I'm so sorry. :grouphug: I've had three miscarriages, with one needing a D&C. I had it in an OR but they didn't give me a general anesthesia. I can't remember the name of what they gave me but it makes a person awake but unaware. I had no memory of the procedure but apparently I had been quite the chatty Cathy. :blush: Still, it was better than being completely under.

This would be lovely too. DH can retire in 3 years. Will dream... :)

Would love this! I spent 5 years in El Paso before going away to college in Fort Worth. The first week in Fort Worth, I was in love with my hair! I mean, what had happened? It was just there before but one short move and vavoom! :lol: It lasted a week. :glare:

Well I'm :lol: because lately I feel like I an walking farther out on a limb with what I use. I do hope you are enjoying Nurturing Inquiry. It didn't give me a plan, but it did light a fire. I keep wanting to start another thread about inquiry science but I never seem to find the time. I will not look up the History for Peter. I will stay strong. :lol: You've seen my Library Thing, so you know I don't need any more books! :tongue_smilie:I'll have to try to figure out who you are now...

The Homeschool Buyers Co-Op extended the sale. I have such mixed feelings because I'm happy to see that it's still such a (relatively) low price but it irritates me that they create a false sense of urgency by not letting folks know in advance that it will be extended.

Oh no! Thanks for making me feel better. I'm so grateful that I didn't sell my Hakim! It's funny you say they seem to deteriorate, as six of the seven I purchased were later books in the series. Still, I'm definitely not lining up to buy the first ones. What a great deal! I happened upon a brand new 11 book hardcover set of Hakim for $80 a few years ago and absolutely could not pass it up. I completely agree with your assessment about the Collier books. My first thought (after oh no! :tongue_smilie:) was that they were typical reference volumes (as in, "Excuse me, Ms. Librarian. I need a book about the Civil War for a paper I'm writing.") Since I agree with most everything you post, I should just follow you around and do what you do. I could get some rest from researching. How old are your kids? :lol: With the ages of your kids, I would absolutely use adult books. My own plan is to do a concurrent reading of Zinn and Bennett. Won't that be a hoot!

I hesitate to post, but in the interest of seeing another side... After the Collier books were recommended on these boards so often by people whose opinions are so often in line with my own, I bought seven of the books (! :blush: ) to go along with our American history study. I was shocked by how much I disliked them. I personally found them dry as toast. I agree with the typical complaint about the Hakim books being visually cluttered, but I truly enjoy them. (I've got a thick skin though, and I'm not the least bit insulted by the chatty tone that some seem to find patronizing.) My whole family loves the Hakim books on audio. I think they are wonderful for elementary to middle and would probably not use them past that point. (I enjoyed them a little too much for my age, but I am excused because my history education was typical of public school. The football coach taught history and you were lucky if you remained upright in class. Zzzzzzz. :tongue_smilie:) I learned my lesson in buying these books sight unseen. On the bright side, I can probably sell them for what I paid so the lesson is only one paid for in time and pride. At any rate, I now live by the rule to evaluate books for myself before plunking down any money.

These are some things mine do alone. Also, do you have the Rainbow Rock and Vroot and Vroom CDs that goes with Singapore? My kids love them (literally fight over them :glare:). But generally, I'm thinking this... In first grade, if I'm not doing group work with all three or independent work with a child, kiddo is released from duty to play. That said, my kids view all the independent stuff above as play, and they certainly can't hurt as good additions to a school day. ETA: It did just occur to me that the OP could be in a reporting state. I'm lucky to not have to deal with that. If I did, I might be searching for suggestions for independent work as well. :)

:iagree: Happy birthday!

:iagree: (However, I would personally report my own family for burning right now since it is bone dry where I live. :tongue_smilie:)

Thanks for this. I clearly don't have enough math :tongue_smilie:, so I ended up breaking down and getting them today. I saw the Beast Academy stuff, then fell in love with AoPS upper level materials. (Seriously, wow! I think I'll work on these for self-ed after I finish the Elementary Mathematics for Teachers book from Singapore I'm working on.) Then I decided I might as well invest in the whole kit 'n' kaboodle! :lol: I think DD and DS5 will be able to go through their whole sequence from start to finish this way. I think what you are doing sounds like enough--and a fun, memorable approach for your kids too. Very interesting. This and the Babylonian alphabet made me want to buy it right away since we're doing ancients this year. This would go right along with our String, Straightedge and Shadow and The Wonderful World of Mathematics books. Speaking of prime numbers, I've got my eye on this beauty. :D I've got edu-decorating problems. :lol: Miquon is wonderful. With that and KTM, I imagine you'll be quite satisfied. My DS5 loves Miquon. I'm so hopeful that the Beast materials will be ready for him to sail right into every year. I find this very comforting. I think the kids need as much of the "why" of concepts as possible.

Does mine exist? I dream of a place with four true seasons, near mountains and the beach.

1. How long have you been homeschooling? From the beginning. My kids have never been to school. 2. Which homeschool philosophy(ies) do you use? A combination of Charlotte Mason, WTM style classical, and my own philosophies about learning that come from the reading I've done about education and life in general. 3. Why do you homeschool? All the reasons. :tongue_smilie: The short answer is that I can provide a better education and lifestyle while allowing my kids to be kids. 4. What was your biggest waste of money in homeschooling? Math programs that I bought based on reviews, sight unseen, because I had never been to a HS conference to see them firsthand. If samples were more thorough, I would have saved a lot of money. 5. What was the best money you have ever spent? The Well-Trained Mind, every CM book I ever bought, teacher books (Nurturing Inquiry, Writer's Jungle, Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics, About Teaching Mathematics, Social Studies That Sticks, etc.), Singapore Math, WWE, MCTLA, my Landmark/Signature book collection, all classic literature. 6. Which curriculum/curricula did you want to love, but didn't work for you? Every single science program for elementary. Nothing is exactly what I want. RightStart math. WinterPromise, Sonlight, and other complete programs. I'm apparently way too picky. :tongue_smilie: 7. Which curriculum/curricula did you end up loving that you thought you wouldn't? WWE, Rosetta Stone 8. What is your best advice to anyone just starting out? Keep thinking for yourself. Remember the reasons you started homeschooling. Quit the boards when you get bogged down by all the ideas, curriculum suggestions, and other extraneous information that might paralyze you and keep you from moving forward. Yes, occasionally you will need guidance. No, you don't need encouragement to second-guess every curriculum choice you make. 9. Which mistakes have you made with your olders that you will not repeat with your littles? We were very laid back when they were little, as I believe in learning through play. I don't require Kindergarten (although all 3 have learned to read and do basic math by this time) and we start formal schooling in 1st. I absolutely do not regret these two things but with my oldest, I let the casual go on too long. I think his flame went out a bit in first grade when he was primed for learning and I wasn't challenging him enough. Striking a balance is good. I'm happy to report his fire is back. :) Now DD is in first and DS5 is doing voluntary Kinder every day and we are much more schooly. :tongue_smilie:Everyone seems much happier this way. 10. Anything else you want to share? This isn't a "real" poll, but I still feel compelled to have an other!!!! :lol: One thing I've learned in my few short years is that there will be highs and there will be lows. Take the time during the highs to plan for the lows. Then, when you arrive in a low, you can keep on going.

I'm so glad to hear that you like it! I wasn't too worried. :D It is incredibly inspiring for teacher and students alike. Liberating too! I bought mine printed directly from BW 3 years ago and I definitely agree with a PP who says those margins are great for writing notes. I can't imagine reading so much on the computer without the ability to scrawl notes and draw happy faces...and exclamation marks (also with happy faces). Yes, I am really that goofy. :tongue_smilie:

Argh! Where were you two weeks ago with this idea!? :tongue_smilie: I even have the book already. Can I do a re-take of our first day of school?

I nest way too long after birth to plan for that. I would buy the tickets and send DH. Or, if they're not too pricey, buy one for myself too but then stay home and send DH with the kids if I didn't feel up to it.

OK, here is the offer, for anyone interested. The first time I did it, I collected all of Hakim's A History of US series (which is fabulous, by the way). Then I was hooked. You don't have to buy an MP3 player with the credit. It's worth noting that a Kindle qualifies...

Amazon occasionally runs a deal where you get $100 toward the purchase of an MP3 player if you sign up for a one year subscription to Audible (at the rate of $14.95 per month). I've done it twice. I feel like I am getting my cake and eating it too! (And yes, I realize I'm actually paying more in the end, but I'm getting 2 things I want!) :tongue_smilie:

--

Well, I do agree that kids should be prepared for grading before they go into a graded situation. I have recently started giving my kids tests, so they know what they are. They actually love them. Novelty, I guess. :lol: When they complete an assignment or take a test, they know how many they get wrong and, due to their fascination with PS, I have occasionally converted them to a number or letter grade so they know what grade a PS teacher would give them. But the grade is not the end, which is the important point to me. I don't particularly see the need to routinely assign grades but it seems to me that this is one of those points where reasonable people can come to completely different conclusions and it's just not a big deal. I imagine a basic familiarity with grades would suffice, but for the most sensitive child (or mother, as in your example :D). The bottom line is that the child should be routinely made aware of his/her performance, regardless of whether or not a grade is received.

:grouphug:

:iagree: CBT is also very effective with children. OP, I highly recommend these books. What to Do When You Worry Too Much What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck

Nice! History too! I might have to bookmark these for when we hit American history again. That would ensure that she reads. :tongue_smilie:

Going to look at all of these! Thanks!

Thanks! We have all three of these (DS8 has the collection of Billy & Blaze books from when he was younger--they are wonderful!). I will have to dig them all out. Taking her to see Cats would be amazing! We are actually going to see the traveling Mary Poppins Broadway show for her birthday! She doesn't know and I am dying holding in the surprise!