You must have missed all the buzz several months ago. SWB had to put a stop to the production of Advanced Language Lessons (ALL) last year due to reasons stated in this thread and post. There's a LOT of information available beyond this if you want to do some searches here. Blessings, Lucinda

I have a nice, dark cubby with a denim curtain under the counter top in my country kitchen that is a perfect spot for the rice barrel, bird seed bucket and bags of potatoes. We rarely have spoiled potatoes, maybe because we eat them often, idk. Now the onions, on the other hand, are in a basket on the counter top along with some garlic. We use both a lot in our family, and I want them handy near the cutting board and the stove. I can't remember ever having totally spoiled onions. We also keep our tomatoes and fruit in bowls on our countertops. No more mealy tomatoes and the fruit is there to remind us to actually eat it! Blessings, Lucinda

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! My remarks in green below. Well, you're all getting me thinking, and that is what I was hoping for when I shared this whole idea. :lol: Blessings, Lucinda

Please bear with me as I write this all out...I know there are a lot of people here that have moved around much more than we have. The idea of relocating so far from home isn't something we've dealt with though. I'm excited and scared all at once!! I would love to get your feedback, suggestions, stories -- anything! We have just started to daydream about the possibility of moving to another region of the U.S. Actually, I've been running this over and over and over in my mind for the past week since talking to some dear friends that have just moved from their farm in Oregon all the way to the St. Cloud, Minnesota area. Our friends threw out an invitation for us to consider moving to the same area, for one reason because our dd's are really close and want to stay connected, and for another reason because our friends know that we're facing a major transition time, looking for a new direction. Our friends told us about the area they are moving to, and it sounded amazing. I've been online researching and am getting more enthused all of the time. My parents were born and raised in S. Dakota, and the idea of going back to my family's midwestern roots has always pulled at my heart strings. Other than applying for grad school in the midwest some years ago, I've just never had the opportunity to consider it seriously. We're now at a great place in our life to do that though. This isn't something we'd just jump into, we would have to take care of some major things here first and then there would be the matter of dh getting lined up with a job and all of the things that go along with a major move. I think it would take at least a year to do all this, if not maybe more -- but even so, dh and I are both open to the possibility. For the past decade we've had one hardship after another, mainly because of two separate job displacements for dh (both for reasons completely out of his control), the last having been due to a minor stroke he suffered last year. Dh is 59 yo and is now facing the challenge of retraining for yet another line of work. He's in the process of looking at programs now that will fit his areas of interest, which is one of the things that we would need to allow time for. Once he's more settled with all that though, it would be so nice to have a fresh, brand new start somewhere. Getting dh's career back on track is our main issue, and seeing that our dd's education isn't compromised is next. From what I read online, Minnesota may be a great place for both of these things because of their stronger economy and the fact that hs'ing there is very doable (along with the fact that they have some of the best private schools in the country). As for me, I'd love to experience four distinct seasons during the year rather than the kind of mild weather and humidity we have here in the PNW. I'd also like to take part in cultural things in a totally different region than I've always known, and it would be awesome for our dd to find all the opportunities that are there that we don't have here. Now back to the economy -- from the sounds of it, the economy in that part of the country is a whole lot better than ours is here on the west coast. I know that truthfully the whole country is struggling, but from what I'm reading some areas are doing better than others, and Minnesota seems to be one of them. We do have family here that would be hard to leave, but if there was an opportunity to improve the quality of our lives I know we would find ways to make it work, and I'm sure our family would be very supportive. I also have a job that I love that I would have to give up, but I know in my heart that I could probably do the same thing where ever we live. Of these, the very hardest consideration is leaving family. Has anyone moved from the PNW to the Midwest? Are we just totally out of our minds to think this way? (I know, I know...the extreme winter weather may be shocking to us!) Other than taking a vacation and spending time exploring the area before jumping into anything, what advice do you have to offer? If you've read this far, thanks so much for letting me share. Blessings, Lucinda

Wow! That's good to know. I'm really interested in Visual Latin. How do you like it so far? Blessings, Lucinda

