I work three days a week in an office and have another very-part time job on the side that I do from home. We homeschool three kids who are 16, 14, and 10. All three kids and I attend a tutorial (two days for one kid, one day for the others) for both the academics and social outlet. The teenagers have mostly outsourced classes--some at tutorial, others are online. They are home with the 10 year old two days a week, and my mom keeps him the third day. Here's how we make it work: 1. Great outsourced classes and mostly dependable kids. 2. Support system. We carpool with the other moms at tutorial to make it to get-togethers and school events. I always offer to drive whenever it's physically possible--I don't want to take advantage in any way. My mom and dad are local and retired, and they also help with transportation. Our 16 year old just got his license, but he doesn't yet have a car. Hopefully next year he'll be driving more. 3. The teenagers are available for the 10 year old, but he's easy, so they don't really feel like they are babysitting. The 10 year old does one or two distance classes (BJU) and we do some school together before I leave for work at 9:00. He's getting more and more independent with his school work, so that helps. We all share house chores, and I assign a job (i.e. vacuum or dust, etc.) to each kid during the day. If they don't complete the chores and school work, we don't do any scheduled activities that evening. 4. We have somewhat lowered expectations on housework. I'm working hard to de-clutter so that clean up is easy. I use the crockpot a couple of times a week. My husband does a lot of laundry. 5. The kids genuinely want to homeschool. They were offered the chance to attend our local (reasonably good) schools, but they prefer homeschooling. They are motivated to make it work. Good luck to you!

This. I have a friend who makes a good income as a destination wedding planner/travel agent.

Thank you both for your replies! I've flirted with Lost Tools of Writing in the past, and I just went to look at it. I see that they have added a video component since the last time I checked. It looks like maybe it can be used alongside whatever else we are doing for literature? I wonder if I could incorporate it into the literature course he's been taking at tutorial--especially since they only seem to write two papers a semester. Ashley, we have the same problem! He's been very resistant to writing an outline prior to writing. I am sure an outline would help him tremendously. Do you think your tutor would be open to taking on additional students? I appreciate your ideas!

My son is a sophomore this year, and I've been mulling over where his stands with his writing skills. His grammar is fine, and he has strong vocabulary and reading skills. However, he's having difficulty learning to organize his thoughts and stick to a thesis. He rambles. He contradicts himself. He seems to back into his positions. He has taken literature and composition classes at a local tutorial for the last three years, and while the literature component is solid, I don't think the composition portion has been as helpful. Can anyone recommend resources to help develop stronger writing organizational skills? I'd love to know about resources that either target that skill specifically or classes (online/video) that emphasize clarity in writing as part of an overall high school English class. We do need something he can jump into as a junior, though. That seems like it might rule out many of the online classical writing classes that progress through the progymnasmata. Thanks!

Thank you for your help! Any ideas on materials or courses we could use his senior year for advanced (or AP) chemistry and/or physics? I really appreciate your thoughts!

My 10th grade son is very interested in pursuing an engineering degree. He's likely to end up at a state tech school that is well thought of regionally, but not highly competitive for admission purposes. So far, this is what we've done: 8th Physical Science (Apologia) and Honors Alg. 1 (Derek Owens) 9th Biology (Apologia) and Honors Geometry (Derek Owens) 10th Chemistry (Apologia) and Alg. 2 (Teaching Textbooks at local tutorial) For 11th and 12th we are considering: 11th: Honors Physics (Derek Owens or tutored by local teacher) and Honors Pre-calc (Derek Owens) 12th Science??? and AP Calc (Derek Owens) Does anyone know how well Mr. Owens' physics class prepares for the AP Physics B exam? I'm completely stumped with what to do for science in his senior year. He would need something that could be taken concurrently with Mr. Owens' AP Calc class. Any ideas? Thanks!

