>   Got our bbs fixed so I can chat again...did you
So glad....I was wondering if you were immersed in the "moving mode" and not 
able to connect with us because of that.
 > decide to homeschool next year or still in the consideration
 > mode?  I love GCB
As I was just telling Alinda Sue, the decision is to homeschool if the 
business (teaching piano/voice) grows to a specific number of students. That 
will mean we have the income that we need without me working in the morning, 
and I would therefore be free to homeschool in the mornings. The kids know 
that the business needs to grow, and they are both willing to help me "get 
the word out" and try to grow late this summer and into fall. I still may end 
up enrolling the kids in school temporarily, as sometimes this business 
doesn't flow until October time frame, but they are willing to make that 
sacrifice. I listened to my husband espound all the virtues and good points 
about homeschooling to some folks we were talking to (she's a public school 
teacher who is VERY uninformed about homeschooling) so I know he's ready as 
well.
 > and always want lots.  I'll be sending you an email
 > (internet) about
That's fine. You have the address, I assume.
 > again.  We'll be using Bob Jones for Melody's third grade (I want to
 > improve her test taking skills) and want to get her well grounded
 > in the basics.
Bob Jones is excellent. I had a chance to look over their materials at the 
curriculum fair and still just may decide to use them for English, tho I am 
sold on the A Beka for history.
As far as test taking skills are concerned, watch your pennies and hit the 
teachers stores in the early part of the new year (Jan). They should have 
little booklets that have practice tests in them, that you can use to 
simulate the test experience, and also use them to teach her how to zero in 
on the correct answers. If you don't find any, holler. I know there were 
units in Schooldays and Classmate, years ago, about test-taking.
 > That's my new philosophy.  Get your kids well grounded
 > in reading, writing and 'rithmatic then move into unit studies
 > after they've mastered the fundamentals...well, mastered might be
 > stretching it, but you get my point...  TTYL!
Yup. Tho unit studies are still fun for science - and you can tie those into 
reading etc.
                                 -donna
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