Hi everyone! It has been many years since I have posted on the forum. I am in need of advice. I need help figuring out writing for Highschool. Next year I will have an 11th grader, and will also have a 15yo and 13yo (almost 14) who will both be in 9th grade (my 13yo is technically in 8th next year, but she wants to start highschool). I am leaning towards using Essentials in Writing. I really just need a get it done, mostly independent, writing curriculum for my highschoolers right now. (I have 5 other kiddos ages 12yo-3yo, so my time is stretched pretty thin). I am thinking that with all the other grammar and literature we will do, we will realistically only get through two levels of EIW (about half a level each year of high school). If you could pick only two levels of EIW to complete by the end of high school, which two would you do? (i.e. 11th and 12th, 10th and 12th, 9th and 11th)? I have tried comparing them online, and it is hard for me to know which two would be the best choice. I might add in a couple units from 7 sisters homeschool if needed, but the videos lessons of Essentials in Writing would be really nice. Here is more background in case it is helpful. My 11th grader has previously done a writing class through WTM Academy (she did this in 9th grade). They covered all three levels of Writing With Skill in one year. She enjoys creative writing and has written several novels in her free time. However, she does not enjoy academic writing, and still needs more work on learning to write essays and research papers. I am only planning to do one level of EIW with her (either 11th or 12th). Any advice which level to do for her? My 15yo, is pretty allergic to writing. She has Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, I also suspect she might have dysgraphia. At this point, I just want her to learn enough writing to get through highschool and survive in the college setting. She is currently planning to go to college, but we will see. She is more hands on and would be thrilled to have a homestead someday. My 13yo, like her 17yo sister loves creative writing. She has written about 6 novels for fun. However, she has done very little academic writing. Writing doesn't seem to be much of a struggle for her, I have a feeling she will just need a little guidance and structure and she will do just fine. Writing is one area I have always felt very unqualified to teach. I love the idea of Writing With Skill, but I know from past experience it is unlikely to get done. I have done a couple of CAP's Writing and Rhetoric, and I really like it, but it also seems to fall through the cracks. I have decided that I need something more independent and straight forward like Essentials in Writing. However, with how busy our schedules are (my kids participate in choir, orchestra, and band), and with other things like grammar (Rod and Staff) and literature (online class), we are likely to only get through two EIW levels in highschool. So that is why I am asking, if you could only pick two levels of Essentials in Writing to complete in Highschool, what two would you pick? If you got this far, I really appreciate it. Thanks for any help or advice that you might have.

CAP's Art of Argument, How do you use it? I started it at the beginning of this year with my daughter, she is 13yo and in 7th. Outside commitments made our year crazier than I would have liked so it was the first thing to get dropped. Now that I feel like our schedule is getting more settled, I would like to start it up again for the second half of this year. Honestly, we only got through part of chapter 1. I don't know why, but I couldn't wrap my head around how to best use this curriculum. So far we just read through the chapter, she orally answered the questions, and we did a bit of discussion, she then watched the relevant DVD section on a separate day (I still can't figure out if that is better done before or after reading through the chapter, I haven't been able to find any recommendation/schedule about that). Am I missing something? Nothing was really sticking. I know we only used it for a short time, but she didn't even remember much from one day to the next. She is usually pretty good at remembering a previous days lesson. How do you use it? Do you add projects, flashcards, etc. It just seems like it needs more, not busywork, but more reinforcement/review? I was hoping the Teacher's Edition would be more helpful, but it is just a copy of the student text/answer key. Help? How well should I expect her to master the material? How long and how often do you spend on Logic? If it is at all helpful, my daughter enjoyed doing Logic Workbooks, that seemed to stick with her a lot more. Is there something more Workbooky that would work better? I really want to like Art of Argument, as I have heard so many good things about it.....

I completely sympathize. It is a rollercoaster every single day at my house. If I look at my 12yo wrong it can cause tears and a complete meltdown. Hang in there, feel free to message me your frustration as I am right there with you. ;)

I have thought a lot about this. My thoughts have been that if you were to do Suzuki in addition to a traditional note reading program it would be similar to the principles WWE uses to teach writing. The reason I say that is you are separating different skills and practicing them separately. Eventually when those skills catch up to one another they are recombined. So with WWE you practice writing skills separately... handwriting (Copywork), composition (Narration), and the ability to hold thoughts in your head (dictation). With Suzuki you are practicing ear training along with building the muscles in your hands to play more complicated songs earlier than you would in a traditional approach. This allows a student to learn muscle memory for things like scales much earlier than they would encounter them in a traditional series. Another benefit of Suzuki is once a piece has been learned they have the opportunity to practice refining and perfecting the sound quality of their piece (so working on things like tempo and dynamics). This is something that is not as easily done with a very simple song found in their primer or level 1 book. In addition to Suzuki if they are using a traditional piano series alongside Suzuki they will be practicing their note reading skills as well. Eventually those ear training, good tone quality, strong hand muscles/muscle memory, and ability to read notes will all catch up to one another, but in the meantime they are able to practice and improve each of those essential skills seperately. A disclaimer: I am not a Suzuki teacher, I have only played around with the beginning book of Suzuki with my kids. So more qualified individuals who have more experience with Suzuki may be cringing over my ideas. ;) I have had these ideas rattling around in my mind for a while, so I thought I would put them out there. I am not dead set on this as being the one right way, as I said it is just a thought I have had. Also for higher levels of piano, my idea of classical piano instruction would be learn to play classical pieces and learn theory concepts from those pieces. Like learning literary analysis and writing using good/great books. I also think music appreciation is a really important component as well, to help refine taste. Just as we try to avoid poor quality literature when possible in hopes that our kids will develop a taste for quality literature. I think it is important to provide opportunities to listen to and interact with classical pieces, in hopes that one day our children will enjoy and appreciate the richness of that music. I have also thought that a music copywork book might be a good idea. I only listened to it once, but I remember the Delectable Eduction podcast on music had some great ideas on teaching music (episode 100, November 17, 2017). I would love for my kids to study music as deeply as that podcast was describing, however I feel completely inadequate to teach them to that level, even though I have been playing the piano since I was young. :).

7th Grade! I have a lot of ideas, but have yet to pin things down... Math: AOPS Pre-Algebra (possibly w/WTMA), or MUS Pre-Algebra, or MM 7, or ??? or some sort of combo? Writing: WWS (possibly w/WTMA), or CW, and some sort of creative writing or I will have a mutiny on my hands. Spelling: finish up AAS and do review of all levels Grammar: MCT and/or GftWTM Science: BJU or Apologia or The Rainbow or ???, and Nature Journal/Special Studies U.S. History: Hakim History of Us, a Biography, Historical Fiction, Written Narration, Book of Centuries World History: SOTW or K12 Human Odyssey, maybe Biography and Historical Fiction Latin: Latin Alive 1 (possibly w/WHA) Spanish: I am thinking about using Homeschool Spanish Academy because otherwise it won’t happen Russian:possibly w/dad if she is interested Logic: Art of Argument Choir and Art: probably dual enrollment at Middle School Technology: something not sure what yet Music: Piano using mostly Piano Marvel Lots of question marks???!

What is Latin Prep? Did you use the video lessons for Latin Alive? If only you lived closer, our kids could just do Latin together. :). I just need to wrap my head around teaching Latin, I am really hoping CAP’s curricula combined with the videos will help. :)

Thank you everyone for your help. I am really glad I asked, you saved my 7th grader from LfC. :) Latin Alive looks like a much better fit. :)

I am trying to figure out Latin for next year. This would be for my Dd going into 7th grade, she has had no previous latin experience. Would it be better to start with CAP Latin for Children A or would it be better to go straight to CAP Latin Alive 1? Do I understand correctly that Latin Alive 1 covers the same thing as Latin for Children A & B? Also I would love to hear what others have thought about Latin for Children and/or Latin Alive? Did you and your child like it?

Thank you everyone. I tried google to figure out if it was a possibilty to do what I wanted to do, but I couldn't find a clear answer. I knew if anyone would know it would be you guys. 😀 I am really excited, this will be so useful for us!!! Thank you!

I am trying to figure out the best way to put what is on my iPad screen up on to our tv. My goal is to play a video on the iPad's internet browser (safari) and show it up on our tv so all my kids can see it. I want to possibly use mystery of science next year as well as the virtual instructor, but the most useful way to use these programs for us is to play the videos on our tv. Does anyone know if Apple TV will let you do this, basically does it let you show what is currently on your iPad screen up on to the tv. Does that make sense? Has anyone had success in doing what I am wanting to do? I know some apps like the roku app let you control roku from your iPad, but it doesn't let mirror your iPad screen. It just let's you play from the roku apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, etc, but not the iPad's browser. Also as a bonus I would love to use my tv/iPad connection as a digital whiteboard, if I could mirror my actual iPad screen I am guessing this would be a possibility? Sorry everyone, I am tech savvy when it comes to software on a pc, not so much the actual hardware (that is my husband's department ;) )

Thank you everyone. So it sounds like it might be best for reinforcement, rather than as a solo math program. About how long do the lessons take to get through? Have your kids liked the games at the end of the lessons?

If so what did you think? I just found out about it today, and I am very intrigued. Here is the link for their version for individuals (homeschool) use... https://giftedandtalented.com/mathematics Here is the link to their main website... http://redbirdlearning.com/our-offerings/redbird-mathematics/?gclid=CNWatLL5mNQCFVeewAodtZIHVQ

This Spanish curriculum is intriguing. The website is a bit confusing, where did you purchase it from? I would be curious to know the price?

Thank you everyone. You guys have mentioned a lot of great options I will be looking into. :) And now I don't feel as weird about going directly to the women's section. I will be more than happy to never set foot in the juniors section, except maybe for pants if needed. Shopping for my daughter has definitely brought back memories of shopping for my own clothes as a teen and how frustrating it was to find anything decent.

This is kind of a question, and kind of a vent (because I loathe clothing shopping)... I am really frustrated clothing shopping for my 11yo daughter. She somewhat still fits kids size 16 shirts, but they will most likely be getting a little snug by the end of summer. So the next size up is in juniors, but yikes. Everything is so trendy and mature looking. Why oh why don't they have one more size up in kids size clothing. I just want some simple cute inexpensive summery t-shirts. As far as our families modest standards they can't be sleeveless or have low cut backs or, as I am seeing is the new trend, they can't have large holes cut out in the sleeve. I usually shop at stores like kohls or jcpenney. I love the colorful Arizona t-shirts in the kids size at jcpenney, but don't really see anything like that in juniors. So what do you all do when your kids hit this awkward stage of being to large for kids clothing sizes but really too young to dress like they are 17? I am tempted to just try and hope she makes it through the summer with size 16 shirts. Or I am tempted to jump directly to women's sizes, have any of you done that? I really, really don't like the junior size clothing selection. Thankfully I stocked up on shorts last year, so I just need tops and maybe a dress or two.