Jay Wile has a new science series that is history oriented. I think, but am not sure, that Beautiful Feet might have a history orientated science curriculum as well.

Clearly I need to add "Where the Mountains Meets the Moon" to my Amazon cart! I've never even heard of it before.

Yes, we do them every week. Each Mom has an assigned partner for coverage in case she needs to be out. I would guess that Nature Study, Handicrafts & Swedish Drill each take about 20 minutes. Folk Song, Hymn & Composer take less time- 5-10 minutes each maybe. We are not split up by age. Right now, not including the babies/toddlers we have kids ranging from 5yo to 13yo. I really like how we do Poetry. We have one poet for the semester and the person who's leading poetry tells a little about his life each time and reads a few of his poems. Then we open up for the kids to recite any poems they've learned. They take turns standing up & reciting. It's voluntary- sometimes we'll have a bunch of kids recite, sometimes only a few. We do Folk Song, Hymn & Composer similarly to Poetry as far as telling a bit about it each week. One of the Moms plays guitars so we sing the Folk Song & the Hymn. The composer we listen to on a CD player someone brings each week. Picture Study- again, a bit of teaching about his life each week and then a little background info on the picture we're studying that day. Each family has their own portfolio with the selected prints for that term. The kids then gather into small groups and study the picture, flip it over, discuss it, etc. Nature Study- there is a small amount of teaching each week followed by sketching. In the past we've done fall crops, birds of prey... this time we're doing the "One Small Square" books and each family has their own area that they visit each week.

I attend a small Charlotte Mason co-op. They meet outdoors at a beautiful park. Everyone brings picnic blankets to sit on and most bring a packed lunch for after. We meet for 8 weeks in the fall & 8 in the Spring. We cover Nature Study with kids writing/drawing in the sketch books, Hymn, Composer, Swedish Drill, Poetry, Picture Study, Folk Song, Habit and Handicrafts. When we finish, many stay and eat their picnic lunch. Kids run around and play. We go on one field trip each semester. It is lovely and I'm so glad to be a part of it.

Maybe I'm the odd one out here, but I would have no problem with calling the quirky friend aside and telling her nicely to knock it off b/c she is making the other kids uncomfortable and that she's welcome to do the multiple personality thing at other times but this isn't the appropriate time or place.

The Open 2 Study course looks interesting. I can't find the appropriate age/grade range though? Can you pont me in the right direction?

I went back in the 90's and it was beautiful. Last year we took our kids- I was really disappointed. It seemed run down, there was a lot of rust around the base of the rockets in the rocket garden and we thought it was very expensive. Disney World tickets were expensive but so worth it. Kennedy Space Center on the other hand- the ticket prices were very high for what we got, imo. We *did* enjoy it but I don't know that I'd pay $200+ for all of us to go again.

Many thanks for the links and the advice- it was very helpful!

I apologize for posting here- I didn't realize that there was a Middle Grades forum. FWIW, CLE is a high school math program- it covers K-12. However, I DO plan to switch to a different high school math program. Kai- your suggestion to switch at prealgebra is a good one- thank you!

My daughter is approaching the start of middle school in a few months. She currently is using CLE's Math but when I look ahead at the courses offered through high school, it does not go beyond Trig. There is no calculus offered. Ideally, I'd like her to start with Pre-Algebra in 7th, Algebra I in 8th and finish with Calculus in 12th. I'm not sure if I should just have her continue on with CLE OR if the transition to middle school would be an ideal time to switch her to the math I'd like her to use through high school? I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions. Also, recommendations on math programs that might be an easy transition to from CLE.

Thanks- I added it to my Netflix queue!

I started TOG when my oldest two kids were 5yo and 4yo and have no regrets. The younger two have just folded in as they've become old enough to participate. I now have an almost 11yo, 10yo, 7yo and 4yo and we are in our 6th year with Tapestry. I've loved the ability to slow walk myself in to the curriculum. I agree with one of the above posters who said not to be afraid to tweak Tapestry- make it work for you and your family!

We were thinking about taking our kids to see this but they have never seen #1 or #2. Is it necessary to see those before #3 or would it be okay? Thanks!

I've never been to the Nature Museum. I'd recommend this one: http://www.discoveryplace.org/ It's in downtown Charlotte- there are restaurants nearby, a trolley if you want to ride it and it would be indoors since you won't have warm clothing with you. My kids have really enjoyed it.

Discovery Place would be fun!

Have you guys seen this link before? Snape Lust: http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2011/07/snape-lust-10-reasons-snape-is-hotter-than-harry :D :D

-Lego Friends -Rollerblades -Our Generation furniture set- either the camper or the kitchen or the stable- not sure which one yet. -Aquarellum Horses Magic Art Canvas http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000S2WAWG/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1Y4GWDLS1THE8 -Small handsewing basket with supplies -New Kluttz books- maybe twisted paper or string art of felted friends -Rebelle Agent Bow -Hobbiton 3D puzzle http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009V5ZSDO/ref=od_aui_detailpages02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 -My Amazing Bubble Writer Stationary Kit

Semper Fi! We had a great birthday at our house- a new caramel cake and we sang the Marine Corps Hymn. Ooorah!

I am considering Horizons Health for my 3 elementary age kids... does anyone have any opinions on it?

Great idea!!!

I have to say, I felt the same way. I was dreading year 4 but you know what happened? I fell in love with year 4 and it turned out to be one of our best years! The really cool thing about year 4 is that it is recent history and there will be friends, family members, neighbors who remember those events or participated in them and that makes it so much more fun & interesting. We ended up doing a bunch of fun/neat/interesting things that year... -My son fell in love with WWI and the kids spent over a month digging out a trench in the back yard, building parapets and periscopes. We recently visited a museum that had a big WWI exhibit with a mock trench, uniforms, etc. It was so awesome. -We visited an aviation museum -We saw the traveling Titanic exhibit -We talked with our mailman who is a former Marine- a member of "The Walking Dead" in Vietnam. -Interviewed our former neighbor who was THE first person to integrate our local hospital. -Interviewed other friends & relatives on what it was like to live through the Civil Rights movement. -Visited a Civil Rights Museum. -Went to Kennedy Space Center on our vacation after we learned about the Space Race. There ended up being so many interesting topics, interviews, field trip possibilities, etc. that we didn't make it through the whole year. And I had seriously considered skipping year 4 entirely this cycle and coming back to it later when they are older- I'm so glad we didn't!

Can I please get an invite to the group too? Thank you!

We just skipped the phonics parts that we didn't want to do.

My 4th grader will be doing: MATH: Math U See Delta and Life of Fred LANGUAGE ARTS: Christian Light's Language Arts (but I cross out their handwriting, spelling & writing- only does the grammar parts), Sequential Spelling, for copywork we'll be trying an idea Andrew Pudewa gave me at his booth and for writing- IEW's Fun Facts & Fiction HISTORY: Tapestry of Grace, Year 2 SCIENCE: Science in the Ancient World LITERATURE: The Hobbit is up first, then probably Peter Pan. A Nest for Celeste will be our Nature read aloud but we will probably read it during our lit time. BIBLE: Bible Study Guide for All Ages POETRY/MEMORY WORK: Favorite Poems Old & New, Simply Charlotte Mason method for memory work

Came back tonight just to check on this- so glad to hear that there is a diagnosis! I hope he recovers quickly and with no long term issues!