My dd has been working with Saxon Grammar 6 this year. She does not like the program and I'm not loving it either. Guess I would like to see more practice with the concepts as they are taught than what is provided. She likes courses where she doesn't need assistance from me. Any suggestions on this for us? We have not used the writing portion. She did a local class on intro to essay writing the first quarter of this year.

I just ordered Lials Intro Algebra and People Places and Principles of America for dd. Can't wait to get them and take a look in person! I am especially interested in the Lials book. We had a great year last year with Saxon but this year is just bombing out!

We are getting ready to start People Places and Principles of America. DD is in 7th and has finished the SOTW series. She read, took tests and wrote a few papers. So we are moving on to US History and the feeback I have seen on this program has been mostly positive.

My dd 12 used So you think you really want to learn science by Galore Park. I think I heard about it first on this board somewhere ??? It's part of a secular program from the U.K. I just put together any items she is going to need ahead of time and let her run with it.

We will be working on Grammar, Math and Science over the summer. Grammar because DD came from public school with an 99 average in English yet no grammar skills Math because she is intimidated by math so we started Saxon 7/6 in April when she started homeschooling. She started at the beginning of the book and is moving at a quick pace wanting to complete the book in order to start either 8/7 or Alegbra 1/2 next. (and I DO NOT know which one to use!) Science because it is her favorite subject and the main reason for hsing. In ps she only had science class 2 1/2 times a week. She is working on Galore Park So you really want to learn science book one right now and will start Apologia General Science in a few weeks. She wants to start the biology course during 7th grade in order to get to the Marine Science course :)

My dd had been in PS since day one. When middle school arrived this last fall and I lost my job I started thinking about the things I did not like about her education. Not enough science, lack of grammar instruction, middle school drama, homework after she had spent 7 hours at school.... I started searching on homeschool topics and found this site. I love the diversity of this forum and the amount of info you get from people who have "been there, done that".

My dd (12) just started homeschooling after 3/4 completion of 6th grade PS. She maintained a 99 average all year in her english language arts class. When we looked at grammar programs however, she was not ready for 7th grade books. We settled on Saxon Grammar 6 and started on the first lesson even though she has made straight As in this subject! We are using the writing portion of this as well right now but she also completes writing assignments/projects for history, literature and science. These assignments are things she can select based on her interest level.

My DD is using Saxon 7/6. We both like this program (new hs here!) but she struggles with the entry level geometry skills. Is there something we could supplement with? I keep seeing LOF mentioned as a supplement for other programs. Is there a LOF or something we could use here? And a side note - I have reviewed the Saxon website trying to understand which text to use next. 8/7 or Algebra 1/2. Seems there are new editions and I don't know what the proper sequence is now.

I didn't know there was such a thing. I purchased Gen Science for my dd. She will start in the fall. We only have the textbook and the solutions and tests booklet. What is a lapbook or notebook for? Is there a benefit to me finding one of these for her? They didn't have anything with it in the store where I purchased ....Thank You!

My DDs Allstar cheer gym also has a "rec" team. They practice once a week and take one tumble class a week and do only 2 local competitions a year. It is a good fit for kids and parents that don't want the time or financial committment of the allstar teams. You could call any of the cheer gyms in your area and ask about this type of program. Our gym calls it All Star Lite.

:bigear: I'm listening on this...great question.

Welcome. I am newer than you LOL! I came to this board, was told about the book and have read it and re read it (dd's age appropriate section) My suggestion is to read then go back and read it again. Make a list of the things that stand out for you then come here and search away! You will find almost everything covered / discussed. Sometimes it's hard to find so just post your specific question and give the details of what you want to accomplish. Everyone will jump in and help you. Ultimately, you will have to evaluate the feedback against your situation to make sure you try the right things. Everyone's style is different that is part of what makes this board and hsing so great! If you are nearing closure for this year - finish what needs to be done and introduce some new materials as you finish to allow for easier transition if your kids are adverse to change.

Rod and Staff English along with some Shurley 7 (have both cause I found used copies ) Saxon 1/2 Finishing Exploring Creation with General Science (starting now and working over the summer) then doing the biology course because that is where her heart is Vocabulary from Classical Roots A k-12 Social Studies or Switched on Schoolhouse because she wants to do at least one "computer" class and she will supplement with books from library. PE = 5 hours a week or more at allstar cheer gym

I just looked through the Saxon Grammar books for 7th grade yesterday and think my daughter would probably prefer that approach. Don't know if they have them for the younger grades. I bought Rod and Staff (used) and Shurely (used) because I liked them better. We will see how it goes when she goes through them...I may end up wishing I had bought the Saxon. Got Rod and Staff and Shurley together and it was still less than the new Saxon of course!

