Not sure about an Internet site, but I do know of a book I an recommend. It is called Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters. I've used ideas from this book from time to time in my own art classes taught at the private school where I teach, and found the book to be quite helpful. There's more than enough information for a whole school year. Blessings, Lucinda

I really like the idea of tracking everything on my computer, but I have a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I should be keeping records on paper. Everyone is converting to electronics for the majority of life, and I keep wondering what we'll do if we are suddenly hit with a situation where we have no power and all of our records go up in smoke - so to speak. I am already considering how it might be a good idea to print off my Quicken check register along with summary financial reports at the end of each month for this purpose. Forgive me if this sounds too gloom and doom, but I'm still riding the fence on this issue for some crazy reason. Blessings, Lucinda

I do think that for little ones especially, Crayola is still a wonderful product. And I stock Crayola watercolor pencils for my students to use all the way up to 8th grade too. For the quality and price, Crayola is a great value. For older students though, using a quality of materials that helps produce really good results gets them excited about making art. (BTW, I shared about this on another thread so I don't want to repeat myself too much.) Basically, upgrading papers (especially watercolor paper and some drawing papers), and using nicer paints and pastels will make a huge difference in the whole art experience for your child. I have some recommendations for a number of art supplies if you'd like me to post them or pm you. Blessings, Lucinda

I agree with all suggestions here, except for the watercolor. I am an art teacher at a private classical school and also teach privately -- so I have about 135 students total. Hands down the best paints I've found for students are Yarka paints. They are made in Russia and are excellent. The sets come with a little paintbrush, which is totally worthless though. Throw away the brush and just use the paints! We use these paints and they hold up beautifully even with shared use by many students, and they truly out-perform other brands. Blessings, Lucinda

I'll second that one. By far, TWTM is the best HS resource book anyone could find!!! I've never found such a great book about the subject. It is comprehensive and complete, well written and easily understood, informative and even inspirational. (BTW, I think its utterly amazing that we are here on the TWTM website and are allowed to discuss any curriculum we choose. Don't you?) Blessings, Lucinda

We can't afford all of this curriculum, but we can't afford to let the year pass without a good education for dd either. I will forgo buying myself those new clothes for work this year, and Lord only knows I need them. We will not eat out in restaurants -- we'll perhaps even cut back on the amount of meat we consume. We will cut back on driving miles in order to save money on gas. We'll do whatever it takes because I'm an older mom who knows the stark reality of fleeting time. We will do whatever we have to do to make dd's school experience the best it can possibly be this year. I will never pass this way again. Dd will only be a 10 yo girl for awhile! Blessings, Lucinda

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: Well said, my friend! Blessings, Lucinda

In my earlier post I mentioned the maps and scripture references, but Strider brought out some other really great points. We are getting a lot out of this way of learning Bible at our house. BTW, you can order these books from CBD and Rainbow Resource. Blessings, Lucinda

Healthcare is the one and ONLY category that I agree on when it comes to socialism. (Believe me, in all other issues I am very conservative.) I feel that EVERY person in our nation should have the ability to receive comfort, care, healing, medicine and assistance for every health need. Anything else really seems criminal to me. (And don't even get me started on the whole issue of mental health...talk about criminal and inhumane!) With all of the wealth and abundance in this country, I cannot understand why so many people have to struggle to be healthy and stay that way. Quality healthcare should be a basic right for all humans, no matter how rich or poor and whatever age. My 2 cents FWIW. :) Blessings, Lucinda

10 yo dd and I have been using the Explorer's Bible series for the past two years and have found them to be very good. Within the series is Discovery, which is for grades 3-6. These lessons can be done corporately or individually from consumable workbooks. I like their use of maps especially, and the fact that the passage of scripture is printed in the workbook. (We also look it up in the Bible so dd is also having hands-on experience, especially if we want to read from more than one version of the Bible.) Anyway, someone here recommended this series to us, and I'm so glad they did because my dd is really learning her Bible. Blessings, Lucinda

Here's another vote for MUS. The video lessons are very good, and if you are good at teaching math - then your dc can come to you for more coaching. My dd has had MUS for the past two years and really likes it. As she advances though, it is harder for me to be her teacher because (as stated in another thread) math is not my strength when it comes to teaching. It sounds like for you family it might be just right though. I would definitely encourage you to check out MUS. BTW, we are very seriously considering going to TT this year because of the high level of teaching included with the curriculum. If I was stronger at math myself, or we can possibly find a tutor I can afford, we'd stay with MUS. Blessings, Lucinda

We have been using it this year for my 4th grade dd. It is very good! We love it that science and the Bible converge together in one book. DD loves her workbook and when it is finished later this summer she wants to keep it as a reference book. The illustrations are great, and there is plenty of hands on work for her to do. One thing that I like about CGC is that it provides additional resources for the teacher to add on for older kids or kids that are really interested in specific areas within the lessons. So essentially you could use it for a group of kids of different ages and/or abilities if you wanted to by just adding on to the basic lesson with the recommended resources. CGC is really a science survey course that ties all of nature from a scientific viewpoint to the truths of scripture. I wish that every elementary aged kid could take this course once before going on to "regular" science courses. Blessings, Lucinda

Spelling Workout, and that is what we've been using for the past two years. Dd has done very well with spelling through this workbook, and one thing I really like is that there is always a small section that includes composition using the current weekly word list. We would continue with SW, but dd has expressed a need for a change since she has not used anything else so far. We will be going with Spelling Power (which is recommended by TOG). This program is not workbook based, but rather a curriculum that you purchase once and use in increments over several grades or stages. Blessings, Lucinda

Hey Karyn, After reading your post I ran across a review of the TT curriculum and it sounded even better. Next thing I knew I was at their website - and now I am very interested. Thanks for the recommendation, as I would never have checked this out otherwise. This may be the solution to our problem after all. Blessings, Lucinda

That is EXACTLY the problem, Corbie. You have hit the nail on the head. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will check out the website further! Boy it sure makes me feel better that I'm not the only one dealing with this....:) Blessings, Lucinda

Thanks for the offers to help online. That is really sweet. What dd would benefit most from though is a live source that is both visual and audible, so it may be best to follow the suggestion to connect with a tutor. 10 yo dd will be going into Epsilon when we complete our summer classes next month. As you can see by the fact that she at this level and we're having issues of frustration -- I'm really not strong at teaching or communicating math. LOL! (I know, you are about to ask, "Ya think?") Well, I took a class in my liberal arts studies in college called "Math for the Mystified", which should give you a good idea of my measure of confidence. :tongue_smilie: But hey -- I'm a VERY good teacher with other subjects. Blessings, Lucinda Blessings, Lucinda

Thanks for the offers to help online. That is really sweet. What dd would benefit most from though is a live source that is both visual and audible, so it may be best to follow the suggestion to connect with a tutor. 10 yo dd will be going into Epsilon when we complete our summer classes next month. As you can see by the fact that she at this level and we're having issues of frustration -- I'm really not strong at teaching or communicating math. LOL! (I know, you are about to ask, "Ya think") Well, I took a class in my liberal arts studies in college called "Math for the Mystified", which should give you a good idea of my measure of confidence. :tongue_smilie: But hey -- I'm a VERY good teacher at other subjects. Blessings, Lucinda Blessings, Lucinda

I taught my dd to read by reading to her every single day from the time she was a baby. By the time she was five, she all of a sudden started reading to me out loud and completely shocked me. It didn't take long to discover that she could read words to me at random as I pointed to them. Somehow, she broke the code all by herself. I'm sharing this with you now not to boast, but to encourage you that reading aloud is the most powerful tool in educating a child to read. Surely there are some methods and books that will enhance that, but reading aloud is by far the most important. Even after your child learns to read, keep reading to them. Blessings, Lucinda

Another great option! Thank you, Cindyg. If anyone else comes up with another option, please post away. Surely, there are others that have had similar challenges with subjects that are difficult to teach. I'd like to gather some ideas together before making a final choice. Blessings, Lucinda

I might possibly be able to get a teen, so will consider that as a an option. I might be able to barter art lessons for math tutoring, but am not sure about her schedule next year. Anyone else have thoughts/input? Blessings, Lucinda

It kind of flows along with ps schedule in a way, but instead of taking three full months off in summer we take 6 wks off, and another 1-2 wks off at the end of August before the new school year begins. Then instead of taking 2 wks off in December/January, we take off 3. We do like to take a spring break, and since I teach part-time at a private school, we like to take the same week off from our homeschool. We really appreciate the flexibility and slower pace that year round schooling allows. Blessings, Lucinda

Let's say you were a good teacher in nearly all subjects, but were not the best at certain others -- such as MATH. :D We have been using MUS and dd loves it, but she is getting to a place where when she has challenges, I have a hard time explaining the answer to her and we get pretty frustrated. I can reasonably do math, but I am not a good math teacher. And as much as Steve is a help, he can't provide all the answers for us by the DVD alone. (For some reason, the DVD doesn't talk back and answer dd's questions -- LOL!) Dh is on the road a lot and cannot consistently work with dd. So that leaves me.....and Steve. Should I find ways to supplement the teaching load and stay with MUS? If so, what would you suggest? Should I look for an online math program, changing my daughter's curriculum (which would make her sad because she really likes MUS?) I live way out in the country and cannot easily find a private tutor or join another co-op. We are connected with another hs family (science/art co-op), but I do not like their choice of math curriculum. We need to figure this out before dd begins the next level in September. Thank you in advance for any input you may have to offer. Blessings, Lucinda

I have a teacher's manual too, so if you want me to scan anything just pm me and let me know. Otherwise it sounds like you might have some other great options. Blessings, Lucinda

I have been offered the use of a DVD and I am sooooo grateful. The hive is awesome!! Then I got an e-mail reply from Steve Demme with an offer to help. Wow! I wouldn't have had the courage to even ask him if it weren't for the hive. Thank you hive, thank you! Blessings, Lucinda

It has been a long time since we used this and I can't remember if there is something other than what we have here, which is a Meeting Book. Inside the book are full page calendars, one for each month. Each day of the month has a circle in it. Is this what you are looking for? If so, then I will scan and send you what I have. Also in the meeting book I see pages with Counting Strips. We did not use this book much at all, so there are several blank pages. :001_smile: Blessings, Lucinda