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This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. I have two children who were diagnosed with this disorder. Both have gone through vision therapy. Our insurance covered none of it, but it was truly worth EVERY penny or should I say dollars! Once the vision therapy was completed I saw leaps and b...

Carrie, You are amazing that you take the time to give one on one replies! I guess I need to update my kids' ages. By the start of next school year 2010-2011, my kids would be 10 years old (4th grade) and 12 years old (7th grade). That would put them both in the RTR age bracket. My younger one actua...

I'm mulling about my HOD choices for next year. Our homeschool convention is coming soon . . . in April, so I like to have a general idea by then for purchases. Presently, I am doing Preparing with my 3rd and 6th grade (girls). At the rate I'm going, I won't be able to get to the upcoming HOD Americ...

Michelle, I have done the activities/notebooking with Apologia, and yes, at times, I have found it hard to squeeze everything in with the Bigger program. To be honest, my kids and I have not enjoyed the Small Square books. I tried to push on with them, but I finally gave up mid year and went with wh...

I'm so glad to read that I'm not alone! I also own all the Apologia elementary science books. It's the one science program my oldest asked me to PLEASE continue. How can a mom resist that? Anyway, I'm reading Zoology I aloud to them during lunch time. It even keeps my 4 year old entertained. All of ...

Yes, I have used Shurley English. I have mixed emotions about it. I used it when I taught in public school, and I liked it for whole class instruction, but I found it very time consuming with homeschooling. My oldest (now 5th grader but was 4th grader last year) didn't like it. She really needed mor...

Oops! I meant to say she's already on the last one in the Preparing guide. Sorry about that mistake. I was wondering what comes after the Preparing guide.

Carrie, will the new guide coming out in August have more spelling dictation? My daughter is already on the last one in the Bigger guide, and I was just wondering what the recommendation will be in the new guide. Should I be looking for a new spelling book program? Thanks for your direction!

I also have used both curriculums. When my oldest was in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade, I used Math U See. It worked great for me in the beginning. She had been in public school and really struggled in math. They were teaching math in a very nontraditional way, and it was completely confusing her. Math U ...

I placed my 10 year old in level 4 R&S. It is one of the BEST decisions I've made this year regarding curriculum. Technically, she's a 5th grader, but going down a level has been perfect for her, but I must add language has always been a challenge for her. I also bought the extra worksheet book and ...

Another suggestion . . . Sometimes I give my kids a question to look for as I'm reading. They are then listening with a purpose. It might also help your child to center in on a few key points. I have a young 8 year old in Bigger, as well. Sometimes I read just a paragraph at a time. She narrates to ...

Here's the link I use: renaissancelearning.com

Click on Accelerated Reader. Then go to order quizzes. Enter your country, then it'll take you to screen where you enter the book title.

I love this website! I hope this helps you, too.

I just had to let Carrie and all know what a blast we have been having with the Bigger and Little Hands program. I have had the most peaceful and organized year EVER. Even my 10 year old commented, "Wow, Mom, you sure are organized this year!" My 4 year old sang her Adam song to her preschool coop t...

I just had to throw in my two cents worth on the Apologia books. I love them and so does my 10 year old. Last year we read the first part of the Botany book. Throughout the summer, my daughter kept repeating things she had learned over and over again. Mind you I do NOT have a child who's an eager le...

My dd who's 10 liked MUS in the beginning, but when we reached Delta, the division year, it became very labor intensive. Lots of long division problems over and over again. She really needed more variety and "fun" added to her day. By the end of her 4th grade year, she disliked math even more. Keep ...