Praying for you, too.

I'd love to hear your experience if you've done Aleks' AP Stats class. Is it really AP approved? How did your student like it? Was it good preparation for the AP exam? How long did it take your student to go through the program? I am considering it for ds who will be a senior next year. He is doing Calculus this year. He did use Aleks at the end of precalculus for about a month, so we know how it works. Thanks

For your kids I would buy the Student Writing Intensive A. Andrew would teach your children on DVD. You could watch along and learn the method. If your third grader weren't ready for the assignments, you could use sources at his level. Ideally, if you know anyone who as the Parent teaching series Teaching Writing With Structure and Style or can afford to buy it, you could watch that, then you could use one of the theme books. It would give you a framework for feeling confident about teaching writing.

I agree part way. I don't think that the family should be set up or created in such a way that the older children's work is needed (like the Duggars). However, as in the case of families during the Depression, I don't think that it's wrong to ask older children to contribute to the families survival if circumstances happen (like for Farrar, as well). However, in the case of FaithManor's mom, where there was mental illness, I think that that is another thing altogether. In that case, I think the extended family needed to step in or help provide some alternate childcare. It's seems a bit arbitrary, but I guess I'm saying that if the family is healthy, extra work in extraordinary circumstances is fine. If the family isn't healthy, it isn't.

Yes, we have co-oped in many ways. --We did one much like Lori where 1 week the kids taught (on tea or gold--something thematic) and led activities; one week was PE; one week French; one week writing workshop --Then I started a co-op. We expanded to 25 families I taught many things --Then we left and did a 3-5 family small Tapestry co-op. I teach writing, lit and history. I love this BUT --Next year we will probably be joining another big (70?) families co-op that meets every other week for enrichment and a second day once a week for academics for high school. This is purely because my older children need to tap into a new social group for various reasons. I found leading/teaching/being part of our large co-op exhausting and love our small one. I've learned that doing what's best for mom is not always the best thing to do. So, for the next season, we are trying something new.

I think part of this, too, is that it matters if the amount of work is needed. In your situation your Mom/the family needed your help in order to survive. I think you knew that and were appreciated. I would guess your mom also tried not to ask more than she really needed. I think that a child who watches their siblings and does the above while their parents play or do little also know that and it is exploitative In the case of large families where the parents chose to have more children than they can cope with, however, it becomes more murky. Many times their help really is needed. The moms of large families I know, though, are careful to step in when their olders feel too much responsibility. I see older girls who see their mom overwhelmed and take on responsibility they don't need to. Those moms try to look out for that and step in and remind their older sibling that it is the mom's responsibility. So it's a hard balance between needing help, help being good for moral development, but making sure the mom/dad isn't being selfish and that they aren't letting the older child feel over responsible.

Well, my favorite for your ages is IEW. Another choice would be using a used Write Source book: https://www.amazon.com/Write-Source-Student-Hardcover-Grade/dp/0669518077/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=06CQG6TERDF136D4TGT2 The link is the fourth grade one, which could be used for all your children. You could even use the third grade one. Honestly, I have them all and there is not much difference. My friend, who uses CLE, uses IEW sometimes and one year used Daily 6-trait writing. Organically, you could just use their writing and plan mini-lessons. Are their paragraphs weak? Why? Teach them how to use graphic organizers. https://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/ Work through writing paragraphs: Topic sentence, at least 3 supporting sentences, clincher. Do this until it is easy for them.

Yay!!!!!! So exciting!

Well, a lot of the geometry is in the first part of Advanced math. Maybe do the 2 books and the first 30 lessons of Advanced math. That would be 3 credits worth. It also leaves less of Advanced Math which is a dense book.

When my brother was like this, my mom and I would buy him nice clothes that fit. They wouldn't get worn. Eventually, he met a girl, who he liked, who said she wouldn't be seen out with him with the too short tops and jeans. Lo and behold, he started shopping and wearing the clothes we got him. He married her.

98,000 COL index :150

Gently, also. You've posted a lot about your struggles with your family. You are really struggling. If I remember right your dh is not super supportive of evals for the kids and counseling. I think it's time to insist. Counseling can make a huge difference in your type of situation. In the mean time, in every situation, try to look at what is going well. What is each child doing that you like? What is one small improvement?

Snowed in here. We have about 15 inches so far with a few more hours to go. sigh At least Tuesday is our stay home day (although the kids are missing TKD tonight).

