I switched from CLE to Saxon because he excels in Math and CLE wasn't going to take him where he wants to go. When researching other math curricula, I found that moving *into* Saxon is best done at pre-algebra, mostly because it gives the child time to get used to Saxon's style, plus Saxon has Geometry built right into Algebra and up, not as a separate course. I gave it a lot of thought and discussed it with DH and DSand at this point I am seeing the extra time surrounding math as a character issue, not an academic one. I am committed to finishing 8/7 before making any additional decisions. DS and I have already figured out how to compromise on the amount of writing by using the computer for some of his Classical Composition and our big chalkboard for a portion of the math problems. He understands that he needs to make a more concentrated effort in addition to the changes we are making--I feel that while I DO cater to his needs (and wants) quite a lot (a big HSing reason, we all know), he needs to put forth effort as well. Homeschooling is fun, yes, and we DO have fun, but sometimes you have to work. He needs to learn that he is not allergic to work :)

I AM open. We switched *from* CLE *to* Saxon. *That's* why he grumbles--he was used to not needing to copy, not he needs to. It's not a terrible thing for him to know how to recopy a math problem to solve it, which is why we are reducing his writing requirements elsewhere to compensate.

We tried LOF and he LOVED it, but he didn't really retain anything from it. I thought it was cute, too, and was kind of sad that he didn't retain. We've also used CLE Math, which is wonderful, but he has agreed that he should truly give Saxon a chance before we try something else. MEP may be an option, as well as a list of websites I found the other day offering math online. I made some additional changes to our weekly schedule that we are both excited about so we're going to give that a try these next few weeks. He really does enjoy most of what we do, especially the things I would be ok with cutting out--figures, right? LOL I just needed to make our days more efficient, which I think I was able to do with everyone's help. I hope I can provide as much help to others as I've received here!!

After reading all of y'all's thoughtful replies and having a heart-to-heart conversation with DS, we've come to some decisions. We are dropping the huge History and Art History books for now (will probably pick them up again in a few years), as well as changing how we do the timeline binder. A bit of clarification--he isn't struggling with math at all--he is simply wasting time. Multiple bathroom trips, getting distracted by *anything*, getting a glass of water, "Can I go outside?"--he actively avoids the work, but when he actually *does* it, he has no problems. He makes the usual mistakes when he doesn't check his work, etc, but overall he does very well. The level of difficulty isn't the issue, which is why I wanted to tear out my hair! LOL During our discussion about math, he explained exactly what it is about the math he doesn't like (it's boring & he doesn't like to have to copy the problems out of the text AND show his work) and I explained why I chose Saxon in the first place (solid course, progression is what we want/need, continues through [pre-]Calculus). After talking it out, we will be keeping Saxon math. However, we will also be decreasing all the writing in some of the other courses to compensate (he'll use the computer instead, which he is excited about). He likes both the Greek & Famous Men courses, so we are keeping them as well. I schedule the courses the way that works for us. Just because a class is "supposed" to be done X times per week doesn't mean we can or even want to do it that way. We cover 1 lesson per week, on average, but we break it up over several days. Sometimes DS loves something so much that HE chooses to do more work--Christian Studies was too easy for him the way I originally had it broken up and he asked that I "squeeze it" more....We will probably finish the 3 (or 4, if we go on to that part) in 2-2.5 years, and we're fine with that. I change our school "year" in August because it's convenient for record-keeping and it works for our notification process, but we typically do not try to fit courses into certain dates--we just keep going, since we are year-rounders. In all, I am SOOOOO glad that you all took the time to help me with this. I sincerely appreciate your points of view and I hope I can return the support at some point. :)

Doh! Sorry! :tongue_smilie: Am I truly asking too much of him (is that an insane amount of work?), or does it seem reasonable and we might need to work on time management? Thanks :)

Ok, mamas. I need to be reeled in, here. I took a hard look at our day...I am asking WAY too much of DS, I think. He just turned 11 and wants to go into Robotics. Please bear with me and see if you can follow this: We do "fun" stuff on Mondays and regular subjects Tues-Fri. ***Every day*** 1. Gratitude list (10 things, like Mama, air, etc) 2. Keys for Kids daily devotional 3. Memorization box (helps him memorize verses easily) These things take 5-10 minutes, tops. ***Mondays*** 1. Memoria Press's The Greek Alphabet book (learning the letters, what they mean, learning to write them--easy stuff)--I am doing this one, too :) 2. MP's Classical Composition: Fable Stage--a breaking-it-down writing course using fables that is really helping him become a better writer and to not be afraid of the process--also done on Fridays 3. Unit Studies--right now is "Pop Culture"--TV, movies, books, etc, to provide the background behind and understanding of lots of common references, done in a controlled setting. This will also include additional life skills besides everyday things (and girl things for my boy), a course that examines the book Swiss Family Robinson and teaches a lot of the cool skills in it (Prepare & Pray). 4. Learn to draw--simple lessons using charcoal pencils. These can be short or long, depending on what we watch. ***Regular stuff*** Tuesday-Friday 1. Logic Liftoff worksheet, can be 5 minutes-30 minutes depending on complexity 2. 30 minutes of reading in current novel (now is The Time Machine, H.G. Wells) and a few minutes completing the reading journal and a couple questions. At the end of each book will be additional comprehension questions & possibly a book report. 3. MP's First Form Latin (3rd year). Takes about 30 minutes without distractions. 4. MP's D'Aulaire's Greek Myths alternates with MP's Famous Men of the Middle Ages. Takes 30-45 minutes. 5. History--read an article in the huge History: A Definitive Visual Guide book & write down 6 interesting things from it. 30 minutes, max. 6. Add dates and cut & paste figurines from History reading to a big timeline binder we are keeping--alternates with completing a geography page from Map Trek appropriate to the time period. 15 minutes 7. Twice per week--Art History--read about 4 pages from giant Art History book, time period appropriate. Happens on the same day as the timeline binder so dates can be added there, too. 8. MP's Christian Studies 1--takes 30 minutes or less. Skipped on Friday to do Classical Composition instead. 9. Saxon Math 8/7--1 lesson (or test, or investigation) per day. Can take as long as 4 hours with feet dragging!! We have recently backed up and we are repeating some lessons to solidify skills. He does like math, believe it or not! 10. Science--Apologia Flying Creatures (Zoology 1) with notebooking journal. One "day" = a lesson for us. Sometimes we skip some things in this, he just wants an overview until we get to "real" science :) 30-45 minutes. 11. Hake Grammar 5, 1 lesson per day. 30 minutes We have arts & crafts fun all the time, I do not feel the need to truly add it as a "subject", aside from the drawing on Mondays. P.E. is outside play + YMCA time, when we are awake & prepared to leave the house at the right time. ****************** This really and truly doesn't SEEM like much to us when we list it out like this. It's the added-in feet dragging, whining, fingernail-picking, reading-the-funny-books-in-the-bathroom, time that gets added in that really s-t-r-e-t-c-h out our days. Once in a while he will be motivated to knuckle down and REALLY CAN finish it in roughly 4-5 hours (or less, on easier math days). Start asking questions so I can clarify what I am sure is muddled. LOL

Doing so now, thanks!

Ok, mamas. I need to be reeled in, here. I took a hard look at our day...I am asking WAY too much of DS, I think. He just turned 11 and wants to go into Robotics. Please bear with me and see if you can follow this: We do "fun" stuff on Mondays and regular subjects Tues-Fri. ***Every day*** 1. Gratitude list (10 things, like Mama, air, etc) 2. Keys for Kids daily devotional 3. Memorization box (helps him memorize verses easily) These things take 5-10 minutes, tops. ***Mondays*** 1. Memoria Press's The Greek Alphabet book (learning the letters, what they mean, learning to write them--easy stuff)--I am doing this one, too :) 2. MP's Classical Composition: Fable Stage--a breaking-it-down writing course using fables that is really helping him become a better writer and to not be afraid of the process--also done on Fridays 3. Unit Studies--right now is "Pop Culture"--TV, movies, books, etc, to provide the background behind and understanding of lots of common references, done in a controlled setting. This will also include additional life skills besides everyday things (and girl things for my boy), a course that examines the book Swiss Family Robinson and teaches a lot of the cool skills in it (Prepare & Pray). 4. Learn to draw--simple lessons using charcoal pencils. These can be short or long, depending on what we watch. ***Regular stuff*** Tuesday-Friday 1. Logic Liftoff worksheet, can be 5 minutes-30 minutes depending on complexity 2. 30 minutes of reading in current novel (now is The Time Machine, H.G. Wells) and a few minutes completing the reading journal and a couple questions. At the end of each book will be additional comprehension questions & possibly a book report. 3. MP's First Form Latin (3rd year). Takes about 30 minutes without distractions. 4. MP's D'Aulaire's Greek Myths alternates with MP's Famous Men of the Middle Ages. Takes 30-45 minutes. 5. History--read an article in the huge History: A Definitive Visual Guide book & write down 6 interesting things from it. 30 minutes, max. 6. Add dates and cut & paste figurines from History reading to a big timeline binder we are keeping--alternates with completing a geography page from Map Trek appropriate to the time period. 15 minutes 7. Twice per week--Art History--read about 4 pages from giant Art History book, time period appropriate. Happens on the same day as the timeline binder so dates can be added there, too. 8. MP's Christian Studies 1--takes 30 minutes or less. Skipped on Friday to do Classical Composition instead. 9. Saxon Math 8/7--1 lesson (or test, or investigation) per day. Can take as long as 4 hours with feet dragging!! We have recently backed up and we are repeating some lessons to solidify skills. He does like math, believe it or not! 10. Science--Apologia Flying Creatures (Zoology 1) with notebooking journal. One "day" = a lesson for us. Sometimes we skip some things in this, he just wants an overview until we get to "real" science :) 30-45 minutes. 11. Hake Grammar 5, 1 lesson per day. 30 minutes We have arts & crafts fun all the time, I do not feel the need to truly add it as a "subject", aside from the drawing on Mondays. P.E. is outside play + YMCA time, when we are awake & prepared to leave the house at the right time. ****************** This really and truly doesn't SEEM like much to us when we list it out like this. It's the added-in feet dragging, whining, fingernail-picking, reading-the-funny-books-in-the-bathroom, time that gets added in that really s-t-r-e-t-c-h out our days. Once in a while he will be motivated to knuckle down and REALLY CAN finish it in roughly 4-5 hours (or less, on easier math days). Start asking questions so I can clarify what I am sure is muddled. LOL

I second this. It's the rules, the words, and games (if you want them) for all ages, all in one book. I really like it, DS loves that it's only 15 minutes, MAX, each day. We don't use the games, just the word lists & correction forms.

Hi, I am totally new here and have not heard of Patty Paper Geometry, but if you are looking for easily folded square paper, craft stores carry origami paper in lots of sizes. I apologize if you need waxed paper specifically. Abbey