We currently do Thinkwell and Singapore... and I'm having trouble staying on top of their work and holding them accountable. I was hoping to have a live, online class. It's been a real challenge. Thank you.

Does anyone happen to know of any online, full-year Algebra 1 class that is offered spring semester? Since I've had to return to work this year, I've noticed that the kids have fallen a bit behind in math and want to make sure Alg 1 is fully covered. Thank you all, Adrienne

Next years 7th grade plans...for my dd and ds. Math: Hopefully start Alg 1 (we're finishing Sing 6B and Thinkwell gr 8 over the summer) Science: Vet Science thru local co-op Grammar: continuing Step-by-Step Grammar (really liking) Writing: online via Potter or VP or somewhere History: online thru Landry Academy Logic and Latin and Spanish: online thru VP (not Spanish) Extras: dance, bagpipes, piano, dive, etc... I'm having to return to work so that's why the added online classes this year. Not really sure how it will all work out yet.

We enjoy Real Sci 4 Kids; although, I'd suggest using it for slightly older grades. My children are 6th graders and we've done Pre-Chem, Chem, and this year we'll be doing Physics. I can't say that I really loved the earlier texts or that my kids loved them either. They were fine and did the job, but I wish I'd done something more fun, engaging and exploratory. That being said, I recently saw Nancy Larson's Science program at a hs convention and wished it had been around when my kids were younger. I believe it's all inclusive (supplies, etc.) and really looks engaging. Here's the link: http://www.nancylarson.com/index_hs2.html Just another idea. hth, Adrienne

So many resources...audiobooks, podcasts, lectures, foreign languages, and the list goes on and on and on...all free. Adrienne

We recently started a live, online one-on-one tutorial thru 121Speech and have been very happy with it. My kids are in 6th grade and able to work independently. They meet with a spanish teacher online throughout the week (you can schedule as many sessions as you want, roughtly $10/1-hr session), receive assignments and practice orally with the teacher. To me, it's like an immersion experience. In addition, this is the first year we tried an immersion summer camp/school. They will get back tomorrow night so I can't yet comment on how much they learned; however, their letters home indicate they're having a great time. hth, Adrienne

http://www.nancylarson.com/science3.html Saw this at a conference this weekend, and thought it looked great. Easy to buy, easy to implement. Good luck!

I'll be there and look forward to meeting you. We're also doing the Capital tour...should be fun.

We're practically neighbors!!

I'm near Olney/Laytonsville, not too far from Elkton. I don't have the curriculum but am planning to go to the NOVA convention next month to look at it. Any chance you're going? Adrienne

I'm sending my two 12-yr-olds this summer to Concordia in Minnesota for spanish immersion. It has gotten great reviews, but as this is our first time, I can't really comment on their experience. A friend of mine sent her dd for chinese a few years ago (she is in public school and had no prior chinese). Upon returning, she was able to go into 2nd year chinese. Not sure if that's typical but wanted to pass it along. hth, Adrienne

Thanks for the suggestions...just what I was looking for. Adrienne

I'd like to work on sentence diagramming over the summer with my two upcoming 6th graders. I'm thinking either the Mary Daly diagramming books or the first volume of the Step-By-Step Grammar book. Any suggestions regarding either book? Thank you, Adrienne

I recently met two of the reps while at a local hs convention. Both were quite knowledgable and offered suggestions on how to get the most out of the program. I had been considering this program for some time and finally took the plunge. I signed up my two upcoming 6th graders for the fall writing course. They offer a reduced price if you sign up at a convention (also a reduced price if more than one child). In addition, there is a 100% $ back guarantee within the first 100 days from the start of the course (if you register for an annual course) so I felt pretty good that if I wasn't satisfied with the level of instruction, I could cancel. Not sure if this is convenient for you, but they'll be at the NoVa conference in July. Hth, Adrienne

One possibility is to do the writing as described in TWTM thru other subjects, ie, literature, science, history, etc. Or...as we're doing, an online program like Write At Home. Just a thought... Adrienne