Hey, I'm working on Algebra review with my ds and came across this question... Is (x-3)^8 the same as x^8-3^8? Hope I typed that correctly. ^8 is an exponent! Thanks, Kristine in VA

Yes, I am thinking about not doing all of HoMW and adding that book on to continue. I want to focus mostly on European history and will do it in 2 years-for 9th and 10th grades. I will plan US history and government for 11th and 12th grades. It is a lot to think about. This thread is helping me. I'm going to check out the Potter's School book as well. Thanks for the link, Kristine in VA

I am in the same boat. I was hoping to use SWB's medieval history book, but it doesn't get to 1500, which is where I'd like my son to be at the end of next year (not really!). I've been looking at A History of the Modern World by Palmer & Colton. It has a narrative feel to it like SWB's books. The Highlands Latin School (Memoria Press) uses it. Kristine in VA

My 15 year old also has a difficult time writing. He will agonize forever about getting something on paper, even just summarizing a history reading, which he has done forever it seems. He can talk about it all day long, but getting it on paper? Nope. Anyway here is our breakthrough...He has an iPod that records and with the free app Dragon Dictation, he records what he is thinking and e-mails it to himself. Then he copies it into Word and adds, rearranges, edits, etc... What a difference. I now get great paragraphs whereas before he spent hours on a few sentences. HTH, Kristine in VA

Hi, I have been eagerly and somewhat anxiously reading the high school boards recently. I am contemplating continuing our homeschool journey into high school with my son. I have always thought that he would go to high school, but now I'm not sure that will work for us, and it makes me nervous! Anyway, taking this in a step by step fashion, does anyone use SWB's History of the World books for history? I realize there are only two out right now, but I was wondering how you use them, with what other resources you might supplement, how you divide up the book (its seems huge!). Any other thought or ideas would be helpful. Thanks, and I'll get to other subjects as I read more! Kristine in VA

Hey, We are using the Chem 3000 (or maybe 2000, can remember) this year for chemistry. So far its great, except that we can't seem to keep the alcohol burner burning. We get a pitiful little flame that goes out with the slightest puff. Any suggestions for how to get it burning correctly? Thanks, Kristine in VA

I thought my ds was ADD when he was that age. He is now 14. Anyway, we cut out artificial colors and flavors and started him on fish oil. It definitely made a difference. I could tell when he had something artificial. Also, we had him tested for allergies. He had never had any allergic reactions per se but he did have an upset stomach fairly regularly. It turns out he has food sensitivities which by themselves wouldn't be a problem, but all together made him act like he had ADD and be difficult sometimes. During the elimation diet I felt like I had another child. Best of luck, Kristine in VA

Oh, I can't decide. It's terrible I know, but I'm on the team of whoever is in a particular chapter. Can't what to see how it turns out! Kristine in VA

Hey, I answered you on the other board. Kristine in VA

I too am a certified teacher in Virginia and I have given end of the year tests, the IOWA, to my children and children in another family. You do not have to report anything to the state of Virginia about the fact that you are testing your children or others. I order tests through BJU, so I had to complete some paperwork for them and meet some tester requirements to be a certified tester, but that is all. I have given my children and the other family's children tests at the same time. I believe if all the children are grade 3 and up they can all test together and it just makes the time management easier. Anyway we coordinate the testing dates, the other mom and I order the tests, and they are all delivered to me. I then send the results back to BJU and test results are sent to the appropriate family, who are then responsible for submitting the results to the superintendent in their city/county. You have no obligation to tell Virginia "officials" who did the testing. Also since you are a certified teacher: If you submit your intent to homeschool form and state that you will be serving as your child's own tutor (this is one of the choices we have when submitting intent; I have a form letter if you want one), then you do not have to submit any test results to the superintendent. I do not submit test result, but I do test. It gives me peace of mind that we are heading in the right direction. Let me know if you have other questions, Kristine in VA

