Homeschooling Parents

[MissBrattified]

Hey, Rico, scratch the ordering tests thing...they have a free online diagnostic test. You have to register first, and I haven't used them myself, but its worth checking out.

http://www.schooloftomorrow.com/Default.aspx#

Scroll about halfway down, under "Student Placement", and click on "Free Online Diagnostic Test."

Make sure your browser allows pop-ups for the website before you try it.

--Okay, I registered myself...it doesn't work very well in Firefox, but IE works fine. I had to register, close the box, then log in before it would allow me to choose a subject and grade level. I would start the test at 1st grade and let her go as far as she can. (That way she has a lot of right answers under her belt before she starts having difficulty with anything--it's a self-esteem thing. )

If nothing else, Rico, you can observe the test, and jot down notes about which areas she seems to struggle with most, and then just help her with those areas. I would not help her with the test whatsoever. Anything she doesn't know the answer to or needs help discovering the answer to is material she needs to cover or review. Let her do it on her own, and be a silent (but interested) observer.

I recommend www.funbrain.com. There are math games kids can play according to their grade level. Some of the "arcade" games require quick estimating and basic conceptual skills. My girls never suspected a thing. LOL!

-----> Link to the Math Arcade at FunBrain

[Rico]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Hey, Rico, scratch the ordering tests thing...they have a free online diagnostic test. You have to register first, and I haven't used them myself, but its worth checking out.

http://www.schooloftomorrow.com/Default.aspx#

Scroll about halfway down, under "Student Placement", and click on "Free Online Diagnostic Test."

Make sure your browser allows pop-ups for the website before you try it.

--Okay, I registered myself...it doesn't work very well in Firefox, but IE works fine. I had to register, close the box, then log in before it would allow me to choose a subject and grade level. I would start the test at 1st grade and let her go as far as she can. (That way she has a lot of right answers under her belt before she starts having difficulty with anything--it's a self-esteem thing. )

If nothing else, Rico, you can observe the test, and jot down notes about which areas she seems to struggle with most, and then just help her with those areas. I would not help her with the test whatsoever. Anything she doesn't know the answer to or needs help discovering the answer to is material she needs to cover or review. Let her do it on her own, and be a silent (but interested) observer.

I recommend www.funbrain.com. There are math games kids can play according to their grade level. Some of the "arcade" games require quick estimating and basic conceptual skills. My girls never suspected a thing. LOL!

-----> Link to the Math Arcade at FunBrain

Funbrain is one of the "play" things I am going to encourage her to do. I checked it out and they make a game out of what they do. You are right. She will never know what's really going on! lol

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Rico

Funbrain is one of the "play" things I am going to encourage her to do. I checked it out and they make a game out of what they do. You are right. She will never know what's really going on! lol

Hello!!! I think you are actually ignoring me.

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...36&postcount=4

Rico,
The only thing you need to know as a parent or teacher is - Does the child understand all math concepts at her grade level?

Math is a science which never changes. The fundamentals of math DO NOT EVER change.

You need to know if she knows the fundamentals of math since she is still in the elementary level. You are catching this early.

Peggy Kaye's books have all fundamental concepts in game form. Easy, enjoyable and FREE through the Library system.

You then would need to satisfy the both of you by knowing if she can do the seatwork required after understanding the fundamentals. Hence the Steck-Vaughn book I referenced.

That's it. It is not hard.

As much as you hate homeschooling, Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer and eventually the President of the United States of America by sitting in front of his fireplace reading. It is that simple.

She could possibly be hung up on Division not realizing it is the same as Subtraction is to Addition. Fractions won't be learned unless she plays with them - cutting out diagrams or measuring with cups and spoons.

Get a game - get a workbook with short lessons.

That's all you have to do. It is that simple.

If you go with all these other companies you are going to get bogged down, especially since you are not going to homeschool.

Play a game - work the math - test the concept.

It is that easy, Rico.

You can do all of this for less than $40 which would probably including the shipping.

The funny thing is that I am against homeschooling children just for the sake of homeschooling them. I think a person can really mess their kids up that way.

Bad pastors can mess up a church.
Bad mechanics can mess up your car.
Bad presidents can have "relations" in the White House.
Bad parents can mess up children.
Bad husbands can mess up a marriage.
Bad wives can mess up a marriage.


Just something to think about.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Hello!!! I think you are actually ignoring me.

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...36&postcount=4

Rico,
The only thing you need to know as a parent or teacher is - Does the child understand all math concepts at her grade level?

Math is a science which never changes. The fundamentals of math DO NOT EVER change.

You need to know if she knows the fundamentals of math since she is still in the elementary level. You are catching this early.

Peggy Kaye's books have all fundamental concepts in game form. Easy, enjoyable and FREE through the Library system.

You then would need to satisfy the both of you by knowing if she can do the seatwork required after understanding the fundamentals. Hence the Steck-Vaughn book I referenced.

That's it. It is not hard.

As much as you hate homeschooling, Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer and eventually the President of the United States of America by sitting in front of his fireplace reading. It is that simple.

She could possibly be hung up on Division not realizing it is the same as Subtraction is to Addition. Fractions won't be learned unless she plays with them - cutting out diagrams or measuring with cups and spoons.

Get a game - get a workbook with short lessons.

That's all you have to do. It is that simple.

If you go with all these other companies you are going to get bogged down, especially since you are not going to homeschool.

Play a game - work the math - test the concept.

It is that easy, Rico.

You can do all of this for less than $40 which would probably including the shipping.


Bad pastors can mess up a church.
Bad mechanics can mess up your car.
Bad presidents can have "relations" in the White House.
Bad parents can mess up children.
Bad husbands can mess up a marriage.
Bad wives can mess up a marriage.


Just something to think about.

I'm not ignoring you or your advice. Matterwitchu? I checked into the Peggy Kaye book. In fact, I think I posted about it being very reasonably priced. It's on my list of stuff to include.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Rico

I'm not ignoring you or your advice. Matterwitchu? I checked into the Peggy Kaye book. In fact, I think I posted about it being very reasonably priced. It's on my list of stuff to include.

LOL!

I'm glad you are going to get the Peggy Kaye book.

Here is another set of reinforcing workbooks that are inexpensive and fun to work. Each concept is covered separately. You can use these if you don't want to do the Steck-Vaugh.

I've used these and I really like them. The site let's you take a look inside the workbooks.

http://www.keypress.com/x6469.xml

Why I am against testing with a company you are not going to use is that I have seen parents remain confused as it still doesn't line up with their public school. I only see the advantage if you are placing them in that particular homeschool curriculum. JMO.

Game - seatwork - test. Nothing could be more simple.

Let us know what you do and how it turns out. I have a busy week ahead - praying for you!

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

praying for you!

Thank you. I feel like I am headed for an uphill climb. Actually, I think what I am going to do is utilize a variety of free diagnostic tests I have found on the web so far (thanks to all you homeschooling mommies ). We'll probly spend the better part of a day taking tests, but I want to get a good idea of where she is and where she should be.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Rico

Thank you. I feel like I am headed for an uphill climb. Actually, I think what I am going to do is utilize a variety of free diagnostic tests I have found on the web so far (thanks to all you homeschooling mommies ). We'll probly spend the better part of a day taking tests, but I want to get a good idea of where she is and where she should be.

You are welcome!

Not an uphill climb at all. You just need to realize that your tax dollars were wasted as you see that each student is an individual case and they did not have time for your daughter.

Okay, I'm stopping.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Why I am against testing with a company you are not going to use is that I have seen parents remain confused as it still doesn't line up with their public school. I only see the advantage if you are placing them in that particular homeschool curriculum. JMO.

This is a good point, mainly because many curriculums are ultra basic through elementary school and then add on the challenging math in jr. high/high school as totally new concepts--others integrate basic algebra, geometry concepts, etc. from the first grade.

Most curriculums line out in the end, meaning if you use it 1st - 12th, the child will still know what he/she needs to know by the time they graduate. But if you compare to public school curriculum, they can be ahead or behind at any given point. (Behind and ahead being relative concepts.)

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

This is a good point, mainly because many curriculums are ultra basic through elementary school and then add on the challenging math in jr. high/high school as totally new concepts--others integrate basic algebra, geometry concepts, etc. from the first grade.

Most curriculums line out in the end, meaning if you use it 1st - 12th, the child will still know what he/she needs to know by the time they graduate. But if you compare to public school curriculum, they can be ahead or behind at any given point. (Behind and ahead being relative concepts.)

You are right - in the end they do cover everything. It's hard to change in midstream from one to another. I never used just one company. I found what was required by my State and found what I felt would work for us.

www.vegsource.com/homeschool, which you already know about, is an awesome swap tool and allows you to see what the experienced homeschoolers are using in the country. I love and utilized that site for 15 years. Now, I am finished! But I like to help others, if I can.