Here's the plan: Pre-Algebra - Let's see, I own Lial's and Auffmann but ds really likes LOF so we will be doing a mix of all. English / Spelling - Giving CLE 7 a try this year. Writing - leaning toward IEW Medieval Writing. We are doing the Ancient level this year but may have to work through the summer to finish. Reading - He is trying CLE 6 now. I may use CLE 7 and/ or LL 7. I am going to wait to buy anything. He also gets a long list of complete works (usually history related) to read each year. Logic - I have Critical Thinking but I don't know if we will do it. History - I am going back to basics. SOTW 2 with the youngers adding on for him. Science - I have CPO Earth science which I am not sure how it will be implemented yet. He is also a Lego robotics freak. So I may add in some Robolab activities. Art - Artistic Pursuits Music - Trumpet lessons Spanish - We are going to use some of the recommendations in the back of "Getting Started with Spanish" I don't remember the titles. Latin - I quit, I think we will do a casual root study. (If I had the Cambridge cd - rom I would consider using it) Bible - R&S Bible 7. I struggle assigning this because it is a good bit of extra work but I think he is learning a lot.

I am just going to link a website I found to be very helpful on this topic. There are also forums which seem quite active to get more info. http://www.endometrialablationdiscussion.com/

I had the Novasure ablation done last August. So far it has been one of the best decisions in my life. For a few months I had some periodic light spotting and lately I have had nothing. I feel so free. My periods weren't as heavy as some have described but I am anemic and was starting to faint. The doctor wasn't sure it would work because I have a fibroid in my uterus but so far so good. I was nervous about the procedure but it really was not a big deal. DH had a vasect. a few years ago so non-implantation is not an issue with us anyway.

I switched to LTR this year with my 6yo. I started him at LU 104 so I don't have any experience with the earlier ones. But for my 5yo next year I think I will have him do LTR LU101 through 104 along with maybe ETC (just because I own it). The LA doesn't kick in till LTR LU 105 and they are scheduled nicely together. I figured if we do this in K, we will not be pushed to do CLE everyday in 1st grade. I feel some of the lessons get rather long for a 1st grade wiggly boy. Unless my 5yo grows a love to write between now and next year, I am not pushing the LA on him in K. I may do some FLL because I love the poetry and grammar memorization. I did buy the flashcards but only because I knew I wouldn't bother writing them out on the whiteboard. I did not get the slider because both boys can blend rather well. The word cards and flashcards are listed in the back of the teacher's book.

I have the 100 level and I would say get the TM if you can. I tried doing LTR w/o the instructor guide and was lost. Sometimes there would be pictures and the child was to write the word and I would have no clue what the word was. I think the LA is more "doable" without the TM but I think it really adds to making it more teachable plus the appendix has the wall charts in it which I copied and ds made a little book out of. I think it is worth the price.

I'm the odd one out, I knew what you meant. I have kept a magazine that I got at the doctor's office when I was pregnant (5 years ago - goodness that went fast). I like it because it gives month by month real pictures of what the baby looks like and what is developing. Obviously it is not a curriculum but it could be an interesting starting point. I want to say it was called "Watch Me Grow" but I'm not sure where it is right now to check.

I'm hanging my head in shame but I've resorted to bribery. I have a bag of jelly beans which I only dole out during school. For instance, I tell them to finish a page, or whatever assignment, in a timely manner and they get a bean. My oldest, who usually is a fast worker, has started asking for them too. I have well-sugared children. I do also have a written schedule of assignment for each day so that ds can see "the light at the end of the tunnel." I think he sometimes gets overwhelmed by his work and just kinda gives up. It also helps to have him near me to ask questions when needed.

We started listening to "The Hobbit" (by Rob Inglis ?) last June during our one and only vacation. We decided to keep listening through the whole "Lord of the Rings" series but only as a family and most often while traveling to and fro in the van. We just finished the final book last week. We did end up skipping all the appendix stuff at the end of the last book. I wouldn't recommend it if your crowd is younger because it is very wordy but our 9 and 11 yo's throughly enjoyed it. The 6yo tolerated it and the 5yo protested whenever we put it on. It would have been nice to have the books also because they have maps in the back so you can follow the journeys better. For the Lord of the Rings we celebrated finishing each book by watching the accompanying movie. I have to admit I saw them a few years ago and really could not follow what was going on plus I had zero interest. It was so much better watching them the second time around. It was also fun to see the boys get upset when the movie took liberties that are not in the original story.

