Well, I'm still working on our Alaska schedule, but here is what I am thinking. I'm not sure where schoolwork would fit: Saturday, Sept. 12th-Arrive in Anchorage 7:40 Alaska Time RV place picks us up and we spend the night in the RV Sunday, Sept. 13th RV Orientation Drive to Denali Riley Campground Sign up for Discovery Hike, take a hike if time Monday Sept. 14th-Sept 17th Savage Campground Take bus to Wonder Lake Discovery Hike or other Ranger programs Eielson visitor center Thursday Sept. 17th Drive to Anchorage with lots of stops ( 5 hours no stops) Friday, September 18th Drive to Seward 127 miles from Anchorage to Seward 3 -4 hours straight through On the way take a stop at Portage Glacier and the Begich Boggs Visitor Center Saturday, September 19th-20th Take 26 glacier tour or Kenai Fjords tour ( 6- 10 hours) Exit Glacier- explore, junior ranger programs, etc. Sea Life Center September 21st This is the section I'm not sure where we are staying. These four towns are possibilities: Drive to Homer (173 miles) Ninilchick ( 135 miles) Kenai ( 106 miles) Soldotna (95 miles) September 22-24 Fishing, hiking, etc. September 24 Drive back to Anchorage September 25th Rv return early morning Explore Anchorage- Luggage????? Flight is at 8:55 pm Christine

I was wondering if this exists, but I don't think it does. Is there a class your high schoolers could take like Spanish or computer programming or upper level science that is independent/ taught by someone else but is flexible in dates? For example, we are taking a 2 week trip to Alaska in September ( 12th-35th) so i'm thinking Potter's school or Veritas Press wouldn't work. One of the reasons my dh agreed to homeschooling 5 years ago was for the flexibility of schedule. We normally take a big vacation like this a couple of times a year and then a smaller one week one a couple of other times. Basically, my dh takes a vacation a quarter. He is a surgeon and leaves at 6am to return at 8pm or later and is gone many weekends, so he really needs and wants these vacations to connect with the kids. I told him that this coming year when our oldest is 9th will probably be the last year he can do this. My oldest is advanced and NEEDS some advanced courses, either as dual credit or online or something and we won't be able to be as flexible, unless you guys can share with me some other options. Christine

When I pulled my son from ps, we did Saxon 54 and 65, but he hated it and finished them VERY quickly, so halfway through 5th grade we started Singapore and went through 3B to 6B by the end of 6th. I tried NEM,but it didn't work so last yearfor his 7th grade year he did TT ALgebra I. He qualified for the Duke program last year and took the ACT in February and made a high enough score to be state recognized. We are doing Algebra II this year and I am just calling it Algebra I on his records. Next year we will do Geometry and then I will find a rigorous Alg. II class for his sophomore year. Christine

I have been very eclectic with grammar. My boys are in 6th and 8th. When I pulled them out of ps after 1st and 3rd, I did some grammar workbooks that were rejects my mil gave me. We did some of the Sonlight grammar for cores 3, 4 and 5 with the LA in those cores. For 7th and 5th grade we started TOG and we did Easy Grammar Plus for about the first semester. Then life happened. I just gave them Editor n Chief. They have flown through 3 CD's since last spring and have done them all now. I have not done spelling or to be honest, much vocabulary other than just talking about words when I read aloud. I just recently started them on Wordly wise. So, I'm not quite sure what to do for next year when they are in 7th and 9th. My oldest needs a vocabulary program. On standardized tests that is his weakest area. He does well on grammar. He did better on the ACT than I did when I entered college when he took it for the Duke program. But his vocabulary on the Sat-10 they take every year has never been great, just average. He spells well, too. My 7th grader probably needs a vocabulary program, but his test scores were in the 99percentile last year. His spelling scores are also way up there, BUT he cannot spell when he writes himself. I think he can recognize by sight if a word is spelled correctly, but if he has to do it himself he cannot. So I guess I should do some kind of program, but what. I tried Spelling Power when he was in 3rd or 4th (can't remember) and he HATED it. So... I'm not sure what I should do. I don't hink you need grammar every year, but we probably do need a good intensive year and that will probably be enough. What program? Any other suggestions?? Christine

