My DD is also in Mrs. Serbicki's AP Lang Class this year through AIM Academy and I 100& agree with fourisenough! Excellent description of her class. She also took "Intro to AP Lang" with her last summer as a mini-course and that is what sold us on her as a teacher. One of the few online teachers that we have adored.

We went from RS B to MM3. He moved through MM3 easily but I don't think we could have started in MM4 :). Now he IS my more math-minded child :)

Thank you so much!! I am new to MCT and contemplating getting it (the LA program) and didn't want to miss out on a potential discount.

On the MCT/RFW website there is a forum entry that says "Memorial Day Sale" on the left sidebar of the page. But you have to be a forum member to see it :(. I requested membership like 4 days ago and have not heard back - it still says my account is waiting moderation :( Anyone a member there and know what the sale is about?

I was a public school teacher for 10 years prior to homeschooling - and I taught that age group. I can tell you from my experience, the teacher sets the tone and expectations of the entire classroom behavior and the kids act accordingly (with a very rare exception here and there of course as there is sometimes a child with a true behavioral disability). I can't tell you the number of times I had a child transferred to my classroom because he/she was having so many "problems" behaviorally in another teacher's room. And guess what? They were just fine in mine! But my expectations were clear from day one - I was organized and structured and simply did not put up with misbehavior or silliness when it was not appropriate. At that age, it was important to teach them that there was a time for silliness (of course! They ARE kids!) but there are times when it is not acceptable. I knew how to discipline when necessary! (and I was NOT mean or harsh, nor did I ever yell). And 98% of any discipline issues were handled within the four walls of my room. Rarely did I have to go to a parent for help because I felt like it was my job to learn what makes their child "tick" and work through the issues within the classroom setting. It's amazing what pulling a child aside and talking TO them in clear, respectful terms that what they are doing is not really working, why they probably should not be doing it and ideas to help fix it. I did feel like I spent A LOT of my time on "social skills" and behavior, but at that age, that was just what was necessary - and I wanted to set them up for success in future grades. I think volunteers (i.e. SS classes) in many cases don't feel like they have the authority or the right or maybe even the experience to KNOW how to handle the situation. I know even when *I* volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, even I felt "weird" doing what I would have done in my regular school classroom discipline wise. The vibe and atmosphere was different in the volunteer type setting - especially in a Church. Also, to give the volunteer who is trying their hardest the benefit of the doubt, seeing the kidsd once a week for an hour or so versus everyday all day makes it tougher to explain, implement and follow through with discipline lessons - just not enough time. So in my opinion - they will follow the flock! And if the shepherd is not doing their job correctly, then kids (especially that age) will take advantage of that "freedom". (doesn't make the BAD in anyway - just natural human behavior for them!) I like what the OP said about communicating your expectations and your availibility to support the teacher when needed in order to reign them in some (when the "silly" behavior is not appropriate or distracting). I agree as a teacher that that kind of parent concern and assistance is ALWAYS welcome!

I don't mind the "teacher intensity" part of the program - no matter what math program we follow, I intend work alongside my children during a lesson. The thing I struggle with is that it is TIME intensive - we can EASILY spend an hour and a half on math. It's not like that with EVERY lesson - but many (most?) of them are. Or maybe it's just us? Another thing I've noticed is that it really stretches your brain - which is great - but even one lesson (though not all of them!) can wear us out. Which leaves little energy for other lengthy programs in other subjects. So between the time and energy issue, I'm finding that I am looking for quicker and simpler ways to implement Language Arts, Science and History. I am feeling right now that it's a sacrifice worth making (streamlining other subjects) because I would not feel right at this point ditching RS. Don't get me wrong - I've thought about it many many times! But I love it. I love what it teaches (for the most part) and how it teaches. I love that my child can do 58+34 in his head without carrying! My only large concern is that if for some unforeseen emergency reason they had to be put in school, they would be in trouble in math because RS does not teach things in the "traditional" order. Of course that's what I love about it!!! So I just pray that no emergencies arise!

