Thank you so much!:)

I need Lial's Algebra. (freshman high school) I live overseas, so I'll have to order everything via Amazon. I need all the solutions (or as many as possible), I need everything for a complete program, (if there are DVDs, yes I need them too because I'm not algebra inclined.) I just need what will make my life teaching algebra as easiest as possible. (money is no object). It's confusing to look on these threads and on AMazon there are many different books/versions. I just need a "list." I can't look through these books, so I need someone who's knowledgeable. Thank you for any help.

Do you have and air purifier? This has greatly helped our family. We have them in our bedrooms, running all the time. We bought a RabbitAir purifier. It's expensive, but so is buying tons of asthma medicine and worrying all the time.

Thanks for this "inside" information. I was afraid of that. mmmmm. That really helps me make the decision. Doesn't seem like that would work for us either. Think we'll skip it too.

Thanks everyone. I think, as I have understood it up to this point, unless I am in "residence" of NC, I'm not bound by NC HS laws. (One has to "reside" there) Yes, we do pay NC and Japanese taxes. We were told by other (missionaries/we are missionaries BTW) that we should plan to go back for our son's Junior year for a year to then "get in the system" report, etc. if we want to apply for state scholarships. I'm not sure that will work or not. Other overseas people have talked to their "states" and they claim that the state told them it's just not necessary for them to report to the state unless they are "in residence" there. So, I'm hearing conflicting reports, which is very confusing. I guess I need to contact HSLDA, but I'm not a member.

Any experience with this class? I'm considering it for my son's Freshman year. (Fall) He's taken MUS Pre-Algebra 3/4 of the book and now we are doing Key To Algebra books (hope to finish all this summer). I don't know anything about "graphing calculators" so this course apparently teaches how to use one. But, I've never heard of the "Chigaco math" they are using, so I need advice. We would have likely just kept on going with MUS Algebra next year, but I'm thinking hard about changing to Potter's.

Thanks, I'll look into it. A Good thought for sure. :)

Thank you Florida Lisa..:) One more question. Do those SAT codes work for the PSAT AS WELL? Thanks for taking the time. That really, really, put my mind at ease.

Okay, here's the scoop...I hope someone can advise me. We live in Japan (16 years) We've always homeschooled. We've never been long enough in the States to report to "the state" that we are homeschooling. Though our residence state is "North Carolina". We have driver's licenses, taxes, etc. there. My son will be in high school next year. Currently he is taking 3 classes from Potter's school and math and Japanese are all independent. The plan for next year is to continue taking at least 3-4 classes (Science, History, English II, Latin) w/Potter's. They are not "accredited" per say. My plan is just to simply print out their "grades" sheet at the end of the year, along with making a nice folder of essays, labs, and special projects per course. Put those grades on homemade transcript along w/mom grades for Math and Japanese. My questions are: (1) How does my son take an SAT/ACT (with no school code). How do I obtain one? (He will likely take it at a Private American Christian School here in Japan if we can.) So will they ask us for a code or give us one? (2) Do we really need accrediation? Here are the an example of our top colleges we are thinking of: Wheaton Biola Covenant College, Chattanooga UNC-North Carolina, Raleigh Columbia International School (Columbia, SC) (3) When he completes all high school requirements (we are just looking to fulfill our college choices above req. credits) Can I issue him a "diploma" If I just buy one online (meaning the nice piece of paper) and call it a day? Is that really enough? (4) We have little or no money for college. So, we will try to apply for Scholarships of course, but will not having "accredidation" keep us from receiving aid or scholarships? Thank you for your time. I would appreciate esp. hearing from overseas folks. Thanks.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer. Every post was helpful. I think we'll go ahead with Biology next year, and save the Physical Science grades in case we need them later on.

Hi, thank you. One more question: Did you count this course as a 1-credit "Geography" course for high school?

Okay thanks.

My son is finishing up Physical Science this year with Potter's school. Now, I guess we move onto Biology for Freshman year, but wait, should we take it next year or wait? Should I just count his grade this year and use that for his Freshman Science and wait another year till 10th for Biology? He's only doing Alg. I this year (8th). So, I'm not sure....

Has anyone's kid taken this class? How was it? I'm trying to decide between this class and geography for my 9th grade (next year). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone out there whose kid had this class? I'm considering it for my son as a 9th grade geography course, but I wonder if it will be enough. Can anyone tell me their experience?

Keys to Algebra books (very detailed and understandable steps).

