thankfully, we found the Feingold diet, and within 2 months of change, she could take a shower, listen to the vacuum cleaner and other loud noises, and just all-in-all enjoy herself without the sensory cues that were driving her (and the rest of us) mad.
So, yes, watching her today dancing under the waterfall was a wonderful sight.
Renai
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May. 5, 2008
Carnaval Educando en Familia
Educando en Familia is hosting the First Edicion Carnival of Educando en Familia! The theme is "Why We Educate from Home." Check it out!
Educando en Familia esta hospedando el Primer Edicion de Carnaval de Educando en Familia! La tema es "Por que educamos en familia." Se puede encontrar aqui: http://educandoenfamilia.blogspot.com/2008/05/carnaval-educando-en-familia-primera.html
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Apr. 21, 2008
Bilingual homeschooling radio show
Well, I've decided to just jump in with both feet and get started. On Wednesday, April 23rd, at 8:30 am MST, I will have an opening radio show for 30 minutes. I don't expect calls, I'll just relate how we got started homeschooling, especially attempting a dual-language program at home. I'm hoping getting started will help me figure out how to keep going.
I have some ideas, but I wanted/need interaction with others. I get a few ideas from the message board posts that I respond to. There is chat capability on Blog Talk Radio as well.
So, hopefully, pressing the Play button on the right side of this page after Wednesday, will actually have something to play.
Here's the website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bilingualhomeschool
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Apr. 7, 2008
Homeschool Giveaway
Wendy, another My Father's World user, is hosting a product giveaway. The prize is How Math Works: 100 Ways Parents and Kids Can Share the Wonders of Mathematics
by Carol Vorderman. To qualify, post a comment on her blog, which is interesting and informative. It looks like a great book! We've actually taken a break from our regular math curriculum and are doing math games and reading math-related books from the library. This looks like a great addition to any math curriculum. Here's the link: http://thehomeschoolingblog.blogspot.com/
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Apr. 4, 2008
Spring break
Well, we were actually planning on doing school this week, however, I took care of a couple of sisters during their schools' spring break so our school work went by the wayside. We know the family through my daughter's dance classes. It seems like a whirlwind of activity just passed me by this week.
On Monday, we went to two of the three libraries. I received a bulk mailing of "Practical Homeschooling" and also had books to pick up/look for. We also made a grocery store run. On Tuesday, I only had one of the girls. I met with another homeschool mom (single) who had just lost her mom this past Saturday. We spent time at her house, swung by the thrift store, and ended at a school park where they and her son played.. On Wednesday,and we went to a park to meet up with another dance friend. Thursday was a planned field trip to the planetarium with one of the homeschool groups. During the presentation, there was a fire drill. Fun, fun, fun! After lunch, we headed to the children's museum to see a live bat presentation. Afterward, I took them to the local organic food co-op to buy candy, then took them home. I had already told the grandmother not to worry about picking them up from my house :). Friday, today, well, I don't have the girls today. It was a nice relaxing day, except the baby I take care of cried a bit. He's usually a very easy baby, so I spent time figuring out what was wrong- it had to be my fault, lol!
My daughter annoyed me today by insinuating we only do things when other people are here. That's simply not true! It just so happens that everything happened to happen so close together this week. The playdate with her other dance friend was supposed to have happened the last school holiday in February, but she got sick. There are plenty of times we run to all the libraries in one day. We do periodically do field trips with the homeschool groups. And, it's not the first time I've made a junk food and candy run to the organic co-op. So I told as much, and she just says, oh.
OK, then.
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Mar. 27, 2008
Fall plans
Since I like to keep track of how wishy-washy I am, I thought I'd repost the plans I made on another message board. I'll come back to this in the fall and see if I've once again made another turn. Since this post (made March 5), I've ordered 5 of the missionary bibliographies in Spanish and found MFW ECC used here locally. I've also received my math books, Classical Writing, found Aesop's tales in Spanish online (written and audio), and dd is on HOP level 2. She'd be further if we'd actually pull it out and use it. Anyway, here it is:
Hmmm...what I have is subject to change...
