If he can write paragraphs, just have him do that. You pick a topic of interest, have him write a paragraph about it and put it away. The next day write another on the same subject, but a different topic, and so forth. You might do seveal those until it doesn't seem overwhelming. Then choose 3 of them to combine into an essay. Now, all you need to do is write an intro, conclusion, and transition sentences. You can take that one step at a time and basically do it for/with him at first. HTH Julie

My dd used Chem II in 6th grade and I was a little annoyed with it because the experiment kits that came with it weren't used until the end. It was billed as having all the necessary materials, but it did not. Furthermore, it asked you to choose your experiment so it didn't even have a workable supply list. However, my dd who is a rising junior told me that the program helped to prepare her for high school level work. She takes science at co op now and says she came in knowing a lot more than her counterpars. Now, I'm trying to decide whether to use it for my ds who will be 6th this year. I'm trying to decide between adding a good experiment program or just digging in and preplanning experiments better.

Okay thanks! I was worried there for a second that I had ordered the wrong one.

Is this equivalent to Algebra I or II The topics appear to be the same as Jacob's Elementary.

Truthquest is a wonderful skeleton that is fairly easy to flesh out. The topics are laid out in a logical and mostly chronological order. Each topic includes extensive commentary and readings to complement the topic. There are several spine books included and the chapter or section is noted or each topic. In addition to this, there are approximately twelve writing assignments per guide. They are thought provoking questions that require research to answer fully. There are no map or timeline instructions, but could easily be added. Famous artists, composers, inventors, authos, etc. Are mentioned where appropriate. I love this resource. For me that is what it is. I use some other resources and flesh out a total high school level class.

I used their materials a few years ago, but it sounds like they've updated. Ii enjoyed them very much and intend to use them again with my next kiddo.

I'd absolutely keep them together if possible. That is a fast pace for TQ but you could skip over some topics for him.

My dd is doing the study called I Dare You. It is very well laid out with Bible study built in. It uses 3 books and has a 36 week schedule all laid out. She loves it and I feel like she is being challenged and learning some scripture. I would highly recommend it.

Well, you will get differing opinions on that. Most people think it is only good as a supplement because there is not a lot of practice problems. We've used it to finish out the year and make sure dd has all of the concepts down, but I'm considering using it for Algebra II as a stand alone. I do know there are some that have done that and been fine. I would say it largely on your child and their learning style.

I need help finding a post that laid out a formula for paragraph structure. It had certain words already there and you just fill in with your facts. Does anybody remember this? Or can you point me in the right direction?

I love Truthquest. I assign projects with deadlines that cover a chunk of history at a time. I use various resources and Truthquest is one of them. I have her read various books, do map and timeline work and write an opinion paper as well as take a test. The work is patterned after a combination of HO, MFW, and Hewitt. I could forward an example by email, but I can't copy and paste on my phone for some reason. My email is julie of sardis @ gmail dot com.

Anybody have a kid playing vollyball that is going to the national tournament in Omaha week after next? Just thougt I might be able to meet some of you.

well I think it looks great. My kiddo would need more discussion, but yours may not.

:iagree: :iagree::iagree::iagree:

There are manipulatives and free lessons to go along with them.

Yes! Yes! Yes! And what's worse is to have so many in your posession that you could never use. I want so badly to get my money's worth, that I try to incorporate every resource we have. I hate that it's not always possible to get around to all of it.

I would keep using AAS. It is a wonderful program. I would make sure that ds has mastered all of the material that you have previously covered. For instance two of the errors involves a vowel consonant e syllable. I would go back and review that rule if you've already covered it. Same thing for the ck at the end of a one syllable short vowel word. I would also do some phonemic awareness activities with him. You can find these in the Explode the Code teacher books, or in Reading Reflex. If you're not familiar with phonemic awareness, it is just knowing how many sounds are in a word. Four of the words missed have this kind of error, magnet, forget, kind, and yard. Some of the other errors he made actually show an understanding of some of the rules that he has learned in AAS. In fact, I think overall he's doing fine. Of course, he will continue to learn and get better with his spelling as he reads more and just comes into contact with the words. One of the things that I have learned through years of homeschooling, is that you can't make your dc be on a different level than what they are. You can work harder and try to help them improve, but you can't push ahead to work that is above where they are. It just isn't helpful in the long run. So, even though he may not be "on grade level," he is where he is. Try to consistently go over the phonograms, the rules, and the words that have been previously learned. Try not to worry too much about whether or not he's where he should be. I have been amazed in looking back over this past year at how much my little guy has progressed. Do you think that he's progressing?? Try to look back at some of the work he did a year ago. If you see improvement, I'd just keep plugging along. HTH Julie

This is offered by rainbow resource and looks like a good alternative to the Brock Magiscope. The thing I like about it, besides the obvious price difference is that you can look at both prepared slides and solid specimens. I just wondered if anyone else has any experience with it before I commit. http://rainbowresource.com/product/My+First+Lab+Duo-Scope/042050/1278190778-794916

I really like both programs. I have used AWOA with my dd a couple of different ways and going to use it with my ds this year. I am a major tweaker, so I can't really say I used it as is. However, I think it would be great just the way it is. I used HOD with my ds last year and I plan to use it again year after next. HOD is age segregated. They want each child to work in a program that is geared to their level. AWOA can be used with very little alteration for a wide age range. AWOA includes all of their own original curriculum for everything from science to writing and grammar. The only thing you need to add is math and if you want to you can add a foreign language and typing, which they do recommend. HOD puts resources together to form a cohesive whole. They use different things from different publishers, but give context to what you are doing to tie everything together. They have recommendations for specific math and schedule that with extra activities. Foreign language isn't addressed from what I remember and neither is typing. Both curricula are definitely Christian based, but IMHO HOD is more forced. She seems to try to incorporate spirituality into every aspect of the curriculum even when their really isn't any. In that respect I prefer the tone of AWOA because she includes Bible study and ties in history when it fits, but doesn't force it into subjects that don't naturally lend themselves to that. Each has scripture memory built in, which I like. Both of them incorporate a wide variety of activities into the curriculum and vary the frequency so that the child isn't doing the same things over and over. I think the science in AWOA is slightly more academic, but I like the inclusion of lab reports in HOD. Again, I really love each for different reasons and depending on age, might recommend either. HTH

I'm considering using Google Docs for lesson planning this year. My thought is to fill out assignment sheets and my dd can access them on her computer. I'm also thinking about using it for her to do assignments on. Then I can comment on them and send them back for her to revise without having to print them out. Has anybody else done this?? Do you have a template for lesson plans already that I might gain some ideas from. I have been doing lesson plans in my Works database for several years now. It really works well and I might keep doing that if this doesn't work better. I'm just kind of drawing a blank on how to design the assignment sheet.

I generally go with 1/2 of retail if something is in decent shape and I know it's in high demand. For more obscure items I'd mark them down some. If there are markings in the book, etc. I'd probably go way on down. It's arbitrary! Just go with somewhere around what you'd pay for a used item and be willing to go down if you don't get any interest. Julie

The only thing I would add to the lists that have already been submitted is learning literary terms. It would make it so much easier to teach literary analysis if dc already understood that.

My 9th grade dd: Hits: Jacobs Algebra Windows to the World Warriner's Grammar and Composition Misses: Lively Art of Writing - it was because the book was too small and she couldn't lay it flat when working.

Can I ask which Saxon you completed before doing Life of Fred Geometry? I was wondering if we could go directly into Geometry without having done Life of Fred Algebra. My dd is about to complete Jacobs. Thanks

Thanks bunches!!!