It's October and I've already started, but here is what my 5th grader (DD) is doing so far: Language Arts Handwriting: Zaner Bloser Cursive Grammar: Easy Grammar 6 and Beowulf Grammar from Guest Hollow Spelling: Megawords 2 & 3 Vocabulary: Vocabulary from Classical roots and Sadlier Vocabulary Composition: Finish Writing & Rhetoric Narrative II and start IEW A (1st year) and continue with IEW A (2nd year) Literature: Stack of good children's literature Mathematics Singapore Primary Standards Grade 5 and Beast Academy Level 4; a little Life of Fred for some extra fun (Liver, Mineshaft, etc.) Science Fall: Online Astronomy class with Skrafty (uses Apologia text). Spring: Probably something with biology and anatomy maybe with Elemental Science mixed with some Nancy Larson units. History /Geography My goal is to eventually complete a United States geography study and also begin United States history. So far, I got nothin' < sigh > Art Crafting class at weekly co-op Art history with studio art class at weekly co-op Continue tap, jazz, and ballet classes 4 days a week Continue with weekly piano lessons (45 minutes) and practice most days per week (30 minutes)

I've been using the Primary Standards Earlybird K Math through level 6B for over ten years. We always use the textbook and the workbook. I purchased the Home Instructors Guides for each grade level mostly to save time when correcting answers. When I am able to purchase extra books like Challenging Word Problems at library book or used curriculum sales I often do that. I find that I don't use the Singapore supplements enough to warrant me purchasing extra books "new." For us, the textbook and workbook provide more than enough practice. We also use Math Mammoth for various topics if more practice is needed. Beast Academy is an ongoing supplement, as well.

I'm nowhere near being a grandma myself so I don't know what I would want. I do like the idea of Gran though (from a poster upthread). Some neighbors I used to live next to have a Nana and a Pop Pop. My friend growing up had a Poppa. Another neighbor is Grammy to her grandkids.

I thought it was just happening around here with the teens I know. They are religious but not fundamentalist. I think it mostly has to do with wanting to have sex but not wanting to have sex outside of marriage. AND their parents are all thrilled and extremely supportive which I think is significant. I would NOT be thrilled and extremely supportive if my teen (17-19) came to me wanting to marry the person he/she had been dating for less than a year. I will not be surprised if most of these marriages I am seeing lately end up at least unhappy if not in divorce.

Many schools in Europe will also take DE courses (15-30 units) from an accredited college or university that grants 4 year (and higher) degrees. There are several American colleges/universities that offer online DE courses at reduced credit rates for high school students (who presumably live anywhere). The courses typically run anywhere from 8-15 weeks per class. Go to www.beyondthestates.com for more info on non-Europeans attending college in Europe.

I am listing my son's Language Arts separately as Literary Analysis I, II, III, etc.. and Composition I, II, III, etc. Together these are one English credit per year.

Open Tent Academy has a World Geography class for high schoolers.

My DS is a capable math student but hates the subject and has no confidence in himself as a math student. He requires a spiral approach to build confidence and stay focused. We did CLE Algebra 1 and Thinkwell Geometry; CLE worked fine but with Geometry he was very close to wanting to drop out of high school. I don't think this had much to do with Thinkwell and Dr. Burger, but rather that geometry is so different from algebra and spatial concepts are his weakness. For Algebra 2 I knew that he would need something that would hold his interest. We started with a typical math textbook that Dr. Burger wrote and is used in many schools (I can't remember the name). That was a fail. Then we went to Yaymath! because I got sucked in by a promotion on homeschoolbuyersco-op promising highly engaging and non stuffy math. That lasted about two weeks. In desperation we went to Teaching Textbooks about three weeks ago and FINALLY something has clicked. I can't say he loves math, but Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2 is quite thorough in explanations and is spiral which my DS desperately needs. He can do all lessons on his own but I have been sitting with him for now because this is our 3rd program in about six months and I wanted to see if it is working and will probably continue to work. So far so good.

We've been using Wondrium lectures for ancient history this year. It has worked thus far but we are still in Egypt.....taking our time......so I don't have a ton of experience yet. When we were studying pyramids we watched lectures related to pyramids (even out of order) and it was fine (a nice way to break up my DD's own reading/answering study questions, etc.). I would stop a lecture every so often and ask her a question if I thought it warranted. My DS, otoh, loves films and we have been watching the movie lecture series (don't remember what it's called, sorry....) We definitely have been jumping around there because that lecture series covers many, many topics related to film and he is not interested in all of them. So far, there has been no problem skipping. One thing I do before I assign a lecture to my DD who is doing ancient history, is I look at the pdf guidebook to see what is covered in a lecture I am interested in having her watch. It's been pretty obvious so far to me from the lecture info (pdf guidebook) whether or not background knowledge is needed, or if it would seem like the lecture would not be able to stand on its own. I love Wondrium—it's been a great resource!

