What about James and the Giant Peach? Matilda? Here are some other situations where the kids have rotten parent (aunt) figures, and they leave that situation (in whole, part, or temporarily) to have an adventure. And later, what about Huckleberry Finn or the Adventures of Tom Sawyer? I think in each situation there is the opportunity to discuss the parent/gaurdian-child relationship and what is appropriate or inappropriate. I would highlight that Elmer is kind, brave, and smart. I would ask what a better way of helping the cat and the dragon would be (rather than running off and stowing away on a ship). In life won't we always be confronted with examples of ideal/good and less-than-ideal/bad behavior? Of course we do our best to show example of the ideal, but we can also teach when we come across less than ideal. I (and my children) liked MFD. We'll read it again for the the younger kids. ;)

Sorry - I really have been reading through Nebel's book (among a million other things right now). I promise a forthcoming comprehensive review. So far all is really positive. Stay tuned.... :lurk5:

I'm not a vet - I was a pre-vet major in college before I switched to zoology so I am familiar with the college pre-vet courses. With that in mind... Definitely biology, math and chemistry. In college you'll have to take the "harder" course of general biology (sometimes a 2-semester series depending on school), general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemsitry. You'll also have to take microbiology, animal science courses (animal nutrition, animal husbandry, etc.), calculus or applied calculus, genetics, molecular biology, and of course some zoology classes (like herpetology). I think the key is a strong foundation in math (especially algebra and preferibly calculus too, although you can take it in college), biology (preferebly AP biology or 2 years of biological sciences), and chemistry (being sure to firmly understand the basics of balancing equations, acid-base chemistry, and molecular modeling). A lot of this can seem really lame when in the end all you want to do is play with lizards and snakes - so I guess another part of the equation is helping your student keep perspective on what needs to happen to reach the end goal. Maybe some visits or interviews with vets would help. I know that before getting into vet school (after undergrad) they pretty much require this to make sure you have a firm understanding of all the aspects of being a vet. HTH

Bill, the manipulatives are pretty essential in RS level A (abacus, place value cards, geoboard, color tiles, tally sticks, decks for games are the most used at this level) . And if you continue with RS to level B then you really will want to invest in the manipulatives. The sample lessons on the RS website only give the first few lessons, and the program really takes off from there. At the end you are introducing concepts like tesalations and have a good foundation in adding 2-digit numbers. If you are refering to the book and wortext for Early Bird, I can't really comment because we didn't use it. If you are talking about the book and included worksheets for RS level A, I would have to say no, they are not enough. You need the manipulatives (or will be so hung-up trying to create a replacement to illustrate the concepts that you'll probably shelf the program out of frustration).

There is a RightStart Yahoo group that often has FS items there.

We used 100 EZ lessons with Bob Books, and DD (starting 1st grade in the fall) was reading at mid-2nd grade level when I decided to use ETC. We've started in Book 3, which isn't introducing any new reading skills for her but it's reinforcing language patterns and helping her to spell.

August 25th - that's when the umbrella school starts up. We're still "summer schooling" but will take 4 weeks off before we start up again.

RightStart is very hands on (lots of games and manips) and my kids love it. I just don't have time to devote to it. It is teacher-intensive. Not horribly, but my DD is doing just as well learning with Singapore and Miquon and I don't have to do everything with her.

I voted 6-30%. We are definitely on with language arts and math. I am only going to do 2 history cycles the same as WTM, the first four years we're doing more general social studies (geography, community, US and some world history). Art and music are important in our homes, but they aren't explicitly in my curriculum yet (grammar stage kids). I am definitely of a different mind when it comes to science and won't be following the grammar or logic recommendations.

I think you can definitely squelch interests if you push, or even make things rigid for them, too young. You also don't want anyone to feel like they can't be part of home learning. I bet most of your dc's interest comes from wanting to be a part of what the rest of the family is doing. Just as kids imitate adult "work" (washing, store shopping, hammering, etc.) they will imitate what they see you doing - your work happens to be home school. I'd give them some mazes, tracing, etc. to do in page protectors. Think of some other parallel things for them to do. For example, I am planning on getting the Cuisenaire rod alphabet book for my ds3 to use while we do math (our math uses rods). Invite them to sit with you for read alouds. I'm letting DS make an alphabet notebook next year - no pressure, very free-form. It will be something productive and instructive, but it will be on his terms.

I'm with the other Shannon - I've had to let go a little and just be happy when I'm able to stop them from putting a new find in their mouth, licking the public pool deck (yes, this happened), or crawling on the floor in the grocery store. :ack2: Unless there is visible dirt/smudge/grundge I don't do anything - and then it's only for visual satisfaction.

