I can get a MO from the gas station near my house. Sometimes they're on sale for 49 cents. I think they're regularly 99 cents.

I have bought and sold many things over the internet, including most of my curriculum. I've used paypal and money orders as well as a personal check a couple of times. Never had a problem. I've purchased here, ebay, vegsource, hslda, etc. If you were buying an ipad on craigslist, I'd be more concerned.

The free ones will be mostly in the public domain (not all, but most). I downloaded all the Henty books...some from bn.com and some from gutenberg.org. So, research age-appropriate classic books then see if they're available. I got some of the Bobbsey Twins books, also.

I haven't used R&S Math, but if it's anything like their English, I'd imagine it's perfect for you.

Boxcar Children.

Gotta agree with her!

I used TT Pre-Alg in 7th grade and TT Alg. 1 in 8th grade. My kids did well with both, but I felt the TT algebra, while good at teaching algebra mechanics, wasn't really getting into the meat of algebra. So, I've basically decided that the TT Alg 1 was pre-algebra, and I'm using VideoText for Algebra 1 & 2. Also, make sure you get in geometry before she takes the PSAT.

We used it for grades 3-8. My kids know grammar cold. Very happy with R&S English. However, we skipped most of the writing lessons and used IEW for writing instead.

Whatever you use, practice is the key. Have them write every day.

Used Handwriting without Tears. It was just OK. We worked and worked and worked. She is in 8th grade now, and her handwriting is OK if she's going slow and trying. But, it's not too great if she's writing quickly. But, with all that said, it's better than I had hoped when we started out.

Books: Read for the Heart: Whole Books for WholeHearted Families by Sarah Clarkson Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt Books Children Love – First Edition by Elizabeth Wilson Books Children Love – Revised Edition by Elizabeth Wilson All Through the Ages by Christine Miller How to Grow a Young Reader by Kathryn Lindskoog & Ranelda Mack Hunsicker Who Should We Then Read? by Jan Bloom The Book Tree by Elizabeth McCallum and Jane Scott Books that Build Character by William Kilpatrick and Gregory and Suzanne M. Wolfe Great Books of the Christian Tradition by Terry W. Glaspey Let the Authors Speak by Carolyn Hatcher The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

You might look at Speedy Spanish.

You might look at Speedy Spanish.

See if you can take a look at the next level of R&S to see if you think they can handle it. Flipping through the book yourself is the best way to decide. With that said, I've used R&S from grades 3-8, and I've been very pleased with the results. R&S has lots of review, but my kids really know their grammar. We skip all the writing assignments and use IEW instead. I'm amazed at how much grammar helps their writing (duh, right!)

Alpha Phonics by Sam Blumenthal. Simple, straight to the point. Inexpensive. I've used it with all 4 of my children with great success. I know several people who had success with it after struggling with other programs.

We have one. Thesaurus and dictionary. The kids love it and use it much more willingly than the paper dictionary. Ours is similar to this one: http://www.amazon.com/Franklin--Webster-Dictionary-Thesaurus-downloadable/dp/B0002OP84C/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&qid=1331430440&sr=8-35 It has been durable and stood up to some abuse. I don't know if I've ever even changed the batteries. If I had to do it over again, I would definitely buy one. And, I never would've considered it if Pudewa hadn't recommended it.

I had grand plans to start early and they would be fluent by 6th grade. That simply didn't happen because they just didn't like Spanish. "Why should I say gato when it's clearly a cat?" Everybody always says that kids learn it easiest when they're young. But, I think that is probably only the case when they are exposed to the language daily by a fluent speaker. With all that said, high school Spanish is going wonderfully well for my daughter, so there is hope!

Haven't made my own. I've been thrilled with Rod & Staff for grades 3-8. My 4th kid is working through grade 3 by now. By 8th grade, they know it cold.

Boxcar Children

Alpha Phonics by Sam Blumenthal. Inexpensive. Black and white, no cute drawings, etc. I used it for all 4 of my children with great success. I highly recommend it!

I wanted something with daily work. And something they could work on independently and come to me for help. I finally settled on Alpha Omega LifePacs Spanish 1 for 9th grade. My dd has almost completed it, and it has worked wonderfully well. She is a very good independent learner. (I've never used the LifePacs in the past.) I just bought LifePacs Spanish 2.

For elementary, we used Magnum Opus Academy (magnum opus meaning "great work" -- from Charlotte's Web). For high school, we are just using <last name> Homeschool Academy. I'm not sure it would help anything to obscure the fact that my child received a homeschool education.

Just my .02, but I think it's important for kids to have time to breathe and ponder and still be kids.

I have a picky question...My daughter (9th grade) is writing daily for English. When she chooses a topic related to one of her other courses (such as Voice), should I count that paper as part of the grade for both Voice and English, or should I choose between them? Opinions?