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Connections
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 4:10pm | IP Logged
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Hi everyone-
I am considering using Kolbe Academy for next year and am looking for recent feedback on Kolbe and for input on our specific situation. I have already read through all of the posts I could find by searching!
Please, if you have a moment, would you mind reading about my two DS and let me know your thoughts.
I am considering Kolbe for their lesson plans. I have two school aged students with very different needs and I am hoping to make things a little easier for me by consolidating providers.
My 4th grade DS loves to check boxes and complete his learning in a sequential manner. This year we have had great success using Seton Worktexts for English. All year I have been writing my own checklists for him. I can do this again next year but I am hoping to streamline the process. Also, Seton became a little too easy for him and I was hoping that Kolbe may be a bit more challenging. Finally, we homeschool using a 4-day school week and Kolbe's plans seem to use a 4-day week as well. I also already own the Kolbe Elementary Literature program and plan to incorporate that next year.
It appears to me that Kolbe moves the student toward more of a critical thinking model than Seton does. Please correct me if this is wrong as I have not used enough of either program to know for sure.
Finally, I am considering having my 4th grade DS use Science and History plans next year and begin studying and taking tests. I know this is contrary to the CM approach but maybe some folks are still here that use a more traditional approach?? I am also considering sticking to a living books, written narration approach to these subjects. Still undecided.
My oldest son is currently a 5th grader by age but he is already doing high school level work this year. He is watching teaching Company DVD's this year for Architecture, Science (Joy of Science and accompanying textbook) and US History (with a high school textbook). The missing component here is testing and I would like to move him into developing the skills to study for and take exams. I need to find something appropriately challenging for him. I am considering keeping up with the Teaching Company DVD's and textbook and either (1) forgetting about test taking for now or (2) making my own tests. I spoke to a Kolbe rep today and I am beginning to consider Christ the King (with the high school level plans and the World History Teaching Company DVD's), Physical Science, 8th grade English and the Junior High Literature program for him next year. I really want to see him writing critical essays on a regular basis and Kolbe's plans seem to include this element. I am also looking into the 9th grade Literature and History. The Kolbe rep. did not seem to think that any child his age would be able to read the original source documents and engage in the critical thinking required for these classes. (He did not exactly say that but it was the impression I got.) I could always go through this slowly if he needs to. I am more concerned with the subject-matter. The Kolbe rep did explain that Kolbe does highlight areas of concern. Maybe I just need to get the plans to review them for myself. Clearly this would require more work on my part than giving him the Christ the King and Junior High Literature lesson plans. Any thoughts on that?
I have no idea if it will make sense to enroll in Kolbe (money is an issue and I am not concerned about a grade school diploma or high school credit- at this point). I would like someone to look at oldest son's papers and provide feedback. I am considering the Evaluation services for that aspect. I go back and forth as to my confidence level to teach writing and things often work better when I am cheering this particular son on and guiding him rather than grading his work. (Honestly, I find that I tend to expect a bit too much.)
Right now he is taking an 8th grade Lightning Lit class through G3. He likes the class and says he is learning, but I frankly do not like being out of the loop with his lessons. The time will come for that but I do not want it to come at the age of 10! Also, I am not a big fan of the computer learning games, etc. that are a part of the homework. I want old fashioned reading, thinking, writing (and yes, studying and test-taking- don't throw tomatoes, okay?) I am hoping that I can acquire the lesson plans ahead of time and be better prepared to discuss his work with him- instead of spending so much time creating plans and not keeping up with their studies (I also have a 2.5 DD.)
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I know many will be signing off for lent. Blessings on a fruitful lenten season for you and your family.
If you have a chance to answer, I am all ears!
God Bless,
Tracey
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MommyMahung
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 5:11pm | IP Logged
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Wow! I have no idea about Kobe, but I'd be interested to in what someone has to say about all this. I know we shouldn't compare kids, but yikes! After reading about your boys, I feel like I'm not doing something right!
LOL!!! I have been looking for more things to get my kids to think more critically/logically, well just to think more. I love reading these posts because I do get some very good ideas and I don't feel bad when I push my kiddos to do more of what I know they are capable of doing.
Thanks for posting!
