I am considering French. Can't believe my high-schooler wants to do French... but I did French 1-3 in high school, so I will really enjoy it. Leaning toward BJUP simply because I see their Spanish program being used in our homeschool co-op, so it must be good LOL.

Is Rosetta Stone a good choice for high school? What about BJUP?

Several years ago I stumbled (through this website I'm sure!) across a homeschooler's Christmas Devotional online. Each day contained scripture reading, song, books to read, craft projects, etc. Does this ring a bell with anyone? Can you help me find it? Thanks much! Vanessa

At our state convention this year I came across an elementary math curriculum that I hadn't seen before. It was a full size colorful workbook - I think spiral bound. I think there were just a few levels of early elementary - perhaps more to come in the future. The unique characteristic is that you read aloud something "real life" oriented (perhaps in story format), and then learn the math that it's related to. TI think it's a brand new curriculum. If you have any idea what I'm thinking of, please post a suggestion. Thanks much! -vanessa

I have been directing a co-op for the last two years. We modelled it somewhat after Classical Conversations - teaching similar subjects. After two years, we've continued to have the same problem with the middle school kids - lack of motivation in class, as well as with completing assignments at home. I've spoken with friends who speculate that students in "pay" classes seem to perform much higher than in classes where all the moms are pitching in together. There may be some merit to that, in that both parents and students feel they have more invested. However, I'm sure there must be other ways to motivate these students, and perhaps even the parents. Incentives, performance reporting, etc... Do you have any suggestion to pass along? I would greatly appreciate it! This year we will be doing Tapestry of Grace History/Geography, Apologia Physical Science, and an art class for these middle schoolers. BTW - it's a class of six boys! TIA Vanessa

I am doing a middle school co-op. We have a group that did General Science this year, and will do physical Science next year. However, we have new students joining next year, that will want to do General Science. Could we, instead, have the new students do Physical Science next year, and do General Science the following year? Also, a friend has told me that Physical Science and Biology are difficult to do in 2 years, and she recommends spreading them over three years - that means 1 1/2 years for physical science, and 1 1/2 years for biology. Does anyone agree with that? Thanks for your comments! -vanessa

Anyone see Lost Tools Of Writing for sale - 50% off at Classical Conversations? I saw it online yesterday, but it doesn't appear on the website now. Either they sold out, or they changed their mind? Looking for info.... Thanks, Vanessa_Short@comcast.net

Does anyone know whether the LTOW is being rewritten, or is there a plan to re-release it? Thanks, Vanessa

Does anyone know whether the Lost Tools of Writing Level 1 is being updated, or is planned for a new release? vanessa

Greetings, I just came across the idea of a postcard exchange. How fascinating! Each family purchases 50 postcards (and stamps). I coordinate with 49 other families from all the states (except Virginia - which is where I live). On each postcard, you write interesting information about your state. Throughout the year, at designated times, each state will mail your postcards to the other families. By the end of the year you will have received a postcard from a family in each of the 50 states. I have another mom who will prepare an address label file with all of our addresses, and email it to everyone. I will only take one family from each state. If there's an overwhelming response, I'd be glad to help start an additional group of families. I will get back to participants once the list is complete. If I add you to my list, I'll email you back "You're in!" I hope this works out! If you would like to participate – see if your state has a name already assigned, down at the bottom of this email. IF NOT, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT vanessa_short@comcast.net TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE LIST. In the subject line put POSTCARDS (your state). DO NOT RESPOND TO ME ON THIS FORUM - I WON'T BE CHECKING FOR A WHILE. -vanessa STATES: AL Coleman AK AR Wenger AZ CA Berryman CO Corona CT Ploszaj DC DE McGinnis FL Lafler GA Taylor HI Young ID IL IN Schlenker IA Low KS Heck KY Webb LA ME Whitney MN Heide MS Long MO Roseman MI Delaney MA Key MD Blazes MT Willems NE Fox ND NJ NY White NC Swick NH Paquette NM Rendon NV Gallew OK Julie OH Garber OR PA Doggett RI SC Brown SD TN Tobens TX Gonzales UT VA Short VT WA Brokaw WV Jones WI Webster WY Kappeler

Art of Argument looks great! I think that's what I was remembering. We'll be doing that over the summer, for sure! We did Fallacy Detective this year in co-op, and we'll be doing Thinking Toolbox next year.

bump

Let's see if this works for art kits: http://www.millerpadsandpaper.com/catalog.aspx?categoryid=42&ItemsCategoryID=42&ItemsItemID=1472

I am planning on using this in a co-op next year - from preschool all the way up to Jr. High. After reading these posts, now I'm considering it for the high schoolers as well! Any suggestion for making it work in a co-op that meets just once a week for about an hour? I thought we might have to assign a project at home to be able to complete it in the year. Regarding purchasing supplies, you can buy kits from Miller Pads. http://www.millerpadsandpaper.com Sorry, I don't know how to include a link here. -vanessa

I can't remember! I saw a post sometime back about a workbook that covered fallacies. We are completing Fallacy Detective, and I thought it would be a good reinforcement over the summer of what we learned from that. All I remember was that it seemed to be a workbook that could be done independently. Any clues? TIA, Vanessa