My 11yo dd's report came back from the evaluator this week and confirmed what I've known since she was first grade. She is dyslexic. The evaluator has suggested that I seriously consider the Language! program which is a complete language/reading/writing course beginning with basic phonomic awareness instruction. It would require me to take a training class and everything I've read about it states that it's "intensive" - it's also "expensive". Has anyone had any experience with this program? I would love to hear what you've heard.

It sounds like you're prioritizing. Good! Sounds, though, like you (and the kids) could use a break from school. Isn't this one of the reasons why you homeschool? So that you can be more flexible? It is for me. It's amazing what a sanity break can do. When I have a lot of other things hanging over me, it's like my brain gets cluttered and nothing seems to get done, especially school. It's like it rubs off of me onto the kids and back again. Success in school at our house ebbs and flows. Some days we are energetic, thrilled to be learning, mass paper producing fools. Other days, it's a complete waste of time, because I know nothing is sinking in. That's when we close the books, take a break, get other things done and come back to it later. I know when we come back refreshed, we'll be able to get it done faster and better than if we had tried to keep sloshing through the brain sludge. Personally, if it were me: -I would tell the older ones that you will all be doing a few days of school work here and there over the summer, but that right now you need help with the younger ones and with household chores. -Sit down and make a list of the things you need to do and pack. When I'm overwhelmed, it always helps to clear my thoughts by creating a written plan of attack. -Head out to get some ice cream to rally the troops and to celebrate the fact you are all a team. While you're there, show the kids your list of things that need to be done. Your two older ones should be able to help you pack and move things upstairs or at least watch the younger ones for you. Put them to work! -(I like to pay bills sitting in bed at night with my warm vanilla milk - it's my quiet time) Remember, we're not Wonder Women and life does get in the way of school sometimes. But, as homeschoolers we have the ability to come back refreshed, renewed and determined. Good luck with your mission and this tape will self-destruct...

:lol::lol: As for interruptions in our household, my signature line pretty much sums it.

Leslie (who is trying not to forget the parentheses) Leslie (who is looking back at Bill's post to make sure I spell "parentheses" correctly) Leslie (who is doing the happy dance around the room because the kids just finished their state required standardized testing!!!)

I'm truly serious. I love this tape. I can't believe I'm the only one out there who's used it! I have a "classroom" border around the top of my room that I stuck up 3 years ago and never a problem. The rolls I use look like a hospital white roll of medical tape. I tear off a piece, roll it up, stick it on the back of what I want to go on the wall (usually painted wallboard or stained door) and it stays there. When I take it down, it peels right off, no residue, no staining, no tearing the poster, etc. It really is awesome. I really disliked the putty stuff I had to pull like taffy and the strips that took off my wallboard. I've never had this tape do that. My teacher supply store keeps it in a big clear bin ON the checkout counter - it's that popular. Hope you find something that works for you.

I have a favorite teacher's supply store that is run by a couple of ex-ps teachers. They gave me a great tip after I mentioned I was having a problem putting up maps and charts. It's called Mavalus tape and it IS Mavalus! I've had some charts up for years and they don't sag or fall off, even on the back of a door that is shut several times a day (World Map). The best thing is, when I take something down, there's no damage to the item or to the wall. This stuff truly is amazing and I always have several rolls around. Take a look at www.mavalus.com . (I'll stop with the advertisement now, but I do really, really like this product.) Leslie

I have an upcoming 6th grader and I'm also looking at a LONG list of things I want to accomplish. I do know that I'll have to start scratching things off the list soon - probably a lot of things. I like to have a lot of choices and a lot of references to pull from. Not every curriculum covers everything or explains everything well. Unfortunately, this is also where I get into trouble. I've learned that if I try to incorporate too much into the year, we either burn out or don't learn ANYTHING very well. I just have to try and get over the guilt of not teaching them everything, and to keep reminding myself that teaching them how to learn and to love learning are the most important things. (Re: Logic - I keep a bag with a bunch of logic books like Mindbenders, Perplexors, 5 Minute Mysteries and Red Herring Mysteries in the car. We'll do these when we're out running errands and we have a blast. We actually had a couple of men dressed in business suits sitting next to us at lunch recently trying to help the kids with a Red Herring Mystery.)

