This week, I could not get the resources together in time to do The Crucible, so I decided to do Last of the Mohicans. I don't think it will matter too much for the CLEP test if we have to go back though.
Note: I'll fill in for rest of the week tomorrow. Teacher resources at bottom of page.
Monday:
Language Arts
9:00-11:00
Go over chapter 1 vocabulary
3 minutes
Listen to audio book of The Last of the Mohicans, follow along in book. Starts at 10:45. Do not close-will continue with chapter 2 after quiz.
29 minutes
Take chapter 1 quiz
3 minutes
Study chapter 2 vocabulary
3 min
Listen and follow along to chapter 2.
starts at 38:58 ends at 1:00:00
22 minutes
Take chapter 2 quiz
3 min
Grammar: lessons in workbook
Spelling: lessons in workbook
Tuesday:
Go over chapter 3 vocabulary
3 min
Listen
to audio book of The Last of the Mohicans, follow along in book. Starts
at 10:45. Do not close--will continue with chapter 4 after quiz.
Starting point: 1:00:00
Ends: 12:24:03
Take chapter 3 quiz
3 min
Study chapter 4 vocabulary
Listen and follow along to chapter 4
starting point 12:24:03
ends; 1:47:09
Take chapter 4 quiz
Grammar and Writing: workbook
Spelling workbook
Wednesday:
Special Note: Language arts will be done 7:00 to 9:00 for Library time.
Go over chapter 5 vocabulary
3 min
Listen to audio book of The Last of the Mohicans chapter 5
Starting point
1:47:09
end: part one video
take chapter 5 test
Go over chapter 6 vocabulary
Listen and follow along to chapter 6
ends: 29:43
take chapter 6 quiz
Teacher resources:
To make the quizzes on TestMaker I'm using SparkNotes.http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mohicans/section1.rhtml It is easy to make some multiple choice and true or false questions using this. I also use at least 4 to 6 vocabulary words from the flashcards and do a matching on the quiz. Easy peasy!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
LA and Math Elementary and 6th grade
Your not going to see any posts from me with specific lesson plans on LA and Math for Elementary and 6th grade.
About our math: If you go to my schedule here, you'll notice that in that hour block I teach both my 6th grader and my elementary kids, just giving instruction at different times.
I start my 6th grader off doing XtraMath. I have him do 15 minutes of this. It is great for making sure kids know their basic facts. Be sure to sign up with a parent account and they send you daily emails with details of what your child has done, and how proficient they are growing.I also use Khan academy.
For him, I am using Saxon math, so for another fifteen minutes he will do some of the 'Odd' number problems that I have circled. If you know Saxon math, you know it's thorough, but A LOT of math problems. Don't do them all. I circle the one's I want him to do in RED, and when I need him to review I circle numbers in BLUE. So, for the first 30 min he is doing review and getting those basic facts down.
For my elementary kids, math is just 30 min long. If they need extra help on a concept I will go over it with them during One on One time, that I explain on my schedule post. I will keep notes throughout the day and what kid needs extra help in what subject.
For elementary math, I am using Math Expressions by Houghton Mifflin, just because I found the teacher and student books for under five dollars--can't beat that, and so far it seems to be a good solid program.
About Language Arts:
I teach Language arts for 6th and elementary at separate times.
I am using Glencoe Treasures for both grades. Again, these were resources I picked up with the teacher books, student books and all the workbooks for around 50 dollars at a teacher store. OMG though--because this is a popular public school curriculum, all you have to do is google "2nd grade treasures, teacher resources," or "6th grade treasures, teacher resources," and you will find a PLETHORA of lesson plans put together with interactive white board lessons and vocabulary cards, just everything you could possibly think of to easily make lesson plans. So far, I've had a BLAST using the internet to make these lessons plans, and while I wouldn't recommend these to an inexperienced homeschooler, I would if you're experienced or have some experience with working with public school curriculum.
I didn't just choose this program because it's inexpensive--but for several reasons. My 6th grader--I didn't teach him to read until he was eight. With him, he has dysgraphia which he was diagnosed with and suspected dyslexia. I decided to unschool him, and have most of his life. He naturally picked up numbers, letters and because I didn't push, I FIRMLY believed that is why he is now very successful. So successful that one year I was going to do an online public school academy and he was placed in a gifted and talented program.
