1 SHAMASH.ORG /usr/www/wwwhc/listserv/archives/torch-d July 2007 2 68 24_Successful Homeschooling9_beth mali18_malikids@GMAIL.COM30_Sun, 1 Jul 2007 10:47:52 -0700626_ISO-8859-1 I have been thinking about what it means to be a successful
homeschooler. I have been amused at the reactions of people about my son
(18) who is doing an internship this summer at the University nearby through
a National Science Foundation program called UCORE (Undergraduate Catalytic
Outreach & Research Experiences).--whew, fancy words.
He basically gets to work in a lab with other students helping out
professors and graduate students with their projects. (and to make it even
extra-worthwhile, he gets a paycheck!) He says he has no clue as to the
work he will be doing and he is [...]39_1Jul200710:47:52-0700malikids@GMAIL.COM 71 44 24_Successful HomeSchooling16_Russell J Hendel17_rjhendel@JUNO.COM30_Sun, 1 Jul 2007 15:11:34 -0400457_us-ascii Beth implicitly brings up two points worth pursuing.

We all on this group give each other encouragement and that is indeed one
of the functions of this group. But there are objective as well as
subjective forms of encouragement. Beth mentioned a personal experience
of success. The next step or question is "Does anyone know of sources
with statistics on how successful H-schoolers are...with many anecdotes
like Beths." [...]38_1Jul200715:11:34-0400rjhendel@JUNO.COM 116 231 28_Re: Successful Homeschooling13_Sharon Brooks23_Sharonajb@SBCGLOBAL.NET30_Sun, 1 Jul 2007 12:15:26 -0700565_iso-8859-1 Beth,

That's a great thought and thanks for sharing it. You must be so proud of him!

I'm curious - has he been homeschooled from day 1?

I've also been wondering lately - at what age do people begin to see their children express a focused interest in pursuing something as more than a passing thought? And when do you begin to see them trying to create or produce the things that excite them - even at a basic level? I think we're still at the general interest and observation stage, but then, my kids are young. Still, I always [...]44_1Jul200712:15:26-0700Sharonajb@SBCGLOBAL.NET 348 69 28_Re: successful homeschooling13_Avivah Werner22_avivahwerner@YAHOO.COM30_Sun, 1 Jul 2007 12:43:15 -0700609_iso-8859-1 Beth, thanks for sharing your experience. It's so nice to hear from those at the other end of the homeschooling journey (ie past the high school years) and how their kids are doing.

Success is so subjective that no one will have the same definition. Success by society's standards seems to be usually connected to income level or public recognition, and while there is some merit to that, it leaves many areas of value unrecognized. It's easy to impress others when your kids pass the typical guidelines for development, but I've often wondered what difference it really makes. So what [...]43_1Jul200712:43:15-0700avivahwerner@YAHOO.COM 418 106 28_Re: successful homeschooling10_Sarah Kopp17_svkopp@012.NET.IL30_Mon, 2 Jul 2007 00:08:52 +0300597_ISO-8859-1 First of all thank you Beth, it is very gratifying to hear of
homeschooled kids' successes. And as Avivah wrote:

> Success is so subjective that no one will have the same definition.
As a new homeschooler with a big family, one of the things I am
struggling with is keeping my own perspective on success while being
relentlessly challenged by my own children. The ones who left the system
before we started intentionally homeschooling and also ds12 who is now
newly home and dd9 who has been home most of the year are very critical.
They are judging my [...]38_2Jul200700:08:52+0300svkopp@012.NET.IL 525 189 28_Re: Successful HomeSchooling9_beth mali18_malikids@GMAIL.COM30_Sun, 1 Jul 2007 14:38:51 -0700609_ISO-8859-1 I haven't researched the statistics on how H-schoolers do on entrance
exams, however, none of my kids showed any interest in taking SAT's to get
into college. The way we avoided SAT's in our family is by starting at the
community college level and transferring to the University.
We unschool until the kids are 14yrs.(also some went a couple years to
the homeschooler put together Free(dom)school) and then have them do a high
school through the mail to receive a diploma that is accepted by the local
CC (Community College). It takes them anywhere from 9mos to a year or [...]39_1Jul200714:38:51-0700malikids@GMAIL.COM 715 47 24_Successful Homeschooling16_Russell J Hendel17_rjhendel@JUNO.COM30_Sun, 1 Jul 2007 19:49:57 -0400439_us-ascii Beth, those are really ingenious approaches. I should mention that AMIT
has done similar things in Israel. I am a member for life. AMIT has
produced numerous innovative and successful educational ideas in Israel.

