Wednesday, April 04, 2007

INFO PLEASE

I'm online trying to find my pasty recipe - because I NEVER can find it when I want to make it. ARGH.....and so I thought I'd update real quick.

MESSIANIC SEDER - Since Mike's folks went to Israel a few times they've done passover Seder meals at this time of year. Mike and I have really had a lot of discussion about Biblical Feasts. He gets concerned about focusing on externals and becoming legalistic.....I agree and understand. BUT we both agree that the BIBLICAL FEASTS are amazing object lessons, all pointing to CHRIST and would be good to add to the training of our children. Every year I say "next year I'm going to have researched and we'll do a Seder" and every year Easter arrives and I've not done it. We've never attended anything like this. Last year we did go to a friend's and he slaughtered a lamb, roasted it, painted the doorposts and read lots of Scripture. I don't want to do that again. I don't like the whole animal thing and well - I don't want to do that again....though it DID graphically and powerfully bring home Christ as the lamb and the horror of that. Sunday, I told Mike "NEXT YEAR...." and so I need to begin to make it happen. I asked this on SHS but I know that some of my friends who are NOT on SHS have celebrated the feasts for years....I'd love to be pointed to the BEST book you have read on celebrating the feasts, history, NT fulfillment etc. Or websites, blogs that describe various feasts etc.

Produce Chart - I've been looking for a chart that I can download that would list produce and then tell what nutritional value it has. It doesn't have to have calories, fiber, protein count....but I want things like "celery - vit A, C, calcium". Anyone know of such a chart? I've looked off and on for several weeks and am not finding one. Anyone have a book that lists such things on Produce that they would recommend? I have a food count book but you have to look up each item and I don't have time right now to create a chart. I want to have this for ME and to give out at produce co-op. Has anyone seen or bought "Melissa's Great (or something) Produce book"? Any others out there you are familiar with. I emailed Debbie, the base dietitian and she's been looking online with the same results as I. She has a book that she said I can come make copies from...but I'm thinking I'd like to buy my own book since we ARE committed to produce consumption and this is the second produce co-op I'm running - I think it would be handy.

Math - U - See - Finally, I'm looking at trying a new math program. We have used Saxon for years and have all the Saxon from K- Advanced math. Its not working for us in the younger years....for one child (Jamin) it did NOT work at all...he used horizons until hitting Saxon 54. For the current students, I'm sure it would work, but I don't have the time to do all the hands on teaching required for 3 levels every day. I'd love to hear from anyone who has used Math u See. How much time does it take you? Do you watch the dvd's with your children? Do your jr high/high school children work alone? I don't see grades on the website and I'm wanting to make sure that if my older ones used it would be high school level algebra etc. Is it? Jamin would probably continue with Saxon. Jared may switch over as I think he could do that now and there wouldn't be gaps - he'll be an 8th grader. AND then I wouldn't have to explain the whole Saxon geometry thing to the Academy admissions officer. ::snort:: What do you like and dislike about the program? Tricia has some that her 8th grade daughter is using and I'm going to go look at it - but I'd love to hear what others of you think? Is it as MOM time intensive in the younger grades as Saxon? I should say we LOVE the idea of Saxon for the younger kids. I used it for my Krista and Josiah and it was awesome.....Now I have more kids...less time for ME to be as involved with as many subjects. This is reality - I'd love to homeschool as I hear some of you doing...I used to beat myself up and try to homeschool like a friend who "had it all together". (SHE has since confessed that she wanted to be more flexible and fun like me ::snort::). One day I realized she was schooling TWO and they were 6/4th grade....I was schooling FIVE....I can't do everything I'd dream of doing...but I can pray and adapt and do what God leads ME to do....math is an area I'd like to find a program that is less ME intensive....

16 comments:

Diann said...

When you find that great Bible Feasts book...share. I would love to be able to use these.

Math-U-See...I switched over to that this year and it has gone extremely well. My oldest and 3rd dd are both very visual and artistic and Saxon wasn't working so great with them. They understand the concepts much better with Math-U-See. My oldest did not do well in Geometry last year in public school and so I am making her redo it at home this year with Math-U-See along with the honors book. She watches the DVD on her own and does the lessons and is doing very well. They do qualify as high school math, but are not as intense as I thought Saxon was. I think maybe it is because they really concentrate on what you are learning and do some review, but not a ton each lesson. My 5yo dd just started the first level of MUS and loves it. She can read the instructions pretty well, but I go over it with her after we have watched the DVD (about 3 minutes or so). It is not nearly as time intensive for the parents as Saxon was (something I really like). I think if your kids were going into a math-type field, I might use something a little more intensive, but my oldest wants to go into interior design and my 3rd is thinking (she is only 13) she would like to be an estotician.

Anonymous said...

De'Etta,
I use Math U See with Gabi (2nd grade) and have been since the very beginning. She loves it. We watch the DVD together. I don't know why, but she loves to watch Mr. Demmee and cracks up at his not so funny jokes. I would love to talk more about it..call me..Adrienne has my new number. You can also borrow whatever I have and am not using. Margie

Jen said...

We use MUS, but my kids are younger. We all watch the DVD (5 minutes usually) together on Monday and then they do the pages on their own, usually 2 a day and then tests on Friday. If it is a particluarly confusing lesson, we might do a page or so together the first day.

Sometimes when one of the kids is struggling, I will work with them. But, usually they can pretty much do the work on their own.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Lots to think about...Diann - do you then think the upper level credits (even with the honors book? - need to see what that is about LOL) is a strong math credit? Jared will need to have lots of math and science to be accepted into the Academy (starting to have a sing song cadence in my mind these days). LOL

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Margi,

You HAVE the younger grades...I would love to look at what you have since I'm thinking Arielle and Nolan (and possibly Zander - goodness he'll be in school next year).

I can't reach Adrienne...but I know Shanna has your new number too. I'll call.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Jen - so your children are on the same level? I'm hearing the DVD's don't take a LONNNNG time so it would be possible to do 3 or 4 children and not be totally bogged down in the videos???

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Anyone used it for high school? I really have questions about that....I'm math illiterate. We use saxon and when they are stuck they are STUCK. I would love to use something that would help me understand it (Yes, I've done the Dive CD's and they don't help ME though they usually help the children)so that I could help the older kids when they get stuck. I never took more than -pre Alg - took it 3 times in fact. ::snort::

My fear with the upper levels is that I'd then not have the solution manual - which does at times help the older ones figure out what they are getting wrong.

My hope would be that I'd eventually understand it and not NEED the solution manual. We've looked at other higher level math program and not done them because I needed the solution manuals.... I'm really hoping to find someone who has used Alg, Geo, Alg 2 who was math illiterate and now is a math genius! LOL

all in the family said...

DeEtta,
We have used MUS for our entire schooling. It REALLY boils down to your child's learning style. My boys (naturally) are hands on visual learners and so am I. You can watch the videos if you want, and you might want to on some of them, because he will show you short cuts in Math that are SO MUCH easier when I was in math and I understand it. They don't last that long either. IMHO it doesn't matter, HOW intense a math program is, if your child doesn't get it! Mr. Demme taught in PS, Private school and homeschooled all 5 boys, so he knows his stuff! I have two oldest in Zeta and Epsilon and the youngest in Foundations (older version). I do copy the student manuals, for expense and I only have one test manual. As far as levels, there are placement tests on the MUS website to see where to start your kiddos. There are also online fun math games and printables for further re-inforcement.

My oldest two will be in Algebra this fall.

HTH
Beth

Jen said...

Yes, mine are all in the same level. Since Jess is developmentally behind and Jacob ahead and Alex in the middle and they are all so close in grade anyway, we just do everything together.

But at least at the lower levels, the DVD segments really aren't that long, so I don't think it would take a lot of time for different levels either. And really, you could probably turn the older kids lose with the DVD. Mr. Demme does all the explaining. And there is support through the website if they need more help.

Michelle said...

De'Etta, for high school math we use Videotext. You can buy it on video or dvd. The kids watch the dvd and do the paperwork for the day. If they get more than two problems wrong, they review the lesson again. If they're confused or *stuck* there is a toll free number they can call to speak to a math teacher who will talk them through it over the phone.

Anonymous said...

De'Etta,

I only have youngers but they can all do their math on their own, even watching the DVD. Sometimes mine need me to explain what the page is asking them to do and my dd last year wasn't reading well so I had to read the word problems to her, but overall they can do it themselves. Mr. Demme does a very good job of explaining things on the DVD and mine will "get it" from his explanation over mine. All 4 of mine LOVE doing their math and are always begging me to do more than their required 2 pages/day.

HTH,
Jen in Az.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Michelle - I'll check into video text....so you feel that a math illiterate Mom would do fine with that program?

Renee said...

DeEtta,
If your son is really serious about math, have you considered EPGY? It's a program out of Stanford University. It is pricey - about $500 for three months plus the textbook. If he focused on math (and put aside some other things for three months), he could possibly finish a course in that time frame. It would look good on a high school transcript and the math courses are all honors courses.
pricey - but possibly worth it.

Michelle said...

DeEtta,
My kids and I really like videotext for high school. I'm math illiterate when it comes to what they're doing now and I feel completely comfortable with it. You can check out their website at: http://www.videotext.com/homeschool.htm

You can view samples either at their website or they'll snail mail a video to you.

We used Math-U-See when they were younger but it didn't fit their learning styles.

Anonymous said...

Hi there,
I just wanted to pass on some info about the biblical feasts. Check out www.heartofwisdom.com It has a ton of info and a book you could get. I think you might really like it.
By the way, where are you at? Washington? I am in Spokane Wa. You can email me if you have any questions about biblical feasts. We've been doing them for years. It's a great learning experience for the kids. Take care.
Mandy

Anonymous said...

O.K. I guess I should leave you my email address! graftedinshema@yahoo.com

Mandy