JanetC, What did you use for your meteorology course? I haven't been able to find a high school course. I see the Great Courses has an Intro to Meteorology DVD set and I've found some college textbooks. Are one of these the route you took?

Did you find it helpful/necessary to purchase the online certificate program for access to the online exams? If not, how and what did you choose to grade? Thinking here about the practice quizzes being set up to take multiple times in preparation for the online exams. Also, did you make use of the workbooks that are also available for purchase? TIA, Sandy

Thank you so much for this! My girls and I have needed haircuts all summer long but unexpected expenses stretched the budget too thin. Two of my three dd fall within the grade requirement. Yeah! :hurray:

Met in February, became engaged in April, planned a wedding from 3,000 away, and married in August after determining that if not then, the wait would have needed to be at least a year. My poor mom's initial response was, "What! Four months to plan the wedding!" But with my parent's on-site help, it came together beautifully. Prior to meeting my dh, I wouldn't have dreamed of marrying someone after only a few months. I was equally surprised that I had no reason not to say, "yes" (kept waiting for the other shoe to drop - never did!). We went through pre-marital counseling and sought the wisdom of others who knew us. We said if our pastor, friends or family said we weren't ready, we'd take heed and wait. No one did. When my dad, who flew across the country to meet my dh, gave his blessing that sealed it. God was so in it all. We'll celebrate 21 years together next week. :)

For the longest time we had a tiny pair of Jesus sandals hanging from the rear view mirror (only removed because dh said it has become illegal here now). They were a gift from a friend when our then-newborn (now 9yo) was in the NICU with heart and feeding issues. We had also just learned he had Down syndrome. The little sandals, which would have fit his tiny feet back then, were such a comforting reminder of Jesus' presence during that difficult time and of all the people who were lifting our little guy up in prayer. And we did see such amazing answers to those prayers. The sandals, still in the car but in a less obtrusive location, are kind of like an Old Testament memorial stone reminding us to be thankful and to celebrate the goodness of God.

Ds who is almost 20 wanted to be a military pilot for the longest time and studied everything he could get his hands on about airplanes. Less than stellar eyesight nixed the pilot career and his desire to pursue aeronautics or the military. During his high school years, he loved and excelled at theater, both plays and musicals. He would love to go to school for theater arts but has not done so because he is concerned about the potentially limited job opportunities. Now his plan is to major in business with a marketing emphasis. 17yo dd has always been about art - drawing, painting, computer-based projects, photography. Her plan is to major in Digital Media Art and see where that takes her. She is also one with a long list of all the things she wants to do and wonders how she will fit it all in! 15yo twin is a hands-on figure-it-out guy. He's our go-to for household mechanical and electronic needs. Can't say for definite at this point, but something in the engineering field would seem a good fit. The other 15 yo twin isn't sure at this point. When he was younger he was fascinated by weather and particularly natural disasters, but the interest hasn't turned into something he's passionate about. My plan for him at this point is some appitude and career exploration and see if anything stikes a chord in him.

If you are a homeschooler in NY and want to attend a state cc or university you have two or three options, depending on school policy: 1) Secure a letter from the local super indicating your student has completed the equivalent of a public high school education or 2) Pass the GED test (after graduating from homeschool) or 3) Take college 24 credits in specifically selected subject areas that serve as the equivalent of a high school diploma. The third option, as we found out, is not available at all schools. My dd has earned 18 credits through dual enrollment at a nearby SUNY school but that school does not offer the 24-credit option. Since we did not opt for a superintendent's letter, which meant we stopped school reporting after the year in which dd turned 16, she would have to take the GED upon graduation in order to matriculate and earn her AA at that school. (It wouldn't be necessary if she were just planning to transfer the credits elsewhere.) In addition, financial aid wouldn't be available there unless she matriculates. Another school an hour away does offer the 24-credit option, but that means a longer commute. The hope was to complete her AA locally and less expensively while living at home and then transfer to a 4-year school to complete a BA. So, in her case, if she wants to complete her AA locally, she'll either graduate high school, take the GED and matriculate, or make the longer commute and utilize the 24-credit option.

Does anyone have a copy of the free PDF lesson plans that used to be available on the Visual Link Spanish website? This link: http://www.learnspanishtoday.com/pdf/lesson_plans.pdf was posted in earlier forum discussions but it is no longer showing up. I have emailed the company but have not heard back from them yet.

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas. What I don't want to do is waffle any more. We got off track and my inconsistency has made it worse. So I need to come back, have those if/thens in place, follow through each and every time.

What are your if/then consequences for your teens when they talk disrespectfully to you or they are mean to younger sibs? Needing more on-the-spot consistency in my response and wanting some fresh ideas as I re-boot and purpose to follow through.

The gal who's teaching the Human Anatomy and Physiology class said she thinks dd can handle it. Neither my dd or I have seen the book yet to get a sense of it. Guess that's the next step.

