http://www.donnayoung.org ???

Another vote for Noeo - very simple to use, and everything is provided. It's flexible, but the teacher's manual is laid out with 'Week 1, Day 1, read pp. 34-42', so I know exactly what to do each day. But as I say, it's flexible enough that you can change things around, move along faster or slower, as you so desire. We've also used, and loved, 'God's Design for Science', from Answers in Genesis, as well as Apologia. All are excellent, easy-to-use programmes.

Welcome to the world of homeschooling! I have so much 'stuff' on my shelf that I would now consider a 'waste of money' - not because it was terrible, but because it did not fit with our family. Unfortunately, a lot of it is trial and error, but you'll find out what works for you as you go. And I'd agree with Shelly - Abeka is a good maths programme, so just skip the manual.

Hi - for those who have any animated Bible Videos or DVDs, which are your favourites? I've recently come across this site: http://www.thekidsbible.com/ Looks interesting! Has anyone purchased any of these? It seems they only have Genesis done thus far, but more are in the works. We have some called 'The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible', where three people go back in time, I like those. I just wish there were more in the series! And, we have 'Joseph: King of Dreams' and 'THe Prince of Egypt' - they are wonderful. I'm wondering if 'The Animated Kids Bible' from the link above is similar? Any other suggestions? Thanks!

Hi - the best thing I ever did for my oldest was introduce her to the IEW programme. She could hardly string a sentence together when we started, and she was about 14 at the time. I was terribly worried that I had completely failed her. But, with IEW, she's now writing entire essays! I can't say that her essays are brilliant, or that they would win any competitions, but, she can DO IT. IEW also have 'History-Based Writing Lessons' - meaning you can combine History and Writing in one, another bonus. We really enjoyed the Medieval book. As it covers a certain amount of grammar as well, you many not need an additional grammar text, either - it depends how much grammar you think he needs to know. As for literature, we've done a couple of the 'Classics Club' DVDs from Adam Andrews at Center for Lit - excellent! We actually had a discussion, and she wrote an essay, on Hamlet! Now there's something I thought would never happen. I'm so glad we found these resources, they're just brilliant. Hope that helps,

Hi - most of my children seem to have taken to cooking, washing, sewing, etc. naturally. But not my 17 year old. She could think of nothing worse! However, I would like her to gain some 'basic' skills - basic sewing, cooking, housekepping skills, etc. We can do this, of course, in a 'natural learning' style, but I wondered if there were any courses or curriculums out there - nothing too in-depth, or that will take up hours of her week, but just something that covers basic housekeeping skills - so that when she leaves home, she won't starve! :glare: Anything?

We've completed a few of their lapbooks - loved the Water Cycle one, and my girls also enjoyed the chocolate one (I wonder why)? We're not really a lapbooking family, but enjoyed the fact that they were well laid out and easy to use. I can see the point that they may begin to look all the same after a while, but I think if you used a few from here, a few from there, you'd end up with a good variety of topics and styles. And after a while, you can easily take the ideas to put together your own.

We've been using NOEO Science, and my younger ones (aged 11, 10 and 8), are loving it! And, wonder of wonders, they're actually retaining the information! So, I go to thinking; what about history? Does something similar exist for teaching history? The programme I'm thinking of would looking something like this: 1. Read from a picture book; either about a time in history, or a person from that time. 2. Narrate - draw a picture / summarize what was read, etc. 3. Complete an activity, and perhaps do some map work. We'd also make use of a timeline, adding the person, event, etc. to it as it was covered. Something all laid out, ready to go - Monday, do this, Tuesday, do this, etc. The main things that are working with Noeo are the picture books, the narrations, and the experiments, to link it all together. Real simple, real effective. I could, of course, use the literature lists in story of the world, and use the activities; but I just wondered if anything like this already existed, that was laid out and ready to go? Of course, if it was from a Catholic viewpoint and Australian-based, it would be perfect - but one can't have everything! :tongue_smilie: Thankyou,

Hi - some questions for users of Conceptual Chemistry, or those who know something about the course. Which edition? I see there is a 4th edition out this year, but a site I was referred to has helps for the 3rd edition. Do I just purchase the text, or do I get the teacher's manual and student workbook as well? Is this a course the student can do without supervision? Are labs included? What are your thoughts on this course - especially compared to Apologia Chemistry? And finally, where do I purchase it from? Thanks!

Spot on - that is it, exactly! Pam L - where do you pruchase Conceptual Chemistry? Do you think it would be helpful for someone interested in Photography, also? As I have a suspicion that'll be where she's headed - she loves photography, and has won several competitions in that field. Are there labs with Conceptual Chemistry? Thankyou, ladies!

Hi - we've been using Apologia for High School - one of my girls is going along fine with it, the other is not. She's 17, and we're currently working through the Chemistry text - she's completed General, Physical and Biology. The thing is, she's just not a 'science-orientated' person. The effort that needs to go into completing this course, I feel, would be better spent elsewhere - in her case. However, I would like her to have a basic coverage of Chemistry and Physics, as we only did a hodge-podge of different science texts in primary school, so some sort of basic coverage would be great. Basically, she's miserable. The science is a huge effort on her part, and I honestly do not see her using all this science when she finishes school. She does, however, love music, and would happily spend hours at the piano. We do not have to worry about 'credits' for transcripts, or anything like that, here in Australia; just 'something' that provides a very basic coverage, with some labs, etc. Any suggestions? On my shelf, I have the God's Design series, as well as Real Science 4 Kids, and some of the Tiner books. Would these cut it, or are they really too 'simple' for a 17 year old? Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance, Thanks!

Hi - we're finishing up Teaching Textbooks, Algebra 2, and have completed Geometry also. What next? I read one review of the Teaching Textbooks, Pre-Calculus text, which stated that the text was full of errors. Is anyone using this text? Have you discovered any errors? Otherwise, what have you used for year 12? Is it possible to go from using Teaching Textbooks to Saxon or another programme for the final year? Suggestions? Thanks!

Thankyou. I'll have to check some of those out. Some I know well - The Patriot and yes, The Princess Bride - gotta love it! I can't believe I left Ladyhawke out of my original list above, or Little Women. Thankyou for the suggestions!

HI - I seem to love the 'historical' movies - not necessarily 'true' historically - things like: The Three Muskateers Robin Hood Titanic All the Rivers Run The Man from Snowy River Pearl Harbour King Arthur etc. - movies based on history (or historical fiction), with a bit of romance thrown in! What are your favourites? I'm just wondering if there's any good ones out there, that I've missed! :lurk5: Thanks!

OK, so I have a question for all of you 'planners' out there! What if someone was to withdraw her highschoolers from school, to bring them home (she's had enough). She needs curriculum suggestions for her children, in grades 8, 9. 10 and 12 (yep, jumping in totally at the deep end!). What would you suggest? Remember, there's no 'credits' to worry about, as we're in Australia, so it's just a matter of making sure the basic subjects are covered. They are a Catholic family; doesn't mean all curriculum needs to be Catholic, just good, solid, programs - and mostly self-teaching, as obviously, it'll be a whole learning curve for both parents and children! Can anyone offer some brief, to-the-point curriculum suggestions? Or at least, if you were in this situation, what subjects you'd concentrate on? Ta!

We started with Our Lady of Victory - good programme, easy to use. As we moved along, we began changing bits and pieces, choosing resources that suited our family more, etc. My favourite book of all is DYOCC - I seem to always come back to it, actually, I think if I was starting again, I'd pretty much stick to DYOCC. Actually, knowing me, I'd still chop and change to suit our family! There are some resources I'd not be without, such as the IEW writing programme, Memoria Press Latin, and Story of the World. These are not actually 'Catholic' programmes, but are so well done, they are our 'must-haves'. Good luck!

Thanks, all! I've ordered in Camelot and Excalibur, shall see what they are like. Unfortunately, living in a remote location, we don't have a public library close by. Has anyone seen 'The Mists of Avalon'? I've not heard much about it, but it may be another possibility. I also think I might look at getting some documentaries - I saw a few on ebay, anyone know of any good ones? Thanks!

HI - are there any good movies about King Arthur? Obviously, it's all legends, etc. - but after watching the series 'Merlin' I'd like to introduce my children to a more 'accurate' account of the Arthurian legends. I do have the movie 'King Arthur', but wasn't that impressed. Of course, we also have Disney's 'Sword in the Stone', if that counts! Any other suggestions? Thanks!

Anyone out there who has made up some SOTW 3 notebooking pages, and is willing to share? We're about to begin book 3, and thought I'd ask before making up our own! Thanks!

I agree. I've purchased both levels, as my kiddos range in age from 7-17, however, as someone said, there is a picture of each art project on each opening page showing all 3 levels - the art projects are very similar, and easy to adjust down in level for the younger students. I think if we had just purchased the 10-adult level, we would have done just as well. Love, love this programme! I love the way it covers all aspects, and all mediums, in art. It's the one lesson of the week where we all come together as a family, and work together.

Thanks, Jen - a Christian slant is good! I've heard so much about these books, I thought maybe someone out there has matched up the books with certain science experiments? Hopefully, someone has, or I may have to do it myself! ;-)

I'll be using these with my daughter, who is in grade 5/6. Thanks!

Do any of the John Hudson Tiner books - in the Exploring Series (Planet Earth, The World of Biology, The World of Physics, The World of Chemistry, etc.) include any experiments, or is is all reading and answering the questions? If is is all Science Theory, are there recommended supplementary books that people use to cover experiments / labs? Thanks!

Darn! I really don't like the fact my youngest is now seven! I love the Memoria Press recommendations - hmmm... maybe it's time for baby no. 9 - or adopt one, maybe?? I don't want my babies to grow up!

Yum! Turkish Delight - I must remember that for next year - they keep putting out carrots for the reindeer! AND they peel it, etc. so they will KNOW if it ends up back in the fridge. It was great to hear from you - Have a Merry Christmas, also - drop me a line and say Hi when you get back! God bless,