Anyone doing this? Has anyone compared the activities for each side by side? I have a history fanatic dd, who would love to do nothing but read, discover, and apply. She claims at nine to be an early archeaologist. My goal is to fill her with as many extra activities as possible, but I do not want to find myself duplicating activities. Thus, my question ... too much in the way of duplication? A preference of one over the other?

We are doing the same Journey book now. I have Juniors from hs and ps. We are not being quite as detailed and strict with the requirements. However, we meet at the Y, and we are fortunate enough to have engineer dads to help the girls out. Also, we had a rep from Duke Power come and visit the girls too. Perhaps you should look out towards the community for help. Call your electrical company. Remember, you do not need to go so far beyond what is asked in the book. We fulfill exactly what is asked in plain English, keeping in mind the age of the girls and their ability to interpret. Keep in mind too that this is to be girl led and girl investigated. It is not the leader's idea of what the project result should be. The girls ultimately will lead and investigate. This is the point of GS'ing. Relax and go with the flow! Let them have at it (so to speak)!

Certainly! Dd 9 loves them. She plays the online game as well. I do suggest making this an "all" and participating in all that is offered in correlation to the story. She has enjoyed the experience. She is on Book 4 at this moment. :)

Being that I studied many years, I would suggest these two: 1. The Music Tree, Summy-Birchard Music (This one applies theory well, IMO). http://www.amazon.com/Music-Tree-Students-Book-Summy/dp/0874876885 2. The Bastien Piano Lessons http://www.amazon.com/Piano-Lessons-Level-Bastien-Library/dp/B00113PBL8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271337472&sr=1-9 I more often than not lean towards The Music Tree, but Adult Lessons are provided in the Bastien set. HTH

Curious, Elijah went to heaven for a day. Anyone seen him yet? How long was that day really? Genesis does describe morning and evening, but how fast did the earth rotate? Thinking scientifically, I believe this is something that should be considered. Not to mention, my goodness people were extremely long-lived in Genesis too. I do wonder about this as well. There certainly is something more to this wonderful book than just the plain language. :) Things that make you go .... hmmmmm. Have an awesome God day! (My 3yo says this, lol)

I work part-time. I work for a large nonprofit, IT Director, and I construct databases and websites at home. :) I think you need to think outside of the box for part time work. I am a compulsive card carrier. I hand my card out everywhere I go! I put my cell number, email address, and name with a computer logo on the card. I will clean out computers for 35 dollars too. This is very economical for the non-tech-oriented person who would otherwise have to pay a local "geek" 80 to 100 dollars. The downside to all of this work is paying the "uncle". :) Are you crafty? Quilts, afghans, aprons, etc. People cannot sew or knit, for example, anymore. Let's not even think of hemming a pair of pants. I've 15-dollared myself to death hemming pants! LOL I ask do you want a visible or blind hem. The person looks blankly forward. I hope that helps some!

1. Decoding words - Not to be confused with phonics! No spelling anymore. 2. One day for multiplication sets - They are finished with multiplication in two weeks! Where oh where did the math go? 3. No reading class - free reading only. 4. No grading - The children get a number 1-4 based on how much was covered in the classroom. 5. With free writing, journaling, no reading, no phonics, etc., when do they start any English or Language Arts study? 6. One set of lesson plans - Teachers do not create lesson plans. Plans are handed to them. 7. Handwriting? No handwriting on lined paper. They begin on white blank paper and continue until third grade. Cursive lasted two weeks - never to be seen again. Fourth grade types reports and papers - without keyboard training. <giggle> How many parents are typing reports? 8. Computer testing in grades K-3. Can't hold a pencil but can use the mouse?

How does RSO compare with Elementary Science? Better? I looked at noeo science too. I may just combine the two. She does love to read! Opinions?

Did you find the content comprehensive?

IMO It is time to stop using Saxon. My dd did not like Saxon and failed the tests repetitively. We moved on to MUS and TT. She did well after Saxon with MUS because she could understand the interrelations and progressive nature, although it was a bit on the dry side and required "me". TT was preferred by her. Abeka was too repetitive, but this would enforce the concepts for child that needs this type of enforcement. I believe it is time for you to search. There are many programs with a variety of teaching styles. I do not believe you can choose a wrong program, but you can choose a program that is wrong for your child. Analyze your child's needs as well as their likes and dislikes by looking at the content areas and asking your child questions. Breathe! You will do fine.

Not to be confused with Real Science 4 Kids - How did you like RSO? I tried a search. My attempt was not successful. Anyone using this at the grammar and logic stages? What are your likes and dislikes? Did you use all of that particular level?

Great point on the need to emphasize the rules. If dd is only somewhat comfortable or just beginning an understanding of phonetic rules, I believe the step to AAS prior to MW would be well suited in this instance. Additionally, I appreciate the need to establish confidence in an area where she is feeling somewhat inadequate. AAS, book 1, would be easy and a builder for her confidence to succeed in this academic area. We will begin with AAS. I believe the cliche "better safe than sorry" would apply here! Thank you so much for your help and opinions! I appreciate being able to sound and to see the repsonses and reasoning behind choices.

That is what I was hoping to receive. It appears she has very raw basics. In your opinion, do you think it is too great of a jump? How much did your dc have mastered prior to beginning MW? I appreciate your feedback.

I am using Saxon. There is nothing "cutsie" or picturesque with the older levels. I used MUS prior to beginning Saxon. I was not comfortable with the beginning elementary levels. There are, however, well designed lessons and lots of practice - cds - extra word problems, etc. Saxon is the popular "oldy but goody". I suppose that would be a good descriptor. As for the teaching or academic progression, you must teach, and the lessons build with repetition. My oldest is gone, having completed algebra, and algebraII of Saxon. She took her GED to start college. She scored exceedingly high on both LA and Math sections of the GED.

I sent dd to school for socialization (obviously:D). We are now approaching the 4th grade, and I realize how overextended my expectations were for our dear SC schools. DD is bored and impatient with her learning, but lacking spelling/phonics skills, which I believe will inevitably prevent her from succeeding in other academic areas. However, we now need to remedy the shortcomings of her education. Background: Reads well. Mispronounces and cannot spell words based on any phonetic sounding. She does not appear to have any word rules despite the "word study" that takes place at the third-grade level. She has memorized words. I truly wonder if AAS, level one, would be inappropriate for fourth-grade study. I would appreciate your insight, comments, and/or questions. Does MW cover or repeat the earlier lessons that are listed as contents for AAS?

Not to run this post into the ground, but math facts are indeed very necessary for higher math. I'm sorry, but a college calc or trig without facts would be failure. Remember too, the colleges and universities are weeding out the lower level maths to make calc the first credit-counting math course. If they succeed in making this move, how would your child do without math facts? I can't imagine factoring without multiplication facts. My children were very slow as many others have mentioned. I would not make it a time goal. I would make it a goal for accomplishment without time being a consideration. Eventually, with drills, they will remember them. The two-minute testings from Abeka were savers for us. We kept using them over and over for years.

Adding my bits on the shower rod/sweater or shirt boxes that hang... Ikea (as I'm sure many other places do) have a holder that stands about five feet with the sole purose and design to be a standalone for these sorts of closet boxes. Even better, they are inexpensive! They cost around 15 to 20 dollars. I hope that helps some of your ideas to flower.

I saw something on one of those home shows. They used a stencil and white school glue. Yes, I kid you not. It created the appearance of being frosted. Yet, it would wash off if gotten wet. So, something you need to consider. If you could, I would try one of the actual frosting kits. This would give you the appearance of a pattern much like wallpaper, but in the same muted tones as your color choice, neutrals.

If is the first time, nip it quickly. I wouldn't be severely harsh, but I would seek to make an impression that you will not, and nor do others, like that type of action or the person who performs. I, unfortunately, have a teen that tells the little petty white lies. This drives me crazy. I've since learned that no form of lie will be tolerated by the other two, and I punish according to the severity of their response. This is a tough call. Only you will know the intent behind the lie and whether or not it was to not get in trouble or to not be discovered at avoiding the chore. Yes, as confusing as it sounds, I believe there is a difference in the two.

Hmmm, now I know I must be sleeping. I had no idea that was happening just down the road. I, also, do not have an answer. I would probably not. I am a bit overprotective with some things though, so perhaps no the best respondent.

I save the onion bags. I knit or crochet (depending on my mood) those into my scub pads. Also, when I crochet, I use a single or half. I'm a recycler for sure. :lol: