[What gifts do you give to your adult kids?]

Unless sd asks for something specific she gets her christmas pjs (a tradition) and then a gift card usually to her favorite clothing store.

[Easy grammar plus (7th)]

We used parts of it for 7th.  It is really a complete grammar course.  You could always do something like the Daily Grams for a year to just do review.  Another good option is the Language Mechanic from the Critical Thinking company.

[Horizons to Saxon]

The 1st, 2nd 3rd editions are not easier but instead John Saxon's original program.  The 4th editions have been modified and are moving away from the Saxon philosophy.

 

The using Saxon.com newsletter (http://usingsaxon.com/newsletterpage-2016.php ) suggests these editions:

 

Math 54 (2nd or 3rd Ed): You can use either the hard cover 2nd edition textbook or the newer soft cover 3rd edition as they have identical math content. In fact, they are almost word for word and problem for problem the same textbooks. The page numbers differ because of different graphics and changed page margins, and the newer soft cover 3rd edition homeschool packet has an added solutions manual. However, my experience with that level of mathematics is that most home school educators will not need a solutions manual until they encounter Math 76. If you can acquire a less expensive homeschool kit without the solutions manual, I would recommend acquiring that less expensive set. Calculators should not be used at this level.

 

Math 65 (2nd or 3rd Ed): This book is used following successful completion of the Math 54 textbook. Successful completion is defined as completing the entire Math 54 textbook, doing every problem and every lesson on a daily basis, and taking all of the required tests. To be successful in this textbook, students must have scored eighty or better on the last four or five tests in the Math 54 textbook. As with the Math 54 textbooks, the 2nd edition hard cover book and the newer soft cover 3rd edition have identical math content. The newer 3rd edition series also has a solutions manual, but if you‘re on a tight budget, I do not believe that it is necessary at this level of mathematics either. Calculators should not be used at this level.

 

Math 76 (3rd or 4th Ed): The kingpin book in the Saxon series. This book follows successful completion of the Math 65 textbook. Again, successful completion of Math 65 means completing the entire book as well as all of the tests. To be successful in Math 76, students should have received scores no lower than an eighty on the last four or five tests in the Math 65 course. Either the hard cover 3rd edition or the newer soft cover 4th edition can be used. As with the previous two math courses, there is no difference between the math content of the hard cover 3rd edition and the softcover 4th edition textbooks. I recommend acquiring a copy of the solutions manual as this is a challenging textbook. Students who score eighty-five or better on the last five tests in this level book indicate they are ready to move to Algebra ½, 3rd edition. Student‘s who encounter difficulty in the last part of Math 76, reflected by lower test scores, can easily make up their shortcomings by proceeding to Math 87 rather than Algebra ½. Calculators should not be used at this level.

 

Math 87 (2nd or 3rd Ed): Again, there is little if any difference between the hardcover 2nd edition and the softcover 3rd edition textbooks. Even though the older second edition does not have “with pre-algebra†printed on its cover as the 3rd edition softcover book does, the two editions are identical in math content. Students who successfully complete the entire textbook and score eighty or better on their last five or six tests can skip the Algebra ½ textbook and proceed directly to the Algebra 1, 3rd edition textbook. Both the Math 87 and the Algebra ½ textbooks get the student ready for Algebra 1; however, the Math 87 textbooks start off a bit slower with a bit more review of earlier concepts than does the Algebra ½ book. This enables students who encountered difficulty in Math 76 to review earlier concepts they had difficulty with and to be successful later in the textbook. Students who encounter difficulty in the last part of this book will find that going into Algebra ½ before they move to the Algebra 1 course will strengthen their knowledge and ability of the basics necessary to be successful in the Algebra 1 course. Their frustrations will disappear and they will return to liking mathematics when they do encounter the Algebra 1 course. Calculators should not be used at this level.

 

Algebra ½ (3rd Ed): This is John‘s version of what other publishers title a “Pre-algebra†book. Depending upon the students earlier endeavors, this book follows successful completion of either Math 76 or Math 87 as discussed above. Use the 3rd edition textbook rather than the older 2nd edition as the 3rd edition contains the lesson concept reference numbers which refer the student back to the lesson that introduced the concept of the numbered problem they‘re having trouble with. These concept lesson reference numbers save students hours of time searching through the book for a concept they need to review - but they do not know the name of what they are looking for. From this course through calculus, all of the textbooks have hard covers, and tests occur every week, preferably on a Friday. To be successful in John Saxon‘s Algebra 1 course, the student must complete the entire Algebra ½ textbook, scoring eighty or better on the last five tests of the course. Students who encounter difficulty by time they reach lesson 30 indicate problems related to something that occurred earlier in either Math 76 or Math 87. Parents should seek advice and assistance before proceeding as continuing through the book will generally result in frustration and lower test scores since the material in the book becomes more and more challenging very quickly. Calculators should not be used at this level.

