Good prices, great service and I feel I can depend on their recommendations as I'm not a science person. Cindy

A few years ago I did quite a bit of research before we purchased our microscope. Sonlight offered the best price with the most features. We've been very pleased. Cindy

ABeka, Rod & Staff, BJU, Easy Grammar. My favorite is ABeka. To the point, easy to use, plenty of practice if you need it, colorful in younger grades. I like the kids to use the red Easy Grammar once. It gives a good "different" look at grammar. HTH Cindy

Since you said she is doing ok, I wouldn't switch again, unless it was to go back to TT. Starting a whole new program would be frustrating to me if I was the student. If she can get through Saxon, then just keep going. If it is overwhelming her, return to TT. TT seems easy, but if you stick with the program everything is covered quite well. I believe they've done an excellent job simplifying the presentation, but not the material. Cindy

We used Jump-In last year with our youngest. He really enjoyed it. His writing improved. We've used Wordsmith and Wordsmith Craftsman. Both are excellent writing books with low teacher input. Plus, they are inexpensive. Cindy

I have found my kids do better covering the major subjects each day. I would recommend doing science and history every day, as well as, latin adn writing. Smaller chunks every day seem to stick better. They also seem to like a routine in their studies. I think 7th would be an excellent time to jump up to grade level in grammar. If you are using WW3000 2nd edition, then level 7 would be correct. One book a year would be sufficient. Even though your student is advanced, I'd caution not to push too hard. Seventh grade studies are more difficult than 6th with more expectations as they prepare for high school. All my children went through an adjustment as they began 7th and found the workload to be challenging. The same happened at 9th. An aside, my children really liked BJU's 7th history book. It was one of their all-time favorites. HTH Cindy

We chose ABeka in part because of Cathy Duffy's review: "This Consumer Math course is so practical that every student should take it whether or not they are college bound." I like what it covers. My daughter looked through it and is excited use it. Cindy

Last year our daughter bought a camera and shortly after, we bought one. I spent hours researching. The consistantly best reviews were for Canon. Canon is known for its great optics in digital and traditional cameras. We both chose an A-series camera, A540 and A570. We are both very pleased with our purchases. I like that it will take standard AA batteries in case your rechargables run down and it's not convenient to recharge. The camera can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. Point and shoot or play with different settings. Every few months there are new digitals released by every manufacturer. If you don't want or need the newest model, often you can find the previous model discounted. Please feel free to ask if you have questions. Cindy

As my husband says, "This is the time of life to learn to make financial decisions, good or bad. Better to have regrets over a purchase now, than when it's a car or a house." Sometimes this is very difficult for me. Sometimes they make very unwise choices in my opinion. But they are learning from their mistakes and learning to seek advice. HTH Cindy

Our soon-to-be senior daughter is not positive she wants to pursue a four year college. If she does, she would most likely major in music. She would definately not be in a science related field; it's just not her thing. Our K-12 state education website says to plan on 2 years of science for a state university and 3-4 years for highly selective schools. From your experience, would you agree? She has biology and physical science credits already. Should she do more? Thank you, Cindy

I'd like to do a worldview course course for our dd and wondered what you have found. Thank you, Cindy

I'm considering using Notgrass Exploring American History and wondered approximately how long each day's work takes if you use the program as written? Thank you, Cindy

Establishing our schedule began with choosing priorities. I believe that formal education is very important, but I do not believe it is the end all to life. From observation and personal experience I have come to believe that many, if not most, things that are learned well are learned because of life experience, not because of book learning. Book learning is necessary, but so is living life which includes free time and extra-curricular activities. I have also decided not to make decisions based on fear. For instance, fears of whether the kids will know all they need to know or whether they will be well enough prepared for college, etc. Honestly, if they don't know everything, they can learn it. If they aren't as prepared for college as they could be, they can learn what they need. If it takes a little extra time, it is not the end of the world. Our children do schoolwork each morning and early afternoon. Because I do not want them doing hours of book work each day, I choose not to have them do as many tests or projects or assignments or labs, etc. We don't do everything all the time. We pick and choose seeing that each student gets experience with many different things. Each of our children are encouraged to explore things in life that interest them, to have a part time job, to try sports, music, etc. Many opportunities are more readily available during the high school years than during the rest of life. We want them not to miss these unique opportunities. They provide avenues for growth and development not found in traditional schoolwork. I would encourage you to analyze everything in your schedule thinking how truly important it is or is a free time activity or personal interest more important. Pray about what God has for each child for their life. If it was me, the first thing I would do is choose one foreign language and drop the other. For the child who struggles with math, I would either change curriculum or adjust expectations. Math is pretty intense for most young people. For a child who struggles, doing an hour and a half is pure torture. If this child isn't a math person, that is ok. I would question if an hour every day for every subject is necessary. Can you lighten up sometimes? As someone else mentioned, Charlotte Mason's ideas of short lessons is very helpful. If a person knows they only have to do a task for a set amount of time, the ability to perform well goes way up. When a task seems endless, there is a hopelessness, like it just will never end. I would set a policy of no homework. Let the end of the school day be the end. If they have to correct the next day, what would that hurt? Chores are important, but I know at our house I've had to adjust my expectations. The house is not as clean or uncluttered as I'd like. This is only a season. We can clean more thoroughly later. Meals are often not as elaborate as they were pre-homeschool. But we are well nourished. Both our children who are still at home do track and one does football. One does piano. One has three lawn mowing jobs and volunteers at summer camp. The other was a summer missionary last summer and will be again this summer. Both have free time most days to do what they want, even if that is just sitting and doing nothing. We all need time to think. Sometimes I wonder if teenagers need even more time to ponder than most. I hope this has been helpful. In Christ, Cindy

We have used MUS and there are many things I like about the program, particularly the hands-on component. But there were many things we did not like. My kids did much better overall with a different approach. My favorite is Rod and Staff Math. It is solid arithmetic. The students know their stuff when they finish with R&S. I especially appreciate the quality word problems. MUS I felt was sadly lacking in this area. The program is straight forward and easy to teach. My youngest will finish R&S next year and he will be well prepared for algebra, as well as, math for his life. HTH Cindy

Our son is in Rod and Staff Math 7 as an 8th grader. We will do R&S Math 8 as a freshman, then move into TT Algebra or Math Relief Algebra whichever fits him better. We do not accelerate our children. He is 14yo. R&S has given him a very solid foundation and is not a simplified curriculum. He has had to learn to apply arthimetic to everyday problems which in my view is what math is all about. This is my youngest child. I have found that my children do better with algebra once they are through their freshman year. Their ability to comprehend the abstract concepts is much easier when they are a little older which translates into much less frustration on everyone's part. HTH Cindy

Our daughter has used Algebra I and Algebra II. She is an average student, very capable, but not a brainiac. To quote her, "I never would have made it through Algebra if it wasn't for TT." We had previouly tried MUS Algebra. It seemed that explanations were left out. She was very frustrated. She had used BJU through pre-algebra. This was a great elementary program. BJU's algebra concepts were not easy for us to figure out on our own though. TT has served us well. Cindy

and Lord willing we will remain in ministry until God calls us home. Though I understand the concerns about non-accredited schools, wages, marketable skills, etc., ministry is different than the secular job market. If I may encourage you, please keep your eyes on the Lord and don't be overly concerned about the world's methods of education, etc. My husband graduated from a small, non-accredited Bible College with a BA in Biblical Studies. (This school has recently become Moody NW.) Many of the pastors in our area graduated from the same school with two to four year degrees. Accredidation has not been an issue. Lack of a masters degree has not been an issue. Their walk with the Lord and ability to work with people in all kinds of situations are the important factors in placement and retention of a ministry position. As far as undergraduate studies, studying the Bible, learning to minister, etc. is what should be focused on. Four years of college is only the beginning of the study your son will do throughout his life in ministry. Having a strong foundation in Bible study, preaching, and other ministry skills will benefit him much more than other subjects he might take. Ministry is hard work. Skills for the work help to lighten the load. Most ministers will not be wealthy people. For most years in ministry our budget has not balanced on paper. But God has ALWAYS provided what we need and then blessed far beyond in amazing ways. We have not lacked. Has it been tough. Yes. But God has ALWAYS provided. My husband has never worked another job and I have not worked outside the home. Ministry is a full-time job, actually, it is more than a full-time job. We have trusted God to care for our family financially and He has always been faithful. Though there have been very difficult times financially, I would not have wanted to miss the spiritual lessons the Lord has taught us through the trials. There is wisdom in saving tuition costs. Your son will not want to enter ministry with debt. There are many excellent Bible Colleges in the country. Seek the Lord for guidance as to where He wants your son to attend. Be more concerned for their doctrine than their accredidation. Let me encourage you that a life of ministry is an amazing thing. That God has allowed us to serve Him full-time is humbling beyond words. We are not capable of what He's called us to, yet He uses us daily for His purposes. In the ministries we are involved in, we've had the privilege of seeing over 100 people come to know Christ each year. Your son will have the privilege of participating in leading people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He will share in the joys of watching people grow in their faith. He will mourn with those who lose a family member. He will learn to love and serve God's people. What a blessing! Please help your son to seek God's plan for His life including where to attend college. Don't worry. God's ways are always the best. As Paul said in Philippians 4:12-13 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything throuh Him who gives me strength." If you have questions, please feel free to e-mail. If your son would like to ask my husband questions, please feel free. In Christ, Cindy mcdowall@theofficenet.com