Not sure if this is just normal, or something that says we need more "math" practice before starting Algebra next year: This year we're using BJU Pre-Algebra. Basically, the first part of the book is dealing with variables and co-efficients, percents, decimals and fractions. Now, we're into the second part of the book, which is geometry (and later, will cover probability). I have been giving my ds a few equations to solve each day from the first part of the book. And, sometimes he has just forgets. For example, one day last week he needed to divide 8 by 2/3; he knew that's what needed to be done, but couldn't for the life of him remember how to do it. So, I asked him, "OK, if you divided 2 by 1/2, what would your answer be?" And he knew that was 4, so I wrote that out as an equation, and then he realized what he needed to do. (And, I reminded him to call "multiplying by the reciprocal" instead of "oh, yeah, flip that thing and then multiply it" - which, I'm not telling him, is in fact what *I* called it for years - LOL!) Part of me is worried that he shouldn't need to be reminded before moving on to Algebra (I'm planning on Jacob's for next year). But, the other half remembers that *I* often needed reminding, too, on things that weren't the current lesson; and that, as he uses it, it will become better ingrained. So----What would you do? Thanks! Rhonda

Sorry, don't have the audio!

In 2nd, I did ABeka 2nd with him, which concentrated strictly on phonics. Then, we watched the School House Rocks videos over the summer before 3rd grade. (We just watched and enjoyed, not tested or even discussed.) Rhonda

whenever we came home from college for any extended family event. :lol: And, I have to say, I am *so* thankful to be homeschooling and learning - and knowing that my dc are learning. DC have even started correcting their father, though I don't think I'll ever purge them of the dreaded, "Me and my friend." (I had read that about you on the general board awhile back. And, though I do like your new sig line, I miss the old one! :D)

Not trying to argue, just making sure. ;)

I will admit that both dh and I come from families whose speak is salted and peppered with such phrases as "we ain't got no" (and other, less obvious phrases which I'm finding out in R&S-7 are not correct :confused: - as my ds says, "curse our southern ways!") I suppose if your family naturally speaks in "the King's English" even in informal conversation, then formal grammar would be a bunch of "well, duh!" moments and essentially unnecessary. But, OTOH, we find a way to make R&S fun. (People who can say, "we ain't got no" have a way of making anything fun!) The curriculum is simply a guide book. We aren't interacting with it - we're interacting with each other, and can insert ourselves into it.

until he came home. I mean, when we started he didn't even know the difference between a noun and a verb. NO grammar! Starting it at that point was *so* not fun! Not a great analogy, but - starting that late was rather like letting dc have as much chocolate cake as he wanted every day of his life; and then, suddenly, deciding dc must start eating peas daily instead. Whereas, if he had just always eaten peas, peas would be no big deal, and chocolate would be a reward rather than an expectation. My 2nd ds (who started hs'ing in 2nd when my older was in 5th) is learning this stuff SO MUCH EASIER!!!! It is nothing to him (in comparison) - just not a big deal at all. A couple of peas a day vs. the huge mouthfuls my older ds had to swallow trying to "catch up". I wish I could wax more eloquent and help you see how much, *much* easier it has been (and will be) for my younger son because he has such a firm foundation. It is heart-breaking for me to see my older ds STILL struggle in his writing because bad habits were allowed to develop early on, and it is hard - oh, so hard - to rebuild! So much better (and much fewer tears!) to start early and build slow. MHO and, of course, YMMV! Rhonda

He thought I was laughing at him!!!!!!!! :lol: You're too quick!

What was helpful, however, were the hours and hours of required observations. There is really no other way to "catch" how to teach - and I feel like that lack of drawing from other's experience is a big void in my h'sing. There is just so much that goes on in teaching that can't be conveyed any other way. Just imagine if we had files of videos here of all you vets teaching your pet subjects. What an invaluable resource that would be!!!

That's good to hear. And I'm glad to see you back on the boards! How you found this thread I'll never know, but thanks for replying~ :) Rhonda

Oh, Janice, that was *great*! :thumbup: Thank you *so* much! That was so encouraging. I have to admit I skim alot of Tolkien, and appreciated the movies much more than the books. But, you so clenched it there at the end, I think I'll have to give the Hobbit another look! Great job! Rhonda

nt

4th grade ds: Ooooo. It starts with an H. Huh - Huh - Hu-----ck ------ HUCKABEE! Mike HUCKABEE! And, so ends my weekly report. (You see now why I just don't even bother with a blog!) Have a happy weekend~ Rhonda

That's what we're doing, anyway. (I usually do have him write the one-page summary/evaluation mentioned in wtm or follow R&S's book report format after we've discussed.) I admit I do answer the questions in Well-Educated Mind for myself before we discuss, and occasionally I find an online study guide. But, the questions in the logic stage reading section of Well Trained Mind are designed as middle-school level lit analysis. (and, Rod & Staff will also teach many of the literary terms that a curriculum such as LL teaches) I think I'll trust SWB on this one, since that's her thing, ya know? hth, Rhonda

doing SOTW-4 w/5th and 8th grade next year. My 8th grader is reading tWTM List for Literature, but I was hoping the AG would have some things more appropriate for my 5th grader. Thanks to those who clarified! Rhonda

I am still searching for a print of something that I suspect I will not ever find. But I would love a poster of the very last frame of Bruce Marchiano (character of Jesus) in The Visual Bible: Matthew when he broadly grins and motions to the viewer to "Come on. Follow me!" I think that the two posters speak volumes about what I am trying to do with this homeschooling project. I have NOT found that shot yet in poster form. Someday I may have the funds to hire someone to create one from the last movie-frame. For now it sits in my head rather than on my wall. I hate to admit it, but if Jesus doesn't look like that shot, I may be a tad disappointed! ;) and, thanks for answering that other thread - I didn't want to "revive" it, so I'll thank you here for it and all the links above! rhonda

Are the "extras" (government, philosophy, church history) a full credit each year? Or, 1/4 credit? And, are there assignments in those categories every week? Just trying to gauge how much extra work those things involve. Thanks! Rhonda

doing just the Grammar part of ABeka C. (The writing is in it's own section - or at least it was.) Then, have a separate writing program - maybe Wordsmith? Just a tho't~ Rhonda

as a 5th grader having absolutely NO grammar background at all (I pulled him out of public school that year.) When I say NO I mean he really, honestly did not know what a noun was. I switched to R&S for 6th, but even so I'd bet with that background your ds has, he'd be fine in Abeka C.

and he just looked at me like I was a few fries short of a happy meal! :) This looks very encouraging. I knew they had a "headache" clinic, but this pain is much more than that. I'll be calling them on Monday! Thank you so much! Rhonda

I am probably the only person in the state of GA who is mourning the rain - LOL! I am fairly certain after tracking my chronic pain and the barometer for the last 8 months or so, that there is a direct correlation between the air pressure and the pain. It may also be related to old, old injury. I also know I have spent tens of thousands of dollars in the past 17 years trying to ameliorate this pain with chiropractic, massage, diet, exercise, all sorts of herbs, vitamins, juices, and TMJ "treatments". (Basically, all the money we *should* have put into retirement.) I have sworn to myself I will Never, ever again spend money on this - other than over-the-counter medicine. I do NOT want to see another "alternative medicine provider". But these past two weeks, I have seriously wanted to just get drunk off my gourd and forget that I'm alive! (I don't drink) I have taken three Aleve every 12 hours for the past 2 1/2 days, and it hasn't touched the pain. I just don't know where to turn....any ideas? We are in metro-Atlanta if that helps. Thanks, Rhonda

She was good.... But the best - I still get chills! - is when you are sitting there in the middle of all this wonderful music, in a whirlwind of activity and voices, and then the music is suddenly over and the stage is immediately void and there's Jack right there in front of you (how did he get there???) singing, "There are gi-ants in the sky." Oh, we'll have to go buy a VCR at Goodwill and re-watch it tonight! Rhonda

I'm assuming what you listed is what you're doing for 6th right now? If so, I would keep ABeka English going. What I might add to that is a page (for you) with all the rules, lists, and definitions written down that you can use for 2 minutes or so of oral review each day. Just add each thing to the list as you get to it (maybe have ds make one as well). For writing, I would look at Wordsmith. It is very, very easy to teach - written to the student. Most of the activities can be done in the workbook. SWB recommends it for "reluctant" and even "non-reluctant" writers. You can read her review on the WTM website. It seemingly covers everything that R&S (which she currently recommends) covers. I see you have read SOTW-1, but - - have you looked at Sonlight for history/literature? Their Core 6 would fit your oldest perfectly, and help you with a week plan and discussion questions/notes. (Maybe you could even just skip the SOTW-1 readings, and use that time to work on handwriting?) Core 6 really helped my ds (who thought he *hated* reading) really begin to see how fun books can be! And, it will have enough geography that you won't need a separate course. SL-6 is heavy on historical fiction, but we read some of the WTM-Books out loud at night. (Especially loved the Coville picture-book stories of Shakespeare.) (OH, you could also combine your younger two into Core C or 1. As long as you don't substitute books, or re-arrange the order of the readings, doing two Cores is not a big deal.) **Or, you could do Lightning Lit 7. I haven't tried it, but I think the pace is very gentle. And, it also comes with a schedule. Then, you could use SOTW-2 with all your kids at various levels.*** If you have the money, I would recommend Rainbow Science - and I bet you and your ds would love it. You could easily have your other children sit in on the experiments and read library books on the alternate days, and not have to "plan" their science. For math, we use BJU, but it is very teacher-intensive. I think Horizons is supposed to be written more to the student, and still a very rigorous course. (They are ready for Algebra after completing Horizons 6.) There is a placement test and sample pages on the Sonlight website. Best wishes in finding what works for you! Rhonda

Can you use the Homelands around the World out of order? IOW, could I do the chapter on Japan when we cover that in history, and then back-track and do Nigeria when we touch on Africa? Or, are there map-skills that build from chapter to chapter, meaning the chapters need to be done in order? Thanks! Rhonda

I admit that last year Circe just seemed a little too over my head! I do get their emails, and have read tid-bits, but never really caught what you have described. I'm certainly interested in learning more, but I'll look them up. Thanks for such a detailed response! Rhonda