Looking to add 1/2 credit course for my son's sophomore year. Any suggestions for these two classes? I don't want to do online and neither does he. Thanks in advance Tanya

I have read several of the posts in regards to music majors but I still have some questions on how to best prepare my daughter for college. She is looking at LAC in Kansas - mainly due to finances and she doesn't want to be far from home (primary reason). Sooo thinking of her electives for hs: 1. music history - what would you use for curriculum 2. AP music theory - take with PA homeschoolers? our small town offers NO AP classes in HS 3. what other classes would you suggest for her Her primary instrument is the violin. She takes lessons from a college professor & plays with high school community symphony. In our state, she is no longer able to compete at high school associated competitions since we homeschool. She has taken piano since she was 7 but only continues because she knows she'll have a piano in college. She plays the saxophone in local small town high school band and for fun, she can play the flute or whatever instrument the band teacher needs her to play that year & lap harp. Thanks in advance!

Is there a place to sell used books in the Chicagoland area?

My son has decided NOT to attend Votech this fall. He has financial aid due him - a Pell Grant & Stafford Loan. What will occur to these? Will he be eligible next spring to apply for aid & receive some? Financial Aid Advisor is not returning my calls yet. School is to begin Monday. Thanks in advance for you help

Thinking of starting a housekeeper job in the Midwest with my daughter. Anyone else done this? What tips can you provide please. Thanks!

I have been working with my son since last fall on reading. He is 7 years old. He STILL struggles with short vowel sounds. He sounds EVERY single word out. He has NO retention of sight words. I am beyond frustrated. He is frustrated. I have taught 5 other children to read with Rod & Staff Reading. I know that I can teach reading but this child is not making any progress. I have had him tested at the local public school & they said he was right on track! I am not sure what to do or how to proceed forward with him anymore. It is the biggest struggle. He so wants to read but it just isn't clicking with him at ALL! Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

I am looking to return to the work force - part time. Prospective employers will be wanting a resume but I haven't held a jon for 14 years! How do I make a resume without job experience for the past 10 (14 years!). Any help would greatly be appreciated! Tanya

I am currently working on lesson plans for next year & I am really struggling... We will be using the Apologia Biology text. I have already rearranged some of the modules to make them flow better I believe. I am worried about some of the labs though... For example, the module on protists will be completed in December. We live in KS and most likely our ponds will be frozen. How will we find live protists in our sample then?? Leaf collection will be done in spring, just when everything is just starting to bud & bloom. My thought is to collect in early fall. How have you dealt with this??? It is overly stressing me out & I don't want to keep rearranging the course due to season constraints. Thanks for your help!:bigear:

Anyone have a source that guides the students how to use programs such as Word, Excel or power point to an incoming high school student??? I am looking for a tutorial type course. Thanks! Tanya

I just ordered mine from Rainbow Resource at the Oklahoma Homeschool conference for $3.95 free shipping!

I am teaching a small group of kids (3) biology next year. Two are boys who are NOT motivated in school at all - as stated by their parents & as seen by me. The other is my daughter who is highly motivated & loves to do school. I planned on using Apologia but I love the way that BJU is written. I have stumbled on Shepard & now am leaning towards that... I think overall for the boys especially - Apologia would be the best fit. Can you give me pros/cons of each if you have used these PLEASE.... Blessings! Tanya

This is what I am planning for my 9th grader next year: Biology with labs (BJU & read origin of species & Darwin's black box) 1 credit World History (notgrass with TGC World history DVDs plus map work & reading lots literature from the time periods studied) 1 credit World Literature & composition (4 progeny press guides, format writing, grammar plus, & vocabulary program) 1 credit Saxon Geometry 1 credit Spanish 1 (have No idea what I am using yet) 1 credit Health/PE (total health but no ideas for PE yet) 1 credit Band (@ local high school) 1 credit Choir (@ local high school) 1 credit That's 8 credits. Too much?? she is a very strong student. Extra curricular activities include: private violin lessons, youth symphony, piano lessons, & 4H. Would love your thoughts. Thanks!

