Help! I have been homeschooling my 11 y.o. son since K, but we are considering enrolling him in a 7-12 public charter school for the arts next year (as a seventh grader,) and I am trying to figure out where he may fit in the "traditional" math sequence that they offer (Alg., Geo., Alg. II/Trig., PreCalc, AP Calc, AP Stat). Here is what he has completed to date over the past couple of years, in order, starting with Algebra I: LOF Intro. to Algebra Glencoe California Algebra I AOPS Introduction to Algebra (text, not online) LOF Advanced Algebra LOF Geometry Glencoe California Geometry (he is currently working on the last couple of chapters) LOF Trigonometry (Yikes, he is now starting this one, for "fun") The charter school does have 7th graders who are taking Geometry this year, but I don't think they have ever had a 7th grader take Alg. II/Trig. (although I think if he tests out of Geometry, I believe they will be open to the idea). What should we do? We still have a few months left for this school year, and my son loves LOF... but I am considering having him take an AOPS online course (Geometry? Algebra II?) My son wants to start LOF Trig. Help! This is a kid who reads LOF cover-to-cover the day we receive it, and has read every "Murderous Maths" book at least five times. He loves math! - I just am getting concerned that we are getting in over our heads! Thank you!

I actually prefer reading on the Ipad to the Nook (B&N e-reader). I find the Nook too "dim" and the screen too small for my 42 year old eyes. I can adjust the contrast and text size on the Ipad until it is just right.

Oops... I should also mention that he can test out of any of the charter school courses, so there is nothing restricting him from taking either Geometry or Algebra 2/Trig in seventh grade. So far, option 1 looks like the way to go... Thanks for all of your quick replies!

Hi everyone, My son is young (10, going into 6th grade) and gifted in math. Last year he completed the Art of Problem Solving (AOPS) Algebra 1 (on our own) and LOF Algebra. I am debating what to do this year. He may be going to traditional school for grades 7-12, so I would like him to fit into the regular math sequence, and to take the AOPS online classes rather than completing them on our own, so that we have grades and documentation. My three options for sixth grade are: 1- Introduction to Number Theory and Introduction to Probability and Counting 2- Algebra 2 and Introduction to Number Theory (this option may induce boredom if he takes Algebra 2/Trig at school, unless the school's Algebra 2 is AOPS Algebra 3) 3- Introduction to Geometry The charter school he may attend for 7-12 offers Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trig, Precalculus, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics. If he completes all of these courses, he may take additional math courses at a local college. Any recommendations?

My husband went to medical school at the University of California, Irvine, and my sister-in-law went to medical school in the Caribbean at Ross University. She is now working in a nursing home - she specialized in Geriatrics. She didn't have a problem finding a job, but she did enter a field where there is more demand. I would think it is probably easier from a Caribbean medical school to get into the more in demand, "general" (and lower paid) residencies like Internal Medicine, GP, FP, or Pediatrics than to try to get into a competitive residency like Dermatology or Cardiology from a Caribbean medical school. Coming from UCI, my husband had a much easier time "matching" to a more competitive residency.

We are reform Jews, and secular homeschoolers. Our kids do attend religious/ Hebrew school, but that is not part of our homeschooling day. In our large synagogue, I believe we are the only homeschoolers...?! From my experience, it seems that very few Reform/ Conservative Jewish parents homeschool... many of them are almost fanatical about the PS system, and I find myself having to constantly defend our reasons for choosing this path.

We live in Southern California, and were told the replacement value on our pool is about $75K. The is for a large, lighted/heated, freeform, gunite pool with a diving board one one end and a built-in spa with waterfall on the other. There is also quite a bit of flagstone hardscape around the spa and edge of the pool. We're glad it was already installed when we bought the house! I've always believed that if you want a pool, it makes a lot more sense to buy a house that already has one, if possible. You usually don't get all that pool installation money back when you go to sell.

