Thank you Mary! I have been wondering about that all day. I still think it's the way to go.

Most people have their church stories. I know of this happening twice. However, Paul is very specific in how to handle these situations. It sounds like your pastor needs to read it. You are only going to answer to God for what you do. It's easier to sink to his level, but pray it out. You will know what to do. :grouphug:

My ten year old loved Beautiful Feet Science.

My ten year old was in the same situation and we changed to MUS using the placement test to determine his level of proficiency. Since it is a mastery based program, it has worked well for us. He has drastically improved and has already finished 1/2 years of Math. By the end of the summer, he will be at grade level. The DVD's take some of the strain off of you and using the blocks (some levels do this) gives them a visual and a hands on experience that is often a nudge to understanding the underlying principles.

I have loved reading "Laying Down the Rails" by Simply Charlotte Mason and we also use Accountable Kids www.accountablekids.com. This system puts the reminder on the wall, eliminating nagging and lets you set up their day depending on what needs to be done. K-6 grade would be appropriate for this system. And then there's prayer! :D

It is a biblical response that is more of a conviction and a result of a loving response...meaning you don't intend that, but it automatically happens...cause and effect. Loving is always the way to go.

You know what to do...God called you to do it. That is what you need to know most of all. If it is someone you care about, you might decide to explain your choice---it is my experience that most people don't understand home schooling. HS parents tend to know much more about schooling in general than the average person. If you do your research and explain it, you can face them down no problem. I would start with something like, "Homeschooling isn't for everyone, but..."

You might try All About Spelling..starting at the beginning. This program is used for students struggling with spelling and addresses multiple learning styles. it teaches them the rules and fundamentals of spelling and is mastery based.

I would respond in a loving way. This person obviously has some problems and wants to exert control because he/she lacks it in other areas. I can't think of the verse, but the gist is that giving a loving response to someone who attacks you is like heaping ashes on their head. :glare:

My Mom always cried when she spanked us and always held us tightly afterward. She very rarely disciplined us and we were good kids anyway. One day though, she had had enough of our bickering and fighting. My cousin was over and it was out of control. After she had warned us many times, she grabbed the first thing she could find which happened to be a fly swatter and ran to us leaping over the vacuum cleaner in the process. She didn't actually spank us because we were at first mortified and then all had a good laugh. On the softer side, she taught us how to paint in oil and acrylic, how to do some woodworking, how to draw, and how to sculpt. She always listened to us (for hours if necessary) and showed much affection. She is my best friend and my greatest advocate in anything I do in life.

I will just give you the list of what I have done with my 4th child and he loves it all. Definitely a Charlotte Mason approach with the understanding and use of the Trivium. Math: Math U See grade 1: Alpha (Primer if your child needs it) Phonics and Handwriting: Abeka (it is systematic and he loves it) definitely get the large flash cards and charts Nature Study: Hours in the Outdoors is good from Simply Charlotte Mason Lots of Living Books Composer Study: Beethoven Lives Upstairs by classical kids Picture Study: Michelangelo History: History Portfolio Jr. (Ancient History) lots of hands on activites to go with the lessons, loosely correlates with SOTW, so you can read it along with the activities in the order of SOTW with fewer chapters. Science: NatureStudy...if advanced, through the lens of Apologia (we are doing Zoology 1) Charlotte Mason's Habits: Laying Down the Rails by Simply Charlotte Mason or the 6 Volume Series by CM...this is indispensible Other Handwriting Opportunities: Days of Week, Months of Year, Numbers, Letters, Address (I found this great paper by Mead that has raised lines to make it easier for intro to handwriting and also some by Mead that has a picture box over a handwriting selection. Of course, we don't do these things every day. Some of them are only occasional like Picture Study, Composer Study, and Nature Study. The main thing is DO NOT PUSH. Short lessons, hands on activities at your individual child's level and Lots of time outdoors :).

We are thinking of refinancing to a 15 year loan b/c rates are low. If anyone has had a good/bad experience I would like to hear about it and the bank you used.

I like my cuisinart with the grinding feature. It is nice to have the option of fresh ground coffee. I wish I had gotten the thermal coffee pot. Sometimes you can luck up and find one in a Costco or Sam's.

bump

Thanks for the post...beautiful and well thought out...kudos to Google.

We use bins for their books and Accountable Kids for chores and making sure everything gets done. Everything is a CM style, but they get to choose the order in which they complete assignments that are self-directed, unless I am presenting a lesson or doing a read-aloud with narration. Nature Study, Picture Study, Composer Study are all done with me.

My daughter's name is Maren and for whatever reason she is always called Marion or Miriam or Mary Anne. People cannot comprehend the name Maren...it seems simpler to me.:glare:

We enjoy Trailguide to Learning, but we do not use it as 'everything but Math' the way it is presented. I supplement with SOTW for World History with all of mine as well as extra grammar, handwriting, spelling, and Science. Am I overdoing it? Anyone who has experience with Trailguide, please post.

:bigear:

Thank you for the info on togetherville. It looks great. :lurk5:

Our kids are getting a laptop for Christmas and my son put "a facebook page" on his Christmas list. I am thinking that he is way too young (11), but if I monitor frequently and his friends are his cousins and family (we have family all over), he could keep up with them. I do, and many put scripture, quotes, and general info that is benign. I know I will get some 'tomatoes' for this. Just looking for advice from people who have had experience and why or why not I should allow this so when the question comes, I have a great answer. BTW, I use a major filter and multiple settings to guard against inappropriate content during web searches and am also vigilant about monitoring use.

A frittata would be good. I usually make mine with mushrooms, (of course eggs), red bell peppers, vidalia onions, cheese, and bacon pieces. I also make grit casseroles in ramekins with grits, cheese, green onions, cayenne pepper, and bacon pieces. They are easy and everyone loves them (even the ones that don't like grits). Of course, if you live North of the Mason Dixon, you will probably skip the grits!

I have one starting in 3rd (she broke her right arm in K5), and one starting in 2nd. We are using "A Reason for Handwriting" the transition one where you start with print and transition into cursive. They are finding it difficult, but we are happy with it for the most part.

:iagree: My husband bought me one a couple of years ago and I instantly sent it back. I like the tactile experience of reading a real book and find that while I love my gadgets, I still want a book I can lay down at the beach. I usually read more than one book at a time, and the kindle would make this difficult. I also like to flip back and forth, make notes, etc. It just isn't for me. My aunt has one and loves it b/c she can read with larger text. I think I'll just wear glasses at that point!

I hope things improve for you in 2011. I will pray for healing as I know what it's like to have multiple procedures in a short span of time. Don't let it get you down!