So this is absolute? No exceptions even if you can convince your local director/tutor that she is ready for it? I have a child that I bumped a grade across the board b/c it was NECESSARY. I will never consider any school that won't acknowledge her grade and I have standardize testing to accompany it. But they won't accept her when she is a 7th grader if she is 11? I knew it was discouraged, but I was thinking I could ignore that and push for what she needs. But I'm wrong that this is an option?

Have you thought of doubling up on lessons? So once or twice a week, she could do 2 pages in one day (schedule 2 times a day to work--like school kids have classwork and homework). If I did 2 pages in a day, it might be new material and a review page, so there is some variety. Pre-algebra is ideal in 8th, but you can catch up later. Algebra and Geometry don't overlap much, so you could do geometry and algebra 2 in the same year as 2 separate subjects. From my experience tutoring math, I would say understanding the basics is more important than moving ahead quickly. Do take the time you need. I think I would work on trying to get through more than one book a year, but not necessarily 2 books in one year. So, if you aim to do one lesson a week and do school for 36 weeks, then you could do Zeta, plus 6 weeks of Epsilon next year. Also, we can often skip the B's and C's in the first lessons of the book as they are usually easy (or any lesson where they get 90% or above), so you might get to lesson 8 or 10. Then, the next year, you could do last 20 lessons of Epsilon and 16-20 of Pre-Algebra. Finally, for freshman year you might finish Pre-Algebra and complete Algebra. You could even call it all Algebra on the transcript since most Algebra courses do a lot of review of pre-alg. concepts. I usually start my homeschool early and math is often one of the the things I start first and have my kids continue to work on until they reach the goal for the year, even if that means doing a week of double lessons after all our history or whatever is finished.

I would study art history--"Professor Carol" has a course on "Western culture" that has a lot of good stuff in it (it's on my wish list). It includes DVD's of her visiting different places and might be a great introduction to help you decide what you are most interested in. I would go to the Louvre in France. I have been to loved Rothenburg in German (the one on the "Tauber"--not sure of spelling)--it's a mediveal walled city. Except in a tourist-y place in German like Rothenburg, never ask a German if they speak English--they almost always say no, but if you ask them a question in English, they will usually answer back! Anybody under about 50 has had YEARS of English in school, not to mention constant exposure through music and movies. I would also want to study British history and see Stonehenge. Anything old is really unique to us Americans--old houses and churches and remains of Romans--it's all pretty amazing to see or touch. And don't forget to learn about everyday life--buy groceries some place where you have to bring your own sacks or go to the playgrounds--get beyond the tourist location and get to know some of the culture and people who aren't making money off catering to you! Have a great time!

Got mine at Target too. But it doesn't look like it. I had an old one from a garage sale with a metal arm and a wooden base. (Not only was it coming apart at the equator, it still had the USSR). Then I found a cheap Target one in the back-to-school section and when I got home I tried and found I could switch the holders (just pulled apart, so my up-to-date globe has a really nice base. And somebody else got the old globe with the plastic stand from my neighbor's garage sale. :)

So how well did last year's schedule work?

Definitely the getting out of the house helps motivate. I don't know of anything else that really does work well for my kids and that's not from lack of trying. Not say things didn't get done last year, but I had to expend too much of my energy which is already drained away from being home all day. When we are going somewhere, my oldest is telling me how long we have and trying to keep me on schedule. She likely has (undiagnosised) stealth dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADD and I can't tell you how much work memorizing math facts was for her, so school is not going to be easy. I have found ways to take out much of the struggle, but her only learning love is reading. Anyway, if you have a better way to motivate kids, I'll definitely listen. However, if the work is getting done quicker we have more time for fun and the activities are in themselves enriching mentally and/or physically.

Glad to help! The poll sorta shocked me that some many people vote everyday. I was thinking maybe I shouldn't be out more than 3 days a week, but everyday is the most popular. Makes me feel less crazy about what I'm considering!

I was also was talking to a friend with 5 kids and realize part of it is I have 2 kids. There is no crowd at my house. And the girls need both time with people and with OTHER people to lessen the tension of just having the 2 of them. Her extraverted kids don't need to get out as much.

This is a great way to describe how I feel. For me, I'm trying something that's failing and yet feeling like it's what I'm supposed to do. I did try 2 most-of-the-day co-ops (one was CC) and it was horrible. Mostly b/c CC was a horrible fit for us...early mornings leaving for the whole day by 8:45 in a rush and the curriculum itself just caused frustration and discouragement. So, we dropped that and all my friendships and have done very little beside the one co-op we have done for years. And we did an extracurricular on Saturdays in the fall. And in the spring we all sat around and wilted. :( But I can't decide about my other options for the fall, especially since they are all somewhat vague at the moment.

Interesting. Maybe b/c we need time out of the house AND need to be around groups of people to get energy, it's more of a need. Regardless, I just want to know how much for kids that NEED to get out as opposed to those that don't.

I guess that makes sense if it's all afternoon! We did theater last year, so I can see looking at your signature how she can do a lot of hours.

Actually last year was the year I did very little except the once a week co-op and an occasional park day. It drove us crazy and we didn't accomplish any more around the house. I found I was so drained by the end of the day that I had little energy to do housework. I have got to get some people time and friends for my sake and somewhere to go to give my girls a deadline for finishing. I can't seem to find the right balance though. But I can't seem to figure out what all I need.

So what about this schedule: Monday and Wed afternoon and Friday most of day. One day would be primarily me teaching a class and my younger dd would participate and my older dd would be a teacher's helper for me, OR work independently on her schoolwork she brings. But this also includes a social free time with several of their friends they would really like. Btw, I really enjoy teaching and this would be a bit of income--maybe pay for housecleaning. :) So, I think it's a good deal. Other days are coops--one formal with paid teachers and carrying some of the teaching load and gives me time to myself--this one is a given for our family. Other would be one or 2 other families I really like and informal--maybe only every other week. Then Thursday and Tuesday late afternoon/evening extracurricular activities. It is a lot, but I scheduled the meat of our work in the morning this year and we have 2 afternoons to stay home and study and 2 days to go and do enrichment. (Actually my middle schooler will probably be bringing her schoolwork with her one day and my younger one doesn't need more study time--she's bright and zips thru work). I know I'm rambling a bit--trying to make sense of it all. I can never seems to find the right balance of activity. Last year was too little. The year before too much.

I understand this. Oldest is entering middle school and other is mid-elem. Hadn't really thought about the changes, but I see more of it and it's a good point to consider.

How do you find time for school work? Does it work well for her? Part of my struggle is that I was totally overscheduled as a child, so I don't want to do the same thing to my kids. Yet, we don't go to school everyday and I don't want to end up giving up homeschool's benefits just b/c I don't meet the extravert's needs.

Let me start by saying both my kids and I are all extraverts and NEED to be out of the house. One year for various reasons we had no outside activities and my oldest got into a type of depression that activities remedied, so I'm asking for those kids who really do need it. However, I never seem to find the right balance of how much to get out (to keep us all energized) and how much to stay home (to get housework and schoolwork done to the level I want). If we are home to much, we don't get much accomplished b/c we get unmotivated. If we are gone too much, well ....obviously there has be some home in homeschooling. We have a weekly co-op that is basically all day and it is great educationally and socially. They offer a high level of classes. However, this is not enough b/c we don't do well on being home all day 3-4 days in a row. What I'm really trying to decide is how many afternoons I need to be home and how many should schedule out. I do know that work gets done so much faster when we have somewhere to go. It seems like twice as fast. However, I want at least SOME time for some Charlotte Mason-style "Masterly inactivity" where my kids can pursue their own interests and projects as well as free-reading. I "only" have 2 children and a lot of the activities involve both (like going to park day with other homeschoolers). The things I'm considering are not necessarily "extracurricular" but something like getting together regularly with another family to work on some projects, etc. Things that aren't going to cost money other than gas. We don't currently have church activities outside of Sunday morning, though we may join a small group that mets every other week. My kids may have a Saturday activity for the fall. I'm also considering signing them up for a sport program, but it's very low key and not very long and not expensive. I'm also looking at teaching a class, so that involves us all getting out of the home. I don't want to be over busy, but last year we were not busy enough (I know, you introverts things I'm crazy, but it's true! Even my introvert dh agrees. :) ) I'd love to hear your story of a balance you've found, especially if you AND your children need that outside the home time.

In case anyone is interested in the pictures I've found online of making desks as well as some nice homeschool rooms, it's: http://pinterest.com/limeade42/homeschool-rooms/ Feel free to tell me if you know any great pictures I've missed. ;)

Thanks for the picture! That's great! All the details really help. I could afford $60. :)

Great to hear it's working well and it was a quick project! How much do you think it cost? What kind of cabinets?

Hmm--looked for a schoolroom thread and didn't find anything with pictures other than one individual's room, but no long desk. Am I missing something?

Do you think granite would be too heavy if we aren't attaching to a wall? Sound really nice. :) Off to check out that site. :)

I had thought about checking with the Restore here locally, so I'm glad to here there might have something.

I had thought about the doors--the catch there is doing three desks with 2 doors seems like it might be problematic--I don't want the crack right in the middle Another thing I'm not sure on is that I do have a really pretty desk that was my grandfather's that I won't get rid of. I think I will just put it in my bedroom so my dh can study behind close doors there (he studies there anyway sometimes without a desk--he needs quiet).

I'm redoing our den, which also serves as our homeschool room. I have a wall about 14 feet long that I'd like to have a desk along (the whole wall). I'm thinking of trying to get a countertop on some kind of bookcases or file cabinets.Or something similar. It will be a desk for my 2 girls and for our computer (and me when I use a desk). I really could use the shelves and the storage space, but I don't have any money budgeted for it. Would like it to look like a built-in type thing. I'm cleaning out, so I'm hoping to get some money off selling stuff on Craigslist to pay for it, but money is a hindrance. Anyone done this and have suggestions? Neither my dh or I are particularly handy. We own a drill, but no sawing tools, so I may even have to find someone to help with putting it together. I could borrow a tool from my parents, but doesn't mean I know how to use it! Oh, and we don't want to attach it to the wall--it's wood paneling and not only is it not strong, we don't want the holes as they don't fill well in paneling and one day we might be reselling. TIA :)

We used a program from Little Giant Steps and it really helped. I did not hold my daughter back b/c memorizing multiplication facts was hard for her. She totally understood concepts, and knew a lot of facts, so we trudged forward and kept working on facts. After about 3 different programs, this one worked, though I still have her do practice to get it a tad more solid/fast--we use Quarter Mile Math for that, though MathRider looks more fun (never tried it). ETA: We use MUS for our base Math program--so dd really has a good grasp on the why's extra and that helps a lot with math, but not necessarily with remembering the harder facts. :)