He's three weeks older than I am :laugh:

Realizing that he's not the same kind of student as I was. I was a much better reader and loved social studies and literature. Darth Kid loves math and science, but is a reluctant reader and couldn't care less about history or geography.

Mine is so not excited. We went and picked out school supplies today which is always my favorite part of the year-- he couldn't have cared less about it :crying: The only things he's even vaguely expressed an interest in are the Beast Academy math books and his science class, and even that was kind of "meh." He may perk up this weekend when we go replenish his art supplies, but I don't expect it. :svengo:

I'm responsible for bill paying in our household. I freaking hate doing it; it stresses me out and makes me actually vaguely ill.

Johnny Tremaine The Drums of War series--Bunker Hill, Captive in Williamsburg, Independence My Brother Sam is Dead

We previewed the life science for this year and really liked it, so that's what we're going with, although we'll have to find an alternative when he gets to physics.

Try the Pearson Core Knowledge History/Geography or the Holt civics.

I don't grade, because I've never felt it was particularly helpful as a yardstick to measure mastery. I do give general feedback and critique and the opportunity to revise work for Darth Kid, but grades really mean less than nothing. I'm more concerned with mastery, which is pretty easy to tell in most cases. However, I do make a list of tasks for the day that need to be accomplished, and leave it up to him which tasks he wants to accomplish in what order, and cross them off as he finishes. This gives him a clear plan for the day as well as a visible sign of progress through the tasks. If an assignment needs to be redone I allow him to redo it the next day, which gives his brain a break and time to think. I'll reteach the lesson and have him redo the work only on the next day. Sometimes it's a case of *me* teaching the material in a poor way, and I can rethink another approach if I have time.

We broke down and bought a Pinky and the Brain collection.

http://www.flapjacklapbooks.com/blank-free-lapbooking-templates.html http://www.thatresourcesite.com/lapbook.htm http://heartofwisdom.com/scrapbook/lapbook-templates

I used to be a university instructor, so my problem isn't learning to teach necessarily, although I do keep learning about teaching, it's trying to learn the material in ways that will be approachable by a 9 year old!

Darth Kid also recommends Super Diaper Baby, Captain Underpants, and Dragonbreath. :lol:

A separate schoolroom, where I can get all the materials in one specific place and organize them better Computer and printer specifically for Darth Kid (he shares with me right now) A Spanish tutor All the books we ever wanted

Ray's Mathematics?

Really the only boxed curric I could see using is OM, and I can't afford it anyway. I'm still violently attracted to curric packages, however, and every year fight down the urge to get one.

We used hooked on phonics as well. It worked pretty well for us, surprisingly.

Oak Meadow is my siren song. I have no idea how Darth Kid would deal with it, yet it keeps calling to me.

We love these as well. Darth Kid is obsessed with Disney anyway, and these videos are so well done.

I got mine last week. So far, my RR wishlist/cart totals about $459, which is better than the $700 it was when I first got it last week!

Wrinkle in Time The Westing Game From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Treasure Island Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Keep in mind, I devour books like food and there are hundreds more I would recommend beyond these five!

The biggest thing I'm doing is to 1. Work with DS on his reading and math, at least 15 minutes a day. 2. Get him evaluated for LD's and ADD/ADHD. I hope this will lead to some answers so I can reliably plan for next year!

Out of curiosity, what are some other CC aligned materials that homeschoolers use often? I'm not for or against the CC-- I haven't done enough research on it to say, but I am curious as to what we're using that already conforms to the CC standards.

I'm a knitter and I use them for holding projects I'm working on.

I just ordered from Rainbow for the first time, and qualified for the free shipping. I'll let you know how it works out!