Well, here in Texas 1 credit is one year. We are doing TOG year 2 and I have Literature worksheets and discussion 25 percent, grammar and vocabulary 25 percent, writing 30 percent and tests 20 percent. But obviously that is very subjective. English constitutes all of those. I taught English and 10th grade had a lot of grammar. 12th grade had none. So it varies by school, teacher and state. So do what you want!!! It looks like you do need to have one semester of speech, however. Christine

Hi Jane, Although I agree with you in theory...my problem is how to "discuss Algebra II with my 8th grader, Key to Percents (which I have been we had to pull it out when TT7 wasn't enough on this topic) and then 1st grade math. I already discuss TOG history and literature with them... discuss Biology with 8th grader, Zoology with 6th and 1st grader, etc... At some point, I need SOMETHING that I can just hand to them. I just can't discuss EVERYTHING all the time.. My brain is exploding... Christine

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I've seen a couple of posts where people said that they bought the Thinkwell cd's to supplement a program. I can't find any to buy anywhere: Amazon, etc. So how did you do this? Christine

I'm having my 13yo do this: http://www.sonlight.com/career-planning.html He has just started, but I think it is very good. I'll let you know as we get more into it. This week he is doing a Bible STudy. He had to look up Bible verses about how God created him and knows all about him and made him for a special purpose. It also has several tests to see what kind of things they are good at. It is a mixture of spiritual and practical stuff. He did an Alice programming course 1st semester and then I'm having him do this this semester. Perhaps it is what you are looking for. Christine

First of all, have you downloaded the free 3 week sample for either year 1 or year 2? Which year are you looking at. I would print out the sample and go from there. The year 1 didn't have readalouds listed, but year 2 does. I just chose either the dialectic and/or from the alternate resources for a readaloud for year 1. For your 170, you get: a reading list for all 4 levels both those that they strongly recommend as well as a page full of extra recommendations if you wish or already have them. You get history lessons and assignments as well as questions for dialectic and rhetoric. You get geography assignments for all levels. You have fine arts and/or hands-on activities for all levels. You have literature assignments with worksheets and or really tough questions on the literature level for rhetoric. There is a philosophy and church history reading and assignment for the little ones. You get writing assignments for everyone. That said, writing aids really flesh it out though if you are REALLY comfortable teaching writing then you might not need it. There are teacher's notes to read for you to understand the topics and discussion questions and answers for the dialectic and rhetoric level. You are supposed to have a history discussion and a literature discussion once a week with dialectic and rhetoric. There are vocabulary words and people for the younger ones to do, define or discuss as you see fit. There are timeline dates and if you join the yahoo groups you can get some free graphics to help you. It does not have grammar, math or science (although especially in the younger grades some of the assignments could easily be science assignments. Sometimes they are supposed to research the flora and fauna of an area or something like that. It would be easy to do your own thing for science and tie it in) So it does contain a lot for one little disc. The Loom disc is the disc that those of us with paper copies have that we can print off the SAP (Studen ASsignment pages) that contain the questions and assignments. I hope that helps. REally..print out the 3 week sample or at least 1 week of it ( Each week is typically 35 to 60 pages depending on the topics involved.) Christine

Well, so far I only have dialectic level, so I can help you with that. Although we have done unit 1 and part of unit 2 so far. For rhetoric, have you looked at used book sales? If you want to utilize the literature, I would definitely buy those books. For history, you can be flexible if you don't get too hung up about the questions. I've substituted out several of the titles and haven't had a problem. So far The STory of Europe, Our Island Story, and This Country of Ours you would probably want to buy. You might even be able to substitute the lit at the dialectic level if you can be flexible for the worksheet. For example, in week 3 it has an plot diagram that you could really do with any work. I've had my children do extra and just narrate back to me, or write a book report. I hope that helps some. Sorry I'm not much help with the rhetoric. Did you ask on the TOG board? Christine

This is what I see.. $254.95$79.95 Available Exclusively on DVD Due to the highly visual nature of its subject matter, this course is available only on DVD.

