We are very imperfect Charlotte Masoners here. I use SWR; I just shorten the lessons and don't feel a bit guilty if I haven't done as many words on the list as is recommended per day. I think trying to follow philosophies/methods to a "T" is just a burden that we shouldn't put on ourselves - and I'm sure even Charlotte Mason would agree with that.

bump - any other CMers want to chime in on these topics (listening to multiple narrations and setting up the reading for the day?) :)

I like the idea of creating Book Notes. Do you have a set time that you try to sit down and do this? I'm trying to learn how to utilize and schedule my time better to address all the different demands of life. I'll definitely check out your blog with those notes to see if I can use any. Thanks for that! As far as narrations, I'm getting the feeling that I am probably just going to have to relax and do as best as we can. I wonder if CM addressed (or any Parents' Review articles were written to address) this particular issue of listening to narrations from different children on different levels as a home educator.

Thanks, woolybear - what do you mean by notebook groups? And, as far as the picture study groups, are you referring to the groups that aren't used for posting messages but have the files listed by year, term, etc. with the prints to be studied? Do you just print from your printer or have them done somewhere else? (Sorry for all of the questions!) BTW, one of my favorite nature study topics that we did last year was woolly bears/woolly worms. :)

Thanks, Greta - I appreciate your reply and suggestions for which yahoo groups to look into. I have a feeling most AO users (unless you only had one child maybe?) probably handle it the way you do. Any other AO users out there?

My 8th grader will be doing year 7 and I'm mixing it up a little for my 5th and 2nd grader (different books pulled from different years). This is my first time at really utilizing AO after several years of looking at it and using it just to get ideas for whatever subject/era of history we were studying. So.....my first and main issue is this. I have learned much more this past year about the importance of not just diving into the selected reading each day without first having difficult vocabulary defined to the student along with any other "set-up" that needs to be done for the reading of the text (for example - explanations of something eluded to in the text that the student would need to know to understand the meaning in the text, etc.). This makes so much sense to me, but also almost impossible for me to do. I'm being realistic and know that I will not be able to pre-read everything before assigning it, nor engage in a set-up/ "little talk" before each subject for three different kids. How do users handle this? Second, I'm also realizing the importance of never skipping a narration (which we have been lax on the last year and a half or so). And, the importance of immediately narrating, rather than waiting. So, I'm thinking here....my 13 year old will be working a lot on his own, but when he's ready to narrate, I'll most likely be working with my younger girls. I need to figure out how to listen to narrations but not let it interrupt my work with them. Ideas??? Also, I know that narrations can take different forms rather than just oral and I will be utilizing different methods; however, I'd still like to listen to as many oral narrations as I can especially as we begin a new year and need to freshen up those skills. Third, I know there are yahoo groups for AO users, but it seems several are inactive and I'm not sure just which ones will offer the most - hence, my posting here rather than trying to figure that all out. :) Maybe someone can guide me to the most helpful ones. Thanks for reading through all of this!

I'm doing some research and looking to buy used and realized that there are some older versions out there. Are there any major differences in the 2001 copyrighted vs. the currently sold materials? Thanks -

Thank you for this! Easy on the eyes (as opposed to flylady) and it is simple.

Check out Jigsawhealth.com for probiotics. I used to use Culturelle, but switched to jigsaw when I realized I could buy a 12 months supply at a time and use one of their coupons....making a 30 day supply a little under $10.00. A significant savings over Culturelle (around $18 a box, I believe?) and I think just as good in quality. They have great customer service, too. I'm hit or miss about taking probiotics, but always am more diligent when we seem to be coming down with something -- I really believe they work. http://www.jigsawhealth.com/supplements/probiotics

The Concho y Toro is a very good value (pp suggested this, too) and Blackstone Merlot never disappoints.

Oh, goodness :tongue_smilie:. Thanks for the details. I will definitely check into the revised SL version -- I like the looks of it, too - (that's really important, ya know). I wonder how much revision was done. Anyone here know or have the revised book?

Cheryl - thanks so much for your response. What is strange is that I was trying to decide between a traditional, old-fashioned math like R&S or SU and a newer Asian-style like Math Mammoth. Or, I was going to go with traditional and just get a good, inexpensive book on Amazon (didn't know what that was yet - just hoping that there was one) that would give ideas on how to teach concepts with manipulatives and games. I didn't think of combining SU or R&S with MM. Personally, I could never understand the people who combined maths. I always thought it a bit of overkill. Now, I am understanding a bit more. And, the way you described seems simple enough. Can you elaborate a bit on how you supplement (do you just go straight through the MM text or choose concepts that you feel your child needs more help with?)

I think I've read the few threads on this board about this math series. I was just wondering if anyone here is still using this and what their experience has been. Would love to hear....thanks!

Child's History of the World can be found on SL's website for $28, but it is revised with racial slurs removed from the text. Can anyone give me an example of an edit? Thanks -

http://www.landsend.com/pp/OriginalPoplinShirtDress~206186_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::HLZ&CM_MERCH=search-_-shirtdress I was thinking more like this (I have no idea how to make the link shorter like you did in your post. I'm with you on the flare thing - not good with skinny legs!)

Lands' End has a few different styles right now. I don't think they cater to the under 20 crowd. Theirs look to be lower than top of the knee, though....but no, definitely not just for the under 20 or 20ish crowd. Shirtdresses are very stylish. They're a lot better than all those stinkin' empire waisted sundresses out there (at least for me!) I don't know why I keep trying them on, thinking that my body will have morphed into something that will tolerate them.

:lol:

bump - would like to know the answer to the above question as well.

Yeah - good question!:001_smile:

So, there are going to be three pre-algebra books?? Did I understand that correctly? What is an average amount of time it takes to complete a book?

Thanks, Heather - I had e-mailed the author to ask his opinion and he also recommended that my son do the pre-algebra book along with the next pre-algebra book coming out in a couple of months. That's kind of my style, anyway - we don't push too much around here. Thanks, all, for the help!

O.K. Thanks - I understand the difference now. Does anyone have any advice on whether to skip pre-alg or go right into beginning algebra? As I said, he is very comfortable with percents, decimals, fractions, etc. and has been for quite some time. We do math (and everything) pretty laid back around here (35 minutes or so a day), so if I put him in beginning algebra, I am prepared to go as slowly as he needs to really get it. Any thoughts?

Yes, I was. I'm confused. :glare: I am wavering between having him go into pre-algebra or beginning algebra. Yesterday, I was thinking Beginning Algebra, today I'm thinking pre. Sorry about that!

Thanks so much for everyone's input. I let him look at the sample yesterday and he was very excited about the idea of doing math the Fred way as a break after using Saxon the last few years. I was a little disappointed, though, to see that there is no home companion with this book - for some reason, I didn't notice that yesterday. Oh, well. I think this will be a refreshing change.

Tina and patchfire, thanks for your responses. I think you are right, patchfire - it is just going to depend on how he does with the material taught that way. I haven't even had him look at the sample pages yet, so I think that is the next step to see if he gives any kind of strong reaction one way or another.