No experience with Spectrum, but I do pair labs that are done independently of the chemistry textbook. I do good general chemistry labs and I teach a group of students. We all use different textbooks alongside the labs.

That's it. I'd start at the Introduction to Algebra book as it covers algebra 1 and most of algebra 2. Take a look at the samples as it is definitely different than other curriculum out there. Also it is very challenging. If you are interested, there is also a free online learning system on their website called Alcumus.

I'd look at Art of Problem Solving. There isn't a simple transition since NEM is integrated, but you could start at the beginning of any of the AoPS books. Some of the chapters would move very quickly as some of the material would have already been covered.

Lots of good options out there but my family has really liked the Center for Literature (discussion only) classes as well as Brave Writer online classes.

There are lots of good writing programs out there. I've really enjoyed using the Brave Writer online classes, though they are expensive. They have all sorts of writing as well as lit analysis. I've also used Center for Literature (not the writing) and been very pleased. My one son is moving from BW to AP English next year.

By the way, all the teachers we've used through Brave Writer have been great.

I would be worried that most classes would either go to fast and leave him behind or be aimed at a younger group and not get him up to where he needs to be. I also used Brave Writer for a son who sounds very similar to yours. We started a little younger, so we could spread it out over a few more years of high school, but it could be done in a shorter time as well. - For someone who doesn't like to get words on paper, I'd start with Kidswrite Intermediate and then Expository Essay - Exploratory and Persuasive. From there, there are many choices - MLA research essay, SAT timed essay, more expository essay classes, fiction classes. It depends on what he needs and what is offered. The price tag is expensive, but the feedback is great. They are very good at meeting your son where he is in writing and moving him along from there.

I've used Sonlight from elementary through middle school. My kids start branching away form it at some point. I've always done my own math and science. I've loved snuggling up with my littles and reading for school. I no longer use the IG, just go through most of the books. Since I"m on my fourth child, I skip certain books which are not my favorites and I don't need a list of discussion questions. I don't like a lot of the changes since John is no longer in charge.

I would second using manipulatives. I use a lot of cuisenaire rods, but many things work. You can use them with any program. For 3+4, add the 3 rod to the 4 rod to get the 7 rod. While you can do this with your fingers, it's easier to use rods as you get higher than 10. The rods also begin to build place value as you make groups of ten. I use rods for multiplication and everything else also. 4x5 is four - five rods. Line them up and then use the ten rods to figure out how much this is. Then lay out five - four rods and show that four fives is the same as five fours. Use manipulatives for as long as she needs.

I was impressed with Physics Prep and was ready to go with it. I would definitely add more practice problems from a textbook. Also, it would be helpful to have someone that can answer questions or do the course alongside the student. It might be worth paying for through PAHS if you can't help your own student. I've read so many good reviews about Lanctot that I was surprised that he didn't provide more direct instruction (or at least links to youtube vidoes or such).

Bravewriter counts their writing classes as 1/4 credit so if you wanted you could do this also. I usually do about 2 BW online classes with some other writing through the year for our writing portion of the English credit. For the literature portion sometimes I do a Center for LIt class (discussion only), I've done some individual Boomerang classes through BW, I've done some of the Boomerang pdfs on my own, we read and discuss and write about literature. I pick and choose between my options depending on the year.

Agreeing that we've loved the AP Macro through PA homeschoolers. Highly interactive and well taught. It's much more work than simply teaching to the AP test however.

FYI - my son took AP Physics C Mechanics with Lanctot this year. We had planned on continuing through E&M, but dropped the course even though he was doing very well. I almost emailed Kernion to see if he could join E&M for the spring. Instead I seriously looked at Physics Prep and got my own syllabus approved from College Board to teach E&M using Physics Prep alongside a textbook and AP prep. Our problem with Lanctot was that he essentially gave a scheduled reading and problem assignment. He did minimal teaching and minimal feedback on all the work. Subsequently we decided to drop E&M altogether in favor of taking AoPS Intermediate Counting and Probability. :drool:

As far as going deep, I think you are fine dropping CWP if you continue Beast. Beast is a much more fun way of going deeper. I'd look at moving to AoPS Prealgebra whenever you are ready to move on.

Here's a helpful link if you are looking for a school to test at. https://apcourseaudit.epiconline.org/ledger/ I knew the link existed as I'd seen it before, but when I called AP services they told me that it did not exist - probably just someone unaware of what I was looking for.

Yes, to do serious geometry, the algebra skills are needed. However you can learn so much of the concepts without too much algebra and if you have the base of prealgebra with some conceptual understanding of the basic algebra concepts then you can do a lot of geometry. Maybe not all, but much better than just spending another year doing the same old thing.

I agree with loesje. I use a mix of things for high school. Grammar we teach as needed for writing, foreign language, and test prep. I love the online Bravewriter classes and I outsource one or two of them per year. I've done some Center for Literature. We also do a lot of our own literature and writing. We've added some teaching company lectures sometimes. Next year I have one taking AP English through PAH.

My daughter is very much like yours. We did two years of prealgebra and will move to algebra 1 next year. We've interspersed some geometry and number theory as well. Pieces like commutative and distributive properties, fractions, negative numbers and distributing a negative are all very important to algebra. I'm afraid if you move on, then she might go through the motions and algorithms but never really understand it. I definitely would look at some geometry to go alongside what you are doing. You could pull the geometry sections of MEP math (free online). I'd start at the geometry chapters of MEP 7.

Can't address Physics 1/2 specifically through PAH, but I spent some time going through the freely accessible first unit on Physics Prep and it looked well done by this teacher. It sounds as if he uses this material as the spine of his class alongside the textbook.

Agreeing with above information except it took about 8 weeks for us to get scores.

I've never been asked for anything. I have a notebook for high school that I track volunteer work, awards, grades, etc. I keep all syllabus from outside classes. I keep all papers on my computer and might print out a sample. I keep any transcripts from outside providers. I have notebooks of math, labs, etc, but it's mostly just thrown into a pile. Make sure you have a list of books, authors, etc before you get rid of them.

I'd be really surprised if they changed anything for him this late in the schoolyear.

I make flashcards for the sight words and I add other problematic words as well. We also have trouble with her and here. Involve multiple senses such as tracing the words, saying, seeing, etc. At my home it mostly takes time and lots of practice.

Many kids can go straight from SM 6 to algebra. My favorite prealgebra is AoPS, but then I like all of AoPS. As others have said, going to a different algebra after AoPS prealgebra often seems easy.

We only occasionally have this problem and always find that it is due to one of us touching the screen somewhere else at the same time as moving the tile. Haven't had it as a glitch. Hope you figure it out.