I'm going to begin homeschooling my 3rd son in the fall, who will be in the sixth grade, and I'm looking for suggestions for a curriculum that will hopefully be an easy transition. He is my third child to bring home in middle school and I started with TT Math 7 with my other two. I'm not opposed to staying with TT but by the end of that first year both of my other kids HATED TT so I'm considering branching out! Starting in 7th I began using LOF with the other two and, again, I am not against using Fred again, but my second son chose to go back for high school and with the new core curriculum (BOO!) he had a rough start in Algebra. While I loved the Fred approach for my first son I found it just didn't stick with my second. He's a totally different math brain. With that in mind, I've decided to use Fred as a supplement with my third one (live and learn) and I just can't decide what to use it with. I've looked at Saxon and also at CLE. I really think a spiral approach will suit my son better than a mastery approach (did I say that right?). He's likes math, doesn't love it, but he's good at it. I'm hoping to find something that doesn't require me to TEACH the math so something that he can work fairly independently on and I'll jump in when he's stuck or needs a little extra. I like the idea of CLE because if it doesn't work I haven't invested a huge amount of money in it, but I haven't seen enough to know if it's a good program to go through middle school. Will he be ready to jump into a high school class if we use CLE? How does it compare to Saxon for middle school math? Have any of you used other programs you were happy with? I want him to be prepared, but I don't want a battle to do math every day. Advice appreciated! TJ

My son is in his junior year and I need suggestions for what to follow up Physics with next year. He's interested in Mechanical Engineering for college. We started a little late with math, partly because I didn't think I'd actually homeschool through high school and MOSTLY because I just wasn't thinking ahead. My mom brain should have known he would go into some type of engineering, but I wasn't thinking like a mom who had to get him there... That being said, here is what he has had/will take through the four years: 9th - Alg I and Biology (Apologia) 10th- Alg II and Chemistry(Apologia with Catie Frates) 11th- Geometry and Honors Physics ( with Red Wagon) 12th- Pre Cal/Trig and ??? I've been talking to a friend of ours who works for an engineering firm locally and he said NOT to take Science or Math from our local community college. We are looking into dual enrolling for English and Econ, just based on the fact that we still need those credits and can knock them out together. He said that's fine, but he would be much better off taking the freshman math and science courses once he gets to college because they better prepare him for the upper level courses the engineering major will require at that college. So I need suggestions on what to follow Physics up with. My son does NOT want to do advanced biology or chemistry. Loves Physics and wouldn't mind doing advanced Physics but if that's the case I'd love to have some suggestions of curriculum. He really likes the "watch someone teach it to me" method and we both prefer something pre-recorded, NOT a live classroom. And does he NEED to do advanced Physics? Could he do something not so "heavy", since he will be taking college courses and Pre-Cal/Trig too? Is there something fun that would work as a science credit? TJ

ACK! Compelete solutions manual for this version is Ex.Pen.Sive! Thanks Carolyn, for looking! Does anyone have a different version I can look for? :)

I'm trying to piece together the text, solutions, and DVD set because I can't afford to buy it new and I'm so confused about the different versions! I'm not as picky about which version we use, but I would like to have a solutions manual with at least some of the problems worked out, not just the answers. And I'm looking to do it as inexpensively as possible! I've seen many threads with ISBNs on the boards for Chalkdust but nothing I've seen has the ISBNs for all three parts. I was hoping some of you would be kind enough to look at yours and post them for me here, to end my madness!! LOL TIA!

I'm looking for a good Geometry curriculum that includes video instruction and can be used independently, preferably not super expensive! I'd really like to hear what you like AND what you haven't liked, and why! Long story short (and yes, repeated from a couple of previous posts, but I can't make up my mind. And I NEED to make up my mind, it's October for heaven's sake), my son has been using LOF from pre-algebra through Advanced algebra. Now we have decided to switch to something different, and he prefers something he can use independently with video, not just textbook. He's had a bare minimum of Geometry to prepare for the PSAT (including the SAT Math Review, which used Cool Math Guy) but we haven't actually started full geometry. I've briefly looked at Holt Geometry and Chalkdust but I'd like to know more about how both of these work with an independent learner (and a mom who can't remember math anymore). My son tends to grasp math concepts pretty easily, thank goodness. We also used TT for Math 7 years ago, and I know they have a new version but I don't want to pay that much, and I've heard in the past they aren't as good as some of the other math programs? Suggestions please!

We've been using LOF for several years but my son wants to do something different for Geometry. I've seen several people recommend Holt Geometry, particularly the 2007 edition. Can you tell me more about how this program works? Are there lectures online to go along with the text? And is the One Stop Planner something we would want to get? I'd also welcome recommendations for other Geometry programs. My son is an independent worker and (fortunately) grasps math concepts fairly easily, but he has gotten to a point where he doesn't like LOF because sometimes he wants/needs some type of personal instruction. Since I am NOT the person to do that for him I'd like something that he can use video instruction with (DVD or online). We've done math a little backwards this year, as my son has been preparing for the PSAT which he took a last week. Because he'd had Algebra and Advanced Algebra with LOF but hadn't had Geometry yet he has been working on basic geometry in a few places (books, Khan, and with test prep books and a tutor) and he took a five week SAT Math Review class to cram enough basic geometry in to be able to do the PSAT. He actually feels pretty good about how he did on the math sections, and now we just need to settle into a full geometry curriculum for the remainder of the year. We used TT several years ago and although he did fine with it he found it boring (I think it was Math 7). I've also had friends use Chalkdust. Just wondering if Holt might be better because he could use a textbook and work on his own as much as possible. If we do decide Holt is a good fit for our needs, can you please tell me what I would need to buy to get everything we need?

I've looked over several posts but I'm confused on which textbook version I need to use this at home. Once I figure that out I'm assuming I need the corresponding Student Workbook, and maybe CDs? If you've used this, please help!! I've found the links online to watch the episodes and even found some online practice of vocabulary, etc. I just don't know what we need in hand. Thanks! TJ

Thank you all! This makes me feel better. My son "gets" math pretty easily so I think we will be ok. Whew, I don't have to go back to the drawing board! TJ

We've used Apologia all the way through (General Science, Physical Science w/ labs, Biology w/ labs, and Chemistry w/ labs). The first three were done with our co-op and we used Catie Frates for Chemistry (labs were still done with co-op).

I've FINALLY decided to go with Red Wagon for Physics for my son this year and now I see he recommends you have either completed or are currently taking Trig for the class. My son has only completed Alg I and II and is starting Geometry through the summer. Is the trig substantial in the Apologia Physics or could we do a little on our own (using Khan, etc.) and get the basic idea for the class? My son is an upcoming junior and has completed Biology and Chemistry. I'd like to leave his senior year open for either an Advanced class (Chem or Physics) or dual enrollment.

Good tips, thank you! We have the Princeton SAT prep book, he worked through some of the LA last year to supplement English. And we've used Khan several times in the past too and I've bookmarked a few of the topics listed on testprepreview.com for him to work through. EZ Geometry from Barrons looks good, and Sparknote is new to me, thank you for that link! TJ

Long story short, my son is taking the PSAT in October and hasn't had Geometry yet. We did Algebra I in 9th Grade and Algebra II in 10th grade. My plan was for him to start Geometry over the summer but he was hired as a swim coach and lifeguard and I've just not pushed it. I told him this week we at least have to start doing some basics so he will at least recognize some of the Geometry on the PSAT. He took it last year as a practice go-around and did fairly well but almost all of the math he missed was Geometry. Can anyone recommend a plan of action? Something we can use to cover the basics and then when the test is over we will dig deeper into a curriculum for the rest of the year? Advice appreciated! TJ

Just looked at this and LOVE it! Lots of things to try!! And I also think looking over the different projects will give him a better understanding of which type of Engineering interests him the most. TJ

