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    Joined: Feb 2012
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    KJP Offline OP
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    NotsoGifted, I have had that worry. I think if we stay with this school, later on as he gets closer to high school, we might supplement his school work with a more traditionally structured cirriculum.

    For now I think it is a pretty good fit. Similarities was one of the WISC subtests he hit the ceiling on last year so a program that gives him a chance to make connections among ideas is playing to his strengths.

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    KJP Offline OP
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    Indigo, I feel so fortunate we have a choice. Our local public doesn't allow any sort of working ahead of grade level.

    It will be interesting to see how this works out for our kids.

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    This is a private b+m school, right? Sounds fascinating. Is there a post/thread where you've explained more about it? Or would that be too identifying?

    Joined: Feb 2013
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    22B Offline
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    I keep reading the OP and I'm not understanding what is being described.

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    KJP Offline OP
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    Yes it is a private Montessori inspired b&m school. It is the only school DS6 has ever attended so any previous posts about his school are about this school. There are probably plenty of good and bad posts. He is 2e so not easy to parent or educate. We've all improved with time. The tuition is very reasonable ($600 a month) compared to other private schools in our area.

    Each week he gets an individualized assignment sheet.
    A week this year might look like this:

    Spelling:
    Write words once
    Write in alphabetical order
    Type words five times each
    Spelling test

    Math:
    Packets #54, 55
    Place value activity
    Fractions activity

    Reading:
    Reading comprehension packets #12,13
    Read aloud to parent volunteer

    Geography
    Trace, color and label map of Africa

    Science
    Watch documentary on African wildlife
    Write a "My favorite African animal is..." report

    Art/cooking/music
    Lesson on African masks
    Make a replica mask
    Make peanut soup (help teacher do it and try some)
    Learn an African song

    So that is what it looks like in practice.



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    KJP Offline OP
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    Also, there are lots of field trips and presentations. If there is something nearby that relates to the study of the month, they'll go see it. They also have people come to the school. Like this summer they studied simple machines and had a fire truck visit the school to point out all the simple machines at work.

    The numbered packets are the basics. Some kids are way ahead of others. They seem to try to keep them moving along in packs of 3-4. So if one kid is ready to learn how to carry and the other two need to work a bit more, the ahead kid might work on something else a few weeks before the other two catch up. We are lucky in that there are a couple of really bright kids in his class.

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    I would love to see what the middle school looks like. Sounds great.

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    KJP Offline OP
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    I have even more information on the coming year -

    Heavy focus on memorization of math facts for all operations this year - flash cards, timed test (teacher decides if it is written or oral). Also story problems with fractions, graphs, measurement, decimals, geometry and algebra.

    Weekly computer skills, sign language and Spanish.

    Several lessons in writing skills a month.

    They'll be using Open Court Reading Series.

    Homework will be practicing math facts, spelling words and memorizing poetry.

    Science, history and geography might be combined with upper grade levels so that is cool. There will also be a first person narrative piece to the history as well.

    They'll be using Raz Kids and spellingcity.com in class too.

    Anyone have experiences to share about the reading curriculum or websites?

    Any ideas on how to make math fact memorization less painful for young dyslexic?

    Last edited by KJP; 08/30/14 12:13 PM.
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    aeh Offline
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    Open Court has a decent research foundation. It's relatively strong in terms of phonics, but only adequate wrt comprehension, IMO. There are some options for upward and downward differentiation that are no worse than most other reading curr. I think it's a reasonable choice for the primary grades, but there are better choices for upper elementary. Of course, this all depends on implementation fidelity. I used an old edition of first grade with my dyslexic/dysgraphic-flavored child, and was satisfied with the reading aspect of it, without being wowed. I did end up having to switch to an OG-type spelling curr (All About Spelling) for the spelling aspect.

    Oh, and there are tons of free or low-cost fact apps for iPhone/iPad or Android. Find one he likes to play. Mine have enjoyed the relatively stripped-down Multiplication Genius, as well as Factor Samurai (not exactly math facts, but in the neighborhood). My little one currently is in love with King of Math (comes in Junior and standard levels), which increases the social status of your avatar as you earn more points by amount and accuracy of gameplay.

    Last edited by aeh; 08/30/14 12:22 PM. Reason: math facts

    ...pronounced like the long vowel and first letter of the alphabet...
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