Good info that might help someone else make a better purchase! My book is 1972.

I hope this isn't too off topic, but I recently bought a Modern School Mathematics Geometry (Jurgensen, Donnelly, Dolciani). Nice book but there are NO answers at all. Maybe this is ok for you, but I was bummed out.

What grade is she? I agree that I would not add more just to add more, but how about adding a foreign language? Or dabbling in some foreign languages so she can think about choosing one for high school and acquainted with foreign language study?

We have been happy with programming through fundafunda Instructor: Meryl van der Merwe ETA: I hope you get lots of responses!! Due to time zone issues, I am looking for asynchronous class options.

The recent threads about middle school joys/challenges/literature/writing have me thinking about our 8th grade. I am specifically wondering how close your 8th grade year is to high school. I know that we all have different types of students, but I am curious. Obviously, I hope that we are on track for a successful high school experience. Here is how I would describe our 8th grade in terms of high school. This is for a student who is bright but not particularly accelerated. Latin I: Definitely high school. This is an outsourced class. Danish: Almost high school or possibly high school. Perhaps a bit light on grammar to be considered high school. I don't track the hours, but I'd say a 1/2 credit. (ETA: But if I included hours using the language far more than 1 credit) Computer Science: High school level programming but not enough hours for credit. Also outsourced. Math: Algebra I Literature, History and Science: Some high school level materials, some solid 8th grade stuff. Input is at a higher level than the output. Music and Art: Per our enjoyment and I will miss not tracking hours or output here. We are still working on middle school things like spelling and penmanship. It is a big grammar year. We skipped directly from Rod and Staff 6 to 8, and it is challenging. I would love to get this book DONE this year, but it might spill over into 9th. BTW, I am open to critique if you think we are NOT on track for a successful high school experience :)

I saw that thread and freaked out, too. And then I remembered that good writers are always learning how to become better writers. There is no being "done" learning how to write.

IB programs are anything but standard. In fact, it can be discouragingly difficult to switch from one IB school to another. The course offerings have to match up exactly, for one thing. Ask a lot of questions.

I hope it turns out wonderfully:) Good luck!

Gracious golly, I do indeed have this problem. But DS made me conscious of it early this (8th grade) year. I was talking about high school to him too much, and he wanted to enjoy being an 8th grader. I have learned to keep my forward thinking mostly to myself. I am going to miss the ability to pursue art, music, penmanship, multiple foreign languages and computer science without wondering if it is enough for a credit. I have a couple of novels that I reallly want to get to before next year because they don't seem "high school reading list worthy." Never mind that I just read them last year and found them quite worthy. Anne of Green Gables is one in case you are curious :)

Welcome!

I could see putting Maus and the Book Thief in for a Holocaust unit. I know my middle son's 8th grade studied the Holocaust. Otherwise, meh.

Lisa, you have my prayers. We are also seeking new tenants. And I am discovering that there is quite a bit of money needing to be spent just to get the house ready again. Definitely crimps the budget and (as you know) living in Europe is expensive! Best wishes through this time of uncertainty.

Calming Tea, hope your daughter is well again soon.

I have noticed this month that the things that are going well have started to seem boring. So I guess we are experiencing some restlessness as well.

Following as a yoga lover who is starting to have lower back pain...

There was only one testing room so check-in was directly in front of the door. That was ideal.

We live in Denmark. In December, sunrise will be after 8 AM and sunset will be prior to 4 PM. My favorite winter mornings start with candlight and medieval music. Can you embrace it? I am in redsquirrel's camp - January and February are for hard-core school. There are minimal distractions then.

Windows to the World is another option. I am using this with my 8th grader. All of the analysis that you do uses short stories. We read and talk about (but do not write about) whole books in parallel with WTTW. http://iew.com/shop/products/windows-world-introduction-literary-analysis-teacherstudent-combo ETA: I see that the promo page emphasizes Christian content. I don't find it heavy handed on Christian content. but we haven't reached the Worldview (ch. 9) chapter yet.

Well, DS took the SAT yesterday and he is none the worse for wear :) Nerves were related not to The Test, but to being the only 8th grader in a sea of Big Kids. If you read through the whole thread, you will see that I chose a community college test location instead of a high school with the hope that the Big Kids would also be slightly out of their element and perhaps less intimidating (#21). That strategy did not pan out. Turns out testing was held in an early college high school classroom, so there was the usual mix of Big Kids on home turf and Big Kids from elsewhere. But he was fine anyway :) I was very proud of him, as this aspect was a challenge. After arriving home, *I* took a nap.

One. You sound very intelligent. Two. There is no shame in outsourcing subjects that are not your strength. Three. The fact that you don't remember much (or anything) about the classics you previously read means nothing. I consider myself good at literature (whatever that means...) and I forget books rapidly. I would rather be just one or two chapters ahead of my student so that I can remember the book and participate in a good discussion.

Thought of another leason learned: The first semester dorm contract literally only covered the first semseter. In order to keep his stuff in the dorm room over Christmas break, we had to pay a ridiculous amount of money. December surprise!

On Solow's How to Read and Do Proofs: I have the 3rd edition, but selected answers are online for the 4th edition forward. You can still get 4th editions cheap. So far, I like it. I am happy to be doing math that feels somewhat new to me, rather than just dusting-out-the-cobwebs math.

If your child will be studying outside of the USA, find out how much money the host country requires you to provide your student. This number never showed up on any of my son's paperwork until he applied for a residency visa. And it was a big number!!!!!!!

Lives of a Cell: Notes of a Biology Watcher by Lewis Thomas The Double Helix along with a biography of Rosalind Franklin ETA: The Monk in the Garden AP Biology "Great Books" List

With regard to the bolded, we are going through this. At a tiny school where are a minimal number of students and majors to keep track of. It is frustrating. ETA: While I would not step in and directly advocate for my college-student-child, I would stay involved and walk her through advocating for herself, step-by-step if necessary. "Did you email X yet?" "Have you had a reply from X yet?"