For example along the lines you mentioned, they created a school a few
years ago whose entrance requirements were more or less that students
entering have failed in every other school setting. [...]38_1Jul200719:49:57-0400rjhendel@JUNO.COM 763 38 28_Re: Successful HomeSchooling10_Sarah Kopp17_svkopp@012.NET.IL30_Mon, 2 Jul 2007 09:21:54 +0300350_ISO-8859-1 Russell J Hendel wrote:
> (I know at parlor meetings on
> high school the "big" question from parents is "If I send my kids to your
> yeshiva what colleges can they get into."
Huh? Here in Israel the yeshivas are judged by their ability to imprint
a hashkofa that will make sure a kid never dreams of going to college! [...]38_2Jul200709:21:54+0300svkopp@012.NET.IL 802 114 29_Re: successful homeschooling?0_17_RENALEVIN@AOL.COM28_Tue, 3 Jul 2007 08:32:17 EDT558_US-ASCII In a message dated 7/2/07 2:02:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@SHAMASH.ORG writes:

> I've also been wondering lately - at what age do people begin to see =
> their children express a focused interest in pursuing something as more =
> than a passing thought? And when do you begin to see them trying to =
> create or produce the things that excite them - even at a basic level? =
> I think we're still at the general interest and observation stage, but =
> then, my kids are young. Still, I always wish I had some [...]36_3Jul200708:32:17EDTRENALEVIN@AOL.COM 917 50 35_mixing homeschooling with schooling13_Sharon Brooks23_Sharonajb@SBCGLOBAL.NET30_Fri, 6 Jul 2007 07:32:10 -0700544_iso-8859-1 I have an opportunity to consider and I just wanted to bounce it off of a
few brains more experienced at this than my own.

I've got two opportunities that just came up to have my 3 1/2 yo daughter in
some kind of preschool this year, either full or half time. One would be a
round robin, so I could be pretty involved. The other would be very
child-led, flexible, hebrew immersion, but (for now) far from home. She
likes the idea of going to school and being with lots of other children away
from home. [...]44_6Jul200707:32:10-0700Sharonajb@SBCGLOBAL.NET 968 114 39_Re: mixing homeschooling with schooling6_Zohari20_najova@EARTHLINK.NET30_Fri, 6 Jul 2007 11:40:45 -0600321_US-ASCII Dear Sharon,

Your situation sounds so similar to mine as far as ages and number of
children. We are just a couple of years ahead of you with ages 8, 5.5, 3.5
and 8 months. And I frequently (daily!) go through many of these same
questions about guilt, use of time, better opportunities, etc. [...]41_6Jul200711:40:45-0600najova@EARTHLINK.NET 1083 195 39_Re: mixing homeschooling with schooling13_Sharon Brooks23_Sharonajb@SBCGLOBAL.NET30_Sat, 7 Jul 2007 23:07:21 -0700461_iso-8859-1 Re: [TORCH-D] mixing homeschooling with schoolingThank you. I was feeling so incapable of making myself understood. It was frustrating. I'm still not sure what I'll do, but now I can proceed with a more lighter heart, if that makes sense.
Shavua Tov!
Sharon

----- Original Message -----
From: Zohari
To: TORCH-D@SHAMASH.ORG
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 10:40 AM
Subject: Re: [TORCH-D] mixing homeschooling with schooling [...]44_7Jul200723:07:21-0700Sharonajb@SBCGLOBAL.NET 1279 45 61_Re: Sending 3 yr olds to school - Answers to Sharon /Shoshana16_Russell J Hendel17_rjhendel@JUNO.COM30_Sun, 8 Jul 2007 13:48:25 -0400624_us-ascii Sharon
Just wanted to supplement Shoshana's advice (with which I agree) with
some Midrashic support. The Midrashic support has GENERAL applicability
to a variety of situations and other h-schoolers may also benefit from it
even if they dont have a 3.5 year old.

