DollyM
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Posts posted by DollyM
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Yeah, you are a lucky dog. For years, when my mother was younger, she did our laundry every week. She lived in town and would come over while I was at work and do the laundry and leave those lovely square piles of clean clothes.
Even when DD was born, Mom kept this up - until she just got too old and her dementia started to interfere. It was lovely and a blessing when I was struggling to HS and keep up with the kids (well, I only have two but somehow it seemed like a struggle at the time.)
We do our own laundry now of course, but the teen kids help ;o)
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Ryan never said Brooke and Syesha were the bottom two? Just that each contestant was "safe." I'm wondering perhaps if Jason was in the bottom with Brooke, but the show didn't want to go there after Paula's debacle the night before?:001_huh:
Waaaahhh. I had company this week and missed both shows. I watched the performances online, but they don't include the judges comments and almost nothing of Ryan's comments so I'm soooo out of the loop
What was "Paula's debacle" and what did Ryan say? And what was up with his HAIR???
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I'm interested to know if anyone knew President Bush's stance on homeschooling before he was elected. (Or, in fact, now. ??) What was his policy? And did it, pro or con or no comment, have any impact on homeschooling in the US in the past 8 years?
When Bush was running for President he spoke at a homeschool function I attended in DAR's Consititution Hall in Washington DC - I even shook his hand - and at that function (HSLDA sponsored, I think) he affirmed homeschooling loud and clear.
Yep.:001_smile:
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Something by Willa Cather - My Antonia or Oh! Pioneers.
I like Hemingway but the only one I'd spend time on in high school is A Moveable Feast or OM&TS.
Something by Edith Wharton - we did Ethan Fromme and the kids really got into figuring out all the symbolism ... racy "red dish" discussions LOL.
The kids didn't really LIKE, but we had GREAT discussions on A Separate Peace.
We also did the Autobiography of Ben Franklin which they hate but I will make my next group do it also. Ditto The Scarlet Letter. Ditto The Red Badge of Courage.
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DD has been working behind the counter at our local Barnes & Noble, in the cafe. Her plans were to work there all summer until she goes off to college (she's 17 now, turns 18 in July.) But they've cut her hours - hired more folks than they need and split the available hours among all the kids who want to work - but she went from 16-20+ hours a week to 8. She can't save anything on that. She's bummed. Hopefully it will pick up again soon. She worked opening shift (7:30am to 2pm) 3-4 days a week for MONTHs when nobody else would take that slot - you'd think that would get her SOME priority for hours. Harumph.
And who posted about paying the do-nothing babysitter $12/hour? BN only pays $11. Yikes.
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We were having trouble in biology lab on Friday answering the questions related to blood typing ... and I had to go round up a nurse to help us out - she linked me to this game which pretty cool (only slightly "lame") and the page has links to other simulations, too. It's a handy little resource.
http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/medicine/landsteiner/
Enjoy! Learn!
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I installed microcomputers and trained people how to use them using materials I wrote and produced inhouse ... at both a large financial institution and later at a large univeristy. After DD was born, but still too young for school I consulted in the same field and had a business named "Star dot Star Micomputer Consultants" - ha ... that "DOS" moniker really dates me, huh? :lol:
Some of you are too young to remember "DOS.":tongue_smilie:
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Do you mean how did we gather Letters of Recommendation" for my student? We went back to non-family adults who had interacted in a positive way with DD during her high school years and asked them to write her a letter of recommendation, then gave them a stamped addressed envelope to mail in.
She approached pastors, intern/supervisors, co-op teachers, and parents of kids who had taken classes DD taught to little kids in our co-op.
Regarding "format" and "number" - this was prescribed by the colleges who asked for letters. Sometimes they have a form. Sometimes they don't. We didn't want to ask one pastor to write 5 letters, so we spaced them out, asking each adult to write no more than two letters for DD.
Is this what you meant?
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LaJuana said it so much better than I have time to. ;)
My reasons are the same as hers for not including the course descriptions I had written. I sent colleges the transcript that included the note, "course descriptions, reading lists and philosophy of education available upon request." DD applied to and was accepted with scholarhsips at 5 LACs. None of them "requested" any of my descriptions or reading lists. She took a binder that included a copy of all these documents but when she asked the dean if he wanted to see it he said, "no I have your essay" and then they went on to discuss that.
I would never have indicated "provided upon request" if I didn't HAVE them just in case ... but, like LaJuana I was pleased that DD was considered and accepted on the same merits as other non-homeschooled kids. She will have to prove her merit later in her courses, but her SATs and "Mommy-Transcript" was enough to get her in the door(s). I like that.
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Okay - it's not complete, but I reformatted a few sample courses so I could post here. I had this all ready and printed up, but I should tell you: not ONE college EVER asked to see them. So they are NOT "battle tested" :D
English 9
Reading & Research with Composition: A writing composition class in which the student worked intensively with the nomenclature of grammar and mechanics and their application to writing skills. Intensive work in analytical reading and writing with additional work on grammar, vocabulary, and reading-based questions. Instruction in research strategies, online database use and mechanics of creating a research paper.
Texts: How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler; A Quick Reference to the Research Paper by Susan Sorensonl; Analytical Grammar by R.R. Finley.
Medieval/Early Renaissance & Shakespearean Literature: A reading and writing intensive exploration of English literature written during the middle ages and early renaissance. Class meetings involved discussions and oral presentations. Home assignments included reading and writing (minimum one 3-5 page essay on each major work studied) which provided opportunities to experience, interpret and evaluate the literature.
Texts: Saint Augustine’s Confessions translated by H. Chadwick; Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney; Dante’s Inferno translated by Elio Zappulla; Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales translated by Hleatt; Oxford Shakespeare Series Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night; Brightest Heaven of Invention by Leithart
English 10
Advanced Composition: A writing intensive course in which the student continued to make progress on defining and supporting arguments, clarity and precision of language, and techniques of literary analysis.
Text: Advanced Composition published by The Center for Learning.
Literature: A reading and writing exploration of world literature written between 1650 and which provided opportunities to experience, interpret and evaluate the literature.
Texts: Literary Analysis published by Smarr Publications; Pride & Prejudice by J. Austen; Jane Eyre by C. Bronte; The Man in the Iron Mask & The Count of Monte Cristo by A. Dumas; Frankenstein by M. Shelley; Robinson Crusoe by Dafoe; Pilgrim’s Progess by Bunyan; A Modest Proposal by J. Swift.
Algebra 2
Continued study of math concepts including linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, relations, functions, radicals, imaginary and complex numbers. Emphasis was placed upon development of math skills through study of exponential and logarithmic functions, probability, statistics and elements of trigonometry
Text: Algebra 2 published by McDougal Littell
PreCalculus
Expanded study of math concepts involving functions (polynomial and rational, exponential and logarithmic,& trigonometric), linear systems and matrices. Included analytic trigonometry, sequences, series and probability.
Text: Precalculus with Limits: a Graphing Approach by B. H. Edwards / Houghton Mifflin.
Biology
An introductory high school level course with labs. Readings and instruction covered major concepts such as photosynthesis, fermentation, respiration, diffusion, the cell, genetics, plant & animal development, speciation and a survey of animal systems. Laboratory investigations were an integral part of this course.
Text: Biology published by Bob Jones Press
Chemistry
An introductory high school level course with labs. Readings and instruction covered major topics such as matter, atomic structure & elements, chemical bonds & composition, chemical reactions, gases, solids, liquids, solutions, acids/bases/salts and oxidation. Laboratory investigations were an integral part of this course.
Text: Chemistry published by Bob Jones Press
Modern World History
Modern world history after 1850: Study emphasized events and developments during modern times that greatly affected large numbers of people across broad areas of the earth and that significantly influenced peoples and places in subsequent eras. Student practiced skills and processes of historical thinking and inquiry that involved chronological thinking, comprehension, analysis and interpretation, research, issues-analysis, and decision-making. Student learned to compare & contrast events and developments involving diverse peoples and civilizations in different regions of the world.
Texts: Western Civilization by J.J. Spielvogel, Foundations of Western Civilization: The Modern Western World, video series by The Teaching Company
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At our house "scariest man" was The Creepy Orkin Guy. This was a man we hired to come take care of our ant infestation. Bug Man. Comes into the home, crawls thru all your undersink cupboards, has total access to your entire home, and brings along with him a creep factor of at least 89 on a scale of 100=creepiEST. Ours had thick glasses that made his eyes look ennormous. Wierd haircut like his wife (IF there was one ... big IF MNSHO) had not yet fully mastered the FlowBee. Fashion challenged way beyond the confines of the Orkin uniform ... sort of a failure to understand where the waistline should hit on a pair of khakis. Girls socks with men's oxfords (not really the kinds of girls socks that have the little dingle ball on the back, but similar with a lime green border - NOT a color that could be confused for masculine. ) He came several times before I just had to call the dispatcher and ASK for another guy. Got a woman the 2nd time. She was a bit better.
As for the ice cream guy - who suggested "calling the company?" 'Round here the ice cream guy IS the company - he owns his own delapidated truck, and buys his stock from a wholesale food distributor - he is certainly NOT the front man for the Good Humor Ice Cream Novelty Company.
I got around this for many years when my kids were litte by insisting that the "Cucaracha" music came from something called "The Music Truck!" When we heard the "music truck" in the neighborhood it was "Cookie Time" in the kitchen. This worked pretty well - even if they were out playing, when the Music Truck came near, they'd run INDOORS and insist on their cookie ration. It's a family joke now, as properly socialized homeschool kids they eventually learned the truth from the neighborhood children, but it worked for many years. DD says she was 9 before she learned the truth (and only 10 before she understood WHY I shielded her all those years from the overpriced and creepy ice cream truck guy.)
:lol:
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for about $30 from shutterfly.com
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I'm going to start doing what the chiropractor told me to do - but do it purpsoefully and aggressively (ice and otc ibupro.) and see how it goes. If no relief I"ll phone the regular doc for an appt. I appreciate your insight and encouragement.
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I've searched webmd but I can't figure out what is up with my right arm.
My right arm (the one I used to work the computer mouse) is acting oddly. It feels like its cold and I can't seem to make it feel 'warm' ... it's generally painful overall, espcially when I'm just sitting or on the computer. I had Shingles as a kid, and this is a similar "pain" in the area of my upper arm, but there is no rash or other shingle-ish symptoms.
My right shoulder was also bothering me lately - the chiropractor said its bursitis and told me to ice it and take otc pain reliever. I don't generally pop a pill for minor stuff and since my arm feels 'cold' anyway I've not tried the ice yet either. My shoulder seems to hurt when I try to put on a jacket... I get a tinge of pain.
Argh. Growing old has a lot in common with an all day lollipop.
Would you schedule a doctor visit for nothing more concrete than a "cold arm?"
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I don't know their budget but here's a sample listing
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/vac/641661235.html
That's a significant living space for a family, but at the price of a single hotel room in Boston.
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We slogged thru it with students in 9th grade. We used MaryAlice's VERY GOOD guide. BUT - it was hard for the kids - the guide definitely helped - but when I read this with my next kid I will wait until possibly even 11th or 12th grade - as a prep for college. I'm not sure it was helpful as a prep for high school.
When I taught this to our co-op, I used it in the FALL for one semester then took the kids thru a 2nd semester (Spring) of "how to write a research paper" and I thought the principles from Adler would be a good precursor to "researching" ... but ... well ... not really so much.
I haven't looked at this book since then, but I do remember there were definitly some VERY HELPFUL chapters, and some more that were just too tedious to be helpful. When I read it with my next kid I will ... ahem .... "filter."
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To those who said, "circular file" AMEN. ;)
To Gwen who wanted to give well deserved postive feedback: I concur. In this particular case, the school didn't do anything particularly noteworthy for DD, and they consistently mispelled her name, so we didn't have the warm fuzzies for this school that we definitely had for a couple of the others.
I think if this form was brief/short, I'd encourage DD to simply comply, but it's long and tedious with teensy little boxes to check and the whole thing makes me tired LOL.
I was interested in learning that many of you at least got a similar vehicle from other schools. We placed a "thanks but no thanks" phone call to three other schools and that seemed to be sufficient for them ... this last school (who sent the form) was coincidentally the stingiest with scholarship ... and now they have the noive to want all this .... data :tongue_smilie: :lol:
I'm gonna toss it. Thanks, all.
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subbing our actual last name for "lastname" - obviously. ;o)
We had never come up with anything specific, never used an official name or anything like that - but I figured no body could quibble with "Smith Family Home School" since that's who/what we were.
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Here's what DD did (graduates next month)
CC = comm college
9th:
British and World Lit thru Shakespeare
Middle Ages / Reformation World History
Geometry
Biology with labs
Spanish 1
Ballet
10th:
British and World Lit thru Moderns
Modern World History
Algebra 2
Chemistry w/labs
Spanish 2
Ballet
11th:
American Literature
American History
US Government (Teen Pact)
Precalculus
Astronomy (CC)
Spanish 3
Broadcast journalism internship
Ballet
12th:
College Algebra (CC)
Ancient Civilizations (CC)
Music Appreciation (CC)
Computer Office Applications (CC)
Ballet
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Okay so DD was admitted to several colleges and finally/recently made her decision. So far so good. I told her to phone the admissions counselors at each of the schools she was declining - and tell them - and ask if she needed to do anything else to "withdraw her application."
All of the counselors thanked her, said they'd make a note, and wished her well.
So in today's mail is this odd form from Butler Univeristy in IN along with a cover letter which states, in part,
"We have received notification of your decision not to attend Butler this Fall .... Enclosed find an Admitted Student Evaluation ... It is VITAL that you return it within the next two weeks ... this will be the final documentation BU will require of you ..."
The form is a lengthy double-sided affair which asks for a bunch of statistical data about her, including the names of all the other schools she applied to and where she decided to go instead (info they already have.)
Would you encourage your rising-college-kid to complete and return such a thing? Maybe it's my independent homeschooled mentality that says, 'none of your business and you can't REQUIRE anything of us ...we've already told you all you need to know ...'
So, what do you think? Trash it? "File" it? Complete and return it? Get over it? :001_smile:
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So we don't pay anybody and everybody must have a job (teaching, aiding, nursery-ing, lunch-room-monitoring, etc.) When TEENS take a job, they do it for free, too and they count it as community service / leadership in training. Once we allowed a mom to stay home while her teen daughter taught a class, thus enabling her younger siblings to take co-op classes (the mom was recovering from illness).
OTOH, our church ladies bible study meets once a week and they PAY a teen to work their nursery (toddlers, mostly) and they pay her "the going rate" but I don't know what that is. I'm going to guess $20-30/day for two hours work.
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English and grad work in Education.
Go, Bruins. :D
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When my eldest was finishing up 3rd grade, my youngest was finishing up K, and I'd just finished up reading thru WTM. We were getting weary of Sonlight. I'd been a regular on the SL boards, and figured, "surely SWB must have a website." Did an "Alta-vista" search (I don't think google was big yet) and voila.
One of my first posts was a reply to a post about "what to do with preschoolers" - I replied that I'd used ziplock bags to organize a bunch of self-directed readiness activities for my little boy, and casually mentioned that I'd send my ideas to anyone interested. This promptly loaded the board with many requests. I did eventually post a long description of the bags, PaulaK asked permission to put that post on her "Archives" (where it still resides) and later I saw all my great ideas in somebody else's book. LOL. For sale. LOL. Great minds think alike, I guess. :oD
Is it worth paying more for Name Brand shoes for kids?
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
Sigh. DD is a dancer. Her pointe shoes are $70/each and she needs new ones REGULARLY (some last mere weeks). DD is a fencer - he needs special shoes there, too. There are so many tugs on the pocket book that we had to prioritize or sink.
When they were toddlers we started buying their shoes at Walmart and continued that until either the styles were unacceptable, or the sizing wasn't right. Then we moved over to "Kohl's" quality. We had to purchase Stride-Rite ONCE (dressy shoes for DD) when nothing else was for sale and we needed a pair. It didn't hurt the kids' feet or feelings to wear Walmart shoes when they were little. Or when they were pre-teen and on into teens, really.
If you have the money to spend on Stride-Rite quality and feel good about it - then go ahead. If your budget is tight, slide those little doggies into Walmart sneakers and sleep soundly.
That's in MY version of the Homeschool Manual. I'm still cracking up at Scarlet - she has a different edition than me I think :lol: