I ordered from them on 7/25 and got my package 8/6. Unless someone is selling some on the FS board, that would be your best yet. Do they offer expedited shipping?

Most colleges will accept either one. Inquire at the colleges you and your child are considering. If your student took the PSAT as a junior and did well, (s)he may qualify for a National Merit scholarship, in which case (s)he will be required to take the SAT (and do well) to get the scholarship. My kids both preferred the ACT. Oldest took both (he was a scholarship winner); dd only took the ACT, which is pretty much tradition in our state.

Life interferes sometimes - like having a baby with colic in the house and trying to homeschool 3 other children. Or having one student dual-enrolled who doesn't drive yet! Or the co-op simply doesn't meet your present needs! I dropped out of our support group this year, too. We didn't participate enough to reap the benefits of the dues (which have increased this year). Also, it was getting so big it was beginning to get a bit "cliquey." People who went to the same couple of churches got together, and if you weren't a member of those churches you basically didn't fit in. And, most families in our group don't go through high school, which is pretty much where we are right now. Very few homeschool beyond grade 8, although it's getting a little better.

I read brief mention of "some controversy" with TT on another board, but it didn't go into detail. Anybody fill me in? Thanks.

Been working well for three of our four children.

When my kids were small, I bought them little inexpensive hardcover "blank books." The covers could be colored (some were blank, some had theme pictures to color in like dinosaurs, undersea, sports, fairy tales, etc.) The inside pages were blank. I would let them draw a picture, then write a caption or short description underneath. As they got older, I bought journals that had half the page blank and the lower half lined. Same concept. They could write/draw about whatever they wished. I had a list of prompts I found free online that I would offer if they seemed stumped. These journals are precious to look at now the kids are older!:001_wub: And they enjoy looking back at their early efforts, too. We also used dictation and copywork taken from the Bible and their favorite story books.

Just curious, what's WWE?

When I first started homeschooling back in the 90's, I used the whole preplanned, scripted curricula - we started with BJUP. It failed us after only a couple months. I discovered WTM in '99, and it has been my foundation ever since. I would agree with Michelle on all counts. In addition, my kids never liked worksheets much, and with a design-your-own, narration foundation, we accomplish all we need in a much more practical way. We use TruthQuest history, which has superb commentary, excellent book lists, and the flexibility to use which topics and books are important to you and your family. Designing your own program does require research and work, but as you go through the years, planning time lessens. Since you're cycling through, just hang onto those lesson plans for the next time around, using more advanced books. To us it is a waste of money to purchase a structured, preplanned curriculum, but if you aren't willing or able to put in the prep time to plan your own lessons, you probably want something like that. It's a personal preference, I guess.:001_smile:

Someone on another list I'm on just recommended something by Walch publishing - Science Basics or something like that, the title was. Rainbow Resource carries the program. I know nothing about it, except the poster said her non-science dd was thoroughly enjoying biology now.

So the list is in the syllabus? I think I would need that in-hand to get me started. What about the Worldview supplement? Anybody try that yet? I looked at the video clip on the website and was quite impressed.

Perhaps you should!! Actually, I do have a background in literary analysis (English major!). I peeked at a sample video on the TtC website, and really liked his style. I thought maybe my older dd would benefit by watching the DVD, but if it's geared toward the teacher, maybe not. Do you get the Socratic questions in the syllabus? Anybody know about the Worldview supplement? That looks like something we both would get something out of. Thanks to all of you for all your advice!

There's really no need to test in grammar, although I can understand that it would serve to validate their learning. Writing and oral communication are the best indicators of an understanding of grammar. I have never tested in grammar, but my children, from the beginning, have always written a lot. We correct grammar in their writing. My feeling is if they can use it properly, they understand it. That said, we do use Abeka for grammar (starting in grade 3), and it's pretty clear-cut from correcting their work in those texts what they're understanding and what they're not. (I don't purchase the Abeka tests.) Grammar is an oft-hated subject. And kids aren't usually too big on testing, either. So I back off on this in the early grades and just let them write, correcting little things with them as we go along. :iagree: You're definitely right-on about exposure, interest and love of learning when they're young!

Hope someone can explain the benefits of purchasing this!

Math is the only subject I test in at the elementary level. For all other subjects, narrations are sufficient to indicate what the student knows. You can do these orally or written, depending on the ability level of the child. As the child gets older (middle to high school), I require tests in math and science. We write and discuss a lot in English and history, and that's enough of an indication to me of what they know. That is what I base their grades on. Does that help?

