We've used Fix-It by IEW, and loved it. It doesn't take more than 7-10 minutes a day, and can be used for about five years. Also, they stand behind their products. If you use it and aren't happy with it, you can send it back for a full refund. I hope this helps!

I know I'm repeating many from above, but it's cathartic to make a list and accomplish something today (not the day I planned!) Persuasion (Ciaran Hinds version... can't stand the running scene at the end of the new one) Pride & Prejudice (all versions) Emma To Catch A Thief Operation Petticoat Father Goose One FIne Day Just Like Heaven Leap Year Dear Frankie A Good Year - who doesn't want to inherit a a vineyard / estate in France? High Society Philadelphia Story While You Were Sleeping Sabrina (mostly the H. Ford version - just love Greg Kinnear's part) Lake House Enchanted - because sometimes life should be a musical Knight and Day - politeness counts 27 Dresses The Sound of Music - best ever Walk, Don't Run - Cary Grant Christmas in Connecticut Return to Me Bride and Prejudice No Time for Sargeants - not as well known, but hysterically funny! The Quiet Man Elf - can't have Christmas without it Ferris Bueller's Day Off You've Got Mail Joe vs. the Volcano Sleepless in Seattle When Harry Met Sally (Haven't watched since having kids, but probably saw dozens of times) Miss Congeniality Sliding Doors My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding Ever After Never Been Kissed Pillow Talk Calamity Jane 7 Brides for 7 Brothers White Christmas The Court Jester The Italian Job Bourne Movies - all Finding Nemo George of the Jungle Winnie the Pooh - original Mary Poppins

Oh dear.... I just glanced over and realized that mine live on whatever surface they land. Currently - it's on the couch. Worse, though, is the fact that the purse I changed it from is still sitting on a chair from 3 days ago. Guess it's time to address my slovenly habits... :tongue_smilie: If I'm not careful, my kids will inherit them!

Thank you (all) for the ideas - I think I'll begin with a few inquiries at the university (Knoxville), and go from there. I was just stumped! :tongue_smilie: Our current teacher is wonderful, but we need someone who can stretch him farther.

My son (almost 10) has been taking piano lessons for three years. He frequently imitates his older siblings' more difficult, classical pieces, and can play anything he hears on the radio/iTunes/etc. He doesn't just play the melody, but can figure out the chord progressions, generally without mistakes. He has also been playing a game with one of his older brothers - naming the note played without looking. Anywhere on the piano, he can identify the note. His teacher said we should look into further instruction, but I'm not sure where to begin... Any ideas? Thanks in advance! (We are in East Tennessee, so we don't have the benefit of being in a large city - I know it would be easier in Nashville, Boston, Los Angeles, etc...)

Welcome, Susan! I've been at the SL forums a while, too... If you're in the Boonies, I must be in the Sticks! (Knoxville) I hope you have fun here in the hive :D

I'd do a timeline (everyone can join in), and begin with things he's already learned, adding new events/wars/world leaders as you get to them. It can be as fancy or plain as you like, take up the wall of a hallway, your schoolroom, or just be in a timeline book... Seeing it all on the timeline helps my kids get the "big picture" of history. You can add one thing per day, or do a bunch all on one day each week. If you're looking for something from a young-earth creation point-of-view, then I'd try Mystery of History, which works with multiple ages all at once. There must be others, if that's not what you want. I'm sure you're doing a great job! Remember to have fun & try not to worry :D And Blessings to you,

My homeschooling friends with younger kids use them for "activity folders". They laminate file folders, and create games to use during the school day... lots of wonderful ideas all over the place (like myfilefoldergames.com and filefolderfun.com). The pockets are perfect for many of these (matching, sorting, etc.). I think we got the original ideas from Sue Patrick & her Workbox System. She also sells the library pockets.

My hubby likes the K. Knightly one best because it's shorter... But, he's begun asking me the differences between the movies and the book, and because he's got the story down, he found "Lost in Austen" to be hysterical. It also made watching "Bride & Prejudice" a lot of fun. I never thought he'd be interested, but it's a classic story with great characters. Get him to try it, and see what happens! It can serve to start conversations, at least...

Yes, he's using a full-size violin to begin (borrowing, not necessarily choice). Wow - $600 for a bow!! I had no idea :) Thank you for the shar link... Like I said, we're looking to try this out before investing seriously - Do you think a local music store might offer something previously owned?

:001_smile:

Charade Operation Petticoat To Catch a Thief Walk, Don't Run (little-known Cary Grant film...very funny) My Fair Lady Arsenic & Old Lace High Society The Road to ____ - any of the Hope/Crosby pix The Philadelphia Story The King & I Desk Set Singing in the Rain An American in Paris Roman Holiday and for a fun comparison, these three are fun: The Shop Around the Corner In the Good Ol' Summertime You've Got Mail (not old, just the same storyline, mostly)

My son is saving money to buy one, and we are able to borrow a violin while he takes lessons for a year. We want to see if he is interested enough before purchasing... (He is 13, has played piano for 5 years, drums for 3) We have lessons scheduled, but I'd like to know what a reasonable, decent range is for a new bow. Also, if you could tell me names of good brands, brands to avoid, etc... Thank you in advance!

I wanted my own copy, so I could spend more time in it. It has some lessons you could teach your children from, as I have. You can always turn around and sell it later :) Blessings,

Hi - You've got a workbook that accompanies a set of 9 dvds. The TWSS is the all-encompassing teacher "how-to" set. It can be used for about 2nd grade through high school. With this set, you can adapt the teaching methods to any curriculum / literature you are already using. It does not, however, contain a schedule and lessons for you. If you buy the dvds, I would also recommend the $10 dvd "Tips & Tricks for Teaching Through the Nine Units of Structure & Style". Also, you should know that IEW has a 100% money back guarantee policy. If you are unhappy with it for any reason, you can return it. Even if you've tried it for a year. They truly stand behind their products. If you can't buy the dvds right now, maybe you can borrow them from a friend, etc. Also, some people need / want something with pre-planned lessons. This is what the Student Writing Intensive dvds are for. They come with a student notebook, and Andrew Pudewa is the teacher. In addition, there are multiple options of history and theme based writing courses that you can purchase a teacher & student book to work from. They all implement the methods of TWSS. Does this make sense? I've been using IEW for 3 years now, and I'm sold on it. It takes a lot of the guess-work out of teaching writing. It works with all kinds of students, and gets results. I could pontificate for a while, but if you have any questions, just pm me, or better yet - - check out the IEWfamilies yahoo group. They are extremely helpful with newbie questions, as well as how to schedule your lessons. Blessings,

I was seriously done!!! Which is why your post title lured me in! Thanks for sharing! :tongue_smilie:

Anyone? Pretty please???

How precious it is to know our Creator! Happy Anniversary! :grouphug: Blessings to you,

I am SOOOOO glad that we now homeschool! We ps'd for 6 years, and I shared the original posters (TN) nightmare. I found that after purchasing everything on the different lists, that the teacher sent home a new, revised list the first day of school. Then we had extras to hunt all over town for. One teacher even required Glade air fresheners. Granted, she taught 5th grade, but couldn't she just send a note asking the parents to get their kids deodorant? All this was before they hit you up to buy school coupon books, class t-shirts, pictures, money for 'teacher appreciation day', etc. I may spend a lot on curriculum, but at least it is useful for teaching! What a blessing to be at home!

This was a tremendous convention, and I'm looking forward to attending next years...:001_smile: If you are concerned with how 'religious' it is, then you might want to spend a little time on the website reading up on the speakers. It should give you a feel for where they stand, and what they will be speaking on. I travelled out of state to attend, and I was not disappointed. www.cincinnatihomeschoolconvention.com Blessings,

I know this is the high school+ board, but I thought you might be able to give me some words of advice. :bigear: I'm teaching my two boys, as well as a friend's son (ages 14, 12, & 12) Traditional Logic this year. I have the MP books & dvds, and wondered if you have had any good experiences / cautions to share. I'll have plenty of freedom to 'tweak', if needed... I seem to be the mom with the oldest kids in our gang of homeschoolers, and rarely find others to glean from. Anything would be appreciated! Thanks & God Bless,

We use an umbrella school also, and have found their support beneficial. I would also recommend the hslda website for info. If you do have an umbrella school nearby (i.e. a private Christian school), they should be happy to give you printed out copies of Tennessee state requirements. There's quite a bit of freedom in this lovely state :001_smile:

Thank you, Annie, for sharing... I'm about to start my oldest on RS, and appreciate the heads up!

:lol: Ok, I love the shower curtain idea! With my youngest (just beginning 2nd) we used lined post-it note paper. (I think I found it at Wal-Mart) It was lined for larger writing, as in K/1st grades. I bought a few packages, and just put up what we needed at the time. He really enjoyed moving from work on his desk to reading the wall, and I had the convenience of moving them as needed. My older kids don't do this, other than their banned words lists in their IEW notebooks. We just make use of the dictionary & thesaurus... Have fun!

It's been computer play time for us, but I think my youngest has picked up a lot of phonics quicker because of it. :001_smile: I've printed the worksheets for extra "fun" pages, and we've done a few calendars, but nothing really structured. What is it with the Gingerbread Man story? My son did that one over & over, giggling all the time!