Sonlight read-alouds (history and lit). Didn't use the readers for all. Apples and Pears spelling Singapore math Just started MCT last year, but seems a keeper for both.

Thanks, friends! Much appreciated!

Aha! Thanks so much! Perfect! Thanks!

I am thinking of doing Primary 6A and 6B with at least one of my kiddos...but we may switch right over to DM 6A and 6B. So do you feel DM 7A and 7B were roughly equivalent to pre-algebra? Thanks! If we use it, I am definitely getting the workbooks... I've looked at a few threads, and some of them led me to this question. Since DM is integrated, it seems like it's not an even pre-algebra, algebra, geometry. It includes some geometry...but would we take a whole course? Algrbra II? Would we jump into Trig? I feel comfortable with the teaching, explaining (I'm a former math teacher), but what course will you do after DM 8B?

Apples and Pears has helped this problem for us. We'd tried whatever their public school programs were, All About Spelling, Spelling You See, and Sequential Spelling. None stuck like Apples and Pears.

We're doing Town level of MCT. My understanding: John's hat is in her car. John's is a (possessive) noun, yes? (Or no?) Her is a (possessive) adjective, yes? (Or no?) If I change the sentence to "His hat is in Sarah's car", His is now an adjective, even though the function of the word is the same as John's, a noun. This doesn't make sense to me - parts of speech depend on the function of the word, yes? Why is the same function labeled as two different parts of speech? Where is my mistake? TIA!

"I do feel bad her feelings were hurt." I understand this, but try not to. HER actions resulted in her hurt feelings - NOT your actions. She's counting on you to feel badly - that's part of the manipulation. You did great! And I completely agree with the above poster's "That's just Grandma". shrug. Responsibility where it belongs. When you feel calm and able - maybe whenever you were planning to do it anyway, maybe a little longer if you need to build up your strength for boundaries again - call and arrange a visit. Do not let her "guilt" or "blame" or even get into a convo of this incident...incident over. Moving on.

:lurk5:

Praying for all of you, I am so sorry you are going through this.

then what? Anyone done Dimensions Math all the way through 8B? What subject course do you do after that? I'm looking ahead in trying to decide whether to stick with Singapore or go to AoPS after 5B...

MCT fans here.

I do use Xtra Math for facts, but set to 6 second interval. His main goal for Xtra math is "staying calm". The recall comes better when he stays calm, but it's still hard for him. On Anki, We started son at three new items per day and 5 minute limit. Good luck! :-)

This sounds like my 11 yo ASD son. I don't know what to do either. In his case, he seems happy, and so I am not sure if I should do something at this point or not.

I didn't read everything so this may be redundant. My 11 year old ASD kiddo also has low working memory and memory problems. The absolute best thing I have found is the Anki app. It is free, and essentially an electronic flashcard system with built-in repeat intervals based on how the student answers. So if they don't know it, it will repeat sooner. If they do know it, it waits longer. I set the limit to 15 minutes per day and no more than 5 new items per day. That's pretty much his frustration limit. (In contrast, his younger brother has an outstanding memory and so his limit is up to 10 new things day,) His confidence and ability have increased tremendously. He can now remember product indicates multiplication, perpendicular lines form a right angle, and a right angle is 90 degrees. And somehow (maybe because its now entrenched in his long-term memory?) he can access it while doing problems. Before Anki, I felt like anything he learned went out as fast as it went in. ETA: ASD son often needs to see and repeat some cards at least 10 times before he remembers it.

I have read none of the replies but as a single momma of two boys, I would take my older-ish sons into the ladies room, LOUDLY but nicely explain to him, "Yes, Johnny, you are a little too old to be in here, but you're still too young to be alone in the car or rest area. Just wait right there by the sink, and I'll be out in a jiffy." If it was one of those open doorway types, where there's no door to get in, I'd have him stand there, and if anyone approached, have him call out, "Yep- just waiting for my mom. Mom - this lady's lookin' for you!" and I'd plan on calling out. Never, ever had anyone approach or comment in either situation.

