That's how my high school was, too. I had absolutely no incentive to take more challenging classes. This story is just so sad... any teacher who really cares is eventually going to get frustrated enough to jump ship. I cannot understand our (as a culture) obsession with not letting anyone fail. If you don't do any work, don't show up, or don't understand anything you've been taught, you shouldn't pass a class. Nor should you be doing A work, but be denied an A because too many others in the class have one. Ugh.

Is there a place to buy these other than through their own website? I'm interested in some of these, but the thought of paying all that shipping has me looking at other options!! :)

I like to think of it as being simply unconventional. :D

Okay, I don't want to follow kfamily's post, and I am totally printing off her list. :D However, one other title I wanted to mention was Story of the Ancients by H.A. Guerber... I like her writings. It would be easy to use as a "main" title and add on whatever pieces you like.

Depending on their ages, some of the Memoria Press options might work. They have an American History option with a study guide, then the "Famous Men of..." sets with book and study guide.

I'm looking at Memoria Press American History for next year. https://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/index_American-Modern.html It's a combined volume of 2 Guerber books, plus a study guide of questions... I think there's another book as well. I love the Guerber books so I think the reading will provide a great background.

Okay, I've made a decision. (It's a momentous occasion, decision making seems hard for me these days. :D ) I'm tearing the pages out of the workbook, letting DS write on them, and sticking them in a folder. Occasionally I will go through and find a few samples for our binder, and toss the rest. And if the size of the writing lines are not right for DS, I will buy a composition book. There, that's done. I knew you were all dying to know how I'd end up handling this!! ;)

Sweetie, if anesthesia was involved, you're definitely in recovery. Order in dinner and watch a movie. :D

Yes, I do... I think that's what's swayed me a bit, is I hadn't looked much beyond GI yet. Now that I have... putting it altogether, it does have more meat!

My son and I had a chat, and he really, really wants to give MCT a longer try. So I think we're still going to get a separate writing program started, but we're going to try Grammar Island one more time. :D Thanks for the thoughts, I still am going to take a look at KISS Grammar for down the road.

I think Laura's point is a good one... we're ALL different. We emphasize that he's excellent at math and vocabulary and technology... we praise his interest in history and music... we encourage him to do his best in sports. We also talk about how some of his friends are great at football and love to play, and he doesn't, and that's okay.... just like he may be a better reader and love to read, and some of his friends don't. And yes, we talk about how he learns differently than others. I think it's in the presentation, rather than trying to tell them they're just the same as others, KWIM??

Great, thanks!! :)

Many people here use WWE, but it seems everyone uses it differently. :) So a question for all of you... just out of curiosity... if you use WWE with your child(ren)... Textbook, Workbook, or Both?

Oh, of COURSE it's okay!! You made it through February... doesn't that call for a celebration?? FYI, my DH took off work today, so we took off school... and we are all being LAZY!! :D

Oh, I'm SO sorry. I hope he's better quickly... keep us posted.

Okay, I'm convinced I need to hear the lectures! Next question: where do I *find* them?? :D

If you get the extra student pages, do they just come looseleaf and shrink wrapped, or something like that? (I assume there's no binding on those.) It might be easiest, for us, to print them off as I need them and keep them in a binder.

Exactly... I like the spiral idea best, but just wondering how long it would take me to remember to drop them off at the store and then to pick them back up!! :D

I just ordered WWE2 for my son. I know people here have different methods of using the book... some people mention splitting it into two sections and having it spiral bound, some people tear out the pages, etc. Would it be easier to tear out the workbook pages as DS needs to do them, and put them in a binder? Or would it be easier to order the PDF of student pages and print them off as needed? Just trying to visualize what would work the best. Thanks!!

Oh, I miss Niles and the whole lot of them!! They don't make sitcoms like that anymore...

Definitely do the evaluation. Here's the link: http://wtm-pdfs.s3.amazonaws.com/wwe/wweevaluations.pdf I just did this with my son today... he's 9 and finishing up 3rd grade. I'm starting him with level 2, he hasn't had a great deal of formal writing.

I'm glad she's doing okay. Poor thing. I've had two labs in my life. One I grew up with, and she was very calm, but like that during storms and, as you said, the 4th of July!! The one I had as an adult... oh boy. She was always a nervous sort and had trouble relaxing, but as she got older, she would pace, pant, the whole works. Just very, very anxious. Suzanne, we have a standard poodle now. He's so sweet! I'm sorry you lost your baby. Mamabegood, let us know what the vet says!! And give her some extra treats anyway, she's an elderly woman, after all!! ;)

Living beyond one's means is the issue no matter what the salary. I do agree people in certain positions have a certain "image" to maintain, and I'm sure you get used to a certain lifestyle. It's hard to make cuts no matter what they are.... although I certainly have a great deal more sympathy for someone who's worried about groceries, than about the summer beach house!! As someone else said... to other parts of the world, we're all filthy rich because we all have four walls, electricity, food on our table, and all the "extras" like cars, phones, TV... when I get a case of envy or frustration that I can't go buy whatever I want, I try to remind myself that 90% of the world is worse off financially than my household.

Hey, a girl's gotta take her victories where she can get them!! :D Ibbygirl, they sound like amazing people. My grandmother used to be like that... now at 86, she is in a nursing home with Alzheimer's. :( It's the most awful thing. I really hope that if I live a long life, my memories stay.

Too funny. It's quiet here so I'll watch the video tomorrow... if I remember... :D I'm also always in awe of people who remember so much. Of course, I can tell you stories from childhood all day long, but I'm always looking for my cell phone. (I do, however, know exactly where the lotion is...)