I know several pastors that have undergraduate degrees in history or classical languages.

We skipped 12 Caesars too, but Herodotus was my ds's favorite book of the lot :)

Frankenstein

Now that you put it that way, you're right. He has decided to retake Latin II, just to get it on there. You can read my post below about why repeat Latin II.

Saga number 2 ~ I teach Apologia Physical Science and I have 6 students going into public schools next year (one my own) and I recieved a practice copy of the EOC for Physical Science. Some kids want to take the EOC because they have no intend to take Physics or advanced science beyond Biology and Chemistry. The EOC covers different things than our text, mostly the EOC covers an intro to chemistry, which Apologia does not. So, these kids probably will not be able to pass the exam for credit without spending the summer learning new material, and in some cases, getting a little deeper with some of the topics in intro to physics, though mostly using addtional formulas in electricty, like ohms. Apologa didn't touch it. My son ~ will take Physics, though it's uncertain he will take Advanced Physics (the only one he would consider). The school "strongly encourages" 4 years of science, thought the requirement is only 3. SO ~ do I.....? 1. I prep the extra material to get him through the EOC for Physical Science for the 4th credit? So he doesn't HAVE to take an advanced science later if he doesn't want to. 2. Don't take it, and just let the 3 credits stand without the 4th, (if he decides not to take a 4th credit later on?) I don't colleges give a hoot about seeing Physical Science on your transcript, just the required credits, am I right? I know 4 credits would "look" better, but if Physical Science is the 4th? Will ds take a 4th science credit, he is perfectly capable. He's one of these weird kids that excells in everything he tries, and it comes easy (which can make him lazy at times). But, my observation is ~ though is very strong in math and science, he is stronger in the humanites and art, I think he enjoys it more. So I don't predict him taking that 4th advanced science credit, not that it matters a lot anyway. Advise on Physical Science ~ my first inclination was to just let it go.

Well, this academic high school has a classical bend to it, which is why we tried to get him in there, though I will say, as classical as a public school can be, which looking at their english and lit courses, is kind of a joke, but it's one of the top three public high schools in the state, kids go to prestigious colleges, so whatever ~ But, they do offer a lot of higher Latin, Latin I-III, then Vergil, Latin Poetry and then something else....can't remember right now. They actually offer more LAtin credits than years a student is a school, unless some of the courses are only one semester? He has NOT taken a placement test yet. They want to give him one in the fall after school starts. The school counselor, as nice as she is, really is unable to advise us well, since they don't teach Latin in middle school, anywhere in the state, so this is very irregular for them. But, I did talk to a mom yesterday that said the same thing you did ~ the concern about different scope for different curriculum. We have used Lingua Latina the last two years, and they use whatever the standard school texts are: Ecce Romani and/or something else. I'm not sure which the school uses, but I know it is not an "immersion" curriculum like Lingua LAtina is. This mom told me her son, who has been in Lingua Latina as well, (with the same tutor we had), took LAtin II EOC exam and made a 36! They were shocked, because he is a very strong LAtin student, actually quite gifted in langauges. The LAtin teacher at the school agreed that the timing (sitting out class for 5 months until fall) wasn't helpful and most inportantly, she said the EOC exams, are usually quite tailored to the textbook/curriculum ~ and as you said, scope and sequence was very different. In some areas he was excelled, but Lingua Latina, being immersion, waited to teach some things that a standard Latin program teaches earlier. That said, son has decided to go ahead and repeat Latin II anyway, to get use to the new format, take the EOC for Latin I for credit (if he doesn't decide to take additional LAtin), participate in the Latin club (they compete all over the South), and take more LAtin later maybe. It's just so frustrating trying to manuever through all this. And now I have to decide what to do about Physical Science which I'll add a new post about that momentarily ~

Son has been on Miralax for a few years for constipation, and diet changes, but I did run out of medicine two weeks ago, (we didn't use it every day, but about every other day)....and he's been complaining about his tummy hurting (really his abdomen). So, we'll cut the liquids as much and call the doc and get that prescription refilled and see what happens. Thanks for the tip. We have been to see a pediatric specialist for all this, but I didn't know UTI could be a associated with it. Thanks

Son has had two "accidents" this week, out of nowhere, for what appears to be for no reason. I'm really puzzled and figure it may be a UTI and will call the dr in the morning. I had wondered about red dye ~ I NEVER let the kids by kool-aid mix and Monday I let them buy several packages of red mix since it's been getting hot already here, and tjeu have been drinking it in the afternoons, like the have never had kool-aid before. Both of these "accidents" have happened since then, once on Tueday and once today. Is it possible that the red kool-aid had anything to do with it? or just a coincidence?

Well, they are allowing him to take geometry, though they won't recognize the Algebra I course. But, he also has to pass a state exam for Algebra I to graduate in TN. They want him to take this next spring, at the end of geometry. Making I'm making this too hard. THey are doing assessment testing the first week of school for all incoming freshman to make sure they were placed appropriately for math. (why at the END of the summer, rather than before school is out). OK, I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill I think.

Well, yes. I thought it would be great to get the Algebra I credit, take 3 more math classes and the 4th year is optional, leaving room for him to decide whether he WANTS to take another math credit, rather than being required to, depending on his desired major. 4 high school credits are now required in our state as of a few weeks ago for upcoming freshman. Also, two foreign language credits are required, though 4 years encouraged. He wants to take Spanish, since he has taken LAtin since 3rd grade (and made a Summa cum laude this week, yoo hoo, for Latin II exam). But, he just hates that he took all those years of LAtin, learned so much and then to not have it reflected on his transcript at all. He is not keen on taking more Latin in high school, though. I understand about it should be four years. I'm rethinking all this now, though.

Son will be moving into high school next year and we have decided to let him attend a local academic public high school. He was accepted and now we are dealing with credit transfers from 8th, maximum of 3, but since homeschooling and many private school are not "accredited", I'm running into a lot of trouble with getting Algebra I and Latin II on his transcript for high school. They tell me they need to see on his incoming transcript that Algebra I and Latin II are being counted as high school credit. Do they want a transcript for the entire years before, or only a transcript of elligible high school courses for credit? What is the norm here? And what should that transcript look like ~ And yes, I know this is a high school board for homeschooling, but I know that some who have moved their kids on to school or that have graduated, still haunt the boards. *** See added post about Physical Science

Start with the "end" (long term goals) and work backwards (short term goals to reach the long term goal). I read the question too quickly and didn't answer your question correctly. But, I think everyone would agree, as someone else said, you do both.

Objectives = your goals. I usually set my goals for my child, then find what curriculum or whatever serves that purpose. The idea is for you to make the annual goals (or more long range is my preference, to help me break it down yearly) ~ and allow the curriculum to serve the goals, rather than curriculum dictating your educational goals. That is the short of it and I'm sure Jessica will have a lot more to say about it :)

4th and 5th grades, and Christian content, I agree, hands down, Apologia Young Explorer Series

Well, I used Apologia General SCience because I knew we would be using that down the road and wanted to stay on a sequence. I really like the Apologia series, though, I think general science isn't as interesting as the higher level courses. I taught it at home that year and I can't say it was "fun," but it did lay a good foundation for the other courses. Our tutorial is replacing Rainbow with Apologia General Science (which I am going to tutor as well as Physical Science), but plan to supplement a lot as far as activities for make it more enjoyable. But, there are a lot of good things out there. A lot depends on if you want Christian perspective or not, as someone already mentioned. Rainbow can be good, don't get me wrong. It just depends on your child I think. It just wasn't a good fit for our co-op kids (I think) due to our sequencing schedule, though I talked to several parents today and they commented how glad they were we were replacing it. One of the complaints today was about the "looking up" so much stuff. Having not done it, I wasn't sure what she was talking about. And like someone else said, our group preferred something a little more "Scientific method" oriented. It's really just preferences. One thing I haev looked at recently, which some on the boards said is a little dry, is the God's Design science Series. I mainly like it because it covers areas many science programs don't, and could be a great introduction, with experiments, activites and content. Plus you can be selective of what topics you child may not have covered in the past. Basically you can piece together which topics since they are in separate paperback books. Though, the content is short and sweet with good explanations. But, it is a little expensive, and not quite as engaging as Apologia in my opinion. Apologia is more "narrative." If you like Rainbow, go with it. Nothing wrong with it. It just didn't suit my needs for my son (who is very science oriented) well, nor the majority of those in our co-op. Enjoy your year of science and don't stress too much over it, pick something, make the best of it, and enjoy it!

We bought both levels and are LOVING it. WE too are zipping through Level 1, but it's been a great refresher, getting use to a new system, and actually learning some new things along the way.

I personally have not used it. I teach science at a tutorial/co-op and we used to use Rainbow Science for two years for 6-7 th graders. It is parent friendly, and provides basic information. After 4 years, out co-op opted to no longer use it for these reasons: 1. Parents felt like (for mostly 7th graders) that it presented information, without thorough explanations, particularly the physics portion. They felt like it was a little "light weight" for 7th. It was felt like that many of the projects in the text were more busy work than meaningful to learning. IT was felt like this the Life Science year was a good one, but the other year of RS was not well done. It was felt like kits for the course were overpriced and too much that was not household materials, compared to other programs (though this was for a class of 8 of so). And finally, it was felt like this would be more appropriate for 5-6th graders as an intorduction and to prepare for other science courses. I might add that I recieved this kids after two years of Rainbow into Apologia Physical Science and they did fine with the transition. 2. I did not have my ds in the class because I shared some of the views of the above parents that had their kids in Rainbow and I opted to do science at home that year. So all the above is hearsay. But, I must add, that our co-op does a lot of science classes for elementary kids, so by the time they got to 7th for Rainbow, some of it was repetitive for them, which might explain some of the disssatisfaction of it. Maybe it just wasn't fitting well into our sequencing of science courses? So, if you have a student that is not very science oriented, or has not had much science, this could be a really good course. Just wanted to throw some other views in there for you to consider. I always like wieghing both sides.

