I didn't nurse past a year, but my ds was three when we brought dd home from the hospital. I was sitting on the couch trying to get our newborn situated for nursing and ds comes over and says, "Mommy, can I squeeze the other one?" My dh and I still laugh about that.

Welcome to homeschooling!

We have used the McGuffey readers everyday this year. My ds completed American Language Series for Kindergarten and I felt like the McG readers were a good extension to that curriculum. We skipped the Primer and started in Book 1. We read one lesson each day. We go over the new words (phonics) at the beginning of the story. If he does not know what a word means, I have him define it in his dictionary notebook (vocabulary and copywork). Then he reads the story for fluency and I will ask some comprehension questions. As we progressed into the second reader, we started doing some simple sentence diagramming. This works for us. I've been pleased with his progress in fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. We just finished the second reader and I'd like to find more ways to integrate these into our second grade plans next year.

Oh, thank you! I can see so much more through the site! You guys rock!

I am looking for some guidance here. We have our Wii set up with Netflix and everything is working properly. However, I'm not seeing a really great selection of educational stuff that everyone is talking about. I mean I can see a few National Geographic shows, lots of Veggie Tales, among other cartoon things, but I feel like I'm missing something. How do you all use your Netflix with your Wii for homeschooling purposes? We don't watch a lot of tv, so any suggestions are appreciated.

As a former elementary school teacher, I have to say that the most helpful aspect is feeling so comfortable with our decision to homeschool b/c of what I experienced as a ps teacher. Homeschooling is like fishing: I know that even on a pretty bad day of homeschooling, it is still better than a good day at ps. Not to say that ps is my standard, it is definitely not--It just seems that many homeschool moms are in a state of "What if?" and constantly second-guessing themselves. That could also be my personality though--my husband and I will pray about something, make a decision, and then pretty much run with it until it's clear that we need to move in another direction. The hindrance to me was when I learned about classical education. Everything about it is contrary to what I was taught while earning my teaching degree; thus, I had to get rid of all of my preconceptions so I could fully embrace classical education. Though in reality, it wasn't too hard to do since I had witnessed the overall poor results of today's modern educational system.

Thank you all! I have picked up most of the books from the library to preview and I am impressed! Looks like this will be a GO for next year!

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I am thinking of using this next year instead of SOTW. Can anyone share their experience?

I grew up as an only child and I crave QUIET, but amazingly my kids' noise doesn't bother me at all (except whining, but that's another topic). My dh and I went out to dinner last night and I almost went into sensory overload with the NOISE! First, we waited outside for seating and had two trains pass within 50 yards. Then we were seated right next to the extremely squeaky front door, and then the background noise from all the talking, plus people's cell phones ringing, plus dishes dropping...(I could go on and on.) I really was a wreck by the end of the evening. I find it extremely difficult to relax in situations like that. I wish I could handle it better!

Just a thought--Can you put your 7th grader in charge of the dog so you can get a good night sleep?

:iagree: If you don't want to do it, then don't. It will only make your life crazy!

Welcome to homeschooling where you can teach all the classics you want and not have to justify your decision to the local public school!

Leave. Scouts is supposed to be fun for everyone involved. Edited: Never mind. That's what I get for only checking "New Posts."

7ate9

I'd call your dr for advice. Urgent care would probably send you to the ER anyway. :-)

Go and have a great time! Your oldest DS will be able to handle it!

Since you are converting the garage, you may want to consider the humidity levels before you place your piano in there. Temp changes of even a few degrees can warp the piano's sound board and/or increase how often you have to have it professionally tuned.

The context of said nudity is a valid point.:lol:

I just want an omnivore to eat most of the politicians. What would that be?

I was having similar trouble with my 3 yo. I had tried everything else and was at my wits end too! A friend told me about a book she read and I can't remember the name of it, and some folks may think it's absolutely horrible, but it worked for us. Plan to stay home for several days. This WILL NOT work while shopping at Target. Remind your child every 30 min to go potty. Set a timer so you don't forget. The strong-willed child WILL have an accident. At that point, the child is to do the correct thing 10 times in a row. That is walk from where they were playing, take pants down, sit on toilet, pull pants up, then go back to play area. Yes, 10 times in a row. By the fourth time, they are mad as anything but you just have to stick with it. We had to do this twice...then POOF! potty training done. Good luck...maybe this will help you.

Thank you!

I think it depends on what area of the country (or world) you live in. Here in the sunny South, homeschooling is almost viewed with as favorably as most private schools. Sure, there are nay-sayers in every area, but there is a large hs population here and I've never felt really "weird" about it at all. I am amazed at how homeschooling began as an educational choice, but has quickly turned into a lifestyle. My family tends to gravitate towards other families that homeschool simply because we have so much more to talk about and our kids seem to get along so much better.

Isaiah 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. ESV Thank you for sharing.

Fire away... Storytime Favorites & More Storytime Favorites from Memoria Press: Way too much writing for a 1st grade perfectionist. The lessons took hours to complete--but we loved the literature!