Thanks, everyone. I appreciate all the input and experiences shared. The related threads were hepful, too. I am going to consider Rainbow Science. I found out that they have a trial offer.

Has anyone used "Rainbow Science" by Beginnings Publishing? I am interested in finding out what people liked or did not like about it. Thanks, in advance.

Does anyone know of any good books that are written to the homeschool student (teen) about homeschooling? Thanks!

Thanks for all the advice and shared experiences. I like the idea of looking into what our kids are interested in first and then joining or creating those events to meet like-minded people. More comments are welcome. Just thought I'd say "thanks" first.

How do you provide friendships for your teens? What happens when you've tried to connect with other homeschoolers in your area, but your children are not connecting with them?

Thanks for all the ideas and advice. I think I will do the "Ancients" with them so that they can have some kind of starting point for all of history. I also like the idea of doing some American History with them at the same time. Will it be too much for them, though? How do integrate the two? World history on some days and American history on other days?

I have 2 children in the mid-upper elementary age stage. I haven't really done a lot of history with them in the past. I am wondering if I should have them start with Ancient History and work chronologically forward or start with American History first and then go back to the Ancients, etc. I have heard two philosophies: 1. Start with Ancient History and move chronologically. or 2. Start with American History because it is easier for kids at this stage to grasp and enjoy more. Then go back to Ancient History, Renaissance and such at a later age. Which one is better? Thanks, in advance!

Does anyone know if we are permitted to photocopy pictures from a book or print from the internet for educational purposes, such as reports, projects, etc? Thanks in advance!

Which Language Arts curriculums would you recommend for a 10th grader? (literature analysis, grammar, critical thinking, essays, etc.) I need something that has good literature analysis and discussion along with essay assignments and such.

I'm having a hard time trying to decide which Language Arts curriculum to use. I have kids in elementary, middle and high school. I was using "Classical Writing: (by Kathy Weitz) for a little while, but was a bit overwhelmed by it. I also have Rod & Staff English, but I still had to supplement composition writing. My kids think its tedious. I just purchased Learning Language Arts through Literature because it seems like it incorporates grammar, spelling, writing, and literature. Has anyone used these curriculums? What are the adv. or disadv. of each? What combinations of Lang. Arts curriculums do you use? Or, what other curriculums would you recommend? Thanks!

I am in the process of reading the Well-Trained Mind, by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. They recommend the following for history sequence: 5th gr. - Ancients (5000 BC - 400 AD) 6th gr. - Medieval-Early Renaissance (400-1600) 7th gr. - Late Renaissance - Early Modern (1600-1850) 8th gr. - 1850 - Present What if my 8th grader has not had a solid background in any of the other time periods from 5th-7th gr.? Should I still have her study 1850-Present? or should I use this year to do a quick overview of the other time periods somehow?

Is there a difference between the "Usborne Book of World History" vs. the "Usborne Encyclopedia of World History"? The Well-Trained Mind recommends the "Usborne Book of World History," but I already own the "Usborne Encyclopedia of World History." I am wondering if I need to purchase the "Usborne Book of World History" too. Thanks!

What did you like about Chalk Dust vs. Ask Dr. Callahan?

Has anyone compared Ask Dr. Callahan's high school math curriculum with Chalk Dust? What did you think? Thanks!

Haven't thought of MFW. Thanks!

Has anyone found some of the model stories in Homer hard to understand? I think I like the program, but sometimes I think I need a little help with understanding the model and some of the writing assignments. I'm not sure I can get through this.

If we were to put Omnibus on the high school transcript, how does Omnibus III, IV, V, and VI translate to History courses taken? For example, Omnibus III is American History?, Omnibus IV is ?

How does Chalkdust compare to Foersters? What is the difference?

Thanks for all your input. I think I am going to try correcting it. I feel like I will regret it if they have problems later. They also hold some other things in their hands similarly, and it is not the proper hold. I think I should have just corrected them long time ago. I, also, do not hold the pencil correctly, and am trying to correct my hold. I think it does actually help me write more freely and does not tense up my hand. Thanks, again.

How does Chalkdust compare with any of these: Saxon, Jacobs, Singapore Math's Discovering Mathematics, Teaching Textbooks, MUS? I am weak in math. Does it prepare kids well for the SATs. Also, does it give real life examples?

I think I like Discovering Mathematics (one of Singapore Math's series), but I am afraid that it will not cover everything that the American Math system requires. Any thoughts on what to do?

Thanks for all your comments. One of my daughters has very neat handwriting, but has a major bump on her third finger. I keep telling her not to press so hard, but I think she has the bump also because she doesn't hold the pencil properly. If she held it correctly, maybe she would not have a problem with the bump and possible carpel tunnel syndrome in the future? How hard do I try to correct? Thanks again.

How does Omnibus work? My son is going into 10th grade in the fall. We just starting using Omnibus this past year (starting with Omnibus III). Does he go on to Omnibus IV? or Omnibus I because he missed it? Then for 11-12th grades, I don't see any Omnibus core manuals. How do you teach it for these grade levels?

Anyone have experience with "Classical Writing" curriculum (by Kathy Weitz)? We have purchased it for my middle and highschooler, (and also the lower grades) and so far, I think I like it, but there's a lot of different reading and steps for each lesson. Has anyone used it with success? or what didn't you like about it? Thanks!

I have a friend who is thinking of using Singapore Math for her 5th grader. He has never used Singapore before. Not sure what he has used, but would it be too hard for him to switch to Singapore Primary Math at this point? They are also new to homeschooling.