That looks very interesting. How long does it take him each week? Could you give me an example of what a week looks like using this curriculum? Thanks for your help!

I would love to find an intro level course for my 6th and 7th graders. The ideal course would be either online or a DVD, and give them a general overview of different types of music over the years and some of the famous composers/artists. Nothing too heavy, but fun! I do not have time to teach this, so something they can do independently is a must. Any suggestions?

Vitamin D and probiotics. My kids get these daily in addition to their multi-vitamin. There is a ton of research on Vitamin D keeping viruses at bay. Also, we use Colloidal Silver in lieu of 'sanitizer', and use essential oils. I rub Thieves on my kids feet every night at bedtime when we are around big groups of people.

This was on my facebook, and I had to share it because sometimes we forget. Sorry I don't know the author. "Written by a Pre-School Teacher – It says it all! I was on a parenting bulletin board recently and read a post by a mother who was worried that her 4 1/2 year old did not know enough. “What should a 4 year old know?†she asked. Most of the answers left me not only saddened but pretty soundly annoyed. One mom posted a laundry list of all of the things her son knew. Counting to 100, planets, how to write his first and last name, and on and on. Others chimed in with how much more their children already knew, some who were only three. A few posted URL’s to lists of what each age should know. The fewest yet said that each child develops at his own pace and not to worry. It bothered me greatly to see these mothers responding to a worried mom by adding to her concern, with lists of all the things their children could do that hers couldn’t. We are such a competitive culture that even our pre-schoolers have become trophies and bragging rights. Childhood shouldn’t be a race. So here, I offer my list of what a 4 year old should know. She should know that she is loved wholly and unconditionally, all of the time. He should know that he is safe and he should know how to keep himself safe in public, with others, and in varied situations. He should know that he can trust his instincts about people and that he never has to do something that doesn’t feel right, no matter who is asking. He should know his personal rights and that his family will back them up. She should know how to laugh, act silly, be goofy and use her imagination. She should know that it is always okay to paint the sky orange and give cats 6 legs. He should know his own interests and be encouraged to follow them. If he could care less about learning his numbers, his parents should realize he’ll learn them accidentally soon enough and let him immerse himself instead in rocket ships, drawing, dinosaurs or playing in the mud. She should know that the world is magical and that so is she. She should know that she’s wonderful, brilliant, creative, compassionate and marvellous. She should know that it’s just as worthy to spend the day outside making daisy chains, mud pies and fairy houses as it is to practice phonics. Scratch that– way more worthy. But more important, here’s what parents need to know. That every child learns to walk, talk, read and do algebra at his own pace and that it will have no bearing on how well he walks, talks, reads or does algebra. That the single biggest predictor of high academic achievement and high ACT scores is reading to children. Not flash cards, not workbooks, not fancy preschools, not blinking toys or computers, but mom or dad taking the time every day or night (or both!) to sit and read them wonderful books. That being the smartest or most accomplished kid in class has never had any bearing on being the happiest. We are so caught up in trying to give our children “advantages†that we’re giving them lives as multi-tasked and stressful as ours. One of the biggest advantages we can give our children is a simple, carefree childhood. That our children deserve to be surrounded by books, nature, art supplies and the freedom to explore them. Most of us could get rid of 90% of our children’s toys and they wouldn’t be missed, but some things are important– building toys like lego and blocks, creative toys like all types of art materials (good stuff), musical instruments (real ones and multicultural ones), dress up clothes and books, books, books. (Incidentally, much of this can be picked up quite cheaply at thrift shops.) They need to have the freedom to explore with these things too– to play with scoops of dried beans in the high chair (supervised, of course), to knead bread and make messes, to use paint and play dough and glitter at the kitchen table while we make supper even though it gets everywhere, to have a spot in the yard where it’s absolutely fine to dig up all the grass and make a mud pit. That our children need more of us. We have become so good at saying that we need to take care of ourselves that some of us have used it as an excuse to have the rest of the world take care of our kids. Yes, we all need undisturbed baths, time with friends, sanity breaks and an occasional life outside of parenthood. But we live in a time when parenting magazines recommend trying to commit to 10 minutes a day with each child and scheduling one Saturday a month as family day. That’s not okay! Our children don’t need Nintendos, computers, after school activities, ballet lessons, play groups and soccer practice nearly as much as they need US. They need fathers who sit and listen to their days, mothers who join in and make crafts with them, parents who take the time to read them stories and act like idiots with them. They need us to take walks with them and not mind the .1 MPH pace of a toddler on a spring night. They deserve to help us make supper even though it takes twice as long and makes it twice as much work. They deserve to know that they’re a priority for us and that we truly love to be with them."

Same here. When my daughter started I let her use number stamps like these: http://www.learningresources.com/text/pwr/product-reviews/Categories/Parents/Shop-by-Theme/Letters-Numbers/Stamps/p/LER__0664-Numbers-Tracing-Stamps.html Now she prefers to write the numbers herself. I just have her do half a page a day- I am not worried about finishing it in one year.

We changed spelling for both boys, and I just ordered a different writing curriculum. I consider everything done in August is just practice for the real thing! 😉

We use the dinner plans, but are the lunch plans worth it? Is it geared for kids?

I also looked through all the samples and really like what I see. I would have loved that for my boys a few years ago. Maybe in a few years with my youngest kiddo....

My 12 year old has been playing guitar for going on 3 years. We noticed his interest waned after about two years as well. It is a solo instrument which usually needs a vocalist or other instruments (unlike a piano that is all melody). Would he be interested in joining a band? My son joined our praise band at church last year and has become enthusiastic again. He still doesn't like to practice, but he feels like the band needs him, so he will.

I agree that you get a lot from each book. It took us 18 mos to finish LL 1. Is there a significant more in Big Book 2 that it costs $20 more?

Need to buy LL2, but will wait if there is any way a sale is coming?

My oldest son, now almost 13, is very strongly right brained/VSL/dyslexic. I spent so many years researching curriculum, books, you tube videos, lectures, etc to find a way to help him. What helped him the most was patience. I gave him a pile of audio books, and let him go at his own pace, choosing whatever books he chose. Also, initially I avoided any 'old-school' phonics teaching curriculum, thinking he needed a different way to learn. However, looking back, I wish I had taken him through a phonics program. Right now he is using Logic of English, and is making huge strides. If I had to do it again I would start with LOE foundations, and take it as slowly as he needed. A very repetitive, structured program has shown to be the best for him- once he was ready.

Never heard of that, I will look into it. Thanks!

Great info- I am not interested in PT, but maybe Speech Therapy.

I would really like to go back to school in the next few years, but I don't know which degrees are out there. My bachelor degree was in elementary ed. and special Ed. from birth through third grade. Here are a few things in which I am interested: -work with infants through preschool with developmental delays -learning disorders and dyslexia -ESL, people with hard of hearing, sign language -maybe speech therapist My youngest is just starting Kindergarten, and we plan to homeschool all the way through so any career would have to work around our homeschool. Probably not in a school system....maybe a hospital or private clinic or some place where I could work in afternoons or evenings? What should I look into more closely?

I agree! I just add a chicken or beef bones and throw it in the crockpot. Don't forget to add some Apple Cider Vinegar- it helps to break down all the good nutrients from the bones. I just let it go for 12-24 hours, then strain and eat.

I think it is legal by us. I have heard a woman just did it. This is from a website from our state: "There are no laws that specifically permit or prohibit burial on your own land, but check local zoning. A good practice is 150 feet from a water supply and 25 feet from a power line with two or three feet of earth on top. You should draw a map of the land showing where the family cemetery will be and have it re- corded with the deed."

I watched a television program all about 'home funerals'. I thought it would be really neat to have one--- just a viewing in the home (no embalming), then your relatives can take you out side and inter you. Of course, you would have to have living in a place with no plans of moving any time soon...

Well.... My mom and I both decided we wanted to lose weight. She joined a gym and works out about an hour a day, and hasn't really changed her diet. I decided to start eating Paleo, with no added exercise. It has been SO much easier for me to loose the weight! My mom may lose a few pounds one week, but then enjoys some extra snacks over the weekend and gains it all back again. My naturopath also said that to lose weight, you really need to change your eating habits and get your metabolism reset before you start an exercise program.

This recipe is very similar to one I make for chocolate mousse. You could use it as a dip, although it will set if you put it in the fridge........ http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2012/07/raw-dark-chocolate-mousse-paleo-friendly.html

We use the food grade in our chicken coop. It is safe for humans to ingest, but very dangerous if you were to inhale the powder.

Exciting! My DS has just become interested in birds- he got a conure. I can see him with a house full of birds when he is grown. ðŸ£

I love the idea....just wish I liked LFC. 😩 Latin Alive as a self-paced would be very cool! Are they planning that for sure?

That is interesting, I didn't know about the chestnut blight here. I will look into some recipes from northern Italy.

The pro click will punch through laminated cardstock. I just bought a large quantity from Amazon. I have only used about half of the box (100 I think?) in 2 years.