maybe not a new thing to others but I got these kind of as a joke for my husband because he always knocks his glasses off the nightstand in the middle of the night, he loves it! and now I want some for my newly needed reading glasses 😮

We haven't played prime climb yet, because we're still learning multiplication. But I'll throw another one into the mix. My son (and other kiddo that I homeschool) (3rd & 1st grade) enjoy Sums in Space. It's addition and subtraction and it has a cooperative aspect where you try to get everyone to the spaceship before blast off. I don't think you have to work cooperatively though, it's just one of the options.

I haven't used the DVD curriculum but my son has done well with BJU... I think it does a better job at teaching why than Saxon which seems to be more how, not why. The story line in BJU is engaging for my kiddo as well, some kids wouldn't care but it adds something for him.

This is what I decided to do, thank you everyone. She's doing great 🙂

@lulalu I'm looking into phonics pathways too, thankyou. Can you make any comment about my above question as well?

@Ellie or anyone else who is familiar with Explode the Code: I was curious if you have any idea which booklet she might place in for ETC... I will buy the test if I have to, but would like to get going on this sooner rather than later. She is really good at sounding out most words but struggles a bit with long vowel sounds: knowing when they're long. Also is the teacher's manual necessary? I don't mind, just don't want to spend unnecessarily.

I'm babysitting and "tutoring" a 1st grader who I think is a fairly good reader... I did the AAR placement test with her and she places into level 2. However, when Covid dies down she will be put back in public school, she's medically fragile so maybe next fall?? I really like AAR but she is not what I would call a "struggling" reader (I'm kind of blown away by her ability as the only experience I have is with my dyslexic kiddo) so I was wondering if there are any recommendations for a quicker phonics program that I could put her through. Her mom was just having her read leveled books and doing an ABC Mouse phonics workbook that it looks like she picked up at Walmart....

Oh , and as far as the splinter skill discussion. I don't think the balance benders was something he was just good at... it has taken some practice... we would talk through when he would make mistakes... and he would really examine it and figure it out... but because it doesn't require reading I do feel like it is one of those things that he has gotten good at in a short time. And yes, he is very "bright".

should be im ctopp So I don't think she used the CTOPP... this is what it says under "Evaluation Procedures" Parent Clinical Interview Dev Hx Questionaire BASC-3 ADHD-5 parent forms CDI-2 Self Report (depression) MASC-2 Self Report (anxiety) WISC-V KTEA-3 (Educational Achievement) Beery VMI-6 (Visual Motor Integration) She states that "Select sub-tests from the Kaufman Test... were administered to assess current level of academic achievement. Tests specific to dyslexia were also administered and yield a Dyslexia Index score, which calculates an overall risk category....." Additional sub-tests were given that test age-based norms in reading skills, listening comprehension, and academic fluency. I wish I could just take a picture of it and share it... I don't want to write it all out. Essentially he tests Average to Low in everything. And "High Risk" for Dyslexia. Re: Cost - My husband is a disabled/medically retired vet so I think Tricare covered some of the testing... but we were under the impression that our portion would not be as much as it has come out to. @Runningmom80I do plan on picking up "Bright Kids...." thank you Yes where can I find this? (free instructions and your dropbox) and I don't know anything about retained reflex work.... So he's been okay with a small math facts review and about 15 min of reading a day... do I skip that for the next month & half while working on these other things... I may have to, to get a buy in from him 😕 We do have a lot of structure in place for him already, we use a visual timer, visual morning and evening routine, white board with what needs to be done that day, etc. The curriculum in my signature was for this last year... I need to update. My plan was to continue with AAR 3 , start AAS 2, we haven't focused on writing much at all aside from his HWOT booklets, we used LLFT which was good, nice and gentle, and I didn't require most of the writing. I was thinking of trying some freewriting and Games for Writing. He did fine w/ BJU math... we do a lot of it orally. We are going to do a lot more math facts practice. For science he is a sponge... we are going to try out crosswired science this year and I'm doing my own countries and cultures study. And lots of reading aloud to him and audiobooks. So it looks like the Beery was given because she noticed laborious handwriting. On Visual-Motor Integration he scored 45% - average Visual Perception 77% - above average Motor Coordination 5% - low I still think that a dev. vision exam as you suggested may be in order but she did also suggest OT for the handwriting ... we just can't afford both at the same time if insurance isn't going to pay for it. I don't know what your 1st sentence is asking/saying 😄 His reading comprehension per the Kaufman test is low - 5%, but when he reads our curriculum (AAR or we're using the K Level Christian Liberty Nature Reader) he doesn't seem to have any trouble understanding and narrating it back. He has very good social skills and while it may take a few seconds to get the punch line enjoys a good joke. He doesn't like scary things but I wouldn't say he's more literal than his peers. She did say he tired easily and that was why she tagged on another day... she thinks he gave a good effort... I wish I could have been a fly on the wall.... not that I don't think he gave a good effort but sometimes he just sort of shuts down if he doesn't think he can do it especially if it's unfamiliar material.

