It's 4am here, and I've been up for several hours with a sick kid so I'm not thinking straight.......so can you explain a bit more why you don't suggest spreading it out? My thoughts were to spread it out so we would have a bit of the life science exposure each year.

Cosmos~ Thanks for chiming in and letting me know your plans. I really like the idea of doing the sciences together, but I'm having a hard time getting over the "traditional" way of doing science that I was exposed to. Swellmomma and Deee~ Thanks for letting me know how science is done in places other than the US. As I just mentioned, it is hard to break out of the mold and do things different. But it helps when I know other people have done it differently with success. I'm still very much on the fence about science for this next year, but everyone's feedback really gives me lots to think about. I was hoping to lighten my teaching load by outsourcing science, but I don't see that happening if I do end up trying to integrate our science studies more.:tongue_smilie: Right now some of the programs on my radar are: Exploration Education Derek Owens Physical Science Concepts in Action Conceptual Physics Friendly Chemistry Ellen McHenry's Chemistry programs BJU Life Science BJU Physical Science Some of these already integrate the Physics and Chemistry and some would keep these separate. I can't decide which I like better......... integrated Chem and Physics and BJU Life spread over grades 6 and 7 and then the opportunity to do a dedicated Physics in 8th so he could be set up to do AP Physics in HS. Or to do BJU Life, Conceptual Physics, and one of the dedicated Chemistry programs spread throughout grades 6-8. If anyone has any thoughts on any of these specific programs or how to schedule them concurrently, I'd love to hear them.

Sorry, double post

I've been through the entire CLX program a couple of times. I definitely wouldn't say it was beginner since you decide on the weights you use. Yes, many of the moves are basic weight lifting moves, but the intensity comes from the weights you choose. The program is all about using the weights that cause you to fail within in a certain number of reps (the rep number changes each phase). So, if you are really willing to push yourself with the weights, then you can make it as intense as you desire. And as a note, you will probably be able to go heavier than you think, so make sure you have heavy enough weights on hand. If the cardio or yoga days included are too easy, too jumpy, or just aren't your thing, then those can easily be subbed out for something more appropriate for your tastes and level.

OhElizabeth~ Thanks for the PH Concepts in Action suggestion. I have all of the Science Explorer books, but have never taken a look at the CiA one. I like the idea of having the Earth Science integrated with the Physical and Chemical because I don't know if I can take an entire year of Earth and Space:o (it's just not my thing). This year he is finishing Saxon 1/2 and LOF Alg., so I think he could handle the math in it. I've also seen that Kolbe has lesson plans and I like that for me. Regentrude~ Studying the disciplines continuously over the 3 years for retention purposes is what I see as being the big benefit. I could see this be a big boost going into the high school sciences. Heathermomster~ Thanks for mentioning the Hold Integrated books, I'll take a look at them. loesje22000~ Thanks for mentioning the Galore Park books. I briefly looked at them for the younger grades a few years ago, but haven't looked at the logic level ones. Momto2Ns~ Thanks for mentioning the integrated PH books. I have the full series of books, so I could just re-organize to match the way these integrated books are organized.

I would love to hear any plans you have so far. Do you have course materials picked out yet? Do you have any idea yet how you will be scheduling the classes?

Thanks for chiming in. It was some of your posts that got me thinking about this in the first place. So were the three courses still kept pretty seperate from each other and the connection just made on an individual level as students were able to make them? Or did the teachers somehow try to integrate the three disciplines?

Just wondering if anyone has ever had their logic stage students do multiple science classes in the same year. In grades 6-8, I was planning on having ds do life, earth/space, and physical. But I've been wondering if it would be possible to do all 3 at once, and spread them out over 3 years. Basically doing 1/3 of each of the courses per year. Has anyone ever done anything like this? How would you schedule it......... break the year up into 3 terms, spend 1 day a week on each discipline, other ideas????? What advantages or disadvantages can you see to trying to do something like this? Do you know of any curricula that is already set up like this? Thanks!

Before we moved to China, I checked with our school district as well as our state homeschooling organization, and both said that once we left the state we were no longer required to meet any of the state requirements. Instead, we'd be under the jurisdiction of the country we were moving to and their homeschooling laws. Since China doesn't have any, we don't have any standards we are required to meet. However, we will still be giving the kids standardized tests while we are living here. I had two options this year. The first was a local private international school that was willing to let local homeschool kids test with them for a small fee. The second was to order the tests from the States and administer the test myself. I decided to go with the second option just because of some logistical issues with the dates the school was administering the test.

:lurk5: Would love to hear if there are more options. Online is tough for us because of internet issues, but I'd love CD options.

I was just looking at Oak Meadow today and noticed their 8th grade program is civics. I don't know anything about it, but just thought I'd mention it as an option.

Thanks for sharing the link Laura. It is a lot of fun to see the different kennels that people like and what makes each one unique.

Thank you again to everyone who has contributed ideas and advice. I am excited to see if this is something we can go forward with, and you have all given me some great things to think about as we plan what our kennel would look like. If we do this, I really want to open a kennel that becomes a place our clients feel good about leaving their dogs at. We aren't looking at this as a major income source for us, but rather something I can do as a hobby and the kids can use as a learning opportunity. Of course, it would be great to make a little money from it:D, but I'm not concerned about having to be competative in the market. I really just want to build a client base that is made up of regulars that feel almost more like family. I know how hard it was everytime I had to leave our dog at the kennel, but it was always comforting to know that the family that took care of him while we were gone really cared about his well-being.

Thanks for the feedback. It doesn't sound like Plato's history programs are what we are looking for.

Thanks for the link to the kennel you use. It looks awesome and a lot like what I have pictured in my mind. She also has great information on her site about schedules etc. that is very helpful. Abandonment is definitely an issue that we need to consider. I am aware of our state laws, but that still doesn't really help me know how I'd handle such a case. Knowing me, I'd be tempted to keep all of the animals abandoned:D.

Thank you everyone for the feedback, advice, and suggestions. The liability insurance and alarm systems are two expenses I hadn't thought of and will definitely need to factor in as we are figuring costs. You also all gave me some great ideas of services we need to make sure we are prepared to provide (minor medical care, etc.). Our kennel would be out in the country, on approx. 30 acres of land. I realize the location will make it harder to draw clients, but I'm hoping to attract clients with larger dogs that are looking for an environment that will allow the dogs the chance to exercise, play, etc. I envision a setup with big indoor/outdoor runs that can open into a large, fenced in area that we will be able to let the dogs out into to run. My biggest concern right now is how this will tie us down. We are pretty much homebodies, but one of the reasons we currently homeschool is so that we do have the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Our family is also spread out throughout the U.S., and we typically travel to see them a couple of times of year. Our current thinking is that we will have set times each year that we won't be open and use these as our family time. We figure that since most people vacation/travel at approx. the same time each year, we will miss out on those that travel during our down time, but that we should be able to build a base of regulars.

I've seen Plato Science mentioned here a bit before, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone who has used their History programs. If you have used Plato's History programs, what can you tell me about it? I would like to find something independent for ds to work on next year and I'd really like it to be American History. It looks like Plato would fit both of these needs but I really don't know anything about it, and Plato's website isn't helping. Thanks!

The idea of opening a dog boarding kennel is something I have tossed around for several years. Dh is very supportive and has actually been encouraging it lately as a wonderful opportunity for the kids to have a real world learning experience of starting and operating a business. We aren't in a position to open anything immediately, as we are still living in China. However, it is something we are seriously considering when we move back to the States in 2 years. If we decided to go ahead with it, we may even begin building the infrastructure before we officially move back. It also gives us time to really do our reserach and figure out if we can make it work, what is involved, figure out any licensing, etc. So, that is why I'm coming here. Anyone ever run a dog kennel and would be willing to share your knowledge with me? I don't even know where to begin and I feel a bit overwhelmed. Also, even if you've never run a kennel but have used one....... why did you choose the one you did? What do you like about it and what would you improve if you could? Any extra services that your kennel provides that really make it stand out for you? Thanks!

If you end up getting the kit, I'd love to hear a review. I've been curious about them for awhile now and might pull the trigger for this fall.

I wonder if something like this would work: http://www.qualitysciencelabs.com/earth-science-labs/qsl-earth-science-lab-kit/. It looks like it is meant to be a general lab component to add to a textbook. You could look at the TOC for CPO and see how well it would match up.

Thanks! That review sounded very positive.

:lurk5:

Karen, thanks for the ideas. I had thought Ellen McHenry's programs were for elementary so I guess I didn't check them out before..... I guess I'm off to reserach some more:D. I haven't heard of the ACS program, but I'll check it out too. I had also forgotten about Conceptual Physics and Chemistry. DS is especially interested and strong in Physics, so I'm going to check that one out as an option as well. The idea of environmental science is a new one to me and intriguing as well. Do you know of anyone who offers a program like this for the middle grades? Can I ask which texts you used for 6-8?

Thanks for answering my questions! I think it is awesome that you enjoy talking about the texts..... it is always fun to hear from someone who is passionate about something!

Has anyone ever used these http://www.logosscience.com/index.html? I was looking at them to go with the BJU books. I saw them at our homeschool conference a couple of years ago, but we weren't ready for them yet. Now that we are, I'm wondering if anyone has used them and what they think of them?