My dd took a world history at co-op last year that used SOTW 1-2 as a spine. But this very creative teacher added really valuable projects and supplemental reading. Therefore, I'm going to send my 8th grader to the American History class where they will use SOTW 4, knowing that it's only a spine and the flesh will be tantalizing. She's read or listened to all of SOTW, some of it multiple times over the years. She just gets to dig deeper and expand her understanding as she's capable.

There it is. DD won't be either an astrophysicist or a microbiologist before she's 20, so I need to help her forge a way to think about these things with imperfect knowledge There are astrophysicists who are Christian who write that an ancient big bang reconciles beautifully with scripture. Yay! YE is easily dealt with. Does one have to be an evolution-IST to teach the theory of evolution? I think not. But it's a theory because it's not an observed data in all cases. We don't know how species come to differentiate the way we know apples fall to the ground. We theorize and seek to disprove the theory because that's how science works. It DISproves until what still stands has survived long enough to be familiar. I looked at Oak Meadow and was impressed but saw a couple of indications of bias that I would have to deal with if we go that route. I really liked what I saw at Classiquest, but it doesn't appear to be high school level. Thanks for the caution about Phys Science not really being college-prep worthy. This child doesn't have a passion for science, but she does have an aptitude for facts, reason and application that would be developed through a rigorous study of science. So, no auto-pilot will suffice :willy_nilly: Look! I figured out how to use a smilie!! :)

I would start with singing various songs and then, always, to wind down, hum "Edelweiss." THEN she started asking for the "hm-hm song." So I complied. THEN she started humming the "hm-hm song." and I couldn't contain my laughter. So it lost its value as a sleep aid.

Several collection points: light and dark hampers in a small "extra" closet in MBR, same in the girl's bath, one daughter has a hamper in her room (she can't walk across the hallway). Also a small basket in kitchen and a catch-all in the laundry room. When I need to fill out a load, I just make the rounds of hampers. I've had to increase my daily quota from 2 loads to 3 as we enter the teen years. Largely because there are more skip days when co-op and other activities put me out of reach of my laundry room.

I agree with you about Wile's POV. That's WHY it's so distracting. Re: my daughter's plans, I really don't know. I see a strong interest in design and liberal arts. But also a strong mechanical, spatial aptitude. So maybe she's an engineer? I don't think she'll settle on a course early. We need to keep options open and do what we undertake well.

I am there. With a rising 8th grader, realizing how unappealing it would be to send her off to school, even though I always thought we would. But there's no way I could have known this, 7 or 5 or 2 years ago. And the resources and help seem to be available. (Except for secondary science!) We will not have to go it alone.

Oh dear! I was hoping for a pat of the hand explaining how it would all come out ok. You see, the bar is set high. Everyone in the family, except me and PS teacher SIL, is science-y. Doctors, nurses, engineers. And of course, we need labs for high school requirements and college entrance. Back to the research dungeon I go.

We used the Rightstart 5/5 abacus, and counting bears, and 100 board, fraction towers, Montessori multiplication beads, dominoes and several other manipulatives. But the cuisenaire rods were never more than building blocks to my kids.

Two thoughts: First, just because he's not math-y doesn't mean he'll need two years to finish geometry. For some people, geometry is a whole different world. Second, look for a logic class that might fulfill a math requirement. fwiw

I just went to a seminar yesterday about high school planning and transcripts, so this is fresh in my mind. Here's what you have heard there: Yes, you can....but be prepared to tell why and justify your labeling it as honors work. Perhaps retain a portfolio with work samples and the recommendations in the text you used. And do this while it's fresh in your mind.

My rising 8th grader could take 9th grade physical science at our very excellent co-op next year and get a jump on her high school transcript. That seems prudent and relieves me of lab anxiety. The rub is, I have always had some resistance (aversion) to Apologia because, well, you know.... When we have encountered it, we talk around it and that is fine. But I've come to think of it's riffing on a particular creationist view as a distraction, a bunny trail. THAT is the problem. Some people can overlook sore thumbs like that. Others (who may have a touch of undiagnosed ADD) have more difficulty, and my daughter is one of those. The distraction could be, in this case, an actual problem. Considering that this class is otherwise an excellent opportunity for us, do any of you have thoughts on helping my student (and parents) filter out the annoyance and distraction? Frankly, the whole science offering at this co-op uses Apologia. Can I take the easy way out or do we have to machete a path for college prep high school science?

