I have noticed with my kids that over the last year or two, as we have relaxed, we seem to get more done. As an example, we switched to Bravewriter over a year ago. Instead of working on a new writing assignment each week (or more) now we do about one assignment per month (sometimes less). But now my kids enjoy writing, and their writing has improved by leaps and bounds. My oldest daughter is writing a novel in her own time. Before she would cry over any writing assignment that was longer than a sentence. I have seen this in other subjects besides just our writing. I am really starting to think this Less is More thing really works. Who has seen this, and how? Why do you think the Less is More works? Or maybe you don't agree with the whole Less is More thing. Why? All opinions welcome. Let's talk about this Less is More. AL

My kids like Sumdog. AL

I just found out that Groovy Lab in a Box is giving away a one-year subscription. To enter go to Groovy Lab in a Box on Facebook. AL

I have been eye-balling the Groovy Lab in a Box. AL

Looks like I'm not any closer to making a decision. Thanks for all the replies. AL

Try a small piece of clear packing tape over the colored dots. Packing tape is my go to for problems! AL

I have seen colored dot stickers. You just stick them on the spine. One color for each group of books. It is super simple to put away, all the green dots go together, all the red dots go together ...etc AL

I am looking to purchase a magazine subscription for my daughter who is 11. I wanted to get her something that we can count toward school. I was looking at Cobblestones ( history based) and also Odyssey (science based). Has anyone kids gotten either of these? What did you or your child like/dislike? Any other magazines for this age that I should consider and why? Also wondering if I should buy her the magazine for her iPad or if it would be better to get it in the mail? Any thoughts would be great. Thanks, AL

Neither of my girls were early readers. My oldest didn't really start to read on her own until she was eleven. But now she reads a backpack full of books each week! My other daughter started reading when she was ten. She reads every night before bed, not because we make her, because she wants to. When my girls were 5-6 years old we tried teaching reading, but it always ended in tears, so I backed off and waited. Everyone kept telling me my kids were behind, that they needed to be tested, but I really didn't want to put either of them through that. I was worried because they weren't reading yet, but I kept telling myself they would read when they were ready. (It did help that both my girls loved to be read to, and listened to books on CDs all the time. That was probably the only reason I kept it together under all the pressure.) Honestly, I believe with my kids if I had pushed reading when they weren't ready, they both would dislike reading. AL

If she got 100% on the 4th grade test I would go with the 5th level. It will start go slow and review at the beginning anyway. AL

I wish there was an other option. My kids studied the 50 states and retained loads of information. But we used the Stack the States app on their iPads. All other curriculum they used before this for state studies went in one ear an out the other. But this game has been awesome. AL

At our house we use Brave Writer. It has become a lifestyle for us. My kids look forward to Poetry Teatime, and Friday Free Writes. Before we used Brave Writer it was like pulling teeth to get my girls to write anything. We had more tears over writing, that I just wanted to give up. When I found Brave Writer we started out slow just adding in one thing in at a time. The first month all we did was Poetry Teatime once a week, then the next month we added something else in. Now, we pretty much follow everything for the Brave Writer lifestyle. It has changed our life from night to day. Even my kids tell others about Brave Writer. AL

We school year round. Sometimes, I wish we didn't. AL

My kids enjoyed watching Arctic Tale. What else might they like? AL

Tell me about the mini series called John Adams. I was thinking of tying this in with our history. Is this something based on real history? What age group would you let watch this? My kids are 11 & 13, but they can be sensitive to things. Anyone watched this yet? Thanks, AL

My kids have enjoyed the series Poetry for Young People. Each book is based on a different poet. We like them because each book starts out with an introduction that is all about the poet. They also have comments on most of the poems and also what some of the words mean. Right now my kids have been reading the William Shakespeare Poetry for Young People. The book starts out with about five pages about Shakespeare. Then it has a mix of his works. Before each poem it tells a little background, so they will understand what is going on. After the poem it explains some of the harder words. All the different books in the series are set up the same basic way. We have acquired a collection of them, but you also should be able to get these through your library. AL

Me too! I love Warehouse 13.AL

Einstein in a box is a science kit that comes with everything to do the science projects/experiments. You can buy a subscription and it will come to your house every month. Super easy. What kid doesn't like getting mail? And opening the unknown always makes my kids excited and involved. AL

Found this and it looks really cool. We own most of the books, so I'm going to show my girls and see what they are interested in. I just thought I'd share. www.googlelittrips.com AL Sorry the link isn't working.

This is something that my kids really want to do, so I am listening in. Hopefully more people will respond. AL

The best LA program in our house has been Bravewriter. It is relaxed and fun. My kids love it. AL

If you have the budget I would invest in a iPad. Load it up with learning apps for different subjects, when you feel like your pulling out your hair, pass the iPad over. Let your child pick what ever they want to play for a set time. You'll feel better and your child will be learning and having fun. Also works great when you want to work with one child without interruptions. The iPad has become my best friend! AL

We have a kit that I picked up somewhere. My kids use it mostly for play. I did look on their website and they have really cool guides. I tried to do some of the activities , but we always ran out of the balls. If you want these for schooling get the biggest set you can. My kids love them. The only other issue we have is they are pricey. AL

My oldest hated to read. It was a chore. So I let her listen to books. We started listening at bedtime. She was able to stay up one half hour later if she spent the time listening to a book. What kid wouldn't want to stay up later? After a while she realized that books were enjoyable. Now, she can't stop reading. She even sets her alarm for an hour early just so she can read in the morning before she has to get out of bed. AL

We just bought both our kids iPads. AL