Dd13 went through what you described when she was 9. It started out small with her face, and then, over the course of weeks, her entire upper body started to jerk. Then it slowly improved and finally disappeared. During that time we took her to the ped. and a neurologist. We were told it was generalized tic disorder and possibly Tourette's. It really took several months but eventually all signs of it were gone. It was never explained except for the fact that she had anxiety issues and a rather intense teacher that year. I'm hoping it will be the same with your dd. If you are very worried about the headaches, you could always get it checked out. It might put your mind at ease. God bless, Kelli

I'm stuck with no ideas for dd2, dd6, and dd8, so I've been wasting time here. ;) Any suggestions? Dd6 has been stealing my make-up lately and loves play-do and art stuff Dd8 is easy-going and just likes to be surprise Dd2 will be fine with almost anything because she doesn't know any better yet :D Thanks!

Thank you for sharing your experiences and suggestions.

We're using Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop this year. Last year we used Wordly Wise Book 4, the older edition. I think both of us preferred Wordly Wise, maybe because she did better with it...I'm not sure. S-O does incorporate synomyms and antonyms. I can't remember about analogies. And, the folks at Kolbe Academy say that those students who use this series do amazingly well on the verbal section of the SAT's. In these respects, it might be what your looking for. I don't know about the 3000 version of WW, but with the old edition, dd had to look up the vocabulary words herself. And, the WW tests are multiple choice from what I can remember. With S-O Vocabulary workshop, the definitions are given to her, and the test process as recommended by Kolbe requires more. I think that translates into less work in completing the exercises and, therefore, less opportunity for the meanings to really sink in. This coupled with the more difficult testing could explain the greater challenge. I'm just throwing this out there as a disclaimer before recommending this as a more challenging vocabulary series hands down. KWIM? Here is the Kolbe recommended testing method for vocab.: Spell each word, give each part of speech, and define each word. Then they must use about 2/3 words in sentences. I wonder if this could be implemented with WW for more of a test of mastery. I don't know if this is helpful or not, but I thought I'd try.:confused:

What was the paragraph class like? I've registered dd for it for January, though we still have to send in a writing sample...I wish I knew what to expect. The EPGY essay class she is finishing up this semester required a lot of hand-holding, so I decided to back things up a bit with the hope of keeping her writing and learning about writing but doing it more independently. I hoping the paragraph class will fit the bill.

Thank you for your responses. I'm not sure what I'll wind up doing, but Megawords just seems so blah. I've found that I enjoy going over the spelling rules informally with all my kids together, and they like it, too. But, I don't think I'd like a formal program for this. Up until now, dd has done spelling independenly with success so I'll probably stick with that method--and not feel bad about ditching Megawords before we start. The spelling dictation seems like it would be fun....

We haven't started this yet, but I can't say the look of it excites me. I've heard about how great it is, but do you think it's "necessary" for a natural speller?

Good point. Another dd is very sensitive to her blood sugar fluctuations. I can see it in her face immediately. The dd I asked about here doesn't show the same symptoms, but it could be a difference in temperment causing different reactions. Thanks!

Your cervix is in a higher position during ovulation. I don't know if that could cause bladder problems. When my hormones shift during ovulation, I've noticed that I have to use the bathroom a lot more frequently though this doesn't usually last very long, maybe a day or less. The pain is probably ovulation pain. I think most women feel it in their lower side but the back is not too far off. I don't know if it would help you in anyway to chart your cycles. You can do this by taking your temperature as soon as you wake up in the morning, watching your secretions (lovely, isn't it?), and the position and firmness of your cervix. The Couple-to-Couple League sells charts for this for natural family planning, to help conceive to delay pregnancy in other words. Many women learn so much about what is happening in their bodies by doing this so when something comes up like this it's easy to figure out what's going on. HTH!

I would recommend taking the language arts diagnostic test if you haven't already. It's only two dollars, and it could save you wasting any more time and trouble. I can imagine it might be hard to find the right level in spelling and grammar when CLE integrates both, but at least the diagnostic test might be a step in the right direction. I am envious of your dc's knowledge of grammar!!:)

Thank you to all who responded. It was very enlightening and gave me food for thought. Dd has a bit of a temper, but is usually happy and fun to be around. Lately, she's been irritable and is easily set off. I've wondered about peanut butter because she sometimes has peanut butter and jelly toast in the morning. I felt like (meaning I didn't keep a food diary) that she did better on days when she had eggs for breakfast. For quite a long time, we were using natural peanut butter (just peanuts and salt) from Trader Joe's. Then I couldn't get there so got a regular peanut butter. From the posts, I'm now also wondering about HFCS. That could also be in the jelly or jam, too. I have to check that out. I may try to stop the peanut butter and jelly combo completely for a few weeks. Then add in the natural peanut butter without jelly and see how it goes. And go from there. Thanks, abbeyej, for that suggestion. I've heard of the elimination test but didn't know the specifics.

I've been wondering about this...

Dd13 is taking English classes through EPGY. They let her in with writing samples since I was waiting for test results. They never asked to see the test results. I can only comments on one English course. It has been excellent and challenging. Her writing has improved in this short time, but I wonder if we would have been better off starting at a lower level. I think some of the emotional themes were a little beyond dd. Next semester, the entire semester focuses on Arthur Miller's Crucible. I would like dd to skip this, and if they are so flexible, I'm assuming we can. Perhaps dd will take another course next year. Thank you for the comments on the math. I've been wondering if it's worth it. Also, EPGY offers great need-based financial assistance. That has really brought the cost down considerably.

