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Hi everyone, This is just one of those posts to say that, after completing Beyond last week... I'm NOT a burned-out homeschool mom! Yeah! I actually am motivated to keep my kiddos reading and practicing some necessary skills over the summer, as well as working on getting some things ready for Bigger...

Hi, I used the ERS with my dd when she was 6. It was gentle and easy for her at the time, but I thought it would be good for her to do. Then, when she was 7, we did a year of "just reading", with her reading aloud to me at times, and also providing some oral narrations and vocab work. She was in 1st...

I'm looking forward to reading these! It helps to build confidence in "why" we're doing what we're doing!

Thanks for your input, Carrie. I was just pouring over Bigger today, and thinking about the extension readings my dd will be doing. And I was looking over the WWE guide. Now that I've got a better grasp on the scope of things, I was realizing exactly what you are saying... there's either going to be...

Great ideas, Julie! As I was going around cleaning, I was thinking that I needed to continue to start the AM with prayer and some Bible verses or songs with the kids. But we didn't do it. Your post serves as a reminder that I really need to do that, b/c like you, I don't want my kids to associate th...

Oh, I love Julie's description of the CM method! While I am not as experienced as she, I see the wisdom in what she said. It only makes sense that children will learn when something is interesting vs. a dry textbook. And as for 'structure', I am a bit confused about the concern regarding structure. ...

Hi ladies, Just wondering... do you have your kids take standardized tests or do you do a portfolio review? In OH, we have the option of either, and I've always done a portfolio. But I'm debating doing some testing next year. Wondering... which tests did your kids take? Can you choose a test? I supp...

We finished Beyond on Friday, and so today (Monday) is our 1st day of break! The kids are enjoying "just playing", and I'm enjoying cleaning the house. (Sad, I know! ha!) While we certainly enjoy doing school with HOD, it is so nice for us to take a "hard-earned" break. We celebrated with an Auntie ...

I love the "most improved..." idea! I might have to use that sometime!

Enjoy! We are going to finish Beyond tomorrow! :-) And praying for wisdom for you, too. As it says in James 1:5-If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. Have a nice break! I'm looking forward to some "down time", t...

We like to have some sort of "special" celebration! In the past, we've gone out for hot fudge sundaes, and this year the kids want to get an Auntie Anne's Pretzel at a local mall. So... whatever seems special to the kids will work for me! And like the previous poster, we give prizes or rewards for r...

Hi, I also will be starting Bigger in the fall with a 9 and 7 y/o. I'm trying to consider what will work best for us, as far as the file boxes and binders go. But here's a link to how Julie got set up. Perhaps that will help you! http://www.heartofdakota.com/board3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5531 Be blesse...

Welcome! While I don't know much about ABEKA, I will say that we did HOD for our 1st year homeschooling, did our "own thing" for the 2nd year, and then came back the 3rd year (this year). And I will say that HOD DEFINITELY brings "life" to schooling! There is a nice balance of the "fun" activities w...

Maybe alternate days? One day do a read-aloud, and one day to DITHOR? Both work on such important, but different, skills. Or, shift your Storytime to evenings and use as a bedtime story? If your DH is willing, perhaps he could do the storytime reading?

Just a thought...

Hi, I just saw a recent post on CTC organizing, and I'm wondering about tips for Bigger organizing, too. I've got 2 children who will be in Bigger, one doing extensions. (One in LHTH, too). I keep pondering, pondering, pondering on how best to organize the notebooks, file boxes, books, etc for 2 kid...