Curriculum woes – now what?

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  • jenhorsfall
    Participant

    I need to vent.  I am so frustrated with choosing curriculum.  Ds7 is very hyper-active and I’ve been trying to find a homeschooling method/curriculum that will work for him.   Last year we used SCM Module 6 for both Ds17 and Ds7 and it seemed to work fine because ds7 loved to sit down with big brother and listen to the stories.  Now that Ds17 is off on his own, I’m really having a hard time figuring out what to do for Ds7.  The SCM modules were perfect for us last year but now that Ds7 is alone, the modules look like they are too advanced for a lower-elementary student.  Am I wrong?  For chronological history, I have been using SOW1 with SOW Activity Book 1 and although the idea of it being open and go is very appealing, Ds7 doesn’t seem to be retaining what we have been reading.  I think it may be because the author goes over multiple civilizations at a time instead of one at a time and he’s just not putting it all together in his head.  I thought that maybe he just needs a timeline, but then we really aren’t even using living books besides SOW. Why?  Because of time.  I’ve also looked (and tried) AO and I do seem to like some of the reading selections and Ds7 does seem to retain more information when we are reading ‘actual’ books.  For instance, when we were reading through SOW ancient Egypt, I decided to add in The Boy of the Pyramids as extra reading for the time period.  He still remembers BotP but not the SOW information.  So, I am seeing that reading actual books instead of a curriculum may be what’s working best.  I own All Through the Ages, but I’m not good at putting things together (mapping assignments, projects, etc.)  Ds7 is a struggling reader and because of this, I’m desperately trying to find something that works.

    We have been using FLL,  which we are soooo bored with due to the constant repetition.  We have been using WWE and although he is doing excellent in copywork, the narratives are strange blurps of stories that makes Ds7 want me to read to him so he can know the rest of the story (which is frustrating).  I had been using the Pathway Readers with their workbooks along with Climbing to Good English but I switched over because I thought that what I was using was not what he needed at 1st grade due to what I had read about how CM schooling should be.  Now I want to go back, because at least his attitude towards his work was better then.

    With all that said, I am seriously considering boxing up the SOW, FLL, WWE and moving over to using something else.  I am so frustrated.  Ds17 wasn’t homeschooled at the same age as Ds7 is, so this is all new to me for the younger stage.  Does anyone have any advice for me?  I could use prayer too.  Thank you!

    Tristan
    Participant

    I’m going to say something that may seem crazy in some circles (not so much here in CM land) – you don’t need to put together mapping assignments, projects, etc. for history.  As the popular song says right now, “Let it go!”.  If HE comes up with an activity in his play that’s great, but all you need is reading good stories that help you live in the time period.  Oh, and keep it to short readings for that wiggly boy!

    Monica
    Participant

    I agree with Tristan 100%.  Just read fun books like Boy of the Pyramids to give him a sense of that time frame.  The details and specifics will fill in when you rotate around to that time frame again.  Another fun one might be Pharoah’s Boat or Pyramid by David Macaulay.

    Short, short readings.  Let him enjoy them.  I might even throw in a few fun books (twaddle?) like when Ms. Frizzle goes to Egypt.

    As for Language Arts, I am really finding English Lessons Through Literature to be a good fit for boys.  I am doing level two this year with my 9YO, and next year I’ll be doing level one with my then 7YO and 6YO.  It’s very short, it includes Aesop’s Fables and a little narration, and it incorporates some nice literature (which, for now, we are listening to on audio).

    Don’t overthink things!  At his young age of 7, if you think it is too much, then it probably is!

    Prayers as you decide how to proceed.

    nebby
    Participant

    IMO your boy is just barely school age. If he likes you reading to him that’s huge. Go with that. You don’t need projects. Maybe play classical music while he plays, things like that but don’t overdo it and don’t be like the schools who take what is normal for a little boy and medicate it out if existence ( I know you probably wouldn’t actually do that but my point is wiggly is normal for a young boy). I found my kids reached a point around age 8 where they really started retaining things so I wouldn’t worry about long term  retention yet though you could start beginning narration. I think it’s great he wants to know the stories behind his copywork snippets btw. Good for him!

    Nebby

    http://www.lettersfromnebby.wordpress.com

    twas
    Participant

    You’ve gotten some great advice already. I just want to chime in and say that I agree with the recommendation of English Lessons through Literature. Most of the literature selections are available on librivox, so we listen 3-4 mornings a week during breakfast, then we are ready for the lesson when we get to it later in the morning. My 8 yo ds will be finishing level 1 in  a few weeks, and I have been very happy with it. I plan to continue using it for both of my kids.

    I’ve also found that just going to a map to look at what we’re reading about in history has been enough for now for map work , and my son enjoys doing that, so it’s a win-win.

    I just said a quick prayer for ya, too! Hope you are able to get it all worked out soon.

    jenhorsfall
    Participant

    So should I not worry about purchasing the modules?

    Melanie32
    Participant

    I would hold off until next year (maybe even the year after that) to start the modules if it’s not working for you right now. I agree with the others-just read good biographies and historical fiction for now and let him get familiar with oral narration.

    For copywork, I would choose passages from his favorite books. That might be a little more enjoyable for him and it’s free! I’ve found that the more simple and straightforward I keep things, the better my daughter responds. I would use the the Pathway reader for reading practice (since you have it anyway) but I would toss the workbook. That would cover language arts in my house for a 7 year old-reading, copywork and lots of great read alouds with mom. 🙂

    Monica
    Participant

    I would not buy the modules at this point.  I would use the Free Curriculum Guide to find books that tie into what you are studying:

    https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/

    In terms of copywork, if you do look into English Lessons Through Literature, it encompasses all of the following:

    -literature
    -picture study
    -Aesop’s Fables
    -narrations
    -copywork
    -poetry
    -basic grammar

    Wings2fly
    Participant

    For module 1, many of the resources are for more advanced older students.  So you really do not need the guide.  You can just read to him the books scheduled for grades 1 – 3.  When my children were at that age, I pieced together my own readings.  I did read some of SOW, but only about half of them that I felt fit better for us.  I read a children’s Bible.  And I did Greece and Rome in the same year, spending one term on each, with Egypt (Moses & Joseph stories).  I used the Usborne Time Traveler, which they seemed to like.  And we used some picture books from the library.  I did not plan anything, but my children made their own Greek soldier hat and sheild out of cardboard and aluminum foil.  And when they played outside, they played the “Olympics” and raced.  We used the Dover coloring books for Greece and Rome too.  They colored during some of my readings.  We also kept a family wall timeline.  We really had fun learning that year and we are on the second cycle now of that time period and they retained more than I thought they would have, but their excitement has dwindled and they are not as creative this time.  I have History Pockets for the Ancients, but have not used it yet.  And you might be able to watch some Drive Thru History with both children for both Greece and Rome.  They are available to watch free on iTBN or on the TBN channel on the Roku.

    http://www.itbn.org/index/program/lib/programs/sublib/Drive+Thru+History

    Wings2fly
    Participant

    Also, many in CM like to use Hillyer’s Child’s History of the World as a spine.  It is available on the kindle now, so I am reading that this year, starting in chapter 4 and doing some minor editing as I read aloud.

    jenhorsfall
    Participant

    Thank you everyone!  What are your thoughts on using AO instead of the SCM Modules?  I’m thinking YR1 and using their copywork suggestions.  (I like to have a guide)  I already have all the books since I purchased both sets of the Yesterday’s Classics collections.

    So here’s what I have to use for L.A besides the above mentioned books that I definitely dont want to use…

    Pathway Readers & workbooks, Climbing to Good English, Delightful Reading, OPGTR, All About Spelling, AO copywork.  I’m not understanding why not use the PR workbooks and CTGE?

    Does anyone know if Delightful Reading would work with AAS?  Isn’t it similar to AAR? How would you suggest using them together?

