Gladly! My Oldest 3 Have all Graduated from Homeschool Levi 23 married 1 year to Katie; During his highschool years he wanted to be a pilot, so he got his solo license, then decided he didn't want to do that for a living ( you'll find they change their minds many times) Then He started work building torque converters for a locally owned company, they wanted to sell, so We bought the company and Levi trained his Dad in Welding, etc.. Levi handles many of the Customer orders and manages the building stages of the converter, he has been doing this for about 7 years now Luke 22, single: Graduated from Emporia State TEchnical College w/ the Highest Grades in the Class then went on to get his Associated degree w/ a 4.0 He runs , programs , and does all there is to do w/ making parts for customers; right now he is building customized parts for remote controlled racing boats. Leah 20, almost engaged; graduated from Beauty College and is working at a beauty Shop for about 1 year now, and already has went to renting her station instead of commission, because her clientele is big enough Okay, now above are there Occupational successes, but there are far more priceless successes that homeschooling allows for. #1 All 3 enjoy being w/ us and hanging at home #2 All 3 are very sociable and are respected by adults #3 Still are actively involved in extended family activities #4 All actively involved in Church and service opportunities #5 All have high moral standards they CHOOSE to live by For some Negatives I've noticed #6 They all see the majority of homeschoolers has oddballs? (but improving) they don't like the "stereotype" #7 All, are way to opinionated #8 Like to swim upriver, against the flow, which sometimes can cause problems in organizations #9 Have a tendency to balk at authority ( we are working on this) #10 Luke, 2nd son thinks we should have done more advanced sujects, the other 2 don't WEll that's all I can think of quickly, I hope this gives you some realistic encouragement kim #7

you could make a Giant Compass to hang up! Posters of all Famous Explorers kim

For Hands on ACtivities and many geography suggestions check out this http://www.squidoo.com/geograhyunitstudy Kim

Nestof3 got me started! it's all Free, I've been there for about 1 month now! I love it kim

I started SparkPeople the first week of July! It's really helped me count my calories, fat and carbs, and it tracks my fitness, I love it! Nestof3 told me about it http://www.sparkpeople.com/ kim

I used this as a resource list, when I wrote my own American History Unit last year using " A Book in Time" http://www.abookintime.com/planyouryear.html Kim

:iagree: I used this last year, and My kids really liked it kim

So I can see that one of the other forums people use, is usually one associated w/ the curriculum their using, FIAR, Winterpromise, Heart of Dakota, etc... kim

Yes! This Book is very Chronological! kim

Since I found the WTM boards I'm hardly on any other, just curious , what other Homeschool boards are used by you all? kim

I'm a facebooker! Not on but maybe once a week Kim boyenger

I wish my older kids would add their 2 cents to this, It would be interesting to hear from them, What we did that really made them make good "Biblical " choices, and what we should have done better? I'll ask them and post what their perspective is kim

I used it W/ my HS daughter her Freshmen year, and we loved it, we completed in all, But it could easily be broken up into smaller portions for all grade levels, I loved it, it's very interesting to see how History and Art go together and what God was doing! Each daily lesson is a little different; Some lessons cover a particular artist during that time period, Art picture studies, drawing excersizes, sometimes their is just reading, and other lessons incorporate some handson. kim

We have a Quote at our home, my kids hear a lot " Well, Welcome to the real world" Real World being; working, daily chores, taking care of oneself, things not always going perfect to ones desire, hurt feelings, humility, not having enough money, laundry, budgeting, serving others, etc.... We usually contrast this w/ the "school" mentality of : "am I popular", she doesn't like me, will I make the sports team, trends, name brand clothes, separation by age, peer dependent,etc.... This is my very BIASED opinion, but you can see how HOMESCHOOLING can really provide an opportunity to show your kids real life, instead of a " school" life. Things we did w/ our older ones to prepare for life; checkbook They bought their first car, not parents ( they all shared a very old celebrity wagon for a long time that was the families until they had a job and $$$ for their own) Pricing Insurance ; Which they paid us back for working, not matter what age, and as they got older, these jobs paid more serving; VBS, Mission Trips, Babysitting, Helping Neighbors, Chores; They always had to be a working part of the home, as long as they lived there Maintenance on a home/ car; we mainly did this w/ our boys; Yard work Homemaker; Cooking, laundry, cleaning, etc.. We used a very good book that Helped us fit all of this into our homeschool; Barb Shelton's " Lifestyle of Learning:" website has a lot of information http://www.homeschooloasis.com/main_lobby.html I'm a firm believer, You will discover what you love by " Doing " different things, then you can decide what you would like to be paid for, and the bigger question does it pay? Kids can learn their " gifts" My oldest son loves working w/ people and almost always has a very good disposition (sp?) He handles a lot of our customer ordering at our shop and works very well w/ our employee Our 2nd son is very mechanical, detailed, a planner so he went to Tech school to become a CNC machine operator/ programmer, and has started his side of the business/ he has self taught himself to set up these machines and problem solve. Our daughter learned in Highschool she was very creative; decorating cakes, planning parties, decorating rooms in our home, etc.... and she checked into many aspects of these different talents to see what she could make money at, she worked for a Floral shop, which she loved, and still does at home, but in the end she decided to go to Beauty College; which you can be very creative, and you make "someone" over and see results, it has suited her well, and she is making $$$. Now 2 More to go? This is how it worked for us, I hope it gives some ideas! kim

Have More Kids!!! JK, seriously, that was a joke! But....... When you have a larger family, you don't have to put up w/ other people kids as often!! But I learned this to late, wish I could redo it! Our youngest 2 are separated in age from our older ones, and this week, All I had at home was my 7 yos!!!!!!!!!!!!! Boy I wish I'd of had more kids, then I wouldn't have been his only play mate for the week; my ears are tired, my body is tired, and I've put together many puzzles, drew 5 super heroes!!!!!!!!! It was all fun, but I have other things to get done also! Take this w/ a grain of salt! Wow, I'm rambling, so I"ll shut up kim

I agree w/ the others, The items your children scored low in sound like Highschool items? Those tests are geared for a Public School Setting, in which the EXACT same thing is being covered each year by THEIR text books. So the test is to show the SChool district how the Students are retaining what their taught in their classroom? does that make any sense? App. of Knowledge/CompOrg. Summ. & Interp. of Info; Narration does a good job of reinforcing comprehending what you've read, Determination of Cause/Effect; Science can help w/ this, doing simple labs, If we do this, What will happen? Thinking Skills; Wow? This one involves so many aspects of life? I know there are books you can buy to help w/ this; Brain Benders, etc... This is just my very simple 2 cents! My Oldest never tested well, So I learned early not to put to much stock in them. kim As far as the above items; Comprehension is remembering what you've read and being able to retain what is learned/ Narration does a good job of reinforcing comprehending what your've read.

For my 1rst & 4th grader last year Every day: Math, reading, Phonics, History, Bible Every other day: Spelling/ Grammar, Science/ Hands on Project, Once a Week: Timeline, Map, Memory Work K- Wouldn't have to be in on all History, Science or Geography If your 1rst grader isn't ready to sit and pay attention for all of your 3rd graders History, Science, Geography, you could have them in on some of it. ( I'm assuming your teaching them all together?) If not, and they each have individual curiculums, then they should be age appropriate. Choose what Works best for your kids, and adjust as you go , if needed! kim

This would be Life Science, I would definitely count all The Gardening as Life Science and the Harvesting, etc..... as Home Ec. as Far as Hours, I wouldn't put an amount that would look suspicious, and average Science class for 1rst grade would be ???? kim

In comparing w/ History Pockets by Evan Moor; Evan Moor HP has preprinted stories and activities that you make in to a pocket book, History Portfolio, is more of a book, that has designated spaces for specific information to be entered in by the student, maps, drawing, writing, clip art. kim

you would need one for each child kim

I've dealt w/ this by reversing the tables: Mom wines," I don't want to cook, wash your clothes, or take you any where," ( really imitate them) Children stare in unbelief??? Mom then asks, " Is this the way you want me to react everytiime I do something for you or for our family to help our home run smoothly?" Mom reinterates, " If we all had YOUR kids attitudes, how do you think this would affect our home?" For example, what if Dad decided not to go to work,, because he was sick of it, or it was unfair he had to?" then we wouldn't have,.............../?????? Then has usually gotten the attention of my kiddos sometimes, I'll just spring it on them , after a day or week, of "chore whining" Kids, " I'm hungry mom, what's for lunch" Mom, " Whaaaaaat????????? I don't wannnt to make lunch, do I have to? , then I DON'T" Kids, " but why , aren't you going to make us lunch?" okay, you probably get the point, putting the shoe on the other foot! kim

We've used Notebooking for many years, I would sum it up. It's creating their OWN text book! All Maps, writing, drawing, creative descriptions, and photos of their projects on 1 theme go into their "notebook" for example we did a "Human Body" Notebook, Civil War, ETC... My kids love pulling these notebooks down and rereading THEIR book about a certain thing http://www.notebookingnook.com/About/FAQ/index.html Another Link that answers many questions about notebooking! kim

I use a weekly checklist, I've made them myself before but this year I found these really cute ones!http://www.notebookingnook.com/JoyfulStewardStudentPlanners/index.html They have different ones for Boys and different ages kim

WE are doing Ancient History this year, So Here's Some I've found kim http://www.roman-empire.net/children/index.html http://cp.c-ij.com/english/3D-papercraft/architecture/index2.html http://www3.calvarychapel.com/library/timelines/monarchs-roman.htm http://papertoys.com/sphynx.htm http://www.softschools.com/social_studies/ancient_civilizations/ http://www.juniorgeneral.org/ancients.htm paper soldiers

I love learning History w/ my kids! It's my favorite, I guess that's why I don't skip it kim