I want to count steps. But I also want some sort of recognition for the other active things that we do - cycling, horse riding, aerobics etc. Any suggestions??

Near of off on over Past since through throughout To towards under underneath Until up upon With within without From my kids!

Mangoes which are grown in hot countries are delicious. Mangoes, which are grown in hot countries, are delicious. These two sentences were given to real students last year in a UK test given to all school pupils age 10 and 11 (year 6, approximately US grade 5 I think). The children were asked to explain how the meaning of the two sentences differ. Would your children be able to do this at that age? I have to say that, whilst I understand the distinction, I think under exam conditions at age 11 answering that question is really difficult. What say you, hive?

Lots of questions! For the dyslexia we have been working on spelling using AAS, and a bit of Phonetic Zoo because he likes it and I had it). He is learning to type with TTRS (and is on level 2). He has just finished a UK handwriting/spelling course written for dyslexic children. I don't know if he has dysgraphia for certain (he wasn't tested for it), but I suspect not. He writes extremely slowly (slow processing - this was tested), but neatly and legibly. He has struggled to use speech to text software - thats what I meant about dictation, sorry for not being clear - but we have only used the app on a Mac/iPad, not a dedicated software programme. I suppose this was on my list of 'things to investigate down the line'. I suppose, if we had reliable speech to text software, then he COULD handle the output that the Pandia Press books require. But I would have to lower some of the reading books, because they will definitely go over his head. Is that clearer? (I am perpetually in a state of panic that I am doing something wrong with him!)

That was fast :) I have been looking through all the Ronit Bird threads, wondering if they would help. Do you not bother with a formal curriculum at all? That scares me!

Bit funny timing, but we are just about to start our new history year. I will have my oldest 2 (ages 13 and 11) working through History Odyssey Early Modern. My youngest 2 (ages 7 and 5) will do SOTW3 - so same time period, lower expectations. I was all set to have my 9 year old join the younger two, but I know if I do this his output will be minimal. He has a super head for stories and facts. Loves the narrative of history, will happily read grade level (or perhaps slightly lower) history books. But struggles to write, type or even dictate (he misses homophones all the time for example). I'm not sure another year of just listening to SOTW and colouring is 'enough' for him. But I'm not sure how to beef it up without too much effort from me, for not too much gain for him. What do you think? Is there something I could add? Something different I could do? Would you just leave it alone and continue to work on his writing and typing skills? Looking forward to your thoughts! Thank you!

My ds7 is seriously struggling with his maths facts. We have done Math Mammoth 1. Parts of a couple of UK curricula (including MEP). Kate Snow's Addition Facts that Stick AND Subtraction Facts that Stick. He cannot remember what 10-3 is. Or any of the others. Not only that, but the whole thing stresses him out - fair amounts of attitude, and occasional tears. He does appear to have number sense, because he will sometimes say things like 'ok, well I know 5+5=10, so 5+6 is going to be one more" etc. He can work out the facts using thug the techniques we have practised but it takes him a LOOONNNGGG time, and he gets in a muddle with it. Background info - he reads above grade level, but regularly skips lines and occasionally misses small words or changes suffixes. He has not done much spelling yet, so I don't know how that is really. This is my child who when he was 3 I would have classed him as my 'brightest' (in a family of strong academics). His older brother has dyslexia, along with a slow processing speed - but nothing like these issues with numbers. Would really appreciate your thoughts - what maths to try next? worth it to spend $$$ getting him tested? any other encouragement! Thank you!

Touche eclat by YSL

Isn't it a bit like the three billy goats gruff who 'trip-trapped' over the bridge? The German verb even sounds like it. I'm voting for trip-trap or pitter-patter or something like that!

Thank you both - these look good.

Have you thought about having a ground source heat pump put in to heat your home and water? This is something we are currently considering in our old, new-to-us, country home.

I know we have a ton of these kinds of threads, and I have had a good search of the forums, but would still appreciate a few more suggestions. My boy is 9. He has dyslexia, but he does read for pleasure if we get the right book. He tends to the easier, 'twaddle', books for fun reading (understandably I think), but I am trying to expand his horizons a little. He enjoys history most (biographies, myths and legends etc), and will only continue to read a book if it is 'exciting'. Recent favourites include the Landmark biographies, the Time Hunters series (by Chris Blake - I think there is a harder series that he couldn't get into), and nonsense along the lines of Captain Underpants. I have offered all my usual listings for this age/stage (things like Paddington, Wombles, Magic Treehouse, Little House). Some he has loved (Little House), some he has abandoned (Paddington), some he has refused to start (Magic Treehouse). Now I am running low on ideas. Would love to know if anybody has any great ideas!

Following on from last week's Jane quiz…another one. This time courtesy of the BBC. I did rubbish again - I only got 4/10. Have fun! http://play.bbc.co.uk/play/pen/gjj8ygsbg4

I would love to do this. But I think I would do it alphabetically somehow - not sure though if that would be by author's name or first word of the title.

Brilliant, thank you both. I hadn't heard of either of these and they look perfect!

My daughter, age 11, loves all things arts and crafts. She has just recently finished all the Home Art Studio DVDs and I am looking for something to take their place for her. She does not like the look of either Atelier or Meet the Masters - but I suppose those are the kinds of things we are looking for. She needs something that she can follow along by herself (I have no art skills at all). Books would work fine, if video lessons are thin on the ground. Hoping you will all have some great ideas for us! :)

Thanks! That made me smile :)

I am a Muslim. It would make me really happy if my friends all wished me a happy Ramadan. I say go for it.

What spine do you use, BTW?

Thanks, this is really helpful.

I just had a look at this. I'm not in the US so I think postage costs would make this fairly expensive to try. I couldn't see a digital option, or any international distributors. I've seen quite a few people here say they like this maths though, so might dig a bit deeper. I am worried about MUS - is it too 'light'? Too different from other curricula in scope and sequence? I think Right Start would probably be my top pick at the moment. But.....it is ridiculously expensive even without international shipping. If I had a guarantee that it was going to help, this would be my top choice, but so much money would be wasted if he hates it. Can't decide if it's worth the risk. I don't like grade 1 of Singapore. I used it with my oldest (accelerated in math) kid, and we ditched it for a bit, then took it up again a bit later. Maybe I could teach it better now though?? I've got 8 years more experience in teaching first grade maths after all! Yes, I have sat with him and done each and every lesson with him. I don't really want to go back and do it over again for a couple of reasons - 1. I just think he hates it now and it is torture for him and 2. My 4 year old has already started it, and is whizzing through it at breakneck speed - I wouldn't want my older guy to feel sad that he is doing the same thing as his little brother. Never heard of this....off to look it up. We have c-rods already. Thanks so much everybody. Always such good advice :)

My children are age 12, 10, 9, 6 and 4. Last year the 12 year old did history with WTMA but he doesn't want to continue this. My 9 and 6 year olds did SOTW2 with me, occasionally my 6 year old joined in. My 4 year old ignored us :) This year I think I will have everybody - my 4 year old is reading and writing sooner than the others and enjoys joining us for 'school'. I need everybody to be studying the same time period. I need something structured (I am not good at pulling things together myself). My 9 year old is a struggling writer - he needs the content, but needs much less written output. I would like to just do SOTW3, but both my 12 and 10 year olds are capable of a lot more depth - but I am exceedingly bad at adding the depth consistently. What are my options here? I know I could just follow the directions in WTM for each of them at the appropriate level, but I wondered if there was something more streamlined for me to use?

My ds is almost 7. This year he has done Math Mammoth 1. (I used this because he is the 4th child and it worked for everybody else - I gave it no further thought) He has not enjoyed it at all, and has really struggled at times. Now at the end of the book, I do not feel that he has grasped a good sense of place value, and he doesn't really know his number bonds very well at all. I think he needs a new maths book (which is annoying because he is number 4 of 5, and I don't want to start buying new stuff now!) He is a very concrete little chap - he is fantastic at Lego, and creating things in general. When we did the math mammoth problems with cubes he definitely found it easier. So, I need maths which is more hands-on, but what would you choose? From my point of view, I need something open and go. I prefer mastery math, but could probably cope with spiral if he was happier. Any ideas??

Sorry, wrong board

Has anybody dealt with this kind of thing in a preteen? Addictive-type behaviours over junk food (crisps, sweets, fizzy drinks). This has gone beyond a bit of sneaking food now. Any thoughts or ideas of where to go from here? ETA: I realised I might need a translation of the types of food! Chips/candy/soda for my American friends :)