I agree with your assessment, Regentrude, and Arcadia's second link shared pretty much the same thoughts about students not being strong in the concepts of math. My daughter is a left-brained, linguistic-minded minded student like me. She has been in public school since the 8th grade when she first started with Algebra. She did well in the class grade-wise, but it was the first time she struggled somewhat with learning anything. She zoomed through geometry with no problems at all, but did struggle again last year in Algebra 2. I think her weakness has a lot to do with taking word problems and writing formulas to solve them. I love the summer school assignment, Arcadia< and think it is exactly what she needs to get a grasp on her weak areas. I'm afraid she is going to "freak out" at the length of the list, but if she wants to master this subject, it seems to be a fantastic resource to know where to start. Thanks for sharing it! Warm regards, Lisa

My daughter is attending public school this year and is struggling to understand the math involved in her physics class. I never studied physics, so I have difficulty defining the problem. She says that she understands the concepts of what the teacher is teaching but doesn't know how to do a lot of the math involved. Her teacher is only in her 2nd year of teaching, and it seems that many of her students---both this year and last year---struggle to follow her. I plan to meet with next week to ask for suggestions to help my daughter, but I'm also hoping some of you will have some resources that you can share with me from your experiences. My daughter is not exceptional in math, but she managed very well with algebra 1, geometry, (both A's in school) and with advanced algebra 2 (B+). She has a very rigorous schedule this year and is starting to panic with the burden of not doing well enough in Physics. She is only taking Physics because it is a requirement for graduating with honors, and she is hoping for this. Any videos, books, websites, or advice on tutoring would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, in advance, for your help. Lisa

Hello all! I have browsed through these threads before over the last couple of years and have thoroughly enjoyed learning of all kinds of wonderful books out there that everyone is reading. This year I'm hoping to complete the challenge myself and be a part of the discussion. My biggest obstacle, however, is limiting my time online---which I usually justify to my husband and family as reading time because I'm reading news and forums like this (but also Pinterest and other black-hole, time-sucking places)---and actually read BOOKS! I'm starting late, but I have put together a few personal challenges that I want to do in addition to a couple of the challenges that you are encouraging. I have started, but not yet finished, The History of the Ancient World, but I'm going to put that on hold and jump on with The History of the Medieval World. I figure I need some encouragement and accountability to stick with my desire to read it, and having a manageable weekly schedule to follow will make it much more likely that I will do so. I want to revisit The Well Educated Mind and start another attempt on some of the classics. I also want to broaden my reading horizons a bit, so I hope to complete the Around the World challenge for reading 2-3 books from each continent. Finally, I'm very curious to see the monthly challenges to try something different every once in a while. Thanks allowing me to jump on board a little late. I've got some catching up to do! Lisa ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What I'm reading now: American Sniper, by Chris Kyle Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley Off the Sidelines, by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Poetry for Young People - Robert Frost Year-long reads: The Bible (following OwnIt365 reading plan) A Year with C.S. Lewis: Daily Readings from His Classic Works History of the Medieval World (reading along with TWTM group) Gardening Month by Month in Ohio, by Debra Knapke and Alison Beck Ready to start soon: Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt: Letters from the 1920's Farm Wives, by Laurie Aaron Hird Personal Challenges: Harry Potter series (to go along with the Harry Potter quilt I am making) C.S. Lewis (spiritual works, biographies, Chronicles of Narnia Series, etc.) Poetry for Young People series (11 separate titles throughout the year)

Have you looked into the John Tiner science books? My son read two of them (Exploring the World of Biology and Exploring the History of Medicine) last year for his science studies, and he really enjoyed them. In face we both liked them so much that I bought all of the other titles as well, just to have for general reading. http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=%22exploring+the+world+of%22+tiner&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCG&nav_search=1&cms=1 Both CBD and Memoria Press also have teacher guides that go with them. Check them out! Lisa

Rosie, I am so sorry to hear this. My heart is breaking for you. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Thank you, ladies, for your suggestions so far! It is so helpful to have insight from others. And it's nice, too, when others understand where you are coming from!