But this is what the plan looks like for 3rd grade (she turns 9 in the fall) so far:
We will be using MFW Exploring Countries and Cultures, which has Bible, geography, science, art, and music planned out. It will be split up this way with other subjects as follows:
In English:
Geography (although I do have atlases and such in Spanish as well)
Art and Music
Spelling by Sound and Structure (2nd grade level)
Complete HOP through level 5 if not complete over the summer
Prima Latina
In Spanish:
Bible
Math- Mundo Matematico 3
Grammar- Serie Amigo 3
Spelling- Practica Ortografica 3
Classical Writing Aesop with Spanish models
In Both Languages:
Science topics
Readalouds (there are three missionary books in MFW available in Spanish we will be purchasing separately)
Book basket
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Mar. 11, 2008
Got my Spanish math books!
I received my order Friday, but it was wrong. Santillana sent me the teacher's guides for MM grades 3-5, but the student books for Serie Amigo for grades 3 & 4 (5 is on backorder). So I had to call them. Long story short, after about 5-6 calls back and forth, they have "found" the student books 3-5 for MM, although the series is no longer in their system. For my inconvenience, they are allowing me to keep SA books free of charge.
What I will do is scan and post pages from Serie Amigo within the next couple of weeks (my suegra will be here in the next couple of days so I'm swamped for time). The thing with SA is, you can purchase the student books, but not the teacher guide. That may not be an issue for some.
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Mar. 4, 2008
Math update
As ya'll know, I put in the order the other day. Mundo Matematico is no longer up on the website, but it was already saved in my shopping cart. I received a call on Friday, but no message was left. When I called to follow-up today, they told me the order was already invoiced and shipped out. (hard to believe, but...).
So, MM is gone. But, as I was reminded, R&S (Rod & Staff) does have materials in Spanish, including math, Bible, and grammar. They do not have an official website, and the one that is up on their behalf does not carry the Spanish materials, although Milestone Ministries has most. However, R&S can be reached directly by phone: 606-522-4348.
I am also still looking for other options, other than Harcourt with their $150 teacher guides! There is also the fall back of using English materials and translating to Spanish, but that won't work with older children that already read in English (if you're wanting a dual-language environment).
My husband has already told me that if MM didn't go through, to remember our original goal was competency in reading and writing in Spanish and English, not a dual-language homeschool. So, I've calmed down a bit :).
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Feb. 29, 2008
Mundo Matematico order
Well, I put in the order for grades 3-5 online and faxed in the order. I don't know if they have books in a warehouse or not, but they have taken the books off the online catalog. I had put them in the online shopping cart a couple of weeks ago. I guess it's wait and see if this goes through or not. If not, time to look for another Spanish math curriculum (with teacher guide). They do carry another curriculum now- Serie Amigo. You can purchase the student book, but not the teacher guide without an order of at least 20 student books.
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Feb. 21, 2008
English Phonics
Every year I've started her reading in English, and every year I've stopped. There's something to be said about waiting until a child is ready. Last year, she didn't want anything to do with English, and we opted to firm up her Spanish fluency skill. This year, she was gung-ho about starting to read in English. We began by using MFW 1 phonics, then in January of this year, a friend of mine gave me Hooked on Phonics Levels 1-5 that someone donated to the center she works at.
She's enjoying HOP greatly. I'm using it mostly as review, as she's just finishing up level 1 right now, but is studying different long vowel combinations in MFW. Wow! What a difference from last year! She's doing very well remembering different phonics rules from MFW, as well as sight words from HOP. Sometimes a sight word is review as she's already learned the rule for it, or other times she learns the sight word, then the rule. Either way, it's going well.
She's excited she'll start reading her first English chapter book (from HOP) next week. She didn't want to read a chapter book in English before Spanish though, so she picked up a Spanish Scooby Doo chapter book. Yes, I know, it's twaddle.
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Feb. 14, 2008
Thinking of next year
No, I have not started the radio show, but I have started writing about homeschooling in my area for a local website. The first article is due tomorrow. I have lots of ideas, but don't know where to start.
I'm already thinking of next school year, especially since my math program, Mundo Matematico, is going out of print. Not only am I looking at purchasing the next couple of years all at once, it's putting me in a place of deciding where I want to stop teaching math in Spanish. After all, it is my second language. And although I am quite comfortable teaching math, I'm not sure how comfortable I am teaching it in Spanish- even with the teacher guide. The series goes up to 6th grade, so I need to decide to purchase through 6th or stop at 5th. I have until the end of the month- I think; I don't even know if there are books left in the warehouse so all this thinking may be in vain.
