I've picked The Magical Monkey King: Mischief in Heaven by Ji-Li Jiang (http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Monkey-King-Mischief-Heaven/dp/1885008252/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404783459&sr=1-1&keywords=magical+monkey+king) Sorry--I can't figure out how to do links anymore. :( This one is on the girls' required summer reading list! :) I've looked at all of these and eliminated several. For most, the vocabulary is going to be too dense or too "flowery." These girls really need books on a 4th-6th grade reading level with very straightforward language. Think ESL-type reading material. The Door in the Wall (reading level 6.5) is pushing it. I am, however, considering adaptations of some of the classic tales you mentioned.

I'll look for that one. Thanks!

Thanks! I looked at those, but chose Catherine, Called Birdy based on my students' ages, interests, and personalities.

Again, these are for my reading-hating 12-15 year old girls: Cushman: Catherine Called Birdy Gray: Adam of the Road Green: The Adventures of Robin Hood Lovett: The Great and Terrible Quest McGraw, Eloise: The Striped Ships Rinaldi: Nine Days a Queen Temple: The Ramsay Scallop Tusiani: Dante's Divine Comedy: As Told for Young People Please feel free to suggest other Middle Ages books on a 4th-6th grade reading level/7th-9th grade interest level. :)

I've already made plans for some picture books for the upcoming school year. Some of the books I've chosen are: Foster: City of Rainbows Bower: The Shipwrecked Sailor Demi: Muhammad Ashby: Cædmon's Song I also thought it would be a good idea to read and compare the same fairy tale across several cultures. I'm planning to use one or more of these teacher resources that use several cultures' Cinderella tales: Teaching With Cinderella Stories From Around The World: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0439188431/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=28KM719191IJA&coliid=I1334ECW3RJ1V2 Cinderella Tales From Around The World: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0971364915/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=28KM719191IJA&coliid=I21SWHPVS7UHXV In Search of Cinderella: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1885008147/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=28KM719191IJA&coliid=IFKNGDX2WTEGT We already do some of this, and it goes over pretty well. They still seem to do better when I do the reading, but sometimes they like taking turns or reading different parts. I really like this idea too, and I'll see what I can do with it. Thank you. :)

Thank you so much, LoriD! I always love to read your literature recommendations. :) I have also been looking at Geraldine McCaughrean's version of 1001 Arabian Nights (I loved her version of The Canterbury Tales, and I plan to read this with the girls too.) We usually read most of a given book aloud together: in class we read a couple of chapters aloud together (sometimes I read and sometimes they read, and I explain the nuances just to be sure they are getting it), and they will be assigned a chapter to read for homework. However, they comprehend MUCH better when we read aloud, and especially when *I* do the reading. They tend to "zone out" when they read it for themselves... Calling the words just to say they've done it, but not really understanding--or really even making a REAL effort to do so. I am trying SO hard to make readers out of them, but I am fighting an uphill battle. :( They are quite outspoken about the fact that they hate to read--almost PROUD of it, like it's a badge of honor and like they think readers are losers. (I am SO glad my own children were never like that. Too discouraging!)

I'm putting together my reading list for next school year, and for one of our units of study, I'm trying to pick from these: Barrett: Anna of Byzantium Dickinson: The Dancing Bear Fletcher: Shadow Spinner Walsh: The Emperor's Winding Sheet Any opinions? This would be for girls ages 12-15 who do not like to read and do not read well (probably about 6th grade level, maybe 7th).

If I could pick only ONE, I'd choose the Writing Skills series by Diana Hanbury King.

We need one for a room that is approximately 400 sq. ft. and one for a room that is approximately 200 sq. ft.

Worth reading for Year 2? Or just fluff?

Thank you, Dawn! Zoo Rho is going to send me some catalogs in PDF format, but I'd love an actual print catalog too. If you can PM me your PayPal address, I can send you money for postage, and I'll send you my mailing address also. Thanks!

:)

http://www.amazon.com/Beowulf-Michael-Morpurgo/dp/0763632066/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1404335611 (hardcover) http://www.amazon.com/Beowulf-Michael-Morpurgo/dp/1406305979/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1404335611 (paperback) http://www.amazon.com/Beowulf-Michael-Morpurgo/dp/1406348872/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404335611&sr=1-2&keywords=Morpurgo%3A+Beowulf (paperback) All have the same author and illustrator, but the first two (which seem to be exactly alike except that one is hardcover) have 96 pages and the third has 176 pages.

Thanks!

I'd be happy to pay postage (plus a few dollars extra for your trouble) if you have one to send!

That is what I was hoping. Thank you. :)

Did this work well for you? I would like to know if this is doable for a student who is somewhat weak in math.

Still wondering... Can anyone help?

My state's graduation requirements state: Unit credit may be awarded for courses offered in the middle grades... Unit credit shall be awarded only for courses that include concepts and skills based on the state standards for grades 9-12. I listed my children's middle grades science courses on their transcripts. The coursework was comparable (in fact, someone more rigorous) than similar courses at the local public school.

I'm purchasing an older edition (2nd edition) of the BJU Life Science materials.

Is the Visuals Packet a set of overheads for use in a classroom? Are they just bigger pictures of some of the textbook illustrations? Or is there more to it than that?

Thank you so much!

When EK was about 9 or 10 years old, she found a neatly folded $100 bill on the floor in the grocery area at Walmart. Dh went to the service desk and asked to speak to a manager. Dh told the manager that his daughter had found some money--he didn't disclose how much--and that she would like to return it to the owner. Dh gave the manager his phone number and told her that if anyone came and reported having lost some money, to have the person call him and tell him how much money it was and to describe it as best they could. A short time later that day, an older lady telephoned dh and said that she had been instructed by the Walmart manager to call dh. "In the grocery area at Walmart," she said, she had lost "a $100 bill, all folded up." We agreed to meet her at a fast food restaurant nearby, and EK returned the money to her. The lady was SO grateful that she gave EK a $25 reward! And she kept telling EK over and over, "I can tell that your parents have raised you right."

Anyone?

I want Life Science from a Christian perspective, but I need a cheaper lab option than the BJU kit. So, if anyone has matched these up, I'm all ears. :) Or if anyone can help me pick and choose from the BJU labs and help me put together a list of necessary lab supplies, that would be great. I will be teaching squeamish 12-15 year old girls, and I doubt we'll do any *actual* dissections, so we'll do virtual/video labs with dissections instead.