Barnes & Noble has 50% off one toy item today - got this online: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/toys-games-tk2-scope/15398677?ean=857853001704 for $68.28 - after tax and a $3.99 shipping charge We are right at the age where this is now going to be appropriate and useful - and DS even put it on his Christmas list! It's $97 on Amazon so at that price, it was a bit more than I had left in the Christmas budget. But at $68, I thought it was a pretty good deal and didn't think I should pass it up! :) I haven't done a ton of research on microscopes as far as price goes, but I have heard that Thames & Kosmos was a good brand. HTH someone

I was 100% in the OP's camp when I opened this thread. The "all-in-one" always appealed to me initially because I wanted the ease of a comprehensive program - but I've tried most of the "biggies" and given up because I tweaked them to oblivion and then figured "what good are they now?" But after reading through this thread, I think I've gained a new perspective. I think I fell victim to expecting an all-in-one to be the end-all-be-all, especially after investing the $ in it. But now I am wondering if I can look at them again with the idea in mind that it is my safety net, my guiding base, my framework - to which I can tweak as I like but use it as the well-researched, sequential, skill-building framework it was intended to basically be. Hmmmm, I see more curriculum research in my future! LOL

Yes ditto to alll she said above - exactly. I cut sugar (and caffeine) out pretty much completely last January and my body revolted - cranky, TIRED, headaches. But I adjusted. For now I try to keep my sugar under 35 grams per day for "maintenance" and 20-25 for weight loss. But I still count the calories overall and try to balance my fat/carb/protein intake appropriately (I use www.fatsecret.com to track). When I eat less sugar (straight sugar and/or white carbs) food DOES taste better, I am not as bloated, and I am actually "full" longer (since I'm replacing the carbs/sugar with lean proteins and "healthy" fat)

Good ol' YouTube turbo jam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ0T-eZ_xhY CLX: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knXfq87QnOo Power 90: Power 90X There are lots of videos for each program on youtube - those are just the first ones that came up when I searched.

I also got the Kindle for $89. I was SHOCKED b/c I have an older computer and we don't even have high speed internet! (but it's not as slow as dial up). I had three windows open and as soon as it went "live" I clicked "add to cart" on each one (one at a time of course) and the second one went through (but I didn't even get a waitlist offer for third or first click). Weird. But I'll take it! I also got an IPOD touch (8GB newest generation) for $199 with a $25 amazon gift card - which I had planned to get anyway (the gift card) for my stepmom so technically I got the ITouch for $174.99. That's all I've done today, although I'm eyeing the lego kit on Amazon for $15. I did some pre-black-friday online shopping and got some good Wii and DS deals, but that's about it.

I have P90 (along with about 6 other Beachbody programs!) and my favorites overall are Turbo Jam and CLX - both with Chalene Johnson. I use them together for maximum results and most importantly, because I don't get bored with them. Slim in 6 (Debbie Siebers) bores me to tears by day 8, so does anything Jillian. P90 is good, but for ME it is lacking the "pep" factor, which I love with Chalene. Some people don't like her because of the "pep" but I do. Plus the workouts (esp ANYTHING Turbo Jam) are just FUN. :) But we all have different tastes and workout styles, so for me anything adrenaline pumping (fast paced but not "dancey") is fun. Not sure how your knee would handle all the bouncing and kicking in Turbo Jam, but they have modified moves and if you already run for exercise, then you are probably fine. According to my Bodybugg, I burn the most calories with the cardio kickboxing style workout (i.e. Turbo Jam) and then I rotate CLX in and I have my strength/resistance workouts. No, I do NOT work for Chalene Johnson! LOL HTH - good luck to you - I saw visible results (took before/during/after pics) from a workout blitz from Jan - Apr of this year so those programs do work if you stick with them!

This is GREAT! I wasn't even going to open this thread ("nope, not gonna do it - you already have enough!" I told myself) But I am so glad I did. My DD would love "sketch Tuesdays". Thank you! (you have a great blog too!!)

bumping because those are great questions and I'd like to know too! :) Cindie, got your PM - thank you!!!! Yes, twins :) We also live relatively close to each other I think!!! (I'm NW of San Antonio) I will write you in the morning - we *just* got home from Disney on Ice (it's 11:30) - what a zoo!!!!!!

Amen!!! Great post Jesse and thank you!! You know, maybe I just *think* I need a scripted/planned out program because then I don't have to worry that we missed something (I stress out worrying that I picked all the best resources, etc), but ultimately, I think my biggest issue is that I do not like being a slave either! It bugs me when we fall "behind" in one subject in a scripted curriculum because then I have TWO pages (or three or four) to reference during a lesson and then there goes the flip flop juggling. But I don't want to have multiple "curriculums" either to try to read, master and follow. Hmmm, all of you your comments have been SO incredibly helpful and are making me feel so much better :) Why do I have to put myself through the ringer to figure out the *simplest* things??? :) Oh, and as far as the Science, maybe I will just use E=MC2/Classic Science by Mr. Q. It's free and seems so user friendly. I can also do K12's science or History *only*, just for the fun interactive content (since she loves computer learning) and some fun offline project ideas. I had thought of SL again just because when I did have the P4/5 core one time I liked the Discover and Do DVD. Maybe just that and the accompanying USBORNE book??? Thanks again!!!!!!!!!