HollyDay ~ Right now she is debating between teaching English and graphic illustration/photography. Double major? Major/minor? Not sure, but these are top two loves at this point. Since she likely will not be going straight to a 4-year school, we haven't settled on where she will transfer to yet. amtmcm ~ Thank you! Yes, I did visit the website while I was comparing the different non-mathy programs. Wished I'd known about this two years ago! I think she would have experienced more success with something like this. Momto2Ns ~ Earth science might be an option worth looking at. I think there would have to be a dramatic change for her to pursue anything in college that required anything but bare bones science! Ellie ~ I would love to have this option but she had Physical Science in 8th so I don't believe I can count that as high school (although my understanding is I could if she had taken it as a 9th grader). She took biology in 9th and did well. She started chemistry in 10th and stopped. She did some independent study that year in astronomy but it was interest based and informal. Then this year, she did the same chemistry (Apologia) in co-op and did okay the first semester but didn't survive the second semester. So that leaves her at the moment, unless I can count Physical Science, with only one official high school science and the astronomy, which I could try to formulate into some level of credit but it would not be a full credit in any case. With this as background would you still say to not worry about doing anything at home?

Thanks for responding, Teachin'Mine. I talked again with my dd last night and she says her preference would be the co-op class as she thinks studying anatomy would be interesting. So, I'm going to follow up with the teacher about the level of math needed. If she thinks dd can handle it, we'll give it a try. If not, I think I'll take a closer look at Conceptual Chemistry and Spectrum Chemistry. I'm not sure about the latter as far as math. I see where it has the Bridge Math to do beforehand, but I also read on the boards where some students found it pretty difficult.

My dd is my artist and writer. She has struggled with math and with the math portions of science. She has made it through Algebra 1 and 2 and is about 2/3 the way through geometry but it has taken her a long time. She studies but has a very hard time retaining information, short and long term. In science, she has taken done Apologia Physical Science and Biology and has studied some astronomy on her own out of personal interest. We are coming into her senior year, but it might stretch to the end of 2012. My plan for math is to have her finish up geometry and then focus on reviewing, both for SAT purposes and her own understanding. She may also take a personal finance course. I am not sure, though, what to do about science. She has attempted chemistry twice, but has not completed it. The first time was on her own and we decided to wait until she could do it with a co-op. She did join a co-op and made it through the first semester before it was too much for her to keep up with. I wish I would have known more about less math intensive chemistry programs earlier. She is college bound but will probably do a combo of local state school, CLEPs, and online courses, before transferring to a four-year school. She has already taken a dual enrollment course, Psychology, and earned an A. I am not sure what to do about science. Do we try again with chemistry but use a non-mathy course? Should she just look for a basic science course to do dual enrollment? Should she just go with Physical Science and Biology and focus her efforts elsewhere? She could dig deeper into astronomy but that will also require the math. She liked studying astronomy topics on her own, so I ordered Classical Astronomy. She didn't like it. The gal who teaches the co-op is doing Apologia Human Anatomy and Physiology this year. She said she would look through the course and see if the math is such that my dd could handle it. I still need to check with her on that. I know Apologia's recommendation was to have completed chemistry before taking the course. And the co-op has its pros and cons. The pros is that it gives her much needed accountability but she also felt frustrated about not "getting it" last year when everyone else did. It was the kind of set up where everyone knew how everyone else was doing. I'm not sure what to do and would appreciate others input as we try put together a plan. Thanks!

Thanks for the encouragement, ladies! Stacy, thanks for the "OK never" tip! :D We have a pretty good size collection of books at home and our public library sometimes has what we need and sometimes doesn't. So it is good to know I can substitute or skip altogether without detracting from the program. How far into AHL are you? Is your son enjoying it as well? I am hoping it will be a good fit for my twins and re-ignite the pleasure of learning. Blessings, Sandy

Please forgive my belatedness on this thread! I so appreciated everyone's input and kept meaning to get back here and give a proper "thanks!" I am going with HOD Preparing for my 5th grader, LHFHG for the 5yo and 8yo, MFW AHL for the twins and MFW 1877 to Present for my senior. I'm in the midst of gathering, planning and organizing now, feeling a combination and hopeful and not exactly tentative, but hoping I can juggle well the time needed with everyone. But I do feel a peace that this is the right way to go. So, thank you for all your help! :001_smile: And dsmama - I'll let you know how it goes with my son and LHFHG. I'd also love to hear more about your little guy!

Thanks for catching that, Julie. Too tired tonight...:mellow: I edited the post and changed the title. Hopefully that will work in case there is someone out there who can speak to this. I do plan on calling the office and talking with the high school specialist. I have been emailing someone there and that is what she recommended as well. But since it's too late to call tonight and my inquiring mind wants to know, I just thought I'd see if anyone here might have some input. Maybe I'll query the yahoo group as well. Thanks for your help!

