I know many on here have asked about this sale. This is a good time to buy for this year OR pre-buy for next year, though there will likely be one more sale before the next school year Families can SAVE $100 on all Veritas Self-Paced Courses when you use the coupon code: BACKTOHOMESCHOOL at checkout. Here's the link (this is not a referral link): Veritas Self-Paced Courses Hope that helps someone ~ Lisa

We paid $125/month for weekly half hour lessons. The lessons ended 5 years ago so it may have gone up at this point.

Teresa, I'm so very sorry for your deep loss. There are no words to even bridge the gap of that kind of grief and loss. :grouphug: I do want to offer encouragement to you. God WILL take care of you. Five years ago, my dh also died suddenly. We have 7, my youngest was 4 at the time. Here we are 5 years later and only by God's grace and the prayers of so many, we are still homeschooling and still a family. I'm rarely on the boards anymore but I know this is why God led me here this morning....to see your message and to pray for you. In the weeks and months to come, please feel free to contact me. It's easiest to reach me at lisa (dot) appelo @ gmail (dot) com. I will be praying for you, for your children and for your grandchildren. xoxo :grouphug:

Haha...good to hear! We've used Saxon all the way through our homeschooling. In fact, when I started 18 years ago, Saxon was the only curriculum I knew we'd use (b/c their private school had used it in K and 1) ...everything else I had to figure out! We supplement and we've brought in other things like LofF for certain subjects or years but Saxon is our spine and our standby. It fits *my* teaching style which is huge!

Well, it comes down to whether you want to make this work. You've said this is really the only choice for a church that you have right now. It's different than anything I'm used to, but I don't think it's such an outrageous rule that I wouldn't be willing to work with it. For several reasons: your kids will be getting weekly Bible teaching which looks like is something you want for them as you didn't have it as a child and you stated that you're a bit nervous to tackle. (I actually think ya'll should tackle this together. Just explore and dig and grow together. There are so many excellent resources that you would walk y'all through this) Secondly, you and dh wouldn't be shut out of adult teaching altogether since you have a weekly church service. Finally, it may change. If this is a new policy, it's likely it won't always be the policy. Your children will grow, they may want to go to an adult class with you; new leadership may make a different rule. But for now, if this is the only church available to you and you feel it's got solid, Biblical teaching and you want that, I'd make it work and celebrate it rather than head out for breakfast. I worked in plenty of my dc's SS classes when they were younger without my own adult SS class and between that, the church service, and Bible study at home or with a group of women I was well-fed and able to grow spiritually. I wouldn't be a deal breaker for me under the circumstances you've outlined. :)

Maize, you likely picked up intuitively what is taught in grammar. Much like a child can be a great early reader without going through phonics b/c they figure out the patterns themselves. Or a child that intuitively writes well without something like IEW that breaks it down into a formal structure for those kids who need the scaffolding on which to build their paragraphs and essays. I love diagramming -- I'm in the studying and teaching 1 Peter and diagramming is sooo helpful for me to break down those dense sentences with multiple clauses so I can make sure I'm as accurate as possible with the text. I actually love oral parsing even more but I found that not as helpful when the sentences are more complex.

I've bought it in Sept on sale IIR. Their sales are unfortunately not constant so they are hard to plan around.

This was exactly my experience and I wanted my own kids to be very Bible literate and understand how Biblical history and theology fits into secular history and thought. We've done two things for Bible. Neither is a school subject and I don't think I've ever given credit for it. My kids have taken apologetics and received high school credit for that. First, we meet together as a family first thing in the morning for Bible. For 17 years, we've mostly systematically read through the Bible. We've covered the Pentateuch; most of the histories like 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel and Acts. We've gone through Proverbs, the gospels, a couple of Paul's letters and Revelation. We go slowly, taking part or all of one chapter each day. Last year we covered Acts. There's no writing, no homework, no extra reading. We read the text and then talk about it -- what is God teaching, what does this tell us about God, what does it tell us about how God relates to man, what lessons are being taught? We also do scripture memory which is usually one large portion of scripture and then we pray, make any family announcements or go over any logistics for the day and then everyone separates to start school for the day. Hands down, this Bible time has been the best part of homeschooling -- something i didn't foresee at all. My kids have loved it, they miss it when they're gone (they tell me) and I hope it's given them such a taste for the Word that they will want to do it for themselves when they're grown and on their own. Secondly, my kids often have a daily devotion they're working through. I'm not a huge stickler about it -- I encourage it, I ask them about it but I don't check it off. That's just me -- I know they are getting Bible study as a family and plenty at church and through our daily conversations so I don't want to have to add to my load by checking up on their own devotions. What we use: usually just a good study Bible, sometimes Precepts and every now and again another book -- we did Hinds Feet on High Places after my dh died and we used Windows on the World as a supplement two years when we were focusing on missions. I have a 100 Days through the gospels reading plan that we will likely start in January through Easter. Hope that helps! Lisa

This was exactly my experience and I wanted my own kids to be very Bible literate and understand how Biblical history and theology fits into secular history and thought. We've done two things for Bible. Neither is a school subject and I don't think I've ever given credit for it. My kids have taken apologetics and received high school credit for that. First, we meet together as a family first thing in the morning for Bible. For 17 years, we've mostly systematically read through the Bible. We've covered the Pentateuch; most of the histories like 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel and Acts. We've gone through Proverbs, the gospels, a couple of Paul's letters and Revelation. We go slowly, taking part or all of one chapter each day. Last year we covered Acts. There's no writing, no homework, no extra reading. We read the text and then talk about it -- what is God teaching, what does this tell us about God, what does it tell us about how God relates to man, what lessons are being taught? We also do scripture memory which is usually one large portion of scripture and then we pray, make any family announcements or go over any logistics for the day and then everyone separates to start school for the day. Hands down, this Bible time has been the best part of homeschooling -- something i didn't foresee at all. My kids have loved it, they miss it when they're gone (they tell me) and I hope it's given them such a taste for the Word that they will want to do it for themselves when they're grown and on their own. Secondly, my kids often have a daily devotion they're working through. I'm not a huge stickler about it -- I encourage it, I ask them about it but I don't check it off. That's just me -- I know they are getting Bible study as a family and plenty at church and through our daily conversations so I don't want to have to add to my load by checking up on their own devotions. What we use: usually just a good study Bible, sometimes Precepts and every now and again another book -- we did Hinds Feet on High Places after my dh died and we used Windows on the World as a supplement two years when we were focusing on missions. I have a 100 Days through the gospels reading plan that we will likely start in January through Easter. Hope that helps! Lisa

I have bought it on sale in September but so far there's been little rhyme or rhythm to when the sales happen. Are you on their email list? Watch that; you'll learn of the sale their first.

We just covered Florida state history last year and our state and universities had some material. We started with Native Americans and every state would have that fascinating beginning. Then moved onto explorers, settlers, early industries, territory and statehood, state symbols, current industries, major figures, black history and geography. Geography was actually an early unit and we made salt dough maps. We also covered the Everglades and Florida aquifer bc those are integral to our state. We finished up with Cape Canaveral and the space program out of Florida. It was a great year! Your library should have a section of books, but ask the children's or reference librarian for any extra resources and scour for hands-on field trips. Hope that helps!

Did they tell you the courses are exactly the same, whether you go with Duval or FLVS? They are written by FLVS but counties have tested option of providing the teachers and keeping the $$ for that student. This is outside your question, but after an experience with St. Johns virtual a few years ago, I would choose FLVS hands down. The teacher support was super limited,he knew the material but not the course...really limited with the tech stuff of resetting or glitches. And it was tied to the county school schedule (start and completion date) even though it was just one class. The FLVS teachers IME are much better equipped to handle the online courses and non-public school students.

I hope so. I hope she feels pampered and loved on....I think it's been a long, long time since there's been a girls' shopping trip. Thank you Ottakee! Thank you all. You've been a great help. I knew I could count on you for direction and I hope it will be a special day for her as we splurge on her and for her. <3

This is what I was going to recommend as well! Also, I loved Rafe Esquith's books (he has at least 3 out and some online stuff) which are classroom based but still inspirational as a teacher. Lisa

Do books on tape count? We just finished island of the Blue Dolphins and the 3rd book in the Shiloh trilogy -- Shiloh Season. And we'll be starting the next Penderwicks book (name escapes me).

Thoughts? There is give and take for sure. We've had years WITH co-op and years WITHOUT co-op and they were all good years. If we join co-op, I have to know that the TAKE is going to be equal to or exceed the GIVE....giving up a day, giving up our schedule, giving up books I would choose or the way I'd teach something. If you find the right co-op fit, the TAKE can be so worth it ... excellent teachers, healthy competition, excitement and energy about a class, classes done at a level we'd never do at home (for us, chemistry lab or Shakespeare plays), accountability to a schedule, due dates and a syllabus. One year, I chose a co--op when it wasn't a great academic fit only for the social aspects. That became hard for me to finish well and I learned there has to be more. For social connections, I'm much better at getting active at church or scouts or the neighborhood or even inviting a small group of families for playday or field trips. Lisa

I have a lady in my Sunday school class who really needs a few things. She is very, very, very large-booked. I'm not sure she even wears a shelf right now. I don't think she's had the money in the past few years to even think about a few dresses or clothes for herself, let alone underthings. Any suggestions where I could take her to get fitted? Will all stores, like department stores, carry the biggest shelves? Thanks, ladies. I knew I could count on you to help with this!

Woop! :hurray: :party: FTR, I was 39 and 41 when I got pregnant with my youngest and the pregnancies were wonderful. They try to scare you to death and I had lots of sonograms with a high risk dr. for my last all for nothing -- baby was completely healthy. Blessings! Lisa

Lisa, What grade is your son in now? Are you asking what courses to take -- a scope and sequence? If your ds has his eye set on medical school, your first goal is a great college. A college/university that will be able to give him the classes and opportunities he needs to be prepared for the MCAT and medical school. Not all undergrad is created equal when you are applying for medical school (this from a medical school chairman of admissions). For my son who was interested in medicine and my dd interested in nursing, I tried to give them solid science so that they were prepared for AP and college level science classes in high school. Dual enrolling isn't necessary. What is helpful is a solid foundation in science (and study skills) so that once they get to the required science sequence, they can do well. But it's not just science. We wanted our kids to be able to read deeply and well, to think and analyze and write -- all skills that are necessary for upper level academics. So look for or design classes that offer great books, great writing, great discussion and will stretch their minds in ways that science doesn't. Lisa

Glad you got a box and that there are still apparently folks working behind the scenes. Thank you. I'll check out that thread as well.

If you hear, do you mind reporting back? I spoke to a group today (single homeschooling parents) and I wanted to be able to share this.

R & S English. Yep, I love it. It's super easy to implement, solid as all get out, plenty of practice, inexpensive, non-consumable except for the workbooks which are, again, inexpensive, and thorough. WWS -- I didn't think I wouldn't like it, but I was using other stuff. Wish I had tried this MUCH sooner b/c it was everything I wanted in a writing program.

The website is still up, but is showing this message: At this time we are in the process of moving from our current facility to another building. We will not be accepting requests or donations until further notice. Thank you for understanding. I know it's been in limbo for many months, but does anyone have the inside scoop of whether it will be up and running again? Wondering whether I should recommend this as a possible resource. Thanks! Lisa

I'd love to have a Saturday-only conventional-hall only admission option. I've been at this a long time and I don't usually have an entire weekend to get away. But I'd love to drive down for one day, shop the hall, actually buy my books and not have to pay about $200 between pass and parking fee to get in. In my earlier homeschooling years, I would have loved the option to purchase MP3s from talks when we didn't go to the convention.

Awesome! There are so many benefits to homeschooling that I didn't foresee way back when. My dh was fine with it, but after seeing it in practice and seeing the kind of people our kids were b/c of our choices, his vote was to continue homeschooling all the way through high school. Welcome aboard to the ride of your life. :D