It sounds like putting the focus on three subjects and working hard/deep on those is what you feel you really need with your dd, but then in the next breath you are piling on a lot of other things. Nothing bad happens if you stick with the minimize plan for a semester or year. Maybe something good will happen - your dd will be more secure in those necessary subjects and be able to branch back out. Why not do your three subjects and then get a big pile of books from the library that she can read through in the evenings. When you feel like she is up to speed, add in one "extra" at a time. :001_smile:

What about having no TV and no video games, at all. What about letting him be bored until he picks up a book for pleasure, or builds something with blocks, or sketches outdoors, or writes in a journal, or takes a nap, or bakes a cake, or plays tag with his siblings............... What about searching every nook and cranny of the region that you are in? What about learning Italian or helping an elderly person with their gardening or skipping stones on a lake? I am not trying to be flip with you, but I just do not understand these issues. Get rid of the screens. He might fuss a bit but so what? Is spending his every free moment (or wanting to) playing videos good for him? Good for his future? Good for his relationships? How do video games help kids? Why has screen time become a given for kids? I do not see how it helps them in any way. Sorry. I will get off of my soapbox but I really do hope you consider what I am saying. Kids do not need screens. Kids are not better off for spending time with screens. Kids do not get better futures for spending lots of time with screens. Kids are often negatively affected by spending lots of time with screens. Parents can get rid of screens. This seems like a straightforward and easy problem to solve. Again, sorry for the rant.

:bigear:

Tried so many others and wish I had found this to start. Good luck!

At how many years age difference between a man and woman do you think: "Hmm, that's too much." 5, 10, 20, 30, more? I ask because I just met a couple where he is 36 years her senior. So, when she was 16 he was 52. That creeped me out. But, maybe it sounds just fine to others. What say you?

Yes, the Bible, of course. But, I am grateful for the other suggestions. :001_smile:

I've read this quote and always see the books/curriculum to study the Greeks and Romans but do not see what is recommended for the study of Jerusalem or the ancient Israelites. Do you have any suggestions for grades 4-6? Thanks.

On, Amazon I see that there is Mathtacular Mathtacular2 Mathtacular3 Are these by grade? What are the differences? There is a big price dfference. Thanks.

Hi! If you have successfully completed the 6th grade with your dc, PLEASE share the best curriculum choices, books, tools, activities, etc., that you used to have a great year. I am just moving into middle school and would really appreciate your advice on making the 6th grade a great year. Thanks!!

a matter of being sensitive to Christians. So, if you are not communicating with a Christian or want to show that you are not a Christian believer, bible is alright. Again, the Bible is a known, ancient, published, book refered to throughout history as the Bible, not bible. When we are talking about a computer bible to denote a book that is the authority on computers, we do not have to capitalize it unless the actual title is Computer Bible. The Bible, even with its variations, refers to a particular book. If I thought it was just an occasional oversight, I wouldn't care but I see it more and more and I am beginning to think that it is in fact a way to show that "I do not BELIEVE in 'The Bible' so I will refer to it as the bible." You do not capitalize it because you are a Christian or support Christianity, you capitalize it because it is a book that is capitalized, because historically it has always been capitalized, because it has value as a piece of literature/history aside from it's religious teachings. OK, I am a little surprised at my own passion over this one. I didn't know I felt so strongly about it. I think I have just have one post too many with bible. UGH.

My dd loves poetry and I want her to really understand it. I could use some lessons myself. Thank you Michelle. Please, I would appreciate input from others who have done 6th grade.

That's something that's never bothered me. The Bible just doesn't hold some people's respect or doesn't have a place of importance in their life. No big deal to me. __________________ It's not about that. I am not saying that the Bible has to "mean" anything to anybody, only that just like you capitalize other books (which does show some level of acknowledgement or respect), it too should hold that acknowledgement and/or respect. And, while there are many Protestants and some differences between the Catholic/Protestant Bibles, I think most people have an idea of what is meant by the Bible, regardless of if they are talking about a particular version. We capitalize book titles regardless of whether they are abridged or unabriged.

