Thank you! All of those links look very helpful!

Our son is struggling with math this year. We started with Horizon's PreAlg, but dropped it and used Saxon 8/7. I know that an average score of 80% is recommended for moving on to Algebra 1, and he definitely doesn't have it. I'm hoping that other members who are familiar with Saxon math can shed some light on this for me. Here are my late night, scatter brained questions: 1) If we can limp through 8/7, do we do 1/2 instead of Al 1? Redo 8/7? 2) In flipping through the Alg 1 textbook, it doesn't look like a great deal of new concepts are introduced. Am I wrong? Is there enough overlap of 8/7 & Alg 1 that we could move on to Alg 1 without needing another year to master? I guess my concern is that if Alg 1 is a significant amount of review of 8/7 (or 1/2 for that matter), and we do 1/2 next year, then Alg 1 the following year, he will have done basically the same series 3 times. Is that way off base? 3) I read on another thread that several families found Alg 1 easier than 8/7. What's your take on that? (I remember all my college intro courses being much harder than the upper levels, so it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility to me...) 4) DIVE vs. Saxon teacher vs. Art Read... We are using DIVE right now, and it's fine, but not amazing. Feedback on the others? Thanks everyone. We've had a long, semi-discouraging math year and hoping to start a new one off fresh!

OP here - thanks for all the responses! It has been nice to see that we are not the only ones struggling with this issue. I think my frustration lies in several places: 1) Parents signed up with the foreknowledge of our volunteering policy. Do things come up that might prevent us from following up on our commitments? Yes, of course, and we work with that. But you have an entire year to do *something." We are ALL making time sacrifices here, so "I'm busy" doesn't really cut it. We do have people sign up at the beginning of the year for jobs, but that doesn't cover the "unexpected" during the year. 2) We don't allow parents to "drop & go" - they HAVE to be on the premises during our meetings (which are once a week, in the evening). So as I'm watching folks chat, Facebook, etc, while they KNOW we need help (see original posts - we've asked specifically and face-to-face) is maddening. 3) I have specifically not mentioned the name of our organization because I truly love it, and don't want to cast dispursions on it or the parents in it. But, for the sake of giving some information, it is a scout-like organization. We cannot pay people to run it. We cannot pay people to volunteer. If parents don't step up and do it, we have to stop (which breaks my heart to even think about). I really do appreciate your thoughts. Our leadership is meeting on this issue next week, and, as I mentioned before, sometimes it helps to get some outside perspective when you are too close to it.

Wow! Thank you all so much! Here's a bit of clarification: Yes - we do provide them with a list of jobs with a first come/first serve sign up. The jobs are detailed and we provide as much support for the volunteers in those roles as possible (meaning, we don't throw them in a room with kids and say "Teach them - good luck!"). Yes - we do ask face to face. We call. We email. We track them down to look them in the eye. We tell them clearly, "If we don't have a parent that is willing to step up and be in this room, your child's group will not be able to meet." ---CRICKETS--- We aren't asking for anything difficult, we are asking for a warm body to sit in a room so that the national organization's required child/adult ratio will be met. Yes - we take great pains to know what is going on in the lives of the families in our group, not only from the standpoint of this discussion, but so that we can come along side and support them. We LOVE the people in this group, and we love their kids. We want this to work. But we are all, in our own way, stretched thin. What do you think about this??----> Our group does give out patches to the kids for their achievements (fund raising, campouts, etc). Maybe there is a way we can tie the efforts of the parents to this? For example, a parent volunteers 10 hours, child gets patch A. 20 hours, child gets patch B. ?? I know the concern is that the child will have his/her feelings hurt if they don't get a patch, but perhaps this could be a good way to get the parents moving. I know *I* wouldn't want to be the reason my child didn't get something, so I would be more likely to step up at that point.

I'm hoping to get some thoughts from this creative group! I am involved with a local group of a national program for kids. We are 100% parent led, and depend on full involvement from the parents of the kids involved for the organization to run. Part of the requirements for joining are that parents sign a pledge that they will volunteer in some capacity. The problem is (as can be found in many other situations), we have "dead weight" parents. They are content to drop their children off at our weekly meetings and hang out with their iPads, while a minority of parents do all the work - and it is A LOT of work. Our leadership has become very concerned that we will burn out the volunteers we do have, which will result in the group not being able to meet (due to volunteer/child ratio requirements). Because our children LOVE this group, we want to make this work, but need to come up with some creative solutions. We'd like to avoid the hard stance of "You're not volunteering, so your family is no longer welcome," but we don't want to be door mats, either. Please - if you have any ideas (whether you think they fit this situation or not), I would love to hear them. I have spent so much time trying to come up with a solution, that I'm afraid I can't see the forest for the trees. Thank you!

Thank you for all the responses! There seems to be a unanimous feeling that 100 times is too much. :001_smile: I was using that strategy because (truth be told), he is pretty lazy. He will take the short cut 100% of the time, in all things, and I thought that if he knew there were unpleasant consequences, he'd slow down and do it right. (It's one of the many character issues we work on - do your best at EVERYTHING.) I know that it *could* be a vision issue, but my gut tells me it is his ADD - he'd rather do it fast and be done than do it well. That's primarily why I push the printing issue. Yes, he can write in cursive or type, but the bigger (and more important fight, in my opinion) is the character development. He has spent several years in OT, for eye tracking issues (plus a myriad of other things). The therapist discharged us because he successfully completed his work with her. So, again, it might be that, but I don't think so. Still, a visit to the opthamologist wouldn't be out of the question. Thanks again for all the feedback. I'm trying to keep the right perspective, but my husband is pushing me on this. His position is "make him write more" (as in many, many pages) and "what would the school system do for him?" He's not 100% onboard with our homeschooling, and, although he knows the b&m schools are far from perfect, he in many ways holds them as "the standard" of how to teach. But that's a whole 'nother post!! :boxing_smiley:

We are finishing up our 2nd year of homeschooling, and I am still fighting my son on his printing. In comparing his handwriting from 1st grade to now, there is literally no difference in quality. He rushes through his work (self-control is *another* big issue for us), and as a result his writing is incredibly sloppy. Here's where I could use some advice, suggestions, guidance (and encouragement)!!! - Every time he writes sloppily (math, spelling, etc), he has to copy the word 100 times. - We are revisiting daily cursive copywork. Since he is "older", I haven't done much of this with him. His cursive is actually really nice, because it forces him to slow down and concentrate. - We he writes, it's on the line maybe 50% of the time - everything is "floating" well above the line. - We are doing 15 minutes of typing instruction everyday this summer, because (in reality) that's going to be his primary mode of writing. What have some of you done with this issue, especially with older children? What are some creative ways I can get him to WANT to change this habit, so I'm not scolding him all the time? I would really appreciate any thoughts you might have - I feel so beat down by this day after day!!! :crying: Thank you!

I've heard good things about Classic Conversations, but we don't want to go that route. I do think their memorization focus is good, so I'm wondering if anyone has used the CC CDs without doing the whole shebang - you know, just having it on while cooking, in the car, etc. We've had good results with a geography cd that lists countries/continents/etc to really annoying songs, but it works! Thoughts? Opinions?

I've heard good things about Classic Conversations, but we don't want to go that route. I do think their memorization focus is good, so I'm wondering if anyone has used the CC CDs without doing the whole shebang - you know, just having it on while cooking, in the car, etc. We've had good results with a geography cd that lists countries/continents/etc to really annoying songs, but it works! Thoughts? Opinions?

I like the x's better on the coffee table better than I do on the sofa table. :001_smile:

I'm working my way through Ride the Wind, the historical fiction novel about Cynthia Ann Parker, kidnapped by the Comanche Indians when she was 9. Fascinating insight about their daily life, her marriage to a chief, and later her "recapture" by her white family. So far it is amazing, but it is epically long and incredibly violent at times :ack2: - in fact, so much so, that if anyone thinks about reading it, I'd recommend skipping the 1st 3 chapters altogether. Here's my summary of chap 1-3 so you won't feel like you're missing anything: Indians attack the Parker fort in TX, LOTS and LOTS of truly horrible and gruesome things are done to the Parkers (and other members of the settlement), Cynthia is taken. There ya go, and you're welcome.

Thanks! Yes, it is very heavy (solid pine) - 70 pounds (guesstimating). It is definitely a 2 person job to move it, and I'm fairly strong. With hardwood floors, though, I suppose it could still move without the right amount of friction... maybe a little of the non-skid rubber used under rugs could be nailed to the bottoms?

Here's the specific link to the table: http://ana-white.com/2012/05/plans/rustic-x-console I believe it is an "Ana" plan, although it looks as though she's had a friend build it. I didn't really modify this one - hers has an "x" on the sides that wouldn't match our decor, so I left it off, as well as all the extra hardware (on the corners, etc). I went with a regular poly/stain rather than the tea stain she shows. I'm planning on making some nightstands for the master bedroom, but I'll probably put it off for a couple more months. TX summers aren't exactly conducive to outdoor projects! :tongue_smilie:

Thanks! I frequent (lurk? troll?) a website called ana-white.com - she's an Alaskan mom who makes furniture plans based on stuff from Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, etc, and then published the plans on her blog. It's all free and easy to modify, if you need to. There are lots of bookshelf plans, I'm sure. So many wonderful things to make, so little time....

Here's a sample list from a HS in our area: http://www.nisdtx.org/Page/3304

We only use streaming, and are happy with it. They add new shows all the time, and some of them are pretty recent (ex: Thor was added last month). They have a ton of TV shows (Miss Marple, Say Yes to the Dress, Phineas and Ferb, etc), but not necessarily always the lastest season or most current episode.

Thanks! It is really neat to see it and know that I made it. Plus, I think it impresses my older two kids - "Wow, Mom can use a miter saw?!" At least, I'd like to think it does. :lol:

I finished this sofa table this week (thanks to my in-laws watching the kids) and am so super pleased with how it turned out!! And to top it all off, the materials only cost about $75 - woot!!

We've never done it - didn't feel it was worth the cost. Here's a link to the allears review page for the MNSSHP so you can see what some others liked and didn't like: http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=222 By the way, if you've not used allears before in your planning, you need to check it out! Their information is amazing! The menus, reviews, and insider tips are extremely helpful.

I don't know about their level of excitement, but my kids have enjoyed the books by Janet & Geoff Benge. They write missionary biographies as well as biographies of historical figures (Washington, Reagan, Alan Shepard, Wright brothers, C.S. Lewis, etc.). We read the Gladys Aylward biography (which took place during the China/Japan war and Revolution) and my kids (10/8) were begging for more every night. Here's a link (Christian Heroes and Heroes of History): http://www.ywampublishing.com/c-39-hero-biographies.aspx

Oh, how I feel the pain. My husband buys atrocious gifts for me - if he remembers to buy them at all. :glare: Some of the standouts: a travel chess set (I don't know how to play chess, nor do I travel), a tennis ball set so I can play tennis BY MYSELF (I don't play tennis), a Kindle (after I specifically said "I. Don't. Want. An. E-reader."), and all kinds of other "gadgets" that mysteriously end up being more useful to him than me. And I can't tell you the number of times I've found him on the computer the morning of (Christmas, birthday, anniversary, etc) hastily printing out "Happy Birthday - IOU 1 back massage!".... I think I'm due like 30 trips to the spa at this point. Sigh.

Do you have any beef or chicken bullion? That would add a nice "robust" flavor... as if I know what I'm talking about.

Snort! This has to be the first reference to Scrooge McDuck on the forums. Nicely done!

I think (I hope) I'd be practical and save it, however, it is lots of fun to think of ways to squander it, too. I think we'd need a full time cook, a 2nd car, and a house with a back yard. And an Ipad. I think I could finally allow myself to splurge on that! :tongue_smilie:

I've been thinking about reading these myself. I am loving the series on PBS!