[Does anyone use Google Classroom?]

I love teaching using google classroom!  My only tip: some students (those with kid accounts on google) may have trouble accessing links to certain videos or games.  I try to encourage all my students to sign-in using a parent's account.

[Helping a Bit Older Student Remediate Reading—Without Hurting Her Feelings]

It sounds like you have a handle on getting her back up to speed.  She might enjoy something called "Decodable Chapter Books."  They are written at a low level (intentionally avoiding words that can't be easily sounded out) but a higher interest level.  Here is a link to some: https://amzn.to/2CC46M3 

[Best detergent for synthetic exercise clothes?]

Vinegar works to remove scents here.

To prevent the problem I send all sweaty people into the shower WITH their clothes.  They rinse everything off, wring it out, and hang it to dry on the towel bar.  They later toss it into the laundry when it is dry.  With this system I can wash exercise clothing on cold with normal detergent.

[Naughty Kitty Help! (Update in first post)]

Look into scat mats.   It doesn't "shock" kitty, but makes it uncomfortable for them to stand on the mat.  If you place one in front of each door before bed kitty won't be able to scratch or enter.

[Salaried position and time off]

We are very loose with our salaried employees.  They have set hours which they are responsible to work, but due to many factors those hours are not set in stone.  As long as we are kept in the loop (we use a group calendar system, so we know where everyone is at all times) then everything is fine. 

It sounds like this employee may need to be switched to hourly.  They may not like it, but it is within your rights as an employer to adjust their contract as needed. They would have a very high hourly rate if you just break up their current rate proportionately.  Usually the system is to give a lower rate for everything up to 40 hours, and then make up the difference with a significantly higher rate for overtime.  If they work the full 50 hours (which is what we usually get from salaried employees) then they should earn the same amount.  

[Art Elective]

Gardner's Art Through the Ages is the absolute best art history text.  Yes it is expensive, but it is worth the money by far.  The workbook is also good if your child is already experienced at drawing.  For someone who needs more experience with artistic concepts, I like Drawing Upon Art because it is so interactive.

[Keeping it simple, or at least sane]

I have a tendency to hyper-focus on either doing a single fun hands-on activity or perfecting one writing assignment to the detriment of everything else.  The app Multitimer is the amazing.  It helps me to remember that I planned to cover more than just one topic in a day.

I use it to remind me to switch between students, or between topics.

[You MUST be joking, right? Plagiarism?]

3 minutes ago, BlsdMama said:

Not possible - ERAU Online.

DH has an MBA and another two MS through them and a sparkly GPA.  This paper was definitely up to par.  He's been a student there for three previous degrees. 

I should have said up front that I don't think it necessarily sounds like plagiarism (I can't know since I obviously haven't read the paper) - just trying to identify where the disconnect between your DH and the prof might be.  Is there really no way to connect with the professor about a contested grade?

[You MUST be joking, right? Plagiarism?]

I would assume that the professor isn't stating that there are too many quotes in the paper.  Taking an stance on a topic requires   finding appropriate quotes, and, most importantly, linking them together without just regurgitating the original author's statements.  

Your DH cited and then explained it in his own words, basically repeating the citation - I think this is where the professor is hung up.  

I'd make an appointment during the professor's office hours to go over the paper.  

 

[How many fitting, in-rotation bras do you think a grown woman should have? Do you?]

Just learned that I apparently have an undergarment hoarding problem. Even if I subtract all of my workout specific garments, I still far exceed the norm here. 

Not going to feel bad. I like choices.

[Splurges that don’t seem as wasteful as before.]

Hmm I'm going to have to look into this place. Are they nationwide?

 

Not completely nationwide, but they are in many states.  https://www.orangetheoryfitness.com/locations-list?country=USSelect

[Splurges that don’t seem as wasteful as before.]

An unlimited membership to Orange Theory.  

 

I love that I don't have to think about what exercise to do next, I just show up and the trainer bosses me around for an hour, hitting both cardio and strength, with individualized tweaks so that I don't have to worry about my fused spine.   In particular, I love that I didn't need to know anything at all about equipment to get started (that was one of my biggest fears, and now I can't imagine life without my daily gym routine).  

[Bju videos]

What grade are you looking at?  I would love to go back to BJU if the lectures were shorter!

 

Their site has lesson times listed for each grade and course.  http://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/product/421487

[My parents are struggling-- what would you do??]

The best way you can help your parents get out of this awful situation is to allow them to go bankrupt.  That will give them the excuse they need to get out of the house, and move into an elder-care facility that brother can't follow them to.  I don't know any legal details, but I believe it may even require the sale of the majority of their assets, and would therefore remove the guns from the equation.  

 

I am so sorry.

[Sharing creative work... help me chill]

Please don't take it personally.  I edit material, and sometimes receive writing samples from friends.  It isn't unusual for it to take me a week or more to get around to even opening documents.  To be honest, sometimes I don't even open the body of the e-mail if the preview reveals that there is an attachment included that will require more than 5 min to handle.

[Reluctant & disruptive co-op students]

Hand out sticks of gum for good behavior, correct answers, or just basic showing up to class. It keeps your wigglers/sensory seekers occupied and rewards the behavior you want.

 

Encourage physical interaction that doesn’t involve pencils. Sculpt your notes in clay one week, sketch them in pastels another, and twist them into pipe cleaners etc. The physical interaction increases their brain’s attentiveness to whatever they are hearing, and focusing intently on one image helps commit it to memory. (There are studies backing this method. I’ll try to pop back later with links)

 

Show your enthusiasm, not your annoyance. Kids can read our faces like books. It they feel like you are displeased, they have no motivation for doing well.

 

If things start going south, join the chaos. Announce, “I need everyone to yell Vermeer as loud as possible!†or “Okay, up! Three laps around the table as quick as possible. Go!†The abrupt change gives them a physical release from boredom and/or stress, interrupts any side conversations they may have been having, and gets everyone focused back on you.

 

Split them into groups and give them 5/10 min to work with a partner of their choice - with each group having a separate topic. Then hold your tongue while the timer ticks down and let them get off track if they choose. Their oral reports of their findiings may reveal that some of those kids you thought were in outer space were actually just processing things differently.

 

Consider ditching the table. It sounds constrining in your particular situation.

[YES! You can skip lessons/accelerate VP Self-paced!]

nope - I contacted them with the same question, and was told that there is no way to navigate directly to the teaching lessons.  The review and endless games are required.  

[I think I need help processing Christmas.]

I don't think you are solely upset about her balking about church attendance.  I think this is the build up of all the years of you being the one to "make Christmas" for such a large group.  Your previous thread was so sad to read.  Honestly, it sounds like you are just at the point of realizing that you aren't required to do all of this for grown adults who aren't participating.

 

It is okay to create new traditions and let old ones die.  

The giant fiasco of week long visitors who enjoy a free ride isn't a requirement.

[Doing a little happy dance!]

Hooray! It feels like a miracle when you get those breakthroughs!

[Help me define some structured unschooling time]

We are not unschoolers in any way, but I have a list of school activities that are required each week, but are not necessarily defined by Mom.  I usually put a time minimum for each item, and dictate that some are to be done daily, others weekly, etc.

 

* Assigned reading (choice from any book on our assigned shelf - usually relates to our history study)

* Free reading (alternates between non-fiction, biography, how-to, historical fiction, etc.)

* Educational app/game 

* Create something physical

* Write something

* Listen to a podcast  (I require approval of the show first, things like Stuff to Blow your Mind, ArtCurious, History Extra, etc.)

* Watch the news and/or an educational video

* Exercise

* Cook something

* Clean something that isn't in the regular rotation

* Research something interesting online and take notes

* Plan an outing

* Work toward a long term goal

 

 

[S/O phone and social media addiction]

I hate to say this, but I think this is a generational thing.  Sharing (and even over-sharing) photos regularly is how kids connect.  It is part of their society.  If she is spending most of her time connecting to people online, then she is like 99.9% of the college students I know.  It isn't comfortable for those on the outside of that social(media) circle to see the importance of those connections, but they are real.  

 

I would deal with her mental health issues, and only address the social media concerns after talking with a licensed professional.  Removing emotional support can be dangerous.

[Getting rid of internet at home?]

At 18 doesn't he have access to cellular data?  If so, that may make your sacrifice unnecessary since he could just use it as a hot-spot.

 

I think it would be do-able to turn off internet with the situation you described, but it would be inconvenient.  I'm sorry you have to work through this.

[If you have successfully changed your habits WRT housekeeping, chores, organization....]

Invite a group over once a week.  Seriously.  Accountability works wonders for those of us who are okay with chaos on a daily basis.

[vent & jawm: adult scream-puking at two am - update in 1]

I do not understand anyone over the age of 5 using a bucket repeatedly for the flu. For emergencies while running, sure, but simply staying on the couch while hurling seems filthy. How far away is your bathroom?

 

I must be in the heartless categoey too. Everyone here cleans their own bucket, wipes their own floors, and tries their darndest to not touch anything and keep their nasty germs to themselves.

[Squee!!! Christmas Magic]

Have you seen these glasses yet?

 

My crew just found them for the first time, and looking at Christmas lights is a whole new kind of fun.  Giggling, squeals, oohs, aahs, and general happiness all around.  They are more than worth the $1.50 a pair.  I am now going to have to buy a new design each year simply because they are so much fun.