We've made a good start this year. The kids are all doing homeschool classes at local learning center one day a week -- the 8th grader is getting a lab science that way. We do lots of history -- Ancient Rome this year -- and I'm happy with the books I'm using (Augustus Caesar's World and Story of the World Vol 1, and The Bronze Bow for fiction). For math we've switched from MEP and Khan Academy to Life of Fred. After years of trying, the 8th grader is now off and running independently as if a switch flipped. It's gratifying to watch. And he's busy with his own stuff -- books he reads, stories and D&D stuff he's writing. There are gaps in other areas, but I'm pleased with his transition to a teenaged learner.

Fun short supplements

Here are some supplemental resources we've enjoyed so far this year:

On maps and geography:

• The West Wing on Peters projection maps
• How many continents are there? A non-simplistic discussion

Nature studies:

• Find recent NPR news clips here
• We listened to this one on how wolves increase biodiversity

Inspriational

• A 5'5" guy teachies himself to dunk