I was SOO excited to see that Victoria is being republished! I started getting that magazine when I was first married. I kept almost every issue. It holds lots of memories for me, but I haven't subscribed to it this time. I have picked them up at B&N. I only have gift subscriptions: TIME, Real Simple, and (gasp!) Entertainment Weekly. (whisper: Don't tell anyone that occasionally I like mindless drivel...):blush:

Nooo kidding. Seriously, sometimes I need curriculum blinders on. "Hello, my name is Rhesa and I'm a curriculum addict." At least since we moved, I haven't gotten as many homeschooling catalogs. They haven't found me yet!:)

Forgot to mention- I think the placement test online is a good idea!:D

I certainly don't consider myself an expert- but this past year with ds, I used Horizons K and Singapore 1A alternately. There is quite a bit of overlap, but I liked the different approaches. If you are concerned about repetition, maybe 1B would be better? I have not used the teacher's manuals for Singapore. At this stage, I have felt that everything is self explanitory. I also did not purchase manipulatives. We just have used all sorts of things around the house- dominoes, card games, beans, M&Ms, lots and lots of books from the library with math games.

I agree completely. Find a book that is easier than the level she is currently on. Her teacher (if she is willing) could take 5 minutes at the beginning of each lesson showing her sightreading skills, then assign certain pages for her to sightread at home. On another note- I can read music quite well, but feel that I gained it at the expense of experimenting by ear! I would love to be able to do both well! Would it be possible to have space during practice times for both skills? (I'm sure they are just dying for more practice time!!:D)

Does her teacher tell you that she has promise as a musician? If so, it might be worth sticking with it. (Although not very fun for you!) I'm glad my mom kept me going through the "I-don't-wanna" teen years. I thanked her publicly for it at my senior recital from college.:) That being said, if practice time is making life miserable, maybe you could try a summer break? Kind of like unschooling- give her time to voluntarily come back to it, take her to a music store and let her pick out some music that she has interest in- even if it seems fluffy to you. (This approach kept me going quite a few times. I was SOO excited to learn pop music like "Lean on Me") Best wishes!!

I used to be more of a homebody than I am now. But honestly, with 700 sq ft- we have to get out often, or we get on each other's nerves. :D(And often my husband is in the bedroom as a "home office"!!):willy_nilly: So I am learning to be flexible- and go out much more!

Thanks, guys. Is anyone else getting sick of talking about spelling?? :D

This is beautifully written! I don't really have anything to add, but I just wanted to say :iagree: Fairy tales are so rich. I find that I reread them with my children for my pleasure!

So, my ds7 has been going through SWO B. I've recently quizzed him with spelling lists at the start of the lesson, before everything else. The last 3 lessons, he spelled every word correctly. Am I doing anything wrong if we just skip the activities? I mean, if he can already spell all the words on the list, is there any reason to make him do the other work?

Yes! That was what I remembered being so special. His faith was portrayed in such a respectful way- when "talking to God" could be easily ridiculed. I'm going to have to pick this up again. If I can ever, ever get through Seabicuit. (Yes, I know that is supposed to be an easy read. But, for the life of me, I can't find any time to get to it!!:))

We just used the one on Alexander the Great's Army. The illustrations are kind of corny, but my ds7 loved them. Even my dd5 enjoyed the whole book. I prefer books with more of a "story". But as a supplement (especially for kids who like pictures), these have lots of info! I'm jealous, though. Our library doesn't carry any of these titles. If I want them, I have to buy them. Or find a quiet corner at Barnes and Noble with my kids for storytime. (Is that unethical?:))

I loved this book, too. I thought he did a great job with the child's voice, which can so easily get annoying. I don't remember much- doesn't a miracle/healing occur? If so, I remember that faith was handled in such a beautiful way. So often, faith is something to be mocked. I thought this author did a great job of portraying faith in a positive light. 'Course, it's been a long, LONG time. I could be remembering a different book entirely!!!!:D

Boston is such a great place to visit for American history! You can have lots of fun- If you have a nice day, the freedom trail is great. You'll hit lots of Revolutionary highlights. If you have the whole day (or like ships), do the whole thing. If you need to cut it short, skip Beacon Hill Monument and the ship- can't remember the name of it at the moment. It is a HAUL to walk out there, and there's no nearby subway to bring you back. (I guess you could always drive it if you have a rental car) For seeing a pretty area just to shop and people watch, go to Newbury Street. Fancy shops up near the common, moving to quaint then quirky shops as you walk down. On a good day, you can see all sorts. (But then, people watching jazzes me:)) Outside of Boston: Lexington/ Concord is a favorite. There is a small museum on Lexington Green- walk around the green & don't miss the house where the husband was shot on the green by the British, crawled to the front door, where his waiting wife held him in her arms while she died. (This is all written in a plaque on the front- quite dramatic!!) The Old North Bridge in Concord (the shot heard 'round the world), Hawthorne's house, Louisa May Alcott's house, you can get out of your car and take a nice walk around Walden Pond. Gloucester is a great town that still feels "old". We enjoyed drives around the north shore, getting out when something looked interesting. And yeah!!- someone mentioned Lowell (just moved from there)!!:) If you have spent any time studying immigrants or the industrial revolution, the museums there are great. You can also take a trolley from one area to another. I don't recommend driving all the way out to Provincetown on the cape unless you just really like to drive. That was a disappointing day trip for us. (We spent all the time in the car for this?) Just my opinion. Also, Salem was a big, BIG letdown. I had just read The Crucible, too. But the museum there is laughable. Have fun! (And it can still be chilly in Boston then)

We are doing SOTW Ancients this year for 1st. It has been a lot of fun, but I don't see any problem with putting it off. When interest waned, we took a brief break (like a week), and I let my children pick history books from the library that they want to read. As much as I like the idea of a 4 yr history cycle, I'm not seeing a lot of retention. But my children are not scared of ancient history. The other day they were back in the bedroom playing "quest in the Ice Age." I'm not exactly sure what that game involves, but it sounded interesting!:)

What?? How did I miss this very important news? I'm off to check imdb.com for more info... You never know what you'll find out on these boards...:auto:

You mean ETC is Explode the Code? I kept thinking it was English for the Thoughtful Child. Sheesh. No wonder I've been confused so often. :blink:

I'm watching this post with interest, because I am tired of SWO. My 7yo is in B, and can spell 9 out of 10 of the words before we do the lesson. It just seems like a bunch of busywork. So, it sounds like Spell to Write and Read, Rod & Staff, and Explode the Code are things to check out?? Any others out there???

When I shop at Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot, or even Target, I don't do so for the great customer service. Not saying you can't get good customer service- but I'm there for a good price. But when I go to a specialty store- I expect to be treated well. Or at least treated politely. I agree with letting the manager know. It's too easy to get things cheaply online these days. I would think they want to keep the customers that do come in!

Agh! You're telling me that a hard drive can crash, too?? I just spent good $$ on one! And I have ALL my photos on it- I don't even get pictures developed any more. I can't imagine how long it would take to transfer about 5 years of photos to cds. Tell me it isn't so!!:willy_nilly:

I almost always donate to the library first, where they sell them for their used book sale. After that, I will donate to Goodwill or another charitable organization. Or donate them to another homeschooler who has younger children!:)

Well, this is a timely thread! I've been so frustrated with my ds for not eating rice. It doesn't matter how I fix it, he won't eat it. And my daughter wants nothing to do with potatoes unless they're fried. I hate food battles.:glare:

Holy cow- your 7yo is doing multiplication & division on a test? Yeeks! I'm feeling behind. And, FWIW, I have cringed watching my son take tests. I let him finish it, and corrected it with him, then had him take another test to make sure he got it.

I heard him speak a few years ago at a conference, and enjoyed it. I even kept one of his handouts about using literature for teaching history. If you enjoy his cds, you'll probably like him. He is very warm and gracious in person.