So much of math depends on really understanding place value. Hard to say if you need to dig in or move on and circle back. I would probably have to judge by the frustration and tolerance level of my kid. If it is the first week after a long break I would give it a couple of weeks and see how it is going. Maybe keep progressing but with a short mini lesson on place value with manipulatives before the main lesson? Then if it still isn't clicking it might be time to reevaluate or slow down. For what it is worth, Math U See did give my kids an excellent foundation in place value. It focused on place value very clearly even as they learned each algorithm. It was not a perfect math program for us, but that was one of its strengths.

Praying for you in your grief right now. It is clear to everyone here that you were an amazing mom who did all you could with the knowledge you had. Life is unfair and cruel. She was very blessed to have you in her corner all those years fighting for her. I am so very sorry for your loss.

When I hit 40 and my kids were both in middle school I realised I didn't want to start over. I had always wanted three but it didn't work out that way. Honestly, two was probably the most I could have handled anyways. It just seems like it would be much harder now. It kind of sounds exhausting actually and I am already tired all the time. I wanted three but I wanted them close together. Even after trying for years and years I am not sure how I would react to pregnancy news tomorrow. I might laugh or I might cry. So I guess I am done.

I just read this article recently https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2018/01/31/a-town-of-3200-was-flooded-with-21-million-pain-pills-as-addiction-crisis-worsened-lawmakers-say/?utm_term=.495c3a5268b4 I know people have some chronic pain issues, but I think that the prescriptions have gotten out of control. I know a family dealing with this and I have watched so much happen to that person and their family. They are now a family of addicts who lie, steal, and cheat to get more pills. The spouse got addicted and the young adult child as well. There have to be some other options? Not to belittle anyone's pain as I know some people do need them. I am just questioning the scale of it all and what other options we have as a society.

I thought it might die a slow natural death but it didn't work out that way. I guess we were too close for too long. I am an avid conflict avoider so that would have definitely been my preference though... It was a one sided relationship for a very long time. And I just don't have anything left to give. I can't fake it either. I am terrible at faking stuff.

I am looking for a resource to introduce the basic five paragraph essay for an early middle schooler. Any ideas?

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Been there-done that! My new rule is any raw meat has to be on the bottom shelf.😱

Anatomy and Physiology? Environmental Science?

We did just an intro to literary terms in 7th (Figuratively speaking) and Lightning Lit 8 this year which has gone well. I am doing more composition next year, so not expecting much in the way of literary analysis yet, but I would like to start exposing her to some harder works. She reads a ton for pleasure already. No problems there other than prying them out of her hands to start school 😉 I would like to line literature up with history as much as possible. I was leaning towards having half a credit of British lit and half a credit American lit for both 9th and 10th grade as we go through Early Modern (1600-1850) in 9th and Modern (1850- present) in 10th. We started the 4 year history cycle late in 7th grade. I am looking at continuing with History Odyssey Early Modern as a spine for history next year, but most of the literature built in is below her level. I could alternately give her a year of World literature and not focus as much on American/British lit. But I need book suggestions either way if anyone has any!

We will hit Early Modern in 9th grade for our history cycle. I am considering Lightning Lit packs for Early American and Early British literature. Some of the recommendations include Jane Eyre, The Scarlet Letter, Pride & Prejudice, Ivanhoe, Frankenstein, & Moby Dick. The British lit package suggests grades 10-12. American lit starts at 9th. It has been a long time since I have read my classics. I am on the fence about both Jane Eyre and The Scarlett Letter in terms of readiness. I do remember disliking Moby Dick and Ivanhoe seems like the wrong time period (although it was written in 1820 it is set in the 1200's?) It would be for a teen girl age 14-15, a book worm although more into contemporary YA fiction. We will be working through anything difficult together. I will probably add in some Tennyson and Poe for poetry and possibly a Shakesphere play. Are any of these titles you would avoid as too difficult, or too mature in subject matter for a 9th grader? If so, do you have any recommended literature substitutions for early modern? I am willing to follow our own literature list for the year but I feel kind of overwhelmed at all the choices!

myhomeschoolmathclass.com

Yeah every time I think I want her to watch Grease (because I absolutely love it) I go back to the review on Common Sense media and think, nah....not yet lol..

