2017-2018 9th grade planning - if you've started, please post!

[jjeepa]

I started planning about two weeks ago since the online schools we use will open registration in February. I'd love to see what others are planning for their upcoming 9th graders - the planning threads are always so helpful for me!  

 

Here's what I have so far:

 

* Update 2/19 - working on planning today.

 

Math

Algebra 2 at WHA

 

Science

Physics - I have not put this together yet - need a text and a plan.   hopefully through Clover Creek

 

English

Analytical Grammar

 

Literature - This will line up with history once I get that sorted out. However, I do have LLftLotR that didn't get used this year after she changed her mind about which period of history she wanted to study. Wondering is it would be a good fit for ancient history? Also, is it enough for a 9th grader?   Decided to use The Greeks from Romans Roads in combination with HoAW.   

 

Writing - Expository Writing 2 at WTMA - DD is so much happier with WWS/WTMA than IEW. 

 

History

??  We're doing US history this year using Hakim's The History of US.  DD really enjoys the style of the books and the supplemental reading. I just received SWB's Ancient History text and need to get reading to see if this is a possibility.  I guess I also need to work out her history sequence for HS, or at least have a rough idea. 

Decided to use The Greeks from Romans Roads in combination with HoAW. 

 

Latin

Latin 2 at either CAP or WHA

 

Electives and other stuff

Looking for an intro to business class.  Decided to sign her up for fall semester of Socratic Discussion Rhetoric level through WTMA.  Business can wait until next year.

Possibly something for culinary arts - looking at two of The Great Courses that might fit.  Food, A Cultural History from the Great Courses plus Introduction to Baking and Pastry Art spring semester through Excelsior Classes. 

Possibly Professor Carol's A History of Early Sacred Music course.  This can wait until next year.

Continue with art lessons. 

Continue with piano lessons.

Duolingo French

Tennis

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 19, 2017 by jjeepa

[SilverMoon]

edited 2/20

 

Well, I've started, but barely. I have general ideas?

 

I have a rising 9th DS and a precocious younger DD hot on his heels (formally rising 8th).

 

English - I'm leaning toward Literary Lessons from Lord of the Rings for both of them. Lost Tools of Writing level 1 has gone fabulously for DS this year so probably level 2 for 9th. Not a clue for the younger one. Some Lively Art of Writing and Rulebook of Arguments is probably a good idea for her.

 

History - I got nothing. DS is doing history of science for 8th (Build Your Library). STEM kid. The same plans I used for his older siblings (humanities heavy) would probably drown the kid. BYL 9 doesn't look as interesting to either of us. DD loves random rabbit trails here so who knows what she'll ask for. DS and I are going to build History of Aviation. DD and I are working on Culinary History, using GC Food: A Cultural Culinary History as the spine.

 

Science - probably physics. But which one? I'm leaning toward more of a high interest path because they're both likely to take this again later on and I don't want to swamp DS's first year of high school. Or maybe he'd eat a harder one like candy. Yeah, I got nothing. DS is really pushing for science of aviation instead of straight physics. I don't know how realistic this is without calc. DD is going with astronomy and earth science.

 

Math - geometry, from what we already own DS likes Jacobs best and DD likes the Serra book best

 

Spanish - Breaking the Barrier, Duolingo/Memrise

 

Elective?  probably aviation or astronomy related for DS, cooking for DD

 

DS is in Boy Scouts. Taking a break from Civil Air Patrol. Dance family. DD is deeper into dance.

Edited February 20, 2017 by SilverMoon

[mc26]

Here is what I have so far...

 

Math:  Geometry.  I own Jacobs so we will try that first.  Not sure if it will be the best fit, but we will give it a shot.

 

History:  History of the Ancient World with Study Guide, and Great Courses Understanding Greek & Roman Technology

 

Science:  Chemistry

 

English:  We are going to try WWS again for writing.  Attempted it in 7th grade, it was too much and we put it away.  Also using MP Book of Roots and Editor in Chief.  List of books to read and discuss TBD.

 

Logic:  James Madison Critical Thinking 

 

Foreign Language:  No idea.  May wait until 10th grade.

 

Elective:  Considering OM Integrated Drawing and/or Health

 

PE:  Tennis

 

 

[FarmingMomma]

This will be our first high schooler, so I've been researching and planning all year.  This is not my strongly academic student, so I'm definitely nervous about next year.  Here's what I've planned so far:

  Math: Saxon Algebra 1

  Science: Holt Biology

  English: R&S English 8, LLATL Gold World Literature Just the Ancient and Medieval Lit portions of LLATL, Lots of mythology, particularly Greek and Norse

  History: Ancients.  Either Beautiful Feet's Ancient History Pack or SWB's History of the Ancient World or Spielvogel's World History to 1500

  Foreign Language: Sign Language: ASL Academy 101 this summer, 102 in the fall, French 1: Breaking The Barrier French 1, and adding in Mango from our library

  Electives: 0.5 credits of Music (Guitar, outside lessons), 0.5 credits of Home Ec- Martha Stewart's Cooking School cookbook, along with experimenting with Chinese cooking.  Plus sewing.), 0.5 credits of PE

 

Edited to add: I'm hoping to have her take Bravewriter's Kidswrite intermediate this spring or early summer, and then fit in the Expository Essay class in the fall.

I just ordered her CAP Writing and Rhetoric Narrative 2.  If that goes well, we'll try to do Book 4 over the summer, and then do Books 5 and 6 or Books 5, 6, and 7 for 9th grade.  

 

Soccer

4-H: Beef cattle, Breeding beef, dog, sewing and quilting, gardening

Edited April 10, 2017 by FarmingMomma

[teachermom2834]

 I am waiting for online providers to post schedules but my plan so far is:

 

Math- Algebra 2 WTMA (AOPS class)

English- Expository Writing III WTMA

History- Ancient History WTMA

Science- Biology (still deciding provider, WTMA, Homeschool Connections or FundaFunda)

Foreign Language- Spanish 2 at co-op (unless a conflict with WTMA, then will be looking for something else)

Elective- Logic (Memoria Press online or Homeschool Connections)

 

This is my third ds to go through high school at home.  I have learned from the first two that we need to outsource as much as possible and that I need to keep it simple.  So I resist lots of electives or supplementing and just try to cover the basics really well.  

[jjeepa]

 

 

History:  History of the Ancient World with Study Guide, and Great Courses Understanding Greek & Roman Technology

 

 

 

I just checked out the Understanding Greek and Roman Technology course. I might be using that same history text as well, and it looks like a great add on. This is why I love these planning threads! You learn about so many other great options. Thanks  :001_smile:

[Jilly]

I have just begun planning. Here is what I have so far. 

 

English - Honors English 1 at Blue Tent. 

 

Math - Algebra 1 at WTM Academy

 

Science - Biology possibly at WTM Academy although I am still researching this. 

 

History - AP Human Geography, I am going to teach this and am working on a syllabus right now. Hopefully it will be approved by the College Board. 

 

Foreign Language - He will continue with his private online Italian lessons. 

 

Electives - He has become very interested in music composing so I want to have him begin a music theory class and have him take piano and guitar. Also he will be participating in either golf, swimming, or fencing. 

 

Edited January 23, 2017 by Jilly

[Alice]

I've just started planning for my first high schooler. 

 

The only things that are definite: Geometry with AOPS (not the class, just doing it on his own) and Latin II with Lukeion. He does both AOPS math now and Lukeion and both have been good fits and he enjoys them. 

 

Either Chemistry or Biology. I'm leaning towards Chemistry because he can take it at our co-op. The teacher is very good and it's a solid course. It will be challenging but not as overwhelming as taking another online class, I think. 

 

I'm not sure about History and English. I think I want to design a class for English where we cover some basic "how to" read and write texts. Something like How to Read a Book or The Well-Educated Mind. Then we'll work through some literature together and I'll have him write. He's fairly solid in grammar and vocabulary so I'm not planning anything formal there. 

 

History I think will be 20th century. That is where my younger two will be and although I don't plan to really have them work together, I think it will help my sanity to stay in the same time period. I don't know that we will need to do that all the way through high school but it seems smart to keep it easier for me the first year. I'm not sure about resources. He and I are both independent learners so I'm thinking about looking at some Great Courses and doing that plus reading assignments, documentaries, etc. 

 

That's the five main classes. I think we probably need one more credit. I'm in a state where we don't really have to fulfill any particular credits or classes so I don't have to do a certain number.  For electives we have thought about Computer Science, Music Theory, Economics....

 

He also plays piano, swims competitively and does Scouts. He will likely be working on his Eagle somewhere in the next year. In the past he has done drama at our co-op and we also do Odyssey of the Mind. I'm not sure about those next year but he really enjoys them. If he does drama, I might make that into an elective credit. 

 

 

Edited January 22, 2017 by Alice

[TracyP]

This is my first high school kid, so I have been researching like crazy. I enjoy seeing what everybody has lined up.

 

Algebra 2 - finish AoPS Intro to Alg (we stopped at Ch. 12 to do geometry this year) and start Intermediate

 

Physics - planning on Clover Creek

 

English - this is still kind of up in the air. Maybe Reader's Odyssey and WEM for lit... I'm considering They Say / I Say for composition

 

Big History - my dd and I have been brainstorming and want this to be a world history, geography, and comparative religion course. It will probably be world history and geography for 1 credit and world religions for .5 credit

 

Latin - Visual Latin 2 with Lingua Latina

 

DD would like a creative writing (.5) credit, so I'll be looking for something there, too. Creative writing is how she spends most of her free time, but she'd also like something more formal. I'm open to suggestions... :)

 

That will be 6 credits which seems to be the usual recommendation for 9th grade. She'll also continue swim club, piano, choir, and 4H.

 

 

[h2bh]

This is my first high school student too. Here is what we are planning:

 

History/Literature/Theology: The Great Conversation 3 at WHA with Mr. Etter (dd is excited to have a class with him again)

 

Geometry: Teaching Textbooks

 

Biology: The Riot and the Dance (http://www.logospressonline.com/the-riot-and-the-dance/) along with Home Scientist labs

 

Latin Readings: Latin Alive 4 online but I'm not sure which provider yet. DD loves her Latin 3 teacher at WHA, Mrs.Coll, but the WHA Readings course doesn't work with our schedule. I'm thinking of trying CAP's Scholé Academy. Their schedule isn't out yet though.

 

Logic 2 through WHA

[Garga]

We're in the middle of 9th grade.  This is what we're doing:

 

Biology:

 CK12 biology text book,    

I don't use the teacher's guide, but I do use the worksheets and tests (click on the "resources" tab for answers.)

All of the above is free, except for your printing costs

 

Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments--bought the kit that is recommended to accompany the book.

By this Friday we'll have done 17 of the labs and then we're done labs.  For 2 of them, I had my student write a full lab report.  For the others, I found generic lab worksheets online for him to fill in.

 

 

Geometry:  Myhomeschoolmathclass.com which is taught by a WTMer (Jann in TX) and an associate

 

Spanish:  Takes a class at a local tutorial

 

World History:  

Our Human Story text book,

Three different Great Courses video series:

(Brief History of the World, High School Level World History, Turning Points in Modern History),

Stanford Reading Like a Historian lessons: (free here)

Student keeps track of dates with a book of centuries that I made myself.  

 

Introduction to Astronomy:  

Two Great Courses (Understanding the Universe, Our Night Sky)

Books: Death by Black Hole by Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Rocket Boys, Contact,  The Stars by H.A. Rey,  

Joined the local Astronomy Club

These activities (we've done 6 so far this year):

 

1*Phases of the moon

In room with lamp one:

Daytime one: http://astrosociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/DaytimeMoon.pdf

Phases of the moon: how you can see a new moon at night.  https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/nasa/measuringuniverse/spacemath1/p/animate-phases-of-the-moon

2*If the entire hx of the universe was represented as a calendar, then when did certain events occur: http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/astro/act2/H2_Cosmic_Calendar.pdf

3*Remember the egg.  Teaches the eye to look for variations on smooth white surfaces.  http://www.astrosociety.org/education/remember-the-egg/

4*Light pollution (will look at the same constellation at different places to see if they can see more of the stars when it's darker. http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/publications/tnl/44/lightpoll4.html#4

?*Maybe: chart how a star's magnitude gets brighter and dimmer over a month of time. http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/publications/tnl/32/starscience3.html

5*High school level crater demonstrations. Need a bunch of supplies--may be difficult to find.

http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/publications/tnl/23/crater2.html

 

((ETA: For the above activity:  I used the supplies listed below, instead of the more complicated sounding ones in the above. It worked well enough to get the points across:

Flour instead of sand

Hot chocolate powder instead of powdered paint

Marbles instead of the ball bearing

A golf ball, a ping-pong ball, and a rubber ball for the three balls of the same size, but different mass.))

 

6*How high is space?  Calculate and make a drawing to actual scale.

http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/activities/I11_How_High_Space.pdf

7*Show a scale of how far the planets are from each other using 1 meter of paper. (SMALL)

http://astrosociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/PocketSolarSystem.pdf

*Show a scale of how far the planets are from each other using a 200 sheet roll of TP  (MEDIUM)

http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/family/materials/toiletpaper.pdf

*Show a scale of how far the planets are from each other, bigger.  Will take 1.6 miles of length: (LARGE)

http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/solar_system/index.html

Amazon link to feet measuring wheel so know how far to walk between planets.  https://www.amazon.com/1000FT-Walking-Counter-Survey-Measuring/dp/B004L181E6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

8*See sunspots.  Use tracing paper to see how they change over a period of time.

http://astrosociety.org/edu/publications/tnl/05/stars2.html

11*Make a pan cookie using chocolate chips to create constellations from a template of actual constellations.

http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/family/materials/constellationcookies.pdf

10*Build our own spectroscope

http://www.livescience.com/41548-spectroscopy-science-fair-project.html

9*Make another astrolabe (or find in the bin downstairs.)

http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/AtHomeAstronomy/activity_07.html

 

 

English:

Grammar:  Analytical Grammar, a page or two every 4 weeks

Lost Tools of Writing for writing

World author novels (no American or English authors--we'll devote entire years to those in the future)

We read and discuss and then use those novels as topics for the Lost Tools of Writing essays.

 

These novels:

Epic of Gilgamesh

Odyssey

1001 Arabian Nights

Don Quixote

The Three Musketeers

6 Russian short stories and 2 Russian poems 

 

We've finished the above and have these three to go:

 

The Hiding Place (autobiography)

The Little World of Don Camillo

Picnic at Hanging Rock

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 19, 2017 by Garga

[jjeepa]

We're in the middle of 9th grade.  This is what we're doing:

 

Biology:  CK12 biology text book,    I don't use the teacher's guide, but I do use the worksheets and tests (click on the "resources" tab for answers.)

