Biola University My kids attend there, specifically Torrey Honors. Great program! Great school! Great environment! Great community!

I am a native Spanish speaker and looking for a Spanish curriculum to use for teaching high school Spanish classes - Conversational, 1, and 2. Any recommendations? Thanks Sylvia

My only additional comment is 451 for junior high 1984 for high school Due to content.

Biola Torrey Academy http://youth.biola.edu/academics/courses/torrey/ Excellent! Meet 2x/week, about 1 1/2 hrs. each Tutors are Biola Torrey Honors Graduates

Yes, I know of one who went to UC Berkeley. Don't have any details. Most that I know who have attended there go through community college first.

My ds uses Aventuras from Vista Learning at the local community college. All homework is done online. He likes it. Sylvia

Around here in the public schools Alg 1 is typically done (and many times expected) at least in 8th grade. If student is ready for Alg 1 in 8th, I would have him take it. Even if he doesn't plan to go into Science/Math field, he can get done with math much sooner in high school, i.e, Algebra 1 - 8th, Geometry (or Alg 2) in 9th, Algebra 2 (or Geometry) in 10th. This is what he needs to have completed to do well in PSAT. Maybe that's all the math he'll do. He will still complete three years of math. It leaves more room 11th and 12th to pursue other areas. But if not ready, as mentioned, don't do it in 8th. Sylvia

We have used Torrey Academy for 5 years now. Plan to continue using. Rigorous, challenging to the students. My kids love it and I have heard many other kids love it. It's not all consuming because they count only for history/English/Theology/Philosophy. Student has time to do other core classes and activities. My kids have so enjoyed it that they get consumed by choice. This has been one of their passions. They have loved it so much that oldest dd went on to Torrey Honors and my Senior plans to do the same. Sylvia

I had my ds either read those books independently or read as he listened to the audio. One of the two audio books (don't remember which one) didn't follow the book exactly. It skipped some parts, but he just read those parts and then continued listening where it picked up. But that method was a life saver last year as he approached those big books. Sylvia

You can try the audio versions of those books. Amount of reading is doable even for those who don't like reading much. For those who do, use the supplemental list. My ds doesn't like reading that much but he did fine. We used audio for some of Iliad and Odyssey. We are using World this year and we still love. My ds really likes the history/bible part. We like that it is all planned out and my ds can work independently. He likes having his plan and checking it off as he goes. It's a great combination of books -- Christian and Great Books list. We like that student and parent read OT in AHL and NT in WHL. So far, we have been very pleased with the balance of the subjects and workload -- not too overwhelming. Happy with MFW :) Sylvia

Yes, we have used Torrey Academy from Biola for years. It's been a success around here. They are classical courses. I guess they would be an alternative to the Great Books courses out there. Sylvia

I thought Biblioplan did this

Art Appreciation: Basic Texts - The Annotated Mona Lisa Music Appreciation Basic Texts - The Classical Music Experience: Discover the Music of the World's Greatest Composers by Julius Johnson Classical Music 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Classical Music by Fred Plotkin hth Sylvia

The World History and Literature uses Writer's Inc, if you are familiar with that. So when the writing is assigned, the corresponding pages of Writer's Inc. are assigned. These pages give the instructions for type of writing, i.e., letter, literature response, research paper, etc. You use the rubrics in Writer's Inc. to help you grade the papers. The literature analysis is in the British Literature component for those readings and the Notgrass History has questions for the other books. Not a lot of analysis though. Sylvia

My dd used CP in 9th grade when she was in public school IB. They called it Conceptual Physics on the transcript. Sylvia

:iagree: Robin

http://harmonyfinearts.com/section/rhetoric/ this lesson plan is art appreciation for each year and includes Artistic Pursuits as the application part of Art Instruction.

BTW, I think your response was appropriate. You made sense. The teacher just needed to wrap his brain around that one. Sylvia

I got similar feedback about my ds. The question was to his sibling "Is he homeschooled?" My ds DOES happen to be quite shy and probably considered socially inept. I have tried putting him in class situations, groups, and such, but he's still shy. He is involved in Boy Scouts and AWANA consistently. Some kids are that way naturally even if they are public schooled (I was), so can't blame the homeschooling, but that's what people see as the culprit. I usually (not always) explain that he is that way by nature. Sylvia

We invited all the local homeschooled juniors and seniors and in the invite we were very clear about appropriate and acceptable attire -- hem length, no strapless, rules on how much exposed back, etc. There was some talk among some of the girls (we heard) about dress length, but we reiterated our rules in one of our last communications to the group. We did say we would provide coverups for those who didn't follow the rules. In the end, almost all adhered to the rules and a few pushed the envelope just a bit on dress length (still passed but barely in some of the mom's opinions). So you could set your own rules. The problem is the dress choices that are out there. A number of the girls had to wear the little boleros (I think that's what they are called, don't quite remember the correct name) over their dresses. Sylvia

We planned a prom (dinner at a restaurant and ballroom dancing after) for our homeschooled juniors and seniors. No dates. We had photographer, decorations, etc. It was very nice. Alternative would be a formal event of some sort, like mentioned in another thread, i.e., theatrical event and a formal dinner at an upscale restaurant, formal attire, and pictures in a nice setting. Sylvia

the art prints are included in the book and points to draw you into the art ... no other resource needed, except lots of art supplies. Great program! Sylvia

I used BP for 9th grade a few years back. I had to gather much support for it -- Omnibus (questions and writing assignments), Cliff notes (more questions and discussions), Glencoe online literary worksheets (didn't actually use them but did peruse them for ideas). I used Spielvogel's Modern World History as spine. It worked well but I had to do a lot to put it together. For my second ds I now use MFW and love it. Literature is a bit different than BP -- less great books, but more of a mix of great books with great Christian literature. MFW also has the added bonus of having the biblical studies and worldview woven in. I love that it's all put together for me. This is my last dc so I'm ready for something like this, less work for me. I think BP does a great job of putting the WTM into a format/plan you can use. I used BP for lower grades as well. We really enjoyed the freedom of reading the literature with not a lot of "interruptions" from a lesson manual. Just tell me what to read and when ... that gave us freedom. For high school, I needed more hand holding. :) BTW, I used the Moderns from BP (year 4, I think) hth Sylvia

Saxon has a Geometry text. It's mostly for public schools to use so they can continue the usual sequence of high school math. Sylvia

nd4judge - DS#1 Furman University (attending), Sewanee - University of the South (accepted), Univerity of Alabama (accepted), University of Alabama in Birmingham (accepted), Birmingham- Southern College (accepted) Blue Hen - ds - University of Delaware, Case Western Reserve, CO School of Mines, Drexel (PA), Lehigh(PA), Rose-Hulman, Tulane, RPI (NY), Stony Brook University --- all acceptances. Brigid in NC - ds - accepted @ Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State (attending) CherylG's ds-UCLA, graduated, UCSB, UCSD, Westmont, all accepted. UMD-attending for master's in engineering. CherylG's dd-SBCC school of nursing-graduated. Chris in VA ds--attending VCU. Got into the Cinema program sophmore year. CindyMarsch's dd#1 - Grove City College - attending CindyMarsch's ds - Grove City College - attending CindyMarsch's dd#2 - Grove City College, Gordon College, Union University - all accepted, she's choosing UU CO Mom -dd- George Fox (will attend in fall of 2010); Taylor University, Northwest Nazarene University accepted. Creekland's ds - Covenant College - attending fall 2010, Union University, Calvin College - acceptances Deb in NZ's dd - Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (begin Feb 2010) dkholland- ds - Covenant College (will attend in fall), Patrick Henry College (accepted) Grove City College (accepted) FloridaLisa -- ds1: accepted to: University of Florida, Florida State University (attending) Gwen in VA -- Washington & Lee (attending); acceptances from U Chicago, U Pitt, U Dallas, U Delaware, Hillsddale, UVA, William & Mary, College of Wooster, Case Western HeatherH -- Belhaven University (accepted w/scholarship; won't attend); University of Montevallo (same); University of Alabama at Birmingham; Samford. Still deciding between UAB & Samford based on $$ award. Kate in FL-ds-Cornell University (accepted Early Decision so all other apps had to be withdrawn) Kathy in Richmond - ds - MIT (attending), also accepted at Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, U Michigan, and UVA. Kathy in Richmond - dd - accepted at Princeton, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, U Chicago, William & Mary, and wait-listed at Swarthmore Katia - ds- Ellsworth Community College (AA Computer Science) , Anderson University-attended , University of Northern Iowa (BA Computer Science), Kansai Gaidai University, Kyoto, Japan-attended Katia - dd#1- Hilldale College-attending , accepted at: Luther College, Ball State University, University of Northern Iowa, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music Katia- dd#2 - applying to: Hillsdale College , Warner University (accepted) Lady Lorna - dd accepted at Fordham University, Hillsdale College, The King's College, Middlebury College, St John's College, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, Thomas Aquinas College, Trinity College. Waitlisted The University of Chicago. Still waiting to hear from Columbia University, Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University LaJuana - dd#1 University of Dallas - graduated Summa cum Laude. Also accepted to Hillsdale. LaJuana - ds#1 University of Dallas - graduated Summa cum Laude. Also accepted to Hillsdale. Attending Westminster Theological Seminary (MDiv). LaJuana dd#2 Attending Oklahoma City University Bass School of Music (Musical Theatre and Vocal Performance). Also accepted at Samford University (AL), Whitworth University (WA), George Fox University (OR), Covenant College (GA), Houghton College (NY), Oklahoma Christian University. LaJuana ds#2 Attending Whitworth University. Also accepted at University of Dallas. (Except for dd majoring in MT and VP, my dc knew where they wanted to go, applied to two schools only, and were accepted at both.) Laughing Lioness - DS -Boyce College (KY) attending. Accepted to Augustana College (SD) and St. Mary's School of Nursing (SD). Lisa in TN's dd - Vanderbilt University - attending. Also accepted to Hillsdale College, Belmont University, University of Memphis. Lisa in TN's ds - Washington University in St. Louis - attending. Also accepted to the University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Case Western Reserve University, University of Alabama, University of Tennessee. Liza Q's dd - Saint Francis College - attending. Kings College, St. John's University, Brooklyn College - accepted Luann in ID ds1 and ds2 - LeTourneau University - attending (They both knew they wanted to go there, so this is the only place they applied.) Mandy in TN-- ds Berea College (attending beginning in Aug) Margaret in CO--dd accepted to Western State College for dual credit, accepted to Hillsdale College, graduated, accepted to CU Boulder School of Music, finishing Master's Margaret in CO--dd accepted to Western State College for dual credit, accepted to USNA, attending finishing Firstie Year, accepted to flight school, acceptances: Hillsdale College, USAFA, USCGA, ERAU (on NROTC), School of Mines Margaret in CO--dd accepted to Western State College for dual credit I'm going to stick my should-have-been-son-in-law (killed last spring), accepted to Hillsdale College, transferred to WVU, graduated, accepted to Toledo Medical College. Mary in GA ds: Clayton State University (attended & transferred) Georgia Tech (attending) Michelle in GA ds- University of Georgia (accepted); Berry College (accepted); Georgia Tech (currently attending) Moira in MA dd -- Acceptances at Dalhousie U (Nova Scotia), McGill U (Montreal) Mommyfaithe's dd #1 (accepted College of St. Rose (NY) attended Sage College Albany, NY Graduated Summa Cum Laude Mommyfaithe's dd#2 Attending Russell Sage College. Accepted SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Albany, waiting to hear from Simmons College in Boston Mass. MSPolly's dd- Acceptances at Covenant(TN), Union U(TN), U of MS, Belhaven U(MS) - ATTENDING Collaborative Piano/Pedagogy major WAHOO! Ms. Riding Hood ds1- MIT (attending), Texas A&M, Rose-Hulman, Purdue Musicmom –ds- accepted at Carnegie Mellon (attending fall 2010), Cornell, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities Honors Program Newbie -dd- Accepted Chatham University(PA), Carlow University(PA), Mills College nrg - ds#1: attending BYU, accepted at Cal Tech, Stanford ds#2: attending UC Santa Cruz, accepted BYU ds#3: junior in hs Osmosis Mom Dd 1, Wellesley College (attending), accepted to Merrimack College, BU, Simmons, Emmanuel College Quiver0f10-dd#1-attending NWACC Quiver0f10-ds#1 attending University of Arkansas Quiver0f10-ds#2-attending NWACC Quiver0f10-ds#3 accepted to: Missouri University of Science and Tech, University of Arkansas, Embry Riddle, Oklahoma State University Honors College, Texas A&M Ruth in NC ds accepted St John in NM, Oberlin w/scholarship, Colorado College, Boston U, will attend UNC Chapel Hill, offered waitlist at Vanderbilt and Emory Ruth in NC dd accepted NC State, UNC Asheville, Appalachian State and Earlham w/scholarship, on Oberlin waitlist. Still deciding. Sepuld - DD 21 attending Bryn Mawr, acceptances U of Chicago, Haverford, Boston College, Bowdoin, Lehigh, Lawrence, ST Olaf, Catholic U, Villanova, Sewanee, William and Mary DD 20 attending Swarthmore, acceptances Wheaton (Ill), Lawrence, St. Olaf, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Wellesley DS 19 attending St. Olaf, acceptances Lawrence, Wheaton (Ill), Concordia (Mn), Hope College, Gustavus Adolphus, Susquehanna Sharon in MD's ds-Drexel University -attending; UMBC-Meyerhoff program, UMD-College Park-College of Engineering, Messiah College- acceptances Spock - ds – accepted at Liberty University (plans to transfer after attending CC for a year) Susann-dd-Rose-Hulman, Purdue, University of Evansville, Trine, Taylor, Cedarville-acceptances Susie-Knits ds1 - Valparaiso (attending), Rose-Hulman, U of Evansville, TN Tech - acceptances Sylvia in CA - dd - attending Biola Torrey Honors, accepted at UC Davis, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Westmont, Azusa Pacific Sylvia in CA - ds - accepted at University of Pacific, Biola TransientChris's DS- George Mason U,attending; Hillsdale College- attended, Abilene Christian, Hampden-Sydney, St. Olaf- accepted Valerie(TX) - ds UT Arlington attended Valerie(TX) - dd accepted Biola (CA), Messiah (PA), Belhaven (MS), Mary Baldwin College (VA), UTA (TX), Hardin-Simmons (TX), Univ. of Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX), and Ouachita (AR). ATTENDING--Hardin-Simmons Outtamyshell - BYU Provo Maverick's ds #1 - accepted to West Point, will attend starting summer 2011