Hi! I'm doing TOG year 2. What ages are you talking about and I could probably help you whittle the list. Christine

That link takes me to the 79.99 price. Where do you see the 59 dollar price??? Christine

Did they do math on top of this? We plan to do Chalkdust Geometry for 9th grade next year. I plan to have him take the PSAT for practice in the fall of his 10th grade year. So should he work through it in the summer? All throughout 9th grade? Just spend September doing it before the test as math. ( He is doint TT Algebra II now, but I was going to have him do a more rigorous Alg. II course his 10th grade year.) Christine

Where did you find that price. I see 79.99 on their website. I might buy them for 59. Christine

You guys are great. Yes, I have a column planner that I do were I have a column for everyone and I was starting to list out everyone's plans so I could do that and just got overwhelmed. Headphones...DUH. Ok, the piano cannot be moved, BUT we also have an electric 88 key piano with weighted keys that we can use a headphone on in the playroom. It needs one of those with the giant plug, but we happen to have one from hubby's old stereo. They can't even finish what they are supposed to practice in those two sessions. She wants them to play their contemporary piece once to keep it fresh ( already did the contemporary festival but will play it on the recital), they have two back pieces to play three or four times each until they decide which one to do fof the festival in March, two Karp pieces to practice for the festival in April, a Sonatina piece to practice 4 times a day for the competition in May and then a couple of other pieces. So two practice sessions are needed.. Then the computer... my dh has some cool sound cancelling headphones for his ipod that we could use. I've never used headphones with a computer, but this could work!!! Thank yall so much!! Now I just need to figure out where I will be when. People keep saying that have your older children work with your younger children, but my oldest has such a tough academic schedule for next year and he deserves time to play as well. Somehow it just doesn't seem fair to him.. Now my middle one can and does. He already does AWANA verses with her and got her to memorize the 23rd Psalm the other day. I had already planned to have him read her TOG history to her. Anyway, you have some great ideas that may make this work. Christine

And then all of the doctor's, dentist , car appointments, etc. Plus taking care of my disabled father. He does have bladder and lung cancer it looks like, but his lung capacity is already only 20 percent, so we aren't doing anything. The spot in his lung is just changing slowly.. So.. sigh...

As I start planning out next year, I'm looking at things and... how in the world does all of this fit??? I have always tried to do the child's worst subject in the morning while they are fresh. But now there are so many that are tough. My oldest has always been independent and has required very little of me for math, science or TOG, but I will need to watch the Chalkdust Geometry videos, help him adjust to rhetoric level TOG and we are considering dropping co-op for next year so I would have to do labs??? Also, house set up. There are tables in the living room and kitchen, but the piano is in the living room. (Boys practice twice a day.) So if someone is practicing then I can't help my daughter as we can't think. The playroom also has a table, but that is where the computer and VCR are, so if someone is doing something on the computer or watching a lesson, once again it would distract me and/or my daughter. The logistics are mind boggling. Here is next year: Brian- 9th grade Piano (either living room) Chalkdust Geometry (video in playroom for instruction, I will need to watch too) Chemistry- Either Apologia with Teaching Company videos or Thinkwell ( so either playroom computer or DVD player) TOG year 3- ( requires Monday conference with me and Friday discussion time. He has been completely independent for this, but will move up to rhetoric this year. Literature is going to kill him and will require me to walk with him as this is his weakest area. Most of this could be done anywhere, but papers are done on the computer in the playroom) Computer Course (computer in playroom) Rosetta Stone ( computer in playroom) IEW Essay Intensive- sort of independent, but writing is his weakest skill and he will need work with me to bring him to honors level 9th grade work Jonathan- 7th grade Piano ( living room) TT Prealgebra ( computer in playroom)This is his weakest subject and often needs tutoring from me throughout the year. Apologia General Science- will require some of my involvement, especially the first chapter as I will have to teach him HOW to read a textbook and how to study for an upper level science course. Gradually be more independent as the year progresses. TOG- English and History ( Monday conference with me and Friday discussion time) Very independent, but needs writing assignment input from me Rosetta Stone ( computer in playroom) Handwriting/Wordly Wise/RS Typing Course- (computer in playroom) Megan- 2nd grade Vision Therapy- my involvement ( my bedroom) Violin- requires my involvement (my bedroom) Phonics- my involvement Math- my involvement Handwriting TOG- either me or boys Apologia Astronomy??- my involvement I am going insane. This doesn't count figuring out where piano and violin lessons go as well as vision therapy once a week at the office. Christine

