Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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SeaStar
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Posted: Feb 22 2010 at 3:36pm | IP Logged Quote SeaStar

In this conversation Martha brings up the interesting dilemma of finding a good "creativity-centered" learning program that is also Catholic.   

I have been pondering this... what does "creativity-centered" learning look like? Who would benefit from it? Where can I find a Catholic one?...

I guess we all have our own answers to these questions based on what is right for our families. My answers look like this:
Creativity-based learning at my house would be a program that could engage all the senses of my very active 7 yr old ds. It would be extremely light on workbooks. It would let him move, sing, doodle in the margins, make things and work at his own pace. Oh- and it would be totally scripted and come with supplies (or at least a list and where to buy them) so that I could just take it and run with it, eliminating last minute stress over planning, gathering resources, etc. And it would be Catholic.

If there was a curriculum that met all these needs and was Catholic, I would RUN out to buy it.

But, since there is not, I am curious to see what the board as a whole considers to be the "best of the best" of creative learning programs.

By "program", I mean a scripted teachers manual with clear directions for teaching, materials provided (or at least clearly specified with suggestions as to where to buy them) and no burden on the mom to supplement, tweak or reinvent the wheel (unless she wants to, of course).

So, what is the best of the best that is available to us right now?

For Art, I would put in a plug for Artistic Pursuits... it's totally scripted- a no brainer to read- you can order bundled art supplies from Dick Blick with about 3 clicks on the computer, and my kids love it.
The Christian Heritage Art Program looks really good, too-- and it is Catholic.

For Math, there is Math-U-See or RightStart. We use RS. My kids love the games- they keep things interesting. It's very hands-on. There are songs and manipulatives. I think it is very creative.

For Science... still looking at our house. I would love to find a great hands on program that comes all set up with everything we need for experiments, etc.

For Spanish, we use La Clase Divertida. It is a bundle deal: the package comes with two instructional dvds, an audio cd for the car, two workbooks, an instructor's guide and enough craft materials for two students. The dvds show the teacher and a small group of HS students learning spanish and doing the crafts and making the food. There is a lot of singing and moving, crafting and cooking.

What about Religion? Language Arts? Writing? Reading? History? Geography? Maybe we can get a list going....

As an aside, I want to mention that using all these separate "programs" may seem lot a of extra work.
The bad news is that I don't have a day to day outline in front of me for every subject. I don't just open a binder and flip to a page for school on Monday.
But that is also the good news- for me, anyway- because that allows me to follow each program at my own pace.

All the materials and methods are there, ready for me when I need them. I don't have to reinvent the wheel, but I also can go at the *right pace for us*. I feel enormous relief that I am not having to scramble to keep up with a day to day lesson plan that somebody else wrote. I never feel like: oh, we are behind three days in math! Instead, I feel this way: whew! finally ds is comfortable adding numbers in the thousands. Now we can tackle the next thing.

So, I may not have a day to day outline for every subject, but I find that I don't need one. I know that on Friday we do art, and when we are done with lesson 3 (Giotto and etchings) we will go on to lesson 4 (Giotto and frescoes). We do math every day, so when we are done with Lesson 89, we will do Lesson 90. Since all the lessons are scripted, I know I'm including everything my dc need to know. I'm not left fretting or scratching my head. It's already laid out for me.

It would be great to have all this in one packaged, Catholic curriculum... but I can make it work this way for now, and it is still pretty good.

So- let's get going...

What is the "best of the best" for creativity-based learning programs at your house?
What do you like and why?

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Posted: Feb 22 2010 at 5:19pm | IP Logged Quote JennGM

I know it's not as popular, but I do love Sound Beginnings by Julia Fogassy. It's helpful that it's scripted, but I have loads of wiggle room.



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Posted: Feb 22 2010 at 5:41pm | IP Logged Quote SeaStar

Sound Beginnings

Jenn, I really don't know much about this program, but I liked what I just read about it. Can you give me an example of a typical day using this program at your house?

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Posted: Feb 22 2010 at 8:37pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam

SeaStar wrote:
What is the "best of the best" for creativity-based learning programs at your house?
What do you like and why?


