Hi, My daughter is applying to several private high schools in our area, and I have some questions that I thought others might be able to offer help on. Most schools require 2 recommendations - one from a math teacher and one from an English teacher. She has an outside math teacher (yeah), but I'm wondering how to approach the English recommendation. Should I provide a list of books read, provide a writing sample? I've done transcripts before. Should I include a cover letter that explains our philosophy or approach to education? Describe the classical model we use? I need to ask each school what they would like, I guess, but was wondering what others have done. When is it too much information? The farther we get into this process the more questions I have. Any other thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks, Kristine in VA

Thank you. I'll stop looking now! Kristine in VA

Are there student pages for Vol. 3 in this series? I can't find any and am wondering if they even exist. Maybe they have a different title? Thanks, Kristine in VA

Hi everyone, The following announcement of from School Library Journal about a program they are sponsoring. You can get two free audiobook downloads each week over the summer. I think al the information is below; however, here's the link to the original article: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/newsletters/newsletterbucketextrahelping2/894443-477/mediamix_have_you_heard.html.csp#.T6scr6rayc4.email It looks like there are some good books on the list. Kristine in VA Teens can get two free audiobook downloads each week this summer for ten weeks through SYNC, a joint venture between audiobook publishers and AudioFile Magazine. Each week, kids can listen to one popular young adult title paired with a classic that connects with its theme from the top audiobook publishers absolutely free. Downloads are in MP3 format, hosted by Overdrive, and are Mac and Windows compatible. Each audiobook will be available for download for only 7 days, but once downloaded can be listened to at any time. In addition, there's a toolkit for librarians that includes downloads to publicize the program such as a banner, a bookmark, a poster, student reminder cards, and more. Participating audio publishers include AudioGo, Blackstone Audio, Bolinda Audio, Brilliance Audio, Galaxy Audio, Hachette Audio, HarperAudio, LA Theatre Works, Listen & Live Audio, Listening Library, Naxos Audio, Oasis Audio, Recorded Books, Scholastic Audio, and Tantor Audio. Download links will be posted at www.audiobooksync.com. The featured titles are listed below: June 14-20: The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch (Scholastic Audiobooks) and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, adapt. by Frank Galati (L.A. Theatre Works) June 21- 27: Irises by Francisco X. Stork (Listening Library) and Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (Tantor Media) June 28-July 4: The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud (Listening Library) and Tales from the Arabian Nights by Andrew Lang (Naxos Audio) July 5-11: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake (AudioGo) and The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (AudioGo) July 12-18: Guys Read: Funny Business by Jon Scieszka (Harper Audio) and The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County and Other Stories by Mark Twain (Recorded Books) July 19-25: Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter (Oasis Audio) and Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare (AudioGo) July 26-Aug. 1: Pinned by Alfred C. Martino (Listen & Live Audio); and a title to be announced (Brilliance Audio) Aug. 2-8: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (Hachette Audio) and A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (Blackstone Audio) Aug. 9-15: Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy, (Harper Audio) and Dead Men Kill by L. Ron Hubbard (Galaxy Press) Aug. 16-22: The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera (Bolinda Audio) and The Call of the Wild by Jack London(Naxos Audio)

Thank you! I have lots I can supplement with. Kristine in Va

Hi, Does the Human Odyssey, Vol. 2 cover any American History? Thanks for the info! Kristine in VA

Have you found a good way to complete the labs? I was looking at the labs required for the AP test. It looks as though some can be accomplished virtually online. Is it possible to order kits? The labs I looked at don't seems to have hard to get materials. Just wondered what others' experiences were. Thanks, Kristine in VA

A friend's ds suffered from constipation. After trying elimination diets, she discovered that he was allergic to glycol, which is in baby wipes, among other things. So it is not always food related. Kristine

This is a training exercise I learned from our dog trainer and used with our now very calm Golden. Sit on the floor legs outstretched in front of you. Probably the coach would work if your dog is not too big. Have the dog lay down on the floor next to you on your left. With your left hand, reach under the dogs chest and hold their right leg gently. Each time the dog tries to squirm, get up, fidget, etc. you gently lift up on the right leg. It prevents the dog from getting firm footing on the floor and they can't get up. Your job is to stay calm, do not talk to the dog or look at him. In fact I used to do this while watching TV. Depending on the dog it might be difficult at first, but he will get the idea that fidgeting gets him no where and he will lay quietly. Start with just a few minutes of quiet and add time as he makes progress. Praise only when the time is up. This is a great exercise for working on calmness, and also establishes that you are the dominant/leader in the relationship. All the best, Kristine in VA

