Thank you for this! I bought the books used, so no lab kit was included. Landry does send a lab kit, though. I'm encouraged that we may not have to do the extra lab intensive.

I want to add that we have done Spanish almost every year of homeschool. I'm hoping that his online Spanish class will be easy and serve to fill in gaps and firm his foundation. It shouldn't be a ton of new information for him.

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback! I feel lost. I'm not sure why I'm getting so anxious this year. He did three online classes in 8th, as well. It went well for him. The science class will be harder this year, but the English will be easier (I expect). English classes are the hardest for him, generally. Science is the most fun for him. I was thinking that would work? I definitely don't want to overwhelm him. I really appreciate the bolded. When I look at his classes, sometimes it feels like too much and sometimes it feels like to little. He is close to getting his Eagle (3 merit badges left), and that should be a minor part of the year. The robotics team is made up of two guys and the teacher/sponsor. They do well in competitions and usually make it to the national level. It seemed like a fun opportunity for him to make a few friends and learn a lot. Of course, he has the final say in all of this. He is interested and wants to do the robotics thing. The sports team is something he's already doing, and will be the first thing to go. Neither of us is particularly invested in sports next year. It's a huge time commitment and I'm not impressed with the coach's behavior (small town, we know all these people and their arrest records already) . Landry does include the labs throughout the year, but I thought with Chemistry, it would be fun for him to get together for an intensive weekend, since I'm thinking there will be a lot of 'virtual' labs. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing for Chem, there will be a lot we can't do at home. If AoPS is too hard, we will switch to TT Geometry. I have both ready to go. We tried AoPS algebra in 8th, but it was too hard, so I went with TT algebra. I want to try AoPS once more, but we'll go with what he chooses. He chose chemistry for 9th. He is tired of biology. He did a year of earth/physical science in 8th. The high-school level physics through Landry requires higher math than he's had. Chemistry is something he hasn't studied yet. He did complete Teaching Textbooks Algebra in 8th. I'd love for him to go deeper with AoPS, but it will be his choice to either use AoPS or go into TT Geometry. I saw that Algebra I was a pre-req for chemistry in the Landry catalogue, and I'm hoping TT was enough. We won't skip the labs, but I have a feeling (just guessing) that there will be a lot of virtual labs, since I don't have access to a chemistry lab. I'm not sure...the only chemistry I ever had in high school was done via correspondence course because my school didn't offer it. Later, I took it at university level, but we had an awesome lab and did things I don't think we could do at home, you know?

So...my eldest will be starting 9th in a few weeks. I would be very thankful if you could look over my plan & give me honest feedback. He doesn't have a particular focus or strength. I hope he'll attend university, but he doesn't know what he wants to do as a career. He will do whatever work I give him, usually, but he's not an advanced student. He has to work pretty hard at his studies. LA: 1 semester of lit through Landry Academy + 1 semester of writing through Landry + remedial spelling with me Math: We are going to give AoPS Intro to Algebra one more shot. If it's still too difficult, he'll do TT Geometry. He did TT Algebra in 8th. Science: Chemistry with Spectrum Chemistry through Landry + lab intensive weekend in June US History with CLE's 8th grade textbook, which I think will be adequate for 9th grade Spanish I through Landry 1 semester Logic 1 semester guitar This should also be the year he earns his Eagle Scout ranking. I am pressuring him to continue to play one sport with our local school I am pressuring him to join our high school's robotics after school team

A few thoughts: Maybe the ingredients/processing recently changed for a product you've been using for a while? Even if you are using all the same products, manufacturing can change at any time. A summertime allergy? An insect? A plant? Mold? I get hives with temperature changes. Especially if I exercise outside (my body gets warm) while it's cold. A few years ago, my son suddenly started breaking out in hives every night (he had multiple allergies that were well-managed). After much investigating, I discovered his shampoo had macadamia nuts as an ingredient.

Thank you for the tip.

This year, three of my children are going to listen to the same audio books and participating in a group discussion. I'm trying to figure out the best way for them to each listen at different times. They each have a very inexpensive MP3 player that isn't easy to navigate. I have an older iPad with Audible. I have a phone (not Android or Apple) that I can load audio books onto with the Audible app. My question is, if I buy the audio books on Audible, would I be able to load the same book on three different devices (using just one account), and have my kids' places kept on their devices? For instance if one child listens to chapter 1 on the iPad, but another child get through chapter 2 on my phone, will the child who only got through ch 1 be skipped ahead when he opens the audio book on the iPad? I hope that makes sense. And, is there a better way to do this? Thanks!