A post by Patty the other day got me thinking again of my initial purpose of homeschooling and what got me on this path (besides God). Something in classical education still calls and beckons me, even though I am very happy with the laid-out plans in My Father's World. Her post about Latin-centered curriculum reminded me how I wanted to simplify my daughter's curriculum so she is getting a quality education (reading and writing especially) in both English and Spanish.
My main focus is Bible-centered, so My Father's World stays. My second focus is simplification, so Latin comes in- earlier, and in a different form than MFW suggests (they do Latin and Greek roots starting somewhere around the 4th or 5th grade). Latin grammar touches both English and Spanish, so I know it will work. She is already doing Spanish grammar this year, so is familiar with it. Next year, we will start Latin with Prima Latina. My first thought was to find a Spanish Latin program, but why torture myself? What to do about writing? Dd had picked out a language arts program through Santillanausa.com, but I told her yesterday that it may be changing. I went back to look at Classical Writing and remembered why I was drawn to it- it is adaptable. I can use Spanish models and adapt to our needs. I can also keep the book and go through it at a different level in English if I choose to later on. All for $20.
So, there we are again, thinking and reflecting.
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Feb. 13, 2008
Neo-clasico y Charlotte Mason
Este es un mensaje que mandé al grupo en respuesta de un post sobre educación clasica.
Yo tambien empece con el sitema neo-clasico, despues leyendo un libro que se llama "The Well-Trained Mind." Asi es como "conocí" a Patty! Despues de leer muchos libros sobre educar en hogar, WTM era el libro que me puse a pensar que "Yo puedo hacer esto!" No empecemos en hogar pensando que ibamos a seguir hiciendolo. Yo leí este libro en el fin de primer semestre del año kinder de mi hija. Mi esposo y yo quisimos esperar poco mas antes de meter ella en la escuela por razones sociales. Cuando leí los libros para saber mas de que estaba ya hiciendo, entonces pensamos que 'tal vez' podemos seguir.
(Actualmente, mi esposo no leó nada sobre la tema. Pero él es quien vio nuestra hija aprendiendo y disfrutando y dijo porque no seguimos. Sorprendamente, porque el es de México, y nunca ha oido de esto. Toda la familia figura que es la idea de la "negra loca" y él me deja porque me quiere! ja, ja!)
Anyway, porque quise tambien educacion dual-lenguaje, me parecía dificil a implementar como escribió en el libro. Yo todavía quiero estudiar Latín, en el mundo perfecto, encontrara un programa en español! (Pero, entonces, yo no entendiera bien) Me gustó mucho "Climbing Parnassus", y aunque no leí "Latin-Centered Curriculum", estuvo tiempo en su grupo de Yahoo para figurar como puedo implementar en nuestro hogar.
Una cosa que dijo Patty que quiero expander es, el estudio de Latín ayuda el estudio de gramática en ingles. Quiero decir, no simplemente ingles, pero español también. Por eso quiero seguir en un modo de clasico- yo creo que simplifica más nuestros estudios. El Progymnasta parece que se puede modificar para español tambien muy facil.
Que usamos ahora es el método de Charlotte Mason, que es también un método clasico. Yo uso una curricula de ingles para la Biblia (aunque ella lee en español), historia, y ciencia (que complementamos con libros en español). Gramática, ortografía, y matemáticas está en español. Su lectura en ingles esta mejorando en tal manera que creo que podemos empezar estudiar Latín en 3r grado, como recomenda WTM (aunque no esta hasta mas tarde en el curriculo que uso). También me gustaría adaptar la Progymnasta (tal vez Classical Writing) para escritura en español.
(Si en mi tiempo libre yo escribo un libro, ustedes van a ser los primeros que sepan. Ok?)
La meta es simplificar los estudios de ingles y español, sin sacrificar el calidad de educación que recibe en los dos. Por eso, el estudio de Latín.
Gracias, Patty, para escribir sobre esta tema. Ya yo recuerdo porque estoy hiciendo que hago, y la manera que quiero seguir.
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Dec. 6, 2007
Talk radio idea
I got a crazy idea while listening to Flylady on BlogTalkRadio. How about an internet talk show? Every week or bi-weekly, same day/time, have a show where we can discuss in English or Spanish our bilingual homeschool issues, bilingualism in the home, finding resources, etc. I've already set up an account (bilingual homeschool) and am open for feedback. What would be some topics you'd like to hear/talk about? Or is this just a silly idea?
