I'm not as familiar with WWS, so I can't compare. I started both my boys as 9th graders in Kidswrite Int. and then followed it up with Expository Essay. Kidswrite Int. works a lot on showing with words rather than telling. It plays with a lot of language to get you to make connections that you would not otherwise make. There's not a lot to show (like a finished essay) at the end of the class, but I thought is was a very worthwhile class. This class would be great at helping his writing not be so boring. Expository Essay is a great class in writing essays and for bringing out his writer's voice. Brave Writer has great feedback from all the instructors.

I like Runkle's World Physical Geography also.

I would certainly pick AoPS over LOF, but it will take a lot more work and time. If you want to read the non-Euclidean Geometry in LOF, it's seven pages of reading and no problems. i don't think you're missing anything by not reading it however.

My kids have enjoyed (and learned a lot) from both middle school and high school Center for Literature classes. We do the literature class only without writing. This year, I had two of my kids ASK to take another Center for Lit class saying that it really impacts how they think about what they are reading. As mom, I've been impressed with how much they've learned in a very low key way -- I didn't realize how much they were learning until I was having lit discussions about other books.

Brave Writer will have several 4-6 week writing courses over the summer, but they won't be posted until spring. Center for Lit usually has one free literature discussion group over the summer. Even if you don't get signed up into the class (it fills quickly), you can get on the mailing list and listen to the class when it is recorded.

I was going to ask if you live in the same school district as me, but maybe I should ask if you live down the street? :mellow: Feel free to private message me, I own many of the choices that have been mentioned. Math - I love Art of Problem solving (starting with prealgebra); MEP is a good option (though I don't like their elementary options as well; Math mammoth has been mentioned I'm another lover of Brave Writer classes. It's been amazing what my kids have done with Brave Writer - both my kids that like writing as well as my severely dysgraphic son. Take a look at All About Spelling - many people find it useful for kids with dyslexia. Science - lots of good science curriculum out there, but there is nothing that says you have to follow them; you can get great science books and just read and do experiments. I like Mystery of History for an overview of history. Two of my boys have loved some of the Teaching Company engineering videos (and physics) - including my youngest! Consider homeschool co-ops in your area. Persue learning about whatever interests your child, just for fun. One of the biggest challenges of starting homeschooling in middle school is the transition from traditional school to homeschool. It is a different mindset to educate at home versus reproducing "school" at home. It'll take a while for everything to settle into a routine if you do choose to start homeschooling. Around my area it's easy to transition back into school as a 9th grader.

I know some that say that NT is their favorite book - but not at my home. However, I'm tutoring a girl that is really enjoying NT. It gets much better when it gets to bases and modular arithmetic. "I" like Counting and Probability way better. My oldest son's favorite book was the geometry, though he likes all things math. My second son tolerates math though he does well and is finishing up the Intro books.

I've done a mix of outsourcing a little and doing much at home through high school English. Teaching the classics (dvd program) teaches mom well on how to discuss literature Lots of literature and discussions They Say, I Say Grammar Various poetry Shakespeare unit and plays Writing (much of the initial writing instruction has been outsourced to Bravewriter and then we take it from there) Excellence in Literature - mostly for the rabbit trails with whatever we are reading As my boys write, I evaluate what they still need to learn about grammar (and writing) and go from there.

Ugh. More money to spend. Thanks for posting, I've been needing something like this for my daughter.

I think the if you think prealgebra is doable, you might be surprised to also find the algebra book doable. It moves along similarly to the PreA book. (It's very hard to jump into if you don't have the foundation or the experience of having struggled with some challenging problems already.)

I switched to AoPS after SM 5.I own the four year series of NEM, and I have done parts of NEM with my kids. I find it more difficult to teach from and a lot of annoying decimal (calculator) problems rather than straight mathematical teaching. I love AoPS, but there are lots of options. I would recommend that you consider something other than NEM however.

I think the teachers can do a better job teaching it they understand the student better. More importantly, I think you are doing a disservice to your child if you don't figure out how to get them to accept their differences and then accept accommodations so that they can learn more effectively. By not giving your child the accommodations, you are undermining their ability to learn. I also think it causes worse self-esteem problems to hide the fact from others.

