August 7th, early move-in with a program for the first week. Classes start August 17th.

I think there is! Look on Amazon or Abe Books. I didn't really ever need it. I did buy the Assessment teacher book- it has tests snd answers.

Yes, this series has a Foundations textbook and workbook for kids who struggle with science, ESL, or even younger kids. I intended to get regular for older kid, Foundations for the middle schoolers, but once I saw the regular ones, I knew my middle schoolers could handle it, so just got them all 3 the regular textbook and workbooks. They were 6th and 9th grades when we did this.

https://www.amazon.com/MILLER-LEVINE-BIOLOGY-STUDY-WORKBOOK/dp/013368718X/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=miller+levine+workbook&qid=1621036987&sr=8-3 This one is from my past purchases, so I'm sure its the one we used.

There is a workbook that we used here and there- i would recommend it. We used labs from RSO Biology 2 and Biology Corner. Other things we used- Amoeba Sisters on YT, Princeton Review Biology coloring book, HHMI Biointeractive- this has labs and field studies, lots of really neat things!

My World History and My World Geography were good secular options. I used both (supplemented with reading books as needed). They include workbooks if you want to use one. The Joy Hakim series for American History. I like a textbook for a base, starting around 6-7th grade. I can add to it, but it gives me a good outline to build from. I consider all of those options good for 6-9th grades. I haven't found a good textbook for middle school science. DD1&2 used the RSO Biology and Chemistry courses, and my current 7th graders have been using high school textbooks since 6th grade (I think they are advanced- they did the RSO in 4th and 5th grade). My 4th grader will use RSO Chemistry next year in 5th grade, but its still good for 6th grade if you haven't taught into Chemistry. The only textbook-workbook I know of for English is Mosdos Press. DD2 really liked it, used it for levels 4-7. I have tried with my boys- they don't care for it, and neither does the younger one- I just put them all in my to sell pile.

DD only applied to state universities, was a National Merit Finalist with a high ACT score, and I was very happy with how easy applications went! No one had any issues with my transcript or classes. I think everyone at all the schools we visited or applied to seemed welcoming and encouraging. I have another who probably won't have those high stats, but I don't anticipate any problems.

You are getting sick this weekend, sorry you can't go- you have a terrible cough- its probably just allergies but not worth the risk. (Que sneeze attack)

Honestly, I'd do what I wanted including visiting grandma with my kids. She is old and you may not get another chance. I wouldn't involve this aunt- it technically isn't her house if she is renting it out! Her reasoning isn't reasonable, so I'd ignore it. Not worth getting into an argument over, but also not worth following her dictates if you want to see grandma again.

@AStableBeginning. We used the Holt World Geography along with some interesting books and movies from the list on Guest Hollow- and I bought a book of world maps to color snd memorize

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4426754-investing-with-inflation-150-years-data This is an article my husband and I have been digesting this morning- its really long. I think we are going to have more inflation than I have witnessed in my life. Some is transitory, but not all. I think this is going to take a few years to shake out.

I'd give and A and call it done. She is on to college, and it sounds like she prioritized DE classes over yours. That's one reason I don't like to mix at-home and DE classes.

I have no idea what that school is, or where it is, but my DD did apply to a few out of state colleges and those states had different laws regarding homeschooling, which were reflected in their homeschool section on their websites. One I called directly bc I don't have a cover school, but the person there had no idea. I ended up working with my regional recruiter to determine what the admissions wanted (ended up a signed, notarized copy of the transcript I made). I suggest you call admissions directly and ask what documentation they want from homeschoolers or contact your local recruiter. You may need to speak to a specific person, bc most won't be familiar with put of state homeschoolers. The recruiters can be hit or miss- the one that DD is attending, great, helpful recruiter. Another university we contacted repeatedly, left messages and sent a few mails- never called us back or answered our questions- any answer was generic c&p off the website. We tried for about a month, then wrote that school off the list.

This may be a better fit on the HS board. I don't know, I do Saxon sitting by my kid everyday bc she needs help. What do you plan to do next year, snd what are your kids goals. If you go to Geometry, be sure to do Algebra review.

I rotate- the most I've had is 4 different math sections, snd it was rough! Took over 2 full hours, 30 minutes or so each. Right now I have 3 math sections, and thankfully that's the most I'll ever have again. Here is what that looks like- Get your morning started, then its one kid's free time, another's math time. Free time kid watches a pre-selected show, plays Legos in their room, or plays outside (obviously this depends on age). Teach Math kid, about 20-30 minutes focused just on that kid. If they are older, math can take longer- i spend a full hour with my high schooler each day (others are older and doing independent work). Then kids switch- the one who did math goes off to play, the one who was playing comes in for focused math time. Depending on age, you may have some overlap you can do together- like fact practice drills, daily calendar, etc.

Its hard to not feel guilty when we leave our kids and husband, especially when it comes at the expense of the things we wanted to do with them. I think you should stop looking at this as a "vacation" and instead look at it as a visit- more like an obligation instead of a fun, frivolous thing.

I'm not surprised, but these numbers aren't Pandemic-related. The shut-down started in March- and a baby conceived in March was born in December or January. I'm interested to see 2021 numbers. I do know a few younger families who have had babies or are due soon, but not a lot. Younger women tend to have fewer kids and have them older.

Vehicles, especially trucks, are high and hard to find. Lots if dealers have less than half normal supply, new vehicles are coming in slower than normal. My local feed store has had a hard time getting all the ingredients to mix their cattle feed- they say mills are running at half-capacity or no truckers available to haul it. Last week I needed pull-ups. I'm not brand picky, but the entire section was wiped out. I noticed other weird items missing or lower stock- replacement toilet bowl lids, ceiling fans, other hardware type stuff- aisles just look less full and have holes. Clothes seem to be extremely picked over- in trying to buy as soon as I can bc I have several kids that GREW crazy the last 6 months. My stores still have occasional things go missing for weeks, so I'm sure the supply chain is still messed up.

https://thecollegepost.com/free-community-college-states/ I was looking into this last night and found this article that says 17 states, including mine, already have programs for free CC. I used this for my 2 year degree, great option, no debt. My DD has been attending a CC the last 2 years and we know several others who do (its not free for homeschoolers or DE, but its reduced to $70-100 per credit hour). My DD is going to a bigger university in the fall, and we started comparing classes and textbooks. We have found that most basic courses use the same textbooks and online , but class sizes are much smaller. What is a big seminar-style class, 300+, at the big university is a small 20-30 at the CC. Most use the online components and cover the same material. Our state has an agreed set of Core courses that all transfer as the same course, so if students take a Core class, they know it transfers to any school in the state. Our public high school offers about 8 core classes as online Dual Enrollment and encourages kids to start taking them- they even have scholarship agreements that if a student takes and passed one, its reimbursed! School pays for the books, too (online course codes). There are only a handful of kids who take advantage of the programs, maybe 10-15%, but it allows our very small school to at least offer a few higher level courses. Right now in her graduating class (or what would be if she were in public school), there are about 50 kids- 1 is going to state University, 4 are going to Christian colleges, and one may use the free CC. All 5 have done Core DE classes, so have a few credits to transfer in. My DD is going out of state, but she's already got almost all the credits she can from the CC. I think programs like ours are a great idea! There are lots of programs that can be started or completed close to home, for free! Including welding and fabrication, teaching and nursing (CNA complete, RN must transfer- i know several RNs who used this). There are also tracks set out if you plan to go to specific 4 year schools and get specific degrees- including engineering! I think it covers about 3 semesters before you have to transfer. There are stipulations- kids must have snd maintain good grades and have volunteer hours to qualify.

Congratulations! How exciting!

I'm sorry that your son was put in an uncomfortable situation and couldn't find a good way to respond back. When I read this post, as well as others from you, I have felt so sorry for the hurt that your family has gone through the last year. I am concerned that Covid is acting like a big Boogeyman to him- that inside he is terrified he will bring it home and kill someone- and its paralyzing him with fear. When someone doesn't seem as worried about it, he wants to completely walk away from the entire team- that isn't a reasonable reaction, it sounds more like a trauma reaction (which is understandable). I think that your family should try to switch away from talking about Covid (and yes, i know how bad it can be), to talking more about the importance of moving on, being involved, having fun. He needs a balance and he needs to know he can be a normal kid, without all this guilt and fear.

I don't know what is in your potato level soup, but my family loves the Hobbit Stew recipe- it uses bacon and beef stock, potato, leeks, carrots, mushrooms.

My biggest concern with universal PreK is developmentally inappropriate teaching. There are ways to provide childcare (because that's what this really is all about) without making it Preschool. If lessons are about self-regulation, getting along, self-care like washing hands, etc. Books are read, toys to play with- basically what my half-day Kindergarten was years ago- then I could support it. If this is about making 3 year olds learn letters and numbers, sit and listen for longerthan 10 minutes- I'm out. I think that is killing our kids mental health, creativity, wonder, even their physical health due to not enough physical play. Looking at what NCLB has done to Kindergarten where I live, I'm a no. My state already offers free CC tuition if you get decent grades and volunteer. I would like to see some sort of "buy in" from students- volunteering, minimum grades, something that tells me they aren't just signing up for free classes. Our area experiences a lot of kids who sign up, then drop- bc its free. Its a huge issue! They can only do that a time or two before they loose the scholarship. I cannot imagine if it was just open enrollment! As with anything else, it sounds good, but the devil is in the (missing) details. I would love for more money to be invested into the K-12 system before adding on 3, 4, 19, and 20 year olds! Most of the stuff taught at CC could be taught in high school!

When the report came put a month or so ago from the WHO, I read it. I find it very concerning that we still don't know the species this jumped from- and they aren't doing much to find out. I do think it leaked from the lab- accidentally- and the Chinese government has covered it up. I don't consider myself a conspiracy theorist, but I think its odd that we are asked to think this the least likely option- with no evidence either way. I think the Chinese people- and all people of the world who have lost loved ones this year- deserve to know if it was a leak. It could help change future policies about containment, procedures, etc.

It sounds like you are anxious about this move that has been a long time coming! I would go to the bank and look into a bridge loan or see if you can buy with less down, so you can still cover both payments for z few months. Find your place, make an offer, and put yours on the market all the same time. Its common here to close on selling house, then close on buying house all the same day or a few days difference. And camping- I currently have s friend and a cousin who are planning to camp all summer in RVs while they build or house-shuffle.