Thank you all! It is definitely a git 'er done subject here too! My daughter wants to take an ice skating class with the county, but it's just for a few weeks and I don't see how that could fill the PE portion for even a half credit. I suppose we could do something like that each quarter and add it all up. I am only needing 1, possibly 2, credits total for HS and don't want to make it more complicated than it needs to be. I LOVE the pass/fail idea. Pfew - that is really a lifesaver!!

More specifically...what you used for Health (quick and easy) and the best way to do the P.E. portion for a non-sportsy kid?? Thanks so much!!

Just a quick thought...we seem to operate well with focusing on Math and LA and the rest seems to be sort of "fun stuff." I would recommend getting into a really good schedule with those for a couple of weeks or so, and then begin to add more. After all the trial-and-error I went through with my now 9th grader from 4th up, it seems like that is how it has worked out for us. There were some years when I literally felt that we hadn't done much of anything. We have been all over the board with educational style (due to my ignorance - I just saw a program and gave it a shot. If it wasn't working out we dropped it and found something else.) Despite this, she has consistently tested really high in our required yearly standardized tests. I seriously don't know how?!?! A few years back, I read through TWTM and loved the methodology but knew I couldn't put that much time into planning etc... I just had to be realistic about our family situation and spreading myself too thin. Soooo...I guess we are considered "eclectic" more so than classical. You can see all the different curric we use in my signature, but many things are only once or twice a week. Math and LA are daily. (My 9th grader is on her own schedule but it basically applies to her too) I now use TOG (Tapestry of Grace) for Lit and History and have my 1st and 9th on the same history cycle just for ease even though my 1st grader basically skipped Ancients. He'll get it again and again so I'm not too concerned. Honestly, they seem to get most of the learning just from the reading assignments. They retain so much it's amazing! I check out a bizillion books from the library and let them read read read. I seriously had 105 items checked out recently and they read most of them in a couple of days. I love the library!! Also, I find that I tend to over-complicate things by trying to squeeze too much into a day...then we don't get everything done...then I feel like I failed...repeat...repeat... It's a bad cycle! Could you consider a streamlined curric. that provided the lesson plans for you? Maybe your older ones could be a little more independent with planning their day? I know TOG is big on incorporating them into scheduling so they begin to be able to manage their time and meet deadlines. Sorry for the long rambling post, but I hope this may help in some way. It's not easy - for any of us I would venture to say! Remind yourself of the reasons WHY you homeschool and be encouraged to persevere!

don't know if this has been specifically mentioned but it is an excellent DVD presentation... http://www.monergismbooks.com/Amazing-Grace-The-History-Theology-of-Calvinism-DVD-p-16342.html

I am brand new to TOG this year and I purchased one of the series and downloaded 2 others with the promo coupon code over the summer. I am using TOG at the Lower Grammar, Dialectic, and Rhetoric levels. We are in week 6 of year 2 and I have yet to watch the 2 of the 3. The seminar I did watch wasn't super-helpful. It may have just been that particular one because I have read some posts here that rave about some of the TT seminars - particularly the Lesson Planning and Out of the Shrink Wrap ones. I have found that I have been able to get all the prep info I needed via the Loom. As I've seen mentioned on this board, (and in my own experience) you really just have to begin and adjust to your needs from there. I found that the first 3-4 weeks were the trial-and-error weeks and now we seem to have a pretty good groove going. I went into it knowing that it was going to take some getting used to so the trial-and-error was expected - and okay. I actually love TOG now that we are coasting along! Personally, I would recommend saving your money for some of the books! HTH!

Hello! I am fairly new to the HS board and have gleaned so much from you all already. Thank you!! :001_smile: Hoping you can help with my current dilemma - planners. Which is better for the High School years: Homeschool Tracker Plus or Homeschool Skedtrack? I am familiar with the free version of Homeschool Tracker but I don't want to spend the $$ if there is a comparable free option. Can anyone give a quick rundown of the pros/cons if you've used these? (or if there are other options I'm not aware of!) This issue is one of my biggest struggles right now because I know I need some sort of electronic planner & feel a bit on hold until I find "the one." I just can't afford to invest a lot of time into something I'll have to ax a few months from now. Please help make this decision for me before I spend any more of my life watching tutorial videos!

I totally had sticker shock over the TOG books also! I am new to TOG and using Y2 in a D/R combo fashion for my 9th grader. I am definitely more comfortable substituting for History using the library but Lit seems like a different ball game. Have you read the section on the Loom CD about paring down the Literature? That was a big help to me since we will not have a separate Lit credit - it will be a part of "English" along with Comp & Grammar. I was able to find a 7th edition of one of the Anthologies at our local used bookstore for $3. From what I see, the page numbers are the only difference (I could be wrong about that but it will just have to work anyway). I was able to find a couple of the books used, and ordered some of the new through the B&N site with the B&N Educator Program discount (20% off retail). In some cases Amazon was still cheaper, and in others B&N won. Also, I'm taking it unit by unit in order to avoid a large hit financially. Once I make it through U1 I hope to have a little more confidence in substituting! HTH!

I use Homeschool Tracker also, but came across this site here on the board: http://www.homeschoolskedtrack.com/HomeSchool/displayLogin.do;jsessionid=E7D0E9D10428F788477C82FFF96A0612 Haven't had time to look into it in detail but it says it's FREE!

Is it best to begin Megawords at level 1 or try to match to the child's ability? Sorry but I am clueless about spelling methodology and my upcoming 9th grader really needs help in this area also! Thanks!

You could look into Elemental Science: http://www.elementalscience.com/earthscience.html We are getting ready to begin the Intro to Science with my little ones.

