There's 9 years between #1 and #2 (not OUR choice, but they are very close). Yes, go into it with your eyes open. #2 and #3 are only 14 months apart (I wasn't even thinking about a #3 yet).

I plan to use a lot of IEW materials for high school. Since you're considering essays, you might want to look at their High School Essay Intensive.

I have the 2nd edition. From what I can tell, the biggest change is that the teacher material and the student material have been separated into two books instead of one. There has been some new material added also, but I don't know as much about it.

Not necessarily. ;) I did dd's room in Precious Moments. She's into horses. Not ponies, horses with barns. Puppies and kittens are always cute too.

Oh do I hear you there! We have an 1800 square foot house plus full basement and there is TOO MUCH STUFF in this house! I'm in a major decluttering mood and that's my big project for the summer. I have some smaller projects in mind too, but decluttering comes first!

Are these typically worth buying? Do they include any lesson plan suggestions or anything useful in a homeschool setting? I'm specifically looking at World Geography and Food for Today if that makes any difference. TIA! :)

For the most part, yes. The only time I would recommend skipping the 800 level is with a child who is very math minded and really wants to be challenged.

I'm not familiar enough with MUS to really give an opinion on that. The first thing that comes to mind, though, is wondering how the scope and sequences are going to line up. I do know that I have TT Algebra 2 on hand for this coming year, and a LOT of it is review from CLE's Algebra 1.

The DD that is doing this was math-phobic before CLE. She did the 400 level through the 700 level. We skipped 8th at her request and because we thought we would miss the chance to do the Algebra if we waited. At the time, we didn't know they were going to offer the preliminary version this next school year. I'm not sorry that we did it, but it has been very challenging (to her delight -- most of school comes too easily to her). She had a 97 average in the 700 level (tests only) and is working to keep a 92 average in the Algebra. Most days take at least an hour and usually closer to 90 minutes.

Yes, we are just about to finish Unit 9. We have been very happy with it, but it is very rigorous. Have you done the 800 level?

That's all the reason you need IMO. :001_smile:

My ds is a little older, but he is really getting a lot from his robots. He had a Lego RCX and enjoyed it so much we've now moved up to NXT. Pricey, but VERY worthwhile. You might also want to look around at some of the stuff on Timberdoodle's website.

Is there a place online I can get a practice exam?

I'm thinking there would also be differences depending on which achievement test you use. Not all achievement tests are created equal.

Thanks! That looks interesting! :)

Is there anyway to convert an achievement test score (8th grade going into high school) to an approximate ACT score? Weird question I know. IOW, if a child scored 90th percentile in math (for example), is there a way to convert that to how they would do on the ACT math test? I realize the higher the achievement test scores, the better they will most likely do on an ACT test, but anything more specific?

Does anyone know what time it was? Dh said he heard thunder, but we didn't have any thunder. ;)

Our two boys are 10 years apart, but they have shared a room since shortly (maybe 3 months?) after youngest was born. They have always gotten along well. We do live on a farm. Our oldest has always 'lived' in the shop, so he's always had that for 'space'. He WANTED a brother though too, so that may make some difference, too.

I've been trying to declutter ever since a particular thread came up back in April or so. Today is just general cleaning, but this next week I hope to finish the ceiling fans and clean out freezers. Then I hope to move on to closets and then the basement:tongue_smilie:. I hoping to get the kitchen repainted later this summer as a final reward if I get the other projects done.

4-H has been an excellent experience for us! The regular 4-H program is for children who are 8 by Sept. 1 - age 18. In many areas, there are also Cloverbud groups for younger children. Projects are almost endless. In fact, in our state (Illinois) there are ways of creating a project if your child is interested in something that doesn't already exist. Here is a link to a list of the projects. Many projects have more than one level. Parents can be as involved as they like. I don't miss a meeting and I'm supervising the historian committee for our club, but I've never met some of the parents who drop their children at a meeting and run. Even if you don't join the club, you can buy the curriculum and use it as unit studies. They have some great projects available!

Thanks for the update! I have thought about you a LOT the last few days. I'm glad to know things look better. :001_smile:

Best/worst is most likely a matter of opinion. My son (22) will tell you Lennox is the best. He worked for a dealer/servicer for about 4 years.

Hernia? I'm thinking this sounds like what my grandma used to do to try to pop hers "back in place". She was a stubborn woman. Wouldn't go to doctor for something she could take care of herself. :001_huh:

*To me* that sounds like a nickname for Yvonne. For Yeh-va, maybe Yevva, Yevvah, or Yevah? (although I think the last one would tend to get pronounced with a long e)

Thank you!