Thank you so much to everyone for such helpful answers. My thinking is getting clearer between this thread and the Dance moms thread. Minimizing time outside the house and getting creative about how to take course work could very well mean we don't have to skimp on academics. Ballet is definitely an uncertain world and she needs to be prepared for whatever her life path ends up being.

Abbeyej - thank you for answering me. Very helpful. Things are beginning to come together in my mind. I'm really seeing the value of not being out of the house so much for classes, I just need to figure out how best to outsource the classes I don't want to teach myself. After speaking with a friend today and reading all the advice here, I realize we may not have to compromise on academics, just get creative about how to get everything in. I want her to be very prepared should dance not work out, since that's an extremely likely possibility given injury potential and the small percentage of dancers who go professional. Thank you

So to Gwen and Gina (and any others), how do you decide what to cut back on academically assuming your child is college-bound? I have a dd ballet dancer (and she plays piano at a high level) who dances many hours a week. I'm asking similar questions with regards to scheduling. KLA

So I'm really at the beginning of this and planning for high school so bear with me if I'm asking silly questions. I think I'm concerned about some of the upper level high school classes when we get there. I mean, can you do lab sciences well at home via online class (I'm not saying you can't, I just can't picture it)? And can you find rigorous online classes that have deadlines, grades and high expectations of the students? How/when and even do you decide to lighten up the academics because ballet takes up such a significant amount of time? It's hard for me to think about saying "no" to an honors course that she is capable of because she just doesn't have time. She might very well have time, just aren't there yet to know it. Finally, any outside classes I'd consider would be core classes. So is it worth the investment of leaving the home to have in those core classes done that way. We have an option of a two day co-op (academic, not enrichment) or a three day school where she is now for a few classes. I'm not necessarily asking for specific answers, just trying to wrap my brian around both planning for high school and doing it well with a serious ballet dancer on a full schedule. I appreciate any and all thoughts. KLA

Yes, I'm thinking that going out for too many classes (we have a three day a week school we could take classes at) will take time in transportation and getting ready, packing lunches etc. I have a very motivated dancer and student. Online classes seem like a great way to get other teachers, although we haven't tried a live one yet. I'm trying to find the best way for her to dance all she wants, do challenging academics (that's what she wants) and have just enough down time and sleep :) KLA

Could I bring this thread back up? I'm planning for high school with a ballet dancer and would love to hear how your schedules are working out this year. My dd is bright and can handle the more advanced classes but as I make plans, I'm trying to keep her schedule manageable. Anyone care to chime in on schedule ideas? Tips that work and don't work? Outsourcing classes and the extra time they take versus just trying to do things at home? I'm at the very beginning of planning high school and don't know how to start mapping it all out. Thanks

That's very helpful, Cheryl, thank you. The combination of needing more review (more spiraling), puberty brain fog, and a daughter who's mind is always on ballet are definitely leading me towards doing 1/2 next year. I think that will set her up well for Algebra in 8th grade, which is still an advanced math track, should she need that. Thanks.

I have been wrestling with this whole skipping Algebra 1/2 thing for several years now. I was planning to follow that assuming proficiency in 8/7, however I just don't think I'm comfortable with that anymore (just speaking to our case - might be just right for many). Here's why... 1. Like I said, she is already working a year ahead. Algebra in 7th Grade just seems too advanced to me. She does just fine at math but I don't see her heading down that path as a career (right now she wants to pursue dance and/or piano in college). Algebra I in 7th grade leads to Calculus in 11th grade, right? I'm not sure she needs to be that advanced, just because she could be. 2. I understand there can sometimes be issues with Algebra that can relate to age/development. I'd like her not to hit a wall, just because she is younger. 3. I have seen lots of kiddos struggle in Algebra because they don't have the good foundation in pre-algebra (rushed through it or advanced too fast or whatever). I figure another year in 1/2 would help to prepare her. I am certainly ready to be proven wrong on these things so if anyone has advice or opinions, I'm open. I have gone back and forth a million times on this.

Thank you. That's what my gut is telling me :) Great idea about Khan. We will press on unless recent test scores come in and show something different. Supplements from other sources besides Saxon should help me gauge too I would think. KLA Oh and you are soooo right about the 12 year old thing. I can't believe I hadn't thought of that :)

Or just wait it out....? My dd12 is finishing Saxon 8/7. We have always used Saxon. She has always done great with it. She doesn't like to do math but picks things up quickly and gets the concepts just fine. Her standardized tests scores are very good. The end of Saxon 8/7 piles on new stuff so there is a lot to remember. I'm finding that for the first time in her math career that she just needs to practice certain things a few more times the same day she learns them before she remembers how to do them. I'd love for those who have used Saxon into algebra level to chime in. We are planning to go on to Algebra 1/2 next year (she is already working a year ahead and so I don't want to skip Algebra 1/2 advancing her even more) which I know has more review. Will this be enough? Should I just add supplemental practice or does she need a non-spiral approach? Thank you for your opinions, KLA

I'm bumping this up since I'd like to feedback too. I'm trying to find something for 7th grade history. MY dd12 is finishing a comprehensive and challenging geography course as well as the last VP self-paced course and I'm trying to figure out if this would be good for next year too. Thanks KLA

We don't skip them because my kids like to have easy lessons to fly right through and it's a nice confidence booster for them, especially if they have just worked through the end of a Saxon book that was a lot of new information. I think it's nice for them to do some lessons quickly and easily.

I agree with what everyone has said. My bit of practical advice is along the lines of getting science supplies ready. Make all copies needed at the beginning of the year and have them accessible. This has been so helpful, particularly as the kids have gotten older. I wasted so much time making them wait while I copied something for the day (or worse, when they came to me telling me they needed something copied since I hadn't prepared for the day). It may cost a bit more up front but it is so efficient. Blessings for a great year!

We started FLL in first grade and did all 4 levels, then switched to Shurley 6 in the 5th grade (based on a rec from OhElizabeth) and it has been the perfect path for both of my children, who are very different from one another. I wouldn't change a thing and I would do the same thing all over again. I'm a proponent of early grammar and I love how FLL, Shurley, Latin and IEW have all worked together so well.

Have you ever read Art Reed and all he says about implementing Saxon? It was revolutionary for me in understanding Saxon and it's method. Here is the link to his website. Go back when you have some time and read the archived newsletters. It's so helpful on understanding just why 80% on a Saxon test is a good score and on why your child might miss 8-10 on mixed practice but still be really learning the materials. It's also helped me to see why they need to do all the mixed practice problems and why I don't need to make my children go back and fix every problem they miss. I plan to use his teaching DVD's as well when we reach those levels. I have used Saxon for 7 years and wish I had been exposed to all this years ago - it's so helpful! KLA http://www.homeschoolwithsaxon.com/

Another Saxon family here. Have always used it. It has always worked so I stuck with the "if it ain't broke..." mentality and just shut out the voices that said maybe there was something better. We have always used it a year ahead and we only skip the "warm up" section occasionally but never skip anything in the mixed review section and my averagely mathy kids do very well with it. The only perfect Math curriculum is the one that gets accomplished thoroughly and with consistency. So pick one and if it works, just stick with it!

We jumped into Shurley 6 after doing all four levels of FLL and it has worked wonderfully. We also supplement with a basic diagramming book (takes 2 extra minutes per day). We plan to do Shurley 7 since I have heard it is really great. KLA

We jumped into Shurley 6 this year after completing all 4 levels of FLL. It takes us about 15-20 minutes a day and we do not do the writing (we might to it every now and then to reinforce a 3 point paragraph). I add diagramming with the CLE diagramming book (thanks to OhElizabeth for that idea). We have been really happy with it this year. KLA

Last year my daughter and I watched the 6 hour version of Pride and Prejudice together (over the course of several days) and she loved it. She was 10. Of course I'll take any chance I can get to watch Colin Firth! KLA

Oh, I found 2 board books at Barnes and Noble in the discount section - one is Elmo animals and one is Mickey Mouse counting. They both came with the book read on CD's with a couple songs too. These have been awesome! What about Color Wonder stuff too? My daughter was not that impressed but she is not even 2.5 yet so maybe later. Playdoh works too if I sit next to her and make a few things for her now and then too. Oh and...if you can on Pandora you can make a "toddler radio" station that plays all the favorites too. Great thread - I need more ideas too! KLA Kerry

I'm right there with you and it is hard. I went to David Hazel (MFW) l's lecture on this very topic at the convention in Greenville. I did end up buying a lot of the MFW toddler/preschool toys (most are made by Lauri) because the are versatile and seem right up my 2 year old's alley. They will go into a preschool box for only school time. You can see them in the MFW catalog/website. Much of them have to be done together but hopefully she will grow into understanding how to play alone with some of them. They seem like toys that will keep her busy (particularly if rotated and alternated). Oh and, mine will actually play a lottle better by herself if there is a kids music CD playing, especially if it has children's voices. Don't know why, but it helps. I do use some TV time when necessary and have thought about pre-school a bit for next year. However, a friend of mine ended up pulling her child out of pre-school because it required way too much of her (class programs, parties, cupcakes needed etc) and defeated the entire point :). KLA

I'm just a big fan of keeping them with peers based on the local school cut-off and of not advancing them in general. At home, we do academic work that is up to their level. But I try to remember what a very wise mom told me once, "Just because they can, doesn't mean they should." Both my kids have late summer birthdays and it has worked very well in all kinds of settings (ballet, basketball, sunday school, etc) having them be the older ones for their grade (now I am sure there are some kids who just need to be advanced. I'm speaking generally here). We just see so much value in being on the older end of the spectrum when it comes to social/emotional maturity and the ability to assess people and social situations and make wise choices. As a youth pastor, my husband often sees kids that just aren't ready to face the issues of middle or high school but are forced to because they have been advanced. He ended up placing an age requirement on youth group, rather than going by grade, to help prevent some of this. Plus, I just selfishly want my kids around an extra year :). But ultimately, it is a very personal choice. KLA

There is also the Art Reed teaching DVD. I just heard him at the Greenville Conference and he is so great with regards to he implementation of Saxon. I think his teaching CD's would be great, although I haven't tried them yet. KLA

I just got to hear Susan Wise Bauer this weekend speak on writing. She would say (if you want to follow her plan) that you should do grammar (even if you just did it slowly) and that all the writing you should be doing at that age is copywork, short dictation and narration. Keep up the grammar and you are doing great! KLA

I'm attending the conference this weekend in Greenville. Never been to any conference before. How do you decided what seminars and to attend???? How many sessions do most people attend? And...how much time do you allow for the exhibit hall? I'm not shopping for much, I'm pretty set for next year but again, never having been to one, I have no idea what to expect. Thanks for your thoughts, Kerry