I would teach her how to approach tests. A friend who joined the military had trouble getting the job he wanted because he kept bombing the ASVAB (I think that is the correct acronymn). He did fine on the practice tests, and he was very capable. But I guess he froze up on the official test. Teach her to eliminate answers, take educated guesses, do all the problems she knows first, and be sure to mark the correct question number! Can you do a shorter test, or easier, or break it up more? Maybe you can just print a practice test for something you could both learn, and apply these strategies together for fun. I just took the HAM radio exam, and I was very thankful for good test-coping strategies I've learned. That said, I just realized you are talking about your 8 year old, I would definately try to decrease the stress in any way you can. Maybe you can challenge her to apply one testing strategy, like a game, and then have a little party when she is done? HTH! Amy

http://crossfitkids.com/ has a daily workout, comprised of gymnastics skills, stength exercises and endurance / sprinting. I would like to implement this, but haven't figured out how to sub-divide my kids and stave off the three-ring circus. I think we will start with just the skills (proper squats, jumping rope, etc.), probably in the fall. I was in an adult crossfit program before the baby, and the results were phenominal. As of right now, the older boys do Taekwondo. Of course they also do things such as ride bikes and jump on the trampoline. HTH! Amy

I've had my kids do these. I would prefer they carry in wood, but as its spring/summer the wood isn't split. I think something active helps them to refocus better than just sitting in a corner. As if my 4 yo could sit still! I've also "made" them jump 100 times on the trampoline if they get to bouncy indoors. Amy

I love to shoot, and I like the smell of gunpowder. I'm thinking about getting a blackpowder rifle, I shot a friend's last week and that was a blast.

Remove food from the counters. Use a dog crate (I feed my dog in hers, and I think she likes the privacy) or let the dog in the yard if you have one. You could try a squirt from a water bottle, or maybe mousetraps (upside down). But unless you are going to catch him in the act, do not "reward" him by leaving food on the counter. Amy

Have you checked out Classical Composition?

Well count me in for a set of flashcards asap! Your website looks great, will some of your items also be available as downloads/ebooks? Amy

This is mostly a bump, but perhaps you can use an old highschool/college text as a guide. One of my first assignments in Technical Writing was describing how to make a peanut butter sandwich (and then classmates attempted to follow the instructions, while trying to screwup - like putting the peanut butter on the outside!). Write directions, recipes, instructions; compare options, use graphs; make a resume; etc. Amy

Its a lot of playing with words, popcorn stories, finishing a story, etc. I couldn't figure out how to implement it.

I pick books from it, but I want my children together more, especially since they are young. I plan to use more of their lists as my children can read independently, but plan to keep us in the same history period and science topic (as in Simply Charlotte Mason and TWTM).

I am doing some First Year Latin, but I'm still using the lectures. He is planning to have an answer key available (another teacher is helping I think). I believe with an answer key you would be fine. The nice thing about Linney is he tells you not to worry about XX in the lesson, that it will be explained later. I don't know if that helps you, LOL! Amy

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one considering several languages. I just wanted to add that you might want to consider different programs for the two languages, sometimes they are to similar. I completed Pimsluer's German 1, and I could not do Spanish 1, even a few months later. I kept answering in German! So perhaps you can do Rosetta Stone for one, and something else for the other? HTH! Amy

Latin Prep has great reviews. For a reading style you could try Cambridge. The author of GSWL has a second course, free and online. Linney's Latin Class, and the book is cheap to purchase or available here. This book is also free, but aimed at ~7th grade. We are just beginning GSWL, but one of these is probably what we will move to, combined with Lingua Latina. HTH, Amy

Join the MEP Yahoo group - there is a file with links to the placement test and the keys. Amy

Well this isn't a game (I don't think) but it is on the computer. My DC think anything on the computer is fun, so maybe it will help you. I haven't used this product (I will probably purchase it when DS7 can read well enough to work indepentantly, we have other V/V products). HTH and I'm very interested in any answers you get. Amy

Well if you are comparing WWE (the grammar stage book) vs. Writing Strands 1: WWE is doable and easier. Writing Stands is a collection of fun ways to play with words. I'm a compulsive planner and I couldn't figure out how to implement it. I've only seen Writing Strands 1, it seems the higher levels, being written for the student, would be better planned out. Amy

I think its very important, as Texasmama, its going to be hard to change later. Amy

I own it & like it. All the lines are like that, for an explanation why, check here: http://quilljar.users.btopenworld.com/rules.html (basically the top of the tall letters shouldn't touch the descending letters like 'y'). It is very economical, and includes copywork. Amy

Instead of study questions and exams, you narrate. So read the selection, then orally (or in writing) summarize it, expand on what you thought, what happened, etc. I usually imagine I am telling the story to someone else (I write my narrations when I have time). Narration is very effective at slowing you down and making you remember, but it takes time to learn. You might like this yahoo group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/charlottemasonselfed/?yguid=217554105) for more information on narration. The official AO (or HEO for highschool) yahoo group is also a good CM resource, as is the forum at http://simplycharlottemason.com HTH! Amy

We use MEP alone. 2nd grade currently, 1st & 3rd next year. Its very complete IF you are doing/adapting the teacher's lesson plans. Amy

KISS Grammar (scroll down to grade level books), or any of many vintage grammar books on Google books (here are some I've found). For planning Old Fashioned Education uses MEP, public domain books and has a 40 week schedule. Ambleside has readings as a 36 week schedule, many public domain books, just add math / phonics daily (it tells you which ones at the top of the book list). With either you could replace the history section with whatever you have for Rome. To plan your own schedule Simply Charlotte Mason has a series of blog posts. HTH! Amy

The simple scripture reader sounds great. I'm *probably* going with an Attic text for my son (from Galore Park) and I think a list of memory verses (maybe with audio or even a fancy video highlighting each word as it is spoken) would be nice. The big thing for me, with 4 kids, is non-consumable or something I can print myself. But PM me if you need a beta tester, I have a 7.5 and a 6 yo that would be happy to help! Amy

:iagree:

Thanks. I love the worksheets. I just ordered the GP book for under $13 with free shipping - you can't beat that! Amy

I think that's a good idea. Amy