:iagree: I agree with more written narrations, and more assigned reading, fewer read alouds. Also, fwiw, we were finishing FLL4 this year (5th grade) and all of a sudden it seems too slow and too repetitive - where just a short while ago it seemed exactly what we needed. Also, Deanna, I would love to hijack a bit and ask you about the other essays you are coming up with. I'd love to hear more about that if you don't mind! Also, how do you like using TTC? Are you reading everything she reads in order to discuss? (I'm having a very hard time doing that!) Thanks!

bump :D

Christian or Secular? I think both HOD and MFW have a year (or two) of American in the early years.

I agree with SO much you have said here. But, I'm thinking about the ideas you suggest for relevant work for suburban and urban kids. I'm sure I'll sound very cold hearted and unChristian, but I think these things (food for the starving, heat for someone who would die without it, etc.) will still not seem relevant to most youth because they are removed from themselves and their families. I'm rude enough to say this without offering any other ideas :tongue_smilie:. Sorry. I have enjoyed this entire thread and I'm sure I'll come back to read it again and again. I'm convicted on two issues - where we set the bar (and even when I try to set it high, our cultural choices tend to erode it) and what motivates us (and to what degree we are motivated).

We are currently using Singapore PM (US), finishing 4A and moving to 4B with workbooks and textbooks, but no HIG. I'm concerned that without the HIG we are not getting all that we should from it. But, I've also read that the Standard Edition (SE) HIGs are much better than the PM - US HIGs. (And SE would also cover concepts not included in PM - US). So, looking ahead to next year (or this summer) I'm considering switching to SE for 5A - IF the HIG is available by then. So, to my questions: 1) Does anyone know when the 5A and 5B HIGs are scheduled to be released? (The Singapore website said early 2010 for the 4B HIG, but that's all I could find) 2) Do you use the tests for the SE edition? Thanks!!

Also, it might be easier to cover more ground more quickly in SOTW with the cds. My dc often listen to the SOTW cds (or Diana Waring cds) even when we're not actively using them for school.

Yay! Congratulations!

Whenever I feel that way I try to add back in some read alouds from Ambleside Online. I agree with pp that it can be seasonal/cyclical. When we did Middle Ages a couple years ago, we took part of Jan/Feb off to read about WWII - something different :)

I agree with pp. You are a saint!

Here: http://www.tervis.com/Main.aspx?gclid=COfc5raq8p4CFdx05Qod6QpVJQ Not sure if there are cheaper sources - I didn't look at their pricing.

When I first read your question I thought you meant you needed help with teaching large numbers of children at once, LOL. Then I opened the thread and realized it really was a math question. I don't have a real answer for you, but my 6yo dd is the same way. I never had a problem with her two older brothers. In our case, I think dd just doesn't have the math readiness skills her brothers had. She's doing okay with her phonics and reading work - and seems much more *willing* to work hard on reading. But, math, not so much. I have gone in and out of MUS with her a couple times. Counting to 20 has improved, but she still doesn't really get place value. My plan is just to move forward with counting, adding, and various math concepts and try place value again when she's more ready.

Bless your heart! I understand sick and tired pregnancies! What have you been using? Can you use it in a more independent way? You have light at the end of your tunnel, so I wouldn't make wholesale changes (unless you need to for other reasons). As pp suggested, I would just cut back on content subjects like history/science and make up for that with "assigned" free reading or cds. Keep skills subjects moving forward. Maybe there's a way to keep using what you have in a more independent way.

Danger Mom - what a great list! I don't have the exact quote or remember who to credit for it, but since you said one of them is sitting in a bucket it might be cute to use: Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.

A favorite here is Chessmaster 10th edition. Some of its features include: lots of "computer" players with different ratings, a "ranked" play section, a training mode with hints and mentor lines, an academy (teaches everything from how pieces move to checkmate to forks, pins, skewers, etc), a place to watch old games between grandmasters with analysis by Josh Waitzkins (sp), tournament play with computer players and human players, other things I can't remember. (I think you can also enter in the moves of a game that's already been played and it will analyze them for you?)

How about here? http://houseofstaunton.com/Store/product_name=Design+Your+Own+Basic+Chess+Tournament+Combination/exact_match=exact/user-id=/password=

:iagree:

So what's the answer? :bigear:

Terri, I don't consider my ds linguistically gifted, but we're finishing FLL4 now - his 5th grade year. I have liked FLL because it is scripted (so I don't have to think) and it does introduce diagramming so gently. Now, I'm beginning to tire of it for the same reasons. I think he has just outgrown it because he's a little old for it. He gets it. Unlike your dd, he's a bit writing adverse (I allowed him to do too much work orally when reading was slow coming and writing neatly was like pulling teeth). So now I'm leaning towards some CLE (Christian Light Education) LA just to give him more work - more thinking, more writing (the physical act - not essays), more covering a few things that may have fallen through the cracks along the way. If I weren't convinced that this is right for him right now, I would definitely be tempted by all the MCT chatter. When I saw Michele's list of things that MCT covers, it seemed to me that these would not mean as much to him until basic usage and mechanics are more automatic. He feels like a genius with FLL, but it seems like it's easy for him to go through the motions back and forth with me. I hope CLE will challenge him and test him a little bit more. That's my .02, but remember we haven't started CLE and I've never used MCT, so it may change in a month or so :D.

:iagree: My other problem is that I have already established a bad habit in myself (and my children have copied) that I only do what I have to do (especially in regard to housework!). My children have copied this lazy, minimalist approach. Now if I began to approach my tasks with enthusiasm and joy I think it would go a long way. But honestly, if I don't write it down, it doesn't get done. I also wanted to offer this idea from Daisy back in October as a way of both encouraging and requiring some independent exploration. I'd like to take a day to do this every now and then: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135639 I could see my kids having a great time with the freedom given here, but still understanding that it wasn't optional.

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the place, Finicky traditionalists demanded food they will sample and waste. .... They want turkey, stuffing and corn pudding (which they will eat one bite of and then waste) .... I want a nice breakfast and then switch over to nibbling finger foods. I love all the ideas in this thread, so even though it doesn't solve my problem I thought it was timely to resurrect it. Merry Christmas and Happy eating!

Hijacking to say I'd love to read a review of all three (DP, TTC and RS) after you read Reading Strands. :D

Laura, I think it is natural to become more aware of how fragile life is as we grow older. Though not the same as your description, I used to work for one of the "Big 6" Int'l CPA firms in a large city, drive the Interstate to work everyday, park downtown, etc. I wonder, how did I do that? It sounds so stressful now. For myself, I also have a bad tendency as a Mom to think that I am responsible for all things - the smoothness of our days, the character of my children, their ability to spell and recite multiplication facts at the speed of light and getting them the perfect Christmas present when they change their wish list faster than they can answer 6X7. I think the little things stress me more than the big. My current two coping strategies are 1) faith (i.e. Rom 8:28) and 2)Scarlett O'Hara - I'll think about it tomorrow. I think these are good because 1) I'm counting on my faith to continue growing and 2)I'm counting on my memory to continue to fade. Obviously, I'm half serious and half kidding - but not at all to make light of how you are feeling! Do you think there could be hormonal changes effecting the way you feel? I know lack of sleep will just intensify the anxiety. I'm sure others will be along to offer more experience. :grouphug:

Just .02.... I've never used MFW, but I'm just wondering what you mean by bookwork? Also, I do know that there K and 1st grade guides are a little different from their other guides. At upper levels I think you can chose your own math and LA where (I think) those subjects are built in for K and 1st? I guess I'm saying I wouldn't discount MFW's later guides based on what you thought of it's K and 1st grades. Also, if you're looking for more bookwork, I'm wondering if FLL and WWE will seem light to you as well?

Have you looked at Knowledge Quest maps? I think they are similar to TOG mapaids (or maybe they are the company that made mapaids???) Anyway, there is always one labled map and one blank one. I think you can buy it printed or in cdrom form.

Congratulations! I have thought about you many times over the last several months. I'm so glad I happened over here (to the general board) to see your good news!