Anyone:001_huh:

I don't think some kids ever outgrow it! DS is so, so distractible. Each subject goes like this: Do one problem Talk to me about how he wants to decorate his room Me refocusing him Do half a problem Problem reminds him of something SO funny that happened at co-op Me refocusing Stalling on next problem because there is just something he HAS to tell me And on and on....all day. He's not trying to avoid work, it's just his mind goes a mile a minute and he is just compelled to share everything that enters it:)

So, after 9 lessons, I think we are totally using the program wrong. Due to budget constraints, I do not have TWSS. Not sure if that is the reason I am a bit confused. So far I have been having ds write his outline and then basically rewrite the original paragraph using only the outline. The problem is, he has an awesome memory and ends up just rewriting the original paragraph, simply adding in the dress ups. So, the end result is pretty much a word for word copy of the original. Am I supposed to have him add to the story? Should he be adding in additional details (ie. improvise what may have been said, etc)? Hope this makes sense!

We play math bingo sometimes. I have a huge basket of little goodies from the dollar store and the winner gets to pick a prize.

Not yet, but I am starting this afternoon. I have a lot of elaborate ideas for decor this year, so it's going to take me some time. My goal is to have it done by December so I can relax and enjoy it all month:)

You're not alone:). Mine all do gymnastics. That's it. They each get to pick one extra-curricular. With school, field trips, play dates, co-op, etc., I just get worn out!

My youngest two keep me busy with gymnastics. Sometimes I feel like we should just move in....

Ds is in 3rd and takes an hour:(. He loves math, but man, the child will not do more than one problem without having to stop for one reason or another!

The Walking Dead....if you're into zombie apocalypse stuff..haha:). Dh and I love it!

I just finished Life As We Knew It. I didn't realize it was more of a teen fiction, but I enjoyed it. slow to start with, but picked up and ended up being a decent apocalyptic book:). Don't think I'll continue the series though.....

:iagree: All of my shows end up cancelled!!!

I absolutely loved Jericho. DH wouldn't watch it with me because he know I am Skeet's biggest fan (based on his acting ability, of course:tongue_smilie:).

Wow. That seems like a pretty complex essay for a ten year old (I realize it wasn't your idea:001_smile:) I can't imagine ds being ready for that next year. I would begin by teaching her outlining skills. It seems as though her writing is a little unfocused....if that makes sense. This would also help eliminate some of the redundancy. Like a PP said, I give her a lot of credit for even trying to write this. Especially with limited instruction.....there would have been a lot of tears here if I handed my ds that assignment:)

I admit to not only watching iCarly with the kids, but sometimes at night by myself. Spencer makes me laugh.

Like a previous poster mentioned, I often flip our schedules when in a rut. Do art first, or a history project, science experiment, etc. Anything but seatwork! This will often start the day on a positive note and we end up accomplishing more. For a short term solution, we will skip workbooks entirely for the day and play games for each subject. For example, math or grammar bingo, 10 Days Across the USA, story cards, etc. Good luck... I think we have all been there!

I'll never tell!!!

Yup, my friend just washed hers accidentally, put it in rice, and was good to go the next day!!

We are living in a twaddlefied home. We play video games, watch crappy Disney shows, and have even read the Diary of a Wimpy kid series as our read alouds. I have no shame. We balance it with non-fiction books, documentaries, and "educational" games.

I didn't even realize there were TM's:001_huh: so, no, we have never used them and have used ETC quite successfully:)

We ust mix it up. A project that coincides with one chapter, a read aloud with the next, etc. I can't imagine SWB intended for you to do it all. We are still reading Son of Charlemagne while working on our statue of Alfred the Great! There is only so much time in a day:)

I have used Funnix beginning math as a supplement for my dd 14. She is special needs and has really progressed while using it. Plus, it's on the computer which she likes:). I think it does a great job of explaining basic concepts. For example, with a question like 2+?=4, it would have the student draw four lines because that is their total, then draw dots on two of them because we know we gave that many, and then count the remaining lines to figure out how many are left to make up 4. I was fortunate to get it for free a while back, but would definitely pay the $25.

Currently reading Son of Charlemagne. My ds likes it but dd says she is in another world when I read it:)

I have a 14 yo dd as well. And I feel the same way when she stays with my mom....even if it's just for the night! Don't feel guilty....they are just at that very difficult to get along with, slob-like, moody age:) Mine's newest talent is selective hearing. Yelling upstairs that I need here to do something, that's its time to eat, etc. no longer works. I have to actually walk upstairs to her room. And I KNOW she hears me:glare:

We have used it for two years now. I use it with my special needs dd and my 3rd grade ds. We do it on white erase boards and they seem to enjoy it. If either of them miss a word, I spell it out on my own board and explain the rule for whatever pertains to the word. Because the root word repeats for about a week and only the suffix changes, my kids tend to understand how to change it by the end of the week.

I haven't purchased anything, but am trying to figure out what to do for my youngest next year. I have never taught Kindergarten before....my oldest was in PS that year; my middle child was in PS K for about two months before I pulled him out, but he was advanced and more than ready for first grade work. My youngest is struggling academically with preschool:lol: So, i'm keeping my eyes open for a great Kindergarten curriculum that will hopefully make her actually WANT to participate:)