We are a team, my dh may earn the money outside the home but we both 'work'. We really have a great relationship, he earns and I spend. Win, win;) I do all the school work because he isn't here during the day, and his goldfish like attention span with schoolwork wouldn't help the kids. In the evenings, we both do what has to be done in the house ie cook, clean etc. It has taken me years to teach him how to do house-work, and he is likely to forget, again, at any moment.

LOL! That guy sure is having the craic doing those videos! Are they using Irish sigh Language?

You are talking my language now! I hated learning Irish, that's what we call it in Ireland, when I was growing up, and now that we are Irish abroad maybe I should be giving my kids more that a few words and phrases in Irish. Thanks for the ideas!

We used Word Problems (Kumon Math Workbooks), usually by grade level. I would pick out a problem or two a day to do, or work a page depending on what we were doing.

Life of Fred is very independent at this grade. It is written to the student, and it's my boys favourite math curriculum, we do a few;) I have a review of it http://airskull.com/life-of-fred/ We are also using Art of Problem Solving, Prealgebra. We found this book harder to read, hence we are using it as review, after Fred.

I see that what you are planning is very like what I did!

Oldest kid used MM6+Hands-On Equations+LOF PreAlgebra 1 with Biology & PreAlgebra 2 with Economics. He finished Challenge Math for Elementary and Middle School, and Math Olympiad Contest Problems for Elementary and Middle Schools for word problems. He is now using, about 6 weeks left, Art of Problem Solving, Prealgebra as a review. He has just started grade 8 ,here in Australia school year starts in January. Second son did the same but skipped MM6. He finished Challenge Math for Elementary and Middle School, and Math Olympiad Contest Problems for Elementary and Middle Schools for word problems. He is a little better and a lot faster at math than older boy. He has just started grade 6. He is taking break from algebra and is going to spend a few weeks finishing doing word problems form Creative Problem Solving in School mathematics and Khan Academy. He will then start Art of Problem Solving, Prealgebra as a review, not doing the challenging word problems on first run through, then doing them as a review when he is finished the book. HTH

I agree with many here, he sounds like he needs more exercise and possibly more special time with you. I know it's not easy with a puppy, it's like a toddler on speed! My dogs were a nightmare when they were little, chewing, jumping, and generally causing trouble, but what got us through it was lots of play time, lots of walks, obedience training, and time. You could also consider using a dog crate. Google it, they look like a jail, but when used properly they are fantastic. You put them in for quiet time, sleep time, and it can be wonderful for during the night. They need to be used responsibly, but work very well. Good luck!

Maria is fantastic and a delight to deal with. I have had a few 'chats' to her over the years, and have noting but good manners and prompt responses. Wish I could say the same about some other providers, who will remain nameless!

Just saying welcome! I don't have any advice as I don't know the laws in the States, but the guys here are super helpful. It was the first place I looked for advice when I decided to homeschool 4 years ago. BTW, lucky you in Florida, we were there 2 years ago for a holidays, and it was fantastic!

Haha, me too! Sometimes I take a couple of unplanned days off, sit on the couch reading and surfing, letting the house fall apart, no school, no nagging, and the kids fend for themselves! It always recharges me. Op could easily take a 'Teachers Day' to catch up on work she doesn't get time for in a regular day, make your school work for you!

I did the same as many here, took my DS out of school half way through 4th grade. I felt he needed review so stared him in MM3, but we skipped a lot of questions. He is now grade 8 and ahead in math.

We started Beast Academy after MM3, it wasn't quiet the review I expected, it introduced topics he hadn't learnt before. I love MM but my DS9 doesn't. He loves Beast Academy, and the lack of hundreds of questions. He wants to stick with Beast Academy.

There was no chance of MM 7 when we started using MM 4 years ago. We loved MM, but had to find something else for pre-algebra. There are so many wonderful curriculum that it's hard for me to stick to just a few, my poor boys;) I have written a review of Life of Fred, on my blog, for anyone who is considering using it. It really is wonderful, and could fill the gap for you.

One of my boys went straight to LOF pre-algebra from MM5. He had no problem with the math in LOF but found the Biology/Economic difficult. He also did Hands on Equations at the same time. He is now 11, grade 6 and starting AOPS pre-Algebra, as review. He is not ready for Algebra.

Great article! I have two boys that need to move when working. They both sit, well bounce, on exercise balls instead of chairs for writing and math (one of them is nearly beyond the need for this now, he is nearly 10, and can sit on a normal chair for extended periods). Their writing isn't the neatest, but they can now concentrate for longer. They need to move to think. Sounds strange, but it works over here!

All my boys have had this problem. My two older boys, 13 and 11, have now grow out of it. My 8 and soon to be 10 year old still struggles with 6 & 9, b & d, j & g direction, and direction on 4. It doesn't worry me at all, I didn't do anything special for the older two, just pointed out mistakes, and they no longer make those mistakes, and I believe the younger two will out grow out of it too. Hang tight!

I've just started blogging. I use some non-secular curriculum secularly, if you get my drift. Our blog www.airskull.com is mostly about our lives, with a little homeschool thrown in for good measure.

I have only posted a couple of times on this board and its been about Peterson. I must really like this resource!! Ammer

I started home-schooling my 10 year old son a few months ago. His hand writing was terrible. I spent many an hour researching hand writing resources that I felt I could teach. I purchased Peterson and have not looked back. My son now has beautiful handwriting. He does have to concentrate on it or he reverts back to his old sloppy style. I am also teaching my 8, 6 and 4 year old how to write using Peterson. All is going well so far. I particularly love the fact that Peterson have a specific way to teach lefties(my 4 year old). I would imagine the cursive first program is just as fantastic as the print first one!! As for user friendliness... I had no problem with it. I did however spend a couple of hours reading everything on the web site and in the instruction books before I began. My boys also look forward to doing it. We find all the air writing and silly songs fun! Ammer

http://peterson-handwriting.com/Early%20Childhood/Lefthandedchild.html I found this very useful for teaching my left handed 4 year old how to hold his pencil and paper correctly. I now use the complete program to teach all my children writing. I am also left handed and see no disadvantage in it. I do however think it is very important that lefties are shown the correct way to write, avoiding hook writing(hand coming from above).