Is anyone using Dimensions Mathematics this year? 7A? What do you think? 7A-8B is supposed to equal prealgebra and algebra 1. Do you think this is a fair assessment? If you are using Dimensions Mathematics, did you add any other resources?

For those who can't watch video, here is an article about food and sugar with a list of Do's and Dont's.

A wheel so you can ply yarns.

Even with bare-bones coverage you still pay for medical care in addition to monthly premiums. No, health care is not affordable.

On the north coast of Sonoma Co. it seems like a normal storm, it's just been a number of years since we've had a good storm like this. Phones are out. The roads? Culverts are overflowing. The winds were up at 4am, but now they are non existent. Just steady rain.

A mastery program will introduce and work through a concept and later build upon that concept in subsequent lessons. Lesson are straightforward. A spiral program will introduce a new concept while at the same time review previously learned concepts. A lesson will have variety and at times seem disjointed. For my purposes, I use Singapore Math as a Mastery Math program combined with Horizons Math as a spiral program. The two together make a complete math program. I like that Horizons Math covers topics not found in Singapore Math. Math Mammoth is very trendy these days, and we tried to use it, but DD found it too long winded and confusing. I feel Singapore Math is a stronger math program for this kid. Have you considered going through Khan Academy online to clean up any gaps in learning thus far?

It isn't so bad. I think it is the style of writing that one finds so off-putting. The sentence structure and style are clearly from another time.

If it were my student, I would require a rewrite. To continue writing this way, disregarding the assignment requirements, your DS will not do well in high school English. How you approach the rewrite matters. What he turned in was a rough draft. Keep working. Make it better.

Yes! Totally addicted. Interesting insight on the criminal court system.

I'm always on the looking to improve my teaching, and I stumble on some worthwhile links to share. Literary Devices (SIFT): This is an interesting method of getting students to look at poetry and fiction in more depth. It is meant for a high school classroom, but I think it could easily be adapted for middle school. Teaching Non-Fiction Reading: Non-fiction reading is the new buzz in Common Core. How to approach teaching non-fiction reading is a bit fuzzy. This link is one of the most concise posts I've read, offering a clear method of approach to reading non-fiction. Newslea: Closely related to the above, this non-fiction news site translates short news articles on a wide variety of topics into different reading levels. Canva: This is a fun site that allows the user to create posters. This could be use across the curriculum.

Interesting. Thanks for posting.

Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2012 An inexpensive, drinkable wine. Really, you want to spend more for a good experience. Rochioli Pinot Noir 2012 A excellent choice for a special occasion.

Assumptions lead to disappointments. My DD is currently applying to 12 colleges. Some colleges are reach Ivies and others are safety state colleges. DD is well aware her chances to get into an Ivy are slim at best. Last year a friend of hers with a near perfect SAT score, a full load of AP classes, and extracurriculars any parent would be proud, of got into only one college of the 14 she applied to, and that college was her local college. So yea parents, let go of the fantasy that your child will be admitted to an Ivy. Letting go of that fantasy takes the pressure off the kids who are already stressed.

Knowing how to sew would also be important. A dressmakers mannequin.

Our family does not qualify for subsidies, and premiums are too high for us to afford health insurance for 5. We only insure our kids. I seldom go to the Dr. I wish health care was more affordable.

I think goals for middle school depend on what your child plans to do for high school. If your child wants to return to "regular" school for high school, then they need to know how to do the "housekeeping of school." Gaining a basic understanding of these rules in middle school is a good idea. What I mean by housekeeping is the ability to format papers correctly-MLA style. It also means remembering to put your name on your paper, the class, and the date. Train kids to meet deadlines with no excuses. Use a point grading system for assignments. It is not always the content that raises a grade, but it is the ability to follow all the rules to attain the requisite number of points for a project. Training kids to think both inside the box and think outside the box. A creative approach to an assignment is not always appreciated, so learning how to read a teacher and meeting their expectations is an important skill. I've found the transition to high school is less about what a homeschool student knows and more about how well they know how to follow the rules academically and behaviorally. An example: My DD wrote a unique comparison essay for a summer school biology course at a regular high school. The teacher praised the uniqueness of the essay, while at the sametime docked her points for forgetting to put her name on the paper in the proper format.

I have a parent with Lewy Body Dementia. What this means is Mom sees little gremlins and has a hard time finding her way to the bathroom. Her short-term memory is fading. This is a terrible fate. Not wanting to suffer this same debilitating disease, I've spent time trying to understand how one can retain cognition throughout life. The process is similar to homeschooling in that I try to teach my kids how to learn rather than require they learn a set of facts. I want them to ask questions and find their own answers. In short I want them to think and be challenged. Anyway, I came across this article that I wanted to share with other homeschool families: You can increase your intelligence: 5 ways to maximize your cognitive potential

My mathlete, DD uses this and thinks it is great=http://studyforge.net/

I deeply resist looking too far into the future. It is so easy to bound on ahead with plans, curriculum selection, etc. Yet in the moment, I find that we need to go over that chapter in science again because the notes DD took on her reading were too superficial, and if she were to continue taking notes this way, she would undoubtedly meet with failure in the future. I am always reminded of piano practice: Go slow in order to go fast. Laying a good foundation of learning how to learn rather than obsessing about the next step is what I remind myself when I get the urge to plan or get bored with the daily pace of school.

Interesting addition to Snell Music Theory books.

When reading about the Common Core, I find it is easy to for detractors to forget that the Common Core is not a set of curriculum; the Common Core is an outline of goals. How those goals are met via curriculum choices is left up to individual school districts. Curriculum developers have rushed to fill the Common Core void, yet the Common Core does not prescribe how a teacher should reach the goals it has set forth. The Common Core goals are not bad, but how a school district chooses for teachers to align their teaching to these goals with new textbooks, etc. is up for debate. It seems as if it the execution that is flawed.

Laurel Springs Rocks!

Ack! I saved up and bought $$$$$$ the designer purse I wanted. I looked and found it used on eBay. This purse -Chloe -is understate and perfect. It will last years. The less expensive purses I've bought while waiting have not held up to daily use.

I voted other. I swim three times a week masters swimming-almost nine months. It's hard. Cardio is great. I don't think about losing weight anymore. I just want to be be physically fit. I walk on my days off.

DD sent early action application out, so we're crossing fingers that she gets into this highly selective college. :chillpill: Anyone else do the same?