I must say that I am so glad we found this curriculum. I too, saw it on this board for the first time. My son LOVES science and ES is exactly what I was wanting for him. And I am so happy that the author is so responsive and helpful. Big plus!! Thanks Paige!! Print or Downloaded format - either way I am excited :lol: BTW, I found a copy of More Mudpies to Magnets at our local library. Don't know about the other books though. Thankfully, we have an unlimited renewal policy. Until I get my own copy, the library copy will have to work!

I was all set to download the Intro to Science but now I'm torn too! Print or DL??? For those who have started the program from the dl format, did you print all of the teacher materials? Can you work through it just printing the student sheets? I have a copier at home so I'm wondering if to print version would just be easier and more economical.

Maybe a silly question, but have you downloaded the DE sample? It might help make the decision since you are familiar with the print version already. I am new to TOG and decided to order the print for Y2 U1, to have that "sit at the table, cup of coffee in hand, and flip through real pages" feel. But, honestly, all the pages are beginning to overwhelm me. I think I may switch to the DE for the remaining units. Print what I need, leave the rest... I am not overly concerned with resale because I am only using it with my 9th grader this year & will have to save it for my younger ones for awhile anyway. Plus, the free updates won't hurt in my case!

There is a Yahoo Group for Mystery of History II (each vol has it's own group) that may have some helpful info for you. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MysteryofHistory2/

A couple of links off the top of my head... http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000.html http://www.progenypress.com/ Veritas Press has some comp guides also. HTH!

Thanks! For some reason math is such an overwhelming subject for me. I think it's because my son seems to have a strong bent toward math/science so I want to be sure he's getting a solid foundation.

I just saw this on Rainbow's site and was wondering if anyone is familiar with this program. If so, likes/dislikes? http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?subject=10&category=9221&sid=1281200865-264236

We read through the Fallacy Detective in 7th but could have easily done it in 6th. Not sure about 5th though...probably depends on the individual child's level. We did it as a read aloud so we could discuss each chapter & answer questions together.

Just a thought...if you are interested in IEW but can't afford it (same case here!) can you borrow the DVDs from anyone? I was able to borrow TWSS to watch. So that I wouldn't forget everything in the DVDs, I purchased the seminar binder used for around $10. I was also able to find a Student Writing Intensive set at a really good price as well. We are planning to us it this school year. I am not strong in the writing area - teaching or grading - so I am hoping this will help. It teaches the student directly. Both of your children should be able to use the same level together since they are close in age. IEW has the theme based writing programs that are much more affordable and incorporate the same methods but in a laid-out format. We have one of the Medieval History-Based writing book...but I haven't actually used it. http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/catalog/theme-based-writing-1 BTW...I can empathize with your "overwhelmed" factor. We began to hs our daughter in 4th grade and she is entering 9th now. There were some years that I abandoned curriculum mid-year because it just wasn't working. Looking back all of our trial-and-error didn't really affect her significantly (pfew). It's probably a good idea to make sure the basics are covered and have fun with the rest...HTH!

Alpha Omega is a Christian based company. Also, we sometimes incorporate some fact practice with Quarter Mile Math - since my son is into racing. At this level our day is pretty short but I definitely don't feel like my son is behind. Actually, I have heard that Horizons is one of the more advance programs.

You may want to check out the Horizons program from Alpha Omega. I personally am not a Saxon fan based on my experience with my older daughter so I was definitely looking for something different for my (then) K child. She was just way too frustrated with it. Horizons workbooks are consumable & very colorful. He has really learned so much! Time, currency, place value, skip-counting, some basic measuring in the K level. They have a scope & sequence on their website. We are now in the 1st grade level and it usually takes us about 20 min to complete a lesson - as long as he stays focused. :001_smile: I have never used a TM since I felt comfortable explaining the concepts. You can purchase worksheet packets for add'l practice. I had thoughts of switching because other popular programs are more focused on conceptual understanding, which I think is so important. I then realized that he really is understand both the "facts" and the concepts so, thanks to the wise encouragement from this board, decided it was working well...you know, if it ain't broke... HTH!

Good question! :bigear:

I flip-flop on the school room topic. While we did school in our eat-in kitchen I had each child's books stored in plastic storage bins, the sweater sized ones with the latching lids. Just to keep all of the "core" stuff together along with crayons, colored pencils, etc. Labeled with each kid's name & stored in a kitchen cabinet. School time pull out the bin and voila, ready to go! My theory was it was transportable if we went to another part of the house or on the road. Reading books stayed on bookshelves. It was working so well for us and then we moved... We now have a school room which is a "study" with an entire wall of cabinets and bookshelves plus a closet. (YAY!) We do use it often simply because it is just around the corner from my kitchen and I like the large table we have in there to spread out on. (I'm definitely a multi-tasker and find myself drawn to make calls etc... when I should be focusing on school :blushing:) I have committed to "do school" once we go in there. Our curriculum involves a lot of reading so we end up spending just our math and writing time in the school room then head to the couch for reading. I have a whiteboard and map and some other stuff hung up just in case. I admit it's nice to have everything consolidated even the reference-type books. It's funny though, because literally the other day I pulled out all of my bins and put everyone's stuff back in them. It just works for me! I guess you can think about it this way, worst case is you move everything out there and it doesn't work out. It may still be a nice place to store the lesser-used things to reduce unnecessary clutter in the house?!?! Sounds like a really nice space though!

GTG = Galloping the Globe

:iagree: I noticed this with SOTW also - particularly for the younger ages which would be primarily the Ancients level, I think. Mystery of History (MOH) was good for my older one from about 5th grade up. (we began h'schooling her 4th grade year) I plan to use it as a "spine" for my younger ones from about 2nd up, without doing everything in it to the letter. It would be really easy to add living books to while still utilizing the timeline, mapping and other lesson activities.