Well.... I haven't hopped onto this thread because there's a good chance DS will actually be attending a brick & mortar school next year... We are still exploring our options. But, in case we are still at home, I have some tentative plans in my head that I'll go ahead and share: Math: AoPS Prealgebra LA: not sure... We're doing MCT Voyage level this spring. If it goes well and we still love it, I would plan the next level of MCT. Otherwise, I would probably look at Hake 7. Either way, I'd consider trying WWS for writing, and possibly add something more formal for literature. Science: I've looked at Plato online for middle school, I think that would be a good fit. History: whatever's left of Human Odyssey 2, which we are starting soon, followed by HO 3. Adding in Spanish, Programming (that one is all on DH, LOL!), logic books, sports/health, and outsourced art classes.

Great write up, thanks for sharing! Estonia?!? Who knew....

One I love is "After All These Years" by Journey. This is sort of a country pop crossover, but "Still the One" by Shania Twain would be a good fit.

Random thoughts in the wee hours when I should really be in bed... Thinking of any of you trapped in the snowstorm! I do hope everyone is okay. (And I'm glad Stacia was found. ;) ) I "only" own a few dozen unread physical books. But let's not discuss what's on my Kindle... I am sure it was over 100 at last count, and that was several impulse purchases ago! A resounding YES to many kinds of cheese in the house, relearning French (which wasn't really discussed, but it popped to mind with the cheese conversation), and a seaside cottage retreat. Oh, and what I'm reading... I gave up on The Goldfinch. It was just not doing a thing for me, I kept avoiding it, so off it went. However.... (Stacia, are you sitting down??) I'm really loving Wuthering Heights! :D Although I think I may be taking a different tack entirely with it... it was said that the book is unliked because all the characters are so unlikeable and deeply flawed. Honestly, for me, I'm taking it as a bit of a satire... the characters are just *so* deliciously hideous that it's fascinating.

Oh, Eaglei, I'm so sorry. May strength be granted to you and your family as you move forward. Please keep us posted as you're able. :grouphug:

Sometimes, something may look great on paper, you may have a well thought out plan with good options... and you still just don't *want* to do it. And that's not bad or wrong, it just is. I get what you're saying about your son... mine likes homeschooling and would enjoy staying home longer. We do like spending time together. However, a big part of his feeling is that he likes to get his work done fast, not dig into anything too deeply, and have lots of free time for video games. :glare: For a variety of reasons, we are looking at returning him to school next year. I want him to have more opportunity for activities and friendships (we don't have a lot of homeschooling activities here), and sometimes, I think he'd just learn better from someone else. I'd like to return to being mom and not teacher. There's nothing wrong with saying that this is the next season of their school life, and that you'd like them to experience learning from different perspectives and have the opportunity to meet new people and try new things. If you're really committed to homeschooling and *you* really *want* to keep doing it, there's usually a way to make it work.... I think it's fantastic when both parents and kids partner to go all the way to the end! But if you don't want to, there's nothing inherently wrong with making the choice to send the kids to school. Millions of families do it every day, after all. ;) It just has to be on the right terms for your family. Good luck in making the arrangements!!

Really, only your family can decide what's best for your family. There's nothing wrong with choosing to send him to school, if you're doing it for the right reasons. For a different perspective.... we are looking at a transition here, as DS will likely be back in (private) school next year for 6th grade. The main reason is that they can offer more than we can in the way of activities, social opportunities, lab classes, etc. (I'm not a chemistry-in-my-kitchen type of girl, LOL, plus we just really don't have much in the way of upper grade homeschool activities/groups in our area.) A couple things to consider... First, I agree not to make the decision right now. I would evaluate it as making a decision for the coming school year starting this fall. Second, is this what your DH sees as an "easy" solution to the problem? Just meaning to point out what *different* issues may arise when you're following the school schedule, rules, workload, etc. (ETA: I see we were posting at the same time and you addressed some of this. Based on what you say, perhaps you do need to evaluate what he would get out of school vs. being at home.) I don't know when the best time is to send a child back to brick and mortar school... I know the middle school years are a tough time for that. But, what are your plans for high school? Were you planning to homeschool, or were you planning to send him somewhere for high school no matter what? That would factor into my advice. Hugs... I hope you're able to reach a decision. You have to do what's best for ALL of you!! :grouphug:

