Could it be as simple as just buying "Spanish for Dummies"? It has great reviews, and some reviewers have used it specifically with Rosetta Stone. Ashley

Same for us. Bought Rosetta, but then read reviews on here that said we need more. Language is more a "check off the box" course for us. What can I supplement with? Ashley

So here is my question. My son (rising Jr.) participates in Mock Trial and volunteers in a local Teen Court program. He loves anything to do with law and learning about the Constitution. Of course, we too are facing the "so much to do, so little time left" dilemma. I think my son would really enjoy a course in Constitutional Law and/or AP Comparative Government. He has taken 2 sciences and will only take one more. As far as the transcript, does it look better to have completed (taken in Jr. year, rather than Sr.) the mandatory 3rd science course, or classes that are more in his field of interest? Thanks so much! Ashley Hampstead, NC

I was very interested to hear that even Bono, after years of trying to get aid for Africa, is now espousing capitalism as the answer. “Aid is just a stopgap,†he said. “Commerce [and] entrepreneurial capitalism take more people out of poverty than aid.†This line of thought coincides with a book from my son's Economics in a Box curriculum, Money, Greed, and God. I am learning so much from that book. It helps me to know that I don't have to "check my Christianity at the door" to believe in Capitalism. You might want to take a look at it to serve as a conversation starter with your kids. Just a thought. Ashley

Good thinking! I'll start checking for those at my library sales. Thanks! ash

My son will take the AP Government test this spring....his first AP test. I'm planning to allow him about 3 weeks prior to the test to complete a review book. Can someone recommend one above another? Is 3 weeks enough review time? 5 Steps to a 5 gets good reviews on Amazon. They have a 2014-2015 edition. Of course the previous edition is cheaper. Does enough change to justify the additional cost? Thanks so much! Ashley

If you decide to read The Jungle you may want to explore these reviews as well. http://www.fee.org/search/?q=the%20jungle#axzz2mlFVjOD8

My 14-year old son participated in a 2-week Mock Trial camp at Patrick Henry (just outside DC) last summer. It was his first time going away, and he LOVED it. I attended the final competition and was impressed with the level of the kids participating, as well as the feedback they received. They did do the fun summer camp activities, but worked hard as well. http://www.phc.edu/teen_1.php They have several different topics including speech, leadership, political strategies, etc... The cost (last year) was $500 for 1 week and $1000 for 2 weeks. When I compared that to Landry Academies summer camps, it was a good deal. My son also participated in a 3-day seminars with FEE. If you like a free market approach to economics, you will love this. And...it's free (transportation not included). Seminars are offered at 3-4 different colleges around the country. My son went to Rome, Georgia. http://www.fee.org/seminars/#axzz2lUphrBfa You have access to reading in advance to help prepare your student. There is an application process. Here's another one we have our eye on for this year...http://www.furmanmocktrial.org/high-school-programs/ . Anyone have experience with that? Apparently they offer summer camps on a variety of topics... http://www2.furman.edu/admission/EngageFurman/SummerScholars/Pages/Summer-Scholars-Courses.aspx . Ashley

We are doing Spelling Power as well. It does take time with the parent, but seems to be doing the trick. It's really nice that you can do a pretest that tells you where to start. I just began the FINAL level (K) with my sophmore son....woohoo! Spelling has always be difficult for him. BTW...I started my this program about 3 years ago with both my sons (2nd child is in 7th grade), and the younger one is finishing a little ahead. So it seems to work with natural spellers as well. Ashley

Check out bravewriter.com .

I heard Debra Bell recommend Vocabulary for Achievement, and we continue it through high school for SAT prep. My understanding is that it is written by the people who write the SAT. The words are pretty advanced for each grade level, and they touch on roots and analogies. The student book does not include correct answers, so I have to answer them as well (which takes some time). You can buy a teacher manual, but it's as expensive as the student book ($23) and only has answers for 1 year. Ashley

http://www.c-spanclassroomdeliberations.org This is terrific for current events, and how the government addresses them. Also, if you can find other teens who are in the same rut, it's more fun to do as a group. Also, do you have a local Mock Trial group? Ashley

If you had a good experience with Stobaugh, could you tell me how you used it and what you liked? It got a great review from Cathy Duffy, but not positive reviews on this website?? Thanks. Ashley

So what do people recommend in lieu of Stobaugh for British Lit., American, World....? Looking for options.

I learned a lot from Lee Binz's book Setting the Records Straight. Fairly quick read, with lots of examples of transcripts in the back. http://www.amazon.com/Setting-Records-Straight-Descriptions-Scholarships/dp/1449583555/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378226960&sr=1-2&keywords=setting+the+record+straight Good luck! Ashley

We are LOVING Economics in a Box. It's amazing. http://www.economicsinabox.com

You could do more applied learning/civic activity. My son volunteered in a campaign, served as a page in our state legislature, attended 4-H government workshops, explored current legislative issues through the C-Span Deliberations material, and participated on our Mock Trial team. Ashley

I've commented on our experience with Spectrum here... http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/484772-remember-i-said-i-would-post-about-what-i-wish-i-had-known-about-spectrum-chemistry/?p=5142174

Spelling Power has a pretest to give students to see where they should start in the program. You could have him take that. If he "places out", then you can feel "justified" at moving on. If not, you can go over the few lists he still needs to address. Just a thought. ashley

Bravewriter ...Boomerang (for early high school) or Slingshot or... https://www.forsuchatimeasthis.com/language-arts-curriculum Ashley

You may want to check out BraveWriter's Help for High School. http://www.bravewriter.com/program/home-study-courses/help-for-high-school/ Ashley

My rising tenth grade son is a voracious reader, so I was surprised when he didn't just absorb the spelling rules. I actually didn't realize how much of a challenge it was for him until his younger brother (by almost 3 years) started writing. He just knew how to spell words. The difference, I believe, is that my oldest is an auditory learner; he can look at words all day, but it doesn't sink in unless he is intentional about it. My other son is a visual learner and "sees" words in chunks. The good news for us has been that we found a curriculum that works for both...Spelling Power. My struggling speller has progressed very well with that program. I think copy work has helped him with common sight-words that don't follow the rules. I would also agree with the importance of motivation. My son doesn't like the fact that his younger brother is "ahead" of him in Spelling Power. Also, I think he feels some peer pressure to improve his spelling. Hope that helps! Ashley

We are using Stobaugh this coming year for Amer. Lit. for my rising sophomore. In the beginning of the teacher's manual, the author states that the curriculum is worth 2 full credits: writing and literature. I want to finish this in a year, and I am really only interested in one credit. For those who have used it, did you skip some of the readings and written assignments so that it only counted as 1 credit? Thanks for any help. Ashley

I read one of Lee Binz's short ebooks on this topic and thought her full length book might be worth purchasing. Here's the link... http://www.amazon.com/Setting-Records-Straight-Descriptions-Scholarships/dp/1449583555/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370606908&sr=1-6&keywords=lee+binz

I have been struggling with this issue. How do you "do grades" when the content is woven throughout different years? Are grades based more on what they have accomplished that year, rather than within each topic? Thanks for bringing this up! Ashley