Oh, my. I'm incredibly sorry for your loss. I wish there was something I could say to take away your pain. I am praying for you and your family. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

I think a great desire to learn is necessary, and we can't put ALL responsibilities on the schools since it has been proven that starting at home gives a child a leg-up. However, with that said, in this country there is SUCH a focus on going TO the schools to get the education. Many in society have come to believe that going to school is THE only way to receive an education. It starts all the way at the preschool level now. Parents seem to have lost sight of where it all begins, and some expect the schools to teach/fix/raise their children vs. doing it themselves or even starting the educational process at home (ie. reading to their kids daily). For some, there may be a lack of confidence that they can rise above their surroundings, and often, they look to the schools for that *hope*. This may be especially true of those who don't feel they were educated well themselves, but they know they want more for their children.

:iagree: And ThatCyndiGirl, I probably should not have worded that I don't want a debate, because this is a very debateable issue. I'm not taking any sides in regards to liberal or conservative in posting this. And of course, the film is going to have a spin one way or the other; however, the harsh reality is this is our educational system in so many states/cities/towns, and something must be done to change it. Many will say, it all begins at home, and I fully agree with that, but what do parents do when they are doing their best at home, but the schools they have to send their children to are failing??? I was a ps teacher, and I can tell you, teachers' hands are tied when it comes to class sizes, supplies, teaching to tests, abundant "federally mandated" paperwork, etc. So, even the best teachers are being stripped of their ability to TEACH because of all the mandates. I left the field for several reasons, the above being some of them. I was losing the joy of teaching because every time I turned around someone was telling me what, how, and when I needed to teach something regardless of the needs/skills of the students in my classroom. Not every child fits into the box the educational system has created. Some kids have no choice but to fail because that is what the schools have told them they are capable of. Anything that opens the public's eyes to what is happening in this country is a plus, IMHO.

Have you read The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini? Both are fabulous! I also recently enjoyed Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.

My dh just showed me this... It sickens me that this is the reality for many children and families in this country. The worst part is many of these families do not have the option to homeschool because they must work. I know there are many different answers, and I don't want to debate, but my thoughts are "How??? How could we let this happen???" So, so sad... Here is the trailer: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810129305/video/19712851

Oh, she is SO cute!!!! What about Tippy since the mark is on the tip of her nose?

Some of you have kids who have graduated, some of us are brand new to this journey. I think this can reach us all. Enjoy! http://kulitmommy.blogspot.com/2010/05/touching-letter-by-homeschool-graduate.html

This is exactly what I thought at first too. Then my mind went to some sort of drug lab/dealer scenario. I'd have it checked out.

Everything about that routine was wrong... the moves, the outfits, the girls' faces, and the obnoxious cheering by the parents/adults in the audience. I have nothing to add except for more sheer disgust.

:iagree: Although, I grew up saying it, and having it being said to me.

I am incredibly sorry. I know I would be devastated to hear this about either of my sisters. My neighbor has ALS; she is in her 4th year now. It's difficult. Sending prayers for you and your sister. :grouphug:

Happy Anniversary!!!!! :001_smile:

I'm Jennifer, but I prefer Jen. I've been married to my college sweetheart for almost 13 years. We have 2 sons: 7 & 3. We're finishing our 2nd year of homeschooling, and I'm really starting to feel comfortable in this role. I'm a former 8th grade Language Arts teacher, so it's taken me a bit to release the teacher/student/classroom mindset. I tend to ramble as some of you may have noticed in my posts! I also love to read, often having 2-3 books going at a time. I'm a Christian, and I was baptized earlier this year with Dh. I love my church family. I just joined a fitness boot camp through my church, and it's been a week of stepping FAR out of my comfort zone; however, I'm determined to become fit and healthier. I'm a soccer mom, a small group Bible study leader for 8th grade girls, and I teach Sunday school to 4 year olds. I live in a subdivision, but I'm dying to move to more land with plenty of trees. I prefer to be outside, and taking nature walks or hiking makes me feel content. I love animals, but Dh isn't as much of a fan. We have 2 chubby cats, but I'd love to have more. I hope to own goats some day. I was raised in the north, but now live south of the Mason-Dixon line, and this is where I feel I belong. We've been down south for 4 years, and moving was the best decision (aside from homeschooling) that we've ever made. Welcome new members! I'm so grateful for these boards; I hope you find them to be a godsend as well! :)

No. I would have him come stay at your house.

Me: Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka & The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. DS: Magic Treehouse #24: Earthquake in the Early Morning AGAIN... Read-aloud: Just finished Aesop's Fables and we'll begin Mr. Popper's Penguins tonight.