Come on baby!

AWWW So exciting! I hated waiting so.................much.

I think he should go ahead. Is he a junior or a sophomore? I don't think colleges look badly on a first score being low, anyhow, particularly if they go up. My ds is doing his second test tomorrow. I think he's nervous for the first time (he'd done the PSAT and an AP, as well). I'm not sure if that's good or bad. He has good scores, but we'd like to see them a touch higher for scholarships. I'm afraid I'm going to oversleep!

Oh, and I'm pretty sure they live in South Korea, bc he is a professor at a S. Korean University.

I saw that. It has made me laugh so hard all morning. I don't really know why, but the look on the mom's face. And the baby coming in after big sister- and big sisters arm motions-la la la la la--and then franctic Mom. And his deep breath. Oh, my goodness, it was awesome. And then, in the Washington Post article, he is quoted as asking "Is this going to go viral and get all weird" and the response is, "It already has".

All I have is anecdotal. DS used Jacobs Algebra and then TT for Geometry, Alg 2 and Pre-Calc. His SAT score is presently 680 in math (retesting next week) His best friend used TT for Algebra 1- Pre-calc His SAT math is 790. (Now he did to a run through of AOPS Alg early on, but for years after his SAT score was 650. He raised it to 790 after TT Alg 2, Pre-Calc and Kahn academy practice.

One of the classes we signed ds up for a PAH had a day listed in the description (it did change, but the teacher e-mailed us with plenty of time to change days if that didn't work), the other will decide a day and time when it's good for everyone's schedule.

And we have had success with both Saxon and TT. ( I do not use the self grading option, though, bc I want to see what they miss and sit with them to figure out why they miss it). Although, Ds 16(now in Saxon Calculus) did fine with TT geometry and Alg 2, I would have had him do Saxon if I did it over. Why? Because I love the frequent tests and the fact that the tests don't test the lesson you just had, but reach back four lessons. TT spirals and has review every lesson, but tests right after a new lesson. Dd doesn't like Saxon. DS likes it fine and liked TT.

I led a revolt. After a cross-continental, intercountry move, 7 months of underemployment, another move, we finally settled and I could sign my 5 year old up for the dance classes she so wanted. Of course, in our HCOL area (but not high salary) the community center prices were 3-4 times more than in Canada or where we had stayed in Pennsylvania. But, I paid, bc she so wanted to do dance. I had NO idea that at the end of the semester the teacher would say--let's do a recital. The dresses are $40 and the tickets (to see your own child!) will be $10 a piece. I took a deep breath and stated the truth, "I'm sorry, there is no way we can afford that right now. That's why we did community center dance." I looked around, and the other parents, the majority of whom were recent immigrants from Ecuador--and not wealthy immigrants, visibly relaxed, smiled and agreed with me. These fees and extras should be stated upfront. Oh, and no more "free" babysitting at Bible Studies where we all pitch in $5 and $20 for gifts and. . . . And I do come from a MC/UMC upbringing (and my Mom from an UC background/Dad LC). (But our Boyscouts make, no kidding around $3000 at a St. Patrick's Day bakesale at the large Catholic church. I have NO idea how they manage that. They also do 2 car washes. I like these fundraisers bc I can make brownies and send my kids to actually work for what the do.)

My Aunt and Uncle lived in Barcelona for a few years and loved it. I visited them. It's a beautiful city. London is fun, too. I have moved back and forth internationally a few times . The only time I took furniture was when we went to Canada. Honestly, it's cheaper to buy new. shipping is probably the cheapest way to send things. I can't remember any companies as my non-North America moves were over 20 years ago. How exciting!

Can I just say that I'm so proud of what you said regarding homeschooling? Formally homeschooled kids are the best one to quiet these voices b/c those of us who were not homeschooled will always have that little voice inside saying "What if they are right? What if this experiment is a failure?" But you have lived it and know and have the confidence. I have been a ps and private school teacher. I have worked with autistic children in a special ed school. I think you are doing the right thing. Completely.

It won't matter at all. My first started with 6 (but did Growing with Grammar in 5). My second started with 5 (just parts of speech work before that). My 3rd just does Climbing to Good English (started in 4th or 5th with no problem). I play around with Rod and Staff 2 with my fourth, but really there is nothing more than noun, verb, adjective and things like capitalization rules. I have never had any trouble jumping in at around 4th or 5th grade after just learning the basic parts of speech with any of my kids.