Again, all great advice!! Thank you everyone who responded! TJ

We had a similar experience to this. DS started with Fractions and Decimals and Percents, worked his way through both Pre-Algebra books and completed Algebra last year. Toward the end of Algebra there were a couple of concepts that I vaguely remembered from my math days but rather than wait for me to remember how to do them I got a tutor. We've used her through Advanced Algebra as needed (which wasn't very often until about 2/3 of the way through the book). At a session last week I asked her to give me her opinion on whether we should stick with Fred for geometry, change curriculum, or possibly supplement it. To this point I've felt like it has done well as a stand-alone curriculum. She is now a SAHM but taught high school algebra before having her first child and has both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in math. She said that LOF requires much more thought than a traditional HS curriculum does, and that my son will have no problem doing college math because of what Fred has prepared him to do. But she said that the concepts he is working on weren't part of anything she did until well into her college math major. She said that LOF asks for students to do a lot of proofs but lacks a little in general application. Which translates into "great for college prep but if you want to be able to just spit out answers on the Math portion of the ACT/SAT you may not be prepared". We are now trying to decide whether to stick with Fred and supplement with something more traditional as a supplement or just switch completely. My son loves LOF so it's likely we will continue to use it, but this is my first time homeschooling high school and I'm not sure what will work well with Fred. TJ

This is all very helpful, thank you all so much! This is my go-to board for curriculum questions because I know I can trust the people on here to have tried it all and have an opinion :) And sometimes I come away feeling a little overwhelmed but this time I actually feel less panicked! I feel like the things we need to do next are manageable, at least. Just as good a chocolate. But I'm keeping some around for the next time I get that anxious feeling...

Thanks for your responses. Physics is a definite for us, I’m just not sure if we will do it next year or his senior year. And I don’t know what science course to do in the year we don’t do Physics. Also Engineering is actually a wide field. For example Chemical engineering/petroleum - chemistry, physics (biology is touch on for biofuel, biomass but easy to pick up) Electrical/electronics - physics Civil and stuctural - physics Mechanical - physics Environmental - physics, chemistry (whatever Biology needed, I learned at college) Bioengineering - physics and biology Computer engineering - math Aeronautical - physics Which area is your child most interested in? My guess is he will end up in Mechanical or Applied Engineering, or maybe Mechatronics. He has done Robotics for the past two years and loves it. He’s been making things out of Legos that weren’t really supposed to be made from Legos since he had his first set. I think he wants to be involved in the concept of new things and then also be a part of making them actually happen. What field is that? LOL ETA: Also take a look at the engineering handbook for any of the colleges your child might be interested in. The handbook would list the preferred high school courses most of the time. I’ve looked at entrance requirements for a couple of the colleges but not the Engineering department. Thanks, I’ll do that. ETA: Spend time on technical writing skills. It would come in useful. And that is actually my next question, and possibly should be a whole other post. What are the most beneficial courses/skills to be doing? CADD? Matlab? C++? Should he learn JAVA? Is it possible to do these online or should we be looking into actual courses? I’ve looked at so many things and I just don’t know what to try to cram in in the next two years J .

He did Biology as a Freshman. We've done "real" hands-on labs at co-op with both Biology and Chemistry. He did Algebra I as a freshman and we went straight into Algebra II. Since we didn't do Geometry between the two we are going to start that over the summer and finish it through the beginning of next school year if necessary. I'm considering throwing some Algebra review in there weekly next year too. Once he decided to think about Engineering I realized we probably need to do some things above and beyond the regular "gets good grades". Then the panic set in :) Chocolate sounds really good about now.

