I think we'll go ahead and try and if it doesn't work then we can either slow down or do something else untill next year.Angela

DD is finishing up Jacobs Algebra now and I have Jacobs Geometry already to start. We just started logic and was wondering what the pros and cons are for waiting untill 9th for algebra. If I do wait, what should I use for 8th? She didn't have any trouble with algebra. Thanks Angela

Thanks for the replies! Angela

I think level 4 would be overwhelming for him. I looked a PHP's samples and it looks like level 3 would be perfect. He's an average student and doesn't mind writing. Anyone start a child a year behind? He has only done very short copywork regularly and a little dictation over the years. Thanks, Angela

We have only used General and Physical but I find Apologia more than complete science texts for the middle school years. I appreciate the fact that the concepts are backed up with labs that use everyday objects and therefore do not seem like foreign concepts that can only be proven in a multi $$$$$ lab with lots of lab equipment. Most of the time (but not all), the labs are just as effective in reinforcing the concepts as more elaborate labs. I look at the objective of the lab and see if it accuaraely taught my child what it was meant to teach. If it did, then it gets an "A". I remember finishing many labs in school and not having the slightest idea what I was supposed to learn from them. The basic concept had been lost in all of the fancy equipment and lengthy prodedure. By the way, I am also a BSNRN bakc for my masters. After really considering my options, and knowing that there are only so many hours a day to teach my 5 children, I opted to focus on the 3 R's and lots and lots of character building during th younger grades. We did things like home science adventures and Living Learning books with my younger students (and still do!). My children have had no trouble transitioning into a more thorough science curriculum in 6th or 7th grade. Angela

we love them. They get progressively more dificult and the excercises are challenging and fun. My kids always wanted to do "just one more page." Angela

but it is very thorough and apropriate for each grade level. I never started untill grade 3 though. Angela

I have 5 children ages 12,11,9,5, and almost 2. It is sometimes cray here also but it is well worth it to train the K'er to sit for school time for SHORT intervals. I would start now and do maybe 10 minutes, 2 x's per day and increase it every so often so you work up to maybe 3 sessions of 30 minutes each by next year. Try some hands-on history and science (like the Activity Guide that goes with Story of the World) or whatever suites you. I would also have him listen to read alouds maybe 10 minutes per day while playing with a quiet toy like legos or K'nex. I would reserve the K'nex so that my son could only play with them during read aloud time. I would also make him understand that school time (in small, reasonable intervals) is not an option. It's like brushing your teeth or eating your vegatables. Angela

I don't know what your schedule will be and I think working day shift and then schooling would be more difficult than schooling and then going to work because of attention spans, being tired, etc. I had to work full time pretty much all of last year. I chose to work 3-11 (I'm an RN so I could choose). I did all of the lessons before I left and checked everything the next day. We also schooled on Saturday if I was off and gave them a different day off that week. My husband would be home but like you, everything we were using was teaher intensive. I am in the process of switching some things that would be easy for someone else to teach if needed. Could you do any lessons with them in the evening and have them do the written work the next day (at your relatives house)? Or maybe your husband could take over at least one subject. I found that we managed okay because educating my children is a top priority here. My house on the other hand.....let's just say it suffered a lot. I didn't make many meals. My kids did almost no activities. etc. Hope that helps. Angela

I am always jealous when I look at other people's beautiful spaces. We're at the kitchen table. Angela (repeating over and over "I will have a thankful heart, I will have a thankful heart...." LOL)

For some that means "delayed" academics and for others it means "accelerated" academics. They are not meat to be graded so I don't really worry about it. Angela

Sonlight 2008 American History in Depth Colplete (without Hakim) for $200. Everything is brand new, including the IG so I am thrilled. I have been reading the books already. Angela

Lightning Literature 7 is a good basic literature study and is written in a fairly independent way. It does have discussion questions in the teacher's edition. It also has a lot of workbook like activities like word finds, fill in the blank, etc. If you are wanting more of a "let's discuss this literature" method, then I would suggest looking at Omnibus. You don't have to do all of the books so you can pick and choose. It is a christian curriculum and certainly not for everyone. I haven't used anything else. Angela

