Why it's best to postpone planning until the very last minute.

[Amy loves Bud]

I"m done. All the plans are made all the books received, all the materials organized. We could start our new school year right now even though we don't start till after Labor Day.

 

Which has given me way too much time to ponder alternative curricula.

 

Shoot me now.

 

Really, I"m only considering switching from MUS to Strayer Upton. I already have the SU books, and came across them while organizing. I'm not actually browsing catalogs or anything.

[scrapbabe]

You're better than me. I'm still browing and have made changes already!:D

 

Shalynn

[Capt_Uhura]

still planning here.....

 

Congrats on being finished!

[robsiew]

Amy... just curious why you're thinking of changing... I think we've talked math in the past...

 

I just switched the kids from MUS to MM. I was going to use MM as a supplement, but fell in love with it. The kids are enjoying the variety, yet I'm happy because it's still a mastery program. I switched mainly because my kids are having a hard time applying what they know to unfamiliar situations. All the problems in MUS are pretty much done the same way... little variety in the lessons themselves and presentation. My oldest ds started LOF and complained because he didn't know how to do the problems. Pretty much, he didn't know how to "think" through using the skills he already had. The work was not too hard for him. This was a red flag for me. MM has more challenging problems in it that make the kids actually "think" to get the answer.....

 

Anyway... just curious why you're thinking of switching...

[swimmermom3]

I"m done. All the plans are made all the books received, all the materials organized. We could start our new school year right now even though we don't start till after Labor Day.

 

Which has given me way too much time to ponder alternative curricula.

 

Shoot me now.

 

Really, I"m only considering switching from MUS to Strayer Upton. I already have the SU books, and came across them while organizing. I'm not actually browsing catalogs or anything.

 

Well, with all that time on your hands, you could blog more. I say that for selfish reasons as I am still rolling on the floor over your shoe closet. If it makes you feel better, my dh built not one but two shoe shelves that will hold 20 pairs of shoes. The shelves are right by the garage door where everyone takes their shoes off. The shelves are bare and one of us will die an early death tripping over the shoe mountain on the floor.:tongue_smilie:but I digress...congrats on being done with your planning.

[Amy loves Bud]

The shelves are bare and one of us will die an early death tripping over the shoe mountain on the floor.:tongue_smilie:but I digress...congrats on being done with your planning.

 

LOL!

 

I do need to blog about our shoe solution. Although it's not exactly a solution yet, just a planned solution. Which is basically code for "a big project that will take a lot of time and effort only to yield shoes on the floor."

[Amy loves Bud]

YOu know, it's nice that you asked, because putting my thoughts in writing is helping me.

 

First, DS11 (12 next month) is going to finish up Zeta and move on to Lial's. No change for him, this has always been the plan.

 

DD9 is about halfway through Epsilon. At the rate she is moving through the concepts in MUS, she'll be in Algebra in mid-6th grade. Which is fine, I guess, but she is soooooo sloooooooow. I think her slowness is going to be a very frustrating problem when she is doing complicated calculations.

 

I think the SU math will get her moving a lot faster. Lots of drill for her where DS didn't need it.

 

I'm thinking of starting at the beginning and working through all of book one this year and all of book 2 next year. We may pull out MUS when we hit points in book 2 that need further explanation, and use Demme's teaching methods, which are awesome, of course.

 

Her slowness is an issue in life, not just math. She is very smart, but just moves at her own pace. There is rarely a reason to hurry in her world.

 

I think back-tracking and working on speed will be a huge benefit to her in the long run, even if it pushes out algebra to 8th grade.

 

So there. I just spilled the contents of my brain. There is nothing left in there today. :tongue_smilie:

[DarlaS]

LOL!

 

I do need to blog about our shoe solution. Although it's not exactly a solution yet, just a planned solution. Which is basically code for "a big project that will take a lot of time and effort only to yield shoes on the floor."

 

I'm admiring your mixer lift!

 

That appears to be IKEA cabinetry. Where did you get the mixer lift for that? Is that the Rev-A-Shelf? I've been wondering if the Rev-A-Shelf one would work. Is that a 12" or 15" base cab? Do you think it would work with the pull-out cab (so I could also have a drawer or two at the bottom for mixer accessories)?

[Amy loves Bud]

I'm admiring your mixer lift!

 

That appears to be IKEA cabinetry. Where did you get the mixer lift for that? Is that the Rev-A-Shelf? I've been wondering if the Rev-A-Shelf one would work. Is that a 12" or 15" base cab? Do you think it would work with the pull-out cab (so I could also have a drawer or two at the bottom for mixer accessories)?

 

It is the Rev-A-Shelf lift in a 15" Ikea cabinet.

 

I don't know how much room you would have at the bottom. The lift "hinges" for lack of a better term, actually dip down a when you pull out or replace the lift. I have a low basket sitting under my lift, and if it isn't exactly centered, the lift hits it. So I'd be worried that the lift would hit the drawer rails.

 

If you are going to need an Ikea drawer elsewhere, you could install the drawer in the base cabinet (without attaching the door to it yet) and see if it works. If it does, attach the door to it. If not, just take out the drawer and hang the door by the hinges.

 

I think you'll be fine on the forward clearance.

