Bumping this for you, as I saw some recent posts of people wanting a group. Lisa

Hunter, thank you so much for this. Great suggestions!

Mandy, thanks for these suggestions! I forgot about Comprehensive Comp, I'll have to take a look at that again. Lisa

got it now:001_smile:

Darn, it looks like it's back up to $11.95:glare: is the sale done? Thanks everyone for your suggestions:001_smile: Lisa

In searching old threads about a particular writing program, someone (don't remember who) said something to the effect that she'd rather her kids write solid paragraphs than weak papers, and so she dropped everything and practiced just strong paragraph writing. Writing frequent paragraphs instead of longer essays is something I would like to focus on right now with my oldest. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to do this? Looking for ideas on more frequent, shorter writings:bigear: thanks, lisa

Sounds like Winning with Writing might fit for you. I like Harveys, but found it difficult to use and some of the terminology antiquated. I like Rod and Staff. Good luck Lisa

Of course, the big IF here is whether this conversation happened as she said, verbatim. IF it did, it is scary. My gut tells me the family is recalling events and discussions selectively. When so much is at stake and so much emotion involved, it is understandable. But I will withhold judgment unless I have more information. Lisa

Without knowing all the details, it is very hard to say what the story is. The hospital, of course, cannot disclose all the medical information that swayed their decision and, without seeing that, I can't have an informed opinion. It's such a difficult situation, though. Even if there is a medically justified rationale behind their decision (i.e., comorbidities that would make prognosis poor), I could completely understand the parents outrage and belief that her cognitive status played more of a role than the hospital is claiming. It's just so hard to say when we are dealing with private medical records and are shielded from pertinent information. Yes, emotion dictates that it is OUTRAGEOUS that a child with mental retardation be denied a life saving procedure solely because of her MR, but the facts could very well justify the decision. Who knows. I do grieve for the family, though. Lisa

I don't see any samples online, but it looks very good. It uses the book "Thinking in Threes", which has gotten good reviews on Amazon. I also like how it uses children's lit to teach analysis and essay writing. Just curious if anyone has heard anything about this? Lisa

My fifth grader is doing VP Exp to 1850 this year and plans on using OT/AE next year. She loves it, and I beef it up with reading and Notebooking. It's been a big hit here. If you're thinking of enrolling, you should look into one of the group buys for $99. Lisa

Thanks, just ordered one of these; they look very good. Have you seen or heard anything about their Intro to Composition program? I would be interested in finding out more but they have no samples. It sounds good, though. Lisa

Pm diaperjoys. http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=336313

I am soooo making this tomorrow. Tx Lisa

I've been wondering how you were making out. Hope you notice a positive difference:001_smile: Lisa

DD14 is in Challenge A this year. Since she is on the older side (there is no Challenge B or 1 in our community) She was easily able to juggle a few extras. I think it really depends on where the kids are academically when they come in, because I've heard some parents say their kids really struggle and are drowning in work, but that has not been our experience at all. We added: Apologia Biology using Red Wagon Tutorials (she was already enrolled before we decided to do Challenge) Saxon Algebra 1 (instead of 1/2) Fallacy Detective (for informal logic - formal logic is introduced in Challenge B) Reading various history books and writing outlines/summaries, and watching documentaries Next year all Challenge levels will be using Henle (I also hate LNST), so that's a plus. Overall, it has been a great experience for dd. If she had started a year or two ago, the workload probably would be just right, but for ninth grade it is light. It's so easy to supplement, though, and the benefits far outweigh the shortcomings. Lisa

Thanks, Jacque, but meggie just volunteered. Thank you so much! Lisa

Great, just PM'd you. Thanks!

Okay, I see that it's invite only. I requested an invite from them, but maybe that takes longer. Would someone here be able to invite me, pretty please:001_smile: Lisa

Is there really a waiting list to join Pinterest? I tried to register and it said it added me to their waiting list and would email me. Does it take a while, because I'm still waiting? Lisa

Pm'ing you - my group I closed :001_smile: Lisa

:lurk5:

Georgia is running these ads http://www.strong4life.com/default.aspx Opinions? Lisa

Lori, thank you so muc for this. I'm embaressed to say I thought Papa George was a totally fictional character. Dd is enjoying this link. Lisa

Thank you for this. Wonderstruck looks like another amazing book. I just ordered it. Lisa