Are "the answers" rather obvious? OR Do you think a TM with answers is needed? Thanks!

Never heard of it. Will have to take a look today. Edit to add: I just spent some time clicking around this site. I wish I could have seen a lesson or two. Does the site have example lessons to watch? It looks good, if only to supplement other materials. I wonder if the classes would be worth a full credit. So... back to OP's question... HAS anyone used it?

My youngest is a senior this year. My last year as "home school mom". I registered yesterday with our umbrella program. I gave him 4 subjects to begin reading. No assignments yet... just start reading the books! I am on Amazon today ordering books. We need to sit down together and make a few final decisions on 2 subjects. A half credit of art. A full credit on non-lab science. He has a few "delays" and has not taken the ACT yet. Nor does he have a driver's license at 18. He'll be working on those in the next few weeks. He will go to our local CC his first year of college. We are not "into" AP, DE, CLEP, or college visits with this one.

There are different covers and editions of this book on Amazon. Are they the same with different covers? Which to buy for a 12th grader? I will want to keep as a good reference. Is there an answer book ? or teacher's manual? Thanks!

I like the idea of a film class! I will look into that. Also, he already has the requirement for art. This half credit is just to make his transcript look "better." But, he is going to CC anyway... should I even bother? It is a recommendation from our umbrella school and I like to take all their advice.

Our umbrella school has suggested that my son's transcript will look better if he has another half credit of "art". I would like some type of "curriculum" or it will not get done this year. He is beginning 12th grade. He has a half credit of "music appreciation" and a half credit of "art history". We used textbooks to cover the material. He is NOT interested in "art". Any suggestions????????? :)

We've used the McDougal Littel "The Language of Literature" from 7th to 12th grades. We do read almost every story and do we discuss the main literary element in each selection. Sometimes we discuss the questions. Occasionally, I will assign some type of written assignment. We do NOT do everything, especially the standardized test prep pages and writing instruction pages. We also read full novels during the year. Nothing wrong with using a textbook... just use it as a tool to meet YOUR goals! :)

I'm not sure it "really" matters. I give credit in the semester when the course is finished.

Thanks and waving hello to you Ellie! I'm still undecided. I have the literature portion decided upon. And, I do have plenty of books /resources sitting on my shelf... I really want more of a grammar "review".... Writing will be various assignments "across curriculum" and the actual writing instruction will be me editing and explaining my edits.... I'm just afraid that without that "next lesson" to go on to, then things will go undone..... ? :)

Can someone help me? And Robin? I just want some opinions... some opinions to think about.

No one has an opinion?

I think "some" grammar is good all the way through 12th grade. Easy Grammar Plus is a book of review and exercises that should only take a few minutes each day.

Until today, I would have never even considered that question! This is my last year homeschooling. My "baby" is in the 12th grade! How did that happen? My other three read a literature text, read some novels, wrote some papers, and worked on some Easy Grammar/Daily Grams. My youngest has done that for English I, II, and III. Nothing wrong with that. But.... I am thinking there may be some benefits IF we had a curriculum to follow. Mainly "do the next lesson" rather than going weeks at a time just reading novels or the lit book. I'm working two part-time jobs again this year. (Yes, that is crazy. I "might" quit one of those jobs.) Having "the next lesson" with an answer key sounds so much easier to me! Plus, I'm sure he would get a good review of grammar and writing. What would you choose? BJU? We've done BJU in the past. My two oldest did 2 years of BJU English in high school so I am familiar with that. Anything new? Different? Better? I don't want to piece together anything. I've been doing that and I'm tired of that! In fact, this final year, I am using textbooks as spines for all other subjects. And, I'm thinking an English textbook would be great. But, which one?

Thanks everyone!

Mike in SA: What is the name of the Lial's book you mentioned? We've used other Lial's textbooks before. Thanks!

Our umbrella school gave me the TN Math Standards for "Senior Finite Math". Main topics to include: 1. Matrix operations. (basically an introduction) 2. Financial mathematics. (interest, future value, financial applications, etc) 3.Exponential and logarithmetic expressions. (basically a review) 4. Linear systems and applications. ( some review, some inverse of matrix, introduce Markov Chains) 5. Linear programming ( basically reading and interpreting graphs ) 6. Trancendental functions (basically understanding what a function is and proper function notation) 7. Set theory (review) 8. Investigate logic. (some review, proofs, ) 9. Apportionment (a basic understanding) 10. Statistics (probability, data organization and interpretation) Each of these 10 categories have from three to seven standards to cover. Umbrella school, which is part of a private school, told me that in the private school they use different textbooks to cover each standard depending on the student. This is considered the "remedial" senior math and more emphasis is given to the algebra REVIEW. They use a geometry review for the logic standards. They review the financial standards as well. The statistics standards are covered as well as possible. They do a very basic introduction to matrix operations, markov chains, linear programming, functions, and apportionment. Does this give the information you need to help me? Needless to say, I will need something with a solutions manual! Thanks! Pam

Thank you all for the replies. Does anyone have an opinion on the "best" text? Do these higher math texts still come with dvds/cds/ with VIDEO lessons? Would Jacobs "Mathematics: A Human Endeavor" be considered finite math? My girls did not need a math beyond Algebra 2 and my other son did dual enrollment. So this is new to me. Thanks!