So I’ve gone through and read a bunch of threads about ADHD and slow processing and a bit on dyslexia but now would like some input 🙂 We just finished getting my soon to be 9yo son tested and I think I’m struggling with knowing how to put together a plan from here. His WISC Scores: VC 130 98% Similarities 16 98% Vocab 15 95% VS 108 70% Block Design 12 75% Visual Puzzles 11 63% FR 126 96% Matrix Reason 11 63% Figure Weights 18 99.6% WM 97 42% Digit Span 9 37% Picture Span 10 50% PS 72 3% Coding 4 2% Symbol Search 6 9% (FSIQ 116 / 86%, GAI 128 / 97%) So... psychologist said he would be considered 2e He also has "mild"' ADHD inattentive type, also dyslexia and dysgraphia. I'm no psychologist but I did work in mental health as a case manager for several years and I have seen how little we actually know about the brain ... and neurotransmitters, etc. Something that I found interesting about the testing is that really high "figure weights" score up there... we have done balance benders at home (which I found out is almost identical to what is used in the IQ test) so it was something he was already very familiar with whereas the other testing were not things he would have been exposed to before.... I don't feel like I got a good answer to why his processing speed is so slow. My understanding is that it can be audio, visual, motor or some combination. I have this theory that the other diagnoses are really almost a sub-type to the slow processing. Meaning, if he could increase his processing speed his attentiveness, dyslexia and dysgraphia wouldn't be so notable. Now, if this isn't true, and I just need to back off and accept things "as they are" I'm open to that too.... He's a really compassionate, funny, and truly delightful boy. I'm wondering if we need to get further testing done for the processing speed idea... like seeing an optometrist for possible visual processing, audiologist, etc. any thoughts? Testing has already been a huge hit on our finances (we were initially told it would be about $250 but because he's so slow she had to add on another day and now it's close to $500) I've started him back up on fish oil and was wondering if I should ask for testing for vit b levels, zinc, magnesium and iron (is that a thing to do?) I've seen recommendations for Interactive Metrenome... is this something that can be done at home or does it have to be done by a "provider" We've used AAR from level 1 and we are on level 3 now. He is reading 61wpm (which is typical for end of 1st grade). I thought we were going slow enough but I realize I was probably still pushing him too hard so we are slowing down even more. I've seen recommendations for Nessy and Reading Eggs but I really don't want to add MORE onto his plate unless really necessary. Has anyone looked at how these compare to 22learn phonics and sight words ? I'm open to thoughts, impressions, suggestions... Thanks for sticking with this long post 🙂 He also had Kaufman, and Beery Buktenica but I don't want to overwhelm with a bunch of numbers....

If she LIKES it and is looking forward to it that much, I would strongly encourage you to finish it! It's an excellent program and the resale value is good. Any program that is good quality and that my kiddo really buys into I think is a win. (and make sure you ask for box art 🙂! )

What are you hoping for? or not wanting? I'm using it for the first time this year and we've enjoyed it, if you have a more specific question I can try to help. (although we've only done 2nd grade) I've heard it starts off more CM and becomes more classical but I'm not sure yet. If you are looking for lots of memory work, that is not found in MFW... there are poems and scripture to memorize and they do a timeline. Otherwise I'm not sure what you mean....