Anyone feel like party planning? We need ideas or suggestions for: 1) vintage candy readily available (types, where to find?) 2) photo booth ideas 3) vintage movie suggestions fun and appropriate for the 12-14 year old girls. So far I think we are doing diner food, like hot dogs and burgers with fries in little baskets with wax paper, vintage sodas and ice cream floats and the red and white popcorn holders for the movies. We have a record player. Any ideas?

I have a couple of friends who swore Zoloft made their hair thin and start to fall out as well. I have no idea if it is true. One said her hair loss did stop when she quit taking it.

If you are in Georgia check out Georgia on my line https://www.georgiaonmyline.org It lists all the online programs offered by the University System of Georgia and you can filter by type of degree, major or area of interest, and how much campus interaction there is, if any. For core classes in Georgia there is also e core, which is a program allowing you to apply to a USG school and take your core curriculum online. https://ecore.usg.edu

Have you talked to your parents or anyone about your feelings? A counselor or a therapist might be really helpful.

Have you seen Cover Story? http://www.coverstorywriting.com Not entirely just journalism but it looks fun and is geared for middle schoolers. It might be longer than what you are looking for though!

I think being consistent (as hard as that is) helps with the general resistance to the idea of school. The more we get in a habit of school, with less breaks, the less grumbling I get. Once I give in once, I have set the stage for them to argue with me every time. We take less breaks than we used to, and attitudes have actually improved. Or maybe it is just resignation, lol.

I think you would get better responses in the K-8 section instead of on the high school board. You might consider cross posting there for more answers.

What can I do for my bosses as a thank you gift for allowing my husband and I to stay a weekend in their vacation home? I would like to do something for them. We are in an industry where they seem to get a lot of wine as gifts. That is my usual standby but people are always bringing them wine and they don't drink often. They also don't eat much sugar and I know she thinks flower arrangements are a waste of money. Any ideas for me? So far I have- a plant. And that feels kind of lame.

I personally think shape wear is a cruel invention that should be banned in civilized nations. Seriously though, I used to wear some but it never worked well. Something was always popping out in a different location. Unless it is designed like a scuba suit, whenever it stops pulling you in other things start bulging out, lol... Well at least that was my experience. So, my stomach looks better but now I get back fat or side boob? Never mind....sigh

I have a friend who grew up in poverty and she refused to do Santa with her kids. She didn't like going to school and hearing how Santa got some kid the latest super expensive thing while she got broken goodwill toys. It made her feel like she wasn't 'good enough'. She didn't want her son wondering why he never got the latest gaming console, etc from Santa when other kids at school did, just because she couldn't afford it. It was a perspective on Santa I had never really considered before. EDITED TO ADD: Sorry I got off topic there- back to how to break it to them advice, lol..

So much seems to depend on the kid. It never phased my kids when we explained it, and I was one of those kids who figured it out young but whose mom insists to this day that 'Santa is real'. The kids that seem to be crushed are the ones who find out much older and keep insisting he is real or whose parents keep insisting he is real and they believe them. My mom kept insisting he was real but she also claimed her dogs were my siblings. So I took what she said with a grain of salt anyways.

I think it is probably time. I wouldn't wait til next Christmas as it may be more crushing over the holidays if he is attached to the idea. I told my kids it was a game we played with them that we thought they would enjoy. When they finally asked if it was real I just said no, that it was a game of make believe. Then I asked them if they had enjoyed the game and they said yes. So I told them not to ruin the game for any other kids that might still be playing. 😉 I believe it is time to end the game when kids are asking questions.