I like the challenging word problems. We add that to our main curriculum. We also use some MEP which has some interesting problems to work through.

I totally let them win sometimes. I don't even know how it is possible not too. Maybe I'm just amazing but I would totally kick their butts every time. Oldest two are now mostly competent but my youngest still gets thrown a win. Only one of my kids is a poor loser. She is still working on losing gracefully. She is extremely competitive in almost any activity. Her team lost during a gym class the other day and she behaved politely in class and waited till she was in the car to freak out. That's progress.

I found lexile level unhelpful due to it's inaccuracies. When needed I used scholastic's book wizard and went by grade level. Not right all the time but it felt more consistent. I had my girls read aloud to me daily until I thought they were pretty fluent. Now I make the oldest two read to me a couple times a week then we discuss what was read. I think being able to read aloud properly is an important skill anyways.

My oldest loves Grapic novels too. When she reads for fun it is often a Grapic novel or some other illustrated book. She has read many chapter books and is fluent but would rather read books with pictures. For silent reading she has to read from a chapter book. Right now she is on the third How To Train a Dragon book. She also reads aloud to me several times a week from a McGuffey reader which we discuss. I'm happy to have her read whatever she wants during her free reading. Many graphic novels are better than junie b or captain underpants. I'd prefer a good graphic novel to those. What kind is she reading? Could you look into higher level Grapic novels? Would that make you feel better? My six year old reads as well as her sister. She on the other hand often picks an easy chapter book to read for free reading. Totally doesn't make her sister want to pick up one lol

We let my first grader accelerate through MM by skipping problems. I added the SM challenging word problems and some MEP. We cut the MEP lessons into strips and give her the more interesting activities.

I would need to lose a ton of weight to look good in those. I think they rock though!

Not yoga pants. Lol you people have given me yoga pants fear. I think it depends on where you are teaching. I'd look at what the other teachers are wearing. Usually I wear jeans and a sweatshirt or black leggings and a dress/ long sweater coat. Those are really my only looks. One of my sweatshirts is a doctor who hoodie. I got compliments from two of the four year olds in one of my classes.

To save money we use one workbook and write in notebooks.

Thanks to karate all my girls had warts this summer. One had them frozen off at the pediatricians. They needed to be burned enough so that the whole wart area ends up this huge blood blister. After the blister went away it feel off never to return. One kid had the strong acid treatment. We had a little jar to take home and use. It was more work but way less painful and they all came off with time. Youngest's all went away very quickly with duct tape. Lucky kid.

My kids have enjoyed sing school. We finished the first level and have been reviewing lately. We will start the second level next month. My older girls can read and have mastered the material. My youngest has the words fairly well memorized for conversation but is not a fluent reader yet. She still likes joining in though.

Looking for a picture book set in Antartica. Actually recommendations set in all the continents would be helpful. Or in different countries. Funny books would probably be best but anything is welcome! This is for a kindergarten co-op class. The World according to Musk Ox introduced the continents and went over very well. We did How To Make An Apple Pie and see the world, but it didn't go over as well.

I don't care at all. Weddings with kids can be fun. Weddings without kids can be fun. I personally went through a period of time when I would rather have left my kids at home. They are closely spaced so it was difficult for a while. I have been to two wedding were babies were screaming during the service. One wedding In which a toddler was allowed to play in the aisle then sat down to eat bunny crackers (the bride cried). I have seen some very embarrassing behavior by grown ups too though.

So happy, dreams do come true!

Mothering.com is why I homeschool. After I had finished reading all the regular posts I moved on to the education sub forum. Eventually someone recommended the well trained mind and the rest is history.

Normal. She probably felt he was making fun of her and she is missing something. I would have just told him what girls have.

Prior to starting SOTW we did a prehistory year and then severel months based on native peoples. My kids were youg so it was mainly based on art projects and picture books. I figured we would do the same after finishing SOTW1-4. I also set aside November as a month to concentrate on native Americans. The kids get so much false information at that time of year I like the facts to be more available to them. I had an amazing art history class that really inspired me in regards to early art. I also took a very difficult class on Native American literature which will be more helpful when we enter high school age.

This is what we do. My husband works weird hours so he usually isn't eating with us either way. We do big hot cooked lunches. For dinner we do simple usually non cooked food. So salads, fruit plates, cheese tray, nuts, bread and spreads.

I feel as though my anxiety is getting pretty bad. It is based on social situations. I'm trying to psych myself up into seeing a doctor. Sigh... It's hard. Anyone with anxiety could you let me know what's working for you?

I am preplanning on wearing yoga pants tomorrow to drop the girls off at their class! It's going to be an awesome day of comfort. So soft so cozy ahhhh

My family did this. It was mainly special recipes. So my mom did severel that she had grown up with. My aunts did family recipes from my other grandmother. Honestly a lot of it I won't use but it is nice to see what kind of food they ate and enjoyed.

I use it with my girls. It is the only testing style activity we do.

It's hard for us too. It does feel like everyone already has close friends. I do try but honestly I'm not terribly outgoing. My kids are close in age so that helps. You're not in michigan by chance? Lol

I'm looking for a picture book about geography. Or something that briefly takes you around the world. Quickly hits different continents or countries. I need to read it to a bunch of 5 year olds. Mostly very active boys. Can anyone help? My only idea is "How I Learned Geography" but I don't think they would think it very fun. Honestly the group isn't big on listening so I usually try for something funny or exciting. Thanks

My kids all really like the Fudge Series, they are read by Judy Blume(author)and really funny.

SFM thanks!