I found a 2006 World Book set at a library sale. Got them for $25, but sadly, they sit on the shelf untouched. The kids just hate the idea of looking things up in a book when the iPad is so handy.

It's not an all-around text, but a great one for learning about pregnancy and birth: Baby on the Way by Sears It's a picture book, but is still great information for all ages. The information is accurate and presented well.

And what about alcohol education?!? Our French exchange student was shocked at how ignorant his fellow public high school classmates were about healthy alcohol consumption. His parents, and apparently many European parents, teach children from an early age about healthy attitudes toward alcohol. I'm not sure how this happens, but the uncontrolled binge drinking among US teens/young adults is crazy. I'd like to help minimize that type of drinking for my kids if possible.

Our youngest two were homebirths! So three have witnessed birth, even cut the cord with dad's help. And with all my Bradley videos, they've seen lots of good stuff!

Sex-ed! I'm an L&D RN and childbirth educator. Thankfully, my children know more about childbirth than most adults. They can talk about penises, placentas, and vernix without skipping a beat. We discuss human sexuality throughout the lifespan conversationally all year long. Every spring(when the birds and bees are doing their thing), we check out several library books with content appropriate for their respective ages and read them together. Our 12 yr old prefers to read his books independently now, so we discuss the topics after he finishes the books. My other requirements are cooking and keeping a clean house. I think this hits the major topics for basic survival--eat, stay clean, and enjoy the gift of our bodies. :)

Summertime: each kid gets 30/day. They can use it all or save it up to watch a movie. We have 4 kids, so they usually collaborate, watch each other's shows, etc. School year: 1 hr/week/kid, only on the weekend. None M-F. Again they can save up their time. If we're busy or out of town during the weekend, the time simply gets added to the next weekend. This is helpful when they want a movie marathon during a sleep over. :) They don't earn their screen time, but it can be taken away. They are responsible for charting their time on a sheet that hangs on the 'fridge. My oldest is an "enforcer." He keeps everyone honest about the time they use and helps the 4 yr old chart hers. We don't differentiate between educational and just-for-fun screen time. Kids must get our approval before downloading a new app. Their screen time is usually ipad games, netflix, and occasionally the wii. Cutthroat Kitchen has been a fav this summer. I guess that's sort of educational. ;)

We do history and science as a family and modify as needed. Here are my 7th graders plans: Saxon Pre-algebra, LoF WWS(tried this in 5th grade and it was too much. Hoping for success this yr!) Kilgallon Analytical Grammar Phonetic Zoo Fallacy Detective, Art of Argument America the Beautiful Ellen McHenry Elements and Carbon Chemistry plus chemistry Merit Badge Mango Languages(free through our library!) Literature and memory work based on American history

Finn by Jon Clinch is a great story of Huck Finn's father. He's a vile old river man, and the story is told beautifully! The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng Sense and Sensibility I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Thanks for the info! We will be in country for 3 yrs, so I want to have the kids at least at a conversational level before we arrive. Our hope is to send them to the local public school so they are immersed. That's a sure way for them to become fluent!

We got great news about an upcoming military assignment. We're going to Malaysia!! Anyone have experience in learning Bahasa Malay? Is it just as well to learn Indonesian and figure out the differences once we're in country?

This summer DS who is 12 is reading the last of the Star Wars X-Wing series for fun. We just finished Tom Sawyer, and we've started Huck Finn as a family audio book. DH wants him to read The Great Brain. We live in Rhode Island, so I'll have him read Swim that Rock since it's by a local author about the local quahog fishing community.

We just returned from DC. (We won tix to the White House Easter Egg Roll!) Be aware that LOTS of DC is under renovation in preparation for the next inauguration. We were there for a week and wish we had made time for Spy Museum & National Gallery of Art. The kids protested with complaints of museum fatigue. The Library of Congress has beautiful art and architecture if your kids enjoy that. If you're Catholic or are a lover of mosaic art, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is stunning! It's an easy trip on the Metro out to Brookline/CUA. We were there for Easter Sunday Mass and then spent nearly 2 hrs lingering through the many chapels. Have fun!

Thanks everyone! I decided to order EIW & IEW to actually look at them. A friend loaned Writing Strands & Jump in! Getting closer to a decision. Thanks for you input!!

We read The Old Man and the Sea this summer. All the kids enjoyed it!

Thanks for these updated recommendations! I'm breathing a sigh of relief. I'm curious why you recommend EiW. What about that program makes it your choice over others? Thanks! Michelle