Confessions to Encourage Each Other

[bean]

Jennifer-If the Susan Anthony spelling follows the Spelling Plus format basically you are doing a say,spell, say activity as in TS and copying the words several times. Since I couldn't see inside the book, all I could see were the lists, I didn't see any activities. The lists were taken from the top misspelled words rather than lists of words with common phonograms though, like I said, I am not familiar with the program and couldn't see lessons. SWO really studies words with similar spellings and incorporates reading of their words. As I mentioned in the previous paragraph after lists are covered in a spelling lesson requiring students to spell those words correctly in other subjects must be the expectation, complete with making students correct all words spelled wrong.

This High School book is the top misspelled words, which is exactly what we needed. The younger book "Spell Well" may be organized around phonograms, but I don't want to say for sure because I've never seen it IRL. Dd learned to read and did do some spelling with the vintage book Classical Phonics is based on (before CP existed), and she was solid with her phonograms.

I misspoke- I did alter the program a little and have her use a dictionary to break up the words into syllables for the "write" part of the trace, say, spell, and write part of the daily exercises.

[Michelle T]

Bean- Sounds like it was just what you needed at the time. Glad it worked well.

[AggieFrau08]

Confession: We did not finish math, StoryTime Treasures, or TS 1. I was severely burnt out from our co-op and constant illness and just needed the break more than we needed to finish those last few lessons.

I also feel a little bit like I’ve done my second child a disservice due to my gifted, but ADHD oldest child taking up the lion’s share of my attention. DS2 will be 5 next month, but we’re doing Jr K with him because I haven’t gotten him ready for K yet. Hopefully this year with less outside commitments will go more smoothly!

[Mom2mthj]

This High School book is the top misspelled words, which is exactly what we needed. The younger book "Spell Well" may be organized around phonograms, but I don't want to say for sure because I've never seen it IRL. Dd learned to read and did do some spelling with the vintage book Classical Phonics is based on (before CP existed), and she was solid with her phonograms.

I misspoke- I did alter the program a little and have her use a dictionary to break up the words into syllables for the "write" part of the trace, say, spell, and write part of the daily exercises.

Bean,

Thanks for sharing this! My 11 yo started working through spelling plus, but I have been debating on what to use for my soon to be 14yo. One of my confessions is what a terrible job I have done with spelling. I like the modification of looking up the word to divide it into syllables.

[Mom2mthj]

I might be here all night to share my confessions...luckily not finishing the math book in a year, not giving my children the tests for Classical Studies or Literature, and almost never finishing the end of a core doesn’t qualify as a mortal sin requiring an actual confession. I would be in BIG trouble if that were the case. Seriously, after about 12 years of homeschooling I have come to the conclusion that it is important to plan (I didn’t do so well at that this year, some years have been better), but you need to give yourself grace if life doesn’t go to plan. Quite frequently I am on plan c or d by lunchtime ????.

Mrs. Bee, I sincerely doubt you are doing anything wrong with your kids. Last summer I stuck around for the teacher training after Sodalitas and I was amazed by what those teachers can do with a room full of students. I would have loved teacher training for one of the old one room schoolhouses. The thing is, those teachers at HLS have a room full of kids all studying the same thing while we have multiple levels, they are experienced at teaching those subjects while we might be seeing the material for the first time, and most importantly they aren’t trying to keep a toddler busy, fix lunch, and run a household. Oh, and they get paid. That is mindset you need to keep in mind when looking at the guides. There are always trade offs in life. My kids may not cover as much, but (most days) I wouldn’t trade it for my time with them every day. Also, many of us are introverts who loved curling up with a good book and it can be a real challenge to deal with conflict resolution and noise day in and day out. Rest time (for me) is a definite must for me about 2:00. God gave us these kids and I have to trust that He remembered who he was entrusting them to when he sent them my way.

[MBentley]

Confession: We did not finish math, StoryTime Treasures, or TS 1. I was severely burnt out from our co-op and constant illness and just needed the break more than we needed to finish those last few lessons.

I also feel a little bit like I’ve done my second child a disservice due to my gifted, but ADHD oldest child taking up the lion’s share of my attention. DS2 will be 5 next month, but we’re doing Jr K with him because I haven’t gotten him ready for K yet. Hopefully this year with less outside commitments will go more smoothly!

If it makes you feel any better, I kind of did (last year) what you are considering for you kiddo turning 5 next month. Mine has an early Sept birthday - meaning he turned 5 last Sept when we started. I tried to do K with him last year - not strictly MP, but I did do the R&S 1 book with him, only I didn't do it at the pace I see in the K curriculum (which I didn't have at the time). It started "ok", but once we got into some topics that requires more attention/study/patience/practice...it wasn't fun. At all. I had to nearly sit on him. He wiggled. He giggled. He zoned out. His attention span was ridiculous. He wasn't really "learning" because I couldn't turn off his "silly button". He truly needed another year of mental maturity - at minimum 6 months. After a lot of soul searching, even though his reading is going so well, even though he knows most of his math facts to the 7's, I've decided to reset the clock and do a full on K reboot. Basically I made his Pre-K pretty hard by comparison. I ordered the K curriculum and all of the enrichments and I am following it "As-Is". No changes. I even repurchased Book 1 of R&S and we are back at Lesson 1. We are going By The Book. I've started a bit early and I'm learning the ropes of K exactly. We may spend this part of the summer spreading each week into 2 weeks until we get to Sept where I'll start following the book day for day/week for week. I'm now seeing real "intellectual" growth. I'm seeing so much more attention. The lessons and the learning seems deeper this time around. He's not resisting or fighting.

I guess what I'm saying is - you really haven't missed it yet. You could easily, reasonably, treat this year as his pre-K year without feeling like you are holding him back. I read a study recently about the youngest kids in a kindergarten class having an enormous increase in ADHD classification across the board - and this really got my attention. The problem is that these younger kiddos (especially the boys) get misdiagnosed because it's a maturity problem more than anything else. Some behaviors must really change in that "year" between 5 and 6. Kids with late summer and early fall birthdays haven't had the same amount of "growing" time as their classmates. I'm seeing that first hand. The kiddo I'm working with now is not the kid I was dealing with last year this time. Rather than be the absolute youngest amongst his peers, he will be one of the older ones - and that's not a bad thing. He will still graduate at 18 - only his 19th birthday will be a few months later in the fall.

Good luck Mama.

[MBentley]

Enigma- Cheryl Lowe chose SWO after researching most programs on the market. Spelling You See was not on the market at that time as it is a newer product. You are correct there are some similarities between it and the TS program. However, SYS does not have word lists so how can the student know the benchmark he must reach? The colored chunking of phonograms is similar though different colors are used which would mean re-training. It also was a little disconcerting that at level 4 they were covering simple words with -ed, -er, and -s. Memoria Press still advocates for SWO with grammar school students because Cheryl's research determined it matched more of the things she was looking for in a program. Spelling is hard work and there is no program out there that will make it easy for students. Teachers must be consistent in their expectation of correct spelling in all work especially of words that have been covered in previous lessons. Students will always need to enforce this expectation regardless of the spelling program they use. This has been a woe of teachers through the ages! SYS has interesting stories that students copy which is excellent since we know writing and reading aid in the visual memory needed for spelling. For classrooms it would be challenging to dictate such a large section for assessment.

Reviving this.... and a new confession. I really wish I would quit trying to go my own way.

Was Cheryl ever wrong? Because I need to eat some crow because SYS did not work for my 2nd son. At all. He is so good at every other subject - literature, Math 3 (and he's in 2nd), Greek myths, Christian studies 1....but his spelling deficiencies baffle me. There are some basic spelling rules that he simply does not know - like the letter "q" is always followed by "u". I feel really foolish. It seemed like he was picking it up, but that hasn't happened. SYS was pretty, and interesting. But alas...all that glitters is not gold. Back on track now. In late April. At Lesson 1.

Thank you Michelle for this feedback you gave last year. I never forgot it. Rather than press on, I'm chunking SYS and going back to the foundation of TS2.

[happyhappyjoyjoy]

I'm glad you revived this thread. I haven't been on the forums for a long time. My biggest confession is that if it isn't on the computer it doesn't get done. That resulted in us using MPOA for most of our accountability. But elsewhere Xtramath replaced math flashcards, Sequential Spelling online replaced all spelling programs, Quizlet replaced all MP flash cards, etc. Whatever I couldn't afford with time or money on MPOA was filled in with recorded classes on Homeschool Connections. For whatever reason, the computer is our accountability. While I"ve learned to live with it, I'm also debating on forcing myself to turn over a new leaf with my soon to be K/1 He will be 5 grades under the next oldest, and I'm asking myself at what point do we just get the core and do it.

And the self-paced classes on MPOA have been a huge blessing. Twice we dropped the ball on LC with my daughter, even after paying for the streaming videos the second time around. Having the time deadlines and online quizzes has made all the difference!!!!

[pickandgrin]

Reviving this.... and a new confession. I really wish I would quit trying to go my own way.

Was Cheryl ever wrong? Because I need to eat some crow because SYS did not work for my 2nd son. At all. He is so good at every other subject - literature, Math 3 (and he's in 2nd), Greek myths, Christian studies 1....but his spelling deficiencies baffle me. There are some basic spelling rules that he simply does not know - like the letter "q" is always followed by "u". I feel really foolish. It seemed like he was picking it up, but that hasn't happened. SYS was pretty, and interesting. But alas...all that glitters is not gold. Back on track now. In late April. At Lesson 1.

Thank you Michelle for this feedback you gave last year. I never forgot it. Rather than press on, I'm chunking SYS and going back to the foundation of TS2.

Melissa,
If it's any consolation, please know that Latin work has shown to help people's spelling skills in my house. So, there's that. And, there's a lot of time to work on spelling. And, there's spell check (and grammar check and who knows what else) for adults. Latin has improved my spelling as well as my grammar.
I am a huge fan of Traditional Spelling though. I love the ordered and repetitive method each week. Littles thrive on those sorts of met expectations week by week. Only my youngest of 4 has had the privilege of using it. (And for my confession--I just looked up "privilege" to make sure I spelled it correctly. I'm 42.)

[Colomama]

Confession....is any one else totally distracted by all these 'free' new offerings?

Now that the entire world is homeschooling, lots of places are offering all sorts of cool things. I can see behind the scenes at our local zoo. I can wander through an art museum. I can sign up for super cool science experiments.

My kids have learned about train technology, world's fair inventions, and plains Indians living conditions. We've made our own magnetic compass with a paperclip (it worked, super cool). We even did a few drawing lessons with the guy from don't let the pigeon drive the bus. They have decided that watching LC1 lessons online, as adverse to our DVD's, is way cooler. And I subbed out our remaining literature for Lion, Witch and Wardrobe that they are doing online.

But is this "better"? All these public school kids are doing fun and cool. My kids are still plodding along doing the same old same old. It's like, the grass is greener on the other side.

Our days have been full of good academics this entire year. I can see the finish line. It's hazy, but it's there. Then all these new shiny things popped up between us and the finish line. They're just distractions. I feel bad for skipping them. Then, I feel bad for doing them. I do a few and our finish line gets moved further back.

Now, our local district has decided that this whole online school at home thing is "just too hard" (their actual words, I swear). So, theyve decided to just quit. Yep. Two weeks and the local kids turn in their tablets and start summer break. What?!?

My kids will be doing school through mid-June. Originally, that would've been just two weeks longer than the local kids. But now, they're tucking tail and running for the hills nearly a month early. It just seems so unfair.

So, I'm torn between the shiny promise of making school "fun" or staying the course. I know the original course is best. It's good. It's thorough. Ahhhh....but the shiny butterfly...

Surely, I'm not the only one struggling with this?

[KF2000]

Oh goodness. Yes, new distractions indeed. I have been seeing things come up like crazy, and scrolling through pics of things former schoolers are now doing that do look super fun and amazing. But I move past quickly and head back to our days. We were odd balls before, and we will continue to be so.

But it is indeed hard. It’s a lot of noise. And it challenges us even more to be clear about our choices, plans, and vision. Even before Covid, I would usually face that pressure in the spring as I looked ahead to the next year and was tempted by the sense of what my kids were “missing out on” by not being in school. It was always a really hard pull that I had to work through. But *work through it* I did - and is what I get better at as things go along. Because when I put up a blinder around my home, and I keep my mind centered on the concerns within these walls, and think only of what precious gifts I have right here, in front of me, I realize the decisions are actually quite easy.

I personally have accepted that our path as classically-educating Christian homeschoolers is never going to win popularity contests or be fun enough for the mainstream. I get that. We all know firsthand how hard it is. Now that more people are realizing how hard homeschooling is - especially when you try to do it the way they are - there is going to be a lot more conversation, I think. We may need to work harder to protect our ability to do it. But aside from that, it’s just as necessary as ever to keep our attention on our own priorities. We have so much richness to get to right here. Yes, I would love to do all the “virtual” things out there too...but at the end of the day, it’s just images. It’s still just “virtual.” It’s not an equal substitute for the REAL that we have right here at home - the tangible, physical books, paper, pencils, flash cards, and PEOPLE with who are learning and growing so much better from our daily efforts. It is a significant challenge, but it is a matter of keeping our eyes on the prize. Hang in there!

AMDG,
Sarah

[enbateau]

Ahhhh....but the shiny butterfly...

Surely, I'm not the only one struggling with this?

I wonder if as home educators we're prone to this naturally at the end of the year. A certain degree of assessment of the last year happens at about this time. Just yesterday I was looking at reviews for a new spelling program. It's not that SWO didn't mostly "do the trick," but clearly it's not translating to long-term to retention. It's funny how in watching all of the reviews, the way MP implements SWO, it provides all of the components that everything else has (say-spell-say auditory reinforcement, copywork, "activities" with the words, phonics rule or vowel & consonant team groupings), but we all want the magic bullet that is fun, effective, "independent," and doesn't involve the teacher (mom).

I also know how much relief I feel when I can plunk a book in my child's hands and send her off to a cozy reading corner with no threat of answering a question in complete sentences, no need to scaffold and encourage her to copy neatly, reread what she writes, adjust her grip, create or review flashcards, or ask her 100 times to go somewhere quiet and GO OVER YOUR STUDY GUIDE!! Seeing our children as the fallible creatures that they are, who need constant shaping, encouraging on towards obedience, diligence, & gravitas, makes us weary! There is no frustration or effort involved in popping my child in front of a video. I don't have to see her struggle, lie about having done her work, or hold her feet to the fire by limiting my independence to oversee her doing the right thing. You're not weird for finding joy in seeing pleasure on the face of your child as they virtually explore a zoo, complete a science experiment or follow step-by-step directions to build snap circuits.

Here's my takeaway: Without the normal outside-the-home activities kids are used to (mass/church, clubs, sports, field trips, even the freedom to grocery shop, play with friends, see family, etc), there *IS* room for more of these extras you mentioned. Find the ones that plug into what you're already doing in MP. We watched an incredible documentary on the HMS Endeavor on Prime Video. (World's Greatest Ships, Episode 7: Endeavor.) It tied in nicely to the Enrichment portion of the Mr. Popper's Penguins lit guide to research more about Captain Cook. It really augmented her understanding of a short ebook we read on Captain Cook. Later, she did a painting of a penguin that was incredible! So, videos, ebooks, paintings...we're adding it all in...in a way that complements what we're already doing. Get creative. We made a solar system model with found objects around the house. It turned out awesome. It was not part of the curriculum, but it syncs with MP's Astronomy.