I know it's been talked about so many times before (because I've read so many of the threads myself), but I still do not have a solution for my 13ds pre-algebra this year. We have used MUS through Zeta (boring but thorough and effective), did K12 math with a virtual academy last year (huge mess from my lack of oversight of self-grading program), and are attempting Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra (1st version) this year. Throughout all the years we have done Life of Fred (Fractions and Decimals/Percents) as a supplement just to pique interest and for more challenging work. My problem is this: He is bored with all math options we have tried except Life of Fred. He loves the humor and the challenge (and the short lessons) of LOF, but I feel he needs MORE practice with basic computations. He seems to "get" concepts pretty easily, but he forgets them if not practiced regularly. Plus, he tries to do so much math in his head (huge dislike of writing anything) that he makes a lot of careless computation errors. He NEEDS more practice and repetition than LOF offers, but he resists the no-nonsense, boring drill, drill, drill. He complains that TT Pre-Algebra is too easy and that he's already done it before, but he still makes lots of mistakes in his work. I just don't know what to try or do next. I feel badly for considering switching programs already, but I feel like I haven't yet found "his" best fit for a math program. I'm hoping that you may have some suggestions that I have not considered. Math is one area that I am competent in, but not knowledgeable enough about learning styles and programs that are well-suited for those types to discern what he needs. I would consider my son well above-average in ability but not necessarily "gifted". He has a lazy streak (hormones and puberty going on) but is excited about learning when it catches his interest. I will be so grateful for any suggestions! Thanks so much, Lisa

I second this program! My son needed lots of review and practice with calculations, and this program fits the bill. He has really enjoyed it, so much so that I recommended its use in our homeschool co-op. It's been a hit with the others, too! Lisa

My dd has to write her first research paper for biology and is struggling with selecting a topic. I've Googled for the past 15 minutes and keep getting very bland "generic" websites from ask.com, yahoo.com, etc. that aren't from a scientist's perspective. Can anyone share any great websites or other resources that you've found for some interesting research paper topic ideas? Many thanks in advance! Lisa

Hello all! I'm late to sign up, but I've been working on my reading lists. I have so many good ideas from reading the three threads so far---thanks! Categories I plan to incorporate into my 52 books: Children's Classics I Never Read A to Z Challenge Continental Challenge 5/5/5 Challenge (still working on these categories) Well-Educated Mind List Dewey Decimal Challenge This is my first year participating, and I'm really looking forward to it! Now, I just need to set up a reading blog . . . . Books I am reading now: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stewart (a year-long reading project) and getting ready for Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery for the Canada challenge! Looking forward to a great year of reading!

Hello all! I'm late to sign up, but I've been working on my reading lists. I have so many good ideas from reading the three threads so far---thanks! Categories I plan to incorporate into my 52 books: Children's Classics I Never Read A to Z Challenge Continental Challenge 5/5/5 Challenge (still working on these categories) Well-Educated Mind List Dewey Decimal Challenge This is my first year participating, and I'm really looking forward to it! Now, I just need to set up a reading blog . . . . Books I am reading now: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stewart (a year-long reading project) and getting ready for Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery for the Canada challenge! Looking forward to a great year of reading!

I'm racking my brain trying to determine what I want to do for history next year for my 2 middle school kids (11 and 13). I've tried TOG twice, and it's just too overwhelming for us all. My kids love SOTW, so I'd like to continue to use it, but I'd like to "beef it up" a bit for my oldest who will be in 8th grade. I've looked at History Odyssey a couple of times, and I'm hoping it is something that can give my 8th grader more independent work on her own. But before I spend hours trying to schedule the two together (which I love doing by the way!), I thought I'd see if someone has already done this. Anybody? I could also use any other suggestions on other resources to tie in. I have so much sitting on my shelf already (The Human Odyssey all three volumes, Kingfisher Illustrated History of the World, Usborne History Encyclopedia, and others) ---- it's just a matter of pulling it all together. Thanks, in advance, for your suggestions! Lisa

I've made mini rum cakes for gifts this year after the one I made for a Christmas party turned out so good. With 1/2 cup rum in the cake and another 1/2 cup in the glaze, it is heavily laden with rum, but oh so YUMMY! I've tried to give these to friends that I think would like their flavor and don't mind alcohol, because they are too good not to enjoy! I'm even keeping a couple tucked away for me for the weekend!

They have a 3-week Light Unit on writing a research paper that has specific, step-by-step instructions and a checklist for the student to follow. My daughter used the one for 5th grade last year, and I was very pleased with the level of details given. It was simple, straightforward, and very manageable for her. They have another unit for 8th grade, that I plan to try with her next time. Here is a link: http://clp.org/documents/2882/original/Language_Arts_807.pdf Good luck with your search! Lisa

:grouphug: So sorry you're going through this. We are, too.