[Great read aloud alert - The Invention of Hugo Cabret]

I think Hugo is easier to follow than Alice or Peter Pan, and she should enjoy it if she likes books with pictures. I thought it innovative that the story was partly told through the illustrations.

 

:iagree: absolutely. Part of it's specialness is the abundant illustrations.

 

Lisa

[Great read aloud alert - The Invention of Hugo Cabret]

I read it to my 5, 7, and 10 year olds and they were ALL entranced. Of course, I had to stop from time to time t explain to the youngest what was happening, but she pretty much could keep up.

 

Lisa

 

What age would this be appropriate for? I'm always looking for awesome read alouds.

[Explain Dansko Shoes to Me]

I hadn't seen them til we moved here. I love them, but they do look like nurse shoes to me. I'm debating whether I want to get some or not. They look like they would last forever and be very comfortable.

 

 

I wear them and love them. I'm a nurse and work 16 hour shifts and they are the only shoes that take care of my feet. I would never spend the money, though, if I didn't need them for work. I'm cheap that way, though:001_smile:

 

Lisa

[CC Scribblers resources for grammar before Essentials]

I started using FLL and WWE about a month ago and I like it so far but I'm wondering if anyone just uses the Dictation Resource book or any other book from the CC bookstore and just works with their kids on those concepts before Essentials instead of doing another program. So, if you do use a resource (or more than one resource) from CC's bookstore for grammar before Essentials, which one(s) and how do you use them specifically?

 

stm4him

 

I would recommend you continue with FLL (or another program) before Essentials. Having him grounded in basic grammar will make it much easier for him.

 

Lisa

[We Bought a Zoo]

I, for one, am terribly disappointed in this entire thread.

 

When I opened it, I was all excited because I thought you bought a real zoo. :tongue_smilie:

 

:lol::lol:

[Great read aloud alert - The Invention of Hugo Cabret]

A huge hit here as well. A second book, not really a sequel, but in the same style, has just come out by the same author, called "Wonderstruck".

 

Off to check that out, thanks!

 

Lisa

[Great read aloud alert - The Invention of Hugo Cabret]

I love this book. It's been sitting on my shelf for a while, but with the movie out I read it (of course we missed the movie because I went to take them this week and it's not playing anymore).

 

Anyway, this is one of our favorites. It's magical, mysterious, the drawings are splendid. My kids were literally begging me to keep going after every chapter. Huge thumbs up:001_smile:

 

Lisa

[We Bought a Zoo]

In the movie, a main point is that it only takes 20 seconds of courage.....so here it goes....

 

It was an awesome movie with an awesome message. I loved it and what it had to say about death and family and taking chances and living life as an adventure and loving each other.

 

And if it has a few swears in it, well, gosh darn it that's okay with me. Life isn't censored and that was such a small part of such a good message that I'm glad I took my boys to see it. They loved it.

 

**running and ducking for cover****

 

I think my 20 seconds is up.....

 

I'm taking the kids to see this next week. Thanks for the review:001_smile:

 

Lisa

[Did you all read about the girl in Indiana who died?]

Very well said, Tibby.

 

You know, some women don't have intellect, support, experience, options, health, or wealth. Some people are just in a very bad situation. Some people were deprived of a decent upbringing. For some people life just sucks. Not everybody can be us.

 

Whatever led this woman and her children to that place, the information provided is that the babysitter was a trusted friend and neighbor of 3-4 years' experience.

 

She. did. not. hand. her. baby. over. to. be. murdered.

 

She allowed someone she trusted to take care of her children while she was sick and that someone turned out to be a monster, unworthy of trust. Her child was destroyed. Her life was destroyed. Her other children's lives were destroyed.

 

I live in Indiana. I couldn't help seeing this story on our local news. It hurt so bad, partly because I, myself, was a little girl growing up in a scary trailer park. So much pain for the community, our state, and mothers everywhere. So I mentally leave the trailer park and the grieving community and come here to the meeting place of educated middle-class people who are sitting here blaming the mother. This thread makes me sick.

 

What is education for, if not to help us understand the plight of others less fortunate? Not everybody has the same gifts. Not everybody has the same opportunities to develop wisdom or to obtain safe housing or good friends. But everybody, everybody, everybody dies inside when they lose a child.

[We Bought A Zoo movie should NOT be rated PG]

I will never understand Hollywood. Why take a otherwise good family movie and throw cursing in? What's the benefit vs. the parents that will be disappointed? I don't get it . . .

[Does Veritas Press Give Homeschoolers a Bad Name?]

I don't think that video will do anywhere near as much damage to the public opinion of homeschooling as the Jesus Freak documentary did/is doing.

 

I do think that the explanation about the deceased relative who owned the gun and the family activity planned for later would have better placed at the beginning of the video rather the end, but otherwise... meh. I have no issue with guns or gun ownership, and actually just walked in the door after taking my six year-old to the range to use his new BB rifle, and I've never checked out VP's materials so I can't really comment on that. All I know is that they're very much not secular, and so not for us. If the book/books in question really do paint slavery in the light described, well, that's pretty galling. I wasn't in their demographic before, though, so no loss for them, I guess.

 

I'm curious - What is Jesus Freak and why is it causing damage?

 

Lisa

[Does Veritas Press Give Homeschoolers a Bad Name?]

Expressing an opinion is not the same thing as "freaking out."

 

I would suggest, though, that the VP folks might be interested to know that their video may be turning people off to their products. It just doesn't seem like terribly sound business thinking.

 

I think they probably realize that the people who have a strong reaction to it are those who would never buy their products anyway.

 

Lisa

[Winning With Writing]

Has any one used this in the upper grades? 7-8?

 

I remember seeing posts from those using this with older kids. Try searching the k-8 board (using both www and winning with writing in the title only search) and see what you come up with.

 

Good luck,

Lisa

[Does Veritas Press Give Homeschoolers a Bad Name?]

Well, considering that we used to have an annual clay pigeon shooting contest at Grandma's house at Thanksgiving, I don't see the problem :D.

 

Have you considered that your offense at the greeting might give public school teachers a bad name?

 

:D:D

[Does Veritas Press Give Homeschoolers a Bad Name?]

What if they were promoting a homeschooling company that taught from a conservative Muslim perspective instead of a conservative Protestant view? Same scenario; silent, nervous looking wife (this time wearing a hijab) sitting next to a husband holding a gun and doing all the talking. Would that make you pause?

I would think that would make the national news.

 

 

So . . . do you think the gun was meant to coerce submission:confused:

 

Lisa

[Does Veritas Press Give Homeschoolers a Bad Name?]

Eh . . . To each their own. I thought it was a bit corny, but that's it.

 

And to answer your question, no, I do not think VP gives homeschoolers a bad name. I can see you have idealogical differences with VP, though. I use and appreciate their products.

 

Lisa

[Best. Gift. Ever.]

So happy for you:crying:

[I created a VP social group]

Would you mind posting the link? :001_smile:

 

The group is http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/group.php?groupid=161

 

Just to clarify, this is just to keep track of everyone going in on the VP self-paced group discount for now. Thought it would be easier than using the general board.

 

thanks,

lisa

[Sign up #2 for VP Self-Paced Group Buy!]

Here is the original thread. You can pm me with questions:001_smile:

 

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332880&highlight=Group

 

Lisa

 

Can you tell me what this is about? We're planning to sign up soon but I didn't hear about group sign-ups....

 

stm4him

[I created a VP social group]

Bump

[I created a VP social group]

My inbox is filling up quickly here. I created a VP social group here. Can everyone from my group take a minute and join? It might be easier to post updates without taking up space on the general board. Afterward, anyone can use that group to talk about anything VP:001_smile:

 

Tx

Lisa

[Sign up #2 for VP Self-Paced Group Buy!]

I just sent a PM requesting for my 2 kids to join. Hopefully you can squeeze us in.

 

 

PM'd you - you're in:001_smile:

 

Lisa

[Sign up #2 for VP Self-Paced Group Buy!]

My updated list:

 

Jonibee (1)

Canadianmumof4 (2)

heritageofthelord (2)

Joyoflearning (1)

Shawneinfl (1)

TN mama (1)

Johnny (1)

[Sign up #2 for VP Self-Paced Group Buy!]

:) How much are the spots? Can you tell me how they work? :)

 

Hi Carrie,

 

Here is the link to the thread that started this.

 

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332880

 

It includes links to the VP website where you can get more information. You can PM me for more details. The course, normally $250, will be $99. Any course can be selected, but registration has to be complete by 2/1, although you can select a start date of no later than 8/31.

 

 

Hope that helps,

Lisa

[Sign up #2 for VP Self-Paced Group Buy!]

Hi Lisa,

 

Do you have any spots left in your VP group? :001_smile:

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Yes, just pm me with your child's info:001_smile:

 

Lisa