[punctuality is important]

At the very least, it's important to teach them how to stand in line.

 

That's why I take my kids to Walt Disney World! :D

[For those teaching evolution...]

 

Here is a game to use when your dd is older:

 

 

• Brainpop game that teaches National Science standards on evolution, adaptation, and the history of life on earth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BrainPOP (and BrainPOP Jr. for K-3) is also available as a free app for those with iPhones or iPads.

[wow]

Awwwww...I miss those days. Seriously :)

[Living books about the Great Fire of London]

Here are a couple of websites about the Great Fire of London suitable for younger children. This one is interactive. And, here is one from the BBC.

 

For those with older kids, the historical fiction book Petals in the Ashes by Mary Hooper is very readable, and is recommended for grades 5 or 6 and up. My older daughter loved this book and it's prequel, At the Sign of the Sugared Plum, set in London during the plague.

[How long have you been home schooling]

I just completeted my 11th year.

[Have your kids ever attended school outside the home?]

No.

[Help with a pretty big dilemma?]

1) I would not make her go.

2) I would address her anxiety issues.

:grouphug:

[What's your 2nd grade plan?]

Here's our 2nd grade plan so far (still putting it together):

 

Language Arts

MCT Grammar Island, Building Language, Music Hemispheres, Sentence Island, Practice Island (would you believe I had never even HEARD of this program until I started reading the glowing reviews here the last few months?!)

 

Suppose the Wolf Were an Octopus (literature/reading comprehension)

 

Spelling Workout C

 

Math

A Beka Arithmetic 3

 

History

SOTW 2 with Activity Guide

 

Music

guitar and piano lessons

Discovering Music

 

Art

Artistic Pursuits

 

Science

NO idea :confused:---On the hunt for a good secular program (would love suggestions hint, hint ;))

 

PE

maybe dance, not sure

 

Language

Probably Spanish, not sure of the program...

[Something you never, ever want to hear from one of your kids....]

:grouphug: I can't even imagine.

 

I'm so glad to hear he is okay.

[Would you touch someone else's stuff?]

Is she a photographer or camera nut? I don't think she should have done that, but I wonder if camera fanatics can't help themselves and must take a picture. I don't get it, but maybe it is a photographer thing.

 

Yes, that was my thought.

 

Although I would never touch someone's camera (or anything like that) without invitation, it wouldn't really bother me if someone picked my camera up, especially if we had just been talking about it, and, even more especially if I knew it was someone who is also into photography.

 

I would think it was a bit odd, but, I wouldn't give it any more thought beyond that.

 

And, I have the same camera as the op.

[Beverly Cleary's Ramona books? Your honest opinions, please.]

I think they're adorable. Ramona is a great character.

 

I credit them with helping my 7 yo kickstart her independent reading last year.

[Take 2! Chocolate or Vanilla?]

If we're talking ice cream---vanilla (but with chocolate topping)

 

Cake, cookies---chocolate.

[We haven't had a jane Auten (or British period pieces) thread recently]

I stumbled onto "North and South" back in June, and it has quickly become a favorite. Still can't convince dh to watch it with me though.

 

My daughter and I watched (and loved!) "North and South" last year while she was taking European History. Excellent movie that makes a wonderful supplement if you're studying the Industrial Revolution. Plus, Thornton (Richard Armitage) is...amazing :)

[If you subscribe to Home Education Magazine, my son on the cover!]

Beautiful photo!

[Cranberry Thanksgiving-so disappointed]

My kids and I all enjoyed this book. Plus, it has become a tradition for my youngest and I to make the cranberry bread from the book each Thanksgiving.

[What's a great place to buy essential oils?]

 

Mountain Rose Herbs, which I learned about from someone here on the boards, has essential oils of excellent quality. They have a very informative website also.

[Mitch Albom on the likely demise of Borders]

Interesting. B&N is my favorite large bookstore. I had an educator card with them for many years and never had any trouble either obtaining one or using it.

 

Florida has next to no homeschool regulations. I got my first educator card by showing my copy of our letter of intent, I think, although it might have been a copy of my daughter's most recent evaluation form. Either way, it was something I always have on hand at home, anyway. I renewed a couple of times by just showing my home-made homeschool ID card.

