What is it exactly that you don't like? Maybe you need to mix it up a little, have some fun and throw some of your expectations out the door. It sounds a little like they don't meet expectations you have and maybe they know it - that could be sucking the joy out of all of you. What if for a while you dumped actual curriculum and played educational games, played outside more, did projects around the house together, went to the library for strictly fun reads and books on cd to listen to together? Do you have Netflix? Could you get it for a month or two and enjoy watching loads of educational shows and funny oldie movies and tv shows? If you really hate then I would just do it all differently and see what happens.

I have done it both ways - one unit at a time is how I have been doing it this year. I like to have the whole year done in advance, but that is a lot of work!

We school year round so it always feels like I am planning for something. I use TOG so I spend time hunting down books on local library systems and Amazon. Plus I pick all our projects, look for movies to tie in etc. It's fun, but yes, it can be distracting from tasks at hand!

I don't have much opinion on whether the food is harmful - we all die someday anyway. That said, I do take issue with the cronyism between Monsanto and the government (all administrations), the monopololizing and I am not cool with the fact that Monsanto regularly sues farmers.

I have used two of WP programs - several years ago- not once did I receive good or what I would call acceptable customer service. I am sad to see they still haven't figured it out. Am I to understand that you can no longer buy their "exclusives" without ordering a package? I am surprised they are still in business.

Oooh, ooh! When I clicked on your link it showed listmania in the search bar! Thanks! Okay - just discovered that when I go directly to amazon.com and scroll down some, there is a section titled "My Participation" and a link that says, "Your Listmania Lists" - so yay - I can get to it now. I am annoyed that the listmania search doesn't just automatically show on the left hand side bar anymore though......

Does anyone know what happened to the Listmania feature on Amazon? It seems to be gone.

So, all those for marriage equality surely support the polygamists too...... right? Otherwise you aren't for equality, you are just a hypocrite. Also, marriage is traditionally a religious ceremony....what happened to that obsession with separation of church and state? I want government out of ALL marriage. I don't think I should have had to pay for permission to get married to my husband. I also think that divorce shouldn't be in the courts - if you get in to a contract then you find a way out of it - with attorneys and mediators that you pay to reach an agreement. Don't clog up the courts with your dysfunctional relationships.

I love the writing assignments, but the insructions are often vague. I enrolled my high schooler in a English Comp class for dual enrollment, and we use reference books as well as the Purdue Online Writing Lab website.

LiveMocha for Russian is a big hit with my son. The History Scholar pages from Westvon Publishing have been a great addition to our history with Tapestry of Grace (love TOG). Also, the Listening To Music open course at Yale has been enjoyable for my son.

Thanks, these are all great suggestions. I am just putting together a small unit of a "Geography and Cultures" program for my son. I'd like to spend a week on Canada - so I just want him to label a basic map, learn a little about the country and read a story that takes place there. If there is a fun DVD out there I would like that too.

Here is ours.

Thanks! Any others out there?

I am looking for a good book that tells the basics of Canadaian Geography, Culture and Government - appropriate for a 9 year old and that isn't too long. I would prefer something that could be read over a week that will provide information that will enable my son to fill out a canadian map and understand the basic structure of the canadian government. I am also looking for a read aloud/short novel that takes place in Canada.

My son used Step by Step Russian the first year and now he uses www.livemocha.com - it is free and he gets feedback on his pronounciation from native Russian speakers.

I am looking for suggestions for a Consumer Math program. Years ago I used Math U See Stewardship program with my oldest, but I want to know what else is out there. I know Abeka has one, but I am not sure I want to use that. Any suggestions?

We enjoy them, but I only choose the ones that go along with our lessons really well and don't take up too much time.

..how long did it take between the IRS "accepting" and "approving?" I filed our return and it was "accepted" almost immediately, but it has been two days and it isn't showing as approved yet.

I usually do DE + Print. I get the year plan, map aids and evaluations. Also, do the one time Writing Aids purhase unless you really have a writing instruction program you already like. Buying DE will get you all future updates for free.

For digital items - 1) things I have downloaded are separated by categories and each has a folder on my desk top. Such as Math (all math downloads go in that folder), American History etc. The exception to sorting by subject is Lapbooking and Notebook Pages - they have their own folders so I can easily find a lapbook or Notebook page by name. 2) Pinterest - I no longer use "Favorite Places" - I use only Pinterest. Print Materials - books and workbooks are organized on my book shelves by subject. Materials I have printed out or photocopie over the years are in binders and/or file folders. About twice a year I go through things and delete or throw away if I haven't used it or don't see myself using it.

I don't think it is. My 9 year old, third grader uses grade 3 and it sufficiently challenges him.

You underestimate me - I could solve that for x. Obviously it is -2 :001_tt2:

Ha! That's why I farm out Algebra! I read your post too fast and thought you meant solve for x.

They don't want it simplified. The answer is 3x-6. DS is insisting it is 3x-2 because when he is doing the math he is doing -3(2). The parentheses will show him where he went wrong. Thanks.

(f)(x)= 3x +2 f(x) - f(2) I get 3x-6 and my son gets 3x-2 I know mine is right, but we are having a disagreement as to why. Can someone else explain how we arrive at 3x -6 I did: 3(2)+2 = 8 3x + 2 -8 3x -6