Yes, He also has a shorter version of this called Bible Doctrine ~ (I have both though and DS has been through a course, at church, with both. Bible Doctrine was much easier for him.

Thanks for the info, but we have already done Plutarch, volume I (sigh).

I'm looking for an on line course for this summer. Yea, I know it's summer, but we have some unusual circumstances. I can only find a grammar course at Oxford on line, and Omnibus II at Veritas' Scholars. We've done Omnibus II and don't really need grammar. Have you guys seen anything of interest that is history, lit or English? TIA ~ Debbie

Haven't read it to know. Sorry.

My son went into a classical school this year, but attended part time the year before that, just for humanties core. I have heard of the school, because someone here in town has relatives that are attending that school and love it (as far as I know). I did not look at the site, so I'm just thinking aloud here, based on our experience ~ The first year he attended, they were doing Omnibus and the instructor was big on the socractic method, ds really liked it. It made them think through their answers, and not just throw something out. This year, different teacher, who did not use the socractic method. DS did not enjoy the class as much at all, mostly, because of not allowing the students to work through their thoughts (guided by questions into a certain direction usually), they were just told what they SHOULD think. DS wasn't as engaged in the class, but still learned a lot. Our humanites core was plenty busy, as well as the other classes, I felt no need to afterschool at all. Did I have a hard time letting go of homeschooling, yes. But, as a parent, I realized (and knew) that you still can ( and should) stay very engaged in your children's education, wherever that is. My way of staying engaged was keeping up with the curriculum, so we could stay in conversation with him about what he was learning. But, seriously, there was no way, at our classical school, with his homework, that I could have added anything to his schedule. I would find movies and books on cd that related to what he was studying, as enrichment (as I've heard it called here). So, I went from homeschooling, to afterschooling (I thought) and now at the end of the year, have decided I didn't afterschool, but was just an engaged parent with my kids education, and let go of the labeling I was giving myself for it. That said, I AM afterschooling one of my other kids. Long story, but in short, he's definitely not getting enough at school, falling through the cracks, and we really do afterschool him with real lessons, etc. I guess it all depends on what you call afterschooling? All said, I wouldn't except to be doing any if you attend that school. Just my .02.

Well, not every year is heavier Lit than History. I thought Omnibus I was balanced well with both. Omnibus II, a little lit heavy, and looking ahead to III, it looks more history heavy If you are looking at Primaries. Secondaries tend to be the lit books. I think it just depends on which year you are doing. Yes, SpielVogel's Western Civ (college text by the way), is used with it, as a historical context. You don't have to use it, but the page numbers are given to crossreference it for your convenience. You could read some overall historical context from anoither source I'm sure. Questions ~ well, you need to remember that Omnibus is layered in its questions. Usually layer one is about the context, time period, author's intend, etc. Layer two, what the text actually says (lit or history) and layer three, how does it line up biblically and how should we regard what the author/text is saying in light of our own faith and time period. That is just a rough description and it's a lot more interesting than this...comparisons from then to now of events. Even in the history texts, you have to remember they don't give you a comprehensive history, they are a detailed slice of a time period, so even with that, you may want a comprehensive history text to refer to just to remind you of historical context. Most importantly, you need to remember that Omnibus and many of these "great books" kind of programs, are about ideas, how they are connected and changed, etc. It's not just learning a bunch of historical events, which, again, the assumption is you have done that previously. Also, (looking back over the questions), each book is tackled separately, historical or lit, or actually, at the same time, but in different "sessions." My best advice, is borrow a text and take a look at it. I knew it was good, bought it sight unseen (except for the samples on Veritas Press site) and was AMAZED when I had a chance to look through it, especially at the level of questions (which we sometimes used for essays). This may not be helpful at all and may not have answered questions ~ but maybe it did a little. If you need some samples questions from a book in the text, I'll add them on here for you later if you like.

Same problem here ~ we've tried, but its not worth my time. So, I have to lump food/household together.

We try to spend about 600.00 a month on food/household for a family of 4 (2adults, 2 teens), but it usually ends up about 800.00. How do you guys do these low food budgets? I need some tips.