| Author | |
Martha
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 25 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2291
|
| Posted: May 09 2008 at 4:00pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Mackfam wrote:
| I wonder if Kolbe would send me a sample lesson to look at? Think I might try emailing them. |
|
|
here's a link to samples of the lit plans by book.
__________________
Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
Yes, they're all ours!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
momwats8
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 20 2006
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1084
|
| Posted: May 09 2008 at 4:08pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
When you look at the sample it doesn't show you that you get an answer key with it which is a life saver. It does show a sample of what the assignments are though 
__________________
Mary- Wife to Mike and Mother to Austin(92), Mikey(95), R.J.(97), Benedict(98), Kolbe(00), Ignatius(02), Christian(03), Margaret(05),&4 angels in heaven
http://www.momwats8.blogspot.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: May 09 2008 at 4:20pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you both very much! I hadn't yet gone to Kolbe's site to search or email them.
I love the plans. They seem well written out and give me enough background information that I feel I could lead a discussion on a particular book. Thank you for mentioning the answer key, Mary! It seems a great deal of work went into this.
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kristie 4
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 20 2006
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1508
|
| Posted: May 09 2008 at 5:30pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I looked at the samples and what I liked were the writing topics. That is where I often flounder. Unfortunately my son, whom this would fit, has read almost all the books.
But for the ones he hasn't read this would be a good fit I think (he is getting tired of the direct written narration-needs more focus and this seems to give some good focus on the writing prompts)
__________________
Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
ALmom
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 18 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3299
|
| Posted: May 10 2008 at 9:37am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Someone asked about writing support and review, ie the enhanced evaluation service. I do use that part of Kolbe for my highschoolers - loosely.
If you compare costs between Seton and Kolbe, they come out about the same if you use the Enhanced Evaluation Service and order all the books. Otherwise Kolbe is less expensive. That may be a consideration for some because the Enhanced Evaluation is an add on fee.
However, Kolbe will look at a paper or two when you start out without you being signed up with Enhanced Evaluation - you simply ask for some feedback on the quarter sample that you turn in and I cannot remember what it is they want you to do to alert them that you want feedback so be sure to talk to them first as I know you will have to ask specifically for this. The big key is communicating carefully to them about what you want. Obviously if you want a whole lot of paper reviewing on a consistent basis, then they would want you to sign up for Enhanced Evaluation. You can sign up for a quarter at a time or a whole year at once. You don't have to do Enhanced Evaluation every quarter - just pick what you want.
With Enhanced Evaluation, you fill out a form which can be done on-line, letting them know which subject, paper topic, etc. and exactly what kind of support you want - anything from full grading to specific questions or input you want. You do have to be enrolled with Kolbe for this. I've never sent in tests for grading as the bullets and AK give me enough information to do it myself. I have mostly submitted the papers, especially when I knew I wanted to stretch my dd, but didn't quite know how to direct her. I rarely ask them to give a grade anymore, but I do sometimes ask for a ballpark idea, ie some reassurances. I generally ask for other specific things because I will miss the more subtle grammar and writing things. As with anything, your experience may depend on the specific evaluator you get. However, Kolbe is committed to giving you one evaluator over the year and this one does not change (barring emergency circumstances) unless you request a change. We have had wonderful experience with our evaluator. The other nice aspect is that you do not just have to submit papers from their booklists. I have submitted papers that I had my daughter write from Hillside discussion guides or other sources. In that case, they ask to see the specific writing assignment.
I use EE loosely, and have learned that I probably don't need every semester. Last year we signed up for the full EE for every semester - just in case I needed to have someone grade and mentor Latin. We found a tutor and I had way more opportunities to hand in papers than I actually used. I plan to sign up for fewer quarters next year and try to send in papers (a few at the beginning of the first quarter and at the end and then again the same thing in 4th quarter as I think this will reassure me and set up my children to pay attention to the suggestions and improving their writing). Once I see a few things we need to work on, I can look for those in papers until my dd is consistently doing it well, then we can get another paper evaluated so I know what else to look for  . Literature and writing are not in my comfort zone as far as teaching!
As far as writing help in the Literature guide, there really isn't any. Their plans include writing guidance in the Ignatius Speaks and Writes grammar book (mostly sentence writing practice but some paragraphs where they really just emphasize being encouraging and getting the child to write consistently) or VIE in the early years, but in later elementary, middle and high school this is done using Sadlier Composition books. I have heard good things about them and plan to try this next year with my struggling writers, especially.
Mackmom, if you want to see my middle school literature plans (or any other Kolbe stuff), I'm happy to bring the stuff with me to something we'll both be at - just e-mail. I may also be getting the elementary lit plans this year as well but these won't be ready until June.
Yes, they are flexible and you do not have to use their recommendations. They really do respect your choices. I will second Nina's observation that some of the content in their recommendations is more high school than middle or elementary, so do use your discretion with your children. Some of it is definitely above my boys comprehension level as well. The poetry portion is quite difficult and I was a little lost with it myself. I know I'll need to talk to them directly to get a bit more guidance on that one. Those of you with good educations and more confidence in literature will find the plans more than enough. If you are like me and more comfortable with math, you may want a bit more help on some parts. There are plenty to choose from, however. We used the short story course with a highschooler.
Janet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MarilynW
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4275
|
| Posted: May 12 2008 at 6:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you Janet for this very helpful information.
__________________
Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: May 13 2008 at 12:37am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks Martha, I was just about to ask for a link as I couldn't find it on the site. I'm site navigation challenged I guess.
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Living Literature
Topic: Kolbe's Junior High Literature Program