DS will be finishing up 5th grade this year, which has been our third year homeschooling. For a variety of reasons (social, opportunities for activities, me not wanting to homeschool through high school!) we are looking at him attending a private school next year. The one we're leaning toward is a small Christian school, not a huge variety of classes but very good basics and certainly a better than average education. Sixth grade there is still elementary school, which I think will make for an easier transition. As we look at making this change, I'm trying to decide what to focus on for the remainder of this school year. We're at or above grade level for everything, except possibly writing... he's probably still okay there but not up to where I'd like him to be. Here's what I'm thinking: Keep working through Math (MM) and Grammar (Hake) and we'll be above where we need to be. Keep going through our science and history topics; I do know the books the school uses, and I think this summer I'll purchase and have him read through the 5th grade Abeka History and Geography book so that he is familiar with what they studied this year. Science, I'm not worried about as everyone hits different topics. Do the extras (logic, Spanish, vocab, programming, etc.) a few times a week as we have time. What I want is for him to work on "school" type of writing... would I be best off just purchasing like a Spectrum workbook to let him do some of those types of exercises? Or just giving him writing prompts? Also, I'm torn.... I wonder whether I need to be *more* structured to get him prepared for a full day class next year, or take the opportunity to be relaxed in these last few months before returning? He's been in school before, so I'm not really worried about things like standing in line, raising hand, stuff like that.... he's out of practice but he'll remember. :) So, I would love your thoughts on the above, plus any great advice you have on transitioning back if you've been there, done that. I don't know that we'll do a ton of afterschooling the first year back, probably just some good reading at home, plus programming courses, which he does with DH. This is kind of rambling and not very specific, LOL... but any thoughts you have would be great!! :)

Night Elf, I had been looking at the HP envy as well, and that's what I ended up getting. There are things I like, but the jury is still out on some things. I am not used to Windows 8 at all and really not sure I'm going to be a fan. DH tried hard to talk me into a MacBook...

So, my laptop died. It wasn't unexpected (it was older) but still annoying. Luckily DH is an IT whiz and was able to save most of my files from the hard drive, but still time for a new laptop. Have any of you purchased one recently you really like? Any that you'd recommend avoiding? I considered a MacBook, but I think I'm sticking with a Windows machine. I want something that is a good balance between a bigger screen but lightweight... Something like one of the 14 or 15 inch Ultrabooks would be great, I looked online at some of the HP and Lenovo models. Thoughts?? :)

We've used the KidCoder windows/VB package, DS is currently finishing it and getting ready to start the Teen Coder Java. DH does IT/technology for a living and has learned several programming languages over the years, and he thinks these are well done. He says they are easy for DS to grasp the concepts and pick up coding techniques. We don't have the videos, just the downloaded (PDF) book.

Quote of the week (I'm awarding early, I know) goes to Eliana: "... For a trip through hell, it was a very enjoyable read." Somehow that tickled me! :) I spent too much time online last week and didn't read much. That, and The Goldfinch seems very, very long. It's good but moving slowly for me. So, nothing finished. Still reading: The Goldfinch and The Happiness Project I'd like to work on either The Inferno, or On A Winters Night A Traveler, but we will see how I do getting through the above.

I voted full face every day, but I'll add these two caveats: Kind of like Ellen said, full face but with a light hand. Powder foundation, blush, eye shadow, mascara, lipgloss. And "every day" doesn't count the days when I don't leave the house and sit around in my pajamas... Those are no makeup days! :D

I just saw the interview with her, and her program. She is talented.... But boy, she thinks highly of herself, doesn't she? I don't really care for her style... Not the skating as much as the "look at me, aren't I fabulous" expressions. I'm glad she did well for the team's sake, but I can't say I'm rooting for her. Yes, some of those young women, and some of the couples, are just adorable!

Yikes, I only missed yesterday and so much to catch up on! I do get what Shukriyya is saying in regard to the female connection through the ages. For me, I'm very tied in with my father in regard to personality, exploring genealogy on my paternal side, etc. None of that is diminished for me by what we are saying. For me, I have neither sisters nor daughters, so I have to wonder if I'm not seeking that broader female connection/lineage/experience through literature and discussions like these. There's a broader human experience, but I do enjoy reading things that are from a uniquely female mindset. Eliana, I'm sorry for the distress you've had, but so glad your daughter and grand baby are doing well! Yes, watching and loving the Olympics. My favorite is the entirety of figure skating events... So much talent and just so much beauty! I'm still working on The Goldfinch... Having trouble, it's really dragging for me. I'm about 20% through, so I have a lot of book left. I'm going to do some reading today... If it's not resonating with me, I may set it aside for a bit and shift gears. Oh, and I'm loving the tea discussion. I admit I love tea, but I'm a bit low brow about it as I use almost exclusively bags. :leaving: I like both hot and iced tea unsweetened.... I can handle a sweetened coffee drink (though I prefer unsweetened, and never ever iced coffee!), but no sweet tea.

I think it was extremely well done. The things they're doing with lighting and projection across the floor... Stunning!

No, don't be afraid to open Pam's link, everyone. This was actually a great humorous book. RHE is actually a rather progressive Christian author, and she more or less does a year long experiment to prove a point. Much like, as was mentioned, AJ Jacobs' book.

Very cool. Although I recognized a few names many were new to me. I'll be looking up some books and listening to music clips this afternoon if anyone needs me.... And Nenah Cherry? Holy late 80s throwback, Batman! Will be interested to hear the new stuff.

Yeah, my hair is already washed... But we're going to watch the Biggest Loser from last week instead. Then the finale!! I admit that as much as I don't really want to watch the whole thing, I'd love to see a five minute highlight reel with the most notable statements from either side!

So... Did anyone watch? Is it still going? How was it??

That's horrifying. Encouragement is great, but no woman should ever be shamed, let alone in violation of the law, for being unable to breast feed.... Or even (gasp!) choosing not to do so.

Robin, love it! That song was a little before my time, but I remember hearing it a fair amount when I was younger. Michele, I completely agree... I think the standard view of feminism in mass culture and media is the bra burning, protesting, yelling women who insist men are the enemy. And that's the wrong view if you're looking at how average American women feel, I think. And I agree with both of you that media makes men/dads look like idiots. I watched a few episodes of Good Luck Charlie on Disney... at first glance it was cute and wholesome. Then I realized that not only was Dad an idiot, but mom was conniving and scheming, oldest brother barely had a brain in his head, etc. That's just one example. I prefer to be around people who can actually form coherent thoughts, male or female!! ;) Anyway... I have spent too much time online today and haven't read anything. Still working on The Goldfinch. :D

Although I plan to read all of Rosie's links, here's an even more succinct version of the different types of feminism: http://civilliberty.about.com/od/gendersexuality/g/Feminism-Definition.htm I love the quote it starts with: "Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings." At its most basic, that's it. If you read further... I'm not a third wave feminist, nor a radical feminist. I doubt most of the women on this thread are. When Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for suffrage, that was pure feminism... that women should have the same basic citizenship rights as a man. The Gloria Steinem "women need a man like a fish needs a bicycle" feminism? Not so much, although those were the same women who said women should earn the same as men for the same work. My bottom line is that women should have the same opportunities men do, and should have the ability to be their own person, chart their own destiny, and make choices for their lives. Now, are we there yet? In the western world, one could argue that for the most part, yes we are. 95% at least. There's still a gender pay gap, some would say reproductive rights are still hindered, etc. But in the West, women can own property, earn college degrees, travel unaccompanied, all the basic freedoms. We've come a long way, baby. But two things to keep in mind... one, many women remember a time when it was not that easy, and fear that without vigilance, freedoms can be revoked. I don't fear that specifically in regard to women's rights, but I think most can agree that there are examples of citizens giving up basic freedoms without really realizing the consequences. And the second thing... there are countries all over the world where women have little to no basic freedom, and live in fear for their very lives should they leave the house unchaperoned. So yes... I am a feminist. :) And apparently I'm on my soapbox about it. :blushing: I hope no one takes this as criticism or derision, I just wanted to explain where I land on the issue and why, like Rosie said, it's frustrating to hear women say they aren't feminists. Now, back to your regularly scheduled book discussion! :D

We have done a preliminary calculation, need to go back through and check the details. We'll get a small refund.