Agreeing with above. If your gut is telling you it is too easy, it probably is (for your student), but it might not be "easy" for everyone. "I" expect a syllabus for a course so that I know the expectations for the course. I don't think you have to do problems from the text or do every section, but you might consult someone knowledgeable about if the skipped sections are important. Whether or not to continue with this course is something you will have to determine. As others have said, algebra 2 is not dependent on geometry knowledge so your son should be good there. If you are looking to change mid-semester, you might consider Derek Owens. You can start at whatever point you need in the course and he'll work with you on determining placement if necessary. I would NOT recommend jumping in mid-semester into a class using AoPS Geometry unless you've done the beginning of the textbook.

I don't know. I'd call the schools and ask. All the scholarships that my son applied for were due in Dec. with interviews in Feb/March. I would expect at the latest to know by April 1st as that is when many competitive colleges tell students they are admitted, scholarships, and financial aid. Students usually have to make a decision by May 1st to keep a spot at the school.

1) Most AP courses are very good courses and therefore worth something simply for the learning from a good teacher. They look good on a transcript, but I'd also expect to see an AP score if you take an AP class. 2) AP courses have to be taken in person, usually at a local (or not so local) high school. In my area, we have a school that is willing to administer tests to homeschoolers so I am fortunate. Some have a hard time finding a testing center. If you work at calling schools, most can find one that is driveable to. (You can look up schools that give the AP exam for a start). 3) You do not have to report the score. 4) I had one son start as a JR and one as a Soph. In our local schools, AP's are often pushed at 9th/10th, but they tend to have poor scores. It doesn't do you any good to have a poor score. Look for a class that your student is qualified and interested in. Beware that many take a chunk of time to do. 5) AP tests are rigorous, but very doable. Most are 2-3 hours; about half multiple choice and half free-response. You can look up old AP exams and at least find all the free response questions from past years. There are many good prep books with full-length sample tests. If a student is prepared (and I think it is pretty easy to know if you are prepared based on the test prep books) then the student should be able to make a high enough score to at least look good on a transcript if not get college credit (most all the schools we looked at gave credit).

Thanks, It sounds like it would be a good fit for my daughter.

Is anyone doing Homeschool Spanish Academy? How do you like it? Is your student learning? What are the pros and cons? I'd love to hear about any experiences. I've read some old reveiws, but not recent ones.

My thoughts are similar - I see no reason to push one hand as long as he doesn't have trouble with exercises that cross the midline. Have him draw (with pencil or a finger) sideways 8s that are big. I'm right-handed in writing. Everything I learn as an adult, I learn ambidextrously. I can draw blood and use a scalpel equally well with either hand and trade hands without thinking. I sign mirror image to most as I learned from a left-handed deaf person.

As others, we've always done some read-alouds for everyone and others for just some of the kids. Now when we do read-alouds for the younger ones, my oldest often comes and curls up to listen again.

All the paperwork in online on the College Board website. Start there under the students with disabilities and see what they are asking for. Beware it takes many weeks to get approved.

I have two with Tourette's - high IQ but with learning disabilities. First of all, you are dealing with a lot right now. As much as you are able, I would try to change your mindset to first work on learning to live with/deal with/control the various issues. We've got a good Tourette's doctor and did a bunch of behavioral therapy as well. Working on this takes TIME and it takes time away from school. Pare down as much of school as you can so that you prioritized the minimum and try to include some low-stress learning (videos, reading, listening to books, etc.). Spending all day working on issues and school isn't healthy either. You and he need some down time to just have fun and be a kid. Don't do school from 9a-8pm - it doesn't do anyone any good. He's a fourth grader. Most subjects he could do nothing in and be fine for next year. Math is incremental and you can't just skip it so I'd definitely keep working on math. English skills are important, but there is no one thing that has to be taught at a specific age. So you don't do any spelling or grammar - pick off where you left off in the fall. Oh yeah - it needs to be in your plan, so maybe say you are going to work on spelling and grammar by doing copywork and discuss the grammar. On days you need to scribe, you can still discuss the grammar and even do a few spelling words orally. Science and history can completely be snuggle on the couch and read and discuss books. Be creative and don't think you have to "do school" like in public school. A bright kid will keep learning no matter what you put in front of him and if you take some of the stress off school, you will have time and energy to work on everything else.

If your child is understanding and retaining math through BA, then it doesn't need to be supplemented. My oldest would have done fine with it, but it wasn't out yet for him. For my current kids, I supplement with Singapore math.

Might not call it school, but learning activities are always good. Pattern Blocks Cuisenaire rods Box of popsicle sticks and glue legos clay Pearler beads books on cd

On the expensive side - I've done a few Brave Writer elementary classes and they've been so much fun. On the free side - you might sign up for the Brave Writer blog which has lots of fun, creative ideas weekly.

My instinct says if you are dropping two classes then you should probably replace one of them - but it certainly doesn't have to be a duel enrolled class or a really hard class. It could be a discussion based home class based on Teaching Company videos. It could be a self-study literature or history or anything else where the bulk of the work is reading with possibly a paper for output. I don't think you have to sign up for a new class if there is something you can do on your own.

Use the paper that your child NEEDS and then work toward smaller handwriting. My fourth grader is still using paper intended for first graders.

I'd return it; ask for a refund. If you keep it, I would not sell it.

I agree that you need to know what you are getting into. At first, I thought Center for LIt seemed "basic". It certainly is not a class that goes through and teaches all sorts of details as they do only have two hours per book. However, what impressed me initially about Center for LIt was at the end of one year of class, the depth of discussion that my son could carry on with me about a book had dramatically increased. He also was using all sorts of formal literary terms and analysis that I certainly never taught him. I describe it mostly as he absorbed it from the class. The biggest thing however was when a year later he came and asked to do another class saying it changed how he approached all literature he read. He says he gets way more out of books now as Center for LIt has changed how he THINKS about a book - especially themes and worldviews. This is my math geek who also loves to learn as long as it does not involve writing. If you want to sample a class, they have one class that you can download and listen to for free on their website. They also have some dvd classes that are very similar to what they do online.

I'd pick a course based on what books sound interesting. It's always more interesting to learn literature analysis from books you enjoy rather than ones you dread reading. The first Center for Lit course was a mix of books before they broke it up like they do now. I've also had kids to a jr high course, Am. Lit and World literature. Enjoyed them all.

Bob Jones Earth and Space Science - you could skip the earth science if you wanted.

I thought once per month was fine. It gives you time to read the book and process the information. It's not as intrusive into your schedule as weekly. Also, if you do need to miss a live class, you can download the recorded version. The price (per hour) is expensive, but I've thought it good enough to use it several years with more than one child.

Are the advisors assigned to you or do you find your own advisor?

Just curious, I think you're the first person I've seen say that they were disappointed in the reviews. I'm sure they are out there, but I've only seen positive reviews for BW. Are you seeing poor reviews or are the reviews just describing something that is not what you are looking for. I know BW is not for everyone. The biggest "complaint" I see is the price.

It's expensive, but I love Brave Writer online classes. They are 4-6 weeks each and do a lot of teaching. From there, you can use the skills you learn in your own assignments until you take the next step.

Hewitt's Conceptual Physics is a textbook that might work for you. However, it's not a curriculum.

I have found Brave Writer online classes to be fabulous to fill that need for my family. They are expensive, but so worth it. While you can do the high school classes younger, I find it takes some maturity to do what seems like a simple assignment from them. There are a broad range of ages and abilities in the classes and the teachers do fabulous at meeting each student where they are and progressing them.

I haven't done any Potters, but in general I don't have any problem bumping my child "down" to the level that I think is appropriate.