Yep... we moved to EPGY after even Singapore got to be too repetitive for my ds. It's great because they move totally at thier own pace based on how many incorrect answers they get on a type of problem. It also seems to jump into using more algebraic thinking early on and uses more complex mathematical terms that I haven't seen in other curricula at such an early age--it uses terms like commutative, associative and distributive properties, intersection vs. union of sets, etc. This year he has done two grade levels worth of EPGY (2nd and 3rd grade, about to start on 4th grade) and it has been wonderful. Definately for "math heads", it isn't a program with lots of cute animations or funny animals, just math.

I think if he enjoys hearing the KJV, he'll probably be just fine! The stories are really interesting, and the pictures and maps are great. I do really like the books and guides I've seen.

Just so you know, the MP guides to Famous Men are quite challenging. If you are just planning to read the stories aloud (not do the exercises) they may or may not be a good fit for your child, However, if you are thinking about using the actual workbooks, unless he is reading significantly above grade level they probably won't be a good fit. We're using FMOR next year, so I have it here... random chapter... _______________ Lesson 10 Facts to Know (people and places from the text)--Manlius Trorquatus, Appius Claudius, Appian Way, Lucius Posthumius, Phrrhus, Pyrrhic Victory, Cineas Vocabulary (from the text, use a dictionary to look up the words)--encamped, torques, valor, prows, rostrum, pulpit, aqueduct, ambassadors, toga, Coecus Comprehension Questions--What is the first duty of a soldier? Describe Manlius Troquatus' reputation and give and example of how it was earned. What were three responsibilities of a censor? Why did Posthumius visit Tarentum? Describe the Tarentines' treatement of Posthumius and Posthumius' reaction? Describe Pyrrus' most unusual weaon and its effectiveness in battle. What did the Romans say about the clever and eloquent speeches of Cineas? Activities--Explain how and why the term Pyrrhic Victory came to exist. Can you think of some examples of pyrrhic victories in history? Identify on your map of Ancient Italia and memorize: Tarentum, Epirus, Mt. Vesuvius. In which two Famous Men of Rome stories do fathers condemn their sons? Which is similar to the biblical story of Saul and Jonathan? ________________ I haven't seen FMOG, but I remember reading that it is more challenging than FMOR. We did the D'Aulaires study last year successfully, but my ds is very accelerated in reading and comprehension level. Even so, I think FMOR might have been a bit much last year! We're starting it this next year, so I may have more insight after completing it, but that was my first thought looking at your schedule. YMMV (as I am well aware, lol), but thought I'd let you know if you haven't seen a hard copy yet.

Yes. I like to call it "righteous indignation", though... makes it seem so much more meaningful... :rolleyes:

Hmmmm.... I was going to say we teach all our own, but my older ds is taking EPGY math now, which is online. Of course, it isn't "interactive" online, it's a program that he runs and we work with him, but still we pay for it on a monthly basis... So maybe I'm on an isthmus? What about curricula that use DVDs? Would they be on the island? Other that that, only "normal" outside activities are outside--Karate and swimming, and one day at the park. But no classes or academics.

((Joanne)) Oh... I'm sorry. I do remember about your mom and your sister. How is she doing? I've been blessed that I've never lost a close loved one yet, but I have been told my dh was going to die (although he didn't). All the people I've ever had to tell were church members or strangers when I was a hospital chaplain. It's just hard for me to imagine... Anyhow, again, wasn't meaning to sound short with you. Sorry if I did!

Well, I'm not "angry"... not at you in the least! Sorry if I seem passionate about it, but I honestly think that anyone who has had experience with informing people of death (or being informed themselves) would NOT think this was a good idea. There are much better ways to teach about drunk driving, and frankly, without strong parental involvement I don't think any sort of "shock" program is going to make any sort of lasting impression.

Really? Have you lost someone close to you suddenly? Can you imagine if in the midst of those intense early stages of grieving (maybe a few hours), they popped up and informed you it was all just to teach you the dangers of *insert dangerous item here*. It's hard enough to tell families that a loved one has died--something I have indeed had to do in real life. I've looked into thier eyes when you tell them thier son/daughter/husband/wife is gone. Yes, it is "only" thier friend in this case, but that's beyond the pale. I can't imagine lying to someone about that. Faking a death as a "life lesson" takes a special kind of sadistic cruelty.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080612/ap_on_re_us/drunken_driving_hoax;_ylt=AobUjy0eGfdof_4Xx_1fqOus0NUE My favorite quote was: "We want them to be traumatized". :banghead: Yuck!!!

