If you travel when it's warm, I second, third, and fourth the suggestions for Knoebbels, Ricketts Glen (287 acre lake at the top with a beach, for swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, very family friendly. Bring good hiking shoes for the falls trail and keep a grip on the kids; no guard rails, slippery rocks, and steep drops, and a little raceway just up 118), Welsborough, and Great Wolf. If you enjoy camping, ou will nearly be in World's End, which is beautiful. If you go in deep winter, call ahead to the fire department in Eaglesmere to see if the hand-cut toboggan run is up and running. Sending you out onto the lake at high speed on wooden toboggans (yes the kids ride with you, sandwiched between Mom and Dad) this one is not to be missed.

I just got the NME in the mail today. No sign of the Latin exam yet!

We did butterflies and ladybugs both, and they were indeed really fun! Next time we'll do them in late spring or summer so we can set them free instead of having to keep them until they die. I was impressed with how hardy those butterflies are-- One got trapped under the orange plate-- stoneware-- for three days, and when I finally found it and freed it, it took about 12 hours to uncrumple its wings again and then it was fine again! Come to think of it, we're doing bio this year . . . maybe I need to order a set of each this spring . . . though with a year old kitten it could be trickier. We had only older cats last time, and they left them alone. With the kitten around, I can just see coming downstairs in the morning to find butterflies all over the house and the cat leaping from the top of the china cabinet!!

I, on the other hand, love RS. I do think the worksheets need to be tossed and started over from scratch, but the rest I loved-- all the explicit grammar instruction in high school and college had me tearing my hair out, even though I excelled in English grammar. I understood the concepts on paper and coud test well, but I found them needless and confusing when it came to speaking and understanding-- I have never once paused when speaking to think, "Now, this is the genitive case, so I should select from the following set of pronouns..." Knowing that I should be thinking of such things only made me refuse to speak the language at all. With Rosetta Stone, I can hear a very patient and repetitive set of people speaking, and hear it: "Ah, when he speaks to her, he says this, but if he peaks to him, he says this, and the same thing in the predicate sounds like this..." When I don't have to worry about naming it all, I can just hear it better. Maybe it's my music and English grammar working together? Here is the funny part: I love the explicit instruction in Lively Latin-- but perhaps that s because we are primarily reading and writing in Latin? Regarding supplementing, oh heck, I supplement everything else, why should RS be any different? We use storybooks, downloaded Pokemon videos, Usborne Easy German, and other cheapies.

The homeschool edition comes with a planner with several options to suit your needs. If you use the workbook, quizzes, and tests, you can choose any of several lesson plans; a very gentle, complete one lasts 36 weeks across (I think 4 ) major units. A typical plan includes one day for an introductory lesson, then 9 weeks for each of the 4 units, with two computer exercises most days, with some worksheet, quiz, or test exercises scattered here or there. I will warn that unless your kids are older, it will be best to teach them the worksheets or do them a unit or two behind. They can be tough at level for younger students, ESP a few units in.

I have one more suggestion to add to this topic, since I'm always evaluating math books (an occupational hazard, as a tutor and wife of a math professor, and Mom of math exceptional kids, but one of whom has some learning roadblocks as well). I like the math series by Tobey and Slater (the pre-algebra book lists Blair as first author, as well) quite a bit for a student who will benefit from the following presentation: *very clear, not excessively wordy presentation *lots of white space on the pages, an minimal use of color-- just a touch, and used well *explanations supported by nice examples, followed by a couple of sample problems to try out that work just like the examples *exercise sets look "just right" in terms of quantity-- there is plenty of practice there, but not such an overwhelming number of problems that the student will just wilt before they even start. (Anybody who needs more can still use Khan Academy). *Quizzes, mini-quizzes, and tests included in the book *Clear organization that is easy to follow It can be found so cheaply second-hand on Amazon, that it is also a nice back-up volume to have on hand in case your main math program ends in a roadblock and you just need another point of view or additional practice problems. It's a nice, friendly-looking, non-threatening math series that seems to teach pretty well.

I hope VioletCrown includes a section on why it's a myth that you cannot properly end a sentence with a preposition! That has to be one of the most pernicious "everybody knows it" truths that is simply wrong in all of English grammar. I giggle whenever I hear it, but I also understand, because so many teachers passed it along.

It does begin at the Magic Lens level. The instruction is just as brief as the rest of it, but it is there. I do wish he would add this element to the program, but I can see why he doesn't-- there is a big visual element going on already with the way he illustrates his parts of speech (relating the part of speech systems) and parts of the sentence (his bubble-diagrams showing the S-AVP-IO-DO/LVP-SC branching), and adding diagramming on to that might create some confusion as a third set of diagrams of the same essential information in the book. So, I am guessing that that might be the reasoning behind leaving it out until Magic Lens level. That does leave you with having to add in another diagramming text if you want to introduce it before sixth grade, or if you want a longer book with more worked examples.

You can do Ecology calculations without calculus in a long, demented, tortured sort of way. Or you can learn the mathematical part of beginning ecology in about a week (maybe two depending on how deep you consider the early level to be) if you use first semester calculus. It's a kind of fun application, actually, for a humanities type person to learn, and shows them how it can be applied and useful! Jen

These are all hardback books with very nice bindings.

She's probably intuitively beyond that and sees no point in breaking up the six into 4+2-- my son would balk at that all the time (still does) when he just doesn't understand why the grown-ups are being sooooooooooooo stupid. The thing is, is that in later years, this skill will be absolutely relevant and key for later mental math manipulations that are quite a lot harder, and getting the automaticity down for that problem *now* is important, even if she doesn't see the point or agree that there is one (it may help if you explain to her that she's doing this now because she will need it for much harder problems later, and this is just for practice, even if it seems easy-- that she needs to practice it until it is as easy as breathing for her). I would dump out a pile of pencils, m&m's or whatever it takes, and have her use those to make her tens. It's a little more fun to manipulate those, and that way if she IS having trouble seeing it, the manipulatives will cement the idea for her and help her get it into her head quickly without making the worksheet take all night long. If you have a bit of time to play with it, C-Rods are also fun, and C-Rods are something you can use all the way to the end of the Primary math series, level 6, and into algebra.

It depends upon what you want to get out of it. Some of the TM is, obviously, just the translation and classroom ideas. You can use Minimus and have a very fun time without the TM. However, the TM does give additional background about the town and people you will be reading about, filling in the story more and giving interesting background information. Only you can decide whether that is worth the price to you. You may be able to keep your eyes peeled for a second-hand copy. I would think the mini-books (one for each main character) would be even more valuable.

7-8 yrs old: Rod and Staff 3, Mad Libs, School House Rock. Very positive experience, despite being primarily secular homeschoolers; R&S is very solid grammar, and we liked the units at the end about proper introductions, telephone manners, and letter writing. 8-9 yrs old: MCT Town level, Mad Libs, School House Rock. Love MCT, nice change of pace from R&S. it is fun and engaging, and intellectually interesting for my gifted child without "pushing" him beyond where he needs to be for his age. We are using the related vocabulary and poetics unit, plus the practice and Paragraph Town books. No worse about skipping the Island level, though we may read Sentence Island later, for fun. Digging into Diagramming. ======next kid====== 10-11 yrs old: Growing With Grammar-- a bust. It was so easy that he could score 100% on the tests by predicting the patterns, but still know nothing. Grammarlogues 6th grade: much better. This extremely challenging program will not let you pass until you know your stuff. Perhaps unnecessarily difficult at times, but as it uses passages from actual literature, perhaps not. 11-12 yrs old: MCT Magic Lens-- pure gold. We are definitely a MCT family, and he now knows his grammar for real. Also using related vocab, practice, and poetics, but not writing, as he is writing with IEW, Unjournaling, WWS, and History Odyssey. Grammarlogues grade 7: ramps up the challenge. Digging into Diagramming: hoping the GWG publisher's materials have gotten better with this new book.

He may be very relieved to have the discussion. First get your own head as right as you can (I say this a a parent who has been there/done that with a diagnosis that won't simply vanish one day, an had to get to a place where I understood my kid did not need to be fixed... Because he is not broken). He likely already knows he is atypical, and may be worried about anything from being sick to disappointing you to thinking it is his fault, and finding out that none of the above is true (once you are mentally here) will likely be a huge relief. I would focus on finding out, at this age, what he thinks and feels first, and meet him where he is. Bring up the testing and tell him the testing supplies some answers about his differences/challenges/roadblocks (it may be helpful to use his terminology here, or if he uses negative self-identifying language, start there but slowly replace it with gentler, kinder terms to refer to whatever challenges he faces). When he is ready to continue the conversation (he may or may not need to stop and absorb) you can then bring up any recommendations that were made by the tester for how to help him meet these challenges, emphasizing that you will be there to not change or fix him, but help him navigate around any roadblocks that slow him down from doing his best (we do neuro and occupational stuff for my son's dysgraphia, used Earobics for his APD, and physical therapy, gymnastics, and swimming fo some physical issues, and got him a Strider Bike to help him learn to ride a bike without a nervous breakdown). Repeat as needed that he has done nothing wrong, is not a disappointment, and is not 'ill' or in need of fixing. He is, in the case of your son, still the same child he was before his dx, that is, he is a boy who happens to have Asperger's, and not an Asperger's boy. I would have the conversation sooner rather than later. I suspect it will do a world of good. If the depression continues, get or continue therapy-- never discount the severity of depression in young feelings. Good luck. May this conversation lift a weight from your shoulders.

