On a serious note...I regret every moment of every day Dd was in public school from grades 1-5 1/2. It really dictated what we could do in the first couple of years at home because there was so much repair work to do. I would also say a huge mistake I have seen many homeschoolers do in the middle years is not actively assure their kids are being with others enough just to hang out and build relationships. We focused on it, but when many we knew hit the high school years the teens insisted on going to public school just because they were lonely and couldn't see a path to really curing it once the demands on everyone stepped up and time was more restricted.

I hate to do this but.... everytime I see the title on this thread Cher's voice starts belting ...."If I could turn back time, If I could find a way, I'd take back those things that hurt you ...."

I don't think Mr. Reed means you should not check over the homework, and if he does I am not sure I agree. I still check Dd's in high school. It is better if we catch a misunderstanding right away. Now, I don't grade it ....in the sense of issuing a grade....but I do call her attention to an error to see if she recognizes it on a second glance and if it is a need to correct fundamental understanding we address it. Dd's schedule is very busy, thus I check it most of the time (about 1 out of every 4 lessons she will check). But, before she starts the next lesson we look at anything we may need to from the previous one.

Having the Kindle will open some opportunities to you, but...I would not rely on that too heavily if conditions will be rough. Humidity and such will take a toll on electronics rather quickly and inconsistent power/charges can be havok on your battery. If you are truely in this situation for 8 years, you need durable, flexible use items. The only reason I even felt ok about a scientific calc on the list is that they are available with solar and I have had some last me at least a decade. You have to think like a pioneer, an Abe Lincoln type education (but with some nifty upgrades like Pyrex and stainless steel).

When the zombies strike I will have plenty to light the torches and fires.

I am going to assume no computer, although frankly having a small notebook with a DVD drive would be a bonus 1. A very good unabridged collegiate dictionary 2. A magnifying glass 3. A scientific calculator 4. A good quality drafting set 5. Graph paper (200 sheets) 6. 2 pyrex measuring cups (3 cup size, 1 cup size) 7. 8 Blank unlined journals with at least 100 pages each (twice that if room allowed) 8. A Bible 9. A field guide to plants 10. A field guide to birds 11. Measuring spoons set 12. Aesops Fables 13. A recorder with a basic music book 14. A set of nylon and a set of natural hair paint brushes 15. Warriners Grammar 16. Jacob's Algebra and Geometry 17. A set of Encyclopedias 18. Dry pigment 19. Sharpie Markers 20. Scissors 21. A compass 22. A Swiss Army knife 23. A laminated world map 24. Binoculars 25. reserved for particulars to the area I am assuming basic tools would be available (shovel, hammer, axe...if not those plus rope) The first thing I would add beyond this would be a camera, but if no computer.... Without more information about the destination and existing resources it is hard to be precise. But, if I were so limited that I would not be able to restock (replace batteries).....it would make a difference. My approach would be to know where we plan to pick up in our studies upon returning and to work backwards. A set of encyclopedias will take you a long way in covering a strong K-8 program. For the sciences, it would be all about being in the world and exploring how it works.

I just noticed your user id. Choreography requires memorization.

Have them do a one act play. There are many written for young people and they could perform it for it to be video taped by your DH.

I read what he said as we are going to provide an ed-speak translation of our methods and processes that will help schools adopting our materials to document correlations.

First, a great way to test the waters is to do Getting Started With Latin by William E. Linney. The book (available on Amazon, or at bookstores...) is supported by a website with all sorts of teaching aids. Then the question is whether you want to learn independently or go with a class. There are several options for classes, Lukeion and Lone Pine are two providers I see many link the high school forums. These use Wheelock's Latin. A great deal of what you will do depends on what your goals with Latin are. Unlike the modern spoken languages, conversational Latin is not a goal you would see often (except for perhaps Ecclesiastical Latin...) You may want to search the high school forums, because there are many choices with Latin curriculum.

TY for posting commentary/critique on the standards themselves.

Seconding this rec because we have found the same sort of requirement stated for various colleges. Checking the requirements stated by colleges your Ds may be considering would be wise.

One option might be not to graduate or apply until he is in that extra year.

What a great opportunity. :hurray:

TY for both posts, always love more resources.

Some of the ACT test prep books have variations that are math only reviews and packed full of exercises. These at least go into Trig. For more, he might look on Amazon --- there is a series called the Humongous Book of _______ (fill in math type) Problems.

Also...many of the universities have their writing labs online. OWL for Purdue, UNC had one....

A free (aside from postage) way to encourage persuasive writing with a purpose might be to have your Ds write a letter to his member of Congress, write a letter to the editor of the local paper and/or do some advocacy blog/forum posting. Also, it might be worth a websearch for contests (there are so many) that may give him another purpose for writing and experience with a variety of composition types. It really is hard to motivate writing without a purpose, but these types of writing goals remove that. Win or not, he will have undergone the exercise.

She sounds about the right age and interest for a book called Frindle by Andrew Clements. Dd loved naming and sorting, writing complex code languages, developing elaborate family trees....we set her free with the digital camera and index cards and she developed a very complex world, backstory, mythology... Real magic happened when she met someone who enjoyed it as well.

TY for sharing.

Something that is likely in the library and might be a great resource in this situation is Danica McKellar's series which begins with "Math Doesn't Suck". Remember the show the Wonder Years? It turns out Winny (spelling?) is an accomplished and award winning mathematician.

If your son really likes math, the advice to move to the Number Theory or Counting and Probability might be wise. What you don't want is an otherwise successful and enthusiastic math student to develop some sense that they really just are not good enough. It would be untrue and might cheat the world of yet another talented but discouraged young mind. This would be a great time in addition to the tyranny transcript, to make sure it clicks with him that long before AoPs was developed, people understood math and managed to accomplish astounding things with that understanding. AoPs is a way of approaching and engaging learning math, but it is not the only way to do so successfully or enthusiastically. It is a method, with a distinct scope and sequence. I love the program, but I don't assume those who thrive in it are good and worthy in math while those who don't are not. Please don't hang your head in shame. Your son did something really important for an effective learner, he recognized quickly what he didn't feel he was learning effectively. That will serve him well in life. I would also point out one further thing. Perfectionism generally can be a nasty bugaboo for kids who excel in an area. They place a tremendous pressure on themselves which can give rise to anxiety. One of the greatest things we can do is help them learn to confront challenges, sometimes soar and sometimes stumble, then adjust, adapt and use those tremendous talents they have to innovate. When perfect becomes the enemy of the good for them, they are fighting a losing battle. I have always loved the Edison attitude, it wasn't how many times he failed, it was how many times he learned the way not to do it. Hugs to you both.

If you liked Zinn, Oliver Stone just co-wrote a book called The Untold History of the United States. I haven't read it yet, but saw him do a long interview with his co-writer about it.

When Dd was in elementary we quit calling it the science fair and just called it "Parentcon".

I paid my way with a patchwork of jobs and merit aid. Frankly, I doubt it could be done today. It is like a place value has been added to every number, the decimal just made a leap to the right and appears to be ready to make another.