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vonbon

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Everything posted by vonbon

  1. I read your post and this came to mind: https://www.daveramsey.com/blog/how-much-house-can-i-afford There's a good checklist of questions, though some of the info might not apply exactly to your situation. I find his advice to be conservative in a helpful/good way and very sound.
  2. vonbon

    .deleted

    If you think the hyper-sensitivity is more innate vs. solely a reaction to current life events, you might check out this book: The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron. It's a worthwhile read for those who would know more about their personalities or those of others in their lives. https://www.amazon.com/Highly-Sensitive-Person-Thrive-Overwhelms/dp/0553062182 It might be of help to you in understanding him. I wouldn't want to lead you down a rabbit trail, as, again, it might depend on whether or not you can ascertain if his reactions are due to his way of operating as a human being or a reaction to you/others or a combination of both.
  3. Another tactic: Look up some stats on the cost of replacing vehicles. Look at the cost of your vehicles compared to all other aspects of your budget/financial picture (for most people, vehicles are a very high %, usually second after a mortgage). Parking in the garage will extend the life/condition/resale value of the vehicle due to paint, seals, tires, etc., especially if you live in an area with high or freezing temps (not sure if $ is a motivation for your DH).
  4. Homeschool, kinda-sorta year-round. Meaning, we do homeschool "lite" in the summer to get through the entire math level for that year and to keep up with penmanship. 0-3 days per week throughout the summer. Planning to officially start July 31 this year so that we have the ability to flex time in the fall for some awesome opportunities/trips. Summer is hot and miserable here, so I load up the days where I can so we feel free to take advantage of the cooler/beautiful weather outside in the fall. It can lead to a certain burnout in which I feel like we never have a massive, true break. I can't believe how many voted "After Labor Day"! Wow! That's cool and something to think about...but, again, with the intense heat here and being stuck inside some summer days, I'd rather flex and be freer with our schedules in the nice weather months.
  5. I'll often just neatly write a "worksheet" on a blank sheet of paper by hand--right in the moment. For example, yesterday there was a concept in math (we use a curriculum, so I'm not inventing my own in this case) that DD needed extra practice on. The book made it too easy to figure out the right answers (hard to explain--it was a type of fractions game) and she didn't really fully get the concept. It would have taken too much time to either make up a worksheet document, search online for what we needed...it can take a lot of time to find things and then they aren't always exactly what we're trying to focus on. Lots of wasted time. And then DD loses focus in the meantime or we have to wait until the next day to follow up--hard to get back to the concept. So while she worked on another page, I went back and copied some of the fractions in question to a blank sheet, adding in more examples and harder problems. This probably took 1 minute or less to do. Then she went back and completed my worksheet. I've done this many times when we just need to laser-focus on something. Sometimes time will go by and I wonder if she remembers how to do certain things she learned a year/two years/several months ago. So I'll make up a "worksheet" on blank paper with a mix of operations and word problems. It could contain, for example, a $ problem, a fraction, addition, subtraction with regrouping, etc. I might make it 5-10 problems long--just a short page to do before our regular lesson. But that's in addition to the work she's completing in the curriculum we use. I'm not sure if that helps with what you're asking? Also, Family Math (book series; comes in 2 or 3 options and is geared towards different levels of learners--can be used with the whole family; more hands-on) comes to mind as a way to mix in interesting math. Sometimes I've used this when DD is just not getting along well with the regular curriculum we use. Have you seen it?
  6. This is what I don't understand about (some) people...Why can't they just hear and understand a boundary the first time? Once someone treads all over a boundary I'm trying to establish, I just give up. And then the coercion thing. That just pretty much causes me to wall up and say no to any further possible requests. I avoid people like this. Maybe not the best solution or the most adult solution, but I don't seem to be able to handle coercive types. It's like we're never going to be able to see eye-to-eye because they can't respect boundaries. It seems like some people are very "thick" in this regard. Like it takes being extremely direct, outspoken, and bordering on what I would consider rude, just to get some people to respect the boundaries of others. What am I missing? Someone please enlighten me, LOL!
  7. I know our Spelling Power came with a book, a blank/lined workbook for the student, and a box of idea cards (maybe 200 cards in it with various grade range levels). The book would be a must, the student's workbook would be helpful, but maybe not 100% required (maybe you could just use a notebook?)... I never used the box of idea cards for practice, as is crossed over a lot into other language arts areas. Cool ideas, but I already had enough going on for writing, reading, grammar, etc. So, IMO, the box is definitely not needed. We've never had or used a CD, so I don't know that that is necessary; maybe others could advise? Here's a link to the curriculum's website: http://www.spellingpower.com/ (Maybe that was already posted up-thread?) A quick search on Amazon shows the books are for sale new or used for a variety of prices (ranging from $5 to $50 to $90). My assumption is that the prices are based on the edition; it looks like there are at least 4 editions so you might want to research that. (Ours is an older edition and I cut out or changed just a few words that were more suited to the 1980's (can't remember what they were now. This only occurred a few times among hundreds of words.) The student record books are available on Amazon for about $8, new.
  8. A friend told me several months ago when we were talking about tithe that she views giving to the church as: Time, Talent, Treasure. I've heard this saying various places. In our marriage we've kept tithe as #1 each month for a long time, through financial hardship, underemployment, etc., but it's not always been perfect and definitely not easy. More stability financially = more ability to give regularly and generously, for us. You have to find a balance, though, with providing for the basic needs of those you are responsible for. So, for example, we would not eat out over tithing, but we would cook from scratch and feed our family over tithing--hope that makes sense. Each person has to find what's right/true for them. You will know. The fact that you are pondering the tithe, even as you face financial uncertainty yourself, shows your heart is oriented towards good. If it's not possible to give financially, maybe you could consider ways that you can give other types of "treasure", such as giving rides to an elderly person who doesn't have a car or who can't drive, passing on things that no longer work for your family (clothing, household items, etc.) to individuals you know are in need or to an organization that can disperse items to those in need... It can be hard for parents to give more time, as many are already stretched, but it is a way of giving and loving. IMO, serving others is a form of "tithe" because you are giving a percentage of the time you've been given and time is a gift we cannot manufacture, buy or save. [Not trying to start a theological discussion on the concept of tithing.] And then Talent: what skills do you have that would be a joy to share with others? That is a way of giving from the gifts you've been given, and it doesn't have to involve money, though it is often a sacrifice of time/energy. An example: my kids make awesome artwork that only kids can make, if you know what I mean; it has a childlike quality that cannot be found in stores--like all children's art. I spend a bit of time and money on making cards with the artwork (copying on cardstock, finding the right-sized envelopes, postage, etc.) and then we take some time to write notes of thankfulness or encouragement to those we love--not always family and friends--sometimes people who are servants in the church, teachers, coaches...This is a sacrifice of time that we could easily spend clearing other things off our plate, so to speak, but I think it's important to thank and encourage others, especially those who might not have a family of their own, who are new to the area, etc. Another example is inviting someone to dinner around the holidays, which can be a very lonely time for people who live alone, those who are widowed or living away from their families for some reason. These ideas involve, not so much a sacrifice of money, but of love, energy, some time, and just a bit of ingenuity to use what you have. Each person and family has unique talents to share with the world. I hope you can receive this with its intent: to encourage you. You probably already do many of these things. Just my unqualified opinion: I believe God loves each of his children and knows what we're capable of giving. He sees our struggles and knows our hearts. If we can be generous in a variety of ways, we will have done the right thing for our fellow man, ourselves, and will have brought glory God. It doesn't always have to be tied to money in a black-and-white way, especially if you yourself are under financial burden/hardship for a time.
  9. I'm right there with you, OP, in trying to find a mix and balance of activities that suit the whole family. It's hard. I can't speak from any experience with the age range and number of children you are mothering, but I do want to say that I think it's important to ensure that the basic needs of all are being met (baby refusing carseat might be an indication that it's out-of-balance)...Meaning, is everyone getting enough exercise, sleep, adequate nutrition, enough downtime to stay mentally/emotionally healthy, etc.--including you? Moms are human beings too and count as family members, LOL. As a "baby" of a family, I'd gently remind you to watch out for those younger ones if they are being constantly dragged around to activities for olders. My opinion is that littles need a lot of unstructured play time and free movement to meet developmental needs. It's difficult; no scenario or mix of things is ideal for everyone, but I try to remember each family member and how new opportunities might affect them. All of the other opportunities are awesome and good, but too many might equate to basic needs being out-of-balance for some family members. Good on you for trying to provide lots of enrichment for your people! I'm sure you've gotten lots of good advice; I'm going to comb through these posts because I need the info too. On a practical note, I have a nerdy Excel spreadsheet that I pull up each Fall, and then as needed throughout the year, that lists all of the activities the family is involved in (including homeschool, sports, enrichment activities, work, church, adult exercise, etc.). It has a little tally column that shows who I think benefits by each activity (there are gray areas; it's not perfect). Activities that rank highly--as in, they benefit all family members--are prioritized highest. Those activities that only benefit maybe 1 family member and are kind of a drag on everyone else's time/energy are prioritized lower. The higher activities are protected; the lower ones might be on the "chopping block" for the year, particularly if the participant is kind of "meh" about it. That leaves room in the schedule and with resources (energy, drive-time, etc.) to get people to the activities that are the most valuable. Sometimes I have to look at it "for the greater good of all" family members, but, of course, we try to do particular things if they are just super important to someone. I'm sure that increases in complexity with the number of family members. There seems to be a lot more pressure these days to have kids involved in many structured activities. I'm not trying to introduce another item to debate, just want to encourage you (and myself) to prioritize your health and sanity as a parent, remember that the downtime and contemplative moments of summer are very important--maybe even more important than we as humans know--and to remember that development is a life-long pursuit. You don't have to squeeze in every experience for your children. I'm reaching mid-life and am still trying new activities and skills...promote a life-long love of learning, fitness, skill...You and your children have years to find what they love-- Live at a sane pace with what works for you and your family. You sound like an engaged, loving parent who is trying to meet everyone's needs! ETA: We are 20-25 minutes from everything too. Very rural area without bike/walking lanes on highways, so all of the activities are dependent upon drivers (me and DH). No extended family support; carpooling doesn't usually work because people are spread out. Trying not to burn out! :)
  10. vonbon

    1776

    Cool--thanks! I just found Liberty's Kids yesterday when searching and my 8yo and 5yo watched one on the 4th. I paused the video several times to explain what was happening and to give context, as this isn't really the time period we've been studying for history. I think my 8yo enjoyed it, but 5 was a bit too young. Thank you!
  11. I love and often recommend Spelling Power. It's vintage-y and doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles. Here are the awesome advantages: - It recommends starting around age 8 and goes all the way up to adulthood. It's all contained in one book. If I wanted to fine tune my spelling skills as an adult, I could use the later sections. - The student's progress goes by skill, not by weekly lists to memorize. Feedback is instantaneous. If a student knows a word and gets it right the first time, they don't practice that word (no busy work--why practice what you already know?). The only words practiced are the ones the student missed. There's a very systematic way of practicing and I think the results are good for long-term retention. This method of laser-focusing only on words that need to be learned makes it efficient and productive for the student. - There is an initial test that shows where the student should be placed. So you wouldn't waste time on levels of spelling that are too easy nor too hard. - As the teacher, you can use a table in the book that shows what grade level your student is working at, but your student doesn't have to know. The book isn't formatted by grade level, but by skill level. - Words are grouped by phonics/spelling rules vs. randomly thrown together. - There are points of review to make sure the student is retaining what they've learned. - The student progress as quickly or slowly as they need to through the levels. - It's fast. I just use a tab to mark where we left off, open the book, and go. The book recommends working for a set period of time everyday. Sometimes we lengthen or shorten this a bit, depending. Once the words have been given by the teacher, the student can work independently to finish practicing/writing/writing sentences with the words for the day. I don't really have any vested interest in other people using this program, I just love it! It was recommended to us by a teacher who homeschooled her own kids and then went on to become a public/charter school/homeschool program coordinator for 20 years. Again, it's a bit vintage-y, so don't expect anything flamboyant or colorful if you check it out. I do think it's a quality curriculum that requires zero preparation time on my part and is pretty efficient for the student. Hope you find what works for you!
  12. vonbon

    1776

    Never heard of this film, but intrigued. I've been looking for patriotic music and shows/films on this subject for DC. What ages would you say this is appropriate for? Is it a film for the whole family or ? Thanks!
