I am trying to pick out a curriculum for Hank for next year. Grade 2. This year we just did a mish-mosh of things. I really feel that we need more structure. Not only for him but for me too. I don't want anything too $$$. we have too many medical bills to try to pay on.

I don't care if it is religious based or not. I just need something that includes everything and gives a day to day lesson plan. With all of Hanks medical stuff I need to have a strict way to do and follow things.

I know that this year is going to be challenging- so I need to get on top of things now.

Also, do you have your child tested every year or do you have a portfolio signed off on? I am not sure what I will do for this year. With Hank we really don't have a portfolio. We did more of unschooling and am wondering how I will have him done by the state.:help: I am not sure what to do.

Janel, what you need to do with testing/portfolio/review is different in each state. So you may want to direct that question to those in your state - I'm sorry I don't know where you live.

Thinking of the daily-scheduled curriculums I know, there aren't any cheaper ones coming to my mind. You could look at Sonlight, then try to score one used off of the Sonlight used boards. Others will know other scheduled curriculi, perhaps you could find them used, as well?

I myself photocopy a weekly schedule for 36 weeks (I do this every summer) and divide things up and schedule the year to come, using the best recommendations I can find for each subject. Haven't always done it this way, but have for the last 4 years or so. Since our little homeschool has 6 students currently, this is kind of a pain, but after the agony (LOL), I do love it for the rest of the year.

Ambleside Online (http://www.amblesideonline.com) is pretty free, structured, and flexible all at once. I really like it!

I have a friend who is using Ambleside Online. She loves it.

I'm entering my first year as a HSer this fall and I'm going to start out using SOS (Switched on Schoolhouse), which is very structured. Both Jacob and I need that right now. If we get done at the end of the year and feel it was too much, we'll adjust at that point.

SOS is only grade 3 and up, though, so that doesn't help you much. Sorry!

Oh...and in MN, there are accredited individuals who will administer the standardized tests for a fee--even orally if the child tests better that way. And here, it's every-other year that they need tests done.

You're in Florida right? You need to submit something to the school district by the start of the next school year. You can have him tested or put together a portfolio. You need to use someone with a valid FL teacher's license. Your school district should have sent you a list of evaluators. If not, call them and they'll get it to you. You could also check with local homeschool groups.

I find the portfolio to be the easiest route for us. Get a three ring binder and gather some work from each subject to place in the binder. They like to see your planner if you have one as well. I'd bring along any workbooks or additional written work you may have from this year. You just need to show that you're making an effort and moving forward.

I create my own curriculum mostly based on the well-trained mind.

Good luck!!

Have you looked at A Beka? It is workbook based, has all of the subjects you need and isn't too expensive. We used it this year (1st grade) for math, science and geography. My ds has really liked it. I use books from the library for having him read outloud to me and I write out sentences for him to copy to practice his handwriting.

Ooooooooo, yeah, I forgot about Ambleside!! That is a good suggestion!

Another FL option is to join an Umbrella School, at which point you are considered part of a private school. They will have some sort of attendance reporting requirements.