When the math is no longer about the arithmetic I allow calculators. Every so often, I ask that a child do a problem w/o the calculator so I know they still remember how to do long division. Once in a while I throw multiplication problems at them in the car to keep us all fresh. I do not think that the calculator has caused any problems and helps the child focus on solving the math problems conceptually and not wasting time on tedious work.

I've had two kids complete 3 & 4, but both of them skipped 5 with no adverse results. Perhaps you could just get the second half of 4 to see if that would cover anything new.

This doesn't address your question exactly, but I've BTDT. We used SL G this year with ds 12, dd 9. DD 9 listened to the history and novel read alouds and read some of the readers. I had ds read and let me know if it was OK for his sister. For dd, I added in history pockets and lapbooks (that she and I worked on away from big brother). To prevent the opinion bickering, don't ask. :D *I* decide if we are reading another chapter. It has happened that one child wants to finish the book on his/her own. That's fine by me! Since you use SL, you can read the notes to keep up. I have asked a specific child a question about the book/event. When s/he is done, the other child can chime in. Then I give the second child a chance to answer first for the next question. I've been tempted to split them, but then I'd have to resort to more workbook/notebook style which is fine for me in small quantities, but not for every subject. Of course, you may feel differently. I just can't juggle separate subjects for everyone. I realize I didn't answer your question, I'm encouraging you to re-evaluate in case it would be too much work to handle a SL core and another curric. I hope this helps,

bump (how did I get on pg 3 in just a few hours?? :blink: )

We've used MCT for the Island and Town series except we never got through Caesar's English I and I no longer own the book. I am about the purchase Caesar's English II as part of the voyage level. Should I just skip to CE II? Buy CE I original? Buy the very cool, but expensive, CE I updated with the great photos? :bigear:

Someone ought to show the difference to Jeannie Fulbright, author of Apologia Elementary Science. She seems to use further and farther at random which I find pretty annoying! I made it through her astronomy book by correcting as I read. Get an editor.

DS took an IQ test once which asked about apple "pips." While I had read that once or twice (in my life) even I did a double take. We call them seeds or I could understand pit (like a peach), but pips? We're also in NJ. I didn't realize there were several of us here. Waving from Union county!

This may not be overly helpful, but I'll tell you a story. My nephew was too big to play football after 4th grade. His classmates played through elementary and jr. high while he didn't. In high school he finally got his chance to play and did well. He went on to play at Johns Hopkins. While I understand he wouldn't want to miss 2 years, he might end up doing just fine.

Some are more educational than others, but we've learned from each series. Sometimes the topics are silly or inappropriate (gruesome), but others will be very good. Nova What the Ancients Knew Cities of the Underworld They explore ancient cities that are often under current cities Histories Mysteries Modern Marvels We also love Mythbusters. I am not a TV person, but I married one. I am pleasantly surprised at how much the kids learn and retain from these kinds of shows.

I agree w/having standards of behavior. The co-op I attend is religious based so there is an even higher standard of behavior and I'm pleased to say there are few issues each year. We are very lucky because in our group, EVERY parent would be unhappy if their child rolled eyes at an adult. That is the culture of our organization and it sounds like your co-op just isn't that way. I was in a different co-op and parents were most interested in not squelching their children so they didn't want them to have to conform to a set of rules. I am of the mind-set that to be part of a group you may have to give up some of your personal liberties, which I consider easy to do for a few hours/week, while other parents thought that was intolerable. The end result was that it was too disorganized. I don't like a bunch of rules, but some are necessary in a large group. It sounds like your co-op is not going to change. You'll have to decide if it's worth dealing with that attitude and having your kids exposed to it.

Sonlight has added hands on suggestions to their cores! The new cores come w/a CD of suggested activities and projects. They are new this year so I have not seen them, but I would imagine the projects are worthwhile. MOH projects are fun. History Pockets or a lapbook are a lot of fun at those ages. I don't think it would be *that* much work to add in where you had "activity holes" in the schedule. Good luck!

vihart.com has videos of interesting math concepts.

I probably sound like a broken record, but try Challenge Math by Edward Zaccaro. He has written other books that are good as well. We have also used Basic Not Boring Middle School Math to keep skills fresh. It does not tell you HOW to solve the problems, but gives interesting problems that my ds enjoyed. The whole book is sports themed which helped keep his interest. Life of Fred may be a fun way to show different approach to real life math through a fun fictional character. HTH,

I've used a different color for each kid. I remember ball point pen staying better than Sharpies. Did you try wet erase?