  13. Wow! You just labeled something I have feared, avoided, suffered guilt over, and experienced for years! I now have a name for it! Love it--"the black hole of bedtime"...Only I really feel guilty that I'm not cherishing every moment...truly-- It's my children's transition from wake to sleep...They're growing up so fast. It's a time of day I should be present for, but I'm always trying to escape it for my own sanity! :laugh:
  14. I'll probably come back and read the whole thread later b/c we have a lot of discussions about division of labor in our marriage too. We always have discussed it and I think we always will. One reason is DH and I do a lot of "crossover" jobs that maybe (?) traditionally fit into roles. For example, I'll weedeat and take stuff to the dump, assist our contractor with home improvement/remodel jobs. DH does any/all of this too but is also engaged with the kids when needed. I pay the bills but DH does the investing, for example. He does most of the gardening/livestock but I fill in when he travels for work. I always mop; he always changes the oil...We both have to accept how the other person gets the job done. It's taken years to get to a good spot and it's still not always smooth sailing. What's stressful is when our plates are too full in general and then everyone has to operate at "peak performance" to get everything done. That's when the claws tend to come out and we have little grace for each other. I'm finally wising up and wondering if we might need to cut back a little to maintain peace in our home. (Not saying this is possible for all families, as sometimes you have to what you have to do to provide...) For us, maybe we've added in too many optional things. We are starting to schedule down time and buffer time (as a family, as a couple, as individuals). A couple of thoughts: - I make lists for everything! Maybe you don't need that scaffolding, OP, as you said. For DD8, I make little index cards for certain backpacks that list ALL of the required items/actions (swim bag, for example...school bag, etc.). They can be laminated and punched to go on a ring. I'm slowly teaching her to check for due library books and pack that bag as well. Library cards are attached to the library bag with a ring. It takes time to make these types of cards/lists, but I try to set aside a little downtime to do it here and there because it does pay dividends in terms of time, energy, training, etc. - Chore charts are very detailed here and include pictures/drawings for the non-reader and words for the reader. Just 15 seconds for me to flip through the cards (they're homemade cards so they're very specific jobs for our house/family) each morning or the night before and hang up the ones that truly need doing. - I use a lot of "bins" (square-ish with handles) and set them out for any number of days ahead that I need to to keep everyone organized. These are all packed in advance--the night before or a few days before. I can attach a scrap paper to the handle with a clip that might have a specific note on it like, "Remember sunscreen and bug spray before going out of the door!" and then I put the spray and sunscreen right in the bin. If we have a big out-of-town trip and there are a lot of things to remember, I might even start throwing things in to the bin weeks ahead of time and store it in the spare room. I label it with "San Francisco" or whatever destination to remind me of what it's for. Randomly, the kids will remember something in the days/weeks leading up to the event and I'll tell them to go throw it in the bin or throw a note into the bin for some related task. Maybe you don't need this, but for a family or people with issues remembering (me), it helps greatly! - We are at Year 17 of marriage and I foresee these "Division of Labor" conversations going on basically for the rest of life. Because life changes and availability of each partner changes over time. We have to keep negotiating and "using our words" to communicate what changes need to happen to keep everyone sane and healthy. Change can be made on any given day of your life! So just because something's been a certain way for 13 years doesn't mean it can't change. Change is way more possible, obviously, with 2 willing parties. Maybe you guys can shift from the defensive/argumentative stage of negotiating to impersonal/objective conversations of just, "Hey, I'm burned out/unavailable...I need help with XYZ...I'm using my Big Girl Words and asking for your help...and what can I do to make your life easier...?" - At some level I've just accepted DH isn't going to remember certain details so I try to prep as much stuff as possible ahead of time so the details hopefully get done without me there. At some point I started letting him fail/flail here and there with things like remembering his phone, calendar, etc. I just can't handle my own mental load and someone else's and the kids'... I couldn't bear his stress and my own. I refuse to be an enabler, his mom, or a nag. Sometimes his work stuff would bleed over, as he works out of the house. I finally said, "Either make your own packing lists (lots of gear for weeklong, outdoor work trips, for example) or suffer the consequences. I can't set aside the time I've already budgeted for my work to deal with your work too." I stopped swooping in to "rescue"...Like OP's DH, he is incredibly capable, bright, intelligent, good at what he does...he just didn't used to be super organized or planned or he'd procrastinate and then I'd have to pitch in last-minute. He stressed a bit and floundered and then eventually didn't like that and came up with his own systems. - We meet and share our calendars every week on Sundays. After me being driven crazy about DH's scheduling for years. He used to not write anything down. He used to keep 4 separate calendars--totally disorganized. He was very focused on his own schedule and wouldn't add any of my/kids' events to his pages. :001_rolleyes: This affected everyone in the family. I finally conveyed that it was an issue of respect to care about the other person's time/energy/schedule for the week and to communicate ahead of time to avoid issues/arguments. I hate to fly by the seat of my pants in terms of availability and DH's schedule varies greatly. We write down the other's schedule day-by-day and even months ahead if possible. Then we know to expect extra stress surrounding certain events and know that we'll have to fill in a bit more with work/support of each other. Working on this process has taken about a decade, literally, but it's much better now. It's been worth it. We've had a lot of discussions about "when we signed up for parenting"...I (woman/wife/mom) didn't plan on taking on XYZ...these items should be shared...we need boundaries...reshaping of expectations of the other person/life...etc. My DH is a gem and I hope none of this is read as bashing. I'm crazy about him and I have my fair share of junk to improve upon. I dunno if either of us has ADD, but a lot of conversing and changing has had to happen as we "grow up" together. It's all been worth it. I hope some small nugget helps. Maybe I'm off-base and you're talking about something altogether different. Either way, best of luck as you make changes for the better in your marriage! P.S. If you can find a good counselor = totally worth it! Could save you a lot of heartache...not always necessary and you can get to a better point either way, but can be extremely beneficial for learning how to live life better and work towards each other's strengths...
  15. I love board books! My #1 baby gift/shower gift is to start a family off with a small collection (or add to theirs). Another vote for Big Red Barn (My favorite. I'll probably save that one forever.) and Jamberry. I also enjoyed the original Olivia, but not so much the other ones. A few from my kiddos: Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
  16. I guess we're still in the way-too-controlling phase of parenting. Or maybe it's just us and we always will be. I don't think any of this would fly with DH; it wouldn't fly with me...b/c: #1 When Mom or Dad say it's time to brush teeth and get ready for bed (peacefully, cheerfully), you do it--no matter your age. We all have limits. I still hate going to bed after almost 4 decades of it! But I try not to roll around on the floor and kick and scream every night about it. It wouldn't set a good example for the children. Maybe I should start demanding peanuts for getting into bed on time. :laugh: #2 No eating after brushing teeth. If it happens for some odd reason, you brush again. (We've had cavities even after being super-on-top of teeth brushing/flossing, so ??? we stay pretty militant about it.) #3 We don't count. (Like "By the time I count to three...") #4 I think Bribery is a good tool to have in the toolbox to use sparingly, but for getting into bed? Maybe for a 3yo who's in a phase of defiance...I tried to bribe/reward with more bedtime stories at that age. Gosh I feel like an ogre after typing this out. BTW, I don't think any of the scenario indicates someone's necessarily practicing bad parenting...just way too loosey-goosey for me. Maybe in time I'll ease up and :chillpill: !
  17. I see OP found a solution, but for anyone else looking for ideas: A futon that converts into a queen-sized bed. It's not too low to the ground and it works for my 6' tall father. Prior to this, we had a hard time finding solutions that were long enough for him; his feet would be hanging off the end of a double, which many futons and sofa sleepers are. It's not my favorite style of furniture but it's not bad, but it works well in an office/homeschool storage room, can be put into a more upright position to make more floor space, and it's comfortable to sleep on. About $400-500 cost. We're using it as a spot for kids' quiet times and reading during the 90% of time that no one needs it for a bed. It takes up less space than a normal queen, which would really limit the floor space and use of the room. My other thought had been a Murphy bed. There are some companies that specialize in sleeper sofas, I guess in high-demand markets like large cities where many people are looking for sleeping solutions in tight spaces: http://www.sleepersinseattle.com/
  18. Totally agree with this. Have thought on it many times and come to this same conclusion. We are already (mostly) screen-free (no TV, no video games)...I minimize distractions already...they do chores/work as part of what makes a family function in a healthy way... And I very rarely hold outside activities over their heads as punishment for behavioral issues with schoolwork because they really need those activities to be healthy and balanced. When I have taken these opportunities away (i.e., "You won't get to go to X event this afternoon because you couldn't finish Y on time."), it has never been a positive or effective way to turn morale or behavior around. Not saying a parent doesn't have the right-- Just saying it hasn't resulted in a better outcome. I have cancelled activities based on flat-out bratty behavior, but not for failing to meet the pace I've set for completion of schoolwork. Usually I re-assess and discover that I've been expecting too much for my children's ages/stages.
