I was just coming here to say that j.griff. How dare ya'll pick on someone who looks like that. I mean c'mon, I don't pick on you denim jumper wearing ladies, in fact, I don't pick on any of you. You know I was bullied all through middle and high school and it hurt me badly enough to make me grow up into someone who stands up for others. This is just flat out ridiculous seeing Christian ladies picking on someone just because of how they are dressed or they cut their hair. humph!!!! I'm calling someone on this one. It's just so mean. **cries**

I know my limits and will play jokes on those I know who will appreciate them. Otherwise, I don't get to have any fun. But since this is the 4 year anniversary of my brother's death(and that isn't a joke--www.ourfallenbrother.com) My mom and I no longer play jokes on each other like we used to and I miss it. :(

Gail--I think your comment is fine in this thread. It's not a spinoff, it actually is a valid comment that could apply to what we are talking about as well. ;)

Once more, for old time's sake: The OP posted stating that she was going to "defend it to the end!" and that the reason she wrote was because she was "disturbed by some of the comments on the board and from friends looking at Public School Texts - so I wrote TT and asked some questions." Then she posts the letter from the publisher which basically states how all of the criticism is unjustified and unwarranted and really is a standard form letter. By way of her posting this letter here, it is the same as him posting it himself because presumably, it was a private exchange between he and her that should have been kept private, but was made public. And since it was made public, we have a right to assume that it is coming from the publisher (as it appears) and to respond to the publisher as though he were here. *we* have the benefit of having SWB here should something like this occur. That's just a plus for us. But, judging from other responses, she posted his letter (or ones similar or someone else did) on other forums. AND let's not forget that no one said you could not use or should not use TT. We simply said that this guy's letter wasn't exactly something to be praising.

I actually am sitting here laughing at the responses my and Charon's posts are getting. They border on "yeah well look here" and it is kind of funny. Neither he nor I said "TT Stinks". He and I both said that the letter being sent out (and judging from my pos. rep comments) is a standard form letter and not impressive. That what he said in that letter, *I* could say about Videotext Algebra (my program of choice). Our points were that "he isn't special" and we resented the tone taking with those of us who had negative opinions on the program. We are allowed those opinions, good or bad. And his letter (and the OP's letter) is trying to take that away from us, in fact, she stated she wrote him out of concern for all the negative comments. But since the whole point is we are allowed to make those comments because that's the nature of the beast, him trying to take them away upsets me even more. And here in bold: You do not see Susan Wise Bauer coming on here telling people to stop talking negatively about her product, do you? No, you don't because she realizes people have opinions, good or bad. If TT works for you, GREAT!!!! No one said otherwise. But we did say that taking away our opinion on a product was unfair because just by default, that's what HOMESCHOOL message boards do--they discuss curriculums!!

Well, I'll answer your question with a question: have you checked out other math sites and looked at any available demos they might have? Even though I stand by my comments about TT and Videotext, I have to say that Videotext is a bit more rigerous than TT. If you go to their site: www. videotext.com and click on "homeschool", you have the option of watching demonstration videos. I am of the opinion that if I am paying for a video tutor (or disk tutor like TT) or DVD tutor or something like that, there should not be a need for an outside tutor. The instructors explain it well enough or they don't. Personally, I've tried abeka, saxon, BJU and Videotext algebra. Out of all of them, only VT actually "taught" my kids. Now some feel this way about TT. But go to both websites and see the sample lessons--do the sample lesson along with the video, that's the best way to gauge whether or not the kid will get it. Or, be satistfied with what you are doing. ;) Either way, I am firm believer that the best way a kid learns is when they are happy and content. If your child is happy and content with TT and you feel he is learning, then so be it. Don't change that. And don't worry if some feel it isn't rigorous enough. That's the beauty of homeschooling--you do what is best for your kid.