Hey, This year my dd (10) and ds (14) were working on SOTW 3. I use the chapter topics as guidelines to assign additional reading and assignments for ds. Well we only managed to get through the American Revolution and the Constitution. We had great fun and many field trips so that is good. My problem is that next year I now need to plan to finish SOTW 3 and maybe get close to the end of SOTW 4. After roughly planning this out over 36 weeks of school next year, I decided it is pretty much an impossibility. So...what should I leave out? I'm planning on starting with the French Revolution and it would be nice to get to the Vietnam War. Which chapters from SOTW 3 and 4 would you skip? Perhaps South American history? Thanks! Kristine in VA

A book I have on learning development suggests practicing things that you want to remember right before bed. Evidently your brain works to move information from from short to long term memory right after you go to sleep. So maybe drill and play math fact games before bed. Kristine in VA

Here is anothe one to consider. I think that I found a recommendation for it in the WTM. I might try it for my 5th grader next year. http://walch.com/Study-Skills-Strategies-Outlining.html Kristine in VA

My kiddos take a Nordic Naturals fish oil that are small. They are shaped like little bb's almost and supposedly have a strawberry taste - just what you want to hear right now! Anyway they go down easily. Kristine in VA

Well, I don't know what your decorating style is, but how about continuing the Mexican tile into the dining room and then using an area rug over that? I think an oriental with the right colors in it would be beautiful over Mexican tile or perhaps a duree (sp?) rug - those flat woven rugs - that looks south western. Kristine in VA

I used EM for my ds for 1st through 3rd grade (he willl be doing 8th grade in the fall). The games in the program are great. There is also a small book with math puzzles and fun problems that we enjoyed. I will say it was great teaching mental math. He can still do problems in his head, while I'm still writing them down. Surprises me sometimes! I used it because after teaching it in a private school, I knew the program and it was one less thing I had to figure out as a new homeschooler.

I've been in September and it was nice. The crowds were not overwhelming. You do need to consider hurricanes though. The year we went Isabella was coming up the coast. We left a day early from Virginia, so that we wouldn't get stuck in NC or SC! We just came back from a trip at the end of April. That was great - not too crowded, the water parks were open, and the rates went down because it was after everyones spring break. The least crowded time was the first week of March, but it is not warm enough for the pools. February can be nice, but make sure you skip the northern schools winter breaks! Very bad time to go. Best of luck in your decision, Kristine in VA

No, I haven't heard about the ship from Ireland. I read about the Free Gaza ship in the Wall-Street Journal this morning. Kristine in VA

Yes. I just read that the group Free Gaza which helped plan the flotilla is planning yet another. Not too helpful. Kristine in VA

Thank you. I will check out their website. Kristine in VA

I have often wondered why some kids enjoy these toys and others don't. I've also wondered if some kids need more modeling for playing with toys than others do. I have one child that loves Lego and Playmobil, but the other younger seems to have no interest unless I sit down and play with him. Then later he seems more inclined to play with the same toy again in his own way. Perhaps some children don't know what to do with all those parts and pieces while others can't wait to dig in?! Just a thought. Kristine in VA

I buy the yarn to fit a pattern, except for sock yarn. I just buy the sock yarn I like and someday I will actually learn to knit socks! Kristine in VA

I will be there with my mother. I went to the conference in Williamsburg last year, but always come away with something new. Plus it's in my backyard practically. Kristine in VA

I have had this same problem with two of my children. The youngest recently had Benadryl and I asked the nurse what would cause the problem. She said the often the sunscreens with higher SPFs will cause a rash to develop. I don't know what ingredient. So I have switched to SPF 30 and haven't had a problem. I think it was the Coppertone kids brand in the pink bottle that smells like baby lotion. Also most studies of SPF say that anything above SPF 30 is overkill. Kristine in VA

I don't know, and I'm not sure I want to know. I do know that when we go to the library, I surprised at how often I say, "Oh, we have that one at home," particularly in the picture book section. Kristine in VA