Before I go reinventing the wheel, I'm looking to see if there's a reading schedule for high school history for year 4 on the rotation. We used Susan's "The History of" series for years 1 through 3, but now we're on our own. I have the history texts she recommends in WTM: Modern Times by Paul Johnson, America: A Narrative History (vol 2) by George Tindall, A History of Asia by Rhoads Murphey, as well as The Well-Educated Mind. Does anyone know if such a list exists? After three years of my eldest doing his own schedule via The History of books, I'd love to get us all synced again for at least a year, particularly since I'll have two high schoolers. Thanks!

Has anyone read A History of Asia? It's a recommended text for high school via WTM. It's not cheap. Curious who's gone through it.

I have had one of the craziest years of my life; the spring of DS's junior year is upon me. I have found out that I've been in the dark and misinformed about a lot of things, so I'm trying to make up for lost time. This thread caught my eye in a search, particularly since we're in North SD County and I want to make sure I'm not messing up my son's options because I've been ignorant and busy. Are there any downsides to taking the CHSPE? From past reading, I thought there was a stigma to the GED. Is this different? If so, how so? I would like to avoid all contact with local schools since I've got five more kids to educate at home (independent hs affadavit). And if I can help him get CC credit so he could transfer into UC or just finish earlier, that would be great. Does taking the CHSPE affect scholarship opportunities? He's a smart kid and has good study skills, just needs to be stirred up to set some goals. As does his mother, apparently. Thanks for all your help!

Gwen, I'm so glad that you were encouraged by my post. If I can't talk to 28yo me, at least maybe I can share what I wish I had done with other moms like her. ThisIsTheDay, I totally get you! Beth, you make a great point about community.

You are so much more organized than I! Thanks for taking all the photos and putting up your posts so soon! I will be linking freely in the coming weeks. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around everything we talked about. Wish I had a video of my head as it was happening.

Here's a video of what I do for stock: http://goodcheapeats.com/2009/04/how-to-make-chicken-stock/ Last night I made this soup, more or less, I did change some things. It was really good: http://foodformyfamily.com/recipes/cream-of-turkey-and-wild-rice-soup

We are taking baby steps with this. I found an organic produce co-op that we subscribe to for a weekly box. It's awesome! http://abundantharvestorganics.com It's for Calif. only. I am cooking more from scratch, shopping mostly Trader Joe's, Costco, and Sprouts. I just took a few areas to change our diet and to find economical sources (ie produce, dairy). Then I'll move on to the next thing. (I post a lot of it, including the shopping on my blog)

I can't imagine NOT cleaning. Some places here in CA require a receipt that the carpets have been done professionally. And they've docked us when they didn't think something was clean enough.

I actually took that test 6 times. LOL. By the third kid I wisened up and just skipped the first one altogether. I was always allowed to drink water -- and I left my kids at home and had 3+ hours to myself. I loved it, actually. I either scrapbooked or read or did a writing project. Good luck!

I thought this review was helpful: http://michaelhyatt.com/kindle-fire.html

I have tried a lot of books that were horrible. It can be disappointing. Concerning books, I'm going to second the Not Your Mother's series for slow cooking. As for blogs, I have a lot of yummy ones on my sites. They aren't categorized "slow cooker" though I should/will go do that.

This thread has been SO enlightening. In some ways, I'm happy to have stayed in my little homeschool cave. LOL. Going to Long Beach. It was actually the range of speakers (and SWB) and that it was not just "the same flavor of Christianity" as all the local events that attracted me to this convention. And I knew nothing about its history.

Echoing the "Good luck with THAT." ;) You could always try this one: http://lifeasmom.com/2008/05/bake-your-cake-and-eat-it-too.html It's just colored printouts on cardstock with fun frosting and candy rocks.

Well, in TOG's defense, it may just be the Ancient History year. But, the first two units are pretty blech. I think there are gems throughout the full four years. Like the Jane Austen that I think shows up in Y3. LOL. But, I don't think my teenage son will read those with me! ;)

When my kids have gotten to that point, it always helps to read some real books. I found that the MCP readers for early phonics were very doable. The kid regained interest as well as confidence because he saw that his hard work resulted in something tangible.