At our co-op, parents need to be on site, and if their kids won't do what the teacher asks, they have to go be with their parent. This will hopefully change their behavior, but if not, at least it makes it possible for the other kids to learn.

Sorry doesn't express enough sympathy. I will pray.

I don't know anything either, my husband chose the microscope, but we also bought a camera that projects the image onto the computer screen so everyone can look together rather than taking turns. You can also record using the camera, so he was able to record cytoplasmic streaming when he saw it the first time--it took many tries, but each time he found something more than the time before.

Before my son did Dive Biology at home last year, I was skeptical about whether or not you could do labs at home too. My husband and I marvel at the thoroughness of his experience as compared to our high school lab experiences. He had the teacher demonstrating right in front of him through video and the ability to pause/rewind as many times as necessary. This was particularly helpful with dissections. Dive Science is so well organized with quizzes and tests and a built-in grading and scoring system we were so pleased. The other thing that made it a success was a quality (expensive) microscope and of course the home science lab kit which you buy separately.

Wow, I feel spoiled. Our library system only charges replacement cost for lost books--no fines. If you have anything which has been overdue for a certain length of time it is in the lost category and your card is blocked until you return it or pay. You can also return books to any branch.

I would love to buy a used version of this if you have it. Thanks!

You are right, Candid, we probably will, I just wanted to see if anyone would recommend something better!

Thanks everyone. I saw chalkdust by searching the forum earlier today and it looks pretty good. I hadn't heard of Derek Owens. I also read about AoPS which looks like it has some videos for earlier levels. Does this program need additional instruction/ videos beyond the text? I would love to know how it works, since we have only done MUS where you watch the teacher and then do the lesson. My son doesn't NEED video instruction necessarily, it might just makes me feel better!?

Thanks, Jenny, you're right, you are doing exactly what I want to avoid, but thanks for responding! 3andme thanks for the idea--have you used Red Wagon? Do they have an honors level and does it do labs?

I need Chemistry recommendations. We used DIVE Biology last year and what I LOVED was that it was all there in one CD-ROM: assignments, lectures, quizzes, tests, and a fantastic grade calculator. The only thing we weren't super impressed with was that Dr. Shoreman is not a super interesting lecturer. Not a deal breaker, but I was wondering if anyone knows of another program like this with a more charismatic teacher.

I would love to know what math programs you have used that have a text and DVD linked together. My son has done Math U See, but he needs a more challenging program. Thank you so much!

I can not express the degree to which I loathed magic jack. It was unreliable and when the call did come through, I could never hear the person on the other end. I was so happy to get our old phone number back!

My kids do this on Sony Vegas (a video editing software). That is all I know.

This is brilliant! I am off to follow swimmermom's example, oh wait, I have to do Phonics Pathways with my 7 yo and Latin with my 10 and 12 yo and Speech Therapy with my 8 yo, and discuss Plato with my 14 and 15 yo...

I love FLL!

Sneezyone, what level of Usborne did you use? Did you buy them in a pack? Lorisuewho, have you used Christian Light? Is it individual books or a reader like McGuffey? Thanks so much for responding!

Thanks! I will look at this.

My 7 year old is almost done with 20 Easy Lessons and is coming along as a reader, but is not reading well enough to graduate to reading on his own. I wonder if anyone has any ideas about what to do next? I have never been in this situation before, my others were ready to read independently when they finished their reading lesson book (100 Easy Lessons, which we started with him, but switched from because he was too reliant on the extra marks). Any suggestions?

I don't think anything bad will happen, but one of my absolute favorite things that we have done has been Story of the World in these years. The writing and the projects are geared toward these ages. My kids still talk about the "journey" to China (through the back yard) for ice cream, acting out the crowning of Queen Elizabeth, making Greek war ships with ice cream (yes, they definitely remember the ice cream projects!) The second time around, the kids probably retain more, but some of the magic is missing. A lot of the other things we did were skill building and important, but history was stories and fun. If your dd loves stories, she will enjoy these books.

I have seven, and we are definitely classical. My husband is a Latin high school teacher. I have one freshman and one eighth grader. The older kids are pretty independent, otherwise it would not be possible, and even so I always feel like I am not keeping up with everything I should be doing in order to "classically" educate them. However, the oldest two are reading the Great Books and in Latin III and doing well in math, which was what we hoped they would be able to do at that age. Well see about the next two! I have often thought that if I were to choose the educational method that would allow me to relax and never stress about life and education with my seven children, it would not be the classical method. I can see why large families choose other methods. OP, you HAVE to go with independent options for many subjects for the older kids--and I think it is good for them. Tutoring the younger kids is a great way for them to consolidate what they have learned as well.

I have tried both and I love FLL as well. I agree with others that Shurley was too much. We are doing FLL 4 right now I love the diagramming. I think it is the only way (apart from learning Latin) to really understand English grammar. I don't know if Shurley does this--we didn't even complete one year.

Jesus + Nothing = Everything, by Tullian Tchvidjian. We always think there are a lot of things we should to make ourselves acceptable to God, rather than resting in what Jesus did for us.

I think I should say IV drip antibiotics--I don't think there is any such thing as drip antibiotics.

My ds had a huge, hard swollen lymph node when he was 6 months old. He spent a few days in the hospital on drip antibiotics, but then went home with no further problems. Praying for your little guy!

My dd14 just won (50k) and dd9 just won (15k). It is their first year and they were really tickled by the congratulations video!