My daughter will be starting high school next year. She plans to be a music major in college with an emphasis in performance (she would like to play with an orchestra or symphony). Most likely she will attend a small school in our state due to finances. So in planning... 1. What is the difference between CLEP, AP, dual credit?? We would like for her to walk into college with some pre requisites completed - what is the best way to accomplish this? 2. Who do I talk with to make sure she has a high school study that supports her major? 3. How do I go about finding her competitions for performances to build her music resume as she can NOT compete at any high school events thanks to our state regs? Thanks in advance Tanya

Already I am thinking about gardening. Never too soon to plan. I am not an avid gardener BUT I am willing to try something new this year for my family. We have GOT to make a change for our budget. SO I am planning on planting several dwarf fruit trees. Apple, pear, peach & cherry. Where is the best place to purchase??? We do not have any nurseries nearby thus I would have to mail order. Thanks in advance.

I agree the healthcare industry is wrong! Our daughter completed a stem cell transplant this spring for her relapsed cancer. Finally got the "bill" (statement from insurance company). I was AMAZED!!!! She was in the hospital - isolation unit for 45 days...Total bill was $445,000!!!!! Thankfully, so far insurance has covered ALL!!! But I wonder...what if we couldn't pay - would my daughter have had to die then???? Just doesn't seem fair. It is a system that needs to be corrected. It frightens me greatly at times too when I have to open the mailbox & see what insurance has/has not paid for my little girl's journey thru cancer. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ourbanana

I needed a get away from OKC one day & I took my children to the aquarium in Tulsa. LOVED it and so wanting to go back & take the other kids. Very interactive! HIGHLY recommend.

Looking at purchasing one for my parents for Christmas. Should have done on Black Friday, I am sure the prices were theh best then. Oh Well..But are they all made the same? Is there something I should be sure to look for when I purchase one? Any feedback would be much appreciated!

I need some small gift ideas for my son's Sunday school teacher & daughter's violin teacher. Something around the $10 range. Thanks! Tanya

I have ALWAYS used one. Clean up is a breeze & taste is wonderfully moist!!! HIGHLY recommend.

The Little Match Stick Girl by Hans Christen Anderson Still makes us cry EVERY time!!!

My daughter Hannah who also has cancer - Wilms Tumor (though terminal now) suffers from abdominal pain. I attest it to adhesions. I have suffered through SEVERE adhesions from my 4 c-sections & finally ended up with a hysterectomy & adhesion removal. We have a family history from these. There is no relief from this - somedays I live on pain pills. Hannah just has learned to live with the pain thus far though I suspect it will get worse if she had the opportunity to get older. I hope this is not the case but abdominal surgeries are prone to this. Many blessings Tanya http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ourbanana

Today is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day! How many of you knew that? Next month we will be covered in pink for breast cancer awareness month - but do you see any Gold ribbons this month for the 36 children that were diagnosed today, yesterday, tomorrow and so on? I wasn't aware until December 24, 2009 when my 5 year old daughter was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor Stage IV. In 7 days, we have a CT scan to find out if the stem cell transplant has worked or not. To say the least, we are anxious. Childhood cancer is the LEAST funded out of all the research in this nation! Today, I ask that you help. Today I ask that you come along side my daughter who is walking in Oklahoma City on September 17, 2011 to further research for this dreaded disease. You can give HOPE to a family today by supporting funds for more pediatric cancer research. You can read my daughter's story at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ourbanana You can donate to CureSearch Oklahoma City Walk: Hannah's Hope Team http://www.curesearchwalk.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=475778&lis=1&kntae475778=E5D7C65ED37D41BDA33D4C61EF86DF75&supId=0&team=4231051&cj= To find out more about CureSearch: http://www.curesearch.org/ArticleView2.aspx?id=9699&r=9700 Blessings to you all!

I for one can actually say that I completely, totally understand your feelings. Our daughter, Hannah, was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor stage IV December 24, 2009. We have been in this battle for 21 months and I am so ready for my life to return to "normal". I am tired, worn and honestly defeated. My life has never been the same since her diagnosis. My family has changed so much and I believe not for the better. I trust God with my daughter's life but there have been many days of late that I am simply discouraged. Sometimes I just want the "why?" answered. So thankful that you heard "NED". We are hoping to finally hear those words on September 19th for the first time. Blessings My Friend, Tanya http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ourbanana

I am looking at what the costs of a funeral, burial, & tombstone are. I have a family member that is terminally ill & want to be realistic when the costs arise for this occassion. I don't want to be blind sided when the incident occurs. Thank you in advance. I know areas vary by costs but this is a starting point for me.