I had a meeting with our umbrella school last week and learned that the best math "title" for my son for his 12th grade year will be "Finite Math". I was given sheet with the state requirements for content of a "Finite Math" course. Also, was told that I can pull from different texts to cover that content. However, I do need a main text to be my spine. I need to turn in the name and publisher of the main text. Most of the "Finite Math" textbooks on Amazon look like college texts and may be overwhelming. I could get one of those and scale it down, but I would rather have a high school text. What is a good high school finite math textbook? Should I be looking at books with other titles, but would still be finite math? Thanks! Pam

Thanks for all suggestions. Especially 1togo. I got a bit of "upset" at the store last night.... possible extended hours and extended responsibility for me. AFTER I have worked so hard to cut back at work so I could focus on family and school this summer. Little changes sometimes lead to big consequences. This morning I am trying to see how this little change at work will affect my family/school goals. We watched Superstar Student on video tape several years ago. He probably does not remember it. Do I still have it? Do I have a VCR? :) I would love to have this figured out before going to Nashville's homeschool book fair at the fairgrounds this weekend. I don't think DE will be a good fit. Maybe in the spring, but not in the fall. He has not even taken the ACT yet. He is such a bad test taker and gets anxiety over testing so very bad! Also, a fifth year of high school is NOT going to fly for several reasons. Working a year would be better than either of those options.

Why can't she work a few years in real estate and THEN go to vet school? Or get a Vet Tech certificate and work for a vet? Five of my children, adults, are now doing something different than their original high school plan. I can see two of them gradually rounding back TO the original plan in the future.

After posting yesterday, and praying about the year, I realized that our goal is just to "be together." I think I want academics to be relaxed a bit so we can enjoy our time together. He will either do a gap year to work or go to community college. We are not striving for a competitive college. He is behind in math. I want to concentrate on math. I want him to learn some study skills and organization skills. He needs more writing instruction. He needs to learn to edit his writing. This is a transition time. Change is always hard. It seems that everything in my life is changing this year.

I turned in final grades yesterday! (I'm adjunct at a nearby college.) Also, third young adult child moved out over the weekend. (yes, on Mother's Day) I've cut back hours at my "other" part time job... and given up most of my management responsibilites there. It is time to turn my priority to homeschooling my 17 year old son. He is finishing up 11th grade lessons and will begin 12th grade over the summer. We've always "said" we are schooling year around. But the reality has been almost NO schooling over the summer. I'm slated to for more classes at the college in the fall, so we MUST school this summer. I'm spending a few morning this week thinking about goals, objectives, plans. We've already changed our minds about doing "environmental science".... But, he really is not interested in any science and we are lacking a science credit. Anyway..... my question is: How do I focus on homeschooling a 12th grader this summer? Yes, he is very independent. No, I do not want to (continue) sending him off on an independent assignment and then just checking to make sure it has been done. I want to teach my own child! Is that impossible with a 17 year old boy? How do you engage WITH you teen?

Music: An Appreciation by Kaimen

There are so many choices it is overwhelming! I would choose the subjects you want to do first. American history? World history? Geography? etc. Then, I would google the curriculum available for that subject. Don't forget to search Amazon. You can see the inside of lots of books there. Also, lots of homeschoolers use college textbooks for high school. Older editions of college text can be found for CHEAP on Amazon. Do not even TRY to attempt to do EVERYTHING in ANY curriculum or textbook!!!!!! Especially college texts! Sometimes a slow reading of the text and a discussion of the content are the best assignments. Can you go to a homeschool convention this summer? THAT can be overwhelming too, but at least you can look at materials and talk to vendors. I've talked to vendors, looked at the books,and decided against many a program! You've got a good start! I would add a literature component to your Language Arts. Even just a book list of classics you could get from the library! I've always used The Language of Literature textbooks. CHEAP from Amazon.

Depends on the effort. I give an E for effort. :) If my student has done his best, I'll round up. If he has piddled and done a half bottomed effort, I'll round down.