Well, all things point to a move to Beijing the first quarter of 2012. We will have access to a tutor when we are on the ground in China. I was hoping that we might learn some basic Mandarin before hand to help with some of the initial stress. We will have real estate help and a driver, so thank goodness that will be covered. I'm concerned about reading signs, ordering lunch, going to the grocery .... etc, etc, etc. What should I use to begin some basic vocabulary and phrases? ANY advice is VERY welcome. thank you!

We have so many crafts supplies/kits in our craft closet! I realized this week, that the main reason we never do crafts is because of the clutter factor. My kids really want to do crafts - as in daily, and we have some pretty cool unused supplies. So, I was wondering if anyone knew of some sort of organization out there that might have some use for all of these treasures once completed? I've never heard of any, but I thought one of you might have. I would feel better about doing them, if they could find a good home (as in not mine.) thanks

This is also posted on the K-8 board. First, thank you all for the wonderful help in suggesting books for our Geography/Culture/Missionary study that we will be doing after Christmas. Now, we would like some videos .... please. I've seen several on Amazon, but they are pricey if we would like more than 1 or 2, and they only have a few ratings. So, I was hoping that you would share with me any videos that you especially like. thanks a lot!

This is also posted on the General board. First, thank you all for the wonderful help in suggesting books for our Geography/Culture/Missionary study that we will be doing after Christmas. Now, we would like some videos .... please. I've seen several on Amazon, but they are pricey if we would like more than 1 or 2, and they only have a few ratings. So, I was hoping that you would share with me any videos that you especially like. thanks a lot!

I used the whole series and never once a TM.

bump

There are expensive. I got ours on Amazon - some are on the 4 for 3 deal. You might also check RR. hth

We found a colony of ants living under a flower pot on the porch yesterday. I'm not sure if we got the queen or not (how do I tell?). Anyway can someone tell me how to turn this jar into a working farm? Right now the lid is screwed down b/c I didn't want them to escape. Please tell me how to do EVERYTHING to help them survive in their new glass home. All advice welcome! thanks

My whole crew loved Sutcliff, even my little guy.

I can't help it... it's an addiction ..... I need help .... deciding which book is better - this one or this one! :lol:

I think dd10 was a young 9 when she stopped pointing. Now, she still does it when she has to read "hard" books aloud to me. I was told by someone on here a long time ago to put you finger over the top of the word (point at it upside down) or to use the index card except cover up the words already read (instead of covering up the ones needing to be read) -- this way your child can still see the words coming, which aids in increasing speed (they can see the words coming, instead of them being covered up). On the side, when dd10 stopped reading aloud to herself - when she could read silently - the whole world changed. hth

We have read most of Missionary Stories. You are going to enjoy it. That Ten Girls Who Changed the World --- I just love the title. My dd10 would feel (for lack of better word) "empowered" just by it's title. She wants to be a missionary. She makes my heart smile when she talks about going to Africa or China - or just the need for it in our own hometown. thanks bunches

This does look good. It's point blank geography, but not dry. I really like that. thanks

My dd6 would like walkie talkies for Christmas. After looking at toy ones, it seems like I could get "real" ones for not much more. I have a huge concern though ... can anyone tune into the frequency that the kids would be talking on? Can suddenly they be talking to the truckers on the interstate? (We live really close.) Can someone else listen in on their conversations? I'm just concerned with stranger danger here. Any and all advice welcome Thanks!

Great suggestions! :001_smile:

MUS. Slow and steady. Sounds a lot like my now dd10 when she was that age. Now that she's finally got it, she's just sailing. hth

I think we are going to be finished with our 2 year tour of history around Christmas. I would like to take some time and study the "world". I know there are several great companies out there who sale world geography/culture curriculum. We don't do so well with put together schedules and activities. We are more of a read it over breakfast and discuss if through the day kind of family. I'm not so much looking for reference/spine material (even though would love some good rec's for those too), as I am looking for great short books for me to read aloud. Books that are from picture books to books that could take up to a week to complete - KWIM? I've got 4yo to 10yo to read too. I would like a list of books that you would like to read again ... meaning they were good enough for another go. Anything from world geography to world culture to world religions to Christian missionaries! Thanks so much!

Sonlight. :iagree:

I'm now on kid 2 with HOP. I also use Explode the Code - can not say how much I love those workbooks. We also use All About Spelling. My first grader has not started it yet. I will probably start her after Christmas. I've learned LOTS of rules using AAS that I didn't know!

I agree. We have done TOO much sitting these last couple of years b/c the books/program "told" us to. :glare: It was a hard lesson to learn .... sometimes you need to camp out and sometimes you need to sail.

Another vote for level 1. So many important rules are taught in those early levels. Even though your child may be able to spell those words already, he might not understand the "why" behind it. If you go that route, for sure go ahead and buy levels 1 and 2 at the same time to save on shipping b/c you will go through 1 pretty fast.

I would look into xtramath.org to help with the math facts. It's free and helped us so much!

We're all about history picture books at our house. :001_smile:

You have all been so great with the suggestions and comments. She's asked to call it a day. We made it through 8 lessons. All test were A's - all mistakes were careless except for one. We did spend quite a bit of time this morning on parallel and perpendicular. We will probably review that more as we go along. But she did GREAT! We will probably do a few more lessons like this. thanks all!

I really like this idea.