Thinking About Repeating a Year of Math?

Thinking of Repeating a Year in Math? (Source)

When I talk with other Homeschooling Moms about math, I hear one thing over and over again. It goes
something like this: "We're finishing grade x in math, but my kid isn't getting it. She's gotten okay grades all year, but she works super slow, and doesn't remember what we learned two months ago. I don't think we should go to the next grade. I think we're going to have to repeat this one before we can proceed!"

Sound familiar? 

A while back, my daughter was in a similar situation. She COULD do certain math questions, but slowly and painfully. Math was becoming unpleasant. 

There had been a time when she had enjoyed practicing math by playing Prodigy, but now she had tested into a level that was discouraging - so she had quit the playing the game.

Then, a fellow Mom (who is REALLY good at math! Thanks Alli Pait! : ) gave me a great tip that turned things around. 

She told me, "You know - you can override the grade levels in Prodigy, right?"

I did NOT know!

Well, I went home and did it. I went ahead and paid for the premium membership that rewarded her a little extra for her work, and set my daughter back not just one year, but several years in Prodigy.

Every day, I assigned her to play  "easy" math games on Prodigy, doing 30 to 45 questions a day - but at the same time, we kept working at her regular level with regular lessons. She enjoyed it! The game was fun when it was so quick and easy to get lots of right answers. It made brushing up on the few tricky spots easy.

Next thing I knew, she was enjoying speeding through the levels in Prodigy, getting a great review, and gaining the much touted automaticity - and confidence - that is needed to go on to more difficult math skills. She was getting the running start she needed to fly!

But, at the same time, we didn't have to "fail" any books or grades - we could go right ahead with on-level concepts. 

If you have a kid who is getting bogged down in math, give it a try. 

(And, no - this is not a paid endorsement. Just a product I really like!) 

You can sign up for Prodigy here.

Here's how to override grade levels.

 

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18 Almost No Time, No work Orthodox Lenten meals (Kid Friendly)

Creating a menu for EVERY DAY of a Lenten Season can be quite a challenge - even for one meal a day. But, there are some days when families like more than one meal a day (Imagine!).

Every family needs a list of meals that are quick and easy to serve with little notice - even families that faithfully menu plan. For omnivores, this list often includes things like burgers, eggs, hot dogs,  chicken nuggets, or boxed mac n cheese. 

This is the vegan version!

I'm putting in links to specific brands that I find tasty, and I believe are vegan. No affiliate links, just stuff I like using.

Here are those easy menus that I like to prepare when time and energy for cooking are limited. They're easy meals that can be prepared with very little time or effort, and the family likes them!

 

Also - scroll to the bottom of the page for more Lenten Menus!

 

Pasta with sauce (use homemade or jarred sauce, as you prefer)

 

White Beans

 

 Black-Eyed Peas

 Boca burgers with microwaved baked potatoes

 

 

 Meatless Crispy Tenders (or other Vegan Chicken Nuggets) with Baked Fries (from the freezer section of the grocery)

 

 

 Confetti Spaghetti

 

Mexican layer Dip with Tortillas & Chips

 

 

 Claire’s Delight over Rice

 

 

Hummus with Veggies, Chips or Bagels and Grapes (storebought or homemade hummus)

Lightlife Smart Dogs with Baked Chips & Vegetarian Baked Beans

 

Ramen Noodles (Soy Sauce Flavor by Maruchan) with Veggies added (we like Broccoli in ours)

 

BLT made with Lightlife Smart Bacon

 

 

Vacation Soup

 

Lazy Day LoMein

 

Black-Eyed Pea Salad

 

White Bean Salad

 

Black Bean & Corn Salad with Tortilla Chips

Club Sandwich made with Tofurky Deli Slices, Daiya American Cheese, Lightlife Smart Bacon, Lettuce (or cucumber slices), Tomato, and Vegan Mayo on Toast. (to me the trick of enjoying these "fake" foods on a sandwich is to use a small quantity of each - one slice Tofurkey, one slice "cheese" etc - and let the flavors blend)

For more Lenten Menus, check these posts:

Lenten Potluck Ideas

 
Menu for the First Week of Orthodox Christian Lent

 
Lenten Menu -A Meal for Every Day of Great Lent 

 
A Month of Gluten Free Vegan Meals with Recipe Links

9 Dump Dinners (Vegan & Gluten Free)  

 
40 Day Lenten Menu for People Who Hate to Cook

 
Lenten & Omnivore's Week's Menu

 
Lenten & Vegan Church Coffee Hour Plan

 
Orthodox Lenten Menu 2021, with Less Time in the Kitchen

 

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14 Day Lenten Menu (Vegan)

For Orthodox Christians, the 6 weeks before Christmas are are Lenten Season. This time can be called the Christmas Fast, or Advent. For the first four weeks, Fish is permitted most days. Then, during the last two weeks before Christmas, the fast becomes a little more rigorous.

Here is a two week menu for Lent. For Orthodox Christians (Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Antiochian Orthodox, etc), Lent generally means abstaining from Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dairy & Eggs.

Here is a menu of dinner meals that are Lent-Friendly.

During Lent, we offer a variety of other dishes on the table according to availability, such as:

Fresh Homemade Bread,

 Foccacia,

 Hummus,

Salad,

Crackers, Olives, Capers, Crudites, and/or Stuffed Grape Leaves (from a can). 


And, of course, Fruit for dessert (and sometimes fancier things : )



Greek Style Black-Eyed Peas

Peas & Artichokes Yachni

Veggie Burgers (or purchased) & Oven Fries

Claire's Southern Delight over Rice

Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce

Indian Spiced Black-Eyed Peas over Rice

Moroccan Red Lentil Soup

Lazy Lo Mein

Calzone Casserole

Revythia (Greek Chickpea Stew)

Cyprus Bulgur Pilaf

Gigantes (Greek Giant Beans)

Black Bean Soup with Rice, Tomatoes, and Corn Chips

Fasolia Yachni