gratefulmother
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Posts posted by gratefulmother
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We are considering staying in Wiliams to be closer to Sedona if we wanted to do that.
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Well trained mind forums are where I always come for help in planning trips to parts of the country I am unfamiliar with. You all are a wealth of information! So we are planning on staying near the park from Sunday-Wednesday one week in June, essentially giving us only 2 full days (Mon and Tues) in the area. Of course we can do things on our way in on I-40 on our way to Phoenix on Wednesday. My main question is what we should plan on doing those two days. Both days on the South Rim of the Canyon? This is the first trip to Arizona for about half of our family and our youngest child is 5, so we will be limited to half day hikes at the most. This much I have come up with based on the little I know, so I am open to other ideas as well.
Thanks so much in advance!
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I am looking for a place to buy a family member a gift certificate to a musical or theater performance in Portland OR. Any ideas of the best places to do that sort of thing in Portland? Thanks!
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The book Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea is the accounts of defectors from North Korea. Really fascinating and sad.
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Hi! We are traveling to New Orleans for a short vacation with our family this fall. I was looking for places to stay in the lower Garden district for atmosphere and convenience to what we want to do. Is that area an ok place to stay as far as safety and convenience? I lived in NO when I was younger, but neither my husband or I are very familiar with it now.
We would love to hear about your favorites too if you have visited recently! Our kids are 14, 12 and 4.
Thanks!
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Hi. I am wondering what my choices are for astronomy at the 3rd/4th grade level. We have used Apologia in the past and enjoyed it, but I was wondering if there are any new options or extra resources that I haven't heard about yet. I have searched online some and haven't really seen anything that has caught my eye, but maybe someone else knows of something??
Thanks ahead of time!
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Thank you everyone! We have quite a few to try now, many of which I had never heard of. I just want to sit at home all week and try them all!!
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We enjoy watching television in the evenings with our almost 11 and 13 year old children after the 3 year old goes to bed. We all love detective/adventure type shows, but have run into trouble with too much darkness and sexual content in the last few we have tried (Chuck and Blacklist). Any ideas of new shows we could try? We would appreciate the suggestions so much!!
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In the sentence:
Will he be here tomorrow?
does here describe will be and does tomorrow describe will be or here?
Thanks so much! Working on diagramming this with my fourth grader and not sure.
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I will check out the resources you mentioned, lprstn. Thank you.
It would be so much easier if I just teaching it all at home or using an online class as opposed to trying to fill in the gaps like this.
Any other ideas, especially in science? My husband is in the science field, so I am hoping that he can do some reteaching. We just have to establish the routine of doing school with him in the evenings which we are not accustomed to doing.
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It meets two days a week, and she is home the other three days. She has some assignments for those other days, but I don't feel like the work load is very heavy. She does have extra time for some more instruction from me during the days that she is at home, but it will mean doubling up because she will still need to complete the tutorial work as well. The instructors at the tutorial are certified teachers who desire to work part-time. Hope that helps explain a little more.
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Hi. We have homeschooled for many years with the help of a tutorial and always had a great experience. Because my daughter entered middle school this year we changed tutorials, but this tutorial is not proving to be as academically sound as what we are used to. So, since we can't get our money back for this year, we are having to make it work.
So far what has happened is they cover something in class and afterwards I realize how much they have skimmed over and then have to reteach the concepts to my daughter. Picture a math traditional math text being used, but only the most straightforward problems from each lesson being taught and assigned at the tutorial and some lessons just being totally skipped. Or looking at a science text that she has already "covered" in class, but sitting down to talk with her about it and realizing she really doesn't know any of it despite good grades on an overly simplistic test at the tutorial. This has been a very frustrating way to handle it for all of us! I have talked with the teachers and the board and they are happy with they way things are and don't see a need for change. Fine for them, but not fine for us!
The two subjects I have most concern about are math and science. Fortunately, she reads way above grade level anyway so literature can somewhat go by the wayside for a year if it has to. I am teaching grammar and geography at home on my own anyway (thank goodness).
My question is what do I do about the pre-algebra and science? Going behind and picking up the pieces like we have been the past couple of months is not working, it is too disorganized and frustrating each time I realize how little they have covered.
I am thinking about making the switch in my mind to being the main instructor of these subjects and then letting the tutorial be extra practice. I was not prepared to do that this year; it is certainly not what we are paying for; and, I have a 2 yr old at home, so I am seriously even wondering if I can pull it off.
I am praying that someone out there has been in this situation before and had to find a way to make it work. Next year we will definitely be doing something else, but if anyone has any ideas of what to do this year I would really appreciate the help!
Thanks so much!
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I probably can't answer all of the questions posed, but, elegantlion, I will respectfully borrow your words and say that scenarios where "things die grotesque deaths, minors are constantly in peril, they deface property (if by accident), and gods try to kill children," are not where I am concerned about my children being able to distinguish between what is a Christian worldview and what isn't. I feel confident that they see those things as bad, just like your children do. However, a boy who is sad and alone and struggling with these feelings is someone that they can relate to in many ways. At older ages, I would want them to see, possibly in a homosexual character, how hard it is to have thoughts and feelings that you feel like no one else shares, but not at this age where it would be harder for them to distinguish that from the homosexual issue.
I know we aren't perfectly consistent in the decisions we make, even when we try to be. Like some have said, many Christians don't even let their kids read these books. But, we have thought this one through as best we know how at this point and feel content with where we have landed with it.
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Thanks for the information. My kids LOOVE these books, but this is something that has given us pause in allowing them to read it. We were made aware of this issue by a friend and chose to ask the kids not to continue reading it on the day it came out. While some families consider homosexuality an acceptable lifestyle choice for Christian believers, we do not. Therefore, we would not want them to read something that portrays this lifestyle sympathetically. We would never condone unkindness to a gay person, but we don't want our kids to see homosexuality as something that is normal or the way that God intended for some relationships to be. I know it is an unpopular stance, but it is what we believe and what lots of families believe. I am surprised that there has not been more of a backlash against the books; but, I think that just shows how much of our society, and even the church, has embraced this issue.
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Has anyone ever used the microwave to seal a jar that did not seal properly the first time? Will it work? Is it safe?
First time canning pear preserves...
Thanks so much!
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I don't think everyone has to use this method, but I just have to say that I do believe in it so much that it is the reason we first started homeschooling. Seven years ago seems so long ago! My seventh grader is now a wonderful speller, though she probably would have been anyway. But, I really believe in this method, especially for struggling readers. It is just so thorough and gives them everything they need to be successful. We used Johnny Can Spell which is another curriculum based on the Spalding Method.
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Any ideas? I ordered the book from amazon, but they don't have a teacher's edition or answer key/test book.
Thanks!
Amy
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We had a fantastic trip, so I wanted to let you all know what we ended up doing. First of all the Disney Grand Californian hotel really blew me away. I don't really enjoy all of the Disney hoopla, so I guess my expectations weren't that high, but "wow" they really do a nice job. It was much nicer than we could have ever afforded on our own if we hadn't been there for my husband's conference. We had access to a lounge which provided our breakfast and lunch every day and desserts (and wine!) at bedtime. Amazing!
On Sunday when we arrived we drove from LAX up to the Santa Monica pier and had a great time people-watching, especially since my daughter is a gymnast and they had all of the neat gymnastics equipment for the public to use. Then we drove up a little further and stopped to window shop in Beverly Hills at Rodeo Drive. Really fun!
Monday we had planned to do La Brea Tar pits and Farmer's Market, but my husband decided he really wanted us to drive down to San Diego to the zoo. The zoo was fantastic. Many animals that we hadn't seen very much of before, if at all.
Tuesday we went to Newport Beach and ate at Rudy's. Very cool! I wish we had gone over to Balboa Island and watched boats and surfers and done a little shopping, but everyone was getting a little tired. I always have to remind myself to slow down the pace for my husband since this is a work trip for him. He works all morning and then plays with us in the afternoons/evenings, but it is exhausting for him.
Wednesday we ended up doing Disney California Adventureland since the conference ended up giving us 2 adult tickets leaving us only 2 kids' tickets to purchase since the baby is under 2 (barely). I am glad we did. It would have been hard not to, in retrospect, with it being right there beside us all week.
It was a great trip for all of us! Thank you for all the help planning.
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haha! No, I don't mean 4:30-5! Thanks. That gives me a great idea. You all have been so helpful. My husband is especially grateful for you giving me a realistic idea of what we can get done. Thank you so much!
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So, it looks like on the third day we should either go into the city and do the Getty Museum and Griffith Observatory in the morning OR go the other direction and do the Discovery Science Museum, but not try to do both in the same day. Thank you! That is the kind of feedback I need.
Speaking of driving into LA. What time should we leave in the am? I have early risers, so we could leave early and grab breakfast on the go. What time would that need to be? And when is rush hour over in the am. I am thinking LA should have an earlier rush hour since the rest of the country is ahead of them a time zone or two or three. :)
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So far I have planned:
First afternoon-Drive the Pacific Coast Hwy stopping at the Santa Monica and Venice Piers
First day- Farmer's Market and Page Museum at La Brea Tar Pits
Second day- Mission San Juan Capistrano and then beaches at Crystal Cove State Park or Huntingdon Beach
Third day - Discovery Science Center and Griffith Park Observatory at Sunset
This means we can't fit in the Queen Mary. No one has said anything about visiting the mission. I am inclined to go since it is a part of our country's history that we don't have access to back east, but I think, no I know, the kids would enjoy the Queen Mary more. Any thoughts about the final plan??
Thank you all so much! I think I am about ready to wrap up the planning and be there!
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Oh my goodness! You guys are an amazing resource. I will try to set out a final itinerary tonight and let you know what we have planned. Thanks so much for the tips! So many things I wasn't aware of, despite reading the travel books and tripadvisor. Thank you!
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Those are all great suggestions and places that I was not familiar with. Um_2_4, thanks for the insider info about Knott's Berry. Our kids enjoy the rides, but not the character stuff of Disney, so Knott's Berry was what we settled on. We will take a second look now though. We are going to be there basically Sunday afternoon through Thursday morning, so only 3 full days.
I did not know about the Discovery Science Center, and it is good to know it is not too young for my kids. I was wondering about that.
As far as hiking, closer to Anaheim I have found the Oak Canyon Nature Center and DawnM suggested the Griffith Observatory. If we do a long drive to Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear Lake, it would probably be without my husband since he will have responsibilities during the morning hours. Trying to decide if maybe we should stay closer in. I know some of the local parks may seem ho-hum to Californians, but I expect the terrain to be quite a bit different than what my children are used to and therefore pretty interesting.
Now, I am looking into the Queen Mary as well and thinking we might really enjoy that. I wonder which tours would be good for kids. If we don't do Knott's Berry we would have extra $$ to do that.
So many things to look at and hard to decide from the other side of the country!! Thanks for all the tips and keep them coming!
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Also, I forgot to add ... I am also considering driving toward the mountains and visiting Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear Lake if it is good for hiking/scenic driving.
Thanks,
Amy
Grand Canyon Trip-Questions for those familiar with the area
in The Chat Board
Posted
Thanks y'all! We are looking forward to our trip and this helps focus our planning. I knew I would get some good pointers here.