Music, art, and science. This past year, I picked "bad for us" history programs, so that didn't get done either. We're going back to SOTW for the upcoming year, so history should get done. I'm still a little worried about science though.

We bought ours at Ikea. It can fit 8 without the leaf pulled out. Pulling the leaf out gives you extra room (I believe it says the leaf makes it a table for either 10 or 12). Also, we bought a bench for one side, so with littles, you could get a couple extra in there.

My 4th grader will be doing the following (not 100% set though): Literature: List put together by me Grammar: Growing with Grammar 4 Handwriting: McRuffy 4th Grade Cursive copybook Writing: Winning With Writing 4 and maybe Writing With Ease (need to test him to see what level) Spelling: AAS or Apples and Pears Math: CLE 400 History: SOTW 4 Science: RSO Earth and Space Geography: Evan Moor 7 Continents Series Logic: Logic Countdown/Logic Safari Book 2/ Thinking Through Analogies Latin: Lively Latin 1

I'm still working through this, trying to figure things out. I'm not 100% decided yet, but this is what I'm thinking so far: Literature: Figuratively Speaking and a list of books I'm putting together Grammar: Giggly Guide to Grammar and/or Winston Grammar wit Daily Language Review and Diagramming Sentences book Cursive Practice: Daily Handwriting Practice Writing: Winning with Writing 6 and maybe Writing With Skill (still looking it over) Spelling: The Spell of Words or Spelling Plus with Dictation Math: CLE Grade 6 History: SOTW Vol. 4 with AG Science: McHenry's The Elements and ACS Middle School Chemistry OR Mr. Q's new chemistry (need to see Mr. Q's first to decide) Geography: Evan Moor 7 Continents Series and maybe MapTrek Logic: Building Thinking Skills Book 2 Latin: Lively Latin Italian: if we do it, very casually; already have Rosetta Stone so we'll use that Art: probably combination of Draw Squad, Artistic Pursuits, How to Teach Art to Children Music: not sure He does Boy Scouts and wants to start Sea Cadets. He likes to play soccer, but it wasn't in the budget this year.

I don't know of a chart but you might be able to Google it. I know we found train information by Googling. The only real big downside to living in Southern Italy, is that it is a 2 day drive just to get out of the country. Living in Naples, it was an entire (long) day drive to get to out of the country, so you have it worse there. We are a family of 6, so it was often cheaper for us to drive versus fly or take the train. We actually drove to Paris and Normandy and it was a wonderful trip! We drove to the Southern cost of France too (Marseilles) and that was an awesome trip as well. There is much to be said for enjoying the countryside by car. There are plenty of agriturismos to stop at (and I definitely recommend those over hotels). We drove to Germany/Austria/Switzerland a couple of times. We did fly to England though. That would have been a LONG drive and DH wasn't big on the idea of driving through the Chunnel. Homeschooling in Italy was an awesome experience. We studied ancient history and medieval history and there is just nothing like being able to show the kids what we are learning about. They learned about WWII and now they'll have a reference in their minds when we discuss it this year.

We moved back to the States last summer for a three year tour in Naples, Italy. We LOVED it and are very sad to not live there anymore. We talk about Italy and Europe just about every day. We are going to try to go back once our tour here is up, that's how much we loved it. It's not hunky dory every day, but it was definitely worth all of the negatives. In Naples, DOD civilians could get base housing (and we knew many that did live on base), not sure if it's the same for Sig though. We sent 2 years living off base and then the last year living on base. Gotta run for now, but I can answer any more questions if you have them.

I got the email earlier today!!! I can't wait to buy it for DD.

We are not travelling this year either. Between hubby's work schedule and our lack of funds, it's just not possible. We spent the past 3 years living in Italy and travelling all over the place, so a little down time isn't too bad. But I am definitely planning on something for next summer. Money will be a lot better and hubby's schedule will be a lot more predictable.

I can't seem to get anything to work either. It seems really buggy to me. I went to everyone's board on this thread and clicked follow, but none of them show up on my page. I tried pinning something with the pin it button, but it's not showing up either. It seems like a really neat site, but I can't get it to work.

I like the looks of Accountable Kids, but with 4 kids, I can't afford it. I found this: http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/2011/01/chore-chart-cards.html and plan on using it with my crew.

Wow. I went to public school in 2 different states, my children have gone to public school in 3 different states (well, one DoDDS) and we have never had to produce proof that they were up to date on check ups and dental visits. Vaccinations yes, the others, no. I don't think we'll be moving to PA anytime soon. That's just crazy and intrusive, IMHO.

We're not doing anything special today either, aside from making a special 4th of July dessert. My hubby's work schedule is messed up and he can't go with us to watch fireworks, so we are all staying home.

I am going to have to agree with the others. Send your daughter.

Thank you! I am going to Costco tomorrow and will look for these. Hopefully, since they made it to your WA Costco, they'll be in my WA Costco as well, lol. I have a beautiful world map that we bought in Italy (it's in Italian, which I LOVE) but I have yet to buy a US map. We are currently learning the states, so a US map would be really nice.

My oldest is 13 and he does get certain privileges, not only because he's the oldest but he's also the most responsible and obeys the most. He gets to sit up front (although by law, he's the only one old enough to). He doesn't get the biggest room, but he does get his own room (the biggest goes to the 2 that have to share). He has a cell phone when the others don't. He has more freedom in the neighborhood than the others do. Just things like that.

I looked it over and am wondering if this is easy to do for a science challenged parent. I am looking for chemistry for my 6th grader next year.

My parents probably would have picked him (aside from the fact that he's Navy and took us away from them; they still love him though). His parents never in a million years would have picked me.

We've talked about this a lot for the past 3 years. The kids jokingly called us Big Brain Academy after the game, but I told them that couldn't be our official name. We were just thinking about it this week. I wish I could be creative. The best I can come up with so far is Olympic View Academy, although the boys want to go with Stormwind Academy for the Exceptionally Talented (it's a WoW reference, lol).

I'm using various resources from the internet to make my own. I will print out the pages I want, put it all together and then take it to Staples to have it bound. That will be my planner. For the kids, I'm going to buy them cheap student planners from Rainbow Resource. The plan is to write out what should be done every week in my planner for reference and then they will write (well, the older ones will) their actual weekly schedules one week at a time. That way we have an accurate record of what really happened and I know how behind we are from where we should be.

I emailed for a sample yesterday but am still waiting. I can't wait to see it. All of the excitement here has me excited to see it, lol.

I can't help much, as it's been about 8 years since I've lived there, but I wanted to tell you that I LOVED it there. It is a beautiful area and very much idyllic (at least 8 years ago, lol). Saratoga Springs itself is a money area and becomes very busy in the summer during horse racing season (they have a track). I loved the downtown area and right before we left they built a big merry go round.

Tammy, You can request a sample and they will send you a VERY generous sample of their materials. I was surprised by the amount of stuff they sent.

I plan on getting the Studies Weekly magazine for 4th Grade, which here in WA covers state history. I just received the samples in the mail and I like what I see. It should be a fun way to add state study to our history. You can find the magazine here: http://www.studiesweekly.com/

My rising 6th grader wants to do chemistry next year. I haven't found anything I like that's appropriate for his level. I REALLY like the looks of RSO, RS4K, AND Mr. Q. I know 2 of them are a little below his level, but that is fine. He hasn't had much science and I want him to have fun and enjoy it since it's his favorite subject. I also plan on adding in extras where I deem necessary (books and experiments). So, sell me on one of these programs! Unfortunately, I can't buy them all as money is a little tight right now.

Thank you! What a wonderful site. I can't wait to share it with the kids.