Jean! I thought you were going to have this out SO long ago! :confused1: I remember a couple of "failed" attempts, but for some reason I thought you eventually did it... Anyhow... really easy surgery. Laproscopic surgery is a breeze, recovery is fast, and the recovery is only 1/10 of the pain of a gall-bladder attack, if that, so you'll be fine. The anxiety is the worst part. If you have any tools you use for stress/anxiety in other areas of your life, pull them out here. It's a breeze. No lie!!!

I love Sean Bean too! I read all the Sharpe books after seeing him in that series... and of course, he was great in Lord of the Rings. But a VERY different character.

Yes... I've heard the talker say "I'm here in the restroom at XYZ... I don't mind if you don't?" Seems fine to me! But I have plenty of conversations through the door when I'm in a restroom (at home or out with friends), so I guess talking on the phone seems about the same.

Just a couple of weeks ago we went out to the movies as a family... dh and dss saw "Speed Racer". I saw "Baby Mama". I just wasn't up for Speed Racer, and it was kind of nice having a popcorn all to myself!

My dh was a manager at Barnes & Noble. There were some good things: Full benefits. 401 K. All that stuff. The employee discount was awesome, but of course, we spent WAY more than we saved. He only worked 40 hours a week, though his hours were weird. But he had some control over what hours he chose to work.

Two days. But you just got lucky... I always shave on Sundays, otherwise it depends on how fast I am in the shower. I'm in jeans today, so I didn't worry about it. I do have to say that I have quite a few friends and acquiantainces in the "no shave" category--meaning full leg hair, underarm hair, the works. Having lived in Europe it never bothered me, but I know from this board that I my feelings don't seem to be the norm. They are all highly educated women in their 30s and 40s, some working full time, some stay at home, only a couple of homeschoolers---must be a So Cal thing, right?

Well, there are many MANY Christians (including myself) who believe in evolution, so I think you can honestly teach your children that. Exposing my own children to a variety of philosphies is important to me, but I also think that it is important for you to answer authenically for yourself when they ask. Just as it is important for your dh to answer authentically for himself. It also sounds like you would be more comfortable teaching about faith if you had more of an idea where you really stand... so try to find some time for your own spiritual search.

Darn! You beat me to it! I was going to offer to take the "horrible" gift off her hands! We have been searching like crazy and can't find one here... ugh.

Lol!!! OK... that was a pretty overt temptation... I wonder what would have happened if you got on the bus???

I looked at both and we chose SWO. I like it because it gives some exercises, has vocabulary (particularly at higher levels), and it's soooo easy to implement. However, we do a pre-test, and only do the "busy work" based on how ds does. We always read the text and go over the rules, then do an oral pre-test. If he gets all the words right, we call it a day, and move on to the next chapter the next day. But he has to do exercises based on the number of words he misses... if he misses one word, he can choose one exercise, misses two he does two, up to "do them all". It seems to work well. I think practicing with words you can spell naturally is indeed busy work. This way, the amount of work is directly tied to his performance, which seems fair.

Honestly? If this is the only week she is here, I would take this week off school and have fun activities for all the kids (field trips, pool days, etc), then come back and finish up school next week. More fun for her, more together time for everyone, and no "hey, how come she isn't doing school?" feelings from your other kids.

My ds 6 has ADHD (he's taking medication) as well as dxed with SID (sensory-seeking), and some speech difficulties. He is just... more intense than kids around him, over talkative, awkward, goofy and un-coordinated. He definately has some Aspergers symptoms, but no one has wanted to put that label on him, particularly since he communicates so well with adults and is so very well spoken. He's also profoundly gifted. He loves to run over to kids and start talking to them, but most of the time they blow him off and walk away because he's "weird". Just last week: I talked to the mom of a girl in his karate class who constantly teases him. Admittedly, he is socially inept, but constant teasing isn't helping. On our homeschool field trip, he said "Nice shirt!" to another boy. Except he can't pronounce "sh" properly. The conversation went like this: (my son) "Nice thirt!" "Nice what?" "Thirt! Thirt! You know, the article of clothing that you wear on your upper body!" "Oh, you mean... pants?" (being a smart-ass now) "No, thirt! S-H-I-R-T!" "Oh... well why didn't you say 'shirt' then? What's wrong with you?" "I have trouble pronouncing my SHes, that's all." "Well, you sound weird!" At this point, the mom of the other boy rebuked him, while my ds wandered off. I asked him if his feelings were hurt, he said yes, and returned to accept the apology. All I could think was--one more time he's knocked down for trying to be nice. I am just feeling bereft about this. He wants friends, he loves other kids... and they just can't stand him. He has his brother, and we have some friend with kids his age, but we don't see them that often (maybe once a month?). Karate and play groups and swimming--it's all just painful for me to watch, and he's yet to make any kind of connection with another child. His best friends (he says) are our friends--a couple that we socialize with frequently, and he loves to play games and converse with us grown ups. But no kids. Any advice?

