Being raised in a "very Catholic" family and attending catholic school, I never really figured out where the catholic church actually got it's 'truth'. When I talk to our Catholic friends and neighbors, they really don't know what they believe or why. So I was wondering what exactly the church teaches regarding faith and truth? Would you mind expounding on your statements here?

I spend at least 30 minutes a day introducing material and working through problems with them on the whiteboard. Then we always do a math game, which sometimes takes 15 minutes(or more!). Then we go through the textbook problems and then I assign the workbook pages and I work with them. In total it is at least 1 hour. I really want them to get this stuff. And, thankfully they are! They think math is a really big game! :)

Recieved our DVD today. I recieved the mag a few weeks ago. I read through it and then it went out for recycling. We don't get the history channel, although one of the programs piqued my interest.

I think it looks really good! I wouldn't drop a thing. :) Yes, I think more information would be helpful for those giving you feedback. What time does your day start? Can you start earlier? Do you have a set schedule or a routine that is consistent each day? Can you give each of your children a timer and an expectation that they finish a certain subject within a certain timeframe? Is there somewhere that they are getting stuck, and they need more teacher involvement or encouragement? Do you utilize a checklist to help keep them accountable? A schedule is the only way that we keep things organized and get things done in a timely fashion. Here is a sample schedule that may help? Please don't take offense if this totally doesn't jive with you, I just thought it may give you a springboard to help your day flow better. : ) 8-9 a.m.- Teaching Textbooks for 9th & 7th, work with 3rd on FLL & WWE 9-10-Teaching texbooks for 3rd, Work on Rod & Staff English with 9th & 7th 10-11-Handwriting & Spelling workout w/3rd & 7th add science when done, Apologia for 9th 11-12-Literature reading for all, discussion w/you 12-1-break 1-3-Work on TOG together and then apart or vise versa(I haven't used it so I'm not sure how you implement it in your family). 3-4-finish what wasn't completed?

After trying many programs and failing with my second born, I have seen the light for my children. It is Spell to Write and Read! :) I'm just now reading WRTR so I can get a clearer understanding of the methodology behind it all. It just makes perfect sense.

:iagree: I even wrote posts here about how hard it was. :blush: Now after trying other programs, I realized they were missing very important elements like spelling rules and phonograms!! I just couldn't understand why they didn't teach those things right away. I look at our oldest dd's learning log from when she was six and it is truly beautiful. I regret, regret, regret not sticking with it! I just wish I could go back and stick with it. :crying:

AVG...but not the free version. Since downloading the paid version of AVG I have not had to have a tech out! Yay!

It is my understanding that the Veritas Scholars program(I think that is what you are referring to) has math lesson plans but it basically says, "Teach Lesson 64". The Saxon Grade K-3 Teachers Manuals is very self explanatory with words actually written out for the teacher to teach. http://resource2.veritaspress.com/Resources/Scholars/pdfs/Math.pdf

I think you need to be actively involved in the process. Handing them the cards is not the best way for them to learn. You, the teacher, need to teach them the sounds. After you review them each day, you can do fun stuff like playing bingo, four card pick-up, write them on the board and have them erase the sounds they hear you say. I think games are the KEY, but the teacher needs to be involved! We are having so much fun this year thanks in great part to implementing games. Bealls has a Phonogram game packet that we enjoy using as well!

I consider a school week five days of school. However, I'm sure their are families that count 4 days(or less) as an official week. 180 days would be 180 school days, not counting holidays or vacations, although I do think they count partial days as a full school day in public schools. Please correct me if I'm wrong! Our state requires us to complete 875 hours of instruction, so days are not really an issue, it's more how many hours of school are completed in a school year. Since we typically spend 5 hours a day on school related work. That comes out to 175 days.

1. What do you blog about? Our life, our farm, our family. 2. Who reads it? My family, my husband's family, and a few friends from far away. 3. Is it worth your time? I feel it is, otherwise I wouldn't do it! 4. Why do you blog? To journal our life so that I don't forget what we do, why we do what we do, and to see us grow as a family and accomplish our goals. It is also a testimony of our faith. http://farmer-in-the-dell.blogspot.com

I was a very rebellious, angry teen. Drinking, smoking, skipping school, parties. I was caught in the middle of a nasty divorce and suffered the consequences. Fast forward a few years(more than a few!;)) and now I have a very grace-filled relationship with my heavenly Father who gives me freedom and forgives me when I mess up. Praise God for His mercy and grace! Most outsiders would think of me as compliant. However, they really don't know my heart, which is often rebellious...but forgiven!!! :)

Another OV producer here! Thanks for the support! Our family typically goes through 1 gallon/day but some days it is more so I think we are working our way up to 2 gallons/day. I am so thankful for that fresh, raw, organic milk that my husband works so hard to provide. I love our milk, it tastes so good! It's a wonderful perk of the profession!

I used LHTH and my brain just does not work with a page layout that is so scattered and not orderly. I totally fumbled through it a few weeks and it frankly gave me a headache. I see that the layout is similar in the other manuals as well. I could never use it I'm afraid.

This is totally off subject, but I was wondering how you were able to get BJU Online for only Math? It was my understanding that you had to order the whole grade kits until 6th grade and then you can order subject kits. Is there a loophole I'm not aware of?

I have greatly benefited from the radio program of Ravi Zacharias. He tackles the hard questions that people have regarding faith, God, and religion. He has also written a book called, Jesus Among Other Gods: I pray that your journey of faith will direct you in the area that will bring fulfillment and joy in your life.

Math, every day of the week!

I LOVE Adventures in My Father's World!! It is recommended for 2/3rd grade but my k/1st kids joined right in and loved it. It can easily be done in 2-3 days a week and you can skip/add whatever you like. The book basket lists dozens of great titles you can pick up at the library. http://www.mfwbooks.com/adventures_my_fathers_world.htm P.S. I know a lot of people say the state sheets get boring but my 3yo begged for them every day!!

Yes, Yes!!! I recommend phonogram cards, that is what turned the light on for my second child! Some kids don't need them, mine wouldn't be reading without them!

I have a friend who has always lived in a small house with many children. She has to keep clothes to a minimum. Each child is allowed 5 everyday outfits and then 2 good outfits. This helps with laundry as well. We have 4 girls in one room and one really neat space saving idea that we use is that we have a bunk bed (Paul Bunyun style) and we slide another twin bed underneath it during the day and then pull it out at night. I can easily fit 6 children in one room using this method. We have also used a toddler mattress as well and you could fit two of those mattresses underneath which would save you even more floor space during the day. Another idea that I am slowly trying to get to is that each child has one dresser drawer to store their toys in, if the drawer is too full then they must donate something.

We are just finishing up Adventures and we had a great year!!! I did add in more books, particularly the whole entire Little House on the prairie series. It was a hit. I gave up using the book basket after awhile because it became too overwhelming for me but I added in books I had that coincided with what we were studying. It was our favorite time of the day. I am moving on to ECC and am very excited to start that after our success with Adventures. I used the old version and felt it met our needs just fine. Our children loved American Patriots and Pioneers and are so sad we finished the book yesterday. Exploring American History was a little over thier head but I think that's o.k. too.

The advice given to me was that Map Aids is a must. The rest is gravy.

I have lots of girls so..... Elsie Dinsmore is a major favorite!

Faber and Faber

Where did you find the MEP practice books for sale?