I think I'm just waaay too relaxed whenever I read some of the posts here! There are many things that I do follow from TWTM method. But... 1. I believe in delayed grammar and writing 2. I'm using Developmental Math, MUS and TT without supplementation 3. We're Latin drop-outs (though we will try again next year) 4. Not all of my kids do dictation 5. We haven't started doing logic yet for the 3 oldest 6. Some days, we unschool and the kids learn whatever they feel like doing :eek:

We've come back to WS too... Because we are so busy, I needed something that they could do mostly independently. They totally get the format of a basic essay, but I wanted them to expand on that. WS is easy to implement and provides a weekly writing assignment. It also gets them in the habit of editing, revising, and evaluating their work. My dd is in 9th and ds in 10th. They are both doing WS 5. They still do weekly copywork, from their literature, and dictation. I really want them to work up to the Exposition book before graduation, so they will be working through the summer. But I'm also thinking about buying The Lost Tools of Writing. Have you seen this? They have it at my local homeschool store. I keep going back and forth... I may try it, but I don't want to lose time bouncing them around, trying to find something. Maybe over the summer you could do some of the IEW lessons? I opted not to go with IEW because I don't have the time and it seemed too time consuming to implement. It sounds like WS could work for you. Go for it! :)

I've looked into this too... We will be starting this with my 7 yo as soon as I get my order in the mail! I found that it does cover measurement, ratio, proportion, percents, fractions, money, and more! You can have your dd take a placement test available on their website, Developmental Math. Anyone I know that has used it, really likes it. They also mostly say it can be used as a stand alone program. For my high schooler who had trouble with math, we are using the Key to... Series and liking it alot! My other daughter that just completed MUS Algebra is using it for review, and thinks it explains things so she "gets it." I don't know what level of math you stopped at, but you might want to look into this if your dd has mastered addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Or consider using it after DM. Some say that these math programs aren't rigorous enough... Well, if she is not going into a profession that requires use of advanced mathematics, then I'd say it would be just fine. Hope this helps!

We did a study on our heritage. We mostly used the internet. We made a family tree, and traced it back as far as we could. Another thing we did was interview grandparents and aunts, uncles and asked them questions like, "what was it like growing up as a kid in the PI?" or "what is your favorite thing about the PI?" or "tell me about your home in the PI." We studied the different aspects of Filipino culture and history...food (if you don't eat it regularly, you could write down different foods tasted/eaten, then try a recipe at home), traditional clothing (we made paper dolls and designed their clothing with fabric cut outs--Maria Clara dress and the Barong Tagalog), celebrations, weather, population, Philippine flag, animals (did you know the smallest monkey in the world lives in the PI?), wildlife, geography, currency, etc. We drew maps, wrote paragraphs, drew pictures, listened to music, identified famous Filipino-Americans, etc... You could make a scrap book and include your photos. This website has some useful information http://www.tourism.gov.ph/ Hope this helps, and have a fun trip!

If transportation is an issue, he would only need to show up one day to take the test. Could he arrange to find a ride? He could purchase a study book if he needs to. No classes are required. I think 19 is the cut off age for traditional public school in CA. I don't have a specific source for that, but I will look. My niece attends a public continuation high school, and they told her she has until she is 19 to complete her credits for a high school diploma. There also is the option of adult education through the public school system. He can get his High School diploma there. But he will need transportation. Here's a link to find a school nearby. http://www.otan.us/caaeproviders/index.cfm What classes has he been taking at the CC? Is he up to par with general English and math requirements? Another option would to homeschool him independently, and his mom could issue him a diploma if she feels he meets graduation requirements. In CA, you can file your own Private School Affidavit (PSA). She would just need to create a transcript of what he has completed so far, then create a course of study. To make it easy, you could use some self study workbooks. A diploma can be issued when she feels he is ready, no outside approval needed... If you need more info on filing a PSA, here's a link... http://californiahomeschool.net/howTo/psa.htm

It's good to know, though. I have 2 dc that will take the easy route and finish with Consumer and Business Math, so I'm not so concerned there. My 6th grader is completing MUS Pre-algebra and I'm looking for something for him-he is the math/science guy... I thought I had it all planned out with using TT! :confused: Oh well... off to do more research!

We've decided on Notgrass. I was looking for something simple, organized, writing assignments and containing primary documents. I'm going to add in Lies My Teacher Told Me and/or A People's History of the United States (I bought for a dollar at a thrift shop!)for another point of view. I think it will provide material for discussion. I'm thinking of using Hippocampus for some visual supplementing.

That makes alot of sense. She is very mature and interaction with older kids is very natural. I'm not too concerned about how many years of sports or obtaining a sports scholarship at this point. Once upon a time she was working toward a gymnastics scholarship, but due to injuries, her goals have changed... Thanks for the advice! :)

My dd is allergic to alot of things, including all dogs so far, except a German shepherd, and we have had one ever since she was born. We tried a yorkie and silky terrier, as both are supposed to be hypoallergenic... no such luck!

Thanks! :) I've just started to implement CM nature study. This will be very helpful.

My dd likes... Nintendogs Brain Age Animal Crossing Cooking Mama Hamsterz Life :)

Thanks for the replies! It would give her another year to do sports... It's not that I think she will be ahead of peers academically or anything, but we have been just working at graduating when she finished her course of study... She has been working through the summer and doing extra work to get her diploma early... Now she feels like I'm holding her back. :confused: Actually, it's not really a big deal because I could pull her out of the private school at any time, no matter what grade she is in, and graduate her whenever we want to... And she could still be in 12th grade and start taking classes at the jr college (mostly music and dance if she wants) since she will have met most of her other graduation requirements...

and it seems a little easier. She still wants every book I'm reading to dd7, so I try to read to her first. Some days it works, sometimes not. But in the morning, the tv is hers to watch Dora and Barney (thank goodness for On Demand tv) so I get the other kids started. She has her own "school books" and her own cubicle divider (like dd7). She doesn't nap consistently, so sometimes one on one instruction has to wait. I will try to have my other kids play with her if someone needs help. If not, play dough always does the trick, but such a big mess... LOL

I have a 13 yo dd who I pulled out of public school in 5th grade (she was bored out of her mind!) By PS standards, she would be in 8th grade today. Our first few years at home I followed the PS standards and did "school at home" until I discovered there was so much more out there! Since then, I've been letting her work at her own level. She actually does the same work my 16 yo does. I have told her that I would graduate her when I feel she is mature enough and has completed her high school level work in history/literature, math and science. I have made a course of study requirement following our state PS model... Next year, she would like to do high school sports, so we will be joining a private Christian school independent study program. She is free to work on whatever we choose for curriculum, but I would have to designate a grade level for her... Do I choose according to her age, or by the work she has completed. By age she would be in 9th grade, but would be doing the work of a 10th grade student. Classes planned for next year include Great Books/History a la TWTM 10th grade, Biology, Geometry, Latin, Spanish 1, Violin, and Ballet. She has been very excited (and motivated!) by the notion of graduating early and taking time to pursue dance and music before she's 18 and ready to be on her own (so she thinks... LOL)... I just know it would bum her out to put her in 9th grade. Any advice? Thanks! Anita in CA Homeschooling mom to ds16, dd13, ds11, dd7, and dd2 Relaxed style with classical/CM flavor

just north of San Diego, in Murrieta, CA. Sure, I'd try to make it to a get together in North San Diego County. Let me know! :D

I agree with this, but you do want to block sites to prevent the temptation of clicking out of curiosity... We us K9 too, and it does a wonderful job! You can even track what sites were block/attempted... and it's free! Anita

I think I'll buy both the 6th and 7th (I have an ds11 who will use them too) and determine where I think they would be placed best...

Hello. I have a 10th grader, just came out of ps last year, and a 9th grader that has been hs'ing for 4 years... Right now they are finishing up Easy Grammar Plus and I was wondering if they would be able to still do some Rod and Staff English...or is it too late? Oh, and they are using Writing Strands 5. I want to make sure we cover whatever they missed over the years. Is this advisable? And if so, what level should I start them at? Would the diagramming be too difficult to jump into at this point? Any other recommendations? Will Easy Grammar be enough to do well on SAT's??? Sorry, so many questions! Thanks! Anita in CA hs'ing mom to dd2, dd7, ds11, dd13, ds16