Math Tutor?

Math has always been one of my best subjects! It is Almond's least favorite subject. I'm not sure what went wrong here, but I know she can't sit still for more than a few minutes, and absolutely can't stand timed drills, or any drills for that matter! We've tried a few different curriculum, and still no love. I'm going to stick with Singapore, because I like their approach, but will be buying more manipulatives, and will be using the new Home Instructor Guides for the Standard's Edition. Oh, and I will be getting a math tutor as well, which I think will help a lot, since I don't have the patience I need to work with Almond at times, and it will give both of learning ideas that may work better with her.

This week we worked on measurement... She balked until I asked her to measure everyone's waist in the house, and make a chart. Then we discussed greatest, least, etc... It turned out to be a fun time, and I got to see how big my waist has really become...lol!

Curriculum decisions...

So far, my plans for this fall have changed so many times!!!

I have gone back and forth with Ambleside Online, Sonlight, and Story of the World...

Here are some tentative plans...

3rd Grade
Ambleside Online, Year 2, substituting history with Story of the World
Math- Singapore
Science- Apologia Astronomy
Language Arts- Primary Language Lessons, All About Spelling, Sonlight Core 2 Readers (Intermediate/Advanced)
Prima Latina

8th Grade
Sonlight Core 100
Grammar- continue Analytical Grammar
Math- Algebra 1, Teaching Textbooks
Science- Apologia General Science
Spanish 1- ???

Hmmmm... I haven't ordered all of the curriculum yet, so there is still time to decide!

High School Plans

This coming Fall I will have 2 in high school!

Macadamia has decided she wants to try public school!!! I had mixed feelings about this, but trust that she is at the age where she can make responsible decisions. She's going into 10th grade. She is very bright, and when challenged, she pushes even harder. So I'm not worried about her. She is very busy with music and dance, so we'll see how it works out. There may be some challenges, though... The public school might not take our homeschool credits... I have contacted HSLDA, and they have simply said that it is up to the school district, but to be persistent in negotiating. They don't open until August, so we'll just have to wait and see! Reasons for going to public school? She just wants to try it, and would like to have more socialization (dances, hanging out with friends). This should be interesting!

Cashew will continue to homeschool for 12th grade... He will be taking classes at the community college. We've enrolled in History 101 (US through reconstruction), Survey of Computer Science, and guitar. Next semester he will be taking math and English. He's excited because his cousin, who just graduated from public school, will be in his history class. I'm so proud of him! I think it's great that college will be free and count for dual credit this year!

Pistachio has one more year, then he will be off to public school as well! He has decided that he wants to play football and eventually play college ball... So this will be his best option, he has decided. We support his decision and feel proud that our children are able to weigh the options and come to an informed decision they feel confident about.

Summer Update

Well, Dad is home! Hooray! We've been spending some family time. Vacation will start next week... We have plans for camping at the beach and just spending quality time. We haven't decided where else we will go. The kids have suggested Sea World, the Natural History Museum, Soak City and the Body Worlds Exhibit!