I used a picture book- The Patchwork Path for part of my lesson the other week on the Underground Railroad. I had found some lesson plans which asked for a journal entry and sample quilt patch that your family would make, with symbols, etc. Anyways, so we used that book and I also had Under the Quilt of Night to look at. The American Girl Addy series would be a good one to look at too. However, I know my answers aren't referring to an actual historical fiction book, which we didn't find either. After we are finished with the Civil War, we'll do Reconstruction, and I'm thinking of using Janie's Freedom as a read aloud. I debated even reading Uncle Tom's Cabin, which I do want to do, but I may wait for the next round of history.

Interestingly, I have two lessons on board for next week. I added some things to our Civil War unit in our curriculum. I'm going to do the 3D photo lesson and either animal mascots or soldiers slang. We are using some literature as well or I'd have added other lessons from this site. I ended up just getting picture books from library too and discussing things that way for my elementary grade kids. The next time we go through this time period I'm definitely looking this site back up and using in middle school.

Received this in the mail yesterday. Excited to do it this year. Perhaps next year for my son when he is in third, too.

Well, I'm using it now! We just began a couple weeks ago. I had the total intention of using it before now but it seems good for her. We may actually get through this before the year is over and be able to begin another book. ETA: we also use the cursive copywork on off days to review the previous lesson. She loves it!

I enjoy a combo of PP, Blackbird Press and Company, Memoria Press, and Christian Novel Studies. :) I am going to continue this for my daughter's fifth grade year.

Oh, I hope this isn't true! :( It'd be a huge disappointment. I love that promotion!

First time ever we've had some issues with behavior that has made homeschooling difficult. So, it's been half and half. I would generally say we're happy though! :)

So thankful for your replies...they've been very helpful. Sigh. I wish we had time for two!

Of these three, which one would YOU prefer to read if you can't do all three: Little House on the Prairie On The Banks of Plum Creek By The Shores of Silver Lake Note: I don't have too much concern over order. My DS read LHITBW this year and Dd read FB in third grade. This is for lit and comprehension, etc. I'm leaning towards OTBOPC but wanted opinions. I read them all as a child, thousand times over but can't remember which ones I liked best. Lol!

Has anyone used this particular unit for ages 9-11 from Moving Beyond the Page. There are NO examples for this certain book set. I wish I had more of an idea of it, how it looks inside and at least the table of contents. THANKS! (I do know it can be used with the lit unit for Hugo Cabret).

I just ordered a used set of Volume 2 from the Classifieds. I was looking at this before I saw these posts, just yesterday! I'm revamping some things in our current curriculum plan. After I look at them I will let you know, because I have elementary aged kids. I assume the jr. workbook is for grades 1-4.

Math (one hour, maybe a little more): One lesson from Saxon four days a week (usually it's 2-3 pages) plus math facts sheet. The other day, usually catch up or a variety of iPad apps for facts and other skills Reading (she's a fast reader, maybe 45 minutes): We read two books for history, etc as part of the program we use (Paths of Settlement) and then she reads the literature selection (which is in conjuction with a guide or other activities) Grammar (30 minutes): a page, or app, or computer game, several days a week (we're light on this subject this year) Writing (30 minutes, each day): IEW assignment as well as one or two a week from Paths of Settlement Science (30-45 minutes several days a week): hands on activity, discussion, workbook page History/State Study/Social Studies (every day, 30-45 minutes a day): can include reading, discussion, workbook page or pages, and also vocabulary Spelling (15 minutes, 3 times a week): reviewing words, writing them down, perhaps some sentences Copywork/handwriting (10 minutes, daily): a paragraph to several paragraphs, just depends on assignment Bible (15 minutes, several days a week): we read through an Apologia book, kinda making up our own lesson plans, usually there's a worksheet, words, and verses to go over Art (30 minutes, a couple days a week): right now, it's mainly use of watercolors, as assigned in Paths of Settlement. We have done a pottery painting activity somewhere and I'm signing her up for an hour weekly class for the remainder of the year. She draws on her own, too, during free time. Eta: Most days, it takes us 5 hours, probably because I'm teaching my DS, too. Somedays, we whip through things, for some reason, and can be done in a few hours. HTH.

