Hello. I'm from Missouri. We have to keep a log of our hours. This is my first year doing it since my son is now old enough that I have to. Anyway - I think I remember someone at a conference talking about how they counted household chores as "life skills". Does anyone know if that is okay? My son is 7 and goes through a routine in the morning and evening with things like make his bed, brush his teeth, pick up toys, etc. It takes him about 10-15 minutes each time. So, is it "legal" to count that as 1/2 hour of school each day? What other things do you count in "life skills"? What about "recess" with time outside. Can that be counted as PE hours or does it have to be an organized play time to be PE?

That's exactly what I was looking for. I love message boards! :001_smile:

Thanks for the responses! For those who went from Explode the Code (through book 6 or so) and then went on to AAS...how quickly did they go through the first few levels? I assume level 1 goes quickly, but when does it slow down usually - level 2 or 3? Thanks...

I see people saying their child is reading at a 3rd grade level, etc. How do you know? Is there an easy test to determine that?

I am sure this has already been discussed, but I could not find it by searching. What do you guys do??? Do you finish all (8 books) of ETC before moving on to spelling or start spelling around book 4ish? I have one going into 2nd grade this year. We are going to be doing Explode the Code online this year and am trying to figure out if I need to add spelling on top of that - or try to get him through the rest of the books first. I want to use All About Spelling when I have some extra money, but think it might be overkill to use ETC and a spelling program right now. Thoughts? Thanks for any insight.

I just made a Wal-Mart run and bought all of these that they had! They were $3 each. They are flat and big enough to fit workbooks, etc. I know it "shouldn't" matter, but I just couldn't stand the thought of bending books and papers to fit into shoeboxes. I already have 3 of these wooden bookshelves, so I will be able to fit PLENTY of workboxes on them... http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2hEsjySpE2zV2Ngv6W-Q-Q?feat=directlink Here is a picture of the container label in case someone wants specifics... http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tTJyMHApOlE7d2HAFFr97Q?feat=directlink

Paula - Where do you "collect" those size boxes?

Is there a "Lapbooks for Dummies" book out there for those who are not creative enough and don't want to think through it with my own brain? If it is a "kit" I could probably manage it MAYBE. Does FIAR set lapbook kits? It seems like I vaguely remember something about that...

What about using tote bags instead of boxes? They would be very simple to make. You could have different colors mean different "special" things...like "fun" or "work with mom" or "art" - so the the kids would see things they enjoy coming up in the rotation...could even pick fabrics accordingly...jungle print for science, map print for geography, musical notes for music...you get the idea. If you just wanted to buy tote bags, you could tie certain colors of ribbon - like orange ribbon means work with mom, etc. or could make iron on transfers or get someone to use their embroidery machine. Where to store them - I guess I could hang a coat rack sideways...or maybe get my own strip of wood and screw some hooks into it. Or-could even line them all up in a (larger) tub maybe? Fill the tub, close the lid and store in the closet until school time if I want. Hmm... What do you think? If it was something that is too big for a tote, you could put a card inside that says "go to art station and blah, blah, blah..." or "Go get box "A" from the shelf to find your equipment for this task", etc. I like that they could strap on their bag and take it to another part of the house if they want to go to the living room to complete their task of "reading a chapter in their book". Thoughts?

Thanks for that link! Here is a picture from the link in the last post. I would never have thought to make my own, but they would be simple enough to make! (And probably more durable for text books)... http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9lwsly8DwbV2DDByctxkYQ?feat=embedwebsite That got me thinking...What about if you use tote bags instead of boxes? I am going to start a new thread on that to see if I can get some more feedback from people who already read this thread and decided against the pocket charts!

Ok - I've been reading a lot about the workbox "buzz". I can't seem to get past the cost and space for all those boxes! I am wondering if this pocket chart might be a good way to get me over the hump? This is what I'm thinking... It is still visual (can remove the folder and put in a completed pile). I don't think I have a lot of extra/loose things that would need to go in a box, but if I do - couldn't one of the folders just have instructions of what to do at the "art station" (this would have all the art supplies needed) or "math station" (we use MUS so have manipulatives & books stored in a place all together)...or even if I wanted them to play a game or a specific craft that a box would be more appropriate for, the instructions in the folder could say to go get box "A"...maybe have one shelf that has misc boxes that I have prepared for/assigned to the kids. Am I making sense? I just wonder where to put all those boxes for 4 kids. Each of the kids could have one of these pocket charts with 10 folder slots. You can slip a workbook or a reader in the slot with the folder. Or, could possibly get the organizer in the 2nd link and use with 3 kids http://catalog.bestteachersupply.com/storage_pocket_chart-p-128231.html http://catalog.bestteachersupply.com/organization_center_pocket_chart-p-176042.html If you are using the sytem, tell me if you think this work as effectively...or is there REALLY some kind of magic to all those BOXES? Thanks.