He needs to be challenged and this curriculum while intensive, also gives many resources for gifted and talented students.
For my elementary kids, I find that I can use this for my 2 second graders, and use the 'approaching' workbooks for my 1st grader and even my 4 year old can take part in the instruction part and some of the worksheets. It works out perfect for everyone.
About our math: If you go to my schedule here, you'll notice that in that hour block I teach both my 6th grader and my elementary kids, just giving instruction at different times.
I start my 6th grader off doing XtraMath. I have him do 15 minutes of this. It is great for making sure kids know their basic facts. Be sure to sign up with a parent account and they send you daily emails with details of what your child has done, and how proficient they are growing.I also use Khan academy.
For him, I am using Saxon math, so for another fifteen minutes he will do some of the 'Odd' number problems that I have circled. If you know Saxon math, you know it's thorough, but A LOT of math problems. Don't do them all. I circle the one's I want him to do in RED, and when I need him to review I circle numbers in BLUE. So, for the first 30 min he is doing review and getting those basic facts down.
For my elementary kids, math is just 30 min long. If they need extra help on a concept I will go over it with them during One on One time, that I explain on my schedule post. I will keep notes throughout the day and what kid needs extra help in what subject.
For elementary math, I am using Math Expressions by Houghton Mifflin, just because I found the teacher and student books for under five dollars--can't beat that, and so far it seems to be a good solid program.
About Language Arts:
I teach Language arts for 6th and elementary at separate times.
I am using Glencoe Treasures for both grades. Again, these were resources I picked up with the teacher books, student books and all the workbooks for around 50 dollars at a teacher store. OMG though--because this is a popular public school curriculum, all you have to do is google "2nd grade treasures, teacher resources," or "6th grade treasures, teacher resources," and you will find a PLETHORA of lesson plans put together with interactive white board lessons and vocabulary cards, just everything you could possibly think of to easily make lesson plans. So far, I've had a BLAST using the internet to make these lessons plans, and while I wouldn't recommend these to an inexperienced homeschooler, I would if you're experienced or have some experience with working with public school curriculum.
I didn't just choose this program because it's inexpensive--but for several reasons. My 6th grader--I didn't teach him to read until he was eight. With him, he has dysgraphia which he was diagnosed with and suspected dyslexia. I decided to unschool him, and have most of his life. He naturally picked up numbers, letters and because I didn't push, I FIRMLY believed that is why he is now very successful. So successful that one year I was going to do an online public school academy and he was placed in a gifted and talented program.
He needs to be challenged and this curriculum while intensive, also gives many resources for gifted and talented students.
For my elementary kids, I find that I can use this for my 2 second graders, and use the 'approaching' workbooks for my 1st grader and even my 4 year old can take part in the instruction part and some of the worksheets. It works out perfect for everyone.
US AP History week 2
Monday:
English Colonies 1600-1615
Go over Chapter 2 Objectives.
Watch all of chapter 2 lesson four.
15 min
On notebook paper click on the timeline at the end of the lesson. Use map pencils for color. Place behind chapter 1 timeline.
10 min
On separate notebook paper click on chapter 2. copy the info on the 13 colonies.
10 min
Watch all of chapter 2 lesson five
15 min
On notebook paper click on the timeline at the end of the lesson. Use map pencils for color. Place in timeline.
10 min
Read chapter 3 of Lies My Teacher Told Me.
rest of classtime
Tuesday:
Click on Chapter 2 flashcards
5 min
On Netflix, watch National Geographic: Jamestown
Watch slide on DBQ's
Start on this easy unit on DBQ's-do as much as class time allows
Homework: Study AP flashcards
15 min
Work 30 min on DBQ unit
Wednesday:
No AP History--Library Day. Do homework--same as Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thursday:
Chapter 2 flashcards:
5 min
Read Jane's Story and watch video.
