I have decided that next year we are throwing away grammar...well not really, but at least the approach we have used this year. It's driving me nuts. Initially, I had planned to use the Brave Writer, which I understand is kind of a classical approach? Then at the last minute I chickened out and ended up ordering an automated program which is horrible, and filling in with Worldly Wise (not bad), and Hot Fudge Monday's (also not bad). I just hate the entire concept of making my daughter sit down to "DO" grammar work. How does the classical approach work, is copy work always included? Can it primarily focus on reading and discussion? How much required writing must a child do? Honestly, right now we are doing "okay", but grammar always feels like an interruption to our day. We love math and science...could we just use Story of Science next year and pay attention to the commas? lol...:001_huh: Thoughts?

If you have private insurance, I would call and determine what level of benefit you might be able to seek a competent independent evaluation from a neuropsychologist or disabilities specialist. I don't necessarily believe you should scrap the OT, the memory and motor function are all considered facets of dysgraphia. My guess is the process is lengthy because IEPs mean time and money from the district, as well as long term accommodation, as things like dysgraphia and dyslexia do not go away. They just become more manageable. You are likely to get some backlash from your insurance company, if you do, I wouldn't say much beyond he is having learning difficulty at school, if you could get a referral from his primary physician (if you have a good relationship) I would try to go that route. They may have you see a private psycologist first. For us, our insurance covered all of Abby's neuropsych exam, but did not cover disclosure of findings...which is really stupid, but that's how it is. We had a lot of support to receive testing for deficiencies because Abby is a cancer survivor. Hang in there.

I am so lost..Dysgraphia is a learning disability, why in the world would they prescribe OT? I think you should pursue your IEP and request accommodation for written work, request that work be able to be completed on a computer, and in a different time frame. Remember too...ANYONE that is any qualified educator or psychologist can verify dysgraphia, once the diagnosis is made, then the school must provide an IEP and accommodation - this is a federal law. It does not have to be the school psychologist, or even anyone that works for the district. The testing can be done privately through a neuropsycologist.

I love that you mention this... I am sure this would so be me..:lol::iagree:

I am consider switching our format for grammar and history to a main lesson book. I haven't quite worked through how this would look for Math, but there is just this huge part of me that wants to scrap most of what we are doing (because it feels like were all over the place) and use only the Story of Science as a guide for all of our lessons. Either way this lesson book interests me. I wonder how long do you utilize this format in Waldorf?

We agree with Mondays being crazy. This week I have established Mondays as Cinnamon Roll Day; pretty straight forward concept we have Cinnamon Rolls in our otherwise mostly unsugary household. I would like to say that I make these delectable treats from scratch...but we don't. We pop them out of the Immaculate Baking Company's tin and into our oven. Seemed to work this morning for us...I'll let you know about next ;o) Otherwise Mondays we hit the ground running and I remind all we have had a whole weekend to relax...

Love this link....I am not sure I would even use a book if we had the videos to use as a tool and practice sets...particularly if my child didn't love reading.

Your kiddos are so young... Here are my thoughts 1) Handwriting is not an intellectual skill...it is a fine motor skill. Something to remember is that as your child begins to focus on the content of the work itself (structure, wording, story) their handwriting will likely get worse as will thier spelling because they are focused on WHAT they are writing more and not how (especially in third grade). Handwriting has nothing to do with intellect, and I don't know anyone in college that does anything written by hand at this juncture. 2) Spelling is more concerning...I am not sure what to say there. It could be just a normal issue or something more serious like dysgraphia. Still no matter what this is...if other parts are coming along you shouldn't worry. Also...when was the last time you met a doctor or engineer with neat handwriting?

I am using homeschool planner basic...the download is free, if you want to be able to have multiple computers set up you can pay for the online version. I have it downloaded to my daughter's system and set it up once a week. Its great and allows me to do absolutely everything I want in the realm of planning including setting up: Resources Schedules Grading Attendance Time Points Etc.. Etc.. Etc.. http://www.homeschooltracker.com/tracker_basic.aspx

Are Trivium and Classical the same? If not, could you tell me the differences? Does Trivium have to be faith based, or could it be secular?

Grammarlouges is our biggest miss so far. Hits: Ko's Journey Wordly Wise (though she hates it, its working) Story of Science Intellego Units

What about Math U See, couldn't that be very hands off? I haven't tried it but have heard very good things about the program. If your DS is a visual / kinetics learner this might be okay. I hear that as you get towards Algebra it loses its efficacy. Also Touchpoints Math? - though that would take coaching, it is a visual / kinetic program.

