Wow, I just returned to this board after being away all last year, and I had 14 private messages that I never answered (because I never saw them)! I apologize! If you messaged me last year about anything, please accept my apologies and I promise to try to do better! Cheers, Penny

Mammal Tracks - Life Size Tracking Guide ISBN 0970365403 We use this almost daily in the wintertime, and it has a great layout. HTH! - Penny

Schoolwork tied to meals? Are you kidding me? I can't focus or think when I don't eat, I certainly wouldn't expect my children to be able to. If my kids were in public school and had lunch withheld for unfinished work I would hit.the.roof. It's a good thing meals aren't tied to laundry or the million things I'm supposed to get done everyday- I'd starve! I'd make sure she likes the work - she sounds bored, bigtime. Maybe the schoolwork needs fixing, and not the child. Please don't throw tomatoes - just withholding food sounds so controlling and mean - there *has* to be a better way than that. Good luck - may your school goals be successful and your relationship with your beloved daughter remain healthy and intact!

My daughter (age 11) uses NOEO Physics Level 2 completely independently, and in fact, does a better job than if I were to do it with her. She loves it, is learning a lot, and I'm delighted with the science that is finally getting done around here. In fact, not only will I buy another Level II set for her next year (Chemistry), I will buy a Level one for her younger sister. I'll be more involved with the Level 1 student, but it's done in such manageable chunks daily that I'm actually looking forward to it! HTH, Penny

All great ideas. And you're all right - there are no limits. Just use our imaginations and stop worrying about programs, what to do when, etc. Sometimes I just panic, kwim? (and I know that panic mode is the *worst* time to think about school, truly) Thanks again, Penny

How's that for an odd title?? lol Ok, here's the scoop. My daughter is 8, a second grader by "school standards", but way beyond that academically. She can read anything, and is quick with math. She's had loads of history, a decent amount of science (would like more) and really, has learned so much just through life with an older homeschooled sister that teaching her typical "second grade" stuff is a joke. She's not "gifted", btw. She's just a smart, quick learner. Her maturity level is a solid second grader, so I don't want to accelerate her into a level that has too heavy a workload, or too mature a content. She's completed 80% of Calvert 2, all of Oak Meadow 2 & Oak Meadow 3. I really don't want her "school" to last more than a few hours at most - she's only 8, y'know? And I am out.of.money. (I will probably never be able to afford Calvert again (which is just fine) - so things like that are out.) Any ideas? Thank you for your wisdom - I know many of you have been down this road, and I'm grateful for your help! Penny

I appreciate knowing this about the Chemistry levels - that helps a ton! :)

Hi there - I'm thinking of using RS4K with my daughters, grades 2 and 6. My grade 2 daughter wants to learn Chemistry, so the pre-level Chemistry works for her, but I'm not sure where to place my grade 6 daughter. She already knows the biology, so that's out. Plus I know we should do the Chemistry first. I was thinking of doing the Level 1 Chemistry with her - but since Chem is the only thing offered for grades 7-9, I wonder if I should wait - UNLESS, the level 1 needs to be completed before she heads into level 2. then I would do the Chem this year, the level 1 Physics next year in grade 7, and then Chem again in grade 8. The other option is level 1 physics this year and the Level 2 Chem next year. I just don't want her to be totally baffled by the level 2 chem if she hasn't done the level 1. So, after all that (not very quick - sorry!) I guess my question is - can a student do level 2 Chemistry without having done Level 1? Thanks in advance for any light you can shine on my confusion! Penny

OM is very holistic, and about as far from WTM as you can get - in the early years - by 6/7 grade it's on level with Calvert, but still, it's a more gentle approach (and very literature based, btw), by high school it's text books and all of that. It's accredited and a high school diploma from OM is like a diploma from any other "school". They also have SAT courses and the whole 9 yards - even a prom and graduation! If you like crafts and nature walks - do them. You don't need OM for that. HTH, I'm sure you will get LOTS of other replies...