I have several times on this list presented Rav Hirsch's beautiful
Candellabrah symbolism in which he sees the 18 handbreadths of the
Candellabrah height as symbolically corresponding to the 18 years of a
child's life. The items at each handbreadth correspond to WHAT should be
taught to a child at that age of life. [...]38_8Jul200713:48:25-0400rjhendel@JUNO.COM 1325 133 20_Introducing . . . Me11_Chava Brown25_tiffanyevabrown@YAHOO.COM30_Sun, 8 Jul 2007 11:44:36 -0700541_us-ascii Hello everyone. I am a new member of this group, and was asked to write a message to the group introducing myself. First of all, my name is Chava Brown. My husband (Daniel) and I and our two children (Yehudah age 3 and Miriam age 7 months) live in Israel. My husband is learning in kollel right now at Yeshivat Hamivtar in Efrat, and I work for Midreshet B'erot Bat Ayin. I am originally from upstate New York (Middletown), but lived in the San Diego area from age 6-18. I then went to San Francisco for university where I met [...]46_8Jul200711:44:36-0700tiffanyevabrown@YAHOO.COM 1459 343 24_Re: Introducing . . . Me13_Sharon Brooks23_Sharonajb@SBCGLOBAL.NET30_Sun, 8 Jul 2007 16:22:08 -0700541_iso-8859-1 Who could really do a better job than you? Do you remember what it felt like when you first had a baby? I know I had concerns about my ability to take care of them, but thankfully, Ha-Shem made the early needs fairly simple, and we grew together. If I step away temporarily as a parent (as I feel I did during part of pregnancy), it's a little hard to get back in synch. I've noticed that friends who sent their kids to school or daycare have similar problems reconnecting with their kids - meeting their daily needs. But it [...]44_8Jul200716:22:08-0700Sharonajb@SBCGLOBAL.NET 1803 79 24_Re: Introducing . . . Me13_Avivah Werner22_avivahwerner@YAHOO.COM30_Sun, 8 Jul 2007 21:25:38 -0700523_iso-8859-1 Hi, Chava - welcome! I used to live in Betar before we moved to the States seven years ago (hard to believe it's been that long), and I remember being able to see Bat Ayin in the distance.

>>Building off of Sharon's openness, I am facing a dilemma right now which might force me into homeschooling whether I choose it or not (Hashem has a way of making me think I have options and that I am choosing the best from the options, when in reality He is setting me up to do what is best for myself and my [...]43_8Jul200721:25:38-0700avivahwerner@YAHOO.COM 1883 32 14_introducing...15_Michelle Miller25_michelletamar@HOTMAIL.COM30_Sun, 8 Jul 2007 21:32:13 -0700568_- Chava,

Welcome to the list. I'm very strongly opinionated about this but I don't
think you would ever regret being a full-time homemaker in this extremely
short season of your children's lives. It's over in a blink. And yes, of
course you can do it. Hashem would not give you little babies you couldn't
provide for. This list is a great place to start, but please explore all
the internet venues for hschooling and find your style. Also, please read
anything by Raymond and Dorothy Moore and all your fears will melt
away...mamosh:) [...]46_8Jul200721:32:13-0700michelletamar@HOTMAIL.COM 1916 27 19_introducing....etc.15_Michelle Miller25_michelletamar@HOTMAIL.COM30_Sun, 8 Jul 2007 21:40:23 -0700378_- As always, I agree with everything Aviva said;) The truth is, homeschooling
requires we put Emunah front and center of our lives and continue to
strengthen it. Hashem has obviously put the desire to hschool in your heart
Chava, so walk it out with pure emunah. May you be blessed to find the joy
in full time mothering and learning with your children (amen). [...]46_8Jul200721:40:23-0700michelletamar@HOTMAIL.COM 1944 49 39_Re: mixing homeschooling with schooling4_Laya17_tolife18@JUNO.COM28_Mon, 9 Jul 2007 05:44:39 GMT539_- Hi Sharon, Here's my 2cents for consideration.

I have two kids, 21 months apart (now 11 & 13). We've done every combination of school
and homeschool with the two: one in school part time, one homeschool full time, two full
time homeschool, then switching to one in full time school and the other homeschool, and
now both go to school full time and homeschool in between. (I told my daughter that her
homeschool project for last year was school... I have more stories about that but no time to
ramble for now). [...]36_9Jul200705:44:39GMTtolife18@JUNO.COM 1994 52 43_Okay, I'm getting inspired . . . resources?11_Chava Brown25_tiffanyevabrown@YAHOO.COM30_Mon, 9 Jul 2007 00:39:06 -0700434_us-ascii Hi and thanks to all who wrote back with such inspirational messages. Does this list have a website or database or someplace where there is a list of resources for Torah-centered homeschooling? Chava ____________________________________________________________________________________ Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. http://mobile.yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC [...]46_9Jul200700:39:06-0700tiffanyevabrown@YAHOO.COM 2047 131 24_Re: Introducing . . . Me10_Sarah Kopp17_svkopp@012.NET.IL30_Mon, 9 Jul 2007 11:00:05 +0300575_ISO-8859-1 Chava Brown wrote:
> I feel like my choices are 1) be a full-time mother/home-maker, 2)
> work 3/4-time, have both kids in maon/gan (daycare/preschool) most of
> the day and hire a cleaner, and hope dinner will somehow get made, 3)
> maybe have the possibility of learning 3 mornings a week and doing
> home-making stuff the other 3 mornings (baby would stay with me),
> older child would go to preschool in the mornings.
I lived your option #2 for the last 12 years straight ( and off and on
between moves before that), and this year [...]38_9Jul200711:00:05+0300svkopp@012.NET.IL 2179 75 24_Re: Introducing . . . Me14_Malkie Swidler18_malkie18@GMAIL.COM30_Mon, 9 Jul 2007 11:07:42 +0300619_ISO-8859-1 I don't know if you are connected to the Israel homeschooling community yet,
but there is another family homeschooling in Efrat and four that I know of
in Tekoa. In fact, there's a homeschool horseback riding chug in Tekoa
(e-mail me for details).

I see that you have a concern about "keeping up". The first thing that you
need to know is that homeschooling is not necessarily school-at-home. I'm
not quite sure how this works (even though it's true for my child, too), but
most of the child-led learning oriented families I know have children who
are well beyond elementary [...]39_9Jul200711:07:42+0300malkie18@GMAIL.COM 2255 46 23_Re: introducing....etc.4_Laya17_tolife18@JUNO.COM28_Mon, 9 Jul 2007 17:42:56 GMT516_- Hi Chava, welcome to this most amazing community. There is so much wisdom here to tap
into. Maybe you knew the answer you'd get to the question of whether you could do this or
not and needed the assurance. It's new territory for sure and know that it is most
rewarding. I know some other young moms in Efrat and Bat Ayin who are thinking about
homeschooling (in fact they did not put their kids in gan at all so far!). If you want we can
see if you all can get together to brainstorm and talk. [...]36_9Jul200717:42:56GMTtolife18@JUNO.COM 2302 204 12_Introduction17_Rebecca Or-Shahar20_orshahar@COMCAST.NET30_Mon, 9 Jul 2007 18:19:28 -0400621_us-ascii Hi,

I heard about this list from a member of another Jewish homeschooling group,
New England Jewish Homeschoolers. I am Rebecca and together with my
husband, Yaniv, we homeschool our children Akiva (1997), Micah (1999), Eitan
(2001), Amitai (2003), and twin girls Miella and Annaya (2005). We live
northwest of Boston, having relocated from Israel 6 years ago- my husband is
Israeli, and I made aliyah and lived there for 10 years. It's interesting
to see Tekoa mentioned in some posts as we lived there for a year before
moving to Alon Shvut; though I'm not at all surprised to [...]41_9Jul200718:19:28-0400orshahar@COMCAST.NET 2507 33 10_Organizing10_Sarah Kopp17_svkopp@012.NET.IL31_Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:01:20 +0300252_ISO-8859-1 Has anyone used Marilyn Rockett's book "Homeschooling at the Speed of
Life"?

Does anyone have recommendations for a book or program to help with
balancing homeschooling and homemaking?

We're getting there....

Sarah39_20Jul200710:01:20+0300svkopp@012.NET.IL 2541 26 14_Re: Organizing8_cillakat18_cillakat@GMAIL.COM31_Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:06:22 -0400593_ISO-8859-1 << Does anyone have recommendations for a book or program to help with
balancing homeschooling and homemaking?>>

my struggle too ;/

k

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The TORCH-D mailing list is hosted by
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an online MA in Jewish Studies, http://hebrewcollege.edu/online/

To unsubscribe email: TORCH-D-unsubscribe-request@SHAMASH.ORG
For other options go to: http://listserv.SHAMASH.ORG/40_20Jul200709:06:22-0400cillakat@GMAIL.COM 2568 62 14_Re: Organizing2_CB23_chavayocheved@YAHOO.COM31_Fri, 20 Jul 2007 07:05:27 -0700741_iso-8859-1 I just joined a Yahoo group related to this. If
you're familiar with Fly Lady, it uses her methods for
homeschoolers. Here's the link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Flybaby_Homeschoolers/

I'm a new member there, and I'm not so much of a
Fly-er myself yet, but maybe it can help someone here!
:)

-Chava in Tzfas

--- cillakat wrote:

> << Does anyone have recommendations for a book or
> program to help with
> balancing homeschooling and homemaking?>>
>
> my struggle too ;/
>
> k
>
>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
> The TORCH-D mailing list is hosted by
> Shamash: The Jewish Network, [...]45_20Jul200707:05:27-0700chavayocheved@YAHOO.COM 2631 72 14_Re: Organizing13_Avivah Werner22_avivahwerner@YAHOO.COM31_Fri, 20 Jul 2007 11:45:32 -0700575_iso-8859-1 LOL, every homeschooling mom's struggle!

