Thank you so much for writing this out! It is super helpful to see how you made it work! I also like the idea of adding in the worksheets while you are doing the reading.

So I am trying to figure out LA for 6th grade and it seems overwhelming. Currently we are using CLE and Apples & Pears for LA which has been manageable. Now looking ahead to next year I realize we need to continue with Apples & Pears, a grammar program, and start a writing program and a literature program. That seems totally overwhelming! I am currently thinking: CLE LA-slowing down to 2 pages a day for grammar Apples and Pears 4 Lightening Lit 7 Wordsmith Apprentice Is that doable?!?! Is there a way to make this less overwhelming since there is still math, science, history, and geography to do to! lol

I am already planning for next year and wondering about how much time a day people spend on Lightening Lit 7 & 8. Thank you so much in advance!

We got Bears vs. Babies by the same people who make Exploding Kittens and it is super fun!

That is what I would have thought! I used it as a kid and thought it was a good curriculum. Maybe he is just trying to sell his new product?

Here is the link! https://www.diveintomath.com/saxon-math/

Hello! My dd10 is in 5th grade. We are currently doing MIF, but with tween attitude we need a math curriculum she can do more on her own. I am looking at Saxon for hopefully more independence and the fact that it can be used through high school. As I was researching the DIVE dvds I saw that the maker of DIVE says that the SAT and PSAT have been rewritten since the high school Saxon books were published 20 years ago and that Saxon doesn't properly prepare students for those tests. He is selling a different curriculum that he says offers better preparation. What do you think? Plus, any other ideas for more independent math curriculums that can be used through high school? Thanks so much!

This stereotype makes me crazy. I have been vegetarian for 16 years and am hyper aware of these issues. I have only met one vegan person who was pushy. I have known many many many meat eaters who have been rude and disrespectful of my choices. My parents and family friends shamed me on multiple occasions for being "difficult" or "rude" when I was in my late teens/twenties. I never asked anyone to make anything special for me. I never complained. I was very polite. I never tried to change their minds or convert them. They were simply offended by my choice and very unkind about it. Early in my marriage dh and I went to a dinner party where the host knew we were vegetarian. The main dish ended up being fish which is no big deal. My husband and I simply served ourselves the side dishes. We didn't say ANYTHING. The hosts then proceeded to tell a story about a vegetarian they had had over for dinner previously who ate the meat he was served to be polite and wasn't that the mark of a truly good person? Yep..... Last summer my sweet and sensitive dd10 was at camp and her counselor mocked her in front of the other campers on multiple occasions for being a vegetarian. My dd was deeply hurt and humiliated. I could go on and on.....

I knew you guys would be a great resource!!! I love these ideas!! Thank you so much!!

Thank you so much for your responses. I reached out to someone who struggles with stuttering and who knew dd from age 6-8 and he told me he noticed that she stuttered then. So apparently this isn't new-we have just been clueless. She stutters both at the beginning and in the middle of sentences. He suggested that we try to get therapy though the school system because they have more experience working with stuttering as compared to a independent therapist who might work more with adults who have had strokes etc. What did you guys do? Do you go to a practice or through the school system?

I have to admit I am wondering if this was a good idea in the first place....

I am taking my dd10 to a live performance of Romeo and Juliet. How would you introduce your 10 year old to the play in advance? What books and movies would you use with them? Thank you in advance!

My dear dd is 10 and I've been aware for a while (1 year maybe?) that she has a hard time getting words out sometimes. My dh said I was overreacting and so we shelved the discussion. Then my sil asked me last month how long dd has been stuttering and all of a sudden it had a name that made sense. It sounds crazy but we had never made that connection before to an actual condition. So now I'm not sure where to start. From my reading it looks like this is really a life long condition even with therapy and of course early intervention is better so I feel like I have completely failed her because we figure it out so late. I guess I don't have a specific question, but am looking for encouragement. advice, and resource recommendations. Thank you for your help.