YES! That's the EXACT answer I needed! Thank you Tracy & Tracy! And MUCH thanks to Janice if she runs across this thread...

AWESOME! Such pride she had for YOU!!! :)

I'm not overly experienced since I'm about to finish my 2nd year; however, it sounds like your son may not need a typical K program because of his abilities. You could always make him a K/1 student, but call it K. It sounds as if you've been doing a great job for him thus far by piecing things together. If it were me, I'd continue with what you're planning for math with the anticipation of beginning SM 1A when Earlybird is done. I'd continue handwriting through copywork. You could begin with WWE1 or just choose short sentences from great literature for him to copy. WWE will also include narration. I'd continue OPGTR and add in ETC to reinforce the phonics. For science, I'd let it be free-flowing with nature walks & free choice to study whatever (animals, weather, whatever he wants). I wouldn't even touch history with a curriculum, rather, I'd continue let him join big brother. He can also join big brother for the other subjects as well if he wants. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this as long as he remains interested. I'd also do lots of hands-on, arts & crafts types of projects with him to get that kindergarten type of feel (if that is what you are looking for). You could do crafts for each season & holidays. And, most important, I would read & read & read to him. The Sonlight catalog offers great suggestions, as does the book Honey for A Child's Heart. Ambleside Online also has a great book list for the various grades. K is a very easy year, and as others have told me, you really can't ruin it (unless you push too hard, but only you will know where that line is). Have faith in yourself! It sounds as if he's on an excellent path with all you've done to this point! :)

Thanks, ladies! :lurk5:

Thank you SO much! I guess I'm putting the cart before the horse here... Most of this is MY issue which is terrible to say, yet what I'm beginning to realize. Ds has been so quick to learn things, but he's really struggling with spelling, and part of me isn't accepting that, I guess. Or, I just want to make it as easy and thorough as possible for him. I know that it is unrealistic to expect him to be great in all areas, but I guess when you get used to it all coming so easily for him, you kind of "expect" it to be everywhere. I'm also partly confused as to how he can read at nearly a 5th grade level according to the Woodcock-Johnson, yet be at grade level in spelling? Now, I know I should not be complaining since he's at grade level, and some children aren't even there. For him, though, it's surprising to me. I hope that makes sense. I'm very, very happy to hear that the foundation will be strong and secure as we reach the higher levels of AAS, and everything will really begin to tie together and cement itself. Thanks for that reassurance! :)

In my infinite desire to research, I've started looking at TOG. When ds2 starts 1st grade, ds1 will be starting 5th and entering into his second cycle of history. I'd love something where I can teach both, yet I can have it be at both of their levels. TOG seems like it would be great for that... So, tell me, what do you LOVE about TOG? What do you dislike? Would you start it with a 1st & 5th grader or would you wait until your kids are in 5th and 9th grades? I'm thinking of longevity and if I'd get bored using it for so long, especially since it could mean 12 years with ds2. I know I have time still, but if you wouldn't mind humoring me that would be great! :)

Good point & what I need to hear right now. Ds is enjoying AAS, but sometimes I think it would click better to "see" the word families and where the words can go like SS shows. However, I'm adamant about him learning the rules, and he's getting them. There's still some disconnect at times, random times, that I'm still trying to understand. Of course, I could always have him write out word families that coincide with the rule we're studying. I guess I wanted something that was already done... laziness on my part... yes. It's the end of the year, and I'm tired :tongue_smilie:. Thanks for all the other responses. Merry & Heather, you made some especially good points about the differences. That's what I was looking for to give me a better understanding. I'm going to take a peek at Megawords.

I haven't read all the responses, so this may have been said, but we taught ds on the grass at first because he was afraid of falling. We held onto the seat and ran after him. After a few tries on the grass, we moved to the driveway. Within a day, he had it down, and no longer needed us. He was 6.5.

Poor guy! This is SO hard! My boys each had it when they were young (under 2) and it was painful to "watch". Snuggle time on Mother's Day can be a great thing though! :) I'll be hanging out around the house after attending and teaching at church. I told Dh I didn't want to cook, and he said he'd take care of me. A couple weeks ago, he sent me to Charleston, SC for two days with my sister, so that was my gift. I'll be content just laying low for the day. Oh, and if he'll vacuum for me! :D

Those beds are fabulous! They would be perfect for my boys' rooms! Unfortunately, the nearest retailer is 3+ hours away. I always love creative uses of space. That apt. in Hong Kong is especially clever. I wonder how long I could put up with sliding walls around though. Sometimes you just want to get up and go to the bathroom, kwim?