I have similar concerns. Actually, Republicans at congress did issue some opinions at the end of June this year. http://abetterway.speaker.gov/?page=health-care I read the healthcare proposals (it's a 37 page document and you can download the pdf) and am mulling through thoughts on it. I like the emphasis on the parts of ACA that did work, i.e., that pre-existing conditions should always be covered and insurance companies would not be able to turn people away. It's a start at least. It sounds like Reps now understand that that is something no one wants to see go away agin.

I'd love recommendations too! I may do this in the fall for my ds who will be 9 yo.

I'd say it's age appropriate. My 8 yo still struggles and cried at handwriting time so I'd say your child is right on and impressive if he'll practice with out tears!!! Sent from my SM-T520 using Tapatalk

Rhythm of handwriting from Logic of English/ pedia press. I like how she teaches the strokes first. Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

This just made everything click for me with my son. He did huge puzzles at a young age too. He taught him self to read at 3 and still loves browsing on maps and can tell me anywhere we're going what roads go where. He must memorize them. Anyway, he's 8 now but just reading this thread helped me understand more about him...

YES! that looks great. Just what I need...a book with examples. Except....is the whole thing like the sample, i.e., looks like the ditto machine ran out of ink? lol I could live with that, but seems odd they would not have updated it.

My son is doing third grade right now. For writing, we've only done creative writing for the most part. He does a LEGO prompt/writing class at co-op that he really likes. He makes a LEGO build to go along with the prompt from the teacher, then he writes the story at home. For other ELA stuff, we're finishing up LOE Essentials (spelling, a little grammar, and basic sentence writing) and we'll focus a bit on grammar and mechanics using Zaner-Bloser G.U.M. books next. I'm looking at what to do for writing in the next year or so. I really like the sound of IEW. I have an English degree so I could probably do it with him. However. I can't stand the thought of watching videos to learn how to do it. Is there a book i could buy and read about the method? Sitting and watching videos sounds so tedious. I'm a fast reader, by contrast. I know I could get the one where he watches the teacher videos. How long are each of those lessons? I just don't want him to have to spend forever watching videos when he could be writing, you know? I'd love your thoughts on this. Or, do I wait another year before giving him more formal writing instruction? I feel like it's time to do something other than creative stories. (Those are good too, of course.) Rebecca

Check out logic of English. They have some spelling lists even outside of the curriculum for older kids to review after they've finished the book. Sent from my SM-T520 using Tapatalk

My husband says the same thing about my 8 yo son! Sent from my SM-T520 using Tapatalk

Go straight to the odyssey, Iliad if she's ambitious. Fagles translation is great. I believe an eight grader will enjoy it.

Kidblog.com let's kids write posts or comments in response

Visual link Spanish has been a hit here. Computer based with audio correction using a microphone. Starts with sentences right away.

http://www.gpb.org/salsa and http://edu.wyoming.gov/educators/standards/foreign-language/ see the bottom half of this page. You have to download the teaching things one episode at a time.

Look at Salsa Spanish, which is a free o n line Spanish learning program through Georgia Public Broadcasting. The state of Wyoming has a curriculum To go with it. I'm on my tablet, I'll look for a link.

Thanks for the vote of confidence! Glad I don't have to worry until 6th. Good idea, REIGN, about a science kit. Steve Spangler is pricey. Are his the best? Young Scientist Club is cheaper but maybe not worth it? Lots of think about. Thanks.

In the fall I am having my third, so I'll have a 3rd grader, a preschooler and a newborn. I know some of you manage to homeschool with a few more in between but I'm personally a bit worried about how to get it all in with my oldest when there is a newborn around! I am most worried about science. I do not know if I will find a suitable class for my son at our co-op and I am not a science person. My husband thinks STEM is what I need to focus all of school around since my son is going in to 3rd grade, but honestly, after reading and writing and history (the subjects I like!) I can't stand the idea of experiments and all that. My son likes science in any form. In the past, we've been mostly been interest led, with a once a week co-op class to supplement. Is it enjoy to buy a brainpop subscription and let him have at it each week? I'm trying to find the best ways to give him leadership over his own schooling, since I know I'm going to be pretty out of it for the first part of the year with a newborn! Any other sugguestions? I am just not a sit down and do it person for science so scripted thing just don't work for me. As for writing, he's doing a "Creative Writing with LEGOs" class at co-op this year, and he loves it. We'll continue next year. Is that enough for 3rd grade? I've considered starting him in something more formal, like IEW SWI... or maybe EIW level 3, both of which have DVD lessons to watch before writing. It could get done, but then, maybe that is too much. I would love your thoughts on 3rd grade. I feel it is the first "real" grade to worry about, and I'm going to be a bit distracted. Other things for next year: Teaching Textbooks for math (a subject he loves), drawing class at co-op, finish LOE Essentials, Visual Link Spanish (computer), and more SOTW, which we mostly just listen to. Rebecca

I have been considering something similar for my son, who will be third grade, but most people want him to be a little older before starting an online class.. I am considering a Time4Writing class, but don't like the 8 weeks to finish deadline. I found Inspired-Scholar.com but cannot find any information from someone who has used it....I like personal referrals for this kind of thing! http://www.inspired-scholar.com/online-classes-2015-2016.html I will probably wait another year but I'm still debating for the coming year.

Play and learn Spanish by ana lomba

For spanish check out visual link. My son loves the computer aspect so he begs to do it.

I bought the mp3s. They play in any audio player and are cheaper than the cds.

I would love to know what you did not like, as I am contemplating using RSO for 3rd grade next year!

We are barely half-way through 2nd grade but I'm already getting nervous about 3rd! My husband says we need to make sure to focus on "STEM" next year, which got me all nervous as I've been only doing science through co-op and interest-led. We'll see how it goes to try a little more formal. Six more months before I need to panic? Here's my current plan. ELA: read alouds as a family (haven't decided which: I'm awful about getting read alouds done!). LOE Essentials for handwriting, spelling, and basic grammar. We're only on lesson 6 but it's starting to move faster. We'll just keep going until we are done, maybe not until the beginning of 4th grade. Writing: My son has taken an intense dislike of WWE2 so we stopped. We're just doing narration, copywork, and dictation with passages I select and it's going well. We'll hopefully keep that up and do creative writing of some kind via co-op. I am an English person so I am excited to play this by ear. Math: Probably continue with Singapore Primary Math. Add in as needed? Not sure if we'll need more next year. Maybe the homeschool Math and Science club. Social Studies. SOTW 3. We just read it; we don't usually do extra activities. We'll add in as we want, and I try to throw in American History and Geography here and there as I notice gaps in his recognition and understanding. Science. I am nervous about this. I was thinking of Sonlight E because Raisin wants to learn about Electricity but I think it may be too hard so I'm now leaning toward RSO Chemistry for next year and Sonlight Science E for the next. Also, I'm going to coach Jr. First Lego League. There may be a science class tie in at co-op too. Hopefully RSO Chem! Other: Visual Link Spanish. I love it! Continue Book of Mormon study with me. Maybe I'll add in that he has to read Bible Stories to little sister. Swim and Gym and/or gymnastics. Art at co-op and maybe piano lessons. We'll probably try to add music appreciation in once a week too. What am I forgetting?! I feel like there is something big. Rebecca

Visual Link spanish . I love it.

I really like visually spanish. My son does too...computer based

Visual link Spanish is computer based. Gets learner talking in sentences right away, and a free version is on the website.