Thanks for all the ideas. I love having multiple things going on -- I think it adds depth to math. It's nice to hear what others have done and what options are out there if I want to add things, move more slowly and not feel pressed to complete AOPS Alg in 1 year.

Just found out I'm in the car for 10 hours tomorrow. Library is CLOSED. UG. :confused1: Not happening. I'm sore already. Going to bring my Kindle Fire with ear buds and DL some things tonight. I'll grab one I haven't listened to yet from SWB for sure to have on tap. Anything on Amazon coming to mind? I loved The Great Gatsby last year when I was stuck in the car all day. So bummed. . . .

I need a solution for this one. I need to keep their pieces IN something. I don't want to 3 hole punch them. They tear. I don't want to insert each one into a page protector. Would like a binder for each child that could grow with them. Or something like that. There are going to be alot this coming year and really need to figure this out. Thoughts?

Any other thoughts from the hive on where to go after SM 5B for 6th grade?

No one has really answered this yet . . . One composer and artist per month? or . .. .love the retention idea above too BTW. Will be doing once a week.

Thanks everyone for your ideas -- keep em comin'! :)

I am picking our artists and composers for next year, we only touched on a few last year and want to add this to our new loop scheduling so it doesn't drop off. Once a week we will have an artist and composer slot. I've looked here and there to get ideas of course, too many ways to do this. Help me simplify. :ohmy: Ambleside has 1 composer and 1 artist per term in 4th and 5th. Sounds great for 7th-12th grade, but I think that may be too long for us. How long do you study 1 composer and 1 artist at this age? Was thinking about doing 1 of each per month, I'll want to rely on library and other free resources for the content. These look nice the full series is at my library -- https://www.amazon.com/Revised-Getting-Greatest-Artists-Paperback/dp/0531225402/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469041952&sr=1-5&keywords=monet I like the look of this and was thinking about using this with whatever I put together . . . We could just start working thru these 33 artists and give a quick review of the ones we may have already studied . . . http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/artists.html Also looking at VP Art but can't see what's in the WB -- no samples online? Drooling over this: https://www.veritaspress.com/browse-by-grade/fourth-grade/art/art-over-2-500-works.html but not sure it's needed. I'm sure there are lots of great spines out there and need to walk my library shelves. Would love to have questions to ask about the artist's pieces. Where can I find that?

First time user -- had it 2 weeks. LOVE IT! This is my device but I might install a few things for the kids. (11 and 9) I planned for Stack the States. . .and we will get a Prodigy account set up for fall altho I intended for them to use Prodigy on the laptop. Does it matter? What else is educational and worthwhile? They get awarded real VG time at the end of each week (depending) so I won't be filling it with games really. But a few that actually teach them something would be nice. :) Thanks for your help!

wow look at all these colors! Haven't seen this set before. . . . Maybe it's too thin a pen. . . . https://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Retractable-Erasable-Komainu-Dou-Original/dp/B00R6L6ASC/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1467737440&sr=8-8&keywords=frixion+erasable+pens

I thought it would help with writing fatigue and IT DID! But then I had to limit them to use just for writing and LA, NOT MATH TOO AND FREE DRAWING!! lol Suddenly they were the writing object of obsession here. (Who stole my purple pen?) We love them. We didn't get ours til Feb, they are still going but I'll be honest I try to encourage rotation with using them. I'll have to look into refills too. I am hoarding an unopened pack! I'm putting them on the list for gifts for them from the family. And looking into larger packs too I just bought 2 packs of 3 at Walmart. Sure there may be better deals out there for Frixion.

Oh -- and why I wanted to save it? I never said earlier I was in "save it" mode. I'm keeping it now that it is perfect and fresh again. :laugh: Getting him another one he can be harder on. I couldn't put it in the sun it has set- so it's on low drying now it soaked 8 hours, then I rewashed it again with double Tide. Just I still am really,really shocked! It smells great and looks fab! :hurray:

Wow I'm shocked! It has done a great job so far. Soaked 3 hrs Still some in the crease of the top I am going after it again with soda and maybe vinegar too. I used a whole small box of soda today on it in the paste. Letting it sit another 2 hours then I'll rinse it. Great job folks!