In general, I think of creativity-centered learning as being a lifestyle of wonder more than a curriculum. I'm certain that's not the most useful answer. And, if this isn't helpful because you're set on a pre-packaged curriculum, please do ignore me! But, this can be very naturally built into ANY daily lessons you are comfortable using. I try to ask questions more than making statements, observe more than direct, and be truly present and engaged with my child when he mentions his excitement at having just read/noticed/discovered "x". This gives me an idea of where to go to invite a creative expression of what has just been discovered. Do we carve, felt, paint, sculpt, sketch, draw, write, doodle, build, or cook? Sometimes, it's obvious. Sometimes, we might look around for inspiration. Sometimes, I might not know, but the children generally have a preference. Great! I trust the moment!

If one offers an atmosphere that is creativity-centered, it's helpful to have on hand basic craft materials as well as materials from around the house that are helpful for projects. In addition, some small sketch books or nice journaling materials are helpful. Beyond that, looking at something simple with the eyes of a child...being able to wonder aloud...these are what prompt creativity in our home.

** What sparks an interest?
** What are the talents and gifts of each child?
** How does this child learn?
*****Do they need to build it with their hands to visualize it?
*****Do they need to write their thoughts?
*****Do they see an image they can express through painting?
** In what ways can I offer opportunities for this child to explore through creating something?
** Are there tools that would be helpful and well-suited to a particular child's gifts? drafting materials -- watercolors -- musical instruments -- color pencils and a sketchbook?
** Looking to all the subjects offered in our day, is there one that invites an opportunity for creative expression?
** Once a child is involved in creating, let them go.

If I tried to script creativity too much in our home it would remove some of the value and gift my children receive in creating. This could just be a function of my own temperament and my home and children - but it would likely overwhelm us and just become something to check off rather than gently unfolding into a delightful expression of creativity or desire to explore further.

Invite.
Be as a child.
Look with eyes of wonder.
Don't be afraid to ask questions out loud.
Take time to observe.
Offer tools for expression.

This is my take on creativity-centered learning in our home. It moves and weaves itself quite naturally through every subject here.

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Posted: Feb 22 2010 at 8:57pm | IP Logged Quote guitarnan

One thing we have done is to do some creativity-based unit studies once my children have identified subjects that fascinate them. With my son, it was architecture. We used this book as a spine. (I re-used it for co-op classes later; the kids loved it!) My daughter is creating an "ocean box" as part of marine biology - she is making zillions of marine animals out of clay, painting them and mounting them in this giant diorama. It is a huge project but one that has great meaning for her because she is such a hands-on person. (Several years ago she created a bird bulletin board - she colored and cut out 50+ bird pictures, and put them on a bulletin board we displayed. Birdwatching has become a family hobby because of this project.)

For non-spontaneous me, this is a challenge. I love art and craft projects, but I am not the original type. I have had to observe and listen to my children to find out which subjects inspire their creative sides. (Plus, I'm a "negative first reaction person" and tend to say no to things unless I take a minute to step back and think carefully. The bird thing was almost a no-go, but my love of research won out over my negative first reaction...and the result was a year of bird fun!)

My son tends to look toward man-made structures (buildings, airplanes) as inspiration for creativity, while my daughter is all about nature. Each child's interests have led us on some amazing adventures (gumdrop-and-toothpick buildings are way fun!). Each project has expanded everyone's horizons (ds is great at bird identification, although he'd rather ID airplanes) and that's one of the best parts of it all.

No, it isn't scripted in a formal way...but what it is, is long-lasting, child-centered and hands-on. I tend to hit the library for my inspiration, but with the bird thing I found three websites that could serve as spines and we just kept coloring and cutting and pinning. As my daughter asked about specific birds we went to the library (you knew I'd work it in!) and found books to answer her questions. We watched videos about local birds and discovered that our cats thought that the birds on TV were real. (LOL!)

My son's interest in airplanes became an interest in photographing them. Because I'm a writer, I've been able to use some of his photos in my work, and now he has several photo credits to his name. Photography is a very creative way to frame any interest, I'm finding. We're hoping it will look good on college applications, too.

Where am I going with this? Listen hard. Think about easy ways to make beloved subjects hands-on and creative. Go online and find easy things to do...that will jump-start the project(s)...come back to these beloved subjects every year or two and deepen the interest. I know for sure that if my son hadn't started taking airplane photos, first for fun and then for my work, he never would have discovered how much he likes photography in general.

And...if you think, "Someone should write a book about this!" they probably have.

