We are in the same position, using WVWW. I suggest that you add in a history spine and study the time period that you are covering with the GB. It is a really painless way to top off the history and will give some context as well. HTH.

This is correct, but if you can swing it, I suggest the teacher's guides as well. They will have all of the answers to the section reviews and chapter reviews, and I find it very helpful to use the reviews with my son. (They are not assigned with DIVE, but really aid in understanding.) HTH.

I did not know this! Thanks for the info.!

You can have it for free. Send me a PM with your address, and I'll send it out tomorrow.

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

My 12 yo took off with woodworking this year and it's been a blast. He made a really nice oak cribbage board for his dad for Christmas, and now he is working on a piano footstool for me. And of course he must have at least 100 different types of swords, knives, and wooden guns down in the basement.:) I bought him a book written by a homeschool dad that has some neat projects. http://www.woodworkersresource.com/products/woodshop-for-kids/index.html My husband has limited woodworking skills, so we found a mentor for our son and they have "Woodshop" every week. It's by far the best thing he's done this year. If you can find someone with whom your son can work, I suggest that you go that route. He will be able to make more complex projects and will take great pride in his work. Also, if our ds is just working on his own, he's limited to basic tools like hand saws, coping saws, etc. However, working with an adult, he is able to use tools that he we don't allow him to use on his own. He has learned to use a chop saw, table saw, lathe, router, etc., all while learning proper safety precautions. It's been great. Of course, I would only allow him to do this with someone I really trust. Those table saws are scary, and he is a violinist afterall. :001_unsure: I hope this helps. Have fun!

We just started WVWW this year so I don't know yet about Year 2, but as to the history question... I don't know if enough history will be covered throughout all four years, but it seemed a little disjointed to me so I added a history text book. My son covered ancient history up through the Middle Ages during his Year 1 study, and he will cover the Renaissance/Reformation next year when he completes Year 2. He used Patterns of Civilization for ancient history, but I think I may get him the BJU World History text for next year. (It makes sense to use a Christian publisher for that time in history, though if money is tight I will continue with Patterns of Civ. It's pretty good.) I hope you enjoy WVWW! My son is pretty much doing it on his own, but I am still amazed at how it has helped him to understand the worldviews of other cultures, as well as his own. He's thinking so deeply about so many things... it's great! HTH.

It helped to keep him on track with the writing assignments and gave him some ideas on how to make his papers better. I would not suggest using it without a basic idea of how IEW works, though. For example, it gives instruction as to which dress ups to add, but does not explain them. If I remember correctly, the ebook was very inexpensive (around $15?) and well worth the price. HTH.

My 6th grade son watched the first disc of the HS World History series as he studied Ancient History this year. It was very enjoyable for him. http://www.teach12.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=131

That clarified it perfectly. Blessings!

Thanks for that information. Do you happen to know how a student tests if he is using the DVD program? The books are included in the DVD program as well, but not the tests.

I have been looking at a few DLO courses from BJU and notice that many (esp. math and science) do not come with the test pack. Are the tests in the back of the new editions? Given online? Thanks.

This was news to me today. http://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_8th-Grade____559563

It was around $30.

I appreciate your thoughts on the matter, and I'll check out all of your ideas. Blessings!

And if so, why? (Perhaps a better question would be: When should a student begin literary analysis and why should he do so? Or: At what point (age/grade) is merely reading and discussing a book insufficient?) DS is in 6th grade and using R&S Grammar. I really like it, but I can't see doing both Grammar and Lit. analysis next year. (There are currently too few hours in the day as it is.) The only literature "programs" that I know of are Lightning Literature and BJU. LL doesn't appeal to me much (don't know why, exactly). I like the looks of BJU Lit.; there is a lot in there that we would not read on our own. I know we couldn't get through an entire book of R&S Grammar while doing either of those programs, so I'd have to change my Grammar plan for next year. Any thoughts? Thanks.

and I vote for BJU. Abeka felt like bits of information with no interesting ideas to bind the facts together. Apologia is nice, especially for literature strong kids. But I believe BJU is a step above with it's well written, engaging text, colorful pages, and interesting experiments. It's also a great text for outlining and learning study skills.

I'd like a review for a boy of the same description. :bigear:

This is a tough question. I personally think it would be very hard to choose between those two texts. With all of the boys studying at least Alg. 1, Apologia would certainly work, but you're right... if the parents' standards of rigor are high, it probably won't be enough for the 9th graders. I think it would be perfect for the 7th graders, though. BJU, on the other hand, would be perfect for the 9th graders, but I think way too much for the 7th graders. I've used both texts (with an average math student, though, not advanced). I really think it would be hard to combine your students all without a lot of tweaking. If you are flexible, though, and willing to either add to Apologia or subtract from BJU, you could probably make it work. It would be a lot of extra work, though. I have no idea if there is another "middle of the road" text that you could use. Sorry I wasn't much help. I think I only told you what you already know. LOL

I can speak to Physical Science as that is what my son is using this year, along with the BJU book. It has been a very challenging year for him. (This is also after a year of Apologia Physical Science.) Some of the material was just fine with the DIVE video, but he has floundered in the chemistry sections, especially. He wishes now that I had ordered the BJU Physical Science online course. He needs more instruction than he's getting, and he's a bit frustrated. Of course, his brother is currently using BJU Science 6 online, and even that comparison makes it seem like his own course is lacking in instruction. I am not planning to use the DIVE track with his younger brother. However, I think the more important aspect is how well you understand science yourself. If he has you to fall back on and explain things, he may be just fine with the DIVE videos. Science is my weakest subject, and I have not been much help to my son. Your mileage will vary, of course. HTH.

Personally, I would not put a 10 year old in Chalkdust Prealgebra. It was written for college students; it has small print, little white space, and tons of problems per lesson (sometimes close to 100 if I remember correctly). I've not seen MUS so I can't comment on that, but I personally like the looks of BJU and Rod and Staff. Hope that helps.

You've gotten a lot of good questions in the previous posts. I would also ask if the teacher is currently playing himself. Does he participate in an orchestra or chamber group? How is he currently improving his own musical ability? I've found that it's very important to find a teacher who is passionate about music for himself and not just teaching elementary repertoire in order to make a few bucks. Find a professional musician (one who at some point of his life has made at least part of his living by performing) if at all possible.

We made this switch a couple of years ago. My son was having a hard time learning his facts and there was not enough review for him in Singapore. Rod and Staff has been great. I love the teacher's guide; it has plenty of oral review from past lessons and clearly introduces the new material. I try to do a lot of the lesson orally, otherwise it can take a VERY long time. If you do make the switch, don't be afraid to assign only the evens or odds, especially on a pencil-heavy day. If you have any specific questions, feel free to post them and I'll do my best to answer.

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. As my son is averaging a mid-B on the tests, but getting an A in the course (due to the grading), I knew that something needed to change. I want his grade to accurately reflect his knowledge. I haven't yet decided how I'll change the formula, but you've all given me a lot to think about. Thanks too, Jann, for mentioning how you calculate semester grades. I hadn't thought of that yet. I appreciate your time today.

What percentages do you use to calculate grades? My ds is working through Foerster's Algebra 1. Up to now I've given him 10% for his notes (daily study, working example problems, etc.), 25% for assignments (completion and making corrections), and 65% for his tests. It seems a bit generous, though, as 35% of his grade is an easy A. I do want to give him something for his daily work, but I'm not sure what is fair. Help???