It is very similar to what the 4th/5th graders that I work with in co-op would do, and he actually did a better job summarizing without over-writing, which some of my students have trouble with. In my experience, public schools are not putting much of an emphasis on writing--most of their tests are multiple choice/true/false, fill in the blank, etc...and most of our schools' kids who come in from public school cannot write well. I would edit it for him for spelling/grammar, then make a few of the suggestions you added and have him rewrite. He'll get better as he practices!

My sister has been teaching Latin at our school for 7 or 8 years not, she's done the Prima Latina, Christiana I and II, and then the kids moved to Wheelock (5th grade). She says she actually prefers Wheelock, as she thinks the progression is more natural and logical. She just started tutoring for cc with Henle this year and she's not real impressed with it yet. We'll see...

We just did this for my 5yo ds...I made treasure boxes for all the kids filled with candy and treats and of course fake jewels and coins, then hid them in our woods. We read a pirate story that I wrote featuring each of the kids with a pirate name (violet the vile, Chris the Cruel, Henry the Horrible...) and I inserted some childish antics into the storyline, then it ended with their treasure being lost somewhere. We made a map and dh took them on an obstacle course/scavenger hunt til they found all the boxes, each decorated with their initial. They "walked the plank" over a kiddie pool, did a slip n slide, etc... I tried the treasure chest cake, but it failed (harder than it looks)--I used the wrong pan, though, my fault, so I bought a cake and topped with candy necklaces and rings and some gold and silver bars (Hershey's). We got scarves at Hobby Lobby for under $1, and eye patches at the party outlet, bought fabric for sashes and earrings for each pirate :) It was very cute!

Do you think it is worth the $$$? I've read that it is pretty appropriate, and she knows a few of the songs...but all the reasonable tickets are sold. It will be $200 for us both... The alternative is going 2.5 hours early to get in the lottery for orchestra seats for $25 apiece. What do you think our chances are? Weekday matinee, maybe would have a better chance of winning? You have to go right before show time to put your name in and they pull names 2 horus before the show. I've never heard of such a thing! Editing to add that I HOPE that being in the midwest (Peoria, IL) will mean that less people will try for it. The article in the paper was kind of small...(see, I'm grasping here)!!

We use Veritas literature books. They don't have guides for all the books, but we've used a few. We also like the ones from Progeny Press. Veritas guides are pretty basic--just questions on the events of the chapter--if you've seen the Veritas history cards and worksheets, the lit guides look just like the history worksheets/test/quizzes. Some of the questions are meant to draw out deeper meaning in the book, but most are just basic comprehension. They also have vocabulary lists. Can't think of much else.

Thank you, Karen! I will check that out now...still reading on the others, too...

Thank you both so much...lots to look at...I have Brian Thornton's guide for Stuart Little, he is very nice...we've emailed back and forth. I can't wait to delve in and see what I've missed! I'm going to keep it very simple for the first book, then we'll see what we can add. And I'm going to be the mean teacher who doesn't let them watch the movie in class after we finish the book! :) They can do that at home!:D

I am teaching a small group of 3rd/4th graders literature this year and I can't find literature guides for some of the more obscure books* on our list, so I think I can write my own. What do you think are important components? I plan to do them chapter by chapter and include vocabulary. We are going to add in some books that will fit with the medieval history they are studying along with some that are just entertaining and good reads. Any suggestions? This is my list so far: The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe *The dragon of Lonely Island *Paul Bunyan Stuart Little Cricket in Times Square Door in the Wall *King Arthur and His Knights (found a guide for this, but it is a little much for the age level) *This was John Calvin 21 Balloons Rolf & the viking bow *Leepike Ridge Thank you for any suggestions! Carrie Mom to Nick (13), Cassie(10), and Chris(5)

Our school starts all our kindergarteners in Saxon I. K is sooooooo easy, our kids knew that stuff at age 3 (counting, recognizing numbers in print, knowing how many "three" looks like...all stuff we did playing games with dice and things like that).