I think I will test him on cvc words, but I would say it's half and half. Some he knows, but he is really not clear on vowels like when to use e or a short a, he'll just guess.

I was thinking about getting All About Spelling, but I also need grammar. I have a ds, 12 yo. He has had very informal grammar and needs to work on spelling. I would like to not spend a crazy amount (like the Phonics Road). Also hoping for something not too labor intensive on my end. Any suggestions?

Ds is a good reader but doesn't know how to spell. He is a reluctant writer for two reasons. One is that he doesn't want to spell words incorrectly but doesn't know how to spell. So, he asks how to spell every word he doesn't know, which slows the process a lot. Also, his handwriting, while good, is very labored and slow. He is a perfectionist when it comes to handwriting.

Do I need the interactive kit for level 2 as well? I'm looking at the website, but it's not clear.

So with the review in book 2 would you say it still teaches it or is it more like just reminding them of what they learned in book 1. I hope that makes sense.

Has anyone used this with an older student? My ds is 12 and we need something for spelling. This looks like it might work for him. Do you think the tiles are necessary at his age? Or would it work as well with a whiteboard or just writing the on paper? Also, if I buy new do the magnets need to be attached to the back of each tile? Sounds time consuming and maybe worth it to purchase used. Tia.

I used to like the Yoga Booty series. A little bored of them myself at this point, but they're still good.

Title says it all.

So much helpful advice! Keep it coming. For those that grow indoors, do you have cats and how do you keep the cats from nibbling on the herbs. :)

Please tell me what you do to save money on food. What do you grow, make yourself, and anything else. What about natural food coops, csas, and more. I'd love to hear all about your farm, but I don't have one. I'm looking for things I can do. I live in the northeast and we have about 4-5 month growing season. I'm wondering what gives us the most bang for our buck in terms of gardening but also in making things at home. If I have to buy milk, is making my own yogurt saving a lot? What about baked goods? We do quite a bit of baking now, but I'm wondering if anyone has actually costed it out--buying versus making your own. Also, what do you all recommend in gardens/ Any other thoughts appreciated.

I honestly can't remember what he moved on to. I see that I started this thread two years ago. I think we never found what he was really looking for.

Tumtum and Nutmeg Paddington books The Wind in the Willows

We had just one year of Ps (not even a whole year) and without a doubt, 500%, for us homeschooling this year is soooooo much less stressful.

How about suggesting something like, "In support of ___ books (whatever style she is next doing) perhaps we could ask the kids to read ____ at home and work on a lapbook in class while the kids are listening to you." Or, alternatively, they could do a lap book on the various elements of literature.

It does seem complex..... you did say the kids want to learn? So, maybe you can give them some information on free online programs. At least it could be something. I know really not a solution, but just a thought. I meant to say the info could be passed directly to the kids, if the mom is not interested. I am always hesitant to stick my nose/opinions into other homeschooling families business because I know what we do and how we do it may not look acceptable to others. So, I want to bring less of a microscope onto the lives of homeschoolers in general. Not sure if this is making sense. It's late, I'm tired, etc. I'm trying to say "judge not, lest ye be judged." ..........I think.

Found it. :)

What is the name of the new series? I didn't know about it and it didn't find anything with a quick check.

I'm not sure if this was mentioned: The Nature Connection. For some reason I seem to be having trouble linking it. Sorry. It has a workbook and lots of activities.you can buy one book and print out extra pages from the website.

I have MCT, but I wasn't sure about the approach for him. I thought something more straightforward might be better. I will be trying MCT though. Thanks for the other suggestions. I will check them out.

My 11 yo has had basically no grammar instruction. He is technically in 6th grade. He was slow to learn to read and struggles with writing. He reads well now and I think the issue with writing is due to his not feeling comfortable with the physical act of writing and not spelling well. So, with that background my question is where to start him in grammar. If we do First Lang. Lessons should I start with level 1? Or would I start at a higher level? Thanks for any insight.

I was just checking to see if there was an update. So glad to hear it. My ds is at home now too, though we are debating whether to let him go to a private school. It is so good to know what he is up to and to feel the peace.

Ds was homeschooled until this year, when he asked to go the public school. He is in seventh grade. It has not gone well. His grades have been all over the place and he has gotten into some trouble. It turns out, quite a bit more than I was aware of, because the school tells me very little. We have applied to a nearby private school for mid year entry and are waiting to hear whether he got in and what amount of financial aid we might get. Concurrently, ds had a concussion about a month ago. Two days ago I brought him in to the concussion doctor's office where he was seen by a neuropsychologist. She did some testing on him and said his attention and ability to focus were on the low side. And his short term memory was very low. She was not sure how much of this is temporary due to the concussion, but it seems that some of it has been there all along. She did not put any labels but merely explained this to me. She also discussed how this has probably affected him in school and is possibly connected to his acting out. We were hoping the new school would let him in soon. I had him stop going to the Ps, but have not officially withdrawn him from there., Let me add that the environment there and the influence of his friends there seemed to be quite unhealthy for him. So for the last few days he is not there and I am very relieved. Also, he has said adamantly that he does not want to homeschool any more. It is possible that the new school will not happen and we will hs at least for the rest of this year. The question I have is before I withdraw him from ps would it be useful to have them do testing (while it would be free)? Is there something to gain from additional testing? Thanks in advance.

Op--sorry for hijacking your thread, but it is clearly on my mind too. Sounds like you have a good plan. I wish you lots of luck. Please keepmus updated on how it is going.

Homeschool inc has a free planner which I liked. www.Home-school-inc.com

I do think one mistake I made was letting it become a discussion. Had I just pulled him back in November when I first wanted to, I don't think it would have reached the point it's at now. I hesitated, wanting to give him the opportunity to make it work. However, I didn't realize the nature of the environment there. We are not in a big city, but it does have it's rough edge. He has mentioned kids doing cocaine, morphine, pot, parents in jail, kids shoplifting $200 worth of stuff, going to juvenile detention, kids cutting, 13 you having parties with no parents around. Although my kids as homeschoolers are not isolated and over protected, they weren't in the middle of all of that. He says he likes being there.... but for a kid who is already insecure and maybe depressed, it does not seem a great environment. Oh, and friends have told him he is popular. I do wonder at what cost? And on the one hand with no wrestling I don't want to take away "everything he cares about" but on the other hand it would seem he is even more vulnerable now to do more self destructive things.