The thread should be shut down. There aren't supposed to be political threads, that's precisely what this is and what its turned into and always will.

This one cracks me up. I would straight up FIGHT to prevent someone from killing another. But no, people aren't going around doing that. They're suppressing proven ways to fight those "deaths" and just like, complaining and making people feel bad and putting unnecessary buderns. Like, where are the people out there giving out condoms and allowing ALL persons access to birth control? Oh right, they're on the other side. Keep religion OUT of politics. Y'all want this to not be political. What a joke.

I haven't read the whole thread yet.... But why would you need someone you know to tell you they feel unsafe to see that a specific candidate or their policies cause specific groups to feel unsafe? Do you just not believe it until you see it first hand? I mean, if one candidate hypothetically refused to denounce a hate group, I'd equate that with support of said group, but that's just me I guess.

The new BYL doesn't use Hakim as spines anymore. She's redone it, and uses different books now.

Hakim's books are too much for 4-6. I have them, I've tried them for my 5th grader, they don't work well. That's my suggestion if I had to pick 1 book. It doesn't cover pre Columbian times, but it's good stuff. I also love love love the Giant American History Timeline workbook for pacing, worksheets, and mkaking sure you're hitting all the right things. The Beginner's American History by HD Montgomery is also good to have. The copy I have is weirdly organized, but it's the only of I'd say a dozen books about US History/13 colonies I have that talks about the founding of each colony, specifically it was Lord Baltimore and Maryland I was looking for. My kids also love the Interactive History Adventure books. They don't cover everything, but we have about a dozen for US history up through reconstruction, and they remember the stories from those better than anything else. I also like the Evan Moor history pockets! They're perfect!!!

The Giant American History Timeline (book 1) and Hakim's History of US.

Lol it's homework. Or what I call schoolwork that's done without me right there. I just call it homework. She'll want to listen to an audiobook while doing her math, or copywork, or writing assignment. It's heartbreaking, because I see how she can't focus well, so it seems like a great idea in her head to listen to a book and read an entirely different book at the same time.

My DD10 would rather stare at a wall than read. She actually does this sometimes when I have her do reading time. She's ADHD and never enjoyed reading. She reads about 5-10 minutes of poetry to me daily, and reads about 30 minutes on her own. (What should be 10 and 20 minute chunks are usually spread out to two half hours+ because I assign pages not time and she just... wastes her time). I also read aloud to her about an hour or so daily. I try to get her to listen to audio books, but she only wants to listen when she's doing HW. Uh, no. She isn't a reader, and I have to force her into it. She does almost zero reading for pleasure, even though she likes what she reads. She straight up once had her 6yo sister read TO her because she wanted a story but wasn't willing to read herself.

I have to wash and cut it, put it in single serve baggies in the fridge, or in a big open container for everyone to see. If it's hidden it won't get eaten and that's how my produce goes bad. My crisper drawer is the drawer of dead things, so I only store washed and cut produce that can't be eaten raw, like squashes for dinner. Honestly, when I wash and prepare my produce I use it all, otherwise womp, womp.

I want to get a dog because we haven't ever had one and we all want one. If not a dog, I'm honestly giving each a new bike probably. My 16yo will be getting a car in Jan. and my 10 and 6 DD don't need or want for anything, and I already need to go through their stuff and throw out so much as it is. They hoard everything. I'm so over stuff and my spoiled kids. The past few years i've been getting them less and less and this year I want it to be even more less. I like the idea of experiences, but most things are closed. We talked about Disney passes last year, but that's out of the question now. This reminds me it's too much to think about in 2020!!

Okay I didn't see it already, but a clean towel and pillowcase would be my number one fix that you could do immediately and without cost.

I have a spreadsheet and log purchases based off our bank withdrawals because we use our debit cards for everything. I'll plan out the next month a week or so before, and budget for whatever I know is coming up and add in expected income. We don't do sinking funds and I don't do a zero based budget. So I am moderately budgeted.

Okay everyone thank you all for your replies. I got the Drama of A.History book, the pilgrim one related to what we're on next, to try out. I really want to say the people to said its okay for a 5th grader to just hear and retain interesting stories - THANK YOU. My 16yo son took US history last year (on level, public school) and he could recount pretty basic stuff in comparison to what I was stressing over with my 10yo. I'm just going to continue reading novels and books, playing with the globe, and talk about linking stuff. I'm just freewheeling it, and using a textbook to guide me. I have her in a charter and I have to submit a work sample monthly, and this month is SS and I think that's what caused me to freak out. I'm just going to have her write out what she can about Columbus/exploration/etc. and work with her on it once I see what she can come up with on her own. Again thank you all for your support and insight! I just keep needing affirmation that I am not doing her a disservice by having her home this year.

This is my first year homeschooling, and am only schooling my 5th grader. She has a hard time focusing in school, and has thrived with the one on one instruction at home. She still needs a lot of explaining and repetition, and doesn't grasp big pictures and has a hard time connecting the dots unless explicitly told - and that is why I don't like my program. We are doing Bookshark D (the US history 1) for history. I chose it because I wanted to align with the public school, she needs extra reading, and she prefers one on one time with me. I also have The Giant US History Timeline, Interactive US History Maps, and all the related Evan Moor History Pockets. Oh and 180 Days of SS Grade 5 and Joy Hakim's History of US series. I'm really only doing the BS readings/questions (which... come on this was only worth it for the schedule), and maybe one of those hands on activities a week. But I have those resources. They tend to not match up with what I have, and some see above her level or not interesting to her. I don't know if its okay to assign her something and work with it together entirely like for a writing assignment in those books I would have to explain the question and guide her through her ideas and writing. I don't know what a 5th grader should be able to produce, is that normal? Issues - it isn't teaching history. It's telling a story and having me ask questions. I'm filling in info and gaps on my own so she gets the historical context. I want something story like, but also very obvious it is real and historically accurate, and ties it all together. Also, I have no way to assess whst she's understanding besides conversations, which I usually have to guide her through and she usually remembers tidbits form historical fiction, but can't apply it overall. For example, we read Pedro's Journal and she kept saying Columbus wanted to find land so he could get the reward. (I asked why he was sailing, what was he looking for? She's refering to an offer in the book of money for whoever sighted land first.) Does anyone know of something different that might fit for us? I don't mind a 1 year US history course, and want to spend <150ish. That or advice on how to teach what she's learning in a more traditional way, instead of just connecting historical fiction? My biggest issue is there is no assessment honestly. Is what she's getting the right amount? I don't expect her to remember all the facts, but she seems to be missing key points and remembering interesting tidbits. Is that appropriate? I know US history will be taught again later. If you read through this and still want to help me despite my insecure ramblings , I highly appreciate it! Thank you!

The books are fluff, but the Upside Down Magic series is really diverse and my kids love them. They just made a Disney movie too.

No, I have no doubts about the horrible stuff this woman has been/is capable of. But I still don't think this is related to her.

My stores are all pretty well stocked. I'm more surprised at what's STAYING on the shelves. Usually cute backpacks, lunch boxes, school supplies are gone so quickly - but now everything's still in stock even though its been out over a month. The Target Dollar Spot rinky dink school stuff cleared really quickly though, and our Target never seems to restock their kid's books fast enough. Also, some of the books I need for our curriculum sold out online or shot up in price, so I figure they know people will pay or their charter will foot the bill. But I refuse to pay $30+ for a paperback, nope! And my biggest gripe (which I know is letty and unjustified....) is that our library is more active than ever before, and I rarely had to put items on hold, but now it seems like everything is waitlisted. I am pleased more people are reading, but darn...

Mine have Overdrive on their Amazon tablets. They browse, and browse, and browse, and then pick an audio book and listen to whatever they chose (usually the same 2 or 3 books) for 30-60min while they color or play or whatever.

Yes yes yes! I don't judge anyone on what they or their kids read. If they don't read to their kids, then yeah maybe, but if they only read graphic novels or Goosebumps? Who cares. I myself read a lot, like 150+ books a year, and it's mostly mush I'll admit. But when I've had people try to tell me I'm not well read because I don't only read the classics, I can only laugh. Same with my kids. I just bought my 6yo a Descendants graphic novel and a Monster High chapter book. She's 6, and it's what she chooses to read on her time. For many children, those books and series could be a child's only experience with monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, werewolves, and fairy tales, so I'm not knocking them. Also, I don't think this was a PS issue, it was an issue you had with your parents.

I think a lot of parents share what they read with their kids. I know that's how I was introduced to Narnia, Little House, Phantom Tollbooth, Charlotte's Web, and many, many more. I read my favorites to my kids too.

My favorite classics are Wuthering Heights and Brave New World. I also recently read Othello and loved it, so I'm going to give Shakespeare more of my time. I just remember classics being such a slog when I was younger, but now I think I can appreciate them more for what they are. I read A LOT, but usually only read less than 10 classics a year. It also depends on what's considered a classic I guess.

I'm in a very similar boat, with a soon to be 1st and 5th, with the younger being advanced and the older being slightly behind in math. We started our own math in March when school let out. I got Math U See, and 6yo loved it and 10yo hated it. We tried Beast Academy, again 6yo loved it and it was too challenging for 10yo. I bought Saxon next and it was too plain and too different an approach for DD and she grew frustrated. Then we tried Khan Academy because they have a new "get ready for x grade" and surprise! she liked it! We settled on Teaching Textbooks and DD is doing really well, it's similar to her elementary math program and hits the public school standards.

I think we eat a lot of vegetables. I just try to add a ton to everything we eat. One of our favorites right now are burrito bowls. I use black beans, corn, roast up bell pepper and onion, make pico de gallo, avocado, and salsa. It's so yummy! And mostly veggies. I also like stir fry or fried rice with a lot of onion, cabbage, broccoli, and a bag of mixed vegetables. It's also really good sith cubed sweet potato. I used to cook a lot of meat, starch, veg dinners, but we're trying to limit our meat consumption right now so I've been trying new things.

I remember the books having a character who routinely got things wrong too, and I remember using that when teaching later like, oh you made the same mistake as Barry, remember what Barry had to do? I actually LOVE the BA books for concepts but dislike their program lol. I think she'll enjoy the books as a resource. Good luck to you!

Especially with earlier word problems it's really the vocabulary and phrasing not necessarily a mathmatic approach that has to be learned. Is that where there's an issue? Like does a problem like Dan has 5 marbles and Sue has 3 more than Dan mess him up, but Sue has 3 marbles and 5 marbles not? I had a similar issue where the phrasing was hard for my DD to grasp, and got worse with age until I went back to basics (like phrasing explicitly for adding and subtracting, then looking for phrasing with multiplication/division). I tried the draw a picture approach, but really learning the key phrases helped better.