I spent a lot of time last night searching for slipcovers for couches. Sure-fit seems to be the leading brand that carries covers for T-cushions. What I don't want is something that looks good only when no one touches it because my 4 guys are pretty wiggly and rough on sofas. I was wondering if anyone has the 2 piece stretch material ones. They look like they need the least readjusting. My favorite looking slip covers are the Pottery Barn and IKEA types with the heavy linen look but no one does them in T-cushion style.

I just received my CLE 7th grade materials and just wanted to add that they do highly recommend their english handbook to use with the program. They even reference page numbers in the lessons. I would buy it but I already own the R&S handbook and have barely ever used it.

I got it too but I just deleted it because I wasn't sure how to report it.

I am seriously considering it. Our day is just so long and many colleges don't recognize Latin as a foreign language requirement anyway. If ds was into it, I would continue but I feel as if our days are getting too long already. If we do Latin next year, it will probably be more conversational style like Cambridge Latin. We have been working on Lively Latin 1 for almost 2 years and I am sick of it.

About an hour ago 3 out of my 4 boys were absolutely captivated by classical music because I had the i Tunes visualizer going to it. The "Ride of the Valkyries" was especially great.

My oldest went from RS E to Singapore 4B. I only have the text for 4B so we just flew through it over the summer and started 5A the following Sept. using the text and Challenging Word Problems 5. He has been doing CWP since 2nd grade so Singapore is not completely foreign to him. He did LOF fractions over the summer between 5B and 6A. Now my 2nd ds is finishing RS E. I think I want something more "structured" for him. I want regular tests and reviews and unlike the way Singapore (US) is set up there will be a bunch of new stuff covered and then huge review lessons and no tests. I have been using the reviews in the workbooks as tests for my oldest. I tested 2nd ds for for the CLE 400 level which he easily passed. I am thinking of testing him at the 500 level just to make sure he really needs to start there. If I do go with CLE, I will still be using some of the Singapore lessons especially the speed and circle chapters. He would also do CWP slowly. This ds will be doing LOF fractions this summer. It seems that Singapore standards is set up more like I want, but the HIGs are not out for the levels I need, and I need the answers. I don't have time to be solving problems to check.

Hi! My oldest will be in 7th grade next year and I have been homeschooling since K. You don't mention how many children you will be schooling. Many of my curriculum decisions are made because I also have 3 younger children to school. My plan is still a work in progress but here is what I have today. Math: Pre-Algebra by Auffmann along with some Singapore Challenging Word Problems 6. English: He has been doing R&S since 3rd grade and I am considering switching him to CLE but he did not do well on the placement tests. Science: CPO Earth science Spanish: Casual learning with books such as Makes Perfect: Spanish Verb Tenses and 1001 Most Useful Spanish Words Latin: Don't know maybe Cambridge. Logic: Not sure Reading/ Lit: I am leaning towards Lightning Lit 7 maybe CLE reading. I also make up a list of books for him to read which accompany our history studies. History: WTM style with Medieval while younger brothers use SOTW. Writing: I may do IEW Medieval writing but again I'm not sure. This is my yearly torture because I am awful at making decisions. I have bookmarked several 7th grade discussions you may want to check them out: http://welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148062&highlight=7th+grade http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76668

Have you checked out the lessons in the IEW Yahoo group? They still have assigned paragraphs but I would think you could follow the pattern and insert your own paragraphs. Unless they have changed it they are linked in the files section.

I don't even to pretend to have a firm grasp on the english language so I really appreciate all the help. I did assume that since the book said the word recipe was the receiver of the transitive verb it was a direct object. So do I understand this correctly? The sentence was written in the passive voice and therefore the verb is acting on the subject recipe? I am going to have to read lesson 55 again. Unfortunately, I am at the library without my book. Thanks all. I do feel better that I wasn't the only one confused.

