:iagree:This is where we are as well.

the latter. Use the passage as a model, write an imitation, and edit your own passage. The six sentence shuffle is a technique for manipulating sentences taught in CW Homer. It involves analyzing a sentence by diagramming it, rewriting the sentence first by making synonym substitutions and then by making various grammatical changes, condensing the sentence, and expanding the sentence. The last step is to write a grammatically identical sentence on a new topic. It's actually my favorite part of Homer. Now that my oldest has completed Homer, I point out sentences in history assignments that need to be reworded, condensed, or expanded; and she has no problem fixing them on her own.

Yes. I've watched all of the debates so far. I haven't narrowed it down to one candidate yet, but there are a few candidates that I definitely won't vote for in the primary election. I'm looking at a their stance on the issues, their experience, the plans they are proposing, their abillity to articulate their message clearly, and their ability bring people together and appeal to a broader base of people. I am also having a hard time choosing. They all have strengths and weaknesses. I think I'm going to have to set aside some time to read through their proposals (as opposed to just skim over them) before I make a final choice.

I voted other. I think semi-independently would best describe my middle schooler. Math, grammar, vocab, Greek, and writing - We do a short lesson. She works independently, and I check her work. History and literature - She reads, and we discuss. Science - She reads. We discuss. Some labs are independent, and others we do together. Latin - She does this mainly on her own with the DVD. I check the work, review grammar and vocab with her, and work with her on anything that she doesn't understand. Overall, we work together about 2 1/2 hours a day. The rest of the time is independent.

I haven't posted in several weeks, and I'm quite behind for the year, but I did complete three books this week. #20 Augustine's Confessions #19 The Wheel on the School by DeJong #18 Blackthorn Winter by Wilson I'm about 2/3 of the way through Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring and halfway through Nesbit's Five Children and It. I'm getting ready to start The Nine Tailors by Sayers, On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius.

:iagree: Yes. This should work fine.

I rotate through my kids multiple times a day. My schedule looks something like: 7:30 2nd grade Bible and literature 8:00 7th grade math, grammar, writing lessons 8:30 2nd grade math lesson 8:45 5th grade math lesson 9:00 3yo reading / activities 9:30 5th grade math corrections, memory work, grammar lesson, history discussion or Latin review 10:00 2nd grader geography or grammar, copywork, history 11:00 7th grader logic, vocabulary, memory work, Greek/Latin review 11:30 5th grade dictation, writing 12:00 2nd grade science 12:30 break with 3yo (if I'm lucky he goes to sleep) 1:00 check work / break for me 2:00 7th grade science discussion or labs and literature discussions (so far this has been closer to 2:30 or 3:00) The smaller chunks help the 2nd grader get enough breaks while still getting done by lunch and gives me a sufficiently regular schedule of checking in with the 5th grader to keep her mostly on task. The 7th grader has a larger block of independent time than last year, which we're also using to teach some time management skills.

Our week 7 reports are up!

We're just starting into chapter 3 of NEM 1. We haven't skipped any problems yet, but I'm sure we will at some point. I don't think I've ever done any program completely.

Ours is up!

My second grader is a relunctant reader. He reads one chapter of a literature book to me each day. I read Bible, history, and science aloud to him. He also has a set time after lunch for free reading.

Here it is!

Our week 6 reviews are up!

I would keep him in the logic stage and use it as an opportunity to work on his skills. While skipping words is common for grammar stage, I would take this as an opportunity to learn vocabulary building skills. Have him make a list of the words from the reading assignments that he doesn't know and look up the definitions. Then have him reread the assignment so he can more fully understand it. Working on the vocabulary will help with this. I also let my 5th grader read back through her science material to find the answer if she does not know it because I think the ability to find an answer within a given text is another important skill for learning. If she can't find it (usually because the wording is different), I show her which paragraph the answer is in. I will explain the paragraph to her if necessary to help her figure out the answer if she still finds it confusing. (The last doesn't happen often but I figure I'm the teacher and explaining what the text is trying to say is ultimately my job.) If you're just starting outlines, leading him through the steps is common. I had to help both DDs with their first several outlines in 5th before they began to catch on and were willing to try on their own. All this to say, that starting into the logic stage requires a lot of help from you at the start as your DC adjusts to the difference in expectations and learns new skills to help him understand the material. When my oldest hit 5th, I was taken off guard because she had worked so well independently in 4th and suddenly I was having to spend more time with her one on one. We adjusted. She learned and is once again working with greater independence. HTH