 

Algebra 1 (3rd Ed): I strongly recommend you use the academically stronger 3rd edition textbook. The new owners of the Saxon Publishers (HMHCO) have produced a new fourth edition that does not meet the Saxon methodology. The new fourth edition of Algebra 1 has had all references to geometry removed from it and using it will require also buying a separate geometry book. While the associated solutions manual is an additional expense, I strongly recommend parents acquire it at this level to assist the student when necessary. Depending upon the students earlier successes, this book follows completion of either Math 87 or Algebra ½ as discussed above. Calculators are recommended for use at this level after lesson 30. While lesson 114 of the book contains information about using a graphing calculator, one is not necessary at this level. That lesson was inserted because some state textbook adoption committees wanted math books to reflect the most advanced technology. The only calculator students need from algebra through calculus is an inexpensive scientific calculator that costs about ten dollars at one of the local discount stores. I use a Casio fx260 solar which costs about $9.95 at any Target, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Radio Shack, etc. If the 3rd edition of Saxon Algebra 1 is used, a separate geometry textbook should not be used between Saxon Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 because the required two semesters of high school geometry concepts will be covered in Saxon Algebra 2 (1st semester) and in the first sixty lessons of the Advanced Mathematics book (2nd semester).

 

Algebra 2 (2nd or 3rd Ed): Either the 2nd or 3rd editions of the Saxon Algebra 2 textbooks are okay to use. Except for the addition of the lesson concept reference numbers in the newer 3rd edition, the two editions are identical. These lesson concept reference numbers save students hours of time searching through the book for a concept they need to review - but they do not know the name of what they are looking for. If you already have the older 2nd edition textbook, and need a solutions manual, you can use a copy of the 3rd edition solution manual which also has solutions to the daily practice problems not in the older 2nd edition solutions manual. Also, the 3rd edition test booklet has the lesson concept reference numbers as well as solutions to each test question – something the 2nd edition test booklet does not have. An inexpensive scientific calculator is all that is needed for this course. Upon successful completion of the entire book, students have also completed the equivalent of the first semester of a regular high school geometry course in addition to the credit for Algebra 2. I strongly recommend you not use the new fourth edition of Algebra 2 for several reasons.

 

FIRST: The fourth edition has had all references to geometry removed from it also requiring the purchase of an additional geometry book.

 

SECOND: The Advanced Mathematics textbook assumes the student has just successfully completed the 2nd or 3rd edition of the Saxon Algebra 2 textbook with their inclusive geometry. If the student took a separate geometry course between the fourth editions of Algebra 1 and Algebra 2, they have not had any exposure to geometry for as much as fifteen months (nine months of school plus two summer breaks). This gap will result in the student encountering extreme difficulty in the Advanced Math textbook.

 

Advanced Mathematics (2nd Ed): Do not use the older first edition, use the 2nd Edition. The lesson concept reference numbers are found in the solutions manual – not in the textbook! Students who attempt this book must have successfully completed all of Saxon Algebra 2 using either the 2nd or 3rd edition textbooks. Upon successful completion of just the first sixty lessons of this textbook, the student will have completed the equivalent of the second semester of a regular high school geometry course. An inexpensive scientific calculator is all that is needed for this course. For more information on how to transcript the course to receive credit for a full year of geometry as well as a semester of trigonometry and a second semester of pre-calculus

 

Calculus: The original 1st edition is still an excellent textbook to master the basics of calculus, but the newer 2nd edition affords students the option to select whether they want to prepare for the AB or BC version of the College Boards Advanced Placement (AP) Program. To prepare for the AB version, students go through lesson 100. To prepare for the BC version, they must complete all 148 lessons of the book. While the 2nd edition reflects use of a graphing calculator, students can easily complete the course using an inexpensive scientific calculator. I recommend that students who use a graphing calculator first attend a course on how to use one before attempting upper level math as they need to concentrate on the math and not on how their fancy calculator works. It is not by accident that the book accompanying the graphing calculator is over a half inch thick.

 

[Horizons to Saxon]

We did Horizons from 1-3rd, after that we switched to Saxon.  I love Saxon (older editions) for the middle and upper grades but I do not like their early elementary program which is why we did Horizons.  I will say that before you switch make sure you do the placement test.  We did the test with dd after she completed Horizons 3 and she placed into Saxon 65 not Saxon 54.  It was a fairly easy transition for dd but it does take an adjustment because it is a different format.  Dd is now doing Advanced Math and loves the Saxon program.

[Help with traveling (college visits) upstate NY]

I thought it was part of the Finger Lakes region. People in Buffalo don't seem to think Rochester is part of WNY - all the WNY email lists etc exclude Rochester (for good reason - nobody wants to drive that far for a homeschool group or w/e).

 

For example, click on the regional map on this site:

 

http://www.dhses.ny.gov/OEM/about/index.cfm

 

Rochester is in Monroe county - Finger Lakes region.

  

Rochester is either lumped in with Finger Lakes or Western NY. I see it go both ways sometimes. I am part of a WNY FB group for homeschoolers that hs folks from Rochester on it.  Rochester has a very vibrant homeschool community too.  There are folks who do drive in from all over who are part of our local hs group.   I recently heard that our region was one of the largest if not the largest hs regions in the state. I Rochester is really not in the Finger Lakes either, kind of it's own thing. Although according to the Census Bureau it is part of WNY.

[Help with traveling (college visits) upstate NY]

Henrietta is definitely the place to stay (not that I am prejudice because I live there   ;)  ), easy access to each of the schools (Brockport is about 30 min away) and lots of hotel choices.   Most of the hotels are really nice it just depends on the level you want, economy to more luxury.   

 

As for the Sticky Lips vs Dinosaur argument I tend to lean towards Dinosaur for flavor.  The rub for Sticky Lips can be a little strong sometimes.  Love the Fried Green Tomatoes at Dinosaur too.  There is a new place in town that I have heard is excellent too.  Texas B-B-Q Joint over by RIT.  I have only had their pulled pork at an event but it was excellent.

 

The winters are not too bad.  If you are from NE you can handle it.  You tend to find more snow out by Brockport ( I lived there for almost 10 years) than you do in Henrietta or the city of Rochester.  The nice thing is that folks around here know how to take care of the snow.  There are lots of opportunities for winter activities too.

 

The other positive thing in the area is Wegman's.  Once you shop there you will never want to shop in another grocery store.

 

 

We were just down at Cornell a few months ago.  I can say that the parking was horrible in town and the flow of traffic was a little weird.  I am sure if we were down there more often it would be a bit easier.  I just know dh was ready to get out of there by the end of the day. 

[American Heritage Girls ?]

She could join for high school and be just fine.  There are badges for all sorts of topics. The thing with AHG is the badges are the same for all levels it is just the amount you go into depth on them changes as you get older.  So the options include things like camping focused badges, arts/literature badges, practical skills badges and even science and history badges.  Lots of options!

[If you use IEW...]

If you got the SWI-A then it should be on one of the disks or as a download from IEW

 

If you got only the Teaching Writing DVDs that are just for the teacher to watch and then for them to teach the material you need to get the source book Beaniemom mentioned.

[If you use IEW...]

This is what we started out with SWI-A https://www.christianbook.com/iew-student-writing-intensive-level-a/andrew-pudewa/9780984099016/pd/099016?event=Homeschool|1007944

 

It had everything we needed.  I did not bother with the teacher dvds since I could just watch the dvds with dd and understand what she needed to do.  It worked just fine for us.  We have done SWI - A and then the Continuation Courses A and B.  Dd is now doing the Elegant Essay.  It is a great program.

[If you use IEW...]

We only ever used what came with the course.  I never bothered to add anything else.

[Do you do science AND history in the same day?]

We have always done both History and Science every day (unless there were special circumstances like a field trip.  I think the only subjects we have not done each day are art, music, pe, health and grammar (some years that was every day but mostly 2-3 days a week).  Our schedule is planned out for a 4 day school week because we have an all day co-op on Friday.

[Coop Members/ Leaders - software question]

We currently use Google forms and sheets to do most of our stuff (class descriptions, registration, helper forms...)  One of our board members also used signup genius for assigning aides this year and that worked well.

[8th grade US-focused history]

That seems like it might be a bit heavy.  I think you could probably drop SotW and just go with both volumes of History Detectives.  I had checked that out at convention this year and thought about doing it as my history spine but they could not tell me when the 2nd book would come out.  I ended up going with BJU for my spine.

