In PA: Raw milk sales are legal. Midwifery is still legal. Mild weather (no major disasters like tornadoes earthquakes etc.). Though we do have some its not frequent. Just wish hs laws were different. :glare:

I have another 25 days or so left. I've played around with it, but I'm still not sure. My high school students have their own planners (using MFW) and my 12yo uses HOD (already there in the handy-dandy Guide!). All that's left is my youngers...and that is who I would use it for. Just looks so tedious to type in all the books, plan the lessons, etc. Paper and pencil seems so much easier. But...we'll see. Glad you are liking it!

You can give your old manual back to MFW and they will sell you the new one at a discounted price. That is assuming your purchased your set new from them to begin with. HTH. :D

Chris, I could have written your post! Except my 30s were about babies, too. ;) I spent the 3rd decade of my life living in a sometimes suffocating and debilitation depression. I'm finally on the other end (Praise only be to GOD!), staring down 40 in 2 weeks and have been getting myself all worked about this silly number. 40. I didn't want a party, didn't want it to be recognized, didn't want to even THINK about turning 40. Like it was some horrible number or worse...like my life was over! How ridiculuous is that? :confused: Chris, you have just put it all into perspective for me and made me realize that turning 40 is going to be FABULOUS! I'm older, wiser, more confident (read: just don't give a you-know-what about what people think anymore!) and made it through the darkness of depression! This is to be celebrated...not forgotten! AND, I'm still young enough to have another baby or 2...that would be a wonderful birthday present. Thanks, Chris. You made my night. :)

Wecome to the Hive! :D Hmmm...your dd is 5.5yo? I personaly wouldn't use MOH or Diana Waring. Both are fabulous but for slightly older children. This is just my opinion, so please take it with a grain of salt. ;) At 5.5yo, I wouldn't necessarily start a formal history program. Exposure is what you are looking for. Exposure through interesting stories of real people. A 5.5yo won't really care much about dates and events (most of them won't anyway!). Have you looked into some of the all-in-one programs out there (ones that teach bible, history, science, etc.)? Here are a few to check out: My Father's World, Heart of Dakota, Beautiful Feet (they have a neat Early American History program that teaches through literature), Sonlight. Again, just my humble opinion (which you didn't ask for!). Another suggestion is Five in a Row. You read one children's book each week for five days and do activities based on that book (Geography, History, Science, LA, Math, SS, etc.). My children have really enjoyed our FIAR time. :) (We never used it exclusively...just for books that interested us. ). HTH!

She's looking at Valley Forge Christian College and the only requirement for science is that she have 2 years...no specifics about subjects or lab-based or what. Physical Science was lab and so was Biology. I imagine we'll suffer through Chemistry at some point. LOL. I did enjoy Chem...must more than Physics. Dd had Chem in 8th grade at the ps.

My 11th grade dd is NOT science-oriented at all. She has done Apologia Physical Science and Biology...gritting her teeth and dragging her feet the entire time. She just doesn't like science. Period. I'm looking through Apologia Physics and my OWN eyes are glazing over. I can just hear her moaning already. I am looking into some alternatives for dd. She like Geology and Answers in Genesis has an online course in Creation Apologetics and Geology as well as a Geology program that is off-line. Would it do dd a disservice to skip Physics if she isn't going to be studying anything remotely related to science in college?

My 7th grader is a much better writer than my 6th grader. Think WORLDS APART. 6th grader has only done copywork, dictation from HOD (levels below 7th grade ds) and simple written narrations with a TON of help from me. 7th grader use HOD RtR last year and did a LOT of written narration and also used R&S for writing as well. I have a 9th grader who will be studying American History as well. He is a good creative writer...not afraid to put pen to page and just write. Technical writing could probably use some help. Could I use IEW US History Based lessons for him as well? It is likely that my 9th grade son will be using MFW US1 with my older daughter...it is an 11th grade curriculum and challenging. The writing assignments expected of the student would really challenge him so I am thinking about altering them a bit and having him do IEW or perhaps even just use a basic essay writing ref. Would IEW be good for him, too? Or is it more for middle school? Thanks.

This would be for my 6th and 7th graders. We will be doing All American History 1 next year and US History based writing lessons appeal to me b/c of the correlation to our History studies but after looking at the sample of WWS...I really like that too. Any opinions either way? Looking for the one that would be the best prep for high school level writing. Both students will also be using R&S English and doing the writing lessons contained therein. Thanks!

I don't want a curriculum. We have decided to have ds14 join his older sister in using MFW US History 1 for his 9th grader year. This is an 11th/12th grade curriculum using challenging material...even for an 11th grader, IMO. Ds14 is capable, but will be lacking the guided writing instruction that my dd had when she started using MFW with their Ancients high school program. I'm just looking for something that will help him learn to write good, solid 5 paragraph essays of all kinds. There is substantial writing in the US1 curriculum so I don't want a separate writing program, kwim? Thanks!