I can't tell you how many kids this age (and 2-3 years older, according to our middle school youth pastor) have stuffed critters hidden in their sleeping bags...I don't think it's unusual to still use one and bring it along. I like the idea of giving him a heads up on possible teasing, some practice to handle it, but I would also reassure him he may not encounter any at all, and he is likely not the only one bringing a stuffed friend.

Rigid rule-follower here. My son has been diagnosed with autism, and yep, I share a lot of traits with him. It's funny to me that it never, ever occurred to me that there doesn't have to be a correlation between following the rules and honesty and integrity. (The only exceptions I could reason my way into were the clearly -to me- against God's law ones.) Y'all have turned my rule-following world upside down.

Single mom who really needs the money would be me! :-) Do you know how long she did it for? How did it change your homeschooling day when you did it? I am trying to picture a day in my head with a couple extra littles, and worry I may be missing something... Then again, many of y'all hs 4 of your own kiddos, so I'm thinking it really might be do-able... Thanks again!

Thanks for the reply. Yep, I absolutely cannot leave my kiddos for work. Am thinking I would only take on 2 daycare kiddos, and am wondering what that "looks like" while hs 5th/6th (my own 2). This sound similar to what I am thinking of - and yes, I was thinking our field trips could be big plus for day care kiddos, as well as having older kiddos to interact with. Thanks for replying!

Didn't read through all replies, but it can be difficult, time consuming, non-sensical and soul deadening to deal with aid beaurocracies, and multiply that if you are going through grief. Often, researching and applying for aid can fee like a full time job in itself. often aid is patchworked, and Compny A doesn't know what Company B offers or how to apply, or worse Company A THINKS they know, but they are wrong. When I was in a similar position, help could be: going with person to appts, or help with phone calls (prepare for hours long phone waits at times) bringing dinner coming over to clean with family, cook, sort forms, just hang out drop off groceries if person is willing, offer to be a sounding board, Talk through, take notes, help prioritize immediate needs, long term needs, etc. Sometimes just getting that organized on paper with a list to help out/check off can help person from feeling overwhelmed, as well as knowing they are not alone. I would not give cash - for many reasons, but one being that may disqualify from other available aid. If you can/are willing to help financially, purchase needed items to donate -cleaning supplies, light bulbs, batteries, and such are often needed but not covered with other help. I'd still be cautious about this - I think better is helping friend get written plan for immediate and long term future. Research local options yourself, if welcome, but make sure friend is making actual decisions about what to do and doing actual filing. Yes, many, many places have utility help. There is also the lifeline program for cell phones. Use pantries for food, if needed, to use cash for other bills, Many food pantries aren't advertised or may have unusual hours, so helping come up with a regular list/schedule might help.

Is it possible? Practical? Anybody BTDT?

Can y'all share some more resources on what careers are out there? I still feel like I really just don't have any idea myself about all the different careers and what they look like day-to-day and year-to-year. Is there any sort of Big Book of Jobs kind of thing? And my guys are just starting middle school next year, but yeah - I want them to have a lot of exposure to all the different possibilities. Also - for my older on the spectrum - I am not sure traditional college is a possibility, so I'd also like to figure out what types of jobs might fit his particular autistic strengths and weaknesses. He can be academically strong in certain areas, but he'd need the social aspect to fit as well. So, uh, nope, OP, I don't think 8th is too young. We're slowly starting in 5th and 6th. (Not high-pressure). :thumbup:

Completely agree with OhElizabeth above, though I would also add that being COMPLETELY PREPARED does not necessarily mean being confrontational. It's really important to know what you are signing, what you want evaluated, etc., but many, many people involved in the process also DO want to help you and your daughter. I've been on both sides of the table, and it can be extremely discouraging when a parent's attitude suggests that we are the enemy. So be prepared, do your homework, don't agree to ANYTHING you don't fully understand or DISagree with, but also be open to the idea that honey is better than vinegar, if that makes any sense. It's important to advocate, to be assertive, but I have had great success when I considered myself as part of a team. Thank them for meeting with you (yes, they MUST, but appreciation goes a long way), ask, ask, ask for clarification. ("I don't know exactly what that means...can you clarify?") And I also second writing down every single discrepancy. Keep a journal - what she does, your response, her reaction - you are especially looking for patterns that point to discrepancies. Also, take many notes...write things down in words YOU understand, and do not be afraid to (politely) interrupt if you don't understand. You can take anyone you want with you, if you want, even just for moral support. Also? $1400 is WAY crazy for a "psychoacademic" - I've NEVER heard of any eval in those terms. Sounds like a semi-scam. Pursue through the pediatrician AND the school system, and that should cover most of what you may need to discover where to head next. Again, I am so sorry you are going through this. The lack of empathy can be especially difficult day in and day out. I'll be praying for and thinking of you because BTDT.

I am so sorry you are going through this - and you are so NOT a failure because you sent her to private school! You are a concerned mama trying to figure out what's best for your dd and your family - that's a GREAT mama, NOT a failure! You said she is doing better in math and reading? That's terrific! I hear you saying your mama-heart is telling you something is not quite right- just want to encourage you to LISTEN to it. It could be lots of things - but if your ped "shut you down" with "spank her" - friend or no, now might be the time to maybe look into another ped? (You need support, not criticism.) I don't think you mentioned in your post, but maybe getting a good clear picture for yourself will help seek out solutions: Is this behavior new? Not new, but has worsened? If so, over what time period? What are the exact behaviors that seem troublesome? (You've already answered this - bullying, refusing to comply, etc.) Under what situations do these occur? (seemingly ANYTHING, always with math/reading/ morning/evening, Do you see a pattern? How is this different from the behaviors that your other children show? In type? Duration? Frequency? Intensity? Under what circumstances is dd NOT displaying these behaviors (if any)? (never? only at non-school times? only during her own free time?) I'd also ask how dd's behavior's are at the school...does she seem happy? anxious? frustrated? Have the teachers noticed any particular concerns with her learning ability? These aren't necessarily questions to answer for us (the hive), but I think these may help YOU clarify where your nagging feeling of "not quite right" is coming from, as well as advocate for you child and yourself. I think screening with a neuropych is a good first step, or even with a new pediatrician. The more you can describe the whens, the why's, etc. of the behaviors that are concerning, the more likely you can get appropriate services. ALSO, TRUST your MAMA-HEART!!! Yes, the cause could be any number of things, but it is NOT your parenting (otherwise you would be experiencing this with all your children.) If anyone tries to tell you, "That sounds typical..", etc, explain why you think its NOT "typical", or why it's indicating to you something amiss. I say all of the above from my own experience - both my sons are have ADHD, and one is on the spectrum. And yes, your dd's behaviors sound a lot like my spectrum son's. When I would describe what was going on, well-meaning friends would say, Yes, my kid does that, too!" But I knew the frequency and just the INTENSITY of the behaviors was way off - and no "typical discipline" seemed to help in the least. THAT was a big red flag. Not to say your daughter has these things or anything, but just to say, trust your gut. Get a thorough physical (rule out physical causes - including vision, hearing, etc.), then start ruling other things out - get a speech eval, reading diagnostic, neuropsych, etc. Anyhow, I hoped that helped. There were about 5 other responses as I typed this, so I may be repeating something.

We tried the notebooks for the elementary series and didn't find them useful - seemed like WAY too much, and seemed to confuse my boys more rather than reinforce. At the General level, though, I think they're great. I love the schedule and the lab reports' pre-written forms. As a science major, getting lab report format ingrained this young is terrific. I may not have my boys write out every single one, but at least one per week. I love that they can answer the "On Your Own" right in the spaces. My boys both have ADD, and the organizational layout helps them to focus on the content rather than formatting their papers/ reports. And yes - the notebook is HUGE, but it is more like 3 notebooks in one - the regular activities to do from the text (like "On Your Own"), the lab manual, and then the review/study questions, which are optional. I've actually thought of taking it to Staples or somewhere and getting it rebound into 3 separate sections...