Thank you, guys! I appreciate your help! I'm leaning towards Sonlight Core C and giving a little background info for history & science with history highlights & the Everything books. The lapbook looks great, but I just don't know if I can add it.

We need to think through these things, discuss them with others, and read up on teen dating. Will you share your thoughts and/or resources?

Thank you for your detailed response! I've never heard of anyone doing that! Interesting! I will look into MARR and think about the way you use the timeline and history cards. Thanks!

I agree that it's difficult to match a curriculum or a reading plan to the history sentences. I think this is where I've gotten discouraged in the past. Even trying to correlate SOTW with the history sentences could have you reading a few pages one week and then several chapters the next! How do you use the timeline cards as your spine? Thanks for your input!

There are so many options! I don't want to be overwhelmed during the year, but I don't want to just memorize facts without some background info. We did Ancient History Pockets this year and dd loved them!! Here are some of the options I'm considering -- or a combination of options! (See, I need your help!) 1.) Use the free info at Half a Hundred Acre to read the Everything You Need to Know about History (and Science) pages that correlate to the memory work. 2.) SOTW 2 (and don't worry that CC goes into modern times in 2nd semester) 3.) Sonlight Core C World History part 2, probably 4-day plan (after the fall of Rome - 1914, which is closer to the time period covered in CC Cycle 2) 4.) CC Lapbook at Wisdom and Righteousness (labooklets for all the memory work -- not sure if they come pre-printed or we print them) 5.) CC go-along plan from Sola Gratia (Links for go-along activities, videos, worksheets, etc. for each subject and week) 6.) Something else and/or a combination of the above What's your vote and why? =D I'm in my 11th or 12th year of homeschooling (does pre-K count?), but, for some reason, I'm having trouble with a workable plan for this. This will be for my youngest's 3rd grade. CC wasn't around, at least in my area, when my older dc were this young. I'd appreciate your help!

We have really enjoyed Nature's Friend! I don't have one in front of me right now, but I don't think there are any ads either. It's colorful and well done.

I've used WT 1 & 2 previously, with an older child, and now I can't remember what I added. Actually, I think I had him do R & S English on top of it! However, I'm now thinking that may not be necessary. I would probably need to add spelling at a minimum. What do you guys add?

Thanks, Connie, for trying to decide which is more difficult! :) Does it make any difference to say that it's just a regular Physics course and that the Chemistry isn't AP. The description says that it takes both Chemistry + Advanced Chemistry (+ 6 extra sessions with the professor) to prepare for the AP Chem exam, but the Chemistry isn't actually an AP class. Does that make sense? I'm new to all the AP stuff, so I don't know how unusual that is. She's taking regular Chemistry this year, and we're trying to decide between Advanced Chemistry (in hopes of taking the AP Chem exam afterwards) or Physics for 11th grade. I like the idea of having 2 AP exams each year. Do you really think it's an issue that the Chemistry exam will be new? Is it worth waiting just for that? Anyone else want to weigh in on comparing the difficulty level of the two classes? :)

No, it's the Classical Track at The Potter's School online.

How many AP classes did your kids take? I'm thinking we'll limit them to 2 per year at this point, but they would be online.

