Thank you, Kendall, for sharing about Everyday Battles. I have read Bob Shultz' other books with my boys and we LOVED them! I had read he had passed away a couple of years ago and never thought there would be other books. I went straight to CBD and ordered this book today. We cannot wait to read it! Thank you again. Jennifer

I graduated from a KY high school in 1989 and received the Commonwealth Diploma. It was a separate diploma and I also received the regular precollege diploma. It was really just sortive an additional honors award and there were minimum qualifications to receive it (like a certain number of AP courses) and sometimes helped with scholarship awards because you had taken more AP than other students. It looks like someone has already helped you but I just wanted you to know that it is not necessary and that the precollege diploma requirements are what colleges require. Good luck to your student! We're just heading into the high school world next year :) Jen

It has been such a big hit! We usually have about 30 teens at every event from 6-12th grade. We've done 'The Amazing Race', a mystery dinner, bonfire at someone's farm, Luau, 50's party (with music, hulahoop contest, and bubble gum blowing contest). We've had some months be very informal--comedy DVD with snacks at someone's home, movie and ice cream on big screen outdoors, Christmas party (with gag gifts), board game night, etc. We have plans this year to do 'Minute to Win It' and several other fun activities. We noticed a lot of teens feel like they want to go to school in ms/hs because they want more social activities and friends. We hoped this would help them form strong friendships and have lots of wonderful memories. So far, it is a hit! The parents have thanked us for offering it and the kids seem to LOVE it. We have a committee with 3 moms who organize the activities--I am one of the moms. Our kids LOVE this group--it's probably one of their favorite things about homeschooling. The teens said they wished it would meet once a week instead of once a month but I don't think the moms could plan for it :) We felt like this was an area that was weaker in our local homeschool group so that's why we offered to step up last year and try some things. There were lots of field trips and opportunities for the younger kids but they got less with the olders. Jen

and my boys (6th and 7th grade) LOVE it! They beg for more and think it is fun. I'm amazed at how well they remember the different fallacies (better than me). We are going to do Thinking Toolbox next year. I looked at the CAP materials at the Cincy convention this weekend and I'd like to use all of them too. They looked awesome but I'm going to continue with TT next year because no writing required (remember I have boys) :) I think Art of Argument (fallacies), the Argument Builder (like Thinking Toolbox) and Discovery of Deduction (formal logic) look great and will probably do them in that order, doing the first two in one year and the last one over a year by itself. I looked at Traditional Logic and just can't imagine my boys doing that anytime in the next few years. Much too dry for them. Have fun with it! Jennifer

We did the first in the fall and are currently doing the second. We like the second book better. We're about 1/2 way through it and my boys are 11 and 13. We're definitely pushing the limits on the age range. Jennifer

I have one doing General Science this year through our homeschool co-op. However, next year, my other child will be taking General and oldest will be taking Physical Science. So, I hope to use both your websites. Thanks for sharing all your hard work. Jennifer

We LOVED Scrambled States of America (both the book and board game). We also LOVED the book titled 'Yo! Sacremento." Hope these help. Jennifer

We are going to be doing Figuratively Speaking and trying to do some lit. analysis with some other middle schoolers (all boys) this year. I thought it would be fun to do a movie also but I need a LOT of hand holding with some type of guide that will give me the questions to ask (and answers). Any recommendations? Also, what were your favorite guides for a short story and novel that might be good for middle school boys. Thanks so much for your help. Jennifer

We LOVED this book! Jennifer

I don't think anyone would be snooty. It's really more of what are their expectations for the class. Lots of people were excited about offering a Dave Ramsey class for the youngers---I'm just trying to decide what I can do in class to reinforce the lessons and what are the parents hoping their kids will learn from the class. Reading the book and discussing the lesson are not going to take the entire class--I've got to add a hands on activity. Thank you guys for your ideas. I always appreciate the help. Jennifer

I also thought about them cooking cookies/cupcakes etc. during class and selling them. Then they are doing an activity and making money that can be used in the three ways: save, spend, give. Jennifer

I do want them to have to earn it in some way--that is my dilemma. I don't know if parents paying for their child to attend my class want them doing cleaning as part of the class although I did think it should be at least 10-15 minutes of the class, along with reading the lesson, and some type of fun activity. That is where I'm torn... Thanks to you all for your ideas. Jennifer

I will be using Dave Ramsey's picture books each week to do an 8 week class in our co-op next year. Each book has a different theme (saving, spending, giving, etc.) and I need hands on ideas for the remainder of the class time (about 30 minutes). Some of my ideas include: having funny money the kids can earn in class (what can they do to earn money?????). Then, they divide their money into 3 envelopes they designed at the beginning of the course: spend, save, give. Each week they will have the opportunity to 'spend' the money in the spend envelope (I'll probably have candy, trinkets, etc.--Dollar Tree stuff). Also, they will be saving a required part of their money each week for something bigger at the end of the class (I want to try to get bigger items--better toys/etc. that they can use their 'save' money for). And, we will use the 'give' money (we're using paper money but I thought I would substitute real money at the end for the amount they had in 'give') for something. We may give to a charity, specific person in need, the church that lets us use their building. What do you think? A big part of Dave's philosophy is kids earning money that they divide into the 3 categories. Since I don't know if parents will participate at home, I want to simulate similar activities in our classroom for them to earn money and put in the 3 categories and then be able to save for something bigger, give to something, and spend. I need the most help with activities so if you have any suggestions, let me know. I want it to be a fun class and I want to send home info for the parents so if they want to do the ideas at home, they can. If you know any websites with printables, or game ideas, that would be great too. I won't have a computer in the class so computer games won't help. Thanks in advance. Jennifer

You could have a crock pot item going every day (sometimes just meats to freeze and pull out quickly for another day), sometimes a lunch item like you mentioned and others a dinner for that evening. This will help you build up some stuff in your freezer too so that every day you don't have to cook. I like that you can throw it all in and leave IT to do the work. Good luck. Maybe the kids could be listening to something on audio like MOH or SOTW while eating so that you're really getting a subject done during lunch since they are slower eaters. Jennifer

Here's another typical crock pot recipe I do. I cook two roasts at once(or three if they'll fit). Put roasts in crockpot, add a packet onion soup for each roast and about 1-2 cups water. Cook on high about 6 hours. Then you can take out one roast (I shred this and add bbq sauce for sandwiches). Throw in diced potatoes and carrots and dinner will be ready in a few more hours. Now you have two meals. Just add whatever you like with the bbq sandwiches. They could be your lunch one day and the roast for dinner another day. I can't tell you how many things from soups, casseroles, meats, desserts, etc can be done in a crock pot. Also, the kids could put the stuff in the crock pot or you could get it started when you get up to save time. Jennifer