Momto2cs, can you tell me more about the lof and ja combination? My 6th grader has been using aops prealgebra, and she loved the challenge, but it confused her more than anything! She is currently using systematic mathematics DVDs, which she enjoys and is learning a lot from, but she LOVES lof. I've wondered if adding ja would be a good fit or overkill. Also, how do they line up together? Thanks in advance!

Virtualhomeschoolgroup.com has Apologia general science for free as a study at your own pace course, complete with quizzes and tests that they grade for you. We're trying it next year.

This is our first year, and my 6th grade dd enjoys it. Free workbook pages are provided. We are just watching and discussing this year, and plan to incorporate suggested readings next year. Or later, if we keep moving as slowly as we are now! It really can be as easy or as difficult as you need it to be.

Horrible Histories on Netflix is a carton based on the scholastic books based on the original series. Seems geared for a younger audience. For the actual horrible histories, you can watch full episodes on YouTube. Depending on the kid, you might want to watch the episode first, but nothing I didn't let my girls(7 and 12) watch. Lots of gross humor in both. Great songs in the original series.

Thank you! This is exactly the type of info I was searching for!

Do you use the solution text as well? If so, how helpful is it? I've heard mixed opinions, but would like to know from someone actually using the program. Thanks!

Being from the south, the dialect just sounded like all the old men in my family! And as a child I never thought much about race, but I suppose I would have thought them white like all those old men. It is amazing how background changes a child's-and adult's- perception. Knowing it upsets so many now, it has never been on our reading list, and I don't guess my children have ever even heard of the books.

There are also non-fiction resource guides for them. My oldest (dd12) never liked the series, but loved the guides, but my youngest (dd7) reads a chapter from the series almost every day. Can't wait to check out teenage Jack and Annie!

Print off or draw large bubble letters/ numbers. Slide it in a sheet protector and let her use playdough to fill them in. You can also create math problems for her to use playdough as manipulatives. For example, draw a tree, then 3+2 apples = ? I believe they had free sets of these on teacherpayteacher last year. Also, if she's ready for sight words, give her word flash cards and let her stamp them out, make them out of pipe cleaners, use magnets, etc. Starfall.com is great and free. Books on cd. Also, my students love painting and creating cards with stamps and stickers.

It's not free, but I highly recommend Heidi's Songs. I use it in kindergarten class, and my kids love it! I do, too.:)

I haven't used this, but soaring with spelling is workbook style, and not expensive.

In my class we are adding and subtracting within 5, counting to 100, reading simple readers using sight words and easy-to-sound-out words. 2d and 3d shapes are recognized and discussed daily. Calendar math is daily. Each week, they have five sentences and five to ten spelling words ( cat, hat, sat...) which they are tested on. I also send home readers; when they've filled their log, I give them a treat of their choice. Books are read constantly during the day; this is also how I integrate science and social studies. I also incorporate singing, movement, and fun centers. This is a full day, no nap, 21 kids (two with severe learning disorders, two with moderate behave disorders), and me. If you want to know more of what the public school in your area should be teaching, search for kindergarten standards in your state. My state is common core, so some of the things that others have said, such as money or time, can no longer be taught in our grade, but we go much deeper into the subjects we do teach. For example, my students are learning that 5 can be shown through numbers, words, pictures, and equations. It's simply amazing what our babies can do!

I've not tried it, but Soaring with Spelling groups by rules and has a very easy to follow format.

When journaling with inventive spelling, the key is to have them write every sound they hear. Their writing should be immediately followed up with correct spelling. It sounds crazy, but I have seen huge gains in my classroom, and it as increased their phonic awareness in reading as well. It also fosters a greater independence. I have several who choose to write stories and cards during free choice activity, something they could not do without kid spelling.

I am a public school teacher, but my daughter will homeschool next year. She needs more than the public school can offer. We live next to my parents, which is where she will complete her work during the day. Mom will take her to her history class each afternoon. When I get home, I will handle any new teaching she needs, and my husband and I both will check her work and offer corrections. It is not ideal, but it will give her the best education possible. It allows her to take advanced courses while preventing the peer issues present in middle school. Best of luck to you!