We also used Singapore through 3rd then Math in Focus 4 (which really did not line up at all), along with Life of Fred and then Math Mammoth through 6th/7th grade. We supplemented with Khan from 1st through 7th. I cannot imagine it being enough for us, but my ds does not love math and can only be coaxed into tolerating it with lots of variety. I can see how Khan might work stand alone for a motivated or math loving kid. Just our experience, anyway!

"Can you tell me a little more about your geography binder? I've considered the travel brochure idea too because it looks like fun and seems like something she would enjoy. Do you include other things in it? " Sorry I'm having trouble quoting directly, but our geography is very open ended. We watch a video on our chosen country, and then we have a list of possible items to include in our travel guide: people facts, places, geographical oddities or famous places, animals, languages, random statistics. I do require a map of the country together with something showing knowledge of bordering countries and continent on which located. My son likes to include lots of visuals - so maps, photos of previously mentioned people, places etc.... Honestly, it is one of our favorite subjects! We have learned so much and it IS fun! That's why we haven't stopped. He also loves Top Gear BBC (please don't judge - he loves all things Cars) so if they have a country special - that may be our geography video (usually only if I cannot find anything more suitable). Anyway, hope this helps!

I also have a 13 year old entering 8th grade. He's done the general science topics as well. So this year, the *plan* is to just read great books - at least for science. So, he is going to be assigned Napoleon's Buttons, a favorite of mine, some John Hudson Tiner books such as Johannes Kepler bio and 100 Scientists who changed the world, as well as a couple of math/science history books by the same author. I'm not sure how that's going to work out but that's the plan for science. Other than science, IEW to help him learn to write, Fix It for grammar, a variety of Pre-algebra including Math Mammoth and Life of Fred, a second year of Spanish, an art class he enjoys and music appreciation when we can get to it. Oh, and I'm trying to plan a course on Excel/Powerpoint/ etc just to make sure we get it out of the way. It can be a high school credit possibly. Geography is just something I've made up as we go along. We've had good luck with You Tube videos such as Rick Steves travel paired with making our own travel brochures for each country we study. Our geography binder is getting quite thick. We will continue this project. Anyway, that's the plan. I'm sure it will change drastically as is usual for us. Good luck!

We Really enjoyed Real Science Odyssey Chemistry for elementary age. That's the only RSO textbook I have personal experience with but highly recommend.

We tried the Muzzy french DVD when we first started homeschooling 4 years ago. It may be nice for really young kids as exposure to a foreign language, but if you are hoping for retention/actual learning of the language, I would try something else. An app like Duolingo or free Mango from your local library is far better than Muzzy in my opinion. If course, there's always the possibility that the DVDs/program has changed or drastically improved. I have no experience with the online subscription either. Hope this helps a bit.

In the online version we used, no distinction was made and only the British spelling was offered. This was at least 2 years ago so surely this issue has been addressed but I personally don't know. The workbooks offered both British and US spellings as I recall.

It has been a while since I used SS online so *grain of salt* but when we used it, it was absolutely horrible. Enunciation was an issue quite often, but the other major fail was that it provides British spellings to words. If you use American English, that's a bit of a problem. If your student is working independently, you may never notice until he//she asks or just spells it "wrong". I wish I could remember an actual example, but I cannot. (My son remembered one: 'peddlar' instead of 'peddler'). It happened more than one time I do recall. Therefore, I would not recommend the online SS unless it has drastically improved since it's release (and it very well may have as it has been a while). FWIW, I loved the actual SS workbooks and program however.

Thanks! I should have checked more thoroughly before posting.

Hi all. I haven't posted in so long that I somehow was required to start a new account. My old name is Lazzaroni. This is not my first post just so you know this is not intended to be spam. My friend shared this article with me today. I found it to be so disturbing that I thought I had to share it with other homeschoolers just to help me process the tone and abundance of misinformation in the article. I seriously think it could have been written 20 years ago instead of just a few days ago. Or is this normal? If so, wow. I have only been a home schooler for a year but I have met so many wonderful, intelligent and socially rounded adults and kids that I can't imagine why this article was even put out there. FWIW, read it and see what you think: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/education/2015/08/home_school_legal_defense_association_how_a_home_schooling_group_fights.html Admins: Please delete if not allowed. Thanks!