I think it depends but I found it easiest to start after my children were reading and writing (handwriting) well. I start around 4th grade. Angela

If you want to continue with IEW (and I can't tell from your post whether you want to switch or aren't sure) than I would suggest using Writing Lessons in American History or The Medieval one or the Bible Based Writing Lessons (I think there are others but I haven't used them). The Bible Based writing lessons are definitely more difficult ( I believe this is written for 4th through 12th). The American History requires some teacher explanation. It requires you to go over the lesson (clearly explained in the TE) once a week and the assignments are due the following week. The Bible Based, Medieval, etc, are written more directly to the student but I found that I usually felt better about expalaining it before they started. I didn't want to find out a week later that they didn't understand the assignment. I think the American History were VERY easy to use for the children and the teacher. Angela

Actually, if she were to major in dance in college, it would be considered an arts degree so we aren't too far off. My daughter was dancing 20 hours a week last year and it had to count for something other than PE. I'm glad there is another dance mom out there! If you go to my blog, I have a couple of ballet pictures posted. Angela

math: finish Jacobs algebra (not sure if we'll be finished), Jacobs Geometry History, Literature, Bible: Sonlight American History and Omnibus 3 (only the sections I want to do like the federalists & anti-federalists papers). I didn't like that Sonlight's questions are not very deep but really liked the history component) Writing: IEW Latin: continue Henle Science: Apologia Physical Grammar: continue Rod and Staff 7 (which I think is a tough book):eek: Music: Guitar Lessons Art: I never seem to actually DO any art no matter how many curriculums I purchase. Doesn't classical ballet lessons count ??????:lol: Logic: not sure Vocabulary: Wordly Wise We do not do spelling because she is a great speller and I run out of time due to having 4 children to school and a toddler running around. Am I too heavy on language arts? We do not do the writing assignments in Rod and Staff but she does read the lessons. Would love some input. Angela

It depends on finances, other committments (do you work? is a family member/ friend/neighbor sick and in need of help? do you have a baby or small child at home? how many children do you have?), etc. I notice that my children cherish the activities, practice them at home and really enjoy them when I DON"T allow them to do everything they want to do. They are treated like a reward here. Angela

for ditching TOG. I used it and thought it was WAY too much work for the younger grades. I never used HO but I have used SOTW with a 5th grader and it is very easy to make more challenging (extra library reading and some extra writing assignments). Angela

my husband has been a real estate appraiser for 15 years so I worked full time for 8 months of last year. I am an overachiever when it comes to school stuff so here is my advice. Do the lessons when you are able to. This may mean working in the evening or on Saturday. Explain lessons (math, grammar, etc,) the evening before and let them do their work the next day. You may want to pick things for science and history that are either one resource or have all resources scheduled and have them in the home. Things like Winter Promise, Sonlight, SOTW (if you don't mind not getting additional reading), Apologia Elementary, Living Learning Books Science and History etc will all work well. Some of my children are very independent and others aren't. I have 5 children from 12- almost 2. Hope that helps. Angela

I'm using this with a 7th grader, 6th grader and 3rd grader ( all extremely different learning styles). It definitely works with all learning styles. I usually don't start using this untill at least 3rd grade. It's a great investment (especially if you have younger children to teach) Angela

My daughter did this last year and I believe it was a decent curriculum. It was a tough year for us ( I was away almost a month picking up our youngest). She did this fairly independently and really only had trouble with the chemistry. The textbook is not wordy and I think it would work well with a child who dreaded long lessons. I would definitely consider using it again. Angela

if I needed the money and the space (which I always do!). Plus, you will get a lot more money back from it if it is sold as a set. Angela

Knock Out for math Set (this one is very hard for me. My 12 yo beats me!)

She did poorly on adding and subtracting decimals and multiplying and dividing whole numbers. What's bewildering is she did fantastically (100 %) on multipying and dividing decimals. How can this be? Do you think she may have just accidentally filled in the wrong answer? Or does she just need basic math fact practice again? I don't really know what to make of it. ps. You are only allowed to use calculators on one small part of the Iowa and it is not the computation section. I just administered this last month so I know for sure.