 

Also, if you are installing the lift yourself, be very careful. The springs are MIGHTY! It was shipped to me with the lift extended, but you have to install it with the lift collapsed. The springs were so strong I couldn't even come close to collapsing it without it installed. What I finally figured out (with no help from Rev-A-Shelf) was to attach it to a stud that was still exposed in the kitchen and then I had the leverage to collapse it. Then I removed it from the stud and installed it into the cabinet.

 

Have fun!

[swimmermom3]

YOu know, it's nice that you asked, because putting my thoughts in writing is helping me.

 

First, DS11 (12 next month) is going to finish up Zeta and move on to Lial's. No change for him, this has always been the plan.

 

DD9 is about halfway through Epsilon. At the rate she is moving through the concepts in MUS, she'll be in Algebra in mid-6th grade. Which is fine, I guess, but she is soooooo sloooooooow. I think her slowness is going to be a very frustrating problem when she is doing complicated calculations.

 

I think the SU math will get her moving a lot faster. Lots of drill for her where DS didn't need it.

 

I'm thinking of starting at the beginning and working through all of book one this year and all of book 2 next year. We may pull out MUS when we hit points in book 2 that need further explanation, and use Demme's teaching methods, which are awesome, of course.

 

Her slowness is an issue in life, not just math. She is very smart, but just moves at her own pace. There is rarely a reason to hurry in her world.

 

I think back-tracking and working on speed will be a huge benefit to her in the long run, even if it pushes out algebra to 8th grade.

 

So there. I just spilled the contents of my brain. There is nothing left in there today. :tongue_smilie:

 

A dear friend of mine teaches yoga and she has an explanation for your dd and my youngest ds. "They are conserving their energy and not leaking it all over the place like some of us. You should try it some time, Lisa.":D

 

I die of old age each day as the boy moves from the car to the house after swim practice. Seriously though, we did have to start doing timed math drills and offering a prize. He does the calculations perfectly but oh...so...slooooooooowly. Just out of curiosity, do you have to do state testing and does she finish in the time allowed?

[In2why]

:lurk5:

 

Contemplating the same switch for the same reason.

 

 

Sticking my fingers in my ears.....MUS Beta just came in the mail and I am not impressed, but I hope that is because it looks so different from Saxon and not because it isn't a great program.

[In2why]

Well, with all that time on your hands, you could blog more. I say that for selfish reasons as I am still rolling on the floor over your shoe closet. If it makes you feel better, my dh built not one but two shoe shelves that will hold 20 pairs of shoes. The shelves are right by the garage door where everyone takes their shoes off. The shelves are bare and one of us will die an early death tripping over the shoe mountain on the floor.:tongue_smilie:but I digress...congrats on being done with your planning.

 

Get a dog with a chewing problem....this is the first time in over 20 years of childrearing that my kids put their shoes away. :tongue_smilie:

[DarlaS]

It is the Rev-A-Shelf lift in a 15" Ikea cabinet.

 

I don't know how much room you would have at the bottom. The lift "hinges" for lack of a better term, actually dip down a when you pull out or replace the lift. I have a low basket sitting under my lift, and if it isn't exactly centered, the lift hits it. So I'd be worried that the lift would hit the drawer rails.

 

If you are going to need an Ikea drawer elsewhere, you could install the drawer in the base cabinet (without attaching the door to it yet) and see if it works. If it does, attach the door to it. If not, just take out the drawer and hang the door by the hinges.

 

I think you'll be fine on the forward clearance.

 

Also, if you are installing the lift yourself, be very careful. The springs are MIGHTY! It was shipped to me with the lift extended, but you have to install it with the lift collapsed. The springs were so strong I couldn't even come close to collapsing it without it installed. What I finally figured out (with no help from Rev-A-Shelf) was to attach it to a stud that was still exposed in the kitchen and then I had the leverage to collapse it. Then I removed it from the stud and installed it into the cabinet.

 

Have fun!

 

Thanks SO much for those details. I am going to be fiercely protective of counter space in my new kitchen, and I am pretty sureI need one of these lifts. I'll probably just do it like you did or maybe try it with a wire basket. I think they may have a lower profile than the drawers (even though it bugs me that they look flimsy by comparison).

[Amy loves Bud]

A dear friend of mine teaches yoga and she has an explanation for your dd and my youngest ds. "They are conserving their energy and not leaking it all over the place like some of us. You should try it some time, Lisa.":D

 

I die of old age each day as the boy moves from the car to the house after swim practice. Seriously though, we did have to start doing timed math drills and offering a prize. He does the calculations perfectly but oh...so...slooooooooowly. Just out of curiosity, do you have to do state testing and does she finish in the time allowed?

 

I love it!

 

We do not have to do testing. A little over a year ago we did take the ITBS just to see. She either just finished or missed the last couple of problems on most of the sections. She scored fine, but could have done better if she had been a little faster and gotten those few questions.

[FlockOfSillies]

Her slowness is an issue in life, not just math. She is very smart, but just moves at her own pace. There is rarely a reason to hurry in her world.

 

Hold on. I need to go to the kitchen and make sure you haven't stolen my kid. :auto: Nope. She's still here.

 

So there. I just spilled the contents of my brain. There is nothing left in there today. :tongue_smilie:

 

"Pick up your brains and put them back in your head. What, have you lost your MIND?!" -- Bill Cosby :lol: