I've been supplementing with Horizons. I don't try to keep them together in sequence. Horizons is good for the constant review, Singapore is good for the mental math and word problems. We're chugging through Horizons 2 and Singapore 2 right now. There are some topics (like reading a clock) that Singapore only touches on briefly that need more practice in my opinion. Beth

For about 4 weeks now, I've had a really tight jaw (we're going on 4 weeks with school, but I'm not stressed about that). I'm constantly trying to relax my clenched jaw. I don't think it's so much at night, but it's getting to the point that it becomes hard to talk because my jaw is so tight. I don't feel anxious or worried or even that stressed, but I have been know to repress feelings. There have been some pretty difficult situations that have come up in the past two weeks but all of this started before all this. It's really getting annoying and it feels like I have a thigh muscle lodged in my face. I exercise regularly and eat a fairly healthy diet. I'm 42 if that helps. I'm not even sure where to go for help with this? Chiropractor? Dentist? Beth

I decided to try my hand at nature study. I've done a few things with the Anna Comstock book (dry and I needed to pre-read to make sense to my littles) and then two weeks ago, my daughter found a bird feather outside. I had a moment of inspiration. I had an Apologia book on flying creatures so I looked up the chapter on bird feathers and we had a great discussion on bird feathers, labeled them in our notebooks, and learned quite a bit off the cuff. Since that went so well, we got out the book again and looked up grasshoppers (since we have a bunch jumping around lately), caught a grasshopper, and just studied that section. I'm kinda sorta thinking of just getting the whole Apologia set and doing my nature study with those books. It is sooo much more kid friendly. Beth

of the unsightly condition of his teeth caused by

I saw it in this book mostly: http://www.amazon.com/Brilliant-Mind-Proven-Increase-Brainpower/dp/0800731875 It's about adults, but I'm assuming it applies to kids too. It's called neuroplasticity. You could probably read it on the amazon search inside this book. Beth

There is a lot of research on why memory work is important. It grows your brain. This year, after splitting from a group that did a lot of memory work, I have related their memory work to what they are learning. For example, we are learning about creation and the 10 commandments, so they are learning a poem about creation and have memorized the 10 commandments. I have them memorizing countries of the world, Bible verses, and poetry from the IEW poetry program. So, basically everything they are memorizing, they are learning about. It just makes more sense to me. Beth

I like All About Spelling. It's easy to use, teaches sentence structure through dictation with words they should already know, and is scripted for the homeschool mom (like me) who had NO IDEA how to teach spelling. It's expensive but is totally reusable with multiple kids and has a high resale value. Beth

I didn't like it because it didn't explain enough of the grammar. We started with level 3 and when they got to sentences, there was no explanation about why the sentences were in the particular order they were in. That prompted the change. I changed to first form latin and all of a sudden Latin made sense. My ds didn't have a problem with LNST, I did. I didn't feel like I was understanding anything. The First Form Latin series is considered an introduction to Henle, so I would switch if you want to give them a good introduction to Henle. Beth

What about the salvation of our own kids or their own faith walk? The best faith questions usually come during the day when they would normally be at school. I find the younger two especially singing praise songs during the day - which they wouldn't or couldn't at school. Their faith is growing the most during those hours when they would be in an environment hostile to Christianity (especially in our very liberal town). I can't imagine they would even ponder those deep questions when they get home exhausted after a long day at school. We adopted dd 3 years ago. I truly believe that her big brothers helped her adjust better than I ever could have. They were not coming in and out of her life daily, but were there with her, loving her despite her issues. Today, my youngest ds and her are the best of friends. A good question to ask is what percentage of homeschoolers adopt children vs. the general public. I'll wonder if the percentage is a lot higher. Beth

My 5 year old also says she hates school. She does 10-15 minutes of seat work max and listens to stories the rest of her time. I am taking it very slow, but I think what she hates mostly is no one to play with her all day. I think the second part of it is that she wants praise for everything and doesn't want to be corrected. I praised her "v" letter today and I got a "I LOVE school." I'm calling this year junior kindergarten because she's really not ready for a much faster pace than our snail pace we're going at. She'll do what I consider kindergarten work when she's 6. Beth

Yup- going for the IEP meeting Friday. I'm bringing the scary county social worker (because apparently, if you call them in, you're serious). I'm almost thinking of doing what I did before when he was getting hit by an impulsive kid. I put in his IEP that he couldn't be in the same room as that kid. That may well happen again. AmyinMD, I would suggest possibly adding something like that to your son's IEP if you're concerned. My oldest is also non-verbal and can't tell me anything which makes you have to put a lot of trust into a school system. Beth

