My son had a skin test that didn't tell us much of anything. His back just swelled up pretty much all over with milk the largest. We didn't test nuts with a skin test; he'd already had anaphylaxis to cashews. The blood test was more useful later on. We know he tested positive to egg on the blood test, so we're being a bit more careful with them, but he can tolerate them in baked goods, so we're continuing to use them in baking. I also asked for a copy of the bloodwork numbers. That's been nice to have as well. But for us, skin test, not useful. Blood test, slightly useful. Gold standard is still food challenge (and he's still highly allergic to dairy in baked goods *&%*$& ). I'd likely use your results to get rid of the roaches if you want them gone & I'd be looking for a different allergist. I'm definitely getting my questions answered if I'm having you treat me or my child.

I use the Standards edition & get my HiG from singaporemath.com here. They also have discussion boards.

Jay Hosler's books are great (Clan Apis, Sandwalk Adventures, Optical Allusions)

I've been looking at it.... I have the hardcopy of their logic books (Book 1 and 2 of EM series), but I'm also curious how the online program goes... whether it's similar to the text or if they've got more added in (So far the Elements of Mathematics Operational Systems course is very like the text but with some stuff removed (fewer problems, tossed out the time zone section), so I don't see paying so much if it doesn't offer more...)

I haven't used their Reading Comprehension, but I use their Test Prep books and have a number of their math workbooks. I think of them as much more like what a typical parent would use for afterschooling with a child or review of basics. I wouldn't use them to compare with other programs. I think they're woefully incomplete for that. I think taking some comfort from them as far as being on grade level is fine and probably useful. I think you'd get more information about grade level by giving a standardized test (ITBS, TerraNova, any of the talent search tests)

I don't know if it's what you're looking for, but the Spectrum Language Arts workbooks have some pages with irregular verbs that may be useful. I get mine at Barnes & Noble, so at least you'd be able to look through it and see if that's what you need.

I'll be interested in hearing how he likes it as he continues.

Awesome!

Instead of taking money out of retirement, what about getting an equity line on the house or a small mortgage? Rates are ridiculously low right now.

I'd be checking the requirements at the school she might go to. Our cc has a nursing program. Admission is very tough. I don't know if it's easier or more difficult at the 4-year school nearby. Our cc gives preferential admission to students with certain skills or prior work. You might check that out. Math is a weed-out course. They keep raising the requirements for the nursing students. The students I've taught who I've seen in the field have all been solid, solid A students. Anatomy/Physiology is also a major weed-out course. But students have to have a certain level of math to get there. So best advice I have is to check the school and see what they require. That'll give you some good ideas for what needs to be done. If she hasn't taken any courses at the cc yet, you could have her take the placement test there. That may give more info as well. Placement testing doesn't require her to take classes.... :)

I'd buy a new video game or try World of Warcraft :) Unless I were really into a book, I wouldn't read. Maybe school prep, some type of planning. Online surfing, YouTube videos, humor sites, but sitting up at the computer. Possibly a couple of showers if I was starting to doze... Good luck!

Write Now Their current site is here. We used GD from 1st grade (level A) to finishing up level G this year. I also have Educational Fontware's CD to print my own models. I think if you're working with a 6th grader, I'd likely get Write Now and then maybe also the font CD if more models are needed.

On the overall board, I did a search for Derek Owen yesterday and only got 5 threads. Very disappointed with search engine.

Earth Balance is good margarine & Enjoy Life does chocolate chips :)

At sixth grade, you might go with the last two books. Print and cursive are pretty similar with GD. Alternatively, I think they have a book for adults that you could just use...

I probably spend the most time on math, second English, then science, then history.

You could also check if your state has a medical board to report the practice to. I'd be furious.

I'd check with the pulminologist and see what their answer is. You could try another week and see if it's controlled without a virus affecting things.

Have you posted on the how to board? OtherJohn is responding to some problems as people report them...

I made my son a Noah's ark afghan. It was a really cool pattern. I did add an olive branch in the dove's mouth. Lots of different yarns for fun textures. The flood story is cruel. It's very much like Pandora's box though...the olive branch functioning as hope.

Our state wants 180 days. I've just picked up where we left off. Depending on how long a break we take (generally not over 1 month), I may start up with a bit of review. Most of the materials I use (apart from math) don't have specific grade levels attached to them, so it's no problem at all to be using them with my son (he doesn't feel ahead or behind... it's just where he is).

We did a full day yesterday. I'd intended to do a school day today, but dh and ds stayed up until 2am playing MineCraft to welcome the New Year. They're both still in bed this morning, so I'm thinking today will be an off day.

The CogAT gave learning style info. That was of some use. Really...all were about equally helpful in their own ways. If we'd started with IQ, that would have been overkill at the time. I'd go from cheap to more expensive ;)

Hope you guys have a good celebration no matter what tonight! And at least the sick people aren't coming to spread germs!

In a meeting with a psychologist who does testing, she said, "You test to find out the answer to a question." That stayed with me and helped me when I was thinking of getting testing done. We did the CAT and ITBS at home in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades so I would have information about how my son was doing overall and so he'd get some experience with standardized testing. I used Bayside for the CAT (although they now do TerraNova - and turns out, they're my sister's in-laws. Really neat people!). I did on-level in 1st grade with the CAT. In 2nd grade, I gave my son the 3rd grade CAT. I was able to look over his answers before turning in the tests, so I was able to see where he was making errors & get feedback on my teaching. I didn't discuss his errors with him - that was just for me. I used Triangle for the ITBS (and CogAT). I gave the test on-level for 3rd grade. I switched tests so I'd see how my son did with a different test (and I wanted a more recent test). We also did testing to qualify for talent searches: SCAT in 2nd grade for Johns Hopkins CTY material, Explore in 4th grade for Northwestern NUMATS, and he's taking the Explore again in 5th grade for Duke TIP. Due to Explore scores, we had an IQ test done (WISC-IV) to see if he'd qualify for Davidson Young Scholars. I couldn't see getting an IQ test done for curiosity alone - we didn't have a question until it was for qualification. At your kids ages, I'd probably go with a standardized test you can give at home or consider the SCAT for Hopkins.