All of the above is free, except for your printing costs

 

Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments--bought the kit that is recommended to accompany the book.

By this Friday we'll have done 17 of the labs and then we're done labs.  For 2 of them, I had my student write a full lab report.  For the others, I found generic lab worksheets online for him to fill in.

 

 

Geometry:  Myhomeschoolmathclass.com which is taught by a WTMer (Jann in TX) and an associate

 

Spanish:  At a local tutorial

 

World History:  Our Human Story text book, three different Great Courses video series (Brief History of the World, High School Level World History, Turning Points in Modern History), Stanford Reading Like a Historian lessons: (free here)

Student keeps track of dates with a book of centuries that I made myself.  

 

Introduction to Astronomy:  Two great courses:  Understanding the Universe, Our Night Sky, Books: Death by Black Hole by Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Rocket Boys, Contact,  The Stars by H.A. Rey,  

Joined the local Astronomy Club

These activities (we've done 6 so far this year):

 

1*Phases of the moon

In room with lamp one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz01pTvuMa0

Daytime one: http://astrosociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/DaytimeMoon.pdf

Phases of the moon: how you can see a new moon at night.  https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/nasa/measuringuniverse/spacemath1/p/animate-phases-of-the-moon

2*If the entire hx of the universe was represented as a calendar, then when did certain events occur: http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/astro/act2/H2_Cosmic_Calendar.pdf

3*Remember the egg.  Teaches the eye to look for variations on smooth white surfaces.  http://www.astrosociety.org/education/remember-the-egg/

4*Light pollution (will look at the same constellation at different places to see if they can see more of the stars when it's darker. http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/publications/tnl/44/lightpoll4.html#4

?*Maybe: chart how a star's magnitude gets brighter and dimmer over a month of time. http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/publications/tnl/32/starscience3.html

5*High school level crater demonstrations. Need a bunch of supplies--may be difficult to find.

http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/publications/tnl/23/crater2.html

6*How high is space?  Calculate and make a drawing to actual scale.

http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/activities/I11_How_High_Space.pdf

7*Show a scale of how far the planets are from each other using 1 meter of paper. (SMALL)

http://astrosociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/PocketSolarSystem.pdf

*Show a scale of how far the planets are from each other using a 200 sheet roll of TP  (MEDIUM)

http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/family/materials/toiletpaper.pdf

*Show a scale of how far the planets are from each other, bigger.  Will take 1.6 miles of length: (LARGE)

http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/solar_system/index.html

Amazon link to feet measuring wheel so know how far to walk between planets.  https://www.amazon.com/1000FT-Walking-Counter-Survey-Measuring/dp/B004L181E6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

8*See sunspots.  Use tracing paper to see how they change over a period of time.

http://astrosociety.org/edu/publications/tnl/05/stars2.html

11*Make a pan cookie using chocolate chips to create constellations from a template of actual constellations.

http://www.astrosociety.org/edu/family/materials/constellationcookies.pdf

10*Build our own spectroscope

http://www.livescience.com/41548-spectroscopy-science-fair-project.html

9*Make another astrolabe (or find in the bin downstairs.)

http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/AtHomeAstronomy/activity_07.html

 

 

English:

Grammar:  Analytical Grammar, a page or two every 4 weeks

Lost Tools of Writing for writing

World author novels.  We read and discuss and then use those novels as topics for the Lost Tools of Writing essays.

 

These novels:

Epic of Gilgamesh

Odyssey

1001 Arabian Nights

Don Quixote

The Three Musketeers

6 Russian short stories and 2 Russian poems 

 

We've finished the above and have these three to go:

 

The Hiding Place (autobiography)

The Little World of Don Camillo

Picnic at Hanging Rock

 

Those astronomy projects are fantastic! I need to have dd pick 2 or 3 of them to do along with our astronomy unit this year. I'm pretty sure the pan cookie of constellations will be selected. Thanks!

[GeoKitty]

Geometry-- Teaching Textbooks

 

History-- Notgrass World History. Hillsdale courses.

 

English-- Notgrass Literature PLUS. Probably Wordly Wise 9, Ultimate Easy Grammar 9. Something for writing. Some lit guides.

 

Biology-- DIVE biology. Audesirk Biology with A&P. With labs.

 

Music-- guitar,bass guitar, singing, and learning banjo, ukulele, and mandolin

 

PE-- archery, weight training.

 

This year he played JV basketball at a local private school, so he will probably do that again next year.

 

He isn't sure which foreign language he wants to study. He has done some Latin and some German.

And he will take Drivers Ed this year which is a 1/2 credit through FLVS

[Garga]

Those astronomy projects are fantastic! I need to have dd pick 2 or 3 of them to do along with our astronomy unit this year. I'm pretty sure the pan cookie of constellations will be selected. Thanks!

 

 

We just did the one below on Friday. It was a big hit with both my 9th grader and my 6th grader.

 

Before I did that one, I took us to a parking lot and we drew a 10 foot diameter Sun with chalk.   Then we drew circles the sizes of the planets within our circle of the sun.  If the sun is 10-feet across, then Mercury is only .4 inches across.  It was pretty cool to see the ratios like that with the 10 foot sun.

 

Then, for the below activity, we chose to make the Sun 5 inches across and then walked up our street for a little over a 1/4 mile, plotting each planet as we walked.  (If the sun is 5-inches across, you need .33 or more of a mile.)  It was cool because the end of our street has a field and Pluto ended up being in the middle of the field.  It was great to look .33 miles back down the street to see how far away the "sun" was.

 

I said to my 6th grader.  "Now, how about we walk to the next star?  Alpha Centauri?"  

 

DS11:  Yes!

 

Me:  Ok!  It's only 60 miles...

 

DS11:  Wha....??

 

Me:  ....past Mom-Mom's house.  (Mom-Mom lives over 2500 miles away.)

 

DS11:  (Falls down in middle of field.)

 

 

Note: I borrowed one of those measuring wheels where you walk and push it and it tells you how many feet you've walked.  If we didn't have that, I would have had us count paces.  About 30 inches per pace.  

 

We've done numbers  1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 10 and they were all a success except for #10 which didn't work at all.  

 

 

 

 *Show a scale of how far the planets are from each other, bigger.  Will take 1.6 miles of length: (LARGE)  (NOTE:  We dropped it down to only .25 or so of a mile--use the program to change the diameter of the sun to a size you can handle.)

http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/solar_system/index.html

Edited January 23, 2017 by Garga

[mom31257]

This will be my 2nd 9th grader but last child since we only have two kids. I've started planning, but we attend a co-op that involves some of our subjects. We have our high school planning meeting Feb. 3rd, so I'll know more after that.

Geometry: Teaching Textbooks

Spanish 2: Breaking the Barrier, adding Visual Link

Geography: Glencoe Geography textbook with OM's syllabus and the free course here: https://allinonehighschool.com/world-geography/ ;  Will add in videos and literature. 

English (Lit/Grammar/Composition): BJU online 9th grade (started working on it this month), co-op is using MP Poetry and Prose Book II; may do parts of IEW's EE, TTC, and WtW

Science: This will be done through co-op. Dive Earth with additional sources added in

Bible: Still looking but looking seriously at Hewitt Homeschooling's syllabii

Health/PE: Co-op will have a hands on health class. He does swim year round but competes more in the summer.

There is talk of our homeschool support group having an etiquette/cotillion class with a formal at the end.

Fine Arts: Co-Op will have a drawing class. I may add in art appreciation from allinone high school (above).

 

We are stopping formal piano lessons to save money. He performs in a drama ministry team at church and does several choreographed numbers in a big program at Christmas. I may log all those hours to add in to the cotillion class as performing fine arts/dance. 

 

Edited April 30, 2017 by mom31257

[SunshineMom]

I have finally settled on my dd's year, with her blessing, and now I am crossing my fingers hoping I gauged her time commitments with academics and extra-curricular activities appropriately.  

 

She is a year round competitive softball player who will be on two teams (high school and club), she plays violin & piano, plans to join the local high school science club, volunteer and begin to earn congressional awards. She would like to do a winter theater production as well as classes. She thrives with this much activity.

 

Geometry/Algebra 2

American History 

American Literature and Composition

Physics

Anatomy & Physiology 

Psychology

Theater

PE (Softball)

Music (Violin & Piano)

 

 

 

Science Olympiad- two events (Anatomy & Physiology and Microbe Missions)

 

My dd wants to take the AP exams.  I guess we will know more later if she'll be ready for them or not.  She doesn't want to continue with Spanish.  By the end of summer, she will have met the two year foreign language requirement for the state college she wants to attend.  I am still conflicted about her not continuing with Spanish however she is no longer interested.

Edited April 23, 2017 by Jewels

[LAR]

We're also planning for our oldest to start high school.  Here's our lineup:

 

Pre-Calc (Mr D Math)

 

Biology Honors (FundFunda)

 

American Sign Language 201 (Ms Marie, CurrClick) DD will also be reading books which are required at a local college for sign language students.

 

World History (FLVS)  We may try for honors but I don't know if she'll be able to manage the extra time commitment.  We also discussed possibly taking History At Our House with Scott Powell, but I'm not sure the class would be enough for a true high school credit.  I don't want to supplement, as our plan is to outsource everything when it comes to high school credits. Hats off to all of you who develop your own curriculum! 

 

English I (FLVS) This class is listed near the bottom because it our daughter's least favorite. She loves grammar lessons and reading all types of literature, but she has limited experience writing. (I know I know, we're working on it!)

 

Art History (FLVS)  I'm not sure about this one.  Our girl works very slowly.  I'm not sure she'll be able to add in one more class. Lucky for us, she's always taken summer classes so she won't fall short on credits.  

 

Extra-curriculars:  6 dance classes each week and Congressional Award goals

 

I look forward to seeing other 9th grade plans! 

[jjeepa]

Before I did that one, I took us to a parking lot and we drew a 10 foot diameter Sun with chalk.   Then we drew circles the sizes of the planets within our circle of the sun.  If the sun is 10-feet across, then Mercury is only .4 inches across.  It was pretty cool to see the ratios like that with the 10 foot sun.

 

Then, for the below activity, we chose to make the Sun 5 inches across and then walked up our street for a little over a 1/4 mile, plotting each planet as we walked.  (If the sun is 5-inches across, you need .33 or more of a mile.)  It was cool because the end of our street has a field and Pluto ended up being in the middle of the field.  It was great to look .33 miles back down the street to see how far away the "sun" was.

 

I said to my 6th grader.  "Now, how about we walk to the next star?  Alpha Centauri?"  

 

DS11:  Yes!

 

Me:  Ok!  It's only 60 miles...

 

DS11:  Wha....??

 

Me:  ....past Mom-Mom's house.  (Mom-Mom lives over 2500 miles away.)

 

DS11:  (Falls down in middle of field.)

 

 

 

 

 

This is great!  We're going to do this on the first non-rainy day we have this week.  

[taffnus]

Bringing DD home for 9th. This is what I'm planning at this point. I'd like to stick with 5 credits during the year so we'll focus on PE and Health this summer. 

 

Math - WH Geometry 

Science - WH Honors Physics

 

Latin - Ecce Romani II (we'll try this at home)

 

History/Geography - TOG Year 1

 

 

P.E. (.5) - Horsebacking riding, rollerblading and a general log of all activities (Summer focus)

 

Health (.5) - Total Health?? + support reading (Summer focus)

 

English - This is my big question mark. I'm thinking a scaled-down version of TOG lit and Teaching the Classics with or without Roman Roads and some writing curriculum. We need to work on writing this year. I'm narrowing down the options and then will bring her in on the decision. Right now, I'm considering: IEW SWI C, Bravewriter, Lost Tools of Writing....

 

Activities: Piano, AHG, maybe theater

 

 

[Meriwether]

I don't know if this belongs here or not. Dd13 and I do not agree about which grade she is in. :)

 

If we stay at our current location, she will be doing:

 

Foerster Algebra II

TOG Year 3

Apologia Chemistry (after finishing up Biology We are a half year off on science, but she gains a couple months each year.)

Latin II with Lukeion

Spanish - I haven't been happy with BtB. I'd love other recommendations.

Psychology with the MIT course

Maybe some kind of logic and geography

 

 

If we decide to move near my parents, we will have to do things differently. For one, Dh's salary would be halved, so I am not sure what we could afford. Latin would be an obvious class to drop, but I will have to decide on it before I know what we're doing. My hometown library would not have the TOG books, so I would have to buy them. I prefer to own them anyhow because I have four more kids coming, but it would be a necessity of we move. Also we will be building a home if we move, so our school time would be more limited for at least a year.

 

If we move, I am thinking about doing TOG Year 3 over two years, both to spread out the cost and the work load. By supplementing with things I already own, do you think I could give two credits for it?

 

Also, instead of logic and geography, I was thinking maybe a construction science credit since she would be physically helping with the house. She would be running a table saw, helping with framing, putting in insulation, roofing, helping with sheetrock. I could give her a legit credit for that, right? Or should she keep that for her "life outside of school" list? She'd also keep bees and raise goats and rabbits if we move. Some kind of credit or extracurricular for that?

 

 

If we stay where we are at, her extracurriculars would be TKD, CAP, piano, and guitar. If we move, her extracurriculars would be 4-H and basketball.

[abrightmom]

DS (first high school student for us): **EDITED to simplify & update**

 

Decided:

Geometry - with Jann in TX (myhomeschoolmathclass.com) Yay!

Clover Creek Physics - excited about this one! 

 

 

Still need:

English Focus is composition with a bit of grammar/word roots woven in; literature of course. NO decisions yet. I want to outsource but may outsource in 10th and do at home comp in 9th. 

Foreign Language Visual Latin is his first choice; we have local options for Spanish. IDK. 

History/Social Studies: Beautiful Feet with SCM supplements. 

Electives Logic & PE or Computer/Tech 

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2017 by abrightmom

[BusyMom5]

I'm still in the early planning stages- this is my first HSer and I'm a little nervous.

 

CORE CLASSES- 4 Credits total

 

Math- Saxon Algebra 2 with Art Reed DVDs but I will teach the course as much as possible- DVDs are the back-up for me ;)

 

Science- MIller-Levine Biology- still trying to decide which books I need to order and how to structure lab time;  also modern science articles- writing a quick, informal paper on a science article written within the last 2 years on-line- once per week

 

History- Modern American History is the theme, using Joy Hakim books and some college level textbooks I have - I am planning one project per quarter, such as a paper on civil rights, a paper on a person who has influenced the world, ect., map work for wars, but mostly disucssion.  What do I do to document this?  Just keep the essays?  I'm not planning on tests- maybe I should write some?  I'm open to any resources for this! 

 

Literature- book list I am working on with a focus on social justice, relationships, ect.

 

Composition- Essays in history, 2 reports in science (evolution of an animal report, and a paper on a science-related field that she is interested in)- I am looking for some good resources on writing good essays to help with this.  Killgallon Grammar for HS and Sentence Comp. for HS, Word Roots book 3 (maybe?)... I may change to a different grammar program, but she seems to really like Killgallon

 

 

ELECTIVES-  3 Credits Total:

 

One Year Adventure Novel-  Creative writing, 1 course credit

Rosetta Stone Spanish- as far as she can go, she's already done with most of level 1, I will probably put this as a lump on her transcript if she completes through level 5?  Not really sure how to count this one

Health- I am looking for resources on this one, I would love to find a good textbook with a workbook that goes with it- the more open-and-go, the better  (is this a whole credit, or a half- credit?  if it's a half, we will need to add something else)

 

Edited January 23, 2017 by BusyMom5

[2_girls_mommy]

Just because these are the hot threads today, and I can't resist. :)

 

My current 9th grader is doing/did: 

Lial's Algebra I 

Chemistry w/labs and tests at co-op

Latin II using finishing up Fourth Form and Henle I and studying for the NLE level 2's currently 

Ancients- WTM Great Books study for History/lit portion of Eng. She is using all WTM recs:  The History of the Ancient World, a history encyclopedia, the Timetables of History book and reading and writing. So far has read various books of the Old Testament and some Hebrew history books we have, an Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt and a novel set in that time together (not a great book for that one, lol but did some mythology too,) The Epic of Gilgamesh, is starting The Illiad and together we are reading Du'Lauire's Greek myths with her little sis for a refresher for Latin exams. On deck next are some Greek plays and then her choice to finish the year. 

English: She is working through R&S 8 with writing assignments from it and with the Lit.  She just finished R&S spelling 8 for some vocab. work. 

Electives:

PE. She does enough for a full credit, and is writing a report on her sport. 

1/2 credit of Logic. She did Traditional Logic I in the first semester. 

1/2 credit of Art. She is reading art history and is rotating with projects ala WTM. We have taken some paid classes for painting projects and have another lined up next. We have continued drawing practice.  We are doing more here this semester since she is done with Logic for the year.

ETA... Oh my goodness, this is why documentation and transcripts are so important. I forgot a 1/2 credit of health already! She took a class at co-op with home assignments, and added in with refreshing her CRP certification and doing some work on scout badges that she is going to do, I planned on that too! oops. :) 

Edited January 24, 2017 by 2_girls_mommy

[freesia]

Okay, here goes:

 

Math: Teaching Textbooks Geometry

Science: Probably Miller Levine with Kolbe syllabus, labs done with a friend

English: Illuminating Literature and Power in Your Hands

History: TOG Year 3

FL: French I, probably at Aim Academy

Personal Finance: Dave Ramsey?

Health: Total Health

PE: Daily Run, possibly exercise class if we join a co-op

 

Activities: Taekwondo, organ, piano, acting, maybe volunteering at a Kid's club, youth group

[Julie of KY]

This is my 3rd high schooler, but she is quite a bit different from her brothers who were heave STEM focused. One of my main goals is to continue to work on textbook reading skills as she struggles as a dyslexic. Much of her work will be audio-visual based.

 

English - a mix of Brave Writer courses and Center for Lit. Might also do some Teaching Company lectures with literature

 

Algebra 1 - AoPS - hope to finish Algebra 1 and continue to go through Geometry slowly.

Geometry - continue AoPS - I know it's backwards to start geometry before Algebra but she has good grasp of algebra concepts and great visual spacial skills; still working on fundamentals of decimals and percents

 

World History - MOH

 

Earth Science - BJU plus some Teaching Company

 

Homeschool Spanish Academy

 

Co-op - various elective classes

 

Maybe Musical Theatre 

 

Lots of time spent doing Ultimate Frisbee.

 

[charlotteb]

Here's what I am planning for my youngest DD's 9th grade year next year:

 

Saxon Algebra I

Apologia Physical Science

BJU Cultural Geography

Literature from different continents that I will piece together myself

Abeka Language

English from the Roots Up Vol 2

IEW Elegant Essay (1 semester)

IEW Windows to the World (1 semester)

Some undecided typing and computer program

Tae Kwon Do for PE (classes 2x a week and practice 1 hour a day)

 

We also might do Classical Conversations next year.  If we do, some of this will change, but some will not. 

[Ms Brooks]

Still under construction:

 

Math 1 unit: Laurel Springs Honors Geometry

 

English 1 unt: Laurel Springs Honors English 10

 

History 1 unit: Shmoop/self study AP Human Geography-taking AP exam.

 

Science 1 unit: Laurel Springs Honors Biology-taking SAT subject test or self study extra for AP Biology, but it seems too a big reach to do in 9th grade.

 

Elective 1 unit: Health & PE/Swim team

 

Elective 1 unit: Something computer coding online thru CC

[RootAnn]

This will be my second high schooler, but she's a completely different kid than the first. Plus, I haven't completely decided whether this will be officially freshman year or more of a transition year.

Math: Jacobs Algebra 1 (w/Ask Dr Calahan videos)

English: lots of lit lined up w/history, maybe Lively Art of Writing? They Say, I Say? A Workbook for Arguments?

History: Western Civ (part 1) using Light to the Nations as a spine. Wrote the plans/syllabus based off another WTMers plan. Incorporates lots of music and literature

Science: Understanding Physics with a lab book someone posted a link to the other week (Conceptual Physics w/as little math as possible)

Art History: Work through Khan Academy Art History w/Janson's History of Art for Young People & Great Courses videos.

She spends most of her free time drawing and writing (children's books). She takes weekly oil painting lessons. I might give a creative writing credit and/or art credit, but don't know about that yet.

French 1 w/me (not decided on text)

Also maybe 0.5 health credit (2 Great Courses + text, over the summer) and 0.5 credit Music (Great Courses + concerts) with her older sister. She's my non-academically-minded kid who isn't interested in taking another online class ever.  :coolgleamA:

 

More ideas added in red.

Edited May 3, 2017 by RootAnn

[mom31257]

Just because these are the hot threads today, and I can't resist. :)

 

My current 9th grader is doing/did: 

Lial's Algebra I 

Chemistry w/labs and tests at co-op

Latin II using finishing up Fourth Form and Henle I and studying for the NLE level 2's currently 

Ancients- WTM Great Books study for History/lit portion of Eng. She is using all WTM recs:  The History of the Ancient World, a history encyclopedia, the Timetables of History book and reading and writing. So far has read various books of the Old Testament and some Hebrew history books we have, an Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt and a novel set in that time together (not a great book for that one, lol but did some mythology too,) The Epic of Gilgamesh, is starting The Illiad and together we are reading Du'Lauire's Greek myths with her little sis for a refresher for Latin exams. On deck next are some Greek plays and then her choice to finish the year. 

English: She is working through R&S 8 with writing assignments from it and with the Lit.  She just finished R&S spelling 8 for some vocab. work. 

Electives:

PE. She does enough for a full credit, and is writing a report on her sport. 

1/2 credit of Logic. She did Traditional Logic I in the first semester. 

1/2 credit of Art. She is reading art history and is rotating with projects ala WTM. We have taken some paid classes for painting projects and have another lined up next. We have continued drawing practice.  We are doing more here this semester since she is done with Logic for the year.

 

I'm curious what Chemistry text she is doing since she is in Algebra 1. Those I've been looking at have it as a prerequisite. Our co-op is offering it next year. 

[Laurel-in-CA]

DD is my 4th high schooler, and my last. We're selling off books as we go.

 

Here's what we have figured out so far:

 

Summer -- Health, Total Health

Math -- Jacobs Geometry, maybe with video if she needs it

Science -- I have Earth Science (McDougal Littel) or Apologia Biology and I will let her choose.

Spanish -- Rosetta Stone Levels 1-5, no idea if this is too much for a year or not. Am planning on getting some workbooks for the written/structured grammar side of things.

History -- World Geography with some books from SL Core 200, Holt textbook

English -- Lightning Lit, again I'll let her choose which 2 packages she wants to do. She also needs some grammar review. Any suggestions?

PE -- Because we have to, we'll do weekly roller skating and hiking. Nobody here is big into team sports, except volleyball, which is hard to find. Maybe she'll take her dad's table tennis class or swim with her sister.

Art -- This is pretty self-directed, but I am looking for a coach she can meet with monthly or some challenging video classes. Would love some suggestions.

 

Outside: AHG (first year as a Patriot), church youth group

 

Pending decisions by our co-op as to what they'll offer and whether I think 1 day/week works for high schoolers.

 

 

 

[rdj2027]

9th grader:  Intro to Lit (Blue Tent)

                   Alg1 H (Derek Owens)

                   Physics (Clover Creek)

                   German  (either OSU or homegrown)

                   Ancient History  (Great Courses, other materials)

                   PE

                   Ceramics

 

10th grader: English (no idea, any idea is welcome :-))

                    Geometry (Derek Owens)

                    Algebra 2 (Derek Owens)

                    Chemistry (Wilson Hill)

                    Japanese 2 (tutor)

                    Ancient History (Great Courses, other materials)

                    Elective ???

 

12th grader: Early Modern Lit (WTMA)

                    Calc (Wilson Hill)

                    Early Modern History (self-made)

                    Economics

                    Honors Physics2 (Wilson Hill)

                    German (home grown)

 

 

Edited to reflect changes

 

Edited March 7, 2017 by rdj2027

[jjeepa]

DD is my 4th high schooler, and my last. We're selling off books as we go.

 

Here's what we have figured out so far:

 

Summer -- Health, Total Health

Math -- Jacobs Geometry, maybe with video if she needs it

Science -- I have Earth Science (McDougal Littel) or Apologia Biology and I will let her choose.

Spanish -- Rosetta Stone Levels 1-5, no idea if this is too much for a year or not. Am planning on getting some workbooks for the written/structured grammar side of things.

History -- World Geography with some books from SL Core 200, Holt textbook

English -- Lightning Lit, again I'll let her choose which 2 packages she wants to do. She also needs some grammar review. Any suggestions?

PE -- Because we have to, we'll do weekly roller skating and hiking. Nobody here is big into team sports, except volleyball, which is hard to find. Maybe she'll take her dad's table tennis class or swim with her sister.

Art -- This is pretty self-directed, but I am looking for a coach she can meet with monthly or some challenging video classes. Would love some suggestions.

 

Outside: AHG (first year as a Patriot), church youth group

 

Pending decisions by our co-op as to what they'll offer and whether I think 1 day/week works for high schoolers.

I decided to do Analytical Grammar with dd.  We've done Rod and Staff grammar for years, but she needs some serious review. So, I decided to give a new program a try. We're actually using it now and will do the 2nd phase or unit (forget her terminology) in the fall next year too.  I like that it isn't a full year program.

 

For art, check out The Virtual Instructor. I've seen it recommended here many times and finally looked into it. Looks great! http://thevirtualinstructor.com

[chiguirre]

I'm somewhat up in the air until I see what the diploma program at WTMA looks like. My rough draft is:

 

WTMA Literature (either ancient or early modern depending on schedule)

 

WTMA History

 

WTMA Geometry (T's done Alg 1 and Alg 2 and loved them so this is a sure thing.)

 

WTMA Science (probably biology or chemistry unless the have a Conceptual Physics class) or Clover Creek Physics if we decide against the diploma

 

Wheelock's Latin chapters 21-40 using either Homeschool Connections or Lukeion (eek!) or another option???

 

Castellano 1 using Colombian textbooks for the first year of secondary school (6th grade). Dh bought Enlace Lenguaje and Enlace Lector. Basically, this is a relatively easy language arts course using materials for native speakers.

 

ETA: There is no diploma program after all. Trinqueta signed up for Exp Writing 3, History of Science, Geometry and Biology at WTMA. We still need to find a Latin class and sign up for 1 on 1 Spanish verbal practice. Dh can check the workbook exercises. It turned out that both ancient and early modern clashed with our IRL choir and string ensemble commitments so I'm glad the History of Science and Exp Writing fit.

 

 

Edited February 21, 2017 by chiguirre

[mirabillis]

My ds is currently in 9th grade - but as he's my first high schooler, I feel many of your trepidation and thought maybe I could help. I started the year completely unprepared, with my head in the sand, and have delved in with both feet - and have all 4 years planned, have a handle on transcripts, course descriptions, AP classes, etc. So it is do-able - and you guys planning now, so early, will do great!

 

Here's what we are doing:

English - Literature - Lightning Lit American Literature - 2 semesters

               Writing - Write at Home Composition

Math -     WHA Alg II

Science - WTM Biology

History -  PAH AP Human Geo

Language - Spanish 1 w/ HomeschoolSpanishAcademy

Elective - AP Computer Science (Edhesive)

Elective - AP US Government (Thinkwell)

6.5 credits

 

 

[mom2scouts]

I'm preparing for my first high school student and I'm just starting to make decisions. Looking at other plans is helpful. I have a history obsessed child, so I'm sure we'll continue with Tapestry of Grace. It's still not enough history reading for him! I have been putting together a fine arts elective course on armor modeling with painting techniques, airbrushing, diorama building, detailing and other modeling techniques and he's really excited about that. I can't make a decision on other subjects yet. Maybe I'll come back and update when I'm further along.

 

SCIENCE - CK12 Biology with Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments and virtual dissections

 

HISTORY/LITERATURE/GEOGRAPHY - Tapestry of Grace Year 1

 

MATH - Teaching Textbooks Geometry (also considering Jacobs)

 

FINE ARTS ELECTIVE - Homemade Armor Modeling course

 

GERMAN - Tell Me More Homeschool German, Duolingo

 

LANGUAGE ARTS - Writing with Skill 2; I'm not sure what else I'll use.

 

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Boy Scouts/Order of the Arrow, Church Youth Group

 

PE: Possibly continue Homeschool Gym and Swim or expand on Scout activities with a homemade outdoor skills course (Backpacking, camping, biking, wilderness survival, whitewater, canoeing, fishing, shooting, wilderness first aid)

Edited March 1, 2017 by mom2scouts

[....]