I'll take it all!! :)

Thank you so much! This is very helpful! And Tanaqui, I would love books that aren't in series too if you don't mind sharing!! Thank you!

We have read the Laura Ingalls Wilders series, the Birchbark House series, the All of a Kind Family series, and are just starting on Tomie Depaola's 26 Fairmount Ave. series. When we finish 26 Fairmount Avenue I would like to read a historical (fiction or not) series about an African American or Latina family or a family that is Muslim or Hindu or Buddhist. Basically. I am looking for diverse book series for kids! My kids are 6 and 10 but book suggestions for any age group are appreciated! Thank you in advance for your help!

Oh my goodness!!! The Viking Ship Museum!!!! You don't want to miss that!!! Depending on the time of year you can even sail in a Viking ship! The kid area is amazing and sometimes they have special activities (on the weekend? I can't remember). My kids made necklaces with Thor's hammer and played Viking games. Also has very cool cafe. http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/ Books we read and enjoyed! https://www.amazon.com/DAulaires-Norse-Myths-Ingri-dAulaire/dp/159017125X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487862614&sr=8-1&keywords=norse+mythology+for+kids https://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Paper-Cuttings-Christian-Andersen/dp/0618311092/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487862985&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=anderson+papercuts And of course, lot of viking books and H.C. Anderson fairy tales! :)

I am so excited for you!! We actually were able to live in Copenhagen for 3 months last year. It was AMAZING! Things I would do! Rosenborg Slot (Home of Christian IV and location of Royal Jewels): There are very few signs here so in each room ask a docent what the story is about something and you will hear some amazing stories! Christiansborg: Amazing!! Make sure to go when the Royal Stables are open! http://kongeligeslotte.dk/en/palaces-and-gardens/christiansborg-palace.html The National Museum: It is free and has amazing displays of early Scandinavian Artifacts! http://en.natmus.dk/ Tivoli!!! My children's favorite place in the whole world! :) Take a Canal Tour and make sure to get a HUGE ice cream cone to eat in Nyhavn while you watch the boats! They put jelly, guf (an pink meringue), and a chocolate dipped marshmallow on top on the ice cream! :) The Workers Museum is a fun museum for kids with lots of hands on activities about every day life for Danes in the 20th century. http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/workers-museum-gdk410509 There are so many more! I could go on for days! Let me know if you want more suggestions because I don't know how long you will be there! Do not rent a car at all! Take the public transit! Fabulous day trips out of Copenhagen on the train include: The Louisiana Art Museum! https://en.louisiana.dk/ Frederickborg Castle! http://www.dnm.dk/UK/Forside.htm Kronborg Castle! (where Hamlet takes place) http://kongeligeslotte.dk/da/slotte-og-haver/kronborg-slot.html H.C. Anderson's Home and the Tinderbox Museum (AMAZING museum for kids 12 and under!!!!!!) http://museum.odense.dk/en/museums/the-tinderbox Hope that helps!! So jealous!!! :) ETA: Make sure to check out the changing of the guard and Amalienborg Castle (the Queen's residence) too!

Thank you so much!!

Thank you so much for your responses! I want to start with early American history. Thank you for new ideas!

Has anyone read this? Do you think it would work for a more secular and liberal leaning family? Thank you so much!

Hello Everyone! I picked up Joy Hakim's history series for my 4th grader, but it is just too much at this point. I would like to save it for 6th or 7th grade. Does anyone have any other suggestions? We are looking for something easy to do, laid out for me, interesting, secular or secularish, and American History focused. That should be easy right?! lol Thanks so much for your ideas!

Awesome Farrar!! This is just what i was looking for! Two of my local libraries have copies! Thank you so much!

LOL That might be easier! :)

Any ideas for poetry or movies that would be appropriate for Tuesday for elementary aged kids? The only thing I can think of is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, but I don't know how much my 5 year old would appreciate it.