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Posted: Feb 22 2010 at 9:47pm | IP Logged Quote CatholicMommy

What you are asking sounds VERY Montessori to me. Scripted lesson plans for everything in a particular order within each subject but with the ability to move further ahead in one or another as needed without feeling "behind" - then provide lots of time and materials for exploration of the child's particular interests. You know you're covering all the required basics and the children have the space (physically, temporally and psychologically) to explore personal interests and truly be creative.

I am actually working on homeschool-izing my Montessori albums for our own home as my son moves into the elementary level; I wish I could offer it to the general public, but I have so many other projects going right now that I just can't commit to setting down and putting it in a usable format for others.... Perhaps in the future - someday - in my free time - SIGH....

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Posted: Feb 22 2010 at 10:18pm | IP Logged Quote lapazfarm

Mackfam wrote:


In general, I think of creativity-centered learning as being a lifestyle of wonder more than a curriculum.


This is absolutely how I see it.

Mackfam wrote:

this can be very naturally built into ANY daily lessons you are comfortable using....

...looking at something simple with the eyes of a child
...being able to wonder aloud
...these are what prompt creativity in our home.

Yes, I agree.
Mackfam wrote:



** What sparks an interest?
** What are the talents and gifts of each child?
** How does this child learn?
*****Do they need to build it with their hands to visualize it?
*****Do they need to write their thoughts?
*****Do they see an image they can express through painting?
** In what ways can I offer opportunities for this child to explore through creating something?
** Are there tools that would be helpful and well-suited to a particular child's gifts? drafting materials -- watercolors -- musical instruments -- color pencils and a sketchbook?
** Looking to all the subjects offered in our day, is there one that invites an opportunity for creative expression?
** Once a child is involved in creating, let them go.


Definitely all that!

Mackfam wrote:

If I tried to script creativity too much in our home it would remove some of the value and gift my children receive in creating. This could just be a function of my own temperament and my home and children - but it would likely overwhelm us and just become something to check off rather than gently unfolding into a delightful expression of creativity or desire to explore further.

Same here!

Mackfam wrote:

Invite.
Be as a child.
Look with eyes of wonder.
Don't be afraid to ask questions out loud.
Take time to observe.
Offer tools for expression.

This is my take on creativity-centered learning in our home. It moves and weaves itself quite naturally through every subject here.

Me too!
Should I have just quoted the whole thing? LOL!

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Posted: Feb 23 2010 at 6:06am | IP Logged Quote SeaStar

CatholicMommy wrote:
What you are asking sounds VERY Montessori to me. Scripted lesson plans for everything in a particular order within each subject but with the ability to move further ahead in one or another as needed without feeling "behind" - then provide lots of time and materials for exploration of the child's particular interests. You know you're covering all the required basics and the children have the space (physically, temporally and psychologically) to explore personal interests and truly be creative.

I am actually working on homeschool-izing my Montessori albums for our own home as my son moves into the elementary level; I wish I could offer it to the general public, but I have so many other projects going right now that I just can't commit to setting down and putting it in a usable format for others.... Perhaps in the future - someday - in my free time - SIGH....


I have done a lot of Montessori work with my dc, but when my dd got sick I could not keep up with learning presentations, making and/or buying the materials, etc. I switched from Montessori math to Right Start. It was just so much easier for me, since I had that teacher's manual with scripted lessons and all the materials sent to me in a nice box .

With Montessori, I had to read and understand things first... like how to present the golden bead material or how to play the exchange game. I did not have these things as a child, so there was a learning curve for me as well as the kids. RS was different in that I could easily pick up the TM and understand the lesson quickly. If I had had the time, I would have kept on with the Montessori, but I am very happy now with RS.

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Posted: Feb 23 2010 at 7:44am | IP Logged Quote Angel

SeaStar wrote:


I have done a lot of Montessori work with my dc, but when my dd got sick I could not keep up with learning presentations, making and/or buying the materials, etc. I switched from Montessori math to Right Start. It was just so much easier for me, since I had that teacher's manual with scripted lessons and all the materials sent to me in a nice box .



