Sounds like you have reading covered. Do you want written phonics practice? Because then you could move on to ETC 1. Those aren't that expensive. For math, my current K'er has been loving these books this year: https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Math-Grade-Gold-Workbooks/dp/160418776X/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1547314326&sr=8-4&keywords=homework+gold+star+edition There's a bunch of them. I don't know if I'd add much beyond that, except for fun stuff like colouring or art.

Thank you for all the suggestions and the link to the other thread. I'm going to see what I can find when I go shopping next.

I say no, it's not a concern, because she will hit all the typical topics like physics and such in high school. That's enough, especially if she isn't that interested in those things. I have one who has been obsessed with birds, and has done biology topics almost exclusively for the past 3 or 4 years. I'm not overly concerned, because he's going to do biology, physical science, chemistry, etc. in high school yet.

I second all the books that have been mentioned so far. You might also try the Wells of Knowledge series. Books like What's Faster Than a Speeding Cheetah? and Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is? You'll have to maybe look at samples to see if they're the right level for your child but we like the ones we have.

I love this idea and I've done something somewhat similar. With all the science books I've collected over the years, I just let my kids that age pick books and read them, keeping a notebook of drawings and narrations. They do experiments if they want to. I really enjoy the freedom in letting them choose.

Anyone have a suggestion for a good chapstick or lip balm that doesn't dry out your lips even more once it wears off? Does such a thing exist? I am in need of something new and better than the cheap junk I've been using.

I think I would try a different approach or a different program. It seems that some kids just don't really get grammar. If all else fails, I give up in about 8th grade. Before that, if grammar is difficult for them, I choose English programs that are grammar-light (LLATL is one). Even kids who don't really get grammar can learn to write well, which should be the end goal of doing grammar anyway, so taking it light or taking some time off isn't really that detrimental.

I have PVCs and I have done the Holter monitor, but I really don't have much advice. I only have one or two per day, so 9000 sounds like a lot to me. However, I will say that when mine started, I was having them every minute or two and they have slowed down significantly since then. So I am not much help but your post looked lonely and maybe this bump will result in better info from more experienced people!

7Sister's Speech & Public Speaking - I think it would be great but my son took one look at it and refused to do it. The idea of reading a children's lit book to an audience (as an introductory exercise) was reprehensible to him. 🙄 He understands it gets better when it gets to the actual speech-writing, but he would much rather do programming or something. SCM Learning About Birds - A week in, my son asked me when he would get to the "real science". It was too young for him. He is much happier with God's Design books. ETC - I have always loved this and used it with all my kids but for whatever reason, my dd doesn't like it. She likes Adventures in Phonics just fine. ETA: Tried it again a few months later and she did like it. She is now finished book 1 and on to book 2. Easy Grammar 9 - again, nothing wrong with it. It was just a waste of time, really. Now we just correct his grammar in the context of writing. Apologia Biology - we are actually sticking with it and I do really like the book but it is just so. darn. technical for kids who don't give a rip about science. I wish there was something just like it, only slightly easier. Language Lessons for Today - Nothing wrong with this either; my son just prefers R&S. Logic Countdown - I've had all my kids do this and usually it's a hit, but it was actually too hard for this son. Saving for next year. He's doing Primarily Logic instead which is the same type of thing, but easier. Progressive Phonics - this was a hit with a different kid but my current K'er needed way more repetition and a slower pace. She's doing awesome with The Reading Lesson now. PP might work better after we've done TRL so we might go back to it later. I didn't think I had that many busts but that looks like a long list.

Thanks for reporting back!

Thank you for all the very helpful suggestions!

I need some new meal ideas. We have no food restrictions, so anything goes, but it has to be "normal" food (nothing too fancy or weird) and it has to feed a large family. I've got 5 kids and 4 are boys (and almost 3 teens). I'm having to drop some of my usual meals because I can't make them any bigger. Or, just tell me what you're having for dinner tonight. 🙂

You know what? I would do Science in the Beginning and SOTW 2 with a 6th grader without adding anything. Maybe the history is a little young for her but it's super interesting and that's more important to me than being exactly on grade level. I would maybe require written narrations but I don't know what you're doing for writing so that might not work for her. But really, those programs are fine for her age.