I could be wrong, but my impression is that some parents buy more than one writing program because they so badly want their dc to be good writers and they've heard good things about this curriculum and that. There seems to be a tendency to think that no program covers all the bases when it comes to teaching the subject, so we need to put more than one together to get the job done. But like other responders here, I think WWE/WWS are enough. My dd has already made a dramatic change in her writing since using SWB's methods. So I'm convinced by personal experience. Some middle schoolers might appreciate supplementing with The Creative Writer (also available through PHP) or another creative writing course occasionally or once per week on the 5th day. The only reason for this is because WWE and WWS only teach expository writing. They are thorough in that, but adding creative writing exercises will round out the writing to cover everything for those students that want to express themselves more. I'm anxious to see what will come after the WWS series! Blessings, Lucinda

As a fellow art teacher myself, I have to say I agree with all that Barb (harmonyartmom) has shared. What a great resource for homeschool parents! I was just talking on another thread recently about the difference between cheap supplies and real art supplies that set students up for success. I hope everyone takes the time to read what Barb has to say about this from the link she's provided. Art IS important in our children's education! As to my own favorites for young students....I like the things that Barb lists - especially Prismacolor pencils. And I also like to keep nice Strathmore drawing paper on hand (paper that contains cotton, not just wood pulp), marker paper and nice markers, Sharpies, Yarka brand watercolors, daVinci Jr. paintbrushes, Strathmore watercolor paper, tracing paper, Akua water-based printmaking inks and Dura-Lar acetate sheets for making monoprints, a rolling pin and brayers (again for printmaking), soft pastels as well as oil pastels and plenty of pastel paper for using with both. (A good, affordable choice for this is a variety of toned Canson Mi-Tientes paper that comes in pads.) These are some of my favorites, but I know I'm leaving several things out that could be mentioned. Some practical things to remember in the art room or area would be plenty of paper towels, disposable paper plates for paint palettes, cotton swabs, alcohol, recycled tin cans for storing pencils and brushes, and a good storage system. Oh, and 11" x 17" sheets of newsprint to use as placemats under projects and also to fold over and protect work that smears easily. Honestly, I'm not trying to advertise for any brands I've mentioned and I don't get paid by anyone whenever I make recommendations. I just love to help people out with this since it's also my special area of education. For all the help I've gotten over the years from others on this forum when it comes to other subjects, this is the least I can do. Blessings, Lucinda

I just want to applaud you with a standing ovation on this post, ladydusk! We love to read at our house and have overflowing shelves in three rooms of the house! But really, the point you made about using real art supplies and how they truly make a difference in the outcome is what I'm clapping the hardest over. I majored in art in college with a concentration in painting, and that was one of the best tips I got from one of my professors. I've carried the message to my art students consistently through the years because I know its the best way to succeed in any art endeavor. Because the arts are so often undervalued, people often hate to spend money on getting the right supplies. (Can you imagine trying to scrimp on the type of tools you'd use to study science, fix a car or build a house? Hmmmm....) Art IS important, and using the right tools is definitely worth the splurge. BTW, I also think Artistic Pursuits is an awesome, awesome curriculum - also well worth the money. If I didn't use my own lessons to teach art, I'd be using it myself. Blessings, Lucinda

Same here, except that we do guitar lessons. Blessings, Lucinda

I've never heard of Killer Angels, but we did read Turn Homeward Hannalee the same year we read Across Five Aprils. We really liked the story - especially since it was from a girl's perspective. Thanks! Lucinda

Sure...we could chat about it. Why don't you send me a pm when you have the chance? Blessings, Lucinda

As a Christian as well as a painter and art teacher, I am very passionate about the visual arts as they are connected to our faith. I have organized groups for Christians in the arts, spoken at conferences, organized special art events in my community and coordinated a total of three church art galleries. Teaching art at a private Christian school, as well as to homeschool students in my community, is part of this as well. It is a call to a specific area of church ministry that I truly love. Blessings, Lucinda

Thanks for all the recommendations, everyone. There are more here than I know we can possibly even read in one unit, and it's going to be hard to narrow it down. That's actually a NICE problem! Blessings, Lucinda

Sure, I meant to do that anyway....:D The company I'm contracted to is Working Solutions. They are always looking for new agents and it's a great company to work with. I'm not sure what states are a problem for them though. You'd have to go to the website and check it out. I originally wanted to work for LiveOps, but they weren't hiring in my state. I think these two companies have the best reputations when it comes to this line of work. Blessings, Lucinda

