Sampling AOP's Monarch program

    We are half way through our 3rd year now.  Things are getting a bit better this time around.  Though we still have a ways to go.  In the past, it has been Porthos that I have struggled with finding the right curriculum for.  This year, Athos is falling behind in math, and that is, in part, my fault.  He has been using BJU Press for his math.  His preference.  He has reached a point where I am the one struggling to help him, as I didn't get that far with algebra myself.  So after a year and a half of trudging through this book, and making little progress, I found what may be a ray of sunshine.  A glimmer of hope.  A light at the end of this very long dark tunnel of math.  

    Recently, I stumbled upon a link to try Monarch online free for 30 days.  I also entered in the giveaway they are having.  I set it up for all three of my Musketeers to try during Christmas break.  Athos has used it a few times and really seems to like it.  Even the math.  This is fantastic!  I have tried so many avenues for him this year, trying to find one he would like that worked for him.  Porthos is using Teaching Textbooks, and really likes it.  He has been doing so well with it.  Better than I have ever seen with him.  Aramis has been using Life of Fred, with a supplement of Easy Peasy All-in-one homeschool.  

    Where Porthos likes the animation, interaction, and instant recognition of TT, Athos prefers the text book style and no-frills approach.  Monarch through Alpha Omega Publications offers that.  Plus, it's online and grades as he goes.  Monarch also offers language arts, science, bible, and history/geography.  

    Although I am hoping to continue with My Father's World and Apologia, I am excited to have Monarch as an option for our family.  Thank you Monarch for the opportunity to try out your curriculum before making a decision.  

2016 Not-Back-to-School day

Today was the start of public school in my town.  On Facebook there were many posts with pictures of children and teens ready to head off to school after their requisite 3 months off.  Not wanting to feel left out, I had my boys line up in the living room so I could take their picture to share.  With it, they held a sign saying 1st day of NOT back to school 2016.  Complete with silly faces and pajamas.  Why?  Why not?  We aren't starting for two weeks anyway, and they'll most likely spend most days in their pajamas.  

 
That being said, I now have two weeks to get everything organized and ready for the new school year.  Ok, so let's face it... Athos is still trudging through Algebra 1 and Biology.  Not quite sure how we are going to handle this.  We could: 1. Continue with that until he finishes both.  2. Move on to this year's subjects: Geometry and Chemistry.  3. Double up.  Do both.  Hmmm....

In the mean time, I bet you are wondering what we are going to be using this year.  Some things remain the same, while others have changed.  Athos is switching over to "My Father's World: Ancient History and Literature" for Bible, History and Literature.  He is sticking with BJU Press for math, and Apologia for science.  Porthos and Aramis are both sticking with My Father's World again for Bible, History, and Science.  This year it is "Creation to the Greeks".  Porthos will also be using Teaching Textbooks for math.  Aramis is using Life of Fred for Math.  I am thinking about using Apologia's Writers in Residence for both of their language arts.