We would stay in Japan if we could.

In my personal opinion, JA is a great compromise between AOPS and other curricula if you like the AOPS style. I found it to be a rigorous set of books (JA is actually just the first in a series of 3) that are somewhere between pre-algebra and algebra1. I did AOPS pre-algebra with my 6th grader and when he was stuck we would bring out JA which had the same style but less wordy and more direct explanations which simpler problems. For him it was sort of a translation of AOPS. I also very much liked the "Notes to self" which made him spell out his thoughts, something he has great trouble with (still does, he spent about an hour per week on the homework problems in his AOPS classes, got an almost perfect score but for his life cannot explain in coherent words how he came to his solution. He does struggle with English whereas math and sciences are intuitive for him). The other reason it was perfect for my son is that he hates to write; he is not going to sit and do 50 problems. The JA series made it easy to approach math in form of discussions using a white board. We liked the humorous style, it does remind one of of Jacobs on which it is partly based. I used it with my son who liked the discovery approach and again with my daughter who hates to think but is actually quite good at math. Her attitude towards math has changed quite a bit after using JA because she came to see it more of a game, like solving mysteries which she loves to do. I did not need the teacher manuals which only show the way other kids have solved the problems. I have them because I am interested in how children approach math and problem solving. They are not solution manuals in the AOPS sense. Feel free to pm me if you have more questions.

Asked for double time and computer use. Son got time and a half, computer use was denied. I had it done by the local high school because College Board denied my requests.

Let me just say I am really happy for both you and your son :hurray:

#2 son thought the math section was harder than on the old PSAT and he found the time allotted for math was not sufficient (he was the only one in his group who actually finished math albeit barely and he guessed on a couple of questions). English he deemed simpler than in the past. He took it only because he likes taking bubble tests. #3 son said math was over his head. He did 8th grade at the local PS last year and was placed in Math 8. Algebra1 is high school math and they just finished the 1st quarter which was all review. l honestly wonder why the high school makes 9th graders take the PSAT when they did not even have Algebra1. He personally has difficulties with English/language in general so my guess is his scores will be low. I don't plan on him retaking it in 11th grade.

LOL, they have that problem solved too. All girls wear black penny loafers and the boys wear black dress shoes, they are all the same. Jewelry is not allowed (at least at he local high school).

Shmoop also has English courses.

I have an appointment with the counselor and school psych next week to go over it. I am curious why they granted extended time when that wasn't mentioned anywhere.

Oh yes, the CB and I have a longstanding relationship and not in a good way. The school has been great, they try very hard to support their students. He will probably just deal with the schools directly and try to explain if necessary.

Hello, My son is taking a few classes at the local high school. He has a 504 in place for dysgraphia; his inability to write by hand has been documented for several years so this is not a new diagnosis. The school filed for accommodations with the College Board concerning his inability to write by hand. The College Board's reply was that he can have extended time but not computer use or a scribe. What does one thing have to do with the other? Since when are accommodations negotiable? He does not need extended time (the school did not apply for that), he needs computer use or a scribe. The school was great though, they went back and forth with CB, alas to no avail. Some of the universities he would like to apply to do not require the writing portion but recommend it. He is a skilled writer so I feel depriving him of the chance to submit something that he is good at deprives him of points on his application. Rant over, where is the chocolate?

I take Vitamin D prescribed by a doctor due to absorption issues. We eat a healthy diet, spend time outside and exercise. Handwashing throughout the day is mandatory in our household. We are rarely sick.

It says "revised" for a new generation of learners, whatever that means.

The Grinch used to run at Christmas in Germany when I was little but I didn't realize he was a well-known author in the US. For me it was just another story.

I don't see why it would. Different providers have different offerings. We also live abroad and have used Derek Owens and AOPS for math and science, Lukeion for Latin, literature and history, Wilson Hill for math and science, PA Homeschoolers for Geography, Blue Tent for Honors English, Well-Trained Mind Academy for writing and literature and VLACS for Digital Arts.

Where we lived in California, our Sprouts was great; it is a cheaper version of Whole Foods. I went there for produce, meat and some specialty items. I went to Trader Joes for other things and bought the rest at the commissary. I really miss Sprouts.

I only put down academic classes and the only class from 8th grade is Latin 1. My son will have about 24 credits.

I am not worrying about my hair. Crowds, noises, unexpected changes make me physically uncomfortable and kick my anxiety into high gear which ends in heart palpations, light headedness and breathing difficulties. It is really hard to act like I am enjoying this under those circumstances. There is a reason when I ask people to not surprise me, scare me form behind or play mind games with me. Frankly, we have the whole debate that "No" means "No", why should it be different for other areas of life?

I hate surprise parties (actually I hate surprises of any kind) and that fact is widely known. When asked and I specifically tell people that I do not like something and they do/give it anyways I see no reason to act happy about it. They ignored what I said and how I feel about it.

nv, accidentally hit the send button

I had a major problem receiving e-mails from Mrs. Barr. She said she sent them, I never received them and thought she ignored my questions :blushing: . I ended up routing our conversation through Dr. Fisher who forwarded me Mrs. Barr's e-mails after we had been waiting for several months to hear anything about the results from the last NLE. I would e-mail Dr. Fisher or Mr. Barr; it seems I wasn't the only one having issues then.

We usually have Tricare Standard and have been very happy with them. We are currently covered by Tricare Prime Overseas and get excellent care. On Standard we pay some co-pays and cost shares but they are quite reasonable.

Yes, I was dealing with this when I was dealing with anxiety. I had CBT which helped greatly. BUT, my current doctor listened to all my concerns and then suggested we get vitamin D levels checked. They came back deficient and she put me on a high dose supplement. As my levels moved towards in range, my anxiety lessened and now that they are in an acceptable range has gone away completely. We talked about it when we rechecked levels, and she said vitamin D can really mess with your mind, unfortunately many doctors are either not aware of this or dismiss it. Anyways, she said that whenever she has patients who deal with particularly health anxiety who have no known health issues, vitamin D is the first thing she checks and more often than not, there is at least an insufficiency but generally speaking levels tend to be deficient. In addition, deficient vitamin D is also known for producing heart racing and pounding, strong headaches, muscle weakness and other symptoms that can be quite scary and are easily mistaken for serious problems. That in itself feeds the anxiety which magnifies the symptoms which makes the anxiety worse. It is just a vicious cycle.

I put it in whatever hot drink I have. It has done nothing for my hair, skin and nails but my knees feel much better. I can walk long distances again without my knees killing me.

About 6000, insurance paid 1500. That was for 2 years of palate expanders and 1 1/2 years of Invisaligns.

The only reason I didn't live with hubby before we got married was because I lived in a different country. My parents would have far preferred for us to just live together than get married. We have been married for 27 years now and have been together for 32. Our oldest son lives with his girlfriend in another country and we pay what we would pay if he lived alone. He is 21, the age at which I married and she is 20, old enough to lead their own life. There are other reasons why we prefer to pay for his college. They have been together for 3 years, have been living together for 1 and it works out well. We love her, she is great.