My eldest has been reading me some Bethlehem Books on Herodotus and Galen, and I'm okay with this because we're starting FMR this summer. In the evenings, we watch Rick Steves or Drive-thru History lessons on Rome and Europe to explore the ancient sites and customs. It all adds to her background knowledge and ability to conjure up an image when she reads about ancient people, places and traditions. My eldest even asked if she could make a poster of the Greek gods/goddesses of Mt. Olympus with their Roman names for next year, and I thought that was an excellent idea...so long as she finishes strong with these last 3 weeks we have to go!

I only have two kids, so I'm free to do and allow a lot more than other parents. I think that's why it's so noble when moms know what is essential and commit to it unapologetically. My litmus test is that their "above and beyonds" cannot lead to me cleaning up more mess. They have to take ownership of the task from start to finish. It usually works.

[tanya]

Spring fever! Even in the classrooms in a normal year, we fight it. Oh, the temptation to sit outside and read our literature chapter. And oh, the failure when we come back in and no one knows what they have read! Stand tall, mom teachers, and finish strong! I think the first half of next year is going to be a wash for these poor students who have been sent home with computers and non-academic work. Think how difficult it is going to be to begin where they should in the fall. I feel for the teachers. But you have chosen another path. And right now, you can move forward in your lives without interruption, without change, without chaos. You know what you need to do, and you get to continue doing it. And when you are finished, you can relax, knowing that your work is well done, and your students are prepared for their next school year. You are the ones with the advantage here because you have chosen freely to homeschool. You are not among the stressed out parents I keep hearing about who are "forced to homeschool. I didn't sign on for this." You did sign on for this, and you are almost at the finish line for the year! So take courage, and keep moving forward. You can do it!

Tanya

[pickandgrin]

That is a good word, Tanya!

The phrase I keep repeating to myself: because we are finishing well now, we are looking toward summer with joy and fall with confidence.

And yes, I'm still having to say "no" to most everything to say "yes" to a few best things.

[MamaHill]

Confession....is any one else totally distracted by all these 'free' new offerings?

Now that the entire world is homeschooling, lots of places are offering all sorts of cool things. I can see behind the scenes at our local zoo. I can wander through an art museum. I can sign up for super cool science experiments.

My kids have learned about train technology, world's fair inventions, and plains Indians living conditions. We've made our own magnetic compass with a paperclip (it worked, super cool). We even did a few drawing lessons with the guy from don't let the pigeon drive the bus. They have decided that watching LC1 lessons online, as adverse to our DVD's, is way cooler. And I subbed out our remaining literature for Lion, Witch and Wardrobe that they are doing online.

But is this "better"? All these public school kids are doing fun and cool. My kids are still plodding along doing the same old same old. It's like, the grass is greener on the other side.

Our days have been full of good academics this entire year. I can see the finish line. It's hazy, but it's there. Then all these new shiny things popped up between us and the finish line. They're just distractions. I feel bad for skipping them. Then, I feel bad for doing them. I do a few and our finish line gets moved further back.

Now, our local district has decided that this whole online school at home thing is "just too hard" (their actual words, I swear). So, theyve decided to just quit. Yep. Two weeks and the local kids turn in their tablets and start summer break. What?!?

My kids will be doing school through mid-June. Originally, that would've been just two weeks longer than the local kids. But now, they're tucking tail and running for the hills nearly a month early. It just seems so unfair.

So, I'm torn between the shiny promise of making school "fun" or staying the course. I know the original course is best. It's good. It's thorough. Ahhhh....but the shiny butterfly...

Surely, I'm not the only one struggling with this?

I truly struggle with this on a weekly basis, quarantine or no quarantine. My girls love history crafts and lapbooks and all of those types of neat educational things. They grow weary of writing answers in completel sentences in their workbooks. We used to school unit study-style, which lends itself to that type of crafty learning. And they remember it fondly!

I have no solution other than to keep my head down and pray I'm not squashing a love of learning by not doing those fun things. I don't like how often I have to say no to all of that.

So no, you're definitely not alone! ❤