Laura
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 6:10pm | IP Logged
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Connections wrote:
| I am considering using Kolbe Academy for next year and am looking for recent feedback on Kolbe and for input on our specific situation. |
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Hi Tracey.  No tomatoes!  I was going to suggest that you contact Kolbe directly since they would be best able to give you the guidance you are looking for.  They would be most familiar with their own curriculum, the different ways in which it could be used/adjusted, as well as how it could specifically work in your home. It sounds like you've done that once already, but perhaps further communication is in order in light of the questions you have.
The 4Real Home Education board has grown and matured in its ministry of offering and encouraging a unique support of ideas and sharing to those home educators who choose to design their own course of studies emphasizing living ideas and books, while Kolbe is uniquely and ideally suited to offer support to those home educators who choose to use Kolbe's curriculum.
I do not want to discourage sharing on this topic, but I do want to encourage and nurture the very unique support offered at 4Real to home educators who design their own course of studies.
With all sincerity I pray you find the sharing and support you need in making the best decision for your boys, Tracey! As their mother, you are uniquely and expertly qualified to do just that!
MommyMahung wrote:
| I know we shouldn't compare kids, but yikes! After reading about your boys, I feel like I'm not doing something right! |
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Oh goodness, Laura - I'm so grateful we ARE all so different, so varied!
God, in His wisdom weaves a varied, colorful and lovely tapestry of His children with the work He has for each of them to do and the unique ways we each cooperate with His grace. Thanks be to God He does not weave in the same color across the tapestry - how boring and drab! Rather, He chooses rich shades and different textures!
Our Heavenly Father is a loving Divine Gardener - tending the different flowers He nurtures and cultivates. I ignore the loving, individual and tender care He gives to our little spot in the garden when I look at the beautiful flowers next to us, longing to be their color, their vibrancy, their specialness. Thanks be to God for the individual vibrancy, unique gifts, and focused love He gives each of us! Thanks be to God for the tenderness with which He tends each of my individual children. He alone knows the intimate corners of their heart, for He created that child in His image. He knows the gift of the individual cross He has given our family, and to that individual child. He knows what He is asking of that child, and what He will ask one day. He nurtures within His gifts. Knowing this, my devotion deepens in tending the precious and fragile flowers under my care. May I cooperate more willingly and more fully to assist the Divine Gardener as He nurtures each of my children in opening toward His will. In this there is joy and contentment as well as gratitude for the other flowers around our little spot - for all their beauty which I can rejoice in.
 to you as you assist the Divine Gardener in being a beautiful and tender mother, so eager and willing to help your children develop, grow, and blossom under His care! You are a wonderful mother and your children are so dearly and tenderly loved by God!
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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kristinannie
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It sounds like Kolbe might be great for you. They have excellent support and are supposed to be very challenging, especially requiring a lot of writing and their evaluation service might also work out well for you. I am seriously considering enrolling my kids for high school, especially since they are so flexible (but that is a LONG way off). I almost enrolled my child this year, but I think they are too workbooky in early elementary. I think their curriculum gets much better starting in about 4th grade. Since I have become much more CM, I probably won't enroll before high school and I know a lot can change between now and then.
I would pray about it. Kolbe has a forum where you can ask questions as well. Best of luck.
__________________
John Paul 8.5
Meredith Rose 7
Dominic Michael 4.5
Katherine Elizabeth 8 months
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mamaslearning
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 7:24pm | IP Logged
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I was going to suggest the Kolbe forums as well. They are very nice and helpful. It doesn't seem very active, but they've always answered my questions.
__________________
Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
St. Francis de Sales Homeschool
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Feb 21 2012 at 10:44pm | IP Logged
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If you aren't sure about your son's critical thinking/writing "grade" (term used loosely) level, you might want to ask a local portfolio evaluator to look at some of his writing.
Perhaps Kolbe's reluctance stems from their experiences with students who read at a very advanced level but cannot yet explain their reactions to/opinions of/defense of/refutation of works of literature, historical writings, etc. I don't use Kolbe's materials or program, so this is mere conjecture, but some students do read at very advanced levels before they are ready to analyze, criticize and write at those grade levels.
I read at a very advanced level at a young age, but my writing/reasoning abilities did not catch up until I was about 13. Sometimes it's just about lack of experience, because it's hard to analyze and critique if you haven't had much exposure to materials/genres/modes of thought. Pulling source materials together to substantiate your arguments is not easy...but you have plenty of time to nurture your son's reading interests and also offer him the opportunity to read and work with source documents (in English, history, etc.) and look for important points in those documents. The next step, once this has been mastered, is to write about those points and quote from source documents. Then, using quotations to support a specific point of view and refute opposing viewpoints comes into play. It all takes time. You have plenty of that!