True, the definition is important! I was more thinking along the lines of the first example above. You are still involved, you grade, you discuss, you help them figure out problems, but they can go do it on their own and then come see you at the end. I wasn't thinking about "sink or swim", as Jean put it. I don't agree with that either.

About once per month, I have my middle school kids do a mini history research project (very basic - just reading about an event or person of their choosing, taking notes and writing a short report). The problem is, we are in modern times, doing history from SOTW 4, and I have very few other books that they can use to research modern events and people. I have lots of resources for other time periods, but not for modern. What sort of book could I get that would be appropriate for about 5th-8th grades where they could look up modern people and events? It could be a textbook or maybe one of those history encyclopedias? Any ideas for me?

I would do the following: Have them read a list of books of all different types and discuss them with me, including history books that would also informally cover history Write narrations across all subjects Keep progressing with math at whatever level they are comfortable with, without pushing to get to a certain level Have them do interest-led science and keep a notebook of what they study (drawings, experiments, questions, etc.) do a lot of non-school things that contribute to interests and life skills, like learning to cook, jogging, or painting, or whatever they are interested in This plan may not transfer well to being college-ready but I may leave that bridge for when I need to cross it. You can always do more later, if it's needed and they are capable.

This has been brought up in a few recent threads and now I am curious. Do you have kids who are capable of being given a checklist and then going off and doing the majority of their school work on their own? I was under the impression that this was fairly common among homeschoolers but the talk about it recently has made me wonder. It probably has something to do with age (most 3rd graders aren't going to do this, I expect) and perhaps what kind of curriculum is used. Where does your family fall in terms of independent work? Is this not as common as I thought?

16yo son is doing TT Algebra 2 right now and it's going well so far, but I'm looking into options for next year. Depending on how the rest of this year goes, I'm not sure he'll be up for TT Precalculus, nor will he need it for his post-secondary plans (likely either working or pursuing some kind of trade in mechanics). He has mentioned to me that he would like a book that reviews a lot of the math he's learned, including algebra, geometry, basic trig, etc. Is there a book or a program out there like this? (And yes, I am aware that he should do precalc if he can because he might change his mind, etc. etc.)

Haha! It happens to me, except I just sing the song and annoy my children instead of finding an actual recording of it. ? I know I sang something the other day, but now I can't remember what it was or what inspired it.

Every time my 5yo is sick with anything, she throws up. The whole family will get a cold, and she will, too, with the added bonus of vomiting. This has been especially true in the last year. No one ever has stomach problems except her (with the exception of once). Is this normal for little kids? Are some kids just like that? If so, is there hope that she might outgrow it?

I would suggest some sort of workbook that is quick and painless. I really like R&S but at the 6th grade level it's a textbook, not a workbook. Still, it's straight-forward and simple. Spelling Workout or Building Spelling Skills are other workbook programs; I'm sure there are more.

This. I am also eclectic. I have been influenced by WTM and CM but ultimately, I have to do what works for my child. It always irks me when I see homeschool parents trying so hard to stick to a philosophy at the expense of what their child wants/needs.

I'm not sure if the search would help you, but a number of people have used Mr. Q's Advanced Chemistry in the past. I haven't used it but yes, it is supposed to be solid for high school chemistry. There is a short description of it in the high school chemistry thread pinned to the top of the board. I asked for reviews of it a few months ago, and many of the replies said it moved pretty quickly. https://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/674263-mr-q-chemistry-reviews/?tab=comments#comment-8110698 I also don't use Apologia past biology (and if I could find a bio I liked better I might drop that, too) so I've been using courses from Master Books and Pacworks, and I plan on using Conceptual Physics. None of my high schoolers so far are going to have science careers.

WWE is a VERY different way to learn to write than what public schools do. I know right now that it looks like your son is behind those other children, but I promise he isn't. Just because the public schools say they are doing those things doesn't mean that it works, or the kids are good at it. Those skills are too advanced for 8 years old, IMO. Your son sounds like he is doing fine, and he's just where he should be. I agree with Milknhoney - read more about the WWE method so that you have a bigger picture in mind for where you're headed. All of my older children have been through WWE and it's been successful every time. It does look very different than public school, but trust the process! ?

Good idea, thanks. I do history and English this way, so that is helpful.