Thank you for this video!! I also watched your R&S arithmetic video! We're going to use English 2 and I just got arithmetic 1 but realized that he could move onto grade 2.....I heard great things about R&S but when I got math, I got nervous. This is the 3rd time that we're switching curriculum and my kid being a special needs, I guess I'm worried if he'll do well with it and retain his math facts 😅 plus I'd like to keep using it for as long as possible...what do you suggest?
We have special needs here as well and I definitely recommend R&S! I wish I had known about it for one of my older ones who struggled so much with math. Some extra tips: consider the PDF lesson plans from Simply Classical Level 3 (it uses the first part of R&S Math 2) and Level 4 (uses the second part of Math 2). The PDFs are about $8 each and include additional review and movement activities to reinforce the concepts. You can find those here: www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/simply-classical-lesson-plans/ Two keys to R&S that I can't remember if I put in the video: 1) be sure to use the Teacher Manual lessons as those are where all the meat is as well as excellent, bite-size scaffolding for upcoming concepts. 2) decrease the number of problems in each workbook lesson while ensuring they still receive enough repetition/practice; I use a highlighter to indicate which problems I plan for them to complete that day. Also, don't hesitate to take two days for one lesson's assignments, if needed. After R&S, we use Denison for pre-algebra and we plan to stick with that for algebra and geometry as it's just that good - and specifically developed for struggling learners!
@seekingdelectare oh wow thank you so much for these advice!! I was definitely going to reduce the number of problems for sure! Do you think having him pick 2 lines of problems is enough? Also, I want to get a flashcards but was thinking of getting triangular ones 🤔 or are the regular flashcards from MP enough? I'm planning on using R&S English and I'm loving what I see so far!!
We've been fine with the regular flashcards from MP, but I don't think you would go wrong either way on those. I would definitely pick the problems yourself rather than having him do it; it will allow you to adjust expectations *in advance* if needed for a particular day (due to concepts, emotional load, lack of sleep, etc). It's important for him to see that you know what the plan is (gives him security) and that you are confident in your decisions regarding workload (contributes to confidence). Otherwise, you run the risk of daily power struggles over workload. Ask me how I know LOL!
@seekingdelectare oh ok, maybe I'll get some flashcards then! I was thinking of printing some triangular ones since I found some that goes up to 18 but that'll be a hassle for me to cut them and laminate 😂 I'll pick the problems myself then but I love the idea that there's not alot of prep, open and go and not too many manipulatives during 1 lesson!
It really depends on your curriculum, whether you’re using outside teachers/tutors for classes, etc. But even if your child has online classes, a simple desktop computer in the main part of the house works great. We don’t allow the kids to have personal computers/laptops/devices so they use password protected, hand-me-down laptops (from my husband’s business) at our dining room table, which is in the middle of everything.
Thank you so much for your wisdom 🙏😊
Thank you for this video!! I also watched your R&S arithmetic video! We're going to use English 2 and I just got arithmetic 1 but realized that he could move onto grade 2.....I heard great things about R&S but when I got math, I got nervous. This is the 3rd time that we're switching curriculum and my kid being a special needs, I guess I'm worried if he'll do well with it and retain his math facts 😅 plus I'd like to keep using it for as long as possible...what do you suggest?
We have special needs here as well and I definitely recommend R&S! I wish I had known about it for one of my older ones who struggled so much with math.
Some extra tips: consider the PDF lesson plans from Simply Classical Level 3 (it uses the first part of R&S Math 2) and Level 4 (uses the second part of Math 2). The PDFs are about $8 each and include additional review and movement activities to reinforce the concepts. You can find those here: www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/simply-classical-lesson-plans/
Two keys to R&S that I can't remember if I put in the video: 1) be sure to use the Teacher Manual lessons as those are where all the meat is as well as excellent, bite-size scaffolding for upcoming concepts. 2) decrease the number of problems in each workbook lesson while ensuring they still receive enough repetition/practice; I use a highlighter to indicate which problems I plan for them to complete that day. Also, don't hesitate to take two days for one lesson's assignments, if needed.
After R&S, we use Denison for pre-algebra and we plan to stick with that for algebra and geometry as it's just that good - and specifically developed for struggling learners!
@seekingdelectare oh wow thank you so much for these advice!! I was definitely going to reduce the number of problems for sure! Do you think having him pick 2 lines of problems is enough? Also, I want to get a flashcards but was thinking of getting triangular ones 🤔 or are the regular flashcards from MP enough? I'm planning on using R&S English and I'm loving what I see so far!!
We've been fine with the regular flashcards from MP, but I don't think you would go wrong either way on those. I would definitely pick the problems yourself rather than having him do it; it will allow you to adjust expectations *in advance* if needed for a particular day (due to concepts, emotional load, lack of sleep, etc). It's important for him to see that you know what the plan is (gives him security) and that you are confident in your decisions regarding workload (contributes to confidence). Otherwise, you run the risk of daily power struggles over workload. Ask me how I know LOL!
@seekingdelectare oh ok, maybe I'll get some flashcards then! I was thinking of printing some triangular ones since I found some that goes up to 18 but that'll be a hassle for me to cut them and laminate 😂 I'll pick the problems myself then but I love the idea that there's not alot of prep, open and go and not too many manipulatives during 1 lesson!
Do you need a laptop for homeschool ? I’m new to this
It really depends on your curriculum, whether you’re using outside teachers/tutors for classes, etc. But even if your child has online classes, a simple desktop computer in the main part of the house works great. We don’t allow the kids to have personal computers/laptops/devices so they use password protected, hand-me-down laptops (from my husband’s business) at our dining room table, which is in the middle of everything.