Wow! That was great site...sounds like we'll do Instacert! Thanks so much! Elise

Please share any thoughts on this if you've used it or heard from some one that has. My son is going to take the Western Civ 1 CLEP this summer and this sounds less time-consuming than some reviews. We already have the REA CLEP prep for W Civ. Thanks!

One option might be to plan on econ in a box for the spring once he's adjusted to the AP course (unless everything is getting done each day much more quickly than you anticipate) or even waiting until next year. I've always heard the AP classes are very time-consuming and there's bound to be a learning curve just getting used to the assignments, etc. As far as the disorganization... my husband and I call it teen brain! It's like having an absent-minded professor living here! Interestingly enough, I still have teen brain at 52!

I think it would be invaluable for you to to give him a sense of mastery by having him read books that are just below his reading level and that interest him. Does he like mysteries, science fiction, non-fiction about sports or hobbies? I'm not familiar with the books you're reading aloud...could they be too advanced/ difficult for him? If so, perhaps you could have him listen to audio books of some books at 6th- 8th grade read-aloud level to improve his vocabulary while conserving your time. I haven't used IEW but my sense is to go with easier level in writing ...some instruction but elementary to build a foundation. He might benefit from a more laid back summer if he's been struggling so much through the school year. You're a wonderful aunt!

We're in the search for a great planner system as well! My son used a small wire-bound planner from Target last year but he really needs more. I looked at the Well Planned Day for Students but I really want the hours already filled in for each day. I'm going to look into Franklin-Covey day planners... I took an all-day seminar from them 20 years ago and it's a great system, still use it. You also might look at the planner the Old Schoolhouse magazine sells...it does look really good and you can choose to customize them (I'm just hoping to find something pocket size and already printed and bound). I'll let you know if I find something great. I'll look forward to others suggestions! Elise

Martha, my 7th and 9th grader did SL World History 1 this past year and we added the high school tchg co DVDs (I listened to the college) and had my 9th grader read the CLEP prep book as we went along (had a textbook but decided we didn't need it). Did you use the High School World History DVDs from Tchg Co or the College course and did you like it? Also, was your booklist from Western civ 1 CLEP literature or history? I'm assuming it was lit since you used a text for history. Would love to know...I'm planning for Western Civ 2 (SL 7) this year (beefed up for the older, fine for the younger as is, IMO). Thanks, Elise

Luann, thank you SO much for your help (and the others that have answered as well)! 2 questions: 1. Am I correct in thinking the main things he needs to learn in writing in the next 3 years are SAT essay writing, how to writie a research paper, and things like MLA formatting, etc? Does They Say/I Say teach how to do a full-length reasearch paper or did you use another source to teach that? 2. Did you use an outside class to prepare for the writing/lit CLEP or what resources did you use? Thanks a million! Elise

Hi! Can any one share what curriculum/resource/method you used for high school writing that really worked well for you? My rising 10th grader writes good 5 paragraph essays (took an IEW paid class when he was in 7th, and an advanced writing/lit class in 8th, and did 2/3 of Wordsmith Craftsman this past year) but I'm tossing around just actually having him do SL's writing (never did their LA since 3rd grade but this appeals to me) and a 25 min essay each week or finish WS Craftsman and go into Jensen's or do paid classes in IEW's Elegant Essays (I think he's beyond that) ...! Wow, I'm confused just re-reading that! Any thoughts? PS We're not interested in a lot of advanced writing ...he wants to be a chemist so he'll be going to college but not majoring in English, journalism, etc Thanks! Elise

Great thoughts, ladies...very helpful! I've been freed up from some of my uncalled-for guilt about using SL's history and books by reading the Home Scholar's (Lee Binz) blog post on hating literary analysis (it was good to hear someone else did, too!) and reminding myself of a few truths. 1. I received the English award in my high school and yet hated most of the "classics" we read. 2. I always felt like I was just spewing out jargon and what the teacher wanted to read when I had to "analyze" a work. 3. I'm 52 and its only in the past several years I've become more interested in the classics and then it's only in the ideas they introduced or discussed and how it fits in with history or people's changing worldviews. 4. English/lit/writing is not THE most important subject (unless your child is going into journalism, etc)although I realize one must be able to write essays and papers in high school and college. 5. I feel my kids learn an incredible amount about human nature, the depravity of man, and the ideas in the great books just from all our Bible reading and wrestling with the ideas therein. I don't want to force them into reading they dread... Anyways, all this to say... every program has its positives and negatives. SL is strong, thorough, and enjoyable! Good Luck! Blessings, Elise