I think the curriculum that uses mapping, timeline, lapbooking, journaling, etc. covers more than just history. I used a history for my kids together when they were in 1st & 3rd grade- they did Early American History (Beautiful Feet) and it covered literature, history, writing, art, geography... I believe the only thing I added was math. Personally, at that age, I love the literature based history programs that teach history while teaching other things as well. Why have them practice writing by writing random sentences, reading by reading whatever reader they have, literature by random read-alouds... or even separate curriculum- when you can tie it all together and have a better learning experience. It sinks in better when they read it, write it, look at a map, draw it, color it... and then you do math and you're done. Otherwise, you're right. History isn't really all that important all by itself at that age. What *I* learned, I learned in the older grades. I also learned along with my kids when I teach them. Math and reading are the definite priorities at that age.

I know you said you'd prefer something you can go out and buy, but I just ordered this (expensive) and I love it. I wish I'd have known about it when my older kids were smaller: http://www.addacentury.com/ideas/learn-more-2.html It's in a book, but can be taken out and stretched out to put on a wall, or to see visually how much time has passed. Also, if you mess up on a page, you can remove that one page and put a new one in. Another plus... if you need more room, there are flaps that you can put in to make more room on a page. Mine came in the mail in about a week. Before that, I used the Sonlight Book of Time, but wasn't happy with the amount of space or that you couldn't stretch it out. We are very visual and need to see it ALL horizontally. We're moving things over to this new one, since it can cover all the years and will last through all the rest of our schooling years.

ABeka and Singapore are just about as different as they come. We used ABeka math (through high school with my older children). Just last year, I switched my younger 3 (grades K, 2, & 4) to Singapore. I did it because once you hit 4th grade ABeka, my kids had tons of trouble with it and started hating math, they are visual and weren't grasping the concepts (but able to do the math), and didn't have their facts memorized. (If facts are memorized by 4th grade, it's probably fine). I would suggest that you stick with ABeka if you are happy with it and if your son is excited about 4th grade ABeka math. I would make sure you teach him the concepts daily and make sure he understands it. If you do this, then ABeka should give him a good, solid math background. And he will transfer easily into the high school math books. I like some things about Singapore, and wish I'd just started with it, but it's hard to give to my kids w/o an explanation & time with them. Since I have so many different levels of children, it's hard for me to do individual math with Singapore. I'm still going to try it for at least the rest of this year, though. About the placement... Sonlight (I believe) has a placement test (free) for Singapore on their website: http://www.sonlight.com/singapore-placement-tests.html I believe if they get an 80% or greater, that you get the next level. (I'd briefly cover what he missed on the test). I found that they taught stuff in such a different way (like number bonds instead of adding) that my kids just needed a brief explanation of what they were talking about, but that they had a little trouble with switching from one to the other. My thought (currently) is: If it works, just stick with it. I'd stay with ABeka. (My thoughts may change if my kids start loving math with Singapore in a year or two).

I also left & came back. When I was in college, I went from going to church & Christian school to being on my own in a secular university at 17 years old. My faith was really challenged. I also stopped believing because I didn't have any evidence to back up what I believed. I still went to church, and didn't announce to my family my reservations, but I looked into just about every other religion possible, and considered no religion & evolution as well. I really wanted to know the truth. My dad is an atheist (or believes there is no way to know the truth), and is very scientifically minded. I take after him. I wanted evidence before I poured my life into it. With all of my research, I found enough evidence to support the Bible (a historical document), and with enough study, I decided there was enough evidence to throw myself back into it, whereas there wasn't enough "evidence" in other religions I looked at to make me believe. So, NOW, I am a Christian by choice because I believe it's the truth and backed by tons of evidence. So I throw my life into it, because there is no purpose for my life otherwise. Yes, there are churches and Christians even who are far from perfect, myself included. There are people who can't answer your questions, so you go find someone who can. In ANY religion, if you want answers, you need to go find them. With my years of searching, I found answers in the Bible and in Christianity. I don't follow any particular doctrine, but get the truth straight from the Bible. My kids learn science. We don't call Bible "religion". And they will have to make their own decisions when they are older. I want them to know why they believe something. I don't understand leaving a religion or belief system because of an experience at one church or even a couple. I think it's a good thing, and a natural thing, for people to do their searching and come to their beliefs on their own- especially in their late teens & early 20's when they start to question everything.

This is an explanation I found online: " Because of changes to the rules governing the Roman numeral system during the Middle Ages today we notate 49 and 99 as XLIX and XCIX respectively." and: "c. Do not subtract a number from one that is more than 10 times greater (that is, you can subtract 1 from 10 [iX] but not 1 from 20—there is no such number as IXX.) For 99, do NOT write IC (C – I or 100 - 1). DO write XCIX (XC + IX or 90 + 9) This appears to be a good site for explaining Roman Numerals. http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0769547.html

There's a used copy on Amazon for $24. Look here: http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com/show_search.asp?searchWords=all+through+the+ages it appears someone has it for $15 with postage paid. I'd contact her to find out the condition and if it's the book you're looking for. It's worth it, though, even if you have to pay $25 or so.

Sorry it took so long to get back to you- and just to say that I don't remember. Our book is packed away waiting for my next child to hit 7th grade since my daughter finished it last year. If you want me to find it and look it up for you, I can do that, but it may be a week or more. Let me know if you want me to pull it out and give you specific examples. I care about science, and want the facts & truth (with evidence). I think Apologia does a good job with this, and also states when something "can't" be proven according to science (like both creation AND evolution). He just lists the evidence for and against.

Apologia is meant to be done independently with 7th grade and up. I'd continue with the younger ones together with whatever you were previously using, and let your oldest branch off and do science independently this year. They should be able to do all but the grading, including the experiments. You might need to plan the schedule and answer questions. Once they get into the older grades, it's really hard to combine grades. The good thing is, they are usually a little more independent and can do the work on their own.

I only said no c-section because I figured that those who had labor and THEN a c-section were more likely to have long labors- since there is usually a problem of some kind when the c-section isn't planned until after labor. I didn't want to skew the results in my favor that way. :) So... I was surprised. My husband was reasonable in thinking that 8 hours wasn't unreasonably short. 30% of votes say that labor was shorter than 8 hours for a first baby, and 25% of votes say labor was longer than 24 hours. I would have said someone was more likely to be in labor more than 24 hours for a first baby than shorter than 8. I also learned that there *is* no normal. I was really surprised at how varied people's experiences were. Thanks for all of your votes!

I thought it interesting as well. My thoughts on it: If we were drowning in the ocean, and God was in the boat and came out and threw us a life preserver... I grabbed it and was pulled into the boat, but my friend didn't grab it.... THEN, Am I Saved? Yes. Who saved me? God. Did He do it on purpose? Yes. However... He threw a life preserver to my friend as well, but he is not saved.

I've used it and it's very helpful when someone has what you are looking for. It's also good if you don't know what you want or don't care, since there are many books on it. But I haven't ordered anything for a long time since I know what I want already, and haven't seen it on there. And no-one has ordered what I have posted- though last September it was very busy and I mailed out a few things.

Two thoughts... one is, I agree with the person who suggested "Key to Algebra" by Key Curriculum Press. They make it very easy to understand. I believe it was originally intended for those with learning disabilities, but is now used for gifted students too. We used some of the other books of the series, but not Algebra. Also, my son was having trouble, and we borrowed a copy of the Math U See DVD of Algebra. They are short lessons- I just had him watch the entire thing straight through to see if he understood. It explained algebra and polynomials in a way I've never seen. They actually made it visual, which I didn't think possible. It helped ME, who did fine in algebra in high school. I may wait a year or two, but I wouldn't abandon it all together.

I continue to enjoy these stories! There are many I'd love to respond to, but just don't have the time to sit here all day! But thank you all for your votes & replies. My husband and I are coming to the conclusion that the closer you get to 20 hours of labor, the more likely it'll be more than 24. But it seems so spread out- there are so many different experiences. It seems consistent though, that around 25% go more than 24 hours for their first.

Thanks for the responses! I love reading them. And you can still vote if you had an epidural or induction! Only c-section means you can't vote (because then labor doesn't last until delivery). I'm surprised at how many fast deliveries there were! And some very big babies as well! I found myself feeling miserable for those long labors as well. My first (and only) labor was 24 hours before they decided to do a c-section. He was so large (and I so small) that he wasn't even dropped. His head had been pushing against my pelvic bones with each contraction. The dr. hadn't thought I could deliver him, but we wanted to give it a chance. Someone mentioned almost needing a c-section but their husband stepping in. I think that's wonderful that your husband is so supportive! As long as baby isn't in distress, I think that's the best way to go! I've always wished I could deliver naturally. But I am thankful for healthy babies. My friend has miserable pregnancies, but her deliveries are so quick and easy (even her really large babies). My pregnancies are wonderful, but deliveries are always c-sections. I was wishing I could make a deal with her... I'll carry all the babies, but she delivers them all. I think between the two of us, we'd have had many more children that way. :)

My first exposure to rats as pets was when I taught Kindergarten (right out of college). We had rats for our class pet. They are better in pairs, and males tend to be calmer and I've heard have fewer health issues (tumors, etc). If you hand-raise them, they are very social. We never had trouble with them biting the kids, and they handled them frequently. One child per week was the "pet-keeper" and they were responsible for feeding him and giving him fresh water daily, handling him during free time, and (if the parent allowed) bringing him home for the weekend (and helping to change his cage). They also could give him his fruit & veggie treats daily. It went well, and we only had one issue in the two years I taught kindergarten when a child who had taken the rat home supposedly "loved it to death" and the poor mom spent all weekend driving around to the pet stores to find one that looked exactly like the one that died so as not to upset the rest of the class. There are tons of books and websites about them, you just need to do a google search and visit a pet store & talk to people. Of course, everyone you talk to and the books you read will all have different opinions about almost everything, so you'll have to make up your own mind after reading about them. My daughter (13) currently has a rat for a pet. It is her own- she wanted a pet, and my husband has allergies so we couldn't have a larger animal (and we have no yard for a dog). She researched all the smaller animals, and decided that a rat would make the best pet. They are very social. She wanted babies, and more than one, but didn't have the money for cages, food, bedding, etc. She ended up adopting one from Craigslist that someone couldn't care for anymore. He is a single male, about 2 years old, and came with the large cage, bedding, food, and other stuff. She has the money to keep up with taking care of him. When he dies (though now we are so attached- he is very sweet- we will be REALLY sad when he dies), she will buy two rats to raise from babies (which was her desire in the first place). She has the cage lined with towels and then puts bedding in just one corner to make it easier to clean. He loves to chew on the towels and use them to cover his food and make a bed with in his igloo. Most rats can be trained to use the bathroom in just one area, but he was old when we got him and not trained. She did train him to come when she calls him, though. I've never seen anything like it. I can be holding him, petting him, and talking sweetly to him and when she calls him, he will scramble off my lap and run to her. He looks like a little dog, wagging his behind and scampering onto her lap with his front legs. She trained him by giving him a treat when she called his name, and now he comes to her regardless of whether she has one for him or not. He loves to be scratched & pet. So- if you will love giving him (them) lots of attention, and are willing to clean their cage weekly and do the research, I think they are great pets.

No, I didn't mean no medication or help- I just meant no c-section. Wow. 6 hours! How nice! :-) Was that your most difficult child by any chance? (For my sister, her easiest deliveries were her most challenging children).

My husband is thinking 8 hours seems long to him, but I think from the beginning of labor (not *hard* labor, just any labor) to delivery for the first child is usually longer than that. So- natural birth only, 1st child only, how long was your labor from the time you knew you were in labor until delivery? (I had c-sections and for my 1st was in labor more than 24 hours before the c-section, so only want results for those who ended up delivering naturally). Thanks! (Poll following very soon) Clarification: By natural, I don't mean no meds, no epidural, no help whatsoever, I *only* mean no c-section. If you've had an epidural or pitocin or any other help, you can still vote.

:iagree:

It sounds to me like the timeout at home was on the bottom step, but she had a tantrum because she wanted a "time-out" chair. I certainly wouldn't get her a chair... time-outs are not supposed to be fun & comfortable. I love my kids... if they just wanted a chair (to sit in on a regular basis, not for a timeout) I would do my best to get them one. But I tend not to let my children have their own way when they are demanding it in a completely selfish & disrespectful manner. I don't believe in encouraging that. As for the hours on a 3 minute timeout... I admire you for giving up so much of your time to not give in to a child who just wanted their own way. I don't have any suggestions, except that when I was consistent with my son at that age, it only took three days of timeouts like that for him to see that I was serious and to see a change in his behavior. (Those were a rough few days). We didn't have discussions about it- just a few short words of what not to do (or to do) like, "No hitting" or "no screaming". Maybe you need to get her a "reward" chair... one to sit in for special occasions to read or whatever.

BTW, about your loved ones, I do believe God answers prayer and that He can change hearts. I've seen it done when I didn't think it possible. So don't give up on prayer.

I've wrestled with this some myself. First... I don't like to call myself a Calvinist, or a Baptist, or any certain denomination. Even "Non-denominational" seems to have certain beliefs associated with it. I believe what I do based on what the Bible teaches, not on what someone has interpreted it to mean. 1 Cor. 3:4-7 says, "4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? 5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." We went to a church that believed in pre-destination, and I had a conversation with them about it because it sounded like they were saying we don't have a choice. I believe we have a choice, because the Bible teaches we have a choice. If I tell my child that he is allowed to choose whether to have cake or salad for dinner, I can influence him but since I am in charge and made the decision that he could decide, I'd need to let him decide. I believe also that we can do nothing on our own. God gave us the ability to choose. He gave us life, He gave us our minds & brains, He put us with our parents, and ultimately His hand is in every part of our life. Without Jesus, I would not have any chance at all. Because of Jesus, I can choose God. We have nothing to boast about... we cannot boast saying, "*I* chose salvation" because God gave us that ability. It would be like the child at a birthday party boasting about himself receiving this great gift. If he boasts, it would need to be about the person who gave it to him. We are limited in our understanding, whereas God is not. I think it's important to understand that God can do whatever He wants. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom". Read the last part of Job to hear God's response to Job's questioning. We view time much differently than God does. He knows the future, and knows our hearts, and knows what we would choose before we choose it. I think someone who would have the attitude of, "I was predestined, so why go to church and do all this work... I'll just have fun since I can't do anything about it anyway" wouldn't have the heart that would choose Him. One that has the attitude of desiring to go to church (not for works... but out of love, concern for others, with an attitude of service and learning, and praising & worshiping with other believers), one that understands the value of Godly things, God knows the hearts of the ones who desire to serve Him. He knows, and therefore has chosen us (the ones who chose Him) and I believe that He starts His work in us before we are even born. I know God had His hand on my life from before birth, though my parents didn't even start going to church until I was in about 4th grade, and I was not fully committed to God until much after that. I am continually growing, but know that God will continue to work in me. He is the faithful one. My dad is not only not a Christian, but has seemed opposed to it in the past. He is more open now, but still doesn't believe there is a way to prove there is a God, and certainly no way to know Him. I have prayed for him continually, and know that God has had his hand on my dad who almost died about 20 years ago. The doctors were astounded at his recovery. I believe God will hear my prayers (and others prayers) and that God will bring my dad to salvation. I don't know that, since I don't know the future, but I wonder why else God would have saved him from physical death. I do know I don't struggle nearly so much anymore. Well, not at all. I am content with the fact that God knows, and I desire to serve Him and will do so with all that I have. I know it's HIS strength that gets me through the day, and that He promises to provide all I need in order to serve Him. I can pray for others & know that God is just. I know that God is merciful & compassionate. And that His ways are not our ways, and that He knows better than I do. He is so much greater than I. When I see a weakness in myself (and I know there are oh so many), I pray for God's strength in that area and God is always faithful to provide. Sorry so long... I hope some of that was helpful.

We had this trouble too- and what I decided was if it could be found in a library, those were some of the first to go. (Exceptions were books that were absolute favorites that my kids read more than once). If a book was highly recommended or loved AND it was hard to find in a library in my area, then it was definitely a keeper. I also tended to get rid of the ones that had little value (other than actually reading)... no educational value, literary value (good writing), etc. And if your youngest is a boy, I'd probably also get rid of all the "girl" books if your daughter is done with them. I keep the ones that "go with" a curriculum- like historical, biographies, or other books that I don't want to go hunt down when my curriculum suggests it. Even if my older ones found it just tolerable. My poor 5 year old- he has not had near the reading experiences that my older kids had. You'd think he'd have more opportunity since he has more people who COULD read to him, but in actuality, he rarely gets read to. And we get rid of a lot of stuff that he never had a chance at (including movies, etc). My theory, though, is that I can always get it again if it becomes one of his absolute favorites. And we need more room for the PEOPLE in our house!

It's nice if things match, but I really don't care. I'm all about practical. My husband cares. He wants the atmosphere to be "pleasing". So.... I put forth the effort when I can, but money doesn't usually allow for much. And I try to accept it gracefully when he chooses the "nicer" set over the more practical (of whatever). If given the choice- I'd choose the matching towels. But if I'm given some that don't match, I wouldn't go through the trouble of returning them (unless my husband wanted me to).

:iagree: However, I never worked at a hotel. My grandma was very particular, and insisted on it being done that way. My mom taught me to make beds like this, though she wasn't as particular. My husband doesn't care, as long as the bed is made.

I have found Apologia to be very based on scientific evidence. The fossil record does not disprove creation, it in fact supports it. Young earth or old earth... people have various thoughts on that. I believe, though, that everything (listed as fact) in the Apologia science books has "evidence" to back it up. It does state in the books that neither creation or evolution can be "proven" by scientific standards. That they are both theories. If she is science-oriented naturally, she should be able to handle what is in the book and do her own research if she disagrees. I don't have a problem with any textbook believing one way or another, but I do have a problem with secular science books stating evolution as fact when there is no evidence to back it up (at least not macro-evolution... which is evolving between species). Anyway- I know you weren't looking for a debate, but my children have done Apologia General and Physical science (and Biology) and the things they list as fact have evidence to support it.