Thank you dian! This helps a lot - I'm hoping this science program will be a good fit for us. Penny

I just want the basics - can I get by with the activity books, textbooks and manual - or do I need the homework, extra notes and tests? Thanks for any input - I'm grateful! Penny PS: This is for an almost 3rd grader, for use this year and next. thanks again! :001_smile:

I see your point here - but 2 separate programs would break her. I wonder if there's anything like Horizons but goes through 8th grade... but is *not* Saxon. Hmmm... Thanks again, Penny

Hi everyone, I was wondering if you'd weigh in on this... My soon to be 6th grader is doing the Key to... series, and doing pretty well with them- BUT I feel like she's doing the work without really "getting it" kwim? She has a good math attitude, and is average, I would say, in her abilities. I just downloaded the placement for Singapore, and I can tell you right now she would struggle with the 4A test, so that's where I'm planning on putting her IF you all tell me that's an ok thing to do. It's either that or a textbook (I'm fine with that too, I just like the looks of Singapore). I don't want video math, or MUS. I had thought to do RightStart intermediate math - but you all scared me away from that yesterday! (and I'm grateful for the honest opinions - that's why I come here!) What do you think? Is Singapore 4 reasonable for a sixth grader or will I be putting her too far behind and she'll never make Algebra by grade 9? I'd love your expertise! Thanks a ton - Penny

and good luck too! Penny

Thank you all for your replies. I'm not sure what to do though. I like the idea of using G for 6 and 7 and then algebra for 8 - I just wish I could feel like that was enough. It would need word problems, I understand that, but why extra percents and decimals? Are there not enough contained within the G program? If I'm going to have to continue to do Key to.. for extra practice, why would I add on the RS Geometry (except because it's neat!)? Does it produce better mathematicians? Better test scores? Better thinkers? Truly, I really want to do this program. She would love it. But she won't love it if it's just extra work. And I won't love it if it just confuses the math issue down the road when she has to do more traditional math in high school. Has anyone transitioned from RS to high school math? How'd it go? So many questions! Thank you for all your wisdom - I'm grateful, if befuddled! Penny

anyone???

Hi all :) Would this be appropriate for a 6th grader who has done the first two books of most of the Key to... series? She's very visual, and loves the geometry,but the percents, fractions, measurement and decimals books are pretty dry. I think she would like this, but I'd love some opinions as to it's appropriateness. Also, what grades does this cover - is this all I would need for grades 6-7, then onto Algebra for 8? Is that right? Please advise! Thank you so much! Penny

Great! Now to box up all that guilt and turn it into the answer to someone else's prayer... Thanks again for letting me know, Penny

I have a lot of stuff I'd like to send them- but I can't seem to link to their site. Does anyone know? Thanks Penny

I'm in Vermont :) Penny

Artner's uses these books and the are arranged in historical order. Good luck! Penny PS: I mean the Artner's Reader's Guide from Memoria Press But you probably already knew that...

... be used secularly? Just curious :) Thanks in advance for any insight - Penny

OM 5 is pretty rigorous. It presents things in a less formal way, but all the usual work is there, if you choose to do it, along with a plethora of ideas for crafts and other activities. It's much more creative than the workbook approach. It gives a weekly plan instead of a daily, but there is plenty of work in there. It just expects flexibility, not rigidity. It's not the deep end. Not even close. It's actually on par with Calvert grade 5 in terms of difficulty level. The science is great. Well laid out and interesting. Same for the history. They will have a 20% off sale either in April or June - and it has an excellent resale value. HTH - Penny PS: The only thing you would have to add is Latin if you wanted that. Spelling and vocabulary are included.

... I just jot notes for 36 weeks, then start all over again. Penny

I really appreciate the feedback - I'm hoping to ring in the new year with Latin. Is that pathetic??? LOL??? Only homeschoolers would understand that one! :) Penny