Thanks, Ellie, I was unaware of that....I thought they were just businesses/schools. Not that it matters at the elementary level typically : P

Accreditation doesn't matter in elementary and maybe not even above that depending. I was not aware that Calvert or any of the options you mentioned was "accredited." They are for profit, online schools/businesses that have successfully been providing online education for awhile (making $) so presumably they are doing a reasonably solid job of it. That said, there are many, many similar options to choose from aside from those four. To suggest options, or even to evaluate the ones you are talking about, I would ned to know some more information about your family and your needs. What are your children's ages, how much of their day do you want them online, do you prefer synchronous, asynchronous, or a mixture for delivery of content, how available are you for assistance/teaching, tutoring, does the provider have to be secular, etc.? Love to help, but I need more info.

IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) would fit pretty much everything you are asking about. I started with IEW with my older kids about age 9-10, and, even though we have branched out since then, certain things have stuck until today! I will be starting with another kid next year. Sentence structure, sentence fluency, and sophisticated word choices are still going strong and can be traced directly back to IEW (and my teaching, too : p ). Overall, IEW is an excellent choice for beginner (and other) writers.

What am I planning to do in the meantime.....This is for one of my DD's who just turned 13 and finished 7th grade in June. I am probably going to accelerate her to 9th because I realized that she is really doing (or ready to start doing) mostly high school work. Last year we started Writing with Skill Level 1 so we will finish that and start Level 2. I am also looking at some online short writing courses (like 6-8 week courses). Right now, my DD is working on a short summer writing course through AIM Academy (AP English Essay Writing). At this rate, by the time SSS Level B Year 2 is "ready" I may not need it and may just go on to Level C. I probably would prefer SSS Level C Year 2, though but I think that is like one or more years out (?) At this rate it will be ready in 2025. What are your plans?

Yes, I want the DVDs as well. I think it originally was supposed to be ready in February (?) Then it was June, then July and now AUGUST? And NO explanation? Wow.

Here's another four year college offering DE online classes for high schoolers that's even cheaper (about $200 a class) and they have about 48 classes. It looks like the classes are either 7 or 15 weeks each but it's not entirely clear from the website. Takes about 10 days to apply and enroll. https://www.gcu.edu/individual-courses/dual-enrollment

Bluefield College is an accredited four year degree granting college in VA that also offers college credits online for high schoolers. They charge $300.00 per college class (!!) and offer something like 15+ classes that are typical GE courses at 3 credits each, i.e., English 1013 and English 1023, Western Civilization, United States History, Literature, College Algebra, Economics, Art Appreciation, Speech, Intro to Psychology, Biology w/Lab, etc., all taught by college professors. Each class is only 8 weeks long (!!). So, it is highly possible for a dedicated senior to take five college classes within one year (or 15 college credits). You can start as early as 10th grade but even in one year, 15 credits could be doable. One of the best parts to me, aside from the lowish cost and the short terms, lol, is that the Bluefield application process is amazingly easy. NO test scores are required. I think it's just an application, a homeschool or other high school transcript, and parental permission. I have been looking at my local community college for potential DE credits for my high school aged kids and, 1) obviously it is not a four year school, so won't "count" for most European universities; and 2) they want PSAT or SAT scores or other placement scores on tests before my kids can take any courses, not just math or English courses. So, it's more hassle than Bluefield for less usefulness in some ways. https://www.bluefield.edu/admissions/early-college/

UGH!!! Still delayed? Do you have any idea why?

Roundabout, My DH and I are HUGE mid-mod house fans, into collecting mid-mod furniture, etc.!! I'm going to have to check out those blogs....Thanks for those!

I've been doing some research about universities in Europe for my kids, as well. Seems like other options for homeschoolers (aside from an accredited diploma) are AP scores (the classes are not necessary just the text scores) or college credits from a 4 year degree-granting college. The last option is the one I think one of my DD's will do. It's something like 15 credits needed. I am hoping she will have at least 15 college credits through dual enrollment by the time she finishes high school. I get a lot of my info from www.beyondthestates.com

AGGHHH! I will be trying this with one of my DD's (grade 8/9) in about a month....

Is it recommended or required? I admit I didn't read all the legalese but I am seeing "required" and "recommended" so it's confusing.... In VA, Va Tech wants students injected if they have no exemptions, and I think UVa is also doing that. Not sure what they are doing with people who have had a documented case of CoVid and recovered and now have documented antibodies. Still asking for injection probably.

Anything by Erik Larson or Bill Bryson.

Maybe this (it has a lab kit available)?: https://elementalscience.com/collections/chemistry-for-the-logic-stage

We used Fable and Narrration I this year (4th grade). Fable went well but Narration I was a bit slow for my DD because she writes copious stories already. In fact we stopped before finishing the last few lessons. Narration II looks much more advanced as compared to Narration I, so I think it will be fine to use at least some of it for 5th. If it starts to drag we will stop. I don't think Chreia (Book 4) or Book 5 (Commonplace?) will appeal to DD yet as a 10 year old, so I'll wait and see what happens. We will also be going through IEW Level A, Level A Continuation, and some Kilgallon sentence work next year so we will have plenty to do anyway.

Oh, and we may use Debra Bell's Readers in Residence for some literature study as well (www.christianbook.com). I was given a free copy.