maybe so...but you haven't seen this Equine Science book...it rivals most biology courses I've seen and is used at the college level. I understand what you're saying and, 4 years ago I probably would have said the same. We've worked hard the past several years and I'm starting to think most homeschoolers have a tendency to be "out to prove themselves" in so many ways ...graduating students early, pushing them to achieve higher and higher aptitudes...basically at the loss of their childhood. Might be fine for some...but I think there is more to life than academics. Thanks for your opinion. I'm still weighing options.

I posted that I was tired of homeschooling a bit ago and part of it stems from a science dilemma. We had planned to do an Equine Science (HS/college level text) with our 8th grader but are realizing that the book is too much. Do you think I could do it light and incorporate more horse TRAINING in it? We have some great horse training videos that our daughter is itching to work on with her horse. It's not traditional scope and sequence.....but it's 8th grade too...... Janine

Thank you, Starr, for the encouragement. You're right that they won't be home that much longer. I'm not pushing the academics like most on this board are. I'm looking for solid but not over the top. They both will probably spend time at the CC before heading off to a university. As for K12...thanks for the suggestion rootsnwings but after watching a few friends do it, I am certain it would kill the love of learning in our daughter. I think it's mostly just me. They are both happy doing what we're doing (except for the science dilemma)...and I always struggle with the ol "am I doing enough with them" thing. Sigh.....it's not even September and I already have the blues...

We've been at this several years...we now have an 8th grader and a sophomore. I'm tired, life is busy...I'd like to go back to being supportive, "cheerleader" mom rather than being everything to everybody ("bus" driver, teacher, lesson planner, paper grader, counsellor, cook, housecleaner, coach etc etc).... Our sophomore is taking Chem and Math at the local CC (9 units) and loves it. They told me to go light on him as the two classes are two of their "most failed" ones so were adding in Notgrass World History and most of the lit and an online writing class for English/comp...I think he's doing okay with that schedule for now including sports and guitar. I had planned this for our 8th grader: online writing course Notgrass World History and Lit (she's ready) Saxon Algebra Latin III (at a local private school...uses Cambridge) Science was going to be a high school/college level Equine Science but we're learning the book is too much for her.....so, thinking about maybe Rainbow Science?? BUT...I'm really not excited about any of it and I'm ready to send them to public/private school somewhere.....:crying: Or...maybe a "school in a box" curricula for my 8th grader where all of the planning is done for me..:001_unsure: Can anyone help me get out of my funk about this? What would you guys do? We started today and I'm so not excited..... thanks Janine

Hi all~ I'm back after a few years having our children in a part-time school! Now we are heading into high school in the fall (with a 7th grader also). I'm hot on the search for a strong, easy to implement high school program. I'd like to keep us all studying the same time period in history. We are planning to use TT for Geometry and Apologia Biology but the rest is anybody's guess at this point. I do not want to pull it all together myself and I prefer a program with a Christian worldview. Our son (the high schooler) is very strong in math and science, likes history but is not tremendously fond of language arts. He has three years of Latin behind him (Cambridge)...though we would like to finish the third book...anyone have any suggestions as to how to do that? (he was enrolled in a weekly class prior to this but they are not offering a fourth year at this time) Can anyone share recommendations? Thanks! Janine in Ca

you can find it at mainlesson.com (I think that's the website...it might by mainlessonS.com) - it is in the public domain so you can read it online for free or buy a printed version. It's a long book but very well written and narrative in form. We used it when our daughter was in 3rd/4th grade and our son was 5th/6th. Janine

While Andreola's book is a fun read, I think it is a little *too* soft and fluffy of an interpretation of CM's writings. I love the Levison books for detail and implementation. I also like two others not mentioned: When Children Love to Learn by Cooper and You Can Teach Your Child Successfully by Ruth Beechick. Neither of these two are strictly CM but they compliment the style splendidly. Many CM followers don't fully recognize how rigorous of an educator she was. Yes, the methods are more gentle but, there is order, discipline, structure and lots and lots of content to her methods. I know people who call themselves CM educators who pay much attention to nature study and fine arts but who look the other way when they read about the early foreign language, Plutarch and the incredible level of liturature which she required. Also, I second the option of reading the modern language version of the original series. Nothing beats the original, but CM was tremendously wordy and went off on many tangents (which were relevent in her day but today we often don't know to whom or what she is referring). AO has done a wonderful job at distilling the main points of the readings and presenting them clearly. Janine

First of all, my heart goes out to you. Homeschooling can be very frustrating...expecially with pre teens. We all can only speak of our own experiences and I don't know how that can really help you. You have a unique and individual child...just like the rest of us. Each child responds differently to teaching methods and learning in general. If what you are doing isn't working, shake it up. Change curricula, enroll him in one class somewhere and see how he responds to outside instruction. Some kids desperately want mom to play the mom roll, the support system, the care giver and disciplinarian....but perhaps not the teacher? I can't vouch for what sort of education options you have in your area but you typically don't have to do it all yourself. We have outsources a few subjects and have learned that our son (at age 12, now 13) really thrived with some outside instruction. He felt a little bit of independence, he learned he could really do it on his own...it gave him pride in his efforts and he was thrilled to have mom and dad see that other people liked what he had to say/write/do. At this age, I think many children need this. I don't know if enrolling him in full time public school will fix the problems. There are many issues to consider and only you know your child well enough to weigh the balance of costs and benefit. I suppose this letter isn't really of much help but....listen to your heart, and your child - he is old enough to try to figure out from where his apathy comes. He is also old enough to reckon with issues of disobedience, sin, sloth, deception and a myriad of other issues. We can't begin to know the heart of those issues...but I bet together you can figure them out. Good luck whatever you choose...and many blessings to you~ Janine