You know, I basically agree with what Jen had to say about creativity being a state of mind instead of being scripted, but... I have to admit that I really, really understand the desire for a teacher's manual and all the materials in a nice box, too. Creativity *is* a state of mind, but as the mother of a large, open-to-life family there are times when I just cannot keep things going. We have our home set up to encourage creativity for the most part -- all the art materials out and attractively displayed, lots of open-ended activities like blocks, etc., a nature table that can be      fooled around with (scroll down a little for pictures of the nature table), lots of art books -- and that helps, but it only goes so far. The kids really do need my guidance, and sometimes life is such that I have no ability to plan anything out or set it up in advance. In those cases, it *would* be nice to be able to pull out a teacher's manual and a box, if only to get us over the hump!

In lieu of The Box, here are some of my favorite resources:

Cathy Wiseman Topal's books --

Children and Painting
Children, Clay, and Sculpture
Beautiful Stuff

Beautiful Stuff is not as much of an instruction book as the others. With the Painting and Clay books, you can really go through them exercise by exercise. The exercises are open-ended and can be used by children (and adults) of all ages. Very good for large families. But -- definitely not in lesson plan/daily form.

I also like the Sculpey books Create Anything with Clay and The Incredible Clay Book. Again, not in boxed curriculum form, but easily used by kids.

(It occurs to me that one thing that might help is just to schedule your day fairly firmly, for instance with art times, music times, whatever, and just make more studio materials and books available to your kids at that time. Then, if you had a time set aside for "creativity", you would be less likely to focus only on basic skills, etc.)

As far as creativity in the basic skills go... are we talking "creativity" in general, or "art-based"? If you just want to bring a little color to, say, math, I would recommend Patchwork Math. This was the only way I could get my older two kids to do math. It's not original-art-main-lesson-book math -- in fact, it's just kind of dressed up drill -- but if your kids like to make pictures, it's a decent compromise.

I also used Fabulous Phonics Little Readers for my older two. Again, it's not a complicated main lesson book... it's a simple book of reproducible phonics readers that kids can make and color. Much more popular than workbooks, at least for my older two.

Memoria Press' copybooks contain quotes from the Bible and a large space for illustrating the quote. I also quite like New American Cursive, which I've just started using with my 6 yo (who asked for a cursive book.) The first workbook at least contains blank, unlined pages to practice cursive but also to illustrate. My ds and I have had fun making little pictures out of cursive. It's a nice, slanted cursive, but it also seems to be easier to learn than some.

As for my older kids, I often tend to think of activities off the top of my head (or having been absorbed from my own reading) that will go along with whatever history or science we're studying and I'll write these on the whiteboard. For instance, we've been working on Beowulf at various levels this year, so one day when I wasn't up to keeping everyone on task, I wrote a series of choices on the whiteboard that included "write an epic poem". Unexpectedly, my 13 yo ds jumped on this and is in fact, still working on it even though I gave him this choice in November. We've also done some investigation of medieval Celtic art (including the Book of Kells) using Dover coloring books, so the suggestion has been made that he illustrate this poem when he is done with Celtic or Scandinavian style borders. He's fiddled around in this style in his sketchbook already.

Anyway, it looks like my big kids are *finally* up after a late night watching the Olympics so I can *finally* get a shower. I have noodled around with the idea of putting some of the ideas that work around here in a kind of manual like *I'd* like, but um... that may have to wait until life slows down a bit (which may take years. )

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Posted: Feb 23 2010 at 7:58am | IP Logged Quote CatholicMommy

SeaStar wrote:
With Montessori, I had to read and understand things first... like how to present the golden bead material or how to play the exchange game. I did not have these things as a child, so there was a learning curve for me as well as the kids. RS was different in that I could easily pick up the TM and understand the lesson quickly. If I had had the time, I would have kept on with the Montessori, but I am very happy now with RS.


That is exactly what I mean! I can do the Montessori without too much of the learning curve because of the training I had, BUT I would LOVE to put it all into a format that is very much "open the book, read the lesson, here are the materials (for a NOT so high price!)".



Also, I wanted to add that we do a LOT of art around here and I encourage my son to think outside of the box. There are times I actually have to tell him "STOP thinking!" (like when he's trying to make a word he's reading into a completely different word and he just supposed to be reading what is on the page, nothing extra, nothing changed and nothing deleted ) but I really value allowing the creative juices to flow and I hope he can carry this over into the rest of his life.

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Posted: Feb 23 2010 at 9:13am | IP Logged Quote Martha

Oh my. I need to add the proviso of cost. RS and MUS are so expensive.