In addition to being a part-time art teacher at a private school in our community, I also have privately taught students of my own that I can meet with from my home or at another location. Right now I'm holding a group class once a week at an outside location, but it could have easily ended up here at home if I'd wanted it to. Teaching or tutoring are great ways to stay home based and you set the hours you are available. I also have an evening and Saturday job where I work from my home office as a virtual call center representative. I am a contract employee and can set my own hours within the project that I'm assigned to by the virtual resource company I am contracted with. I use my computer and a landline with headset to handle calls with clients and customers all over the country. The pay isn't what you'd call fabulous, but by the time you consider that I don't have travel expenses and can work from home in my pj's instead of expensive clothes, then I think it all balances out well. Blessings, Lucinda

WWE3 would definitely be my choice if I could go back to 3rd grade with my own dd. We are now using WWS by SWB and it is excellent! I only wish we'd started with WWE in the first place - but now that we're using WWS and dd is learning to be such a wonderful writer because of it, we will never go with another writing program. Dd says that SWB rocks and has begged me to stay with her program long term. That's the best reference anyone can give for a writing curriculum I think. Blessings, Lucinda

Hmmmm. This is so true. You know, the more I think about it, I should read this again too. If I do it ahead of time then I could decide whether to use it next year or just save it to be read at high school level. Thanks very much for your input. Blessings, Lucinda

Well, if we want to learn history, we do need to understand the ugliness that took place in some eras and cultures. I think for 8th grade level, to share the book with a parent and have discussions together it could be very insightful and meaningful. I'm not one to glaze over the rough spots once a kid is old enough to handle it and the parent is there for some guidance. Blessings, Lucinda

I think you mean this book, right? From the description I just read it sounds like a really good choice. Thanks! Blessings, Lucinda

For the op, I am just curious to know why you won't be going with WWS next since WWE has gone well for you? Blessings, Lucinda

Have you considered Visual Latin for a change of pace? I've been looking at this one for awhile and think that we'll eventually go with it since Latin has not been all that enjoyable for my dd in the past. We switched from Latin to French last year after 2 1/2 years with LC and then LFC. I just think that Dwayne Thomas' sense of humor and style makes Latin feel relevant to modern language, all which seem appealing to students and inexperienced parent/teachers that have struggled to learn Latin. Blessings, Lucinda

Thanks for the suggestions. :001_smile: We have read Shades of Gray, but not the other ones yet. Oh, and I just remembered that I do have the Frederick Douglas book on the shelf. It's on TWTM literature list for 8th grade if I remember right. Blessings, Lucinda

Well, I'll be one of the odd ones here and say that I do use the recommendations and have for the past five years. A good share of the times that I've been the most deeply disappointed and/or felt that we failed to succeed were times that I had strayed away from the well researched recommendations in TWTM book. I'm not saying I follow it to the letter, in fact we used TOG for three years and combined it with selections from TWTM. It worked out well! Other than this, I have taken great stock in the recommendations in the book and choose them more often than not. If you go to hs conferences and hs bookstores in your area, you can spend some time looking at curriculum without being obligated to buy. I sometimes do this, then order the books online when I have the money or when there is a good sale and I can save. I hope this helps! Blessings, Lucinda

We'll be doing Notgrass's America The Beautiful next year and Across Five Aprils is on the literature list. Dd and I read the book four years ago while studying the Civil War era, so next year for our 8th Grade U.S. History I'd like to find a good alternate. I read Uncle Tom's Cabin in high school and was thinking about adding that, but would it fit at 8th grade level? I'd really like to add more literature to the reading list in addition to the Notgrass list anyway, so we could have 2-3 Civil War era selections and hopefully one or two that are classics. Any other suggestions? Thanks! Lucinda

:iagree: I checked this very thing out myself, and did the full research with the Saxon website. Algebra 1/2 is for students using the older version of Saxon 7/6 prior to starting Algebra 1. 8/7 actually includes Pre-Algebra and is quite important to take before launching into Algebra 1. My not-so-mathy kid is going straight into 8/7 from 7/6 (newer edition). I would not recommend skipping 8/7 because, like stated above, it is much more difficult than 7/6. I just got the book and it's almost twice as thick too. Blessings, Lucinda