I agree - we've used a LOT in many books as springboards for discussion.

Considering that we started the series leaving Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico and finished in Cottage Grove, Kansas, we LOVED the series and still listen to odd tapes now and then on the road to town (we live about 15km from the shopping town and 6 km from the nearest settlement). I packed up the family, we lived on the road for 4 years and then settled down in Mexico and now the kids, after a year in the same area, have an itch to roam again, so we're heading out in October to cover old trails and new ones in Mexico. I'm a bad person to ask as the wanderlust is deeply ingrained in my being. :)

Wow! Estafeta rocks our world! What an amazing offer! Do you walk or drive over? I'm still stunned by your offer. Thank you!

The Sale board, Ebay, Homeschoolclassifieds.com I got mine through the WTM sale board. If you're getting 5, 6, or 7, save money by simply getting the CD or workbook - you really don't need both.

I have math, writing, spanish and literature under control. I'm adding Art and Science as materials come available (when we go back to the US to get our materials). We have always unschooled and my boys (12 and 14) are, with my gentle encouragement, challenging themselves and adding academia this year for the first time. We've always read and discussed a lot but never did any formal academia. So they're doing TT Math 7 but the 14yo is "getting" the concepts slower than his 12yo (though I believe the 14yo is more intelligent - he doesn't feel a calling to math but he'll continue to challenge himself). The 12yo is going methodically through TT Math 7 and getting very few answers wrong. The boys have never done formal fractions or long division or multiple digit multiplication, though from real life they do understand fractions and percentages. I'm going over their math ability because I think Science really hinges on math. The 14yo is interested in Chemistry mainly to "blow things up". :) Good enough. I got some TOPS experiments (Magnetic and Electricity) but it looks like we've done a LOT of the TOPS stuff just in messing around and "experimenting" without involving any formal science whatsoever. So they're not adding to the boys knowledge base. I've looked into more formal science via internet links (we've just started the Maps sections of http://www.msnucleus.org/membership/html/jh/earth/index.html and the first chapter of http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/contents.html) and we're finding it not all that interesting but I suppose it could be worse. I have some Horrible Science books (4 of them) waiting for us to cross the border and try them, I have perused this link of Literature-based science but I'm not finding much for the boys (but do have stuff for the girls penciled in) I have Archimedes and the Door to Science on a list to purchase, from this link of CM living books it looks like Walden might be a good choice for the boys' level, I have perused another list of literature but don't really see anything at the boys' level, this thread was good for Biology but the boys are interested, again, in "blowing things up" :), and this thread led me to Real-Life Science and Power Science at Walsh publishing. I'm having a hard time finding threads on Real-life science as the search here brings up so many false positives (I wish I could search on the exact term and not bring up each and every "real" or "life" instance hit in a thread). So, I'm looking for science recommendations for the boys and in a secular non-textbooky manner. I'm going to go back over the literature-based threads and links I linked above but if anyone has any recommendations or experience with the Walsh materials (they look "light" for you guys but since this is our first foray into academia I need something engaging) I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

I'm about 3/4 of the way through the M-TEC course and I would be one of the very few detractors of the program. Basically, M-TEC and Andrews are considered the two best MT programs out there but my instructor has been a real dissapointment. We are supposed to have a 3-5 day email turnaround time and I am lucky to get a response in 2 weeks. I'm not sure if my experience is typical or not - it is VERY HARD to find any bad press about M-TEC so I would still rerecommend them. I am getting a good education. The cost is around $3500 for your course of study and it can be done in 9 months with good effort but there are still some who take 18 months + to finish. You should expect to be able to pay the bills with your earnings for the first year after graduation, but should steadily improve and living frugally, should be able to pay the bills by the 2nd year of employment. There is a HUGE range of salary - from $18K to 60K USD.

I don't have rules but I do miss the routine we had established before the neighbors came back. It is very different here though, as these neighbors are English-speaking Canadians (look where we live before rolling your eyes :)). After a week of doing nothing (and honestly, I am getting as much out of our academia - nay, MORE - than the kids) I told them how much I missed our reading and discussion sessions and we figured out a way to fit them in and the kids still play. They'll tell the neighbor kids they're doing "school" and tell them to wait until they're done. Now the really weird part is that we were doing our academia from about 8pm to 10pm or later and the boys decided to move it to when they wake up AND they're getting up at noon instead of 3pm. So go figure.

i forgot about no political involvement-it is so natural to my daily life I forgot that the US has this freedom. Here is Article 33 (translated, obviously) of the Constitution Article 33 "The Federal Executive shall have the exclusive power to compel any foreigner whose remaining he may deem inexpedient to abandon the national territory immediately and without the necessity of previous legal action." It also states: "Foreigners may not in any way participate in the political affairs of the country."

