I wish I could- but the price tag is beyond ridiculous and no one around here does Russian.

I am running out of ideas on how to get ds interested (even remotely interested) in getting his language done. Schools here require minimum of 2 years of the same language to graduate, few universities we are looking at require 3 years of the same language. Last year he tried Spanish and Japanese (both his choice) and that lasted about a month. This year, I have been on top of him with Russian and he will do it but retention is not there because he is not into it so to speak. He is able but does not want to. He'd rather go to the dentist or write a research report rather than work on his language (and he despises writing so that somewhat paints a picture). Since I know Russian, I figured it would be simpler since I could help with pronunciation and practice and the finite titbits of Russian grammar- no, ds totally fights it but does not want to do it with me or on his own. Tutor is not an option and he does not want to take any online classes... I do not think it is the language itself that is a issue- he just has no interest in language study- he is my math and science child and anything else is not a priority to him. I would appreciate any and all suggestions and ideas that may help in this scenario. Thank you so very much.

That is what we did too. I but I was thinking of doing some actual teaching in the first 10-15 min of the meeting- how to develop the middle, stonewall attack, king side castle, queen side castle, which pieces are more valuable than others, maybe thinking out loud 2-3 moves ahead- things like that. I'd love to hear what pointers your husband may have. I know how to play fairly well but teaching to someone else is a different ball game.

There is great interest in Chess Club and we had one just recently to see on turn out and who would actually show up-nice turn out, different ages and levels but can be divided into 2 groups- absolute beginners and those who have been playing for a bit and know their rules, moves and ready for more advanced stuff. I have been reading and watching videos- there is just so much info there and much of it concentrates on the set up but not how to progress from square 1 onward. I would love some input from those who actually done it/doing it right now- books, materials, software that we can set up through the projector at the library and go over the game move by move- figure our good/bad moves and what other options that may have been available (I think anything technology keeps older kids interested). Or just suggestions on what worked in your set up. Thank you so very much.

There is great interest in Chess Club and we had one just recently to see on turn out and who would actually show up-nice turn out, different ages and levels but can be divided into 2 groups- absolute beginners and those who have been playing for a bit and know their rules, moves and ready for more advanced stuff. I have been reading and watching videos- there is just so much info there and much of it concentrates on the set up but not how to progress from square 1 onward. I would love some input from those who actually done it/doing it right now- books, materials, software that we can set up through the projector at the library and go over the game move by move- figure our good/bad moves and what other options that may have been available (I think anything technology keeps older kids interested). Or just suggestions on what worked in your set up. Thank you so very much.

There is great interest in Chess Club and we had one just recently to see on turn out and who would actually show up-nice turn out, different ages and levels but can be divided into 2 groups- absolute beginners and those who have been playing for a bit and know their rules, moves and ready for more advanced stuff. I have been reading and watching videos- there is just so much info there and much of it concentrates on the set up but not how to progress from square 1 onward. I would love some input from those who actually done it/doing it right now- books, materials, software that we can set up through the projector at the library and go over the game move by move- figure our good/bad moves and what other options that may have been available (I think anything technology keeps older kids interested). Or just suggestions on what worked in your set up. Thank you so very much.

You could also check Kolbe Academy Homeschool EES service- they have teachers evaluate your child's writing line by line and it is priced reasonably. Been using them for few years now.

Yes please. I would love the resource list.

Do you have specific text/ course suggestions for a solid integrated science?

I am not picky- anything goes as long as it might work for us. Test/quizzes would be helpful but not absolutely required.

I would love some suggestions. Ds will be 8th this fall and wants to get high school biology out of the way and be done with it so that he can concentrate on more interesting things like chemistry, physics, astronomy and such. The thing is that he loathes biology- has zero interest in it. We are finishing up RS4K High School Chemistry right now which took a bit longer than the 10 weeks (1 week per chapter) and he is averaging 90 on his quizzes. What can we do for biology in this situation? I know in the past, on topics that were not "loved" we did God's Design for Science a lot- short lessons but packed full with information and he remembered most of it too. What is there that is similar but on high school level- some color, and maybe a video component would be a plus but not required. Thank you in advance.

Its a 12 yo boy thing. I had the same thing with mine last year and it is still ongoing this year at 13. As long as he knows his stuff, don't worry.

housemouse, on 19 Jan 2016 - 11:01 AM, said: We have somewhat active homeschool community here but most of it get organized in the mornings, mostly for younger kids. It seems magic age is 11. Once you hit 11 yo, you are the "odd ball out" so to speak and group activities is extremely slim pickings. We have 4H archery that the oldest is a part of but that is only 1 day a week and everything else that is 4H meet 6 or 7 pm for 2 hours in many cases for older kids (so if you included travel time we would not be home until close to 9pm) I've tried organizing some things like get together for bowling or roller skating or laser tag (nice two story set up) and if we are lucky maybe 2 families show up. Very rarely 3 families show up. Sometimes no one shows up which is a disappointment. People say they come, and then do not show up nor do they let anyone else who is coming know they will not be coming even if it is at the last second. And then those who come because there's suppose to be a nice turn out of older kids show up and no one else comes- guess what- they may come one more time just to see if it is the same or they may not come again at all because they were disappointed. Even things like park days or Board Game Days (we get together at the library, everyone brings a game to share if they want to and kids play together and parents get their social interaction as well) never have much turn out and those who come are under 10 years old which leaves those who are 12+ kind of left out. Same thing, people say they come and then do not show up nor do they let anyone else who is coming know they are not coming. Again, those who come to check it out, leave sorely disappointed and they do not come again. As far as living in an expensive city, not really. Its just everything that is homeschool related- any kind of class of any sort has been turned into a big business. Even asking for a multiple student discount (I have more than 2 often) is like committing an unspeakable crime.

I think that it is important for people to be active whether they are interested in a formal sport or not, so I would go on hikes (and if you want it to be communal, there are hiking clubs, and nature walks etc). The Y does not only offer sports. Our Y offers child care for kids up to age 10. My daughter has volunteered taking care of the babies and toddlers for over 4 years now. They have movie nights. And open swims (back to the premise that it is important to be active). And youth leadership programs. They used to have a kid's cooking class but I don't know if that is still being offered. As far as exposure to culture, our local public school has lots of plays and events for the public. If parents and grandparents are invited, so are we. Most libraries have programs of some kind - story hours for young kids and often book clubs for older people. Social opportunities don't have to be age segregated. I enjoyed ice cream socials when I was young in our church - as one of the only young people there. The ice cream still tasted good and I enjoyed the company of the older people. ;) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Agreeing with everything you have said. But, Y membership is expensive here (over $1200 for the year just to put a foot through the door) and every class/activity you want to do through Y if you do find something of interest costs extra per class per student. Like I said before everything enrichment here is overpriced. There is no movie nights/no open swims. Youth leadership programs are at extra charge (few hundred dollars each). Local public schools have theater productions here but they charge $20-30 per person to get in. Our library is fairly good on programing for kids under 10 yo but after that, good luck. Majority of library programs are gears toward kids 2-6 yo. Even to volunteer at the library you have to be 14 yo and only during the summer. Once you get to be 16 then it can be year round. With multiple students anything that is anything costs a pretty penny. We do hang at the park and go on walks and keep active, but it is not the same as having few friends to just hang and kick back with. Sorry if this sounds like one big gripe. It's just the reality in our area.

It actually depends on which school you go to-most will require 1 year of US history and 1 semester of Economy and 1 semester of Government. The other 1 or2 years are up for grabs on what ever student interest is in social sciences. Many around here do Phych 101 and be done with it.

But what if you are not part of sports (b/c dc show no interest in sports), not part of Y (because all they offer is sports) and there are no kids in the neighborhood (0 kids literally). The nearest city with any kinds of cultural exposure (museums/ plays, etc is an hour away one way and that is if there is no traffic)?? And enrichment classes are over priced.

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I totally forgot about Adventure Novel. Have to look at that. And yes, we plan to add lit study.

If we did all 3 levels of Writing with Skill for grade 9, 10, 11- Can we count it for English credit for each year or do we need to add some other thing to make it count as full English credit? Also, what can be used for grade 12? Thank you

Anything that is north of Dawsonville, Ga is very rural. Not much in terms of enrichment unless you are willing to drive 30-45 minutes each way to and from class. Gainesville is smallish and yes, Hispanic population is very large and there are areas that are not pretty and have gang problems. If your husband is willing to make and hour and a half drive then look for Cumming, Alpharetta, Johns Creek in Ga- high population, there are ballet studios, people are nice. Taxes are not that bad as long as you do not go too close to Atlanta. Roswell, Alpharetta and Cumming all have hybrid schools geared towards homeschoolers all through high school, plenty of sports and dance studios and enrichment classes. There are also homeschool groups and field trip groups for homeschoolers that are active if you join in (free)to meet other kids as well for park days, library events, game days, bowling, roller skating, ice skating, all kinds of stuff.

I added answers in blue. And I will check the 1000 islands area. Thank you.

We really, really need a nice vacation. Would love some suggestions please. It has to meet at least some of the criteria: 1. Has to be in the US- mainland 2. Not a beach on the Atlantic side 3. Not a large metro area (no NYC, D.C., Chicago, etc.) 4. We'll assume money is not an issue (more options that way) 5. Preferably has a kitchen in the lodging option 6. Not a campground/RV park 7. Not Disney (been there few times already) or amusement parks in general I know its a long list of dos and don'ts. Like I said we really, really need a nice relaxing vacation (more husband that myself) so I really appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.

I have been looking at it all year this year- just keep coming back to it. I think ds will do well with that particular structure. For those who use it: 1. How long does it take every day to get it done? 2. Is there enough writing? and is the instruction for writing clear and step by step? (I am not worried about grading rubric as I will be using Kolbe EES services for that) 3. Is it doable for a young 9th grader (fall birthday)? Or would it be advisable to wait another year (he will be officially 8th grade in the fall but I want to get his writing and lit up to par for high school) and then try it? 4. Is there anything you did not like about the program? Thank you very much.

How about trying to expose him to many new things and then see where it goes. Around here libraries are a wonder. We have free monthly yoga, karate, math club, chess club, art club, science club, lego club, dance (once a month local dance studio does 45 min lesson on different style dancing). If you check around, there are free karate/tae Kwando lessons/PE lessons for homeschoolers. It may take a bit of trying and driving around for you to find things in your area but it is worth it. Another thing- it is quite possible your child may not be into sports in general to begin with and pushing it does nothing. None of my kids are into sports- they are my math/science/lego/art/chess kids. We do not do anything that requires massive commitment from us so no year long classes outside of home. I know that and I do not push for sports. Find a park day with other local homeschoolers- meet and have kids run about and hang together playing, exploring, creating friendships. You can push (if you want to) for classes outside of home later as kids are older at find an interest.

Ddrops is another liquid vitamin D. The highest doze they carry is 2000iu per drop as far as I know. That is the only one I can handle without any reactions - it has 3 ingredients only, no fillers.