Guess what? I'm Elizabeth Bennet!!

Well, I'm still a United Methodist minister, so that's the same... but before I had kids (and homeschooled!) I read a lot more, slept a lot more, spent a lot more time going out to the movies and dinner with dh and friends. Wow! We never realized how much free time we had on our hands!

I missed you! Glad you had such a wonderful time! It's good to "hear" you so upbeat!

In California it is pretty easy--you file an afadavit once a year stating that you are a "private school" with however many teachers/students you have. So eventually we'll list two teachers (dh and I) and two students (dss). You are required to keep attendance records and immunization records (or letters of opting out of immunizations). I've never heard of anyone actually asking to see those records, but the law says you need to have them. No standards, tests, portfolios or other oversight... just one letter a year. Of course, we'll see what happens with the current court case (in which the judge stated homeschool parents need a teaching credential to teach their children), but it's looking now like nothing will change--the ruling was vacated and the statements out of Sacramento have been supportive. From the California Homeschool Network website: "My feeling is very much in line with the governor in that it is a parental choice as to how they will educate their children," said Chris Bertelli, assistant secretary of education. "To require a credential for a parent that is home-schooling is ludicrous." "No other state in the country requires a credential," Bertelli said. "It would be nearly impossible to enforce and would do so much more damage than good." "As long as they are a private school registered with the state then as far as we are concerned they are a legal home school," said Victor Thompson, director of student support service for the L.A. County Department of Education.

The art is lovely... and the fact that the artist is a friend of mine, and a mom, only mildly influences my opinion! http://www.thetoymaker.com What little girl doesn't want a window to fairyland?

Strangely enough, I agree. It actually took me a month to get on this board I was so afraid of the new format, but now I really enjoy it. I think this board is LESS cliquey--because there is always more going on, more threads, a larger community. It may be less close knit, but on the old board if you weren't in "the" conversation, ofttimes you weren't "in" the conversation, if you know what I mean. Here the fireworks are regional... Though I do miss the drama of some of the old days... middle of the night flame wars between friends who will remain nameless, and the drama to end them all--the online "unmasking" of JGEMom. We had friends over that night, and they and my dh were calling up for updates. Those were the days! Now I'm feelign old. "When I was a kid, we used to have to walk 5 miles through the snow, uphill both ways...."

I have a strong reader 1st grader this year... we're doing GWG 3 after doing FLL in K. I had the same reaction the repetition! GWG really starts at the beginning, IMHO, but they do have a 1/2 book as well. We never did go through phonics with my oldest ds, it was just too repetative. We did start at the beginning with Spelling Workout A last year, and we're about to start D. He's a natural speller, but it does seem to catch a few words that are tough for him (he missed "couldn't, wouldn't" etc in the pre-test this week). There probably are some really awesome programs out there, but we're blowing through this one pretty fast, and then on to vocabulary, which I think he'll enjoy in a year or two. Anyhow, I would find her level and work there, don't worry about holes...

Another Latin Prep question... How does the original "So, you really want to learn Latin" series relate to Latin Prep? Are they simply different versions of the same thing? Does one lead into the other? And what happens after Latin Prep? Thanks so much!!!

FYI: We did take Bradley classes, and they were great! We used the positioning, etc, learned there with great success... I mentioned hypbirth because I think that was the technique that really helped me to have that total peace and relaxation throughout the delivery. But they are not mutually exclusive!

I used hypnobirthing methods with both my births... I was in the hospital, but went totally natural. I also used a doula with both, which helped me to focus and use my tools. I can honestly say I loved both experiences, really enjoyed the actual process of giving birth. The key for me was to practice, practice, practice... by the time the actual deliveries came along, I could go into a super relaxed mellow state instantaneously. This is the method I used: www.hypbirth.com If you watch her video, dh and I are in it talking about our first hypbirth. It really is fairly miraculous the way you can control your own body, your perception of pain, your stress level, etc... but preparation is the key! Feel free to email me if you want more info or to hear my long-form birth stories!

I'm another non-budgeting non-buy and buyer! I decide what curriculum we will be using, and we buy it, usually in the spring. Some things (like SOTW) we have scheduled out and those are used for one school year. In most areas (soon to be 2 ds's) moves at his own pace, so when something is finished, I get the next level. That may or may not be at the actual "year" break. Thus far we haven't had too many mid-year curriculum shifts (one this year--from LC I to Minimus). Supplies (pens, paper, etc) are always bought as needed out of our household budget.

If you are as much of a cookware geek as I am, you might want to go check it out. We went to Costco and discovered they have a great deal on Le Creuset! They have 3 piece sets--11 3/4 inch skillet, saucier pan w/ lid--for $189. They had two colors, flame (kind of red fading to orange) and cobalt blue. I have this skillet already, and use it daily, and the saucier pan is on my Amazon wishlist. We couldn't afford it today, but I'm planning on going back at the beginning of next month and getting the set--if they still have it. It really is an awesome deal! The prices I found online (discounted from store retail already) for both separately: Saucier Pan, 2 1/4 Quart : $144 Skillet, 11 3/4 Inches: $119 I didn't check the size on the saucier pan, but I think it is the 2 1/4, (if I'm guessing wrong and it's the 3 qt, you'd be saving more money), the skillet I did think to check the size. The Costco price saves you $74 off of online buying--a whole bunch more off retail. So if you are interested in trying out Le Creuset, here's your chance to do so relatively cheaply, or add to your collection.

I've got a few things on my shelves as read alouds, but I'd like to spend at least the second half of the year focusing our literature study on Shakespeare. He's already watched movies of "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Midsummer Night's Dream" and enjoyed both of them. Thoughts? Any other suggestions for Shakespeare for next year? My ds is a strong reader--he's finishing up the second of the Harry Potter books right now for his fun reading--but he'll be 6, ya know?

Glad to hear that you've found some good support and are feeling better now. I'll keep praying for you!

In the tradition of our family.... this is me doing the potty dance ----- > :willy_nilly: Congratulations!

We school year round-- We do a Monday-Thursday schedule, with Friday being catch-up and field trips and family outings. We take off: 1 week at Thanksgiving, 3 weeks at Christmas, 1 week at Easter, 4 weeks in the summer (based on family vacation). This year our vaction is running from mid-July through mid-August, so we'll start "next school year" in mid August. We also do some school work during vacation--whatever is pressing/interesting/needed. And I don't stress about missing a few days here or there. For example--this next week we're going to Las Vegas for a board game convention for two days. It's just a little mini-vacation for dh and I--but we'll miss a couple of days of school. No sweat! I'm a big believer in "moving at your own pace", so most of our school books don't actually line up with the grade change. We just keep moving on. "Content areas" like history and science are the only exception, those I do schedule out to cover over the year.

Ramen noodles, tofu and veggies. Boil water, then cook several packages of ramen noodles (I use "oriental flavor" of Top Ramen) and broth according to package directions (ie, for two-three minutes), drop in a bag of frozen veggies (I use "stir fry" mix), and wait a minute or two for them to thaw. While the noodles are cooking, cut a couple of packages of firm tofu into bite sized cubes, and put into the bottom of large bowls. Spoon noodles/broth/veggies over tofu. Fast, full of veggies, plenty of protein, super cheap (our family of four eats for less than $5--4 packs of ramen, 2 pounds of tofu, 1 bag of mixed veggies) total time: about 5 minutes, plus however long it takes water to boil on your stove. Plus, only one pot to clean!

I know what you mean... I was 10 years old and sitting at dinner with my family and mentioned how proud I was that "the United States had never lost a war". My dad (never one to mince words), looked at me slightly confused and said, "We sure as hell didn't win the Vietnam war." He was a Vietnam vet, and career military. I was so embarrassed-- I could hardly believe that they had never even mentioned THAT little gem in school, and the war had ended just in the past few years at the time. We just never ever got "that far" in our class work--more pilgrims, more Indians, more Lincoln, ya know?

Those are great! I love life drawing myself... give such a feeling of... I don't know... oneness and control and appreciation of beauty. Be sure and post the egg!

I have copies of both editions, plus a lending copy of the new edition. I also bought copies for all of our parents and siblings so they would have a better idea of how we homeschool. I used to reread it every year... now I tend to refer to certain sections as needed. We don't do everything exactly as WTM says, but it is certainly our inspiration!

I think it is more personality than gender. My ds did fine with FLL 1/2 (though we skipped almost all the repetition), and has done just fine with GWG 3 as well. I like that GWG has so much less repetition and that he can do it more independantly.

I'm also in the "homeschool" camp... not official yet, but to me there is a clearly different implication than "home school". Eventually we'll be in the dictionary.

The Grapes of Wrath. Read it in January, and it was excellent, so engaging. I really enjoyed all the religious symbolism. In high school I had hated it, and skimmed... so it was a huge surprise that I found it to be such a page turner now!

1. Age of child: 6 2. Grade (K-12): 1 3. How many hours does the child spend on school work each day, on average? (don't count lunch or play time): 4.5 4. What time does the child start and end school each day, usually?: Starts at 8am, Ends at 1pm 5. How many hours does the child spend on math each day?: 30 min 6. How many subjects is the child studying? (Count subjects that require at least 1/2 hour per day on average) 8 7. On a scale from 1-10 (with 1 being the lowest) how focused is the child during school time? 3 8. On a scale from 1-10 (with 1 being the lowest) how comfortable (quiet, well-lit, sufficient space, etc.) is the child's study space? 8

Have you tried testing her reading level? My oldest ds never "finished" phonics, and sight reads most words now... because he reads fluently. If she is reading at a much higher reading level, I'm not sure I'd go back to the beginning. Also, a test would give you some ideas of her word attack skills... even though we never did make it through PP, my ds does "sound out" unfamiliar words.