I love the Fly Lady and her methods have helped me get my house somewhat under control. I'm wondering if anyone has created a "control journal" for your homeschool planning. I would like to come up with a daily/weekly/monthly to do list for each subject; not the assignments, but a check-list to get me through the planning process. If you have started such a system and would like to share any details, I would love it! Thanks, Rene

:iagree: Especially dh; when my husband first saw a post on here he thought it meant the other dh and wondered why everyone had such a bad opinion of their husband.

We have been to Colonial Williamsburg twice now and love it! If you love CW, where else have you enjoyed visiting? Thanks, Rene

:iagree: I LOVE that movie!

I'm not much help,but we have taken the Stanford the last two years. I did buy the prep books and worked through most of them the first year. Did the same last year, but only hit a few problems. We're taking the test again in May and I don't think I'll waste our time/money on the books this year. The proctors read the instructions and complete an example before the students do the work. I think the main thing with the standardized format is that your children know that they should NOT guess, but leave the answer blank if it's something they have no clue about. If they can narrow the answer down to two choices, it is reasonable to pick one. I will say that we only take the tests so I have a record that they are on grade-level and that I have some direction regarding "gaps". It's hard not to get too swept up in the whole "scores are a reflection of my performance as teacher and my children's worth/intellect/etc." After two years of stress, I'm just going to take it as it comes. Good luck. Rene

Thanks for this great thread! I have one stupid question: Is there an instructor's guide/solutions manual to Dolciani's pre-algebra? Thanks, Rene

Thanks - it's in the washer now. My fingers are crossed. Peace, Rene

At lunch today we had a disaster involving a child, a dog and an entire bowl of taco soup. Now I need some recommendations on a cheap upholstery cleaner. I can take the cushion cover off and take it to the dry cleaner, but I'm afraid it won't fit after. Any suggestions? Thanks, Rene

:lurk5: I'm also wondering if I need to speed through the elementary level first or if I can just jump in with the middle school books.

I don't have MTWBH, but have read mixed reviews about it. However, I borrowed Visualize World Geography from our co-op and I'm truly amazed! We have been watching the videos and in just a few hours, all of us, including yours truly who's terrible at geography, can identify any country on a map and visualize where it is if we don't have a map. We are strong visual/auditory learners here, but I think it would appeal to all learning types. It's more expensive than MTWBH, but I would not hesitate to pay the price for it. HTH, Rene

We just visited DC in June and saw very little of the museums. What little we did was met with much complaining and moaning! My kids are usually good museum goers and have stamina, but they begged for the monuments and the parks instead. I HIGHLY recommend the Jr. Park Ranger badges from NPS. The one for the Mall took us almost two days to do, but was really fun and they (and I) learned so much. There are several others in the DC area that are also good. (C & O Canal, Rock Creek Park, Ford's Theater) DC is just one of those places where it is impossible to see it all in one trip. If you get good weather, take advantage of it and get outside! Have fun, Rene

I'm looking for a good, entry-level anatomy book/coloring book for my girls. The both dance so it would be great to have a dance theme to get them interested. I've found a few at Amazon, but would rather have a personal recommendation. Any ideas? Thanks, rene

:grouphug:

I love Marge!

Thanks for the feedback. I like the idea of adding more description; it might help her enjoy the writing projects a bit more. I think she seems to be doing well, but I can't get past the feeling that I have no idea what I'm doing trying to teach writing! Thanks again. Peace, Rene

Can you compare these lit guides to the Memoria Press guides? We're currently doing Lassie Come Home (9 yo) and Anne of Green Gables (11yo). I find the guides helpful for the discussion for me, but I'm not crazy about the "workbook" style. Both kids have told me they just want to read the book and skip the workbooks. (I do think they are killing some of the joy of reading for them, but my fear won't let me just let it go.) Any thoughts? Thanks, Rene