Everyone in that classroom has one on one, but the teacher feels that these students need two on one or a different situation which the administration is very hesitant/unwilling to provide. What happens when this student erupts, is that the aids become human shields to their students. That is not what I want for my child -their aid becomes an untrained body guard. Beth

I took pictures. My gut is feeling like I should keep him home tomorrow until I'm sure these students are under control. I have a good relationship with the teacher and she said, "the parents who make the most fuss get the most attention." I then asked if I needed to be a squeaky wheel. She said, "yes". I'll call the school and say, "ds is staying home due to safety issues in his classroom". He needs one on one full school day attention to accomplish any of his goals. I can't give that to him - I'm again not liking the whole public education in that there are NO CHOICES! Beth

Do you have a child in the public school special needs program? I know this is a homeschooling forum, but I don't have a lot of resources outside of the homeschooling community. My ds's first day of school resulted with a couple of students erupting in "fits". As a result, my son got hurt. He has three distinct finger marks on his arm and a gouge of skin taken out by one of the students. He is TOTALLY vulnerable (wheelchair, no protective reflexes). I've called his social worker because the last time (8 years ago with the same school administration) something like this was happening, they did nothing and were going to do nothing. What should I do? There is only one special needs classroom for his age group and it has all the kids who can't be mainstreamed so there's quite a range of special needs. Beth

Do you have a child in the public school special needs classroom? I know this is a homeschooling forum, but I don't have a lot of resources outside of the homeschooling community. My ds's first day of school resulted with a couple of students erupting in "fits". As a result, my son got hurt. He has three distinct finger marks on his arm and a gouge of skin taken out by one of the students. He is TOTALLY vulnerable (wheelchair, no protective reflexes). I've called his social worker because the last time (8 years ago with the same school administration) something like this was happening, they did nothing and were going to do nothing. What should I do? There is only one special needs classroom for his age group and it has all the kids who can't be mainstreamed so there's quite a range of special needs. Beth

At that age, just because I needed direction, I bought Honey for A Child's Heart and just started going through the picture book section and checked it off. If it's any reassurance, I have a 5 year old who is just starting to write letters and learn how to sit still for more than 5 minutes at a time. You've got PLENTY of time. Beth

The first week back to school, I started my 6th grader with history, math, and Latin. The next week I added grammar and science. By the 3rd week in, he is doing a full schedule and I add in the remaining subjects (which for him is writing and spelling). I've started this way for years- easing into the year and easing out of the year. By late May, we have usually finished science and history and just have the basics which means we get to go outside more during really nice weather. I like the easing into the year much better since I don't get summer whiplash and the kids aren't as cranky doing a full day of work. Beth

I saw an angel in the marble or I carved an angel from the marble by Ellyn Davis. Beth

My ds is doing this for 6th grade. He's done 3 years of Rod and Staff though. Don't know if that matters. It seems pretty doable for someone without a ton of grammar instruction. Beth

Our oldest has severe multiple special needs (he gets around with a wheelchair mostly and has the intelligence of a 2 year old - he needs total care for all aspects of his life). When he was 17 months old, we had ds#2. Ds#1 at that time could barely sit up in a grocery cart much less walk so I took a double stroller everywhere I went - even if I parked the car right in front of the building's door. There was no way I could carry two babies. I don't know what we were thinking, but it worked out. We went on to have 1 more bio child and adopted our daughter with cleft lip/palate. Her medical needs in relation to our first were so "minor" that we felt we could handle it. My oldest goes to school so he can have one on one care that I can't give him. Beth

I too have the 12 year old woes. He is trying his hardest to do the bare minimum. My plan right now is to do his work (history in this instance) with him and show him what is expected. If he continues to do the bare minimum, he will spend the weekend not with his friends, but with his schoolwork. The other thing that works is having his little sister who didn't sleep well the night before have all day screaming fits. For some reason, this brings out his "good cop" attitude.:glare: Beth

I know, I know - workbooks is school at home, BUT I have come to realize that my ds #3 is a workbook kid. I think he likes the color and the fill in the blanks kind of thing. He wanted to do his math workbook tonight for fun. I've looked at Abeka and BJU. I really like the looks of the Critical Thinking Language arts, but at $42, it's just not going to happen. I mostly want him to get basic sentence structure and an introduction to grammar terms. Any suggestions? Beth

I've been contemplating this also. I've gone here: http://www.homeschoolmarketplace.com/ and have read the articles and bought the books listed on the side. The Elijah company was started a while ago (I think they closed down the business side of it now) to help homeschoolers educate. They are "oldschool". I'm gleaning a lot from them. Beth

WHY ARE YOU TELLING US THIS?! :willy_nilly: Where does the time go? Beth

:seeya: That's my little warrior princess in my avatar.