Thank you all for responding. All replies were helpful.

What is the difference between a report and an essay? Is a report is a very short research paper stating facts? Is an essay a personal opinion paper? Thanks, Pam

Thanks. That is very helpful.

I do know that it IS a visual spatial processing problem. Also, some mild dyslexia, ODD, and some mild ADD. I 'll look into the brain ware program. How long will it be on sale? (Not doing anything until after Thanksgiving) I had not thought of doing a MUS placement test. Even if I didn't use MUS that would help me see exactly where the gaps are. Thanks. Pam

Sometimes, yes, they like their work today. Sometimes ,no, they don't like thier today. My high schoolers basically only READ for history. I try to discuss with them once a week (at least once every two weeks). I look ahead and find the most important events/ people/ etc and assign a 2 to 3 page written report about that topic at least once a month.

I agree. SWB's History of the Ancient World and Well Educated Mind are the best place to begin. I just started Latinnae Artes Level 1 on CD for myself, yesterday. :)

DD16 will be finishing American History before Christmas. She wants to get all our state requirements out of the way as soon as possible and wants to do a half credit of American Government beginning in January. We've done alot of BJU and have liked it. There have been several issues where we disagree with BJU Press and have had some really good discussions. However, all I can see online is Chapter 1 which is basically a preaching Bible study. A lot too preachy really. I'd like to be able to see another chapter. Could we just skip Chapter 1 and get to the actual American Government material? Does anyone have another suggestion for an Am. Gov. spine? Thanks, Pam

Different kids are so different. :) Different families are so different.:) You have to find what you like, what your family's style, tastes, strengths, and weakness are. If I had to do it over again... I'd use MUS through Zeta at least. Then TT 7 and TT Pre Algebra. Then choose high school math based on each child.

Ok Thanks... once again, my question has been answered. I was able to look at an integrated math textbook online and it was so terrible. I could barely find the MATH on the pages with colorful illustrations, large fonts, and paragraphs of verbage. I was just wondering if that might be an alternative for us. But, I think not. I think I would rather work every single problem with her in TT Al 1 and get as far in the book as possible. Thanks so much. Pam

Thank you all so very much.... This has been very helpful! I'll let you know what I decide. (After Thanksgiving!) Thanks a ton! Pam

Has anyone used an "Integrated Math" text book? If so, Pros/Cons? Likes/Dislikes? Recommendations? Thanks, Pam

I assign by "time" not pages. 45 to 60 minutes for each subject. Some days are spent doing written assignments, but most days are spend reading the material.

Spend a little more and get a better vacuum. Mine is a Kenmore Progressive from Sears. The best vacuum I have ever had. Regular price is about $300, but I have seen ads on sale for about$250.

I posted this on the high school board, but also decided to post here. thanks for any help and all replies. Pam My dd 15 is failing Algebra 1 using TT. She had gotten to Chapter 7... barely... A couple of weeks ago, I decided to go back to lesson 1 and work problems with her. We've spent the last two weeks working problems, explaining, reworking, explaining again, etc etc..... yesterday I made up a test of problems we had already worked together from chapters 1 to 4.... she made a 43. ... Today, I made up a test of just problems from chapter 1, she made a 68.... Better but not acceptable. Very long story, but she has some diagnosed learning disablilties and some brain damage from an accident when she was a toddler. The doctors told me that she would most likely not do well in the higher maths. Our state (TN) has a course called "Integrated Mathematics." I have looked online at a couple of textbooks, but don't like what I see. Does anyone have a suggestion for an "Integrated Mathematics" high school level book? DD is 15 and in 9th grade. She HAS to have at least 3 math credits. I have looked at Aleks, but I am not sure about it. I think I would rather have a textbook to teach her and KNOW what she does know and what she doesn't. She did fine with TT pre algebra... B's and C's mostly, but that is good for her in math. She can add, subtract, multiply, divide. She can follow a recipe and count money. She'll be able to manage a checkbook. Do we HAVE to have algebra?? Is there another math trail to follow in high school besides Al 1 , geometry, al 2??? She was crying today after learning that she'd made a 68 after doing her best. "I'll always be bad in math." Should I post on special needs board? Please help. Thanks, Pam

Thanks for all the replies. :)

My 11th grader is struggling with TT Geometry. I am sure that anything else would be way too hard.

My dd 15 is failing Algebra 1 using TT. She had gotten to Chapter 7... barely... A couple of weeks ago, I decided to go back to lesson 1 and work problems with her. We've spent the last two weeks working problems, explaining, reworking, explaining again, etc etc..... yesterday I made up a test of problems we had already worked together from chapters 1 to 4.... she made a 43. :( ... Today, I made up a test of just problems from chapter 1, she made a 68.... Better but not acceptable. Very long story, but she has some diagnosed learning disablilties and some brain damage from an accident when she was a toddler. The doctors told me that she would most likely not do well in the higher maths. Our state (TN) has a course called "Integrated Mathematics." I have looked online at a couple of textbooks, but don't like what I see. Does anyone have a suggestion for an "Integrated Mathematics" high school level book? DD is 15 and in 9th grade. She HAS to have at least 3 math credits. I have looked at Aleks, but I am not sure about it. I think I would rather have a textbook to teach her and KNOW what she does know and what she doesn't. She did fine with TT pre algebra... B's and C's mostly, but that is good for her in math. She can add, subtract, multiply, divide. She can follow a recipe and count money. She'll be able to manage a checkbook. Do we HAVE to have algebra?? Is there another math trail to follow in high school besides Al 1 , geometry, al 2??? She was crying today after learning that she'd made a 68 after doing her best. "I'll always be bad in math." Should I post on special needs board? Please help. Thanks, Pam

We used the BJU Earth Science book. Typical textbook approach, but interesting and informative for us.

IEW sells a pack of paragrahs for about $10. I was spending too much time finding paragrahs to outline. The pack is well worth the ten bucks!

Daily practice. She'll eventually have it memorized.

I, too, would be angry. But, I might just let it go this time. Next week, tell her "Thanks, but no thanks". Tell her that you are in the habit of taking/picking up from Awana and that you'd just rather continue doing it. If she wants to reciprocate your kindness, maybe you could think of another way.

Put a bookmark in English 7 and put the book on the shelf for now. Read literature for a few months. Assign some written reports from history. And in a few months or even at the beginning of your next academic year, then pick up English 7 and begin again. :)

Before coming back to WTM boards, I had about 30 minutes in morning and 30 minutes in evening. But.. um... this week.... ah, I have probably spent 2 or 3 hours a day. I have been soaking up these boards and am caught into the Hive Addiction again. LOL..... I will probably end up scheduling a certain time of day for WTM only and do other computer stuff at other times.

We used R&S English 3, 4, 5... then Easy Grammar... then BJU. I like all three; we need variety with a subject all my kids hate. (And I love LOL) The workbooks are very basic and a teacher's answer key is available. I don't think you'd have to have done ANY of the R&S texts to review with them. We've only done a few pages, but they are on the shelf to pull out anytime. At the price point (about $2 for a workbook and $2 for an answer key) it is worth buying. You know, I think those workbooks would be PLENTY to actually teach grammar, not just review. Hope this helps, Pam L

Don't beat yourself up over one or two semesters. I have had MUCH more than just two semesters of "NON teaching". Maybe you could schedule an hour a week for a "school meeting" with him. I do that with my high schoolers. Although we don't "meet" every week. During the meeting, we basically discuss progress and interesting topics they've come across. I'd love to be able to have school meetings at a coffee shop, but we live too far out these days for that.