Thanks everybody. He has had an OT eval, and they didn't find anything wrong. He used to have very nice handwriting. I'm pretty sure he is just writing small and quickly to get it done. I will look at the HWT printing program. Thanks!

My high school ds has miniature, (and I mean miniature) and sloppy writing. I've been lenient the past year or so, but I would like to help him improve his writing.. Any suggestions on a handwriting (not cursive) program that might be tolerable by a high schooler? He'd resist something meant for young elementary kids. It's not a handwriting disability, it's his ADD wanting to rush through it as fast as he can, so he will exaggerate how looooooong it takes him to print larger.Thanks!

We are going to use Easy Peasy Spanish and Biology this year with my 10th grader.

We've had ongoing discussions about alcohol since he was younger. We're not a drinking family, and DS (15) is a rule follower, BUT...the other volunteer firefighters (DS is a junior firefighter) often talk about "going out to drink" (of course not when they're responding to calls) and DS is intrigued by this. Worries me that peer pressure will over rule his adherence to rules. Scary stuff.

DS, now 15, has done this since he began reading. I thought he was the only one! LOL

Our biggest break is after math. That's usually a half hour break, since math stresses him out. The rest of the day we take a short break between each subject. Probably break every half hour or so. Ds is 15, with ADD/ASD combo.

Perfection Learning has a huge list of modern adolescent lit. They're not the classics, but include a wide range of interests.

We are using it for a few subjects this year. George Wolfe, who teaches the Physical Science course, is wonderful. He's a highly regarded science teacher, and I'd say that yes, it's certainly high school level.For Biology this coming year, we will supplement with experiments, and I wish they included some in the program. My ds, who is NOT an academic type kiddo, enjoyed the 9th grade English as well. That too, is on par with a high school English course. We didn't care for the Algebra 1, but math is my son's weakest area. History was a bit dry, so we're not using that either. I did supplement the 9th grade English with additional novels, and we skipped one of their "chapters" if I recall. It's also nice that you can mix grade levels, even taking English 9 and 10 together. We're really pleased with the program. And it's a bargain at 30.00 a month for 4 courses, with additional courses being 5.00 a month extra. I do wish they would add review lessons before their tests.

I agree about trying to find an inexpensive laptop. We just began using TabletClass for Algebra 1. My son is not mathy at all, and he's doing well with it. It's got the lecture part, the teacher is VERY accessible, and for us it has the right amount of examples/practice problems. He didn't do well with Teaching Textbooks, but is doing well with this program. HTH!

The Interactive Metronome Program helped my son with impulsiveness. Not a miracle cure, but it did help. Also, I've noticed as he hit the teen years, he outgrew some of the impulsiveness. His obsessions remain, BUT, his primary obsession with emergency vehicles has turned into his passion. He's now a junior firefighter, hoping to become an EMT/Paramedic. Hang in there, it does get better.

Ds, 15, is a junior firefighter with our volunteer company in town. They guys do a LOT of kidding the juniors, and ds has taken it all in stride. Today he got compliments from the chief and several other firefighters for the good job he did in training tonight! So proud.

I think you did just the right thing. :)

At the recommendation of another Forum, we just started TabletMath Algebra and really like it.

Drum roll!!!!! And the winner is....TabletClass Algebra 1. I like how Mr. Zimmerman presents the topics, there's adequate practice,the tests seem reasonable and his lectures are to the point with great explanations. He was very approachable when I contacted him, and I think this will work. I'm glad the worry is off of me having to teach it all. I vow to stick with this, and NOT change throughout Algebra 1. I think if we go slowly (we plan on doing math during the summer) it's doable. Thanks so very much for all your thoughts! MomatHWTK and Tokyomarie, thanks so much for suggesting I look at John Zimmerman's math classes! I'd never heard of his programs. Nan :party:

OK. Math U See question. The sample lesson I looked at made heavy use of the manipulatives, but you guys said they weren't necessary. How do you get around using them? Are they in every lesson? Thanks!

More great ideas! We actually tried life of Fred (I think Fractions). I loved it, DS didn't so much. He's a "get to the point" kind of guy. Also, there wasn't enough practice, but I see that there's a workbook for Algebra 1. So, that might work. So much to think about. Thanks for all the ideas. :thumbup:

Thank you all for your thoughtful suggestions. I'm torn between Keys to Algebra, Power Basics Algebra, and the online Tablet Class. I am a huge part of the problem, as I keep flip flopping. We tried more than a few PreAlgebra programs this year and made less progress than if we had just stuck with one thing. I think I'm looking for THE perfect program, and it doesn't exist. Still obsessing over this one. LOL

What a nice man! We've been emailing back and forth today and he offered to call and talk about my ds. Very impressive. There's a sale right now on the full course, so I think we might give it a try. Part of the problem is me. There are so many options, and when we hit a wall last year in PreAlgebra, I just tried too many things to see what might work, and we accomplished little. I need to pick something and stick with it. :banghead:

I'm leaning towards Keys to Algebra. I like that there's ample practice, and it doesn't move too quickly. Thanks! Nan

We're using Time4Learning this year! It's not bad. I like the Physical Science very much. George Wolf is an amazing teacher. Didn't care for the American History. I do like the English I very much. I looked at the Algebra but felt there wasn't enough practice. DS needs to go over and over things. Of course, I could supplement this with some of the other suggestions. Thanks! Nan

This looks good! Do you know what the difference is between this program and the Tablet classes by the same instructor? Thanks! Nan

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions!! You are the best. OK, I had been looking at the Key to Algebra books, but, from reading posts in other forums here , was under the impression that it would not be considered a full year of Algebra 1. Not "rigorous" enough. Having looked at the scope and sequence of the KtoA books, they DO seem to be a year of Algebra. I also like the idea of going back this summer to the Key to Fraction, Decimals, Percents, etc. books. I have eliminated Math U See, sadly. I like what I see, but think ds would become too distracted with the manipulatives. We have the Hands on Equations, but didn't even get to it this year. Another great summer idea! Power Basics is another great idea. I will also look at the homeschoolmathonline site. Thanks SO SO much. I feel better about tackling this next year. All the options you guys mentioned are perfect. Thanks, Nan (who hates the word rigorous! LOL)

Hi all. I have a 9th grade son with high functioning autism/ADD. I need a suggestion for the most basic (read: easy) Algebra 1 program out there. No, I'm not a slacker mom. LOL Please no judging. He's just not a math kid at all. We didn't like Teaching textbooks, as I know that's a common recommendation. We need just the very basics. VERY basics to get him enough for an Algebra 1 credit. Has anybody used AGS Algebra 1 or Pacemaker Algebra 1? This was such a difficult year in math for us. We repeated Pre Algebra, as he wasn't able to do the Algebra 1. Thanks so much. :confused1:

How about Teaching Textbooks for math,and Learning Language Arts Through Literature? Check out the Power Basics books by Walch. I like their Biology and you can add experiments. Walch has some books for that, too.They are good for kiddos who have problems with the standard textbooks. Pretty thorough, but removes all the extras in textbooks that often distract some students. I'd start by going to the Walch website and looking around. Tons of options. I'm using some of them in high school with my ds, who is also somewhat academically fragile due to anxiety, and low stamina. Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum also might be a good choice. I like their Integrated Physics and Chem. Not mathy, and enjoyable. Short lessons. We're using their American History this year, and it's really enjoyable. Not your standard history text. They use workbooks, and short reading passages. Very doable. Non-stressful. I hope this helps. If you have any questions, fell free to pm me here. Let us know what you decide! Oh, another really nice Lit. program is by Perfection Learning. Check them out as well. They have a large selection of textbooks and workbooks. If you want to do some classics, do some abridged ones. (Hope I don't get bashed for saying that! ) My ds could NEVER plow through the unabridged classics. So to me, something is better than nothing. :001_smile:

This looks wonderful!! So my 9th grader will start with Ancients, and then what will roll out, and when? Will he be covered through 12th grade? Will something be rolled out each year? Thanks for posting the sample unit. Awesome!