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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MommyMahung
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| Posted: Feb 22 2012 at 1:27pm | IP Logged
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" to you as you assist the Divine Gardener in being a beautiful and tender mother, so eager and willing to help your children develop, grow, and blossom under His care! You are a wonderful mother and your children are so dearly and tenderly loved by God!"
Thank you Jen! I needed that!
God Bless you and your family too!
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Connections
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| Posted: Feb 23 2012 at 11:14am | IP Logged
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MommyMahung wrote:
Wow! I have no idea about Kobe, but I'd be interested to in what someone has to say about all this. I know we shouldn't compare kids, but yikes! After reading about your boys, I feel like I'm not doing something right!
LOL!!! I have been looking for more things to get my kids to think more critically/logically, well just to think more. I love reading these posts because I do get some very good ideas and I don't feel bad when I push my kiddos to do more of what I know they are capable of doing.
Thanks for posting!
Laura |
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I would never want to make anyone feel like they are not doing things right! This is simply a child who has been blessed by God in a certain way. And they are ALL blessed by God. Truthfully, my DS taught himself to read at 2.5 years. I take NO credit for where he is academically. I just try and love him and support him the best that I can. I wish I succeeded at that all the time. Sadly, I do not.
But God knows that we are all trying so hard to please Him, to trust Him and to follow His will.
Blessings to you and your family.
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Connections
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| Posted: Feb 23 2012 at 11:17am | IP Logged
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Mackfam wrote:
The 4Real Home Education board has grown and matured in its ministry of offering and encouraging a unique support of ideas and sharing to those home educators who choose to design their own course of studies emphasizing living ideas and books, while Kolbe is uniquely and ideally suited to offer support to those home educators who choose to use Kolbe's curriculum.
I do not want to discourage sharing on this topic, but I do want to encourage and nurture the very unique support offered at 4Real to home educators who design their own course of studies.
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Sorry, Jennifer. Old habits die hard. I am so used to coming here when I need input on homeschooling matters!
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Connections
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| Posted: Feb 23 2012 at 11:25am | IP Logged
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kristinannie wrote:
It sounds like Kolbe might be great for you. They have excellent support and are supposed to be very challenging, especially requiring a lot of writing and their evaluation service might also work out well for you. I am seriously considering enrolling my kids for high school, especially since they are so flexible (but that is a LONG way off). I almost enrolled my child this year, but I think they are too workbooky in early elementary. I think their curriculum gets much better starting in about 4th grade. Since I have become much more CM, I probably won't enroll before high school and I know a lot can change between now and then.
I would pray about it. Kolbe has a forum where you can ask questions as well. Best of luck. |
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Thanks. I would love to hear why you think their curriculum gets much better starting in 4th!
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Connections
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| Posted: Feb 23 2012 at 11:29am | IP Logged
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guitarnan wrote:
If you aren't sure about your son's critical thinking/writing "grade" (term used loosely) level, you might want to ask a local portfolio evaluator to look at some of his writing.
Perhaps Kolbe's reluctance stems from their experiences with students who read at a very advanced level but cannot yet explain their reactions to/opinions of/defense of/refutation of works of literature, historical writings, etc. I don't use Kolbe's materials or program, so this is mere conjecture, but some students do read at very advanced levels before they are ready to analyze, criticize and write at those grade levels.
I read at a very advanced level at a young age, but my writing/reasoning abilities did not catch up until I was about 13. Sometimes it's just about lack of experience, because it's hard to analyze and critique if you haven't had much exposure to materials/genres/modes of thought. Pulling source materials together to substantiate your arguments is not easy...but you have plenty of time to nurture your son's reading interests and also offer him the opportunity to read and work with source documents (in English, history, etc.) and look for important points in those documents. The next step, once this has been mastered, is to write about those points and quote from source documents. Then, using quotations to support a specific point of view and refute opposing viewpoints comes into play. It all takes time. You have plenty of that! |
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I think you are right. And frankly I am at a loss as to what "grade level" he is at with critical thinking skills. He surprises me with his observations, connections, etc. all of the time. But I do not know how that measures up to "standards" for grade levels.
We are incorporating more and more primary source documents for now.
Thanks.
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Kolbe (generally) and accelerated learner
