I think this is one of the most overlooked reasons for the 'all kids tend to even out about 3rd grade' response...I was talking to the head admin at a very expensive, highly regarded classical school locally about the prospect of my dd attending...whilst I am certain she will NEED to be homeschooled, I still investigate every possibility because she is so social. When I tried to explain that my dd was radically advanced in several areas (as in using the exact same SM program they use but sveral years ahead), she informed me that they look at that as a 'discipline issue' because it is their experience that ALL kids even out about 3rd grade level. So if they are frustrated at having to do the work in their grade level it is a discipline issue! My sarcastic self replied that I was quite certain they all did indeed even out, if they are required to work at a certain level! She hemmed and hawed and tried to say that even kids transferring in at higher levels had to be sent back because it all 'evened out!' I KNOW I have had a different experience from many here. I, and most of my friends, have advanced tiny tots who learned to read before much else, with fun, minimal instruction...even if it was planned in some cases . I agree this must not be the norm, because I read post after post of involved, proactive, energetic and creative parents doing everything they can to provide their non-LD kids with language rich environments. People I look up to as incredibly experienced HS'ers reiterating that, through their own personal experience, even with high IQ kids, that learning to read just wasn't there until later. I even know statistically this must in fact be the case. It just hasn't been my experience. Having my 2 1/2 year old reading books aloud was as natural to me as anything, as is seeing the same thing with my children's friends. And the resulting difference is huge. The amount of info my kid gleans on a daily basis from reading is phenomenal...Talk about a 30 million word gap! not just what I or my hubby read to her but what she reads for herself! but I STILL cannot believe that actually REQUIRING it of 3/4/5 year old would be a good thing....whilst it was fun and exciting for my kiddo, had it not been I would have become wildly protective of anyone who had tried to force her at that age, or to make her feel like she was 'dumb' because she preferred to play on the slide or paint. So why the push? Well, if you need hundreds of hours to gear kids up for specific, inane tests, in an institutional school environment where everything takes far longer than it should, that time HAS to be made up somewhere! And even though it may be possible for some, many, all, students to learn to read early in a fun, non-stressful manner? (Pick your selection based upon experience, scientific studies, lottery, whatever!) I STRONGLY do not believe that to be possible in an institutionalized, one-size-fits-all public school! So regardless, it is setting the bar way too high and setting children up for failure.

No! This was definitely a rough wood, unpainted cross. It is totally strange to know that there may in fact be several? More? Individuals trudging around lugging crosses with them. I read an article not too long ago about a guy who has a modular cross he takes aboard airplanes so that he can literally cart his ministry to countries around the world.

I am always struggling to find new areas of interest in math for a seemingly insatiable mathy kid. She wants, constantly, to learn something new in math that she did not know previously...but it is getting almost impossible to balance her very young (as in does NOT have the patience to struggle through long problems!) mentality with her desire to learn new topics. Two things jumped out at me his week as I read a couple of other math posts: 1) my dd does not seem to struggle with the unwillingness for repetition that seems so common with advanced/gifted kids. She just likes doing the math! As long as she has something NEW going concurrently, she is perfectly happy just to be playing with anything math. For example, she has recently learned to use squares and square roots to solve basic algebraic equations (she already had them memorized) but is also happy to work through a few pages of 'Two Plus Two is Not Five' because it irritates her that her addition/subtraction facts are not as fast as some of the kids (twice her age!) she had in her math group. And she sees thinking it through (8+5=13 problem: her thinking if it doesn't immediately come to her might be well, 8+2 =10 and 3 more is 13, which I would actually prefer over memorizing any day!) as inferior:( 2) we have been working through Singapore 3A because I want her to complete the problems, including CWP and EP, but she complains that she wants new material. Unfortunately, it seems 3B is going to be very little new material as we have done a lot on materials in this level...the more I try to supplement and make up fun challenging 'home taught' materials, the faster we wnd up going through the Singapore books. We already have A LOT of supplements that she loves, and would not want to drop. Because she is actually not due to officially start Kindya year from this Fall, we also choose to go primarily interest led, which means I cannot even spread her 'school time' between lots of different subjects. She can read anything put in front of her, and spends a tremendous amount of time on science. She also loves spelling, but that takes all of 15-20 minutes and does not satisfy her desire to sit and 'do school.' So...I am thinking another full spine, with math material presented in a totally different manner, might be what she would enjoy.We already read Fred and Penrose for fun together, along with lots of living math books. She really likes BA, but does not have the patience to work through longer problems. What program would gel nicely? I should also say she does Soroban, so mental math is a game to her. I am wondering if a more traditiona program might work? I have significant health problems, and am always concerned that a B&M school MIGHT have to suffice someday, albeit private...although I have no idea how:) What do you think? Is there something that might satisfy her until she has a bit more maturity? I was thinking of 'Kindy' plans 16 months from now, and panicking more than a bit...this is a kid that NEEDS to stay with her age group, no question of even starting kindy early. She is too young socially and emotionally even for that:( Oh! And I did give her the ADAM test online. Which for all of its subtexts Nd the fact that I think it truncated too,early due to the strange, non traditionally linear path we have taken, STILL returned a roughly grade 4 score in most areas.

