We are doing the Middle Ages next year using History Odyssey, but I am going to be pulling in some of the Beautiful Feet materials. I just noticed yesterday that the BF literature guide does not start the Middle Ages with the fall of Rome. They start in 1215 with the Magna Carta. So, it is missing a few hundred years of history. I just thought I would mention that in case it was important to you. Jennie

If she wants to go then let her. Outfits for funerals and wakes are not as formal as they once were, so having her wear a nice outfit would be fine. We also have taken our children to funerals and wakes since they were young because we believe that death is a part of life and they need to understand that. Jennie

I was going to suggest Rod and Staff. Jennie

What shocks me is how little I actually knew about history, and I taught it for 4 year and am certified to do so. I think the problem is I was teaching the same dumb history (7th and 8th grade American history) that I was taught in ps. I just didn't know any better. Now I feel like I did those kids a disservice. Jennie

I have used Homeschool Tracker for the last 5 years or so. I had the basic and then bought the Plus version. I find it very helpful with attendance, calculating grades, and I plan to use it for my son's transcript. I also use some of the planning sheets from Donna Young's site for history planning which is always a little more complex. Jennie

Are you really willing to take on all that this will entail? It doesn't sound like they are coming for a break. It sounds like there might be some hope that you will fix their problems. I have children that age, but they have lived with me all there lives. So, they know what to expect from me. The first rule in my house for all the kids, but it is especially important with teenagers is that I am the mom. I make the rules. You must always talk to me with respect even if you disagree. I never ever let that one go. You can disagree, but you must always be respectful. We have fun. We enjoy each other, but they are never to talk disrespectfully to me. You must decide with your husband in advance how you will handle the fighting, lying, stealing, or whatever problem you think you will encounter. I don't think this will be easy for you, and I think it will take a lot of your time and energy. It will take them time to fit into your system. You might just be getting into the swing of things when the vacation time is over. I wish you the best. Jennie

I started AAS at the end of 3rd grade with my twin daughters. One is a struggling speller and the other is not. She went fast (6-8 weeks) through the level 1 book. We have been in the level 2 book for the better part of this year. I had hoped to finish it, but we took an extended break from spelling, so I don't think we will get it all in. She will start 5th grade in about level 3. It has absolutely been worth the money I have spent. Start in level 1. Jennie

I would also encourage dictation. It really pushed my ds forward with his spelling skills. I will still be using AAS with him as he still has struggles with knowing why he needs to spell words a certain way. I am using AAS with my twins, one struggles and the other does not. It is working well for both of them. Jennie

Yep! It looks like it is. Jennie

:grouphug::grouphug: So sorry for your loss. Jennie

Okay in my area (WNY), boarding runs between $300 and $550 per month depending on the facility. The barn where my daughter leases her horse charges the lower amount. The stall cleaning is done by the barn owners. It would be ideal if everyone who owned a horse there would come and clean their own horse's stall, but it isn't going to happen. Mostly the teenage girls who ride there clean the stalls for a set price per stall. I think there is a lot more to boarding horses than you would imagine. Cars are constantly coming and going. The farrier and the vet are there as well, but not as often. Girls are coming and going to ride their horses. Sometimes it is like a revolving door. There are a lot of costs for feed, hay and shavings that are part of that boarding feed. The horses are fed by the trainer. Ours is a small family run operation, and not a big, fancy equestrian center. I am sure they are all run differently. It would be good to talk to people (a lot of people) who board horses to see what you would be getting into. Jennie

These are my two favorites. Cooking from Quilt Country New Recipes from Quilt Country I also like the More With Less cookbook that someone else already mentioned. Jennie

CLE reading is good. I have not used it below 4th grade, so I can't speak to that. We use CLE for math, LA and reading, but that is as far as it goes. We do other things for history and science. I think it is a good balanced combination. We have not found it to be too much workbook. Jennie

I sold a large, heavy, and pricey box of books a few weeks back. These took the longest by far of an item I have sold. Seriously, if they were sent media mail you need to give it at least 21 days at the very minimum. I strongly recommend that if you are spending that much money on used curriculum, then you need to get insurance on the package. Jennie

My son will be going to a bio class in the fall and the teacher did set up a Q&A session. The attendance was good. She felt that she could better answer questions in a group setting where everyone could here the answers. It was informative. We got to look through the textbook. We were able to see what other families were thinking of being involved, and we were able to actually meet the teacher face to face. So, I would say yes to a Q&A based on my experience. Jennie

I have used both, and I think AAS is most effective. Jennie

US and I keep it on.

I feel your frustration. No one tells you these things when they market them to you. Jennie

How absolutely awful. Jennie

Is there another student in your house that could also work with your struggling speller. Honestly, he has a weakness, and it will be time consuming to help him. You don't necessarily have to be the teacher for it if you can't be. Or you can assign an older child to work with a younger child on something else to free you up to tackle this problem with your child. Dictation is a time tested method for improving spelling, but you will have to plan how to do this. I like the AAS has dictation, and the dictation matches where they are at in their spelling. I can also tell you that I started AAS with almost 9 year old twins. At first it was a lot of things they already knew. I told them they had to "learn the program". However, now they are into new territory. My 15 yo complained that AAS is a little kids spelling program because he sees his sisters use it. I told him that it is a spelling program and since he doesn't know all there is to know about spelling he fits the criteria to use this program. He couldn't argue with that. I would encourage you to find away to work with him even if it isn't you actually doing the teaching. It looks like you have a lot of "teacher assistants" in your house. Jennie

Yep, do R&S 3 and do a lot orally. Jennie

I did not care for the progression of how the letter sounds were introduced. I am not in favor of introducing vowel sounds before consonants. This was a real problem for my son. The program that was the best was Phonics Pathways. I am sure other programs have become available since we taught phonics, but this one was the most effective. Jennie

I would get very serious about using dictation and copywork, but the dictation is the key. I saw remarkable results with my son, and we didn't get after this seriously until he was in 7th grade. Also, I would recommend AAS. I will be going through it with my 15 yo. Jennie

After trying various spelling programs, I am very, very pleased with AAS and believe it is definitely worth the money. Jennie

I also use buckets with gamma seals and store them in my basement. This is what it looks like. Pantry I used to freeze my berries and grind them with no moisture problems. I alway keep the ground flour in the freezer. Jennie