Okay, I just realized the socials kills group you were talking about is different than a speech social group. How would I find something like that in our new town? Health department? University website? I feel like I'm wading through quicksand. Maybe I'll feel more plugged in when we finally get going with OT.

I think TOG does this, but I am overwhelmed with their website. MOH has the challenge cards, reviews, written output, and projects. I'm not sure if something like Illuminations would help with scheduling readers. I'm mostly just listening in... :lurk5:

Thank you! The Model Me Kids dvds look great. I checked our library and struck out, so I'll have to order the books from Amazon. Our doctor suggested a language social group, but so far we have been unable to locate one with kids his age. The doctor thinks having him in a younger social group would defeat the purpose. ;) We're moving close to a major university, so I think we'll have a lot more options in the future. Thanks for all of your help!

I have a ds8 who has social delays and pragmatic language issues. He also has traits of ADD/SPD/Spectrum stuff, but not enough for an official diagnosis. His neuro ordered occupational therapy, but we've been on the waiting list for 6 months. We're about to move and I guess we'll have to see where that leaves us. In the meantime, I would like to work with him at home. He just finished speech therapy so I feel like he can handle it without overloading him. He needs explicit instruction in understanding social cues and things like responding appropriately to questions. Is there a book or something we can read through together? I hate to correct him every time it comes up, because it feels so critical and he just doesn't know why what he is doing isn't right. But he picks things up very quickly with explicit instruction. Thank you!

**Bump** I'm interested, too!

Oh, I absolutely agree. :) I was just pointing out (in response to previous comments) the misconception that AO science lacks depth because they don't use a textbook. Real learning can take place via living books and observation. I also think lab reports are great for those of us who live in portfolio states and don't have science tests/midterms for documentation. ;)

One of the women who is updating AO science has a degree in Human Genetics. Here is a post she wrote about how she does experiments and lab reports with her 3rd grader. ;) AO does cover chemistry and physics before high school. I wasn't a STEM major, but a good friend from high school/college has an advanced degree in materials engineering from a competitive school. He had the same crappy hs "honors" science classes as I had. We spent an entire year of physics playing croquet. Just saying.... :)

Abeka. It is the shiny, happy version of R&S. :)

Living Memory by Andrew Campbell has a section on math memory work. In addition to fact families, it covers measurement, prime numbers, common squares/cubes, Euclid's definitions, etc...

I would use a traditional textbook. Take a look at BJU English grade 5: http://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_English-5-Teacher-s-Edition-with-CD--2nd-ed.____1605005 My second choice would be Jump In. W&R and WS won't get you where you want to be in 1 year.

Our pediatrician recommends psyllium husks and ground flax for chronic issues. Whole grain wheat and beans both trigger major issues with a few of my children.

11/12 I chose interest on the debt instead of ss. If that was a pop culture quiz I'd be in trouble. :coolgleamA:

That is how I feel about the Handbook of Nature Study.

We love Writing Strands! Easy to implement,cheap, great for my natural writers :) Fails: Beautiful Feet Early American Primary BJU reading R&S English 2 (love 3+)

If they were as crammed in the booth as the op suggests, then the booth was certainly small enough to serve them correctly. ;)

A server should never hand a diner a plate. Never. She should have served the inside diners on one side of the table, inside diners on the other side, the two outside diners, and baby last. Yes, it is reasonable to email the company.

Understanding Writing Meaningful Composition

I'm not a Saxon expert, but I can't imagine using Saxon and not insisting on understanding in each lesson. Saxon is different than a spiral program like Abeka. Abeka reteaches and reviews multiple concepts in their scripted classtime. Saxon does not reteach past concepts. Reteaching comes from mom or from the student using the lesson references under each problem to review previous lessons. In this case, lesson 57 teaches the term and concept of a rate. If Joe swims 5 laps a day, how many will he swim in a week? Lesson 60 is solving for a variable using rate problems. The concept of solving for variables was introduced in lesson 41 and the concept of rate was introduced in lesson 57. Saxon assumes that the child understands all previous concepts. It isn't as simple as skipping certain lessons. OP, have you worked out a solution?

Sorry, I have nothing earth-shattering to offer. I draw pictures.

No. Just work through each problem together, every time it comes up, until he understands. This is the application of all the multiplication you have been working on.

I, too, avoided Saxon k-3 because of bad reviews. I'm sorry I did. It is thorough and not any more time-consuming than any other k-3 program. Two of my first graders have used FLL and copywork/narration/dictation. Another used Abeka language that year. I like both.

Second grade phonics is a workbook. Second grade grammar is hardback.

The English books are nonconsumable starting in 2nd grade. The first and second grade phonics courses are consumable. R&S math has workbooks through second grade, then switches to nonconsumable texts for 3+.

I always valued Dulcimeramy's advice. Too bad she does't post anymore.

I agree with OhE about SOTW, Apologia, and TT for your bright 5th grader. You seem quite likely to use these in a fuller way, so it might work out fine. I think you should keep looking. ;) What math did he use at school? My fifth grader has a blog. It motivates her to improve her writing and photography. She is much more critical of herself when she is published. :)