I appreciate your sharing these thoughts and, obviously, many share them. It truly is a wonderful blessing to have this forum. There is SO MUCH to be gleaned from others! What a great resource! I have been helped by a number of you - yet none of us, or, most of us, I daresay have never even seen each others' faces! This website, to me, demonstrates a beautiful example of how God takes something like the internet, which sometimes gets nothing but a "bad rap" in that so much evil can happen on it, and it's so out-of-control, (which is true), but he allows us to use it for GOOD. It is another way we can encourage each other. And, you're right, sometimes just clicking on the beehive knowing we will be taken to pages upon pages of reminders that we are not in this alone is enough encouragement to push us through the next challenge. Loved your post!

from the one I'd seen earlier, but it actually provides more info than what I've seen before, too. Wow, it was sure fast of you to get that on there. Thanks! Jo

I was trying to search the forum for this but haven't been able to find it. Somebody out there posted a whole list of the scores that were minimum index, by state, for the cut-off for semi-finalists for a certain recent year. Does anyone have that for this past year or so, still? I was just curious, since it's coming up this week. Thanks!

She will be taking it Wed. also "for real." She did really well last year for practice and has taken one practice test at home so far again this fall. She plans to also take the practice one just sent to us by the test administrators where she'll be taking it. It really is good to prep. Have your children sit down with a practice SAT book (some of them have PSATs in them, but if not, it's ok, just use SAT). It makes a world of difference. Have them time themselves, the whole nine yards. It makes a difference.

then I envision it making it more difficult for homeschoolers in the future, at least with selective colleges. They'll want to see more hoops having been jumped through - like APs, and SAT subj. tests. I'm on my last child at home now and glad that in this, her junior year, we got into some of the Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Online AP courses. My daughter will also plan to take some of the SAT subj. tests, too, because of some more selective schools she wants to try for. Even though many homeschools do more rigorous courses, somehow there's still sort of a stigma about us and colleges are still wary. It's not like they can really be sure of how well the schools are teaching, either, but they just have this mindset that somehow the schools are more accountable. We all know this isn't really true. But I do think all of us and our posterity should be on our guard and work to prepare our kids to take some of these additional tests so that we can continue sending them as arrows into the world.

I've had two to go off, far away from home, now, to college. While they seemed immediately to "do well," as far as not being too terribly homesick, and being pretty proactive about seeking out friends, activities, etc., I would still say that it probably took a whole semester of being in the new routine and figuring out the whole time management issue to really begin to feel acclimated. I've also heard more than one person say that if they can make it through that first semester, they can MAKE it. All I know is that with my first two, I've spent probably a handful of times each on the phone just needing to encourage them. "You'll be fine. You've made it through before when you had more work than you thought you could do." or "You're a great kid; look at how you've succeeded with this or that." etc. One of my most commonly stated phrases has been (in trying to encourage them when they feel overloaded with assignments and deadlines) "Just do the next thing." "Keep plugging away; don't look at the big picture too much, but do the next thing." And then, really overarching for us, as a Christian family - most importantly I'm encouraging them to stay in the Word and to depend on God and that challenges with relationships or schedules or schoolwork all can draw us closer to him. Anyway, don't know if you wanted all that, but I got carried away. Hope that you are encouraged somehow. Jo

Thanks - sent you a private message.

Christina, Hi - I know you got lots of replies but I just wanted to add - there's no need for your sad face on the last post, at having already ordered the Saxon. I am one of the folks who's used it for all of my homeschooling. Here's my take: Saxon is challenging and covers everything. It prepares kids WELL for standardized and college entrance testing. It doesn't have lots of "bells and whistles" and as new products came around in recent years I think that there were many who, instead of just plugging along with what was already working, began sort of following the crowd and jumping on other bandwagons. I think this is a mistake - to make lots of switches once you get into secondary math. Sometimes you have to "plug your ears," so to speak, when others begin talking about this curriculum or that curriculum when you know that what you have is working. Also, (I didn't thoroughly read every post, so it might've been mentioned) but, the DIVE cds to go with the Saxon are great, too, if you need help with it. God bless, Jo

Hi - we were just wondering about the success of homeschoolers getting accepted into Vanderbilt University in particular. Any and all comments regarding your own experience or that of a friend, perhaps, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Jo

I love the redesign. I've only used it with a rhetoric student but wish I'd had it when all my kids were still home. I agree with the above posts about the literature. It is top-notch and my daughter has thrived and learned so much about lit. analysis. It was just what I was looking for in terms of a challenge for a quite avid reader. God bless, Jo

Lisa, Please, say more about colleges that will "throw thousands of dollars" at our students for good GPAs and good test scores. I am interested to know what places you tried for. I actually have one child in college (he's at a private Christian school, covered through an AF ROTC scholarship he was able to get) and my oldest just graduated from another Christian school and did receive quite a bit for academics there. My third, and last, child has high aspirations and with good cause because of a super high SAT score she has already achieved, though just entering her junior year. I really would like to know a lot more about schools that are giving money, GOOD money, for academics. And schools that are unashamedly receptive to homeschooled students, as well. One of the schools we were really looking at was Wheaton. But I know it is high and I wanted to know what others' experiences were there with scholarships. Your post wasn't very encouraging on that pick. What other smaller schools, and/or Christian, did you guys try for? Please, share more, if you would. Sincerely, Jo

Rhonda, Thanks for this - I was on that site and I guess I did not really even look very deep. That is very helpful. I appreciate your taking the time to send me the link. God bless, Jo

I would just like to know what was revised for the newer versions of the story books. Not asking about activity books or anything like that. Thanks for what info you can offer! Jo

I recommend it for your literature studies. They divide their studies into 4 eras. With each one, they have reading assignments of great works. THEY have done all the work for you, the teacher/parent, and provide information for you to read through during each week while your student reads his/her works. You have discussion time. Your children learn (as rhetoric level students) how to fully analyze literature. You will cover world literature, medieval, American, etc.; it'll just be sometimes a mixture, depending on the timeframe you are studying. I like doing literature this way and it is also the "Well-Trained Mind way" just with a structured curriculum to help you work through it with your student to make the most out of it. I had trouble really helping my daughter make the most of her great reading ability and interest and being able to give her meaningful writing assignments to go along with all that she was reading all the time. TOG takes all the guesswork out of it for me. She was challenged this year and looks at things she reads even more deeply and carefully than before. Take a serious look at the Lampstand Press website and TOG curriculum. It is a curric. that includes history, etc., but you pick and choose out of it what exactly you want to use. HTH!

Really, thanks, this was kind of you to say. Sincerely, Jo

You commit what you can commit. Take the first year to learn the basics and if there is a group or club nearby with which they can begin practicing the new skills, try it. But just always make clear what you're comfortable committing to and what you're not. Just because you join a club doesn't mean you have to do 12 tournaments that year. Start slow - let them observe - they'll catch the vision for it by observing. Then, it is likely, they'll want to MAKE time for debate. Go to Monument Publishing. They sell a lot of the debate teaching materials. Actually, that is speechsupplies.com, I believe. And at the NCFCA site there's a page with resources listed. http://www.ncfca.org/resources/books_and_materials They do not need to have studied logic beforehand, but it will certainly help them. Any previous knowledge of world politics, government, economics helps, but is not necessary. Believe me they'll learn as they go and when they take those actual courses, they'll be strengthened AS they debate each successive year. I hope some of this helps. I can confidently, honestly say I am so very thankful that my kids have been involved in debate. It has taught them so very much (critical thinking, research skills, listening and notetaking skills, writing and organizing) and they have made friends from all over the country.

that they will provide a transcript for you upon completion of their courses. This year will be our first year of taking any of their courses, and we are looking forward to it. I was very interested in knowing about this, too. But, as far as placing the AP denotation on our transcript, my accountability association just needs to see documentation from the school or instructor that the course is certified through the College Board audit process. That's all that really has to be shown or proven to really justify the AP designation. Both of the instructors that my daughter will have this year provided these kinds of statements in their course outlines for us, which is sufficient for my group's purposes, at least - and our group generates transcripts for us. But I really was under the impression that, if needed, I could receive a transcript, indeed from PAH. Now, you're right, a college can still see the child's exam scores and do whatever they want with that. But, to see the AP on the transcript was important to me, too. Try emailing one of the instructors there on the PAH website, maybe someone like Susan Richman. She could probably reassure you. HTH.

I will just add a couple of things - what I'm glad we did was take seriously the whole idea of getting the facts and basics down BEFORE trying to be too analytical. We did spend time every day getting that spelling and learning those math facts. It was worth it! And kids do need to know the basics of writing - the grammar of it - copying, dictation, just getting things down on paper correctly BEFORE they have to start thinking of things on their own to put down. That was such valuable advice to me. Taking the time to read aloud - there's no substitute. And making the most of every book possible. Take the time to go copy those coloring pages and do all the extra work to help your child have resources from which to make a really nice notebook. He will be proud of it and he will be motivated when he has new things constantly to show for what he has been studying. I really do believe that one of the greatest things you give them as far as science at this early level is like SWB says, "that you get knowledge from books." Armfuls of books from the library on all the bugs and creatures and phenomena that intrique your children. They really are discovering when reading through these. I probably should have believed this more and not worried that we weren't learning by only reading some of these enjoyable masterpieces. Well, there are a few thoughts. There are already so many great posts here. HTH.

We used a mixture, as well, both the anthologies and single books. It just depended on what we already had on the shelves or what we were able to get used, etc. It's good for kids to learn to adapt to things that they aren't necessarily comfortable with. We all know this, I guess. It is much handier having the single work to hold, sit and read and carry around. But my daughter understands the value, as well, of using the anthologies when works were in there, instead of our having to go spend mega bucks buying them individually. No doubt, that is a much more expensive way to go - getting everything individually. Plus, actually, there are many works that you cannot get individually, such as smaller pieces, some of the poetry, for example. And, just a note to add, regarding someone else's comments about not knowing what portion to read if you have a different book, etc., since the assignments give page numbers. In a perfect world, yes, it's wonderful to think you'll have all the same editions that are recommended, but, anytime this year that I had to use, say, the Norton World Masterpieces volume of works (containing the assigned work), rather than the Norton Eng. Lit volume (which was the assigned volume), if the exact assignment wasn't clear in the charts and whatnot, I could simply get online on the forum and ask. I always got a quick answer as to exactly which chapters or sections were required for the assignment. So, it's not like you're left all alone struggling and wondering if you have to use a different volume or edition for something. Good luck with your planning. It's a great program and we love it. We covered a great deal this year and I felt so good about it. Sincerely, Jo

Don't miss all of the free (yes, FREE) resources available on the Desiring God website (Piper's website). It is a goldmine of sound biblical teaching. You can download sermons, books, etc. http://www.desiringgod.org/ Send your daughters (and yourselves) to the Girl Talk blog at http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/ Another place for sound biblical teaching. Every Friday, too, there is a "funny" and they are sometimes REALLY hilarious. The site has a book club, book recommendations, lots of great entries from godly women for our young ladies (and ourselves). HTH!

They have sections in their catalog just for Apologia texts. Items are already grouped together, etc. They indicate which microscope is best, as well. We've completed all of the courses, at least once, now, except for physics, so far. Labs have worked out well - it's always best if we prepare at the beginning of a module, checking to make sure we have everything. And for things that aren't household items I just went ahead and ordered pretty much at the beginning of the year, so things would be handy. I agree w/someone that said a couple of labs were just too easy to stop and take the time to run through, especially if they were ones we'd done in a previous course of Apol. or something. HTH!

if you're looking at college prep, anyway. I agree that this is something we should just be teaching as we go about our days and showing by example, etc. Or it is "rolled in" with biology, as someone sort of alluded to.

We've completed level 1 and I say it fits the bill for what you sound like you're looking for. I think it's thorough, too. http://www.tobreak.com/ Just a note about sign language - something I read somewhere recently, and I'm sorry I can't think of where it was, but it really won't be looked at as a foreign language by most colleges. So, if you're trying to meet the foreign language requirement for the whole college app. process, I'd say watch out on that one. As an elective - great - I'd say it's wonderful and I have friends who studied it and it can be so useful, etc. But that's just the info I have on it. HTH Jo

I'm not quite sure what you're asking - but, I would say, "yes" to the question about prepping for them the same. They really are the same test, with the exception of the essay on the SAT, of course. You want to be sure you're grading their writing thoroughly and having them write extensively; some people take special courses just for the essay prep. Whatever helps the most on that or works for your kids the best. And, yes, take the SAT at least once the 11th gr. year (twice is better) but take that PSAT too, when it counts. For a 10th grader, I'd say that still taking the PSAT (especially when it doesn't cost as much as the SAT) is good - it's the same test, but some people think it's harder, in a sense, than the average SAT. Doesn't sound like it makes sense, but that's what many people feel. It's another good chance to practice, in that kind of setting, completing a whole test in one sitting, etc. Maybe not a necessity, no, but I'd say, have a 10th grader run a few practice tests (SAT) at home - take PSAT - then take SAT later that year. Since the PSAT is sort of a "one shot deal" on the qualifying thing, that's why I guess I say take a "real" practice run of it. Does that make sense? It's not absolutely necessary to do it in 10th, but it could give them a slight edge perhaps. Same type of sections, but just slightly different from a SAT. HTH!

Well, as far as their "trying to prove" any positions - no, I think I can very confidently say there's none of that. Parents are provided with literally, seriously, in the teacher notes, word for word excerpts from the World Book encyc., to prepare for the weeks. Then, in questions, and discussion material, you are given exactly what to ask and bring up in discussion times. There are also plenty of Scripture references in margins for you to use. And, as the website FAQ tells you, these are straight from the Word, and you are free to use them how you wish. From time to time, there has to be "talk" of God, you know? I mean, because admittedly, as I stated above, He is woven all through the history study (which is the backbone of all the other elements - lit., ch. hist., philos., etc.) Leaving him out of the discussion would be like leaving the author out of the discussion of a work of literature. So, students are questioned, I believe, in ways that only make them take a look at the events and the Bible, plain and simple. I think that's what I want from a curriculum with worldview study. I truly don't think there is any overriding feeling of being "forced" to view a particular aspect of theology any certain way, save what I have mentioned before, about God being sovereign and using all kinds of people and events to bring about his purposes. Salvation is not spelled out in such a way as to make a person who is not reformed, per se, feel uncomfortable. Again, though, I'd encourage you to go to the website and, seriously, take a look at the actual samples of weeks they have. (study, especially, the teacher notes pages and the student activity pages in whatever agegroup you're interested in) These are invaluable and would give you a better peek into this. I totally understand your wanting to be sure about it. I would not want to have to spend a bunch of time trying to side-step things as I work through a curriculum; and I truly don't think you'd have that problem here. Let me know if there's anything else I can help with. :001_smile: