Even though I have a science/engineering background, we seem to struggle with science. It seems like it takes so much effort to do science and most of our experiments fail. We did Real-Science-4-Kids and do field trips to the museums and other science outings, but I don't feel like we're doing a good job. Does anyone have a good science program they recommend?

We did Saxon 8/7 last year. I was trying to decide whether to use Algebra 1/2 or Algebra 1. I spoke to a person at Rainbow Resources who recommended Algebra 1/2 since I described my dd as a reluctant mathematician. When I got Algebra 1/2, I found it offered nothing new. So I called RR back, and the second person told me that if your student completed 80+ lessons in Saxon 8/7, to go directly to Algebra 1. So I got Algebra 1, and we are now at lesson 70. It is going well. You might want to call or email the people at Saxon.

We need to get a microscope for HS science. Does anyone have any recommendations about type to buy and good sources to buy?

Thanks. I am looking forward to it.

I am considering starting Henle Latin with 13 yo dd after Book 1 of Latin Christina. What resources do you recommend - pronunciation DVDs, Henle Grammar, Henle Guide for Units I-II? Thanks!

I only have my dd do the problems that I know she is having trouble with and the current lesson problems. Otherwise it would take way too long and I think it just becomes busy work - death by Saxon...

We used the Monart "Drawing with Children" with my dd at about that age. I think our best art experience was with "Watercolor for the artistically Undiscovered". Not drawing, but good fun! We also enjoyed some books for Sculpy clay at that age.

Sorry to hear that PS didn't treat you well. Any online Latin courses that you recommend?

We have found the Rod and Staff grammar program to be very good. If dd doesn't have any background in grammar rules, you might need to start with a 6th grade level. Also studying Latin or any foreign language may help.

Thanks for the input. I will look at some of these

What are people using for 8th grade science? We are just finishing up Real-Science for Kids (Chemistry, Physics, and Biology). Any recommendations?

We been using Latin Christina. It really teaches grammar which is good, but it might too much for under grade 4. I like the fact that they give English derivatives. But we don't like the pronunciation cds because she has a strong southern accent. I do think that we are learning Latin though.

I am considering a combination of home school / online/ and public school for 9th grade next year. I think I'd like to do home school for math since that is going well, science at public school since they have the equipment, and maybe Latin, Spanish and writing online. Any opinions on what courses lend themselves to online? Or public?

We are currently struggling with IL. My dd is in 8th grade. I am afraid it is going to totally turn her off to logic. It just seems very dry.

We used Spell to Write and REad by Wanda Sanseri. It drills rules. I never thought I would learn to spell, but I did learn along with my dd with this program.

I think we will just listen to it on CD in the car on a road trip rather than reading this one.

Hi, We home schooled grades k-4 and then again in grade 7 and will do grade 8. I take a lot of recommendations from TWTM and the forum. I find some recommendations work well with my daughter and others do not. don't find it possible to do all the recommendations (and yes the notebooking takes a lot of time). We seem to keep up by schooling year round and catching up in the summer. This summer we are focusing on Spanish and science since we didn't do enough during the "regular" school year. More on the notebooking- we don't summarize or outline every reading we do. I look at what else we are doing in writing classes or other subjects and assign accordingly. i just make sure she's writing everyday and that we do some of each type of assignment. Hope that helps.

Has anyone used the Real Science 4 Kids Critical Thinking materials (KOGS-4-Kids)? I am conisidering using it with Chemistry for my 13 year-old daughter.

After we completed 8/7, I spoke to someone at Rainbow Recources who recommended Algebra 1/2. When we got it, it was a 98% repeat of 8/7. When I spoke again to Rainbow Resources about returning it and ordering Algebra 1, the second rep said that if the student had completed 80 of the lessons in 8/7 that we should have been told to go to Algebra 1 (wish I had gotten that answer the first time....). This doesn't answer your question about what to do about going from 7/6 but you might ask the rep using the information that I just gave you.

All, I am looking for recommendations for a Latin and Greek roots-based spelling or vocab program for my 13 yo dd. We are completeing Spell to Write and Read. Thanks!

Thanks. We did use the first Remedia book and we liked it. I will probably get the second. Patti

It looks like "Thirty Lessons in Outlining" is out of print and pricey on eBay. Does anyone have a source for this book?

I am considering using "Introductory Logic" as recommended in TWTM. I am wondering if you need the DVDs or can if we can do it with just the text and workbooks. Thoughts?