I did not read that particular book, but I wanted to share that I purchased that curriculum (HO Modern level 2) last summer to use with my 6th grader. After going through the many resourses, I found that it is definately geared more toward 8th grade or higher. We used level one and just beefed it up a bit. Im saving level 2 for my son, who will return to that time period in 8th.

Good Luck! I belong to a wonderful, mid-size (about 20 families) secular co-op. We will be starting our 4th year in September. Something to consider so you don't get stuck paying the difference: Each year we give an estimated cost to the members based on x amount of children. Once the class lists are finalized and we have an exact count (we lose a few and gain a few each year) we give a cost per child for the year payable either monthly or by the session.

I think September and October are best. The spring tends to be full of rowdy school field trip groups.

This is exactly how it is for me too. The greatest gain for me has been a growing love for contemporary country music, which is a genre I had never been a part of. My DH has a huge itunes library and is always listening to the latest hits in many different genres. I like that my kids have a love for a variety of music types also. If it werent for them, I might be stuck listen to "classic hits" forever....

Try non-fiction. I tend to get so engaged with the characters of fiction, that it becomes exhausting. Even after the book is put down, i feel like I have been out at social event.

I love the heat! I won't wear shorts or swim in my pool unless the temps are above 88. I do try to find some shade so my skin won't fry. I agree with pp who said the cold HURTS.

I've heard this from quite a few friends as well. One thing (in their defense?) is that some of their children take multiple outsourced classes which I don't think they count when describing a typical day.For others (who complain when we can't go to the museum/park/beach AGAIN) they literally are done with school by 10am...I don't understand it...

I'm planning on 6 hours for: science, history, literature, writing, math (1 hour each) plus vocabulary, piano, and Spanish (at 20 mins each). she'll be doing logic and a few other electives once a week at co-op which I didn't count. **8 hour comments give me the feeling that I'm missing something important. If I am, please let me know! I'm aware that that grammar isn't listed; we are taking a break, since my DD seems to have better grammar than most educated adults ( including me). She also asked to stop Latin.

A few years ago we received a gift which had strings attached that said " use this for something fun for the kids." we took a vacation with it.

Zucchini pasta! Can be served raw or briefly tossed in a pan with olive oil. Top with your favorite sauce. I have a spiral slicer but there are other ways to cut like with a mandolin or box shredder.

Wow. I can't believe I just got linked back to this WTM thread while doing a google search on allergic reactions to mosquito bites! My son got about 20 bites on July 4th, they itched, then swelled, and now his foot looks completely bruised. After reading about Skeeter Syndrome, I'm pretty sure that's what he has. So strange that the other kids at our party got one, two or no bites and he was covered. And he and the other kids were wearing bug spray (not DEET) and our yard had just been sprayed the day before with an organic garlic spray to prevent mosquitos and ticks. I was extra vigilant since I just contracted Lyme last week. While I'm not happy about his condition, I am relieved to atleast know what it is. Will it help for me to go pick up some Benedryl at this point (3 days later)? So far, I've been just applying hydrocortizone cream ( perscription strength - left over from a reaction from poison ivy).

I taught a story-based skit class with this age group, which was a big hit. Read aloud a story with many characters, animal characters and fairy tales work well. Then have the children brainstorm the list of characters, choose roles, retell the story together first while seated. Make basic masks/ props out of constuction paper and paper plates (if time). Finally act out the story. Usually I would narrate to keep it easy for them. Ex. "In an angry voice the king yelled...." and child would say, in his own words, something to fit the story. We did a different story every week until the final week when the children wanted to repeat a favorite skit for their parents.

Thanks for sharing! We've always thought about trying it out.

Looking back, it seems that was the pattern in my family.

DP

Changes here for my DD8: I was planning to just move up another level with everything following the footsteps of her siblings, but I keep feeling called to mix it up and try something different with her. She wined and complained a lot this year. I think she wasn't being challenged enough, needed more varied activities to engage her, and some motivation. I haven't bought it yet, but I am 95% sure we will try Moving Beyond the Page age 8-10. She is a strong, avid reader and I think connecting the writing and other assignments will work well. But it is so different from what we've been doing, that I am extreemly nervous!

So sad. I too received an email from a local CM consultant. I started off using CM over 10 years ago, but moved on to other scrapbooking products back when CM had a much more basic product line. I need to get some refill pages for a few albums before they sell out. Most of the papers and supplies I use now, I buy from Joann's. They seem high quality to me. Stampin Up and Close to My Heart have nice materials too.

I use k-cups and rotate between: Gloria Jean French Vanilla, Dunkin Donuts Original Blend, and Tree Huggers organic medium roast.

I'm hesitant to rely solely on BA. I bought BA 3A to start next year. My DD8 will continue to work through Singapore 3A this summer and start 3B in the fall. We slowed her pace in Singapore both to cement multiplication facts (Math Drills on iPad) and to work through the elementary Life of Fred books; she LOVES those...on Honey now. So I am looking at doing three math programs with her next year. I am a little concerned with the cost of 4 sets of Beast Academy books, so I figured with start with 3A and see how it goes, I'll likely get 3B as well, but I'm going to take it one book at a time. I already own all of the Singapore texts, so I only need to buy the workbooks and CWP. If I drop something, it will likey be the Singapore WB, I've done sections of Singapore with my oldest using only the textbook. So many great programs and not enough hours in the day!

I agree that it depends on the park. The one in my town is quite secluded, dark (in a small pine forest) with TONS of the big wooden structures (maze?) where strangers could be lurking. Parks in neighboring towns that we visit are much more open and i would have no problem dropping them off for an hour during normal park hours. I would not send them alone during typical school hours, but summer, yes.

I really love the idea of having all my books labeled, but I'm not sure how useful it will be since we are HUGE users of the library for many of our topical studies. Maybe I will start by just labeling history books we've acquired. We are restarting the four-year cycle in the fall, so it will be useful to pull together any book on Ancients. Thank you for sharing the printable labels! Love them!

Math Drills is very straightforward and allows you to customize which facts are practiced and tested (full-version, not lite). It also keeps track of statistics.

Looks great! We used Elements as part of our chemistry plan this year. Kids liked the games, but you may want to look into adding some chemistry experiments if your kids like hands-on. We used experiments from RSO, a Magic Schoolbus kit, and a chemistry experiment book from the library.

I've done that before with dance shoes.

What a terrific site; full of fun ideas! Thanks for sharing!