Well rats! I thought I had seen them on the sale board. Thanks for the info, Kristine

It is Version 3, but I still have the activation codes. In fact there are two - one is a Homeschool Activation ID and the other just says Spanish Level I activation ID. So either of those could be used? I'm assuming they can be used more than once since if somone ever had computer issues it might need to be loaded more than once. Kristine

I'm Catholic and remember thinking those thoughts when I was younger. A book I still think about that helped me is The Heart of Christianity: Discovering a Life of Faith by Marcus J. Borg. He has lots of other books too. Kristine in VA

Hi, I am selling a copy of Rosetta Stone on the boards and the person interested in buying it wondered if there were any licensing issues associated with a used copy? Has anyone had any trouble loading or using a copy of Rosetta Stone that was purchased used? I loaded it on my computer once; however, we do not have it on the computer anymore. Thanks, Kristine in VA

Hi, Today I purchased the World in Ancienct Times set for $35! It was $39 with shipping. I almost didn't believe the price, since it usually $282. Hope someone else can enjoy the discount. Kristine in VA

Joan, I pm'd you. Kristine

Thanks, I replied to you guys, but still have some more chapters if anyone else is interested. Kristine

but no one seems to be interested in my offer. I guess it's too much work. Kristine in VA http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303177

Hi, I have typed up a set of study questions for part of SWB's History of the Ancient World, which I am willing to share for some help in return. We are doing high school history similarly to the way Memoria Press outlines their program, so we are doing Ancients to Alexander the Great as a classics track and also the early Middle Ages as another track. Sooo, I've only completed through chapter 70. Next year our focus is Rome, so then I'll do the rest. Also, I have skipped all the chapters on China and India because of time constraints in our school year. Anyway, most of the questions I wrote are focused on comprehension and recalling information. I don't think I've done so well with analysis kind of questions, and I was hoping that some of you might be willing to add to what I've done, including suggesting ways to improve the questions I've written. So that no one has to consider all the chapters, I thought I could get volunteers to look at maybe 8-10 chapters - some are definitely longer than others - and then I will put it all together and send the final version to anyone who wants a copy. Also if someone would like to tackle the chapters on India and China, I will include those in the final version as well. I am also working on answers to the questions I've written, but that might be a few more weeks! Thanks for the help. I've been through my copy of HOAW so many times that the spine has cracked and I'm worried the pages will fall out! Just pm me if you are interested in helping. I will post again later when the final version is ready. Kristine in VA

My son just finished Traditional Logic I and II through the on-line school. I really think if we had tried to do these courses on our own we would not have been very successful. The discussions in class and the teacher (really like Mr. Piland!) made the class much more interesting, and my son actually liked the course. He still enjoys coming up with goofy syllogisms about his siblings. If you can plan the classes into your year, they are well worth it. Kristine in VA

Hi, I going to be doing CPO Earth Science with my DD beginning in the fall. Does anyone have a plan that they would be willing to share? I'm basically trying to figure out how many days a week I need to plan for science and how to work in the labs, and there seems to be lots of supplemental ideas in the teacher guide. So I'm wondering how to begin. There is so much information in the books! Thank you, Kristine in VA

I have Foundations of Physical Science, 3rd Edition. I did notice some of the teacher's editions seem to be several books instead of one. Perhaps this is what I need to look for. I'm going to use the middle school Earth Science text with my daughter. Finding the teacher's book for that was easy. Thanks for the hint about looking for a set of books. I wonder if it might be cheaper (and easier) to just purchase the set from the publisher? The scavenger hunt continues, Kristine

Hi, Is anyone using this textbook? I would like to use it for 9th grade science, and I have ordered the student text through Amazon. I am having trouble, however, getting the Teacher's edition. Twice now I have been sent another student text from Amazon sellers. Is the Teacher's edition different (I thought it was) or is it the same as the student text? Thanks, Kristine

Hi, You guys probably already know this, but I just discovered that you can get just the transcripts to Teaching Company courses without buying the audio or video. It might be a helpful, cheaper option for some, including me! You add the course you are interested to your shopping cart, click to add the transcript, and then delete the audio or video portion of the courses. You should end up with just the transcript in your cart. I'm not sure how good all the transcripts are, but the ones I have for early, high, and late middle ages have great maps and discussion questions. Hope that helps someone, Kristine in VA

I am in Richmond, near the Seminary and the Diamond. I am homeschooling Ds (15), Dd (11), and Ds (almost 5) is just tagging along for now. We've been homeschooling 9 years now (can't believe it). We are enjoying the summer off! Especially me. Kristine in VA

Yep, Thank you! I get it. We did figure is out, evenutally! Kristine