Greetings, I just wanted tell you that no matter what program you pick for math as they get older expect math to take at least an hour per day. This is pretty standard. Also I used Saxon currently and I used Saxon for years with my older ones. When we switched around I never found a program as solid and that I felt my kids absorbed the concepts as well. Trust me in 15yrs of homeschooling I have tried all the programs. It's not the curriculum that's taking so long it's the change in involvement of the type of math concepts being learned at this age. We usually start our day with math and then do a fun light subject right after to kinda give a brain break.
Thank you so much for this! Being a new homeschooling I am still learning and adjusting. I love hearing comments and testimonials like this. Saxon is a very strong math program and we are going to stick with it. 🥰
Saxon seems so amazing, but also very intimidating! In 2 years I'll be utilizing Teaching Textbooks at that stage for math because I lack the ability to teach advanced math, but also because my homeschool co-op has families of 3-8 children and the mamas praise this curriculum for freeing up their time to be available for everyone, and the program offers tutoring help and keeps track of grades. If your child is advanced in math, you can move up half a year and it's on par as far as testing goes. It's truly what I need to keep homeschooling! ❤️
Yes !! We’re I am so happy you guys found a math that works in your homeschool! I think overall finding a math curriculum was the hardest thing for me. I am happy I don’t have to teach or grade Saxon anymore either lol 😆
Math takes us long too and I totally know what you mean about the balance of cutting out problems to make it go quicker but not too much that they don’t get the foundation they need. Also, I’ve been looking into Hoffman academy too for Larissa…glad to know it’s working well!
Yes !!! I really am starting to think it is just math at these higher levels 😩. We are just going to stick it through !!! And I think Larissa would love Hoffman Academy! The games and videos are really good.
I love how Brielle loves writing!!! My 4th grade son refuses to write more then a few sentences or a paragraph 😪 He was in Public school until last year and they didn’t focus much on writing obviously. Any suggestions on curriculum for kids who despise writing?
I think we tend to spend more time taking the subjects we love. I like writing and math so I spend most of my time there. Social studies are so boring for me personally. I find math fun and challenging.
I hear math is just one of those things that take more time as kids get older. I'm not there yet but it's just what I heard regardless of curriculum! Looks like there was a lot of wins this year 🙌❤️
Thank you so much Gina !!! Guess what I am watching your videos right now lol 😂 But yes I am starting to see it really isn’t the curriculum but the math at this level. I have seen a lot of recent videos of moms complaining about the same thing. I am really grateful for the wins we have had this year too. 🥰
I have a 5th grader and it takes him at least 45 minutes up to 1.5 hours. We are using Learn Math Fast as our spine and TGATB as additional practice for reference. It’s definitely going to take longer the deeper the kiddos get into advanced math.
Math is a beast! We use Saxon 7/6 and it takes about a solid hour. I switched to only doing odds or evens and I have him do the warmup questions first thing in the morning to try and break up the lessons a bit.
Is it weird that I've always kind of loved diagramming sentences? Looks like you guys read some really awesome history books this past semester--I look forward to getting to read longer books when my boys grow!
It is so fun ! I really enjoyed teaching and learning diagraming sentences too. My daughter does really love Rod and Staff hopefully we can pick it back up in the future. It has been so much fun with reading with my older daughter now but I still do get a good mix between toddler books and middle grade books. 😆
We are using workbooks for adding/subtraction and multiplication for second grade and I do believe that the program at the younger years doesn’t really matter. My daughter is now taking about 35 minutes to do math now because of new concepts. I probably will go to Saxon(or another program) for next year. I think math is just a bear no matter what program you use if your child isn’t naturally talented in it. I have been doing bad for fine arts. We had craft kits from Michaels for the holidays so I like we at least had art. Hahaha! Now I need to do hands on science experiments.
Yes I feel you I have definitely been bad in the fine arts department too lol !!! Hopefully we can get better next semester. And yes I just think at this point Math is math 😩
I just can't do Saxon with my kids because my mom used Saxon for me... and I am so sick of it (homeschool alumni.) Such a silly reason LOL!! But I'm almost 40 and back then there was only Saxon and Abeka so I'm excited about all the new stuff out there!!
I don’t blame you at all for not working on Science, Art and Music as much. We really do so much with the basics and it is hard to find time to do it all. You are doing an awesome job!
Have you done a video on your daily schedule for your eldest daughter? I am just in the process of planning our 2023 year (we school January to December in NZ) and I am struggling with finding a way to fit everything in, without the stress of constantly telling her to hurry up because the morning is nearly over. I would be interested to hear how you manage to achieve so much.
I really need to make an updated schedule and routine video soon. We have changed it up a lot since the beginning of the school year. But trust me I get it I feel like there are not enough hours in the day to fit all of it on too. 😩
Kiwi here too, been homeschooling 4 kids for 8 years. Have you looked into unit studies? I make my own or purchase them, and they cover pretty much every subject except math. Otherwise just combining subjects, eg read a page of a history story to them, they can write a sentence/ paragraph about it, and if you're working on grammar, they can circle any nouns etc. Then they can illustrate it. So you've combined history, language arts and art. I also don't do every subject every day, we only do math 3 days a week. Sometimes only 2.