My son is finishing Apologia Chemistry this year and I'm undecided on what to do next year (he is currently a sophomore). He has decided he wants to go into an Engineering field and I'm afraid we have some catching up to do. I'm considering Advanced Chemistry next year and Physics his senior year. He has been using Catie Frates and has really enjoyed that but she does not have Advanced Chem. She is planning on adding Physics, possibly in the fall (according to an email I received from Science On Demand) but even if it is available I'm not sure if we should do it next or wait until his senior year. I'm looking for a way to continue to use Apologia if we can, but I don't want to use a live course online because our schedule is never the same from week to week. So pre-recorded would be best, and I'd love recommendations and opinions. I've looked briefly at Thinkwell in case we have to switch from Apologia. If we use Advanced Chemistry (Apologia or otherwise) would he then be prepared for the AP chem exam next spring? I know in order to list it as an AP course it has to be an approved course but judging from what I've read so far on the boards if we use a non-AP curriculum could I possibly just list it as "Advanced Chemistry" and then report the AP score if he does well? I'm not sure why but I really hadn't looked into do AP courses until now (big mom mistake I suppose). We also have the possibility of taking classes at a local community college. Is community college credit acceptable? Or does it need to be from a 4-year school? We live about an hour from the closest 4-year college/university. Which is "better", AP or cc? I'm also cosidering having him take the SAT Subject test in Chemistry this June while it's fresh on his mind. I'm trying not to flip out but I'm really worried about making the right choices. It seems like the fact that we only have two years left has snuck up on me, and now I'm feeling like I don't have a plan in place! TJ

I'm looking for a supplemental text on the basics of American Government for my son, who is in the 10th grade. He is doing an Elections course in co-op (they are using the Amanda Bennett unit study http://www.unitstudy.com/Elections_Study.html) but I don't know if it's enough to substantiate a half-credit in American Government so I'd like for him to do something along with it to give him the credit. I'm really looking for something simple that just goes over the basics (not pertaining specifically to elections) as they will have assignments each week in the class. I've looked over several posts on the boards but I haven't found anything that will fit in with what I'm looking for, since most of them are more in-depth courses/texts. Notgrass and American Government: Institutions and Policies are the two I've seen discussed the most, but with our current work-load I'm not sure we can add a complete second course in. Thanks for any suggestions.

Has anyone had any experience with this? Several people in our co-op are considering using her online course (for Chemistry) and I'm trying to decide if it is worth the cost. We will qualify for either a $50 or $75 discount because of the group but it will still end up being $225-250.

I've read a couple of negative reviews on the boards and I'm trying to decide what to use for Gov't/Civics next year. We've always used SL in the past but I'm thinking about changing. What was your experience with Sonlight 400? Thanks!

Is 10th grade too early? And if not, I'm taking suggestions for curriculum choices! Our co-op is offering a class in Elections in the fall and I had planned on going ahead and doing SL Core 400 (American Gov't/Civics) to go along with that, but every review I've read on the boards have been terrible for it, so now I'm re-thinking. Sonlight is always easy because we can get our history, bible, and literature all wrapped into one. And my son is an avid reader so he has loved all of the books. I know there are other programs out there that are similar but we've never used any of them. I liked the idea of getting our Government/Civics credits in an election year, but now I'm wondering if I should wait until 11th or 12th grade. Suggestions?

My son has been using LOF for three years and has worked his way through Fractions, Decimals and Percents, and both of the Pre-Algebra books without any trouble. Other than an occasional question he has been able to work independently through all of them, until he got to about Chapter 8 in the Algebra book. At this point the algebra I was so good at all those years ago was taking me forever to try to explain to him, so I was thrilled to find the Zillions book had been released a couple of months ago. It has helped some, but when I can't explain the process behind the math effectively it hasn't really helped to have more problems that he can't work out :) I do like having all of the problems worked out so that we can see the solutions, but sometimes that has helped us figure out why he is stuck and sometimes it hasn't. So it really depends more on what you want to use it for, in my opinion. If you have a child that needs to work more problems to make it "sink in" it is probably worth it. If you are hoping it will shed some light on the methods it may or may not be worth it to you.

I think I've decided to use this next year with my 6th grader and 8th grader. I've never used this curriculum, could I go with maybe the 7th grade level and do it for both kids? I don't mind doing two different books if I need to, I was just thinking I might try to combine so they can work on the same thing together. Thanks! TJ