I am also beginning to research online courses for the upcoming summer and/or school year. Thank you for the Hillsdale idea! How did you ultimately combine these courses for credit? Did you count hours of work in combined courses within a subject to achieve the credit? Also, I had hoped to expose our rising senior to at least one classical Christian online course next year, but the cost is rather daunting, to say the least.

Has anyone used the Switched on Schoolhouse Health? I've not used AO products for anything thus far and don't really know much about the caliber of academics with that publisher.

I'm trying to shore up any major deficiencies we have and am looking at doing a relatively short and painless study in health. Any suggestions on curriculum, etc? Thank you ~

This has been a very interesting thread with numerous points which have challenged my thinking. I believe that this is most definitely a 'sticky wicket' due at least in part to the fact that so much of this discussion will rest with one's own conscience. That said, one of the draws of a classical model for me personally is the emphasis on learning to think and reason well. I believe this has a direct bearing on the discussion about whether or not SWB should continue recommending certain titles or authors or publishers due to a host of reasons. Perhaps we would do well to revisit the reasons SWB and her mother gave for recommending any title to begin with. "The resources that appear in this book are those that combine academic excellence, ease of use for the parent, clarity, and (when possible) affordability." (TWTM, 3rd ed., p. XXIII) Personally, I believe that this is a sufficient disclaimer.

Yes, they are! :) Anyone who purchased the 2014 to the present will receive the new materials for free. http://store.collegeprepgenius.com/new-sat/- See the 'What We Recommend' section.

Our 16 yr old ds has begun using the College Prep Genius materials produced by Jean Burk. We learned of this program at this year's GHC in Cincinnati. While we began the prep a little later than is ideal, I have no doubt the strategies he is learning will only boost his score in the fall as well as on the SAT. Burk emphasizes the fact that the SAT is a logic based test (which I did not know) not knowledge based and gives strategies for taking every section of the test. I will try to post after he takes the PSAT in the fall to report how much he raised his score based on this material vs the practice test online. http://collegeprepgenius.com/- The website also contains information regarding the new SAT. Yes, justasque, less debt certainly means more options. Even homeschooling itself was an option because I was not required to work to pay off our school debt and survive. I understand not everyone finds himself in the same situation and count myself very, very blessed. However, it is a tremendous blessing and gift we can give our children if at all possible. HTH ~

I found myself in a similar situation when I switched from another literature rich curriculum to a classical model. I actually sat my then 5th grade son down and we breezed through FLL 1 - 2 (older combined book), FLL 3, and then FLL 4 before beginning Rod & Staff Grammar 5 as TWTM suggests. Yes, it did take a little while but it made me feel more confident that we hadn't really missed anything. I didn't camp out on any one concept unless there was an issue and skipped review lessons of material he had grasped. When it was all said-and-done, I am thankful we took the time to do so. Had the youngest been closer in age, just starting at FLL 3 like mamaraby suggested would have been a great option. Once he's familiar with the format and if he is capable of being more independent, he could go through FLL 4 alone. Love the FLL series and definitely recommend it at any opportunity. Take courage - he'll be fine. Enjoy those littles!

Just wondering what your opinions would be regarding finishing the last of SOTW 4 with our dd. We're behind. (All right, perhaps everyone is??) We've done SOTW all along but aren't finished with this first rotation of history. She enjoys it and looks forward to it every week; we do 1/2 chapter on two days per week. But, I have all of these wonderful books on our shelves just waiting to be read. :) Our dd 5th grader is rather young; she just turned 10. I don't think she's really ready to begin doing the outlining for the next rotation yet. So, what would you do? Would you proceed on course since she is enjoying it and then let the history play out in the years to come with diligence and hope that high school history will begin on time? Just wondering what seasoned WTM families would do. Thank you for your input ~ By the way, why did the educational powers that be ever stop teaching history chronologically? I am acquiring an excitement about studying history that I never had before. I am still dismally lacking in historical knowledge, but what I have begun to acquire has been most helpful in understanding at least some of what set the stage for modern times. Thank you, SWB. Much gratitude and respect ~

Cosmos ~ Thank you for making time to respond to my pleas, as well. I left out several details in my post, which is not surprising since I was trying to be as succinct as possible. I tend to give way too many details about things that are totally unnecessary. Our ds has actually been doing most of his learning independently for several years now; this is his third year of Latin. He is 'used to' his review and study time including flashcards though I think he would rather that it did not. Our set came with flashcards so he just needs to go get them....about 3 feet from his desk. :) But, I do need to monitor him more carefully as others have said and I have been convicted myself. And yes, we could do digital flashcards which he would probably love to create. Thank you for pointing out options. Your questions regarding whether or not he was on board with his subjects and had a say in his courses is also a good point. We do need to have more of those conversations. We have had a few already; although, he is not really looking forward to going to college and making those grown-up decisions yet. He's not even excited about learning to drive. All these conversations bring those concepts into the forefront of his mind too. He's rather a home body who doesn't particularly enjoy crowds or being apart from his family for too long. In many ways, he's not the typical first-born. Not a mama's boy either - just not as adventurous and wanting to launch out on his own either. Quiet, programmer, deep thinker type. :) Thank you again for your comments. I really do appreciate them ~ Kristi