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Dec. 4, 2007
Our school year, and getting ready for Christmas
Wow! I can't believe how much time has passed. It seems we are all busy, and with me it's been one thing after another. For a while I had plenty of computer troubles. Those got fixed sometime in August. This summer, my daughter met her great-grandmother for the first time, and grandma showed me how to sew! I'm so happy.
We started school this year in September, since we got back from vacation middle of July and I knew we wouldn't be ready to start in August. We are using the math curriculum (Mundo Matematico from Puerto Rico) I bought through Santillana, and I plan to continue using it. I am also thinking I will purchase a language arts program through Santillana as well. The only thing giving me pause is the price. Right now, I'm using the 2nd grade phonics from Hampton-Brown (Canciones y cuentos), Fernandez Editores
Practicas de Ortografia 2, and an old Santillana Ortografia 1. I like the Santillana for the rules, and FE for the word lists. I've used HB since dd's K year, and this year is the end of the series (just using the workbook, and this is the first year I bought the teacher's guide and CD). Sounds like I need to do a review of that curriculum.
Our core curriculum is My Father's World, which we are enjoying. This year, we are studying an Intro to American History and learning the names of Jesus. We are thoroughly enjoying the activities and readings this year.
As far as getting ready for Christmas- hmmm. I had presents ordered and received by November 7th. Cards were sent out last Friday, except for a couple of straggling ones I need address confirmations on. I have to finish the crochet scarf for my mother-in-law that I started in May. And we need food! I'm using Flylady's Holiday Control Journal (available free on her website http://www.flylady.net) and so a lot more organized this year.
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Sep. 16, 2007
Second year canning
We didn't have such a great harvest this year- anywhere. We ate most of what we grew. Because of the goofy weather earlier this year, the apricot trees went into bloom early, then got killed off by the frost. Even the apple trees didn't bear as much fruit.
Oh, well. I made pickled apples for the first time. They turned out so good! I don't remember actually having these before, but there is some repressed memory somewhere of having that flavor in my mouth. My husband liked them too, that's an accomplishment. Dd didn't like them; that was a surprise. I also just canned some away for later. My husband had picked a whole bunch of apples from his job place, but I was too lazy to continue. We ate some, and then wound up throwing out a lot. What a shame and a waste! I'll have to do better next year.
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Apr. 9, 2007
Bilingual, Spanish, and Second language links
This morning, I thought I'd post some helpful links for those teaching in Spanish, bilingually, or Spanish as a second language. I did not collect these links on my own, rather there is a group of us that have compiled this, and continue as we find more. Later, I'll try to post more links to make worksheets, and flashcards. I know I have them around here somewhere.
Actividades del primer grado
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/vinculo/table1.html
Actividades Infantiles y Educación Preescolar. If you've ever heard of First School (http://www.first-school.ws), here is the Spanish counterpart. Alphabet activities and other themes.
http://www.primeraescuela.com
Art in Spanish
http://www.anacleta.homestead.com/artspanish.html
Crecer sin escuela - a homeschool link
http://www.crecersinescuela.org/
Enchanted Learning - a little of everything of every subject that you could ever want, in many languages - it's free, but for a small yearly fee you can become a member and get worksheets printed without ads.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
Hubbard's Cupboard - Among other things, are printable sight word booklets in both English and Spanish
http://www.hubbardscupboard.org
La Lengua Española - ¿tienes alguna duda sobre nuestra lengua?