Well the orange card that serves as the legal proof of our homeschool arrived today. I went to the local homeschool store today recommended to me yesterday on this board. Purchased the curriculum to get started. Most of it is what I thought I wanted to do before I found this forum. But there were a few tweaks based on the feedback so many of you provided over the last week. After consulting other local homeschool folks I learned that most of what I purchased would not have been any cheaper at a convention. Checked dd curriculum through online sources as well and ended up spending a couple dollars less than the "best" price I could find online. I also lucked out with used versions of the grammar and writing courses!! Yippee. DD will attend school tomorrow and we will start the socialization process of her letting folks know she is leaving. She doesn't want to just disappear. So public middle school is almost history in our home and we will take a couple of weeks to decompress and set up the schedule and lesson plans with all the new books. Just wanted to post this and say thank you to all the folks that have shared with me over the last few days. I have read a great deal of TWTM and reviews from Cathy Duffy, reviewed curriculum websites and info until my eyes blur and had a great time learning! Much more to learn and experience I know....but wow I feel better today than I have in weeks! Thanks and of course this doesn't mean I won't ask another question tomorrow:)

We wil have an grand opening or something for our school when we start! I had thought about how to officially open our new school but then put that "to do" aside. Thanks for the suggestions!

Thank you! I did not know there were stores around my area. Guess I should look up numbers and call first to find out what types of curriculum they carry before making the drive. Closest one is probably an hour drive.

Love the term "de-school"!! Just Sunday I was reviewing her "reading" log and said to her - You should add a sentence in the middle of a journal entry that says " Ms ____ are you really reviewing what I am writing?" Because I don't think she is. How could she? She has at least 100 kids she is checking off reading logs for every week.

Wow - this is great. My dd would LOVE to do this. Thanks for asking this question. I will subscribe to this thread hoping to find more opportunities for soon to be homeschooler!

We need to purchase some materials now as my dd is going to be leaving our PS as soon as my card comes back from the state. There is a Home school convention here in NC at the end of May. Yet, we need some materials now. So here is the question. I have heard that some vendors will have / offer a sale price on the INTERNET sales this time of year. So if I find one of those - would the price have been any cheaper at the convention. I know I will ask the vendor before I buy on line - but wanted to hear the experiences you may have. We do need to purchase some items now so we can get started before June! Maybe I just work Math and Science with personal reading selections until the convention then purchase additional subjects and the science she wants to do in the Fall? I had heard conventions sometimes have good prices, but have never been, so looking for advice - Thanks!

Would also like to see this info. I will need to do NC with my dd for 8th grade.

Wow, I sent a message to Home School Tracker support about some of their features and they have already responded! I am asking the same questions of Myhomeschoolplan so that I can compare the two. Any additional suggestions? feedback? many thanks

Looking for options on attendance, grades, extra projects completed, volunteer activity etc. Something where I can manage information and quickly print out reports if needed. My dd will be hsed starting in a couple of weeks until the start of 9th grade. She is in public school now and will attend a charter HS. I will need to be able to provide data for this HS to prove her "schooling". Would like to be able to present it in a professional way.... Any thoughts? If this is not the right board I apologize. I'm new. Went to the general board and there were posts about houses for sale, surgeries etc so thought I might have a better shot at getting info here. Thanks!

Here in Cabarrus County NC, the kids are allowed to miss up to 20 days without the fear of having to "repeat" a grade. Once you hit 10 days, most schools want to know that you had a Dr appt etc. for missing a day. But with a sickness or 2 in the year where the student did see a Dr and can prove they were under a dr care for those days, you can actually go past 20 days if you make good grades etc etc. At least that is how it is in my dds current school. (wondering how fast I will get my "orange" card back from the state of NC!! and we will be homeschooling!!) When we start homeschooling I will keep attendance either in my planner/calendar or through an electronic version. I have NO worries about hitting 180 days with as much reading my child does on her own now!! Hope she feels better

I think I am beginning to think AG may be the better choice based on these posts. I really thought Shurley was the was to go in our sitution....but hmmmm. I have a 9th grader that attended the same schools as the dd I will be hsing. Reading and writing were always his least fave subjects but he still made at least a B in them throughout middle school. Even with making "good grades" he is now struggling to write at the level they want in the Honors Charter High School my dd will probably attend in 9th grade. The reason for hsing her is to provide her with "more" over the next 2 years and however many months. This forum is great and I appreciate the wonderful explanations behind everyone's posts!