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I don't know if we've talked about this here, but my kids have really enjoyed courses offered by the lukeion project. A husband and wife team teach the classes and they have an interactive interface which allows kids to ask questions during lectures. See their website here: http://www.lukeion.org/

The instructors do have a decidedly Christian bent, which may be a plus for some and a minus for others. I'd really love to sign "Hector" up for the Latin course, but this fall he'll be busy with more structured courses than ever before, and I don't want to overwhelm him. I'm thinking about it for Spring or Fall of 2009.

Thanks for sharing that! I just had a look at their website and I can see DS7 being very interested. He is into world history and I think he'd enjoy it. Now I just have to share the info. with him to get his reaction.
Thanks again,
Moni

You're welcome, Moni. My daughter took the archeology of destroyed cities last summer and really enjoyed it. She was seven at the time.

Lorel,

Did she do the workshop or the full-blown? And, can you tell me a bit about how online learning works? I've never done it or seen it done. You can PM me if you think noboby else wants those details. Also, how did you choose the archeology unit?

Nah, please post your reply publicly, if you don't mind. DS7 said he'd like to learn about ancient Greece, so I'm considering some of the 4-week courses. I'd be grateful for any tips or info you have to share.

Thanks!

I would like to hear more about this as well. Maybe we'll do a summer one to try it out, the cost is very reasonable. DD would love the one about Olympics. She already did some research for a report at school this year.

Artemis took a four week course. She is crazy for ancient Greece and Rome, and she chose the course herself. She had no trouble with the pace and level, though she took some time to type her questions and comments.

My son also took a 4 week class when he was ten. It was on the ancient Mycenaeans. Both courses had the kids type in stuff to the instructor, while she was miked and could talk to them as a group. So she'd say, "Artemis wants to know if those holes are toilets. They look like they could be, but actually this is a photo of an excavated storeroom. The holes are where amphora were placed." They used lots of gorgeous photos and maps, and the instructor could point to specific items, draw lines, etc. while lecturing.

I believe the interface has been improved since my kids took these courses last year. You can see the website for details.

The Barrs travel to the Mediterranean often and lead tours there. I would love to bring my family along on of these years. I think they have an age minimum though, so we'd have to wait a bit.

How good is Artemis's typing skill? DS7 has started the "Dancemat" typing tutorial, but he's still very hunt-and-peck with it. It takes him a loooooong time to type anything.

So I guess I'd probably have to type for him, huh? That might be reason to wait, at least until the end of the summer, when his typing will (hopefully) have improved.

Thanks, Lorel! I appreciate the info!

She's just a slow hunt and peck typist. But she takes great pride in doing it herself.