5 min
Watch youtube lecture on Plymouth plantation
40 min
Choose three people of Plymouth to read about
15 min
Read Chapter 2 of American Pageant
Rest of class period
Homework:
Study AP Flashcards
15 min
Work 30 min on DBQ unit: Due on Monday morning
Friday:
Chapter 2 flashcards
Watch all of Lesson 6 then complete timeline at end.
Complete Chapter 2 test.
English Colonies 1600-1615
Go over Chapter 2 Objectives.
Watch all of chapter 2 lesson four.
15 min
On notebook paper click on the timeline at the end of the lesson. Use map pencils for color. Place behind chapter 1 timeline.
10 min
On separate notebook paper click on chapter 2. copy the info on the 13 colonies.
10 min
Watch all of chapter 2 lesson five
15 min
On notebook paper click on the timeline at the end of the lesson. Use map pencils for color. Place in timeline.
10 min
Read chapter 3 of Lies My Teacher Told Me.
rest of classtime
Tuesday:
Click on Chapter 2 flashcards
5 min
On Netflix, watch National Geographic: Jamestown
Watch slide on DBQ's
Start on this easy unit on DBQ's-do as much as class time allows
Homework: Study AP flashcards
15 min
Work 30 min on DBQ unit
Wednesday:
No AP History--Library Day. Do homework--same as Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thursday:
Chapter 2 flashcards:
5 min
Read Jane's Story and watch video.
5 min
Watch youtube lecture on Plymouth plantation
40 min
Choose three people of Plymouth to read about
15 min
Read Chapter 2 of American Pageant
Rest of class period
Homework:
Study AP Flashcards
15 min
Work 30 min on DBQ unit: Due on Monday morning
Friday:
Chapter 2 flashcards
Watch all of Lesson 6 then complete timeline at end.
Complete Chapter 2 test.
Monday, September 2, 2013
A Sniffling Snafu
Sigh. Just when you think you are ahead--the dreaded germs invade your home. I have four sick kiddos with strep throat. :( My big kid is even too sick to do school, and he will usually do his schoolwork through a cold.
So, I'm considering this week a teacher planning week. I will try to get way ahead in my lesson plans. My oldest will read Last Of The Mohicans as his first literature book, and hopefully next week everyone will be well and ready for school.
And fingers crossed this mama doesn't get sick!
So, I'm considering this week a teacher planning week. I will try to get way ahead in my lesson plans. My oldest will read Last Of The Mohicans as his first literature book, and hopefully next week everyone will be well and ready for school.
And fingers crossed this mama doesn't get sick!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Copywork Elementary and 6th grade week 1
I love copywork. I've used it to teach my oldest two the order of the Presidents, body parts, grammar, and much more. I also use this thirty minutes to pick up two rooms 5 minutes a piece, load the dishwasher from breakfast and clean the counters and prep lunch and dinner if I didn't already put something in the crockpot.
For the elementary kids-this week we will do 30 minutes of copywork using Bob Book words.
I found Bob Books last year and just love them. We got started, but because we took a summer break it fell to the wayside. So, this will be good review for my two 2nd graders, and 1st grader and be good for my 4 year old who wasn't interested in school last year.
Their first week will be easy, and I will add on as the weeks pass.
Elementary copywork week 1:
Mon-Fri:
Copy the words Mat, Sat, Sam, On, the, end, onto lined slateboards 4x each
(should finish early and can do puzzles)
6th grade copywork week 1:
For my 6th grader, I wanted something different to start out this year. If you've never heard of the public school teacher Ron Clark, you should. He has a great book called The Essential 55. While I'm not raising kids to conform--Ron Clark's rules can also apply to homeschoolers. The rules are about more than your standard classroom rules, and can be used for when they get a job or go to college, or apply in public. It's just good solid advice and also could complete Good Citizenship requirements if you have to meet those.
Monday and Friday:
(has wednesday off for watching documentary)
Write rules 1-5
Tuesday and Thursday:
Write rules 6-11
For the elementary kids-this week we will do 30 minutes of copywork using Bob Book words.
I found Bob Books last year and just love them. We got started, but because we took a summer break it fell to the wayside. So, this will be good review for my two 2nd graders, and 1st grader and be good for my 4 year old who wasn't interested in school last year.
