Oh, thanks for all the tips. I hadn't thought of buffing them out. I will check out what we have around here. I'm also going to look into copying them so I won't have to deal with this again!

Hi, I was wondering how everyone is protecting their expensive CD curriculums? My son scratched a Teaching Textbooks CD and I read that it will cost us $15 to replace. Ugh...not what I was hoping for after spending $145 for them new. Is it possible to copy them for use and save the originals? Any ideas? Thanks, Wendy

We are using MM complete curriculums. I don't like printing, so we get the complete bound workbooks from Lulu.com. Not sure if this is what you are interested in, but they are very affordable.

My son has both but prefers to do the problems on scratch paper and put the answer in the computer. I like having the book to read through though when he has a problem with a lesson, although the same info is on the computer. I guess I'm just old school! It is nice to have but you could easily get by without it.

Hi, I am interested in finding a science program that incorporates a textbook with online learning. I like the looks of Science Fusion (for an 8th grader) but have also heard good things about K12. When I checked the sample videos though it looks like the video is just a textbook online. Are there any graphics or actual footage that goes with the program? I know my son would burn out if he just has to read screen after screen. Thanks!

Thanks, that is very helpful. Do you know if everything is digital? Are the student booklets and workbook to be printed out? I'm having a hard time getting the student booklets to come up on my computer and am wondering if I'm going to have to print something up every day. Thx

Hi, I'm interested in this program, but having trouble bringing it all together. I've looked at several links to samples but can't figure out how the program works. Is there a TE with a schedule somewhere? Has anyone used this program yet? Thanks!

We used to fly back and forth from Alaska with 3 little ones. I hate to say it, but electronics saved our lives! We had a portable DVD player and Leapsters. I also rationed small snacks throughout the flights.

We've used it and really enjoyed it. She has done a great job organizing and pulling together links, crafts, etc. The only problem we found was that we couldn't do it all! What a blessing to have something so thorough and free!

i'm curious too! Bump

Thanks for the great ideas! We are going in two weeks. We are mostly looking for quiet, beautiful beaches. Our boys have only seen cold Alaska beaches. We're hoping to at least stick our feet in the water and see some tide pools!

We live in Arizona and are driving our tent trailer to California for a week. We want to drive from the Ventura area down to San Diego and want to camp and see some beautiful beaches. Any recommendations? Also any recommendations for bike trails/hiking along the coast? Thanks!!

My 12yo son has done surprisingly well with it. I agree, the step-by-step has helped a lot. He seems to like the "keynote outlines followed by writing concept." We did try SWI-A but he didn't like the teaching. I thought about giving up, but then I got the All Things Fun and Fascinating book for grade 5 and Ancient History writing lessons for grade 6 and he did well with them. He is the type of kid who wants to just get done with his schoolwork so he can have his freedom!

The Great Brain series Anything by Clyde Robert Bulla Encyclopedia Brown Penderwicks Indian in the Cupboard Tucket's Travels series Gary Paulsen Henry Reed series My boys loved these, especially the Great Brain. Some of these may be on the 4th-5th grade level though.

We've been using the grade level Light Blue series for 3 years now. It has worked much better for us than Singapore or Horizons. My sons have done well with the mental math and incremental development. I have also emailed Maria and she is very helpful. I just buy the Light Blue workbooks from Lulu each year. Very affordable. My sons have never had a problem with clutter or workspace issues either. We're sticking with it!

I've been waiting for you to finish your schedule. I used your American Hx schedule and just loved it. Thank you so much for sharing!!!

Sounds a bit like us! I just took my 11yo in for a physical and asked the Dr. about his weight. My Dr. said that being on the thin side is much better for kids today than overeating. He said as long as he eats healthy when he eats it isn't a problem. He was in the 65th percentile for height and 25th for weight. We do a lot of oatmeal, smoothies (soy + peanut butter/bananas), popcorn, bagels, english muffins and homemade pizzas. I also really watch how he feels. If he seems sluggish/tired I encourage him to eat and drink water. I think sometimes he just forgets. Good luck!

Thank you! I didn't think to search that way.

I've searched everywhere and can't figure it out! thanks!

I used Spectrum Phonics workbooks along with OPGTR. They are pretty cheap. I think they were about $6 about Barnes and Noble.

We would like to play.... we're in Arizona.

I know some of these aren't free, but here are some ideas... Reading - Ordinary Paren'ts Guide to Teaching Reading is easy, quick and gets the job done for reading. It is good for the new reader and reinforces for the older. Takes about 15 min and you're done! We used Nora Gaydos readers on the side. Spelling - Flashkids Spelling. A cheap workbook found at Barnes and Noble. My kids can do it on their own. History/Literature - Books on tape from library! You can get a lot of the Sonlight books on audio. Interlibrary loan has been wonderful for us. Bible - Calvary Chapel has a free online curriculum. History - Guesthollow.com has free history and science schedules. They are wonderful. Vocabulary - I am going to use Oxford/Salier vocabulary workbooks. They are inexpensive and I think the kids can use independently. I have found that sometimes the easiest thing for us is to use workbooks when I'm short on time. Good luck and it will get easier!

The Penderwicks

William O. Steele books Sign of the Beaver Where the Red Fern Grows Little House on the Prairie series (seriously, my oldest loved!) Great Brain series Many of the Sonlight 3 and 4 books Clyde Bulla books Sid Fleischman books Ralph Moody books (Little Britches) Some Gary Paulsen books (some are for olders) - Tucket series is great

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch (had to stop about 3/4 way through) Follow My Leader (choppy sentences) Island of the Blue Dolphins (wayyyy depressing at the beginning...my son who loves all read-alouds begged me to stop!)