Hi everyone, I used to be more of a regular on the boards when I was still home schooling, but my youngest went to high school, older kids in college or graduated. So I am DONE home schooling. I'm posting (also posting on the HS writing board) for a friend who helped start an online writing tutoring and grading service. It's something I wish had been available to me when I was teaching older kids to write, because it's not one of my own strong areas. Here is a summary with a link: If your child (or YOU!) needs help with writing, please have a look at my new website, www.WriteOnWithDave.com . I have become partners with an English teacher at a community college, and we can help with any writing needs – for children or adults! We specialize in: college application essays writing assignments for kids from 5th to 12th grade essay-writing for college students cover letters grievance letters toasts or other public speeches any occasion where words need to go on paper! Essays and other submissions will be returned (within 24-48 hours) with extensive notes about strengths and trouble-spots. If desired, we can provide an estimated letter grade that the student would receive in a conventional classroom. Package deals are available for families, or students who write a lot of papers. Our services can be accessed via email, and 1:1 Skype lessons are also available. Www.WriteOnWithDave.com

Hi everyone, I used to be more of a regular on the boards when I was still home schooling, but my youngest went to high school, older kids in college or graduated. So I am DONE home schooling. I'm posting (also posting on the HS writing board) for a friend who helped start an online writing tutoring and grading service. It's something I wish had been available to me when I was teaching older kids to write, because it's not one of my own strong areas. Here is a summary with a link: If your child (or YOU!) needs help with writing, please have a look at my new website, www.WriteOnWithDave.com . I have become partners with an English teacher at a community college, and we can help with any writing needs – for children or adults! We specialize in: college application essays writing assignments for kids from 5th to 12th grade essay-writing for college students cover letters grievance letters toasts or other public speeches any occasion where words need to go on paper! Essays and other submissions will be returned (within 24-48 hours) with extensive notes about strengths and trouble-spots. If desired, we can provide an estimated letter grade that the student would receive in a conventional classroom. Package deals are available for families, or students who write a lot of papers. Our services can be accessed via email, and 1:1 Skype lessons are also available. Www.WriteOnWithDave.com

I got a large, deep stainless steel sink when we redid our kitchen and I LOVE it so much. Turkey roasting pan can be easily washed, washing large bags of greens is easy, I fill it with soapy water to mop the floor. Sprayer also, which I did not have before, is wonderful. I don't know how I lived without my big big sink.

Thank you for including me in this invite! I am literally waiting in an airport, about to fly to Dublin for our 25th anniversary trip. I will look at the dates and respond when I am back in the USA!

One example that comes to mind regarding this topic: acquaintance takes to FB to brag endlessly about her son's admission to a top college. As in, it's the main subject of, or mentioned in, more than 10 postings over the course of a few months. When said kid flunks out after one year, and drops out of college altogether, there is no mention of it at all on FB. Or in RL for that matter. That's the kind of selective news sharing that I often see on FB, and take with a grain of salt.

Update: there is a Librivox app! It allows both listening over the internet and downloading (which I would need in order to listen during a long flight, right?). I am experimenting with it right now.

I had forgotten Librivox. I find the disclaimers at the beginning of each section annoying...but that is minor. Thank you! Will check Librivox.

I've done a few minutes research on Amazon and my 2 local libraries. I'm hoping to obtain, probably by purchasing, an audiobook of unabridged reading of Plutarch's Greek and Roman Lives. Can anyone recommend a good version? Or better even, a version to avoid? I know, I should try Audible. Maybe this will be the occasion for me to finally spring for it.

DS #1 entered college as a possible physics or engineering major-graduated with a major in math, minor in German. Wishes he had completed minor, or a second major, in computer science! DD just finished freshman year as a chemical engineer, which was first talked of junior year in HS and she seems committed now. DS age 15, hs sophomore, not clear. Like finance, drama, computer science, biology. We'll see.

Did you hear about the Dalai Lama getting a tooth pulled without anesthetic? He wanted to transcend dental medication. My daughter even remembered to say this at the oral surgeon's office the other day after getting wisdom teeth extracted.

Wonderful ideas! Very timely! We read Animal Farm years ago and have been discussing it a lot lately. But I will give Being There a look. Thank you.

That's the second time I've heard of Little Brother in 2 days! I will be getting it! LOTR-tried and failed, maybe 3-4 years ago. I wonder if I should try again? What do you think? Short stories-check. I think that's a great idea and we've read Poe so it makes sense to start there.

There's a big difference between encouraging\modeling civil political discussion in class (and where better to learn about civility!), and declaring that one side is wrong. It's just not OK. Think about the favor you are doing for students whose parents do not know about the classroom environment, or believe they are not is a position to speak up because their kid is still in the class.

He's reasonably bright, but not much of a reader. I've attempted many read aloud with him that have fallen flat (that succeeded with other kids) including A Tale of Two Cities, Flash Boys (techie book about Wall St. trading that I thought he'd like). No go. Any big successes with your teen boys? He's open to it, but often becomes bored with the books. And please forgive me for popping in after awhile away. You all are missed-but I am having trouble keeping up!

I think there is absolutely some truth to the idea. When my youngest started brick and mortar high school last year, in a charter school that has turned out well for him, I was flabbergasted at some of the stories I heard from other parents about the middle schools their kids had attended. It just amazed me that these parents did not agitate more for improvements, because I certainly would have. Honestly, and my own parents were just like this, poorer people just don't believe they are allowed to ask for more, for "perks" that middle class parents would most definitely expect and agitate for.