My nephew came home from college and of course did not wash his comforter once. And he sweats. It is a Springmaid printed comforter with a cream background from Target which says wash on delicate in cold water. Dry clean best results. People online who owned this one (I checked reviews before we bought it for him) said it will bleed in the washer. So far no bleeding, but I know this comforter is 2 years old. Never been washed it sat on the shelf for a year before he took it. I have it in the washer water now with a little more liquid Tide than normal and am letting it soak. It has gone thru the delicate cycle (which didn't really churn it much) so I am tempted to switch it over to the regular cycle for more action. I've coated the top edge even with Tide and scrubbed it with my fingers and nails. It may be lightening a little but not much. The top edge is quite yellowed, and I'm not sure I can save it but I'd really like to. Thought on how long to soak this? All day??? Any other tips? Grrrr.

Hey thanks for the info. I appreciate the feedback. I think we'll give it a try out.

Did you use this for the past year, so for your Eldest when he was 12? Thanks . . .

Agreed. I like to skip to what is helpful, and skip the fluff. Maybe I'm just getting old(er) HA! but my time is precious. I am so much more effective using written docs than videos for the masses . . .oh well.

OK I am pondering it. No need for decision just yet. I have lots on the shelf I can use. Just seems like the student intensive deal is a pretty good focus course if that's the correct word. Can I use it ALL ??? LOL (Yes some days I feel my kids DO hate me. ) :)

Thanks Sparkly! My problem is I worry so much about writing, and I have way too many products already :) But maybe this would be good to use in the fall. I have 4th and 5th in fall so maybe I can combine them. I know everyone loves Most Wonderful Writing Lessons, but I think they are too old for that now maybe. Fun Stuff!! Sad I get so excited about school books :)

How does IEW fit into the classical model? We have taken such an interesting, creative road to our writing to date with CAP and assignments I create, I'm curious what this program has to offer and why people like it. Does it use narration, dictation, and copywork? What types of assignments are given? I'm peeking, altho only peeking at this point at the Student Writing Intensive and thought it might be a good course to do over the next year sometime. I am tiring and may want to move into outsourcing some things. It is expensive yikes. (I know you all know that! lol) I have grades 3-5.

Hey thanks I appreciate both suggestions! When I had the time to research I chose the Cyber Shot in 2004 when my son was born. I'll look at those again (I had bought 2 of the same model off eBay without success) but worth revisiting again. I'll also check into the old phones too. Always nice to have a book to read option.

That's an idea thanks. I'm not much of an Apple supporter tho (yes everyone jump on me now). I do carry my camera EVERYWHERE with me, so I'm looking for a good one, $100 or less now my budget has gone up!

Any suggestions for a good camera for my son who is 10? And for me who breaks everything? Can we get a good enough one for $50-80 on Amazon? I don't want to just buy one that is totally not worth it. Thanks for your input!

My son read well at an early age, we went thru phonics slow and steady and now at 4th grade he is mispronouncing odd words not normally found in his books and lessons. I want to work on this over the summer with him, but not sure if how to. Any thoughts on how best to work on this? Examples: hyperion -- the i he doesn't say long e. Is there an upper level of a phonics workbook we can buy? Should I just be patient and wait thru Rod and Staff Spelling for us to get there naturally?

These were all so great! Thanks again for the wonderful suggestions of those you have read and really enjoyed. We are enjoying our girl time this week! Tonight, cooking from the toddler cookbook. Aprons, hats and all. :)

Thanks for all the thoughts, I don't want to buy something I can't use or won't use because I don't have the time to make up lesson plans etc. Thanks for these other ideas I'm looking at them tonight!