I see "bible" rather than "Bible" being used by secular persons when refering to the actual Bible. I am assuming that this is because they are not people who believe in the Bible and want to make clear that it is not a sacred text to them. (My assumption - maybe it's something else) What I do not understand is why you would not capitalize the Bible as that is its name, Bible, just out of respect for the name of an ancient document or title. I do not "believe in" many writing books that are sacred/important to others and still, I do capitalize it to show respect for it as an important document with a particular name. For example: I write Koran (or Qur'an) not koran (qua'ran), Tripitaka not tripitaka, Rig Veda not rig veda, etc. Am I missing something? Why would someone choose to use lower case for the Bible? I see it and think it is in the best case ignorant and in the worst disrespectful. I am probably missing something and actually want to know if I am misinterpreting this. Just because it is not YOUR sacred text does not mean that you have to act as if it is not deserving of respect: it is a published book, probably the best-selling ever, and important to many people on the planet. If you would not show disrespect to other sacred texts why would you "dis" the Bible? Maybe I am making a mountain out of a moleshill but it really bothers me. As does people who refuse to read a sacred text that is absolutely necessary for understanding literature, history, culture and civilization because the text is religious! But, that is another post. :glare::001_smile:

I am planning my dd's 6th grade and could use some input. Some info on dd: She likes independent work, does not enjoy writing, loves history/geo, is an excellent reader but needs help slowing down and holding on the the info, is visual and kinestetic. Oh, and we will be starting our cycle over again, so we will be on the ancients. Language Arts: Easy Grammar (we have used GWG 1-6) - what level? Rod & Staff Spelling 6 Imitations in Writing Poetry + IEW Poetry IEW Ancients Writing Latin: Rosetta Stone Latin ??? (completed PL and GSWL; stumped by SYRWTLLPrep) Get a tutor? Spanish: Rosetta Stone Spanish History: Suzanne Strauss Art books on ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Other possible add-ins: FM series. Corresponding readings. *I want to focus on major civilizations for two months at a time: read, map, do projects, eat the food, etc. I might add in Mesopotamia, Israel, and China. I would appreciate your suggestions. **I would require one paper written on each civilization after our course of study. ***I own KF, DK, NG and other reference books. Geo: Continue memory work. I think I would like her to start learning how to draw the world but do not know a good program for this. I do not want a lot of workbook work to do in geo, just memorizing. Science: Coop class Math: We have been using R&S 5 and I like their style of teaching but wish it were in workbooks. Is CLE a good option for this? Do you see anything missing? I really want to streamline this year. I feel like we always have a pile of books to "get through" and would rather we do FEWER books and go a lot deeper in each. Would you share your favorite literature for middle-schoolers studying the ancients? DD has a lot of activities: works, gymnastics, tennis, art, piano, choir. Thanks a lot!

Establish them. They are DH's parents - he cannot live at work. He has to deal with them too. You get to go out and walk, read, whatever, by yourself every day for at least an hour. Only clean/cook what is NECESSARY and let your in-laws DO things. Old people need work too. Can the dogs live outside? That might help. Let the kids go to school and get out to do errands/alone time when they are at school. Good luck! I totally understand and am speaking from a place of knowledge -- too much knowledge really.

I had two dds ages 5 and 2.5 and found out I was pregnant (unexpectedly), dh lost job and insurance and I did not have any idea how we would get through. It all worked itself out and I have a fine six year old boy who is a delight. I can't imagine our lives without him. As a matter of fact, it was so wonderful to have the third, that we went ahead and had the fourth. Chin up! Prayer and Preseverance! You have a blessing on the way. :grouphug:

I will be happy in any setting as long as we can have the stillness/quiet along with prayers/communion. Thank you for your posts. I will look into them. Please, if anyone has any more ideas, please post.

if it's what we are looking for. The dc will be 11.6, 9, 6.6, 3.6. Thank you for taking an interest. I hope someone can point me in the right direction. Thanks.

I would love to take a week in our travels and be still and be silent in a monastic setting. Reflection, reading, simple meals, pared down rooms. I would like for us to participate in prayers and meals. I do not want a Christian Summer Camp experience with lots of activities for the family. I am looking for the opposite. Quiet, little to no activities, and time to just be. Does anyone know of a place like this that will allow me to bring my children? Thanks.

the middle or the baby. I am the youngest in my family and I am on the FRONT LINES in dealing with my mom's totally wacko behavior. My sister (middle) fought her way out of the line of fire a long time ago and my brother (eldest) checked out mentally 30 years ago. To add insult to injury, they both act like I have had such an easy time because I am the baby! AAAGHH! Oh, yeah, it was so easy to be at home alone with mad mother (I am much younger than sibs) and take the brunt of everything solo and deal with her now because I am the only one who puts up with her antics. Just want to stand up for the often misunderstood babies of the family!!! By the way, my dh - also the baby - has the same crappy situation with his sibs and parents. We two are fully responsible for our elderly parents and our sibs are NOT a help. :glare:

My dd's violin teacher, knowing that we are hsers, offered to do music history lessons for us on the SOTW4 schedule! He offered because he thought the dc would actually listen and be interested (he does not do this for anyone else). So, we worked out a price for his time and he did two lessons. The dc love all of it, listened, asked meaningful questions, read up to be ready, thanked him, etc. He called today and said that it is such a pleasure to teach children who are so polite and curious that he does not want to charge me anymore. He will sit and have lunch with all of us after the violin lesson (that is paid as always) and do a "brown bag lecture" where he and dc will discuss the scheduled composer/music and place it in historical context. I had agreed to a sizable sum of money. He has decided to do it for free. Can you believe it??? I am just giddy over this and so pleased that my dc will see - in concrete terms - that good manners are appreciated and rewarded! Just wanted to share. :)

DD has done all of the Getty-Dubay books and still have messy handwriting. It tires her to write if she does so slowly and carefully. She is right that if she writes as slowly as she has to in order to be neat, she would take much longer to complete her work. I think she needs a very simple, clean, straightforward cursive to help her. What do you think? What do you recommend? Many thanks.

The dc are: dd/11.4 dd/8.6 ds/6 ds/3 I know the ages are young, but they really are little troopers and good little workers, and they LOVE to travel. I will be traveling through the south in late May/June. I do not have it nailed down yet as I am still working on accomodations. ;) Once, finalized, I will post here and see if anyone would like to meet for coffee!

My dd/11 has had this issue all along. When she is asked a question by anyone, including me about a topic that she has a fairly good grasp of, she completely blanks out and cannot give a coherent answer. For example, she was asked yesterday if she knew who Moses was. She KNOWS Moses. We spent days learning about his life. We memorized the plagues. We memorized the Ten Commandments. She stammered and stared. She said his brother's name was Aaron. After much prodding from me she said that Moses did not get to Canaan because he struck the rock in anger. Then she said she could not remember ANYTHING else about Moses. When asked about it today, she said that she knew all of the info about Moses but thought it was all so basic that did not think she should say that so she was looking for something else to say but could not think of it. WHAT? The question was, "What do you know about Moses? Who was he?" Same night, different discussion, we are talking about the branches of government. I have gone over this with her many, many times. I have used diagrams, examples, etc. She says she knows it. But, every time it comes up in conversation she cannot recall the information. She says, " I know it, I just can't explain it." Meanwhile, her sister, age 8, is giving a dissertation on the subject from only overhearing my explanation to elder sister. This happens a lot. What is it? I find it really frustrating. I feel like we are putting in a lot of effort to teach her and reinforce the learning and try to use it day to day and it is not sticking. I think that if you cannot recall it or explain it you must not really know it, but maybe I am wrong. All I know is that she is really smart but some switch is not turning on for her. This is a lifelong thing. It precedes hsing. She could memorize an entire poem in three tries and recite it but asked her apartment number (which she had practiced dozens of times and been told five minutes before) she would completely shut down. Does she have an LD? Gosh, this got long. Sorry. I think it's really bothering me.

It was very gratifying to get posts opening homes to us on our travels. I will give you more details... I hope to drive around the US, dip into Mexico, and ride up to Canada with my four dc. We are doing it on a tiny budget but want to see as much of the country as possible. The dc are travel warriors. They are willing to live on peanut butter sandwiches and OJ, work, sleep uncomfortably, whatever, just to get to see the world. I love these kids! I think I might have places to stay up the east coast (not yet Maine), in the south, southwest, and CA. I definitely need places to stay in the Pacific NW, across the north (could be US or Canada). I will have a place to stay in Chicago. I am also interested in a place to stay in Kansas City and PEI. The dc are dying to visit: all Civil War sites, as many historic landmarks as possible, art museums, cattle ranches, farms, well - everything. We travel without technology, only audio books, SOTW CDs, and I am obtaining some of the excellent CD recommendations posted by the hive. Well, thanks for reading all of this. I do hope to get to meet some of you. We won't be short on conversation as we can always wax on about how much we love SWB and TWTM!