We also had a very hard time finding something here. I didn't want the "bore" factor, and my son detests too much religion intermixed with these types of subjects, so I designed my own plan. I've attached our plan below, maybe someone else may find it useful.. I had him read some classic and/or politically related literature pieces: 1. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley) – not scheduled 2. Brave New World Revisited (Aldous Huxley) – not scheduled 3. Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck) – not scheduled 4. The 5000 Year Leap, A Miracle That Changed the World (W. Cleon Skousen) – scheduled in research outline 5. The Signers of the Declaration of the Independence (Ferris & Morris) – scheduled in research outline 6. In Dubious Battle (John Steinbeck) 7. To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee) **Guns, Crime, and Freedom (Wayne LaPierre) – scheduled in research outline In addition to having him research and provide brief explanations of the government-type outline I provided him: 1. Beliefs, and could they affect your view of politics, policies, man, and religion. a. Define Beliefs, Creation, and Evolution b. Do you think your belief system could affect your view of government? c. What is the difference in Biblical View and Liberal View? 2. Government. a. Define Government. b. When did government begin? c. Is government necessary? Write an essay defending your answers. 3. Civility a. Define Civility, Morals, and Disobedience. b. What does it mean to be civilized? c. What is civil disobedience? 4. Types of Government a. Limited (a government where everyone, including authority figures, must obey laws – the US Constitution is a good example of a document that lists the limits of the government Define the following Limited Government types (listing at least one pro & con of each): 1. Theocracy 2. Absolute monarchy 3. Dictatorship 4. Socialism 5. Communism fascism b. Unlimited (a government where there are no limits on the ruler’s authority – these ruler’s do not have to abide by the same laws as everyone else) Define the following Unlimited Government types (listing at least one pro & con of each): 1. Constitutional monarchy 2. Democracy 3. Republic c. The United States is a Democratic Republic. In your own words, what does that mean? 5. American Political Heritage – Ideas and Events that lead to the shaping of the US Government. a. Define and Explain all the Events/Ideas listed below: i. Magna Charta ii. Petition of Rights iii. English Bill of Rights iv. The Enlightenment v. Mayflower Compact vi. Athenian Democracy Vii. Define: Bicameral, Confederation, and Charter 6. The 5000 Year Leap a. Take a break from all your research, and read about A Miracle That Changed the World. (make sure you complete the book within 2 weeks) b. This book’s back cover boasts that this book helps to “Discover the 28 Principles of Freedom our Founding Fathers said must be understood and perpetuated by every people who desire peace, prosperity, and freedom.†i. List the 28 Founders’ Basic Principles. ii. Write an essay about the insight you gained into the founding principles of our government. 7. Declaration of Independence a. What is it and why was it drafted? b. Who signed it? c. Where and when was it signed? 8. The Signers of the Declaration of Independence a. Take two weeks to read the book b. Take another week to research one “Signer†of your choosing c. Write an essay on the topic: “What made _____ an important figure in history, and why he is an inspiration to me.†9. Our Constitution a. What is the constitution? b. Familiarize yourself with the US Constitution for further studies. c. Define and Explain the Articles of the Constitution, and their parts: i. Article 1: The Legislative Branch 1. Congress 2. Senate 3. House of Representatives ii. Article 2: The Executive Branch 1. President 2. Vice President 3. Executive Office of the President iii. Article 3: The Judicial Branch 1. Supreme Court 2. Judicial Powers iv. Article 4: The States v. Article 5: The Amendment Process vi. Article 6: Supremacy Clause vii. Article 7: Ratification viii. Signatories 1. Where and when was the US Constitution signed? 2. Who signed it? ix. Amendments 1. Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression 2. Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms 3. Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers 4. Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure 5. Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings 6. Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses 7. Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases 8. Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment 9. Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution 10. Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People 11. Amendment 11 - Judicial Limits 12. Amendment 12 - Choosing the President, Vice President 13. Amendment 13 - Slavery Abolished 14. Amendment 14 - Citizenship Rights 15. Amendment 15 - Race No Bar to Vote 16. Amendment 16 - Status of Income Tax Clarified 17. Amendment 17 - Senators Elected by Popular Vote 18. Amendment 18 - Liquor Abolished 19. Amendment 19 - Women's Suffrage 20. Amendment 20 - Presidential, Congressional Terms 21. Amendment 21 - Amendment 18 Repealed 22. Amendment 22 - Presidential Term Limits 23. Amendment 23 - Presidential Vote for District of Columbia 24. Amendment 24 - Poll Taxes Barred 25. Amendment 25 - Presidential Disability and Succession 26. Amendment 26 - Voting Age Set to 18 Years 27. Amendment 27 - Limiting Changes to Congressional Pay 10. Guns, Crime, and Freedom a. Take one week to read the book b. Write an essay on “The importance to keep and bear armsâ€. 11. Bill of Rights a. What is it and why was it drafted? 12. The World Order and U.S. Government a. What are the following ideas/events, and how did they affect the view of our government? i. Monroe Doctrine ii. Roosevelt Corollary iii. World Wars iv. Containment of Communism v. War on Terror b. What was the historical impact of immigration (legal and illegal) on American politics c. How do you feel The United Nations and Approach to foreign policy affect our government? 13. Citizenship a. What are the qualities necessary for good citizenship (honesty, frugality, hard work, etc.) b. What are the rights of citizens (life, liberty, property/equality of opportunity vs. equality of outcome) c. What are the responsibilities of citizens d. Why is Participation in the political process/political parties necessary e. What is the Pledge of Allegiance? How was it established? f. How did the National Anthem come about? 14. Local Governments a. What is the BASIC structure of your: i. State Government ii. County Government iii. City/Town Government

Just at matrips suggested, I did decide to consolidate everything into 30 weeks. We have a tendency to be ahead in some things & behind in others, so I figured this gives us plenty of wiggle room. And like stm4him commented about all the kids being in different areas of study. I changed all of our studies to the same for the year. It required ALOT of library searching, but by using alot of reading this year to put everyone on their "skill" level, we can all stay on the same topic. (High school DS will be using SWB's book summaries -tweaked a bit- for all subjects to allow him to stay with us in all subjects) We will be working on the same topics in Science, History, Art & Music Appreciation, and Geography. Everything else has to stay separate for obvious reasons... I have also added a few report/projects for each level throughout the year (again based on their skill/age level), so I was able to keep things a little more streamlined ... Just LOTS of books lists! My kids like binders because they can take the pages for the day out and flip them over, lay them flat, etc. I have NEVER been this "together", but I really needed all my kiddos to be streamlined. I am hoping that having most all subjects together, and keeping all current work in one binder per child (easy for checking), that life will be easier?!?!? Time will tell!!!!

I loved the idea too, but took it in a different direction.. Instead of binding the whole year, I am going to go four weeks at a time. -I have planned my years worth of subjects and broke them down into subject binders for each kid. They are in weekly order with notes, so they are ready to be pulled out when I need them. -Every four weeks, I will put together a work binder for each student. I have a 1 1/2 inch binder for each student with 4 oversized week dividers, and in each week I have regular sized subject dividers. So at the end of a four week period I can take completed work out and file accordingly and then set up their work binders for the next four weeks. I decided to go this route because every year I feel like I have to "tweak" something and I would hate to have to undo something I had bound. I have also decided that we are going to school year round (so we can take breaks when I, oops we need them), with a schedule of four weeks on and one week off. I'll be starting it up next month, so we'll see how it goes!

Started using it here and it's been great! My son loves how quickly it reviews "just enough" and he feels like the math/skill progression is better than others he's tried. He wants to follow it all the way through!?

What about this post from Elemental Blogging.. she talks about her experiences with SOTW and now using MB Synge's series since done the SOTW series. She even has the first two years schedule broken down..

This is something that I think you should definitely talk to him about. As mentioned here this is a very stressful job, and the incidence of divorce is extremely high. I must confess after my hubby's PTSD issue (which he and I both received counseling for) I could definitely see the reason for a high divorce rate?!?! That being said, we are both MORE vigilant about talking and our marriage now because of the issues with divorce in his profession & what we've already been through. You have to be able to talk to him about this job, you cannot just sit on the side lines. If you can't or don't, I think it will only hurt the both of you.. So, talk to him! Make a time to get rid of the kiddos for a night, make dinner, stay home, and TALK. Of course, if you are like us when we were going through a really bad time, we had nobody to take the kids.. So, make a DO NOT DISTURB sign for the bedroom door, take up some munchies and wine, and get the talking started. Keep up your talks weekly until things are feeling better, and then continue the talks as needed (maybe with a date). Even if it's only in your bedroom with the Do Not Disturb sign, make it happen. Explain to your kids that just like you and they talk, you and dad need some quiet talk time to be a happy married couple. Kids are smart.. they can see the divorced/single parents around them, and they will appreciate your relationship with your hubby alot more if they see you working on it! Good Luck again.. I would be more than happy to talk with you via email for support if you'd like. Just pop me an email!

How long has be been in law enforcement? I think for some the LE God complex goes away after a few years in service. I know my hubby started that way (a little), but he has eased up alot over the years and tries to ignore the family and friend stuff UNLESS it becomes problematic. I find that I am the one that is more guarded now. We had an incident a few years ago where hubby had PTSD from a really bad crime scene, and I became his "protector/care-taker" for a period of time. It is amazing how unthinking some people can be after those types of situation. Family members would actually call for information about stuff on the news or in papers, all the while my hubby is going "crazy" (for lack of a better explanation). Since then, I am very cautious as to what is said/asked? As far as the restaurant thing - I know my assigned seats now when we go out!! :lol: Hope it gets better with time..

Been there.. Is this something you are dealing with personally right now, or your spouse? Over the last few years things have been crazy and I, personally, feel like I am always in a "guarded" state. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Ya' know, we've tried so many here too! But, the best by far is just the plain ol' stove top percolator. No mechanics to break, no counter top space taken, and a VERY hot cup of coffee.. The only down side is it does take a little longer, but it's well worth it for us! Fyi - we got ours at Target for about $20..

I got Learn Math Fast for my oldest (we've tried everything since he came home from public school, with no luck) and he has actually done really well with it. He likes how straight forward it is, and I like the fact that it really does start from basics and works up. I really wanted to make sure I got all the basics covered before we moved any further ahead because I found I was constantly re-teaching him stuff. I can say this is working really well! I may actually have him stick with it all the way through since he is putting out more books. We are finished with Book 1, so if you're interested let me know... Good Luck!

I've been reading previous threads and doing a lot of research for Psychology next year. So far I've narrowed my choices down to these two text books (both of which I think look rather engaging for a textbook): Psychology Around Us Psychology in Action With quarterly readings of: Your Brain: A User's Guide The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat The User's Guide to the Human Mind Sybil This is really a hard subject to narrow down!!!!

Don't post often, always lurking... But, in a pinch for material I always use CurrClick. (everything is downloadable in PDF) They have alot of material and usually they're pretty cheap. They do have Math Mammoth there, as well as every other subject you could need.. That being said, I agree with everyone else. Focus on MATH and Writing. It's super easy to add everything else with books from the library.

So I know it's an old post, but did you ever figure this out? I am looking into Civics and Government right now too?? Thanks!!!!

Well, it's helped me tremendously:):):):) I always felt lost with planning, making sure I had it all covered, and putting it all together. BUT, Planning Your CM Education helped me out - I read through it step by step in my planning and now I feel like I've got it all covered. Even if you aren't a huge CM Educator, the planning schematic/plan is great. Fyi .. I think the book does 5 semesters as an example (I broke mine into 6) which I wouldn't have done if this resource didn't help me figure out the how of planning.. I stole my semester names from a blog (don't remember which one now), we have: Deep Winter, Early Spring, Late Spring, High Summer, Autumn, and Holiday Season (we do 6wks/2 wks off; tweaked for family stuff).

I really like the idea this Momma had: http://wildflowersandmarbles.blogspot.com/2010/08/year-considered-9th-grade.html She is using Why Greenland is an Island, Australia is Not - And Japan is up for Grabs (She even has her schedule available for use). I picked up the book super cheap online and let me tell you, for such a small book there is an amazing amount of information in there! If you follow her schedule on her website, she does a great job of breaking the book into really digestible bites. Good Luck-