[Do you turn your computer off?]

I have a laptop, and it hibernates at night. I hardly ever shut it off. I only restart if when it starts acting quirky. Sometimes that takes weeks and weeks?!

[Questions to ask parents before allowing your child to go visit/sleepover]

My kids are younger so I haven't really dealt with this yet, I don't think I'll be doing many sleep over events though unless I REALLY know the parents. Too many variables. But yes, at some point, you have to trust your kids and their judgement... although teenagers can get into a lot of trouble!

[Am I the only one that doesn't 'want' a school room?]

I have a room (the formal dining room! LOL) where everything gets thrown and I go look at it all.... :-) Is that a school room?

 

I like the idea, philosophically, that school is done anywhere in the house. That you don't drag the kids into a specific room and call some learning "school"! That they know learning is something fun and it happens everywhere. But I also like the idea of an organized space that's more conducive to learning and is setup to simplify learning time.

 

I guess I don't know what I want?!

[Satori...could you look at this art supplies list for Artistic Pursuit K-3?]

Erasable colored pencils, who knew! :) Thanks for the links and info, my 5 year old is going to love these. He just discovered erasers on pencils recently ... !

 

Have you seen these at local Michaels or JoAnns, anyone?

[May I see your curriculum plans for upcoming Kindergarten (K)?]

Monica - what is HSBC that you're watching for a good price on the Ateliar? (I'm a newbie and still learning about resources/all the acronyms!!). Thanks!

[May I see your curriculum plans for upcoming Kindergarten (K)?]

So excited to get started officially! My son (who is 5 1/2) will be doing:

 

Phonics Road Level 1

BFH (Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting, a cursive program)

Math on the Level

Ateliar for Art

Little Professor Science (Newtons Law and Polymers) first half of year

 

and I'm sure 10 other things. But that's where I am now and I'm trying not to go too crazy on the little guy! We're going to do gymnastics, MAYBE music, and the Jr. Lego League too!

[Suggestions for an art curriculum for a child who loves art?]

I don't know how much Artistic Pursuits is to compare cost, but I am trying out Ateliar with my K student this year who loves art. It was $170 for the year package. I was able to check it out at the curriculum fair, we'll see how it goes. I like the concept of it though - teaching them new skills and introducing them to art styles, but still allows for each product they create to be individualized. No "color in the lines" or "trace this exactly" type stuff (which I do NOT love!).

[Resin fillings...]

I only have resin fillings and haven't had problems with them. Although, I've never had a metal one to compare them too!

[Cursive for my 1st grader?]

I'm using BFH (Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting), I think it's a gorgeous and easy script for the kidlets:

 

http://www.bfhhandwriting.com/

 

(doesn't hurt that it's affordable!)

 

and there is quite a bit of research to support cursive first over block writing, although obviously kids learn to write both ways! I read that 48 states are phasing out cursive as a requirement and putting a heavier emphasis on typing. Ouch and yuck!

[Dance or gymnastics?]

I vote gymnastics! Boys (in my experience) have LOTS of excess energy and I'd think your son could get more of it out with gymnastics? Plus, as some other posters said, you can always move your daughter to dance later. Gymnastics would provide a good foundation for a dancer?

[Let's have a discussion....]

Reminds me of an article I read yesterday about the learning that happens in the "spaces between"!

 

I'm not the right "mold" to be an unschooler or let my children completely dictate the course that are learning takes - but - I do think they are some awesome advantages to letting them pursue passions and explore them in depth. And I'm comfortable with the idea of that happening during "school time" - as long as we're not completely neglecting entire core learning areas for WEEKS on end!

[Chronology in history: strictly follow timeline, or group by civilization/culture/etc]

I think the grouping by culture/topic can help it "stick" a little better for younger kids! At least that's the opinion I've come to as trying to decide how to "start" exploring history with my 5 year old this school year! I like that it will allow me to focus on areas of the world/culture etc that I know will jump out and grab him, and peak his interest.