Please offer any feedback for my dd's writing project for Jemima Puddle Duck (11 yo 6th grade). Thanks! Rene This is the story of Jemima puddle-duck. Jemima puddle-duck lived on a farm where ducks could not lay their own eggs. This annoyed Jemima, so she snuck out to find a dry nesting spot. Once Jemima had left she saw a wood. Jemima took flight so she could get a better view of the wood. She did not like flying much but she was a beautiful flyer when she had a good start. When she got into the wood, she saw a foxy looking gentleman sitting on the tree stump that she liked. Jemima thought he was mighty civil and handsome. She explained that she was looking for a dry nesting spot; the foxy looking gentleman said that he had a shack full of feathers. You may sit there as long as you need to. The handsome gentleman led the way to a dismal looking house, “This is my summer residence”, he said. The shack was almost full of feathers so it was very hard to breathe. She made a nice nest that was very comfortable. The handsome gentleman promised to keep the eggs safe and warm. The foxy looking gentleman seemed almost sorry to let Jemima go home. The next day the foxy looking gentleman asked Jemima to bring some herbs and onions for an omelet; he said that he would provide the eggs. On the way to the market, Jemima met a collie-dog named Kep. She told him her whole story about meeting the foxy looking gentleman and about the eggs and the herbs and onions; he listened with his head cocked. When Jemima got back to the shack, the foxy gentleman said, “Give me the herbs and the onions then take a look at your eggs. Be quick!” Jemima was startled with how he talked to her. When Jemima went into the shack to look for her eggs, she was surprised to see black noses looking from underneath the door. A moment afterward she heard a lot of terrible noises coming from underneath the door. Then nothing was ever seen of the foxy looking gentleman every again. The puppies rushed in quickly and gobbled up the eggs before Kep could stop them. She was escorted home in tears on account of the eggs. Jemima laid more eggs in June and she hatched them herself. But, only four of them hatched.

We're also moving through the Critical Thinking book VERY slowly! I didn't have logic training either, but fortunately, I do some computer programming, so if/then isn't unfamiliar territory for me. However, more days than not, it kicks my booty and we just put it away for the day. There is NO WAY that we will finish the first book this year, let alone Book 2 as SWB suggests. I know none of that answers your original questions, but here is our plan for next year since DD is only in 6th grade this year. I think we'll give Classical Academic Press's Logic sequence a try. We really like their Latin. They have a set of DVD's and the sample chapters have a sequence from Monty Python and the Holy Grail (the witch burning scene) as an example of faulty logic. I'm sold! I'm also :bigear: for any other suggestions. Good Luck!

From the History Channel's website. Double Victory, Premieres on H2™, Friday, January 13th at 8/7c Also airs on HISTORY on Saturday, January 14th at 4/3c Double Victory spotlights the historic role of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, revealing the ways these African Americans bravely fought a war on two fronts - they helped the world triumph against fascism abroad and they fought valiantly for racial justice and equality at home. Though the Tuskegee Airmen faced the enormous challenges of discrimination from military officers, inferior equipment and heightened scrutiny, these pilots and their support personnel excelled. Featuring many Tuskegee pilots who tell powerful stories of their experiences during the war, Double Victory shows how these airmen helped defeat fascism in Europe and helped inspire the Civil Rights Movement upon their return. Double Victory is a documentary companion to Red Tails (in theatres January 20th), a feature film produced by George Lucas and distributed by Twentieth Century Fox. Anthony Hemingway (The Wire) directs this gripping World War II action film which features an outstanding ensemble cast including Oscar® winner Cuba Gooding Jr. and Oscar nominee Terrence Howard. Don't miss it! Learn more at: http://www.redtails2012.com

I've never purchased breast milk, but I would be a bit uneasy with purchasing privately unless I knew the person VERY well, but that's just me. I would probably find a good lactation consultant. Hang in there! Peace, Rene

I'm wondering if the Homer one would be worth my time. Thanks for any insight you can provide! Thanks, Rene

Vaseline works, but it is petroleum based. I'm pretty funny about that on my skin. I use Lansinoh (lanolin for breastfeeding moms) for anything that gets chapped on our face and it works great! Peace, Rene

All funding would come from the local level; keep public schools but encourage some healthy, free-market competition through vouchers. Put decision making control back in the parents' lap. I think we would be very surprised at the creative approaches to education that would pop up if the "market" e.g. parents could decide what is best for their children. We would see everything from classical schools that only serve organic, local food in their cafeterias to "un-school" schools.

:iagree:

Or Episcopalian - I thank my lucky stars we have until the 6th to get them done. Mine are still in the box and will go out this weekend. Peace, Rene