hs two children; questions

[topekaclark]

Hello, we hs two children, ages 8 and 11. I admit I just started hs last year my youngest one and started the second this year. I need advice if possible.

I use abeka with both of them, I like abeka but running out of steam. I was considering next year using abeka in the subjects they are weaker in, so I can give them one on one attention. As of right now, history and science, are causing a conflict. The younger child (3rd gr) isn't a strong reader so I help her to make sure she understands what we are reading and talking about. That leves that 11 on her own basically with her history/science. I have tested her and I can tell that the cirrculumn isn't exciting to her. She also complains which is a huge sign. LOL

I was wondering two things:

1. I keep reading about theme units? I was wondering how do they work and if possible could I include both children at the same time? I worry about the age difference and obviously the 11 year old knows more so I am worried about boring her or making the younger one totattaly clueless on our lessons.

2. I heard Christian Books and Gifts have hs supplies, cheaper than ABeka. Has anyone used that and what do they think?

I did see Drive Thru History is offering a DVD collection, student and teacher workbook for $50. It's aim toward middle school years though.

I'm just trying to figure out a way to help both. The younger loves hs, the older has been in ps for a long time and she very much wants to return. God has lead us to hs both, so I want to make sure she enjoys the material. She has admitted this past 9 weeks she has learned more at home than at school. At the same time she wants a locker and the social life of school. I do have her involved in many activites, church, girl scouts, theater and sports.

I didn't mean for this to be so long, it just I listen to other hs moms and thinking to myself what am I doing wrong?? I want my children to be excited about learning.

[wife]

Hello, we hs two children, ages 8 and 11. I admit I just started hs last year my youngest one and started the second this year. I need advice if possible.

I use abeka with both of them, I like abeka but running out of steam. I was considering next year using abeka in the subjects they are weaker in, so I can give them one on one attention. As of right now, history and science, are causing a conflict. The younger child (3rd gr) isn't a strong reader so I help her to make sure she understands what we are reading and talking about. That leves that 11 on her own basically with her history/science. I have tested her and I can tell that the cirrculumn isn't exciting to her. She also complains which is a huge sign. LOL

I was wondering two things:

1. I keep reading about theme units? I was wondering how do they work and if possible could I include both children at the same time? I worry about the age difference and obviously the 11 year old knows more so I am worried about boring her or making the younger one totattaly clueless on our lessons.

2. I heard Christian Books and Gifts have hs supplies, cheaper than ABeka. Has anyone used that and what do they think?

I did see Drive Thru History is offering a DVD collection, student and teacher workbook for $50. It's aim toward middle school years though.

I'm just trying to figure out a way to help both. The younger loves hs, the older has been in ps for a long time and she very much wants to return. God has lead us to hs both, so I want to make sure she enjoys the material. She has admitted this past 9 weeks she has learned more at home than at school. At the same time she wants a locker and the social life of school. I do have her involved in many activites, church, girl scouts, theater and sports.

I didn't mean for this to be so long, it just I listen to other hs moms and thinking to myself what am I doing wrong?? I want my children to be excited about learning.


1) Unit studies are great for multiple age kids. Basically you teach the same thing then the kids independently read books about the time that you are teaching. It could be any kind of book. Fiction or non fiction. Heart of Wisdom is one company that publishes unit studies. Just google "unit studies" or "homeschool unit studies". One that may be fun for both girls is the Prairie Primer. It is based on the Little House books. Also google "free unit studies". Many companies will offer a free week sample that you can try.

Drive thru history is awesome and my 6, 7 and 9 year olds love it. We want to get them for our family.

We are going to start unit studies next year. I am planning out our American History one. A good free one is www.ourlosbanos.com you have to get the books to read, but you can also use other books if you wish.

HTH

[lisaann]

You can do History and Science together. I HS a 6yo and 9yo and we use Story of the World for history and Living Learning Books for Science. For your 11yo you can just add in some more challenging things to it. They curriculums have suggestions that would appeal to various age groups. Apologia is also another really good one for doing with several ages together.

I don't use Abeka but I have family who does. They both say that they do not give the kids all of the work problems to do, otherwise it is just way too much work.

Story Of The World. If you get this you need to get the Activity Book as well:
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/childsworldhistory.html

Living Learning Books:
http://rainbowresource.com/search.php?sid=1191078500-171316

Apologia:
http://www.highschoolscience.com/
another Apologia link:
https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1

[wife]

I have a Considering God's Creation book and I think it is going to be awesome. I showed it to hubby who teaches High School Science and he loves it.

