I have been puzzled about this for a long time... the completely inflated prices of books on the used book side of Amazon and Half.com sold by specific companies? Where do they come up with those prices? And yet the companies actually have ++ feedback? Do these companies actually sell paperbacks for $75? Are those who buy just accidentally clicking wrong buttons and then paying out of obligation? Are they waiting for me to do that, because there is this uneasy fear that I just might one day...

Sorry, he is in a private high school and in 9th grade. Because of its small size, they cannot offer accelerated classes, but utilize an Honors option, which is assigned by each teacher. The academic advisor told me that this option is somewhat flexible between the teacher and student. I am hoping to find an independent study program, rather than just added homework.

Ds may have flexibility in supplementing his courses to add an Honors level to them. He might be allowed to negotiate the Honors requirements, like an independent study option. What did you add to your high school homeschool program to raise it to the Honors level for these subjects: Biology, Algebra 2, Social Studies, English, and Spanish 2? Any book or supplemental program recommendations? TIA,

I briefly looked thru one book several years ago, and noted several spelling errors, so was not impressed. No videos, no foofah, but Rod & Staff English has been very successful for us. It is written also by a conservative Mennonite publishing co.; so there are black and white pics throughout of women in cape dress/covering and lessons and exercises reflect Biblical principles. Although promoting a more outwardly conservative style than I, I like to incorporate faith throughout the school subjects. The results for us has been unqualified success in Grammar knowledge, hands down. It is not independent. Ds reads instructional info, we orally work thru the application exercises, he does worksheets + tests; which are then reviewed and corrected together.

Thank you for your help. I will suggest them to our teacher for input.

We are transitioning from classical guitar to acoustic guitar lessons. The teacher has asked us to research music to play. Is there a program in print (like Alfred for piano)? What program do you like? I prefer the in-person tutoring lesson, rather than online lessons, so I am looking for printed guitar music books which could be used for lessons. Ds would like to eventually play modern worship music. TIA,

The library was wonderful for the early years. We have used it less and less as time goes by. I have been caught with waiting for a book to become available. The convenience of having the right book at the right time, means that I have bought more of the books I need than in times past. And then there are those rumors of undesirables hitching a ride to my house, but I may be the only one concerned about that!

I would choose a spine and then add on all the other books. Then list the number of chapters vs weeks of school year, decide on the pace and write it out. I used a grid type printout similar to Sonlight or Winter Promise schedule for ds' 8th grade schedule. The tweaking of the template on the computer program took the longest time.

The Ralph Moody series, which starts with Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers Red Falcons of Tremoine by Henry Peart Red Hugh Prince of Donegal by Robert Reilly The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow by Allen French The Red Keep by Allen French Several are from Bethlehem Books

I wanted to keep watching the Superbowl, but since our team wasn't playing... I answered the clarion call to watch PBS on the actual TV for once. I just finished watching Downton Abbey AND Sherlock, in the same evening! I so rarely see them on TV, that it was a special treat. I most often catch them online.

We made the transition last fall from homeschool to 9th grade in private school. The private school has a reputation for academics, but I have not been duly impressed. It seems like ds is successful due to organizational skills/ time management. In fact, I was telling him this week that we might need to look into more challenging courses somewhere else, if Honors doesn't do it next year. He is taking all subjects, plus independent online Geometry class and keeping up good grades. I hope it gets more challenging next year, or we will have even more reasons to wonder why we are paying for this... The privilege of him being involved in sports and all the group activities is what is benefiting him the most right now.

I apologize. I just didn't want you to feel sad for having a house in the suburbs.

nm

The Yamaha Arius has served ds well for the past 4 yrs of piano. The transition from the baby grand at piano teacher's studio to electric piano has been smooth. This is just over $1000 new, so maybe a used one would be available?

Great Food Truck Race is fun

Our kit came with a booklet. Ds worked thru the set-ups on each page as desired. We did not use it as school, just as an educational toy.

I've been watching these on youTube and have enjoyed them. Thought that others might appreciate them as a history supplement. They have an assortment of time periods available. Not dramatic, as in... Downton Abbey, but very interesting, none-the-less. BBC filmed 3-5 historians living on a farm for 12 months, with only the resources available of that time. Enjoy! eta: movie links removed because no longer available on Youtube.

I've been watching these on youTube and have enjoyed them. Thought that others might appreciate them as a history supplement. They have an assortment of time periods available. Not dramatic, as in... Downton Abbey, but very interesting, none-the-less. BBC filmed 3-5 historians living on a farm for 12 months, with only the resources available of that time. Enjoy! ETA: Movie links removed because these videos have been removed by Youtube anyway

I use this for note booking sometimes: http://homeschoolhelperonline.com or for lapbooking: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/Lapbooks_at_HSS.php Here are some free helps, there are also worksheets for a fee: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Price-Range/Free-Downloads For math practice: http://www.math-drills.com

I see lists as a practical thing. I like to buy something the receiver will at least ...like, even those whom I do not know well. I would not presume that I know what others like when I see them only 2-3 times/ year. The Grandparents have no way to keep up with the "new" favorite toys or electronics. MIL was always about 5 years behind in age-appropriate gifts. A list as helpful for ideas avoids this. Now, she just tells me to buy things and then she pays me back. This is the 2nd year for this, and I'm not sure what I think of it. Actually... I'm going to look at it as a blessing, I get to spend someone else's money to make dc happy!

They sound just too evil... I mean GOOD! Do they have a name?

Just curious... How did your sons get to calc 2? Did they take 2 math courses simultaneously?

Thank you, everyone, for your help. We are enrolling in the Liberty University Online Academy for Geometry.

He is a high school freshman, so he does not know what future major he wants. He has always been very good at math, not genius, but proficient. He will take all Honors in math from next year on. At the start, from a homeschool education, I did not know how he would do in math or in high school. As it turns out, he has adjusted splendidly; all teachers like him and his study habits. All recommend Honors/AP as available in all classes. I am leaning toward online Geometry because I know he could do it. Right now, the $500 seems like a lot, but probably cheaper in the long run, than taking a future class from CC. I think that he will end up a STEM major because he likes math and science. Yes, he is the one pushing for the online Geometry, even if it is thru summer. His current Alg 1 class is mixed 8th + 9th graders, so he says he wants to move up to a math class of his grade peers.

Yes, he will be taking all Honors math and others from here on out. We semi-chose a repeat of Algebra 1 to strengthen what he already knows. Now we are paying for it, by having to add in Geometry somewhere. Starting now will probably mean summer school... not my preferred goal. I want him to have open doors by college, so trying to plan now.