I try to do just those subjects but for instance, under English I do Vocabulary from Classical Roots, Analytical Grammar, and LL8...how am I to schedule these in a week and get them all done if I do them under an hour labeled English? I try to do Grammar 4-5x a week, Vocabulary 2x if lucky and LL8 4-5x a week. I just miss the fun of homeschooling and our life. These days I just feel like we are just on a grind and missing what all of us love and that means flexibility and time. We used to be able to miss a day if Grandma came for a visity and now I don't even feel that we can do that!

We just finished up Treasure Island and the next weeks for us are week 7/8 which is the poetry section. We were wanting to do another book first...do any of you switch the recommended schedule around or go as suggested?

The guys are in 8th and 9th grades this year and so far, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with our schedule. I can't seem to get everything done in a day as in years past which is frustrating to me. We are taking two online classes which I thought would help all of us as they are science and Algebra which are my worst subjects to teach! They are taking a great deal of our time even though the classes online are only once a week. My oldest broke down the other day because he was sooo frustrated with our schedule and said that homeschool USED to be fun as we had time to play Scrabble or geography games, do art projects, online activities etc...go off the beaten path so to speak! I can't do that now! I feel like we are just going from one subject to next and our time is always never enough! Anybody else out there feeling this way? I feel like we use our time wisely and we allow about 45 minutes to 1 hour per class(History, LL, Geography, Science, Algebra) but then we also do Vocabulary, Logic, Music, Bible and AG. I would love some advice or just some encouragement because I gotta tell you if this is the direction we are headed for in HS...I am in desperate need of a sedative!!!

thanks...studying Africa right now so this is a great resource for us!

yep, those amazing kiddos can quickly turn into "pity cases!" I hate when people give them a compliment in the company of others and always have to add "AND they're homeschooled!" It is as if they managed to be funny, polite, smart etc. and be that way despite being homeschooled!!!

Does he have any hobbies? My husband loves to play golf so I might buy him a round of golf at a golf course he wants to play at and ride along with him! Have a picture taken of yourself in something a little flirty! My husband has always wanted pics of me and I hate to have my pic taken. Cook his favorite meal and turn off TV< turn on music, light candles and enjoy! Play a weekend at a cabin, or lodge...my husband is a goer and doer so activities mean more to him than a gift of any sort.

well, your fear is our reality as my two boys do not have any close friends here where we live. Their friends tend to be long-distance and family---which is good in so many ways. However, I would like for them to have some boys their ages here to hang with. We have recently found a church we really like and they have a middle school youth as well as high school so we are hoping to find some connections there. My kids are great kids and very happy---it is more of an issue to me as a mom that they have friends here.

you mean at this minute, don't you? my favs change constantly but I do like "Stuck Like Glue" by Sugarland very very much and anything by Miranda Lambert! But I also like Stevie Ray Vaughn, Ray Charles, Norah Jones, Natalie Merchant,...how can someone have just one?!?!?

We live in a small town and unless you are in ps...no activities here for middle-school age or hs age. We would move in a heartbeat! I ache for my kids when I hear others mention how much stuff there is for their kids to participate in near cities.

My boys have 3 girl cousins that they are close with and these girls go to a small public school in a farming community. I am amazed how these girls and other kids that we know in that area are sooooo obsessed with their phones, Ipods Touch, computer(Facebook accounts etc)...what they say on them and how their hands almost look deformed since they carry them with them constantly. It's scary how kids can't relate to each other without it being thru the electronics. Don't get me wrong...we have computers, Ipods, phones, you name it...but we can do without them when we are with other people. My boys can't believe some of the things these kids say to each other on their accounts, texts...it's sad to me!

My 8th grader is doing the following: History-5x week Geography-2x week Vocabulary- 2x week Analytical Grammar- 5x week online typing-we shoot for 2-3x week Algebra-online class with Ms. Jann Science- pre-physics online with Greg Landry independent reading daily book of choice LL8-5x week Bible-independent reading/devotionals Logic-The Fallacy Detective-3x week P.E.-golf, weights, bike riding Art-local arts center weekly class Writing as assigned with other subjects I am trying to have him do more independent reading of subjects, note-taking and encourage more time management of his own. It's a challenge for both of us but we are doing pretty good.

This is so funny as I was just sitting down to post a question regarding 9th grader's schedule...my son is also feeling overwhelmed. I have 2 sons-8th and 9th grader and I am trying this year to require them to read certain subjects independently rather than me read aloud. I am trying to do this with Geography, History and Science(Pre-physics with Greg Landry online). Our schedule: History 1 hour MWF Geography 1 hour TTH Science 1 hour MWF(but we are needing T/TH to keep caught up!) Vocabulary T/TH Analytical Grammar 1hour 5 days LL8 1 hour 5 days PE Writing 30 minutes 3x week Bible/logic/independent reading 30 minutes each Our online Algebra class hasn't even started so I'm really worried for him once that gets going as he is not a fan of math! He is finding it difficult to do the all the reading and review questions/vocabulary in time allowed and I'm wondering if I am not allowing enough time for amount of work. Do most of you schedule reading for one day and written work the next day? He is an excellent reader so I'm wondering if I am over-scheduling the history/science etc. for each day? We have always read history/geography/science aloud and I think that helped with time but I feel like if they go to ps or a private school in next year or so(which my husband wants) that they will need to do the independent reading of these subjects. Any advice?

Well, this is something I was just thinking about yesterday as a matter of fact. You see, my kids are in 9th and 8th and I am really struggling with the "fun factor." Over the years, we have always had fun with school and this year, I am trying to really give them more independent reading on history, geography and science. We have always done thoses subjects as read-alouds for more discussion but I want them to be able to read and take notes independently to prepare them for the future(college). So, we just don't seem to have as much time for the fun...the unplanned activities as in the past grades. My advice is while they are young-be impulsive and enjoy adding the fun. I always loved if we saw something on a current event on the news that we would stop and google it and maybe go off on a tangent...I love doing that and so do my kids! The board games for language like Scrabble, 10 Days in Europe, Africa or Asia for geography and grocery store(with our cash register/play money and our canned/boxed goods for our store with prices!) for math----we loved those things. I feel the pressure now to make sure we are keeping a schedule and covering enough--I never thought that we would fall so victim to a shedule-not that I am an unschooler but what I have always loved about homeschooling is the flexibility, spontaneous ideas that create those teachable moments.

We try to tie in with our Bible read some various devotionals and books that I have found along the years: The Victor Journey Through the Bible Who's who and Where's Where in the Bible? International Children's Bible Field Guide 500 questions and Answers from the Bible Sheep Tales This year, I am having them read Do Hard Things....they are not crazy about it...sort of slow. I haven't found one this year that I am crazy about for upper middle school/high school.

My 3 nieces go to a "real school" in their small town and they do "real movies" every Friday...and this is not just an occasional activity. They do similar activities like that and yet they still think that we don't do "real school."

. But I do find that now as a parent, I'm much more aware of the innuendos, bad language, level of nudity, romantic situations, poor choices, bad examples, etc. Could ruin a perfectly funny movie, kwim? :tongue_smilie: :lol: Well, that's how I'm feeling. My problem is that we love to watch movies-old,new, classic, animated and thanks to Netflix, I have introduced them to all my favorites from the years. But, now that they are at that in-between age, I feel more aware of the innuendos etc. but we are really running out of great movies for us. I really liking these years ago but I didn't want to depend on my memory(or lack of) and let them see something too early! Any suggestions for great westerns, comedy, or mystery for ages 13-15?

My Cousin Vinny Planes, Trains and Automobiles A Fish Called Wanda Are these suitable for ages 13-15?

:iagree:

My husband just came home and showed our kids this on YouTube...I'm amazed how many people have viewed these clips!!! The ears of corn, and the dozen eggs videos were other ones they loved!

That is one our favorite movies!!! We have shown to several friends and honestly, they don't get it but I think it is sooo funny! Modern Family and The Middle are sort of like it in a way. GREAT MOVIE!!! If you liked it, you should check out "The Mighty Wind"...it is about bluegrass music and has the same cast actors.

:iagree:

Sorry for your pain-:grouphug:

We had to deal with this just recently as my son was "looking" for answers to his questions on the computer and we realized we needed to have a talk. However, he didn't really want to hear it from Mom and Dad so we checked out some books from the library. I can't believe how IN DETAIL some of these books go and they are geared for tweens and younger teens!!! We wanted something that offered info but not so much! Check your local library but I suggest that you first read them yourself and see how much is too much for your child!

We have moved 6 times. Each time, our house had to be decluttered big time! Remove all picture frames from tables, dressers, countertops. Remove all clutter from top of cabinets, countertops, dressers, etc. Remove clutter inside closets...put in tubs, hat boxes, etc. Remove all extra items from bathroom counters and kitchen counters. Take out any extra pieces of furniture that "open up" the rooms. I am always amazed how many stools, chairs, little tables we put in our rooms. Less is more...but having the house staged is important!!! just watch HGTV and see that show where they hire stagers to come put furniture in a place to sell it!!

I always google for ideas or sayings...there are thousands out there and I often lack the creative energy to come up with the perfect one. I have found sayings thru scrapbooks sites as well.