We actually just got a new matress set. I tried the temperpedic and was not comfortable laying on it (I have a bad lower back). We got a Simmons extra firm matress and in just the past week I have noticed a big difference. We did not get a pillow top either just straight firm mattress. Best bet is to go in and lay on them and see how they feel when you lay in the possition you sleep in. I sleep on my side so that is how I tested them. Stay a few minutes on each type and you should be able to notice a difference in the mattresses.

I use Sonlight and Apologia. We normally do the Sonlight 3-4 days a week and then the Apologia 1-2 days plus she does projects at co-op for the Apologia. If she was not doing it at co-op I would probably just stick to one program.

We used it last year. I loved the program. We used CHOW not SOTW. Dd learned a ton from the course. I was not thrilled with the poetry selection but dd loved them and even got the rest of the books out of the library and devoured them. I personally like the LA program especially for that age. I saw a great deal of improvement in dd's writing over the year. I thought it was just enough for her age (7/8).

Our co-op is currently doing Swimming Creatures. We offer two classes one is 7-9 year olds and then the other is 9-11 year olds. The first class uses the junior journal and the other one is using the standard journal. The classes are usually kept around 10-12 kids at the max. Dd is in the younger class. We do the readings and the journal at home and then in class they do the try its/experiments along with making models for their box/display. They even had the zoo moblie come in for one class. Our classes last for about an hour.

I tried using a different browser and I finally got it!

Jodie I am right there and I only get the 2 minute video even though I registered awhile ago.

I just get a little video staying how they are going to have the tour on Nov 16th

Now they say it will be on Nov 16th in a little video about it.

If you move over the picture about the webcast you are now able to click on it. It does not do anything yet but it looks like they might be working on something.

I have not been able to get in either. I am really disappointed. Something just does not seem right. Did anyone get in?

I think it is a great idea. I know lots of folks who have done small co-ops in their homes. The first thing I would do is find the folks you want to do this with. Then talk to them about curriculum and set up. It may be where you switch who is doing what each week or one or two families do each subject. Try not to run or control it all, make sure the decisions are shared among each family.

Easy Grammar I love it!

If you are going to do it in the 3 semesters they say it takes then you would do it 5 days a week. You can stretch it out if you want to also just doing one to two days a week. I think we stretched it out only doing 3- 4 days a week due to our co-op schedule.

You might to check out Jensen's Vocabulary. That is a great program and you can stretch it out for a few years.

We did that last year. I normally do not buy the experiment kit, we have 99% of the stuff here (dh loves science). I will say you can probably get away without watching the dvd but dd really enjoys watching them. Sometimes we will do the experiment and then just watch the dvd afterwards. She would love if I kept the dvds forever (or at least till she is bored with them). I normally get alot of my books through the used curriculum sales. I would suggest purchasing the Science Activities book though insted of trying to get it from the library.

My district (in NY) states you may count any legitimate learning experience towards your hours. In their example they even list Church choir. When dd used to go to ss we counted that in her total hours, also VBS counts in my opinion since she is learning music, art, religion and having gym time. Some folks do not choose to count it and that is fine but as long as she is learning something I count it.

Which Core are you using? We are currently doing D. I have the schedule laid out behind each of the weekly tabs. I took all the appendixes/study guides and put them in a seperate book, that is where all the questions, mapping, timelines.. are. I can leave the big binder open to the schedules and then just flip around in the smaller binder to the book we are working on at the moment.

6n + 48

What I do is put all the weekly schedule sheets (core, LA, Science) behind each week. I keep those in the big blue binder. I then use a second binder for all the appendixes/study guides. For the history ones I actually made up individual dividers this year for the different books. It makes it easier to find since you flip around alot with them. For the read alouds and the readers I just use a tape flag for that week. I leave the blue binder open on the table and then only open the other one when we need it during the day. This seems to work really well for us.

People use Sonlight in many different ways, there really is no wrong way. We personally like the way it is scheduled with a little History, a little time for dd to read and then a read aloud. There are sometimes when dd really gets into something and we may do some extra reading but otherwise we enjoy the way they have it broken up. That being said you do what works for your family.

MCP Maps, Charts and Globes. Just pick the level that works with your child. I really like it.

We used the one on the Sonlight site. Dd loved the book. I liked the drawings in it and think I would prefer that to photos. It maybe that Sonight is just shipping the one out until they run out and then they will be shipping the new one.

It took dd about a year or so to really figure out the benefits of hsing. She went to ps for k and we pulled her for 1st grade. We joined a co-op, which she loves, and I just kept reinforcing some of the positives over the year. When we finished our school work before lunch I would mention how all those poor kids a ps still had a few more hours of school but she was lucky she could play or we could go some place. When her freinds in the neighborhood came home from school and had to do homework I would say isn't it nice not having to worry about homework. We did lots of field trips and were able to attend a bunch of plays (children's theater that does school performance that our hs group got tickets for at the school rate). After about a year she started trying to convince her freinds that they should hs too! So my advice, be patient. You know what is best. Kids can not see the long term benefit but you can. She will eventually come around.

We used Horizons for grades 1-3. Horizons really helped dd learn the basic facts. I know R&S is supposed to be similar. I would also suggest getting the game snap it up. We played that with dd all the time to help reinforce her basic arithmetic facts.

What about Story of the World? I know lots of folks whose kids read those independently. You can usually find them used too.