[To those with first and second graders whO are horrible spellers...]

Thanks so much for shining the light at the end of the tunnel. My nine year old is improving every year, but it is a slow process! Words of success and encouragement are always welcome. I am glad that your perserverence is paying off for you.

[WTM becomes well broken toe]

My son just said, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me," as I read him your post. How appropo...

[My Wish For All You Superhero Moms (and Dads) All Today]

You just made my morning. Thanks!! May your kind words bring you kindness as well.

[He doesn't read for pleasure]

I guess I am not smart enough to figure out how to post this in the right place. Whoops!!

[He doesn't read for pleasure]

At what point in my homeschooling journey should I label myself a failure if my son does not read for pleasure? The boy has been swimming in books since the day he was born. He reads well above grade level. He loves audio books and read alouds. He is nine and we are nearing the end of third grade. He does not read anything that is not assigned to him. Help!!! This was not in my plan!!!

[Doesn't formal grammar in the early years conflict with lack of abstract thinking?]

I was at her Complete Writer workshop last weekend, and she likened the early teaching of grammar to the early acquisition of language. I have read Ruth Beechick as well, and I think they fall on separate sides of the fence. However, my third grader really hit his grammar stride this year. He loves it. It is as if all of it finally came together and completed his picture this year. I, personally, am glad we started with baby steps!

[? for those that sent their children to PS after only homeschooling.]

Please do not doubt yourself. As a former high school English teacher, I am STILL learning MUCH as I homeschool my own son. Unfortunately, my Masters in Education left me with nothing to teach. (I am, however, a great classroom manager!) Homeschooling can be overwhelming at times, but please do not make the decision to quit and assume that teaching certification has anything to do with the ability to transfer academic content. Trust in yourself. You want more for your own kids than any teacher ever will.

[What do the children of the hive want to be when they grow up?]

My son just finished reading his first Life of Fred book. He now wants to be a professor of mathematics. I'm not sure he realizes that he would not get to sleep under his desk in the office.

[Lang Arts Curriculum needed for 4th grader]

I just began MCT with my 9 year old son. I LOVE it. He has been begging for a program that would show him the big picture with grammar. It doesn't just creep along at a "grade level" pace. He is disappointed when we finish the reading for the day. The only thing I add is diagramming.