And as lovely as Jen and Theresa's post descriptions are, there is no way much would happen in this house without a LOT more planning in advance. They do have their personal interests and I try very hardto accomidate that daily. And I have to note, how in the world does one budget an on the whim education. (That sounds negative. I don't mean it that way. Rabbit trails are hard to impossible to budget in advance for is all I meant.)

*sigh*. I need more coffee. And I'm going to note to take next February off. February is burnout season.

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Posted: Feb 23 2010 at 9:32am | IP Logged Quote Becky Parker

Martha wrote:

*sigh*. I need more coffee. And I'm going to note to take next February off. February is burnout season.


I know what you mean Martha! I do alot of planning and dreaming in February because that helps me get through it. But, I never actually buy anything until June. It's amazing how many times my wish list changes from February to June!
One very simple thing I'm doing now, that doesn't cost a penny but is rather creative/artsy is that my kids are creating sketch books of the books I read aloud to them. I never dreamed how this would take off. I went on line and did a search for artist's sketch books, then I showed the kids some examples. I showed them that sometimes an artist will fill a page with random little sketches, creating almost a collage affect.
I've been reading Madeliene Takes Command to the kids and I gave them each a clipboard, pencil and a few pieces of printer paper. They draw little sketches of things they think about as I read. It is so much fun and the sketches look really cool! I don't know how to post a picture here but I'll try to post them on my blog in the near future if you want an idea of what I'm talking about.
I'm not sure if this is what you looking for but it's a simple way to add some creativity to the day, without alot of money or planning.

Coming back to edit and add that I think CM has alot of openings for creativity in her method. For example, another thing I have done is let my kids trace over their completed copywork with colored markers, or draw flowers around the edges. I use examples like Jan Brett to show how an artist makes a page look beautiful by adding color and little drawings.
I know none of this is scripted or anything but I make due because I really can't afford to by some of the expensive curriculums out there.



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Posted: Feb 23 2010 at 9:57am | IP Logged Quote SeaStar

Martha wrote:
Oh my. I need to add the proviso of cost. RS and MUS are so expensive.


I hear you on that. One good thing is I am using the same TM and all the same materials for both my dc, so I only had to buy everything once. If you sign up at RS for occasional e-mails, they will alert you for sales they have. And I do see RS manuals and materials come up for sale here and at CathSwap.

I bought my Artistic Pursuits manual (the first one) used right here from the trading post. I thought that would be a good way to try it. I bought the next from Rainbow Resources, which had a better price than the AP website. Again, I can use the same manuals with both dc, so it is a one time purchase.

It does take time to hunt down used curricula, but I enjoy watching the trading post and Cathswap.

We do a lot of free art and living books here, too- but life is hectic, isn't it? I remember being in tears one night trying to figure out the snake game for ds's Montessori math, knowing we had a big round of dr's appts that week for dd. CatholicMommy, if you could script a Montessori homeschool manual and sell it with supplies included, you could make a fortune, I think!

Basically, I feel like Martha and Angel. I know what I would like to do in a perfect world, and I know what I *can* do today. Time and funds are limited. We do the best we can. This conversation is really helping me. Thanks, everyone, for your input.

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Posted: Feb 24 2010 at 3:33pm | IP Logged Quote Karen T

SeaStar wrote:

I hear you on that. One good thing is I am using the same TM and all the same materials for both my dc, so I only had to buy everything once. If you sign up at RS for occasional e-mails, they will alert you for sales they have. And I do see RS manuals and materials come up for sale here and at CathSwap.



Also, there is a Yahoo list for RS and people advertise used RS manuals and materials often there. I have bought my stuff new but have sold it there easily. And many of the manipulatives are not exclusive to RS so if you already have geoboards, for example, you don't need their exact one. Their abacus is different from others, though and is key to the program so don't skimp there.

Anyway, just pointing out RS doesn't have to be $$.

I need to pull out Artistic Pursuits again. Another friend of mine recommended it and I bought it and have only done a couple of lessons. It just didn't grab us but I should give it another go. Things I have liked - the Draw, Write Now books for simple drawings just to go along with what we are reading about and the Drawing for Children books by Mona Brookes. I worked through the "older children" version of this with my older ds and was amazed at how both his and my drawing improved in just a few lessons. I've just recently pulled out the younger one for my other kids and am trying it again.