Do you by chance own an ipad or tablet? These days you can use your finger to write directly on the PDF on the tablet and not even have to print it out. YOu can either erase for another student, or just make another copy in DropBox or on your device. No printing at all-- no filing, no recycling, no losing worksheets, no storing for later for the portfolio if you need one . . . If you don't, then I second the idea of looking for a laser printer on sale. Lively Latin, several science curricula, MM, History Odyssey, Lab of Mr Q and many, many others can be purchased so easily as PDF's. Then you can print (double-sided!) just the pages you need, and so cheap! I think my Brother printer prints at less than 2 cents per page, even using the manufacturer toners. You can let them see the pages on the computer screen and write on paper. There are alternatives . . . in the end, stick with what works for you!

For the folks talking about the ipad's size...have you looked at the mini? We use the Nook with e-ink for reading, and ipad minis for school apps (and any stray books i just have to get on Kindle or in color on Nook). Mom has a Fire, and for mobile computing, it isn't even in the same league as the ipad mini. i would take it back.

I would either use Voyage or do something else for a year before going to Magic Lens level. ML is still excellent, but the storylines and fun parts are stripped away, leaving more of a down-to-business grammar program. That is great for a middle school student, but may feel dry to a kid who is still expecting 'Call me Fishmeal.!

My younger DS went through HO ancients level I and really enjoyed it. We only did half of the history pockets, but that was fine. He LOVED the "Ancient Rhymes From Ancient Times" books so much that I found and bought (pristine!) used copies of all four titles. We are up to Modern history now (just starting) and he really enjoys history time-- and he is learning the geography, and keeping a lot of people straight in his head. I have really been impressed. We use Usborne, SOTW (not the AG-- not a fan), 80% of the assignments in History Odyssey, and read mostly the books we get in our library or find cheap on Nook. I added in a couple of Thames and Kosmos kits that looked fun, and we get the occasional movie, plus Horrible Histories (and occasionally Monty Python). My older is using the level two series, and I like the way each year ramps up the difficulty gradually through the year; they really teach the kids note taking, outlining, introduce papers and research over time, in a very thoughtful, age-appropriate, deliberate manner. If you pay attention and don't just let your kid slop stuff down on paper, in addition to a history course, over time you get a bonus very organized study skills and writing course... Though that part is very much "you get out of it what you put into it."

We started homeschooling when my kids were halfway through 2nd and 4th grades. I started them both in WWE1! We began at 'quadruple speed;'. We completed one 'week' each day, 4 days per week through WWE 1, then DS8 slowed to double speed. DS10 continued at quad speed until he finished WWE3, skipped 4, and went into WWS a far better writer. We are currently taking a short break and using IEW, but may go back to WWE/WWS next year. Nice thing about the program is that the reading selections can appeal to a wide variety of ages, and yes, it is better to start where your kids' needs are. If you think about it, there is no such thing as av"grade level" now that we home school! The only time that matters is the final last four year countdown before graduation, so that you can designate those as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year for transcript, testing, and scholarship purposes, whether for employment, insurance, college, or whatever. Other than that bit of administrivia, and faking out the occasional form (hey, DS, I'm signing you up for an activity-- what grade kids do you want to hang out with?) grade levels in homeschooling really do not exist.

The ipad/ipod version is still under development-- they have not yet announced a release date, but I understand from the admins that they are actively working on it.

You can check the forum at the Olly Website, too-- the developers are very responsive to suggestions and problems-- there are quite a few "thank-you!" messages from things being fixed there as updates were released. There is a 30-day free trial, too. I'm not having any major problems with it.

Yup, "other." I use the dedicated Mac program, Olly Homeschool. I ended up disliking both of the other programs as being too kludge and unnecessarily difficult. We had gone back to a paper notebook planner until Olly came along.

Rose, Yes, DS12 is still using LoF for Algebra as his primary math program, and just using Elements of Mathematics for fun. He will do EoM 5 days/week, but depending upon the problem and what else is going on, he might spend 6-60 minutes on it on any given day. It's hard to say what, if anything, you would learn from the pre-test; the pre-test measures the capacity for logic and problem-solving rather than directly testing any math; it's a series of animated traffic engineering problems, setting up traffic lights and intersections to avoid car crashes. The kids loved it. The first chapter quickly moves into cryptography, base-29 arithmetic, then mod-12 arithmetic. The problems are often couched as games (ie you are a spy and must decode the message to save the world). I see it will cover some old territory for him later (GCM's and such) but I am curious to see how they present it!

Olly homeschool is coming out with their iPad app soon. If it resembles their Mac software, it will be worth the wait!

Whoops, sorry about the link! I have no idea about the books-- we just use the website, and my older (just turned 12, has been using it for 3 months) likes it. DS9 took the assessment and scored as something like "Would do well, with some parental support." I decided to let him hold off-- he already has Singapore, MM, Life of Fred, Penrose, Hands on Equations . . . he doesn't really need something that may be a bit over his head right now; we're already overdoing it a bit with him :). So EoM became an older brother only enterprise. DS9 can always try it in a few years when he's ready to try it more independently.