I am going to look into the handwriting without tears for my 7 year old. After seeing an xray years ago of a 4 year Olds hand vs a 7 year Olds hand we don't focus on a formal handwriting curriculum until they are 7/ 7.5 and focus instead on fine and gross hand motor skills, she's getting more interested in doing handwriting in a book though, do the kids write in the book? Or do you need a separate book for them to do the writing in?
How do you make time for creative writing along with IEW? Does she take initiative on her own and do it in her own time, or does the creative writing branch off of something else you are using?
My daughter loves writing in the afternoon along with doing her independent reading. We finish our school days around 2pm so during her free time before dinner she spends alot of time with her creative writing. We don’t do tv or technology till 6:00pm on our school days as well. 😊
We do not follow any curriculum with her creative writing she writes whatever she wants. I love watching her come up with all of her topics and figure out her plot, rising conflict, and conclusion to her stories all on her own. 😊
We are also doing God’s Design Heaven and Earth. MB has video lessons for the physics book. I wish they had it for heaven and earth too! I would be interested in seeing how you schedule and do your lessons. We’ve been also trying to figure out better ways to fit it in. What are some of your favorite TPT resources for this curriculum?
I really wish this science level did have a video component too. I think it would be great. I don’t have a specific account I use on TPT I just pick the freebies lol 😆
Great update. I love your openness about what you feel isn't working for you.
Greetings, I just wanted tell you that no matter what program you pick for math as they get older expect math to take at least an hour per day. This is pretty standard. Also I used Saxon currently and I used Saxon for years with my older ones. When we switched around I never found a program as solid and that I felt my kids absorbed the concepts as well. Trust me in 15yrs of homeschooling I have tried all the programs. It's not the curriculum that's taking so long it's the change in involvement of the type of math concepts being learned at this age. We usually start our day with math and then do a fun light subject right after to kinda give a brain break.
Thank you so much for this! Being a new homeschooling I am still learning and adjusting. I love hearing comments and testimonials like this. Saxon is a very strong math program and we are going to stick with it. 🥰
Love your videos just subscribed
Love it. Thank you so much. ☺️
Her creative writing books she’s done are SO impressive. What an accomplishment ❤️
Wonderful video as always! You inspire me! I am getting organized now as we are finishing up our holiday break!
Aww thank you !!! Yes I am ready to get back on the saddle too !! We have been so lazy over here lol 😂
Just found your channel and I’m so excited to discover the rest of your content :)
I love how you bound her writing, such a nice keepsake!
I really hope she enjoys reading her writing when she is older 🥰
Saxon seems so amazing, but also very intimidating! In 2 years I'll be utilizing Teaching Textbooks at that stage for math because I lack the ability to teach advanced math, but also because my homeschool co-op has families of 3-8 children and the mamas praise this curriculum for freeing up their time to be available for everyone, and the program offers tutoring help and keeps track of grades. If your child is advanced in math, you can move up half a year and it's on par as far as testing goes. It's truly what I need to keep homeschooling! ❤️
Yes !! We’re I am so happy you guys found a math that works in your homeschool! I think overall finding a math curriculum was the hardest thing for me. I am happy I don’t have to teach or grade Saxon anymore either lol 😆
For math look up Shorman online curriculum may be exactly what you need.
Math takes us long too and I totally know what you mean about the balance of cutting out problems to make it go quicker but not too much that they don’t get the foundation they need. Also, I’ve been looking into Hoffman academy too for Larissa…glad to know it’s working well!
Yes !!! I really am starting to think it is just math at these higher levels 😩. We are just going to stick it through !!! And I think Larissa would love Hoffman Academy! The games and videos are really good.
I love how Brielle loves writing!!! My 4th grade son refuses to write more then a few sentences or a paragraph 😪
He was in Public school until last year and they didn’t focus much on writing obviously. Any suggestions on curriculum for kids who despise writing?
I think we tend to spend more time taking the subjects we love. I like writing and math so I spend most of my time there. Social studies are so boring for me personally. I find math fun and challenging.
I hear math is just one of those things that take more time as kids get older. I'm not there yet but it's just what I heard regardless of curriculum! Looks like there was a lot of wins this year 🙌❤️
Thank you so much Gina !!! Guess what I am watching your videos right now lol 😂 But yes I am starting to see it really isn’t the curriculum but the math at this level. I have seen a lot of recent videos of moms complaining about the same thing. I am really grateful for the wins we have had this year too. 🥰
I have a 5th grader and it takes him at least 45 minutes up to 1.5 hours. We are using Learn Math Fast as our spine and TGATB as additional practice for reference. It’s definitely going to take longer the deeper the kiddos get into advanced math.
