We've read a few of these books. I'll request then again from the library. Thanks!

Alternately, he *just* turned 10. Maybe I should just give it time, until we come to it in algebra in 6th grade?

He specifically mixes up concepts of perimeter, area, and volume. If I ask him for the area of a rectangle, he asks if that's adding the sides or multiplying. If I ask, what's the perimeter of a square with area of 25, he doesn't see how they are related. It's like his brain just doesn't register or remember these few, specific topics. It's something I've seen in classes of public school 10th graders with weak math backgrounds, but this kid has excellent algebra skills, so I'm struggling to find the disconnect. I'm wondering if he needs hands-on materials to work with?

DS10 is finishing up BA5, and is having trouble with remembering/understanding the definitions of, and relationships between, perimeter, area, surface area, and volume, which has come up again in chapter on exponents. He gets stuck with questions such as, "Given a cube with volume of 27 cubic cm, what is the surface area?" He has absolutely no trouble with the algebra, it is only the geometric concepts that he is struggling with. I looked back to the section on shapes in an earlier book and he went through it quickly and without much trouble (that I remember, and from the info saved in BA online). We were planning on starting AoPS Pre-Algebra in the fall, after spending the summer working through the first two chapters of Jacobs Mathematics a Human Endeavor, which I think he will enjoy. However, I think we should add in some geometry practice/review over the summer related to perimeter, area, volume. Now that BA online has videos, I will have him go back and watch the videos from the earlier sections that relate. Can you recommend any other textbook, workbook, novel, video series, website, manipulative, whatever that will help him get a better grasp on these *specific* topics? Thanks very much.

For the same reason that it is recommended that children use computers in family spaces, not closed off in their room, is why children should not take cellphones into their rooms. The temptation to read/watch/click/snap something when no one is looking is real, and until they are able to make better decisions, screens should be used in common spaces only.

Many years ago, when we were in the thick of trying to keep our oldest out of an extremely unhealthy teen relationship, we had taken DS's cell phone and computer access away. "The Girl" gave him her own phone and then used her mother's to communicate with him. It was a very difficult few years, from which I don't think we (or he) has fully recovered from yet. (((Hugs and strength)))

I am planning to reread/skim through several books: Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics (Ma) Teaching from Rest (Mackenzie) Mere Motherhood & A Handbook to Morning Time (Rollins) TWTM 4th Ed (the sections for K, 2nd, and 5th specifically) I am planning to read for the first time: differently wired: raising an exceptional child in a conventional world (Reber) Rethinking School (SWB) Teaching Students to Read Nonfiction (Boynton & Blevins) Tweens, Tough Times, & Triumphs: Homeschooling in the Middle Grades (Farrar!) I will probably listen to all of the SWB audio lectures that I have. I don't usually listen to podcasts but I might poke around a few that I know of to see if any titles catch my interest. That's it for homeschool stuff. I also would like to renew my teaching license this fall, so I am going to study for the Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) MTEL exam and look into what else I need to do to renew.

This is phenomenal, thank you! I'm making rough long-term plans for DS10, who will start 5th in the fall. I am going to make up a life-skills list to round out the academic stuff. Thanks!

Yes! We are going to follow this order: https://www.amctheatres.com/amc-scene/the-best-way-to-rewatch-the-mcu . I know DS10 is itching to see them (and I'm thankful that we homeschool because he has had a few instances being teased by peers because he hasn't yet.) However, I'm waiting until he's a *wee* older to tackle the complete mess that is 'early' Tony Stark, may he RIP. 😭

Oh. That would be catastrophic here. 😲 I think my husband owns >50 Great Courses on Audible, nevermind our kids' book collection!

I've just started working my way through the Star Wars movies with DS10. We are doing one per month until Episode IX comes out in December, which we will see in the theatre. Next year, I'm planning on watching the Marvel Movies with him. I want to buy the movies, so that he can rewatch them with his brothers as they get older. What do you think, given current technology and thoughts about the future, is the best format to buy the movies?

I need to find an electrician to do upgrades in my bathroom, as well as someone to replace the (rotten, broken) bathroom window. I just *loathe* calling and trying to arrange this stuff. But, if I don't take care of it before the end of June, DH will attempt to do it himself and that... can't happen. Nope. When those things are finished, I'll need to paint, as well as replace the bathroom floor tile and refinish/replace the vanity. I'm pretty sure I can handle those myself. Let's not mention the overgrown garden beds...

Gah! Sorry. Pencils: STABILO Easygraph Handwriting Pencils - HB - Left Handed - Light Blue Barrel - Pack of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HB4SKDM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_tZx5Cb0NHA3BA Book: Activities for Fine Motor Skills Development Grades PreK-1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743936892/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_K2x5CbPM15QEB

I bought Farrar's book last night; should be here tomorrow! FWIW, I skimmed The Brave Learner a few weeks back and it was a bit too un-school-y for me but I did appreciate the talk about not having nice furniture in the early years (my boys have already broken one couch!). It also spurred me to put out all the art supplies where the kids could access them any time the desire struck- this has been great for them.

Title, please!

This is brilliant! Thank you!

I don't have a circle, but occasionally with my bff if one of us is having issues (mental, physical, emotional, marital, etc.). I'm 45 exactly!

DS10 has been using Little Latin Readers for the last two years (3rd & 4th), averaging 15 minutes/day, 4 days/week. We will continue with the last 3 books next year, and I expect we will spend closer to 20-30 minutes/day, 4 days/week as the books get harder. We will be adding Portuguese in the fall for 5th grade, using Bom Dia textbook and workbook with my SIL as our tutor (her parents are immigrants and she's fluent). The WTM (4th ed.) options for two languages are: [quickly] 1hr/day EACH, 3-4 days per week or [slowly] 1hr/day EACH, 2 days per week. If you have done two languages (modern + Latin or whatever), how much time did you spend on it and do you think it was enough/not enough to learn them both? Did you do both each day, alternate, or something else? Any other advice for learning two languages at once?

Have you ever visited the public school? Before ruling it out completely, you should ask for a tour and check it out yourselves, rather than relying on other people's scary anecdotes. (I went to a private school that was extremely well-regarded, I could tell you stories that would make your hair curl.)

I've also borrowed the book "Your Left-Handed Child" from the library a few times. It was helpful, as we don't have any other lefties in the family, besides DS7.

My just-turned-5yr old still instinctively picks up his pencil with a first grip (though he's a righty). We have been working on how to hold a pencil correctly for writing and he can, when prompted, change his grip to tripod. I have had him working with small beads & pipe cleaners, lacing cards, and tweezers & cotton balls for developing hand/finger strength and pincher grip. I also bought him these pencils (I also bought a left-handed set for my lefty DS7). I bought this book, and will use it through his kindergarten year next year, until his grip is automatic.

DS10 started Latin in 3rd with Little Latin Readers. There is a small reader, a workbook, and a pronunciation CD for each level. I like the readers very much. He will finish the books next year (5th) and then go on to Henle.

DH has a 40V RYOBI cordless mower and weed whacker: https://www.homedepot.com/s/ryobi%2040%20volt?NCNI-5 He really likes them both.

That makes sense. I haven't diagrammed anything since grade school! I'm looking forward to Grammar for the Well Trained Mind next year (DS10 not so much).

We decided to try and diagram a sentence out of the Kilgallon book today. He's been diagramming in FLL4, but this sentence is a bit more complicated than what he's done yet. How did we do?