My son is a reasonably strong student, and he'll be taking pre-calc next year as a junior. We are looking for a two-year progression in physics for 11th and 12th grade. Any suggestions? He has taken Derek Owens before, for Algeba 1 and geometry, and he did well with both. If he took Derek Owens' Honors Physics next year, can anyone suggest an follow up class (perhaps AP) for his senior year? Something he can take concurrently with Calculus? Thanks!

We were late to the party, but I am loving my smart phone. I use these apps frequently: Messenger Maps Evernote I Heart Radio Cozi Amazon Kindle Librivox Dashlane Target, Joanne, Michaels, Walgreens Genius Scan Dropbox

Do they have access to email through wifi on their ipods? I'm doing the 30 day free trial of Homeschool Planet (homeschool buyers co-op), and it will allow me to send them daily emails with their assignments. It also allows you to incorporate clickable links to websites you want them to visit (i.e. math review game website, interesting science video on youtube...) I'm planning for my youngest two to use their ipods for this. It will also allow you to send reminders that are linked to the assignments as either an email or a text. Follow up then is a free app that will allow you to send email reminders to yourself or others about different things. I've also considered using it.

Yes, two days a week he'll be at home with my teenagers, who can help him if needed. The third day he will be with my parents, who can also help. Thanks for all the ideas! I negotiated a work schedule with a later starting time, so I should have about an hour to spend with him in the mornings before leaving. I think I'll divide that time between math and language arts. I also found some math mammoth videos on youtube that look good. He can work on the MM "homework" during the day, and we can meet when I get home if he has questions. I also have one of Zaccaro's books that I think we'll spend more time with on one of my days off. The point about review work is a good one, too. Thanks, everyone!

Thanks, Aime!! Great ideas! I think just adding some interesting supplements would be a great idea. I'm also thinking we can do an early lesson before I have to leave in the morning. Thanks!

Well, to be fair, I didn't say he needed to learn it on his own or that he wouldn't receive instruction. I'm needing something that he can do semi-independently on the days I won't be there (3 days a week). I will be teaching 2-3 days a week, but I need something that will be accessible on the days I'm working, because I want to make sure he will be doing math consistently. :) Thank you, Gil, for your suggestion to continue MM. I may just do that, but eliminate some of the repetition. Thanks!

So, I cringe asking this because I've never particularly sought out independent materials, but I need a math program that my 3rd grader can do semi-independently. I've gone back to work out of financial necessity, and I'll be working three days a week (20 hours a week). I need a math program that WILL get done. My son is mathy but doesn't really love math. We've done MM and CLE with him in the past, and he doesn't care much for either--too much repetition. My older children needed a spiral approach; he probably doesn't. He thinks conceptually, and can do a lot of math intuitively in his head. He's working at about a 4th grade level. Did I mention cost is a factor? I've had to go back to work to contribute financially, so I'm really hoping to avoid something too costly, but I am willing to spend what it takes. Thanks for any ideas!

Sebastian, I guess it does depend largely on the tutor. David is the only tutor we've had over the last two years (unless he's been ill or away on vacation.) My son isn't naturally talkative, but David's never let him off the hook that easily. ;) Even when my son has dropped the ball and hasn't completed much work since the last session, he's found something to work on for the duration of the call. I wonder if you can request a specific tutor when you call to set up tutoring sessions? Might be worth a try. I do think that developing a relationship with one specific tutor during the course of his studies has been very helpful.

My son was worried about that, too! But, he actually enjoys his tutoring sessions. He has David as his tutor, and he's funny and enjoyable. Not intimidating at all. The tutoring sessions last from 20 mins to half an hour once a week. They are wonderful motivation for getting the work done during the week, because he doesn't want to have to tell his tutor he hasn't accomplished much since their last session. The call-in speaking tests, on the other hand, have caused my student some anxiety. :) But, all-in-all, it's been fine--he's managed and even been stretched a little out of his comfort zone.

Murphy's Romance is one of my favorite movies. So sad.

