Ouch! Suffered through delayed onset muscle soreness yesterday as muscles adjusted to a new routine (DVD Strong Body, Ageless Body). Hauling two five gallon bucket of compost for an hour to feed the raspberry patch, then back to a masters swim practice tonight for 1:15 hrs and 2400 yards or a mile and a half.

I like CPO Earth Science better than any other science text I've used, but I am not using it the same way as redsquirrel. I do own the some of stuff for the demonstrations, but I've only done a few. Many of the demonstrations are exercises in what we already do in our daily lives. Mostly I use the text for learning how to take notes, and to use those notes to take exams. I have a DVD with exams that require written responses to questions rather than multiple choice questions. The student record sheets are OK, but they're easy to get bogged down in and move slowly through the text. I use the review questions at the end of sections more. I require written answers to the review questions and we discuss. It is a solid series of science texts. I find homeschool science too fluffy. I do plan to use life science next year. Extras for next year? I've looked at the investigations and will cobble something together that will be fruitful and interesting. Many of the first investigations about how to do experiments, units of measure, etc. are a repeat from this year; however, I do think the investigations on how to conduct an experiment invaluable.

Ditto on OhElizabeth's comments above. The fundamentals of teaching writing is about getting a student's thinking onto paper/screen. With my elementary grade kids I had them talk about their writing, what they wanted to say, repeat back to them what they said making sure I got their words right, then repeating it once again for them to write using correct grammar. Elementary grade kids don't write huge amounts, so this is not too time consuming. When the kids get older, I read back to them what they've written in their rough draft. It is easier for them to hear their mistakes when I read their work back to them. My top resource for writing is writing and reading. I have the kids do different types of writing for their grade level and use as many resources as it takes. None of my resources are a curriculum as in a single package to open and go. What grades/levels? Grade/level would be how I would determine which resources to use. P.S. I'd love to be able to teach science without a curriculum like you. I am chained to a science text to set my course.

I missed swimming yesterday, so I did Strong Body Ageless Body DVD I bought several years ago and never used because it was too hard to keep up. Well, now I can keep up. Not a bad, quick workout. I am interested in Kettlebells. Anyone do these? Can I do these on my own or invest in a personal trainer to learn how to use without getting hurt.

Me too!

Me: 20 years homeschooling through a charter school that allows me to choose curriculum and follow my own path. The only requirement is a monthly meeting to hand in work which demonstrates progress is being made in four core subjects: Math, LA, Science, and Social Studies. I am given a lot of freedom. These monthly meetings keep me on track. Without this requirement, I would probably let too much slide. Homeschool teacher was my main occupation for over a decade and a half. Now with only the youngest of four still at home and working part-time and trying to keep physically fit, I've simplified my homeschool routine. My homeschool routine is very fluid to account for missed days and half days, but my expectations are consistent on quality of work. I expect independent work to be done. My expectations are simple: Do a job you're going to be proud to share. Juggling work and school is a challenge. I also pay attention to what works and what doesn't, what needs more time, etc. When choosing what to use for math or any subject, I do a lot of research on a curricula to determine if it will work with my kid's learning style. I try not to curriculum jump and stay away from fad "curriculum-of- the-month" stuff. I don't have time or money for my choices not to work, but I don't bang my head on the wall either if one of my choices is a clear fail, so I'm always scanning the board for other options. I try to work above grade level in all subjects, and I am creative in how I use my LA curriculum. I like to teach writing and reading. Planning...I still haven't figured this one out. I just make a general outline of direction and try to keep within the 36 week schedule, but life happens and I roll with it and modify on the fly.

Take a look at 6+1 Traits. It is not a writing curriculum, but it does have samples of student writing. These samples might encourage your reluctant writer when he reads the writing of other students. Look at this book on Amazon and browse the pages. It may help. Otherwise, require writing across all subjects. Short written answers and paragraphs.

Some may shun The Common Core, but it does have its merits. I stumbled across this writing resource-Writing Companion- and bought it because it covered the types of writing a student should master at grade level. I also have on my bookshelf-Writing Workshop. Both of these resources are slim books with step-by-step approaches to writing. Another useful tool is to use RAFT=Role, Audience, Format, Topic from 6+1 Traits of Writing. It may give your reluctant writer a framework for his writing. A question: Does your son hate writing because he doesn't want to do the hard work of putting his thoughts down on paper, or does he hate writing because he is frustrated and cannot figure out the process? How you answer this question will guide your choice of writing curriculum.

DD-17 is a small person with extra large teeth. We went the extraction route. Even with extraction her teeth are tight. She is in the last few months of braces and will have her wisdom teeth pulled. The baby teeth extraction + adult teeth extraction + braces is going to be close to $10,000. over 18 years.

FWIW~I've bought this text once in the past, and I've bought similar types of text such as Mosdos Literature only to abandon them. I've found it more effective to teach elements of literature with complete novels and short stories. I also do not like teaching writing in the combined literature format that the texts seem to offer. I teach writing separately, including literary analysis.

7th Grade Year: Math: Singapore Dimensions Math 7A & 7B LA: Novels and shorts stories TBA Lightning Literature 8 Using novels from The Big Read The Art of Poetry SAT word study Spelling Workout Level G Writing​​ ​ -Thinking in Threes -CC Writing Companion -Shurley English 7 Hake Grammar and Writing without the writing but with the dictation. -Creative Writing=poetry and fiction Article of the Week Books on my writing & literature shelf: Discovering voice Writing with a thesis Simple and Direct Reading and writing about Literature Study is Hard Work On Writing Well The New Writer's Handbook Figuratively Speaking We will not be reading all of these books. These are resources from which I will craft a writing program specific to my DD's needs. I will be using Thinking in Threes and Common Core Writing as a foundation. History: The Human Odyssey K12 vol. 2 History Odyssey Level 2 Middle Ages and Early Modern Times Memoria Press Geography - Complete I continue onto II World Geography and Cultures Science: CPO Life Science

Maybe Sailor Dude and sailor Girls should try some time out on the Bay. Affiliate yacht clubs?? At least a ferry ride. Ocean Beach. Marin Headlands. Chinatown. Crissy Field. Ghirardelli Square for chocolate and dessert.

This is what I do also. Comparing Singapore to Horizons Math, I'd say Horizons is behind Singapore Math by at least a year maybe more. Singapore word problems are far more complex.

The Pool of over-the-top, perfect SAT scoring kids with long lists of achievements is huge, and the open slots at elite colleges are few. My daughter applied to 12 different colleges in the past few months. These colleges ranged from far reach elite Ivies to local, state colleges and a good number of middle ranked colleges. All of the colleges she applied to she'd love to attend. My daughter goes to Laurel Springs online high school (I was not up for homeschooling high school, but I am still homeschooling a 6th grader.). She is a straight A student with 10 AP class credits. She is just your average smart kid. After our experience of applying to elite schools, we got the impression that these schools are looking for kids who've found the cure for cancer in their spare time, but then reading through The College Board about the kids who got accepted Early Decision, those ED kids had less than stellar achievements compared to those who were relegated to the regular admissions process. It is confusing what Ivies want, but I am glad my daughter did not focus on one college or all Ivies. The takeaway: Keep MIT in your sights but look around at other options. High school math--complete Calculus AB by senior year. That means starting high school with geometry or Algebra II. Colleges will consider the difficulty of high school courses, so work higher than grade level. Learn to write well. It will be needed for application essays.

I drive 1.5 hrs three times a week for kid activities for two kids, two activities each-a sport and music. When my son played baseball we drove 5-6 days a week for the season. Not recommended. The downside of all this driving besides the cost of gas and wear~n~tear on the autos, is school, house, and dinner. All of these can get neglected because I do not get home until 10:30pm three nights a week. I do not like all of the sitting in the car and endless waiting. It isn't healthy for me. Now that the kids are old enough, I have them wait for me so I can swim.

This is so tough. I am currently trying to figure this out. So far I've come up with keeping the devices in the family area--no bedroom. No useage after a certain hour at night. No iPod gaming during school hours, but we do use the computer for school related projects--computer as tool. My youngest child is the only one of my children that has grown up with technology from the beginning. I can see the effect. No matter how many books I surround her with, read to her, or read myself, when boredom strikes, she grabs a device rather than grabs a book. I am trying to get this child to see the benefits of these devices as a tool; while at the sametime I am trying to get her to understand how these same devices steal your time. To be fair, I also limit my time on the computer so I can get stuff done too--school?!

My friends who chose to be childless are ridiculously happy, well-adjusted people, but those friends that are childless and wished that they'd met the right man at the right time and didn't are the more classically bitter older woman. When visiting friends, my daughters' first choice is to hang out with the childless women friends because they're so much more vibrant and funny.

I am intrigued, Clear Creek can you elaborate on your experience, most especially about the literary essay. I have used and will use again Thinking in Threes , a recommended text for Intro to composition. Thanks.

I am trying to find 6 AP exams hopefully at only two schools. So far I've been told that one public school does not accept outside students, and the five other schools I called have not returned phone calls. i wish AP exams were like signing up for the SAT, at least a student would be assured a slot to take a test. Back to the phone....

If she wants to take this test you need to find a high school that is willing to order the test and include her in their testing. Now is the time of year to start calling around to local high schools to see if they accept other students in their AP testing, if so request that they order a test and you pay the fee to the school for the test before the test date. Even if a school agrees to test your child, confirm the day and time a week prior to test date. Did someone remember to order an extra test?

I swim with master 2x a week, plus another day on my own lap swimming incorporating hand paddles (It's like lifting weight in the water.) and fins into my workout. After a year of swimming I've improved a lot. Went to a swim meet over the weekend and shaved 12 seconds off my 50 free from last may. I stretch and lift weights on my off days, and when the surf is reasonable I get out on my boogie board for a few hours.

FYI~ I signed DD up for an AP exam last year only to have her turned away the day before the exam because another student at the school signed up late and took my DD's spot. DD did take the exam on the make-up day several weeks later, but it did cause her some anxiety. Finding a school that offers Computer Science A this year is going to be hard. :glare:

Actually, to get into top ranked colleges it helps if: A. Your parent is an alumni making generous contributions to the college B. Your parents can pay full tuition C. You're an athlete After the above gain admission, there are huge number of super smart kids vying for the remaining limited number of slots. Being smart does not guarantee admissions into higher education anymore, nor do accomplishments make or break an application. Even when super smart kids apply to 12 different colleges ranging from reach to safety, they may be accepted to only 2 colleges or universities in March/April.

If your DS is just beginning, learn to read the music along with him. That is what I've done for 17 years. I can now read music, but I can't play very well.

CLASSIFIED WILL NOT ACCEPT LONG LISTINGS OR A LISTING MADE IN A NUMBERS TEMPLATE. SUCH A PAIN. DOES CLASSIFIED ONLY ACCEPT SINGLE ITEMS??