I got so excited when I saw your message - we make a yearly order and purchase and unless we can find someone to bring us books (with the new airline baggage restrictions this is more and more impossible) we just have to do without. Unfortunately, their world-wide shipping excludes MANY countries. These are the countries they will ship to: "Western Europe" includes the following countries: AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, CYPRUS, DENMARK, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, ICELAND, IRELAND, ITALY, LUXEMBOURG, MALTA, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, PORTUGAL, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, VATICAN CITY, LIECHTENSTEIN. "Other" includes the following countries: AUSTRALIA, HONG KONG(CHINA), ISRAEL, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, PUERTORICO, SOUTH KOREA, SINGAPORE, BAHAMAS, BARBADOS, ANTIGUA & BARBUDA, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO. I've considered purchasing used and then asking the person to please scan pages instead of mailing the item as it will take many months before I get it. We JUST got last Christmas' mail (someone brought our mail to us a week ago).

Believe it or not, Mexico does have an illegal immigration problem - mainly from Central American countries. Most immigrants do not stay here, but I personally know one Guatemalan who is illegal and getting his papers for Mexican citizenship (not through the legal channels though). Babies born here get Mexican citizenship. You are deported if you are here illegally. If you are white, you are generally treated better and sent to your embassy and/or flight home. If you are brown I am not exactly certain of the official stance, but I imagine you are jailed. I'll see what I can find. Generally illegal immigration is only an issue in frontera states. I do know that in Campeche and Chiapas (states bordering Guatemala) there is quite a bit of police activity trying to stem the flow but also many in the flow are never caught. I would also imagine it isn't that big a deal as most immigrants are, like the drugs the US demands, simply using Mexico as a thoroughfare. Don't get me started on the US dependence on illegal drugs and the destruction it has wraught in Mexico. There is no free health care unless you have paperwork showing you are an employee of the government or qualify for IMSS care. Even then, there is a co-pay. Everyone knows that the best care is found in private hospitals and clinics and then only in select cities. I wouldn't think twice about any care in a Merida or Guadalajara hospital but would have to be convinced to use Cancun (even though it is much closer than Merida) or Chetumal. Merida and Guadalajara are known all over the country for their excellent medical services. But again, nothing is free.

Motown baby. Was there other music in the 70's? :) I grew up on Janis and Deep Purple and The Who and Santana. For me, the 70's were Motown.

if there were a way to rep-back - when someone reps you - from the control panel I would, but once i read the rep the author's name pretty much flies out of my head. There are a couple authors I remember but I have only repped when i either really agree with the post or the author brought up a point I never considered and it really resonated with me. Regardless of the author.

Just (this morning) finished The Road to Oz and started The Emerald City of Oz (I think) with the girls. Also reading SOTW1 and The Story Book of Science. Reading Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun and Born in the Year of Courage with the boys. Reading Animal Farm with the 14yo.

My 12yo and 14yo both have their own laptops and I have no restrictions (software or simple use) for them. If I didn't trust my boys to use the internet with respect for our family safety and their own safety it would be silly of me to give them access to the internet. We have ongoing talks about the safety of the internet and curiosity and I'll be the black sheep here and admit that I honestly don't have a problem with their viewing porn or reading erotica. We have talked about porn pretty extensively and they know what I think about porn (it has it uses but it also objectifies women terribly and many women in the industry are abused and coerced in the porn they produce). I trust them to make their own choices. I know my 12yo has absolutely no interest and while I'm certain my 14yo does not regularly view porn, I know he's visited erotica (written) sites and is curious. I've suggested the scarleteen site to my 14yo; the 12yo is not even close to being "there" yet. The 14yo still has no interest in girls and hasn't hit puberty but I'm pretty sure he's on the cusp so we keep the lines of communication open. I'd rather that approach than spying. But we're a consentual family and I wouldn't install any software on his computer without his permission.

We homeschool in Mexico and I've honestly never investigated the legality of homeschooling or not here. The infrastructure is such that I don't believe there is a compulsory attendance law - the lucky kids here are the ones who can go to school. There is generally good support for primary grades but secondary levels are very difficult to get in more rural areas. Almost without exception, the only decent schools are the private schools. Teachers regularly strike (on a yearly basis - they are on strike now). Personally it is difficult in that my kids are actually missing out on a cultural experience by being homeschooled and I haven't yet been able to address that. I won't force cultural interactions but keep trying to encourage them.

I really want to thank everyone for their contributions to this thread. We're packing to go to Valladolid for the Grito but when we come back I'll give your words very serious thought. I honestly expected people to give resources other than the Bible and I was a little shocked (and also realized, even as I wrote, that there are no objective sources of history (or herstory)) by the recommendations. If there is any "religion" that I would lean towards, and I put religion in quotes because I honestly believe more in alien intervention than any concept of a higher power, it would be the 13 steps of the Mayan world or the First Nations concepts of spirit in everything or the Buddhist concept of all living beings spiritual. But I really haven't explored any of those "religions". So, again thank you all so much for your respect, honesty and encouragement.