:grouphug: I've been there...recently. If I may encourage you...you CAN find healing and you are looking in the right place or TO the right ONE should I say? :) Here are a few books which I found VERY helpful in my journey to healing. Lies We Believe by Dr. Chris Thurman (especially helpful to combat the LIES that have been planted in our head by the enemy through other people...even our parents) I'm Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves by Sharon Jaynes (same sort of thing) Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend (or those of us who grew up w/out them, had parents who didn't have them, etc.) The Healing Path by Dr. Dan Allender (awesome!). Allender also wrote The Wounded Heart (hope for childhood victims of s*xual abuse which is another good one if you fall into that category (may of us do and don't realize it) The Confident Woman by Anabel Gillham (about knowing you are in Christ) Oh, and Changes That Heal also by Cloud and Townsend (very, very good book and very helpful) That should get you started! Hang in there...you are on a good path...hard...but good! Feel free to PM me if you need encouragement on your journey. :D

Here is what she's done so far: 8th grade Chemistry (at a ps), 9th grade Physical Science, 10th grade Biology. She is college-bound but b/c of finances it is likely she will attend a community college for 2 years. She will also likely not be pursuing a science-related field. She has always taken an interest in rocks and minerals. I have Apologia Physics (given to me by a friend) but after looking through it, I don't think it will be dd's "cup of tea". My eyes glazed over looking through it and I'm certain dd will have the same reaction. LOL. What options do we have? Can anyone recommend a Christian curriculum for her for next year? We have the option of doing an Environmental Science class through a co-op. Is there anything that might complement that to make it credit-worthy? Thanks for any suggestions!

I thought I would start a new thread since I have been curious about this. I have 2 children in high school now (9th and 11th) and 5 other children who are very computer savvy. Currently we have my Macbook, a useless desktop (could only use for word processing...too slow for internet use), my husband's work laptop (only available in the evenings and when he is home) and my Kindle Fire. With older children who are using the computer/internet more and more for school-related things, younger children wanting computer time as well and Mom who needs her WTM/FB fix ;) we are looking to get the older kids something to use. We've looked at lesser expensive laptops (not Apple) but I was curious if a refurbed iPad2 would be a better option? I see you can plug in a normal keyboard to make typing easier. Does the iPad do everything that a normal computer would do? I think having the iPad would nice for my dd to take to her college classes for note taking, etc. What do you think?

For a high school student doing papers and research and word processing type stuff...would the iPad be better than a laptop? How about for taking to college classes for note taking and such? (Again...don't want to hijack so if anyone has info you can PM me:D)

If we had $400+ lying around we would have definitely gone with the iPad. No questions. However, $ was an issue and I also wanted an e-reader device. Back in February when many major chain stores were offering $50 GCs with the purchase of a Kindle Fire, we went for it. The kids LOVE it. I LOVE it. The size appeals to me (not too big, not too small). That being said, I am still secretly pining for an iPad. In fact, I am wondering if getting an iPad instead of another laptop for my dd would be more beneficial. I hear you can hook up a normal keyboard to it and it does pretty much everything a laptop would do. Any thoughts? (Sorry to hijack...you can PM me if anyone has opinions on the iPad vs. a laptop).

The co-op costs only $25/family plus a "love offering" to the church allowing us to use their entire building. No other class will have a fee that I know of. No other alternatives to this science class. I "might" be able to swing the $3.50/kid for my 3 older kids so they can count it as part of their high school science credit (they would still need to do at home work to make up the remainder of that credit hour). The littles would probably love the class but I just can't swing it.

See...that's exactly what I keep telling myself! Is the little bit of socialization my children will get worth the time, money and effort I will have to put forth each week? I'm thinking no. This science class sounds fabulous...truly. But at $3.50/kid...We are talking $21/week! :glare: It would have to be knock my socks off, once in a lifetime experience to be worth that amount of $! If i had it to begin with...:glare:

Can you all help me think through this? In the Fall, we joined a co-op at the recommendation of a good friend. Said co-op was undergoing some major changes (unbeknownst to both friend and I). It met at a church which now hosted a new Christian School and the new rules and regulations for the co-op were over.the.top. :glare: We had to get a bunch of forms notarized, have physicals, get fingerprinted if we were going to be working with the kids, have ID badges made, etc. You get the drift. Each class had a fee attached...$5 here, $10 there, etc. When all was said and done I had spent over $300. :001_huh: We stuck it out for a month but the co-op leaders were like prison wardens...nobody allowed outside, no talking, no socializing btwn classes, etc. Anyway, we quit. Fast forward to now. A new co-op is forming with a woman who sounds very laid back and extremely knowledgeable about co-ops. She wants to keep it simple, is only offering 3 classes per age group (high school, middle school, upper elem, lower elem, K4K5) and has already chosen Government, American Lit and this Environmental Science class for high school. The science class is being taught by her old high school science teacher who lives 5 minutes from the church. Class will be hands-on, explorative, experiential, etc. on the property of his farm. Cost will be $70/ 1 1/2 class to be split btwn the children taking said class. We worked it out to be about $3.50/kid/week. I have 6 kids. Do the math. :001_huh: She isn't offering another alternative. She is obcessed with this teacher and wants EVERYONE to take the class. I was excited about this opportunity to get my kids out to "socialize" for a bit but now? I can't afford that class AND there isn't anything else for the kids to do during that time period. I'm a bit ticked. All my suggestions to offer an alternative and that I would even teach it were shot down. Nope. MUST take this class to keep the cost down. Well I can't afford it anyway! Sheesh. So, what would you do? Take other classes and skip that one? Just sort of "hang out" and bring work for my kids to do? Just looking for some feedback. Thanks for reading!

My ds14 (8th grade) met a young lady (15yo, 9th grade)) at church. They very quickly established a friendship and decided that they wanted to "date" (be exclusive). Knowing our rule (no dating until 16), we discussed this with ds and this young lady and her parents. We told them they could title their relationship whatever they wanted but the rule was still no one-on-one dating until 16. My ds even asked young lady's father if he could date her...in front of our entire worship team! They see each other at church, youth group, worship rehearsal and we sometimes pick this girl up from her school which is nearer to us than to her parents. She is also friends with my dd15. Ds and this young lady hold hands. They hug hello and goodbye. They refer to themselves as boyfriend/girlfriend. Young lady's sister is dating our pastor's son (a few years older than her) and all of our families are very close and quite on the same page as far as real dating. It is a unique situation, IMO. Both ds and young lady are very closely monitored by us and pretty much our entire congregation. ;) Much to their dismay sometimes. LOL. There is no alone time and the only time we "might" sway from our original no one-on-one dates is if they double date with young lady's sister and pastor's son (whom we have known since he was 10 and trust very much). So there you have it. We do not allow dating as many define it.

How does one truly know? Ugh. Not to take this thread in another direction, but really? My dd isn't a "sciency" kid and I'm fairly certain her future does not include a career related to science, HOWEVER, I cannot in good conscience count a 36 wk/36 hour course as a credit unless there is substantial at home work involved and the co-op class is used as the lab portion or discussion or whatever. KWIM? Even if dd wants to be a stay-at-home mom.

We are waiting on the syllabus from this teacher. He was a very highly regarded public school science teacher at a good public school in our area (25 years ago!). Students raved about him. Obviously he has retired but still runs many local science camps, environmental camps, etc. I'm wondering how it would tie in with a Physics curriculum but after I see the syllabus I can go from there and see what text I could use as our main text. The co-op leader has informed him that he will need to develop some sort of test or diagnostic tool b/c students will need "proof" for portfolios, etc. LOL. I'm getting excited about this, actually.

Many of my friends used co-op classes to fulfill a credit...using it a stand-alone class w/out supplementing at home. It had me shaking my head. Some co-op classes around here are fairly rigorous...having the students do the majority of the work at home during the week and using the co-op class for discussion making it, quite possible, credit worthy. This is my plan for co-op this year. The MFW curriculum we use schedules "light" Fridays making this quite do-able for us and I think the benefit will be great (hands-on science that I cannot provide, debate, speech, etc.). I just couldn't see using it to fulfill a credit all on its own. Thanks for the feedback.

That is a good idea. We never get around to doing ALL the labs associated with our science curriculum. We could use this science class for that purpose and I could have my dd read through and do the written work for Apologia Physics. I guess that might work? The other classes I figured I would count as supplement...and could possibly use the debate portion of Government as that 1/2 credit of speech (counting the research and prep time at home).

That was kind of my thought as well. I couldn't in good conscience give a full credit for those classes unless other work was being done at home. I want dd to take the Government simply for the debate/speech aspect. She is already taking Government as part of MFW next year so this will be a nice tie-in. American Lit, same thing. The science class will cost extra and I'm just not sure about it. Thanks!

We are considering joining a co-op next year. It is for all ages and there will be 3 classes for each age group. The high school classes include a very hands-on environmental science class taught by a former public high school teacher (the man sounds like a great teacher, but hates textbooks, tests, etc.). The other 2 classes are Government w/ Speech/Debate and American Lit. Here is my question (bc I cannot wrap my brain around this). How could I possibly give my child 1 credit for each of these classes when each is only 1 hr. to 1 1/2 hrs. ONE DAY each week? The woman teaching Government said she would give 1/2 credit for speech as well as 1/2 credit for government (or even a full government credit). There wouldn't be much homework (perhaps some reading or a bit of research to prepare for the debates). :confused: If each credit = 180 hrs. this simply does not compute. Am I missing something here? Thanks for your help!