 

I bought all kinds of things with the educator discount, but I was also always very careful to buy only things I could justify to myself as educational. In fact, on more than one occasion, I would have things separated out into different piles (one for school stuff, another for fun books), and clerks would insist on using the discount on everything.

 

For what it's worth, I hate Amazon. The idea that I can place one order that includes books and groceries and a pair of socks just makes me crazy. I also feel strongly that they have been a major force in running brick and mortar bookstores out of business. I never buy from Amazon if there is any other alternative. I'd rather pay a couple of bucks more to help support stores where I actually enjoy shopping.

 

As someone who is in Barnes & Noble at least once a week, (and often, more) I agree with this.

 

My kids and I appreciate having a brick and mortar bookstore to spend our time (and money) in. We love being able to pick up and leaf through books and magazines before we buy them.

 

While I realize it may be a bit less expensive to buy through Amazon, I gladly pay a bit more at Barnes & Noble.

 

I do have both the educator's and membership discount, but, the educator's card (which is free) offers more in terms of savings.

 

I have never had any problem using my educator's discount (even when buying Harry Potter Lego sets a couple of weeks ago). The new cards are 2 year "swipeable" cards that you swipe through the credit card machines when you make your purchase. Everything I buy (with the exception of magazines and DVDs/CDs) is 20% off. And, four weeks a year there is a 10% discount on DVDs/CDs along with 25% savings on everything else for educators.

 

I really hate the fact that we are losing actual bookstores to the internet and the e-book trade.

[Can't help but share: Managed to get HP midnite tickets!]

How fun!

 

I'm looking forward to taking my son to see it, although we'll probably wait until Monday to go.

[Clowns, dolls, and otherwise human-esque things]

I absolutely love dolls---old dolls, new dolls, porcelain dolls, plastic dolls---I love them all!

 

Now, clowns :::shudder::: I find them extremely...unsettling. And, weirdly enough, all three of my kids are creeped out by clowns.

 

I remember watching some horror film as a kid where clowns were prominently featured (can't remember what it was called, but it induced nightmares...), and I suspect that has something to do with my aversion to clowns.

[Other than smoking...]

I exercised throughout all three of my pregnancies----walking, pregnancy videos, golfing (with my first).

 

I drank coffee, as it helped with my pregnancy-induced headaches. (My ob gave this the ok, even though some claim it can contribute to low birth weight).

 

I ate healthily (sure, there was the occasional indulgence such as a Dunkin' Donuts' chocolate cream-filled donut, or a Taco Bell chalupa ;)).

 

All that to say, my babies were 8lbs 9oz, 10lbs 15oz, and 9lbs 1oz. They were all extremely healthy at birth, which, of course, was the goal.

 

And, I'm almost 5'3"....

[What do you call the implement that holds hair in a ponytail?]

that's the only thing I call them and I'm surprised the result is so low!

 

That's the only way my girls and I refer to them, as well. It doesn't matter if they are fabric covered or not. They're all scrunchies to us ;)

[What do you call the implement that holds hair in a ponytail?]

We call them scrunchies. And, now that you mention it....I don't know why :D I know there's a company that makes hair stuff called scunci...

[One Last Google Spin-off: What Ads Follow You?]

Right now, Walt Disney World is ubiquitous as I make my way around the internet.

 

Previously, a rather pricey moisturizer was "covering" me :)

 

I find it a bit creepy.

 

Oops! Forgot to add: While I wouldn't use the word covet, I do enjoy the Walt Disney World Resort and I'm quite fond of the moisturizer mentioned.

[Please share your experiences with AP English Language/Literature courses]

 

Here is a link for you. It's a compilation of what books have been suggested in the choose your book essay for AP Lit exams since 1971, including what years. It is a great resource! Remember that just because a book is not listed does not mean that it will not work. If in doubt, as the teachers on the forum.

 

http://homepage.mac.com/mseffie/AP/APtitles.html

 

HTH,

GardenMom

 

Great link!

 

Thanks so much for all the helpful information.

[Please share your experiences with AP English Language/Literature courses]

Thanks, GardenMom and Lynn.

 

Lynn---did your daughter take the AP English Language course and exam before AP Literature? My daughter would rather jump right to Literature, but I keep seeing recommendations to complete AP English Language first.

 

GardenMom---did you follow any of the sample syllabi from the College Board site?

 

Right now I'm leaning toward having her take a course (once I decide on one!) rather than self-studying, but I'm looking at all the options.