And we do, we ALL do. Everyone on this board has, at some point in time, nitpicked a curriculum. Even WTM isn't immune to this, yet you do not see SWB calling for people to stop complaining about the product or calling our opinion of her product "harsh criticism" do you? If I ask "gimme your best french program"--I am going to get 10 posts with 10 different answers. Some may agree with a previous poster, but then say "it didn't work for us and here is why". And some may say "steer clear and here is why" and ALL would be valid opinions on that program because all 10 of those posters have had experiences that gave them their viewpoint. So calling it "harsh criticism" when we are just (in most cases) answering an OP's question about a particular product is unfair. We are entitled to our opinions--good or bad--and I would hope that I'd get both when I question a curriculum. I WANT both and most here do. So this guy was out of line for saying we didn't know what we speak of by giving our opinion on his product. It's quite clear that is what he means even if he didn't spell it out.

True. However, the OP did state that she wrote him out of becoming "disturbed by some of the comments on the board and from friends looking at Public School Texts". Now, while I agree with the publisher that PS texts are full of fluff in math(which is why I ultimately went with VT), I was more focused on her writing him out of concern because some voiced dissenting opinion on his product. That he could have mentioned PS out of some unseen question, does not matter to me because the OP is praising his response to her as though to thumb a finger in the face of those who have dissenting opinions on his product and his response reflected this. Now, while I don't truly believe the OP is doing that, his response does come as a bit of a finger in the face response due to some posting opinions (which were deemed criticisms) on his product. And as someone who left me positive rep said---this is an industry standard form letter, with a bit of his voice interjected within. I've no problem with those you choose to use TT or VT or ABEKA or BJU or any other math program. ;) I only wanted to comment on the seemingly thumbed finger response made to those of us who posted opinions on his product based on our use of it. I mean, don't we all ask for opinions on a product? Why should his be any different?

Merci Beaucoup!! I will definitely check it out.

Where can one find this French in Action and get the video portion free?

Keep in mind that everyone is entitled to their opinion about a product and if said product isn't working for someone, they are allowed to and inclined to speak on what it was that wasn't doing the trick. See, let me example this for you: everything the producer of Teaching Textbooks claims is in his product, I've also found in Videotext Algebra. Why do you think most people compare those two more often than any other curriculums? Personally, nothing he said dazzled me. Nothing at all. It sounds like your standard, rote, "this is what we do" letter. And to be quite honestly with you, I am kind of miffed that he felt the need to respond to people's opinions on his program (in an unkind manner). We are entitled to those opinions and should not be told we can't have them just because the producer of said curriculum disagrees with us. It also irks me that he launched into a "what's wrong with PS" speil instead of focusing soley on his product. As for being "turned off" by TT because of recent comments--well see here's where a bit of searching comes in--both websites (TT and VT for example) have sample videos on their site showing you how each program works. In other words, if someone is dissing or praising a program, I am going to go to that program's website and see for myself. I'm not going to rely soley on the word of others. For my kids, TT did not cut it and I thank the owner for not assuming I don't know what I am speaking about when I say this or assuming we haven't researched it enough. I have as have others and we are entitled to the opinion we've formed based on what we've seen. Having used Videotext, I can tell you that everything he said about TT, is also the same for VT, but to here him say it, I've not researched it enough and don't have a right to my opinion on the choice I made. I am sure everyone will continue to do their own research. But his letter really did not prompt me to even think TT was better, and in fact, sort of made some of the recent posts/comments more true than before.

This is coming from someone who is NOT religious in anyway--- Because Rod and Staff is the bomb, that's why. And it has nothing to do with religion or their religion. It has everything to do with it being one of the most complete grammar programs I have ever seen. It is thorough, solid and teaches every single thing one needs to know about grammar and writing. I have never seen Diagramming so thorough as I have out of that. Both of my girls, who hate writing, LOVE Rod and Staff. Even though I will have an 11th grader next year(and 7th) I will be using their 7th grade Grammar program because it is that thorough. How's that for a review? :)

What's sadder still is DH has heard that from PARENTS as an excuse as to why Junior shouldn't get the F. In my day(haha), we not only got the F, but we got in school suspension as well. ;)