I really like this website for specific reviews: http://www.carcomplaints.com/ Sorry you are having car troubles. I hope you find the right vehicle quickly!

Some suggestions: One year overview of world geography with Trail Guide to World Geography One year overview of world history One year overview of American history with Notgrass or Homeschool in the Woods or just for the 8th grader with CLE's AM History + Light Units Or, you can just keep things simple and continue with the cycle. :001_smile:

Miss Rumphius Penderwicks series The Moffatts Best Christmas Pageant Ever Patricia St. John's books (Christian) Faerie Gold Disclaimer: I'm not sure if they are girly books.

Well, if I were you, I'd probably do the CLE placement test and go from there. I find their test very helpful when you are switching from another program, and you are only missing a few concepts taught within the grade level. On the placement test, if he displays lack of understanding of a concept, you can see exactly which Light Unit it was taught in. You could then purchase that LU for $3. Does that make sense? So, if you son does the placement test and it shows he understands all but a few concepts taught in 3rd grade, you could purchase those 3rd grade LUs, work through them, and jump into 4th. This is in contrast to Saxon, for which you'd probably be better off to repeat the entire year if he doesn't fully test into a grade level because of the style of the textbook and progression of topics. Hope that is clear. They are both fine programs. Best wishes with your decision!

I would wonder if the ITBS scores for math are a true reflection of his math aptitude. I find CLE to be more logical with its teaching sequence than Saxon. I like the progression of topics and the review. It is much easier to cross out review sections that you feel are unnecessary because the review is grouped by content. It is written to the student, but I always teach the new material anyway, just to prevent misunderstandings. Have you done the placement test with CLE? If you have, and he tests on grade level, I would wonder why you'd even switch. I'd say maybe your son just didn't test well in this instance?

Thank you!!

I insert a year of US History and a year of world geography as I see fit. I'm toying with using Creek Edge task cards for my rising 7th grade son next year. The classical model is *so* not his thing. :svengo:

Thank you for the information. Fall 2016, I'll have my first 9th grade student, and I'm already feeling so anxious about university costs. I don't want to naively think it'll all just 'be okay' if my kids do well in high school and on testing.

You can't buy access to one SP course and use it for multiple students. However, I called and asked if it would be unethical for my kids to do the program together, purchasing just one course. I was told that we are free to repeat lessons as many times as we'd like, so each child can use the same account in that way. Only the first score for the tests and quizzes would be recorded, though. The years of the SP history are designed to get more difficult as they progress chronologically. So, the Ancients program is designed for 3rd grade (I think?) and the Explorers-1815 is designed for older students. The redundancy could be an issue. Can you look online at the 32 events that are covered, and see how much overlap there would be? Covering the same material from different angles two years in a row might be an awesome thing. But if it's just a repeat, that might get boring. Best wishes. Sorry about the fussy baby. :grouphug:

I'm so glad we are out of this phase! I was irritated beyond reasonable measures when my younger kids did this while I tried to read aloud! All that to say, that phase will pass. Sooner or later, you'll make it through a book. Don't fret if that doesn't happen while you have the 2 yr old around. I had a pack-n-play with a few toys that I'd use for my toddler during read aloud time. Some of our favorite resources for free audio: http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/series/the_chronicles_of_narnia Our public library/Overdrive or we borrow the CDs and MP3s http://www.loyalbooks.com/ The Audible app sometimes has discounts & free book offers

:grouphug: It can be almost impossible to have hope through difficult times. But, life will get better. After a bout with a stomach virus, I'm usually depressed and feel miserable. Stomach bugs were THE reason I was never going to have children. It's so, so hard to watch your children suffer chronically. And to get no answers from the doctors is unbelievably frustrating. You have an awful lot going on right now. I hope there is someone is your life who can help you out a little. If not, just know that things will get better, and all you can do is get through each day. And that is enough. One more thing...you get two chances at the mother-child relationship. One you don't have any control over. But, the other you do. You can be the mom you wish you had. And then you can watch the fruit of that play out in your children's lives. It's incredibly difficult to stop the unhealthy patterns we learn as children...BUT, better that you do it than you pass along the unhealthy patterns. It's always less work (no matter how much work it is) to hold the line than to rebuild something broken, you know?