In the younger years we had songs for each year, emphazing our school motto...(I have two boys/no girls) Our school's name was Lighthouse Academy Here's a sample: song for (K-2) Lighthouse a-cad-e-my I am so proud to be a beau-ti-ful light for all to see. Lighthouse a-cad-e-my For Him, A light I'll be I tell everyone about His love. (We started every school day with this song, It really helped get things started) Kind of like a pledge of allegiance. Grades 3-5: Lighthouse A-cad-e-my I will serve my neighbor joy-ful-ly I will do my best to be a student of ex-cel-lence I will seek my Lord with all my heart, my soul, my strength and then in honor I'll become the man God wants me to be. And finally: (grades 3-5, with a rap kind of beat) Charlotte mason style: Light......house (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap) A-cad-a-my I am, I am a child of God you see, I can, with God's power I ought, to do my duty I will, be a shining light and do what's right Oh, yeaaaaaaah! Now, after 6th we do nothing. It's sad...but my kids remember those songs well and have good memories of them, even if they were kinda dorky. I think they made us feel like a team and it started everything out on a good note. I miss those days...mmmm. maybe we should come up with a new song??? :)

Thanks, my gut is telling me that the class could always be "meated" up, but taking a higher level class might be too much with so many other classes going on...hmmmm.

Thanks, some how I totally missed this :) BTW: any experience with this class? I'm trying to decide if this would be the better option than the 7th-8th grade one. The 7th-8th is using a text actually written by the teacher, Brenda Runkle, so I'm thinking that might be better, but I haven't heard any news about this HS course, so anyone with experience out there, please comment. Thanks again.

I'd like my son to take a geography class from the Potter's School next year. I hear the teacher is good. The class though says it's for 7th-8th graders. But there is no "geography" class for Freshman and up. We live overseas, and I think he'd really benefit from this class. I read that geography is accepted as a History/Social science credit for most colleges. Would there be any problem in taking this class his freshman year and getting 1.0 credit for it? (he's not going to be a history major but needs 3-4 credits for the colleges we are looking into). My plan would be for his history: Freshman-Geography Sophomore-US History Junior-World History Senior- maybe ART History? (not sure) Thanks for any help...

I've found CLE works well for my ADHD son. Why? He can see how long a lesson will take. There are no suprizes. It's open and go. He's 11 this year. I've fought a workbooky type of curriculum all his life, but I'm finally coming to terms with him needing structure and a style that finish quickly. He's progressing nicely now. (We use MUS for Math and some CLE) Best wishes.:grouphug:

