The Gold Award is the Girl Scouts' equivalent to Eagle.

This is my 2nd time with Saxon Algebra 1. Even though Saxon frequently reviews, it is still easy for dc to forget how to do certain problems, especially after a holiday break. What has helped my children is writing formulas and sample problems on index cards. When they couldn't remember a step, they looked at their cards first. For whatever reason this seemed more helpful than looking through past lessons in the book. Since starting this method, I have rarely had to go back and repeat lessons.

My 8th gr ds is using BJU Physical Science this year along with Dive CD. He used Apologia General Science last year. So far, we have been pleased with BJU. I wish that I had used it with his older sister. DS takes Saxon Algebra I, so he has not had any trouble with the math. Letting him view a periodic table during every lesson greatly aided his understanding of the chemistry concepts. ETA: I do not consider myself a science expert. I just make sure that I read ahead of ds. The BJU teacher's edition is especially helpful because it includes background information and teaching tips. If we still have any questions, Dive normally has the answer.

Can I use 3rd edition BJU Chemistry tests with the 2nd edition book? I already own the 2nd edition texts, but I can't find the answer key to the tests. I am thinking about buying the 3rd ed tests and answer key, but I am concerned that it may include information not mentioned in the older version.

I use Omnibus to do the 4-yr WTM lit/history plan. Due to time limitations, we only read about 2/3 of the primary books. Planning is very simple. I just let my children know for which sessions they should prepare in advance. We meet about once per week to discuss the books. I also assign writing assignments from Omnibus. For historical background, I use Traditions & Encounters: A Brief Global History (vol 1 & 2) by Bentley, Ziegler, and Streets. I divide the chapters according to the historical period we are currently studying. Then each week, my dd reads a chapter and takes a free online quiz at the publisher's website. Periodically, she writes a paper. Edit: Also use WEM with Omnibus for literary analysis.

I'm starting 12th year of homeschooling. Time sure does fly... Saxon Math Rod & Staff Grammar Story of the World Well-Educated Mind New this year for us, but many others have recommended the following items. Dive Science with BJU Homeschool Spanish Academy

I saw SWB later in the day. The Literary Analysis workshop was excellent. Looking forward to hearing her again tomorrow.

SWB is an awesome speaker. I saw her years ago at a HEAV convention when we used to live in Virginia. At that point, my children were just starting grammar stage. They are now going into 10th & 8th grades, so I am looking forward to hearing her lecture about high school. I am also planning to attend Literary Analysis on Friday evening. Hopefully, we can all meet. KINSA: I also live in San Antonio. Do you ever do anything with FEAST or Haven? PM me.

Is anyone else attending the Texas Home School Coalition convention in The Woodlands this weekend? I am looking forward to seeing Susan Wise Bauer.

I used to live in Alabaster, AL, which is about 30 minutes south of Birmingham. There is a cover school in Pelham, which has homeschool sport teams. Pelham is about 4 miles north of Alabaster. Here is a link to a site about Hope Christian School. http://www.leapingfromthebox.com/hs/schools/hopechristianschool.html It has SEVERAL activities, including football, basketball, volleyball, golf, softball, baseball, tennis, and cheerleading. The children of a friend of mine participated in football and cheerleading. They loved it. Currently, I live in San Antonio. My children run on a homeschool track team which competes against local public and private schools. DD and DS have learned about the importance of competition, plus have made a lot of friends with fellow homeschoolers.

We use Lifepac because we prefer the book format. I also heard that SOS software has some technical problems.Dd recently finished Essentials of Speech. Still using Biology and Family/Consumer Science. Dd likes straightforward approach. Biology is also very hands on as there are several experiments.

ds - 8th gradeWill turn 13 in November.Dd also started 8th grade at age 12. Has November birthday too.

DD uses Traditions and Encounters by Bentley. She does assignments online at the book's website. https://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072957549/student_view0/

I just heard about this survey yesterday. IMO, African-Americans, who use WTM, should definitely be included. Jeanine _______________________________________________________ Are you an African American homeschool family? Do you have any 5th to 8th graders in your family? Would you be willing to help with a study?* and Would you like free testing? If you can or know anyone who can answer yes to the above questions PLEASE Contact – NHERI and Dr. Ray at mail@nheri.org * Here is more detail: Dr. Brian D. Ray and the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) have a groundbreaking study – of African American students – under way. They are examining the academic achievement of black students in homeschooling and conventional (e.g., public) schooling, and various features and views of their parents. No research like this has ever been done on African American families. Your child will be tested only once, this spring, for free. Parents will answer a brief questionnaire. All the information will be held in strictest confidence and data will be used anonymously by Dr. Ray. You will receive your child’s test scores. If you want any references about Dr. Brian Ray or NHERI and their work, please contact your statewide homeschool organization, HSLDA.org, TexasHomeEducators.com, or National Black Home Educators (NBHE.net) and ask about Dr. Ray and NHERI. If you want to learn more about NHERI from them: National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) PO Box 13939 Salem OR 97309 USA (503) 364-1490 mail@nheri.org www.nheri.org

I just heard about this survey yesterday. IMO, African-Americans, who use WTM, should definitely be included. Jeanine _______________________________________________________ Are you an African American homeschool family? Do you have any 5th to 8th graders in your family? Would you be willing to help with a study?* and Would you like free testing? If you can or know anyone who can answer yes to the above questions PLEASE Contact – NHERI and Dr. Ray at mail@nheri.org * Here is more detail: Dr. Brian D. Ray and the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) have a groundbreaking study – of African American students – under way. They are examining the academic achievement of black students in homeschooling and conventional (e.g., public) schooling, and various features and views of their parents. No research like this has ever been done on African American families. Your child will be tested only once, this spring, for free. Parents will answer a brief questionnaire. All the information will be held in strictest confidence and data will be used anonymously by Dr. Ray. You will receive your child’s test scores. If you want any references about Dr. Brian Ray or NHERI and their work, please contact your statewide homeschool organization, HSLDA.org, TexasHomeEducators.com, or National Black Home Educators (NBHE.net) and ask about Dr. Ray and NHERI. If you want to learn more about NHERI from them: National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) PO Box 13939 Salem OR 97309 USA (503) 364-1490 mail@nheri.org www.nheri.org

Is it possible to only list final grades on common application and common Apply Texas application?

I use LifePac Science 10 (biology) with 9th grade dd. We have been pleasantly surprised. The experiments have been fantastic. The workbook units intially only asked for factual recall; but as we progressed to later units, there were more why and discussion questions. There are even suggested topics for science reports. I sometimes supplement with science videos, fieldtrips, and other activities. I suggest purchasing a science kit from Home Science Tools, so you will be sure to have all of the necessary supplies. ETA: Science experiments are interspersed throughout the section. We do them all on Monday. Then, I know that they are done no matter how crazy our week gets. DD then does homework rest of the week. She takes self-tests on Fridays. At the end of each workbook, there is a unit test. There are no midterms or finals. Though, I am thinking about combining the enclosed alternative unit tests to make my own.

I tutor online at www.tutor.com They always pay me on time. Also, since I get to set my own hours, it is very flexible. Right now, they are especially looking for high school level math and science tutors. Feel free to pm if you have any other questions. Jeanine

We mainly use the writing lessons in Rod & Staff English. I also like 501 Writing Prompts. It includes several examples of good and bad essays.

Is there any reason why you are not considering using Saxon? It looks like your ds placed into Saxon 5/4. This book is intended for advanced 4th graders and average 5th graders. It should be just gentle enough to increase your ds's confidence and abilities in math. If he does better than expected, you can always do Saxon 6/5 instead. Also, don't beat yourself up. :001_smile: You're doing a great job transitioning from Waldorf to WTM.

Haven't heard from anyone overseas. Is anyone in America familiar with the approach recommended in the comments to the Atlantic Monthly article? I also would be interested in reading anyone else's comments to the original comments. WTM Hive always has the best ideas anyway. :001_smile:

The Atlantic Monthly recently posted an article titled "Why Innovation Can't Fix America's Classrooms". http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/12/why-innovation-cant-fix-americas-classrooms/249524/ I thought one of the comments in response to the article was particularly interesting. I am hoping to get some feedback on this from those who live overseas. The comments are probably true for literature, but what about history and science? Atlantic Monthly Reader Comment Another issue is the required and approved textbook system in the US. A total corrupt marketing and money making enterprise. I can't tell you how many American textbooks I've owned that were nothing more than 300+ pages of wasted paper compared to classes I've taken overseas where there were no required textbooks. Instead we were given suggested reading, of which 80 to 90% was available in the library, but were encouraged to source our own books, the internet, and do our own research into learning materials. It is amazing how much you can learn from a well written 30 page book or journal, compared to a useless 300+ page bloat-text that was designed to simply be big.

Ellipses and dashes can be tedious; but take heart. We are using R & S Grammar 9. Except for some editing sheets, they really are not mentioned. In homework and tests, R & S typically uses ellipses to indicate obviously missing information. Dashes are especially used with inserted exclamatory statements or declarative statements that abruptly stop. I am looking at Test 3 from R & S Grammar 8. I only saw one sentence that needed ellipsis points: #23 from Part C. The sentence ended with the word "so". Just prior to it the sentence is saying that father told the children not to do something. To me the "so" could mean that they listened to Father or they secretly did what he told them not to do. The reader is left to wonder what happened. In this case the ellipsis points are appropriate because more info could obviously be written in this sentence. Numbers 36 and 37 of Part F need dashes. In 36, an exclamatory statement has been inserted in the middle of the declarative statement. In 37, a boy quickly stops speaking when he notices his father's displeasure.

I have used Rod & Staff English 8 with my dd. Do you need help with any particular lesson?

I tutor online at tutor.com I really like it. I sign in when it is convenient for me. Plus, I have never had a problem receiving payment from tutor.com. To qualify, you must take an online test in the subject area that interests you. They especially need upper level math and science tutors though.