Personally, I would STAY PUT - at least for now. I've not read all the reply posts. I'm speaking from experience of taking my sons out of a place where they were so very happy. For us, the church we were attending seemed / was very conservative; however, there were several problems inherent in the teaching as well as with a few members. I wish we had stayed and also prayed. My husband, unfortunately, was not ever one to look further down the line where his children were concerned, so "praying" with me for change was not something he would do. It would have been better to stay there and allow them to maintain those friendships than to have moved to the places we did for about 5 to 6 years!!! I would be on my knees more than anything else. I guess you could visit other churches, if some have peaked your interest from word of mouth, but keep in mind that your view of the church from one or two visits is not equall to what you will experience once you start plugging in as an enitre family. IF you do visit churches, it would be better if you already knew a member, hopefully another mom or committed mature man. I would suggest asking them how to get a feel for the church and its vision, heart for missions and also its maturity level or call to maturity among believers. We are at a relatively "new" church home (the church is not new, but we are relatively new members). I could easily suggest several Sunday School classes for a prospective member to attend that would open his / her eye(s) to the level of maturity / committment that is common among members. I would also suggest attending a ladies' bible study at other churches. Perhaps this would also fulfill your personal needs to connect to others for now, and yet, you could contine to "look" if that is practical. It is also possible that others at the bible study may have suggestions for you. This church we are currently attending is not one I will ever want to leave. I only wish we had switched to this church when we left the one our sons enjoyed so many years ago.

Hi...I don't know if these are still available, but I have been digging through what I have and found an Art Pac 3 complete set - I think - of art papers, but the problem is I'm missing the instructions. These are almost worthless to even give away without the instructions. Is there any way to print off the instructions alone? or do you know if these can be purchased separately? I don't even remember the exact publisher. How long ago does that tell you it's been? I am selling out pretty much. So much to get rid of. We placed our youngest son in a private school that was founded by home educators; it is a classical school. We are pretty glad he's there, though it's not exactly what I would do. I would choose math and sciences differently, I think, but it's still probably more than we would accomplish. We've recently moved, to be closer to the school, with all of our belongings being delivered on the first day of school. It's almost too much to deal with all at the same time, but I'm sure if I just relax a bit about it all, it will all work out in time. Janet Webb

I am not one who fits your description, but I have experience with two older children. They were both pianists - at least in training. They were both quite proficient at performing, they were both in Civil Air Patrol, and they both played basketball on a home school basketball team. One was a starter the last four years he played. The other was a starter his last two years. BECAUSE they spent so much time on the extra-curricular activities, academics were lacking. Piano took anywhere from 1 1/2 to 4 hours per day per son (depending on what was going on - 4 hours when they were practicing for a state competitions or a senior recital). Basketball took an enormous amount of time because we do not live in a highly populated region. It was not unrealistic for them to be gone ten hours in one day to play one game. Obviously, I do have regrets and wish I had made changes sooner. I explain all this to say that I wish I had put my oldest in college when he was sixteen years of age, half-way through his junior year. That was when somebody told me it was a good idea; it was FEAR alone that prevented me from doing so. What resulted was that he went backwards in maturity. He has felt "behind" all his friends who were put in classes at the beginning of their senior year. It was silly of us not to do something very similar. He does better when among peers and when challenged. He was no longer among peers nor being challenged at home his senior year. Bottom line - whether the situation is one such as your own where you have a very gifted child or it is one such as my own where you are no longer being effective - be bold and make the change, if your child needs it. Another factor that might not be mentioned as much is maturity. My oldest son went through puberty at the age of 12. That is rather young, but it also normally means they mature sooner and are chomping at the bit to get O - U - T in the world. As I mentioned above, not making the change meant he went backwards. The Home School Co-op we were participating in was not enough of a challenge or interest for him. He had looked so forward to Chemistry, and he had, in fact, read little bits of information on Chemitry on his own. The co-op was using Apologia, and it was not challenging him. He would have been much happier in a course at the junior college. It does depend upon each child. Possibly in part due to the years of piano lessons, my two oldest are much sharper and quicker at life than my youngest. I am not sure how it will all pan out for him. In other words, I think when you make your decision, look at your child and ask yourself some questions. Here are a few: Is he (she) mature enough to attend college classes? Did he mature early? Is he (she) bright enough to succeed in classes at college? Is he (she) no longer challenged at home? no longer accomplishing much academically at home? AND Does he (she) plan to attend college eventually anyway? I hope this helps....

