A bit of trig/alg 2 on the test, but my son got a 30 on it while enrolled in Alg 2 during the December test. My son said if you know how to use your calculator the couple of trig questions were easy.

Just as an FYI. My son was homeschooled until 9th grade, but had a ton of credits. His current transcripts from his school, that are being used for state college scholarships, have listed all of his homeschool credits and credits from his brick & mortar traditional school with the credits broken out by year and school name . So they are used to seeing all of the classes listed on the high school transcript and minimizes potential for errors.

My son loved AoPS. His brain loves a puzzle and the how to. It really has prepared him for Calculus now. He went away in August for 11th and 12th grades, but his AoPS books are on his bookshelves at school. My daughter is dyslexic. It was awful. She is now using Pearson's Math and learns math in a much more traditional way. AoPS would have taken too long, and her brain doesn't learn the way AoPS teaches.

I would go to the AOPS and do the placement tests. Knowing trigonometry is incredibly important for success in Calculus. I would also try calling the CC and see what they are using for Calculus texts and if an instructor there has any recommendations for books to best prepare for their classes.

My 11th grader loves Biochemistry as well. I would recommend the MIT's Open Courseware as well as looking ahead to Chemistry class. My son is currently taking both AP Biology & AP Chemistry and is finding the Chemistry both more challenging and going into more depth into all of the molecular level aspects.

As a parent with two doing k12 through the state and one traditional homeschooling student, here are differences. K12- kids have teachers and at my kids' school they meet with teachers via on-line classroom M-Thurs. for classes. The lesson plans are there for me. However we do it at our pace and work with the teacher with an individualized learning plan. It is a built-in support system and lesson planner. Traditional you are responsible for lesson planning, teaching, and the whole nine yards. I still spend a large quantity of teaching the two that do K12. I have homeschooled for 6 years traditionally, and I can say it is just as much work on a daily basis no matter what for parent and/or child. It is a political and legal technicality. I think that both communities need to understand each other and learn to respect each family's decision. Both groups are marginalized as a whole, parents are struggling with the same issues, and all are doing it for the betterment of our children.

I recently purchase the e-text from Pearson for Readidades and the literature/writing program. These are to be viewed via successnet plus. One needs a school code to create a username. I e-mailed them and they told me it was not part of the homeschooling technical support. Has anyone had success getting a schoolcode and how did you do it? Thanks much!!

I had a meeting Dean in charge of the Honors College at the University of South Carolina last summer. His recommendations were as follows: 1. Not all AP/CC classes are created equal. Although you may be able to pass a test, it doesn't ensure proficiency. 2. Use these types of credits for non-major related courses, i.e. if you are going into engineering, a lit credit makes a lot of sense 3. Even if you did well on your AP/Clep etc... take the intro courses in your major. Too many kids struggle because every school's scope and sequence is different. A strong foundation in your major will only help you in the long run. 4. It's not about money it's about the lack of ability of the students coming in to perform at the same level as the students who took the intro course at the college level. There are too many who study to the test and do not have the knowledge needed to succeed in higher level courses. This is what I have heard so many times from college professors and parents of college students. It is not to say those tests aren't necessary for entrance, but don't assume those are intended to replace classes at the University. There is a reason so many Universities are changing their requirements.

I agree with Nscribe. Starting anywhere within the history cycle is fine. Everything will be covered again at least once again in the future. Have fun with it and enjoy your homeschooling adventure!!!

I think the poster meant that MUS may not be the most rigorous of available programs, but if it is working for your family it doesn't mean you have to change it. Pre-algebra is in line for most 8th graders, so he is not behind. The most important thing on the math is a firm understanding of the concepts. It is more important to know the math they have take and be able to retain the knowledge then completing Calculus in high school. A lot of kids will have taken the courses, but when they get to college end up having to retake classes due to lack of mastery of material. I would say to any parent wanting to prepare their child for a science career make sure they take at least 4 high school level science courses and mathematics courses. I also recommend going to the high school boards and reading through the posts there. There are some fantastic reviews of science textbooks on there for kids wanting to go into the sciences.

It is what grade you would put them in if they would be in a traditional school. With a five year old I would say Kindergarten or 1st grade, if you put a five year old in fifth grade they are being compared to ten year old kids not other five year olds.

Sometimes they are given a weighted grade for GPA. An honors course usually goes at a faster pace and covers more material. It does enhance the transcript since it is an outsourced class. You can contact then people who are outsourcing with and ask what is the difference between the two levels.

I am required to use just percentages for my umbrella eliminating the need for letter grades.

I do a 20% daily work (did he complete the work, not is it correct), 40% quizzes and tests, 30% mid-term and final, 10% a research report on a either a mathematician or concept in math. I need the paper for it to count as honors for my homeschool association. I do mid-term and finals to introduce that for college prep.

:bigear: My son managed to get his on radians instead of degrees and didn't realize it until two weeks after his ACT. No wonder he said no trig function answers were correct on the test.

First of all don't panic, there is plenty of time to increase his scores. I don't understand the need to do College Algebra now. Until he has a solid foundation in Algebra II- College Algebra (Alg III or Pre-calc level) may only cause more frustration. If you don't feel comfortable teaching this course then I suggest finding a tutor. A high school level pre-calculus, trigonometry, or statistics course may be more his speed after he has demonstrated proficiency in Alg II. Remember at the CC the pace will be much faster than his previous courses. As far as science an Earth Science, if he enjoyed either bio or chem a more advanced level or either. There are physics courses out there that do not require a high level math, so you have options there. I know some schools in GA require 4 sciences, but the fourth is a your pick so find something enjoyable to both of you :lol: I also recommend getting the test prep books and working them over time.

I would first call the admissions people at the colleges your son is looking at and make sure you have every course requirement covered. Although he may have math and science covered, make sure your other core curriculum bases are covered. Usually 4 credits minimum are required for English. As far as history, it is up to you. If you feel that his 20th century history and literature have been covered so he has a high school equivalence of this time period I wouldn't sweat it. You could also maybe do a combined year 3 &4 with highlights from both. If you feel that he will be more prepared with the textbook, that is up to you.

Looking to do a honors level Introduction to Chemistry. I want something challenging and requiring at least basic algebra. Saw this, but I am having difficulty finding any reviews. I am willing to do something else, but it needs to be secular. Thanks in advance.

Looking to do a honors level

No you do not need to take an AP course to take the exam. You only need to go through the college board if you want to be able to put AP (course title) on your transcripts. This is not necessary if your child takes the exam for most schools- I have read a couple of threads recently that states some schools want to see the course and exam. I suggest maybe talking with the universities your child is interested in to find out their school's recommendation. If you go to the college board website they walk you through what you need to do to get your class approved. Taking the AP exam you only need to contact a school who is giving the exam and get your child signed up. As far as resources for AP US History I will be following this thread because I am trying to put together my plans for next year as well.

I have done Miller Levine Biology and Prentice Hall Earth Science which are used by the public schools. I did not shell out a lot of money for labs for these courses. I have the lab manuals that go with the books and was able to do at least 80% of the labs without anything more than things around my house, a microscope, and less than $50 of supplies from a local teacher's store. Of course there will be things you cannot do, but do not panic. I have friends whose kids attend a private school and do a lot of their lab work with virtual labs. I really do not feel so far DS is missing anything as far as a lab component.

I am still awaiting my son's results from Feb 9th test. He did do the inventory, but he was the only Duke TIPS kid there. I am just thinking that like the Explore, they don't do those inventories if they are sitting with other Duke TIPS kids. I could be wrong, but just a thought.

I also do TOG, but I do it secularly. We do not to the worldview portion, I have substituted/or crossed out some of the questions due to the religious slant. However it is very possible to do secularly or with an old world viewpoint. That being said, you have to be able to have time to have discussions and decide how much of TOG you are going to do. There is so much material you cannot possibly do it all. The is definitely a learning curve. That being said I love the books, the schedule, and the ideas for projects etc... I have looked at HO, but decided against because I didn't feel it was as rigorous. I have used Pandia Press's Science Odyssey and was happy with it. I would print out both of their free weeks and try them to see which you like best.

:iagree:

The reason to study them is that the only time in the real world we use math is the "every day" story problems. Like I need to buy carpet and how much do I need to buy to cover my living and dining rooms for example, or how many is gas going to cost if I drive from SC to AZ. Story problems also show a deeper understanding of the material and how it is applied. I hear you with dyslexia. What we do with my daughter is talk through them. You don't need to do every single problem, but knowing she can apply what she learned into every day life is important. JMO