We will be using MFW for the first time this year. My sons will be using AHL and my daughter will be using 1877-Present. My daughter is also needing to do both economics and government this year. Economics is included in MFW Year 4 but government is part of US History to 1877. I noted the books used in the government course, Never Before in History and Under God. I already own the NBIH student text and could perhaps order the TE though it is not part of the MFW program. I ordered the Under God set but it has not yet arrived so I haven't been able to flip through its content. My problem is I do not own the US History to 1877 guide and do not have additional funds to purchase it just for government. I am wondering if someone can tell me if the guide includes anything more than scheduling and also if the MFW US History Answer Key booklet contains anything for government. I could order the Never Before in History TE and just walk through the course separate from MFW, but I am definitely needing "open and go" material. Any insights would be appreciated! Thanks, Sandy

Actually, I don't have any experience with MFW. I wish I did so I'd have a hands-on feel for the day-to-day differences, work load, etc...I've read such good things about both programs. Thanks, Cyndi, for the reminder about the skill levels in HOD. I did go back and look at the placement chart more closely. I think dd could handle CtC but I also think Preparing might better cement some skills for her. And, at least for now, the more open-and-go the better. Whether I go with MFW or HOD for my 5th grader, I am a little concerned about everyone being in different guides. I think it will okay with the two MFW programs at the high school level since they are designed to be used independently, but I still want to have interaction with my dc. I already own LHFHG and will probably used it with my 5yo and possibly parts of it with my 8yo (yesterday was his birthday!) who has Down syndrome. Is this doable? Or am I going to just go a different kind of crazy then I have been either pulling things together on my own or trying to keep up with the planning/prep of TOG (which is such a wonderful program, just too much for me right now). Praying for that peace!

Well, now here's another hmmm...I just looked over the books in HOD Preparing and I already own most of them, including the extensions (and my olders enjoyed them when they were younger). From a financial pov this makes more sense, especially since I would also need to purchase the MFW materials for my high schoolers, but it wouldn't allow her to complete the rotation in 8th grade. Anyone have any thoughts?

Thank you for the kind words, Emily. I truly do want an orderly and peaceful year. I have heard great things about MFW but I have also read where it involves a little more work than HOD. Right now, I am begrudging the planning my days and weeks require because it is one of the things taking me away from time I need to be spending with my family. And it isn't bearing wonderful fruit anyway because the follow through is not where it should be. So maybe HOD might be the thing for the youngers in this season. We haven't done Preparing but I was considering skipping it for the sake of having dd complete the rotation before starting again in 9th grade. But that is also why I'm posting here - maybe someone with experience with both might have a thought. With my olders, we left off with TOG Y3 last year in the Reconstruction period. My daughter will be somewhere between 11th and 12th grades next year and the 1877-Modern will complete her history studies. She absolutely loved the ancients study when we last went through it, but it has been a while since she's studied modern history. My sons will be in 9th grade and so starting AHL seems to make sense. I thought I'd have them read through a spine covering modern history this summer, just to give them a bit deeper overview of the period than they had when they were younger. Back to HOD for a moment, can anyone tell me how much of Preparing and CtC is independent and how much is one-on-one with Mom? (I think this was talked about in another thread but I can't recall the answer) I remember with are LHFHG and Beyond it was mostly one-on-one.

Life has been challenging these past few years. In the midst of it, our schooling and, more importantly, our family and God relationships have suffered. I need to simplify our schooling, get schedules back in place, and have time to focus on what is truly important. We have used TOG for several years, some years being more successful than others. This year we took a break and studied geography and cultures. Although I have all the Classic TOG materials, I don't have the time or energy to prepare, plan and follow through. Next year I will have a three in high school, two in elementary, including one special needs, and one very motivated kindy. I have never used MFW but at leaning toward MFW 1877-Modern for my oldest dd and AHL for the 9th graders. I have used HOD with my dd in 2nd and 3rd. She'll be in 5th next year. She likes HOD and I am considering doing CtC with her (that would be her on the right rotation for down the road). I am also looking at MFW CTG. I have most of the resources listed for MFW AHL and CtG (don't know about 1877-Modern yet). I would have to purchase the TMs and student books. I would have to purchase more to use HOD and finances are a concern. But I really do need school to be as open and go as it can be. I have a pretty extensive library but I don't know what the MFW book basket lists look like so I can't tell how much library ordering I'd be needing to do. This is pretty long winded, but I hope the background will help as I ask for your input. Does MFW sound like the way to go for the olders? Given the circumstances, would you opt for HOD or MFW or ? for the 5th grader? I am praying about all this and really seeking His direction. We so need this to be a turn-around year for our family on several levels and I need to make choices that are going to help rather than hinder that pursuit. Blessings, Sandy

Thank you, K-FL and Gardenmom!

My ds plans to get the bulk of his GURs at the state school down the road and would then like to transfer to a Christian college with a good Theatre Arts program. We're just beginning to look at schools. So far, I've printed info off from Liberty University, Messiah College and Greenville College. Anyone have experience or insights about other schools out there? Thanks!

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