The sentence is: The recipe for this apple pie was invented in the 1800's. This is from R&S English 6 lesson 78 review. The student is supposed to identify the verb phrase (was invented) and copy the word that receives the action (the book says it should be recipe). What I don't get is what is the subject if recipe is the direct object? Or is the book wrong? I was proud of ds because his 1st thought was asking how you would diagram it.

I bought a bunch of Progeny Press guides when my oldest was about that age. I really did not do that much with them except discuss the questions orally. My oldest was (and still is) very anti writing. My only experience with CLE reading is the 1st grade that my 3rd ds is doing this year. It is going well but I am switching ds to BJU reading next year only because I already own it. I think CLE is more meaty but I don't want to kill the love of reading by questioning and analyzing everything he reads. I am considering CLE for older grades. I also had my 2nd ds (now in 4th grade) do the intermediate and advanced 2nd grade Sonlight reading. I liked it because it was actual books and there were a few comprehension questions to make sure he understood. He did these for the 2nd half of second grade and all of third grade along with BJU reading. He was slow to start reading. I also like that the reading schedule and questions can be purchased separately from the hugh IG at that level.

We are using the new version of both. DS does the LA 1st and it takes anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes depending on interruptions and how silly he is that day. He takes a break and then does the first half of LTR which probably takes about another 20 to 30 minutes. Then we have lunch and afterwards he does the 2nd half of his reading lesson which is about another 15 to 20 minutes. He does not focus really well so he disrupts himself quite a bit while working. He could probably get it done a little quicker. This curriculum is a lot more work than my older two ever did in grade 1. Oldest ds would have taken forever to do it all and with a bad attitude. That said, I feel like I didn't do him much good by letting him get by on so little.

I have K-12 Human Odyssey and I am just starting to "try" the WTM method so I reread what Susan had to say about doing it in the 3rd edition. If I am reading it right, the student is supposed to get facts from a reference source such as Kingfisher or Usborne and then pick an interesting topic from the reference and do a short write up on it based on further research. She says to then outline from "the most interesting history resource he's read during the week." Since my ds will most likely say none of it was interesting I thought I would use K-12 HO as a backup. But he has not actually done it yet so I cannot comment on how it will do. I think the point of outlining is to both help the student follow good writing and organization and to help internalize what he has read. Somebody correct me if I have this wrong.

I have not read the other replies but I think of DH as the leader of the house. I am smart and actually more educated than him (on paper) but I feel that although we are a partnership someone has to be the ultimate leader. If we need to make a big decision I may offer my opinion but ultimately I leave the final decision to him. From what I have read men need respect and I think that when I go against him I disrespect him in a big way. To be honest, I don't like to be the one the buck stops with. I know I would not do well with a controlling husband. I think it is my DH's selflessness, wisdom and hard work ethic that has earned my respect. I would also not respect him if I could order him around. He has my submission because I choose to marry him and give it to him. Not many men would get that from me.

Thanks for the very detailed response Michelle. I was looking at the science a few weeks ago and then got distracted by trying to figure out history for next year. BTW, I see your from B.C. it looks beautiful on TV. Hopefully someday we will make it there. I am thinking my science planning will be more big picture rather than individual lessons which never work for me either. When I get the chance I will comb through the TM next and figure out would would be most beneficial for my crowd. As far as the section reviews, I think I may have to do a mix of discussing and writing but I know I need to go through that beforehand. I have to laugh because just as I was typing this and looking at the student book, my 6 and 4yo's came over and asked a ton of questions about the pictures in the books. We just covered the water cycle, geysers, plate tectonics, tornadoes, and the earth's insides in about 10 minutes. Now my 4yo is running around chanting "You can't get to the inner core." I think they will be easily engaged in science next year.

I have the standard text not the Focus on ones.

That's just cool. I love that it was really science people who wrote these and not big box textbook companies. navywife - I got the ISBN's from the website and bought the books from Amazon Marketplace. Beware, the labs supplies are expensive if your not into making do with other things. They're several videos on the website showing how to use the equipment which is great.