This was our first full "official" week back, about a month later than we usually start because August was just so.much.fun. In summary: DH is taking the reins on math this year (algebra). I think he's finally seeing the light--it's so fun for me to listen in on their lessons and see how amazed DH is at how intuitive this stuff is for DS. :). He's loving algebra so far, and thinks the Jacobs book is hilarious. He's really enjoying the clever number games and solutions. Plus, math is off my plate now so I'm definitely doing a happy dance! It's going to be a different set of expectations now: reviewing upcoming lessons in the evening, then doing the work independently during the day. He's totally ready and eager to take it on. DS is already loving history (middle ages) and willingly did an art project today. We drew blueprints of an imaginary monestary while listening to Gregorian chanting. He loved the music (and the Byzantine music we listened to yesterday) and was really detailed in his drawing. Why did I never think to use graph paper before? Apparently it unlocks his creativity. Score! We did a couple science labs outside, which he totally got into. And he's been willing to write anything I've asked him to so far, and he's really taking pride in his work. Everything he's done has been really pretty and intentional. After a long, difficult and emotionally pre-teen angst filled spring and summer, he's back to himself...and then some. He's fully embraced running again, and has set himself a lofty running goal for the month, which he's faithfully tracking on Strava. Strava has become a huge motivational tool and I'm glad to see him put so much effort into something that he enjoys so much. Overall it's been a fantastic first week, and I think it's going to be a great year. He's been really joyful and eager, and that tends to feed more good things in our household and homeschool. Looking forward to Week 2! :)

Another vote for Becky Higgens Project Life. It's so simple to use, even my 11son is doing his own this year as a "yearbook". Highly recommended! :)

Offering up more hugs and support. My DS is similar--very strong reader, poor speller. I started him on AAS last year (grade 5, 10 yo) and he worked through level 2-5 (mostly). He has made HUGE strides. Understanding the rules behind the spelling made all the difference for him. But it's a work in progress for sure. It is baffling to me how reading and spelling are such vastly different skills, especially since I was a natural speller. No advice on dyslexia as that certainly isn't our issue, but it sounds like it could be worth looking into if his patterns are similar to other family members. Otherwise, I don't think this disparity is uncommon.

One of the big takeaways from Bravewriter for me is the process of "snip and pin" revision. Generally, DS will handwrite a rough draft, then I will type it up exactly as it is, including every mistake. I type two copies triple spaced, then I cut out each line of one copy and place them in order on the floor (it can take a lot of space!). Then he reads it through. Together, we figure out what the obvious mistakes are, if the ordering is correct, what should be removed and what can be added. The strips are wide enough to make revisions right there. Then after we've completely polished it up, he types up the final draft. The beauty in this method is that there is always a copy of his work that remains untouched. We can mess around with the sentence strips all we want, but he knows that his original work still remains intact. For whatever reason, that alone is very freeing for him. I started using this method with him when he was 9 and it worked very well. I think at that age writing can still very much be a joint effort--I'll continue using it this year, even, and until he's comfortable enough with the process that he can come up with an independent method.

A new photo printer. Do I have to wait that long?!?

My DS is enjoying it too. I SO wish I could have used it for algebra way back when! :)

I'm not combining it with anything, but there a few different scheduling ideas detailed in the TM. One for regular 1year course, one for abbreviated year and one for completing it in three semesters. It lists suggestions for number of class days needed to complete each chapter in each scenario. Hopefully that helps.

This isn't exactly what you are looking for, but I'm planning to introduce him to my 6th grader this year with a biography (Into the Deep Forest with Henry David Thoreau). We will be reading it as part of our required state study (Maine), as well as visiting Walden Pond (even though that's in a different state! It still counts, right? Ha ha). I'm imagining we will read a bit of his writing as well, but I'm hoping by giving DS context about who he was and how he experienced our area, it will give deeper meaning--or at least a little bit of interest--when his longer works come up in later years.

I only replace when he's outgrown them, so once a year or so. For a long time, socks from the Gap were the only kind he could tolerate (sensory stuff), but he's recently switched to Nike--the calf length or higher kind. I'm not sure he's ever lost a sock to holes. Now ME on the other hand...I'm super hard on socks, no idea why. Even Smartwool socks get worn right through (but only by me).

Just wanted to add he's never had a problem with fogging up, even playing hockey (indoors and out in sub zero temps).