I haven't bought anything yet but for now the plan is: Bible/Science/Lit/Geography/Art/: MFW ECC, with lots of great books and my own list thrown in too. Math: BJU 3 Language Arts: LLfT 3, Finish AAR 3 and possibly do 4 (we're getting testing done for possible dyslexia next month unless the pandemic interferes), AAS 2 maybe 3, we're finishing up HWOT Cursive Kickoff and I don't know if I should do another workbook of cursive or just have him start writing in cursive more and monitor his form closely. Other: Mind Benders, Balance Benders, Analogies ... if we finish these we'll move on to Building Thinking Skills 1 Swimming and biking with dad. We're doing our own beginner piano book now... possibly do Hoffman or ?, if we can find and afford a teacher we may do lessons, Basic Spanish books, soldering, documentaries

Usborne Very First Reading books are like this. My son enjoys them.

I think BJU is still your best bet, if they like the characters etc especially. If you just started, I think it'll ramp up more as the year goes on and it'll become more unfamiliar so may take them a little longer to catch on. You'll just really have to cut back on the lesson plans... I know it's written for a classroom and I think any teacher would really be picking and choosing very carefully what to use their classroom time for.... Another idea... if they get the concept just let them do the page without "teaching it" if you notice they didn't really understand it, you can then teach the lesson more thoroughly the next day and give them one of the "review" pages to work on the same concept. If you like scripted Rightstart is very scripted and I think a bit more challenging than BJU but it is not workbook based, no real story-line and not colorful, but some kids love all the games and manipulatives.

I am somewhat loathe to recommend it but your oldest might really like Math Lessons for a Living Education. From what I hear they are a bit "below" level but it sounds like you are okay with your daughter going at her own pace. And you will find people that absolutely love it. My son is a bit younger but we found RS moved too fast for him and ended up supplementing with Horizon to add in more review... he wasn't a fan of games as review. I am switching to BJU this year because I feel like it is still conceptual enough to help him really "understand" math but has more review, there's a story built into it and it's easier to add in parts of other sections if he gets bored with the same unit in one go (like we can do one day of time mixed into a week of multiplication). I will say that Horizon is easy to skip stuff that is already known... just do a couple problems to see if they know it and then cross out the rest if they've got it. LOTS of review built in.

I love my Contigo Autoseal Chill but just got my son and my dad the Coleman Autoseal and love it even more! You can do both cold and hot in it unlike the Contigo and the lid is so much easier to keep clean. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076JJK2PQ/ref=twister_B07G1YCDX5?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

I'm having a baby in September so my usual eclectic ways are going to have to take a break. We are ordering MFW Adventures so that will take care of a large chunk of our curriculum... hubby will be taking over some of the schooling and I (he) need something open and go. DS will be 8 this summer. Bible, Hx, Copywork, Art, Music Appreciation, Read Alouds, Book Basket : MFW, also adding a bunch of D'Auliere books and got the Beautiful Feet guide if we have the time and energy to dive into that. nope won't have time for that! Science: MFW and probably will order 6 months of Steve Spangler Kits (unless someone else in the extended family feels generous.. we can't afford this now) We're enjoying Kiwi right now so I'm fine with continuing with that instead if he prefers. Math: I'm still up in the air... trying to decide if I'm going to go on to RS C or move over to Singapore 1B... If I finish RS C I can move into Singapore 3 but not sure I want to make the effort. I decided on BJU Math, I think it will be great: still conceptual, colorful; which my son loves, and with enough review. Reading and Spelling: AAR 3 and AAS 1 LA: we're giving LLfT a try... copywork, poetry memory, grammar, picture study, etc. Cursive: are currently using MP American Cursive, don't love it, although he's working diligently... are going to give Print to Cursive Proverbs a try. going back to HWOT and their cursive at boys request. Extra: Mazes, Mind Benders, Allegories, Balance Benders, Building Thinking Skills. We're hoping to start piano lessons, ukulele was a bust this year... his fingers hurt too much. Woodworking with Daddy, I'd love to do some sewing with him but I have a feeling I'll be a bit too preoccupied.... He'll do a month of swim lessons in the fall just to work on skills, he's an excellent swimmer and goes with dad 2x a week regularly. We have a co-op where he does mostly extracurricular stuff (like PE, Legos Challenges, etc.) - 9 weeks in the fall and 10 weeks in the spring. And we are getting involved with a Wild and Free group so are going to try to do at least one nature walk or outing with them per month. oh and Foreign Language: continue reading Swedish books and figure out Spanish... Latin was no fun this year and he wants to learn Spanish... thinking Duolingo, but open to suggestions! I wish I could run away to Costa Rica for a year, he'd pick it up then, ha!