AoPS can certainly be done with average students - I've done it. Some of the things that set you up to not do as well with AoPS are 1) if you don't know the foundational material before starting the class (it's not going to teach you) 2) if you need lots of drill to learn new concepts - the drill is just not there and it moves along quickly so it's hard to add in the drill and keep up with someone else's schedule 3) low tolerance for not seeing the answer right away - AoPS has lots of tough problems that need to be wrestled with. I've only done AoPS on my own, so I don't know how it might be tweaked for WTMA classes. By the way, I love the AoPS Prealgebra book, though the first few chapters are the hardest.

Here's the link to information about accommodations for College Board (PSAT, SAT, AP) https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities/request-accommodations ACT accommodations is a separate request and separate approval (often considered easier to get).

To get accommodations you will need something from a doctor. What are you looking for - separate testing, extended breaks, etc? To get extended test time, you need psychological testing showing that they actually NEED the extended time. - learning disabilities affecting their output. You can download the application for accommodations easily and take a look at it and see if you want to proceed. If you think he needs accommodations and/or will get them, I'd say go ahead and try to get them and at worst you are the same as if you had never tried.

I'm lucky. Our local high school is willing to test my son with his accommodations. They say he'll likely test alone unless someone else has exactly the same accommodations, but they don't give me any grief. :hurray:

Something else you might look at is MEP math - it's free! and downloadable.

We do AoPS with me (mom) reading and working through the practice problems with the student. After that, the student does the problems at the end of each section. This eliminates the problem of the student having to read through all of AoPS.

By the way my VSL learner thrives on AoPS (algebra through calculus). There are lots of ways of how to shore up that foundation. Another option are Math Mammoth worksheets - you can buy just fractions, etc. If you think you are headed toward AoPS, the foundation has to be solid.

I would take away distractions (such as Minecraft) and challenge them to step up to whatever level of schoolwork they are capable of. The more they learn and the more they learn how to learn, the better off they'll be for providing for themselves for the future.

Beast Academy might fit what you are looking for, but it is definitely intended for younger grades (and the 5th grade books are not all published yet). My daughter is working through the Beast books as they are published as they stretch her in a different way. To shore up the basics, I have her going through Derek Owen;s prealgebra and then will do AoPS prealgebra. I'm finding this a good way to solidify the fractions, decimals, percents, etc. His teaching is solid, but certainly not as hard as AoPS. Many of the prealgebra videos of his are on youtube if you want to sample them.

You might also check out Center for Literature's Teaching the Classics. It is a dvd series directed at parents in instructing you how to lead your kids in literature discussions.

My kids have learned a lot through Center for Literature online classes. We have not done any of the writing components. The students read a book then about once per month have a two hour guided literature discussion online. It's fairly low-key, but I've been impressed with how much they've learned and retained and apply to everything they read. My 11th grader requested to do another Center for Lit class this year (after doing one in 9th) as he says it makes him think differently about everything he reads - and he's a voracious reader. I've had younger kids do both the elementary and jr high class. I would recommend picking a class based on the books and not the age range. Also there are some sample classes online you can try out.

I've told my son's online teachers. I've told the writing teachers just so that they know and might be able to help him better. I've told his AP teachers since he actually needed accommodations in their classes. For his AP classes, he's not writing out all the daily work - sometimes does it orally, sometimes writes in his own notation. The teachers accept my word it is done. We make him write out free response questions as he needs that work. He also has extended time (by college board for AP tests) so on their tests I give extended time. In all cases I've communicated with the teacher and offered to give paperwork, but noone has ever wanted to see any paperwork - they have been happy to accommodate. The main lesson I learned with one class this year, is that "I" am the primary teacher and I am using the class as a tool to help my son learn. My opinion of how to approach the class has changed since I decided I am in charge and should tweak to provide the best learning experience for my son. I know he needs to learn to deal with whatever circumstances for college, but ultimately right now I want him to learn the material how he learns.

I agree that either can be first. On occasion, Counting and Probability has a quadratic that needs to be factored, but they are easy to skip over without missing any content. "I" think counting and probability is more fun. I know others think the opposite. I wouldn't count on any more videos being made soon as what there is for the books is all there has been for years.