When we can't get everything done, I always make sure to have time for: Math English History Science Depending on grade, "English" might focus on reading or spelling or grammar or writing or literature analysis...

I always figure... if it's a potluck, it shouldn't matter how many parishioners are coming to the potluck... it just matters how many people you're bringing. So if every family who comes brings a dish that could theoretically feed their own family (if you were willing to eat only melon, freezer pickles and cucumber salsa, for example), then you're doing your part. You're just 'trading' with other families when you sample their dishes. Of course, you expect leftovers, so I usually bring more than that. But still, you should bring whatever you'd normally bring when you were at your last church, because it's about the ratio of people to food... not about the actual quantity of people.

We used SYRWLM 2 last year after SM6b and now we're using book 3. The answer books aren't necessary, but I am happy to have them since it makes grading very easy... otherwise I'd have to actually do the problems! I do like the layout of the books and the work progresses at a pace that fits with my child. But, I don't honestly think the explanations are nearly as good as Singapore's. I've taught math in public schools and feel pretty confident to explain things. When it fits, I have also had her watch AOPS or Kahn academy videos on the topic which she's about to work on. Also, the word problems aren't nearly as tricky as Singapore CWP either, so you might consider working through CWP or Zaccaro also if you want to make it a bit more challenging.

Eh... I've taught at public middle schools. Most kids are not cranking out 5 paragraph essays. In fact, few were capable of more than a paragraph. Sure, we practiced essays for the sake of standardized tests, but they were hardly proficient at it. I wouldn't worry. Your daughter will get there when she's ready.

I used to teach remedial and ESL English classes at community colleges and have been using some of my old materials very successfully with my 6th/7th graders.

You could certainly use Hakim's Story of Science books. They're about science, but put into a historic context... Both K12 Human Odyssey or OUP World in Ancient/Medieval times are not so textbook-ish and have a good narrative feel to them. How about Horrible Histories?

If you're on a budget, I'd find the nearest common size and alter it. My 11 yr old is around a size 28C (possibly bigger?), though I've never technically seen this size. I have found a 32B and altered the bra band. Importantly, if you do it, the bit between the cups needs to be brought closer together too. I am not much of a sewing expert... It was totally easy.

My 11 yr old takes ballet pretty seriously. There is no pre-pro studio within 5 hrs or so... But we have a great school (1/2 hr away) that has sent out a fair number of kids to professional careers. And I've seen a lot of progress with my daughter and all the kids, and she loves it - so I'm happy. She started pointe last January and they're starting to do more work in center, so she's feeling good. She'll be taking 5 ballet classes (1.5 hrs) plus 1 jazz class (45 min) and 1 pointe class (45 min). Nutcracker auditions are next month and I know she's hoping to get Clara. There are a couple of other great kids, so who knows. She'd love a professional career. I've agreed to fund and encourage her, but I don't think it's very likely, given the thousands of other talented kids out there. Also, she's 5 '0 now and I'm doubtful she'll grow much more than 5'2 or so. But I think she has an beautiful graceful body that looks great doing ballet and I'm awfully proud of her.

I had a 3 yr old foster son who was pretty close to non-verbal. His speech therapy goals were "2 word sentences" when he came to us. I saw him last week - now 4 1/2 and he was talking absolutely appropriately for his age. I think it was a readiness thing for him.

I've been going through some similar issues and still looking for a diagnosis. All I know about IVIG is that it's extremely expensive. Have you talked with your insurance yet? I understand that a single infusion is about 8000$.

I didn't care for the terminology used -- copia, topoi, etc..

Starting last year (with a 5th and 6th grader) we moved to no breaks except lunch. Of course, they use the bathroom when need and sometimes I'll bring them a cup of tea while they work. We started around 8:30-9 and finished by 2-3 with an hour for lunch. They like having time to play/talk/giggle for an hour rather than shorter breaks. Also, I switch things up a lot... It's not as if the girls do workbooks all day.

Not classical music, but my kids have learned tons from "horrible histories songs" and "history for music lovers" - search YouTube for videos.

I'm giving Homeschool Helper a go on my new iPad. I'm kind of excited about actually planning in advance. I like the idea of staying on track... I'm even going to try to give quizzes and record grades (7th grade seems about right to learn to take tests every once in a while).

You and your daughter might really enjoy history portfolios - http://www.homeschooljourney.com/ It's flexible enough that you can do what you want, but also provides ideas for writing or drawing or maps. The portfolio is on card stock and we just glue in writings or drawings. My younger has done ancients jr and Medieval and my older has done Medieval and renaissance. This year will be world history (non-western) so we're going it alone with a blank "unit study" portfolio. They do have a bit of a Christian angle to them, but it's easy to add or subtract what you want. We added in a section on early humans to the ancient portfolio, for instance.

I just recently filled out a survey as a part of our parish's mutual ministries review and it was nothing at all like this. The creator of your survey is out for blood. Whether the rector deserves it or not, that's an ugly survey that reflects badly on the writer.

I had one voracious reader and one book-hater. She simply didn't enjoy being read to. And honestly, with a few exceptions, at 9, she still doesn't like reading. No amount of my reading to her has increased her love of reading. She sees it as a chore and doesn't understand the appeal. I give my kids a chance to go to bed at 8:30 or read in bed for a half-hour and go to bed at 9. She'd rather sleep or just lie in bed with the light off not reading. If I ever have another child like that, I'd probably not bother with torturing her with children's literature. That said, she is a competent reader who will do it when necessary. The one time I got her to really pay attention to a story was on a road trip with the Harry Potter series on audio book. You might try something like that... Just save up all your "reading" for audio books in the car when they're fastened into their seatbelts and can't do anything else.

We've loved Ellen McHenry's materials!

"Dodger" by Terry Pratchett. (Especially if you've already read Oliver Twist).

Sequential Spelling

Have you considered Minimus? My daughter did it at 7&8 and loved it!

We didn't have much time, so I had my kids read an abridged version from Core Classics. You can also find an online teacher's guide and worksheets for free. I also had my 11 yr old read Swift's satirical essay "A Modest Proposal" where he suggests that poor people eat their babies.

I know some people passionately love Armour, but I have a kind of aversion to the idea of taking medicine made from slaughterhouse offal. If there was some good clinical proof it was ideal, I'd do it... but I haven't seen anything showing it's better than the synthetic stuff I take.

I'd vote Yes! I let my 11 & 9 yr old go the park together.

Of the specifically homeschool materials I've used, Ellen McHenry's is the best. I've also enjoyed using History Portfolio, but it's nothing that you couldn't put together yourself. Of school materials, I really like EPS (They put out the Paragraph Book, Rules of the Game, Megawords, etc...). You can also check outside of the US for good materials -- Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, SIngapore, South Africa will all have English materials. People like Russian math and Biozone (from Australia or New Zealand). Galore Park sells some great books, but you can find other materials on (for instance) book depository. Another alternative is looking outside of the level you're working at -- I've had good success for late elementary/middle school using community college textbooks aimed at remedial or ESL students. Or at early elementary, using materials aimed at remedial middle school or high school. Community college books can be super cheap if they're one edition off the latest, so they can be a great deal.