jengjohnson Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 (edited) My 8th grade daughter wants to return to homeschooling next semester and possibly continue through high school. She was homeschooled until 7th grade when she began attending an all girls magnet school/early college. She's a straight A student. I had put aside all planning for homeschooling high school when the 2 oldest started school last year. Now I need to get things lined up quickly. I'll list below what she's doing and what she wants to do. Currently in Algebra 1 for high school credit (we'll finish this at home with Dolciani). She wants to begin geometry concurrently. Not sure how that will go, but she loves math and it seems to come easily. Thoughts? Currently in Spanish 1 for high school credit, has an A, but feels like she knows very little. She wants to quit Spanish, start French and Latin. For French I'd like to get her an introductory course to do this semester and then I'll put her in an outside class for 9th grade. Not sure for Latin, she likes the look of Lively Latin. I'm not sure how serious she is about this, but she knows the benefits of studying Latin and would rather study Latin than English vocabulary. Any suggestions for either of these? In history they're covering American (just finished the Revolutionary War) and NC history. Does anyone know of a resource for moving on from there? I can cover the NC component, of course. I'll probably use WWS for composition, not sure yet which level. I'm stumped for Literature Analysis (she feels that this is a weak area for her). Not sure what to do about science. It's her area of interest so she reads constantly. They were about to start in on some chemistry concepts and I do feel that she's had less exposure to chemistry so this may be what I want to cover. I really didn't do anything special for the older one, she did Elemental Bio, Apologia General and then Physical before going to school. This current child isn't crazy about Apologia (she wants something secular), but we haven't ruled it out. I looked at Pandia Press Bio 2, but she's covered it all. What am I missing? Any suggestions that fit our needs and goals? Thanks!! Edited March 16, 2016 by books4girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 She could try Getting Started with Latin and if she likes it Getting Started with French. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheApprentice Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 High school options we've used: Derek Owens for Math Saxon Advanced Math (placed in Pre-Calculus at Community College) Lightening Literature Excellence in Literature DIVE Biology Spectrum for Chemistry (lab heavy) Oak Meadow for History Duel Enrollment for upper level (11th and 12th grade): All were very successful for our purpose at the time. Tons of options, so my advice would be to take nice deep breaths first. ☺ If your student is planning on going to college, the most important thing is organization and staying on top of things administratively. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I agree with finding something for chemistry to finish up this year if you are thinking of having her go into AP Bio next year. Even though she's obviously very bright, I think it might be better off to start with one math (finish algebra) and one foreign language (choose French or Latin to start with) before adding another, until she's go a routine down. I actually like CLE Reading for teaching literary analysis. It might be not her cup of tea but it's really easy to implement and can be completed in half a year. I started it with my eighth grader and she didn't like it so we had to stop, but I really think some kids enjoy it. I recently looked at Stobaugh's literary analysis. It doesn't get great reviews and scheduling the readings seems tough, but it covers a lot in manageable lessons. It's also written from a very Christian perspective so it might not work for you. I also like what I've seen from Brenda Watson's new literature program. http://writingwithsharonwatson.com/illuminating-literature-when-worlds-collide/ A secular option is the new literature program that's just come out from Essentials in Writing. The only one out is at the 8th grade level. http://essentialsinwriting.com/essentials-in-literature/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 The Elements by Ellen McHenry is a nice middle school Chemistry intro that you could do in one semester. The Center for Lit online classes have mid year enrollment and are great for strengthening literary analysis thinking skills. oNce a month discussion, no output unless you choose to add the writing element. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I would include Real Science 4 Kids Chemistry, level 2 in whatever you pick. Although it is not a complete chemistry program, what it does cover it covers extremely well. Maybe use Conceptual Chemisty as well--good prep for high school science. (It's also a nonSTEM major fallback for high school science, but I wouldn't recommend it in this case.) I would not do French AND Latin. I think I'd start Latin, since her Spanish will bridge into it a bit, and then maybe send her to Concordia Villages next summer for immersion French. Doing algebra and geometry concurrently is an excellent idea. She will need to have algebra pretty solid to do well at AP Bio next year. AP Bio is not an uncommon freshman science class. Some would do high school bio first and then AP Bio, then AP Chem, and then AP Physics. Or they would sub in AP Environmental Science for one of the last two. Once you start AP, it looks weird to stop, so consider that also. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSprout Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 The Elements by Ellen McHenry is a nice middle school Chemistry intro that you could do in one semester. The Center for Lit online classes have mid year enrollment and are great for strengthening literary analysis thinking skills. oNce a month discussion, no output unless you choose to add the writing element. Ellen McHenry's Carbon Chemistry would be a more advanced look at chemistry if she's famliar with the periodic table. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jengjohnson Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) Thanks so much for all the great advice! Here's what we've decided on at this point. Math: finish Algebra 1 while beginning Jacobs Geometry Science: The Elements & Carbon Chemistry (to prep for AP Bio next year) English: Excellence in Literature and probably Meaningful Composition (or WWS) We'll finish off American History with History of US following the Hewitt Syllabus (already owned this!) Not sure which Latin, will take her to the homeschool bookstore to pick something. Holding off on French until she can begin a class next fall. Editing to add that she wants to try One Year Adventure Novel as an elective. We already own the program, so I just need to get her the workbook. I'm so glad that she wants to try this! She's also taking a 4 week creative writing course with a "retired" homeschool mom in the community that she's really excited about. Definitely planning for dual enrollment for junior/senior year if she's still home. I really appreciate everyone's input! There are several sources that I hadn't looked at before which I think will fit her nicely. Edited November 30, 2015 by books4girls 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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