[Statement of Faith for Co-op -]

Have you ever or would you ever sign a statement of faith to join a co-op even if you didn't really believe all that is in the statement?

 

Nope. I definitely wouldn't lie about my beliefs to join a group. And I doubt I would feel comfortable in these groups (thinking of the specific SOFs that I have read, which are so contradictory to my own beliefs), so I wouldn't want to join anyway.

[Has anyone used Explode The Code only online (not hard copy)?]

I remember people asking before, so I did a search, but mostly it seems people are just asking about it, and very few people have used it.

 

In this thread, Hen Jen said she was just starting to use it...

[Trivium Academy--Please tell me more about History Scribe]

Although, i can't fill in some of my gaps because of the way they rearranged everything into sets. :(

 

CurrClick still sells the individual packages. Search for History Scribe, and hopefully you will find what you need.

[OPG How much review before moving on?]

We experienced the same sort of issues. She was having trouble with the concept of blending. I took a break from OPGTR, and we played games: we used the magnetic board to make words, and then switched the first letter, etc., I made homemade memory cards with 3 letter words... I didn't like the looks of ETC, but I bought it anyway (and she loves it!). We practiced, practiced, practiced.

 

We didn't keep plowing through the lessons, but we didn't repeat the lessons either. She has now made it through Lesson 53 - we move slowly but steadily and it may take us two days to do one lesson. But she gets it now, and she didn't then.

[When do you start worrying about whether your child is growing enough?]

You might want to ask you pediatrician. It could be he is just small and will catch-up later, or like the poster before said, are there any symptoms that might explain his slow growth? Celiac is becoming more and more common as well as other food issues that can cause slow growth. I think just having a good check-up will ease your mind.

 

:iagree: If you were small, and he has always been small, then I wouldn't worry too much, especially as you say he eats well and seems healthy. If you continue to worry, I would see a doctor.

[When do you start worrying about whether your child is growing enough?]

Adding to Pam's questions, Has he always been small?

[I keep reading that a lot of you use Bob books, but do any use these...]

We have them and love them. I much prefer them to the BOB books. (We have only the first set of BOB books.) I like the illustrations a lot better, and the story seems more fun to me.

 

We bought them in large format as well (from Sam's).

[switch to italics or just pick up a cursive book?]

Get the cursive books. No need to learn another style of printing. And if he is that motivated/determined to learn cursive himself, it won't be long before he can make the switch.

[Why do some of you view the board in linear mode?]

Yes, you responded to Sola Michelle... not that it's any big deal (no mea culpa necessary :))... I was just wondering how you did that since you don't have a quick reply button in linear mode.

 

Okay, one more question... how do you do those multiquotes? The only reason I haven't done it so far is I can't figure out how! LOL

 

 

I'm in linear mode, and there is a quick reply button on each post...

 

For multiquotes, at the end of each post, next to the quote button, there is a button with quotation marks and a plus sign. Click that on each post you want to quote.

[I signed my dd up for her first gymnastics class]

Is $45 a month for 1 45 min class @ week a decent price?

 

That's what we pay.

[Insisting dd participate in an activity? & Is homeschooling the wrong choice for dd?]

Check out this book: The Highly Senstive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them. I've enjoyed it, and it has helped me understand myself and the almost 5 year old I care for.

 

If you are the same personality type (I am as well), the same author wrote another book: The Highly Sensitive Person. I haven't read this one, though I probably should.

 

Even as an adult, I struggle to force myself to do new things. (This is huge progress, though, as I am forcing myself, rather than being pushed by my mother.) I have learned to focus on the accomplishment of actually trying something new, rather than how well (or poorly) I actually did it.

 

Baby steps. Push a little bit more each time, and hopefully it will get a bit easier. Offer lots of encouragement for trying new things, and putting herself out there. And be very understanding. She doesn't want to make things difficult, things are just very hard and overwhelming for her. And homeschooling is definitely not ruining her. :)

[Diaper Rash]

Let him be diaperless for as long as possible. And after the diaper rash has cleared, continue to let him be diaperless for a short period each day, as a prevention method.

[How to deal with language]

I agree that a list may be the best way to go about it. It sounds like they don't want to be offensive, but they don't know what is offensive because they haven't been exposed. I would rather my children learn (at an appropriate age, which I think your daughters are - not at, say 5) what words general society finds offensive, so they don't unknowingly use them inappropriately.

 

It is very probable (almost definite) that if you give them a list, you will be missing words or phrases. Perhaps ask them that if they hear a word or phrase for the first time to ask you about it, so you can give them an accurate meaning, and have an opportunity to warn them if it is offensive.

[Does your state have a "unique" holiday?]

Maine celebrates Patriot's Day as well. (From back when Maine and Mass were the same state.) I just looked it up, and (according to Wikipedia) Wisconsin celebrates it as well, but I don't have any first-hand knowledge of that.

 

If Oklahoma has any of those sorts of holidays, I haven't been made aware of them in the 3 years I've lived here.

[How do you choose your literature readings?]

Newbery Medal and Newbery Honor books and other award winners. Children's classics, especially those I remember reading when I was growing up. (Bonus points for ones my mother read and loved too, etc.) The Ambleside Online lists and Sonlight are good for books I have never heard of, and for reminding me of books I may have forgotten about.

[Recommendations for memorization for a K'er?]

Check out this free file at Lulu: Grammar Stage Memorization. It's got some great suggestions of poems, scripture, and facts to memorize.

 

We (almost 5 year old) have memorized days of the week, seasons, and months of the year, The 5 Vowels and The Consonant Rhyme (from OPGTR), and two poems "Try, Try Again" and "1, 2 Buckle My Shoe." She LOVES to show off how well she can recite the poems. (Amazing, as she is especially sensitive, and really does not like to perform for people...)

 

We have address, full name, parents' names, etc. memorized. We are working on phone numbers.

 

For K, I don't necessarily have any specific goals of "these are what I want to have memorized" but we do work on memory work when we feel like it, and we have fun.

[Could you please teach me how to make a good salad?]

I like fruity salads: mixed baby greens or baby spinach, fruit, cheese, and nuts.

 

My favorite combos: dried cranberries, goat cheese, and pine nuts OR pears, bleu cheese, and walnuts OR apples and cheddar.

 

For more of a meal, I like greens with red pepper, corn, avocado, tomato, black beans, etc.

[Grade level mastery lists]

There's the World Book Course of Study, but I don't think that's what you're looking for. I vaguely remember the thread, but not enough to search for it. Hope someone with a better memory chimes in...

[I'm looking for suggestions for workout DVD's]

I also enjoy Leslie Sansone. Her videos are easy to follow, even for the uncoordinated (read: me).

 

Crunch has some pretty good videos. Some I have liked, and some I haven't - mainly because I didn't like that particular instructor. One I particularly enjoy is their Fat Burning Dance Party. It's fun and a good workout (though it has a high learning curve for someone totally body stupid like me).

 

If you have Netflix or something similar, I would try renting a bunch of videos to see what you will like. It's important to find an instructor you will both enjoy watching and listening to.

[Pre-school/Pre-K]

Those look interesting.....for anyone who has used them, did you like them and did your children like them? Did you like how they were set up?

 

I like the Kumon books, and the kids LOVE them (almost 5 yo girl, and 2 1/2 yo boy). The younger loves his tracing book - his fine motor skills aren't good enough to trace very well yet, so I kinda gave up and let him color in the book while I work with his sister on reading or whatever. It holds his attention well, so it is definitely worth it. ;)

 

The older has most of the books for her age range, and works in them when she feels like it. She especially loves the mazes and the cutting. I like the number games and alphabet games. The numbers and letters books are more lke additional handwriting practice, so I do limit how much of those and her handwriting book she does in a day. (She is a super-perfectionist, and gets very frustrated when her hand gets tired, and doesn't know when to quit, so I have to make her stop.)

[Thoughts on deaf versus hearing choice.]

Thanks, Kate for starting this thread. I'm learning a lot from all the posts.

 

:iagree: This was really interesting to read.

[So if one teaches cursive from the get-go]

Tracy,

 

Are you planning on using a curriculum to teach the printing, or just by example/copywork/whatever?

 

I'm also intrigued...

[Take the kids to Cancun or leave them with family?]

What sounds more appealing to you? Chilling out with the kids on the beach, or spending some alone time with DH? (Don't you dare feel guilty for taking two trips without kids.)

 

It sounds like you are leaning towards leaving the kids home, and just feel a bit guilty for that. Don't! The kids will have a blast staying with family, and then you can plan a family vacation that is more appropriate for them, and you can ALL enjoy yourselves, without the pressure.

[How well do you know your history?]

46 out of 60 - 76.67%

 

I am not surprised at the ones I got wrong, more surprised at the ones I actually got right...

[Recommendations for classical hs forums?]

Yes, there are plenty of us here who are secular. And, what I have especially appreciated, is that those who prefer curriculum with a Christian worldview do not make the assumption that everyone feels the same way.