Lori, Thank you so much for the excellent compilation of links and descriptions! Perfect timing for this thread!

Fwiw, I am not familiar with the medical forum, but my daughter went to the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense and Diplomacy a few years ago. It was very well organized, with interesting qualified speakers, realistic exercise scenarios, teachers serving as their group supervisors and discussion guides, and tours of agencies that she never would have seen otherwise. She was able to learn about job opportunities in agencies that she had never heard of before, and even talk one-on-one with representatives who discussed internships with her. In addition, she met students from all over the country, and from all types of schools. Lastly, it has opened doors for her to continue to receive opportunities (albeit paid) for further specialized education. She came home so excited, with a much-expanded vision for the future. It was costly, but it was a highlight of her high school years.

I am planning to use Jensen's Format Writing this year, but haven't decided whether to purchase the DVD. Has anyone used the DVD and, if so, would you recommend it? Thanks, deni DD 15

"SWB method for literature study"....what is the SWB method? So sorry, we've only got a year of homeschooling under our belts, and I'm still learning all the acronyms :) Thanks!

I am adding a timeline project to our History studies this year. I was not satisfied with evaluating dd's understanding of history through facts based tests, and writing of any sort is difficult for her. I've developed project guidelines that require her to display more than names and dates and also allow her to personalize the timeline. For example, she can include a report about foods and eating habits of the time period, art projects based on art movements of the time period, photos or sketches of architecture, maps, relationship charts, etc... I'm hoping that she will gain a broader understanding of people, events and their relationships to each other through this.