Which do you guys think would be more difficult? Below are the class descriptions (from The Potter's School): Advanced Chemistry (Apologia text) This second-year chemistry course, when combined with Apologia's Exploring Creation With Chemistry or its equivalent, covers the advanced placement (AP) chemistry syllabus or the equivalent of one year of college chemistry. Following the completion of both courses, a student is prepared to take either the AP or CLEP (College Level Examination Program) chemistry exam. The course includes discussion of limiting-reagent stoichiometry, atomic and molecular orbitals, intermolecular forces, solutions, chemical equilibrium, acid/base equilibria, redox reactions, nuclear chemistry, and an introduction to organic chemistry. The course also includes approximately 28 hours of laboratory experiments investigating the Kinetic Theory of Matter, crystallization, solubility curves, distillation, paper chromatography, the common ion effect, calculation of concentration from pH, redox reactions, making polymers, and the Iodine Clock Reaction and others. The text for this course is Apologia's Advanced Chemistry in Creation, 2nd Edition. A chemistry lab set is also required. Prerequisites: Successful completion (B or higher) of TPS Chemistry and TPS Advanced Algebra, or their equivalents with approval from the instructor. Students may also be concurrently enrolled in TPS Advanced Algebra. [This class is required to complete every lab, question, and problem in the book. Fifteen labs require formal reports and the rest informal. The professor also includes 6 extra sessions to help prepare for the AP exam. Hmmm...the class times aren't great for us -- 7:00 a.m. on Wed. or 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday.] Physics (doesn't use Apologia) This course gives students a rigorous foundation in physics, preparing them for college-level work and helping them understand how things work in God’s magnificent universe. It is highly recommended for students considering STEM majors and careers. The curriculum covers classical physics topics, including: motion, forces, energy, work, momentum, heat, thermodynamics, waves, vibrations, sound, light, optics, electricity, and magnetism. Topics will be introduced using an inquiry-based approach and deeper understanding will be developed by considering real-world engineering and science applications of the material. A variety of instructional strategies will be used to ensure that different learning styles are addressed. Laboratory work, which can be challenging in the homeschool environment, is critical to the learning of physics. The laboratory content for this course will include narrated videos of experiments conducted by the instructor using quality laboratory apparatus and Vernier data collection equipment, online computer simulations of experiments, and at-home experiments conducted by the students using common objects and materials. Formal lab reports will be required. The textbook for this course is Physics: Principles and Problems, by Paul W. Zitzewitz and others (2013 edition). This is the latest version of a classic high-school physics text that includes access to a variety of online resources that will support and enhance the learning of physics in the homeschool environment. Prerequisites: Successful completion (B or higher) of TPS Advanced Algebra or equivalent, or concurrent enrollment in TPS Advanced Algebra or equivalent. TPS Summer Advanced Algebra Review is encouraged for those who need to strengthen their Advanced Algebra skills (or TPS Summer Algebra Review, for those who need to strengthen basic algebra skills).

All great points! Thanks! She's been doing formal lab reports for a few years now, but usually only about 5 a years, not 15! I'd like for her to go ahead with Advanced Chem, and I plan to use your arguments. :)

I mean that she is finishing Chemistry this year and is considering Advanced Chem next year. If so, she'd take the AP Chem exam in May 2014. I had heard that the exam is changing, but the teacher said he would make course adjustments to compensate. She won't be taking AP Physics. =D She'd rather not take any Physics at all, but we can't really get away with that -- or could we??

Can you tell me how it's going and how it compares to year 2?

Dd says he should do CTY2! She has really enjoyed Mr. Crosby for history and Mrs. Howard for literature & philosophy. She says the 9 hours she studied yesterday for the 3rd quarter exam isn't the norm, but it was over more difficult material this time. She says there's an hour of reading each day, minimum, plus about a half hour for history. On top of that is everything else -- forum posts, papers, quizzes, exams. It's hard to say how much time those take because they vary.

Sorry! I'm just now seeing this! CTY2 is very time-consuming! Dd is taking most everything at TPS -- CT, Chemistry (+ problem solving), Algebra II (+ problem solving), and Spanish II. So, corners could be cut in amount of overall time spent on school by using co-ops or other sources for the non-CT classes. Lately, I've been having her keep a time log so we can evaluate how much time it is really taking vs. what it seems -- and it was seeming like all she ever did was school. I'll see if I can get some totals from her and post again. Whether or not to continue or leave the CT is a very tough decision! Dd has been very stressed over the past month or so with the research paper and the ancient philosophy they've been reading and discussing (difficult reading). So, we started comparing options. We looked at Belhaven High Scholars and decided we liked the CT book list (and writing instruction) better -- they have much in common, but CT has more literature. Just when we thought we were sure to go with CTY3, we looked at what she might take if she took regular TPS classes. Surprisingly, we have enrolled her in regular classes, including AP World History, and plan to have her take a couple more AP classes by the time she graduates. It's nice having the option of AP and having time for an elective or two! (Mrs. Howat said that they are prepared for one of the AP English exams after CTY4 though.) Now, there's a 7 day grace period for changing all that without fees, so there's a small chance we'd change back to CT. However, dd really likes the schedule we have planned. I am happy with it too, but I did have second thoughts last night! She took a 3rd quarter exam that covered all the ancient philosophy that she'd been struggling with and feels great about it! She really studied (I think she said 8.5 hours yesterday), but she understands it and was ready. (Studying 8.5 hours for one exam isn't the norm, but it was over material that she hadn't grasped well before.) I was surprised and impressed by how tough and deep the questions were -- and excited that she was able to think and write well on those philosophical topics! I definitely feel CT is a quality program.

I mention this in the AP thread I just started, but maybe this is a separate question. We're trying to decide whether to have dd take Advanced Chemistry in 11th or go ahead to Physics. These would be at TPS. She's currently taking Chemistry and enjoys it. She is unlikely to major in science in college -- probably humanities. If she were to take Advanced Chemistry this year, she would be prepared to take the AP Chemistry exam. (The teacher/professor also provides 6 extra sessions to further prepare them for the AP exam.) Do you think it would be better to go ahead and do this, and save Physics for 12th? It was her idea to take Advanced Chemistry, but then she started getting intimidated by the 15 formal lab reports, etc. Part of my thinking is that this would be a 4th AP exam for her -- and it looks like 4 APs are seen as much better than only 3?? Still learning! (She's finishing Chemistry & Algebra II now with A's and enjoys Chemistry more than Biology. We have AP World History planned for 11th, and AP English & Psychology planned for 12th, if Psych fits in her schedule -- it doesn't for 11th.)

We're signing up for TPS classes now and are looking at their AP class offerings. How many AP classes are normal for college-bound kids? Is there a minimum she should have if we're going the AP route vs. dual credit at cc? Are dual credit and AP considered equal in colleges' eyes? So far, this is what we're thinking: 11th: AP World History 12th: AP English (not sure which yet) & AP Psychology She's considered taking Advanced Chemistry this year, which would give her the opportunity to take the AP Chemistry exam -- the teacher/professor even provides 6 extra sessions to further prepare them. Do you think it would be better to go ahead and do this, rather than taking Physics in 11th? (She's finishing Chemistry & Algebra II now and enjoys Chemistry more than Biology.) AP Psychology is offered at the same time as AP World History, or she'd like to take that for 11th. Is there a big difference in colleges' minds between 3 AP and 4 AP? There's a chance she would take a dual credit class or two in 12th, if we felt the need.

Would we be at a disadvantage (for college acceptance and/or for scholarships) if we didn't follow the Distinguished Diploma requirements here in Texas exactly? My daughter is going into 11th. Here are some specific questions: 1.) We didn't do geography as a separate course, and our American history course didn't cover after 1877. Are those issues at all? Could we just list our courses: American History Ancient History AP World History (signing up for 11th at TPS) Govt/Econ (for 12th) 2.) Do we really need the "Technology Application" credit? 3.) Should we try our best to have 4 "advanced measures," such as AP, to be competitive?

Dd is finishing up CT year 2, and we're wondering how the workload compares to year 3. Anyone? :)

Searched the boards and found this thread from last year. What age would you say is good for Starting Points for an average boy? Also, what credits do you think are fair to give? Three credits (Bible, literature, & history) seems excessive.

Thanks for you input, Jann! Is there a way to tell whether a dc would do well with Saxon? My ds has trouble making large leaps in mathematical thinking, and he has trouble retaining math that isn't reviewed often -- not everything, but he needs lots of review over time on new concepts to keep them fresh until they are second nature. I tried to work with him on these issues by using curricula like Singapore in the early years, but I think his brain just doesn't work that way -- his strengths are in other areas. Is there a way to offset the weaknesses you see in Saxon? Any advice would be appreciated! I thought part of the issue for him with the TPS class was that it only met once a week, so I chose one for this year that meets three times a week -- the most I could find! More instruction is better, but this class is missing the review and extra practice before moving on. It's okay, but it's still not the best fit.

I could see this same thing happening with my ds -- it basically has happened over the past two years as we've tried to find our way after stopping CLE (which I did because the highest they have currently is Algebra I -- I wanted something consistent for high school). How's your ds doing with the Saxon Algebra? Did you see that Veritas is offering a Saxon track for high school next year?

Sorry, I can't help you there! I've never used Saxon, and I've never had a child ready for Algebra 1 in 7th. Seems like a reasonable plan.

I think the author wrote Latin Alive to cover Wheelock's at a middle school to early high school level and then have the kids move to translation work after completing the series. It's been a few years since I discussed it with her, though. There's an online class that takes Wheelock's at a middle school pace as preparation for going faster (starting from the beginning) in 9th grade. It's Introduction to Latin at Artesian Wells. My oldest took this class and did well with it, but I would have preferred to have her continue at that pace for 2 years. (They didn't offer a second one, and my dd ended up not keeping up well enough during 2nd semester of the faster pace class, when all the material was new.) I think Latin Alive would have been ideal, but it was the teacher's (my) fault that it didn't work for us! I had trouble staying enough ahead of her to teach it well & could have definitely used the DVDs, but they weren't available yet.