That's one of the ones on my new list! I'm guessing I'll buy at least 5 more before the month is up.

We use this to avoid the sugar loading. My dh is an endurance athlete though so we just have it sitting around our house anyway.

I know. I managed to talk myself out of the High School download last month, but now... And then were some other Arrows & Boomerangs I was interested in as well. Sigh.

Oh, I know. That's why I said "as far as I can tell." I also agree that HSLDA has done some good work. One of the reasons we went ahead & joined was that we knew someone they had helped through a really unpleasant situation. However, their political stuff and the implication that they represent all homeschoolers concern me. Again, I'm conservative so it's not even that I always disagree with them although it does bother me when they push for more laws rather than fewer laws.

Last year I basically held my nose and signed up with HSLDA. I am very conservative, but I don't like the political positioning HSLDA does & I have read various articles about how they've made things *more* difficult for homeschoolers in some places. This year we joined HLA. I like that their focus is on homeschooling alone. As far as I can tell they have no wider political agenda.

Call me cynical, but this reminds me of Gary Ezzo's responses to his critics. He'd use comments made by those disagreeing with him to change his recommendations in Babywise with each new printing, but then would continue to decry the critics while never admitting he'd done anything wrong. I'm glad Ham has changed some things, but, to me, without an acknowledgement of wrongdoing from him, it just looks like he's trying to cover for himself.

The Bravewriter group buys on HSBC have been extended to 4/30/11.

Yikes. I'm glad that you all will get go & it is wonderful that your niece is thrilled that you'll be able to be there. :grouphug:

Honestly? I think about my own education & remember that I cannot possibly do any worse.

Thanks Elizabeth. My dd also thinks that writing is torture specifically designed for her so we'd probably do it orally. I'm assuming that if we did AoA in 6th we could wait until 7th to do DoD?

Thanks. I'm going to e-mail him & see if he has the download available for purchase.

I'm wondering the same thing. Also, could a 6th grader do AoA or does that one work better with an older student?

What was the title of this session?

I agree. I wrote a research paper on homeschooling when I was in college more than 20 years ago and my primary sources were John Holt and the Colfaxes. I am a very very conservative Christian, but that is NOT why I began homeschooling. I began homeschooling because I was certain that I could do a better job of educating my children than the p.s. did in educating me.

Huh. The Circe conference is looking better and better...

No. I want my kids to view reading as a reward in itself. We have sometimes done the library programs, but we didn't last year because I don't like having to harass them about finishing one book at a time.

No. We just read a section each day & discuss. I do have some devotionals we use sometimes though. I also have my children memorize a catechism.

No.

No. I'd just assume the person isn't a Christian.

Oh, I didn't mean I thought that was what most kids would do. Mine were nearly 5 and 5 1/2 when they started & I think they probably should have started a couple years later. I just meant that if her child is really motivated she'll probably move quickly. I know the one child in our program drove the practicing himself. He *loved* playing & would listen to the cds over & over & then play ahead in the books. The other child I think has highly motivated parents. ;)

I don't think I've seen this on the boards yet. If I'm wrong, then never mind. :) Ray at Horrible Books has Horrible Histories 20-Book Blood-Curdling Box Set for $60 right now. Since these books are usually about $8 each, I thought this was a really good deal & ordered today. My kids have LOVED the ones we've gotten from the library so I'm hoping that this will be a painless way to sneak in some additional history.

I'd say yes since she's so interested. There were 2 3yos in ds's Pre-Twinkle class & both of them were in Book 4 by the time they were 6 or 7. They both LOVE playing & are highly motivated re: practicing.

Fun! My family is so into April Fool's Day that they're on their guards all day long. It would be fun to pull this off though!

I ordered from Horrible Books Last time I think I had my books before he got his check from me!

If Stewart is *really* difficult then I can't imagine dd would be able to handle it. Oh well--it did look like a fun program! :)