http://www.geocities.com/szamora.geo/
La pagina del idioma Español – Grammar! You can also subscribe to La palabra del día
http://www.elcastellano.org/gramatic.html
Lengua y Literatura en Primaria – Some of the links don’t work, but there are quite of few that are still useful – vocabulary;, ortografia
http://adigital.pntic.mec.es/cpr.utrillas/enlaces/lengua.htm
Literacy Center for Early Childhood - colors, alphabet, shapes, etc. in English, Spanish, German and French
http://www.literacycenter.net/
Mathematics links taken from http://adigital.pntic.mec.es/cpr.utrillas/enlaces/matematicas.htm – here are the links that work:
Antiquas pesas y medidas: http://www.arrakis.es/~lavelane/esintro.htm
Number and word puzzles (English): http://www1.tpgi.com.au/users/puzzles/page3.html
Unidades y medidas: http://scsx01.sc.ehu.es/sbweb/fisica/unidades/unidadMedida.htm
Unidades Didácticas Matemáticas: http://www.pntic.mec.es/recursos/secundaria/matematicas/tiempo.htm
Multilingual Munchkins – resources, support group
http://www.multilingualmunchkins.com/index.html
Niños saludables – Picture stories with full color photos, and other stuff
http://www.une.edu.ve/kids/aprendo.htm
Online Spanish dictionary – Spanish word with definition in Spanish
http://tradu.scig.uniovi.es/busca.html
Ortografia
http://roble.pntic.mec.es/~msanto1/ortografia/index1.htm
Printable minibooks in Spanish
http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/indexsp.htm
Reading a-z - 30 free books, English and Spanish, more with memberships
http://www.readinga-z.com/newfiles/tour/tour7.html
Reglas de Ortografia
http://www.lenguaje.com/secciones/ortografia/reglasb.htm
Santillana – Banco de actividades
http://www.santillana.es/proyectosEnRed/primaria/htm/banco.htm
Spanish musica, software, libros y videos
http://www.spanishtoys.com
Storyplace – La biblioteca digital de niños; There are stories in English and Spanish that are read to the children online. Also games and activities to go along with the story.
http://www.storyplace.org/sp/storyplace.asp
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Mar. 30, 2007
Finally found a Spanish Beginning Bible I like
Took me long enough. It's called, "Ahora puedo leer mi Biblia." It has all the Bible stories (not just 20-30 like other Spanish Bibles I've come across) across four short pages. We've been using our regular Spanish language arts as we've gone through My Father's World 1st grade. Now, I can add back the Bible reading portion to the curriculum. I've also made copies right out of the Bible and used those pages as worksheets to emphasize the phonics she's working on. I'm liking this a lot. Now for next year, to find a good Spanish children's Bible (not just stories) that do not have words in minuscule print.
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Mar. 29, 2007
Another scam to watch out for...
Puppy Scam --
I got this information from the Elijah Company e-newsletter I receive. Here's the link: http://www.homeschoolmarketplace.com/e-zines/ejournalmar2907.html
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Mar. 29, 2007
Missing in action and a chat with F. Isabel Campoy
Since it's been so long that I've written, I feel like I owe another entry. Here's what I wrote to my Yahoo group on March 9.
Hello all,
It has been a while since I've written as I've been working part time, as well as going to school full-time. Oh, yeah, I still homeschool and have a house to take care of. I'm glad it will be all over in May.
This past weekend, I went to the NM AEYC (National Association for the Education Young Children) conference, as the director of the preschool where I work, another teacher, and I had a presentation. As I was passing through the exhibit hall, I came to the Del Sol Books table (http://www.delsolbooks.com), who specialize in books written by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, and songs by Suni Paz. The rep was playing a song my daughter loves ("La H es letra muy callada...").
I started talking to the rep, and then asked another woman standing there who she was. It was Isabel Campoy! I just grabbed her by the arm and kept saying "you! you!". I was so happy to see her. She was happy there were people familiar with their works. I'm like, are you kidding??!!
Anyway, I labeled this part 1, because I have a ton of homework to get done for tonight and this weekend, and cannot get into details. But we spoke for at least 20 minutes (in Spanish), and she was so encouraged to hear of Homeschoolers Hispanas, spanishrecursos, Educando_en_Familia, we who are trying and succeeding to homeschool our children so they are bilingual and biliterate. I also spoke of our families who are learning as a second language, whose goal may be fluency. Everytime I mentioned about how many families were in each group, she clapped her hands and said, "Yes!"
Well, gotta cut this short, but wanted to pass this bit on to encourage you all in your walk. I will chat more about it later, maybe sometime next week, when this class ends. I was on cloud 9 after speaking with her, so encouraging. Ultimately, I know where my help comes from, after all, He is the one who called us on this journey. Nevertheless, it was so encouraging to hear it from one of my favorite authors :) !
Oh, by the way, the rep for Del Sol deals with Santillana USA (http://www.santillanausa.com) all the time, and agrees that their (national) customer service is abyssmal. He also said they pack books badly, books move around inside the boxes, he's gotten boxes torn and beat up. So, there's the lowdown on them. He also said he'd help with orders if Santillana will not sell to us individually. More on that later too.
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