I used the Hewitt tests too and agree they are better because they require more thought and allow the student tell more of what they know.

We were told posting pictures was fine as long as we didn't identify the children as foster child. Since all of our foster child have been under two (most were newborn/infants) when placed that wasn't a big deal. Besides those close to our family IRL already knew which ones we fostered. :)

Amazing results!! You look fantastic!!

I don't do fundraisers at all. I make it a point to treat them all the same no matter the cause....I just say no. I have no problem with people who are just passing along information in case someone *might* want to give but I hate that way some try to guilt you into giving. Or make comments about how they always give for this fundraiser or that as if by me choosing not too give I am somehow in the wrong. :(

I have three younger children under 5 and I would not expect someone to childproof their home for us. I would expect fragile expensive things to not be on a low table but that because anyone could knock it over and break it. I watch my children and expect when I have company at my own home for parents to do the same.

LLATL - not enough litersture, grammar and spelling very light, book study questions were more to make sure the book was read and not good for discussion Saxon Math - spiral method not a good match for my daughter and she really struggled with the mix of algebra ans geometry Writing Strands - assignments didn't have enough instruction, dd thought some of the were "dumb", without the Evaluating Writing book I was lost on how to grade her work. Streams of Civilizations - just plain boring

Magic School bus is a good idea to combine with home experiments and library books on the topic. She use the book list from Sonlight or Ambleside Online for literature books to read. I would advise an workbook for 1sr grade language arts. For history just get an engaging living history book to read together and do select hands-on projects. Get lots of outdoor time. This migt be a great time to explore topics that the child has been interested in but hasn't had the time to explore.

My oldest started off in a private school Kindergarten when she was 5 then turned 6 only a month into the school year. Her birthday was 8 days after the September 1 cut off to be 5 for K. She would academically ready when she was 4/5 but they allow no exceptions for being 5 before the cut off. Anyway when she came home to school we just stuck with the same grade level she had before. She was doing high school level work in grades 7 & 8 but we didn't move her ahead. She ended up turning 18 at the beginning of he senior year. For us it was a huge mistake not to advance her before she started high school. She hated schooling after 18 and being considered a child just because she was still in high school. The last 2 years of her schooling were horrible because she was ready to move on but couldn't. If I had to do it again it would be very differently. She was already doing high schol level work prior to grade 9 and that's what I should have placed her in instead of continuing the grade level she previously had. I followed some bad advise from our umbrella school and we paid dearly for it. She has a younger brother who has a September 26 birthday and we will have him start K when he is 4/5 instead of 5/6 just to avoid this problem in the future. It will be easier to slow down if we need to than speed up.

I highly recommend Barbara Shelton's book "Senior High: a Home-Designed Form+U+LA". She used grade contracts with her children for some of their courses. Basically you tell the student if you do these things you will earn a C; add these things to earn a B and add these things to earn an A. You decide what the things are that must completed: books read, papers written, field trips, presentations, experiments, etc. I used it with my oldest daughter and it worked very well for her. Although he options were only A or B. It really guided us in creating courses that really fit her while still providing the grades needed for her transcripts.

I needed to read this thread today as I sit in my living room that has become a second playroom for my three little ones (4 and under). We have too much stuff, too many toys with tiny parts, too much knick knacks, too many books, too many clothes/shoes, too much of everything and none of it is organized! It is overwhelming since they are all useful "good" things that could be used by us later or someone else now. After reading all these comments I know I need to release myself from the guilt and just get off my duff to get to throwing out, sorting, donating, and storing our excess things.

Without propery teaching this assignment is a waste of time.

With 3 sick children I would be staying home. The virus your daughter has could be contagious and carrying germs to an event such as you described would not be good.

In addition to the library, have him go back through the list and read his favorite books again.

I think your plan sounds great. It has variety, hands-on components (gardening) and works cross more than one subject. It allows your son to gradually progress in difficultly as he gets older while allowing for his interest to be followed now.

We fostered from 2007 to this summer. We didn't "specialize" but only received infants, mostly newborns straight from the hospital. The oldest child we had was 23 months. We have adopted 2 of the infants placed with us. They are now almost 5 and When we went through our classes we were took they almost never get infants especially newborns because they are placed with a relative right away. That hasn't been our experience. Our social worker told us that once you are known for accepting a certain "type" of child and are good with them, they placement team will make sure to call you first when a child fitting comes into care. After adopting 2 children and have a surprise baby in the last 2 years on too of fosters several babies, we are taking a break for at least a year. I'm hoping we can get back to it before too long. I didn't realize how much I would miss it.

I did the same thing: purchased several years with of Saxon Math because I found them for good prices only to have upper level Saxon not be a good fit for my DD. How I wish I had not done that! Now I only purchase when we are close to finishing the level we are working...unless someone gives them to be free; which is why I have several levels of MUS.

This is exactly what I needed! My library doesn't have Switch so I'll need to buy it but I'm planning to add GTD to my list for the library tomorrow. This is great; hope to read more ideas.

We are the same. I set the meal/snack times and decide what we will served. They are allowed to eat as much (or as little) as they want that is one their plates and are allowed to ask for seconds of a favoriate food once they have eaten everything they have been served. I only serve milk at breakfast and they get water the rest of the day. That works so they don't fill their tummies with liquid calories. Juice (50% water) is given only as a treat once a week or less. "Dessert" is usually fruit or yogurt and sweets are only given a few times per month but more often (once or twice per week) during holiday season.

We used Abeka World Geography.

I agree with the others to move to the next level when you are finished. That's one of the benefits of home-education...moving at your child's pace whether slower than average, average, or faster than average. :)

I would definitely work on maintaining friendships regardless of where she schools. Although I would let her know that there will probably be a natural falling away as life changes (switching schools, summer break, etc). Getting her involved in family activities will help with bonding and a 90 minute one way commute really interfers with that. It's great that you leave in a state that allows homeschool for foster children. In my state that is not an option.

I agree with LisaK and Sis about the American version of British shows not being the same quality. It's disappointing but doesn't stop me from trying them out anyway.

Our tree is up and decorated. My DD19 & her BF did it over the weekend. I'll be spending the rest of month making more decorations with my littles (4,2&1) to add to the tree.

My husband is usually the one to set up our tree but with being in S. Korea our oldest daughter and her BF plan to do it instead. The littles and I will get the fun job of putting on the ornaments. So far I've set up the Christmas book basket and we've watched the Veggie Tales St Nicholas DVD. I've pulled out our Christmas decorations and my younger daughter and I have been placing them around the house.

I have bought all my clothing from Cato Fashions for many years. The clothing is attractive, durable, and affordable. They carry all sizes, accessories, purses, shoes and undergarments. I have no complaints.