I am going to try poster putty again, but these are big world maps and my walls are plaster. I have found poster putty to be very hit and miss. I just wondered if anyone had any creative ideas that worked out well. Maybe there is something new on the market I hadn't considered.

I suppose it is only fair that I tell you what I am supplementing with since I am using some of your schedules;) (thank you very much for that)! I live near Western Illinois University and was able to look at one of the recommended AP Cultural Geography books...Human Geography: Landscapes of Human Activities by Donald Jerome Fellman. I really liked what I saw. As a matter of fact, I just about sat down and started reading it myself! Also, I am using National Geographic's People of the World and Hungry Planet by Faith D'Aluisio. I have the materialist planet book, but I can't find it right now to read off the exact title. It is by the same author. I think this should be a good, well-rounded study for my son. I think I will head into economics and government right after that while so much about the world is swirling around in his head. I hope this helps:)

I have it in hand right now and am going to use it this year with my seventh grader and ninth grader. However, I am going to have my ninth grader use this in conjunction with cultural geography for a well rounded out course. I am very pleased with the book as it covers things we simply haven't covered in much depth before. Also, I think it is a great precursor for going through history again with new eyes as so much of what has transpired has to do with who having/wanting what geographically speaking.

I would love to hear what kinds of things you are having your students do for senior/high school projects. I am a local GED teacher and I just heard word that the colleges in Illinois are going to start requiring portfolios of all their students in order to graduate. The portfolios will reflect their creativity, critical thinking skills, project capabilities and communication skills. It got me to thinking that projects in high school may be looked upon as highly marketable in the college arena.

I am still not wrapping my mind around the whole AP thing and am needing some clarity. I understand that a person can take a prep class or make a "homegrown class" using the texts recommended for the exam. I am wondering if there is a cut off date in which you can sign up for the exam? Do you just start calling community colleges and universities in the area to find out if they offer the exam? What is the cost of the exam? If they don't do well is it still recorded like SAT tests? Also, I am reading some posts that are leading me to believe that the SAT Subject Tests may be of more benefit to students. Are the SAT Subject Tests a one time deal, or if they want to improve their score, can they try again? I appreciate any help. I am still trying to make sense of this whole thing. I have a ninth grader that I don't want to overwhelm, however, the experience would be very valuable to him. I am thinking of having him do the AP Geography exam as a "taste". He says he would like to try it. He was going to follow along with his sister who is doing Runkle this year. I was going to have him do further cultural study to beef it up for him. Now I am thinking why not make it an AP class.

A friend of mine just brought this program over to my house for me to take a peek at. I must admit, I am intrigued. I especially like the software that is provided in which students can "feel" their way through problems. Hopefully, some people will start reviewing this.

I am thinking of getting my feet wet with Teaching Company lectures. I have wanted How to Be a Superstar Student for a long time but was unwilling to pay for it until now. Have any of you had it, liked it, hated it, burned it, loved it? I am also looking at Masterpieces of Short Fiction and am wondering if any of you have had any knowledge of this lecture. I have written down some names of lectures that were thought highly of that I found in a search here. Any reviews of either of these would be appreciated:001_smile:

Excuse me for butting in, but am I reading correctly that the Hewitt syllabus is for ANY high school american history text? I was going to order Hewitt's Junior High Syllabus for US History for Middle School. I wonder how similar the two are? Would any of you know?

That was the ages of my kids when I started homeschooling them. They are now 12 and 14. I know that feeling of excitement and had to smile when I read your post. You are going to get all sorts of advice, so I will get my first little tidbits in ahead of the crowd. 1. You are going to spend HOURS looking through curriculum and reviews of curriculum trying to decide what is best for your kids. Well, guess what? A WHOLE LOT of things are going to be just right for your kids:) It took me several years to figure this out. You will beat yourself up over curriculum you think may have ruined your kids and wonder if the curricullum you loved this year could possibly be topped next year with something better. Stick to the tried and trues for the most important (for a couple of years at least). Experiment with the less important ones. For example, in math, Saxon is a tried and true, as is Singapore, as is Abeka, as is Horizons etc. You will hear these names come up in conversations again and again. They are all good. The same goes for English and science and reading. A few names will pop up again and again. You might want to go with one of the ones you hear mentioned frequently. Now, at ages six and eight, vocabulary, critical thinking skills, history and foreign/ancient language are less important (not the three R's). Try out new, fun, less mainstream if that is your personality type. You can't go too wrong. Always ask people on this board or other homeschool boards about their personal experiences. 2. In October, if you are despising something you are using, IT IS O.K. TO KICK IT TO THE CURB AND START OVER!!! That is another thing it took me a long time to get. For instance, last year I decided to try Rod and Staff math with my daughter. She hated it. I switched to Teaching Textbooks IN OCTOBER. Guess what? She is o.k., I am o.k. and the world didn't come to an end, and the curriculum police didn't bust in our door and drag us off. I guess what I am trying to say is, you will pick some losers. Lose them quickly without looking back and move on. Your kids will love you for it. 3. Most kids are average. There. I said it. Whew! That felt good to say. Remember, when you see posts about scores and awards and lifetime, unlimited, scholarships, you aren't seeing the big picture. Most likely, your kids will excel in some areas and possibly struggle in other areas. Guess what? The world is filled with incredibly successful people who had the same experiences and struggles. When I get down about my kid's performances in an area they struggle in, I remember what one of my professors told me. He said, "Few people hire 4.0s or are happy after they do. They are often too difficult and rigid to work with. Employers want to be surrounded by competent, multi-talented, well-rounded individuals who are humble and gracious. Make sure you don't lose yourself and your kids in the scores. There is more to raising a truly "educated" person. So, go out there and stumble, mumble and fall down. Pick yourself up and do it all over again. Homeschooling is an amazing experience. Welcome aboard!

Thank you all! I copied off this post to use in deciding what to do. You gave me a great stepping off point. Rebecca C.- I want to be your kid. How and what you are teaching sounds very engaging, thought provoking and sensible. I would love to hear what you are using to round out your ninth grade year in the way of language arts. I have thought several times about getting the book Movies as Literature as we are all a bunch of movie buffs here in this house. Also, time and again,the kids have been disappointed in the movies after reading the books which, in my way of thinking instills, solidifies their love of reading.

These are some AMAZING lists! So, how do you "do" these books. Do you discuss them every chapter or two or as a whole? Do you require a pointed paper about each book or about varying elements each book brings to the table of literature? Do you have a very specific list of questions you require your student answer or does it vary by book? I'm trying to get a picture in my mind as to how to implement each book study. Oh, also, how many of you let your student pick their literature list for the year? Do some of you allow them to pick a portion of their readings? questions...questions...questions...

These answers aren't helping the argument:glare:, but what's a few more numbers to throw in the pot!

My husband and I are argueing about how many words per minute are expected in high school in order to receive credit. I was expected to type sixty words per minute, however, the same teacher, five years earlier, (he says) expected thirty words per minute. How many words per minute do you expect of your students before they receive credit for high school keyboarding?

Would it?! Would it?! I would be very interested. Do you include a selection of short stories? One of my favorite classes in college was a short stories class and I would love to share a selection of those with my kids. It is so hard to decide. I have been playing with the idea of ordering Teaching the Classics. I love IEW, however, I am competent enough to have implemented it without the DVD set. Maybe I should take the plunge and order the TTC workbook. At least it would be a jumping off point.

I am considering making up a literature program using a variety such as garlic press and progeny press. For high school credit, how many books and papers do you think would be appropriate? I must say we are not big fans of Lord of the Rings (I know, I know...don't fling a goblin at me) however, it would be nice to maybe not use a "formal" program, but rather a variety of our choosing. Now that I write this out, I think am I crazy? Will it be too much extra work?:tongue_smilie:

That couldn't have been put any better. I so agree I am checking into the Beautiful Feet guides. That looks like a way to integrate history with some fantastic novels along the way. I also wanted to say thank you for always answering questions about various curriculum. I hope that as I am using more mainstream curriculum throughout the years, I can come forth with wisdom:001_smile:

:iagree:

I have ordered the catalog this morning but am wondering a couple of things I thought might be answered here. On a whim, I decided to look over Sonlight's literature for high school and was impressed that the selection of books would be fun/engaging reading. I am using History of US to teach my seventh grader this year and had wondered about somehow making that a fit for my ninth grader as well. However, I worried that it would be "American History light". That is when I noticed that Sonlight uses that along with a guide to teach high schoolers. Now here comes the questions... The reading selections are all together different for core 100 and core 400, so how does one do literature and count it for credit AND American History when it appears to be seperate programs? In Sonlight, do students get credit for a literature program in ninth grade? Is there a way to use History of US for a seventh grader and a ninth grader and still make it beefy enough? To be honest, I was considering using Notgrass for my ninth grader, but it seems such a waste if I can somehow integrate. I am going to purchase a Hewitt syllabus to teach my seventh grader. Is there some guide and included readings I can use with my ninth grader to make a credit in US History?

If it is plantar fascitis I think then you will need the arch support not the gel cups. You need your foot at the proper angle so it doesn't over pronate. If you use the gel cups for long and it is truly plantar fascitis, then you will further put your foot at the wrong angle and possibly cause more damage than good. If it is hurting this badly, you will probably need to see a podiatrist. You may need your feet taped for several weeks to force proper pronation. If you can't afford that, try a website/catalog called FootSmart. You can send imprints of your foot into them and they will make an insert that is specifically for you which is very important! It runs around a $100 as compared to $300 at the doctor. Also, Aleve is supposed to be good for lower extremity pain. I hope you get this conquered. I remember how panic ridden I was because I went from so active to nothing overnight. That reminds me...if it is plantar fascitis, it will take a long time to heal. As it was explained to me, it takes a long time for the tiny tears and inflamation to build enough to be noticeable thus reversing it takes a long time.

Thanks! I'm on it.

I hear everyone talking about AP classes online and I am wondering where some trusted sites are that are financially reasonable. Also, the classes are usually for a year with an exam at the end, correct?

Where is the cheapest place to buy the science kit needed for Apologia Biology? I used to have a few science sites bookmarked, but for some reason I must have gotten rid of them:confused:

I have had both electric and gas ranges. The next one I get is going to be gas top and an electric range. I like gas because it responds instantly to whatever temp. you want. There is no time waiting for it to heat up. Also, if the power goes out, at least you still have your stovetop working! That being said, we are a family of broilers, and I wouldn't consider anything but an electric range for that. Food tastes funny broiled in a gas range. I like how casseroles come out in electic heat. Good luck in your search. I agree with the poster who said get what you want even if it costs more. You are going to be standing over it a lot!

Out of context, without a paragraph that wraps things up in one hole swoop, it gets to be a bit much. My son was working on The Princess and the Discomodius Pea which is a funny adaptation of The Princess and the Pea. The joke only goes so far.

Although I have only looked at samples of Grammer With a Giggle, I have used Fix It! and intend to sell it soon. I used Fix It! with both of my kids this last year. There are a several "classical" type literature pieces that are used to practice editing. Literally, large sections of say Tom Sawyer are typed incorrectly (a paragraph a day) and each day the kids are expected to find the mistakes. We focused primarily on writing last year, so this was a supplement for us. My kids started out enjoying it, but they quickly found it to be tedious and I wasn't seeing bells go off in any of their language skills. I think they became very tired of the same old story day after day. Actually, we had the most success correcting what they had personally written incorrectly. If I can answer any further questions, let me know.