going the unit-study route. I've found lots of great ideas, and I am liking the Learning through Literature series that Val posted, we may take a closer look at that. We did History of The World 2 for part of this year, and it just did not seem to engage my kids. We got the CDs and book. I really like it, but they don't seem to care. Latin, what we did of it, just felt like busy work. Until I can get DS to do more reading and writing in English, I suppose that can wait. Interestingly enough, my nephews were doing Latin the same time as us. They recited a bunch of stuff to DH (which is something DS never got around to), but could not tell him what any of it meant, LOL. So, I felt a little better that DS wasn't reciting, because I don't suppose it means much to be able to recite if you don't know what it means, but anyway....


I don't know if we'll continue with Spelling Workout. I have to think about that more.

I need to come up with a different math program. We used Scot Foresman math this year.

I think I may get some Explode the Code stuff to work with DS#2 (who reads tons, but doesn't get phonics at all).

Anyone have math ideas for boys, ages 10 and 7? Do I need to say more than they're boys? ;)

We love Math U See. They enjoy everything about it.

Math·U·See (http://www.mathusee.com)

Do you get a student kit and set of manipulatives for each child, or do they share?

I have a couple of set of the blocks but when we started out I did it with one set. They shared the blocks. Then you need a student book for each child. But again, when we started I bought a student book that had a few pages filled in since there is alot of review and ds was starting at a lower level (I went back a level since we switched programs) I knew he wouldn't need all the review.

So I would order one set of blocks and then whatever level teachers manual and student books.

I have had success finding them on ebay but they will go for close to the original cost.

We also love MUS.

Jacob is 12 (we did Zeta *and* Pre-Algebra this year) and honestly, we haven't even touched the manipulatives. I think they are better suited for the younger set.

We like Right Start Math.

What is their favorite school thing to do? Whatever that thing is, highlight IT and work in the rest of the stuff.

For two years, I had to drop all busy work because it was just a battle, and nothing was truly learned.

With as much resistence as you've been getting, I'd choose maybe "one" book work item for them to do, and make it something they already want to do. ETC, would be a good one for the younger guy. For the 10 year old, choose something bookish that he can be successful at.

Over the years, I've added in a little more book work. As they get older, they have a bit more, but never so much that we are schooling at home--at least not right now.

For math, if it is not their strength or their interest, I suggest focusing on mainly just overall concepts such as rounding, adding, subtracting, fractions, multiplication (get this nearly perfect before division), decimals, money, etc...

K-2 is essentially a repeat of math. So is 3-5. If you think of it that way, you have 3 years for the kids to learn each "block" of information.

I do think it is important to do Math, but I've not enjoyed most math curriculums for the under age 10 boy crowd. I'll specify boy since I've never had a homeschooling girl. The most important thing has been to just not give up. Do it several times per week, but not at the expense of your relationship.

Sorry for the novel. This isn't entirely what you asked about, but I thought I'd write it anyway. :)

I am switching to Bob Jones University Math this year... it's a teacher intense program, but I tend to enjoy teacher intense programs, so it suits me to a tee. My feeling on teacher intensiveness is that I'd rather spend my time interacting with the activities and the student than "enforcing" the more independent style curriculum work.

I love doing unit studies following ds's interests because if I'm trying to teach something to my ds that he's not interested in, I might as well just be talking to the wall. It ends up feeling like a waste of my time and his. I really like this unit study book by Valerie Bendt. Unit Studies Made Easy (http://www.valeriebendt.com/UnitStudiesMadeEasy.aspx)

We've been using Right Start math and my ds is doing really well with it. It has a lot of hands-on things to keep him interested. RightStart Mathematics by Activities for Learning, Inc. (http://www.alabacus.com/)