Our neighbors have a pair. They both work, and exercise the dogs at night. The dogs sometimes get out, and they have to run down the street chasing them and apologizing because they are not friendly to our kids or our two dogs. We have a lab mix and a golden retriever, so our kids are comfortable around dogs, but are intimidated by all the ruckus caused by these two. Personally, I think they are best suited to a 20-something couple without kids, preferably triathletes or at least marathon runners...

Both my kids qualified in both Verbal and Math, and we attended the award ceremony just out of curiosity. They had a speaker talk about the CTY programs, and then handed out certificates to the kids. After walking up to receive his certificate, my son commented that it "felt strange to win an award just for completing a test." :-) We haven't taken any of their classes or camps, because they are very expensive. We were hoping that they would offer merit scholarships because our kids scored so high on the SCAT, but no such luck.

I'll wait for your reply! Although now I feel guilty that I'm on here rather than cleaning the garage...

How do you teach these? I just received the books. Does anyone have any suggestions? It looks very different from Caesar's English and the Voyage series. Thanks! Laurie

Life of Fred, for 4th grade up. Kids can do it on their own if it is done as review.

Thanks for your replies! I checked out the "Hey Andrew" website and it says "Biblical Greek." What does that mean? We are Jewish. Thanks!

Hi everyone, Please offer some feedback on my plans for my rising 6th grader: Math: Finish AOPS Introduction to Algebra (we are currently on chapter 15); AOPS Introduction to Number Theory Language Arts: MCT Word Within the Word, MCT Magic Lens, MCT Essay Voyage (he completed MCT Voyage series/ Caesars II this year with the exception of the writing where he is a level behind) Literature: Literary Lessons of Lord of the Rings; extra reading and read-alouds History: Finish Hakim History of Us series books 6-10 (did Hakim books 1-5 this year,; we finished SOTW in 4th) Science: Science Explorer various books and labs; Hakim Story of Science? Latin: Latin Prep? Any other suggestions? We are new to this! Spanish: at workshop Hebrew: class at temple Music: piano lessons, orchestra Art: Meet the Masters at workshop Logic: Orbiting with Logic? Any other suggestions? PE: Tennis 3-5 hours/week Am I missing anything? I am unsure about adding Latin (never did it before, but son is interested - he actually requested Greek, but that's way out of my league) and Hakim's Story of Science. He loves the learn, and I love teaching him, but are we taking on too much? I don't want him to be overwhelmed, especially with puberty on the horizon ;-) I want to keep it challenging, but fun! Do you see any redundancies? Thanks for your feedback! Laurie

How cute! I think she would look great in a one-length bob that just brushes her shoulders, a little longer in the front than the back, with some wispy bangs. You could always add some clips to the sides... wish I had little girls to dress up! I had one of those "Dorothy Hamill" cuts in the 1970s when I was little... hated every minute of it and have not had short hair since. I would nix the really short hair...

My son finished Singapore 6B, including CWP and IP, in 3rd grade. In 4th grade we completed a PreAlgebra book (McDougall-Littell) used in the public schools here, just to make sure we were not missing anything. I'm glad we did, as this was his first exposure (I think, I'm trying to recall here) to negative integers, polynomials, surface area/ volume of 3D shapes, and several other topics that are included in our state (California) standards for 7th grade. We did only the guided practice and challenging word problems in each chapter, and then spent the rest of our math time working through Zaccaro's Challenge Math. My son is now 10 and in 5th grade (late October birthday, but I placed him ahead). This year we will have completed the first 14 chapters of AOPS Introduction to Algebra, which is equivalent to their online Algebra 1 course. Next year, in 6th grade, we are going to finish the AOPS book, and LOF Algebra (he loves Life of Fred!). In 7th grade, or whenever we're ready, I plan to work through AOPS Introduction to Number Theory and Introduction to Counting & Probability. I am trying go for the "depth" rather than charging ahead. He has expressed interested in being a mathematician (in addition to being a musician), so I think this is important. We may also begin participating in some math contests, such as AMC8, next year. I plan to wait until 8th grade for Geometry. PM me if you have any other questions! Oh, have you checked out any of the Murderous Maths books? My son loves these - we have them all! He even reads them in the bathroom :001_huh:

Thank you, Lisa! I've never seen LLOLTR, so I appreciate your feedback. I'll skip Poetry and Humanity this year. Laurie

We always have used LOF for review after completing a more traditional curriculum, usually in the summer. I personally prefer this approach. For example, my kids completed LOF Fractions after Singapore 5/Saxon 54, LOF Decimals & Percents after Singapore 6/Saxon 76, and are going to complete LOF Algebra this summer after the first half of AOPS Introduction to Algebra (now on chapter 14 of this book, which is the last chapter covered in a "traditional" Algebra I program). HTH!

Hi everyone, I am starting to order some curriculum for next year, and so far have purchased Literary Lessons of Lord of the Rings (2nd edition, I will review it when I get it), MCT Magic Lens 1, MCT Word Within the Word 1, and 4Practice 1. Do you think I should also use MCT Poetry and Humanity, or is all covered since we are using LLOLTR and have finished the entire MCT Voyage program, including the poetry books? What do you think? I don't want to overdo it - this already looks like a heavy LA year for 6th grade. Thank you! Laurie DS, 10, currently using AOPS Algebra, MCT Voyage level, LL 7, Science Explorer, History of US, lots of music and tennis

7 years of homeschooling, kids currently in 5th and 6th grades. So far, we have loved: Sing, Spell, Read & Write Explode the Code Bob books Life of Fred Fractions/ Decimals & Percents Singapore Math (through 6B) Art of Problem Solving Introduction to Algebra MCT Grammar Island, Town, Caesar's English Ok: History of Us (one child likes it, other thinks it has too much detail) Prentice Hall Science Explorer series (same as above) MCT Voyage and Poetry Wordly Wise/ Vocabulary from Classical Roots Analytical Grammar/ Easy Grammar

:lurk5:

My son is currently working independently through the AOPS Introduction to Algebra text, and I have compared it chapter-by-chapter with his school's California Glencoe Algebra I book. The topics covered in the online Algebra 1 class (first half of the book) match up with the content of the Glencoe book, albeit in greater depth. The second half of the AOPS book covers topics usually encountered in Algebra 2, at least in California.

My son started Algebra this year, at age 9 (he turned 10 at the end of October). He had already completed Saxon through 76, Singapore through 6B (including CWP), LOF Pre-Algebra books, Zaccaro's Problem Solving Genius and Challenge Math books, and a California PreAlgebra text (for credit, we did it all!). He is currently about halfway through Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Algebra, which we are using concurrently with a California Algebra text (for credit). He is enjoying the AOPS text, but finds the "starred" questions and chapters difficult (we may go back to them at the end of the year). We plan to complete the LOF Algebra after we finish AOPS, and then move on to either the Geometry AOPS text or the Number Theory/ Probability texts. PM me if you have any questions. Good luck!

We hated Exercises in English. It was one of the grammar options offered by our charter, and I feel that it is designed for classroom use, rather than homeschooling, and it is very dry and boring. There is no "teaching," just review, as the previous poster stated. We liked Easy Grammar better.

My son finished Singapore 6B at the end of 3rd grade. We did LOF Fractions/ Decimals and Percents over the summer, and then for 4th grade used a California Pre-Algebra text and supplemented with Zaccaro's Challenge Math book. Although others may disagree, I don't think he would have been ready for AOPS Algebra right after 6B. The PreAlgebra book filled some gaps, particularly in negative numbers, graphing, and random concepts like compound interest, etc. that we missed by not using traditional textbooks. This year he is in 5th grade (a young 5th grader; he just turned 10 last week), and we are using AOPS Introduction to Algebra. He is currently working on chapter 7. I must say - this is a challenging book! Many of the word problems are culled from math competitions. I enlisted my husband, a physician who aced the math SAT, to help him. I would hesitate to recommend the book as a self-study course unless you have a qualified tutor. They do have online courses, but we have not tried them yet. Good luck!