Slap away! I love Gibbs!

We are using Dive ICP for my 9th grader. So far it is a good fit. What I like most is that you have the option to use a textbook or not to use one.

For my 9th grader Jacobs Algebra with DVD Dive ICP TOG year 1 History and Bible Movies as Literature at Co-op For 12th grader Write at Home Comp 4 Notgrass Gov TOG Y 1

Growing up I remember the kids menu at nicer restuarants offered smaller portions than the adult menu. Sometimes a simpler version of an adult entree ex. Smaller burger, protein without sauce. Now it's often nuggets, fries, pasta with butter. Not really what I want my children to eat especially considering the price often charged. Never had a problem ordering from the adult menu for my children. Sometimes my children share and adult entree or have soup.

MathUSee is the program that my oldest two have used. Oldest dd will be starting Algebra 2 in January. Ds went up to Pre-algebra and now is doing Jacob's Algebra. The younger 3 are doing different maths.

I hated Lima beans until an Amish woman I know gave me a raw one to try. I was so good! So the only time we eat them is when we grow them ourselves. My dc eat them right out of the garden or if they make it into the house, I sauté them lightly in butter. Hated Brussel sprouts too until I had them roasted. They are tastier if you get ones that were picked after the first frost.

Hit Not starting school this week and renting a house at the beach.

They are building a Barnes and Noble bookstore in our neighborhood!

You can contact my friend's daughter Rachel Coker. She is a recent home school graduate who has published two books with Zondervan publishing. She speaks at homeschool conferences on how she was able to get published. Having an agent was very important. http://www.rachelcoker.com/ Here is her first book http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=interrupted+rachel+coker&sprefix=Interrupted+r%2Caps%2C215&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ainterrupted+rachel+coker

A couple of my five children have had a desire to start kindergarten. When I had a discussion with them about it, what I found is that their idea of what K would be like was far from reality. One child thought he would get to play with his friends all day if he went to school with them. The preschool has given her an idea of what school would be like. Have you done the same for her about homeschool? What fun things do you have planned? Plan fun activities with other families. Go to the Zoo with other families, plan a park day, go to story time at the library, see if there is a nature center, museum program etc. I would plan out independent activities at home file folder games, art/science projects, bake together, find fun things to do after schooling is complete at home. Make a schedule to keep dd busy. Make the school day different than just being at home. It is hard at first. I had a nephew that was staring K same time as dd and many neighborhood children in the ps system. Dd is an extrovert and it was hard to have others asking her about "going to school". Once we stared our year we were having fun and dd no longer cared about K. That child will be a Senior this fall and is happy we chose hsing. She has not lacked for friends or things to do. Oftentimes we have had to cut back because we were out too much and needed more time for academics. I also agree that building a strong family/sibling relationship is important. One step at a time. She has the whole summer to adjust. You'll find a way to make it work.

Dd did biology Freshman year using Apologia. Dd is a rising senior and would like to do another Bio course. She is doing Chem this year using Conceptual Chem and Plato Chem combined. She completed Marine Bio sophomore year. Dd is not mathy and will not do a physics course. Any ideas for other options?

I would take a different approach. I would look at each child individually and decide what skill is this child weakest in? Reading? Math? Spelling? Make a plan for that weakness, then make sure you have the 3'r's covered for your older children. I would not be afraid to do it less structured... Be creative. Create a reading list for independent readers and choose wonderful books to read aloud to everyone. Purchase, download, librivox.org, lots of stories. Put together activities for little ones to do with older children. Print up folder activities and find highchair activities that preschoolers can do at table while you're teaching. Keep quiet time. Rest. Don't stress. Keep everyone safe and fed. Next year will be easier.

I too have been feeling this way lately. I look at all the books that I have collleced and wonder if I will be the only one who wants to read them. I am tired everything seems to be a struggle lately. I think I'll move to Australia.

I think that they do offer some sort of assessment. I would contact them. I had a similar question years ago and they were very helpful.

No Aldi's near here and Walmart is too far away. We buy meat locally, produce from co-op, bulk foods from co-op or Mennonite store when we are in Pa. Trader Joe's for raw cheese and some healthier alternative frozen pizza and other snacks like nuts.

From one Jersey Girl to another, bread in an Italian restaurant in NJ is like a condiment. Extra bread is like putting ketchup on a burger --you can always ask for more!

We used to spend every vacation in Williamsburg. Here are some threads that I have posted information on Williamsburg. Post #7 http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/453130-colonial-williamsburg-need-info/page__hl__+williamsburg?do=findComment&comment=4673603 Post # 14 http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/145664-would-a-week-in-williamsburg-be-too-long/page__hl__+williamsburg?do=findComment&comment=1396384 I find that the more you put into Williamsburg the more you get out of it. We always went off-season and our children had lots of opportunities to talk to interpreters and we went so often that some of them knew our children by name. Have a great trip!

I cannot begin to tell you how helpful all of your hard work has been to me. I have picked these programs hoping that they would be what I need to teach my children writing, You have helped me to see the big picture.

We don't write in the book. Dd writes sentences on a separate piece of paper or we do it orally.

This will be my second 9th grader, I will also have two highschoolers next year. Math - Finish MUS Algebra 1 and then not sure if we'll repeat algebra or go on to Geometry English - WWS2 or LToW TOG Literature Ancients Analytical Grammar (Season 2) History/Bible - TOG Ancients Science -Biology with labs at Co-op Latin - Visual Latin 2 Logic - Art of Argument or DoD depending on what we finish this year Electives - TOG subjects of ds's choice, and Co-op Elective Classes

I just finished it last week.....stayed up all night reading ! I loved it too. I've been told the movie is actually even better! Next stop The Great Gatsby

Definitely Chiro

TOG has been worth it for me and my family. The initial investment is pricey, but I now own all year plans and the investment has been worth it. I now have children in all levels and with varied interests and I can find something for everyone without having to purchase or research more curriculum. It has helped me to be better prepared for teaching at the Rhetoric level. Planning is really not an issue for me anymore, because if I wish to follow a classical model of education, I need to be able to discuss these subjects with my student. I don't have time to pre-read everything my children are reading and TOG gives me enough support to dig deeply some weeks and to be able to keep my children learning when life gets in the way and I have no time to read the books or even sometimes the teacher's notes. What are you buying that you are over $500? You don't need all the bells and whistles to start.

Educators ( we havent been in 2 years but used to go every year). get a 50% discount on admission ( that is you and dh) if you have an ID with both names on it. We used our HSLdA card. You also get 15% off on all gift shops and shops in CW. The first year we went, we just walked around and it was pretty dull. Check out this blog for things to do in CW. http://homeschoolblogger.com/teacupsinthegarden/

This is a great and timely resource! Thank you.