OK - I read the thread (thanks for posting)...but it doesn't say that you have to have a record showing the number of hours...just that you MUST OFFER 1,000 hours, but the "required records" section doesn't mention charting how many actual hours pent. Is that right? Why do people track how many hours if it is not required? http://www.dese.mo.gov/schoollaw/HomeSch/homeschool.htm

Anyone out there homeschooling in MO? Can you share how you record your hours of study or any insight on the subject? Is it a recommendation - or is it a requirement? Do you do "tally marks" style or do you divide into 15 minutes chunks, etc.? We homeschooled last year, but I heard it is the school year AFTER your child turns 7 that you have to start being accountable. So, this will be my first year to prove what we are working on/how much time it took...Some advice on what you do might help me get a better handle on it... :grouphug: Thanks.

Melissa - thanks for your input on the ages. I had not heard that it would be better for older students...I thought it was for 2nd graders + which is what my oldest is. Hmm...thanks for the heads up on that. What did you do before 4th grade then?

I see that they just released a DVD for level 1 and the other levels will follow. The DVDs teach the words/corrections (student pauses) and has the visual display - then you go over the missed words together. The demo of first 8 lessons can be viewed here for anyone interested... http://www.avko.org/ssdvd.html For those who did not retain...did you review/re-visit the missed words?

I am researching spelling programs and haven't really found any people that have used Sequential Spelling but did NOT like it and wanted to switch. If you did - why didn't you like it? Or, is it JUST GOOD?

bump

Has anyone out there used the "Language Smarts" books from CTCo? I recently bought the "B" book that was supposed to be for 1st grade and it seems like 2nd grade work. I looked at a sample of their "C" book that is supposed to be for 2nd grade, but I think it looks more like 3rd grade work. We are using it as a "follow up" to FLL. I'm trying to figure out if my standards are too low, my kids are behind or if I am accurate in my assessment. Anyone have experience with this? :001_huh:

I was wondering about this. For some reason I thought that it was covered in "Adventures"...or maybe I was just hoping! Was your family able to do a year in "Adventures"? Anyone else know if state capitals are covered in ADV? I know they cover states, per their website description below... Learn U.S. geography with a brief trip through the 50 states, one state per day, and related hands-on projects. That sounds so fun! I can't wait to learn/teach something about each state in a fun/hands-on way.

I am struggling to make a decision. Actually, I've "decided" a few times and keep changing my mind! Ugh! I read TWTM last year and fell in love with the method. I started my oldest (son/now 7) this past fall in 1st grade as close to the WTM approach as I could. History is the area we REALLY struggle with. My son has a developmental delay that leaves him slightly behind in language and comprehension (also has OCD and slight ADD). History has been so hard for us. He doesn't "get it" and it is so much effort for him to understand and remember anything that I have ZERO motivation to do it. We switched to MOH (Mystery of History) with the same result. We started looking at MFW (My Father's World) because it seemed like their approcah was simpler concepts to grasp at this age - yet they use SOTW in the logic stage and are developing their HS program to follow another cycle of a 4-yr chrobological history study. Also, I have heard that MFW is easier to follow when you have a lot of kids because it is all laid out for you. So, I guess my question is...will my kids REALLY suffer if I don't cover the chronological history 3x? Will they be able to "get it" if it is only covered twice? Right now, my youngest is 19 months and is running arorund EVERYWHERE! I also have a 4,5 & 7 yr old. I am starting my 5 yr old in 1st now because she's just READY and planning to just start history over with my 2 oldest kids. I believe that TWTM approach is awesome, but wondering if it might be better for me/my kids if I wait to do SOTW until next cycle when they are all a little older and I'm not interrupted by the toddler painting herself, eating crayons, unrolling the toilet paper, climbing onto tables,...you get the idea! And, when my son grows/matures and is able to better understand more abstract concepts we may be better able to "get" SOTW? :glare:

Can you share your experiences with using the D’Nealian handwriting program?

What "style" is WWE workbook samples written in? I am trying to decide on a handwriting curriculum and thought I would choose one that is most similar to the "other" writing book my kids will use. It kind of looks like italics maybe?

Amazon shows that the newly revised edition of The Well Trained Mind will be released on February 4, 2009. I haven't heard anything about it and don't see a "pre-order" advertisement on peacehillpress.com...does anyone know/heard an update? is it really going to be relased in a couple of weeks?

Has anyone else heard anything? I have read on this board a couple of times that it was going to be updated. I THOUGHT someone said January '09 originally. I think I called a while back and the rep. didn't know anything about it. I'm in the same boat. I want this series and just buy one book at a time while waiting to see if there is an update...

I have ordered probaby 3 or 4 times in the last 2 months and it is always FAST! If there is a backorder, I get an email the next day. If it's something I don't NEED, I just ask them to cancel and then they ship the rest of the order right out. I always order online.