[Still not finding the Rat love....]

So we got the rats on Saturday. Got the nice big cage on Sunday. Sheldon, Leonard (together in the pics) and Howard. Strange thing, Sheldon is the most social.

 

The 10yo is doing a good job so far with feeding and cleaning and all, but he's skiddish still about holding them. So guess who gets to hold a rat every day??

 

I so would have rather had a cat.

Awwww I think they are sooo cute! We have mice and cats. No the cats don't try to eat the mice..they both could care less oddly enough.

[Today is one of those days when...]

I think that even though our local elementary school is one of the worst in the state, my kids would get a better education there.:glare:

I have been feeling like this a lot lately.....

[If you live in StL keep your children indoors and purge your closet of red an blue]

I have lived in inner city my whole life. Some cities in other states may be worse but I find it hilarous that people think simply banning colors will be much of a help. Gang members don't only wear one color (for those who even claim a color). I mean there are so many different ways that they identify themselves that you'd have to ban all colors, tattoos, piercings......I don't see how this would even help. Even though I lived in a neighborhood that was claimed by a gang who wore blue I had no issues walking home from high school wearing blue, or red, or black....I was never bothered. I never heard of anyone in my area getting harmed simply for wearing the wrong color-unless they were affiliated with a gang already and had decided to switch loyalties. I just find it beyond hilarious that they think this will do anything.

[Well I was certain I would love LLATL Blue]

Cheap and easy-The Reading Lesson. I sprung for the fun cd also.

Which CD was that? Looks like they have a few

[Book Club Chat VOLUME ONE]

I am still reading but not sure how far to go lol

[Well I was certain I would love LLATL Blue]

Aw, too bad. I was looking at LLATL Blue but ended up passing on it.... I don't know much about the setup of LLATL, so I don't know if there's any way to make it salvageable...

 

My 1st grader is really doing well with R&S Phonics (we like it better than we liked AAR). Very inexpensive, very open-and-go, short lessons that are easy to finish in a sitting. Buy just the teacher's guide and the phonics workbooks. There is a bit of writing involved, but DD doesn't mind as long as I let her use crayons and markers and fancy pens. :p Anyway, it has really built up her confidence quickly (in just 3 weeks, she has gone from struggling with c-a-t to reading words like "tuck" and "mess" easily).

What about the reading workbooks...are those of any urse?

[Well I was certain I would love LLATL Blue]

Now I am finding what many here have already said. The arts and crafts stuff is driving me nuts. I know there is a lot out there that people love....but I don't have a lot of money for a whole new curriculum. I wish I would have invested in AAR 1 now but...oh well.

 

I like having open and go lessons or at least something relatively easy I can break up into lessons on my own. Ideas? Suggestions?

[Build-A-Story Forum game...]

and not just any math books-but books by the great Archemedes!

[Need new Science curric...Noeo?]

We are using NOEO Chemistry 1 this year and I love it personally....I can slow it down for my son, they include most of the things that are needed including books and experiment kits. It is so much easier for me then having to read ahead and get supplies constantly.

[RightStart Math and a kid who insists on counting each item - what to do?]

It's normal. Don't worry about it. Give it a few more months, encourage him, but try not to get frustrated. He's only 4-1/2. :) (Edited to add that I'm on my third kid with RightStart A--so perhaps that's why I'm not as worried. I've seen it work for my two eldest--even if they liked to count in the beginning.) Remember, RightStart B repeats all of RightStart A for the most part and builds on it. In reality, he has two years to get that. I doubt he'll be counting in college. ;)

So agree! I started A with my son who is 6 and he is hit and miss. Meh. I'm not worried.

[Baby animals all over!]

Pocket goat? That sounds cute!

[What age would or do you leave your child at home alone?]

Depends on how mature they are at what age. I was staying home at 9, 10. My son may be able to when he gets to that age....maybe short periods at 8. We'll see.

[Build-A-Story Forum game...]

A SPECIAL kind of lunch :tongue_smilie:

[Book Club Chat VOLUME ONE]

oooh yes please post when part 2 is going to start!

[Thinking about dumping DirecTV]

I'm getting to that point but some things arent on hulu, netflix, or amazon prime as of yet. I want to get to that point. I SO wish cable/satellite companies would figure out that many people would understand how many people would pay for a la carte. I would gladly pay for certain channels and not 1000 infomercial channels

[HSQ1---Feelings on homeschooling]

How do you feel about your choice to homeschool? Ok

 

Are you happy you started homeschooling? In a lot of ways yes

 

Are your children happy to be homeschooled? Yeah they like being home

 

What do you feel is your favorite part of the school day? least favorite? Don't have a fave....or least fave

 

What is your favorite part of the school year? least favorite? Can't think of one

 

What is your favorite subject to teach? Your children's favorites? I guess I like science and language arts...my son likes science and some history

 

How do you feel inside when you tell people you homeschool? Not good...I get embarressed

 

This exact moment in time....what are you feeling when you look back on your day (or yesterday if your day hasn't started yet)? Today is a work day for me....tonight we will do school since I didn't get it finished yesterday. I have to run errands after I get off at 7, then get home and do school and tend to a sick cat, and try to do my own homework.

[Where do you find the stamina to continue homeschooling?]

I don't know. I have so many things going on that it is hard to find the stamina to hs, work, clean, cook, my own schooling......It is just...difficult. I don't want to sound like I am complaining, as I know I am fortunate to have a schedule that permits homeschooling. Still...

[My 10 year old reads out loud when reading to himself..]

Reading out loud can help impress in the mind what is on the written page a lot better then just reading silently.

[$40,000 for school]

Going back to a way earlier post.....I would love to be able to send my kids to the Obamas' school, Sidwell Friends. That looks like a really really cool place. I love homeschool and being with them but I love the look of that place too.

[I said goodbye to my dad tonight.]

Reading your post brought me to tears. I am so so sorry you are going through this

[S/O: What did YOU read your senior year in high school as assigned reading]

The Scarlet Letter. GAHHHHHHHHHHHh

[s/o of "red-shirting"]

Ds Jan 06, in first grade currently

Dd Oct 08, preschool right now. Some schools would take her for kinder next year but the district schools would probably not take her until the following school year for kinder, so next year I will have her do pre-k.

[Yesterday's Classics & Ambleside]

I want these so badly but I have 0 use for the Christmas stuff....I don't want to pay for stuff that I won't use.

[get done by lunch or late afternoon?]

I would have all done by 12 or a little after 1 if I could get up earlier in the day!:glare:

[How old are you K and 1st graders?]

1st grader will be 7 in January