In my opinion, having measles, mumps, or rubella is less of an immediate risk to her health than having such a strong reaction. Odds are that even without the vaccine, she won't get any of them. If she does, chances are she will recover just fine. However, you have a known history of a serious allergy. That carries some serious weight. I would never allow it. Good luck with your decision. Vaccines are one of those difficult areas for some of us to navigate. And allergies just compound the decisions that have to be made. :)

Spelling: Phonetic Zoo Spelling City we use this for our personal lists in Phonetic Zoo - that way she hears it plenty of times Geography: Geography Songs & States/Capitals Science: Lyrical Life Science Adaptive Curriculum Arts: Story of the Orchestra Classical Kids Creativity Express Not sure if this counts Literature: Child's Introduction to Poetry Audible for various books

Lime jello with fruit in it

I purchased just the science. It has been a good fit for us. I was able to tie in a lot of the labs with my daughter's Lyrical Life Science this year. She enjoyed them and seemed to learn quite a bit from them. Overall, it is probably cheaper and easier than rounding up all the science supplies on my own. My daughter is in 6th grade.

How remedial is your 13 yo's AAS? Is it possible for them to teach the 3 youngers their AAS lesson? This could work as a great review for your older. You could sit nearby and review any independent work that has been done at that point and intercede if need be...

It took alcohol and a hot bath for me to finish the book. When I was done, I wanted to burn it. Only book I have ever felt the need to destroy.

Wow, lots of information. Thank you. I can't wait to sit down and sort through it all. I did check out the Math & Cosmos link. How long did it take you to go through this study. I see an outline of what it covers but I'm really left guessing as to the length of time it would take....

Glad to see that I'm not the only one that is stymied. I know that there is the Science Explorer Textbook but I strongly prefer not using textbooks. I much much prefer using books and adding in the labs and activities. I like Noeo's approach and would love something that is "that type" of thing but quite challenging.... I have a feeling I might be pulling this together myself. Argh, I was hoping not :tongue_smilie:

We are secular homeschoolers. I am looking for great resources for astronomy - a whole curriculum, or just individual pieces that I can pull together. What have you used and loved? I'm also interested in hearing what you hated (so I can tuck that info into my pocket as well) :tongue_smilie: Thanks!

I don't know about books but this kit came to mind (even for boys) Perfume Kit I do know several people who swear by this book but it is written for adults. I don't know if that is exactly what you are looking for though - it is definitely a practical usage book....and written for adults. If you are looking for a book that basically goes into the science and extraction of essential oils. Well, I'm watching the thread.....:tongue_smilie:

$800-$1000 for a family of 7. Very big eaters - I made 20 tacos for lunch :001_huh: I could be a bit cheaper but not by much if I didn't sacrifice on quality. I do purchase about 50% organic, peanut butter - natural/organic, as much organic produce and veggies as I can get. We eat vegetarian at least a couple night a week. We eat very few sugary foods - ie. expensive cereals. All breads are made with whole grains. I buy tons of veggies and fruit which adds up super fast. I think the papaya I bought last week was $5 by itself. We use about 25 gallons of milk a month just to put it in perspective. And about that many loaves of bread. That by itself would blow many of the budgets that I've seen here....

I'm thinking of coming up with my own Environmental Science class for next year - heavy on the Physics. This kit looks really interesting: http://www.amazon.com/Alternative-Energy-Environmental-Science-Essentials/dp/B001R4RAKG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1265990986&sr=8-1

I so wish I didn't know what you were talking about. Wouldn't it be so much easier if we had some visible sign that shows how poor we are feeling? I can hardly remember not being sore.... what does wear on me, even more though is how crying TIRED I stay. Like at any given point, I could fall down and sleep for weeks. Course you can't cause something is always hurting so bad it wakes you up. But you feel like you could. And I hate the mental fog too. I mean really, isn't it enough that I'm exhausted and I hurt? Must I give up mental clarity as well? Frustrating! I get this feeling sometimes that is almost overwhelming - I want to unzip my skin and just step outside me. Just for a moment yk? I swear if I could have just 5-10 painfree non-aching minutes, I'd be good for the next decade. :tongue_smilie: Anyhow, wish I had the magic answer for both of us. It is such a poorly understood condition. I did find it interesting to read about your Vitamin D levels. How low were they? My endocrinologist tested mine about a year and a half ago and said I was low - 20 was my number I believe. I've taken D every since. I don't know that I feel any different though. Did you? You haven't by chance had thyroid issues too have you? I have - Hashimoto's. I ended up having my entire thyroid removed. I'm now on Synthroid which has been a bear to regulate well. I know it is all random but sometimes I wonder if Fibro is just the tip of the iceberg for many of us; it often seems to be present with other conditions/diseases...

I thought it sounded a lot like a fibro reaction. I hate to hear that is what it is. :( Fibro is so tough. I was originally diagnosed in my early 20's. What kind of vacuum do you have? I have a Dyson upstairs but a canister downstairs. The canister is by far easier on me. Also, I've learned to try and rearrange my surroundings so that it works better for me. IE. My milk shelf isn't the top shelf in the fridge (side-by-side) like most. Other things that help - a heated mattress pad. Run on low all night. Even if it is warm in the house, I'll just use less covers. This seems to really really help my muscles relax a bit more. Sleep! Invest in a good bed, covers.... the whole shebang. We are looking to replace our bed soon and it will be $$$ in order to get one that won't make me worse yk? Try to soak in a tub as often as you can. Again, warming and relaxing the muscles. I'm sorry to hear that you've been unsuccessful with pain managment. That is rough. I haven't had much luck myself. Most of the time I've been pregnant or nursing so lots of medications are too risky but those times I haven't been, not much has worked. Anyhow. I can't add a whole lot. Just commiserate. It is tough to ache like you are sick all the time. It is exhausting! Not just physically but mentally as well. Hang in there.

