Just saw this thread. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/showthread.php?t=438445

No wait at all. Not even one person ahead of me. :)

What I usually did is put two more challenging subjects in the first drawer. Then in the second I might put something a bit easier/fun and one harder. Sometimes (definitely not always) I hid a treat under a book. I saved read alouds for the end, because those are a favorite and it helped get him through the other subjects. Once in awhile, when I wanted to add a few extra things, I used those plastic shoe boxes I got when I first set up workboxes, and just stack them on top of the drawers. I have tried so many variations of workboxes. One thing I noticed for us, if the dc couldn't see at all what was coming it didn't seem to work as well. At one point I set up file boxes using a hanging files. I clipped the number to each hanging file. I was so silly stinking proud of this (so much so, that I basically still have the set up even though we haven't used it for a couple of years.) Anyway, that failed miserably. So far, I'm thinking the drawers are a better option than the magazine file boxes for us, though they are good for storage.

I'm not sure I'm phrasing that right. It's been ages since I blogged. I want to join something and want to use the button that was created. How do I do this?

This will give you some idea of the geography connections with FIAR. http://www.homeschoolshare.com/master_geography_index.php I used FIAR with my 9 yo last year and will be doing a bit with him this year. You're never too old for picture books! I don't use all of it, though as he is beyond the math and LA portions of the program.

Last year I used a 3 drawer system and put 2 items per drawer. It was usually enough. This year I switched to using wooden magazine boxes (?file boxes, maybe they are called). I can usually put 3-4 subjects per box and I just use a paper clip to attach the numbers to the outside. I have not been dedicated in using this system yet, so I can't say how well it will work. Generally, the items just go right back in the box. Most things stay the same. I change items here or there as needed.

http://www.greatbooksacademy.org/curriculum/good-books-program-literature-study-guides/

An ebook: http://www.currclick.com/product/47652/PUBLICATION---Living-Geometry%3A-Patterns-in-Nature---SCOCS?it=1

I think siblings who are close in age and particularly if they are the same gender, it is normal to have a lot of fighting. However, I draw the line at physical fighting. I do not agree to ignore it. They have to be taught how to disagree and I don't accept the violence. That said, I have heard others say that what you focus on you get more of. However, I'm not sure I agree with that. I think ignoring it is in a way condoning it. Also, it definitely affects me negatively. So, I guess I'm not offering much advice. Separate sometimes? Make sure you give them each some one on one attention. Make sure they each have their own space to play in so they can do their own things more easily. Try to help them with conflict resolution.....he, he, he (I say this because I believe it's a good idea, even after years of being unsuccesful here.)

It sounds like harmless good clean fun. I say support that when it comes up!

There are several T/F questions, which are more regurgitating info. Then there are several essay questions, which I think look quite good. Here are some examples: For Swiss Family Robinson, essay #1) What are the strengths and weakness of the family members stranded on the island? #2) In what ways does the island become a school for the boys? I don't have any experience with the philosophy for children books. I am interested as well. I am considering shifting most of our work to this program and would love to hear feedback on any of it as well.

I think the 6 weeks on, 1 week off, etc. idea sounds great for ME. However, with my dc, I find any break longer than 1 week and it is hard to get them (and probably me:001_smile:) back into the swing of school. So, for us, the idea of regularly doing one month off seems a little scary. It might work great for you though.

No. I own the guide for year 3 and I am thinking of using it soon. Do you have any particular questions about it?

Great Books Academy...anyone use their lesson plans? Are they good? Thoughts? I would like to see a sample of these, but they don't seem to be on their website. Any other opinions?

Well, I just went and looked. That is ridiculous. And yes, I could zoom, but you shouldn't have to. Definitely, we need to let them know.:)

Have you used this? It looks interesting, but I can't get enough of a sense of it.

The Heart of Dakota program you are referring to is probably Drawn into the Heart of Reading.

Nice ideas! Along the diy idea here is another website which has challenges and encourages the kids to think creatively to solve them. Some can take only 5 minutes, some much longer. http://kidswhothink.blogspot.com/

Maybe something like this? http://www.greatbooksacademy.org/curriculum/good-books-program-literature-study-guides/

Thank you for your feedback. It was a first attempt for both of us, so I'm happy for your thoughts. I can tell he has the makings of some great writing, if we can get what he says down onto paper. I missed some of what he said, and without the exact words, he didn't want to put it in. He had a beautiful analogy about how the German expansion was the powder in the gun, and the assasination was the match that lit it or something like that. I think maybe if we record it to start it might help.

How about notebooking? If he is not much of a writer yet, I would emphasize the drawing/scrapbooking aspect of it with a sentence or two, progressing to more writing with time. Also, he could do rough drafts of writing, or dictate into a tape recorder. How about starting a blog? That doesn't have to have a lot of writing, but can include photos, etc. Perhaps you could require one independent project. He could decide the topic, do the research, decide what output to do. The only thing that comes from you is the requirement. :)

This is ds' first attempt at non fiction writing. We are not currently using a writing program. For this assignment he had been reading about World War I. We discussed what he was going to write first. He spoke beautifully, even using a wonderful analogy. I suggested he put that into his paper. It didn't make it. :001_smile: Quite a few other things didn't either. I'm not sure how to help him get what he can say onto paper. However, since this is his first attempt, I think it's pretty good. The only corrections I made were spelling and adding several commas for clarity. This is a first (and probably only) draft. Any feedback appreciated. World War I: How it Began The first great war started July 28 when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The reason Austria declared war on the Serbs was that when the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot when in Serbia. Who did it? Bosnian teenager Cavrill Prinsip. Who was behind it? The Serbian terrorist group The Black Hand. At this period in time, Germany was expanding its’ army, its’ navy, its’ borders. This German expansion worried Great Britain, which had been masters of the seas for more than 300 years. The British worrying about German expansion started to build new war ships called Dreadnoughts. These huge ships were what started an arms race which cost both Britain and Germany billions of dollars. Now back to the beginning. When Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot in Serbia and Austro-Hungary declared war on the Serbs, Russia who was allied with the Serbs declared war on the Hungarians. So now Germany who was allied with the Hungarians declared war on Russia. Britain, who was allied with Russa, declared war on Germany. Germany too the chance to declare war on France.

How about something that covers quite a few subjects so that you only have to make that decision plus math plus maybe LA? I was thinking maybe Trail Guide to Learning: Paths of Settlement.

Title says it all. Thanks.

Muggins Math has two possibilities. Geometry: The Beauty of Numbers and Pollywogs to Polygons. http://www.mugginsmath.com go to the store on the website and scroll down and you will see both. this is from their website about Geometry: The Beauty of Numbers GEOMETRY: THE BEAUTY OF NUMBERS "A Unique Blend of Art and Math" Discover the hidden artist and mathematician within as you learn to make designs from the math formulas you create. Using only paper, pencil, a protractor, and a ruler, as well as your imagination, you'll be able to design your own unique drawings. This activity book will lead you into a whole new realm of art and math!