I don't know that as a catholic I could use VP online courses tho they are very cool. I don't really think kids this age need what you want for history or science but you might consider a Intelligo unit study for her. They have some samples you could try. Its very net heavy though. What about CLE?

I think EG plus daily grams would be overkill. I find the teacher guide handy. I know it seems pricy and maybe for gr 3 it isnt completely necessary if you are good at grammar. Another option is to ONLY buy the teacher guide and just make copies daily (which I am doing with EG7 right now).

We just started. I can't get anything accomplished in the deep dark doldrums of winter and we are really fairly relaxed anyway, so April, May and June are productive for us.

I have often been in that situation. It always makes me think of Cheaper by the Dozen and Unavoidable Delay. Things that worked well: card games like Uno/ go fish/ old maid/ memory match etc yahtzee puzzle games like mad libs, sudoku, word search etc electronics- the nintendo ds/ iPod Touch or iPod were created for these times if room allows for more active stuff, jump rope, ball, etc simple projects like stringing beads workbooks barbie dolls/ small toys

http://www.wfyi.org/radio/localPrograms/INByDegrees.asp This has been an interesting listen over the past few weeks and you may enjoy it.

Maybe cabin camping would be a good start.

I guess you are looking for a disagreement then. Enjoy! Im done!

I am no prude but I did comment elsewhere when I saw the illustrations in Galore Park that they'd never be used in the US. I don't think Id avoid GP bc of them but they are eyebrow raising. IIRC one of the Latin ones had a guy with a (beer?) bottle in hand chatting up a skimpily dressed girl.

I think the point is pretty clear when we are talking about kids and education. Having educated parents who seek out information and experience for their kids is invaluable. It is probably, IMO, the one biggest factor in whether or not kids develop a love of learning, and possible of academic success.

Well if you are bound and determined to be insulted by the fact that you have absolutely provided your kid with more cultural experiences than most people, then feel free to be bothered by it. Im not sure why its so upsetting to you to be told that your kids have been privileged to have parents who care enough to arrange these experiences for them.

I think you are thinking of a negative term - overprivileged and associating it with a neutral term - privilege. I can't spell either one apparently from my use of the spell check on this thread.;)

Wonder what they'd make of my marriage- college drop out mom home schools children of PhD. We qualified for free lunch, too. Guess we looked pretty funny on paper.

Exactly.

Truly.

Yahoo groups has a great secular sonlight group which would help you. I did SL secularly for eons and it can be done.

One does wonder about all these exceptional children. Makes them look not very exceptional when they are all qualifying. Reading level is complex and difficult to judge, I find.

I have heard that the newspaper is written to a 4th gr reading level. So it wouldn't surprise me if many adults were functionally at that level.

7. Catherine Called Birdy by Cushman 10. A Single Shard by Park Those are the only ones on your list I think are great. We really REALLy enjoyed: Beowulf* We prefer the Ian Serrellier version http://www.amazon.com/Beowulf-Warrior-Living-History-Library/dp/1883937035/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1305124670&sr=1-1 Canterbury Tales retold by Geraldine McCaughrean*

As a coach and scout leader dh has enjoyed gift cards to places like dunkin donuts, starbucks, Wawa and etc. Actually Wawa was a huge hit. LOL

Its not really about being able to afford things. Its the fact that the parents value these experiences enough to introduce them to their children. Privilege isnt a bad word.

yes, the word is privileged.

id skip shedd. Do the Willis/ sears tower though for sure. Also water tower place.

The principle of our local elementary told me that locally, kids who are behind in k or gr 1 tend to stay behind, NOT gain on peers by grade 3. My ds was dreadfully behind in gr 1 at age 7 according to the school. He received title 1 interventions which had him beginning to read simple books by the end of the year. I started homeschooling for gr 2 and he began to read quite well. At age 10 (gr 4) he was tested by a neuro psych and read at a grade 9 level. his spelling was at grade 2. He was diagnosed with dyslexia as well at that point. My other children taught themselves to read by age 5 or 6 as did both my husband and I. I could not answer your poll bc my first kid didnt learn to read until 7 or 8 and he has exceeded his peers. The rest are both probably slightly above grade level. Maybe more.

I think homeschooling in general can create that bond no matter what program you are using and no matter what age. I don't think homeschooling is a guarantee of a good or close relationship though. I guess as our kids get older maybe a shared interest outside of the academics would be good to have. Like tennis or theater or something.