We love it! It's definitely worth looking into if you have inquisitive math minds at home. We use the books and the online videos when needed. This program makes the learner really think...hard...and solve some tricky problems. There is a great sense of accomplishment, but some frustration may be involved. Most of the courses are not a year in length so be prepared for that.

If you have few of something, it's remarkable how careful folks are. I'd give each kid a few pencils and a case (or ziploc). I've even had different kinds for each kid so there is no 'stealing'. The child can only have more if *you give them out. We've had the problem, but they often turn up and then we have waaayyy too many.

We used My Father's World ECC in 5th and it was a great year. I recommend geo games (you can buy or make them) and http://sheppardsoftware.com/ (VERY helpful). We also put up a map of the world shower curtain and the kids learned a lot by frequently looking at it.

Hits: SL G (our first year w/SL and not our last!) Art of Problem Solving (great program, great explanatory videos) Character Quality Language Arts (now I have 2 kids using it....great stuff!) Life of Fred Challenge Math---fantastic for big thinkers Math Logic and Word Problems by Power Practice---ya gotta think a little Snap Circuits History Pockets by Evan Moor Meh (to steal Pineapple Horse's comment) SL Science G SOTW Activity Guides....we didn't get into them, but we'll keep trying Hey, I don't have any misses. Does this mean I'm getting the hang of curriculum buying?:D

We just took the schoolroom out of the dining room. It doesn't sound like you have room for another piece of furniture, but if you do this might work. I got a base cabinet w/doors (deep enough for games or projects) and a hutch top that has shelves for books. I can fit a LOT in that thing! It might be worth trying to make it fit. Here is the link of the one I got, but it is a little pricey (now it's $475). You could probably find something cheaper elsewhere. I always knew I wanted the base cabinet, but didn't realize how extremely useful it would be. http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/bed-bath/fair-square-prices/everyday-prices/teen-bedding/home-office-furniture%252c-nichols-set/prod.jump?ppId=1b55e7f&catId=cat100240127&subcatId=cat100240019&deptId=dept20000011&selectedLotId=7945091&selectedSKUId=79450910158 We school at the kitchen table or on the couch. I want to get a lift top coffee table so the kids can write/use the computer there. Here is a link to one, but there are many, many out there. This would keep you off the kitchen table. http://www.coffeetableshowroom.com/Cocktail-Table-in-Vintner-Merlot-Finish.htm Good luck!

I have not started a co-op, but I've been on the board of mine. I would think that 30 kids is a lot for one class if you put them together. I would split them and the ages you suggest are good except I'd be slightly concerned about the 5-8 range. There are big developmental changes between 5 & 8. Here are some questions to consider: How long do you want the classes to be? Is this just morning or will you meet after lunch as well? Who will teach? How will you support those teachers? How will you 'discipline' those who don't show up? What is your attendance policy? What are non-teaching members required to do? What other jobs can non-teachers do? Do you have insurance? We also have insurance for the board members so they can't be sued personally (we live in NJ, a litigious state). What's your policy for sick kids attending? How will supplies be paid for? What's the child discipline policy? We ask for cooperation then we bring child to mom (I think that's a good way to go.) One last ugly thing I feel I should mention is that you always want 2 adults in a classroom. That way you have control of the class and you have an adult witness in case anything is ever called in to question from a raised voice to an inappropriate comment to anything more disturbing. Best of luck ironing out the details. Your hard work will be rewarded.

I can't speak for the others, but I think AoPS is fantastic for those who want to think hard and chew on some problems. It's for those who don't want to be told how to do it before being asked to do it. Part of that is personality. Part is having an open mind and might work best with whole-to-part thinkers, (although my ds is not). I can't say whether is will prepare students for engineering. It will prepare them for solving problems, not just math, which would be a useful skill in nearly any career. My ds is interested in engineering, too. He got a shirt as a gift that reads: Engineering is like math....only louder.

I just bought from them and I saw my shipping come off of the total.

I have a sensitive dd who can't read Horrible Histories, but likes "You Wouldn't Want to..." The scenarios are gruesome. The illustrations and humor ease that a bit. I think there is quite a bit of content that comes across. I'm sorry that your son was disturbed by the stories, Lillehei. To answer other questions. One book I have here has 144 pgs. The cover is sturdier than most soft cover books, but not hard cover. The original books of one story each are thin (25 pg) soft covers. You can't buy any books online from Costco as far as I know.

My kids have enjoyed the "You Wouldn't Want To..." books and I just picked up a few at Costco. They are combined volumes w/4-5 books in on binding for $8. It was a happy find! HTH someone,

I'm considering using both First Language Lessons level 2 and Writing With Ease level 1 for my dd7. I noticed there is copywork in both curricula. Is it overkill? What have you liked or not liked about either of these? TIA,