Hi. I have been using the online Prof B math for my 10yo son for one month now. He really enjoys it. I keep thinking it's too easy, but he is finally "getting" it. I'm noticing things that are similar to RightStart and Time4Learning, but in a different order. Before Prof B, my son just could not get addition facts and place value despite years of math games online and different math programs. We're still only in the beginning stages, but he is enthusiastic about math and I am hopeful that this will make things click for him. Allison

Hi all, I have a set of phonogram cards and I'm not sure what program they are from. The instructions for writing the letters reference "star station", "circle space", "heart station", "butterfly station", and "flower station". They don't go with my WRTR, Phonics Road to Reading and Spelling, or All About Spelling. Anyone know what program these belong to? Thanks! Allison in VA

You can also use the lines and numbers that come with your PR student cards. Just put some extra magnet material on the backs of those so that they will also stick to your board :) (wishing I hadn't sold pr a few months ago!) Allison

You do not need any other language arts materials with Phonics Road. The student will learn the Orton-Gillingham phonograms, write spelling words with program-specific markings, learn phonogram rule jingles, write sentences using correct punctuation, read included stories which the child will illustrate himself...can't remember what else... HTH Allison

You can have the child raise or lower the correct arm for the vertical line of the letter while saying the letter aloud. For example, raise the right hand into the air (like raising your hand in class) while shouting "d", left up for "b", right down for "q", and left down for "p".

In addition to tactile letters, I have learned from Discovery teachers and other special ed/learning disability/early ed teachers that large motor air writing is essential and unfortunately has been removed from our teaching over the years. Have your child "write" the letters with the whole dominant arm in the air as large as she can. Vary the size to make it fun, but be sure to use the entire arm. I'm just beginning to to this with my daughter, in addition to the tactile letters. I'm finding that the ones she masters in the air are making more of a difference than the ones she traces on sandpaper and such. HTH Allison

Does anyone know if Play N Talk is still in business? The website says they are working on a new version and they will respond to inquiries within 24 hours. I have been waiting since Sat (2 business days) and have not received a reply besides an auto-generated one. Thanks! Allison in TX

I put some things out at a yard sale that was advertised as given by homeschoolers. Even the homeschoolers that came by wanted yard sale prices on my books. One woman carried some around so long and gave me such a hard time, that I gave in and took a huge hit on an unused set of books. I will definitely not put out brand new, unused homeschool books at a yard sale again. I may put out things I got a lot of use out of. Even local homeschoolers around me want yard sale prices on the local swap boards. Like someone else said, if someone is looking to spend pennies on new books just to turn around and make a profit selling it again on ebay I would rather send them to the Book Samaritan. Allison in TX

Just FYI. I bought RS French because my 8yo wanted to learn French. I listed it for sale because we only used it a few times. Unfortunately, the license agreement forbids transfer of ownership. So I called Rosetta Stone and spoke with them at length about it since we only used it a few times and it's a HUGE chunk of change. I even asked for someone further up the chain. After much discussion they agreed to let me upgrade to the new version, which they said is much more user friendly, for a fee per level (also very expensive). They said since it is against the law to resell, loan, give away, rent, etc. I cannot do it. I asked them what to do....throw it away??? The rep just kept saying, "Well, it is against the law to let anyone besides your own family use it....." Argh Such a shame and a waste. On another note, my son still wants to use it. RS provides customer support and will help me program it to not use the writing portions for now. Anyone know a good source for learning Indonesian? I don't think Rosetta Stone will help us learn what we need to know to communicate when we arrive there in July. Allison in TX

What about School of Tomorrow (ACE)

There are free resources available from Little Giant Steps online. They will answer any questions you have once you do the free evaluation. They have a booklet for $10, I think. Can't recall right now. They have digit span cards you can use for 2 minutes a couple times per day to work on increasing their auditory memory. Also, they have a computer program that does it for you. HTH Allison

Hi Laure, I have tried at least 7 different math programs with little success. Over the past couple of days I have been reading about dyslexia on the Bright Solutions website (Susan Barton of Barton Reading Systems). It seems trouble with math facts is part of dyslexia. I haven't gotten all of my questions answered yet, but I wonder if the solution to the math problem is found in the reading solution. An ex math teacher here where I live told me if I want my children to be good at math they need to read good books (logic?). He quit teaching math in the late 70s when he was told not to interfere with the system. He raised his concern that kids were graduating without being literate in math and reading. Perhaps as our kids' reading issues are resolved the math will resolve? Allison

Have you checked out Kinderbach? You can get online lessons to use with an electronic keyboard very inexpensively or pay a bit more (still reasonable) and get the lessons on DVD. The first two weeks are posted free on the website. It's designed for 2-6 year olds, but my 9yo wants to do it. Allison in TX mommy to 3 blessings

My husband usually buys what he wants when he wants it. He loves history and brain games, so my parents are getting him a gift card to a book store. His parents said they'll send money for the family after Christmas (usually 100-175 for our family of 5). Allison

You can check the HSLDA website to double-check. http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/Texas.pdf We just moved to TX two years ago. You do not have to file anything. You are expected to teach spelling, reading, grammar, math, and good citizenship from a written curriculum. I am in South TX, so don't know anything about neighborhoods. My brother's family homeschools in Allen, TX. They love it there. Allison

:grouphug: Hi. I'm so sorry you're struggling with all this. I will agree....it's not your fault. I signed up for a support loop for the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet. I have the book now. It sounds like your family members could be helped greatly by following this protocol. I am hearing about some amazing results. You can look up Gaps diet dot com. There is also a you tube series about it. I think it would be worth researching. :grouphug: Hang in there. I think you could do a unit study type approach -- do all you can all together. You can just do what my SIL does and choose a subject, go to the library for tons of books, and read to your heart's content. Or there are plenty of programs already written for that type of thing. Allison

We're using ChemBalance. The vitamins and minerals are all individual. You only take what you need each day. I know it sounds weird, but the vitamins are smell-tested and the minerals are taste-tested. I have tried so many multis over the years. I feel great for a while and then begin to feel ill. There are some components that I just don't need a lot of and I overdose on them over time. This has been great for our family so far. Allison in TX

YNAB (You Need a Budget) has been great for me! They have a free course that is really helpful, too. http://www.youneedabudget.com/ Allison in TX

:grouphug: I'm so sorry. That is heartbreaking. When I was a child, a neighbor boy let my bunny out and let his dogs at it while we were out. I'm so sad for you and your kids. Sending hugs, tears, and wishes for happier days and forgiveness. Allison in TX mommy to 3 blessings

:iagree: Allison mommy to 3 blessings ds9, dd5, ds3

Oh, Costco has a nice name brand guitar right now for around $100.

Hi. We bought the iPlay guitar set a couple years ago through the co-op. We just pulled it out this year when my son was about 8.5. His guitar teacher changed the strings. The guitar comes with metal strings. My son has a pretty weak grip, so the teacher put nylon strings on. We did lessons for about 2 months and the teacher said he needed a better quality guitar. He didn't really give me a good reason why. The guitar has a nice tone and is a nice size. I even enjoyed trying it out. I may learn to play on it since it is easier to press the strings than a traditional "adult" guitar. Unfortunately, the teacher was getting a little weird, so we asked him not to come back. The only thing I noticed was that we had to tune the guitar frequently, but the teacher said he has to tune his throughout an evening when he is performing. I hope that gives you some helpful information. All in all we have been pleased with this guitar for the price. I don't know what they are charging this year. I didn't check it out since we already have one. I don't remember the video. We watched part of it when ds was 6 and now he's 9.... Allison in TX

My kids like Sum Swamp and love Money Bags. Allison ds9, dd5, ds3

That would be great!

Biokult is a strong probiotic, shelf-stable, made to taste pleasant in case the child can't swallow it (can open the capsule and sprinkle on food). My picky daughter even chews it sometimes. Most of the store-bought probiotics are prophylactic -- made for healthy people to maintain good gut health. You can read more about Biokult on the Nutrivene website. Allison in TX