:grouphug: Katie, You sound like an amazing mom. Mental illness is the hardest thing. It's awful. I have a hard to parent kid that is a source of great disappointment in my life. He is only 12, so the consequences of his actions aren't huge just yet. Only recently I discovered I'm not responsible for his actions. For what it's worth, I will pray for you, your son, and the whole family. When you have an explosive child like that, it's so hard on everyone. Best wishes to you. :grouphug:

It's different for different people. Sometimes, the uterus should come out. Sometimes, it should stay in. If you're having symptoms, it's probably a good idea to have an examination. Best wishes

I get what you're saying here. And, I'm not trying to convince you to do one thing over another. But, I do want to say that using a pessary isn't like what you're describing. I've never had odors or falling out (I can't imagine that actually happening! It's actually a little tricky to get it out.). I put it in or take it out once a week. And it keeps my parts in their places. Way less risk than surgery. Way less trouble or pain or inconvenience or money or time than surgery. And, a good urogyno will tell you that repair surgery is a temporary fix. It's all just tissue down there that will continue to age and sag and lose elasticity. The repair surgeries are different than hysterectomy. Although, hysterectomy will eliminate the potential for uterine prolapse (obviously). Hysterectomy is a popular treatment for uterine prolapse, depending on the individual's age, lifestyle, etc. Hysterectomy removes the uterus, but it will not strengthen your pelvic floor muscles or treat a rectocele, cystocele, etc. Pessaries help with all these issues. Just wanted to share that in case anyone else reading might thing using a pessary is awful or that surgery is the easier fix.

Oh, yes! The bolded is so important! I probably could've prevented my prolapse, rectocele, and cystocele if someone had talked to me before I self-inflicted them. LOL. About the pessary, Sparkly, it's not all that bad. I use one, and it's been a fabulous stop gap to surgery (I'm 40 and don't want to start a surgery cycle, yet). I insert usually on Monday and take it out Thursday, on weeks I don't have my period. So, once or twice per week. It's tricky for me to get out, but not to get in or keep in (and I can't use tampons or menstrual cups). It's been a huge benefit for me. It's helped quite a bit, according to my urogynocologist, who says my parts are staying in place even when the pessary is out. Physical therapy bought me a lot of time before needing the pessary, too. Best wishes!

:grouphug: I'm sorry.

Tapestry of Grace is probably one of the more teacher-intensive programs out there. We use it and we enjoy it, but I spend some time planning through the summer. Some similar programs that are a bit more open-and-go are My Father's World Biblioplan If I were you, the first year of homeschooling a 7 & 9 year old and working from home, I'd shoot for reading Story of the World aloud. Maybe throw in the activity book and some narrations. We use CLE for math and LA, which I find to be extremely user-friendly. There is a short section of new material to teach, then a review of previous concepts for the student to work through independently. Best wishes!

We have used both CLE reading and MP guides. I absolutely love the CLE reading and the corresponding light units. The program is designed to take 1/2 the school year, leaving time and space to throw in your own literature selections. Despite the above comment about the 'contrived stories,' my sons benefited immensely from a traditional textbook, on grade-level selection of reading. At the 500 level, the stories were interesting, challenging to read, and the exercises in the light units were great training for reading literature critically. The lessons included poetry and meter, comprehension questions, vocabulary, using context clues, analogies, literary devices and a tiny bit of writing. We enjoyed MP literature guides, as well. These we used at the 4th grade level, and I was pleasantly surprised. They go beyond comprehension questions, and are great training for critical reading as well. At 4th grade, they include activities like drawing out scenes from the book. The ones we used tied in Latin studies and Latin meanings of words in the books. They contained copywork, pointing out literary devices, comprehension questions, vocabulary exercises and probably other stuff I can't remember. I thought they were both fantastic tools in our homeschool. We still do a ton of wonderful literature and great books (who defines these terms, anyway???) mostly on audio. I'm frankly too busy to sit and work through oral narrations with all of my children for all of the books they are exposed to. I find the lit guides or the CLE reading to be a nice way to gauge how much my kids are understanding from what they read and to force them to know the actual definitions of words, rather than just what they think it means, based on context. Best wishes as you make your plans!