Arctic Mama ~ Thank you for taking the time to respond so graciously. It sounds as though you have arrived at a realistic and doable strategy for your schooling, though it definitely has its challenges too. I understand what you mean about planning too rigidly and then being frustrated. That can be a temptation too. I used to 'cue up' an entire year's worth of assignments and then spend a lot of time rescheduling things over and over again. I've learned to only schedule one week at a time. We used to school year around purposefully too, but now our ideal has changed. Our goal is to get the bulk of our classes completed during our school year and then reserve 2 or 3 shorter classes for the summers. This will be our first year to have the opportunity to do so. We'll see how it goes. You're right though; being realistic about how much help my children really do need was a good reminder. Thank you ~ Kristi

Lisa ~ Thank you for taking the time to respond. Your answer was so generous and gracious; your own days so full. Thank you ~ Yes, I think you are right about the root of the problem. I really don't want to elaborate, but those years were of great investment both time and emotional; the last year of which has been spent in a great amount of turmoil, sadness, and pain, quite honestly. Re-evaluating much. I do pray about it often, but I can always pray more. Our son is a very independent learner, but I do need to inspect his work more. My husband says ds 'forgets' to do things often because he just doesn't want to do them and it's just easier to be reminded rather than take the initiative. Or perhaps be released if he isn't caught. :( Hearing you say - and from obvious experience, which is what I hoped to hear from - that he won't be 100% consistent yet will help me think more realistically. While he isn't gifted in the Jason Barnett sense, he has received a good mind and my expectations are high though perhaps they are not realistic. Two days of consistency does not mean that there is no longer an issue. And why would I think so when it is not true of myself? Expectations need to be adjusted according to the real people in front of us, right? Looking at your signature line, you certainly have walked emotional roads as we have although the specifics are very different. Regrouping would be a good thing. I'm very drained emotionally, I think, which makes for a discontent, frustrated, and less than patient Mama which is what I don't desire to be. Taking some extended time to think, read, pray, plan, and pray some more would be good. Perhaps I could orchestrate some of that in the near future especially in light of a birthday coming up. :) Thank you again, Lisa. I'm saying a prayer for you tonight ~ Kristi

Thank you for the replies thus far. Yes, laying out a plan for the day is immensely helpful. I have been using Homeschool Tracker Plus software for several years now and wouldn't want to part with it. :) So we do have a daily list of things to do with handy little boxes for check marks and room to list times spent on assignments for transcripts, etc. Perhaps the whole problem IS me ~

I will try to be as brief as possible but with enough information as to enable an educated 'guess'/counsel. Our two children are currently 15 ds (grade 10) and 10 dd (grade 5). We made the transition from Sonlight to pursuing classical education with WTM since our son began 5th grade. However, my time has always been lopsided in helping dd for many reasons - a major one being she is 5 1/2 years younger. Well, I have been rather inspired/encouraged/challenged these past few months by all of the 'restful' teaching/learning information that is being presented. I love the philosophical aspects of all that I hear. However, I don't practically know what to do with all of this. My present reality is this: I have two children that are in various stages of accomplishing tasks to a large extent only because Mom polices it. If I don't police things, they do not get done or not thoroughly. I know that I need to train and I have been trying to do so all along. They have been doing chores all their lives though arguably not as many as they should by now. But they've (and obviously I've) not moved the monkey from my back to theirs. The oldest still frustrates me his reply to WHY he would not update his Latin flashcards with the current weeks lessons BEFORE attempting to USE said cards (and then checking off that he has used said flashcards) is: "I forget; I can't remember." (?!!! New lesson should = getting new flashcards out. Do I really need to type that out also?? Sigh.) Our dd, who is a very cuddly, people-person likes to, perhaps as Cindy Rollins said, find 'joy in every journey' and often can take forever to accomplish something. So, I want to teach from rest, but how do I do that practically speaking? We are not even up to full throttle yet with school. Our oldest is very bright and intelligent but will most often not go any further then is required. I see time passing with him and want to spend more time with him and must, but I am still teaching and training our dd quite a bit. I am about ready to post signs on the wall for ALL of us so that we ALL remember what the rules are and when they are crossed. So, school/chores/responsibilities/"Logic for Life" (WTM pages 455 - 457) are all intertwined and I am left feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and irritated at myself and them for not being in a better place by now. Add to this I've not been ready for school in the fall for the past four years due to heavy involvements/entanglements in a co-op and dealing with the fall-out from all of that including the quiet leaving of said group. I know I've started the year - again - behind, tired, frustrated, and when things are normal win no speed-demon prizes which only compounds the above issues. Any suggestions besides buying an extra large something sweet and rocking catatonic-ally in a quiet corner somewhere??

W.o.w. Praising the Lord with you ~ he is here and healing. :)

I'm sorry your experience with Cinci was so - well, negative. I can totally understand given the experiences you had. Such a shame. We've actually been attending that particular one b/c we too live here in IN and do not attend our local convention - for many reasons. While we have not had the same experiences in Cinci, we have tried to avoid the life-skills types of workshops and booths. (I think some of these types of people might avoid chatting with us as I am usually wearing jeans, make up, and my hubby sports a tasteful goatee.) We are drawn to the apologetics and classical tracks. Thus, we find our minds challenged and encouraged. Yes, Susan is a breath of fresh air. She graciously spent several minutes listening well and offering practical suggestions for my specific circumstances. Also, forgive me if this information is redundant - but Dr. Wile will also be at the convention in question. Amazing. Wonder if there will be a professionalism and restraint on Mr. Ham's part that was not present previously. Rather doubt it.