Others have suggested these for literary analysis: How to Read a Book (Adler) The Well Educated Mind (Bauer) Teaching the Classics (Andrews) - more of a resource for the teacher TOG has great literature notes. Blessings, Julie (who REALLY should be doing something other than reading the boards today!):lol:

Here's my tentative 9th grade plans: Bible: Community Bible Study of Luke plus some of TOG Bible history requirements - 1 credit Math: Saxon Alg. 2 - 1 credit Communication Arts: English and Composition I (completing TOG writing assignments and will likely still use Home2Teach), VFCR, might do Vocabulary for the HS Student (she likes vocabulary), Editor in Chief - 1 credit - actually might be more than one credit - not sure yet Foreign Language: French 2 - 1 credit Social Sciences: TOG year 1 - History of the Ancient World Science: Apologia Biology - 1 credit (with the lab) Health - homemade with things on my bookshelf - 1/2 credit PE: exercise on home equipment, reading selected fitness books - maybe 1/2 credit - I'm most interested in her maintaining a healthy habit, so we may stretch the PE credit over the four years. Fine Arts: piano lessons and Teaching Company's "How to Listen to and Understand Great Music," attend concerts - 1 credit Practical Arts: may begin an apprenticeship to learn authentic German bobbin lace making - 1/4 - 1/2 credit (not sure yet) HS is such a big learning curve - it was nice to type this out from my handwritten musings about this. The only thing I'm still a bit undecided about is Geography. I have Runkles on the shelf and really want to do it, but can't overload us. I thought about doing it in one semester for 1/2 credit and then doing TOG year 1 a bit condensed (we already have completed 9 weeks this year). I think Geography is our weak area, though and I'd like to concentrate on it somehow. Wish I'd done Runkles this year but we enjoyed what we did. Blessings, Julie

http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/loom/year-all/drhelps.php I made it through the labrynth of their website! HTH, Julie

every year. I had to dig around their website to find it, but it was a very complete listing of all the components a student would have to complete to get credit for the different subjects TOG covers (as well as what to call it on a transcript). If I have time later, I'll try to search the site again and find it. Blessings, Julie

I didn't realize I was being silly during school on occasion until my dd (when she was much younger) said, "Mommy, can we do math silly today - I like it when you do it that way." I try to have fun (some days are harder than others, though!) :lol: Thanks for posting the reminder! Blessings, Julie

such a hard position to be in! Would you keep the board posted on how you are doing? :grouphug: Julie in MO

this is my vacation spot sometimes! Blessings, Julie

there is such a learning curve with high school/credits/ etc. I looked at my state's requirements (MO) and it does not specify that fine arts cover more than one area. With your interest in music and playing instruments, wouldn't that be your primary area of interest? I would think that adding the TC lectures and visiting the museums you mentioned (and by the way - what incredible field trips!) would make for a well rounded fine arts credit. And...my kids hate art, too. :lol: Blessings, Julie

Hi Peela, First of all, congratulations and best wishes on your entrepreneurial adventure! What an interesting concept for business! I think all of us would feel upset by this kind of response from a friend. After weathering many hurts from friends, including serious betrayal, I had to do some deep soul searching about this. I read a fabulous book entitled Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall. It's really hard for me to do this, but the book helped me see that, at least within friendships, most people are not intentionally trying to hurt one another - they just make REALLY unwise decisions and can say very callous things without understanding/empathizing with the impact those decisions/words can have on others. Sadly....people can be really dumb. I've said some dumb things I regret and have had to "clean up." If this is a long term friendship that you had felt safe in, is it possible that this was a "duh moment" on her part? If not, and this wasn't a strong, safe relationship, then it appears you'll need some boundaries to protect you and your business. Sorry that happened to you, Peela. You are such a blessing to this board - I imagine you bless everyone you come in contact with! Julie in MO

and congratulations on your son's accomplishment! We're expecting thunderstorms here in MO as well. Blessings, Julie

I just placed my order!! Blessings, Julie

We've found these DVD's to be very helpful. He doesn't use the same examples as in the book, but he often goes into a little more detail about WHY something is done, or he offers shortcuts here and there that save time. He's also very likeable on the DVD. Blessings, Julie

Hi, I'm trying to decide what to include or where to include it on a transcript for 9th grade. We plan on using Apologia's Biology and I'm also designing our 1/2 credit Health class from things already on our shelf. One thing I purchased and I'm not sure where it best fits (on a transcript) is the Teaching Company's Understanding the Human Body: An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology. I assume it could be used for either class (as an adjunct to Biology and then I could call it an AP course) or for Health (which might actually make Health and Nutrition a full credit course for us - I'd count it as an elective. Where would you put it? Thanks! The transcript is a new learning curve. Blessings, Julie

I really appreciate the comments and I shared them with hubby during lunch today. I think what surprised me was the huge and sudden increase in cost from this year to next, but it sounds like it's not unreasonable in comparison to what some of you are paying. I happened to find out from another mom today that they are not continuing in band, so the already very small band is now even smaller. But I also got a lead on a home school orchestra that might let band students join next year in a nearby town. You all are so helpful!! Blessings, Julie

We completed it last year with success. The lessons are short, but include enough detail to make the concepts understandable. It compelled one of my children to seek out a few of the works mentioned for her own pleasure reading. We keep the completed book as a reference for book discussions. I can't compare to CLE, but wanted you to know that Fig. Speaking was a great resource for us. Blessings, Julie

:001_smile: Before we home schooled, I kept a much cleaner house. I cleaned under the frig every 1-2 months (they function more efficiently if you dust under there) but now it's only when someone spills something that dribbles under there. Walls - only when necessary. Purging - constantly. I used to save stuff up for garage sales, but am findng that it's more peaceful for me to purge all the time and not have a pile of anything laying around. I sell books in one big group, though - just easier that way. I'm getting ready to post a huge number of books soon so I just did my spring book purge. Are you in a spring cleaning mood? Blessings, Julie

We also bought the Saxon teacher CD-ROM's (because I HATE...HATE....HATE math also!) I need all the help I can get. Mr. Reed explains things so much better. He doesn't use the examples in the book, though. Using these resources together is really helping us. Everyone says that Saxon is a great program and dd is excelling (I just have old brain syndrome!) Blessings, Julie

The accountant for the school took the tuition and divided it by 5 (band being one out of five classes), so it is the regular tuition rate. THere isn't any individual instruction time - the teacher wanted us to pay extra for that and meet with a tutor after school, but since my husband plays the same instrument, he's doing "private lessons" for her. To me, it appears to be the kind of band where everyone practices the same songs for upcoming performances. She hasn't learned any music theory, but she already took piano lessons, so she had some foundation. And no, dear Mergath, the field trip is not to the moon, although that's where I landed when I saw the financial statement! :lol: Thanks for the thoughts, gentle kick in the keester, and comparisons. I wanted to have more things to discuss with hubby tonight before he has a meeting with the VP tomorrow. Blessings, Julie

Could I bounce something around the hive, please? My dd (12) participated this year in a 6th grade band at a private Christian school. There are only 6 members in the band, but for concerts, the teacher combines the 5th/6th graders (11 kids total - still a small band). We paid $650 for band this year (which meets 4 days per week for 45 minutes). There were several days that were cancelled (field trips, SAT tests, teacher absences) which technically we paid for, but didn't make a big deal about it. This year they raised the price to $1200 (and made it 5 days/week). We're the only home schooler in the band, so I can't compare to any other student or school experience. Doubling the price feels outrageous to me. We tried a semester of the public school band, which was quite disappointing, so our first choice would be to stay with the private band (except for the cost). Has anyone else paid for a band experience? We are meeting tomorrow with the vice principle, but he seems firm about the cost. Is it just me, or does this seem like an outrageous hike? Would love encouragement/comments/advice (or even a kick in the pants if you deem it absolutely necessary) over this! Blessings, Julie

is also very interesting. Bob Brier is the professor for that study as well. Blessings, Julie

but I had a poor math experience in HS. We read the chapter, watch the teacher CD-ROM and then work out the problems. When we're stumped we watch the CD-ROM for the answers to be worked out. They are helpful and well done. Another option is Art Reed's DVD's that go with Saxon (but not ordered through the company). http://homeschoolwithsaxon.com/onlinevideo.php I bought both because I was concerned about my ability to help dd understand concepts I hadn't. Mr. Reed gives matter-of-fact instruction and often more "short-cuts" that are useful. I agree with the other poster who suggested trying and then ordering if necessary. You might also find something used as people finish up the year! Blessings, Julie OH...if you want more information about the Art Reed DVD's, feel free to PM me.

Thanks to you all for posting on this thread. I was amazed at the different responses. I saw a theme emerge...we are all so committed to giving our kiddos the BEST we possibly can. Blessings to you all, Julie in MO

you can throw around! No wonder the girl can write poetry! :lol: Blessings, Julie

choosing to home school? Just thought I'd start this thread today. It came to mind while I was struggling through algebra with my dd. In my public high school (back in the 80's) a new educational trend was introduced called "the open classroom." That meant that there were no walls between any of the classrooms and the school was built in three connected large circles (called pods). Unfortunately, my math class was right next to the English class which had a wonderful teacher who read Shakespeare to his students nearly every day. I LOVE literature. I HATE math. Guess where my attention was spent every day during math period.:lol: I decided I didn't want to deal with ever-changing math philosophies, bought Saxon, Saxon Teacher, and Mr. Reed's supplementary videos and I work through it all with my very patient (and mathy) dd! What's your story? Julie in MO

Hi, It's just plain hard to keep a lovely house while having the full time job of home schooling! My dd do have chores, but often they are truly busy with their assignments and can't get to the cleaning chores any easier than I can. Here's what I discovered...if you concentrate your efforts on staying organized (no papers on countertops, coats hung in a closet, etc.) then the house doesn't seem to be lacking so badly in a good cleaning. I've had many drop in guests that are impressed with my "clean house" when I haven't actually cleaned it in weeks. One thing I did was to buy a storage bin that I call the dollar bucket. Whenever someone leaves something lying around the house that has a place it could go, I put it in the dollar bucket - they have to pay me $1 to get it back - sometimes it's just trash and they would throw it out anyway (which solves the decluttering issues). Everyone (including dh) learned very quickly to pick up after themselves! :lol: I do look forward to having the time to clean thoroughly someday.