Just wanted to clarify that the bias within VP isn't just a matter of Reformed Theology. I am Reformed, a full 5-point Calvinist (but not a hyper-Calvinist, to clarify) and I have issues with VP's bias. Douglas Wilson is one of the main writers, who not only has a patriarchal view of marriage/family, but is one of the leaders in the Federal Vision movement, which has been rejected by the General Assemblies of most Presbyterian denominations. (A topic for another thread). I started using VP with my son for K and 1st and found some subtle bias in some first grade primers with the Phonics Museum. I decided that if it could sneak in there, it could sneak in anywhere and I didn't want to have to over-analyze what I was teaching. Like the PP I was really torn, until I saw that Oliver North was to be a keynote speaker for VP's teacher training. That made the break easy for me. So starting with 2nd grade (and wishing I had done it a year earlier) I am now using all WTM recommendations -- and I'm so excited about everything! I do still enjoy looking through the VP catalog for ideas of other resources, but I won't be purchasing any of their materials. I am not in any way slamming VP, just stating that the biases do not fit with the theology or politics of my family. Since we are all human, all curriculum will have biases (some more obvious than others) so you just have to decide what will fit your family the best and go with it.

I don't have much to add (so many good resources/suggestions already), but I have to disagree that you can't find a good replacement for wheat bread. The Gluten-Free Gourmet Bakes Bread has wonderful recipes that my boys beg for. They go through a 1.5 lb loaf in 2 days if I don't ration it. LOL

We have one more week of vaca and going to the pool. We start the 25th.

Last year when my son was first grade he dreaded reading until he found some books he liked. His favorites were Billy and Blaze, Nate the Great, Henry and Mudge and Amelia Bedelia. The great thing about these is that they are all in series that have many stories and most libraries carry them, so we worked our way through as many as we could get our hands on. I do like to look in Veritas Press catalog for ideas too.

Thank you everyone for the input. It's always fun to see how many different approaches there are. :001_smile: I went through FLL (2nd grade) and counted 34 dictation, 31 copywork and 12 narration. It's not evenly divided week by week, but it averages out in the end. Since I will be doing 2 narrations with history each week, the only thing I would need to add to have all the writing recommended by WWE is one more dictation each week, which I will either include in history based on a narration or I will include in our Bible time by dictating a scripture verse. So I guess I won't bother with the WWE workbook after all.

She does include this on most chapters but not all of them.

If you are using the supplemental material recommended, you can find lots of dates in either the Usborn Internet-Linked Encyclopedia or the Kingfisher History Encycopedia. HTH

I just got WWE and was considering buying the workbook. I have my second grader in mind. I have read WTM and understand the concepts for teaching Language Arts. But looking at everything it seems that if using WWE, FLL and SOTW that there is a lot of repetition - all 3 have narration and WWE and FLL have copywork and dictation. I was thinking of maybe starting the WWE 4 day cycle on Tuesday since Monday is narration day for SOTW, then skipping most of FLL and only doing the grammar parts of it. Or maybe foregoing the WWE workbook and using all of FLL and adding copywork or dictation from history or literature if there are any gaps. It just seems overkill to be doing all that narration/copywork/dictation every day. Has anyone else thought through how to combine these to be effective without overwhelming?

I collect Bibles too, LOL. My favorite for literal translation is the ESV. I bought it in the Reformation Study Bible version because it fits my theology, and a lot of the commentary was done by profs where I went to grad school. I also like the NIV for readablility and accuracy. One of the major contributors to this group translation was a member of my church for years and years, and until his passing (just a few months ago) he insisted that it was the most accurate due not only to the teamwork used, but also for cultural understanding of the words, not so much as a literal word-for-word interpretation. I do like the NLT for making some passages easier to understand, and I like the KJV for memorizing, especially passages like Psalms and the Lord's Prayer. I do also have NASB and NKJV, but I don't use those as often.

When I first joined the boards I didn't know I was pregnant. I posted a lot the first two/three weeks, then went MIA with really bad "all-day" sickness. Once I had recovered we had a crazy summer, so I am just now getting back into a "normal" routine and getting ready for the fall. So I just wanted to say how glad I am that this board is here and I look forward to getting to know you all and share ideas! Thanks! :D

I just got the book today and popped on here to see if anyone had spelled out some lesson plans. I found this thread in a search and I greatly appreciate the input that many of you had to offer. Now I have a lot of figuring out to do. For those who have looked at it more closely thatn I have had the opportunity to, yet: do you think it is doable in 2 years with 2/3 science sessions (an hour each) a week? I have planned my schedule to have 2 formal sessions and one activity session available on Fridays (which could go longer since it is the last part of the day). I trying to make this work for a 2nd grader and a very scientifically inclined Ker.

Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament by Peter Enns

It changes with each pregnancy for me. So far peanut butter and flax seed tortilla chips are my best friends (not eaten together, although that might work...). I keep telling dh I want mashed potatoes, but we don't have any. So what worked for you? Any non-food rememdies are welcome too.

My mom has had type 1 diabetes since she was 13. Most things that aren't sweets are okay, but the problem is knowing how to account for what is eaten and measure insulin accordingly. So foods like crackers in the box with the label can help. Also it is good to keep orange juice or hard candies on hand - something with a quick, easily absorbing sugar, just in case she goes into shock. I know my mom doesn't go anywhere without butterscotch or peppermint candies in her purse just in case.

Praying for you, that God would give you comfort and peace, that you would find rest in him through all the suffering. and praying for your dh's job situation too - that God would turn it into a blessing that you couldn't even imagine.

I completely agree with you. There are very different philosophies about healthcare. But the problem is with the way the healthcare (or should I say sick-care?) system is designed. Naturopaths are not usually covered by health insurance. So for those of us who don't want a lot of medical intervention, but are trying to make ends meet on a single income, we don't have much choice. Where I used to live I coldn't find anyone who had my philosophy who also accepted my health insurance, so I went to a local practice and signed waivers for vaxes after every denial. They did eventually stop trying to pressure me, and the doc was very pro-breastfeeding, so that was helpful. But where we live now I found a wonderful ped who has been in practice since before I was born - who is very sceptical about vaccines (and prescription drugs), but offers them on schedule as he is supposed to, yet has no problem whatsover accepting my refusal. I know from other friends who are patients there that he never says anything negative to them about their choices to follow the recommended schedule, but when we are alone he always tells me how wonderful it is that we have made the choices we have (he also loooooves that we homeschool). And over the holidays when Rabbit got pink eye I called him. He said he knew I didn't want an antibiotic, so he suggested some natural alternatives - and they worked. So I have been blessed to find a ped who follows the protocol but also respects and encourages my choices - and takes our insurance. It's just not always that easy for everyone.

It's nice to know that he's normal ;) To clarify - I do sit with him to do everything, but his little brother does get bored and need some attention/redirection sometimes. Thank you everyone for the support and suggestions. I ran out of rep points, but I haven't forgotten you.

Yes, it will do it automatically - the backslash belongs before the last "quote" not the first one. I think when you erased part of the original quote you accidently erased the "[/" before the end ""

KidsHappen - you missed the "[/" before the word "quote" and the end of your quote - it should read " " I hope that makes sense. And you are completely right that Mamabegood's logic is faulty. I would address this directly to her, but since she assured us she has no intention of returning to this thread, I will just agree with you. She seems to have forgotten or be unaware that for a few weeks after her children receive a live vaccine that they could infect my non-vaxed child with the illness.

Looks good! I still haven't gotten around to finding a good pic for my avatar.

That is really cool!

I'm sorry you and your friend are having difficulties. That response was very rude and I hope was not encouraged by your friend. I hope you can work it all out soon. :grouphug:

My post was not intended as a response to your initial post - it was intended to provide some reassurance for Aubrey who expressed some small concern. I am very happy that you have the right pediatrician for your family. :001_smile:

I just wanted to address the issue of exposure. First of all, the whole reason that children receive so many vaxes at such young ages is because of herd immunity. The vast majority of people are vaxed and therefore immuned (ideally - but that's a whole 'nother topic) so it would be extrememly rare that you would find someone with those diseases in your ped's office. I actually would love to find someone with the chicken pox b/c I want to expose my boys and get it over with. Secondly, all of the parents I know who refuse vaxes are fully aware of the symptoms of the diseases that their children may contract and therefore do not need a doctor's diagnosis, nor do they want the medical interventions which are believed to actually cause complications in many cases. Thirdly, if your infant/young child is being breastfed, that child is receiving immunity from you and should not be at risk of contracting the disease.

Okay, my 6yo first grader is very bright. We're almost done Saxon 3, and he has no problem with the concepts. BUT he can't focus without my help. When he has a drill sheet with 25 problems on it and I sit next to him and point to each one, he will stay with me and get them all done in 1-2 minutes. But if I have to get a drink or talk to his brother for a second, I turn back and he is doodling all over the page. And he is always making his numbers really big, or really small, or with curly-Q's, or smiley faces inside of them. And he is obsessive about drawing lines to connect answers that are the same and find patterns anywhere he can find them. He also has the same issues when reading books. He loves to read and he is doing fine with level 2 readers like Nate the Great, etc. but it takes him forever because he is always looking at the pictures and analyzing them and guessing what will happen. He is constantly losing his place because he gets so distracted. Is this normal? How can I help him to stay on task? Do I need to help him stay on task or is it okay that it takes him 45 minutes to do 25 easy problems while doodling and connecting things? Is it okay that he takes forever to read a simple book because he is so interested in the pictures? Maybe I just need to chill. I need a sanity check and advice from anyone who has had a similar situation. TIA