I go make myself a cup of tea, tidy up the classroom, make a snack for the kids.. I just walk away!! I feel like running in place while screaming COME ON!!! COME ON!!!!! AAAHHH!!! But that never works. If they want to get lost in their work I will usually let them. Sometimes I have to say you have to finish this on your own time. I ACT patient, and teacherly...in my mind is another story. Your child is probably getting a deep sense satisfaction from his work when he does this. In the end, for me that's what it's all about! Freedom in a controlled environment. I know dds will get everything done for the week. My cure for the wondering imagination (usually during math) is get it done first, or I say as soon as you're done with XYZ (& I want quality work) we are going swimming, play outside, etc. tedious work gets done much easier that way.

Yes I've read that on their FAQ's page several times. Somehow it still leaves me wondering... just because they don't make scriptural references, doesn't necessarily mean that it doesn't include creationist theory. I am still looking for some clarification. thank you

Does Noeo teach creationism?

Yes, that ALL sounds familiar. I found out it was lupus (SLE). It's so awful. I hope, hope, hope it's not that for you. I thought I was allergic to something, and that I was just kind of letting myself turn into a sickly person. To play it safe I would stay out of the sun, and ask for blood tests. Don't delay if you think it could be lupus, because it sounds like if you have it, you're at a decent place. It seems like the goal with lupus is to stay below the radar, and avoid organ involvement for as long as possible. I think that once you're organs are involved there's no going back to problems just being hives, feverish, throwing up, sore joints etc. Yes that is a decent place to be in lupus land. I'll think positive for you, hope you find you're answers soon. It's hard not knowing, and it can be scary when dum dums like me suggest it could be something bad. Sorry.

My mom owns a Montessori school. I grew up in that whole realm. I'm a Montessori teacher myself. Every school is different, as a p.p. said lots of schools claim to be Montessori when their not. I would make sure they use actual Montessori equipment, taught by actual Montessori teachers. If so, its a great place for most kids. The philosophy is beautiful, and thoughtful. If and when you bring them home they'll probably have great work ethics. Unfortunately there is no escaping the Hannah Montana mentality. Which I guess could be interpreted in many ways...from what's the big deal it's just this cute girl doing her thing, to she represents everything cheap and lame in this country. How much of that comes into the school depends on the owner or director of the school, ultimately no one is going to say No Hannah Montana tee shirts or lunch boxes allowed. My mom pushes it way further that any other owner I've seen in action. She will tell parents that they are buying the wrong size pants, and thats why their buns are always hanging out. She says it's not proper. She will tell parents that their packing shoddy lunches, they go to bed to late and so on. I love it! She is a dying breed. Every class starts with The Pledge of Allegiance, and singing My Country Tis of Thee, In Dec. Santa dominates all bulletin boards. Point being, every school is different you may find the school to be a great fit for your values and your kids. If you try it and don't like it, you take them out, that happens too. No big deal. I think it's ideal to do kinder and maybe 1st grade, then I would bring them home (I'm madly in love with home schooling). Honestly though.. If they wound up going to Montessori schools through high school, I only would be sad for a little while because ultimately they would have a great education. My health is a problem & there may come a time when I can't do it anymore. If that happens Montessori would be my first choice for sure. It's not a contest. It sounds like you have all good options! :001_smile: Also, I went to a Montessori school for pre-k, kinder, and 1st. From that perspective, it's all good memories.

we have a killer private library so... from the library I would get Pimsleur French cd set (great for the car) check out music cds classical, jazz, blues, etc for music discussion/history/appreciation.Husband, FIL, and MIL are all musicians so piano, guitar,singing etc is covered. History (ie early American history) books on cd like Dear America series, books, and dvds, I would find worksheets online. Free map work online (we have found some good ones) Science books and dvds like The Way things work. Heavy nature study. Bird watching, tracking, tree identifying using field guide books from library. Lang arts using read alouds from library: copy work, dictation, spelling etc. Our library has tons of grammar books and dvds. Poetry books, poet of the month to study. Put up picture of poet (from computer) and 1 piece to memorize. Books on cd. Cursive just working one on one first with letters then copy work done in cursive. Math... well that would be a scary thought! I'm positive though that with some research I could find something that would work well! We would do all the awesome free things that are out there, nature centers, free day at gardens and museums, free programs at library, art galleries, the beach, bird sanctuary and so on. Home Ec. I don't need money to teach the kids how to polish the wood furniture, or how to do a whip stitch. Etiquitte through library books and good example (I hope). And last but not least, art..... books, picture study, instructional dvds and youtube (dd just learned how to finger knit this way/ too bad it can be a slimy place) I set her up on it, and stay with her. Web sites like National Gallery of Art. I could also set my classroom up for free! There is a paint recycling center in my town, to paint the walls, and craigslist free section to find everything else! There are always desks, chairs, plants, books, shelves, and all the fixings! The month that every one is sick (Dec. for us) I would get the free month trial at United Streaming and watch Time Warp Trio until my head explodes:)

