Hello, My name is Stephanie and we are coming back to classical education after venturing into a sort of ecclectic method. My kids were not doing well so we are back. I am experiencing a difficulty with my daughter. She is really struggling with word problems. She has real trouble with figuring out whether she should add, subtract, multipy or divide. She's doing better with the addition and subtraction but still struggles with mulitpying/dividing word problems. Can anyone suggest some suppliments or have any ideas to help her? I'd appreciate any feedback because I'm getting frustrated because I can't seem to help her understand these. Thanks, Stephanie

Is anyone here using notebooking and/or lapbooking along with the classical curriculum? How is working and how do you fit it in? I've done a couple of lapbooks and the kids are liking it. I've recently returned to the classical method. Thanks, Stephanie

Ginseng and Gingko are good natural "remedies" for the brain and staying focused. Also, rosemary will help with memory. I like Mountain Rose Herbs for their Memory Zest tea. You should be able to find Ginseng and Gingko at any good natural health food store and the suppliment section of your local drug store. Costco carries them as well. Hope this helps.

Our local dollar store has lots of different playing cards. You can also try thrift stores. I've bought alot of fun playing cards there.

I just moved from a house that had tile throughout the entire house. I hated it. The white tile showed every spot of dirt but the worst was the noise! We tried area rugs, curtains.....I even hung quilts on the wall. Our house now has tile downstairs and carpet upstairs. Its better but I plan to put in carpet next year and keep tile in the kitchen and the entry way. This tile did help keep things cooler in the summer but it was cold in the winter. Personally, I feel that tile is alot more work than carpet. You have to sweep and then mop.....and hope the kids don't come running through it while its drying. I tried to save mopping until have the kids went to bed but by the time I got them in bed, I was tired too. People have very opposing views I'm sure. I had people tell me I was going to LOVE my tile floors. The opposite was true. And by the way, Pyrex doesn't shatter when it hits tile....it EXPLODES. I was actually cut once by "shrapnel". Just my 2 cents, Stephanie