I actually made an appointment to see a private Christian school later this week. Not so much because of a bad day, but too many bad days and wondering if dd is happy. I'm sad because I love homeschooling, want to keep the others who are thriving home, and do not want to seperate the family. I'm wondering if she needs the structure of a classroom and more organized stuff to keep her happy. We do social things nearly every day, but I'm wondering if she needs more interaction and activity than I can realistically provide when I have three others whose needs and academics I need to take care of. Feeling blue...

Is there an option like this for geometry? :lurk5:

First, Misty, thank you for your post. It is full of experience and wisdom. I really do believe that unless you have experience with children with these issues it's impossible to give appropriate advice because so much of their behavior is neurologically-wired and out of their control. Discipline is vital but it must be appropriate given the child's issues. You must choose your battles and really work hard to adapt conventional wisdom and what works with most kids to your own child; then be consistent and persevere. Ellyndira, I'm sorry if any of these posts hurt your feelings.:grouphug: Given his age, your son might be perfectly normal. I think it's probably too early too tell, but it couldn't hurt to do a little research like the pp's suggested. I have found that so much improves over time and with natural development. IMHO, the most damage can be done by getting on a child's case for things he cannot control. Love and patience goes far. When they reach a point where they have better control of themselves, they will have had a good example of gentleness and kindness. Wishing you well...

If you asked this question a month or so ago, I would have said I would be happy to start again with Abeka. I have one dd using Horizons 1 and another using Abeka 3, and I preferred the Abeka. Unfortunately, things have changed recently. Dd's math skills have become excellent with Abeka, and she really struggled before. I thought this would be the program I'd stay with until algebra. Then long division was introduced. She's on the young side for third grade and just remembering the five steps and when to start going through them again, and then again with the longer digits is too much for her developmentally, I think. She's usually getting the answers right but her frustration level is high. On top of that variables were introduced and in one lesson and she was supposed to understand what a variable is, solve for it given an equation with operations on both sides, and check it. It's just too many steps for her to work through without smoke coming out of her ears. Right now, she's asked to do about three of these problems with each lesson. I just received a sample of a CLE 3rd grade light unit that I specifically chose to see how they introduce variables and it's much more gentle and systematic. First, it teaches what a variable is, then it has the students identify the variable. The equations are all limited to one operation. I just think it makes more sense. CLE seems to assume little and spell things out clearly right in the workbook when new concepts are introduced. I also like that CLE has a lot of very basic drill incorporated in the light unit. At the end of the third grade level the timed drills are still addition and subraction. In the lesson itself are drills of the multiplication and division tables that have already been introduced, and a systematic introduction of new tables. Another aspect of CLE that I like is the word problems. They include multi-step word problems at this level. There are also logic problems of the type you find in Mind Benders. It reminds me of Singapore for this reason. I think I will be starting with CLE with my next one. I'm ready to make the switch with the dd using Abeka, but I need to know she's on board (because she LOVES Abeka, the color, cute pictures, etc.). I might do a trial with CLE and go from there. If dd using Horizons hit a wall at some point in the future, I know where to go but wouldn't change if all is well. KWIM?

I do wish these Latin programs were more affordable! Thanks for the suggestion to look at the samples. They gave me a better sense of what each is like.

Thank you for sharing all your thoughts. It's good to know that I'm not the only one who struggled with this decision.

Which is more fun and gets the job done well?

We're on ETC 4, and I've been wondering about all the syllabication. It's been helpful, meaning I really have been seeing good results in her reading. I'm wondering if someone could please tell me what's in book 5 in case it gets too much and we decide to skip ahead? Thanks!

Another vote for Easy Grammar. Dd was in public school through 5th grade and had no knowledge of grammar. We did a year of Voyages, and she couldn't retain it because it was too much for her to digest. We are doing Easy Grammar this year and she says grammar is really clicking for her. I haven't heard one complaint. It might help to consider learning style. Dd does much better using a workbook for grammar. That is probably another reason why Easy Grammar has been a success. An auditory learner might do well with a textbook and going through some exercises aloud, but our dd didn't. From our experience, I would always recommend starting below level if you have any doubts. Or, make sure you get good advice about placement. Our big mistake was starting out too high and wasting a year. Wishing you the best!

I think I'll keep my eyes open for a used Calvert 4 Spelling CD. Maybe if I start looking now, I'll get lucky and find one by the time she's done. Thanks! I wish I had the motivation to work off of lists. I tried last year but failed. I like that dd can be independent in spelling. Then I only have to jump in once in awhile to confirm that it's working.

I joined the yahoo group months ago so I could see samples. The quality isn't great so it was hard to get a sense of it. Today I called CLE. They are so kind on the phone. They sent me sample lessons from 2 light units each from 3rd and 4th grade math via email so I had them within minutes. In the summer, I called and requested samples and they sent me a couple light units for free. Their customer service is excellent.

At this rate dd8 will finish her Calvert Third Grade Spelling CD in a few weeks. She uses the CD on her own and then I test her later to check her retention. I'm wondering what to do with when we're done. I have a half finished 3rd grade Catholic Heritage Curricula Speller that I could pull out. I also have the teacher guides for Megawords. I was planning on starting Megawords next year. As a family we also are going through the spelling rules together for fun.:) Do you have any suggestions on what to do next? Thanks!