FWIW, I will have my 7th grader doing Explorers-1815 next year. We have no plans to double up and try to fit 1815-present in... that's for 8th grade!! My DD has more of a math and science bent, so between those subjects plus a rigorous grammar/writing program I decided to give her a history program that would be fun and engaging; and provide a solid knowledge base for that time period. We did decide to add the literature in with it. I thought it would help tie everything together nicely, plus she loves to read.

:iagree:This. Exactly.

We are CLE fans here... I'm using their LA, Reading and Math next year with my 4th and 7th grader.

Everything is bought, has arrived... and I'm working on lesson plans now. I like to have the entire year planned out so that I know where we are at any given time.... and how far we have to go before the end of our "year". Yes, yes, I know, a little OCD but I live in fear of waking up and noticing it's April and we're only 12 weeks into our curriculum.

Thought I'd check with the hive and see if any of you have used this test as a guage for whether or not your DC were ready for Algebra. My DD is finishing up a pre-algebra class right now (using Holt). I've heard such wonderful things about CLE 7 that I went ahead an ordered it. Now that I've had the opportunity to look through the curriculum I think she knows the majority of the material. I guess I'm just trying to figure out if CLE 7 is sooo good (includes tons of geometry, etc) that we should go ahead and use it, or if I should simply place her in Algebra 1. I definitely want her mad math skillz to be solid, and I believe in plenty of practice to help solidify skills, but at the same time I'm wondering if she wouldn't be a tad bored using the CLE. All this to say... since I'm worried about her not being "ready" for Algebra 1, I thought I would give her the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test to see how she placed. If she scores well on the test, can I correctly assume that she is ready for Algebra 1 and place her accordingly? FWIW, she's 11 and finishing up 6th grade this year...

:iagree: Yes, this is me too.

Which way do you load silverware in your dishwasher. Handles up or handles down? I load mine handles up...:D

I stir clockwise, of course. Interesting poll.:D

Is there another emergency room or acute care facility that you could take Adrian to? Praying for you both... Please update us when you have the chance.

We used Times Tales here.... worked like a charm.

I voted "other"... we are CLE kool-aid drinkers over here. It's gentle, thorough and spiral (like saxon) but without the drill and kill.

Clear Blue Easy is one of the most sensitive... for what it's worth i was the clinical director of a pregnancy center for several years.

I got nothin'... but I've noticed the same thing.

Issue resolved?

Yep... mine were dancing around the kitchen to Prince's Little Red Corvette and My Humps this evening. Just call me Mom of the Year.:D

All this to say hi. It's nice to meet you.

Just thought I'd chime in here too... Times Tales worked great for my oldest... and memorizing skip counting worked like a charm for my youngest. Try one, and if it doesn't work, give the other one a shot. :001_smile:

:hurray: That is all.

I definitely do more around the house than my DC do... but they help out. Daily. I'm a little bit of a neat freak and there is no way I could keep up with everything without their help. Plus, I think if they know they're going to have to put their things away, sweep the floors, etc they're a lot more likely to help keep things picked up and clean in the first place, KWIM?

Er... me too.:D

:iagree: I just had my third root canal (and 3rd crown) since October because of bruxism. I'm scheduled to have impressions taken for a night guard at my dentists office next week. :D Save your self the time and the expense. Trust me, the cost of a night guard will more than pay for itself if it prevents cracked teeth. Just my 2 cents worth.

We pretty much live in pajamas if we are at home. It's the first thing we put on when we come home...

Okay, I did see the individual lesson plans that are written out below each new chapter in the TM but no direction as to how to schedule the DVD's if we decide to go that route. (I went ahead and purchased all of the curriculum minus the DVD's because I wanted to preview the material.) Am I right in thinking that if we go with the online/DVD option I will be given a "new" set of lesson plans that will tell me when to play the video?

Anyone have them or know where I can find them? I looked through the TM and don't see anything... just trying to get everything scheduled before we begin.

We are using a combinations of Pimsleur (for conversational Spanish... borrowed from the libarary, all three years, and downloaded on our computer) and Visual Link Spanish for spelling, reading, writing, and verb conjugation. HTH.