Bump... come on! I know some of you have awesome ones! I need some LOL to start my week!

I think it's great! People die every day, and caskets are SO expensive... that's a real deal. There really are families that just can't afford a funeral, and anything that saves a couple of thousand dollars is a blessing in my book. Some mortuaries require you to buy thier caskets (at an expensive mark-up) so I wonder how Costco does around here.

Oh, Peek... I'm so sorry to hear all this. I will definately keep you in my prayers. Make sure you take care of yourself. My only other advice would be to make sure you have a good lawyer helping you out as you make decisions that might have long-term repurcussions. We'll be here for support and de-briefing whenever you need.:grouphug:

In light of the discussion about missing the old board and how hard it is to read "everything" here, I'd like to start a thread for you to tell your favorite funny story that happened to you. If it's a "classic" from the old board, so much the better! Cut and paste, or retell it in your own style... And if you have old favorites (c'mon Peek, tell us about those "strawberries" again!, oh--and who tells about the "good shoes"?), request them so we can all share. OK, my favorite Insane Story About Kay: The Barking Dog, or Be Very Very Scared of the Postpartum Mom When my first ds was born, we lived next to a family with two dogs--one medium dog and one of those small yipping dogs. They left them outside all night, every night. They barked constantly--at the wind, at cars, at anyone passing by. We installed one of those sonic dog-barking things (it makes an inaudible noise when they bark) which helped some... but not much. Mostly I used earplugs and just tolerated the dogs. Then the baby was born, I was lost in that normal mother of a first new-born haze. He nursed constantly, slept almost never, I hadn't yet learned how to sleep and nurse him, so I would sit up in the rocker and nurse him to sleep for the first couple of weeks. I also had some serious complications post-partum (retained a large piece of placenta, which kept me from walking properly for three weeks--but that's another story) that kept me in constant pain. I was a mess. One night, the baby had been very fussy. Dh had walked him for a long time, I had been nursing him, and after several hours finally got him calm and to sleep. I laid him down in his bassinet at about 4 am, give or take. We still hadn't really started co-sleeping yet (oh, but we learned for number 2!), and I was just... exhausted. Wiped. I slowly eased back to our bed, and fell in a heap upon my pilllow. Then the dogs started barking. Again. I don't know if it would have woken up the baby, but I didn't wait to find out. I totally lost it. I jumped up in my nightgown, and ran outside, through both yards--no shoes, no robe, just me in my nighty--and started pounding on their front door with both fists. "SHUT THEM UP! MAKE THEM SHUT UP! I JUST HAD A BABY! STOP THE BARKING!" Etc. Ad nauseum. When I didn't get an immediate response to the door (perhaps they were sleeping? Terrified? Considering calling the police?), I moved on to pound on all the available front windows "I JUST HAD A BABY! MAKE THEM STOP! SHUT UP THOSE DOGS! MAKE THEM STOP! I JUST HAD A BABY!" I was stumbling through their flowerbeds from window to window, pounding with my fists on the glass and yelling at the top of my lungs. I was so crazy mad... By this point lights were going on on the other neighbors' porches. I don't know how long I pounded and screamed... long enough to get a bit of an audience, and my dh to slink out of our house looking confused. Finally, the front light went on and a window slid open and a pale face appeared. A quiet voice said, "Ok. We'll bring them in. We're sorry." "GOOD! I JUST HAD A BABY!" I stomped back home, exhausted. After that (we only lived there 6 more months), the dogs still barked... but never at night! I'm sure they tell this story from the other perspective... "Let me tell you about our crazy neighbor lady, who would stumble about in our yard screaming about her baby..." Ugh. Hormones.