Thanks for the advice. I think maybe I'll get the hardback book and go back and see what we missed. I think I'll skip the workbook (actually I have level one for my 6 year old) and just try using other reading material we have--I'm thinking maybe the McGuffey Readers might work well. Thanks for the advice, Lindsey

I needs some advice on making WWE work for my 4th grader. I haven't done much dictation with her (she has done some copywork) so I went with level 3. She is doing great with the reading and comprehension and the narrations but is really struggling with the dictation exercises. They are long and there are lots of big spelling words. Her spelling is not great and we are wrking on it with All About Spelling. WWE says to correct any errors immediatly, which I do but then she can't remember the rest of the passage and gets so upset. She misses a lot of the punctuation because she is so upset by the difficulty of the spelling. I really want to make this work but how? Should I just let her write the whole thing and then worry about spelling (not sure this would help as she knows when she has misspelled a word and would still fret about it)? Should I pick other sentences from the reading that aren't so hard? Should I have her copy instead of doing them as dictation? Other ideas?? :confused: Lindsey

"Take that leash off your brother." "The dog doesn't need a leash right now, we are inside" "cats don't like leashes" "if you put that leash on another thing I'm going to loose it!" Said to 3 year old in a public bathroom during "that time of the month" : "no mommy didn't poop in her pants" And of course: "Why are your hands in your pants.... again"

Spent the first year trying to force everyone to have fun! It was no fun! We gave up the illusion of fun 3 years ago and school is much more enjoyable now (and much quicker too) Occasionally we have fun, but mostly it's just get it done! Lindsey

anyone else sudenly realizing that they have way too much curriculum for the next year. Like multiple curriculums for the same subject, same grade level. Argg. For my 4th grader I have: 4 Language arts programs 3 science programs 2 art programs 2 history programs (but only 1 math--finally figured that out!) For my 1st grader I have 4 learning to read programs (some hand-me-downs from big sis) 3 math (again some hand-me-downs) 2 history 2 science How does that happen? And then when it does, do you pick one a stick with it for the year or do you end up flipping between them through the year? Just wonderin' Lindsey

Thanks for all the great suggestions. That ought to keep them busy for a while! They just started the Lion, the witch and the wardrobe last night. I read it to DD several years ago but it was when DS was tiny (and who can read too much Narnia?) Lindsey

Hi Ladies, I've managed to pass bed-time chapter books off to hubby (so I can do picture books with the 3 year old) The problem is dad is picky and has to enjoy the book himself. So... does any one have any suggestions for good read-alouds for my 6 and 9 year olds and hubby? Family interests: Airplanes Adventure Animals (but need adventure) Books that have been a hit with all three: Born to Fly http://www.amazon.com/Born-Fly-Michael-Ferrari/dp/0385737157/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1283727125&sr=8-1 Hard, Cold http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Gold-Colorado-Rush-Witness/dp/1423105206/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283727189&sr=1-1'>http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Gold-Colorado-Rush-Witness/dp/1423105206/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283727189&sr=1-1'>http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Gold-Colorado-Rush-Witness/dp/1423105206/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283727189&sr=1-1'>http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Gold-Colorado-Rush-Witness/dp/1423105206/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283727189&sr=1-1 21 balloons http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Gold-Colorado-Rush-Witness/dp/1423105206/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283727189&sr=1-1 Flops: The Moffets (kids loved it hubby did not) 5 little peppers (no one liked it) swiss family robbinson (hubby thought it was slow) Thanks, Lindsey

No, but I am 33! : ) My kidos are 9,6, and 3 so I have a while before grandparenthood but I hear it's wonderful! Congratulations! Lindsey:001_smile:

Thanks! I'll try not to give up hope yet. Actually my spelling has improved since starting Spell to read and Write so I guess the effort is not lost regardless (and if I can improve surly she can too : )

Has anyone ever actually had success with taking a horrible speller and making them a great speller? My oldest (starting 4th grade) is very good at school-- except for spelling. She took the IOWAs this last year and was above grade level for every thing except spelling which she scored 2 grade levels below! We are trying! (and will keep trying!) but it doesn't seem to be taking. We are working on Phonograms using Spell to Read and write which I like but sometimes she tries to apply the phongrams in the strangest ways (Otion--could you guess that was ocean?-- tion says sh-on). I too am a horrible speller! Is it genetic, is there ANY hope? Are you born a good speller or made a good speller (is speller even a word?.....) Help! Lindsey

:iagree: I'm currently reading Sacajawea-- if the Indians could eat the same thing every day for every meal why can't we just eat cereal for every meal?

reread my post and decided it was not helpful. She there a way to delete?:tongue_smilie:

It looks, to me, like pedagogy at it's best at it's best~:glare: I always say, the only part of teaching you need a teaching degree for is figuring out the stupid teachers manuals (and state standards!)

WOW $3,100! Did you totally trash the place? As a landlord myself, I'd say they are totally out of line! You ask for a deposit to cover damages and of course most of the little things are to be expected as normal ware and tear (which is why landlords get a nice tax benefit). If they didn't ask for a large enough deposit that was there mistake (I know because I've made this mistake).

my big black BSD (looks like a long haired Shepherd) always answers the door with me.