 

As for papers assigning either 1 short one a quarter or 1 big one per semester would be good for this age. That would still be more than most 8th graders do.  Even in college 6 2-3 papers would be considered a little much especially with a major  8-10 paper.  As a History major in both undergraduate and graduate school I do not remember doing that many papers for one course.  If you were going to do that type of work load I would suggest it more for an 11th grader than an 8th grader even if they are advanced.

[candy making??]

My hubby does a lot of candy making.  He swears by this book The Field Guide to Candy  https://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Candy-Anita-Chu/dp/159474419X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476310597&sr=1-1&keywords=field+guide+to+candy

 

[grades...]

What state requirements?  In order for me to meet state requirements, I'd have to send my kid to school.

 

If you are talking about homeschool requirements, there are no requirements that I grade stuff.  I must cover certain subjects (requirements are far lower than most colleges would want to see) and I must basically state there is progress.  And then submit a standardized test score.  In the end I won't get any recognition from the state of any kind.

 

 

The regs actually state that you need to submit either a grade or a written narrative evaluating the child's progress in each subject.  I think most folks I know go with a grade for the older kids because it is just easier to then apply that to a transcript.

[grades...]

I give grades but also work towards mastery.  I have the policy that any corrections that are done get 1/2 credit if they are done correct.  If they are not correct we still work on it till it is correct but I do not give credit at that point.  I normally do not give a grade of every day work just tests, quizzes, essays or projects.  The day to day work is the time to get things wrong and learn from your mistakes.  This is what I did with sd in high school and am doing now with dd in 8th grade. I have to keep grades to get a gpa for her honor society.  I do not put those grades on my quarterly report, I do not start doing that until high school.

[For those who use the Apologia science series...]

The Anatomy book is really meant for older kids 5th or 6th grades.  Either the Astronomy book or the Zoology books are best for younger ages.  The Jr. Journals are very nice.  There are pages for them to color and also areas to write.  There are some cut and paste things too, like a lap book.  They jr journals are geared towards k-2/3rd and then the regular journals 3rd/4th and up.  It really depends on the ability of the child.

 

For k though you really do not need a full curriculum unless you really want one.  You could just use something like the Usborne Big Book of Science Experiments and just do some fun things without it being so formal.  I really would not start a formal curriculum till first or second grade.

[4-H: what clubs are your kiddos doing this year?]

Our group focuses on Horse Bowl and Hippology.  The organizer (we are a very loose group) is into showing guinea pigs so this past fair everyone showed guinea pigs too.  This year I think they will be doing more practicing and training for that too.

[do YOU organize group classes for your homeschool group?]

We did a teacher survey last year.  Some of the questions we asked were: Did the money you charge cover the cost of your class?  What supplies could we have available each week for the teachers?

 

Ours is a co-op where parents can bring in whatever class they want.  If you direct what classes you could ask about specific subjects/grades.

 

We have also asked in the past what is your favorite feature of the co-op and what is your least favorite.  Sometimes they are things that cannot be changed but sometimes they are areas you can work on.

[soft boiled eggs and toast]

I grew up with eggs on toast.  I love it and it just reminds me of my childhood.  I can never get the soft boiled eggs just the way my Mom does. We cook up the eggs peel them and mush them on the toast.  Yum

[Has anyone applied to U. of RI as a homeschooler?]

Oh well those regs look very similar to University of Rochester :)

[Has anyone applied to U. of RI as a homeschooler?]

I know several kids who applied some to U of R directly and one to Eastman/U of R.  They are very selective and if they say they "may" want it they probably do.  

 

Some of it will also depend on what major they are looking at.  The different departments may ask for specific things.

[Can we talk Sunday School curriculum?]

We use Orange for our k-5 Sunday School and I love it.  The stories are very engaging and the kids really are getting it.  I am constantly going back and asking them about previous lessons and they remember.   We have it set up with a large group activity that ties into the theme of the month or the particular story.  We then do a music time and after that is our lesson.  I love using the props and the slides that they suggest. The kids really love when I have props.  After the lesson we practice our memory verse and then break into small groups.  During the small group times kids work on an age appropriate activity and they do some sharing and prayer time.

[Alzheimers "What to do" question again.]

Depending on how things go this may be the perfect time to talk about getting help in or finding some place that better fits their current needs.  I pray everything goes well.

[Are dual-enrollment programs overpromising?]

Every school has a different policy.  I know the U of R is one of those schools that does not take transfer credit in your major.  They also do not take CLEP.  I am pretty sure they do some AP credit but probably not in your major or minor.  U of R can be tough.