Oh! I'm excited to see this group! I don't have a daily or weekly WC goal at the moment. I would love to finish my current WIP (the first draft) by March, but it would take some serious effort. I'm at 44k. Would love to see it at above 80K. I have another manuscript I need to dust off and begin editing. I have another WIP I'm anxious to get back to. Basically, my goal is to WRITE my heart out. Somedays, it seems I could manage pulling off an entry to the Genesis contest, but at this point, I'm going to let that go for another year.

I'm HERE! :)

Yeah, we debated over this horse, because he's seasoned in some active things. But, she's ridden him since last spring and has gone on two to three hour trail rides, besides shorter rides, and has seemed to do so well. We have contact with Zach's former owner, and actually, had several times to experiment with Zach. She has always been even keeled with Zach, but perhaps the past month or so hasn't been so much inclined to see him, so it's been so weird for this to happen. I've talked with my dad and a good friend of mine who rode for ten years. My friend suggesting lunging, as was mentioned previously, and my dad said the boarder mentioned lunging as well lately. So....looks like we'll give that a try. And looks like my dad may be looking into a quieter horse for her. I was so shocked this afternoon when my DD was watching lunging videos on Youtube with me. She's wanted NOTHING to do with horses lately, but came over and I was explaining to her what it was and how it'd help. WOW. She also said, in tears, she "just wants a horse who'll listen to me."

I'd LOVE to increase her contact. That may work soon, but not right away, with all the snow/cold. My dad's schedule is now letting up and hunting season had put a small dent into her riding the trails. It's tough for me, since I have both boys at home. We do go on occasion but for the most part, it's Grandpa and Ella. I think she wants a friend to go with her on occasion, so if I can pull that off, it may help. THANK YOU! ETA: do you think that threatening the time spent with the horse was detrimental than? and a bad way to ward off bad attitude? AH! i've definitely done that, in the past, not recently, so I pray, PRAY, i haven't contributed to anything here. Also, not sure about the lunging thing. Will check it out.

I'm so sorry. You're in my prayers.

Thanks for this. It's hard to think it will get better (and it certainly could be worse, I know). I think we're leaning on the horse is acting a bit ornery/fiesty. LOL. And perhaps is not the best one for her.

I think there's a set of issues, and they're multilayered. Attitude, friends, horse. Finally, last night, after I posted here....my daughter was able to explain a little why she doesn't want to go back to seeing her horse. Seems that he's perhaps acting a little too fiesty for her, and scared her. Last night, before I got this out of her, she exited the room when Jane and the Dragon was on and a horse came on the screen. She did this both times the horse came on the tv. :confused1: So that got me thinking there really MUST be something that upset her, to do this. She has lived and breathed horses and it's sooo strange that all of a sudden (and to me that means just a few weeks) she's changed her mind and does not want to ride, etc. We don't get to see Zach but once a week if that (he boards 45 minutes away). So her responsibility is minimal. After we chatted, which wasn't much, lol. For she is tough to give out feelings. I told her that we'd (grandpa, the woman who cares for Zach, and myself) would help her feel more comfortable. She said she likes Zach because he jumps and does barrell racing. When my dad purchased the horse, we were going for a horse that Ella could grow with but it seems that an older, quieter horse may be the best thing, if she's timid? It's a thought going through my dad's mind. Parenting is so hard. I appreciate all the feedback, and help with ideas for attitude and behaviors. I'm going to take notes on this thread and look into the book(s) mentioned. I knew from the get go with her, as a baby, she'd be a bit tougher. LOL. But I love her and she is so sweet and creative. It's this stuff that's upsetting and hard to get through. She is one that loves physical exercise and social interaction...she could live in the snow we have these days. As to me needing some time to myself as I was emotional...I'm 100% sure she didn't know I was crying for she was busy with something else and her dad was home. I had a huge migraine and couldn't get rid of it, so off to rest I went. :glare: It was very upsetting to me last night and there's no way I could've not cried. We all have those times, right? She gets punishment for wrong behavior, please don't misunderstand, after the day (of attitude, and me continuing to school and do all I need to do as mother and teacher) that I was exhausted and had head pain and nausea. I figured I'd ask for help, for some ideas on what I'm missing, and I've really appreciated the time people have taken to post. It's SO helpful, but please don't misunderstand. I figured there's some words and ways and steps I could take to help her on a more personal level, and there's been great advice here.

Yes...I really don't think that's the answer, honestly, but don't know how to help her. :(

This is our fourth year of homeschooling. First things first: my daughter says she still wants to homeschool, in the end. But we have some issues. This year, she's become increasingly internalized. Moody. Bad attitude about many things. Body language that's disrespectful. She'll snarl/snap at her brothers, who are just being boys. To be fair, I reprimand them too, when they are rude, but honestly....she'll blame them for her own behavior. And I tell her she can't blame others for how she reacts, etc. (the other half of the time, she and her brother are best friends, playing. ugh!) It's never ending, the attitude about things. I can't even pinpoint the trigger. It's beyond our school day. It's a lot with her brothers, and has entered the sphere of her horse. At this point, she does not want to make the effort and go (he boards elsewhere) with her grandpa (my dad) and brush him, ride him, etc. I Don't Get It. This is the horse crazy girl I've had for ever since I can remember. She's taking the horse things out of her room, saying she doesn't like horses....how can one turn the switch off on that, so to speak? When she's ridden and been around Zach, she's always been sweet to him, loving him, missing him when she's not with him. So....what gives? She has a responsibility to him and we can't just get rid of him! You know?!!!!! He needs her and has a bond...she can't just stop. Plus, I feel badly for my dad. He's put SOOO much time and money and energy into this (he bought the horse and one for himself, so they ride together). I don't think anything happened in particular to make her upset and change her mind. I just can't figure this out. This sudden change. And cruddy behavior. Is this a stage? Is it that she needs more girl friends? She has a few, but winter is here, and we are not going to the gym and swim thing right now where she'd meet up with some regularly. She talks often on the phone and at church with another homeschool friend. She has a penpal here too :) I'm trying to figure this out....I've thought of taking her to a counselor. She rarely will speak of her feelings. Is it puberty, on the cusp? Is it the winter blues? It's cold and snowy here in Ohio. I've reached a point today where I just spent a couple hours in my bedroom just crying and not wanting to "deal" with her anymore, to be honest. I'm so tired of being disrespected during the day. I don't know what to do, if putting her in school is the answer. I keep thinking there's something else here I'm missing, and I can't see it.

Blackbird and company has been great for my second grader. I like the set up of the books. I used the picture books study guide for something different for my two older kids, and it's been great, even for my fourth grader. I'm also using VP some for my DS Grade 2 (and MP, and Christian Novel Studies). I needed the variety because he gets overwhelmed by the same thing over and over. The VP seems to give you some hands on projects along with writing and questions. HTH.

I'm so sorry. Praying for you and your children.

AHH! I'm soooo relieved! Someone found it in another room (I think I'm losing my mind for I don't remember putting it in there AT ALL!)...and all is well with it. I say that Find My Iphone App is pretty close...just a small margin of error but it worked and showed us it was still at the church. THANK YOU to all for your thoughts and prayers over this. :hurray:

Oh, thank you, thank you, homeschooling comrades. And, amy in ks...wow! That was a blessing you got that back. I worry when we take it to church, but I allow it because my husband and I do music ministry so we're there super early all the time, and well...when you have kids, it's a good thing to keep them occupied. I will try to spread the word, and perhaps a lost sign, if I can. I'm just wondering if the app is showing real time. UGH.