Love book lists :). These are in addition to their literature program (short stories, poems, drama, articles, etc.) and self-selected, independent reading choices. The Read Aloud List (both 6th and 8th graders) - Novels only (nonfiction titles are chosen based on current events and content studies) Quarter 1 Ungifted (Korman) Class Dismissed (Woodrow) The Golden Goblet Hoot Little Women A Year Down Yonder Hammer of Thor (Riordan) Quarter 2 Alice in Wonderland The Thief of Always (Barker) [halloween] The Kid Who Ran for President [Election Week] Roll of Thunder Sing Down the Moon Honus and Me Diary of Anne Frank Mysterious Benedict Society (#2) [Christmas Break] Woods Runner Fever 1793 Novel Studies: 6th Grade: 39 Clues View From Saturday Bridge to Terabertha Robin Hood Summer of the Swans 8th Grade: Call of the Wild The Pearl The Outsiders Lord of the Flies To Kill a Mockingbird

My kids are way too spoiled by my reading aloud. I read much faster than the recommended 140-160 words per minute so I read a 4-hour audio book in say, 3 hours. For example, I read aloud 'Cheaper by the Dozen' this week which is listed as 5 hours and 55 minutes on Audible. I read it for about an hour a day, for 5 days with discussion. My kids can keep up, so we can read about 20% more books this way. Learning Ally is great that I can adjust the speed without affecting the voice, so I use that when I am sick or can't read for whatever reason. For long car trips we listen to audio books, but don't have the patience at home. For giggles, I got the Deathly Hallows audio book and we listened to the first chapter. The kids boycotted it because he did the voices wrong and read too slow. Sorry. One last thing about speed - my kids' literature programs has fluency assessments i as well as the Easy CBM testing program I use to monitor their fluency. The 75% percentile for 8th graders in the fall is 197 words per minute. I have timed myself and probably read aloud at about 225 wpm, which incidentally is faster than most read silently, and if the kids can keep up, why not?

For work we do together "in class", I check immediately. For independent assignments, we go over it first thing "in class" the next day for that subject. BTW -I rotate subjects and boys every 20-30 minutes over our day between classes with me, independent work, and joint classes.

I am in TX and am not required to count, but I do just for myself. I have a planned calendar (which is being tossed out the window this year with my recent breast cancer diagnosis), but I will tally the number of days it will take them to get things done until they are done. I keep daily records in a planner of what was done on that day and post weekly updates listing the tasks on my blog as I have since I started homeschooling three years ago. Haven't had a problem wrapping everything up within 165 ish days of schooling or around 34 weeks.

I am getting ready to start my fourth year and I have used public school textbooks almost exclusively with my now 6th and 8th graders. Now, for the most part, I use them as a spine to guide our study for the year and supplement with projects/labs, read alouds, documentaries, field trips, etc. Works for us. I have looked at homeschool curriculum and find them too tedious/amateurish/religious/ or expensive for my taste.

I am doing a quarter-long study of civics with my 8th grader. I am using Glencoe Civic's Today as a spine (Chapters 1-11, Constitution and Federal Government) and supplementing with: Kid's Guide to Governments series (4 volumes: World, National, State and Local) from the library, Crash Course and Brainpop videos, and playing "The Presidential" board game as well as watching election coverage. Should be fun. Links to resources: Civics Today online support site: http://www.glencoe.com/apps/studycentral/0078746310/core_content.html Kids Guide books:https://amzn.com/1432927132 Crash Course Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtOfse2ncvffeelTrqvhrz8H The Presidential Game: https://amzn.com/B0091NR19A Project ideas: Research the line of succession Label who sits where during the State of the Union address, and others I haven't thought or researched yet.

I am an intermediate player. I attempted to teach my boys the basics using Piano Town by Keith Snell and Piano Maestro app (Joy Tunes). While my kids did progress, I eventually quit because it was too stressful. I spent my patience meter on homeschooling so that I would be grouchy at the piano. So, I found a sweet lady in our neighborhood who took over for a decent fee, and my youngest is blossoming under her tutelage. And our homeschool is less stressed with that responsibility taken off my shoulders. Now, practice time is still a sticking point, but I now have another authority figure to appeal to. Economics definitely played a part in my teaching decisions. My oldest toughed it out for a year with a teacher after two years with me and allowed him to call it quits. He couldn't care less about music. My youngest has innate talent so I encourage him as much as I can. As in he taught himself Mozart's Toca Ala Rocca and performed from memory for our family at Easter decently. Of course, his technique and musicality were immature, but he did it. That enthusiasm he did not have with me teaching him, lol.

Probably the main reason I use public school basal textbooks is for the ease of planning and coordinate various genres around central themes and lessons. My elementary choice, McGraw Hill Treasures, has weekly themes utilizing the same vocabulary, comprehension, and literary skills using 5 pieces of literature that span read aloud, poetry, drama, web sites and print media, as well as traditional fiction and non-fiction pieces. Holt literature, which I use for middle school, does the same with a multi-week unit structure. Saves me from lots of planning and guarantees exposure for the kids. I supplement with other read alouds, independent reading as wells as full-length novel studies to improve stamina and additional exposure.

I plan out my read alouds by planning out the year by mapping: - Historical Fiction or non-fiction titles: I mark in the boys textbook table of contents with post-its for fiction and non-fiction titles that might be possibilities for read alouds for those chapters. Order from the library a couple of weeks in advance if not available with learningally or my home library. I love the "What was" series and own about 60 titles already. - Science non-fiction - mark the textbooks same. Scan the library shelves a couple of weeks beforehand for possibilities and order if needed. - Holiday - increase cultural literacy by learning about other holidays and events with read alouds & crafts. Library usually has a display a few weeks beforehand for me to snatch titles. - Literature tie-ins: If their literature program has a selection, we will read aloud the entire book instead. Also, the program suggests complimentary titles for theme or literary elements so might add a couple to the list. I usually buy these. - fun stuff: Anything not already listed above - Newberry titles to Rick Riordan to picture books. Anything is game. In the beginning of the year, I read novels with school setting. At Halloween, we do a spooky story or two. Christmas, you get the idea. As I plan out my next books, I consider the above and make choices. Last year we read 108 read alouds, and I hope for a similar number this year.

When my son worked through this book last year, he did the 'teaching' problems one by one and we read the solutions after each whether he got it right or not. Then he watched the video to review. Finally, he did the problem set which I checked after completed as well as alcumus.

I hope this isn't a trend as I plan to make an order for my family after my kids' appointments next week. I have used them successfully for years. Hope for a speedy resolution.

OP here. Got the expected news today and broke it to the kids at Nana's house. They took it as well as to be expected and one of the first questions was about schooling. Haven't made any firm decision yet, but the boys are advocating staying at home with the lower expectations. Deep down, I want them home, too. Now to go about making this happen. But first, some dinner and a nap. Thanks for responding everyone.

Thanks for posting this. I had no idea that there was a group like this. I just now realized there is a 'social groups' tab on the menu. I have only hung out here on the boards. Do I just apply? BTW - The grades list in my siggie are true for the 2016-2017 school year. My oldest is taking 2 high school level classes through TTUISD for credit as suggested/required by our public high school we already planned for him to attend next year. Really can't slack on those classes as it would derail his plans. Also, my youngest in on the spectrum (very high functioning with mild LD - grade level everything now)and would most definitely required ADHD meds in a classroom situation. I took him off medication when I brought him home 3 years ago, but I could adjust to his needs - a 6th grade classroom won't. I do not look forward to advocating for his needs while dealing with my own, IYWIM. ETA - I can't find Chronic Illness group after going through the 20 pages. Can you send me an invite/link or something? Thanks.

The title says it all. Today I had my biopsy and the doctor is 95% (or more) sure it will come back malignant. Fingers crossed I am only stage 2, but that is neither here nor there as I am fighting this thing! I have not told my children and won't until I get the results back, and have a firmer idea of what we are dealing with (should be in a couple of days- this week at the latest). At a minimum, I will need surgery, possibly radiation, chemo or both over the course of the next 6-12 months. Our school year, in other words. My original plan (ha!) was to start school two weeks from today so we can have our breaks and end early May for travel. Well... I know I won't be able to do things like I have the past 3 years - very teacher intensive, lots of field trips, hands-on stuff simply because appointments, side effects, and energy levels will most likely not be conducive. Husband and I think that a few days after telling them I have cancer, we would present these options: 1) continue to homeschool knowing more independent work will need to be done with NO drama, or 2) enroll in public school (which will have its own drama...) I would love to continue to homeschool as we enjoy it, but I don't want to freak out the kids too much with symptoms and realities of constant calls/appointments, etc.. Public school would provide a buffer where I can be "off stage" and handle more of my treatment solo. However, if this has a less-than-desirable outcome, I would have had all this quality time with the kids if I homeschool. My husband thinks it's a no-brainer that the kids will chose to stay home. I guess my post is really about how can I homeschool while dealing with all this and to see if anyone has traveled this road before me.

