I didn't teach diagramming with any of my girls until the youngest and WTM came along. I have seen a huge difference in her thinking and grammar skills. For example she received a new DS game this weekend for her birthday and as she was reading through the instruction booklet she was correcting the grammar. (what a nerd huh?) So even though she fusses when having to "do" school, it seems to sink in and she uses the skills she learns.

The ____ News are on our list too! My DD loves those so I'm trying to collect the whole set. I can't find space news. These are fun in the car while we wait for older sister's to get out of enrichment class. I'll have to check out the things on your list. My DD will be in 6th grade too. I just sold some curriculum so the money is burning a hole in my paypal account! I can't wait to see what everyone else has on their wish lists. I haven't got my catalog yet :( But I'm glad to hear they are out their and mine may be here soon. :)

My oldest went back to ps and the hardest part was learning the process as far as what different teachers wanted, expected etc. She says now that in some way she regrets the decision to go to ps for academic reasons, but says she does not for the social reasons. This was a small town in southern Ohio... very different then this small town in California. I'm glad she went because she enjoyed marching band and I think with her personality it was a good choice. My other DD's choose to stay at home (not that I would send them to the PS out here) and have joined a charter, so it's a good fit for them. Every kid is different and I think it's great that you are keeping an open dialog and working through the process together!

I had shied away from mythology until grade 5. We read a few books (Green, a little dry) then this series started arriving at the library and I was amazed when my DD fell in love with this series: Evslin, Bernard. Monsters of Mythology. Broomall, Pa.: Chelsea House You can read them in any order and characters will reappear in other stories. You start to weave them all together and gain a better understanding and see the depth of the characters. Great! Great! Great! Includes tidbits of original writings and lots of beautiful art. I was never a fan of mythology before this series, but when I saw my DD's face light up and at times the astonished look on her face (some gruesome parts), then she would laugh at other times, I just loved all the dialog this series produced between us. One such part even lead to her wondering 'Where did language and writing come from and how did it start?' My answer... well I don't know, we'll have to look into that. (I was impressed normally she would rather do anything but more school!)

Wow Tracy. Thanks for sharing the resources!

Thank you all so very much!

We would be using this for enrichment to go along for 10th grade World History. I'm looking for a recommendation for which course is the most entertaining yet at the same time informative. I see that there are several. My DD struggles with making pictures while reading and has poor retention so I'm trying to broaden her history learning experience. Any advice is welcome!:bigear:

Seeing your children's ages makes me think that maybe you have al ot on your non literal plate! My goodness I've been feeling the same way as you do... I thought it was Spring fever and now it's summer. So now I'm needing a good excuse. Genes... that sounds good. Thanks!

Wow, if he does it again... your generous! It took much less for me to tell my 20 yr. old it's time to leave the nest. I tell all of mine, I am not running a free motel! I do have to admit I did the same thing to my poor dear mother and I was even younger than your son. :( I wanted to do what I wanted to do and didn't want to face the music even to say hey, this is what I'm going to do. Anyway, I hope everything is fine. I don't know how you've gotten any sleep. Take care.

I think you need to follow his needs. If he's good with having one or two good friends than leave it alone. If he is reaching out for something and it seems like ps would do him good then you might want to consider it. I have 4 DD's and they are all different, 2 have always been popular, drawing people to them even as toddlers, (one went back to ps and became prom queen, the other is involved in our community through sports, work and police explorers.) My #3 is happy with a couple good friends and sees right through the phony friend wanna bee's. #4 recently commented on her lack of friends and how sad it is. So #4 is where I'll turn attention to the friend finding process. We will look into clubs in our area such as scouts, 4-h, rec. center etc. So follow your sons lead and try not to *brew* over your husbands comments. I think sometimes they think you want a Fix-it answer and so they just say things. You sound like your on the right track to me!

Since you mentioned they are boys.... I think it is important for young people to be exposed to ideas from the opposite sex's point of view. TV and movies do a terrible job of this and I feel literature is the best way to be exposed to ideas. (Of course the example you give is even more important). Most young people, I think, are really naive at the reality of our differences (men and women) and most of society prefers to ignore this. So perhaps it is even more important for boys to read on!

BTW we went Apologia and loved it.

It looked really good. Since my high school DD's joined an accredited charter, I was reluctant to try to get it approved because all of the extra work involved in the approval process. If it weren't for that I would have given it a go and thought if I ever had time, it would be a great refresher course. It looked great for the independent student because they could tailor it to fit their needs. I think the student would get out of it what they put into it.

http://www.uni.edu/becker/Spanish3.html

:iagree: you can find too much!

Loved Real Science 4 Kids for Chem Biology and physics!

One of my only regrets in life is that I did not urge my grandmother to do this. I mentioned it and didn't push but now I wish I had. I would suggest using a tape recorder and if they are willing, I'd use a video camera! How great would it be to have those DVD's in 30 years! And remember to back up any and all formats. If using a video camera, also tape record. If hand writing, type it up and save it to disk. My grandmother was living far away so what I had wanted to do was start a tape recorded correspondence. This would be a good choice if there is a family member willing to help that lived close by. Anyway, I wish you well, have fun!

http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/HTTA/TTS/ time travelers

We really enjoyed Latin Bridge. We will be finishing it this summer. My DD10 really took to it and I'm sure we could have finished during the year but with my older DD's in a charter high school this year, we were in the car and library too much and got a little off track. I usually previewed and got the work ready before each week and then had my DD watch the instruction DVD's with me again as we went through the lessons. I love it and can't wait to get The Latin Road.

This summer I would work on getting back to basics and have him do more prewrite by using a graphic organizer. There are many different kinds and the one you use will depend on him and the purpose of the paper. I would also have him read the Writing Evaluation book for himself and have him grade younger students work so he can get an eye for profreading. I hope you get many responses as we have the same challenges in our homeschool.

I was surprised when my reluctant reader enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird. We read it together and while the reading itself it not difficult it has many deeper themes woven into it. There are many wonderful internet sites to choose from and I was surprised to learn a few things too. There is also a wealth of historical themes that can be taken from. Have fun and I hope returning to homeschooling works out for the two of you. Best wishes, Lisa

Sounds like something I'd like to do someday. Keep us up to date I'd be interested in hearing what you choose and how it goes!

My DD used them for 1st-4th grade and now we use them the second time around as an introduction on Mondays and use KFE on Wed. and do activities and further study on Fridays. Even my High schoolers have overheard a lesson or two and have made a comment like "oh.." they got the connection of this or that when it was put more simply.

My DD started her 2nd cycle last year (5th grade Ancients) and will start her 3rd cycle in 9th grade. I really look forward to this 3rd cycle as she will really be researching and putting the pieces of history together. I'm looking forward to reading some really good persuasive essays.

I've been thinking about skipping 87 and going for pre Algebra once my DD finishes 76. What do you think? Or should I have her take the placement test and maybe skip 76? I ask because she gets bored easily but at the same time she can get overwhelmed just as quickly so we have good days and bad days. She usually picks up a concept very quickly. So anyway I'm trying to look ahead and decide on a path. Thanks for any input.:)