What about something like Ethics/Philosophy/Worldview? I have no idea what your religious beliefs are, but we plan on using this program for our daughter's senior year. http://www.summit.org/curriculum/high-school/home-school/

I agree with you, which is why the test I wrote for her is primarily essay-based. I've read the Iliad and Odyssey and have a fairly good grip on the subject material. I definitely hope the revised tests reflect a deeper interaction with the themes of Homer.

Yes, the tests are included in the TM. I actually really like the TM. It gives background information, summaries, discussion question helps, essay ideas, and the answers (hallelujah), etc. I'm finding it worth the money. I don't know how long it will be for revisions but they are definitely going to revise the tests (thank goodness).

Thanks, Polly. I did manage to contact Memoria and they said they were revising these tests because they are outrageous. I guess I'm going to be making my own tests for these guides this year.

Has anyone used these study guides? The tests are extremely daunting. They are expected to memorize everything (names, places, quotes) and SPELL it all correcty. Eight pages of nothing but memorization regurgitation. No essays at all. My 13yo is bright but I've never seen anything like these tests. Personally I think it is a little overkill. I'm just wondering if any of you have modified these, created or own tests, or if you actually gave them as written.

I'm not going to be online, ladies. I've struggled a long time with my online time. I was helping my daughter clean her room yesterday and discovered a note in her pile of trash. Although part of it may just be teenage angst, she made it really clear that she feels I spend too much time online and misses when we spent more time together. She really struggles to articulate her feelings verbally and tends to write down her thoughts so while the note made me sad, I'm glad I saw it. I needed the kick in the rear. Apparently, while not neglecting my duties, I've clearly neglected my relationships. The house is clean. School is done. Dinner is on the table. And my daughter is lonely for her mom. :( Sigh. Anyway, I'm going completely offline. I've only got a few years left with her and I'm not going to spent it in front of the computer. The only way I can have the willpower to stay away from my blog is to take it down. I won't be here either. What can I say? My kids are more important and that is as it should have been all along.

I check my email once or twice a day, but can take up to two days to respond to an email depending upon the content. I don't have the ability to check email from any source other than our desktop computer. I pretty sure I'm glad about that. ;)

We do both. We try to mix it up some. Right now... Mornings with Mom Devotional books Bible reading (Currently in 2 Cor) Catechism memory work Evenings with Dad Training Hearts, Teaching Minds (Study of the Catechism) Proverbs study Awana memory work Singing hymns Last month we were finishing up Understanding the Faith in the mornings which was a doctrine-based study and were reading a devotion in the evenings. It gets changed up through-out the year. We did the same thing when the kids were smaller. It helps to break it up into mornings/evenings.

I don't really care, but I do wish they'd pick one. Having to teach both is annoying. Pick a system and stick with it.

Can you tell me which core is going to use this book? I'm planning on reading this with my son and would love to see the core.

My daughter went from R&S Math 6 to Saxon 8/7 (which includes Pre-Algebra). I have no clue if that helps you or not. The only suggestion I can make is to have them try a placement test.

Bible: Bible Doctrine for Older Children & misc reading Math: Saxon Algebra I English: R&S English 7, Spelling Power Writing: IEW SCC-B Literature: Literary Lessons from Lord of the Rings Science: Apologia General Science History: Beautiful Feet World & American & misc books for government Foreign Language: First Form Latin Logic: The Thinking Toolbox Other: Continute with Fencing Awana Trek

My daughter already used a lot of dress-ups but I like that IEW has taught her to look for them in her writing. It has helped her balance their usage. I think the RSS is pretty important. It really does what Pudewa says it does. It grabs the waning attention span of the reader. I'd work on it and take the time to explain its importance. Maybe even go on an RSS hunt in some quality literature around your house.

I flew out of LAX about 9 months ago with my two kids. It was a breeze. The kids and I went through regular metal detectors, though there were plenty of scanners. My son had to bring his epi-pen and it wasn't a problem. I had it in a ziploc bag, put in a bin, and sent it through the luggage/carry on scanner. But a lady on our flight had metal sequin on her shirt and they put her through 2+ hours of h$ll. She just barely made the flight. I made sure my kids had absolutely NO metal on them anywhere. It definitely didn't take me two hours to get through security but it might depend on when you are flying out. I've had it TAKE forever. I paid for my luggage and printed boarding passes on the computer at home so that saved time. I just had to drop off my bags and get through security. It was actually the best experience I've ever had there and I've flown out of LAX many times over the last 15 years.

I didn't start the history cycle until my daughter was in 5th. We enjoyed the early years learning about American history, geography, local history, our family's heritage, etc. I haven't regretted it at all.