After a year and a half at a classical education school we are done with the school thing and returning to homeschooling. I am trying to fight the "squeeeze in the stuff we missed for 6th and 7th" and just be a normal person and start 8th grade. haha My plans: Math- Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra (he was doing Saxon at the school and hated it - he begged for TT because we used it before) English- Great Courses Building a Better Vocabulary, Wordly Wise, Sonlight Core F lit and writing, spelling (planning to use WW words for this, but also going to review rules of spelling all year), Grammar Sonlight LA and Keys to Good Language 6 History/Geography- Sonlight Core F Eastern Hemisphere, Eastern Hemisphere Map Skills, Great Courses Foundations of Eastern Civilization Texas History - Switched on Schoolhouse (just wanted a get it done thing he could do on his own) Science- Elemental Science Chemistry and Great Courses History of Science Logic- undecided but probably something from Classical Academic Press

I did and I hesitate because Biology is the only one they offer.

What is a good classical science curriculum that at least loosely follows WTM and isn't overtly religious? I have been looking at Elemental Science and it very much appeals to me, but I am not sure which one we should do for 8th grade.

At what point are you coordinating the Great Courses videos with the History of the Ancient World?

We are returning to homeschooling after 2 years of attending a classical ed private school. The first year was part time and this last year full time. We finish up in May and then we will be on our own again. I am a seasoned homeschooler, but I am feeling overwhelmed coming back to it for some reason. The school we have been at uses TOG and that was what we used, but TOG is too involved for our current life to go back to it. I am really considering Sonlight and leaning towards the Eastern Hemisphere core. My son will be 8th grade which is typically American History - modern years. My only concern about SL is it doesn't seem to follow the history pattern we are used to, but I really like that my son could "check the boxes." Anyone out there using SL for 8th grade plus that could give me some opinions? I used SL Eastern Hemisphere years ago with my middle son and it was one of our favorite years.

Thanks! I will check them out!

Does anyone know where I can find a schedule for MOH to go with TOG four year plans? Before I try to piece it together myself, I thought I would see if anyone had one already.

Are you exclusively WTM? What does your 6th/7th grader/logic student's day look like?

Thanks - I will check it out. I remember her site.

I am looking for free printable lesson plans for the Apologia elementary Chemistry and Physics and Anatomy and Physiology..... does anyone know of any awesome hs mom out there who has already done them and put them out there for our use??? I found Zoo2 and Zoo3 already. Thanks!!!

Nobody "needs" carbs, so if you felt fine on that you didn't have to force down the pasta. My .02 is eat when you are hungry and only when hungry. I eat very low carb, moderate protein, high fat and not only have I lost 104 pounds - I am fat adapted - meaning I burn fat for fuel not glucose. I feel and look better than I ever have. I have reversed my Type 2 Diabetes (meaning I control it without meds), I brought my blood pressure back to normal, I haven't been sick with a cold, sniffle or anything for 22 months, my sleep apnea is gone, I no longer snore and I have no more acid reflux. Life without excess carbs is good for me!

My youngest is 11 and going to be starting "6th grade" - I have not done a very good job with him when it comes to writing instruction. We have completed half of the "how to outline" book suggested by WTM, he knows how to write a paragraph and he can identify main ideas etc. He should know a lot more than that by now. We use TOG and I do have writing aids, but I haven't successfully executed it with this child for some reason. I want to give assign him many of the writing topics this year, but he really needs some more instruction first. I don't know why I am having such a hard time with this. I would like to spend this summer working on his writing skills, but I am not sure what to do. I was looking at Writing With Skill, but I think it is going to be over his head. Should I just finish the "how to outline" workbook first? Or can he work through that and simultaneously work through a writing program? What are your favorite "learning to write" curriculums and why?

Thank you! I have not tried freezer cooking yet - for some reason it scares me. lol I do drink a lot of water and coffee, but nothing else! I am sure I don't drink enough water yet, but I am working on it.

They do eat the same dinner, but they still eat the things I don't. If I make burgers, mine is bunless, theirs isn't and they eat fries. If I make tacos, I use romaine lettuce leaf and they use taco shells. I only have one child left at home so it really isn't hard for me to work out for just the three of us.

Hahaha- yeah, I guess I am blessed in that area. They have always been big though before, during and after obesity.