Considering God's Creation
http://www.eagleswingsed.com/products/cgc.html


Here is the Living Learning Books website. It looks great
http://www.livinglearningbooks.com/

We like Story of the World. We are going to use it along with the Peter Marshall books for American History. It will give us an idea of what was happening in the rest of the world. Our Los Banos history is my guide....

[HSmomto4]

We do History and Science together with all 3 of ours that are schooled right now. They are 13, 7 and 4. They all learn the same thing and then each one has project/work to do on their own level. Story of The World is great for History for this. Their workbook covers 1st-8th grade

[topekaclark]

Thanks for your replies and websites. I am really leaning towards unit themes for history and science. I think it would make it funner for both girls and exciting.

I did go to Christian Book store and found hs books/dvds. I was really excited and the lady who helped me also hs her two girls. She gave me so more curriculum ideals. I have been trying to let them cut back on the workbooks. The oldest does odd/even problems. The youngest I haven't had to do that with yet. It's hard to explain, reading is a struggle still for her but she can fly through worksheets and understands lessons like you wouldn't believe. With her she's a verbal learner. She amazes me. I'm sorry, just amazed how hs has been a blessing to her learning. She is the one, when she attended school they wanted to hold her back in first grade, I'm soooo proud of her.

I am going to pray and look at other curriculum. Our city has a hs group that has used book sales. I'm going to look at other options for the kiddos.

Thanks again.

[MochaMel]

Hello, we hs two children, ages 8 and 11. I admit I just started hs last year my youngest one and started the second this year. I need advice if possible.

I use abeka with both of them, I like abeka but running out of steam. I was considering next year using abeka in the subjects they are weaker in, so I can give them one on one attention. As of right now, history and science, are causing a conflict. The younger child (3rd gr) isn't a strong reader so I help her to make sure she understands what we are reading and talking about. That leves that 11 on her own basically with her history/science. I have tested her and I can tell that the cirrculumn isn't exciting to her. She also complains which is a huge sign. LOL

I was wondering two things:

1. I keep reading about theme units? I was wondering how do they work and if possible could I include both children at the same time? I worry about the age difference and obviously the 11 year old knows more so I am worried about boring her or making the younger one totattaly clueless on our lessons.

2. I heard Christian Books and Gifts have hs supplies, cheaper than ABeka. Has anyone used that and what do they think?

I did see Drive Thru History is offering a DVD collection, student and teacher workbook for $50. It's aim toward middle school years though.

I'm just trying to figure out a way to help both. The younger loves hs, the older has been in ps for a long time and she very much wants to return. God has lead us to hs both, so I want to make sure she enjoys the material. She has admitted this past 9 weeks she has learned more at home than at school. At the same time she wants a locker and the social life of school. I do have her involved in many activites, church, girl scouts, theater and sports.

I didn't mean for this to be so long, it just I listen to other hs moms and thinking to myself what am I doing wrong?? I want my children to be excited about learning.

Have you tried lapbooking?? Check out this site for your history, science, etc. needs.... www.handsofachild.com We just started this last year, and it is SO much fun my kids' LOVE it! There are other resources too for lapbooking and you can even make your own but this one is by far my favorite. Do a google search on lapbooking you will come up with lots of information and HS blogs with pictures, etc. for ideas.. We also read alot of history books that are fun and interesting.. Living books, history fiction, etc. I just recently found the "Dear America" books and there really neat and i love the Mary Pope Osbourne books too for our history fiction.. They have given me lots of ideas to add into our history studies.

[HSmomto4]

lapbooks are a lot of fun!!

[topekaclark]

Well I am looking into lap books and theme units, too. I'm just an hands on person and I admit I love learning right along with the kids. I been looking at bookstores, Sam's club (wow, they have alot of stuff) and online. I will use the books we have now. I am going to supplement and make it fun, though.

I just thank God he has answered our prayers and lead us to hs.

Thanks for your guidance.

[ChayilWoman]

Oh geez, what have you guys done to me? I had never heard of lapbooking, so I had to go and google it.

I have a neighbor and good friend who used to be a teacher. Yesterday she was over and I asked her advice on one of my girls because she is bored with her work, she gets it done too fast to accumulate enough hours for state req's, and I don't want to just give her more books to read or more worksheets to do. I wanted to make it more fun for her. She mentioned a book she had at home about folding paper to make projects that I could borrow.

Well, long story short, what she was explaining yesterday is basically the same thing as lapbooks that I've now stumbled across on here today. I think we are supposed to start making lapbooks...