I'm almost 34, and very pregnant. However, I must sit down at least 10 minutes out of every hour. I never stop hurting (thanks fibromyalgia) so I have less of an idea of how hard I'm pushing ... unless it is super extreme. I'm stubborn though so I tend to do stuff anyhow despite it all. Which usually means that I have one Ok day and then one day that I hurt so bad I can barely get enough done to scrape by despite my efforts. Then another Ok day. I very, very rarely have 2 productive days back to back. My body just revolts. If you are getting super sore from what most would consider "normal" or even "mild" activity and it doesn't seem to improve with time, then I think a trip to the doctor is in order. For instance, stirring a pot of soup is painful for me as is brushing my hair some days (raising my arms). It isn't that I'm that out of shape. It is fibromyalgia. Sorry hon! I hope you are able to meet your goals.

Grammar? 5X Spelling? 5X Vocabulary? our reading covers this which is also done 5X Writing? 3-5X Cursive? about 3X

Here!!! but then there is.... http://www.thehomeschoollibrary.com/

:iagree: I could have written this!

Thank you - explaining to me that the lessons are broken down into .1 .2 .3 is something that really appeals to me. I'm thinking that might be the way to go then. I much prefer very clearly outlined plans - so I can deviate from them with confidence :lol: I think I'll have her do the Code Cracker Book with should buy me some time before we start Elementary Greek. Wahhoooo! I love having a plan. Thanks! She did want to start French next year. Thank goodness that is a language I actually have studied the most! I think I'll have her start Elementary Greek I towards the latter part of this year (we are running behind this year) and then continue into 7th grade. Probably find something super simple to just start the French learning process - I don't want to overwhelm and honestly I think French will be much much easier. I still have my old French books from college and my husband has his from Highschool and college - maybe we will just dig those out and go super slow.

She is actually 11 and hasn't complained once about Hey Andrew (which is clearly below her level). She loves it. I ordered it before I found Code Cracker or I would have started there. I'm struggling a bit this year - pregnant with #6 and my thyroid meds have to keep being adjusted... Anyhow, Hey Andrew has worked to teach her the alphabet without any help from me to speak of (aside from flash cards from time to time). She is bright so I know I can throw her into whatever and she will get it. That said, I don't want to kill her love for it either. I wish she would have chosen Latin *sigh* I did do 2 years of Latin in college. Here is the thing - I'm not Christian. However, I'm married to a Christian man and our children certainly use their fair share of Christian materials. Doesn't bother me much that the main goal is to be able to read the Bible in Greek - that would suit my daughter just fine. I prefer the idea of her knowing Attic so that she can read some of the other ancient documents. It does help to know that by her studying Koine, it will be a good foundation for Attic. Maybe we will stick with Hey Andrew after all. She certainly seems to enjoy it. Maybe do the Code Cracker and then move to Level 3 of Hey Andrew? Thanks to all who have responded.

Ok, so dd is learning Greek. She is about done with Hey Andrew Level 1 - I'm not overly thrilled with it. I'd like to wait for Greek for Children to finally come out rather than continue with Hey Andrew. I might end up going with Elementary Greek if it takes too long. Anyhow, I digress.... While I wait on Greek for Children, I was thinking of giving her extra practice with the Code Cracker book. Seems like fun and it will keep her letters fresh. It doesn't look like it will take overly long though, so what else to do? I found this book on Amazon: First 100 Words Would this work? I know there is Koine (which she is learning) and Attic.... I admit to being a bit confused by the whole sequence of where she will eventually end up.... Anyhow, if I chose to wait for Greek for Children, will this book be a good way to pass the time? I'm thinking that maybe this is the more modern version of the language... argh, this is what I get for not learning along with her. I need a tutorial lol.

Let's see.... Ancient China Lapbook Ancient China Treasure Chest Adventures in Ancient China Chinese Fashions Coloring book Ancient China on Brain Pop

Have you started the CLE Math? I'm sorry, just a bit confused. CLE math has the drill built in. So you drill the addition/subtraction cards - they are coded and on a schedule. Plus the daily timed drills (these don't start right away) + the general "we remember" exercises. These facts addition/subtraction will continue through 2nd and even 3rd grades in their workbooks. There is a ton of practice with them. If you are near the end of the 1st grade and nothing seems to be sticking, I would definitely look for other methods. Maybe flashmaster? However, if you are at the beginning or just starting, I'd give it this year to see how much progress he makes.

I would choose swimming - this one is the least available to adults and the one most people would put off. It is also one of those skills that all kids should have. I feel strongly that every person who is capable being able to swim well, can and should be able to (just like knowing CPR, phone number, 911 or equivilent...). One of those areas where if you ever need the skill, chances are that you REALLY need the skill, kwim? I would look into some type of learn at home program for music for this year and reassess next year. As for karate or soccer, both could wait a year or two. I started sports/dancing late and had no problem catching up.

Lyrical Life Science: http://www.lyricallearning.com/ There are 3 different books to make up a full year.