I have a budding perfectionist too. I don't know how to deal with it either. When I was a child the constant public failure in all things physical overwhelmed the private success in academics. It prevented perfectionism but meant a large part of my self image was of someone hopeless at sports rather than someone with academic talents. I'm just trying to say go for balance - if you can.

I come from a generation (1970,s NZ) who weren't explicitly taught phonics or grammar. I have picked up a reasonable amount from older family members and prolific reading but I rarely know the "why". Can anyone suggest a cheap, easy to use resource for me to use to improve my skills? Thanks

I would read them in order. So lhotp next. That way you can do a geography link and trace their travels. I think I liked otbopc better though.

I foresee battles with teachers. They are at school all day. I don't bring my work home and I don't see that they should have to either.

I can't remember. Are you in a position to homeschool? You can't keep going like this much longer. Hugs

While teaching to the test in not recommended it seems to me 5 year olds need some instruction in test taking. Sometimes they don't even know they are taking tests and wonder why the teacher is asking them do things that the teacher should know they can do.

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We use bedmas (b for brackeds). It is not that hard to remember that it could just as well be bemdsa. Just don't overthinj. :-)

Chinese alice.

One episode of magic schoolbus followed by a drawing and narration a couple of days a week will probably not turn them into couch potatoes. We have been doing the first Mr Q very slowly as we are not good at the experiments (afterschooling only) but after a thread this week I downloaded the sample chapters of the sassafras twins zoology. My ds5.5 and ds3.5 enjoy the reading then we do a narration, mapwork and follow up any major points.

I had to go and do the test but I seem to be INTJ as well though the T is weak.

Can you buy a gift voucher for a family member as a "present" and have them regift it later. make sure you have enough clothes for the kids - from experience having to buy new undies for my son can stuff up a budget pretty quickly. Also would a credit with the power company be feasible (I had a friend who had a different but similar issue and that was one of the ideas we thought of). Good luck. Hope everything goes well (hug emoticon).

It seems to be quite common.

This is depressing. I have a highly gifted/very highly gifted son and unless I win lotto am you going to have to make the local public school system work! There are no gifted schools, alternative schools or funds for childcare while I work. I think op you will be fine. You probably do have a plan somewhere in the back of your mind and if you do move all sorts of new options may become available.

I went to school in NZ during the seventies. Grammar was out of fashion at the time (along with phonics and phonetic spelling). I have always been a prolific reader and had a good memory so I have managed without formal training. I would like to learn more though now my children are getting to school age. Can you recommend a cost and time effective resource. I don't want to have to trudge through 10 years worth of workbooks or anything like that. Thanks

Do they have to be done one a year. Here we do a general science mix to g10 level then if you were into stem you would do physics,chem,biology,english and maths chemo g11 then calculus,statistics,English, chem, physics and biology in g12. Most people would drop one of these though because 5 subjects a year is more common.

Hi. Ruth you had better add a book on Richard Pearce in with the Wright brothers. tongue smiley.

I understand why you say the walk home but if you could organise it I would say it would be better to walk to school. It would help settle the kids for the day, it wouldn't be so hot and they wouldn't be so tired. But it depends on the child. Ps. If the little children finish half an hour earlier do most parents end up hanging round at school for that half hour?

I got access to the internet a few months ago and have found when they are both involved in a computer game is the only time they are quiet. They have become obsessed though especially the little one so I have just decided no more. Once they have got used to that I may sign them up for an online Spanish course. But that is it. Computers are for work, Lego is for playing. It will be hard this week but hopefully I will see some reversal of the more irritating behaviors. I am losing my temper too much and the computer obsession is not helping.

In NZ the approval can take a while. Do you have a friendly family doctor. If so it is common here to get a "stress leave" note to cover the wait. As in going to school is damaging their mental health. Which it is if one child is being made to feel stupid and they are scared of other kids.

I do think your funding perhaps is a problem. In NZ the funding for schools comes from general taxes to the government and is allocated according to a formula - poor schools get more because parents can't afford to contribute as much to fundraising. Teachers are paid directly by the government (the number paid for depends on the school roll). That said we have public schools where you have to be rich to live in the zone to attend, schools no-one would send their kids to by choice, private schools (not many though as our pay is too low) and homes hooking so it is hardly a solution.

I had the hobbit read to me at about 9 and lotr at ten (I was reading iylt myself but my father read me a chapter a night). I think the hobbit was ok for that age but I would have got more out of lotr if I had been a few years older. But I probably got as much out of it as most adults. I have never wanted to read it again or see the movies though. A friend of mine and her 6 yo have just watched the first six hp movies but she doesn't read to him much (she does read herself though). I think this is strange - I think one cycle of history would be best for a lot of books. I get a lot if the two-headed looks when I say my kids can't see the movie version of books they aren't ready for but luckily my oldest is very sensitive and has no desire to see them.

have you got the activity guide for sotw2. Could you both get together pick some topics and activities - either by importance to you or just one continent. Middle ages in Europe sounds a lot more manageable than middle ages in the the whole world. Or ma in Britain, France, Russia whatever.

They are not allowed to test them? Do they just all read the same level book? A good teacher could probably tell in most cases without formally testing but surely they would still have to form some opinion?

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