My science guy is devouring books by/about Richard Feynman, one by one.

The most helpful website I've found is the National Vaccine Information Center. HTH!

Here is a great response to a previous post about the math requirements about Spectrum. HTH!

I appreciate these links, leeyeewah! Thanks!

We bit the bullet and bought a microscope last year for biology. It was a worthwhile investment, not only for my ds who studied biology, but also for the younger kiddos who loved to peek through the scope to see the latest "cool" thing. It's fed my son's fascination with microbiology as well. :)

Thanks, asta!

Thank you, Sarah, for that link. Looks great! Angela, I have Head Start reserved at the library. Thanks, again!

Thanks, Abbey, for emailing Derek and posting his response. I emailed Derek a few months ago, and the gist of his response to me was the same as yours. :001_smile: My son is scheduled to start the physics class next week, and Derek sent me the login info for the class. I have taken some time to review the content (videos + workbook), homework, labs, and tests. I ran a sample question by my husband (an engineer), and he said that it appeared at least as rigorous, if not slightly more rigorous, than the physics course he took in high school. My dh did not take calculus until college, and he said that his physics class was algebra-based. So I have no qualms about the rigor of the course. It was designed based on the Giancoli Physics text (usually used for AP Physics B), but adapted to be more accessible for those who want to study physics at a high school level (ie, not AP level). Since my son is headed for a STEM major in college, our goal is to have him visit physics at least twice--once at the high school level and later at the AP level, after he has calculus under his belt. All this to say, I believe Derek's physics course is a solid one.

Thanks, Camilla and Angela! We'll go with that book. And yes, he'd like to learn how to make it appealing, too, so he'll check out that link as well. Thanks, again!

My son wants to learn how to build a dynamic website. He already knows how to program in Python and is quick at picking up code. I already have a hosting account he can log onto, and we're looking for self-teaching books or websites (not classes). Amazon has positive reviews of Head First Web Design and HTML, XHTML & CSS for Dummies. Would anyone have feedback on these books or other recommendations? Thanks in advance!

Update for those who may be in this situation (or for future reference), we found what we needed! journeyed.com gives educators, including homeschoolers, discounts on software. We had to submit proof of homeschooling (HSLDA card), and this earned us the student discount!

You may want to check Sonlight's Core H literature list, which uses SOTW 3 & 4 (first half = your time period), for ideas. So far my ds has enjoyed The King's Fifth, The Sherwood Ring, and The Iron Peacock.

:lurk5:

Thanks, Lisa. That particular upgrade won't work, unfortunately, because we'd need to already own a previous copy of Windows 7. Dobela, thanks for the tip. Shucks, I don't know of any computer service center around here. I do recall online sites selling student versions...I just can't remember where. Anyone else have a lead? :bigear:

My son's computer is crashing and we need to buy Windows 7 asap. Does anyone know where we can buy Windows 7 with a student or teacher discount (less than $80)? TIA!!

I completely agree with this sentiment: you will get out of it what you put into it. My son also took the Python programming class through TPS, but he had the opposite experience of this student. He put in hours and hours of practice coding, not only doing the assignments, but also creating extra projects on his own. He even gave up some of his Saturdays to work on programs. By the end of the class, he had become relatively fluent in Python, so much so that he has been helping another student who is taking an online Python class through another school. He thoroughly enjoyed the TPS class and is now hooked on programming; he is debating whether to take an advanced class, learn a new language, or both. The TPS Python course was very worthwhile for our family because my son was invested in learning how to program; it's not necessarily for every kid. Programming is a valuable skill set, but it's like a foreign language--if you don't use it, you lose it.

Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare by Edith Nesbit and Tales from Shakespeare by Charles & Mary Lamb are both available as free downloads for Kindle. If you don't have a Kindle device, you can download a free app for your PC, iPad, iPhone, Android phone, etc. which allows you to download and read Kindle books.

Our kids also love Drive Thru History!

Thank you, again, Laurie! Can you tell me what's included in the Hewitt syllabus? I wonder if that would help me?

Laurie, thank you for taking the time to explain how you're using MTWBH. Now I'm more torn than ever! I may take your advice and just get the maps. Do you recommend getting a set for each student?

I am drawn to Mapping the World by Heart despite the negative reviews. I've also read glowing reviews and wonder how there can be such a love/hate relationship with this particular curriculum. The negative comments refer to the lack of any real lesson plans and the high price. I've read that this program has been updated in 2010, and the producers claim that it now has a "comprehensive teacher's guide" with "detailed lesson plans." Has anyone used the latest edition? If so, can you share how detailed those lesson plans really are? This seems like such a cool way to learn geography, but for the price I want to be sure I'm getting my money's worth!

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate all your ideas; for the life of me I still can't figure out how to make my own. I ordered the SL IG but it's not here yet, so I have not seen the blank page. I was hoping to do it on the computer instead of handwriting everything, but that might do in a pinch. Articmom: Donna Young was the first site I thought of too, but I could not find any schedule with the right fit. Thanks, though. :-) Nukeswife: that's so pretty and colorful, thanks! I need something b/w with more space, but I may use your template for another Mandy: thanks for taking the time to type out instructions for me! When life is a bit less crazy in a few weeks, I'm going to see if I can figure it out in excel (which is usually the bane of my existence). thanks! Merry: An email is coming your way, thank you!

I am tweaking my SL IG and would love to create my own weekly pages that look like SL or Winter Promise with the days on top and the subjects/books on the left. Would anyone know of an existing template I can download that would allow me to do this? TIA!!

My ds struggled with SC a while back, so I gave up and sold it. Fast forward a year or two. I bought it again for my middle child. It's been going well, so I am trying it again with older ds. Lo and behold, he now likes it and is doing well with it! I would hold on to the book and try it later. Sometimes kids are late bloomers...they need time to acquire vocabulary and creative juices.

Thanks, everyone! I looked and looked at that chart, but I couldn't figure out exactly how it worked. I'm glad I asked; now I understand! Thanks, again!