I just came across this and was wondering if it's any good, or at least a reasonable way of getting a course done. https://www.ucscout.org/plans https://www.ucscout.org/courses The prices seem reasonable for a self-paced(?) no-teacher option. We're looking for content, not credit, though we may want courses to prepare for AP exams. We're not in CA and are not concerned with a-g designations.

AoPS email "Coming Soon: Self-Paced Courses" https://forums.welltrainedmind.com/forum/7-accelerated-learner-board/

Link https://welcome.artofproblemsolving.com/sp_prealgebra_lp1 Looks like it's just Prealgebra to start, and who knows how long it will take to roll out more courses, but an interesting development that might be of interest for some.

The class is a live event where the students needs to be thinking about maths and responding in real time. I watch DS taking the classes, so I can see how he is doing. I would only pay for books and not courses if he were not going to do the live classes in real time.

Thanks for the suggestions. (We will stick with AoPS for Discrete Math and Calculus, but will look into all these other resources.)

So we will stay with AoPS for their intermediate discrete math and their calculus. Thanks for everyone's comments. I was looking at the MIT website and found this (MIT Online Math Classes) https://math.mit.edu/academics/online/index.php confirming that the MIT edX series of 3 calculus courses is indeed equivalent to their course 18.01 which https://math.mit.edu/academics/undergrad/first/calculus.php is their most "basic" version of calculus. That said, I'm sure MIT's least prepared students are still way ahead of the overwhelming majority of the students at our local state U, so I'm sure MIT's "basic" calculus is still pretty solid compared to what's taught at a lot of colleges. (Try teaching how to differentiate f(x)g(x) and f(g(x)) to those students who can't tell the difference.)

This is very dependent of local conditions, and the particular school, administration, teachers, and student body. DS tried a self-contained gifted program, within a normal (bad) school, but the school was not physically safe, there were many problems with certain administrators/teachers, and the gifted program itself, although successful on paper due to the students, was in a state of disarray. We pulled DS out. By contrast, our DDs started at a new public charter which is nice and safe, and has decent academics - nothing "gifted" but runs a year ahead of regular public schools in our very bad district, and DDs are happy. They are staying in for the forseeable future. All were previously homeschooled, and were not particularly "prepared" for the transition, but it worked out fine for 2 DDs, but not for DS, which as I say, was heavily school dependent. This is just our experience, not necessarily applicable to others. That said, even though DS's school had many problems (with no chance of changing things), there are things DS could improve on to get prepared in case a better school opportunity comes up. He needs to be more organized and motivated, and to be able to handle more output, especially writing.

Thanks. That's very helpful to hear direct experience about the level.

^ Good question. I'm sure AoPS Calc would be fine, and that may end up what we do, but I want to explore the options. (At this point I'd say that DS will do the AoPS Interm C&P and NT first.) Unlike for Discrete Math, there are a huge amount of Calculus courses. If we ask what is worth considering given that we are happy with AoPS, then that would narrow things to a very short list, perhaps including the MIT edX course. Also, the AoPS courses would run out soon anyway, so we need to know the alternatives. Also there's a question of course style - whether it's heavy on difficult problem solving, or more on applications, or more on abstraction, theorems and proofs. I'm not sure what we want, but those are considerations.

Thanks for listing those three. I probably ought to have known those some time ago, to know the options, but AoPS has been fine. DS would complete single variable calculus by end of grade 8. (That includes a 1 year "gap" after precalc to do other math, so we're being careful with pacing.) Some local high schools go a bit past that. A non-local high school goes a lot past that. And there's the local Uni. Both of us parents know a lot more math, but we are not natural homeschoolers, and have been driven to it by the terrible condition of most schools here. For the near term, I think DS should do those two AoPS Discrete Math courses, as he is used to the system. But I am unsure what to do for the calculus, but that won't happen until next August or September.

That looks interesting (I think I've come across it before) but it looks like DS is past the end of their sequence.

DS is in grade 7 and currently homeschooling and will continue to do so until at least the end of grade 8 (maybe 9, 10 too). He has taken several AoPS courses, which have worked fine, and it makes sense to continue with the following 3 AoPS courses between now and end of grade 8 (mid 2020): Intermediate Counting & Probability https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/course/intermediate-counting Intermediate Number Theory https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/course/intermediate-numbertheory Calculus https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/course/calculus But I wonder what alternatives we should be considering. I'm guessing there's not much for the Discrete Math (but still interested in options) but looking online there are are lot of options for Calculus, though maybe not many worth considering. One seemingly good option I saw was MIT edX Calculus 1A, 1B, 1C https://www.edx.org/course/calculus-1a-differentiation https://www.edx.org/course/calculus-1b-integration https://www.edx.org/course/calculus-1c-coordinate-systems-infinite-mitx-18-01-3x-0 https://www.edx.org/course/calculus-1c-coordinate-systems-infinite-series Anyone familiar with this or other options? Both parents know the math, so we can talk to DS about the content, but we're looking for a structured course that doesn't need us to prepare. We sometime need to keep him on task, so it helps if the course is engaging and structured. Giving him just a "too mature" textbook alone would not work well at this stage.

Good find! DS had been about 95% done with Alcumus, and I said he should finish it off, but he hadn't done any at all this year. Now he's back into it. He already took the class but it's good practice.

Thanks. I don't think we'll bother with SAT or ACT yet, but maybe AP.

Thanks all. The "re-entering B&M school in early-mid high school" really comes from there being a specific selective public high school that doesn't cover all 4 grades. Good point about checking that we can get credit. We did verify that AoPS courses could count towards credit IF a proficiency test is taken, but only would count as pass/fail and not be included in the GPA. I am looking into the various ELA suggestions, and I agree that it's really about literature and writing. I found some links for MIT courses online, which I'll post. https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm https://www.edx.org/school/mitx https://math.mit.edu/academics/online/index.php using edX and its precursor OCW. These could be good for the future, after AoPS.

I found a 1-Year subscription to Uzinggo Science for $56.97 here https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/uzinggo While I was at that site I saw another offer for Redbird(EPGY?) Language Arts & Writing up to grade 7 (also includes Math which we don't need) https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/redbird/ for $99 per year. Is anyone familiar with this Redbird(EPGY?) Language Arts & Writing? What parts of ELA does it cover? Is it any good? I see some other options here on that site https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/homeschool-curriculum-language-arts-writing/ If I search generally on the web I find lists of dozens of ELA options, and then I don't know where to start.

Thanks all! In the thread https://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/677493-“regular”-sciences-needed-before-ap/ I saw a suggestion for an online science program called Uzinggo which people seem to think is good. So we might try that, as well as some edX courses. DSgr7 has done several AoPS courses, so that would be a natural choice for programming (Python). They are pricey, but I expect they'd be good. People can teach themselves programming, but I'd worry they could develop bad habits that way. I haven't programmed since the 1980s so it's probably best to outsource to someone more with the times. We'd looked at MCT for ELA, but couldn't see how to get it to work. We really need some kind of "open and go" package for ELA (preferably at least partially online. That's one thing we haven't figured out yet. Should I post on another board about ELA specifically, since that part is not "accelerated"?

^ Thanks for this explanation. So even if AP Physics 1(&2, together in 1 year I see now) wouldn't count for a STEM degree, it could still be the right level for a very mathy 7th grader, and it could serve as the "regular" physics taken before AP Physics C. Also, since we want DSgr7 to go to B&M high school for a least the last 2 years, before college, then at least taking the lower level could help getting placed in the right courses (perhaps). Anyway, the edX Phys 1&2 courses could still be a good way to learn the material. However, I also see strong endorsements for Uzinggo (which I hadn't heard of) so we could try that. We might try both Uzinggo and the edX courses.

Short version: Pulled from public schools, starting home school late (mid-October). Grade 7, very mathy kid, has finished AoPS PreCalculus. Want suggestions for home schooling materials. Science: Is it appropriate to do an AP Physics 1 course, with no prior physics course? Any suggestions for a course? English/Language Arts: We'd like a comprehensive Grade 7 ELA home schooling package (online/printed/combination), suitable for smart (but mathy, not ELA-y), kid, with main weakness being writing. Want kid to be able to work mostly independently, self-paced. Do not want busywork. Any suggestions for an ELA package?

^ Thanks. Is it the same for ACT? On the other hand, what about AP exams taken in middle school? Do they fully count?

I'm not familiar with this. What does it mean to "keep the score"? What do you do or not do, to keep or not keep the score? Is it similar with ACT, AP and other such tests? (We have a middle schooler, who may take some of these tests soon, probably an AP, but we don't know the system at all.)

(New poster) I have a general "help us set up home school"-type thread here https://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/679754-bm-disaster-now-need-help-with-home-schooling-setup/ but I'll also ask the science part in this thread. DSgr7 (grade 7) briefly tried B&M school and is now back home, has not done a specific structured science course before, but should do one now. He has finished AoPS PreCalculus. Would it make sense to do AP Physics 1 without prior physics experience? This link suggests so https://blog.prepscholar.com/whats-the-difference-between-ap-physics-1-2-and-c as do earlier comments in this thread. He's never taken any "big" exams before (apart from many math contests) but wouldn't necessarily have to take the actual AP exam if not ready. We just at least want to do a full year "proper" science course. Any suggestions for an AP Physics 1 course, preferably self-paced? We just discovered edX.org and saw this course https://www.edx.org/course/ap-physics-1-ricex-advphy1x There's no verified certificate available, but at least it appears to be a full course. Any thoughts on whether AP Physics 1 makes sense with this background (PreCalc, but no physics course) and whether this edX course, or some other course would be good? Does it make sense to continue with AP Physics 2 in grade 8 and AP Physics C in grade 9 (after having done Calc (an AP Calculus BC course) in grade 8)? Is it fair to say that AP Biology and AP Chemistry courses can be done (if permitted) without a previous course, but perhaps with some preliminary reading?

