We went with Teaching Textbooks Geometry because I am geometry-illiterate. DD went to an "ACT Preparedness" class and rec'd a 32 on her practice test and got every math problem correct including the geometry ones. There were no proofs at all! Although she did understand proofs and theorems, et al by the time she was done with TT. So even though it was only a practice test, I am confident she will do just fine in Sept. {she said hopefully} :001_smile:

Our mom used to say, "Look in the mirror, you'll get fed up!" whenever we told her we were hungry.

My eyes are welled with tears. So sorry for your loss and so thankful for your encouragement to Twilkin and to all of us. God bless.

Twilkin, I just want to reach across this internet connection and give you a huge hug. {{{HUGS}}} I thank the good Lord that he was not so judgmental when He walked this earth. He said He came to heal the sick; but His sheep claim to be perfect and not to need him anymore. I am not condoning what your daughter did - but I cannot condemn you and your family either! Each of our children were created to be what He wants them to be. We as parents are only temporary stewards. Your dd made her own choice - one that will affect her for the rest of her life. Jesus said we will know them by their fruit. Well that cuts both ways. If your daughter is repentent, and your church family still treated her as an outcast, I would find a new church family. My sister made the same "mistake" 35 years ago. Our family rallied around her and supported her any way that we could. Her son is now 35, and married with three beautiful children of his own. I can't imagine life without them. It has been a hard life for her. But the Lord has been a constant. He is faithful even when we are not!

Yes I do, all the time. :confused: Oh well, I try to be as kind on posts as I would be in person. I don't think it always comes across that way. I marvel at the way some people express themselves. Wish it could be me.

Virtual Homeschool Group has free classes. Our dd has done the Apologia science classes and has loved them! This Fall she'll be taking the Saxon Advanced Math. Here's the website address: http://www.virtualhomeschoolgroup.com/ There are live classes that usually meet on T, W, Th and also recorded classes that you can do at your own pace. Open office hours are available for students to get their questions answered - whether they're in the live class or recorded. I know there are other classes offered aside from Science and Math, we just haven't availed ourselves of them. Every year classes are added or taken away as needed. This is a true "ministry" to the home schooled community. It is free but they do accept donations to help pay for the servers and online classrooms.

Our dd has taken several science courses with Virtual Homeschool Group and I have not needed to purchase the TE's or answer keys as all her work is graded by the teacher using Apologia, and they have "open office hours" for students with questions. However this Fall she'll be taking Adv. Biology directly from Apologia Academy and I did buy the solutions manual as I don't know what their process is. In the past, she took an Omnibus II class through Veritas Academy and I was very glad I purchased the TE! So I guess it depends on the online class and the student. HTH, Holly

Our daughter used them for a few months. They're "okay". She much preferred Chalkdust SAT prep for math and IEW for the writing. Plus Wordly Wise for vocabulary which she'd been doing all along. For a casual review it works. However she felt it was not "intense" enough for her. Lots of "lectures", but she's more of a visual than audio learner. I would however, recommend becoming a member of HSLDA. HTH, Holly

I went to a "meeting" of college admissions officers from 5 different universities. A question was asked, "What is something you wish home schooled students were better prepared with?" All five of them said handwriting! LOL Everyone chuckled, because we all know "mom" can read our students handwriting, but sometimes no one else can! But seriously, I've been making my rising 11th grader practice handwriting skills by writing 25 minutes timed essays in preparation for the ACT and SAT essays. She knows if they can't read her writing she will not score as well and that's been really motivating for her. Blessings, Holly

We have used The Virtual Homeschool Group for several high school classes. They are a free ministry to home schooled students, but accept donations for the servers and online classrooms. Your child can take the live online classes or the pre-recorded ones at their own pace. There are "open office hours" posted for the kids to ask questions after class. http://www.virtualhomeschoolgroup.com/ We have been quite pleased! Our dd has taken Apologia Chemistry, Biology and Physics so far and will be in the Saxon Advanced Mathematics this Fall. However, this year she will be taking the Advanced Biology directly from Apologia. Since we can't afford that big chunk of cash all at once, we are making monthly payments to them. HTH, Holly

I agree to getting a four-year plan together. There's a good one on donnayoung.org. I keep fine-tuning ours and actually had to change a few things when we moved to Utah as the universities here require more electives. Call your local universities and talk to the admission officers. They're usually pretty helpful as they want your student and your money. :) Holly

Our dd took Physics this past year (10th) with an online group called Virtual Homeschool Group. (VHSG) They are free and you can either take the live class with the teacher or the recorded one at your own speed. She's not a great lover of math so I was glad to have the support for her. The teacher, Mrs. Moore, is a really smart, kind and godly woman with a degree in the sciences. I think maybe Biology, but I'm not sure. There are other teachers too that volunteer their time. It has been a life saver for us as I am not a "science" person and our dd naturally excels in it. She has taken Chemistry, Biology and Physics there and this year will be taking Saxon Advanced Math. The website address is: http://www.virtualhomeschoolgroup.com/ They are a free ministry to home schooled families, but do take donations to pay for the servers and online classrooms. HTH, Holly

Martha, What is your goal for this year? To do well on essays for college applications or SAT/ACT or to round out his writing in general? I would second the recommendation for Potters School or if it's for a college test have you considered the IEW High School Essay Intensive? Our dd couldn't write an essay in 25 minutes - more like hours. She went to an ACT test prep class and they showed the DVD. She sat down and wrote an essay with 5 minutes to spare and it was good! I'm sold on it and and going to purchase it myself.

I used to keep everything until we moved into a townhouse. Since space is at a premium, and we wanted to build a "portfolio" of our dd's work, we pick a few examples from each subject and keep it in a large 3 ring binder. It will hold 9th to 12 grade. There are tests, quizzes, essays, artwork etc. Since home schoolers are not as well accepted at the colleges and universities where I live, I thought it would be good to have in addition to the transcript. I have my own notebook for "required" info for the state if ever needed, plus hours, days and assignments in Homeschool Tracker Plus.