I am also glad you are having her tested. Your daughter sounds a lot like mine. She didn't really start reading until earlier this year (she is 14). Her problems were two fold: First, we tackled the vision problems. Her sight is ok, but her vision needed some work. (google vision vs. sight for more information) Long story short, vision therapy helped a lot. Second, we started working on phonics. Even with all the work we 've done, I'm still going to have her tested for dyslexia. She can read a novel, but not a text book. To be more specific, she can "read" a text book, but she can not comprehend what she is reading. I was able to find her textbooks as audio books and that has solved the problem. If you think this might help your daughter, Learning Ally has many textbooks available. https://www.learningally.org/ If your daughter says she has trouble reading, believe her. Reading ability does not equal intelligence. You need to work together to find another way she can get the information she needs to succeed. Judy

Hey Saxon users - - I have a newbie question. What is the difference between the DIVE CD-ROM and DVD's? It looks like they both teach the concepts in the book. Judy

Hi Everyone - My dd (now 12) has never enjoyed reading. Teaching her to read was like pulling teeth. After using every reading curriculum on the planet (only a slight exaggeration), I had her vision tested. It turns out, long story short, that she needed vision therapy to correct some problems with her eyes and the way her eyes relay information to her brain. Long story short, we are almost done with vision therapy and the amazing transformation from non-reader to reader has not materialized. Her vision therapist theorized that when she was learning to read, her brain didn't get good, clear information. In short, she needs a reading program. Does anyone have experience teaching a middle school student to read? It seems like all the curriculum I have looked at is geared for younger students. All advice is welcome, Judy

After years of studying history, we took a year off and studied geography using: Trail Guide to World Geography The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide Geography through Art Eating your way around the world and quality read alouds (think Sonlight) It was the best year ever. We still talked a lot about history even reading several historical novels but the focus was clearly on geography. We had a ton of fun, ate great food, made interesting art projects. Next year we are back to history and I feel ready after taking a year off. Good luck! Judy

My 8th grader is doing: Math: Life of Fred Algebra I and Chalkdust Elementary Algebra (depending on her mood) Language Arts: IEW/Easy Grammar History:Shakespeare Conquest and Keys of Liberty (TJEd classes) Science: Marine Biology class She also volunteers at Fort Nisqually

This is what I was hoping for. Thanks, Judy

My favorite is The Milagro Beanfield War. It is read brilliantly by Cheech Marin. Not educational, but fun to listen to. The kids and I have enjoyed The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud and the The Wee Free Men , A Hat full of Sky, and Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett Educational and fun to listen to: The version of To Kill a Mockingbird read by Sissy Spacek is wonderful. We have also enjoyed Your Story Hour and Adventures in Odyssey Star Spangled Stories Collection I second Winnie the Pooh read by Peter Dennis.

My middle school (6th and 8th grade) girls are interested in Marine Biology. There don't seem to be any good text books out for this age group in this subject. Any ideas? Thanks- Judy in WA

I second Sonlight 100. The Hakim series got a little monotonous after volume 5 so I found it on cassette at the library. I found my daughter (age 12 at the time) would listen to a volume 2 or 3 times while she folded laundry, worked on crafts, or just hung out in her room. Even a year later, she is able to recall facts she learned from that year.

We are combining Chalkdust Pre-Algebra (and now Elementary Algebra) with Life Of Fred. My dd (13) likes LOF because, in her own words, "It doesn't treat you like an idiot. The problems are written as if you are clever enough to understand. In Chalkdust, they treat you like a robot."

Terry Pratchet has kind of a snarky commentary on today through his Sci-fi books. We have particulary enjoyed the Disc World series - the Tiffany Aching trilogy in particular. I also enjoyed the books where DEATH was the main character. Witty and funny.

I used the Hands on Heritage book for Maya, Aztec, and Inca. It's appropriate for 2-5th grades.

Math-U-See Chalkdust Math Institute for Excellence in Writing: Themed lessons

Trail Guide to World Geography Plaid Phonics level E Phonetic Zoo IEW All things fun and facinating RightStart math/Math-U-See Chemistry (class taught by homeschool mom) Volunteer at Living History museum

This year we are using Trail Guide to World Geography by Cindy Wiggers. The official program includes The Ultimate Geography Timeline and Guide, Geography through Art, and Eat your way around the world. All fun but not necessary. The Trail guide book offers daily geography questions and map work. They also make suggestions for additional projects that can be included in a geography notebook. My kids (ages 11&13) love it. It's the first subject they ask to cover.