Editing my plans...this is it, I'm done planning!  This is a very young 9th grader (and a Dude).

 

He picked exactly what he wanted to study this year:

 

Algebra 1  - Life of Fred

 

English  - Folk Tales around the world booklist (including original Brothers Grimm) + continue English from the Roots Up + Writing with Skill 2 + finish Our Mother Tongue (grammar) + The Thinking Toolbox

 

German  - continue Komm Mit series + continue Deutschakademie audio course + German readers

 

History of Warfare  - Booklist + projects of model weapons + building a model battlefield + visiting a 19th century fort + attending 2 war reenactments 

 

Paleobiology - Coursera's DINO 101, Paleontology: Ancient Marine Reptiles, Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds, Paleontology: Early Vertebrate Evolution + 5 paleontology field trips, including a fossil dig

 

Beginning Woodworking  - CLE's text/workbook

 

Homeschool PE  - continuing that program - they play football, soccer, team handball, etc.

 

Looks like 6.5 credits to me.  Weird credits, but credits nevertheless.  My son would fit right in at Hogwarts, I guess.

Edited February 19, 2017 by Evanthe

[...................]

We are finishing up our first kid in 9th so I thought I would share.  

 

I'd love to give some unasked for advice if anyone wants it  :laugh:

 

1.  If you have access to a co-op or local class center, do utilize it, at least for one class.  There really is something to be said about enjoying a class with one's peers who ultimately become acquaintances, and hearing perspectives from a live teacher.   I recommend English because if you've built a firm foundation, it can't hurt even if the class is a little light.  Also, discussing literature is really fun with a group of people and not just one's own thoughts!

 

2. Don't pile on too much.  Do some easier classes and some harder classes.  Assuming you've chosen a good rigorous course load, it can get really overwhelming if you take all Honors, throw in an AP and are also working on Algebra 2, plus sports or hobbies or clubs.  Don't overdo it.

 

3.  Make sure your student knows how to plan his or her own work, and his or her own day NOW in 8th GRADE!!  I cannot stress this enough.  Your student may have up to 6 hours per day, or more, of school work and studying.  If he or she cannot, on his or her own, figure out how to manage his time and schedule his work for the week, he or she will not survive high school workload.  My son uses Istudies and I keep him accountable every Sunday to sit down and plan his week.  You should still monitor and check in now and then, to make sure he is on track and keeping up with things, and offer to help study, and be involved.  But there's no way you can run your own life, run your household, take care of your other kids, AND run your teenager's life. 

 

4.  Make a reasonable plan for math WITH HELP, (online class with help, or Derek Owens plus grading, or if you yourself were a math major etc. etc.)  and have funds set aside if your student needs tutoring.  I have a lot of friends without math backgrounds who assumed their kids could self-teach themselves high school math and it's just not possible for most kids to do a great job of it, or never to get stuck.  We enrolled our son in an expensive Math Center and it's worth every penny to give him help rather than, "Sorry wish I could help you! haha"

 

Hope this helps!! 

[jjeepa]

We are finishing up our first kid in 9th so I thought I would share.  

 

I'd love to give some unasked for advice if anyone wants it  :laugh:

 

1.  If you have access to a co-op or local class center, do utilize it, at least for one class.  There really is something to be said about enjoying a class with one's peers who ultimately become acquaintances, and hearing perspectives from a live teacher.   I recommend English because if you've built a firm foundation, it can't hurt even if the class is a little light.  Also, discussing literature is really fun with a group of people and not just one's own thoughts!

 

2. Don't pile on too much.  Do some easier classes and some harder classes.  Assuming you've chosen a good rigorous course load, it can get really overwhelming if you take all Honors, throw in an AP and are also working on Algebra 2, plus sports or hobbies or clubs.  Don't overdo it.

 

3.  Make sure your student knows how to plan his or her own work, and his or her own day NOW in 8th GRADE!!  I cannot stress this enough.  Your student may have up to 6 hours per day, or more, of school work and studying.  If he or she cannot, on his or her own, figure out how to manage his time and schedule his work for the week, he or she will not survive high school workload.  My son uses Istudies and I keep him accountable every Sunday to sit down and plan his week.  You should still monitor and check in now and then, to make sure he is on track and keeping up with things, and offer to help study, and be involved.  But there's no way you can run your own life, run your household, take care of your other kids, AND run your teenager's life. 

 

4.  Make a reasonable plan for math WITH HELP, (online class with help, or Derek Owens plus grading, or if you yourself were a math major etc. etc.)  and have funds set aside if your student needs tutoring.  I have a lot of friends without math backgrounds who assumed their kids could self-teach themselves high school math and it's just not possible for most kids to do a great job of it, or never to get stuck.  We enrolled our son in an expensive Math Center and it's worth every penny to give him help rather than, "Sorry wish I could help you! haha"

 

Hope this helps!! 

 

It's good advice whether it was asked for or not  :001_smile:

 

 

[mama25angels]

Ack! I don't even want to think about this, yet! :svengo:

 

He picked his courses for the next school year:

 

Algebra 1 - Life of Fred

English - Folk Tales around the world + continue English from the Roots Up + continue Writers, INC + finish Our Mother Tongue (grammar)

German - continue Komm Mit series + German readers

History of Warfare

Paleontology

Beginning Woodworking - CLE's text/workbook

Homeschool PE - continuing that program - they play football, soccer, team handball, etc.

 

Looks like 6.5 credits to me. Weird credits, but credits nevertheless. My son would fit right in at Hogwarts, I guess.

What are you using for the History of warfare?

Edited January 25, 2017 by mama25angels

[Nicholas_mom]

I love to hear what others are doing.  Maybe I will be inspired instead of being a "deer in the headlights" thinking I am on the homestretch of homeschooling with my "one and ONLY" kid AND I do not want to deal with it. :ohmy:  

 

I'm starting to really look into it.  I am checking out Kolbe Academy and some High School Coops around our area.  So far I have:

 

Coming Back to make changes:

 

Math: Algebra 2 - Jann in TX class

 

English -  Writing: Lost Tools of Writing 2 with Coram Deo Tuturials

 

Biology - with Kolbe Academy Online ( adding some astrobiology to make it an Honors course.)

 

Ancient History - WTM way (might our source to Co-op)

 

Literature - Ancient Great Books- WTM way (might out source to Co-op)

 

Electives:

Theology - dh has the Theology degree he will put something together with Apologetics.

Art Class - outsourced around here.

Creative Writing- he is continually writing novels.

Health - Oak Meadow

Robotics - Competitive Team

 

Edited April 12, 2017 by Nicholas_mom

[hopskipjump]

I'm scanning threads and realized - with some shock - that this thread applies to us again this year! 😳 It's my last freshman and I'd better start cementing plans! Now - off to read what everyone else is doing ðŸ‘

[....]

What are you using for the History of warfare?

 

I haven't worked on this course, yet.  But, when I finish it, I can PM you if you're looking for ideas.

[2_girls_mommy]

I'm curious what Chemistry text she is doing since she is in Algebra 1. Those I've been looking at have it as a prerequisite. Our co-op is offering it next year.

I responded to your PM, but thought I would put it here in case anyone else was wondering. 

 

She is doing Discovering Design w/Chemistry. The new Wile book. She was done with half of Alg.I before she started Chemistry. She worked through the summer. We are just taking Alg. slowly this year. She could have started geometry this 2nd semester, but instead we decided to just go slowly, use Kahn alongside her text, etc. and do geometry in the typical school year of 10th. Just how it worked out for us. 

 

As far as why Chem. in 9th. She has been with the same co-op class since she was in 3rd grade. She is the youngest in that class, but she was too advanced for the younger science class. So she has just moved up with this same class and teacher since then. She did Apologia Physical science w/them in 7th and Biology w/labs in 8th. Her teacher, knowing her as she does, felt she would be fine moving up to chemistry. Our kids are close friends and do dance and latin together. It isn't a regular co-op where we walked in and paid a stranger. In that case she wouldn't have been allowed in the class probably.  So she has ended up with a schedule that looks like no one else's. 

[mama25angels]

I haven't worked on this course, yet. But, when I finish it, I can PM you if you're looking for ideas.

Oh yes please!

[mirabillis]

 

2. Don't pile on too much.  Do some easier classes and some harder classes.  Assuming you've chosen a good rigorous course load, it can get really overwhelming if you take all Honors, throw in an AP and are also working on Algebra 2, plus sports or hobbies or clubs.  Don't overdo it.

 

3.  Make sure your student knows how to plan his or her own work, and his or her own day NOW in 8th GRADE!!  I cannot stress this enough.  Your student may have up to 6 hours per day, or more, of school work and studying.  If he or she cannot, on his or her own, figure out how to manage his time and schedule his work for the week, he or she will not survive high school workload.  My son uses Istudies and I keep him accountable every Sunday to sit down and plan his week.  You should still monitor and check in now and then, to make sure he is on track and keeping up with things, and offer to help study, and be involved.  But there's no way you can run your own life, run your household, take care of your other kids, AND run your teenager's life. 

 

 

 

9th grade here currently too. I wholeheartedly agree with both of these sentiments. These are the HUGE ones around here beginning of high school. High school esp if rigorous is FAR different animal than middle/elementary school. So make sure to prepare them and make sure not to overdo it!

 

At 6.5 all-academic credits this year, we're nearly at the tipping point of overdoing...

[hopskipjump]

Here's what we have so far! :hurray:

 

For Sure:

 

1) Saxon Advanced Math with WTMA

 

2) Spanish II (local co-op. I am currently heavily praying that their schedule coordinates with ours next year. Their co-op meets on our busiest day of the week, so ds only has a tiny window of time available...)

 

3) History

Susan Wise Bauer's The History of the Ancient World along with the question/answer pdf/book, along with written assignments. He is finishing US/State History this year for 8th, so getting back to the Ancients should be interesting for him. My oldest used the HofAW and really enjoyed it, but we didn't have the questions for each chapter that are available now, and I need something like that with this ds.

 

Uncertain: 

 

4) Science

Clover Creek or Derek Owens Physics. This is what I WANT him to do. BUT, he should take AP Physics and would be ready for it by 10th grade. He did Biology in 8th grade and an Intro to Chemistry in 7th grade. So - no Intro to Physics or Physical Science class recently, so I'm thinking it's time to tackle Physics. But... it seems redundant to have Physics and AP Physics. Ugh. Hmmm.

 

Sooooo - maybe Chemistry would be the smarter choice instead? There are two local options to outsource Chemistry and then maybe he would take AP Chemistry after that. Hmmm.

 

Plans are for AP Chem, AP Bio, and AP Physics for 10, 11, 12 (in whatever order...)

 

5) English

I have no idea which direction we will go for English. For 8th, he'll have finished IEWs Teaching the Classics and Windows to the World. So, maybe Elegant Essay plus continued grammar review. Hmmmm... I was going to outsource and do Blue Tent's Honors English 2, but am trying to reign in the budget for next year as much as possible. He doesn't need outside motivation (unlike his elder sister), so it seems frivolous to outsource 9th grade English when I don't have to.

 

6/7) Electives

6 & 6.5) Music Theory/Music History. Or maybe Music History/Art History instead and save Music Theory for AP senior year... Maybe a half-credit each and not too intense? Yes, think I'm leaning toward the latter now that I've typed that out. lol

 

7) unknown. Most likely a continued Computer Science/Programming class to continue the ones he's already completed so it will show up on his transcript at least once.

Edited January 26, 2017 by hopskipjump

[laughing lioness]

Depending on where we are with Alg I, continuing on with Alg II or Geometry (she started Alg 1 this semster)

Latin II

Physical Sci w. Lab

LTW/ Amer Lit

Econ/ Gov

Drama/Theater study

 

Karate 

Violin

Drama Camp/ Shakespeare Camp/ One Act Play

 

[mirabillis]

I love to hear what others are doing.  Maybe I will be inspired instead of being a "deer in the headlights" thinking I am on the homestretch of homeschooling with my "one and ONLY" kid AND I do not want to deal with it. :ohmy:  

 

 

You won't be a deer in the headlights if you're starting now.... I was exactly that deer and didn't really start looking into it until about, um, Labor Day of 9th grade. HA! So I've come really far and now have all 4 years mapped out. Boy how far I've come! Start now and you can go slowly and you'll be fine. I've got binders filled with every transcript/course description/AP/PSAT/SAT bit of info I've come across. It's been quite a work of love.:) He has siblings, so luckily only one gets to be the guinea pig!

[jjeepa]

 It's been quite a work of love. :)

 

:iagree:  It sure is, isn't it?!  

 

[Homeschoolmom3]

Hmmm....I am still so uncertain of SO many things!  This is my 2nd go around for 9th grade but unfortunately with my kids being SO different I can never do the same thing.  :(  So I am listening in!

 

Math- Geometry finish and being Alg 2 (not sure what I am using...not sure if Jacobs will work for this son...sigh) MP Cottage coop school?

 

Science- Biology - (after much pondering...we are trying BJU online + hoping to meet up and do the labs with Lori Higgins so he can do several dissections...I never seem to have the time with three kids.  :(  I just am not a huge fan of Apologia

 

Grammar - will continue on using Rod and Staff and throwing in IEW Fix it with it (he really probably doesn't need either but wanted to have him take another year or two before quitting) :-P

 

Psychology- my son wants to take this he has wanted to go in this field for the past couple of years so he excited about taking this course.

 

Latin 3- where ? There is a cottage school of Memoria Press in our area that meets once a week...we might try and possibly their math as well or we might stay with Latin with his current teacher (we took at Landry A before the shut down)

 

Literature/History - unsure debating between Omnibus, Roman Roads, WTM books, my own making, Cornerstone Curriculum- Western Worldview Year I and Amy's History/Lit series at Creek Edge Press,

 

Any thoughts on this one...:-P  (too many choices)!

 

Logic- Argument Builder since we are not going to get around to that this year....

 

Writing-?  Want to integrate with his other courses but might need to pull out and do more of something...I want him to take Rhetoric at CAP hopefully in 10th grade my oldest son learned alot there and was quite challenging!

 

We will still have morning meeting where we meet and discuss the Bible, do a few read alouds and where I throw in some memory wk and dictation.  I love this time because I still get to have a "part" in learning with them for an hour.

 

He also plays on a homeschool travel basketball team that practices 9mths. of the year.

 

That is about all I know so far!  Yikes...need to get cracking!

 

 

Edited January 26, 2017 by Homeschoolmom3