Brighty of the Grand Canyon - I think would be perfect for a 4th grader. https://kidstravelbooks.com/best-childrens-books-for-a-trip-to-the-u-s-national-parks/

My son is very leary of writing too, I picked up a book called Games for Writing by Peggy Kaye and have found that it has some fun ideas that are not so "boring" as the copywork I normally do. My currently bookmarked page is making a story map.... another one I saw was making a menu for a monster cafe... it's more like getting them used to the idea of writing being part of their world and contributing to their story making and play. We have had some fun with Rory's Story Cubes too.

I would guess there is a fairly large expat community there. You can start by inquiring at the consulate but do some searching online as well. My brother works for the state dept and his boys are homeschooled and they always find some homeschool friends wherever they go (currently China, next Luxembourg) and church friends! look for expat churches... or at least churches with very international communities. She may find her group through a youth group or a home group if you can get involved that way. If you can approach it as an amazing adventure I think she’ll get so much out of it. Allow her to help make decisions about where you’ll explore etc. Do research together on the once in a lifetime opportunities you could have there and Ask what she hopes to get out of it.

You could plan minute to win it games... maybe one every hour or half hour leading up to the countdown. If kids are staying up late definitely have a schedule... 6 pm this game, then food and free play, 7 pm this game and then make party hats or masks, 8pm this game and watch this show, etc. We did a kid focused party with our neighbors last year and it was fun, but as the night drew toward a close I think we should have had some more stuff planned... although the adults were dragging more than the kids. We did do sparklers I'd saved from 4th of July... that's a tradition we grew up with. We went outside and banged on pots and pans at midnight 🙂 A pinata would be fun. Goodie bags at a certain time. Silly string. Caffeine, just kidding 😉 Charade type games are a hit with my crowd.

I just googled this and, o my goodness, how have I been missing this my whole life. I know what I want for my birthday in January! I've made a similar pavlova but have to try this now 🙂 I have never made a trifle and honestly probably never will but I sure wish you'd come to our next potluck! This sounds so good! I don't have a usual but have often gotten creative... cheesecake, chili, orange biscuits, baked cheese dip, deviled eggs... but with life changes have majorly scaled back... last time I brought grapes, haha! The cucumber salads sound like they are a hit so I think I may try making that next time. Love all the ideas!

haha, yes we have that neighbor behind us too. We actually went out for a short 5 minute walk just to see what it's like with no lights, and the wind, wow!... and I told my family we are heading down the street AWAY from the generator.... 🙂

I don't really know about the gifts. But my family always opened gifts on Christmas Eve (Swedish tradition) and then Christmas day we would always go somewhere outside. Depending on where we lived at the time it could have been a hike, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, beach, canoeing, etc. One year we went to Yellowstone and went cross country skiing the week before they opened up to snowmobiles - and that was our gift. I remember getting a locket that they had packed in our luggage and my brother's also got something very small (my family scrimped to make this trip - brought all but one meal a day with us). Our decorating was hanging candy canes around the hotel room. - still a wonderful memory. We are getting a lot for our son this year. When we were first married we swore we wouldn't do this 🤷‍♀️ Looking ahead though our finances are probably not going to be as good in the coming years so we're getting him some things that will last several years (a bike for example). Our extended family doesn't go crazy though... we have limited our giving to them so they have reciprocated... usually between $20 - $40 per person and they are pretty good about sticking to wish lists (we keep them on amazon.com)