Also, I just ran across homeschoolspanish.info with Maria Mayor. Considering this as well if anyone has any experience with her. Thanks!

My 16yo daughter is finishing Alpha Omega LifePacs Spanish 2 this week. I need to find (ASAP) an option for beginning Spanish 3 mid-year. I'm considering the following and would appreciate any feedback. Clase Divertida (I've emailed them but haven't heard back yet) BJU distance learning BYU online class Homeschool Spanish Academy Alpha Omega Spanish 2 was demanding (doable, but demanding), and I'd really like to dial the workload down just a notch for Spanish 3, if possible. Thanks for any insight! Cherie

Can anybody tell me if there is an error in Example 8.10? In the middle of page 251, we think the equilibrium equation should be: (3.80-x)^2 2.5 X 10^3 = _________________ (0.5*x)(0.20+x)^2 The book shows the numerator without an exponent. Contrast the explanation for the OYO 8.10 which seems to be essentially the same problem. In that case, the numerator does include the exponent 2. Any insight? If there is an errata available anywhere, I could not find it. Has anyone made their own? Thanks!

ISBN 0-07-829444-4 I got it from Amazon.com for $17.41 plus $3.99 shipping. Looks like the cheapest one on there now is over $40. Yikes!

I'm not familiar with PACWorks. I'll have to look it up.

Would option 3 also give me a schedule?

Thanks, Trilliums!

I don't see it mentioned here often, but we used LifePacs Spanish 1 this year, and I was very pleased with it. She really learned a lot. She was able to work mostly independently, with me grading quizzes & tests. We are going to do LifePacs Spanish 2 next year.

I know world history is a lot to cover in 1 year, but that's the plan. I want to cover the ancients through 1900, leaving 20th century world history for another year. I think I've read every thread here on world history. I've definitely ruled out Notgrass, Omnibus, and Sonlight 200. These are the ones I'm considering, and I can't make up my mind. Can you help push me off the fence? Option 1 Bob Jones World History using BJU tests, but not DVDs Option 2 Glencoe World History (Spielvogel) w/the Glencoe Quizzes & Tests (I currently own both) Option 3 Glencoe World History (Spielvogel) w/Oak Meadow syllabus Option 4 Glencoe World History (Spielvogel) w/Covenant Home "stuff" (what would I need to order?) Thanks for your opinions! Cherie in IL

I use Rod & Staff for grammar from grades 3 - 8. Beginning in grade 5, we start skipping all the composition lessons because we use Institute for Excellence in Writing stuff for that. I've been extremely pleased with R&S. For high school, we are using the Review & Reinforcement books from Analytical Grammar. One lesson every other week is enough to keep it all from slipping away. I stopped R&S after 8th grade because I thought the 9th & 10th grade books focused more on composition, and I had other plans for that.

Thanks, Teresa! I managed to locate a quizzes and tests book on Amazon. In case it helps anyone else, I bought ISBN # 0078294444. I'm still trying to decide whether I want the wraparound also.

Bump

We used Frank Schaeffer and workbooks from WalMart.

My kids are very excited!

In our area they had an age and grade requirement.

I really like R&S English, but I agree that I think it might be difficult to jump into at grade level. They offer free sample lessons if you call them.

I would definitely check out anything by Dianne Craft. Here's her website: http://www.diannecraft.org/ I think she's also working with the Special Needs department of HSLDA right now, so I'd check their website, too.

Random ideas about teaching them "life skills": Dave Ramsey for money management. My daughter recently said she wants to understand how health insurance works and how to do taxes. My mom didn't let me leave home before she taught me to balance a checkbook and drilled into my head to balance it every month to the penny. Also, I've been saving some articles I run across that talk about things my kids need to know. A couple I've recently saved are about gambling and another interesting one about how to handle a violent situation. As part of her Driver's Ed we're going to do Basic Auto Upkeep by Michael Gray.

Analytical Grammar for the nuts & bolts Institute for Excellence in Writing's Advanced Communication Series.

Have you seen Lee Binz's website: thehomescholar.com Lots of practical advice for homeschooling the high school years.

I've wondered that too.

Alpha Phonics by Sam Blumenthal. Simple, inexpensive. You'll have to add some simple primers for practice -- Bob books are good to start with.

I've used Spelling Power for a number of years. My kids are all good spellers, so the program has been a success in that regard. It is simple for me to use (though the author tries to make it sound incredibly complicated). If I had to choose all over again, I might look for something different. There's probably something better. But, Spelling Power did the job. No problem starting mid-year.

I agree, and I'd also recommend Mary Pride's Big Book of Home Learning (elementary years). It's now dated, but does a good job of explaining the different approaches you might choose. For your first year, you might consider an all-inclusive curriculum. I use mostly Sonlight, but for Kindergarten I used Calvert and my kids all enjoyed it. Calvert was great in helping me gain confidence. Also, if you can go to a convention and browse the vendor hall, you'll have a better idea of what you want to try. But leave your checkbook at home and give yourself a little time to mull over your options. It's easy to get caught up in all the cool stuff available at the convention. Cherie in IL

I have a degree in teaching mathematics (7-12). I've got to tell you, I really go against the grain (and my education) when it comes to manipulatives. I don't use many. I used to own cuisinaire rods and found them useless. We did use a manipulative clock. And, I used real coins. Other than that, I have two cans full of lids in 5 different colors (like from milk jugs or vitamin bottles). These are most useful for teaching place value, though they work for ratios and a few other things. Other than that, a quick draw on the marker board is usually sufficient (using lots of colors to make distinctions). IMO thorough rote memorization of math facts during the elementary years is far more important. It's really hard to understand algebraic concepts when you get hung up on how to factor 42. (My oldest is working on Algebra 2 at the moment and the next one is working on Algebra 1...they're both doing very well). But, with all that said, you really don't need to stress over math in Kindergarten. They can learn to count and do simple addition and work on telling time. If you decide you want a curriculum at some point, I've been happy with Horizons.