  19. P.S. When I was in what sounded like your shoes, trying to make decisions about homeschooing/private/public/etc., I too stressed about the long-term and things like if my children would be able to obtain diplomas/college entrance at the end of the road. My husband had finally had enough of all the ruminating and issued a decree that we would take things one (1!) year at a time, not 18. It was truly overwhelming to try to make a decision that reached so far into the future and I did not have the grace to do so. We continue to take this one year at a time--as many do--and, while I do not lose sight of our long-term goals for our children, I can now easily see that there are many, many steps between Kindergarten and college. There is freedom to try things out at your daughter's age and see where the road takes you.
  20. A really good resource that might set your mind and ease and give you and your child a great start in Reading, Writing, and Math would be The Three R's by Ruth Beechick. It can be had for about $10 on Amazon. This series/book was recommended to me by several veteran homeschoolers when we started a few years ago. I just re-read it last week to refresh my mind, though I'm introducing my second student to reading and feel fairly confident in the process. It's a quick read and always sets my mind at ease. It's not very long page-wise. The steps are numbered and it covers up to about grade 3 so there's some longevity with its use. The series reminds me to be diligent and steady at the same time as revealing that this is not "rocket science"! It is totally possible for an adult with good intent, a good work ethic, and a willingness to learn, to teach their child to read! It's a very common-sense, no-nonsense, tried-and-true, "old-school" approach to reading that works and is so very much less stressful than many other resources I've read on the subject. It's gentle and written in a humble, confident tone. Whether you decide to homeschool or not, this book is a classic and could help any parent support their child in reading (and the other 2 main primary subjects). Highly worth the 2 hours (or fewer?) it would take to read through the series. (I'm using "series" and "book" interchangeably with this resource because mine is a set of 3 mini-books (Reading, Writing, and Math) while the one I found on Amazon is bound into 1 book.)
  21. Dot-to-Dot for counting? Some are only #1-10 and some go into the 100's... Though I noticed my K'er would have missed a few numbers if I hadn't been snooper-vising, so they're not necessarily 100% hands-off. Some ideas that are independent but not worksheets (I hope this is helpful, as I'm not sure from your post if you're only looking for worksheets or are open to anything independent for a K'er): - geoboards - puzzles - Perler beads (fine motor) - sand/salt tray - Do-a-Dot worksheets - matching nuts/bolts Is he ready for Explode the Code 1? Sometimes I consider having my K'er do worksheets independently (and sometimes it's possible, depending), but I get what you said, OP, about regretting the HWT worksheets done independently. There's just too much risk (for me) of the student developing bad habits with letter formation that I will then have to spend a lot of time on later to un-do, not to mention confusion/frustration on their parts. This goes for lots of skills: counting, phonics, etc. Maybe I'm too controlling; I'd just rather everything be learned the correct way in the first place, so I haven't had my K'er do many worksheets alone. Another thought for cutting/pasting is collages from magazines or challenges like: "find 10 letter E's in this newspaper ad; cut out/paste to another sheet" or "from this magazine, find/cut out 5 natural subjects and 5 man-made objects and paste onto 2 labeled sheets" or "find and circle 10 things in this catalog that start with the "M" sound"...Some of these things can be free but require a little thinking/planning ahead (not sure if you are needing/preferring open-and-go). Hope you find some good solutions!
  22. We're using Singapore 3A/3B this year for 3rd grade and I've been right in the thick of what you're asking about. We've used Singapore every year so far. I really like the Singapore approach but the multiplication/division units have driven me a bit crazy this year. The units flip-flop back and forth a lot between the two operations, which would be OK/good but...then there are some big leaps (to my mind's way of working) between a simple multiplication concept (5 x 3 = 15, for example) to a fairly complex concept (long division, for example). It doesn't seem like there are enough small steps for the student in between...(But I've never written a math book, so take it for what it's worth, LOL.) Some problems in the units in 3B require some fluency with the concepts of earlier units in 3A. That's obvious--I know math is a series of "building blocks" but it's stressful to me because I want things in a neat little package and to finish the level this year. :001_rolleyes: For example, the student needs to be able to (long division) divide dollars/cents ($49.50 / 9) so if they haven't mastered long division prior to this unit, the $ and decimal are only going to cause more confusion... I prefer to teach concepts by using concrete, real-life application or meaningful manipulatives before jumping to the algorithm. My reasoning for this is that, as a child, I became very good at algorithms, but had almost zero understanding of what they actually meant in real life. So an "A" in math for many years equated to, well...a very confused adult! I'm trying to help my children obtain number-sense early on in life rather than them gaining it post-college, as I did. LOL It's been difficult for me this year to maintain a good pace through Singapore because the leaps are too big and require too much abstract work without including these concrete concepts. I'm not satisfied with DD just acquiring the steps/algorithms. I want them to mean something--as much as possible for an 8-year-old, anyway. I know some true understanding will come later as life requires more daily application of math. Anyway, I've made peace with Singapore 3A/B: For DD to focus on new concepts rather than getting bogged down, math fact fluency is essential. We purchased Reflex Math a year ago for -/+ fact fluency and she's now becoming fluent/fast with multiplication/division facts through 12. I'm requiring it or some game or activity to increase fluency everyday. These skills can only help her in life, so it's not lost time. To reduce my own stress about the pace, we've left some parts of the division units to circle back to in a few months and have worked our way through Time, some capacity stuff, graphs/tables, etc. This way, we're not just in a "holding pattern" and should be able to finish 3A/B before beginning 4th grade. FWIW, I've consulted with a really experienced teacher who has seen many test scores (20+ years) of students. She confirmed that Singapore is generally at least half-year (if not more) ahead in terms of the normal standards per each grade. Other posters have confirmed that here on the boards. DD did some standardized testing (a nationally-known type that is well-respected) this year and did well in Math; it was a confirmation that we're on the right path. Our "way" on the path is to really slow down to a crawl sometimes to make sure those concepts are rock-solid, sometimes circling back around when things get too tough. I don't want to create a dislike of math because my expectations of staying on a particular pace through a curriculum are too rigid. A few more thoughts: It does seem to me that sometimes students just aren't developmentally ready to "grasp" knowledge that is presented--either brain-wise or just interest-wise, so I gently introduce and then come back in a few months' time. Usually that's way better for all involved than the times I've tried to push through when DD is not ready. Many veteran educators/HS'ers have written about this. DD is on the younger side for her grade and didn't seem ready for some of the -/+ concepts in Singapore 2A/B at the time last year. I used the same way of jumping ahead to simpler concepts (geometry, graphing, etc.) to keep a good pace and then coming back to the harder ones later. It resulted in us actually finishing 2B at the beginning of this schoolyear (3 or 4 units left?) but it worked out really well. We're on pace to do the same this year. We'll probably do very "light" homeschooling this summer just to continually build on these math concepts in a gentle way. I wrote a lot; hopefully you can glean something from my angst over the last few months/years! Not stressing anymore about the Singapore pace! :001_smile: Best wishes for you to find your way too!
  23. Another vote for the Pea Coat. I have a black wool one from Gap that's about a decade old. It can go with Converse and jeans or over a pretty dress. Fits your length requirement. It's warm. If it's really cold, I'll wear 2-3 layers underneath and it's plenty warm enough. I get it cleaned each season and use a lint brush in between. At the end of the season I store it in a garment bag. After a decade it's got a little pilling going on but I don't think it's noticeable and it'll be usable for a long time to come. Another thought about warmth but little bulkiness for things like cold winter soccer practice: Have you thought about a silk "long johns" shirt? They add zero bulkiness and are great for hiking or any activity where you need warmth but don't want thick layers. Silk's not cheap but it's breathable, durable, can last for many years, and is easily hand-washed/line-dried. These kind of undershirts can be found at outdoor retailers (Cabela's, Bass Pro, Sierra Trading Post, etc.) and probably Amazon.
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