Oh! You must have a kid like mine...I asked what she wanted in her Easter basket and she said " creatures to dissect!" Maybe not in the Easter Basket, but we are doing another frog tomorrow! As far as how long it takes: well, that depends on a lot of things. How much have you prepped beforehand? Have the kids studied anything about them or is this just a first foray? If so, an they don't have much technique or know what they are looking for it will take minutes:) If they have a guide for each and you want to try to locate specific organs or parts of each specimen it could take at least an hour or so min per. I usually go through a little mini anatomy lesson (and there are some amazing virtual dissection apps and websites to learn from!) but my dd is still very young...typical dissection takes about 30-45 minutes, although sometimes we come back to it. ETA: is sounds as though you have a set from Home Science Tools, and no, the simpler creatures will not take nearly as much time as say, the frog...but unless you are just doing a quick fun comparison, is there a reason why you are doing them all at once that way?

Oh, is that new?! We went a couple of weeks ago and we fell in love. We pretty much had to drag my little math-lover away from the math path math in nature area. She 'hopped' Fibonacci numbers all day and tried to see how many trees she could find that followed the Pattern. So many neat things!I couldn't believe that I had missed it all these years, but we drive almost every weekend to either Dallas or Austin so we aren't local..:

Well, I just ended up having to make a last minute run to the grocery store, which was a nightmare of epic proportions...but that is another story. On the way there I pulled over to let an ambulance and fire truck past. When I arrived at the store, they had arrived in the parking lot and were hosing down a flaming old car parked sideways in the lot. Strange enough, but a woman (most likely the owner of the car?!) was screaming obscenities and slapping at two firemen trying to put out the blaze! She was screaming something about them ruining her car and how she was going to sue!

This made me remember a set of Usborne phonics readers I bought for my dd when she was tiny. They are done in the same 'spot the duck' Usborne style with colorful, fun illustrations. My dd hated most phonics readers but she adored these. We got ours in England, but I see them quite a bit in the US now. Amazon has them, an I even saw a couple at the library: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_0_15?k=usborne+phonics+readers&sprefix=Usborne+phonics

Probably way off, but do you think she might be thinking of the Scholastic Phonics Readers? I picked up a few of them at a used book store when my dd was tiny, an I specifically remember reading one called Dad and Sam... http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0439323010?pc_redir=1397794995&robot_redir=1

Last month I was driving through town (we live in the middle of the Bible Belt, home to a huge private Baptist University) and there was a man trudging along up a large overpass pulling a massive wooden cross over his shoulder. As in the thing must have been 12/15 foot tall, thick, and HEAVY. Turns out he walks all over the nation (and others!) with it...

How much time will you have and what are the ages of the kids? If you won't have a car, but could use transportation or get a ride to one area, I would head for the Perot museum. It is absolutely amazing, and has a little something for all ages...from Mom/Dad to tiny tots as there is a special children's area on the bottom floor. If you are a member of any science museum on the reciprocal list, it will probably be free general admission. We are members even though we live 2 hours away because we go so often and because of that reciprocal agreement! We have made our membership fees back several times over. The other reason to head there is that there is so much in that area. The Dallas Aquarium pretty much shares a parking lot with the Perot, and there are plenty of great places to eat right there. The Dallas Museum of Art (free), and a fantastic park a pp poster mentioned are very close as well. If you are really confined to Irving (really, just consumed by Dallas as a whole!) you might look to see what is happening at the Irving Center for the Arts...

Sounds like a great program, especially for older kids with a desire to make it work. However, this starts in Kindy! Even when there are no assignments that have to be completed, daily communications, newsletters, just INFORMATION is not passed along. And it put parents in the position that they are even more distanced from their kids education, at a crucial time. For example, my sister rarely knows what the kids are working on, other than the worksheets that come home. And even on them, there are links that she cannot follow: their 'new' math does not have a textbook but the teacher will post links to videos on the class site, or give YouTube links on the worksheets. Also, much of what doesn't get done during the week falls to the weekend...they can use te public library sometimes but in their area the public library has become quite a frightening place as there is a constant influx of ...people you might not want to park your young children next to at a computer:( I don't know what the answer is, and I DO think the creep of technology can be one of the most amazing tools for education. I cannot imagine teaching my child without access! It can be done of course, but I think that at least for the foreseeable future it is going to widen the gap between those in the lowest income brackets as it applies to education:) Maybe this needs a thread of its own!

I never vote for things 'just because' but I loved your recent post in the accelerated board, so I made it a point to vote for him:) Can you link that video here so others can see just what an amazing kid he is?! I really think it is inspiring, and think it will make people WANT to vote for him:) Regardless, I love what your family has done and find the support your family offers him inspiring...

Quoting because I think the Internet/computer access (or lack thereof!) is truly causing a much larger gap in educational access as well as common everyday usage. My sister has 4 kids...all of whom were lucky enough to get accepted via lottery to an amazing charter school. The problem is that they were failing and struggling. My sister and her hubby are HS dropouts working hard, always in debt, no insurance, too-common- of story. They do not have Internet access and EVERYTHING is online now...homework assignments, research, communication with teachers, even the accounts that pay for the kid's lunch. They could not make it work and had to revert back to an extremely poor neighborhood school where they still struggle with the same issues but it is more common so the admin will work with them. She still calls me every night (late when she has free minutes) so that I can check her email and look up the kids assignments...which they then have to do before school:) It isn't JUST paying for Internet...the computers, printers, ink, and so much more. And in many cases I think that the lack of tech understanding is even a bigger problem because when something simple happens to tech they own, they lack the basic understanding to even try to fix it. And every single of of her kids was behind when starting even Kindy because so many of the kids in her area attended Head Start. Hers did not, and went to true day care. They will never catch up. Truly. For an educated set of parents with the time, understanding, and even basic funds to work with them? Yes, even average students could manage with support. But no matter how well-intentioned, those resources are just not THERE for so many. And yes, there are lots more opportunities for this generation, even free ones...but that doesn't help if you never hear about them, never would even know where to look! My sister is about to lose her house, which we gave them the down payment for...a major factor in this was lack of Internet and tech access. They got behind in payments, and JUST managed to scrape the money together with their tax return. Long convoluted story, but even though it turned out to be a bank mistake? Not having Internet or tech access sealed the deal. It is just sooo sad:(

Ha! Did you ever do that science experiment where you put peeps into the microwave?' You could totally do it...after they grow to outrageous proportions, of course:) Although I don't recommend doing it on Easter. With tiny tots who adore the cuteness of peeps. Just because mom and dad are chemists who wanted to see what would happen.😩 ETA: Apparently you can... http://despicableme.com/post/1432

Oh, and last week I got a strange email from dd''s play-based preschool where she attends 6 hours per week: Apparently it is 'very strange' that dd refused to eat the special treat doughnuts the other kids got...but she was perfectly fine with the container of raspberries in her bag:) Funnily enough, when we are on vacation we always go for doughnuts as a family. But only that one time, on vacation. I guess dd did not consider it a doughnut-worthy occasion:)

Hilarious stories:) The other day I made an apple pie for a departmental function for hubby...dd4 refuses to eat apples, but apparently she LOVES the apple peels if there is not too much actual apple on it! I think she ate the peels of roughly 6 apples😳

My hubby and I almost LIVE in Chacos, and it is this strange culture thing for rock climbers:) honestly, hubby is the coach for a Uni level Climing team and I have yet to meet a climber or outdoors-y person there without a pair! That being said, we must own a pair of Keens in every.single.size from about birth for our daughter as they are absolutely perfect for just about everything outdoors. The major difference being the rounded rubber toe protection. You get the safety of a sneaker ish toe with the versatility of a sandal. Dd would much prefer super girly sandals, but this is the compromise for us...and they come in 'cool' colors to boot...

My dd4 has been in love with them since she was 2 1/2, so I would imagine it depends on the kid. My best friend has a 5 yr old ASD geography lover who hates them because they have irregular shaped puzzle pieces! Go figure. I think they are just about perfect for the age 4+ group as they memorize sooo easily and really soak it up. The capitals are on each piece, so if they read it will be an extra bonus:)

I do understand the frustration with AAS, but the more I use it I am really impressed with how well it is working for my dd. Honestly, when there is something like those you mentioned above, I usually find I have missed some little important bit in the book, or didn't apply it correctly...or, after reading te AAS forums just realize we haven't quite come to that point. For example, the 'until' vs 'windmill' IS briefly mentioned in the compound word section...and as far as the EE lesson I just rechecked to be sure. There is one little box at the beginning of the lesson that has you build 'he' and 'Steve' to show why each has the long e sound...to distinguish between the open syllable long e and the silent e word. Same with the word 'here'. So maybe you can point out to you dd that it is a silent e word? All that being said: my dd wants/needs words that she has not learned the rules for, and is not going to wait:) I posted here and a few people suggested printing out the spelling rules and giving her the rule as she needed, then just touching on it a we go through AAS. This has been perfect for us, although it is certainly speeding up the rate of AAS! Also, I took her through the Dolch list to make sure she could spell those, and we used the list of rules as much as possible in a brief way. She is very logical, so this really helped her. Not to mention she is much happier and less frustrated having those words at the ready, without waiting for a specific AAS lesson. We rarely use the tiles at all as I think they are just a bit too fiddly. We use an app, or write them on a dry erase board with lines to practice penmanship.

