Hard Copy of a Book is Better than Online Reading

Steph comments:

You mentioned the suggestion of having a hard copy even if it is online.

I just heard on Sacred Heart radio -( EWTN/St.Joseph radio) that there was a study done on reading comprehension. Reading online is NOT good for some kids. Something about holding it an actual book, working other areas of stimulation. ( the heaviness, smells, touch etc) helped comprehension. Don't read this as a blanket statement.. but for some kids having an actual book in hand really helps.

I said:

The marketing of RC is very poor. I passed it up in 2004. Now, that I am using it, I am very impressed with the book choice especially on Economics (which is my graduate degree). I also like the rationale of the mental discipline of math
if your children will be pursuing the science and graduate studies. I also like that the books are not too technical and scholarly but enjoyable to their reading levels. I do not worry about workbooks etc. I am not pressured to fit a curriculum to my lifestyle. And, with highly sensitive, RADish and ADHD children, they do not get "stressed out".

In the beginning, I just had second thoughts on how I can address my goals for a Catholic education for my children as a priority. I came to the conclusion that if I can immerse it through their essays and bring up their reading level so
they handle the actual Catechism of the Church, the bible, Catholic literature in raw form. Also, I incorporated what the Catholic HS providers are aiming in giving a superior Catholic education.

I do not think though this curriculum will fit everyone. But, the results for my emotionally challenged children are amazing. And, it is very affordable. I did not have to spend over $1,000 to educate the 8 kids. You just need a laser
printer and the desire to go "thrift shopping" for vintage books.

God Bless,
Joy

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Teach Science After Calculus

In my Catholic large family discussion group, Patti made a comment on Science in college.

I wrote:

"Science is after calculus. I know this will create dissent. But, I have no problems with it. I do not stop the kids from enjoying nature and reading about it in the encyclopedia. There is just no formal study until after calculus."

Patti comments:

Actually, being a chemical engineer major in college (although I met my dh and decided that was NOT what I wanted for my life anymore ;-), I tend to agree about the formal study of science AFTER the study of mathematics. I believe that SERIOUS study of the sciences is very difficult without the proper mathematical background...too much must be taken for granted and not fully understood (particularly in physics and chemistry, but even to an extent in the other sciences). The Apologia high school series has math requirements for each level...but I even think they are a little lenient in this regard.

This all being said, I love the Apologia younger series for an introduction to science from a natural science point of view. This can be easily understood, particularly when you bring the Creator into it, without higher math. I'm sure there are plenty of other series that focus on natural sciences that can be used for younger children....I just happen to like this series -- we're even lapbooking it this year!

I personally love the idea of TJE and Robinson....I actually own the Robinson curriculum. But I have problems implementing it with our learning issues here (two dysgraphic, highly kinesthetic learners). But I keep hoping for a child that it will work well with....still have four that have yet to be determined ;-)

Blessings,
Patti

Catholic Homeschool and Self Teaching

I like the Robinson Curriculum Book Sequence. I feel no pressure or resistance from the kids. I am very tempted to use the book sequence of other Catholic homeschool curriculum providers but for now I will stick with RC to put other "variables constant".

I am of course adding one hour to the mandated 5 hour a day studying. I added Catholic Studies/Bible/Catechism/Literature. So our family is doing 6 hours a day.

My goals are to train them the habit to self-teach themselves and not be afraid to handle old, thick books and actual historical writings/memoirs/documents. Before, my kids were averse to old prints and they prefer the glossy, shiny
attractive books. Now, they appreciate books that are yellowish, thick and in the early 1900s. When I am able to buy a vintage book, their eyes widen and lit up. Again, the goal is for them to critically analyze history through actual
historical documents and make their own conclusions. I recall doing that in college with my history professors. I hated it because I was not used to the smell of old books. But, the lesson that I got was clear: history is from the perspective of the writer.

I want to bring up their reading level to the point where they can handle college and graduate studies work. The results of their reading manifest greatly in their essays. Their choice of words are improving. In correcting their essays, they see the pattern in their errors in writing. So learning grammar is in the reverse. Grammar studies are from "parts to whole". In this approach, it is from "whole to parts". Either way is good.

In terms of critical analysis and reading comprehension skills, I sort of do a check when I discuss the books with them but not to challenge them but to engage them in an intellectual discussion. I want them to be able to study and learn
as much as they want without me (but of course I know what they are reading). I like our discussions after I implemented the program for two months because I do not have to go down to their level. They go up to where I am.

