[Greg F]

We are planning to homeschool. Had our first dispute about it last night. I was watching Barbarians II, which is an awesome History Channel series, and said it would be great to burn to a CD for homeschooling. Lots of battles and blood; my wife did not approve. She said middle school level, not elementary. I thought 5th grade would be right for the boys anyway.

[-=SoylentSquirrel=-]

"...Lots of battles and blood; my wife did not approve..."

Women just don't understand a man's need for gore. Or a boy's.

It's not her fault, it's just the way their wired, apparently.

[cinives]

In the interests of family harmony, you might try another great series in the meantime - Ken Burns’ DVDs on the Civil War. It is absolutely awe inspiring, and has less of the gore. Stay away from “Glory”, however, until the kids are a lot older.

[Mrs. Don-o]

You and your esteemed wife may want to read those Raymond Moore books referenced in the article. Raymond Moore and his wife Dorothy (a world-class reading specialist) concluded that kids ---boys, especially--- are, pardoxically, held back by too-early book-and-paper schooling. It is not developmentally right for them in terms of the focus point of their eyes, the maturation of their neural connections, their compelling need for physical activity.

If you read only one Moore book, read "Better Late than Early." And goodness, you can get Raymond and Dorothy Moore's The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook for a dollar. Friends. You owe yourselves to look into this.

[webstersII]

As you well know, kids mature at different rates, so you might have one that’s ready for it at 5th grade, and another that’s not ready until 8th.

But that’s the beauty of Homeschooling. You can keep on an eye on each child and show it to them when they are able to handle it.