I have tried for days to avoid this thread...Ugh! I'm too busy to get involved. But, it's just been really, really bugging me for days...I give up. First of all....to the OP. Frankly, Jesus is just the type of guy I could imagine hanging out at "Starbucks and the gym." Afterall, isn't that where people tend to gather for conversation these days? I'm a missionary in Japan. (have been for 14 years now) I don't but, I know many missionaries go to the gym in Japan, not just to keep themselves motivated to keep their stress levels down (which keeps them on the field) but also to just meet people in a non-threatening way. They have met tons of people this way, and it's been a natural setting for conversation about the Lord and inviting people to church. Secondly, you criticised the Mission as business model...Well... We are starting cafe type ministries all around here. (Using the "business as mission" model). BTW: read the book and you might understand it's premise. Just in the last 3 months, we made over 350+ contacts, by serving in this way. We are hard pressed to get 5 new people inside a church building the entire year here...It's truly remarkable and thought provoking....Thinking outside the church walls, looking to go to the people, instead of having them always come to us. I imagine that Jesus would be very happy that we are making an effort to connect with people, rather than just "holding up" in a "stoic-churchy" like building. I think many missionaries today are trying to be "relevant." Isn't that a good thing???? If Malayasia has a Starbucks, then that's where I'd go if I were a missionary there. Missionaries here go to Mr. Donuts. They become regulars, they meet the regulars, they make lots of contacts. If I were there, I'd be guilty too. Forgive me, but I'd go where the people are, where the young hang out, where I could try to reach people who might just have a chance at making a difference in society. And I would spare no expense, because that's what people have given me a salary to do. I'd buy the car that would give me the most bang for the buck, especially if I needed it. Is that a crime? Why should I waste my supporters hard-earned money on something that's going to fall apart and need to be fixed constantly? (We have a very humble used van BTW) What's the good of having a tiny house, when you can't have people in it? Our house is our church. It's our place of ministry. Many nights a week we have people, Bible studies and English classes. If you looked at my house compared to others, you'd think it was huge (esp. in Japan), but my point is you must know the reasons behind it. YOU, try to have a church in your house every week, with English classes, and counseling sessions and people in and out all day...It's a lot better having a larger house to meet the needs around here. Children can have a place to homeschool (we homeschool because we can't afford Christian school), a little privacy for the family on occassion. I think you must understand that most missionaries are on call 24/7 and their homes are a part of their ministry. Japan may be different than Malaysia, I don't know, but I think you have to look at ministry in a new way. You seemed to have stereo-typed what a missionary should do and be, but personally that's between them and their supporters and God of course. You've got to know all the facts before you make such statements on a board such as this. Also, missionaries may appear to have much, but most have no retirement fund, no college fund, no savings. They are just getting by. If you looked at me, my clothes are very nice. Why? My mom has sent me clothes and given me a nice wardrobe every few years, because she knows I couldn't even go out and buy a hair clip without reporting it to my mission. I used to have only 30$ to spend every few months to enjoy a day out from time to time with friends. I stretched that money as far as I could. I loved having just a little something that I didn't have to claim or turn in a receipt for. Now, the dollar is so low that that's been gone for a while. One coffee at Starbucks might be my only treat a month, but I'd cherish that time alone, because I'm frantically busy 6 days a week. (Actually I haven't had time for myself or to even get much exercise because I'm so swamped. It's been since the spring that I visited Starbucks) Another case in point....Our wonderful supporters just sent us "date night" money...So, if we are seen at a nice restaurant do you suspect we used our ministry funds? No. We were asked to only use that money for "us" because Jesus "layed it on their hearts." You might catch us doing this one day and make a jugdement and boy would that hurt especially since we were given a precious and dear gift. I'm saying this because you just can't judge a book by it's cover. Some Mk's grandparents pay for their grandkids to be "educated" at a private christian school. If I had that luxury, I'd sure take it. But I don't. But some of my other missy friends do and I think it's wonderful. Futhermore...I recall some of the critics of Jesus... for example: Why are you allowing this woman to spend all this expensive perfume, Jesus!?! Matthew 26:9 Luke 7:34: Look at this man!!! A friend of tax-collectors and sinners!!! (Look at those missionaries, how dare they go to....(heaven forbid) to Starbucks!!!!) They are supposed to be concerned for the poor and hanging out at the lonely churches!!!! "They can't be seen at such expensive joints...by all means they should be banned from service!" I don't know your missy friends, but if you went to them and talked with them and then come here, I would be more apt to respect your opinion, but it sounds like you are making very harsh judgements without even following the biblical model which is "to go to your brother in private and show him his fault." Then "take a witness." If you find that they have no reasonable argument or reason for their extravagance after all that, then by all means expose them, but realize you will be putting yourself under the same scrutinous microscope. Sorry to be blunt, but I did try to stay away. Wish I could have, but your remarks stung many here I'm sure who are serving, and are unfortunately possibly damaging the reputations of missionaries that we haven't the luxury of hearing their defense, and likely don't deserve that kind of criticism without being approached first. Sorry to give that, but it is what it is...I hope you will rethink your position and try to talk with the people you are so upset about. I realize you may have written your original post in angst, but truly, this is something you should have thought through before posting on such a popular board. I hope my supporters never feel that way about us. I never doubt that they know we are their ambassadors. Fortunately, we have wonderful people who understand what we need to do to get the job done otherwise, we'd be truly wasting their hard-earned money.

Good gracious. Have you ever been a pastor? or a pastor's wife? :confused: I dare say you underestimate the scope of the work. It's extremely time consuming and not a "part-time" job. A worker is worthy of his wages. Ask me how I know.

My picky kid also has sensory issues. He can smell things a mile away that others can't. I often wonder how God will decide to use his sense of smell because it's so keen. Unfortunately, with this gift, many foods, especially meat and eggs repulse him. It's not a "learned" behavior because his brother, father and mother all eat normally. From the breast he's had issues and allergies too. I wish other people could understand that kids like this cannot "get over it" and "parents should get tough." Would you tell your "ADHD" kid to "get over it" and parents to change to fix the problem? Pickiness is sometimes sensory related and believe me, it's just not about being ungrateful or a push-over parent. Luckily there are foods he will eat: cucumbers carrots corn some fruits-strawberries, apples, bananas, grapes yogurts cheeses milk/juice along with other foods, I always serve a plate of raw veggies and fruits before a meal. After that it's usually a pasta or rice, sometimes pizza and I can get him to eat a few bites of some chicken or steak.

I think the human body is not covered till module 12. That's a module 1-11 is a lot of material to miss in my opinion. There's some great stuff in there and I think a student could gain a lot from review even in 12 and beyond. We did Science 5 and Apologia. I really think that it was good to solidify the human body stuff.