Ok, I'll be the first to admit this is my own hangup, but I am feeling very strongly resistant to using the Bible as an objective historical source. Sigh. I know my kids don't have these hangups - I do, and I don't want to transfer mine to them, but they are all atheists (as am I) and our normal literature has so many Christian God references that I'm very much "done" with Christianity. And I can't imagine chosing to open the Bible after having it shoved down my throat all my childhood. Hangups much, eh? :) We haven't read the other religious texts to get to know other religious leaders and I was hoping to get something that didn't have so much religion in it. While I believe the man existed, I don't believe he was anything *more* than a charasmatic guy who dabbled in politics like many famous men of history. So I was hoping for a more objective and historical approach than the Bible.

We've looked at couple religions and their leaders and are wondering if anyone knows of a secular choice to read about JC. I have Sacred Myths on my list of books, but it is more of an exploration of various religions.

Since the issue was QUOTING Bush, I really don't see how respect or lack thereof comes into it. He is well-known for being a horrid speaker and I think that a speech and debate club would be well counseled that his quotes are not good fodder to back-up a position in a debate. I assume that is what the "boy" you're referring to said. Consider the source... "Do you have blacks, too?" —to Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso, Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2001 "I promise you I will listen to what has been said here, even though I wasn't here." —at the President's Economic Forum in Waco, Texas, Aug. 13, 2002 "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.'' —Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001 "We both use Colgate toothpaste." —after a reporter asked what he had in common with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Camp David, Md., Feb. 23, 2001 "I glance at the headlines just to kind of get a flavor for what's moving. I rarely read the stories, and get briefed by people who are probably read the news themselves." —Washington, D.C., Sept. 21, 2003 "I'm the master of low expectations." —aboard Air Force One, June 4, 2003 "I'm also not very analytical. You know I don't spend a lot of time thinking about myself, about why I do things." —aboard Air Force One, June 4, 2003 "Tribal sovereignty means just that, it’s sovereign. You’re a — you’ve been given sovereignty, and you’re viewed as a sovereign entity. And, therefore, the relationship between the federal government and tribes is one between sovereign entities." remarks at Unity: Journalists of Color convention in Washington, D.C., August 6, 2004

Well, as a total n00b to WTM, I'd like to take this opportunity to let you know that after forever radically unschooling, we're making the radical change to VEEEERRRRRRYYYYYY relaxed homeschooling in a WTM vein. I haven't been able to get WTM down here (Mexico) yet, so I'm using googlebooks, BUT I was able to have someone flying down mule me (that's a term we ex-pats use when we convince people to bring us stuff from the US) both SOTW 1 and 2 and the (blushing as I don't even know the name) new older kid book you did. Yeah, I'm SO HIP with the lingo. Anyway, I am so impressed by all your followers here that knowing I'm stuck with the materials for a year (or until we make a trip to the US) I've gone with SOTW, WTM and that-book-you-just-did-for-older-kids-that-I-can't-remember-the-name-of. But I'm sure it's great. The girls are ENTHRALLED with SOTW and I've given up all hope of trying to keep any schedule and time period and we're just reading it straight through. When the boys are ready for Ancients we'll probably go back. So a long-winded rave from a new fan. Now I'm off to watch the first season of Sopranos with my husband. Takes a while for things to show up down here. :)

Hey, Joanne - how are you guys faring? I thought we'd crawled out from under Ike today but this afternoon got hit with a feeder band. That mades 4 days under this monster. I don't envy you guys and hope you stay safe.

You know, I really need to apologise for my arrogance here. I've been outside the US culture so long that it doesn't occur to me that there are elderly and challenged folk who do rely on government officials for their information. That just isn't the case here. If, for some reason an elderly person is on their own, that person is looked after by the entire community and we'd say, "c'mon abuelo, let's go to the guardia and wait for the storm to pass" and we'd probably be 4th in line to do so. :) We may not have govermnental social services but we definitely have community social services and no-one is left to flap in the wind. I should have realized that before I posted in my fevor and apologize.

Oh man. The dry air that had compromised his eye (after hitting Cuba) is gone and convection has completely wrapped around. His eye is complete again. This has been speculated all afternoon so I'm not surprised but I was hoping it wouldn't happen. This is going to be very very very very bad. I'm really feeling for the folks in Texas. We're back under convection from Ike after having a sunny morning and the seas have still not calmed. And we're on the Caribbean. This is a mother of a storm...but this was speculated right when he developed off Cape Verde.

Alrighty, I completely take back my opinion. It never occurred to me that people would not participate in a conversation online if it contained the "tea" words (geez, I don't even know what to post now because I don't want the offending people to be offended by words that are normal and natural to me). But if it helps people explore their sexuality and achieve "tea goals" (geez, I'm AWFUL at this) then hey, who am I to complain. It is a GOOD thing I'm a slave to the dark master though, or I might get sucked into a tea thread and throroughly confuse myself.

Here in Mexico the military comes around in their big vehicles and pick people up and take them to shelters. We don't have nearly the surge issue that CONUS does due to our short continental shelf so shelters are generally in the towns that are actually hit - concrete buildings - generally schools. If the people don't want to come they either survive or die. No-one is coming back after them. From what I read, Galveston had busses bringing people off the island to shelters. I'm not sure how much money a Red Cross shelter costs, but my guess is that it is none. I'm also guessing the Galveston busses also cost nothing. Galveston County Evacuations