I too prayed for your friend. I will check back in later hoping to see good results. :)

Those are all great ideas. To help keep it fun and easier to remember, we add our own rhythm or a beat to the words or sentences as we say them. Sometimes we will add a clap or two at an appropriate pause.

Watch 5000 years of imperial Middle East history in 90 seconds: http://www.mapsofwar.com/images/EMPIRE17.swf

I second skipping Canterbury Tales. Good list btw!!!

Maybe you could read a simple poem aloud, and then write one of the sentences for your dc to copy, but leave one or more of the rhyming words for him to choose. Sometimes they can come up with funny words, and it is more their creation. Maybe this will help in the transition to more "formal" copywork. However, if all you get is tears, just drop it and try dictation or have him form his own sentences. It is much more important for him to enjoy writing than to have him copy words but hate writing.

We will be finishing up our first grade BJU math and SOTW 1. We will also be finishing up second grade phonics, and starting the first unit in R&S Grammar 2. We will be doing two subjects a day for a total of one hour of school work. I figure we can handle that. :D Oh, we will also be working on memorization and oral reading. We will take 2 weeks off before the start of the new year. Lots of time at the pool, barbecues, and nature walks as well.

Here is list of some math song CD's with samples. 'Sing n Learn' is a great company that I have ordered from before. Check out the other products they offer too: http://singnlearn.org/cgi-bin/ccp5/cp-app.cgi?usr=50X6139106&rnd=9048211&rrc=N&cip=207.190.67.75&pg=cat&ref=math

If I don't talk with them before the visit, I may talk myself out of going, or at least become stressed until then or for the whole visit. Thanks for the advise. I will talk to them beforehand. If however, they start to lecture us during our visit, then as some have suggested, I will sick my dh on them. :D It can be such a sore spot for many a family. I hope for resolution for all who are struggling with these issues.

:lol: I have a HUGE pile of freebies and free resources. I am also a free download junkie. I download most free things that I think will be beneficial. (Even years before I think I will need it) However, if links and files could collect dust, I would have to break out my shovel to get to them. I hope one day to utilize some of them. :tongue_smilie:

I am homeschooling my 7year old dd. No one in my extended family except my Mother agrees with what I'm doing. My step-mother asked me a couple weeks ago if I'm going to put my daughter in school next year. I told her that so far things are working out great and we will do it another year. She then said: "I know it can be hard to let them go" I just get sick in my stomach. Her and my Dad are inviting me, my husband and daughter over for 2 nights this summer. My Dad told me about a month ago: "She needs to be put in public school, and you need to go to work" To tell you the truth, I'm afraid to go there this summer. I don't want a lecture, and I'm afraid it will affect our daughter. How would you respond? :confused: Thanks

I am set for everything but handwriting.

I didn't realize you have only a certain amount. Do you get a fresh batch each month? How many can you give away?

I am just using a notebook. I have a "Homeschool Notebook" where I have weekly school charts. The subjects are listed, and I have the notebook open to write down what we do right after we do them. I have everything in one area, and at my fingertips. I also keep other important papers in my notebook such as a curriculum planner, schedules, to do list, etc. I also keep hard copies of the documents in my notebook. It protects me from computer crashes, and I don't have to back everything up daily to protect it. But that's just me. I like paper. :001_smile:

I am going to be using Artistic Pursuits next year. It looks like a great program.

Has anyone used Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting? My dd is going into the second grade, and I am thinking of going to this approach, but I don't know if it would be too difficult switching to a new way of writing, or if I should just go straight to cursive from her regular handwriting. If you used this method, I would appreciate your thoughts. If you haven't used it, I still would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.