We love the flexibility! You go through the guides, reading the notes (I assigned them as reading for the older children; paraphrase for the younger), and assigning the reading. True, you need to be able to have book discussions with your children and/or assign written narrations or essays based on the readings. But that, for me, is the fun part! It isn't structured. There's no day-by-day schedule. Some people need that, but our family likes the flexibility to spend more or less time on a topic as we see fit. We're fairly relaxed, as homeschoolers go (but definitely not unschoolers). You don't have to finish each guide in one year. You can skip sections you don't want to cover, or don't feel are important at this time. You can pick and choose from the booklists, or use books from your own or the public libraries. It's really pressure-free history! Yes, the booklists are terrific. But if you don't use the commentary, you're missing a huge and very important part of the program. You'll get insight from the commentary you won't find anywhere else, and all from a conservative Christian perspective. We sometimes use the Think/Write questions, but not always. My area of expertise is English/communications, so I often simply make writing assignments that correspond to the area of history we are studying. Sometimes they are narrative, sometimes persuasive - whatever suits the topic under study. Here is a Yahoo group where you can exchange questions and ideas about TQ. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HIStoryQuesters/ Feel free to join, if only temporarily, to learn more about the program. It will be time well-spent. Blessings,

Please share your opinions as to which Teaching Company math and science courses are best. I need some supplemental science/math material. My dd is strong in English/writing/history, but could really use some enlightening, interesting science and/or math. I'm interested in something that will make science exciting for her. Thanks in advance!

I would like to hear from users of this program. It looks SO good, but are the DVD's worth it, or can you get by with the printed materials only? Also, has anyone used the Worldview supplement? What do you think of the curriculum overall? Thanks!

I would like to hear from users of this program. It looks SO good, but are the DVD's worth it, or can you get by with the printed materials only? Also, has anyone used the Worldview supplement? What do you think of the curriculum overall? Thanks!

I will always remember Devin, too. She touched so many people with her spirit, her kindness, and her encouragment! Like many of you, we also exchanged books, e-mails, and advice, and she was there when I began my classical homeschooling journey 6 years ago.

First, read Cafi Cohen's books: Homeschooling the Teen Years; And What About College?; Homeschooler's College Admissions Handbook Ms. Cohen was an ecclectic homeschooler, at times unschooler, but her advice is timeless to anyone homeschooling high school. Also, there are several Yahoo groups out there for homeschooling high school. I belong to two, and they have been invaluable to me. Get ahold of your state's graduation requirements. They can be found on the DPI website. Use it as a guideline when planning your course of study. In our state, the grad. requirements are the bare minimum, so maybe check out a few other sources (local parochial high school, area school district) and compare. Document everything. Portfolios are good, as are logs. Start the transcript right away, too. Be willing to outsource, if needed. One of our children took a class at a local parochial high school, as well as dual enrollment at our state U. Other son took several dual enrollment courses at college. Maybe you have co-op classes through a local homeschool support group that you can take advantage of. Consider part-time employment, volunteer work, apprenticeships, and/or one or two extracurricular activities. But don't overdo it. We have found a few things done very thoroughly are better than lots of superficial activities, at least according to the college admissions people we talked to. Oh, and let your son begin to take responsibility for his own work and accomplishments (if you haven't already). Help him to set up a schedule, set goals, and see them through. We found high school to be a great way to "hand-off" to our children responsibility for their own lives. Hope this gives you some things to consider! Blessings,

She did very, very well with TT (after trying several other programs). Other children have used Saxon quite successfully. The child now in high school wants to continue with Saxon.

My order was placed May 2008. These problems occurred this year. I didn't order a whole program, just the chess elective, which didn't have a whole lot of components, so should have been easy to pull together and mail. Still, it took 6 weeks and all the hassles I mentioned previously. Again, please look at TruthQuest. It accomodates all ages, from elementary through high school, and you can cycle through again at a deeper, more challenging level each time.

TruthQuest History: www.truthquesthistory.com Winter Promise's service leaves something to be desired. First, they lost my order. Then they lost my inquiry about my late order! Then, after 2 more inquiries, they finally sent it, but it came in separate shipments, over a period of 2 weeks! And, after 6 weeks, I never got compensation for the poor service! TQ is FABULOUS - service is excellent, there's a Yahoo Group for support, they cover history chronologically from a very strong Christian worldview, and you'll learn things you never read before! We love it!

Thank you! Great timing!

Thanks! Very helpful!