Just a public service announcement that the Thinkwell Homeschool courses are on sale this week only through the Homeschool Buyers Co-Op. The FAQ said you can buy it now and then start the year-long subscription at any time, like the fall. It's already discounted at 30% off and I expect that will go up by the end of the week.

Yes, easily. From what I recall, DUKE TIP just had me pick from a pop-up menu which test I was submitting for qualifying scores. I picked SCAT and that was it. They didn't even verify.

Hello, The Thinkwell sale through the Homeschool Buyers Coop starts tomorrow, March 20. Up to 50% off, depending on participation. And you can buy it now but wait to register until you want to begin (they said there is no expiration date but the HSBC recommends that you activate the code within 6 months, just to be safe.) Just a public service announcement. Heather

My son is 9, technically in 4th grade. I didn't know about the free courses until we signed up so I'm not sure you can find the class I'm referring to. They do have a next-level cryptology class listed, and I expect they would be similar. The class is basically just a website that he reads and it has some interaction - he takes little quizzes, there are links for him to explore, etc. But it isn't personalized in any way.

We just recently joined DUKE TIP after taking the SCAT through JH CTY. My son is currently working through one of the "free" courses that are accessible upon membership. It is an Introduction to Cryptology course. So far, he likes it. It is mostly independent but challenges him enough that I need to stick close. It is interesting to him and I expect I will purchase their more in-depth course when he is done with this (the intro. lessons are very short and won't take him longer than a week or two, working on it for recreation.) I think their prices are low enough for me to give them a try. They are certainly more affordable that CTY or EPGY.

I am definitely going to check out Classic House of Learning. I LOVE free and it sounds like she created it for the very reasons I am looking. Yay!

Hello, I am thinking about next year. I will have a child in the 1st year of the Logic stage for history and a child in the 1st year of the Grammar stage. I would really like to find a program that allows me to combine their work. We have all of the SOTW on book and CDs as well as the Activity Guides. My oldest is finishing up SOTW 4 this year. We've done the four years by listening to the CDs, answering the questions, and then supplementing with A LOT of extra reading. I expect to follow the same pattern for my youngest, but I think she will enjoy the activities more than my son did and she will probably want fewer supplemental reading. So, my plan is to start SOTW all over again with my youngest but I'd like something for my oldest that can match up with SOTW but take it farther, especially in terms of reading and writing exercises (writing is not his strong point but I would like him to start that for history next year.) I would really like a curriculum for my oldest that includes a list of supplemental readings, especially for strong, advanced readers. I would also like a program that gives a list of corresponding videos. Ideally, I would love for them both to be working on a certain topic together and listening to SOTW, watch videos together, but have my son be working more in depth. Any suggestions on a curriculum I can purchase for my Logic stage child that will compliment SOTW?

We really enjoyed this book series when we were studying pre-history. http://www.amazon.com/Born-With-Bang-Universe-Children/dp/158469033X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331503904&sr=1-3 And we also love the How the Universe Works documentary series on netflix!

Thanks for the responses. My guess is a lot of homeschoolers face the same price-tag shock at some of the online courses. I am very thankful for the EPGY open enrollment program, which uses the same software as their $500+ class! I also signed him up for DUKE TIP because their courses are much less expensive, but I don't think they are interactive (from what I can tell, there is no instructor on the other end, but software that the students works through at his/her own pace.) I think that may be a good option for us. It was super easy to sign up for the Duke program - I just filled out an online app and said he qualified because of his SCAT scores. They didn't even verify! I am also looking at the program at Northwestern. Does anyone have any experience with that program? Thanks!

Hello, I have a 9 yo son who recently took the SCAT test through Johns Hopkins. This was the first time we did any testing with him, though we've known he was gifted since he was very young. Until recently, we never felt a need to have him tested because the information wouldn't have changed our course of action. But, now that he is older, I need to supplement his curriculum. That's why we looked into the John's Hopkins CTY; so that he could take online courses. He scored in the 99th percentile on both the verbal and quantitative sections of the SCAT (Intermediate level.) Obviously, he qualifies for the CTY at John's Hopkins but I am wondering what other options are available for him. I am specifically looking for *interactive* online coursework. And, of course, I would love for it to be reasonably priced. I am familiar with the program at Stanford as he currently does the EPGY Open Enrollment. But I find their courses to be too expensive. I welcome any suggestions, guidance and reviews of programs. Thanks so much!! Heather :)

I have searched and searched the web but I can't find something that compares the learning strands (topics) of EPGY to that of Singapore Math. I really like using them both together (we use the Intensive Practice for Singapore) but they don't always match up easily. Has anyone ever seen a comparison chart between the two? Thanks!! Heather

I am so glad to have found the thread! The reduced price was still valid and what a deal! I only ordered the books and the Student Quest Guides. I am hoping the Student Quest guides can be used with the extensive teaching guides. Thanks so much!!! Heather

We just subscribed to DE Streaming Plus and are really looking forward to integrating this resource. We plan to use the Magic School Bus videos, Bill Nye, Elementary Spanish and whatever else we can find! What are some of your favorite and "go to most" resources on DE? :lurk5: Heather

My son has been taking piano for three years and my daughter for two. Their teachers recommend good quality digital pianos. The quality of digital pianos has greatly increased over the years and they are often recommended over real pianos because they are always in tun. Our digital piano has weighted keys and food pedals. My son easily switches from our digital piano to an upright to a grand piano for recitals. My daughter's lessons (same music school as my son) are taught on digitals and she also easily switched to a grand piano for recital. A new, quality digital piano is not at all the same as a keyboard. It feels and sounds like a real piano, but one that is in tune.

Soaring With Spelling? http://www.growingwithgrammar.com/1swsProduct_Page.html Or, Spelling Workout. But I found that it assumed you were using the Phonics workbook along with it, so he wasn't getting all of the phonics-based spelling rules.

EPGY math? http://epgy.stanford.edu/openenroll/index.html

We use HWOT until cursive, and then I switch to Zaner-Bloser because I really don't like the style of HWOT's cursive.

I wish I had known that there was plenty of time to get to the serious stuff. I wish I had taken more time to be silly and fun with no agenda or desired outcomes. As for homeschooling, just read a lot. And look at bugs.

What kind of data? We access through a gmail account and that is all the information that has been asked of us.

I want to get us a subscription for Discovery Education Streaming for this coming academic year. I want the most bang for my buck! We plan to use it for Spanish, History and Science and anything else that strikes our fancy! Is it worth it to get the Plus or is Basic enough? Is the discount with HSBC typically offered or is that a limited promotion? Can I expect to renew in a year's time at the same discounted price? Does anyone use Discovery Education Streaming through the OnlineG3 forums? How does this package compare to the Basic or Plus packages? As far as price, the G3 seems like the best deal and it includes BrainPop. But I can't get any information on it and I'm concerned that it is a very limited version.

Well, we are happy with GWG and it is hard for me to give it up. But we are switching to group EPGY this year which includes the grammar program in the price so I might as well use it. Also, I thought it would help him to move some of his language arts to the computer so that he can use his handwriting for more "productive learning." Grammar comes really easily to him so the only real challenge he has with GWG is the physical writing. It is SO hard for me to let go of WWE. I'm not sure I can do it!!

I have been working on this for several weeks and I've hit a wall when it comes to Language Arts and narrowing down some of the other subjects. I would especially like feedback on the bolded items, because we haven't used them before. And I really need help on LA. I think there is too much on my list and I'm not sure what to cut. Help? :001_smile: This is for my just-turned 9 year old. He is a very bright boy and a strong reader but get tired writing. In addition to the following, he also takes piano and swimming and a monthly nature/science class. We'll start the following in August, assuming I can figure it out! Math: EPGY Singapore Intensive Practice 4A and 4B Khan Academy History: SOTW 4 book and activity guide and LOTS of library books Spanish (starting this year): Elementary Spanish through Discovery Streaming PowerSpeak on-line through the library (any feedback on this program?) Geography (starting this year): Evan-Moor Daily Geography Practice The Star Spangled Banner State Book and CD ?? - feedback on this? Logic: Building Thinking Skills Software Level 2 Balance Benders Mind Benders Level B Language Arts (this is where it gets really tricky!): EPGY LAW - switching from Growing With Grammar, though we like GWG Zaner-Bloser 4th Grade Cursive Dance Map Typing (not sure what comes next?) Editor In Chief OR Evan-Moor Daily Paragraphs - adding Soaring With Spelling Level 3 - feel pretty certain about adding this one Word Roots Beginning - adding Writing With Ease 4 (skipping level 3, but did 1 and 2) Winning With Writing OR Writing Strands 3 OR Evan-Moor Writing Fabulous Sentences and Paragraphs - adding (This is where I am really lost!! I think he needs to start paragraph composition and starting to write his own thoughts and words. Is it too much to add this? Should I replace Writing With Ease with one of these?) Um, okay, I think that's it. I really think I have way too much under LA, especially since he tires writing (physically, that is.) I would really like some feedback because I am at that point where I have it narrowed down but can't move forward to make the final decision. And I am literally starting to dream about language arts curriculums being in the bed with me. And that is a sure sign that it is time to move-on! Thanks!! :bigear:

We really like Khan Academy. We use EPGY for math and supplement with Singapore Intensive Practice. If there is an area he is struggling with or that I just want him to get more practice on, we watch a video (they have all of Singapore 3 videos!). My son really likes to work through the practice sections and earn his "badges." It is great for reinforcing math facts and also great to show a concept in a visual way, via the videos. And it doesn't dumb down the user. This has been really great for us because he sometimes just needs to hear it explained in a different way (or just not from Mama!). It's free, it's easy, it has SO much to offer, the kids like it. It's a big :thumbup: When he is using it, I leave a dry erase board and marker with him so he can work out the math.

We use our formal dining room as a homeschool/art room. We've been house shopping and a homeschool room was a necessity for me. We use an old kitchen table and then a smaller ikea table as our work areas (Craigslist is a great place to buy these!). To organize, we use a lot of THESE. I usually use one or two bins per subject, per child. So, math workbooks for oldest is in one, youngest has her handwriting and phonics in another, etc. I can easily grab them off the shelf and bring them to the table as needed. We also use THESE. I hang these on either side of the table and they fit workbooks really well and the kids can just grab and go. And you don't need a lot of shelf space. You can see pics of our old homeschool room HERE. We moved and our new room is set up very similarly.

It's cheaper on Amazon!