Avivah

cillakat wrote:
<< Does anyone have recommendations for a book or program to help with
balancing homeschooling and homemaking?>>

my struggle too ;/

k

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The TORCH-D mailing list is hosted by
Shamash: The Jewish Network, http://shamash.org,
a service of Hebrew College, which offers online courses and
an online MA in Jewish Studies, http://hebrewcollege.edu/online/ [...]44_20Jul200711:45:32-0700avivahwerner@YAHOO.COM 2704 32 28_Shiller vs. Right Start Math10_Sarah Kopp17_svkopp@012.NET.IL31_Sun, 22 Jul 2007 13:43:25 +0300321_ISO-8859-1 I am still looking for the right math program to buy. I was going to get
Right Start Math which has been highly recommended to me by everyone who
uses it, then yesterday I came across Shiller Math which looks a lot
like Right Start but is much cheaper.

Anyone have feedback about Shiller? [...]39_22Jul200713:43:25+0300svkopp@012.NET.IL 2737 74 14_Re: Organizing14_Mandy Oeschger23_sailorswife@KNOLOGY.NET31_Sun, 22 Jul 2007 10:21:35 -0500420_iso-8859-1 The following book is very helpful on organizing though it doesn't mention
homeschooling. If one follows the methods in this book, homeschooling
becomes easier I think. I'm still working on implementing the methods
presented in the book. :-) At any rate, I highly recomend it. -Mandy

It's About Time
The Guide to Jewish Homemaking
Nechama Berg and Chaya Levine
www.artscroll.com [...]45_22Jul200710:21:35-0500sailorswife@KNOLOGY.NET 2812 30 4_Math14_Bill Bernstein27_billbernstein@BELLSOUTH.NET31_Sun, 22 Jul 2007 10:50:18 -0500433_ISO-8859-1 While we're on the topic of math books:
For the primary years I used Singapore math and it was great. But when
we got to 6th grade and the series changed it just wasnt working. The
word problems sometimes didn't make sense, the presentation was poor,
and I found my motivation to get through it flagging badly.
So I need suggestions for math for 7th grade. I am sure someone has had
similar issues. [...]49_22Jul200710:50:18-0500billbernstein@BELLSOUTH.NET 2843 41 20_The Right Start Math16_Russell J Hendel17_rjhendel@JUNO.COM31_Sun, 22 Jul 2007 12:31:07 -0400584_us-ascii Hi
Over and above what textbook you chose it is very useful to involve the
kids in USING their math. Here are some simple exercises. e.g. a) Asking
a child to calculate e.g. how many units of certain items - drinks,
challahs - are needed if you go shopping 1/2wice a week b) While in the
supermarket ask your child which of two offers (which might involve
difference prices and different amounts) would be cheaper (This is hard )
c) asking how many boxes of cookies, candies etc are needed assuming a
given daily consumption by kids with a given [...]39_22Jul200712:31:07-0400rjhendel@JUNO.COM 2885 50 8_Re: Math10_Rachel Ann24_anolick@NETVISION.NET.IL31_Sun, 22 Jul 2007 20:40:36 +0300591_us-ascii I like the Key to books. They are on topic, not grade level; so
you'll have Key to Geography and Key to Algebra, and Key to Fractions etc.
They are clean, easy and based on learning by doing. There isn't a
whole lot of explanation.

Be well,
Rachel Ann

At 06:50 PM 7/22/2007, you wrote:
>While we're on the topic of math books:
>For the primary years I used Singapore math and it was great. But
>when we got to 6th grade and the series changed it just wasnt
>working. The word problems sometimes didn't make sense, the
>presentation was [...]46_22Jul200720:40:36+0300anolick@NETVISION.NET.IL 2936 53 32_Re: Shiller vs. Right Start Math12_Yonit Kasten22_jillkasten@CHARTER.NET31_Sun, 22 Jul 2007 17:46:18 -0400529_ISO-8859-1 I like Shiller Math A LOT, I think it is a great program. I did look
at Right Start before I bought Shiller 3 years ago, and back then it was
really just an abacus and I wasn't impressed by it at all. When I saw
it at convention this year though it seemed to be completely redone and
looked like a really good program. My girls are almost done with
Shiller Kit 1, so I looked at it for a while but realized that they were
at least 1-2 levels ahead of their age compared to Right Start. They
[...]44_22Jul200717:46:18-0400jillkasten@CHARTER.NET 2990 79 8_Re: Math25_Dickman, Benjamin H (Ben)27_bdickman@ALCATEL-LUCENT.COM31_Sun, 22 Jul 2007 13:25:59 -0500703_us-ascii Bill,