436 I think it is subjective (no pun intended). If they are working on place value and that is a known, then the answer is 3. If they were working on decimals (not likely in third grade public school) then the answer is indeed 43.6 If they are just looking for an approximate value that includes 10s then 43 would be appropriate. We have struggled with this frequently (if not daily), but ultimately when they get to a real world test they have to be able to provide the "right" answer. This is the conversation I focus on with Sarah at home...we have the "right" answer which is completely subjective and we have endless possibilities which is the reality in most cases, particularly with literature. These types of situations are the reason I home-school my daughter now.

My daughter is MTHFR C677TT and was diagnosed while on treatment for leukemia because she was having problems processing methotrexate, a folic acid antagonist. Since the gene is critical in the synthesis of folic acid I imagine the normal thing would be to add folate, though because we were on an anti-folate therapy this wasn't possible. Our hematologist suggested that we revisit MTHFR once both of my daughters reach puberty and if/when BC becomes an issues (which I hope is NEVER, lol). Still my friends and I have a term which we coin for this type of mutation, but I won't state it here..you can look at the letter combination and likely figure it out. Most of the issues that come from this genetic issue are minor...still for some it can cause a great deal of havoc. I did read some additional posts through this thread...and while it may be a "poster" child it is not without research, in actuality there is a great deal of research related to this specific mutation including: miscarriage, blood clotting (especially when on BC), chemotherapy interference (as in our case), and many other VERY real issues. In my previous statement I downplayed some of this because for most who are hetero (as opposed to homo) I don't think that they need to feel overly concerned. Over 60% of the population is heterozygous, and this type of zygosity is nearly normal. However, someone who is homo should spend some time talking to a hematologist especially if they are female and of childbearing age, are considering birth control, or hormone therapy of any kind. Best of luck with your search for info...the fourm looks interesting. I may look at that myself!

My mom did this overnight and for one day camping in our yard when we were growing up...my dad TOTALLY got it and was doing laundry by the next day. :p

Its okay, we all hit our breaking point. If you are horribly worried you can use the organics. Though maybe it is just your system your over... Are you using all in ones or pre-folds with wraps? My SIL used the pre-fold and wrap concept, I wish I had discovered that one! Much easier than the all in ones IMO. She just kept a neat little stack in her diaper back whipped the poopy one off, into a ziplock it went and walla replaced with a prefold. Took up much less space than my all in ones. What is it that you are hating about the cloth? Is it just managing getting them all done? That can be completely overwhelming, but certainly is something that DH could be enrolled into doing if he started doing the math. I hate to say it, but I used this one to engage help from my DH. The threat of a weekly diaper bill vs just help me get the laundry done was motivation enough for a clean basket of nappys every morning. :)

Both of mine had nearly full mouths by six months. My sister's daughter was born with some teeth and in fact had a third row! :o)

I can't speak to the latest movies, but I agree with RED and The Kings Speech...LOVED The Kings Speech, reminded me a lot of a beautiful mind. :o)

I kind of feel that any grammar can be made into this schedule, even if it is "scheduled" differently. I sometimes feel we paint ourselves into these boxes. Now that I am homeschooling, I feel liberated to be the boss and make adjustments to any curriculum....though like you we are looking for a new grammar program. I will likely hold off until next year.

I am not LDS, but as an art minor I love this idea. Of all the experiences I had with LDS and RLDS, the one thing that I remember is the imagery, especially in Independence, MO. This seems like a wise approach.

Are you doing an online course, or is this self guided? Inquiring minds NEED to know. :D

Just lurking! :o)

Thanks guys! I really want to get rid of the coffee...thanks for the suggestions about 1/2 caf... I may start there. I can tell it just isn't doing anything for my health, and I am just feel exhausted. It may sound like I am a big addict (and I am), but I really only drink just the one cup in the morning. Still I can feel a difference in my health. Anyone tried any replacements?

So, I didn't start drinking coffee until the need to stay up late night to fend residents off my daughter while she was on treatment for leukemia. Now she has kicked the cancer and it is time for me to kick the caffeine...any thoughts? :001_smile: I do LOVE the whole ritual of going to our favorite coffee shop and picking up a drink...but they don't have any teas that I like these days, its getting expensive and my nerves are shot.

Also, you may have been more depleted than you thought as there are many things that can make your hbg appear to be higher than it is, the most common is dehydration. This would mean you were LOWER than what your finger stick actually showed. Did they do a full cbc w/ diff? :glare: I hope you feel better!!!:001_smile: