I have been every year for the last 4 years, but not sure if I am going yet this year. If I do, it will be on Saturday to the vendor hall only.

We did Counting first. Started Number Theory not long ago and it seems easier to me.

I am also planning on going Friday just to the vendor hall.

May I ask what you changed to? Thanks!

Writing with Skill seems to be helping my struggling writer. She is in 9th and using the second level this year.

I got only the Teacher's Edition since we are doing it together and mostly orally. I think there are some answers filled in, but I will just cover them or not let DD see those parts.

There are sample schedules at classicalacademicpress.com. We are going to do Art of Argument for 9th this year. It will be a half credit, but we will stretch it out over the entire year. We will probably do it once or twice a week, depending on how many days we are schooling that week, for 30-45 minutes each day.

There is more depth in the 7th grade book for certain topics, but I would say you would be fine to skip it. Just make sure you thoroughly cover the 8th grade book grammar.

This book looks pretty good. I don't have it, but it got pretty good reviews.

Have you seen The American Odyssey? It is what we will be using in 10th when we get there.

We also read the hardback illustrated versions of Black Ships Before Troy and The Wanderings of Odysseus by Rosemary Sutcliff. They were great!

I had both, but we chose to read The Trojan War by Coolidge and really enjoyed it. Never read the other one, so I can't comment on that, but I remember liking the Coolidge one.

My DD has made progress at sounding out words (and not just guessing or making something up) using the REWARDS program, followed by all 8 Megawords books.

Giving you a bump because I would like to know too.

We like the USA Gold here too. I get them at Target. They work great, sharpen great, made in the USA, and no microban. I gave away all of our other pencils.