Thank you for the resources, everyone!! Lori D., I've been pinning and pinning books from your list! I have found it easier to find materials for my son, who is more politically inclined. So I'm especially appreciating your lighter ideas that will appeal more to my artsy daughter! I found a used copy of The Screwtape Letters on audio yesterday, and we'll be incorporating that, too.

If you are interested in memorizing the order of the Presidents or state capitals, I highly recommend Yo, Millard Fillmore and Yo, Sacramento. My eight year old loved these, and as we progressed through our spine, he already had the names of the presidents in his head. We read our spine in front of a map, and we we were able to discuss geography (learning the states as we read how they were admitted to the union, looking up civil war battle sites to see why they were strategically important, and following rabbit trails like canals, etc.) It was a simple year to put together, but my son has learned so much and has come away from our studies very excited about American history. Other books we've enjoyed: The Great Brain series--Wonderful! These are the books that finally made a reader out of my oldest son (back when he was in elementary school). The Great Little Madison--great read on James Madison. The Great Turkey Walk Here's a great list of living history books: http://www.pennygardner.com/history.html

Purplelily, that's an excellent idea!

I've thoroughly enjoyed all of the Circe discussions lately, and over the years we've schooled, our most successful years were those we followed a Charlotte Mason/Ambelside inspired approach. Next year, we'll be studying 20th century world history with our 9th and 10th graders, and I'm looking for some good resources to use while reading about this era. I'm thinking about a Bonhoeffer biography, maybe Brother Andrew? Can anyone give me some suggestions for injecting beauty and hope into my plans? They will also be taking an outside American lit course which will include traditional American lit (Grapes of Wrath, Scarlet Letter, Red Badge of Courage, etc.) so that is covered. Thank you for any insight!

This is the machine I have, too. I just use the dough setting and bake in the oven. Really easy, and it seems to taste much better.

CLE Math grades 3-7 for my oldest, and CLE Algebra for my dd Derek Owens Algebra I and Geometry for my oldest Math Mammoth for my more mathy youngest (though we use it loosely, doing lots of problems on the whiteboard, and adding games and hands-on activities) Apples and Pears Spelling for my oldest, who struggled terribly with spelling Handwriting without Tears cursive Joy Hakim's History of US Genevieve Foster books (Augustus Caesar's world, etc.) Audio books (usually from the library) listened to in the car Pinterest for finding games, videos, other supplements to our reading Yo Millard Fillmore for memorizing the presidents Language Lessons through Literature--a new favorite! Ellen McHenry Lots of reading of real books. Seriously, whatever program we have used (and we've tried them all--TOG, Sonlight, MFW, WP, Biblioplan) it's the books that we remember. The years that we spent lots of time just reading good books have gone just as well as the years that we purchased a big, expensive program. I've loved lots of things for a season, but then moved on. I loved Primary Arts of Language (PAL) by IEW, but then my youngest son made a huge leap in his reading, and we moved on. There have been several things like that with different children over the years; SWR and Phonics Pathways also come to mind.

Resurrecting an old post, because I just had to say that I'm so excited after stumbling across your materials, Kfamily! I've used similar resources for my youngest this year for third grade, but my plan is not nearly as comprehensive and well thought out as yours! I'm looking forward to starting ancients with him next year with your guides, and think this plan will work with him long term. Thank you so very much for sharing this with us! Here is one very minor suggestion...For those of us who keep up with items on Pinterest, it would be very helpful if you could include one pinnable picture on your website. Thanks!!

Just starting to piece together our plans for 10th grade ds: Honors Algebra 2 (Derek Owens) Chemistry at tutorial English II. Also at tutorial--emphasis on American Lit and composition. American history--The Great Courses: Interpreting the 20th Century: The Struggle Over Democracy, A Short History of the twentieth Century, additional reading. German III. OSU online Electives still up in the air. Probably logic and/or programming class. Activities: First Tee program/Ace level (includes many hours of community service) Golfing on jr. tour and golf team Mock trial History Bee

I can't thank you all enough!! I'm printing out the whole thread to refer back to!