     

     

    amama5
    Participant

    Great advice above.  For the first three modules my kids really enjoyed the read-alouds that were in their grade levels, and some of the family books (not all though).  I think History is made too much of, just my opinion, esp. for little ones.  It’s hard to wrap their head around all the people/places, at that age, so I don’t emphasize history in the elementary levels, some of SCM has been too heavy for us at times so we shortened the lessons, or cut some out.  I’m not saying don’t do history at all, just don’t make it the focus of his schooling.

    As for PR and the CTGE, workbooks aren’t a great idea for a busy 7yr old boy, just in my experience:)  Short copy work lessons have given them the same things that those workbooks would have, and they didn’t dread they copy work like they would have those.  I also found Pathway Readers didn’t even go well with my boys, they were tired of the same characters, etc. so I found readers they loved at the library and their reading really took off once I got things they were interested in.  Hope you find what works best, but usually less is best.  AO also is too much in my opinion, but fine if that’s what you end up choosing.

    jenhorsfall
    Participant

    Thank you for that 🙂  AO does seems over the top but I get so excited when I see all of those great books!  Ds7 does like the Pathway Readers so until he starts showing that there is disinterest, I will continue through at least the readers that I have.  I also have the Treadwell Readers and another set via Yesterday’s Classics ebooks that he can practice his reading on my ipad.

    As for the SCM Modules, I would be moving to Module 2 and it just seems that the reading (even for the younger grades 1-3) is very advanced.  I dont think that he would be interested in listening to those books.  The vocabulary seems very advanced as well.  I’m feeling more and more confident not doing history right now.  Thank you for the confidence boost.

    Does anyone do lapbooking to go along with any of the literature?  I’d like to spice it up a bit and give him something to do.  I’m not into big science projects but I don’t want it to all be just copywork.

    I have been using Apologia’s Young Explorer’s Astronomy and as it seems like a great curriculum, again, it’s over his head at his age.  But I do have the jr. notebook and I thought it would be fun to lapbook instead of just tossing aside the set all together.  I have a couple books that I think we could get through faster than a semester and would be more of his level of interest.

    I’ve been using the Golden Children’s Bible and SCM Scripture Memory Box for Bible and it seems to be working fine.  The scripture memory box will ALWAYS be used in my homeschool.  It is an incredible resource and it works!

    I am using Rod & Staff Arithmetic and it seems to be working fine as well.  I tried MUS (twice) and although he did well during the lessons, the long-term retention just wasn’t there.  I like how R&S is inexpensive and thorough.  It has a lot of review and it’s black and white instead of having distracting colorful pictures all over the place.  The teachers guide is wonderful.  I do think I’m finally coming to the understanding of how to move forward and not feel that I need Ds to do every math problem.  I am also having him use Math Wrap-ups instead of flash cards and I like them but he has a problem with the manual dexterity that it takes to hold onto and wrap at the same time.  I got him an abacus (like the one Rightstart uses).  I just can’t get my head around Rightstart and it’s so expensive.

    My kids enjoyed a few of the Pathway Readers too, although I agree that copywork is definitely the way to go over the workbooks. And if you have him narrate the story, that covers the comprehension type of questions in the workbooks. Sometimes just word games can fun and teach some of those same things as some of the workbook pages: play around with rhyming words, etc. — just casual fun stuff like when you’re in the car.

    Math — you could consider possibly the RightStart Math Games, if you guys like games. As for the dexterity issues with Wrapups, I suppose there are mixed feelings about the use of apps, but we have multiple math apps that quiz on facts, and the kids see that as a major treat.

    More later…. 🙂

    jenhorsfall
    Participant

    I tried adding in the PR workbooks today for comprehension, but to my surprise (and confirming everything that previous posts mentioned) he hated it.  So if that’s not confirmation for me, I don’t know what would be 😛  He did great with the reader though and his attitude towards reading was impressive.  We started reading Pinocchio and did copywork for it as well as omitted the AYE Astronomy book and just read a DK book on astronomy and it went over much better.  Narrated the bible story and did scripture memory (Psalm 23).  Math went well also.  He actually told me that he didn’t want to stop doing school!  PTL!

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