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Posted: March 02 2010 at 5:29pm | IP Logged Quote saigemom

Serendipity is creative, Catholic, and scripted.
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CrunchyMom
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Posted: March 02 2010 at 6:33pm | IP Logged Quote CrunchyMom

Scripted to me would imply a teacher's manual with numbered lessons that would easily translate to Day 1, Day 2, etc..., preferably with directions for instruction.

I, too, find Right Start to be easy to use in that way. I wish that creative approaches translated more easily to that format. Of course, in part, the "creative" label often indicates some flexibility. Booklists are great, but when mom is frazzled, it can be hard to wrap your head around making sure all the books are available at the time you want to use them (especially if you are using the library) and knowing what supplies you want to use on a particular day. I can certainly see the benefit of lessons already laid out with a materials list and a general progression of what the day's lesson will look like.

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JennGM
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Posted: March 02 2010 at 6:41pm | IP Logged Quote JennGM

SeaStar wrote:
Sound Beginnings

Jenn, I really don't know much about this program, but I liked what I just read about it. Can you give me an example of a typical day using this program at your house?


I know you asked me a few days ago, but I'm just getting around to answering. First of all, full disclosure, there is no "typical" day. And that is what makes it nice to have the scripted lessons, laid out by Day so I can open it up at any time and know where I am.

I picked this because I wanted the emphasis on phonics, but I also knew my son wasn't a big writer. The combination of Montessori principles, phonics emphasis, combining handwriting and spelling all in one would reinforce the phonics, but also make less writing for him.

It's been a really good fit. Although my son is a big wiggler and manipulative type of boy, this suits his type of thinking. Each letter and phonogram has sounds which he repeats as he writes. He likes categorizing and analyzing things, so understanding spelling rules and dissecting the certain types of sounds the phonograms makes is really good for him.

There are some workbook pages, but mostly everything is dictation and handwriting pages at the point where we are. We have phonogram dictation, spelling dictation, and each lesson has a new rule and reinforces previously learned material.

At the beginning is the introduction of the letters with theis sounds, learning how to write them properly. First lowercase, then Uppercase, then numbers, then on to reinforcing and new phonogram sounds.

It's all based on the Writing Road to Reading, but Julia Fogassy "translates" it for busy homeschooling moms.

Like I said, not everyone likes it, but it's a good fit for us. Ds reads well, but this is reinforcing the phonics which I want to do. I've been very pleased to watch his improvement in writing, and how proud he is to see his own improvement.

Another scripted program for young ones I highly recommend and that we're enjoying is Mary Daly's First Timeline. This has been wonderful for first grade in introducing a broad stroke of history, giving an understanding of what history and going through time and centuries (this was a transition that happened this year). Every history figure has a picture to color. There are options for a fold out timeline, or individual sheets for each. We're using both. Again, my son doesn't like too much coloring or writing, but he's enjoying this, especially since his patron saint was in the lineup.

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Becky Parker
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Posted: March 03 2010 at 6:53am | IP Logged Quote Becky Parker

Jennifer,
don't mean to go off topic here but thanks for posting the link to First Timeline. It looks like just the thing we need around here! Could it be used for older kids too, or would it be just for the 1st grade crowd?

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JennGM
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Posted: March 03 2010 at 9:58am | IP Logged Quote JennGM

Becky Parker wrote:
Jennifer,
don't mean to go off topic here but thanks for posting the link to First Timeline. It looks like just the thing we need around here! Could it be used for older kids too, or would it be just for the 1st grade crowd?


The writing doesn't talk down, so anyone would enjoy it. I think Mary Daly does suggest supplements to flesh out if the older children are doing it. It could be a period/person a week (there are 36), delving in a little of the period, some hands-on activities and other reading to flesh it out. We love talking about each one, so if you did it as a family I think it would be very enjoyable.

For us, we did it simply. If I could find pictures on the Internet to give more visuals, that was helpful.

Alicia Van Hecke created some picture book ideas to supplement...it's not complete. I was trying to think of other picture books where the list stops.

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Becky Parker
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Posted: March 03 2010 at 10:00am | IP Logged Quote Becky Parker

Thanks Jenn! As I mentioned earlier, my kids do alot of drawing when I read to them from various historical fiction type books, but this would make a great spine as we go along!

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