Do you have dental.I once experienced years of relief by having an occlusal (sp?) adjustment. Fancy name for having "clash points" in my molars ground down a bit. It really helps when you have a clenching problem that is aggravating the TMJ. We had/have no insurance. It cost around $400...I felt it was well worth it. Geo

R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey (www.pandiapress.com) Life or Earth and Space. Chemistry is good but is for 2-5 graders-that would depend on your kids. A good balance between content and hands-on for that age Geo

Ususally front-load washers use He (high-efficiency) detergent. I did notice lately that my towels didn't seem to smell as fresh as in the past. I started using the cold water rinse/spin cycle before washing them to help reduce the amount of bacteria in the final wash (hot)...I also use the extra rinse at the end in addition to selecting the "whitest whites" cycle (the longest). It seems to have done the trick. I only have to do this with my towels. I think there just isn't normally enough water used in a HE washer to rinse the yuck away effectively. Geo

My fault, I only mentioned I was not attempting "formal" academics. We are working on his deficits in a very gentle manner. I have done my homework, read as much as I can find, and spoken with special ed teacher-friends of mine. The label only enables him to go to the ps and get free classes for kids like him. I am doing what one does with these children, lots of activities that target the deficit. We work with patterning, quantities and number value...LOTS of repetition, so variety is a HUGE factor, we have 20-30 different activities (game like) that target quantities of 4 and above. I need to make them enjoyable because math anxiety is the real bugaboo for kids with dyscalc. That alone could shut doors on progress. There is no silver bullet here. The "experts" don't even agree as to what dyscalculia is. The studies are in their infancy. This site is only one of many like it: http://www.oecd.org/document/8/0,3343,en_2649_35845581_34495560_1_1_1_1,00.html Just to be fair, maybe you are right...I may test him some time in the near future. I would just like to believe that somehow that would make a big difference. I just don't believe that is the case. I tend to think of T. Edison who was ejected from school because he was "addled". They labeled and leveled all the fault at him but it was his mother who made the difference in his life (his quote). I wonder what his mother would do today? I do appreciate your concern, Geo

.

Chect out R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey (Pandia Press). I'm thinking Chemistry- but that's up to you. It seems to have a good balance of hands-on/content. Another thought is that if she comes to you by summer you may want to have FUN activities using "Creepy Crawlies and The Scientific Method" - It's WTM recommended in addition to the fact that it is true science. This good for all ages. You know, there is a healing process that takes place in the nature setting...especially good for your new family member. Geo

I love Starting Points. However, it's only a one year worldview curriculum;it should not replace knowledge of God through His Word. There is no better discipleship than interaction with the Living Word, every day. We should not lose sight of the fact that intellectual astuteness does not equate spiritual maturity. A child needs to begin at the beginning. Best intentions, Geo

We started using the SOW over two years ago. After Year 1 you can't really keep all the subjects tied to the Bible, so after that (Years 2-6) we use the Bible/ Language Arts only. Every week, based on the assigned scripture reading, the student would complete the following: PRAYS: There are five prayer lessons: praise letter, repent letter, ask letter, yield letter, and supplication letter. Each of these lessons are repeated every week. The purpose of each lesson is to show the student step by step how to write love letters to God, while teaching the basics of prayer Bible Study: There are seven Bible study methods: reading, narrative outline, topical study, vocabulary study, character study, setting, and commentary. Each of these lessons are repeated every week. The purpose of each lesson is to equip the student with methods on how to study the Bible. Creative Writing: There are twenty four creative writing lessons per year. The creative writing lessons are designed to make the student think, research, and then methodically communicate his conclusions in light of God's Word. Each lesson gives step by step instructions from topic to conclusion. There are special notebook pages (called worksheets) for students in K-5 that are not ready for the more rigorous writing process. It is pricey, but there is nothing else like it out there. There are samples of student work on their website. I :001_wub: SOW, Geo

Just another stage in the disease... If I'm not buying books I'm watching others buy them...around the world. Hypnotic? or OCD? Geo

First, how old is dd? Geo

We are of the same mind...we are also using EG and want to learn diagramming. I have decided to use "Elementary Diagramming Worktext" as it seems easiest for me to incorporate as a supplement. I will not be purchasing "The First Whole Book of Diagrams", at least not in the beginning (it's only a reference tool). Here's a review: http://www.cathyduffyreviews.com/grammar-composition/first-whole-book-diagrams.htm I looked at the resource you posted, it does look thorough. I am just not sure we need to do so much diagramming at this point. I guess it would be good for using over a longer period time as their grammar and writing become more complex. Thanks for the resource tip. Geo

I own a Dyson Animal...not sure which one. I paid "only" $379 so it's probably the lesser of the two. For almost two years now,I have been absolutely thrilled with it. Both for it's ability to pick up pet hair (chocolate Lab) and for the sheer effeiciency of it's design. There are no places where you can get a clog (flotsum, not hair) that cannot be dismantled and the clog removed. This happens alot in our house, and never been so easy to remedy. The one we bought had like 5 attachments and all fit their jobs very well. Especially the floor/under couch attachment. The "slinky" hose feature allows me to vac a full flight of stairs without lifting the vacuum itself. It is also the only vac that has the "floors only" feature that doesn't throw the dirt in all directions, it just picks it up. True to claim, it has not lost any suction and performs as well as it did when brand new. I am shocked at how much hair it picks up. We had a band to the rotor bar break (my fault), my husband called them to purchase one and they replaced it for free. I have owned several higher-end vacs and this is the first one that has pleased me on all fronts. I :001_wub: my Dyson, Geo

Seeing that it is near Easter it's easy to find the cello that is used in wrapping gift baskets. Dollar Tree has it. Walmart would have it in the holiday section. The party store would probably carry more vibrant colors than the pastel variety available right now. Geo

OK, a little OT but pertaining to effectiveness of Rescue Remedy in general (not necesarily the Clematis tincture): I have never used it (clematis RR)on my children for the purposes described in this thread; however I did use the original RR on a cat of mine that was "shocky" after getting banged up inside a central-air unit outside my neighbor's house. After we recued her we brought her in, and for the entire night through she was leaning against a wall,dazed, her eyes were funny and she was drooling (for about 12 hours)- until a friend came over with some (RR) to see if it would help. Within 5 minutes my little kitty was rubbing up against my leg and meowing. I have no doubt it was effective, and I don't care that the results were only anecdotal...I know it worked. Geo

I was never taught traditional diagramming. When the time came for teaching grammar to my kids we always used Easy Grammar or Shurley English; both use the labeling method. My reason for asking: I want to use WWE: Strong Foundations, as daughter's preparation for SWB next series, "Writing Skills". I noticed that she uses traditional diagramming in that series. Are there compelling arguments for diagramming over the labeling method? Have any of you made a transition from labeling to diagramming? If so, what is the best approach for that transition? Oddly, I've never bothered to investigate this before. Curious, Geo

Even kids without autism can get off track. If he can re-learn this, then no worry. I'd make it a fun time so that he doesn't become discouraged. There are a couple of fun ways (actually more) to review and re-emphasize this concept: Using unifix cubes or Lego tower (layed on their sides) you can make patterns (start with 2 colors) red is for "clap" (clap hands) white is for "slap" (slap legs). When you point to red he claps (you can too at first)then point to white= you both slap legs. Do this a few times...it's a fun little game. You can then vary the pattern in several ways using the two colors"redred/white/redred and so forth. After having done lots of these you can re-challenge him using three colors. You could make "raspberries" for the third color (the little fart noise with your tongue and lips)...the laughing can break up any tension. Let him make up some with you clapping,slapping, rasp, etc. You could keep doing his regular math on the same days, doing these activities as a warm-up. This may just end up being his favorite part of math for the day. ;o) You might also consider the following for extra practice: Using cubes or legos you can count (a little slowly) as he picks an object from a pile for that number and places it on the "mat" (sheet of paper). Do this several times for each number. After a while, let him count and you move objects. Following that he could do both. I'd so this over the course of the week (or longer, whatever it takes) until he seems bored and can do it very easily. I'd review again once a week or two to be sure it doesn't slip away again. Variation: Hang a toy from yarn or string and swing like a pendulum-counting the number of each full swing. This can be a time of fun, just relax and enjoy it with him. Geo

I'll be using R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey- Chemistry 1 next year with my 5th grader. It just came out a couple days ago. It looks to be good balance between book and lab. I'd use it with a 6th grader, especially if their not a science geek. We tried the RS4K Pre-Level 1 Chemistry a couple years ago and we didn't care much for it, but to each his own. You can check out sample pages here: http://www.pandiapress.com/chemistry_level1.html Geo

Ria, I absolutely agree with you, I am actually reading LCW for a second time... but I draw the line at marine toads. They can cause skin irritations and make a person quite "unwell" to say the least. We've seen some GIANT ones that looked like they weighed around 2-3 pounds :eek:, you can hear them thud, thud, thud as they jump. Blagggghhhhh! (shudder, spasm, shudder).:ack2: They even eat dogfood. Big...kibbled ...dog food!...they're that big. Look at this one, even though I'd swear I've seen them considerably larger: (may be the Purina?) http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/2008/08/07/the-marine-toad-bufo-marinus-recently-re-classified-as-rhinella-marina-in-nature-and-captivity-part-i-natural-history/ scroll down for picture There is no convincing me otherwise, Geo

If you live in FL, particularly So. FL...I would tell him to be careful about which toads he picks up. They were introduced about 50 years ago. Well, those toads are "Bufo Marinus" or more commonly known as Giant Toads, Marine Toads or Cane Toads. They are poisonous, not so much to humans but very much so to pets. We nearly lost a couple of dogs and did lose one cat to them. They excrete a white creamy substance from glands on their..er..neck area, behind the eyes. Actually all over, but the neck area is really bad. If one of your pets starts frothing at the mouth, flush the mouth with a garden hose until all foaming ceases...and then rinse a little more to be sure. These toads can get HUGE. They are absolutely revolting IMO! Your son may have just caught a common toad, which is harmless, but until you both know the difference I'd say no toad handling. http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/Bufo_marinus.html marine toad photo and info http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/wildlife_info/frogstoads/index.php different types of Florida toads...scroll down Geo

About the chick...doesn't surprise me at all. Did the chick get the bug in the end, though? What I mean is, the fray might have begun over the bug but it (the grabber) might not have been after the bug in actuality. There is a pecking order behavior amongst chickens and the aggressor just may have been joining in the group behavior. I was just wondering. Things are not always as they seem. Is it possible you were projecting that motive? That's not to say that animals don't have a certain intelligence within their breed. P.S. About the parrot...My neighbor's parrot called to it's owner when their dog (Help! dog!) was trying to attack it. Also in a documentary, I saw a parrot who was taught the words for actual fruit (banana and cherry) and refuse the name apple for an apple...it insisted on calling it banerry. Red on the outside (like a cherry) and white (like a banana) on the inside. The bird was forming his own unique vocabulary (based on his personal observation of the qualities of that fruit?). These birds are highly intelligent. Geo

Franklin is about 1 hour southwest of Asheville.

"Gone with the wind" would be a good example of individual character displayed within the southern culture. Scarlett was selfish and spiteful but Melanie Hamilton always saw the good in others and was without guile. I think some of you are talking about the general character makeup of individuals rather than a cultural one. Geo