I'm amazed at how much new (or even certain used) math texts cost.
I picked up Prentice Hall's "Middle Grades Math" (course 1 for ~6th
grade,
course 2 for ~ 7th grade) for just a few bucks at Barnes and Noble's
Used Book partners. ISBN for course 2 is 0-13-434683-1 . Presentation
is good. This text goes along with the recent trends in presenting
a potpourri of topics: "Interpreting Data and Statistics" , "Application
of Decimals", "Algebra: Integers and Equations", "Fractions and Number
Theory",
"Using Proportions and Percent", "Investigation Geometry", "Geometry and
Measurement",
"Using Probability", "Algebra: Patterns and Functions" [...]49_22Jul200713:25:59-0500bdickman@ALCATEL-LUCENT.COM 3070 66 24_math worksheet generator10_Sarah Kopp17_svkopp@012.NET.IL31_Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:18:19 +0300567_ISO-8859-1 If you want to supplement your kids math with worksheets on basic
arithmetic to strengthen their memorization of math facts, I found a
really quick and easy - and free - way to do it.

Here are 5 links to pages that have math sheet generators for the four
basic functions and fractions. Choose the number of digits you want to
generate problems for and the number of problems per page, click and go.
It also generates the answers for you if you want to cut and paste them
to a separate page for printing. I printed out a whole [...]39_24Jul200716:18:19+0300svkopp@012.NET.IL 3137 40 28_Re: math worksheet generator13_Sharon Brooks23_Sharonajb@SBCGLOBAL.NET31_Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:45:36 -0700503_iso-8859-1 I have a questions about high school math, english, and music skills.

My step-daughter is here for part of the summer. She lives in Israel and is
going into 10th grade. She's the top in her class in math, and would like
to be placed in the hugher level class. In order to do that she needs to
slightly improve her test scores. She wants to work on that now, but
couldn't tell me entirely what they were learning or are coming up to, so
I'm not sure what will help. [...]45_24Jul200715:45:36-0700Sharonajb@SBCGLOBAL.NET 3178 72 28_Re: math worksheet generator25_Dickman, Benjamin H (Ben)27_bdickman@ALCATEL-LUCENT.COM31_Tue, 24 Jul 2007 18:03:27 -0500540_us-ascii Sharon,

My kid liked the book "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" for a humorous
coverage of punctuation. Most other grammar books leave the eyes
glazed over. For writing, see Strunk and White's "Elements of Style".

For math, the review books for high school math are available in
most public libraries and are cheap to get (used) online.
She'll probably need algebra primarily, followed by geometry.
I don't know if "proofs" are required in Israel. If so, she's
got to memorize the key geometry proofs. [...]49_24Jul200718:03:27-0500bdickman@ALCATEL-LUCENT.COM 3251 30 32_Re: Shiller vs. Right Start Math8_cillakat18_cillakat@GMAIL.COM31_Fri, 27 Jul 2007 07:34:44 -0400409_ISO-8859-1 i've seen them both. i like them both. rightstart gives a more
thorough deep understanding of math and has an amazing way of
integrating tiny bits of drill/repetition so that you don't even
realize it's happening. they also use geometry as a placeholder while
you're learning multiplication tables (without really realizing you're
learning them)

it's an amazing program. [...]40_27Jul200707:34:44-0400cillakat@GMAIL.COM 3282 260 32_Re: Shiller vs. Right Start Math14_Gaby Neuburger17_ylb@NEUBURGER.ORG31_Fri, 27 Jul 2007 02:15:22 -0700623_WINDOWS-1252 Sarah,

I haven't used Shiller yet, but I've just made the decision to go with it.
I've spent the last few days researching as many math programs as possible,
and every one had some negative comments, apart from Shiller. I went to
homeschoolreviews.com and homeschoolmath.net and went through all the
reviews there. I googled Shiller and I found only positive reviews (except
for the one link below), although it doesn't seem to be very widely used -
at least that's the impression I got. Disclaimer: I may have missed more
negative reviews, and I haven't yet used this myself. [...]39_27Jul200702:15:22-0700ylb@NEUBURGER.ORG 3543 147 32_Re: Shiller vs. Right Start Math10_Sarah Kopp17_svkopp@012.NET.IL31_Sat, 28 Jul 2007 23:53:15 +0300489_windows-1252 I also, in the meantime, decided to go with Shiller. It was really down
to Right Start vs. Shiller for me, from all I'd read, adn Yonit's
experiences convinced me.

