Blouses. When I wore jeans a lot, I wore blouses w/buttons. Now that I'm heavier, I don't wear jeans very often. But, that's another thread. Denise

You all get along well so you're doing something right. You're ideas for adding a lunch or dinner sometimes are good too. I would ask everyone if there's anything they would like to add or change before I instituted anything new. Sometimes it's surprising what employees want and don't want. Denise

I can't ignore when it says, "ignore," and it's someone whose posts I've enjoyed reading. Denise

Yes. During the last month of my pregnancy w/my dd, I focused on getting more protein and less grains. I've always eaten whole grains, not white starches, but I was still too heavy on the grains. I was hungry in the night for about a week. I lost 10 lbs. DD was fine. I should add, I was restricted from walking a lot due to cramping. So, exercise was out for that pregnancy. Denise

Yes, I always make my kids whisper and walk in the library. You are right, there are many parents who don't. It's disrespectful. Denise

No, I don't iron much. I own one and will iron once in a while for something that needs it - Christmas and Easter outfits, etc. We don't buy clothes very often but when we do, we look for things that will not need ironing. Denise

I've followed it a bit. It's just that it doesn't surprise me. I think all of our media are in bed w/government and have been for a long time. All of our news is so biased, on one side or the other. It's disgusting. Denise

I just had this discussion w/ a friend yesterday. I am planning for a pre-K, 4th grader and 10th grader. My high schooler still has a spelling test to take and a paper to edit. I had planned to work with my 4th grader but we've been so busy trying to catch up with organizing, preparing for next yr. and getting scout things prepped, that I finally just gave up on any schooling. It's pathetic. I've never been so far behind and I feel like a hamster on a wheel. Denise

We use Wordly Wise for spelling but it's meant to be a vocabulary program. It has the student study the definitions, use the words in sentences, read the words in the context of a story and come up with the antonyms and synonyms. This system works for my boys for both spelling and vocab. I don't know about online PSAT study materials. Sometimes the library will have older practice books that you could use for study. The stores, online and brick& mortar carry several study guides. Denise

My oldest used an exercise ball from ages 7-9. It did roll, which helped him concentrate. It drove me nuts to see him disappear under the school table but, he heard and understood everything I said. We did not use the one from Timberdoodle. Ours was just the ball. I need to get one for my middle dc. He's Tigger! :) Putty or any toy to roll around has been a distraction to both of my boys. The peppermint smencils were a Christmas gift to my children this year. They hate them. They won't use them because, they say, they stink. Who would have thought they would have that kind of reaction to them? :confused: This is not on your list but, chewing gum also helps my kids concentrate. Denise

We followed the schedule on the Math Without Boarders site. The instructor has the student work through the odd numbered problems and reserves the even ones for extra practice, if needed. He does split some chapters into parts. If there is a test, that is all you do that day. The tests take an hour, sometimes a little longer. I like the schedule he has set-up. It allows some extra weeks to either finish early or use for interruptions, extra practice and so forth. It worked well for us. Denise

Paper. For me, it's more flexible. I don't have to compete for computer time (we only have 1) or sit at the computer to change things. I give my dc a daily assignment sheet for grades 3-8 and a weekly sheet for high school. I also buy planners from Pflaum for them to use, especially my high schooler. This is the first yr. the younger 2 get planners. The 4-yr. old doesn't need one but she will want it. :) Denise

If you want to experiment with different types of music, try the Live365 website on your computer. You select the category of music, choose a station and then listen. It's free. That way, you can try different types of music. There are ads once in a while, just like a radio station but not as bad. Denise

Master's Degree. It helps me research and analyze way more than is necessary. ;) Denise

Yes, they do grow out of it. Can you find something they can be responsible for? Work of some kind (not chores)? They seem to need to work. I noticed when my son had a "job," he was agreeable and willing to work hard. When he didn't, he was sulky and argumentative. Scouts has helped him a lot. Now that he is 16, he's much better. But then, he just returned from working at Scout Camp for the summer. So, who knows. Denise

I don't know of a list online anywhere but here are some items most homeschoolers use. 1. whiteboard w/dry erase markers and eraser 2. Index cards 3. 3-hole punch 4. post-it notes &/or post-it tabs 5. spiral notebooks - make sure 1 is for you for notes, planning, etc. 6. a big, 3-ring binder - for notes, lesson plans, etc. 7. highlighter 8. red or blue pencil - for correcting work 9. tape/cd player 10. plastic cart w/drawers 11. something to hold files That's all I can think of right now. Others will chime in with ideas too. There are some things, like a laminator, that are nice but not necessities. Have fun shopping. Denise

Yes, we play early classical music. It helps them concentrate. Sometimes my ds #1 wants something more lively so we play later classical or Irish music. Whatever you choose to play, make sure there are no words. Words are distracting and break concentration. Denise

You don't clean as much and you eat a lot of peanut butter. :D I make crock pot meals that I can dump in and leave. If I have to keep coming back and adding stuff, I'm not making it. We have peanut butter sandwiches almost daily for lunch. I try to cook once and eat at least twice. Cleaning is done on Friday afternoons-bathroooms, laundry & general pick-up; and Saturdays - vacuum, more laundry, sometimes dust, sometimes sweep. Denise

Ok, I understand. Thanks. Interesting though, my oldest did his math that way in the elementary levels. At first, I tried to correct him. Poor kid. Denise

Oh yes. Especially for high school. Private schools run from $4,000/child - $15,000/child. In some of the bigger cities, private schools can cost over $20,000/child. My dh reminds me of this when I start to fuss about the cost of the materials we buy. Denise

Dana - yes, the division issue came up w/my oldest. He was so frustrated because he knew the answer was a fraction and thought the remainder instructions were dumb (his word). For him, a kid who figured things out quickly, he was frustrated by this type of instruction. Once I wised up, thanks to Myrtle and the whole math gang here, and switched him to Russian Math, he was much happier. Well, he threw a few pencils but he still preferred it. So, I do understand that part of it. Denise

How do you add sums without counting? I'm referring to the "dominoes to add sums," (sorry, I haven't figured out how to partial quote). Can we just have coffee one morning and discuss elementary school math? Seriously, I want to get it right this go around. Thanks. Denise

I'll give you some numbers. When I just had one child and he was early elementary, I spent about $200. Now I have 3 children, one in high school wanting to study physics and math in college. Last yr. I spent approximatley $1,000 for all three kids. This yr. it will be about $1,500 - $2,000 (including group memberships, etc.) You can spend much less than this or much more. I went a bit crazy and bought pieces of 3 different writing/lang. arts programs for my kids. I am experimenting this year. For my oldest, lab kit was $150, Thinkwell AP American Govt. & Politics class is $170, and so forth. So far, I'm coming closer to the $1,500 amount because I've been fortunate enough to find many of dc's books used and cheap. I hope that helps you. Denise

Yes, it is common knowledge. If it's not anymore, it should be. My kids learn about it. Denise

Yes, that is an excellent explanation. So, it is my own background that steered me towards the linking cubes - something to count. Thank you very much, Bill. Denise