I can totally sympathize with OP, and must be married to her dh's long-lost cousin. I have always known his way was probably "better" than mine, but it seemed more like a heart-hardening cowardice than healthy behavior. IOW, ignore the problem and hope it just goes away. (This is his strategy for other areas of life as well. And, it works most of the time. It's just been rather costly when it *hasn't* worked.) I have always thought "a feigned attitude of not caring" equated with escapism, and an unwillingness to do something to solve the problem. So, I really appreciate you helping me see how this *can* be a healthy and even a brave thing - living a fulfilled life in the face of adversity. And, I'll (grudgingly) concided that not all problems *need* solutions. :001_smile: Rhonda

Momof7, I just saw. I'm praying for you, dh, your ds, the doctors, and all your children. For wisdom and peace and comfort and healing, and that these ashes will be made beautiful very soon! I *wish* there was something more I could do. Rhondabee

off to JCPenney ASAP! =) Rhonda

Thank you so much! I'm still printing things off, and looking it all over. Obviously, I'll need to re-read WTM, too! (Good thing I have a year to prepare, still.) LOL Thanks for enlightening me to your routine. I've got the Martin Luther ordered at the library, so I can go through the sample guide, and give it a test-drive. Rhonda

Thanks for such an encouraging post! Even the 8th grade WTM list had me quaking in my boots. Not so much for me, but worrying about my boys (esp. my 5th grader!). We haven't started yet, but I've pre-read and made notes on about half the books, and every time I start with that "yuck!" feeling, and gradually that changes to "Oh, I'm so glad we're going to get to read that!" Best of luck w/Omnibus! Rhonda

Thanks! I was wondering about how to incorporate history, too, and forgot to ask. So, if I'm understanding you correctly, you are using the WTM suggestions for history (reading in history after reading the book & making context pages). But you're not reading *extra* history in addition to the 2 hours/day, right? And, on days when you have the discussion, does the discussion take the place of reading for that day? (Like, I should be so worried about time when I have 3 kiddos, and you have 12 - LOL!) Thanks so much! Rhonda

I will be the first to admit that *if* we hadn't just started Rod & Staff two years ago, it probably wouldn't be the "god-send" that it is now - LOL! So, I guess there are advantages to starting homeschooling later. Maybe you should try to make your homeschooling this year as easy as possible on you, so that you can find "something new" outside of homeschooling. Do what you know and don't really have to think about for homeschooling (it will still be new to your kids), and then you'll have the energy to spend an hour a day doing something that you used to do, or that you've always wanted to do, or something completely new and untried. I started practicing piano over the summer for a piece my music minister wants to do in church. I mean, *really* practicing like I used to in college - and haven't had the need for since. (It's hard for me to really practice like that "just because".) But, it has been a really good experience, and shown me how prone I am to hide away in my little cocoon of a life thinking, "Oh, I just don't have the time." Which is wierd, because I'm going through all the effort to teach my kids so that they will go out there and LIVE! So, I'm really going to try to limit my "school-marm" time this next year, and work on expanding myself. If you do decide to take up something for yourself, I'd love to hear about it. Although I have thought about working up a little "recital" to play at retirement homes and such, I think I'd like something a little less "me" (read: total introvert!) as well. :001_smile: Rhonda

Way to go!

This looks good to me, but I'm looking at it in ignornace. First, I can't really tell how time-consuming the reading would be. And, I noticed, for example that they only assign one chapter in The Epic of Gilgamesh. (unfortunately, I have a different translation, so I can't figure out exactly what they're reading) I also noticed they do have an "additional" reading list which is listed in order of difficulty. Would you need to add those books - or is the "Great Book" curriculum enough? I do like the diversity! There's quite a number of books I would probably shy away from doing out of my ignorance. But after reading their descriptions, I wonder how in the world did I get to this point in my life without knowing who these people are and what they said! So, please, I would welcome any insight - good or bad. Thanks!!! Rhonda Here's a link: http://www.thegreatbooks.com/courses/ancient

Almost everything we're doing is straight out of WTM, so if *that* doesn't inspire you, then *we* certainly won't! =) So...What did you do last year? Did you like it? (I'm guessing maybe not, since you're not planning to go back to it?) Just thinking maybe if you figure out why you're not just continuing happily with last year's stuff, it might make it easier for someone to suggest something different that *would* inspire you. =) Rhonda

I didn't use the DVD, so I'm not sure what that covers/how it would fit, but here's what I did: Every day, Mon-Thurs: (or, at least 4 days a week - sometimes we skipped a day, then finished on Friday) Chants (used the Upper-LH corner of Teacher's Guide) Go over new vocabulary & derivatives (I write these in the margin of the 1st page of the lesson) and Grammar concepts Do part of the workbook together. I just tried to divide up the work evenly between the days. Sometimes, I would assign half of two different exercises one day, then finish those two exercises the following day. Just to eliminate boredom and "filling in by the pattern" syndrome. Independently: either make flashcards of new vocabulary *or* copy the lesson Assign a Ludere page to be done independently (Or, half. Again, sometimes I would assign two half-pages.) The grammar cross-word was always a two-day assignment by itself. It's ok if you don't do all the Ludere games with the chapter - you can use any undone pages during the review weeks! I have one ds I trust to do his flashcards independently. The other son I do the flashcards with him! Once you get to the first review lesson, you'll probably want to separate them into four different groups so that dc is only responsible for doing 1/4 each day. I can pretty much tell if my dc have learned the lesson by how easily they can do the flashcards, and how easily the grammar crossword is finished. Latin is a fun lesson for us, so I don't test for Latina Christiana - but if they are struggling, we just take another week for that lesson. hth, Rhonda

!!!Yeah!!! I get to see her next weekend ~ Can't wait!!! btw - I agree with your tho'ts about CW! Though, I do wonder if maybe that same "Oh, this is the stuff I missed out on" feeling isn't what draws me to Great Books ala WTM for high school. I'm hoping she will show me that it *doesn't* have to be hard, and that my ds *can* enjoy it. So glad you shared! Rhonda

I'll tell you a secret: When I pulled my ds out of 5th grade ps, I didn't realize that he had huge gaps in Math. Or, that he didn't know his facts. But, I had an Abeka 5th grade book. (which, really, is a more advanced 5th grade book than either Bob Jones or R&S). So, in my ignorance, we started. Yes, we drilled and killed. And, when he needed extra time on a concept, we took it. We only completed about 90 of the lessons that year (though, we didn't get started til December!). And, then I moved him into BJU 6th grade - where he did fine. From what I've seen, each traditional elementary book starts with place value, then the basic four operations, and goes on step by step from there. So, I would choose at least 5th (I'd probably just go ahead and do 6th to be honest), and then when you find a concept that needs some extra explaining and practice, take the time to master it. Don't worry about scheduling it. Don't worry about taking two or three days on one lesson. Just work through it. (The gaps come when the book speeds over a multi-step process, and assumes the dc has already mastered one of the steps. So, you just spend some extra time explaining that step if you need to. Does that make sense?) I just think going slowly is less stressful on my dc than moving quickly. They don't mind working hard, but they do lose their motivation to work when the amount of work exceeds "one lesson a day". But, your kids aren't mine, so their preferences may be different. Best wishes! Rhonda

Try this one instead: http://www.hometrainingtools.com/product_categories/11/products/2842-chemlab-1100-chemistry-kit The blurb at the bottom mentions that it is a good, but smaller, replacement for the Microchem Kit. We have it, and it is *very* much advanced over anything Apologia is going to be touching on. I think it must be pretty good, since with the addition of two chemicals, it is everything you need for the Bob Jones High School Chemistry course. hth,' Rhonda

I've never been able to add to R&S without it being overkill. But I *do* use writing across the curriculum in history and science, as LisaNY mentioned. Also, even though the Wordsmith was more interesting, my ds likes just having *one* book. =) Rhonda

Try this: http://www.tustin.k12.ca.us/cyberseminar/paragraph.htm I used this or something very similar with my son when he was in 5th grade, and it did help. hth, Rhonda ETA: By the way, I found this just by googling "How to write a paragraph" - there were others sites that might interest you as well.

I'm not an expert. But, I do remember reading in Rod & Staff (probably 7) that although the general rule is "never change tense", you also have to apply some common sense. Sometimes there is a transition in the thought process that necessitates a change in tense. I wish I could be more specific. At any rate, this will bump you up. I hope someone else chimes in! Rhonda

I'm planning to start half-days on the 28th, with the curriculum that will definitely take a full year to complete. Then, we'll add in Spelling, Latin, Science and Logic on Aug 11 - when public school starts back.

We started in 3rd grade w/R&S-3 with no prior grammar experience. I think that probably doing R&S-3 at regular speed would be more beneficial (and less stressful) that doing R&S-2 at an accelerated pace. hth, Rhonda

Oh, I have spent too much time ignoring people and situations hoping they would go away. (sounds like my ds - at least he comes by it honestly!) It's very counter-productive. I am trying to learn to be honest with people, instead. I admit I am not well-versed in expressing my hurts, either. And, I gladly accept your apology. Life is certainly not easy. I thought I was glad I had two boys, because I would be avoiding all the teenage-girl drama. If only 'twere so.... :001_smile: Rhonda

If you read my earliers posts, you will see this was really in practice a "mini-courtship". Sitting beside each other at church, and playing cards with your parents isn't really "dating" - but, what else to call it? They were just two kids - admittedly young and naive - with mutual crushes, who go to the same church and whose parents are friends. But, rather than asking them to repress their natural emotions, or locking them up in barrels, or changing churches lest they see each other, we adults chose to use this as a learning time. A time to learn how to be friends first. A time to learn to value someone for who they are, and to be honest about who you are. A time to learn how to acknowledge a feeling, but not act on it. And there were *many* heart to heart discussions about this on *all* sides before camp. And, now that there have been a few heart to heart discussions about how he could have handled the curve-balls he was thrown at camp in a more mature and loving way; and, now that he understands that there are "players" in the world; he sees for himself that we *were* right when we told him that we felt he was too young even for the small relationship that we allowed. And, now our relationship is restored, and he has a new level of respect for his out-of-date parents. He has learned valuable life-skills; not because we "stupidly" put him into a bad situation, sang a few hymns, and slapped on a John 3:16 band-aid. But, because we are walking this journey with him. We share the good, the bad, and the ugly honestly with him. And, he has admitted that what happened was *not* the camp's doing, but his. God has used this whole experience to help us disciple him in ways we wouldn't have been able to had we just kept our proverbial heads in the sand, and never let him have any contact with kids his own age. Yes, part of the reason I homeschool is because I *do* think this child is particularly prone to being swayed by other people. And so, a part of me would agree with you. I guess it *is* "stupid" to throw your child to the wolves without any guidance - without an open, honest relationship where all things are discussed in love. But, I would have thought anyone could have deduced from my earlier posts that that is *not* the way we approach our parenting. I'm so glad this was all resolved here before I read your post. Your words were like salt in a fresh wound. I thought about not answering your post, but felt I needed to defend my honor and my son's. Rhonda

Yes! Thank goodness my dh and ds can talk so openly (I wasn't privy to the entire conversation). He's a really good kid. But, still a kid. Thanks for posting! Rhonda

We used plastic grocery bags here, too. But, the changing "table" was our bathroom counter, so we just emptied that trash every day or so. =)

Thanks for all your help!!! I showed dh your posts, and he was very grateful, too. Quick update: DH laid down the law - no more girlfriend/boyfriend relationships at all. We also explained how catty this girl at camp was being towards his "girlfriend" - and how that is just not the type of girl he needs to get involved with. As we suspected, he really didn't know girls were that way. So, he did call this girl to tell her he was mailing back a cap she had given him and that they wouldn't be seeing each other - and confronted her about her behavior. Of course, she said she hadn't been mean at all, but she had heard a rumor to that effect. (yeah, right!)

Good for you! =)