The 6-hour schedule for me a day is already rigorous. But, remember it is 6 days a week, year round. The rationale for that is it takes time for your brain to gear up after a long vacation. WIth a five day schedule, by Friday you feel like already doing a TGIF thing and your concentration drops dramatically. The mandated 5 hour in RC aims for you to do chores and other interests the rest of the day so it does not all accumulate on a Saturday.

On Math, it is time-based for 2 hours. Some kids can do 2 lessons a day. But, the average is 1 lesson per day after 1.5 hours. So, I encourage them to proceed to the next lesson but they don't follow me and just stick with one lesson. They must be already drained by one lesson. The older kids say that they can go faster but with the 5% error rate they do not want to take the chance of repeating the lesson again, so they rather work slow.

It is a tough call on delaying science. But, the rationale behind it is the "real science" requires a solid understanding of high level math.

Explaining the Catholic Robinson Curriculum to Fellow Catholics

Karen, a discussion group member in my yahoo group, has this question for me.

Joy --

It sounds like you are following the Thomas Jefferson Education
model...with two hours of math, writing, and reading. Is that so? I
don't know any more about it than that idea. Can you tell me more
about how it works and what material/curriculum you are using?

Thanks!!!


Blessings,

Karen
+AMDG+

Karen,

Thomas Jefferson Education, Robinson Curriculum and A2 sort of use the same method. You focus on the 3 R's - math, writing, reading. There is no lesson plan and syllabus. You just go through the sequence of books recommended. I follow more the Robinson Curriculum and I joined the Catholic Robinson Curriculum group where we discuss any "questionable books" in the book sequence.

You put 2 hours to math, 2 hours to reading, 1 hour to essay writing.

Children under 10 do copywork for essay. Children under 3rd grade do their phonics and math facts review.

You do not teach. You guide them to self-teach. You can let them narrate to you to give you feedback or you can do activities with them. However, the 5 hours required must focus on the 3'Rs using "self-teaching". You train them to
acquire the habits of self-teaching, Monday to Saturday, year round.

The book recommendations of the above proponents are literature-based, living history, actual historical documents, classics. You can do the program without any cost to you except the printer costs. All the books are available online for free. But, it is recommended you have a hard copy of the book. For me, reading online gives a false illusion to the child - one page at a time. It makes them have phobia with thick books. So, I hunt the books at thrift shops, ebay and amazon or library so they can actually experience a thick book and not be afraid of it.

Their book list is engaging (so far) to my ADHD and RADish kids. There were occasions where they wanted to quit on the first few chapters but I encourage them and tell them that it gets better on the next few chapters. So far, it did. After finishing the book, some like it, some do not like it as much except for some parts. I use that as a teaching moment to tell them that they have to learn to handle books that are not interesting for them but considered of great literary value. All of them are excited about their next books.

RC uses Saxon Math for the mental discipline of doing 30 to 60 exercises a day with 5% error rate. I think of it as putting the "math muscle" in your brains. When they take SAT, they will persevere (or have the mental discipline) because they are used to the long hours of computing and problem solving taking into account "accuracy".

Vocabulary is taken from the recommended literature from Grades 3-12. Same goes with grammar and spelling. There is no formal instruction unless there are obvious difficulties. But, I try not to worry about that until they progress in their reading list.

The Essay part is a minimum of one page a day for one hour. Average is 2-3 pages a day. Topics can be their own choosing or sometimes I give them prompts. I think the goal is to write effortlessly and make it part of their daily routine.

I added one hour to reading Catholic literature/scriptures/saints/catechism. I avoid "short stories" but use the reading lists of all Catholic homeschool curriculum providers.

In the afternoon, the older kids study for AP Tests for an hour.

Sometimes, kids read 2 different books within the 2 hour frame. I now require them to spend 30 minutes on a topic of their choice using Encyclopedia Britannica and Book of Knowledge (1920's).

Science is after calculus. I know this will create dissent. But, I have no problems with it. I do not stop the kids from enjoying nature and reading about it in the encyclopedia. There is just no formal study until after calculus.

The reading list for this method is available online for free except the Catholic literature.

http://www.hstreasures.com/robinsoncurriculum.html

You have to be in the room to make this program work though or it won't work. If our 3 year old is too playful and distracts them, we move away to a different room or I let them go to another part of the house. My daughter who used SETON last year prefer RC method but still reads the required literature for SETON and MODG on top of her RC books.

The rest of the day is devoted to chores and what other areas of interest they want to pursue -->creating chaos :).

God Bless,
Joy


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