I am really struggling with picking a geometry curriculum for next year. Ds loves math, wants a STEM-type career, and is going beyond my ability to teach well. (Algebra this year has really challenged me to the point where I feel I may be doing him a disservice if I continue to be his sole math instructor.) I am considering Geometry w/ Math Without Borders, but have not found many reviews. Is there a reason why this program is not popular? Is this a good Geometry program? If not, what might be a better text w/ a DVD or online class? Thank you.

History: Omnibus Primary II with VPSA Literature: Omnibus Secondary II with VPSA Grammar & Writing: Rod & Staff English 8 Latin: Latin II with VPSA Science: BJU Physical Science Logic: Memoria Press Traditional Logic II Math: I have no idea what geometry program to use. Jacobs? Saxon? Ds has been doing very well with Foerster, but I am feeling my confidence drop with each passing chapter. Modern Language: Ds has taken French 5th-7th grade, but wants to take Russian. I'm not sure what to do. Do we just stop French and wait until 9th to begin Russian?

My 7th grader is using BJU Earth Science this year. We are currently about halfway through the book. This is our first year with BJU after years of Sonlight Science followed by Apologia General last year. Earth Science is by far his least favorite science subject (he's a physics guy!), but we are really enjoying the switch to BJU from Apologia. I have found the program easy to use. We like BJU so much that we are planning to continue with it next year. :-)

Trying to be non-political and link actual news stories. :-) The CGA used to forbid considering "an applicant's sex, race, color and religious beliefs as it shapes the makeup of its classes." Congress recently eliminated this prohibition according to this article: Ethnicity, gender now factors in CGA admissions I read this article last year about USNA. I don't know if it can be extrapolated that admission practices are the same at the CGA. 'Best and brightest'? Academy's admission of minorities, recruited athletes comes under scrutiny

Congratulations! How wonderful!

:bigear: I'm considering using the 1815 to Present with a 3rd and 6th grader next year. :)

I just went down to the schoolroom to double check and the Saxon 2 TM does fit. Here is a picture I just took to show what it looks like. I didn't think to put the Saxon 2 in, but you can see the Saxon 3 in it. :)

This used to drive me crazy, too. During the school year I now keep all of my teacher manuals & answer keys on a bookshelf in something like this http://www.officemax.com/office-furniture/desk-accessories-organizers/product-prod3111916 I have two on the top shelf. It really helps keep everything organized. :)

I encourage you to send them an e-mail stating the above with specific details. I ordered the Foerster Algebra I student text, teacher's text, and solutions manual last year. I sent them a lengthy diatribe (LOL!) on why it was so much more difficult to order from them than Saxon Homeschool, for example. I do think they are making baby steps towards the homeschooling community, but have little idea about what homeschoolers really want.

Congratulations! :party:

How on earth could I pick one? I think I have at least one of almost everything. :lol: If I had to pick one, it would be The Well-Trained Mind. It started this whole journey. It convinced me that I could homeschool and laid out the framework for everything we do. I refer back to one of my three copies at least once a year. :D I hadn't seen the "The Well-Prepared Student" before PPs mentioned it. I'll have to get that next!

Thanks, Margaret. I could definitely see my uncle forgetting to name medications .

Thank you very much. I will double check with my grandmother on this.

I wouldn't describe him that way. (I do have a relative that I suspect has undiagnosed bi-polar disorder with clear manic & depressive episodes.) If anything, I would say he might have anger issues that stem from being treated poorly due to his low cognitive skills combined with being overweight & big boned. Thank you; this is what I am thinking. :iagree: I am not sure. I will find out. Thank you. I'm sure he's on Medicare; they are very, very low income. He's never been in a psych unit. Thanks. It would be nice to have my uncle back. I think he would like to have less severe symptoms. Some of these issues (e.g., anxiety, physically shaking/tremors have only appeared since beginning all of these medications) Thank you very much for sharing your story, Night Elf. I will make sure my Grandmother gets the entire list of meds to me, so that I can print them out for her so that she can take the list to his main doctor. I think he has several different people prescribing several different things. He's honestly not capable of advocating for himself in this area. Thank you! I very much appreciate the back up that something may not be right here. I'll call my grandmother today.

