Well it sounds like he is having a hard time explaining this to me. He says he did Side B but I have been questioning that. Sound like not!

My ds10 did 5+ and 12+ version last year. He says there wasn't much actual numbers being used and I agree that does make it pretty abstract. Maybe this year we'll try the homeschool info on their website on transitioning it to paper this year. :-)

My son loves the DragonBox games! We haven't tried it yet but the DragonBox website has information for homeschool parents to transition the app concepts that use symbols to paper concept using numbers.

We used MathUSee when dd was in 6th grade to remediate her on fractions. We flew through it in 4 months by skipping a lot of the practice. So just know this is an option for you to use a program but then skip parts. By the end she knew more about fractions than her peers. My dd got halfway through Khan Academy for algebra 1 last year in 8th grade. But last year, after some issues with sneaking and doing other things on the computer rather than her schoolwork, we switched to textbooks. I figured we'd just do chapter tests until she struggled and then we'd know to start going through the lessons at that point. But she failed the first chapter test. Then summer got in the way :-) Now we're starting with a new program and I thought we'd try the same approach, just do chapter tests until she struggled. She failed the first chapter test again. She didn't retain even the simplest concepts (and I know they are introduced in 7th and 8th grade). Sigh. So we start again. My thoughts are this: - She wasn't ready for algebra. Even though she got halfway with Khan, she was watching the videos and then immediately doing the work, then moving on. - I have avoided this the past couple of years but I have started sitting down with her and doing it with her. I think she needs active, 1:1 personal instruction. - She needs more review. As painful as repetitive and spiral review is for her...she is just going to have to do it. (which I'm not sure how we'll build in as they pack in SO many concepts into a school year!) I hope some of that is helpful. Good luck!

Panda Press's History Odyssey has it's own activities and plan. We are doing Modern Times Level 2 this year. She starts off reading Around the World in 80 Days. They provide a map (which I printed out in poster format and enlarged it and put it on the wall). DD is to read the book and track their route. She is also to fill in the blank map with countries, cities, and landforms as she goes along. I am having her add on additional landforms and climate information in order to get a full geography credit (the program does say it gives you a 1/2 credit for geography but I felt it was lacking on landforms and climate information). Later this semester she'll be learning about imperialism, British imperialism and British colonization around the world. The program has worksheets on evaluating credibility of sources, comparing different viewpoints, summarizing conflicts, etc. Because this is also a 1/2 credit for language arts, there are literature books to read and lots of writing (essays, research report, summaries, 4 level outlines, etc.) And there is timeline work. This year we bought their timeline package. It's timelines for all the 4 time periods and stickers to add on it. I've posted it on the wall to complete as she goes along. Because it's only a study guide, you still have to buy the encyclopedia and literature books.

They are computer games. We play them on our macs but I think they were originally PC games. I don't know if they are also on Wii, xBox, etc.

I'm wondering about your history class. I'm not sure if something as specific as Greek history will suffice for your goals. In CA I believe high school graduation requires: 1 year of U.S. history and geography one year of world history, culture, and geography one semester of American government and civics, and one semester of economics. And I believe UC admissions suggest: 1 year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government and one year of world history, cultures, and geography. Also, if she is college-bound she will need at least 2 years of foreign language before she graduates. I don't know about other states but thought I'd bring this up in case it's helpful.

Thank you!

We are overseas too and have the same issues with everyone speaking English here in Dubai! And it was the same when we were in India. We were only in Hong Kong for 3 weeks so I figure that doesn't count ;-) There is little incentive to learn the local language. Your son is young. You don't have to pick THE language he will learn now. It's ideal but not mandatory. He can do Cantonese now, maybe later switch to Mandarian later or maybe you'll end up someplace completely different. Personally I wouldn't stress about it and take advantage of the local help, which sounds like Cantonese. That in itself is not a common opportunity. Let him enjoy it if he can speak a little with friends. I spent a few years prepping my daughter to take Spanish in high school, only to have her beg for Latin. Go figure!

