What a need idea! We bought some laminated pocket guides of birds, butterflies, and wildflowers in our area from a nature center. Maybe one near you will have guides for your area?

It needs a name because someone somewhere needs a research grant, a thesis,....

I'm curious what the response will be. For my 5th grade student, I had just planned to print the standards checklist and check off a requirement as it's completed.

How did he go so long without realizing or someone noticing he had dyslexia? Are there programs for adults to help with that? I would totally hand off experiment, handicraft, PE time while he was up and at home. No matter what, I hope you find a moment for rest and renewal. We need that break, that refreshment.

I'm looking for ideas on what to plant or what to offer as a selection to plant this September in 4 half wine barrels. We live in SoCal so does it matter when we plant? Though I've successfully managed a few flower beds over the years I've never done well with potted things. They are either over watered, dehydrated or crowded. My plan is to give each kid a planter to sow seeds and maintain. But what goes well together or how much can be planted in a wine barrel? Should we use seeds? Bulbs? Cuttings? Can we plant fruit or veg? Thanks for any info!

From someone who has sent out invitations similar to that, just bring a homemade card.

Could you hand over a subject or two to your DH?

You may borrow my magic wand. ;)

Because 8 is too few and 12 is too many. ;) ok going back up to read the serious reasons now... ETA: I guess it should be "are" not "is" oops!

I had forgotten about all the useful tidbits of info they compile into these planners. Thanks!

Please pardon my butting in... What does a kid do with a gold on the NME or NLE?

Thanks for explaining. I'm teaching a math hating 5th grader in the fall and have been looking for a math program. Edited for flagrant misuse of the word curriculum. Don't tell Ellie. ;)

How does Khan Academy work for 5th grade math?

In our town home in VA the water heater was in a closet downstairs. ETA I love your kitchen windows. So much light and air. Very nice remodel.

Does the class need to provide feedback to qualify as an online class? If not, what about all those great courses on itunesU?

Jean Fritz's biographies? I think she's snarky. Does that qualify for a more modern tone? ;)

Amy are you still doing the paper route? How did it work out?

Done: Breakfast Dishes Kitchen clean up To Do: Downstair's floor Laundry Library Lunch Dinner Lesson plans

Praying for your trip and your dad.

There's some funny reviews on Amazon by kids who read Ben and Me and/or adults who read that book as kids that state they can't shake the idea that Ben is an idiot. Lol. Now the cover of the George Washington D'Aulaire book bothers me. I listened to Ron Chernow's biography about George Washington this year to prep for Early Modern History this fall, and just cried through some of the parts that dealt with him and his slaves. So seeing what looks like a house slave on the cover all excited to see his master home makes me ill. I do like their mythology books, Leif Erikson, Columbus, and plan on using Ben Franklin this fall. It's the illustrations. They strike a chord in me. :)

There this magic potion called wine... ;) So I do a hand off with DH in the evening and I abscond my room and read, have complete thoughts, etc. Pilates or a walk has helped too. Sometimes, during the day I load all the kids in the van and plug in an earbud and listen to an audiobook. My eldest was a colic baby so I get the screaming. It's awful. Sadly she has choleric personality, so even at age 7 there's an almost daily blow up. They are getting fewer and farther between though. :) I hope your child outgrows it soon too.

I gotta say that this DIY arc planner thing ain't for the light hearted. I think I may have used a forest of paper trying to make the pages print on the correct sides, etc. Apparently I'm special not spatial. ;)

Have fun planning. I hope you'll share how it goes. :)

So I'll have the same aged kids as you have in the fall plus a 5th grader. I've scheduled it out so that, except for one room schoolhouse subjects, two kids are working and one is playing with the 3 year old and 1 year old. I have books and activities to help keep the littles entertained. I don't know if it will work but that's my plan and I thought I'd share. :)

Watch out with Staples. Today 4 of my items did not ring up as they were marked and two other items were more expensive than online (one $32 more!) Price matched. Pity I didn't catch the other 4 before paying. :(