I'm getting ready to order pens, pencils, and erasers. I'm done buying average products. I'm looking for pens to use with cursive work, regular and mechanical pencils that write dark, and any eraser that actually erases. Does anyone have preferences for writing tools? What do you use? That right!! Thanks Janet! I'm also looking for pencil top erasers that stay on and don't smudge weird colors on the paper.

You might like Zaner-Bloser cursive books. The first cursive book is introduced at 2nd grade. My 1st grader is doing it, along with 1st grade printing. We like the graphics a lot- it was part of what sold me on the product. They have sample pages for every workbook on their site.

We are using 4th grade cursive, 1st grade printing, and 2nd grade cursive. This is our second year using it, and I haven't heard any complaints so far! I don't use the t.m. The cursive looks nice and the pictures are easy on the eye. Have you looked at the sample pages on their website? I have been thinking about trying SmithHand, or Spencerian Cursive next year just to bump it up a notch. Most likely my girls would want Z.B. back:)

Me too! I woke up mean today, and the sad thing is that I'm still so crabby that I won't feel bad about it until tomorrow, or maybe the next day!! GROWL!! So now I've eaten a huge frozen apple fritter doughnut. I'm going to watch a chick flick, cry and go to bed!

forsmallhands is probably the better way to go if you want more of a Montessori vibe. It looks like this company is part of Montessori Services, which is a great place to buy. 2 and 3 year olds love what is called practical life, it's a part of the classroom which has a wet and dry side. Where you would juice an orange, wash baby clothes, or maybe your hands. On the dry side the child could do such things as learning to lace, button, and snap, practice pouring, or sorting. They aren't toys, but still fun and gratifying. Everything in Montessori has purpose, every step in the process of any task. Washing a baby doll in a tub, if presented properly, prepares the child for more complex work in the future. Ok sorry I'm rambling on. I guess my point is that if you use Montessori materials, it's worth it to educate yourself on her philosophy, and learn how to present the work. Why waste a perfectly good opportunity to get the most out of the material if you're going to be using it anyways? I still love the smelling bottles, I can remember doing them when I was very little. Check them out they are too cool! Oh yeah! Another great thing is that Maria Montessori preferred to use natural quality materials like wood, crystal, silver etc. which is nice in a predominantly plastic world.

Artistic Pursuits has picture study. The first book would be perfect for your children's age group.

I would put this away for next year if I were you. It's such a good program, you wouldn't want you're kids to hate it. Can you just work on spelling by correcting dictation work or whatever they write out? Even get some cute stationary and show the kids how to mail little letters to family, you can correct the spelling that way, and the motivation comes from a joyful place.

My 4th grader is working through this program and doing well. Everyday I expect her to either review the words or test. If I know she is going to test the next day I have her get the test paper ready, that mean name, date, which lesson, which try (as in 4th try, 5th try). The next day when she is working on something else or outside on break I will lay out her paper and pencil, maybe put the cd on where it needs to be. When I call her in she ready to go and the test effortless. She has to score 100% two times in a row before she can move on. This program is a hit in our house, my 1st grader wants to do it so bad. She will often sit and watch the testing. I think it works for us because I keep it rather painless, and quick. Plus my daughter likes things that are peaceful. The graphics and the tone of the cd's are a good match. As for the words on the list, there is usually a word she doesn't know or is confused by the spelling, so when I bring out a new card I also take out the dictionary. We love to guess the meaning of words from poetry or books we're reading, so that part is more fun than daunting.

Leo Sayer

One of the reasons I took my dd out of ps was that I didn't like other people telling my daughter about things like that. I just called and complained at our online classes. They have talked about an actress having ovarian cancer and bulimia. They asked my child to write about what they would do if their family was attacked, etc. It's not that I want to shield my kids from real life, I just don't want people shoving heavy stuff down my kids throat. I look forward to all the talks that are coming as they get older. Sex, abortion, death, STDs, men, pornography, periods, and so on, I'm ready. I know the right time and the right place, and the right way. I feel like there is this aggressive force out there that thinks they're doing me and my daughters a favor by exposing them to this stuff without me giving consent. My kids know about cancer, because grandpa is battling it. We take him to the Dr., they see hair loss, and stitches. These concepts of illness, strength, loss, have meaning to my girls. It's opened up to questions, meaningful prayer, a hard topic is gently unfolding in our house. I know there will be plenty of things the kids will learn from friends, strangers, movies, computer, that's all part of growing up too. I just wish grownups would lay off a little. Nine and seven are a little young for eating disorders. Although I'm sure loads of people would disagree with that!

I found some interesting info, and an interview with Bruce Smith at homeschoolchristian.com. I think I'll buy this for next year, then eventually try Spencerian. I like SmithHands description of being elegant AND practical.

Is it just me or does it look a little tight? I wonder if when the child is learning, it loosens up a bit. I'm starting to wonder why I'm wasting my time teaching average looking cursive, when with a little effort I could expose my girls to a more sophisticated style. Spencerian cursive looks good as well.

We have battery operated tea lights that the girls use. We used to have paper lanterns to put them in, it made a nice glow in the room.

I'm starting to think my avatar looks like an ad for depression. :001_huh: Time for a change maybe.

Silk soy milk also makes a decent creamer (plain and several flavors), they also make dairy free egg nog during the holidays. Everyone is vegan in my house but me, in my opinion all the cheese subs. are off in flavor but if you want to use a dairy free cheese with no bi-products try veganrella they melt pretty good. I wouldn't use it for nachos, but I put it in chilequiles which has fresh chips, "chicken" , and a tomato "sauce". The funky cheese gets masked by all the other flavors but you get a little of that melted cheese flavor. There are also vegan sour creams and cream cheese from Tofutti. I can make cheese cake etc. Try checking out some vegan cook books, at least for dessert or other fun things that your hubby would be glad to get once in a while. Dairy free recipes and products have come a long way.

I did a lot of traveling in Central America in the early 90's. Is there still a cake & licuado shop in Antigua? That place was the BEST!!

How about Mrs.Manners Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior? It is both nauseating and truly helpful at the same time!

wouldn't you like to be a pepper too?

I live in a very mixed town, where 1 generation in young people are marrying and having kids. Not just black and white, but truly everyone. It makes me smile everyday that things have naturally begun to go this way. When I was a kid I had a very different experience. My mom is incredibly caucasian I mean white blond hair, blue eyes etc. and my dad is Mexican, as in Carlos Castaneda(had he been born in Mexico) , walking through the hills collecting cactus for dinner. I think they had grand ideas about mixing it up and the power of love (1972). But the truth is that it was hard for my mom, she hid her pregnancy from her dad until I was born. And because nobody thought I was her baby, my whole life what seemed like everyday people would comment on our looks. It was hard for her because I identified more with my Mexican side, I had no grandparent or elders on the white side, or any cultural experiences that we took part in. Everything was mexican, even her cooking. She eventually told me she felt disappointed by the fact that my friends were mostly brown, I dated mostly brown etc. My mom was also unprepared for the physical differences, my dad had to finally give me the low down on brown nipples, uni-brows, mustaches etc. It was also very confussing to always have white people say "Oh well that's ok you look pretty white to me". Actually I still get that... what do you say? That's because I AM!! You have this pressure to pick all the time. Or people insinuate that you have some agenda. I know that mexican is not a race, but I have heard my fair share of racist remarks thrown at my father. Back then people weren't so shy to let you know that they didn't like what they were seeing. Well not from the Mexican side, they love the ladys, so that is always all good:) Mexicans would always tell me "You are Mexican! We are are all mix, that is the nature of the country. Despite that fact that racism is alive and well there, it is true. My grandma is from what was the biggest slave port in Mexico, and my grandpa is mixed with German, and S. American as well as his N. mexican cowboy ways. On my Mexican side you can see so much diversity. It seems to me things are moving in a much better direction, people are seeing good loving families & what can you say to that? My hubby is Mexican/English & Sicilian/German. He looks mix. What's funny is that on medical records Sean and the girls have to fill in a box that takes them out of the caucasian category and into the African/Caribbean side. I think Sicilians have African history, and there is a higher risk of some illnesses such as sickle cell. On other forms we can't be white, or hispanic, I think that the forms usually have an agenda to work the numbers this way or that sometimes for good, sometimes not. We are coming to a point where these kind of fill in the box answers will be obsolete and insulting. The icing on the cake for my little family is that we are Muslim,and most Muslims we meet assume that we are from the middle east. I always said Mexican and Irish make Persian! Let's hear it for blending in everywhere! Thank you for allowing me to go on and on, I've never written about this before, it felt good.