Tip: I bought 4-8 on ebay for $200 instead of $300. I have only once
seen Right Start available second hand, but the Shiller materials do
seem to be available. There have been three e-bay listings in the last
10 days or so. Of course this may not be the updated version you mentioned. [...]39_28Jul200723:53:15+0300svkopp@012.NET.IL 3691 141 31_Questions about teaching Kodesh14_Gaby Neuburger17_ylb@NEUBURGER.ORG31_Sun, 29 Jul 2007 03:09:29 -0700604_ISO-8859-1 Hi,

I'd like to get some guidance about teaching my girls Kodesh. They would be
going into Kindergarten and 3rd grade. I am a ba'alas teshuvah, and so
haven't had my own experience of what's covered in school. I realize that I
shouldn't necessarily be following the "curriculum" by the book - and that I
have whatever flexibility I want, but there is a chance that sometime in the
future they may go to school, and in general, I'd like them to have a good
grounding, knowledge and the ability to further their learning themselves.
I'm planning on mainly using [...]39_29Jul200703:09:29-0700ylb@NEUBURGER.ORG 3833 109 35_Re: Questions about teaching Kodesh17_Chana Silberstein16_cs32@CORNELL.EDU31_Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:29:32 -0400656_iso-8859-1 Gaby,
As a starting point, Torah UMesorah publishes a thin booklet describing
what is generally covered in every grade from K-8. They also publish a
book called " Maba'ei Hakitah" which introduces some basic Hebrew phrases.
Since young children so naturally take to language, I would make an effort
to include some Hebre teaching for your kindergartner, which will serve as
an excellent base for Chumash and other subjects later.
You will want to introduce basic midrashim, stories from Tanach, story of
each Yom Tov, and "general knowledge about mitzvos and the Jewish home to
your kindergartner, but these need [...]38_30Jul200700:29:32-0400cs32@CORNELL.EDU 3943 34 35_Re: Questions about teaching Kodesh13_Kerith Earlix17_kerith@EARLIX.COM31_Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:55:34 -0700544_US-ASCII Gaby -

I find this resource enormously useful. It's the curriculum summary for the
Mizrachi school in Cleveland. Here's the link:

http://www.fuchsmizrachi.org/lowerschool.htm

Scroll down to the Revised Family Curriculum Handbook and download the pdf.
It's an impressive document. My oldest is only 4, but I've read through this
a number of times now. :)

-Kerith

>> I'd like to get some guidance about teaching my girls Kodesh. They would
>> be going into Kindergarten and 3rd grade. [...]39_30Jul200700:55:34-0700kerith@EARLIX.COM 3978 152 35_Re: Questions about teaching Kodesh12_Rena Weisman19_renaweisman@COX.NET31_Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:51:39 -0700708_iso-8859-1 Torah UMesorah publishes a thin booklet describing
> what is generally covered in every grade from K-8.

Do you know where this is available for purchase?

Thanks!
Rena W.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chana Silberstein"
To:
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 9:29 PM
Subject: Re: [TORCH-D] Questions about teaching Kodesh

> Gaby,
> As a starting point, Torah UMesorah publishes a thin booklet describing
> what is generally covered in every grade from K-8. They also publish a
> book called " Maba'ei Hakitah" which introduces some basic Hebrew phrases.
> Since young children so naturally take [...]41_30Jul200713:51:39-0700renaweisman@COX.NET 4131 240 35_Re: Questions about teaching Kodesh14_Gaby Neuburger17_ylb@NEUBURGER.ORG31_Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:38:24 -0700676_ISO-8859-1 Torah UMesorah's phone number is (718) 259-1223. The used to have their
catalog up on e-chinuch.org's website, but unfortunately it's no longer
there, and they don't have their own site.

Gaby

On 7/30/07, Rena Weisman wrote:
>
> Torah UMesorah publishes a thin booklet describing
> > what is generally covered in every grade from K-8.
>
>
> Do you know where this is available for purchase?
>
> Thanks!
> Rena W.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chana Silberstein"
> To:
> Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 9:29 PM
> Subject: Re: [...]39_30Jul200715:38:24-0700ylb@NEUBURGER.ORG 4372 208 35_Re: Questions about teaching Kodesh0_27_billbernstein@BELLSOUTH.NET31_Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:17:13 -0500594_ISO-8859-1 That's because Torah UMesorah is part of the Agudah, which declared computers the instrument of the yetzer hora.
I had their booklet on what should be taught in each grade, both for "in town" and "out of town" yeshivas.
Honestly I think the Mishna in Pirkey Avos is as good a guide as any.
I had this conversation with Rena Levin when I visited Baltimore last week. We agreed that actual skills or content covered is not nearly as important as inculcating an attitude towards learning. Many people grew up with little or no Jewish education (including the listowner of [...]49_30Jul200718:17:13-0500billbernstein@BELLSOUTH.NET 4581 21 5_intro14_Rebecca Elkoby21_elkobyc@BELLSOUTH.NET31_Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:16:16 -0400317_ISO-8859-1 Hi everyone,
I'm new to this list but glad to finally be here. I am an orthodox jewish mom homeschooling my 5 year old daughter. I'm from the South Florida region where there are few jewish homeschoolers. (Or else they stay under cover...) I'm glad to see there are many more out there.
Rebecca [...]43_31Jul200700:16:16-0400elkobyc@BELLSOUTH.NET 4603 64 9_Re: intro4_Rhea17_rhea_sc@YAHOO.COM31_Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:17:27 -0700333_iso-8859-1 Hi Rebecca!

