If you are doing R&S English and spelling, is it wise for them to both be the same level?I'm sure this should be obvious, but it's my first year hs'ing, and I have to take my oldest ds back a few grades for English. He is a good speller, though, so I'm wondering if I put him in his actual grade for spelling, or if I just do the same grade as English?

Can't wait to hear about them!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Apple-Crisp-II/Detail.aspx This is the best apple crisp ever. I think they would work fine in those jars. I wouldn't think you'd need to grease them, as they are glass, and I don't grease my glass cake pan when I make this. Please post about your results if you do it! So cool!!

I love you. Seriously. Best.idea.EVER. :)

6+ TBSP. coconut oil (Solid state) 1/4 C. Baking soda 1/4 C. arrowroot powder or cornstarch. (arrowroot powder is preferred) 1. Combine equal portions of baking soda and arrowroot powder 2. Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm, but pliant texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant--solid, but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add more powder to thicken. 3. You can either scoop this recipe into your old deodorant containers or place in a small container with a lid and apply with fingers for each use. Makes about 1 cup. **you have to keep this cold though, as Coconut oil melts. That's the only drawback. And no, you don't stink wearing this stuff. :)

What in the world are pies in a jar? I need to know...:)

Probably shooting myself in the foot here (I have elemental science for sale on the boards right now), but I wouldn't buy curriculum for 1st if I had it to do over. Nothing against ES, I think it's set up great for what it is. However... It involves reading those, getting the books that are on the list. (pricey if you buy, involving if you get them from the library and just keep renewing). What I would do (and am now) instead..checking out interest-led books from the library. Leaves are changing, wooley bears are out, you can get books on the seasons and why it happens. I would buy a small fish tank and a goldfish or frog. Animal encyclopedias abound. Stars are out. Bake breads and talk about leavening ingredients. Explore! It's easier, cheaper, more fun and less time-consuming than following a curriculum at that age. Then, you get the bonus of seeing which things are more exciting for them, and can turn your focus there as they get older.

We watched a partial of it last night and, other than the above mentioned burning at stake incident, liked it. Mainly because it kicked off an interest in these things for my kids and I to dig into at the library. We're just going to take it fwiw.

My dad's doctor said to pretty much follow the recommendations for food outlined in the South Beach diet, and gave him printouts of those food lists. Lean meats, fruits, veggies, whole grains. Pretty much what we all should be eating. And consistent exercise, even walking.

We watched it a couple of weeks ago, and liked it! Sad, but good.

My boys LOVED the Inkheart series.

Cobweb the Cat was the only book I found for sale on the AAS site, and while it's utterly adorable, I wish I wouldn't have spent the $20 on it for my dd who can already read. It's WAY too short and simple, I would only recommend it for a child who is just starting to sound out simple words.

My son is just getting started with the DIVE cd for Saxon, and loving it. They are explaining things way better than I could, even with a script. And he can rewind and watch again if necessary. They are available for 5/4 and up. My other thought would be to put her back in Saxon 3. Ours is a long story, but we left Saxon in pursuit of other things, and then came back, but only for 2 of my dc. Rod and Staff 4 is a great fit for my younger ds, he refuses Saxon. Not every program works for every kid, but make sure you've got them placed correctly, too. HTH. It's frustrating finding the right fit.

Saxon Algebra 1/2 with DIVE Mystery of History 1 (with siblings) Who is God? bible study (with siblings) Fallacy Detective and Thinking Toolbox R&S English 6 Trail Guide to World Geography (In coop) Music (In coop) Gym w/Health (In coop) Art (In coop) Apologia Physical Science Wordly Wise (free on-line version) Right Start math games (with family) Outside activities: Boy Scouts and 4H. The Cooperative that we belong to rotate studies, and there is talk of a formal writing program for the older kids (so i'm holding out buying one). Writing this out, it looks like a lot. But it just doesn't feel like it...yet anyway. ;)

Thumbs up here. My son is enjoying it.

Ditto on the thanks! :)

The Teacher Manual will tell you. :)

My 4th grader who was public schooled through 1st with Everyday Math, then parochial schooled through 3rd with Saxon is now homeschooled in 4th and enjoying Rod and Staff 4. He likes the simplicity of it, the fact that he can do it relatively unassisted, but that it challenges him more than Saxon. These are his words. So I would vote for Rod and Staff + Right Start math games. That's what we're doing, and from the sounds of your dd's background, might be a good fit for her. If she's been behind, then schooled intensively, it might be nice for her to take a year of just "doing math" simply, getting over with it for the day and moving on to other things, kwim? I'm a total newbie though, so take this for what it's worth. :) ETA: I've read a lot about R&S being a year behind other programs, as far as math. But it's right where my ds needs to be, and my research from veteran R&S users is that they go through 8th and transition right into an Algebra program, and do well. Also want to throw out there that my 1st and 7th graders are going back to Saxon. You just have to go with what fits. HTH

My 1st grade dd is doing ETC 3 with ease.

I think it largely depends on age and background. We are first year homeschoolers, my 7th grader is doing Physical Science and he finds it's pretty easy. I don't really have any time involvement with him, other than going over what he's studied and his experiments so I know where he's at. He comes from a parochial school that had a fairly rigorous program though, so General Science was all review, and we had to skip it. He's also a science loving kid. It takes him 30 minutes tops. We are also in the beginning, so maybe someone with experience with it for a whole year will chime in.

Dog Train book and CD by Sandra Boynton. Really fun, a bunch of different artists, and completely clean for any age. She has other book/CD combos, but Dog Train is our fave. There are samples on her website.

My kids were required to use calculators in 2nd grade with EM. I have heard that if it is implemented correctly, with very well trained teachers, it can work. For us, Everyday Math ended our public school career. We switched them to a parochial that uses Saxon two years ago, to now homeschooling. I do NOT recommend it for any learning style...period.

Our TV is rarely on. We use it for DVD's only, and that's limited to weekends now that school has started. I also refuse to pay for TV. My kids ARE my background noise. I find it highly entertaining to see what they come up with to converse about, and it would be a huge loss if TV were to replace that.

I wanted to go, but another engagement is making it impossible. :( Please report back how you liked it!

You're not alone. My right eye has been doing this for the last three days. I'm also tired and stressed (trying to figure out a routine and get it all done). Was extremely surprised to find this thread. I think i'm going to go to bed now, rather than tackle more of the "list". Thanks for posting this! :)