I have been researching and staring at curriculum for months and I am losing my mind now that time is running out. We start school in less than two weeks and I am stuck between two curriculums in three subjects for my son who is starting 9th grade. Could you please give me your input on which you would choose and why? Thanks! Maybe one of your posts will give me the push I'm looking for. English: Illuminating Literature or Essentials in Literature (I think I like the "tone" of IL and the way it is written to the student, but the DVD's from EIL are a pull. IL uses a lot more novels FWIW) Science: Elements of Science Biology or Friendly Biology (Looking for something that will keep his interest and have doable labs...FB seems to be common items, while ES has virtual and hands-on labs) World Geography: North Star Geography or Around the World in 180 Days (Strongly leaning towards NSG, as ATW looks like it may be dry for him, but I already have the teachers manual from a friend for ATW so I keep looking at it and pondering) THANK YOU in advance for any direction you offer.

Nope. Still same ol' nothing!! I bet I've logged out/in 25 times since I posted last. No email. Nothing! Thanks for the good vibes though!

This is driving me batty! Thanks to the posts here, I was able to at least get our school updated correctly, using the MY PLAN, UPDATE MY INFO, and state code working to get homeschool to come up as an option. Unfortunately, like many but not all of you, I then get to the page that says there are no scores and to ADD YOUR SCORES. This link takes me to the page that requires the access code. So I've made progress, but still have NO scores. This is crazy!!! Thanks to all who helped me get this far!

I'm using the ipad version of the book and it doesn't list the links

Wondering if anyone has a list of which videos correspond to each chapter. Thanks!

We ended up going with the ML bio book on the ipad. Does anyone use the study guide and could you give me an idea of what is in it? Thanks!

EoO--- I don't think you saw my question earlier....Have you figured out a good plan for scheduling this? The iTunes plans were VERY extensive. Thanks again for the find!

KAM, Do you mind sharing what kind of supplies you have had to come up with for the labs? I am trying hard to avoid having to buy one of the $150-200 lab kits. Been looking for labs online, but if the labs don't require a lot of special equipment or supplies, that would be very practical to have it correlate right with the book. End of Ordinary, I really like the looks of the EO Wilson book too! On the iTunes lesson plans, there seems to be a ton...obviously can't do everything. Do you have any idea how to schedule it so far?

Thank you both! I had seen the ecletic home link earlier, but couldn't find it again, so thank you! I will also look at the other biology....thanks! If anyone has any other suggestions, I am all ears right now!

Due to a rough summer we are so behind planning and money has become extemely tight here. I am still trying to finalize school purchases. We decided to go with the $15 ipad version of the macaw book, as my son does better with interactive online books, but I am at a loss for how to plan this or if someone knows of some free or extremely low-cost lesson plans and/or worksheets that could go with this. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

My son will be going into 9th grade this year. He is very interested in computers, and moreso in the hardware side than any programming. He has asked his dad if he can build his own computer this year and they are planning to work on that. I was wondering if maybe you had some suggestions for how to make this project into a semester .5 credit and how you would list it. I was thinking if I can't find anything formal then I could get a couple of books on the subject for him to read, but I would really like to find something online that might be more organized. Thanks!

I have an upcoming 5th grader, and I would be VERY interested in this, KFamily! Chapter books and some independent work each week would be helpful. Thank you!

Do you know if Project Passport will be adding any more to their world history series? Looks interesting!

We've used TT for YEARS and I've never known this existed! Is there a link to any info? Thanks!

HI! After much time and struggle, I think I've decided to go with Apologia science for my new 8th grade son this year. Science has always been our roughest choice and I feel lost and confused every single year. We just finished Ellen McH's chem last year with Guest Hollow's plans. That was a good year. DS didn't love Apologia in 5th grade, but didn't hate it either. I really wanted to try something else this year, but my concern has been that I'm tired of going through this every year and with him heading into high school next year, I just want to get settled with something that will take us through to the end. I really like Elemental Science, but it doesn't look like it will go far enough. Same with Noeo, Interactive Science, and Rainbow. My younger son uses Mr. Q, which he loves, but I'm not sure how strong the advanced curriculum is for high school (anyone using it with a good review?). RS4K concerns me in that I'm afraid we'll get ahead of their available high school options and honestly, I don't know as much about it, although others seem to love it. Basically that leaves me staring at Apologia again. He's open to trying it again and I like that he can do most of it on his own, that it does go through high school, includes lab years. IF we do go with Apologia, my question would be should I start with what they call their 8th grade level, Physical Science, or go back and pick up their General Science? Will he have missed much from that book? If anyone has any advice here, about Apologia or anything else you can recommend, I really appreciate it! I feel like my mind is scrambled and I just can not think any more. I'm sure whatever we do will be fine, but I just feel stuck on making this last choice. Thank you!

I've toyed with this curriculum for YEARS and as much as love the idea, I always chicken out of spending that much for a full curriculum that I'm not 100% sure about. Just this past year I realy decided to go ahead and try it, but my oldest could only use it one year now, so it seemed not worth it just to have to look for something new next year. If they went all the way through HS I would have bit the bullet and tried it out. Good luck! If you decide to try it, give us a review!

Thanks for the suggestion...I do have that on my short list. I think I'm drawn to Boomerang because of the variety of book styles. My son doesn't mind the classics, but mixing in some modern novels would help keep him interested. I just worry that it's not enough... Then again, I have been staring at curricula for the past week and my mind is swimming, again, so I've lost all perspective at this point, LOL.

Could this curriculum be used as a stand-alone literature curriculum as opposed to a writing curriculum? Is there enough analysis in the lessons? I really love the mothly book selections, but we aren't needing a writing curruclum as much as literature. I was looking for something like LL8, but we did LL7 a couple of years ago and didn't *love* it and my son has read half of the selections in LL8 already. Any other suggestions? TIA!!

We are starting FLL 4 this year and I was so excitedly looking for ALL and just came across this thread. I hope there will one day be a release date, although it would probably be later than we would need it, but it would be shame not to see it released at some point. As New Bee said above, I too have only been able to find the 5 week sample. Is the 15-week one still availble? Thanks!

I had my older son's results from 2011 in my hand, just a few months ago, and now they are no where to be found. I do think they are probably still here, but I've looked EVERYWHERE! Here in GA we don't have to turn them in, but we do have to keep them with our records. I thought surely I made a digitial copy....somewhere....but that looks like a no go too. I could just kick myself! Anyone know if you can request a copy, and how you would do that/ TIA!!!

My son just finished a two-day testing with the Stanford ONLINE test through Brewer Testing. Just wanted to say that it was so easy, everything went smoothly, and we actually had the results emailed a few hours after he finished. Great experience for us. :)

Thanks for the suggestions! I will check them all out. This high-school stuff is really starting to get confusing for me. :crying:

I have a son who will be going into 8th grade next year. He has learned a lot of about computers by downloading and installing mods on Minecraft and also has really enjoyed a Graphic Design class at our local co-op. For the first time he has expressed having an interest in computers as a possible major and career. I was wondering how you have worked Computer Science into your homeschool. Any great curriculum (free or paid, but specifying would be great) or websites that you have found that have really helped a student who might be heading down that path? How would it even count in High School...as a science? Thanks for the information!

Thank you for you input! Maybe 3 days will work. Jenn, your site is awesome!!! Thanks for the link!