We have a decision to make... and would like your input. Ds is currently taking Algebra 1, doing very well, so... we had been looking into stepping things up by taking Geometry online simultaneously. The school's math options 9-12 include: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, pre-Calculus, AP Calculus. On current schedule, ds would take Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2, pre-Calc by 12th grade. OR, if we hurry and start an online Geometry class, he would reach AP Calc by 12th grade. However, this would mean summer school. What do STEM majors need or maybe the ? is: what do STEM colleges look for? Would they even give him credit for AP Calculus or would they want him to take Calculus at their college anyway? Do colleges look at classes or at GPA? He could take Honors math from here on out, including Honors Geometry, which would help a GPA. Trying to decide if it is worth/ necessary to spend the $500 and the time for this class or not...? He likes math and is good at math. He had Algebra already, just wanted to give him a boost by repeating Algebra to start high school and he didn't do great on the placement test. However, he is doing very well in current Alg 1 (currently has 97% grade). TIA,

The school is recommending an accredited program, so that the grade can be included on his transcript. Otherwise, it would be listed as "pass/fail". However, Liberty U is charging $500. Is there a cheaper, accredited program?

We would need a class that can be done after school, and preferably, self-paced.

Ds is currently in a private school after homeschooling elementary and middle school years. In order to get him on course with this school, he needs to take an online Geometry class starting ASAP (in order to complete by summer, preferably). Any recommendations? It would need to be a highly academic, budget-friendly class. It would be added to his official transcript. So far, I have found Liberty University and BJU Online. I have briefly looked at their home pages and requested info. Any that you found successful? This would be our first venture into online school, so looking for user-friendly also... I appreciate any help here.

Under NO circumstances would I think it appropriate to send a child under my care home with a different anyone. If I were the parent, I would be appalled that a friend even asked another parent to do this. If we had an agreement, and it was to change in any way, I would expect a phone call, and would not feel obligated to change plans, unless it was an emergency.

So far, no other books. They are reading Romeo & Juliet in class.

I had a discussion with the teacher. She wants to encourage reading. I wasn't able to extract a criteria list, but she does seem more flexible than I first thought.

I look back at the homeschooling years in this same way.

Nope, haven't heard that this program is being used.

What is AR, please?

I do appreciate the new perspective that I just need to see it as "assigned reading", whereas, I was interpreting it like she was stretching English requirements. This is because he rarely has time for "free-reading" due to homework and other activities. It is completely foreign to me. I used to hurry thru homework, so I could read the books I wanted to. So, if I had this teacher, I would not have appreciated her at ALL! We are trying to raise a man of character, she is raising a student. These, understandably, may be at odds on occasion.

I have parent-teacher conferences tomorrow, so thank you for helping me gain perspective.

I will just be happy that he has some say in what he reads.

He is supposed to read 3 books per quarter with a 500 page book usually counting as 2 books.

Ds has no book reports, just a short discussion with her. I did wonder that an unabridged The Scarlet Pimpernel barely made the cut, so working out the criteria is the challenge. I have been building our home library for years, more for content than vocabulary. He has no free reading time though, sigh...

We love the Little Britches series by Ralph Moody. Wow, these are some of the best books I've read in a while. we are reading them aloud, and my 11 ds asks to read more than ever before.

Thank you for your help here. I am just not objective enough and/or so out of the loop that I know I may very well misinterpret things. Trying to make the transition...

Backstory: Ds was homeschooled until high school and is currently attending a private high school. His English teacher has a requirement that he read a certain number of extracurricular books per quarter. She also must approve these books, i.e.: vocabulary and challenging reading level. Is this usual?

For those who have been homeschooling for some time... have you found that homeschooling has improved... you? Benefits: 1. organizational skills 2. decision-making skills 3. patience 4. life with more purpose 5. strengthening faith, when I run out of #3, rely on Jesus to complete His good work in me and them. 6. self-educational 7. understand my dc more 8. control over dc's education Maybe we can write a self-help book... Got problems?.... Teach someone something!

We use R&S almost independently, i.e.: ds reads thru the chapter, answers all exercises orally, then he does the corresponding worksheet or test. I correct the worksheet, we review errors, and off we go! Older ds has used R&S grammar 2nd-9th grade. His 9th grade English teacher at his private school has made several comments on his knowledge of grammar and punctuation. When she writes on the board, she asks him if it is written correctly??!! He sees grammar and/or spelling errors most everyday. It is a strong grammar program. We are using R&S spelling for the first time this year with younger ds.

Ernest Scared Stupid. Not yet watched, but the boys, including dh, laugh and hoot during all the Ernest movies.

If only I were a little closer... I'm on the East coast.

Quaker Corn Bran cereal

I am used to and comfortable with Windows. I have read that windows 8 is not functional, which prompted me to look toward the iMac. The iMac price has always been the deterrent for me. The only Apple products we have are an iPod and iPad. They are fun as gaming devices, but the internet looks the same, just a different server. I am not any kind of gamer, so may not appreciate the finer things an iMac offers. I may need to wait to invest in an iMac until I have actually seen one in action.

I see how so many love their Macs! They really do look sleek and amazing, I need them to be cost-effective also. The nearest Apple store is 2 hours away, so not practical for a demo. My initial ? is whether the Mac will smoothly transition/ save my current docs and whether it lasts > 5 yrs. I would love to hear from more of you who have had a Mac for > 5 yrs. How it is running now? How much did upgrades cost? Have you needed to invest in much software to do homeschool? What I really need and want to buy is Reliabiity. I want a computer to take us thru highschool homework for the next 7 yrs. I will pay more for reliable right now, than speed, graphics, etc. Oh, and if it wouldn't break the bank to get this, that would be nice...