I had forgotten about Ambleside, love that site. Thanks for posting that link!

:lurk5:

Thanks, Jean! Setting the alarm clock. :001_smile:

Any future poets in your midst? Besides giving a big :thumbup: for MCT poetry materials, I'd like to share this cool resource: free lesson plans on poetry from Shel Silverstein! Please share your favorite poetry resources in honor of National Poetry Month! :001_smile:

My son's engineering and science camp requires the book above along with The Cartoon Guide to Physics by Gonick. Yes! My engineer dh and engineer wanna-be ds both fight over who gets to read the newest issue of Make first. :) If you can swing the cost of the Lego NXT, it's a good tool to learn mechanical & robotics engineering along with programming. You can find many NXT books with project ideas, enough to keep an inquisitive mind busy for a long time! If you can't swing the NXT, my dh likes the Technic line of Lego; he says it mirrors real life applications most closely out of all the Lego lines with axles, gears, shock absorbers, pegs, differentials, pneumatics, etc.

Thank you, Nan! This is helpful!

Laurie, thanks for your feedback. The author of the AoPS text did say somewhere that they do cover some traditional Alg 2 concepts in the Algebra 1 book. However, your post made me wonder: are you saying that all topics in the Glencoe book are covered in the first half of the AoPS Algebra 1 book?

I've never heard of this resource. Thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks, Nan, I had hoped you would weigh in. The math/science college your sons attend sounds like they are wise in their advice to incoming students as well as flexible in offering options for their social studies requirements. It sure sounds like the kind of college my older son might want to attend one day. I bet he'd choose photography over world history. I like your general strategy. Are you requiring him to write any papers after reading the Great Books TWTM/TWEM style? How are you titling this course on your transcript?

That's good to know. Thanks, Jana!

I didn't realize that it was for UG. I guess I'll need to look at SL. Thanks!

It was the regular versions...didn't even know they had kids versions! Hmmm...good idea, I could have him re-read them. These are great...I have never seen most of these! We do have the Exploring the World of Biology book (just bought it.) I'd love a DVD set. Have you read/watched any of these yourself? I didn't know this. Thank you!

My science-y ds will be using a secular biology text next year for 7th grade, and I'd like him to read a solid apologetic book on creation. I was originally going to use Apologia biology as a second text, but I'm now realizing that two texts will be too much for him to handle. He already has read the first two Answers books from AIG, so he does have some background in counterpoints against evolution. Does anyone have a suggestion on a Biblically based book (not overwhelming in length) on creation vs evolution for a junior high kid? (Please, no wars on the creation vs. evolution debate....just looking for curriculum recommendations) :)

:lurk5:

:bigear:

Kathy in Richmond is our resident AoPS expert, so hopefully she'll chime in. The "Classic" Problem Solving Series (AoPS volumes 1 & 2) is not part of a normal curriculum scope and sequence; it's designed to help students who are preparing to enter math competitions such as the AMC 10/12. Here's more about the problem solving series. Here are their recommendation for homeschooled students. HTH!

We're in the middle of TOG Year 2 and love it. I'm looking ahead to next year, finishing up Y2 and moving on to Y3. I already own the Hakim set, so I'm glad that we can use the books as our spine. My burning question is: does TOG address Hakim's somewhat liberal views in the teacher notes and/or D level questions? I've read that others have used Sonlight's Core 100 IG because it has good discussion questions for Hakim. Does TOG include something similar? TIA!

I believe I saw writing samples at one of the talent search websites (CTY, CTD or TIP) in the writing classes section.

How about writing a newspaper? They could write short articles about the locations they've visited and add photos, headlines, etc. They could interview people they meet, or even create ads for items that are sold in the area. Each article could have a short word count to minimize the time writing on the road. Then when they return home they can publish a 2-4 page newspaper and send it to their friends!

I got one today from the same person and deleted it immediately!

I'm glad you mentioned this...had no idea that HOE was a pre-algebra course. I'm interested in seeing what others recommend for algebra. Have you looked into Jacobs Algebra? Others recommend it for visual spatial learners.

If you can swing the cost, a Lego NXT robot will keep him occupied for hours. And the bonus is he will learn elementary principles of programming! Commiserating with you on the 12yo mood swings and the onset of puberty.

I would not use Chalkdust pre-algebra with a struggling math student. It's very rigorous, and the textbook assumes you don't need hand-holding.

Here is where you can find the Jacobs Solutions Manual. I am using RS with my math-challenged second child and have wondered what to do after we finish Level E (not using the Geometric level). I've heard good things about Hands On Equations and am considering using it with her. Give it a look see and tell me what you think. :001_smile:

Thank you Jenn, KarenAnne, Debbie, and Chris...It is so helpful to hear about the approaches you are taking with your kids. It's revealed possiblities I have not considered. Thankfully, we still have a bit more to go with TOG at the D level, so that buys me a little time to figure this all out. For those of you who are taking these alternative approaches, how are you planning on listing the courses on transcripts?