Short version: scroll to 2nd post. ----------------------------------------------------------- Due to terrible public schools here, we had been home schooling our 3 kids (son DSgr7, daughters DDgr4 and DDgr2 (numbers=grades)). This Fall we put our daughters in a new public charter (which is going great, and they'll stay), and we put our son in a gifted program contained in a regular (=bad) school, which was a disaster, and he now is back home. Our earlier home schooling attempts were somewhat unschooly (apart from AoPS courses for the oldest), reading from books and online, videos from online and TV, we muddled through, and the girls have transitioned successfully to B&M school, and our son could have transitioned in a less chaotic school. Now with one back home, we want to get more serious and structured and prepare for re-entering B&M school in early-mid high school (grade 9 or 10 or 11, so certainly home schooling the rest of grades 7 and 8), to then get ready for a good STEM college (ideally CalTech or MIT, so definitely not going early). We need help getting set up properly. We are both Math PhDs and DW is a SAHM, but want DSgr7 (grade 7) to be as self-sufficient as possible, so we can answer questions and keep him organized and motivated and on track, but we want suggestions for good curricular materials from which he can learn directly. I'll list the subjects, best subjects first. Apart from AoPS courses, we want materials that are flexible and self-paced, that can be done at home at arbitrary times. As far as costs, the AoPS courses seem costly but we're okay with it, but still want decent value for other courses/materials. Math: DSgr7 (grade 7) has finished AoPS PreCalculus. We plan for him to do Discrete Math (Interm C&P and NT) during the rest of grade 7. He'll also do AMC and MathCounts. He'll do AoPS Calculus (or another AP Calculus BC course) in grade 8, and maybe take the AP test. We just discovered edX.org and saw Calculus courses like this sequence https://www.edx.org/course/calculus-1a-differentiation https://www.edx.org/course/calculus-1b-integration https://www.edx.org/course/calculus-1c-coordinate-systems-infinite-mitx-18-01-3x-0 Anyone use edX.org for their courses? Are they comprehensive and self-contained? It seems they start at AP level. Are there other AP level course providers we should be looking at? Science: I also posted here https://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/677493-“regular”-sciences-needed-before-ap/?tab=comments#comment-8221752 DSgr7 has finished AoPS PreCalculus but has not done a specific structured science course before. Would it make sense to do AP Physics 1 without prior physics experience? This link suggests so https://blog.prepscholar.com/whats-the-difference-between-ap-physics-1-2-and-c Any suggestions for an AP Physics 1 course, preferably self-paced? We found this edX.org course https://www.edx.org/course/ap-physics-1-ricex-advphy1x There's no "verified certificate" available, but at least it appears to be a full course, and taking the actual AP test would be an option. We just want to be less "unschooly" and do a full year "proper" science course (albeit without labs). Any thoughts for how to proceed with Science in following years. Computer Science: He has played with Scratch, but otherwise doesn't know any coding. Any suggestions for resources for a very mathy kid to learn coding properly? English/Language Arts: This is much less a strength for DSgr7 (and parents). We really need some kind of curriculum in a box (or online equivalent) that contains all aspects of ELA, is on grade level (grade 7), and is suitable for a kid who is intelligent, but not a "talent" in English like he is in Math. Any suggestions for something suitable? He does have trouble writing, both physically and creatively (is very slow). The writing is okay, but it takes forever. He does need to improve writing speed/stamina/efficiency to cope with B&M school/college output expectations. Any thoughts on how to work on this? Social Studies: I thought we could stay unschooly on this. Apart from reading to gain general knowledge, it seems to me that it mostly needs ELA skills of reading and comprehending, then writing and reasoning about it. But I really don't know. Does this seem okay? Foreign Language (e.g. French): DSgr7 is really a beginner, just started. He doesn't need to get to any particular level at any particular time, as he can enter B&M school at any level in Foreign Language (even beginner), so we just want suggestions on good home schooling resources for self-paced learning of a Foreign Language (e.g. French). We are very grateful for any suggestion?

First post. We had been home schooling, since the public schools are mostly really terrible in our town/city area, but we were hoping to put our 3 kids into B&M schools if some acceptable option would become available. We put them into B&M schools this Fall. Two are still in and one is back home already. A new public charter opened up that our daughters could go to. It is academically focused, caring, fun, and safe. Just what we wanted (except for the commute), and it will add a grade each year until reaching grade 12, so they can stay in there until grade 12 if it keeps being good and if we stay in the area. DSgr7 (grade 7) went to the local middle school with a full time gifted program located inside a regular (i.e. bad) school. In addition to bullying and generally unsafe environment, the school was chaotic and disorganized, had poor communication, and stuff didn't work. The better teachers were competent and caring, but the worst teachers really didn't teach at all, they piled on pointless busywork, in impossible quantities, but didn't even communicate what they wanted. One teacher was downright mean about DSgr7's struggles coping with this environment. There were other problems too. (End of rant.) We had to pull him out (and he agreed). It was an eye-opening experience, but we're glad it's behind us. So DSgr7 is back home, and we need to set up home school again. We were previously a bit unschooly (AoPS was only structured course) but I think now we need to get more structured and prepare for re-entering B&M school in early-mid high school. I'll start a separate thread for advice. Link: .....................