There is a Teaching Guide, which includes the following information for each lesson: -approximate number of days it will take to cover the lesson, -explanation of the lesson, which often includes points to stress or to make sure the student understands, -suggested assignments, -and problem notes - explaining that students typically struggle with particular problems and why or other helpful information on problems. Sometimes, an actual purpose for the lesson is explained, and in other lessons, Chalkboard or Classroom Examples are included, with solutions. It seems to contain maybe a bit more teaching information than a teacher's edition, but I am basing that on the Teacher's Edition I had for Algebra I. I've not owned a Teacher's Edition for Alg II / Trig. Another plus is that it is only about the size of the Solution Manual, except half as thick; in other words, it is much more convenient, less bulky. The one thing it does not have is the answers to problems in the student text. ALL that said, besides the answers in the student text, would there be any other reason to have the Teacher's Edition? If you own the Solution Manual anyway, is there a reason to have a Teacher's Edition AND a Teaching Guide?

There are some copies selling for a very low price on half.com. I am probably not suppose to mention that. None belong to me...but I saw them there a week or two ago.

I have to agree with the mother who said that there is no such thing as an unbiased opinion. PLEASE - if you believe nothing else - do believe that. Two more things to keep in mind: Evolution is a Theory. It has not been proven, ever. Creation has never been proven, either, so I suppose. [i have to say it that way, because I personally believe I have seen all the proof I ever need; it's everywhere around us, IMO.] I realize and respect the fact that each person is entitled to believe and accept what he or she deems the truth. That said, since it comes down to what we believe, Evolution is just as much a belief system as is Creation. Evolution represents one's religion; Creation represents one's religion. It is logical to follow that since neither has been proven, that both are theories, and that the decision to accept one or another comes down to one's biases or beliefs, the science of neither is without error. In other words, how do you trust the fallible science of either persuasion: evolution? or creation? especially if you are trying to use this science as the basis for coming to a decision of what, in essence, is absolute truth? Who, in all the history or the future of mankind do you trust to deliver the absolute answer to that extremely controversial question (creation or evolution)? I guess what I am asking is, "By what means would you decide which man (and his accompanying theory) to believe?" Every person has an opinion. Medical Doctors "practice" medicine, based on what they believe to be true. Doctors who hold a Ph.D. maintain a philosophy on one subject or another. In the end, you have to decide who to believe or what to believe. Definitions of Philosophy: a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics any personal belief about how to live or how to deal with a situation I hope this makes sense. I applaud you for seeking an answer, for seeking "truth". We each have suggested resources, but they are all biased choices, IMHO, based on what we each believe. My list of resources below are no exception, but I certainly hope that something will make a difference for you. I hope you find what you are searching for. Here are the resources I might suggest: Darwin's Black Box - This might be a source that would present both sides, but I understand that it is pretty intense reading. http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=type&ID=7 - free newsletter Evidence that Demands a Verdict (Josh McDowell) What is Creation Science? (Gary Parker and Henry Morris) Dinosaurs and the Bible (David Unfred) is a book written for children that actually contains the photo taken of a Plesiosaur, by fishermen, off the coast of New Zealand in April of 1977. That leaves one with lots of questions about the whole idea that dinosaurs only lived millions or billions of years ago. http://www.nwcreation.net/mtsthelenslinks.html - resources on Mt St Helens. I wish I could remember the name of the man who spoke of Mt St Helens on a video we once owned. His manner of presentation certainly lacked luster, but his presentation of facts alone (based on the 1980 eruption of Mt St Helens) refutes the theory that the Grand Canyon had to have taken thousands of years to be formed. What is Creation Science? (above) is a resource my husband has found particularly fascinating.

I'm in Odessa, TX - wondering where TXClassicalMommy and txchick are located in relation to Odessa. Thanks :001_smile::001_smile::001_smile:

I second the information from Jane in NC. We asked friends who also home school in our area and whose children (grown children I guess) had already taken courses at said community college. In fact, I asked for years about the enrollment process and found that the CC in our city was less favorable OVERALL - but esp not friendly toward home educators - while the CC in our sister city 30 miles away was much more favorable OVERALL and also recognized home educators. Specifically, the problem and difference between the "not friendly toward" and the opposite is that the college in our sister city recognized parents as the high school counselor for their child(ren). For dual enrollment at public high schools, counselors approve a student for dual enrollment and also approve the number of hours they are allowed to take each semester, which must be no more than 9 in our state. Specifically addressing your question, I will stress to ask other home school parents / students who have already been there or find somebody from church or from your local sports club -or from anywhere - in town whose opinion you trust. Ask about specific classes, because some may be better for English 101 while others are better for English 231, for example. I know of no other way to get the scoop. I don't know if this is helpful or not, but my son(s) took English at the local CC (the one in our sister city). They each started out with an easy professor. They each made an A. The next semester my oldest decided he wanted more of a challenge and enrolled in second semester English course with a professor that fellow home-educated female friends (just friends) of his enjoyed. She was more liberal, but he thought he was up to it. He came home really worried. At first I thought he was just blowing off steam the first day or two, but then I decided he probably needed out so we acted fast before the add-drop period was over (lasts only a week or two at the beginning of each semester). He ended up having to take his class online, because he could not fit any of the other classes still open into his existing schedule. Since he was limited to an online class, I insisted he take it with Mr. Billy Feeler (or William Feeler). Billy is the Dean of the School of Fine Arts at the CC and he was also a home-school father. He was known for having a very challenging class. Before the semester was over, my son was upset with me that I "made" him switch to Mr. Feeler. He figured that, even though the other professor was weird, goofy, strange and reputedly the most difficult instructor on campus (Mr. Feeler only teaches online), he STILL would have found her course easier than Mr. Feeler's. NOW, he is thankful that he ended up taking that class and yet another under Billy. He says it taught him so much, including how to think critically in all subjects. Since it is an online course, anyone in the United States can enroll in it...maybe even students from other countries? Anyway, I am not trying to give the guy a good plug, but I thought I would mention him as an option. As far as "instruction" in general goes, I am not sure how much of that you get in an English class. I don't think Billy gave so much instruction, but just many assignments. Some professors instruct more than others. I will have to ask my son about the actual "instruction" and get back to you. Sorry I'm not more help, but maybe you can glean something from this information.

I guess you are concerned about the GED being a stigma, because of applying to universities down the road? If, in the meantime, she completes her high school requirements while going to cosmetology school, takes the SAT or ACT and scores well, what objection could there be? I guess my question would be, "Will she actually stick with her other classes? Will she actually finish her high school work?" That would be the dilemma in my house. My sons would have figured out after passing the GED and taking college courses that the WORLD considered them high school graduates and adults! I doubt they would have had any motivation to complete the coursework I put before them at home. It would be all college work from that point on. By the time they complete a year of college classes, they do not ever want to go back to anything at home. It's hard for me to know how it would be in your house, especially with a daughter.

Does anyone know of a good government course? Just to fulfill the high school requirement, I had the eldest two work through Abeka's government text. Neither liked it at all. Do you have any suggestions for something better? Coming from a Biblical-world-view perspective, I was considering the God and Government series. I've heard of, and that is about it. I know nothing about it. Any input on it or do you have a better recommendation?

I also need the massages for relief. I also see a soft-touch chiropractor, well, I haven't much in the last two years [time constraints]. A pedicure is nice, really nice, and if you get a real sea salt scrub, I can only imagine. Speaking of, I am giving a spa time to two women who gave my son his "send-off' party recently when he left for good. Just, if you go for a pedicure, make sure you have shaved your legs...both of them. Imagine my embarrassment when I showed up for one last year with one shaved and the other not. :blushing: I got side-tracked even during personal hygiene time. Now that is a crazy household! and it has been this past year.

...maybe you could put the posters in the basement and use that as a special time or break from the rest of the day. I'm thinking geography downstairs or if it's abc's take them downstairs only for the phonics time. Maybe that will stir up your imagination. :001_smile:

1 - definitely UPstairs. You will lose all control or order if you are separated from them. 2 - Could you modify option two a bit? Here's my thoughts: a - Sit them at the table in your kitchen for certain times and activities, especially crafts. I would use the kitchen table as much as possible. b- If you have two that are older and two who are too young for "book" work, put the older two at the dining room table and the younger two with you in the kitchen. c- Invest in the china hutch! d- Why not just pull the board out as you need it and store it behind the china hutch? Yes, it might be daily, but it would be better than hanging it on the wall, I think. It's nice to keep hubby happy, too. Alternatively, you could put the board on an easel and take it down at the end of the week...or switch out the board that is hung on the wall [if possible] with a nice large painting on the weekends. Maybe?

my DH is always hoping to "make deposits" into the love bank! 'cause he always stays in trouble.

a few other thoughts: a wise woman once told me, if its been in the closet untouched for one year, out it goes. the release you feel from just having it G - O - N - E is AMAZING! You won't miss it. Just don't look back or beat yourself up when you find a use for it one week after it's gone. Just accept that you could not have known.