Anything like this for Biology?? Christine

My 13yo son has been working through this textbook I got at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Alice-2-0-Introductory-Concepts-Techniques/dp/1418859346/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232413831&sr=8-1 If the link doesn't work, then search for Alice 2.O and you should get a textbook by Shelly, Cashman, and Herbert. It came with a cd containing the program and step by step instructions and lessons. It is great and he has done it all himself. He is in the final chapter and for the first time, he got a little stuck. You can get Alice for free on the internet and play around with it, but to be honest I needed something my son could read and teach himself and this has been perfect. It was only 30 dollars. Christine

Yep, there is a physical component at well. Something about walking a beam and/or working with a ball or something. He also told us to make sure we limit computer game time ( doesn't do anyway) and tv ( we do). The kids were all saving up their money and almost have enough to buy a Wii, which we were not sure about and he said, YES..let them do it because some of those games would HELP her, especially the Wii Fit. He said he would tell us which games to get and which ones not to. He said that balance equipment would help her. He also said that those dance ones would help her.. I don't suppose their are any Christian ones that go with Wii??? Hannah Montana and High School Musical are OK, but I would rather have music that has a Christian message going into her brain. Christine

Well, we went to the conference to see about my 1st grade daughter's test results that was having so much trouble reading. (I hate it...crying.. I felt like such a failure. My boys were in ps for 1st grade and were reading anything you handed to them by the end. ) First of all, her IQ is as high as my oldest boy's who is a Duke scholar. They kept telling me how bright she was. On many areas of the test she was WAY above grade level. However, on several areas she was WAY below grade level. I can't remember it all, but her left to right processing was awful. He eyes don't function together quite right. She can see well in the middle which explains why in Saxon phonics she can read an individual work or do the sight word flash cards, but when you give her a sentence, her tracking and such make it so hard to decode that it doesn't go into memory and so she doesn't remember what she read or realize the word is the same. (Which is why she flunks those reading comprehension sections on the assesments and aces everything else.) Everything he said made perfect sense. So we will be starting at least 22 weeks of vision therapy. She will do some at the office once a week and we will have 20 to 30 minutes to do at home 5 times a week. I know it is silly, but I feel so much better. I really thought that homeschooling was ruining her. But he said that she performed so well because I was working with her, and that most kids with the problems she has would not be reading at all. Most kids he sees in 3rd grade because they failed the TAKS test, and so it will be easier to fix because I picked it up so much earlier. He said to keep going on the phonics as well. So.. if you feel like something just isn't right. Follow your instinct. Christine

So next week when he writes his compare and contrast essay, he should do his rough draft by hand????? Good gried, then he will never edit it. I wouldn't. I mean it will be close to 2 pages typed, so I will do REALLY well having him write that out once. With the computer, we edit together 3 or 4 times.... It will also take him forever. I do make him redo his worksheets, but despite the time he spends recopying, I don't see much improvement. Christine Christine

I have an 8th grade boy whose handwriting has become almost illegible. I have him recopy it if I really cannot read it and that does make it readable, but even though he spends time on it, it is still barely readable. And it is printing. Both my boys have forgotten all about cursive. They type their papers on the computer. My 6th grader can't even read cursive now. That said, his printing is neat and readable. He does A LOT on the computer. They handwrite the following: math, questions to TOG, science questions (though I don't grade my older boy's Biology study guide, he does) , TOG literature worksheets and that is it for the week. Does the PSAT have a writing section on it now? I think he will be a National Merit scholar by his other test scores. That is if they can read his writing. So... how do you improve handwriting. I probably wouldn't start until the summer with the new school year so what is appropriate for a high school student? I almost feel like he needs a program as I haven't been diligent and even though I sit and watch him and he is taking time and not rushing, it still isn't great. Christine