While in theory, this box might sound good, for me it's all about taking the responsibility away from them--the responsibility that they should be doing the right thing. You can only harp on them so much and if he gets a speeding ticket, accident, arrested, etc... it is HIS fault, not yours and I think the box is more counter-productive than productive because of this. I understand insurance costs, but in my house, if you are driving you are also working or you don't drive. If you are working, you are contributing to the cost of insurance/gas/car maintenance or else you don't drive. And while I understand the part about "no expectation of privacy until you are no longer responsible for them", a box like this is too much like "helicopter parenting" to me and I could not justify the cost. I'm sorry, but I do feel it is a bit much to spend just to check how fast they are driving, taking corners, accelerating, etc... way too "big brother" for my tastes and I'm not a believer in big brother, so there you have it. I just would not and could not justify losing my child's trust, or even losing my child(in general) because I wanted to be obsessive about how they drive. If I trust them enough to give them the keys to my car, I gotta cut the cord at some point and trust them to make the right decisions. And if they fail at that, they will be the ones paying for it not me.

Yes, Yes it will. :) And here I thought I was the only one on these boards who heard of, let alone listened to, the Cocteau Twins or Ani DeFranco (of course, I'm listening to Bowie right now)...

I picked the regular stuff because I'm one of those bad moms that doesn't buy into the hype of "MUST NEED FOR BABY" bit. I'm NOT speaking of those who have kids with genuine allergies, but I think starting from day one with all of this "protection" stuff, just creates more problems than it is worth. Kind of like the overuse of hand sanitizer has created a super germ that has become resistent to it. kwim? Anyway--I also fed my 6mos old Herring in Sour Cream straight out of the jar, so ;)

I didn't think you were criticizing the teachers at all, it just sounded (how you worded it) like you thought the resource wasn't a good thing. :) And because of kids being able to buy papers, that's a good reason why it exists. I'm sure you are aware of the parent troubles my DH goes through with regards to this. It's genuinely sad. And then they (w)itch at us for homeschooling. :)

I just wanted to comment on this one part mainly because I know how this works. This database is invaluable now! There simply is no price I could put on the benefits this database has given my DH when he has to grade papers. Students today ARE lazy enough to plagerize because they know that the school system will not punish them for doing so (as they used to in my day). To combat this, this database was started to actually prove the plagerizing. In being able to prove it, the administrators now have more leverage against parents who argue that Timmy could lose his football scholarship if he doesn't pass this class. It's now written in my DH's school code of conduct that: No more than 2 internet cites and they cannot be primary sources and.. Wikipedia is NOT a source (seriously, you wouldn't believe how many kids live on that cite and actually cite it as fact). A student must have a minimum of 2 primary sources from actual books(this has been argued though and is sort of a loophole rule because there are many books on the internet, so many students are doing that. As long as they cite it properly--to the book not the internet--this is acceptable) And lastly, sparknotes or crib sheets or anything like that are not acceptable. :) So this database for plagerizing is really a very invaluable tool for my DH, it truly is.

Let's face it, our economy is tanking right now. If a genuine study shows that half of the infants in this country qualify and use WIC, that is indeed a sobering thought--one that should make people wake up and realize that our current government is just not doing what it promised. Right now, there is talk(and I hope it isn't true) of Truck Drivers across the country striking due to rising gas prices. They are striking because as of next week, many companies are parking all of their trucks--they simply cannot afford the gas. Which means---NO DELIVERIES of any kind to anywhere. Think about this carefully. If we lose our truck drivers, our economy is dead. And WIC will be the least of peoples problems. My neighbor is a driver for Sysco and he is terrified about this because his Union Rep basically told them all "be ready". The corporations who run the Oil NETTED BILLIONS last year in PROFIT (that's after all bills paid,etc). Why then are we paying 4.35 a gallon for diesel and 3.25 a gallon for regular? There is no reason for this, none. Honestly, Tutor, this is alarmist thinking: We are already losing freedoms and our taxes are already going up and it has nothing to do with government help programs like WIC. And if the government hasn't figured out that by the time *I* am able to claim Social Security it won't be there, that they'll figure this out? They can't even figure out how to lower costs on gas prices without ticking of a foreign country or some rich oil tycoon who thinks he'll miss a couple hundred thousand out of his paycheck. I'm not arguing with you and I'm not mad at you or anyone else Tutor ;).. this whole thing, not just this WIC discussion, has got me upset. The economy, gas prices, etc...

To save space, I won't quote your whole post just to say what I'm going to, Tutor. I understand what you are saying and for YOU, those are YOUR reasons, which work/don't work. For ME, they do not and your reasons just are not reason enough to deny my children what I can get for them. As for the husband, sorry--why should her and the kids suffer because of his ignorance? I understand that he may need help, but how long do her and her kids have to suffer while he gets/doesn't get this help? Nope, for me, I'm taking the active role away from him and I'm going to go get it, go do it, do whatever I have to, to get whatever my kids needs. I'm not sitting around waiting on him or anyone else to "help" him.

I don't like our government any more than anyone else, so I guess your reasons for "denying" just don't fly for me and my family. Which is sort of my point to the OP--if you need it, get it. The reasons you list, for your sake may work, but for me and my family--no way am I going to not get what I should be able to get (if I need it), especially if that "denial" causes my family to suffer.

There are two programs on the net that I can recommend for reading, at least. I do NOT know anything about your son's conditions, I'm only zeroing in on the reading part. They are phonics based programs and both are very well done and very, very good. One is called Starfall. http://www.starfall.com/, --Again very basic, phonics based reading, which it seems he needs. Learning is done by "playing" and it is a graduated program--he moves on when he has successfully mastered the previous. The other one is called Headsprout : http://www.headsprout.com/ Same concept as Starfall, only price is different. BOTH are excellent programs. I've worked with both (as a reviewer) and both had my then 4yr DD READING whole books by the time she was done with them. Again, I do not know or even pretend to understand your poor son's issues. I am only recommending these two programs because I *know* them, and know how good they are.

I'm wondering if you have a problem with some type of socialized medicine as well, because while it is not free (taxes), it is for all intents and purposes "free" (for everyone). Which is why I am having a hard time understanding why on anyone's planet, anyone would have a problem receiving something for free? That's what the health department is there for. It is for everyone. Not just the poor(though they are the ones who use it most). The health departments were started **because** of the ridiculous costs in health care, why would anyone deprive and deny themselves "free"? There should be no reason for you to feel guilty about this--none. If you want to argue WIC, foodstamps, medicaid--maybe. But the health department giving vacainations for free? They are doing it for a reason--they get them from the companies for less than rock bottom prices! Some even get them for free too. The companies are what pay for the health departments to survive, not the people. Why do you think it is so easy to get samples of medications from them? You need something, but can't afford the script right now--ask for samples, they'll have them and give them to you! Why, please tell me, would anyone feel guilty about this?

I DO agree with you on this, however, like our wide screen tv or new dishwasher or computers, or pick something-- these things were bought before we were faced with issues and we certainly do NOT live beyond our means. The point I'm trying to make is this: -------No one but the OP knows whether or not these things were bought before problems started(even if she did say so) -------just because one has these "luxuries" does not mean one is "rich" and it certainly does not mean one will have the money once these "luxuries" disappear(which is sort of your point). -------there is the factor that even if she did sell that trailer, that money would only be enough to buy maybe a month's worth of groceries. EVERYone in this country is feeling it right now, who's to say anyone has the money to plunk down for a trailer? -------and lastly, the assumption that one needs to be living dirt poor in order to get assistance. Like Scarlett, I wonder just how "poor" poor has to be in order to qualify for what some in this thread feels justifies them going on assistance? *WE* are poor. I know this. But all of our bills are paid and there is food on the table--3 squares a day, plus. However, I know we couldn't afford healthcare without the medicaid and with a child who has severe allergic asthma and a DH the same, I have no shame in taking it even with my "luxuries". There is one bane I do have with the Welfare system--the whole idea of taking Gross amount (as opposed to net) to figure out assistance. I keep asking "Why take that amount when we don't bring that amount home?" "That's just the way it is" I get. And that robs my family of much needed help. And other families who might need it more than I. grrrr... I could go on... I loathe the entire welfare system--it needs a major overhauling.

I'll have a camera, with batteries and zoom :) and the biggest grin you've ever seen.. I'm ready.. haha I cannot wait.