Math is a beast! We use Saxon 7/6 and it takes about a solid hour. I switched to only doing odds or evens and I have him do the warmup questions first thing in the morning to try and break up the lessons a bit.
Yes we have been doing the same thing and it has taken the edge off as well. You are so right math is definitely a beast at these levels. 🙈
Is it weird that I've always kind of loved diagramming sentences? Looks like you guys read some really awesome history books this past semester--I look forward to getting to read longer books when my boys grow!
It is so fun ! I really enjoyed teaching and learning diagraming sentences too. My daughter does really love Rod and Staff hopefully we can pick it back up in the future. It has been so much fun with reading with my older daughter now but I still do get a good mix between toddler books and middle grade books. 😆
Your daughter just continues to blow me away! I feel like she is going to be a famous writer one day 😊
We are using workbooks for adding/subtraction and multiplication for second grade and I do believe that the program at the younger years doesn’t really matter. My daughter is now taking about 35 minutes to do math now because of new concepts. I probably will go to Saxon(or another program) for next year. I think math is just a bear no matter what program you use if your child isn’t naturally talented in it.
I have been doing bad for fine arts. We had craft kits from Michaels for the holidays so I like we at least had art. Hahaha! Now I need to do hands on science experiments.
Yes I feel you I have definitely been bad in the fine arts department too lol !!! Hopefully we can get better next semester. And yes I just think at this point Math is math 😩
Unfortunately, math means tears for my 8 year old. It may only get worse. I am hoping it is a maturity issue.
Great video, but did I miss your read aloud reviews...lol? I love those, you give get suggestions.
Could you do a video on Rod & Staff? I want to find some thrifted or used Rod&Staff in hopes to use it next school year for English and Grammar
I just can't do Saxon with my kids because my mom used Saxon for me... and I am so sick of it (homeschool alumni.)
Such a silly reason LOL!! But I'm almost 40 and back then there was only Saxon and Abeka so I'm excited about all the new stuff out there!!
I heard IEW does have that grading component, but I might completely wrong. (But I definitely remember hearing it somewhere along the way.)
You are right !! I just found out that they do have a grading with there online or live writing classes. I might do this in the future.
I enjoyed this video and found it much easier to listen to since there was not background music.
According to the classes they offer they do have the option to have your papers graded. That package is slightly more.
I just found it online today and yes it is a little bit pricey but I think especially for high school it would be worth it !!!
I don’t blame you at all for not working on Science, Art and Music as much. We really do so much with the basics and it is hard to find time to do it all. You are doing an awesome job!
Have you done a video on your daily schedule for your eldest daughter? I am just in the process of planning our 2023 year (we school January to December in NZ) and I am struggling with finding a way to fit everything in, without the stress of constantly telling her to hurry up because the morning is nearly over. I would be interested to hear how you manage to achieve so much.
I really need to make an updated schedule and routine video soon. We have changed it up a lot since the beginning of the school year. But trust me I get it I feel like there are not enough hours in the day to fit all of it on too. 😩
Kiwi here too, been homeschooling 4 kids for 8 years. Have you looked into unit studies? I make my own or purchase them, and they cover pretty much every subject except math. Otherwise just combining subjects, eg read a page of a history story to them, they can write a sentence/ paragraph about it, and if you're working on grammar, they can circle any nouns etc. Then they can illustrate it. So you've combined history, language arts and art. I also don't do every subject every day, we only do math 3 days a week. Sometimes only 2.
I am going to look into the handwriting without tears for my 7 year old. After seeing an xray years ago of a 4 year Olds hand vs a 7 year Olds hand we don't focus on a formal handwriting curriculum until they are 7/ 7.5 and focus instead on fine and gross hand motor skills, she's getting more interested in doing handwriting in a book though, do the kids write in the book? Or do you need a separate book for them to do the writing in?
How do you make time for creative writing along with IEW? Does she take initiative on her own and do it in her own time, or does the creative writing branch off of something else you are using?
My daughter loves writing in the afternoon along with doing her independent reading. We finish our school days around 2pm so during her free time before dinner she spends alot of time with her creative writing. We don’t do tv or technology till 6:00pm on our school days as well. 😊
For her Creative Writing, does she just write what she chooses to write about, or do you follow a separate curriculum or list of topics for that?
We do not follow any curriculum with her creative writing she writes whatever she wants. I love watching her come up with all of her topics and figure out her plot, rising conflict, and conclusion to her stories all on her own. 😊
How do you incorporate her creative write in her schedule?
After school is done or during school ?
She does creative writing in the afternoon along with piano.
We are also doing God’s Design Heaven and Earth. MB has video lessons for the physics book. I wish they had it for heaven and earth too! I would be interested in seeing how you schedule and do your lessons. We’ve been also trying to figure out better ways to fit it in. What are some of your favorite TPT resources for this curriculum?
I really wish this science level did have a video component too. I think it would be great. I don’t have a specific account I use on TPT I just pick the freebies lol 😆