I'm Catholic and don't consider myself very conservative. I visited CC for a day and thought it seemed great. Up to grade 6, I don't think I'd have a problem with it. I didn't get the feeling they were going to teach anything that wasn't on the VP cards, etc. and the prayer seemed rather inclusive and general. For grades 7 and up, I am not so sure. I seem to remember some of the books they selected I wouldn't be comfortable with: creationism, conservative politics, etc. I didn't really see that that was the case for the younger kids. I really wanted to join, but it just wasn't going to work with our schedule. I'd go for a day's visit, ask the director and the tutor(s) about your concerns, maybe even ask some other moms there. worst thing that can happen is they all look at you weird, in which case you know it's not the place for you!

:lol:

:lol: YES! Exactly! I like your thinking!

:iagree: I am so sorry for your poor daughter, especially when she was handling it on her own like a responsible big kid. Did you say anything to the librarian about it?

Both wonderful and heartbreaking. What great people you both are. :grouphug:

I want to say she might be my new best friend. This was so wonderful to come across tonight. I was ready to put together the list tonight and searched for MSC to see if anyone had any suggestions for good deals on where to buy stuff. Never imagined I'd hit the jackpot like this!

Omigosh, this is incredibly helpful. Thank you SO much!!!

We used RS4K Astronomy last year for my 6th grader. I thought it was too easy, but would probably be perfect for 4th grade. Also, I was pretty disappointed in the "Lab" book. I think nearly half of the "experiments" involved downloading Google Earth (which I could never do properly!) and then looking up info about various galaxies or something. Not what I'd consider a lab, and not very fun. But the earlier labs where we actually did something would be great for 4th grade. I like the way the books are laid out. Yes, you could do it once a week and finish it during the year - EASILY. That's what we did. I think for each chapter we did this: week 1 - read chapter, week 2 - take notes from chapter, week 3- chapter review and lab. This was probably 30 minutes/week. We were also doing physical geography (so a lot of overlap with earth science there), so I didn't mind that RS4K book was so short. But if that's your main science, I think you'll want to add some stuff. What I would do is add DVDs from the library, and assign library books on topics from the chapter.

I think this is a great idea!!! I'm going to do something similar (but probably 34 weeks). I plan everything out ahead of time, including activities and documentaries, etc. But as you say - I always end up needing some catch-up days due to sickness, unexpected activities that come up, snow days, etc.

I wouldn't buy the complete set. We started with Fractions, then once we were about two books in, we added Decimals and Percents. I also bought the Measurement book (just the regular US one), but don't love it. It starts out with really just measuring a lot of stuff in inches, or asking if you'd measure a table in inches or yards. That sort of thing that we really didn't need. I wouldn't buy it again. We also have Algebra and Geometry. The Geometry book (we're just on the first or second) doesn't really have any instruction like the other books do. Not sure why that is. It's too bad, because I like the exercises, but ds can't do them on his own unless I give an explanation first. We are on the 2nd or 3rd Algebra book, and as someone else said - it mostly seems like pre-algebra so far. Not sure once we complete the entire algebra series. Actually, after having said all this - I think you might consider looking at Mammoth Math's series of these topics. I just bought three of them for my 3rd grader: fractions, geometry (this is very basic beginning stuff), multiplication. I love the way she teaches stuff, and it is also much more visually pleasing. I don't know if I'll have ds8 also do Key to Fractions for extra reinforcement later, but I am glad he is learning with Mammoth Math. I think it is better for teaching, but maybe Key to is better for reinforcement. So I guess it depends on how well the student really understands the concepts.

Sounds cool! What is it, and about what grade(s) would you say? thanks!

Thank you! Hoping we get some other responses!

YES! This is a great explanation and I think you're exactly right!

Right, I wasn't hoping people would write "private or public school". I just don't get why they specify "public" instead of just plain old "school". I'm not saying it even really bugs me, I'm just trying to understand why public is being specified to the exclusion of others. I think this thread is helping. My intention is not to criticize anyone for saying "public school", I just want to understand why. Thanks to all, I think I'm getting it now.

yes, this makes sense.