We are on our 3rd desktop in 25 years. That's all. We've also had only 3 laptops between us in 25 years. That's all. 2 iPhones, 1 ipad, multiple iPods. There is no learning curve when we get a new device. And they are rock solid. You don't have to upgrade to have a working machine very often. AND whenever I have gone into an Apple store in an acquiring frame of mind, they have never ever tried to sell me up. In fact, I've ended up spending LESS than I intended with the help of their staff.

At that age I think the most important thing is to not be turned OFF to math. Counting bears, dominoes, games, baking, 100 boards, fraction pies.....just let them play and give their play some names. I have one daughter who is diligent in math and has been from day one because she feels she's accomplishing something. My other daughter always fought it. I was pulling out different curricula every other week, copying pages and adding color, used every manipulative and game I could come up with. Some might say I was being indulgent. HOWEVER, she's 13, at the end of 7th grade, and for the 1st time ever, she's finishing a math curriculum, front to back. Thinkwell pre-algebra. She didn't love the math, but she's done very well. She thinks the little talking head is funny and she likes the independence of the online format. There was no magic bullet for her. We just had to get enough practice at the 4 operations to bring her to an age where she could be competent and responsible at an appropriate level. Which we've done.

I have struggled with this also. This year I bought the Memoria Press studies one. My girls are 10 and 13. It's not challenging but it does reinforce the facts of the stories and can get discussion started. It's better with my 10 yo than my 13 yo, but I think that's more personality and learning style than age. I have an idea in mind to use this material to move my 13 year old by using it as writing prompts. Your younger ones will just enjoy the stories and probably be able to pick out pertinent facts to answer questions and retain the story. A good story Bible, read aloud, is a hard thing to resist. Also, whether you choose the Golden Bible or another, really make use of the pictures. When invited to really look closely and tell me what they see, those pictures can be better conversation starters than the study questions!

I can't believe this thread's been here and gotten so much response as I have just been dealing with this. Must be a God thing. I have a newfound suspicion that I am ADD. I happened across a little screening test while I was researching the next strategy for a strong willed adolescent. The result of that was a strong recommendation for further testing. I found another, more thorough screen on another site. Again, a strong recommendation to pursue evaluation for ADD. Next step of course, a book. I chose Women With Attention Deficit Disorder by Sari Solden. It told my life. Including the part about everything getting out of hand when women hit perimenopause. I hope that further evaluation and treatment gives us a path to restore our marriage.

Music Mama, I'm in the same place. Trying to figure out, after all these years, if ADD is the thorn in my flesh. I am currently reading Delivered from Distraction. But my first was Women with Attention Deficit Disorder by Sari Solden. It told my life. There are also a number of screening quizzes available online. Mine have been awfully consistent. Good luck!

I am in the same spot. I want to do Core F with my 5th grade dd next year because she's interested. And then wonder what to do 6-7-8? I like your thoughts Carol in CA.

Amen to this. My younger child is pretty steady and incremental and likes to stay with a curriculum for a few years. The change usually makes sense. For instance, MUS Epsilon had grown boring after 3 years of MUS. She was ready to knock down decimals without spending a whole year, so we moved back to Singapore, and I'm fairly certain it will take her at least to, if not through, pre-algebra. OTOH, my older daughter changes weekly. I used to keep 2-3 curriculum plans so I could catch her next zig or zag. I've learned to watch closely and capitalize on her natural curiosity and talent. I'm thrilled with what she has in her mental box as a 7th grader. I know what I'd like her to have by the end of 8th grade and have an idea what I'd like her to graduate high school with. But I also know that I can't pick the path for her now unless I'm willing to toss it over and change the route to our destination. She's an intense kid and harnessing that takes some work. In all sincerity, GOOD LUCK!

I started my 6th grader in Megawords 3, the multi-syllabic word book. It was fine. You might want to get book 1 or 2 for the younger child and then judge from that where to start the older child.

We attacked Omnibus 1 with my 7th grade dd this year. It ended up being supplemental because I also put her in a co-op class with a teacher who uses SOTW as a spine and then is marvelous at beefing up the expectations for each child. My daughter has really stepped up and blossomed under her. My impression is that, while I loved the Omnibus text and guidance, it was too much for this kid. She loves to make models and storyboards and timelines and give short speeches. She's still too kid-kinetic to sit and read and write in the Omnibus mode. Now I'm feeling my way through the next year, because at 13, she's obviously going through a lot of change. I don't know if she'll ever stick to an Omnibus plan, yet, I am attracted to it's structure.