I honestly don't know where else I can ask this. If anyone can point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful. I recently came back from a trip to N.C. to my grandparent's house. My grandmother is very concerned about my uncle. He is seeing a variety of doctors and has been put on many medications which seem to lead to side-effects & new diagnosises and more medications. They are all very, very low income with absolutely no technology skills. My grandmother asked me to look up his medicines because she has no one to ask about them. I looked them up online & printed them out for her. This is a partial list of the medications he is currently prescribed: Hydroxypam - Hydroxyzine is used to treat itching caused by allergies. It is an antihistamine and works by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction. Hydroxyzine may also be used short-term to treat anxiety or to help you feel sleepy/relaxed before and after surgery. Trazodone - Trazodone is used to treat depression. Trazodone is in a class of medications called serotonin modulators. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance. Seroquel - Quetiapine (Brand name Seroquel) tablets and extended-release tablets are also used alone or with other medications to treat or prevent episodes of mania (frenzied, abnormally excited or irritated mood) or depression in patients with bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods). Quetiapine extended-release tablets are also used along with other medications to treat depression. Quetiapine tablets may be used as part of a treatment program to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in children. Quetiapine is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain. Buspirone - Buspirone is used to treat anxiety disorders or in the short-term treatment of symptoms of anxiety. Escitalopram - Escitalopram is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Escitalopram is in a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance. Lithium carb 300 - Lithium carbonate is indicated in the treatment of manic episodes of manic-depressive illness. Maintenance therapy prevents or diminishes the intensity of subsequent episodes in those manic-depressive patients with a history of mania. Typical symptoms of mania include pressure of speech, motor hyperactivity, reduced need for sleep, flight of ideas, grandiosity, elation, poor judgment, aggressiveness and possibly hostility. This is actually only a partial list - apparently, there are approximately ten more medications that he's been prescribed. My uncle is very low-IQ, but high functioning, if that makes sense. He's always worked (usually kitchen jobs), and been a sweet, empathetic man. She said that he's been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. I'm not arguing that diagnosis because hey - I'm not a doctor. When I visited with him on this trip, he seemed a shell of his former self. It was hard for him to follow the conversation and he was shaking. Is this maybe due to how many meds he is on? Or, does this seem like a normal amount of meds for someone diagnosed with bi-polar disorder? Where can we go for help? They are in Carteret County, NC, if that helps.

My oldest son did Saxon Math 5/4 through Saxon Algebra 1/2 pretty much on his own (and did well). We switched this year from Saxon, so I've been sitting down next to him and reading through the lessons with him, going over the oral drill, and then expecting him to do the homework on his own in the appropriate amount of time. I expect him to stay on task even if I leave the room (which happens a lot with a two year old!!! :) ) I really, really enjoyed Susan Wise Bauer's Teaching Students to Work Independently talk. I thought it was very practical and helpful. :)

We get the Wall Street Journal. We don't use it as a curriculum per se (I don't require any reports), but the oldest two boys read it regularly (mostly section A and section D) over breakfast or lunch and geography/world events are discussed as a part of life. My 7 year old loves looking at the weather and alternately informing us of the hottest or coldest places around the globe. :) There was a great article a few weeks ago: Geography Strikes Back To understand today's global conflicts, forget economics and technology and take a hard look at a map, writes Robert D. Kaplan We did read this one aloud as it ties in with our study of Earth Science this year. On a related note, our entire family found the Geospatial Revolution videos fascinating.

Hi Joanne, I didn't read through all the posts, but one of my older brothers (not very academic, but super creative) went into the Navy because my parents couldn't afford to pay for college for us. He served his years as a cook. He was stationed in Hawaii and got to travel the world. When his time was up, he got out, took his GI Bill and went to college (University of Texas -- Austin, I think). He is vice president of an advertising agency now. :)

I go back & forth with this issue. I'm 38 (in November), 5'6", and 141 lbs. I can diet and exercise like crazy to get down to 130 (size 6) where I feel I look fantastic, but the least letting up on this and I go back to 140 (size 10/12). It's really depressing! I just don't have the time and energy to do this anymore! Seriously, how do you keep this up with four kids to teach, plus a normal level of outside activities (church, scouts, etc.) and normal household duties (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.)??? Lately, I'm (trying to be) in a quasi-acceptance phase. Sigh. :tongue_smilie:

Welcome! :seeya:

I thought this book was so hilarious when I read it a few years ago. I'm not sure if it was meant to be, but I was LOL-ing throughout. :001_smile:

:grouphug: So glad you found this group for your son!

I voted B because of education and family background. C sounds like new money and tacky to me. :lol:

My boys loved these last year when they were in 6th and 4th grade. They especially liked: God King Beorn the Proud Hittite Warrior The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow