Will you continue with Singapore all the way through?

Just thinking ahead. :) There are many options out there, and I'm looking for some ideas and perspectives from people who have "been there and done that." Please share what you chose for your children. Do you have any regrets? Thanks.

Just thinking ahead. :) There are many options out there, and I'm looking for some ideas and perspectives from people who have "been there and done that." Please share what you chose for your children. Do you have any regrets? Thanks.

Author Shirley Hughes

A wise mom of 11 once told me what she did with her older/teen boys when she grew tired of nagging at them to get up at 7am, do their morning routine, etc. She filled a jar with dollar bills (one for each day). Told her kids they could have them, as long as they did xyz by this time and without her reminding them. If they failed, she simply got the dollar that day. At the end of the month, whatever was left in the jar was theirs.

Typing? Also, my oldest enjoys music appreciation rather than learning an instrument. How about some good biographies about scientists to go along with Zoology 3? Or something like the Scientists in the Field series?

Yes, nanaimo bars are at every gathering I attend, but I've never made them myself. Mincemeat pie is popular. Similar to the Quebec pork pie, but made with moose or deer meat. Seafood chowder too, but I'm sure that's popular in any coastal fishing community.

Poutine in my community restaurants is fantastic. Outside my community -- not so great. I like it with homemade chicken/turkey gravy and melted mozza/cheddar cheese on top. Ketchup chips don't taste the way you'd think. They are yum! Is donair sauce a Canadian thing?

The Childhood of Famous Americans series would be good for your age group. We've had success with Einstein and Edison.

George MacDonald titles? Pollyanna?

Thank you for the Beechick recommendation. I've enjoyed several of her books and was not aware of this one.

Thank you everyone for your opinions and backgrounds. I have much to digest. I think we are going to follow Linda Johnson's advice. It's easy for me to get pulled into various curricula that I don't have the time to teach well. My writing education was not good, by any means, and it's been an enjoyable process to watch my sons narrate and learn how to carefully choose their words. Last year was my oldest's first attempt at written narrations. He did well, in my opinion, but I know if I educated myself more I could provide better feedback. My desire is to teach skills efficiently, and provide time and opportunity for them to develop their talents.

I recently read How I Raised a Professional Writer Without a Composition Program by Linda Fay Johnson. I have been intrigued by her site, Charlotte Mason Help for a while now. Has anyone else achieved this while home educating? Is anyone trying to achieve it? I'm not trying to raise professional writers. I just want my children to write effectively. Would this method work if Mom is writing-challenged? Thoughts?

Childhood of Famous Americans is a great series. Also, check out HOD's recommendations.

Yes, like Five in a Row. I'm using it with my 5yo.

Come Sit By Me - Canadian

How does your son like Killgallon? My oldest has used it once a week for the past year, and he has asked to drop it. He began to enjoy writing a bit last year, but he does not appreciate Killgallon. I'm not sure why, as I think it's great. Anyway, he is using Jump In (once per week) and Writer's Express (once per week), with narrations from his history and science readings (each once per week). We also use Story Starters every other week. He loves this and is enjoying Jump In too.

:laugh: It's just my baked oatmeal recipe with added spirulina.

Set a bedtime for yourself and stick to it. Set your alarm for the morning and don't hit the snooze button. An hour before kids wake up is my preference. Make a weekly menu plan and shop for the staple items once per month. Perishables can be purchased weekly. I plan two meals per day. Example: Monday is Green Baked Oatmeal for breakfast and Roasted Crockpot Chicken for the main meal. I make me breakfast meal the day before, store it in the fridge and in the morning it bakes while I'm getting ready for the day, hanging laundry, preparation for main meal, etc. This year I've been enforcing an hour of quiet time after lunch. It's been refreshing.

Throw out all the Disney books and read books you can enjoy to her. Every day. There are so many great picture books out there. Schedule something each day she enjoys whether it's painting, music, blocks, cooking (even with pretend food), dress-up, etc. Spend time outdoors.

Thank you for posting this. The Brock has been on my mental wish list for over a year now after reading your reviews in previous threads. I just took the plunge and purchased it, along with slides from Home Science Tools, as they seem fabulous. You made my day!

By the Great Horn Spoon and The Whipping Boy

Do you think your library would carry many living math books? Here is a great link with reading lists, etc. Living Math!

This thread has many suggestions. What books overview all of history ... We are using History Revealed by Diana Waring.

Homer Price