I ,too, am from South Florida. Boca Raton. Where are you?

I have a 6 yo daughter and a 10 yo son. And always looking for fellow Jewish homeschoolers. If you are from further south...Miami...there is/was a live group but I don't know if they are still around. Feel free to email me off list. [...]39_31Jul200704:17:27-0700rhea_sc@YAHOO.COM 4668 160 9_Re: intro15_[Rivkah Estrin]20_rivkahestrin@AOL.COM31_Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:22:45 -0400393_us-ascii Welcome. I am also located in SoFla - Coral Springs area. My kids are almost 4, 2 and 4 months. Are there local resources here? I'd love to know more.

Rivkah
(seems like the official name of the Fla HS mom!)

-----Original Message-----
From: Rhea
To: TORCH-D@SHAMASH.ORG
Sent: Tue, 31 Jul 2007 7:17 am
Subject: Re: [TORCH-D] intro [...]42_31Jul200708:22:45-0400rivkahestrin@AOL.COM 4829 22 9_Re: intro14_Evelyn Krieger18_ek2000@COMCAST.NET31_Tue, 31 Jul 2007 10:34:45 -0400495_iso-8859-1 Welcome Rebecca,
Which city are you in?
Evelyn

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To unsubscribe email: TORCH-D-unsubscribe-request@SHAMASH.ORG
For other options go to: http://listserv.SHAMASH.ORG/40_31Jul200710:34:45-0400ek2000@COMCAST.NET 4852 93 9_Re: intro14_Rebecca Elkoby21_elkobyc@BELLSOUTH.NET31_Tue, 31 Jul 2007 10:38:15 -0400645_ISO-8859-1 Hi Rivkah,
Yes, it does seem a popular name with S. Florida homeschoolers. Nice to meet you. I'm from the Hollywood/fort lauderdale area.
Rebecca
>
> From: "[Rivkah Estrin]"
> Date: 2007/07/31 Tue AM 08:22:45 EDT
> To: TORCH-D@SHAMASH.ORG
> Subject: Re: [TORCH-D] intro
>
> Welcome. I am also located in SoFla - Coral Springs area. My kids are almost 4, 2 and 4 months. Are there local resources here? I'd love to know more.
>
> Rivkah
> (seems like the official name of the Fla HS mom!)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rhea
[...]43_31Jul200710:38:15-0400elkobyc@BELLSOUTH.NET 4946 80 47_Re: Advise on Homeschooling vs School-schooling17_rjhendel@juno.com17_rjhendel@JUNO.COM29_Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:13:11 GMT652_- Hi
The following two paragraphs were in a length posting by Dr Backon on Mail Jewish. I thought it would be of interest to the Torch-D community.
......If the school refuses to comply, pull your kids out and give them an
excellent homestudy secular education
http://www.babbagenetschool.com/information.html at a cost of $2000 per
child per year and a good Limudei Kodesh curriculum
http://www.yeshivaonline.ca/ for another $2000 per child per year. And
the Limudei Kodesh curriculum can be beefed up by proper texts and
audiovisual material that is currently available for: Hebrew, Tanach,
Dinim/halacha, and gemara. [...]37_31Jul200715:13:11GMTrjhendel@JUNO.COM 5027 20 17_Re: Another intro6_Dahlia20_dahlia42@COMCAST.NET31_Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:37:46 +0000361_- Hi. I also joined recently and probably know some of you from other lists. I'm Dahlia, Eema to Aliana Miri (7 yo) and Itamar Raniel (4.5). We've been homeschooling since we moved to Michigan from Massachusetts about 3 years ago. We're homeschooling secular and religious subjects.

I hope to get a lot of great ideas from the folks on this list :) [...]42_31Jul200715:37:46+0000dahlia42@COMCAST.NET 5048 73 47_Re: Advise on Homeschooling vs School-schooling13_Avivah Werner22_avivahwerner@YAHOO.COM31_Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:55:26 -0700553_iso-8859-1 To me, this is almost like school-schooling but in the comfort of your own home. And I also think that this is a lot of money to spend homeschooling one child. That is besides my philosophical position on homeschooling and my negative general feelings about things like this in general (not so much Yeshiva online, which I think is a good service, as the first secular choice). But although it's not my vision for homeschooling since I think it is designed to mimic the school environment, there are parents who could benefit from this. [...]44_31Jul200719:55:26-0700avivahwerner@YAHOO.COM