Another way to look at this is how many hours are needed for credit that are documented on transcripts. From our umbrella school: 45 hours = 1/4 credit, 90 hours = 1/2 credit, 135 hours = 3/4 credit, 180 hours = 1 credit From HSLDA: For courses that do not use a standard high school-level textbook (perhaps you are putting together your own unit study, or you are using an integrated curriculum), log the hours that your child spends completing the course work. One credit is approximately 120-180 hours of work. The upper end of this range (180 hours) is usually appropriate for lab science courses, while 150 hours is the average for a year long academic course such as English or History. Don't become legalistic in keeping track of each minute, but generally, when evaluating credit for an academic course, a good rule of thumb is 50 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 36 weeks, for a one-credit course. Logging hours is a good method of determining credit for elective courses such as art, music, sewing, carpentry, web page design, etc. The lower end of the range (120 hours) is fine for elective courses. For a half-credit elective, log approximately 60 hours; for a quarter-credit elective, log approximately 30 hours.

HMH Fuse Algebra I is a class you download onto an ipad. It's basically an HMH textbook along with some interactive graphing tools and instructional videos from Thinkwell. It's considered a complete and common core aligned class. BUT...after I paid $20 for it and downloaded....I discovered that they do not offer an answer key. I contacted the company and they don't sell a digital or hard copy to the general public! Teachers have access to it along with a teachers guide. I guess if you're strong in algebra, or willing to look up each of the answers on one of those online algebra calculators, it would work. Sorry, maybe this was more of a vent than a helpful suggestion :huh:

Why not give him a test on 5th grade math concepts and see what he knows and doesn't know? Then you can just work on what he needs practice on. Another option is to use Khan Academy. Set up a 5th Grade mission for him. The program will give him some problems and see what he knows and doesn't know. Those that he knows, it will move on and those he needs practice on, it will give him the practice.

Yes, I should probably tweak her science class. She can use the teachings in her history class and maybe not do all the writing assignments in the history curriculum but apply them to her science class. Sigh. You're right. I am just feeling overwhelmed with the start of the new school year looking at all the stuff we need to tackle! ;-) Here's the class she'll be taking: http://allagonline.com/equine-sciences-i

Does anyone know of a curriculum that teaches high school expository writing, but the topics are science based? Or a science curriculum that includes expository writing assignments that could be counted for English credit? My dd13 will be doing a world history program (History Odyssey) this year that also gives a 1/2 credit for language arts. She'll be working on a research report, writing 4-level outlines, writing summaries about various people and events in history, writing some comparing and contrasting essays and doing an oral presentation (that's all in the first 1/4 of the class, so there's more). I love that she'll be getting this instruction and practice but she doesn't love history. She does enjoy science. So I'm realizing my mistake here and the pain I'll be inflicting on her (which translate into pain directed at me). :glare: The science class she's taking this year is an online class on equine science. There's no writing involved. I'm not about to tweak that curriculum to make it work (because that's more work than I want to take on). So I thought I'd ask. Even if it's something for next year.

Sorry I am posting too many times! This just came up in another forum: history computer games as a supplement. My kids play Civilization but there's also Age of Empire. Someone else posted that this helped their high school student: Europa Universalis IV as it's more detailed on history than the others. There are characters from history. You take on one of them as your persona and you have to develop your empire through the ages. There are history facts presented. You form allies with the likes of Ghandi, Attila the Hun, Catherine the Great, etc. You form strategies to keep your people happy, build your Empire, help others. It gets complicated. Obviously not a core curriculum! But has prompted some interesting dinner conversations about Crimea and Korea recently. :-)

My kids have been playing Civilization and Age of Empires...we will have to check this out. Thanks!

A little more detail: History Odyessey are study guides. They are a series of lessons and there are books you will need to purchase for their required reading. Level 1 will include chapters from SOTW. Primary reading is from encyclopedias. This is also a literature based curriculum so there will be several books to read throughout the year. And there are writing assignments. A few hands on activities. Level 1 has been light for my son but there is a big jump between level 1 and 2. Level one books have been too easy. He could do level 2 books (hmmm, Imhadn't thought about doing that until now! History is not a focus for us). The biggest jump between level 1 and 2 are the writing assignments. It seems to go from writing a couple semtences to writing essays. (this is only comparing Early Modern Times Level 1 and 2). There are free samples you can download to look at. I would suggest for your oldest to get at least level 2 and then tweak as needed. I find it less enjoyable as SOTW is just so nice to read! But it is certainly meatier. I also supplement with videos. I've heard good things about Beautiful Feet for history as well. If he loves to read, he may like an even more literature based history course.

We switched from SOTW to History Odyssey http://www.pandiapress.com/publications/history-odyssey/

I always wanted a photographic memory! The quiz was right on for myself and my kids. There are different ways to study and different opinions on which is best (just to make our homeschooling life even harder ;-) I was happy to realize my son is auditory as I am so visual and am always trying to draw him out pictures and stuff to explain things. Now I realize why he kept resisting and kept saying to me: just tell me. He's a very good reader but I'm interested in trying out auditory books and see how that works for him as well.

Study skills is something we really need to work on in our home this school year! IMO it depends on the type of person to determine how best to study. A traditional school teenager recently told me she just learned about Cornell note taking and found it life changing for her. She loves it. My son prefers studying out loud and having someone ask him the question and then he answers verbally. My path was to read the textbook and highlight as I went along. Or if it was a lecture, I'd try and make categories and leave space after a subject so if the teacher went back to that subject later, I could add the extra notes there (instead of just writing in chronological order). Then I'd go back through it and write outline notes from the highlights. Then go through the notes and create flashcards. Then study the flashcards and create piles based on what I knew, what I sort of knew, and what I was still clueless about. Every once in a while I would still review the "what I knew" pile just to make sure. It did seem in college that studying from the lecture notes was best, rather than the textbook, because if the teacher lectured about it, it was likely on the test. Try this online quiz and subsequent helpful suggestions: http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/improving-study-habits.shtml. Also check out the Learning Style link, on the above website, in the left hand navigation. My daughter is visual so flashcards and pictures are helpful in studying. My ds10 is mostly an auditory learner so we're going to try out recording questions and answers. This ebook is a good start IMO: http://www.currclick.com/product/13206/Middle-School-Study-Skills?it=1 And this is something that I've had my eye on: http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/how-to-become-a-superstar-student-2nd-edition.html Good luck!

History Odyessy Modern Times Level 2 has modifications in the study guide for high school level work. We plan to use this this school year.

When my dd was in 8th grade last year, we switched over to History Odyssey by Pandia Press. We enjoyed SOTW but wanted something at an older level for her. These are secular study guides. http://www.pandiapress.com/publications/history-odyssey/

Thanks for this resource!

Well this program says it does: http://www.pandiapress.com/publications/history-odyssey/ Maybe if you bought for the high school level and then scaled down for the younger child (less writing and different literature supplements?)

My DD13 won't take biology for a few years but here are my notes of possibilities if this is helpful to you. Sorry, it's a bit of a brain dump! http://www.biology.arizona.edu http://www.ucscout.org/courses/biology http://www.troy.k12.ny.us/academics/bio/labs/home.asp http://www.phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?wcprefix=cbk&wcsuffix=9999&area=view http://www.biologycorner.com/bio1/index.html http://www.scienceforhighschool.com/shop/a4-high-school-biology-in-your-home-total-package/ non-dissection labs: http://www.animalearn.org http://www.biologylabsonline.com/about.html http://www.discoveryeducation.com/what-we-offer/techbook-digital-textbooks/science/index.cfm http://www.elementalscience.com/high-school-courses/ http://oakmeadow.com/what-we-do/high-school/science/ http://homeedsa.com/secular-homeschooling-curriculum-high-school-science/51/ http://www.thegreatcourses.com/category/science/biology.html http://oli.cmu.edu/courses/free-open/cc-oli-biology-course-details/ http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/virtual_labs_glencoe.html http://www.biologyjunction.com/index.htm http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=029556 http://oli.cmu.edu/courses/free-open/cc-oli-biology-course-details/and virtual labs: http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/virtual_labs_glencoe.html http://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Biology/ outdoorbiology.com Hank Green's Biology Youtube presentations to supplement textbook