Thanks to everyone who responded to my OP. Our ds has difficulty showing his knowledge on a test. He usually finishes them, he studies for them, he cares how he does on them...test taking is just not his strength. He does fine, not great. Because of this, dh and I are trying to determine, like Brenda in MA mentioned, how to best portray our ds and his strengths to colleges. He has really strong LOR's, he'll earn his Eagle in BSs soon, he has a pet-sitting "business," etc. His grades are good. This is the one hurdle I'm feeling overwhelmed at making a decision on. Cleps, APs, SAT/ACT, SAT 2s...ugh. :confused1: Relatively speaking, SAT 2s just seem like a good way to validate his studies, along with an upcoming online class (next year) and his co-op classes. Thanks again!

I really like the idea you gave about the quotes. I teach a literature class at my co-op. I always read the books along with the kids, and I like the idea of reading aloud a quote or two in class to see what they think about it. It's a new discussion tool for me to use. Thanks for the idea! ETA: typo

My son loves the Warrior series. Once he starts a book, he can't put it down. http://www.warriorcats.com/books

As I was scanning my rather thick 4-year college book from the library, the only one in Michigan that says they need subject tests is U of M, "required for some." And I know I need to make the phone calls as soon as ds decides where he wants to apply because there may be others. This is another question for me...knowing where he wants apply. But that's a post for another day. ;) I agree...it's best to have 2 or 3, for validation, if nothing else. I know students of course take these as soon as the class ends, but my dh thinks we should wait a bit and have ds study. He just finished American History so it looks like he'll take the American History test in October. Thanks for all your advice!

For some reason I had it in my head that subject tests are now required. I even thought it was 2-3 subject tests... I am now flipping through a 4-year college book from 2012 that I got from the library, and I have yet to find a college that requires subject tests. I get that they validate a transcript, but if my ds doesn't tend to test well, should we concentrate his time on keeping his grades up and preparing for the ACT/SAT and try for strong scores on those (either/or), or should we add in a couple subject tests, as well. How important are they? Our ds is a rising sophomore and is following a 4-year college plan. Thanks.

:bigear: A lot of great information here. Thank you!

Lori D., your list is absolutely fantastic. Thanks so much for your help! Just as a little background, when my ds was in 8th grade, a member of our hs group (one of the originators and who has a degree in lit and writing) offered to teach American Lit. I thought it would be fantastic for my ds to participate (and I didn't know if he would have this opportunity again), so I signed him up. No regrets...it was a great class. His next year, grade 9, I thought we'd do British Lit (LL). I did these two without giving the whole high school picture a thought, which was a mistake. I do have a chart that has all four years on it, with all subjects, that I keep filling in, but I think I consider it too flexible... As I was figuring out literature for this year, I began to panic because I didn't have a clear picture in my head as to my ds's next three (literature) years. You've all been a big help. I needed the reminder that we do have some creative leeway in how we teach subjects; I just want to make sure that all bases are covered. Your suggestions have helped to make sure that I stay on the track we all decide on. Thanks again!

Harriet Vane and AK_Mom4, thanks to you both! These suggestions are fantastic. Thanks for sharing!

Harriet Vane and AK_Mom4, thanks to you both! These suggestions are fantastic. Thanks for sharing!

What is EPS, please? Thanks!

I'm currently working on planning out the lit/composition program for my ds, 10th grade, for the fall. We're focusing less on comprehension questions for the lit this year and more on discussing and writing about what he's read. We want to work on/tweak his writing, but we're not going to split up his reading and his writing. We're going to use what he's read as his composition topics (genres, analysis, characters, etc.). HTH.

What were some of the Science Fiction works your ds read? Thank you!

I know he would like the sci-fi then Shakespeare idea, but then again, he hasn't read The Iliad or The Odyssey yet, either. But then again, he still has three years to study literature. You see where the chaos is in my mind? I fee like I need to do it all at once, but that's not possible. I need to get organized. My ds and I need to write out the next three years, in pencil of course, so we have an outline of where we're going, but with some flexibility. So a year of Ancients, a year of sci-fi/Shakespeare, and a year of World Lit. This is a great direction for me to go. We will also put an emphasis on genres as we go (this is also where the planning will be important). What are some sci-fi lit ideas? I'm a little stuck on this one. I also like the idea of naming his courses English Lit 9, 10, etc. This gives me a lot more flexibility in what we choose for ds to read, and I feel less boxed in (I didn't realize how creative we can be in naming our courses, though!). Thanks to you all for your help so far! If any other ideas come up, please share.

I've searched this forum for threads on literature course ideas and found a plethora...I'm grateful for all the ideas I found. However, I've put myself into a bit of a pickle. I didn't coordinate my ds's lit and history the way I wish I had, looking back. He had a super American Lit course in 8th grade and read a lot of wonderful novels, poetry, short stories, etc. This past year we did British Lit together; another good year. But my question is: what do we do now? I could put together a reading list that combines novels, plays, poetry, short stories from both American Lit and British Lit that weren't covered previously... But if I do that, what do I call the course? My ds will be in 10th grade in the fall and here's what he's done for literature so far: 8th - American Lit 9th - British Lit 10th - ?? 11th - World Lit 12th - Shakespeare Study I would consider World Lit this year but he's doing World History next year and I would like to coordinate the two. He's doing Gov't and Economics this year. I could pick a time period, like Ancients, but some of that would be covered in World Lit and does it make sense to go "backward" in time? Clearly I'm confused... :confused1: Any suggestions? I'd be grateful for whatever advice you can give. Thanks so much!

:lurk5:

Thanks for sharing, Lori D!

Just curious if anyone who is using, or who has used, Spielvogel and coordinated literature to go with it, would like to share some of the lit they chose? I just ordered from Amazon and am planning on doing some literature research once I have the history text in hand. Thanks so much.

:lurk5:

I have to double (or is it triple?) the suggestion for these erasers!! I bought them a year or so ago and they have never broken and they erase cleanly. We love them. In fact, I tell my boys that once a pencil gets really short and it's time to throw it away, don't throw out the eraser. I have a small basket I keep these in and any used ones go there, to get reused. Good, quality supplies will definitely save you money and time in the future...words to live by when you home school. I bought mine from here, though, more cheaply (and they arrived in record time): http://www.discountofficeitems.com/office-supplies/writing-correction/correction-supplies-erasers/erasers/paper-mate-arrowhead-pencil-eraser/p27926.html I love the suggestions regarding: chocolate (just a piece now and then makes a world of difference!) coffee (and having a Starbucks around the corner is a benefit...plus it gets you out of the house for a few minutes) a sense of humor (this goes without saying...an absolute necessity) planning ahead and purchasing paper, folders, binders, pencils, art supplies, etc. at the back-to-school sales will save you a lot of money and time (even if you over-do-it a bit...) post-it notes (we use these all the time...but I don't skimp on these; the other brands just don't work as well) bookshelves, bookshelves, bookshelves... reference materials and two wall maps, a US and a world (I can't tell you how many times my sons use these...they refer to them all the time) a 3-hole punch a printer/copier a library card and a set day every week or every other week to go...make it a habit and you'll rarely have over-due fines (ask me how I know...) outside time each day, if possible. And finally, something I don't see listed here, but since you're going to Ikea soon, don't forget: A DESK FOR YOU. I used the kitchen table with my kids, then they got older and bigger and the answer keys and materials I needed grew bigger, so I used a small desk we had hanging around, which was too small. So my dh found a wonderfully big and pretty (I'm the only female in the house so pretty was important) glass-topped desk through Craig's List and I love it! He's about to put a couple shelves on the wall next to my desk so I'll have space for everything I need. Don't forget about your needs! HTH.

I taught a very similar class this past year and we had a great time. I introduced a book the week before we were scheduled to begin reading it (to whet their appetites a bit). The first class period of a new book, I told them about the author and about the time in history that the book was written (i.e., if it was written in 1954, I would discuss how much things cost and what technology, if any, there was at the time...things that interested the students). I always tried to find interesting things about the author to tell them. Then we discussed the assigned reading. I introduced (reviewed for some) terminology such as genre (and the different genres there are), antagonist, protagonist, climax, setting, etc., and used these throughout the year, as we discussed the books we read. We did a class project for each book for the last 1-2 weeks of reading it (for example, we make a board game for one of the books we read and played it as a class, in teams, on the last class before Christmas, we played Jeopardy, in teams, for one, also). I had them write simple Reading Responses that were due on the last class period of a particular book, as well. We made Venn Diagrams in class, comparing/contrasting characters, story details/events, we made plot charts, we made maps of Milo's travels in Phantom Tollbooth, we made timelines, etc., all of these as a class. The students realized right away that if the reading assignments weren't completed by everyone, class discussions would suffer. This is a simple overview of what I did. We discussed in depth (and had a lot of fun with) each book, comparing and contrasting stories, author's styles, etc., and different topics for what they could do for their Reading Responses. The students kept up with the reading, enjoyed the books, and had a lot to contribute in class. It was a really good year. We read four books each 14-week semester. They were: Phantom Tollbooth, Number the Stars, The View from Saturday, A Wrinkle in Time, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Tuck Everlasting, Bridge to Terabithia, and The Incredible Journey. I agreed to teach the class again this school year, and am in the process of compiling another list of books. I HTH. Have fun!

I thought I'd bump this as there have been a few people wanting this type of information lately, including me! :001_smile: HTH someone...

I like this one; it seems like it would meet my youngest ds's needs. I'm going to consider this for this next school year. This past school year my dh and I thought we'd have our boys take ownership of their work by having them write out their assignments in a planner each week (instead of me doing it). I check their work throughout the week and they're responsible for getting all corrections to me by Saturday (they work to mastery). I record grades and write out any notes to them for their assignment books, and they write out their assignments, chores, and any other responsibilities they have for the following week, on that Saturday or Sunday. This way they ready for the week ahead and they know what they'll be doing. My dh and I check them to make sure everything's accounted for, but so far we haven't had to do much. I type out what they need to accomplish each week (so curriculum gets finished by June) at the beginning of the year, and update it quarterly as needed. This is what they follow, along with any weekly notes I jot down for them (again, I find ideas and other resources I want them to use, as the year progresses). These are the planners they use: ds (15) uses http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=604984&event=CROSSBOX, and our ds (10) uses http://shop.joannecalderwood.com/The-Self-Propelled-STUDENT-Planner-Landscape-Edition-912.htm. My ds (10) uses a planner that's not dated. He simply fills in the week and then writes out his subjects and what he'll be doing in each subject for that week. I do like the above Assignment Sheet a lot for my youngest because I can type out the subject and basic overview of what needs to be finished (for example, read one chapter a day...) and he can fill in the details under each day of the week. Hmmm, thanks for the link! HTH.

Ha! I've done this myself many times. :lol:

This website is wonderful, and a great resource. Thank you!

Thank you so much, Lori D, for these comments and suggestions. And I totally asked for any and all book suggestions, so this was perfect! Some we've read but many I haven't even heard about, so I'm very excited! It's always good to have personal recommendations about books, especially books for kids. I don't want to assign a book to my class and have something in it that isn't appropriate. I tend to read the books with the class so I don't give something away during our discussions, but I may not do it this way again this year. I may just try and read at least the first four books so I can put them on the syllabus confidently! :001_smile: Again, thank you!