Uncle Dan's Algebra, Improving Vocabulary, Question for Readers
By Heather Idoni
Added Monday, October 06, 2008
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The Homeschooler's Notebook
Encouragement and Advice for Homeschool Families
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Vol. 9 No 80 October 6, 2008
ISSN: 1536-2035
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Copyright (c) 2008 - Heather Idoni, FamilyClassroom.net
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Welcome to the Homeschooler's Notebook!
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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Notes from Heather
-- Question for Our Readers
Helpful Tip
-- Free Engineering Courses
Resource Review
-- Uncle Dan's Algebra
Reader Question
-- Improving Vocabulary Skills
Additional Notes
-- Newsletter Archives
-- Sponsorship Information
-- Reprint Information
-- Subscriber Information
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Notes from Heather
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A Question for Our Readers --
---
I have a question for you! With the current bank crisis in
the news -- the 'bail out', falling stock market, etc. -- how
do you talk to your children about their financial future?
I imagine at least some of our readers have faced desperate
decisions the past few months -- whether actually losing a
home and having to move in with other family members, a husband
being newly laid off from his job, or having a mortgage on a
home that is decreasing in value daily.
How do you discuss these things -- from family finances to
worldwide market changes -- and do you make these discussions
a part of your curriculum? What resources (books, websites, etc.)
have you used to teach your kids? Do you tend to shield them
from any fears you have -- or share your fears with them?
Write to me and share your perspective!
Thanks --
Heather
---
Send your emails to: heather@familyclassroom.net
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OUR SPONSOR
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Web site: http://www.homespun4homeschoolers.com
For FREE 180-page Algebra Workbook file, email:
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Read reviews:
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Read article:
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
================
Helpful Tip
================
Free Engineering Courses
http://see.stanford.edu/default.aspx
"For the first time in its history, Stanford is offering
some of its most popular engineering classes free of charge
to students and educators around the world.
Stanford Engineering Everywhere (SEE) expands the Stanford
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and an Internet connection are all you need. View lecture
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take quizzes and tests, and communicate with other SEE
students, all at your convenience." -- Jan A.
---
Do you have an idea, experience, or tip to share? Please write!
Send to: HN-ideas@familyclassroom.net
==================
Resource Review
==================
Uncle Dan's Algebra
Produced by: Homespun for Homeschoolers
For more information or to order: www.homespun4homeschoolers.com
Uncle Dan's Algebra is a complete and self-contained Algebra I
course on DVD and CD. Written and produced by a homeschool dad,
Uncle Dan's Algebra doesn't have lots of fancy graphics, but it
does offer clear, concise instruction. The 12 two-hour DVDs are
kept simple with Uncle Dan shown explaining concepts and using
a whiteboard to go over examples. Students follow along on lesson
sheets and the video lets you know when it is time to stop and do
the practice problems, quizzes or tests. Although the video produc-
tion does have a homemade look, it is clear and understandable. The
audio quality is very good and includes voices of unseen students
responding during the lessons. Your child can (and should) respond
with the students on the DVD. While some courses move too fast or
present too many concepts at once, Uncle Dan has done a fantastic
job putting together a program that is "just right". He uses
several different example problems to illustrate new concepts,
making it easy for the student to successfully move from the DVD
to the workbook.
Uncle Dan's Alegbra course is easy to navigate, affordable and
non-consumable! All lessons, practice problems, quizzes, tests
and a Solution Key are included on one well-produced CD. You can
print pages from the Workbook and Solution Key as you need them.
Students will advance at their own pace, reviewing/redoing problems
and rewatching the teaching sessions as much as needed to master
the material. As a mom who struggled with Algebra in high school,
I appreciate the fact that this course does ALL of the teaching -
the Solution Key is even done in a line-by-line fashion, removing
all the guesswork!
Like having a seasoned math teacher come to your home, Uncle Dan's
Algebra is worth your consideration. Visit the website to view
Workbook/Solution Key samples, video snapshots or to email Dan
with your questions. If you really want to see everything covered
in the course, Dan will send you the complete Workbook via email
free! Just send an email to: uncledan@homespun4homeschoolers.com
-- Cindy Prechtel -- http://www.HomeschoolingFromTheHeart.com
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Last Issue's Reader Question
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"I have two boys (5th grade) who take the CAT (California
Achievement Test) test every new school year. They bombed out
royally with vocabulary because they are not very good at
remembering word meanings. Lots of the words they had not even
heard of. Normally I will explain what words mean (in context)
as I am reading through a book with them. Before I had them
doing an online Word-A-Day sort of thing -- but the words were
always over their heads and not typically words they would be
using anytime soon, so they eventually forgot them. Are there
other ways of learning vocabulary besides flashcards and rote
memory?" -- Renee
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Our Readers' Responses
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"Renee, I believe that reading good literature will do a lot
toward building vocabulary. If your boys like to read, be sure
they are reading material with sophisticated vocabulary that
will stretch them a bit. When they need to look up a word, take
a little extra time to study the origins because that will help
them when they come across another word from the same root.
Giving them vocabulary tests once in a while might help. Test
taking is a skill in itself, and some children simply need more
experience in the strategies involved in taking standardized
tests. If nothing else works, try building your own vocabulary
and use your new words when speaking with your boys. They'll
pick up a lot that way. When they are writing, ask them to look
in a thesaurus for some more scholarly words to replace some of
their simpler words.
We have used 'Rummy Roots' and 'English From the Roots Up' in
the past, and enjoyed both of those, but I can't make any great
claims concerning the results.
I checked on Amazon.com and did a search for 'vocabulary books'
and thousands came up, many very inexpensive.
I commend you for pursuing higher standards for your boys'
vocabularies. Being articulate and well-spoken gains the
respect of others. We homeschoolers might be able to enhance
the reputation of homeschooling if we'd all strive a little
harder in this area." -- Mary Beth
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"Hi Renee -- Have you tried 'Vocabulary Cartoons: SAT Word Power'
by Sam Burchers? There are two books in the series and they are
great for visual learners. We have always learned most of our
vocabulary from reading good literature, but my kids really
enjoyed these books as well. I would have your sons reading LOTS
of good books at their reading level as well as listening to you
read books to them a bit above their reading level while having
them work through the Vocabulary Cartoons books at a modified
pace to suit their ages. They can list words they don't know
and work on using them in sentences, in their writing and in
their conversation. Vocabulary is definitely something that can
be improved -— just set up a plan and then stick with it. Hang in
there!" -- Dana W., Epi Kardia Home Education, www.epikardia.com
---
"We use a book called Vocabulary Cartoons that all my children
really like. Associating the vocabulary word with a rhyming
word and a cartoon really seems to fit into fun learning for
the children." -- Wendy
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"We love Vocabulary Cartoons -- www.vocabularycartoons.com ."
-- Chris E.
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"Hi Renee! We've done several things to increase our kids'
vocabulary. Each week they have 10 spelling words. On Monday
they find the definitions for their spelling words in the
dictionary and write them down. On Wednesday they write
sentences using their spelling words. Their sentence must demon-
strate using their word correctly. They work all week on their
ten words. By the end of the week they can spell their words,
they know what their words mean, and they can use the word.
We've also used 'Wordly Wise' books. They work all week (or
longer) on a set of words doing many kinds of word activities.
I just started using a book called 'A Word A Week Vocabulary
Program'. It's geared for kids in grades 5-8. They do different
activities all week with one word in this book. I like focusing
on one word for the week. I think they remember it better. I
found all these books at CBD:
http://www.familyclassroom.net/wow.html
I think reading good literature out loud to my kids has been a
great way for them to hear new vocabulary words used. Books
you read to them can be books that are too difficult for them
to read on their own. A child's listening level is much higher
than their reading level. Reading to them helps them to wind
down or take a break during or after their school day. Sharing
great stories builds good memories too! 'The Chronicles of
Narnia' have been a lot of fun for my kids to listen to. Enjoy
your year!" -- Alisha
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"What I'm doing right now with my 5th and 7th graders is drawing
on the Scripps Spelling Bee words for vocabulary. The word list
is available online at www.myspellit.com and the words are divided
by language of origin. You can also get the list separated into
beginning, intermediate and advanced (alphabetized in each category)
at http://www.hexco.com/NSBlist.pdf . We do a few words at a time
and make it a fun game to try to use the words in conversation as
many times as possible that day or throughout the week. The sillier
the better!
I also have them do dictionary races with the list to see who can
find the word in the dictionary the fastest. Small prizes like
a quarter or a Hershey's Kiss or not having to empty the dishwasher
make this evenmore fun." -- Jean
---
"We generally play Scrabble with my second grader. I keep a
dictionary on hand and will encourage him to find a new word and
not use the same word again and again. Sometimes he hands it over
to me, and suggests that I should find a new word. The best outcome
is that he comes across some new words and we start talking about
them. The second resource we recently found is the electronic
dictionary from Franklin. We got one with SAT preparation for my
10th grader. Whenever we read or have to travel in the car, he can
refer to it and the kids can quiz each other on words." -- Arti
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Answer our NEW Question
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"I am homeschooling three kids, ages 14, 8 and 5. My 8 year old
is autistic. I am doing pretty well finding a way to teach him,
and with his developmental delays, I can add the 5 year old in and
teach them with the same format. Teaching him requires a lot of
one-on-one attention, though. My problem is that my 14 year old
is starting 9th grade curriculum. Boy, toss a high schooler in
there and I am about to lose my mind. Do you have any advice on
how to structure her day (the 9th grader) and tips to managing them
all? Last year we did one subject per day and it worked well for
her. This year I am thinking there is just too much in a chapter
to do in a day and retain any of it. I am struggling with being
just one person and trying to meet all their needs." -- Mary Ann
---
Do you have encouragement or practical advice for Mary Ann?
Please send your answer to: HN-answers@familyclassroom.net
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Ask YOUR Question
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if we can help you out in a future issue!
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