Meaning, it should be secular or something else? Barb

We were very happy with Singapore Math. We used the main curriculum and the topical problems. Singapore Math is one of the few items we've used repeatedly every year with every child. Ordinarily I'm a card-carrying curriculum hopper and proud of it. Barb

Jane, this is a fantastic list of resources--thank you taking the time to post them all. This will round out our Latin studies so nicely :001_smile: BTW, would you say Latin Mythica is doable after book II is complete, or should she wait until she is well into book three? She just started it in the last week or so. Barb

When my older kids were littles, they used to LOVE putting on plays. They would always make their own costumes and it was a riot seeing what they came up with. I wish I had pictures. Barb

We tried Smaar a few years ago and didn't care for it. I think I remember too many typos and the discussion questions really weren't good fodder for discussion. They were mostly factual questions rather than interpretation questions. I'm sure someone who has used these programs more recently can offer a better critique, but I saw your post hadn't received any responses yet and I wanted to give it a little nudge to the top ;) Documented grades haven't been a problem here as long as we had a booklist and course descriptions. Big universities didn't even want that much. Barb

Having Southern relatives and living as Yankees, we do the same. It all depends on my mood and whether I've just cooked lunch (then it's dinner) and cereal is all they're going to get later (that's supper). Barb

Thanks to those who have responded. Our first will was done 15 years ago and was so much less complicated. We will have to find an attorney and get things updated posthaste. Barb

I'm not sure I understand. Did I leave the impression I'm trying to control things from my grave? I hope not. In my experience, the worst family feuds are caused when vague instructions are given, or worse, none at all. I understand the gist of what you're saying, but dh and I have *no one* else we could trust to keep our kids' best interest in mind. We have no close friends due to many moves, and his family is kind of nuts. No seriously, they're crazy. So in our case, the scenario I listed above is really our only solution short of foster care. I wasn't asking whether it was appropriate, only if it were possible. Barb

Yes, I've notices how young they seem to be making moms these days. Barb

Hahahahaha! I actually LOL'd at your midlife crisis smiley :rofl: Barb

Sure, and if you'd like to see my oldest daughter's transcript just to get an idea of how it came together, PM me and I'll dig it up. Barb

I just keep a running list of what we're doing, most recent course first, resume-style, kind of like this: Mathematics: Algebra II/Trigonometry Geometry Algebra I Language Arts: Literature and Composition II Literature and Composition I Humanities: Public Speaking Philosophy Etc... Then our transcript is also grouped by heading, toughest material on top, rather than by year. We don't date anything because the way we work, some courses are done over a long period of time (ie Philosophy might take all 4 years to visit and revisit as we study history) and others over a very short period of time. I've had some on this board take me to task last year because some of our courses take longer than a year to study, but I don't have a problem with that. By the time the 4 years is over, I believe the student can have a deeper and broader understanding of a topic she loves than if she were forced to push through it in a year without the added benefit of increasing maturity. This method also works very well for the 4 year rotation of history. We never worry about where our breaking off point is each year. We just study the history and at the end of the 4 years, we break what we've done in roughly 4 parts and name them. I know our method isn't for everyone, or even for many, but I find it takes away so much pressure just to *finish* everything each year. Learning feels more interwoven in our lifestyle, like in the early years. It's probably my inner unschooler seeping out. Barb

We do go on to the next thing. Particularly in areas like Vocabulary or Math. Our school year isn't strictly divided, so we count credits much like colleges do. Rather than promoting them at the end of the year, we promote them as they finish 8, then 16, then 24 credits...whenever that happens to be. Barb

Jane, thank you for this post. My 9th grade daughter is just starting book three in Oxford Latin for the same reasons you mentioned. She likes the immersion style and thought the parts to whole style was Chinese water torture (for those of you that remember my Henle posts, she has decided to forgo the Henle altogether and stick with Oxford's grammar exercises for review). Will your son be using the Oxford Latin Reader? Would you post ISBN's or links to the other books you mentioned? I've often wondered what we would do next since dd #1 wasn't interested in going further than Latin 2. Barb

That's bizarre behavior. What does your dh say? Does he have any translation? Barb

Yeah, he completely flipped out. He sounds almost suicidal. Or homicidal. Barb

I've used both in the past and without going into all the reasons why (I really need to sign off, LOL) I prefer K12 over Calvert. Calvert is very textbook driven in Science and pretty light in History. K12 is richer in comparison and gives you many ideas to take the lessons further. Problem is, K12 is so expensive so you have to weigh that against the quality. Barb

Good post, and I agree. It's hard not to get caught up always trying to prepare for the next stage and forget to enjoy the one you're in. Barb

Hey, nice price! Let us know if you like the DVDs Barb

:party::party::party::party::party::party::party::party:

That's funny...I don't know many people with the large age span between kids that we have. I don't think I'm raising my girls with anything in particular in mind. I told them to keep an open mind and an open heart to anything that comes along, but to be prepared to stand on their own. I'm firmly against closing doors since we don't know what the future has in store for our kids. I don't want to be one of those parents who say, "You're so young! There's no reason to get serious already...enjoy your life first," if one of them were to fall in love before finishing college. But I don't want to shuttle them away from career and the single life either, just because *I* happen to want grandbabies:glare:. Once they graduate, I hope they will feel free to do whatever they wish with their lives with no judgement from me. I will always be here for advice or a leg up financially when necessary but I want them to make the final decisions for themselves. That said, I don't think I would avoid nudging your daughter along in the things that are difficult for her. There is no point in slamming those doors shut so early. No one really knows what goes on in another's mind. What if she hits her 20's and decides doing hair is for the birds and would really rather be a vet? What if she winds up homeschooling her own children and struggles to comprehend things she should have had a better foundation in as a teen? How many times have moms on this board bemoaned their own coasting as teens and how that has affected them as a adults? No, education is always good for them and pushing through the things that are difficult is character building and enriching in ways that goes far beyond simple knowledge gained. There's nothing as debilitating as low expectations. The teen years are tough, aren't they? Not for the reasons they say, but it's difficult to know sometimes if they are ripe or still green :willy_nilly::willy_nilly::willy_nilly:

Uncooked, but under the cheese. If you put it on top of the cheese, the leaves will burn. Under the cheese, the leaves will steam up and wilt nicely. Add some black or Kalamata olives and cubed ham to the spinach and feta. Yum! Barb

I agree, this is one of my favorites to pull on unsuspecting children :thumbup: Barb

Eh, for one afternoon I don't think I'd worry about it. Maybe because it's the last day before Spring break? I can remember being allowed to bring in board games for free play day every so often as a reward, which is sort of the low-tech version of a ds. The fact that your daughter and maybe a few others don't have a ds is bothersome, but maybe she could bring a book or other entertainment? Bottom line, there are a lot about schools that are annoying and I sympathize with you. But I don't think this is the hill I'd choose to die on. Barb

Born in Ft. Lauderdale, raised in Coral Springs, left when I was 28. Worked at Publix all through HS. My parents still live in Pompano Beach. Just waving hi to my old home state :auto: Barb