My son got his sport goggles at Lens Crafters. I don't think they were terribly expensive--certainly not close to what you've been quoted. He went with Transitions lenses which at first I thought was a bit extravagant for a second pair, but they are wonderful. He wears them for playing soccer, road and mountain biking/racing, XC running, hockey...you name it. Great for reducing glare when skiing or playing in snow, too. Very typically kids won't be allowed to play impact sports without, and even it's overlooked you are right that it's much safer. I'd definitely look into them if you can afford it.

I pulled my now 11yo out in the middle of grade 1. Why did I do it? I had suspected since preschool that a regular classroom wouldn't be a good fit. He was working way above level and the school had nothing to offer him. But at the time of starting K, we had some practical reasons for trying ps. Was it one thing or many things? Primarily it was because of #1. His teachers resented him and me for seeking out solutions. I resented having a child who, after being in a classroom for 8 hours, would come home and beg to "be allowed to learn something". (no wait, that sounds wrong. I didn't resent the child--obviously!--but that he was forced to feel that way--that his time and energy and passions were being ignored and wasted) Was there a last straw? Yep! His teacher had absurd rules about independent reading time, and wouldn't allow my son to read what he was capable of. "Keep them down" seemed to be her motto. I'm very grateful now for that silly book about cats that he wasn't allowed to read. :) Are you happy with your decision? Every day, in unlimited ways. Do your kids miss PS? Not at all. As soon as the idea of homeschooling him became an option, he jumped on it and hasn't looked back. He feels very, very sorry for his public schooled friends that they would have to endure such mind numbing foolishness. He knows it's a big waste of time, and he doesn't have time or patience for that! :)

We will be using CPO Middle School Earth Science this year for 6th. The textbook looks good, but the really good stuff is found on the website under "ancillaries".

I guess it depends on the kid, but my 6th grader is more than ready for algebra. If he's asking for it and seems ready, I wouldn't worry about age, you know? But obviously you know your child best. :)

Just curious, but why not just let him start algebra?

Why not just start algebra? Jousting Armadillos? (I'm such a wannabe fan of that book, even though I missed our chance to use it! Ha ha)

We are using Jacobs Algebra this year. So far he loves it and has no problem making connections. He's been waiting for algebra ("real math") basically his whole life so he's excited. :)

We ran into boredom with MM6 last year (at 10). If I'd known about Jousting Armadillos in time, I would have used that until starting algebra this year. It looks like a good in-between for kids who need something more.

Seconding Leap Frog videos. My DS learned all his letters and sounds before he was 2, in part due to the videos (and a tenacious desire to learn). We just did all kinds of hands on stuff at that age, and lots and lots of reading. The library was and still is his favorite place. :) Unless he's asking for a workbook, I wouldn't bother. Best to learn from the "real world" at that age, unless he's desperate for his own books of course. Thinking back, by 3 DS loved workbooks. I think I started printing out Math Mammoth worksheets for him around that time as well.

FWIW, we just started Jacobs and DS loves it. I think it will be a great fit. I have no doubt he could have jumped in last year at this time without MM6.

I like the Nye version.

Have you looked at Jousting Armadillos? I did make DS get through MM6 in 5th but in retrospect, he would have been better served doing something like JA instead (I didn't know about it in time, unfortunately). MM6 sounds like how you are describing SM6-- basically more of the same, a bit more complex. It didn't challenge my math- intuitive kid at any rate; he found it pretty boring. This year for 6th he's more than ready for algebra--he's another who considers it "real" math. :) Zaccaro is another one I often see mentioned for bridging some time if you don't want to make the jump to algebra just yet. .

Wow. Just wow. :(

Well, all the communities are spread out, but places like OOB or Yarmouth--even Freeport--aren't farther away than that once you get to highway. Of course it depends where, exactly, you have your home. :)

Funny, I grew up about an hour north of SF and went to school in the city. I prefer the east coast. :) There is a huge homeschool coop in/around Scarborough called Earth School. It's a bit too far for us (we are up the coast the other way from Portland), but they have some interesting looking classes. It's pretty Waldorfy I think (at least, that's my impression). We used to participate in another class in Scarborough, but I don't have a feel for the community down there. It's not a village, but it is the second largest community in Maine, I believe--close to the Maine Mall and all the other suburban stuff that doesn't much exist here otherwise. I would think it could be a good place to land and get your bearings.