Hi all -- Would anyone like to recommend some quality blogs about homeschooling middle school kids? I think it would be helpful to me to have some daily inspiration... : ) Looking for quality over quantity and someone with a practical and perhaps secular bent toward education. Thank you!

For what it's worth, I think Math Mammouth is generally considered on or slightly above grade level. I think Teaching Textbooks is considered a year (sometimes two) behind grade level, though it's a solid curriculum in its own right. Singapore is about on par with MM, from what I understand. Saxon seems to be the benchmark, and is on or slightly ahead of grade level, at least compared to our local school district, which is pushing for Algebra in 7th/8th. Hope that helps; it's hard to generalize math programs.

I hope I am not jinxing myself here... My son recently agreed to homeschooling. What convinced him.was that I took him to a local school that offers elective classes for homeschoolers once a week/(think sewing, wilderness skills, karate, band, etc). They also have a space center that is awesome. He saw that and now is really excited. So find something she loves more than.school, take her there and show her how you would incorporate it into HS. Good luck!

GeoKitty, I love your approach. I'm thinking I might do just what you suggest. Still have Human Odyssey and the Ancient World on my list to check out, but seems like SOTW is a rite of passage for homeschoolers, and I'd hate to miss that boat. : )

Wow! Thanks for all the feedback. And to think I thought I was done thinking about this one! :cursing: Sheesh, looks like I've got some more research to do. Have heard good things about Human Odyssey, so will look at that first, as well as the other great suggestions in here. I was really approaching this series more of fun and entertainment than part of their actual studies. Was going to read/discuss SOTW daily, and supplement with whatever makes sense, from movies and programs to books and whatever else tickles our fancy. Am preparing for a stint in Rome next spring, so was going to use SOTW as background and add some Rome-specific supplements. Sounds like I may need to up my game as far as the text goes. Really appreciate the input, though. We are PS people going rogue and have just begun this transition to homeschooling. Can't believe we didn't start sooner!

Wondering if it will be too easy? Seems like you all use it for younger kids and we are late to the party. I just like the style and thought it would be a great read-aloud, and I'd have the kids do the activity workbooks as we read. I think of this world history more as a passive and interesting topic for them to be exposed to, as opposed to the more serious, studious approach I want them to take with US history. Am I thinking about this correctly? Haven't seen more than just a sample of SOTW. Thanks.

Has anyone done the Context tours?

Thanks, that's helpful. Ordering Word Roots first. : )

Thanks for responding. I think I might just order both books -- the samples are so hard to go by.

Looking for a 6-week-ish study program in Rome aimed at middle schoolers. Ideally, we'd like to focus on Roman history and art history for about 4-6 weeks, and it would be fun to do a course with other English-speaking kids. Does anyone know of anything like this? All my searches are turning up whirlwind 10-day tours that include Rome, but none are quite as long or as focused as what I'm looking for. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

I have it narrowed down to Critical Thinking's Word Roots or Vocabulary from Classical Roots and would love feedback on what you all like better and why. Kids are 10 (very wordy and expressive, excellent with language) and 12 (off the charts reader). I like the workbook style, not the software (though would like to hear if anyone LOVES it). I have studied the sample pages from both and WR seems better because they ask kids to create sentences using the words. VfCR seems more multiple-choice-ish, fill-in-the-blank, etc, which seems less active and thoughtful. BUT all the reviews seem to point at VfCR. Help?

All good suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

I am planning for the fall! Would be interested in hearing if any of you have recommendations for an at-home study of leadership. We've got real-life opportunities outside the home, but for purposes of this thread, I am only interested in books and workbooks to help my kids think like leaders. We have a list of biographies, but would appreciate input on those as well as biography programming / documentaries you found helpful. But we love workbooks the most. : ) Thank you!

Thanks for all the input. Science is by far the hardest to plan. : /

Hi all: I am new to homeschooling and the forum, but have learned so much just by lurking. I am planning to homeschool in the fall for my 6th- and 7th-grade kids. I have seen a lot of great suggestions for science curricula, but no discussions yet on how to order the sciences. I have been reading that Physics > Chemistry > Biology is the "new" preferred line-up, and exactly opposite the traditional order. Just soliciting opinions as to what worked / what didn't work, and why. Thanks in advance!