Do any of you utilize graphic novels in your homeschooling? We are doing a world lit class next year, and there are some pretty intimidating (length-wise) novels on the list. I was thinking about using The Complete Don Quixote which is a graphic novel of the classic. It has gotten some pretty decent reviews, and I thought the different format might be a nice change of pace. Here is a link to the book I am looking at... http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15842699-the-complete-don-quixote Has anyone used this? Thoughts? Thanks, :) Beachy

Enjoy your time in CC. It really can be a great program, and the community aspect, for parents as well as the children, has been a life line at times. It was so nice to be able to share in our victories and our struggles. There is nothing wrong with making CC your spine. You do need to use a good math program though. Also, I did not emphasize the 1st semester math memory work. I don't like skip counting because I feel it stalled both of my girls, so we worked on our multiplication tables instead. SOTW is a great resource, and some wonderful mom has, I'm sure, already posted chapters to match each week. In fact, I'm certain you can also find science resources on CC Connected as well. However, if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't worry so much about that. We would read it for sure, but I would also spend more time on copy work. Instead of memorizing Latin declensions and conjugations, I would've done a more rounded latin program. I would've done more copy work, and focused more on memorizing great poems and speeches. I would've started a literature program earlier than I did. Essentials is a wonderful program, but I wouldn't have waited until then to start a formal study of grammar. Truly, enjoy your time in CC. We did. The criticisms here though are legit. I always said I would take homeschooling one year at a time, and that was a mistake. It can be easy to simply trust that CC has done all the leg work. To believe that as long as you follow the program everything will be okay. For some, that is the case. It wasn't for us though. One other thing I would do differently is not wait until the summer before my daughter's 9th grade year to research what credits colleges are expecting their incoming freshmen to have. I feel as though she is playing catch-up. Fortunately, she is a bright girl, and I know she'll be fine, and I am thankful for the opportunity to better prepare my younger daughter who does tend to struggle. Good luck to you in this new adventure. Cycle 3 is a lot of fun. :) Beachy

Hard isn't bad. Its just hard. :) Beachy

I'm using OneNote on my Mac as well. In fact, I have put it on all our Macs. So far, so good. There are some things I can't do or I should say can't figure out. I am not computer savvy. Many of the tutorials I see show different screens, prompts, etc. For example, I don't see my different notebooks down the left side of my screen. They are in a drop down menu on the top left. I also don't get the drawing tool that I see on the tutorials, so I can't draw on my notes. Things like that. Again though, some of this may be user error. Even with my lack of computer skills though, I have been able to make schedules and check lists, link online resources, etc. I am also currently in my free trial period with Olly, but I really haven't even gone back to it since I got OneNote up and running. Good luck, :) Beachy

This was my oldest daughter's tutor as well. Unfortunately, the tutor's way of organization really did not work for my dd. Her Challenge B tutor left it up to the students, so we went with a different notebook for each subject instead of one big binder. Anyway, each tutor is different, so you may want to ask first. :) Beachy

My oldest is beginning high school, and we have decided to do Physics first. After talking with a scientist and a couple of doctor friends, this makes sense. My doctor friend said that chemistry and biology will both be much richer with a better understanding of physics. In fact, they also did the physics first tract with their own children. Like Mike mentioned, too much emphasis on math just drowns out the science. :) Beachy

Someone posted this link on another board... https://www.tenmarks.com Your child would first do an assessment, and it then goes from there. There are videos to watch if you get stuck, and it is free during the summer. Our entire family is using it to shore up our math skills before moving on. :) Beachy

I could have written this post. I have 2. My oldest has always loved to read. In fact, we had to make a rule that she was not allowed to walk and read at the same time. She would get so caught up in the book that she'd walk right into the wall. My youngest ...... the complete opposite. Her mantra is "Books rot the brain." Same parents. Same environment. Same routine. One loves books and one simply doesn't. :) Beachy

Kelly, I'm going to use EiL for my oldest (9th). However, I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my youngest (7th). I'm intrigued by your post because it sounds like what you did would work for us. However, I must be really tired or something because I can't, for the life of me, figure out what LL7 and LL8 stands for. I quick search doesn't help and they aren't on the abbreviations page. So.... what is LL? I think I need to look into it. :) Thanks, :) Beachy

I know several tutors who tutor in lieu of paying tuition. Of course, depending on the size of your community, number of children you have in the program, etc, it may not cover the entire amount. In that case, tutors simply made up the difference. I think it is up to each individual director though. Yes, tutors get 60% of tuition costs, but the class sizes are averaged. In other words, a tutor with a class of 4 will be paid the same as a tutor with a class of 8. At least it is averaged at our community. We love CC. However, as my students have gotten older, I have longed for a 2 day program. I wish CC would consider something like that. We love the CC materials and have used them over and over, so that cost doesn't bather me as much. :) Beachy

You're right. Paleo has started to emcompass so many things. I have friends who say they are Paleo plus dairy, so I sometimes forget that strict paleo does not include dairy. I was focused more on the low carb part. Sorry. :) Beachy

Probably too late now, but next time you can make some oopsie bread.... http://caloriecount.about.com/oopsie-bread-12-recipe-r197782

We're in Brevard County, and yes, FLVS is great. As a previous poster said, you can pick and choose which classes to take, so it is virtual school a la cart. Many students enrolled in the regular public schools will even take classes through FLVS on top of their regular classwork. There is also the K-12 program that is now called FLVS FT (full time). It used to be called Connections Academy. In order to enroll in it, your student must have been enrolled for a full year in a Florida public school -- at least that was the rule a couple of years ago. http://www.connectionsacademy.com/florida-virtual-school/home.aspx About the specific schools you mentioned....... I am not familiar with them and will ask a few friends. I'm beachside, and our schools are very good. The schools in Vierra/Suntree area are generally thought of as good schools. The others around Melbourne itself are hit or miss. Another group to check out is the Yahoo group... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brevardhomeschool/ Good luck. I am happy to answer any questions I can. :) Beachy

LSU should be proud of the game they played tonight. I know I am proud to be a Tiger!! I will say though...... I love Les Miles and I'm glad he played an aggressive game (until that final drive anyway), but I really didn't understand some of his calls. :) Beachy

I've currently lost a little more than the weight of the average 2 yo, so I guess maybe a largish 2 yo. LOL!! Anyway, when it is all said and done, I hope to be down a little more than the World's Largest Ball of Tape. I'm eating LCHF, btw. :) Beachy