Monopoly.....AAAGGHHHH!!! But you are right. Maybe I can pass that one off to Dad. ;) I may need to just buy the extra practice pages. When we first moved to singapore, it was amazing how much it helped his math understanding. We seem to have just hit a block. He also tends to be my lazy kid, so lazy + math just doesn't make a great combo.

Thank you everyone for your answers! I'm off to google all of these games & resources and to read the previous thread. Thank you!

Funny, I hadn't even gotten to this point in reading the replies and I already replied to someone that I suggest dyscalculia with the youngest and I need to pursue testing. I am unsure as to how to even begin.....ugh.

We use Singapore math. The 8 1/2 year old is in book 2B and the almost 11 year old is in 4A. We were using math u see until October of 2015, but changed because it did not work in any way, shape, or form for the younger, and was only so-so for the older. Singapore is a definite improvement. And to be honest, with the 8 year old it is more than just a "struggle with math." I'm very close to taking him in to be tested for discalculia. Today, looking at a number such as 138, he could not tell me "one hundred thirty eight." He has almost no number sense at all, and still writes 3s & 6s backwards. He is an excellent writer & speller & reader, with no letter reversals. I just don't even know where to begin to have him tested for that. If someone knows, chime in! The almost 11 year old has fine number sense, he just is not detail oriented and so makes silly mistakes. But his math understanding is excellent. Does that help?

Help! I have two kids (boys, age 8 & 10) who still struggle with math. The 8 year old in particular just has absolutely no math sense and struggles with being overwhelmed with it. They are both a solid grade level if not more behind (some of that is due to just moving slow because I whole heartedly believe that most of math is developmental and we very much lean toward short lessons, but some is just because they are not math-y and struggle a bit). So, this year I am dubbing our summer the "summer of math!" I am looking for anything we can use to bolster their math skills & conceptual understanding. Games, fun math books, supplements, etc. Anyone have any great resources? Tell me anything & everything!

Thanks so much everyone! Lots of good ideas. I don't think it's a severe need, it's just that I never had anyone model appropriate behavior/how to interact with others/how to have healthy friendships at all in my childhood. I have learned so much with as adult, but still feel awkward and completely unsuitable to be the one to help him through situations. *I* need help!! (And I've considered getting it...) My husband is a preacher of a 300+ person congregation and I thrive there and have no problem, but it is not natural for me and I have to think through everything which is just exhausting. I don't think that if you surveyed our congregation that anyone would consider me to be socially awkward, though. My son is a lot like me, and I would like to give him more help and support than I got. He is finishing his baseball season and we are looking into more extracurriculars for fall. There is an excellent speech group near which is high on our list. And I will definitely look into that book - thanks for the recommendation! Off to google classes now! (And improv - genius idea!)

Interesting. What would a class this like even be called? How would I even google that? My 10 year old learns from reading in general, especially if he can read, then discuss and model secondly. He inputs best from the written word (which is why all the modeling and coaching we have done for 10 years now just hasn't helped!). It's how he learns sports techniques, etc.

Is that an actual genre? Will she understand what I mean? I've never heard that reference before. (Just want to make sure the librarian would actually understand what I mean!)

Hey all! (I feel so bad because I only ever get on here to post a question. But I know that you all would know!) I have a 10 year old boy who is not the greatest with interpersonal relationships. He is extremely outgoing and extroverted, but he doesn't understand the intricacies of friendships - mostly the give and take that relationships require, even in conversation. Does anyone have any helpful resources that I can use with him? I am not the best at personal relationships, either, so I can use all the help I can get! I know that there are a slew of books for girls about these topics (like all of those American Girl guides), but do those exist for boys? I am at such a loss as to how to help him learn to be a friend and how to connect with people. Coming from a background where there are a few narcissists in my family, I am probably being overly sensitive to his quirks, I realize. Thanks for any advice you can give me!

As much as I have poured over their heigh requirements, I missed that phone number completely! I'll have to call tomorrow. Thank you!

We are planning a trip to SDC in the near-ish future, but I have a question that I cannot find the answer to. Several of their rides say "48 inches" BUT "guests taller than 42 inches can ride with a supervising companion." For some of the rides I have 3 kids that fall into that middle range - too short to ride independently, but can ride with an adult. So, here's my question - can one adult supervise multiple kids on a ride? Legoland drives me batty for this very reason - my husband and I have never been able to take our four children alone - we have to find other adults to go with us because they have a one to one rule - one adult can only supervise one kid. (WOW! That was a lot of hyphens!) Are we gonna get stuck if we take them to Silver Dollar City in the same type of situation? We will have 4 kids and 2 adults. The oldest child is finally tall enough to ride everything independently. Will my husband and I be able to take the three in between kids or are we going to have to continuously switch on and off. (And Legoland in Florida doesn't even have rider swapping - MOST ANNOYING THEME PARK EVER) Thanks to anyone who can answer this question for me!! And I'm sorry if this doesn't make any sense, please ask for clarification if I've muddled it all up. =)

Sorry! I should have specified - this one: http://creationmuseum.org Although I'm pretty sure that we have friends that have worked pretty closely with the one in Glen Rose. That would be neat to go to, as well! Someone upthread mentioned the Ark Encounter - it opens this summer, so we are planning to do the Ark Encounter & the Creation Museum together. Thanks to everyone for the great responses! I'm off to start googling some more now.

Okay - I know that people feel strongly about the Creation Museum. I am NOT looking to debate it. I am asking for help in planning a trip to visit it. So, if you don't support the existence of the Creation Museum, this probably isn't the thread for you. :001_smile: I only ask here because I know that there probably ARE boardies who have visited or at the very least live in the area and can help me out. We are planning a trip in the fall, but have never been to that part of the country before. I have some questions and need your advice. 1) Would September or October be a better time to visit? Or even November? 2) Is there anything else interesting to do in the general area (within a 3 hour radius)? We have at least a week to spend, so we would like to see anything else of interest in the area. Historical sites, museums, nature sites, cultural sites, etc. Anything! We are coming from the Memphis area, so anything in between would work, too. 3) Where would be the best place to look for lodging? What town? We are also wanting to visit the new ark encounter. Thanks everyone!

A couple of weekends ago at a homeschool conference I heard of brain training. They had THREE different speakers giving talks regarding brain training. And another company there as well. Then last week, I pull into our local outdoor mall, and one of the companies has a center at the mall (it was LearningRX for the curious). I found it fascinating, but not entirely convinced. Does anyone have any experience with brain training? Any information? Any articles you've read on it saying yes it works, or no, it's bogus? I just found it so odd that there were so many brain trainers for speakers. Is this the new "trend?"

Thanks for the suggestions! Off to google around. =)

But my question still stands, so if you're here, go ahead and comment away! =)

Okay - I am SO sorry folks - seems something is glitchy and now I have THREE posts about the same thing. My missing post appeared 10 minutes later - twice! I would go and delete some or edit the titles at least, but have no clue how to do that. So sorry I'm plugging up the feed here!

Okay - I already tried to post this once and then lost my post. Agh! I am looking for a resource to use in our morning time next year with what will be 3rd & 5th grade boys (one of each). Neither one has had much formal grammar (we are pretty close to Charlotte Mason purists). I am wanting to incorporate short grammar lessons into morning time - basic parts of speech, simple sentence diagramming, and basic use of the rules which govern our use of the English language - particularly when written. Similar to what Cindy Rollins used to do when she diagrammed sentences in her morning time - just a simple thing that takes just a few minutes, but over time created a strong foundation. So, is there some amazing resource that would lend itself well to this type of setup? Or would I be best served just getting a grammar book and muddling it into short lessons myself? And any recommendations for a well laid out book on general grammar? I'm annoyed now because my first post was so much more well-worded, but I'm too irritated that it got lost to think it out that well again. I hope you still get the gist of what I'm asking! :lol:

I'm so happy they added descriptions back in!!! I just went and requested a catalog for fun.

Hello all! I am looking for a resource that I am hoping exists somewhere or something close enough that I can tweak it. We are *almost* Charlotte Mason purists, and so we have withheld most formal grammar instruction. My oldest really needs to learn grammar, though, so that he can progress in language studies (he's doing Greek with his dad - I've suggested that his dad just teach him English grammar through the Greek, but he didn't like my suggestion. :lol: ) So - I am looking for something that will guide me through grammar lessons that I can do with my boys orally during morning time next year. Basic parts of speech, simple diagramming, basic rules one should follow to stay within the conventions of the English language, etc. I know I could find something just for the 5th grader, but it would just be nice to do it in tiny snippets together. Something along the lines of what Cindy Rollins used to do - just diagram a sentence each day and discuss it. But I need the very, very starting point. So - anything to recommend? Is there something that would lend itself well to this setup? Besides me just getting a basic grammar book and muddling through myself? The boys will be in 3rd & 5th grade NEXT year when we begin. Thank you!!

Hello all! I am looking for a resource that I am hoping exists somewhere or something close enough that I can tweak it. We are *almost* Charlotte Mason purists, and so we have withheld most formal grammar instruction. My oldest really needs to learn grammar, though, so that he can progress in language studies (he's doing Greek with his dad - I've suggested that his dad just teach him English grammar through the Greek, but he didn't like my suggestion. :lol: ) So - I am looking for something that will guide me through grammar lessons that I can do with my boys orally during morning time next year. Basic parts of speech, simple diagramming, basic rules one should follow to stay within the conventions of the English language, etc. I know I could find something just for the 5th grader, but it would just be nice to do it in tiny snippets together. Something along the lines of what Cindy Rollins used to do - just diagram a sentence each day and discuss it. But I need the very, very starting point. So - anything to recommend? Is there something that would lend itself well to this setup? Besides me just getting a basic grammar book and muddling through myself? The boys will be in 3rd & 5th grade NEXT year when we begin. Thank you!!

At this point in my life I wouldn't think anything of it. When I first started teaching in a public school, I had a hair issue that kept me from blow drying it for several months. I remember I did go to the principal and explain that I was showing up to work with my hair wet, but that it was because I had a medical issue and couldn't blow dry it, and didn't really want to wake up hours early so it would dry (my hair is very thin and if it's not washed freshly each morning it is greasy and looks gross and dirty - NOT appropriate for work). It's funny now to me that I felt I needed to explain my wet hair to her, but I just really didn't want her to think I was being disrespectful of my job or lazy.

We are planning to do the Whole 30 in April - maybe I'll notice something then! We actually moved to the Memphis area last year - I did add taking zyrtec two weeks ago wondering if the sudden spring bloom could be triggering them. Thanks, everyone, for the input. And it's nice to know that I''m not the only one, though I hate it for everyone else who suffers with them. I'll definitely be finding a new neurologist, because I am sure things have changed since I went last! I got a migraine when I woke up yesterday, slept until 4:30, then went back to bed by 9 and slept until 7 this morning. So I'm thinking that last one may have been triggered by exhaustion. :crying: That's normally my main trigger - lack of sleep or stress.

The nauseousness & wanting to keep your eyes closed makes me think of a migraine. Migraines create terrible nausea. And strangely, if you can vomit, it often releases a lot of the pressure and helps the migraine to subside or lessen. Many migraine sufferers I know will actually cause themselves to vomit for that release. I've been known to occasionally, just to turn the tide of the migraine pain. However, I've never had a migraine WITHOUT an aura, so the aura is always my giveaway. So I'm not really sure how people differentiate migraine from regular headache - severity & other symptoms I suppose. I'm no help! Whatever it is, it sounds miserable.

Do you mean that you could circumvent the aura? Or the pain?