They are $60 if you want them in individual boxes...if you are willing to sacrifice the boxes to get them all in one, you can still get them at $40. Thanks to the OP. I have 4 already, but ordered the full set as they make great gifts:)

Thanks to everyone who responded! I am updating so that anyone else who may go looking for answers to this question can find it. I was pretty nervous, and did end up taking a couple of Aleve before I went. In addition to the doctor, there were two lovely nurses there to assist...both of which had been through the procedure. They were able to answer all questions and talk me through it. I always feel like this is a huge plus, especially with a male doctor who really cannot possibly understand regardless😄 The initial part was just the regular fun times uncomfortable feeling of a routine exam, but upon injection of the dye it was slightly uncomfortable. I would not even use the word pain, but I do ten to have a high pain tolerance. My doctor and one of the nurses seemed to think the only time it is really painful is if there is blockage. In fact, one of the nurses is undergoing fertility testing and told me her first HsG was somewhat painful as she had a blockage of one Fallopian tube...which the dye cleared. The next time she had one it was not painful at all. So, there you have it. All that worry and it was a non-event:) When will I learn that you should NEVER consult Google the night before a test or a procedure?!

At least twice:) But I have a very 'mathy' kid who wants several different math strands going at the same time. Definitely switch the topic/focus/style. For example, here was our today as far as math goes: 1) Very first thing she did about 20 minutes of math fact review on the computer, which she doesn't consider school at all but rather something to do whilst eating breakfast. She then begged to play 60 second sweep for mult/div fact practice. 2) During math time she did 3 pages in her Singapore book. We alternate BA depending on time/interest/need. 3) in between spelling and WWE we take a 'break' and do about 10-15 minutes of mental math alternating between Soroban style and Singapore style. Again, she doesn't consider that math for school:) 4) in be afternoon we choose 1 current 'strand' for play. Today was Hands on Equations, but yesterday was making animal pens in the shape of quadrilaterals/triangles/circles and finding the area, perimeter/circumference/volume. 5) during her afternoon reading time/quiet time we read Life of Fred together and she does the Your Turn to Play, before we do regular read alouds 6)bedtime reading ALWAYS includes at least 1 living math book: today was Rabbits Everywhere, a Fibbonaci story. 6) after teeth brushing Daddy does the daily Bedtime Math question we get via email as a special treat. And apparently after dinner dd convinced daddy to 'play shop' with her. She has a cash register and a store in our walk-in closet with price tags, coupons for % off savings, etc. that she loves. I guess we don't really so much 'do math' several times per day as we just try to incorporate our day into math, lol. But we do try to have a time for review, a different time for learning the core, and then time for a strand of current interest that I don't expect mastery as much as have fun exposing her to, if that makes sense, through games and activities. Funnily enough, when she was about 2 and started developing her love of numbers it occurred to me that somehow we expect kids to become fluent in math just as much as with reading...but devote a wholly different proportion of time to it. How can our kids do this if we only devote say 30 minutes/day to math? ETA: reading this back it sounds as though the kid spends the whole day working, but in all actuality it usually is only about 15-20 minutes at a time, except when she is eating breakfast! Little bites of time, but it really adds up (pun intended!).

Ugh! That makes me very nervous. I can't believe the doctors nor the nurses that pre-registered me didn't say ANYTHING. If hubby stays home with our dd4, I will have to drive myself. I am in a wheelchair, and not sure if that will be a benefit or make it worse! (At least I won't have to worry about being unable to walk out, lol:) And of course, the appt is first thing on a Monday morning so I won't even be able to get clarification prior from the doctors office:(

Tomorrow morning I am undergoing HSG testing. I made the mistake of googling 'what to expect' and am now more than a bit panicky! My doctor didn't mention anything about pain or duration, and of course the online mentions are of doom and horror. I haven't actually planned for anything rough...in fact, whilst hubby is staying home to watch our 4 yr old during the test, I will be rushing to get back before he has to teach his noon class. Of course, he could cancel it if necessary but we are both always loathe to do that as it isn't fair to the students nor to him. Can the hive tell me what to expect? Should we be making arrangements? There really isn't anyone to watch my dd, so I will be on my own in the afternoon with her. Any advice?

Oh yes, my dd liked that one as a tiny tot...along the same lines there is a camping one of all sorts of children's characters...I know we have read Olivia goes camping as well, and a Berenstain Bears. There is an Amelia Bedelia camping book too I have seen, and the Mercer Mayer childrens story about camping with Dad. What about the Dr. Seuss camping book? I can't think of the name of it for some reason...