Does it correlate the whole series (Get Ready for the Code through ETC 8) or just part of it? I am looking at Happy Phonics as well for my ds (aka boy-with-the-built-in-springs)

Calvert is like this, but more traditional/closer to classical. OM does not look very rigorous, and that is why I passed on it. FWIW, I haven't used Calvert either, because I wanted to use different levels of math and english. I have looked at it repeatedly because of the very fact that it is all laid out for you and includes the materials, but it isn't flexible enough for us.

I was going to suggest this, too.

What about helping him to learn to use a digital camera. I know he probably won't be able to take a picture of the Parthenon, but you could get creative (if you do the Greek alphabet he could take pictures of something beginning with alpha, beta, etc.).

We do Miquon and Singapore, no Saxon. We used to do RightStart (which I love, but way too teacher intensive for my situation). Here's a schedule that shows the Singapore concepts and how to supplement with Miquon. Perhaps it will be useful in determining how to use these two as supplement to Saxon. http://www.singmath.com/SM_Miquon.htm Edited to Add: I use the chart to correlate lessons, then I plan out about three weeks at a time. Since there is no direct teaching/text in Miquon we use the Singapore text, manipulatives, and suggestions from the Lab Annotations (for Miquon), to teach the concepts. Then dd completes assigned pages in the Singapore Workbook and the Miquon book (we're doing 2-3 pages right now because some of it is review). I try to alternate so she works in singapore workbook one day and the miquon book the next. I am thinking of ordering the Intensive Practice and Challenging Word problems (as per recommendations on this board) for the next book (Singapore 1B). Right now we don't need them.

We only used the trial lesson. My kids loved it - and remembered the material. The only reason we didn't use it is because I didn't think we needed to spend so much time on art yet (1st and pre-k students). How much does the subscription cost for HSers?

Discover Your Child's Learning Style and The Way They Learn Both books make the point that there is more than one model of learning style, and that by using several models you can get a better idea of how to help your child learn. It goes beyond Cathy Duffy's three basic learning styles, and much beyond the visual, auditory, kinestetic learner. I found both at my library.

We have attribute blocks and use them for three different books/curricula - Moving Beyond the Page (the Similarities and Differences theme for 5-7 years), Hands on Thinking Skills (from Critical Thinking co.), and for Analogies. You could also use them for developing classification skills, in similar ways to pattern tiles, and for geometry stuff. I don't think I would have bought them if I didn't have a plan for them, though I am glad that we have them.

Have you seen Growing, Growing Strong ? I haven't used it yet, but this is what we are planning on using next year (and beyond). It seems to be a very gentle but appropriate curriculum. It is geared towards a classroom, but I don't believe it would be difficult to implement in your homeschool.

I would guess it's a normal phase - an intensifying of part of his personality because he doesn't have the maturity to know what to do with frustration. I'd help him learn some methods of dealing with his frustration, and buy him some nice colored pencils that will be less likely to go out of the lines :001_smile:

I think RS is comprehensive on its own. The only area that it is weak in is pencil and paper drill (at least in levels A and B, don't know about others). This is made up for in math games. But, if you worry about standardized testing and what not then maybe you could add in some drill sheets. It really is comprehensive, and an excellent program. It is a little teacher-intensive because all the games for practice must be done with the teacher (unless you have other students who can play). The other day (on this board) was the first time I had ever heard of supplementing RS.

How about a page of HWT Kindergarten book? This will depend on child's ability (and mood!) - somedays DD takes 5-10 minutes, others up to 30. For math, I'm allowing about 20 minutes for a lesson of Right Start Math A. The earlier lessons take 5-10 minutes. Then they will average about 20 minutes, but be prepared for longer depending on what your child needs help to understand. My DD likes using the manips and doing the games so much we sometimes would spend 40-60 minutes on RS levelA I have about 45 minutes alloted for a weekly lesson. Monday for science, Tuesday for geography, and Wednesday for crafts. Does that sound right? This is completely between you and your child, but 45 minutes of anything PLUS read alouds, the handwriting, math, and FLL sounds like a lot for a K'er and younger sibling. For K (we also had a 3 yo and 1 yo) I spent about 70-100 minutes total for all school work, at least 30 of which was read aloud. (I am asuming your K'er is already reading because you are using FLL and no reading program). We did reading lessons for 15, math 20, handwriting 10, and read aloud 30 every day. Then twice a week we did geography or spanish or art/music for about 20. If your child is ready to work for longer then go for it!

Any kind (website, book, DVD, etc.), any content (plants, rock cycle, quantum mechanics :confused:), any grade level (k-8, of course). I'm not looking for a curriculum, but if it's a curricular/textbook that makes a great reference that's surely welcome. And I'd love to know what about these books you like - great pictures and diagrams, treatment of vocabulary, age-appropriateness, depth of explanation, fun-factor, ???? :bigear:

Beautiful! I love it! One question, how do you keep the sand and lentils from going everywhere - my kids love to explore deeply, including dumping things and throwing them. :001_unsure: