My biggest challenge is patience and sensitivity to my ds's feelings. It is so easy to roll my eyes or get upset rather than "see where he's coming from", especially since he's a monkey-shine maker who'd rather appear to be blowing something off than to be struggling with anything even for a moment.

Master's Degree in Elementary Ed with Special Ed endorsements. Also no desire ever to return to college.;)

I like what I read from OhElizabeth. I'd wait on Greek and formal writing and do whatever you can that is fun to get the physical process of writing to be a fun natural part of life. If that is history or science that fits that bill, so be it. If it's more "life learning" type subject matter, that works well too. Something I'm using with my similarly writing phobic son is "Write About Me" from EPS. . . we just use it sporadically, but I *should* get it out more often.

kohls.com blair.com chadwicks.com These usually have a good selection. Denim is very practical and warm, as is corduroy.

Week 24 of 36 here.

Thank you! Your boys are gorgeous as well. I peek in on your blog sporadically.

I just wanted to wave at you wildly and say, "Hey!" We'll be doing AS1 next year with my second grader. We're a dyed in the wool WP family at the moment. Even the craft-intensive Animals and Their Worlds theme we're doing this year has no papier mache projects, LOL. Our biggest project has been a diorama of the African Savanna.

For those who think jeans are more modest than a skirt, I challenge you to spend a week with an Amish farming mother. You will never find a more modest woman. Yes, she can hand till a garden, climb ladders into the haymow, climb over fences, and still be modest. It's a matter of wearing skirts or dresses that are long and full enough for your lifestyle. I have never ever told anyone else what they should be wearing (nor do I plan to), and my religious conviction is not one of obligation, but of joyful compliance. Like a princess would be expected always to uphold her regal image, it is my joy to cultivate a modest and feminine style.

I'm one of the unusual few who have religious convictions in favor of wearing only dresses or skirts and tops. Feel free to PM me if you want links to places to buy them or anything like that.

I used the Pathway readers Learning Through Sounds series, Helping Yourself and Before We Read. For my younger boy, we're going to have a younger K program, (WinterPromise Basic K LA) but if I feel the need I'll pull out the old tried and true again. I've used it to teach 20 plus kiddos to read if you count the Amish kids I taught 20 years ago.

I got a response to my long-shot WTB post. I think you'll actually get a lot more views here, because people like me will hit "New Posts" and have FS posts and WTB posts mixed in with their Curriculum or General board posts.

Congrats!!! Woo hoo to you and a happy healthy nine months. :D

No offense taken at all! It made me giggle because my very reason for being so attracted to BJU math is that it looked like a series my Elem Ed math prof would have recommended. I do realize the importance of students having their math facts "cold" and am currently supplementing my MCP with "Math Minute" drills to that end. Practice does make perfect, and even as piano students practice scales, successful math students practice facts, IMHO.

Right, and also there are a greater number of practice problems in the regular lesson for BJU, IIRC, without adding a Reviews book. Plus the new 3rd edition (available for grades K-2, and will be 3rd in the summer) has a short review at the end of each lesson. I should qualify my opinion by admitting to being an education major and not a math major, based on pianoplayer's post, LOL. Oh, I've also not seen the SM Home Instructor's Manual, but I know BJU's TM is very comprehensive with activities and concept developing instruction.

What I like about BJU (and why I'm switching to that for grade 2): * colorful * mastery program (addresses a certain topic per chapter/unit) with review available * uses manipulatives * uses visual examples * includes problem solving * emphasis on conceptual learning vs. rote memorization * traditional scope and sequence What I liked about Singapore when I used it: * mastery approach (one topic per chapter/unit) * colorful textbook * strong conceptual instruction vs. rote memorization * visual examples/presentation * problem solving skills are taught well

This was discussed on homeschoolreviews.com forums, and they had an email from BJU saying it's unknown when the new edition of Math 4 will come out.

I think you were right to go, but I don't think you have to pretend to love the idea. You can say something like, "Oh, I really hate having my picture taken... I would rather just have a picture of the two girls together," or something like that. There is a fine line.... I wear the clothing my MIL gives me on my children every time she comes around (and other times too!), but when she "graciously" chose a Christmas present for my dh to give me (and was going to return the present he had bought me which I liked much better!) I let her know I wanted his original gift. I kept what she bought me and wore it graciously... but I let her know I usually prefer different colors than red and black. I used my gift money from my grandparents to repay her for my dh's original gift. We have a great relationship, btw, very open and loving.

When my thyroid level is low, I am always in a fog. You might see a doctor and try to get some blood tests to rule out hypothyroidism. It can cause low energy levels, weight gain, constant chill, etc.

If you're at all interested in buying a program, WinterPromise has 2-3 possibilities. I'll be using I'm Ready To Learn with my 4 yo, but you might be more interested in Journeys in Imagination and/or their Basic K Phonics Language Arts program.

I'm like you. I run a very small load with just dish cloths and dish towels.

Just FYI, there is a schedule included in the IG for reading Hakim's History of US series along with the AS2 study. So that's an option many use for older students. There are also suggestions for other added readings. I think it depends on what your ds has done in the past and what your goals are for him in this study. It *is* recommended for grades 4-6 with the middler package, but I believe you can beef most studies up if you like. You could call Karen Brooks at WP and discuss this with her. The Brooks are very friendly and supportive people.

My ds sounds very much like that. It seems to be a symptom of the age range, from what I have read lately. Something about 7 yos developmentally can be hard to get along with. ((hugs)) to you.

I am recommitting today. We were on vacation this weekend and I did terribly. I didn't make it to my WW meeting to weigh in. So far so good today! :o

I bet you were thinking of WinterPromise American Story 1/2.

We are using Modern Curriculum Press right now, have used Singapore and plan to use it over the summer "as desired", and are switching to BJUPress (hopefully for good) in the fall.