Their first week will be easy, and I will add on as the weeks pass.
Elementary copywork week 1:
Mon-Fri:
Copy the words Mat, Sat, Sam, On, the, end, onto lined slateboards 4x each
(should finish early and can do puzzles)
6th grade copywork week 1:
For my 6th grader, I wanted something different to start out this year. If you've never heard of the public school teacher Ron Clark, you should. He has a great book called The Essential 55. While I'm not raising kids to conform--Ron Clark's rules can also apply to homeschoolers. The rules are about more than your standard classroom rules, and can be used for when they get a job or go to college, or apply in public. It's just good solid advice and also could complete Good Citizenship requirements if you have to meet those.
Monday and Friday:
(has wednesday off for watching documentary)
Write rules 1-5
Tuesday and Thursday:
Write rules 6-11
Elementary and 6th grade Spanish and French week 1-3
Just like geography, I've been very satisfied with how little time it can take to teach a foreign language. I use just 20 minutes.
I don't know about anyone else but it can seem daunting to teach foreign language when you aren't fluent yourself, but I think slow and steady wins the race. This year we aren't just concentrating on basic Spanish and French, but writing and reading basic Spanish and French.
This year is the same, we have Spanish Monday and Tuesday's, with French being Thursdays and Fridays. We will start slowly and add some first readers in as we get used to our new schedule.
I should add, on days we do French, I wake the kids up and give morning instructions In French, and the same for days we do Spanish. I add new phrases and questions as the week goes along. You can use a translator to easily find these phrases to immerse your kids in the language they are learning. Just be sure if there is a masculine or feminine, you are using the correct phrase.
Spanish
Monday and Tuesday--will repeat both days.
Buenos Dias song 3x
A Comer song 3x
Learn to write numbers 1-5 worksheet
Learn to write colors worksheet
French
Wednesday and Thursday--will repeat both days.
French Greeting song
Learn to write numbers 1-5 worksheet
Learn to write colors worksheet
I don't know about anyone else but it can seem daunting to teach foreign language when you aren't fluent yourself, but I think slow and steady wins the race. This year we aren't just concentrating on basic Spanish and French, but writing and reading basic Spanish and French.
This year is the same, we have Spanish Monday and Tuesday's, with French being Thursdays and Fridays. We will start slowly and add some first readers in as we get used to our new schedule.
I should add, on days we do French, I wake the kids up and give morning instructions In French, and the same for days we do Spanish. I add new phrases and questions as the week goes along. You can use a translator to easily find these phrases to immerse your kids in the language they are learning. Just be sure if there is a masculine or feminine, you are using the correct phrase.
Spanish
Monday and Tuesday--will repeat both days.
Buenos Dias song 3x
A Comer song 3x
Learn to write numbers 1-5 worksheet
Learn to write colors worksheet
French
Wednesday and Thursday--will repeat both days.
French Greeting song
Learn to write numbers 1-5 worksheet
Learn to write colors worksheet
Elementary and 6th grade geography week 1
You might notice that geography in our homeschool is just 10 minutes long. That may seem like too little time, but I promise, if you are consistent this small amount of time can produce big results. My four year old knows more about geography than I did in high school.
I think it's important even at young ages for children to be able to recognize names of countries and the world around them. I find it not only helps in terms of giving them a global worldview, but I'd argue empathy as well. Knowing the history and the 'why's' behind a country gives them historical content into a culture.
This year, we are concentrating on US geography, as this will be our concentration in history studies.
And by the way, with the various ages I teach, it is perfectly possible to teach them all at once. You can go more in depth with your older children a couple nights a week to give them a challenge.
------------------------------
How I 'do' geography. I'm lucky enough to be able to hook my computer up to our large screen television in the living room. This allows everyone to see and with 5 of them, it just makes it easier.
I start of with this world map on the television. Using a pointer I first go over the continents from largest to smallest in a sing-song voice.
Asia
Africa
North and South America
Antarctica
Europe
and Australia
Then the oceans: Starting on the left of the map-
North Pacific
South Pacific
North Atlantic
South Atlantic
Indian
Southern
And back to Pacific
Then, I will concentrate on ONE continent and go over the countries in that continent.
Then year I'll start with North and South America.
It goes like this:
Denmark
Canada
United States of America (be sure to point to Alaska and Hawaii when you say this)
Mexico
Guatemala
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Galopagos
Panama
Bahamas
Cuba
Jamacia
Dominican Rep
Puerto Rico
St Kitts and Nevis
Antingua and Barbuda
Dominica
Barbados
Trinidad and Tobago
Grenada
South America
French Polynesia
Easter Island
Columbia
Ecuador
Peru
Chile
Venezuela
Guyana
Suriname
French Guiana
Brazil
Bolivia
Paraguay
Uruguay
Argentina
Trindade Island
Falkland Island
South Georgia Island
South Sandwich Island
This takes just 3 minutes once you are used to this--the kids recite everything with you.
Next we move on to US States and Facts-throughout this year I will use this map for a teacher reference.
We will start with the south since we live in Texas, then move North-East, Mid-West, West.
This week we will do:
Texas
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Louisiana
I will do one state at a time, and quickly go over the relevant facts, having the kids recite them with me.
We name the:
State Abreviation
State Capital
Major Industries
Main Rivers
Bordering states (I point to the bordering states using correct direction in relation to the state we are doing)
Bordering Country
Bordering Body of Water
State Nickname
Picture of state flag
Because we live in Texas, we recite a few more facts than we do for the other states such as:
State animal
State flower
State song
Highest point
Largest city
All of this takes around seven minutes or less once your kids get used to the pace.
I think it's important even at young ages for children to be able to recognize names of countries and the world around them. I find it not only helps in terms of giving them a global worldview, but I'd argue empathy as well. Knowing the history and the 'why's' behind a country gives them historical content into a culture.
This year, we are concentrating on US geography, as this will be our concentration in history studies.
And by the way, with the various ages I teach, it is perfectly possible to teach them all at once. You can go more in depth with your older children a couple nights a week to give them a challenge.
------------------------------
How I 'do' geography. I'm lucky enough to be able to hook my computer up to our large screen television in the living room. This allows everyone to see and with 5 of them, it just makes it easier.
I start of with this world map on the television. Using a pointer I first go over the continents from largest to smallest in a sing-song voice.
Asia
Africa
North and South America
Antarctica
Europe
and Australia
Then the oceans: Starting on the left of the map-
North Pacific
South Pacific
North Atlantic
South Atlantic
Indian
Southern
And back to Pacific
Then, I will concentrate on ONE continent and go over the countries in that continent.
Then year I'll start with North and South America.
It goes like this:
Denmark
Canada
United States of America (be sure to point to Alaska and Hawaii when you say this)
Mexico
Guatemala
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Galopagos
Panama
Bahamas
Cuba
Jamacia
Dominican Rep
Puerto Rico
St Kitts and Nevis
Antingua and Barbuda
Dominica
Barbados
Trinidad and Tobago
Grenada
South America
French Polynesia
Easter Island
Columbia
Ecuador
Peru
Chile
Venezuela
Guyana
Suriname
French Guiana
Brazil
Bolivia
Paraguay
Uruguay
Argentina
Trindade Island
Falkland Island
South Georgia Island
South Sandwich Island
This takes just 3 minutes once you are used to this--the kids recite everything with you.
Next we move on to US States and Facts-throughout this year I will use this map for a teacher reference.
We will start with the south since we live in Texas, then move North-East, Mid-West, West.
This week we will do:
Texas
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Louisiana
I will do one state at a time, and quickly go over the relevant facts, having the kids recite them with me.
We name the:
State Abreviation
State Capital
Major Industries
Main Rivers
Bordering states (I point to the bordering states using correct direction in relation to the state we are doing)
Bordering Country
Bordering Body of Water
State Nickname
Picture of state flag
Because we live in Texas, we recite a few more facts than we do for the other states such as:
State animal
State flower
State song
Highest point
Largest city
All of this takes around seven minutes or less once your kids get used to the pace.
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