Right - that's why I just say "school/schooling" - it includes all. No reason to list all possibilities. I don't get only saying "public school". I'm sure there are many more important things going on in the world, or even that I should do around here like fold the laundry! Thanks!

OK, that makes sense! And I guess you're right - I've never know anyone other than myself who pulled kids from Catholic school to homeschool! Kind of interesting. I wonder why that is? I suppose it is mainly the bad public schools that kids are pulled from, and there aren't as many bad Catholic/private schools. But it isn't just kids that are pulled from school. It seems like any time there is any discussion about school (what time kids get home, friends from school), it is more often than not referred to as "public school". I dunno, I guess it doesn't matter. I've just always been perplexed by it!

Right, but so I'm just confused about why people discuss public schools instead of schools in general.

ETA: Think I should clarify that I don't mean this to be a discussion of whether or not public schools are worse than private (some are, some aren't)...I mentioned that below because I thought MAYBE that's why people refer to "public school", implying that other private/parochial schools are markedly different. I am just trying to understand why the distinction in almost any discussion here regarding what I consider to just be "school". I have always been perplexed and confused about this. A recent thread made me wonder again. It asked how many homeschoolers are homeschooling after having pulled their kids from public school? What about those of us who have pulled our kids from private/parochial school for probably similar reasons? Some of these reasons might be academic, social, learning difficulties, problems with teachers, allergies, just not liking the atmosphere or curriculum or assignments. These things apply to all schools, not just public schools. I guess the only thing I can think of is that some Christians don't like the public school influence, but I don't know how it would be that different from a secular private school. Or maybe it is because some perceive public school as inferior to private schools? But several of the public school systems in our area are fantastic, and I'd guess maybe better than my kids' Catholic school (that is a very good school, "blue ribbon award", excellent test scores, etc.). So I'm not understand lumping all public school as bad or different from private. So do people have a different perception of public vs. private/parochial? I just don't get asking questions about "public school" instead of just "school". Do most people assume private/parochial schools wouldn't drive them to homeschool or something? Genuine curiosity, nothing rude meant by this. I just don't get it. It's almost like a difference in vocabulary. I don't even think in terms of "public school", I just think "school". Is "public school" mainly a term used by conservative Christians? Sorry if I sound dumb, this is all just news to me. When I see discussions about "public school" and a lot of what is being said certainly applies to our reasons for homeschooling or situation, I want to say: "yeah, me too. But ds went to a Catholic school, does that count?!"

Thank you. Yikes, I didn't think it'd be that much time! Have you used IEW before?

I'm looking at the IEW US History based writing lessons and can't get a feel for about how much time each lesson will take. We did SWI-B this year, and it didn't take much time at all. Not sure what to expect with US History. I'm wondering how many day per week you use this and how much time spent each day. I think I saw it could be done in 24 or 34 weeks, but I'm still not clear on how that translates into time per day and days per week. Thanks for any input. Oh, it's Volume 1 if that matters.

:lol: Perfect! Sounds like a great camp, thanks. I'll keep it in mind. I'd sure like him to go with a friend, but his good friends are all kids that go to school!

Henry Huggins books, Ramona Homer Price (and Centerville) Boxcar Children (although closer to 3rd grade reading level) Hardy Boys Dominic - is this sad??? Not sure, but my boys LOVE this story (audiobook) Winnie the Pooh is 5th grade level, but maybe too babyish? My ds8 still likes it! Paddington Bear is 5th grade RL

This looks interesting. What I can't figure out is it is a week during the fall when most kids would be in school. Is it all homeschooled kids? Also, it isn't training to for militia-types, is it? Does it draw that sort? That would not be something I'd want to send him to. But it looks like it wears them out!

Well, we live in Missouri. How close are you?! I'm not kidding...I'd consider something like that for him!