Kari, I am so very sorry for the loss of your Timmy and I am praying for your pain to ease. My 11yo daughter, Kallan, wants your daughter to know that she is praying for her, as well.

Saving money is huge! But I do have to say... there's just something about walking into a bookstore full of new books. I love the whispered tones of voices, the quiet rustling of pages and stepping over kids stretched out on the floor with book in hand. To me, the smell of new books is heavenly and the kaleidoscope of colors greeting me from the orderly rows of book covers makes me salivate. The ability to randomly select a tome from the shelf and to open it's crisp, white, unblemished pages, to hear the gentle crackle of the spine and to have the wealth of previously unexplored knowledge leap out at me just gives me goosebumps... Yes, Amazon can give me good prices, reviews and sometimes a "peek" inside, but it's just not the same as being able to cradle that book in my hands. Please excuse me while I put on my denim jumper and go hide my car keys and credit card.

My problem with clutter is that it seems to grow when I turn my back. Turn back around and there it is! I love the book "Clutter's Last Stand" by Don Aslett. He gives great tips and more that that, he's motivational. I need motivation when it comes to clutter. Last summer, before clearing out our two barns (stuffed with junk), I would eat breakfast while watching the "Clean House" show on the Style network. Boy, was that motivating. I would get out there and rip through the junk, tossing right and left! Best of luck with the organizing! It feels good when it's done (until you turn around again).

It sounds as if you have a wonderful place to set up for learning. It's going to be work, but fun and rewarding when you get through. I wish I had the wall space for a large white board, I just drag an easel around with a small white board. Good luck on your project!

This is a great question. Wouldn't it be nice to have a study like this?

Our absolute favorite is the original "One Hundred and One Dalmatians" by Dodie Smith. NOT the movie!

I second the link that Twigs sent you from kidshealth.org. I used this info when we did a nutrition study. It's not a worksheet, but very good info.

Also would love to hear feedback.

I'm sorry, I've never heard of it. Hope you get some info.

This is both enraging and frightening. I cannot believe the lack of commonsense and complete irrationality of these so called specialists. I weep for our next generation.

I think this sounds like a great idea. We do a bit of traveling and I have been thinking the same thing. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a scrapping tote that wasn't pretty pricey. I'll be watching this thread to see if any are recommended.

I have TMJ problems as well and suffered for years with headaches. I even had my jaw locked to the point where I could barely get a fork into my mouth. I went to a specialist and he made me mouth guard for my upper teeth that also had a piece that comes down and doesn't let my bottom jaw "slide back" at night. This completely changed my life. My jaw unlocked after awhile and the headaches went away. I pretty much only use my guard at night, but I've found that if I'm doing something where I am really concentrating (like driving in stressful traffic for long periods) I will use it. I would highly recommend getting him to a dentist that knows about TMJ. I waited too long and have really messed up my cartilage in both joints, but the guard has definitely helped. Good luck!

I've haven't seen this book, but I have definitely made a note of it. I am not and never have been a "mathy" person, but my dd11 is going to need my help. It's been easy for me up until now because my ds13 is very good at math and explains it to me.:001_smile: I will put this on my reading list - I need all the help I can get. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you Night Elf! I was wondering what I did. I better slow down next time.

OK, can anyone tell me what I did wrong on my quote in the above post? This was the first time I tried to use the quote button. Thank you!

This is a tough one, LOF definitely is fun. For our family, the decision seems to be based on the child. My ds, now 13, loves math and craved more challenge than what he felt LOF could give him (although he loved LOF and we may look into the Algebra book for the summer to keep him up on his skills). He has found his niche using Chalkdust and has used it for the past two years. My 11dd, on the other hand, struggles a bit in math and it takes a lot of hand holding,repetition and visual/kinetic help. Having something like LOF is right up her alley. Now that she has the basics of fractions, I'm going to use LOF to reinforce it. Chalkdust would just be a bit to overwhelming for her right now. (Bummer, since I purchased the Chalkdust program with the intention of using for both kids). In our family, the math curriculum seems to depend on the child. That said, I have always supplemented LOF. The Key to... series has help her with the basics. Good luck with you decision.

Mr Pudewa probably thought I was a stalker at our convention last year. I went to every one of his talks. I would highly recommend you try to make at least one of his talks if you can. He's one of my favorites.