We are a Boy Scout family. When my boys were cub scouts, I would spend upwards of 16-18 night in a tent (5 nights the longest, 2 the average). We loved it so much we go family camping, too. Haven't traveled to camp - at most 3 hours away and always car camp. I have a huge 8 person Coleman insta-tent the houses us four with cots, a table, and ample head room. I have a Weber tailgate grill (no camp stove for me), portable picnic table, and an SUV to haul it all. Now that both boys are Boy Scouts, I don't camp as often and don't need to haul cooking gear when I do since the troop provides that equipment while the boys do all the work (love that part). But I did spend 6 nights in a canvas tent and cafeteria meals in the 100-degree heat this summer (my 5th year doing so) while a dozen or so boys earned merit badges at camp. I also have a 'polar bear' patch for camping in sub-freezing temps to even things out. I like camping :) BTW - I HATE air mattresses as they always leak. I only use them in my 3-man tent for Boy Scout weekends otherwise I am on my super-sized cot in my Coleman "spider" tent. (insta-tent)

In 4th grade my boy did daily: - 30 minutes reading class using McGraw Hill Treasures lesson - Monday - Thursday 4-5 pieces of literature in varied genres (poetry, drama, non ficiton, fiction), vocabulary, comprehension skill, worksheets with Friday test - 20 minutes independent reading self-selected book at reading level. No output necessary except a quarterly written book review. - 20 minutes 2x a week novel study. An assigned book read aloud one-on-one with a workbook/guide covering vocabulary, plot, and comprehension. Took about 2-4 weeks a chapter book. - 45 minutes group novel read aloud. Selections based on either boys' literature suggestions, current events, historical fiction, or just for fun. Added biographies and other nonfiction as need arose. Also read aloud textbooks in science and socials studies 2-3x a week for 20 minutes each. Other days were projects and documentaries. Lastly, required 2 Raz-Kid books read and quizzes passed per week at level. (~20 minutes per title).

Oldest was 10 or 11 and youngest 8-9 when started leaving them home alone for a short time. Can't really remember now. They had distinct rules: 1) do not answer the door and keep it locked including don't let the dog out, 2) no cooking or heating anything in the kitchen, and 3) stay off the phone. They know to use the phone and have a contact list of numbers on the fridge. Neither have cell phones atm. We would test them by driving around the block and then ringing the doorbell, etc. and once they could handle it we stayed away longer and longer. At first, we would check in at hour intervals. Now at ages 13 and 11, we leave them long enough to grab lunch and a movie and don't bat an eye. We haven't left them alone at night yet.

I met my husband on Matchmaker.com. His membership was about to expire and I was only on 2 days before he messaged me. That was 17 years ago - married for 15.

I drive this distance for my kids activities: 10 minutes for Scout meeting (1x a week) 3 minutes for piano lessons (teacher lives about a mile from our house) 10 minutes for groups (oldest table top meeting @ library, and youngest youth group at a church). 5 minute walk to our neighborhood park and pool 10 minute drive to rec center and pool When we did Karate it was a mile from my house. I hate to drive anywhere - lol. We quit going to church because we had a huge disagreement with our local Parish (15 minutes) and the next nearest one was over 30 minutes away. Travel time was longer than mass, so we quit. To be fair, I am the only Catholic in the family. I love Amazon and other internet ordering sites so I rarely even have to go to a store. I group my errands so I only have to go out once. I'm weird, but luckily my kids don't have to suffer for it since everything is close. Now I do drive for field trips, camps, and other activities, but for daily grind stuff I prefer not to go.

Thanks for this review as it affirms my plans to use OT and NT books this year.

Sorry if already posted, but I found out on a Facebook group post that this site is having a unique name your own price sale. I am looking for novel studies and they have plenty. Happy hunting. http://www.currclick.com/index.php

OT from my own post :) But I saw on a facebook group I am a member of the CurrClick is having a 'name your own price' sale. I have never been on the site before and note there are a ton of novel studies there. This look to be the same type of thing I got on TpT so I will stock on a few. Hope this helps someone else. BTw sale is July 18-22.

We have a room where their curriculum, supplies, and library are stored, but classes are never held there. The kitchen table has my laptop and serves as my desk as my kids come to 'class' in rotating 20-30 minute periods. Art and Science may be held at the kitchen counter or outside as needed. Read alouds are in the living room while I sit in a recliner. Independent work has my oldest in his room for reading while at the coffee table with his laptop for everything else. Youngest has a desk with a computer in our 'media room' (repurposed dining room) where he does his work though he can found on the living room floor. We are home for school and avoid scheduling activities that take us away unless it is a field trip.

If you are interested in a cheap way to get BrainPop consider http://www.kidsonlineacademy.org/adding-courses.html . They offer the BrainPop group of subscriptions (Jr, Regular, Spanish) for 6 tuition credits or $48 for the year, plus $10 registration. The site also has subscriptions to other programs like reading eggs, Reading A-Z/Raz Kids, Brainz Attack, and others for reasonable prices. My school district publishes their access codes so I use theirs.

We want to travel in May so we scoot the schedule earlier into August - a full 2 weeks before the public school starts. We take the same breaks (and then some) as public school so the kids can hang with their friends, but not the half-days. BTW our district is in session for 173 days this year - 6 more than us.