Here's one I have bookmarked from the Washington Times. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/13/home-schooling-socialization-not-problem/

:iagree: I am also very sorry to hear about your father. I pray there is no pain for him. As far as school, there will always be time to "catch up". The focus now should be on your family and your health. Give yourself a break at this moment in time in your life. Maybe just focus on the core subjects like reading, writing and math and put the rest on the backburner. Workbooks and fun projects will make all of you feel like you are accomplishing something and not getting too far behind. Fun games and a good, upbeat read aloud are still "learning". :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Beautiful! I needed some inspiration and I love what you did with the closet. We're using a small extra bedroom for our classroom, but it is so cluttered I feel like ripping everything out and starting over. I have all of our new curriculum in boxes all over the floor with no where to put it and I just showed your nice adjustable closet shelves to my husband. The way it's set up now, there's a lot of wasted space and the shelves would really help. Hmmm, maybe I could look at shelving this week.

We really enjoyed the PH SE Earth Science and wound up taking a year and a half to do all of the "single subject" books. I used the teacher's cd to print the regular workbook for my ds (7th) and the adapted reading workbook for my dyslexic dd (5th). I liked the tests on the cd and the workbook information was set up in what I felt was a very good "outline" form for studying. The regular tests had good short essay questions, also. We did hands-on experiments, especially in the Earthquake book. LOVED that book!! But I found we also did a LOT of field trips like the Geology museum at the School of Mines, had a private tour of the USGS in CO, a natural disaster display came to the Science and Nature Museum with great earthquake and volcano info (loved that book, too!). We did science 2 days a week with lab on separate day and I have to say, it did take us a long time. This year, ds is doing the Physical Science book and he is scheduled to do it 4 days a week. DD will be doing Life Science at least 3 days a week. Have fun! We really enjoyed this study and learned a lot.

Not quite the same years, 6th and 8th, but recently we found out that my 6th dd is dyslexic, so teaching her will be a bit different this year. In the past, we've done several subjects together, this year, it will be just a few like World History, geography, music and art appreciation. I've been wondering how I'm going to schedule this. Yesterday, I put together a schedule that looks absolutely ridiculous. If I do this one, I will be running back and forth "like a chicken with my head cut off" (as my grandmother would have said).:001_huh: Then I remembered something I read on another thread where the teacher meets with each child one-on-one for an hour and a half to go over their work, discuss reading and assignments, teaching anything that needs to be taught. I think this would be a nice focused time to deal with those subjects that they can be more independent with the rest of the time. As far as math, that system we have down better than the rest. My 8th ds does Chalkdust, but still needs some time spent discussing and going over problems. My dd does MUS and needs a LOT of hand holding and review. First subject of the morning, I have ds listen to the CD lecture on our main tv (hooked to a home computer my dh set up) while I'm in the classroom with dd. Then once I feel she's working well on her assignment, I'll wonder out to sit and discuss any questions ds has. I like having them doing the math at the same time, it seems to work for us, but I'm also not the sole educator in this subject. Good luck! I've got to go tear up this crazy schedule I put together and start over.:001_smile:

I worry about this, too. My husband and I recently discussed the fact that our children will most likely have a very different life than we did. We were extremely blessed to have pretty much any job we wanted and an overabundance of "things". Most of all, I never once doubted that we would always have the freedoms "endowed to us by our Creator" and our Constitution. We've decided to keep doing what we are doing with a few additions. Giving our children the best education we can (that cannot be taken away), loving them, building our relationships, modeling helping others when they are in need, teaching the peace that can be found through our religion and giving even more of an effort to make sure they have knowledge of "practical skills". (I'm going to have to learn a lot of those right along with them).:001_smile: Hopefully and prayerfully, you and I are worrying for nothing and our children will have fulfilling lives, full of love and lacking in need. But it sure helps me to sleep a little better if I know I'm doing what I can to prepare them better than I would have been if things continue to head in the direction they're going.:grouphug:

My son did this course two years ago, so I asked him as he walked by. He said a "basic, basic" calculator would be fine since he had to do it in his head or on paper. I didn't let him USE a calculator that year!:001_smile:

Thank you! It just looks like a LOT of different sources for the reading and projects. I think the boxes of stuff all over my floor were concerning me a bit and I couldn't find any time estimates anywhere. I had planned on an hour already, so I'll make sure to set aside some time in the afternoons, at least a couple of times a week, for the projects. The projects do look fun!

I'm also interested in the answers you get to this question. My rising 8th ds has always seemed to enjoy and to catch on to math quickly. Unfortunately, when he took his IOWA Skills this past Spring, I was suprised to see his speed and accuracy in computation was very low. We really need to bring this up and I'm glad we have a bit of time before the SAT to fix this. I'll be following this thread.

OOhh, I would love to find a writing approach for my 8th ds that I'm happy with. May I ask what you use?

Anyone used WP AC1?

Thank you! This does look good.

This is the first time our family is trying a Winter Promise program and we're excited. I am doing the American Crossing 1 with my 6th grade dd. My question has to do with scheduling. My dd is dyslexic, so with all the reading involved, I will need to spend most of the time sitting with her. Does anyone have a feel for "about" how long per day I should block out on my schedule for WP AC1 per day/ 4 days a week?

Thank you! There's one I've had my eye on.

We skipped this, too. It was a few years ago when we came to that activitiy and we were going to be on a trip. I decided we would wait (and was secretly hoping they would forget). They are going into 6th and 8th and remind me constantly that we didn't do the mummification.:glare: I guess I know what we'll be doing when it gets a bit cooler! It sure looks like your little ones loved it!

Thank you! I love Mr. Pudawa and just didn't think about his downloads. I went to the website and put a few on my iPod. I'm set at least for the rest of the day! I've still got several more days of painting if anyone else has a special download they enjoyed.:001_smile:

This is a cross-post. I didn't get any ideas from the General Board so I thought I'd try over here. I'm in the process of a massive project to sand, prime and paint all interior baseboard, door trim and windows in the main areas of my house. It is a huge undertaking and did I mention I have guests arriving next week for a two week visit? At least it's incentive to get it done in a hurry!:001_smile: While I was sanding yesterday, I listened to all of SWB's downloads and am hooked. I have hours to listen uninterruped to downloads on my iPod and would really appreciate it if there were any other good "teaching-oriented or education-oriented" downloads or podcasts that you could recommend. Thank you!

:lurk5: Anyone?

I'm not finding this on the website. Could you tell from the catalogue if there is a certain date that these go on sale? Thank you!

This is awesome. Has anyone seen anything out there like this for the second K12 Human Odyssey book??

I'm not familiar with the Alberta system. This sounds cool. I wish I could find something online that would include Socratic discussion in a group for my ds. He's my lit buff. Hope this works out well for you!

I'm in the process of a massive project to sand, prime and paint all interior baseboard, door trim and windows in the main areas of my house. It is a huge undertaking and did I mention I have guests arriving next week for a two week visit? At least it's incentive to get it done in a hurry!:001_smile: While I was sanding yesterday, I listened to all of SWB's downloads and am hooked. I have hours to listen uninterruped to downloads on my iPod and would really appreciate it if there were any other good "teaching-oriented or education-oriented" downloads or podcasts that you could recommend. Thank you!

I am a little confused. Are you talking about another online forum/board that offers classes? This sounds awesome and I hope you'll let us know how it goes and how you like it.

You are a strong, strong person. I would have given in. Good girl!!

Hi There! Welcome!