I haven't read all the other posts, but here are a few thoughts... I would give them daily assignments not weekly ones. Our rule is all of the schoolwork for the day has to be done, checked by me, corrected and rechecked if necessary before they can do other activities. My 10yo and 12 yo each have their own list of assignments. I meet with them periodically throughout the day to check their progress/work and do one-on-one instruction. Here is our schedule for the year. My 12yo has larger blocks of time this year as I'm trying to teach her some time management skills. Last year her schedule looked more like the 10yo. I generally let the answering machine pick up the phone during school hours unless the call is from DH or I happen to have a few minutes free. I also stay off the computer all morning unless I am printing something at the last minute. Cleaning gets done if I have a few minutes during the morning. Otherwise it waits until late afternoon. HTH

Mine are up!

My DD used this for a semester last year in 6th grade. I had her do a combination of summarizing and outlining of the different sections a la WTM, and we used The Body Book to assemble our own model organ systems. For us, it was a good introduction to the topic, and she learned a lot. I believe the notebook has a schedule for middle schoolers if you don't want to do your own lesson plans. I would also recommend joining the Apologia Yahoo group. They are very supportive. HTH

Ours is up!

Our week 4 reports are up!!

:grouphug: First, I just wanted to say everybody has days like this. I'm sorry you're off to a rough start. It sounds like your son is doing fine. My 7yo ds was upside down for half of the chapter that I read him this morning. If I think he's not paying attention, I pause for a few seconds to see how long it takes him to notice I've stopped reading. For your daughter, first I would be very clear that the behavior is disrespectful and rude. Is she capable of reading part of the read alouds? Maybe she could read a page or a portion of every few pages aloud to you and DS. Then you could respectfully listen while she reads and she would be expected to respectfully listen in turn while you're reading. For your DS, you might consider shortening the assignment. For copywork, I always preferred one sentence written to the best of one's abilty over multiple sentences slopped together. For your son, I'd do his narration separately one on one. Read through the questions beforehand, and then put them away. Ask him to tell you what happened in the story. Give him a sentence or two to get started if need be. Not having the pressure of getting the "right" answer to the question may be all he needs. If he's still having a hard time, then try breaking the reading into smaller chunks, pause to narrate, and then read a bit more. The same tact may help with your daughter as well. If she still doesn't remember, I'd have her reread the lesson and try again. I don't use AAS, so I can't help there. Yeah for math and brain pop, pat yourself on the back for the parts that are working. Yeah for DS. For DD, you could try having her narrate instead of the question. If that doesn't work, honestly I'd have her read it out loud to you. Then you know she's read it and the combination of seeing and hearing the words often helps with retention as well. I'd start small. Pick one craft for the week. Decide which day you want to do it. Put all of the needed stuff in one place the weekend before. :grouphug: Hang in there. HTH

My week 3 posts are up!

We have fun with hands on activities. Most weeks that means science labs and art lessons. This week, the girls put together paper models of Jamestown for history. They also enjoy playing online geography games. When my 5th grader finishes reading Swiss Family Robinson, we'll borrow the Disney movie from the library and eat popcorn while we watch it.

Ours is a day late as well due to some internet problems.

Our report is up for the week. I divided into two posts again for logic and grammar/preschool.

That is what we did at first. Eventually it becomes easier, and you can do both as you go through the model.