Thought I'd share this new way to connect to other books lovers. http://dozenbestbooks.com This is a newly launched website. The youtube video at explains how it works. I already started a list for homeschooling books featuring our very own Well Trained Mind books as well as other homeschooling books I've used since beginning homeschooling in 2001. My uncle, a rabid book lover, came up with the concept and designed the website. And of course, it's free. Just a way to connect to other people who love books as much as you/we/I do.

I would have the donations made or transferred directly to a checking account held in the minor daughter's name. The parent's would probably have to be on the account but the income would be the child's. Then I would have a debit/credit card connected to the account used to pay medical bills. I would be clear on the donation website that the money is going to the child to pay for medical and related expenses. And then, I'd make sure to keep receipts for the child's related expenses, which of course could include expenses outside direct hospital bills. If the sum is large enough (or frankly, even if it's not), the child could put some of the money into a 529 plan for later if it is expected she'll use it for educational expenses. And if that's the case, I think that could be stated on the donation website as well. Extra prayers for them today.

I misunderstood. I thought the issue was income counting against the family for the two older children's upcoming university educations. As you mention, the income would count against the 14 year old, but if it belonged to her it wouldn't count against the family for the other children. Also, it sounds as if the money will be spent over the next few years which will lessen the amount she'll have to claim by the time she is old enough to attend college. Just a few thoughts I'd have if it were my family. Obviously, a very tough situation. So sorry for your friend's family. I will definitely say a prayer for them.

Can the money be donated to and put in the name of the child who will receive the benefit from the money? In other words, if it's the child's income, it should not be counted against the parents. They won't have to claim it if it's not theirs....

Thanks snowbeltmom!

They will still get a printed report at the end of January according to the College Board. From the CB website: Upcoming Dates Jan29 Paper PSAT/NMSQT score reports arrive at school

I kind of think (hope) that we'll get more information when the printed report shows up at the end of January. In the past, they have included a section about how to read the scores. Also, we'll know more when the commended score is released in April.

Thank you for posting this! :001_smile: It'll be a long wait until September!

The University of Hawaii seems to have a summer program. Universities seem to use these programs for recruiting. Here are a few links that maybe you've already found: http://kuai.crdg.hawaii.edu/store/summerprograms/core-programs/core-pm.html http://www.hawaiiala.com/individual-courses.html http://www.friendsofhawaiirobotics.org http://www.waialuarobotics.com (I think this is a school, but they might lead you to a contact person for a home school club or be valuable in some other way.) Also, what about the Boys and Girls Club through the base/post/wherever you are? If they don't currently have a robotics club, they might be willing to organize one. Lastly, you could organize a club through your public library or (if they haven't closed it already, those libraries seem to be dropping like flies) the base library. You might get a contact person from one of the local groups (Friends of Hawaii Robotics?) and see if someone would be willing to guide the group if you aren't interested in doing it yourself. Just a few ideas from a fellow (but recently retired) military nomad.

My son has attended for the past two summers for the two week session. He is a fourth year Spanish student and a sophomore in high school. He has enjoyed his time there greatly. He spoke primarily to other like-minded students and to the staff, many of whom are native speakers. In fact, his cabin staff member was a native speaker who spoke very little English. My son would like to work as a junior counselor there in the summers to come. I fully support the mission of the camps and I think they do an excellent job of giving a student a near immersion experience. We have lived overseas and know firsthand that you get out of an immersion experience (even in another country) what you put into it. I know my son's conversational Spanish and confidence speaking has benefited greatly.

The best thing you can do to support her comprehension is read the book yourself and discuss it with her. Tell her your favorite part. Ask her what she thought when something happened in the book that you found entertaining. Talk to her like a friend who has read the same book and not as a teacher with a quiz. I wouldn't make it a "reading comprehension" job, but rather a joint venture into discovery and enjoyment of a book. You will help her understand the story better as you discuss which will improve her comprehension when she reads a new book. The more you share and discuss the more she will want to read so you can talk about a new book together. It's fun to have book chats over tea and cookies. Make it a joy and not a chore. And there's nothing wrong with Junie B. and a host of other early chapter books that are silly. Kids love them. Kids read them. Reading these types of books leads to reading more complicated literature. They have to start somewhere.

As it appears we agree, your post seems to have been written only to try to find fault with mine. And now to suggest that I am being "dismissive" which quite frankly is incredibly dismissive towards me and my experiences. I have not been unkind in my postings nor have I intended to dismiss anyone. I have just offered my perspective.

I haven't suggested that anything is easy? I've only stated that I believe it is in most student's best interest to retain high school status for as long as possible while finding creative ways to help them work at their own level. I don't believe it is student's best interests to grade skip them only to ship them off to university at an early age. JMHO

I guess it depends on the state. I think 30 or 40 states have gifted education legislation. Typically, gifted ed seems to fall under the "appropriate education" required for special needs students and along with that an IEP. Nevertheless, I am kind of surprised to hear of schools in states where there is no law that will offer no accommodation for advanced students. How does a principal talking with a parent explain that while your student has passed an AP exam with a high score as a freshman or younger, that he should continue to study with age mates? Most principals I've dealt with are much more open, educated about the need for differentiation, and accommodation. And if they don't start out that way, scores open their eyes and their willingness to help pretty quickly, IME. Oh well. My main point in this thread is that once you skip, you run out of rope and you are forced to say goodbye to 15, 16, or 17 year olds (possibly younger, I suppose?) as they head off to college. Even mature younger teens can struggle and feel lost and disoriented at leaving home. Trying to sign leases and negotiate contracts as a minor isn't legal. Sending a minor off into the adult world comes with an element of danger and sadness, imo. But then, maybe I'm clingy to want my kids home as long as possible. I just realize that these years are so fleeting, and I want to enjoy my teens at home until they reach legal adulthood. There is also a competitive advantage and value to competing with age mates for slots in selective universities, too. Just my thoughts. I would have benefited from adopting them earlier on in my journey. YMMV. Best of luck in finding the best path for us all!

My son sticks out now and will again when he's ready for dual enrollment. He's a little guy and he's young for an eighth grader let alone a sophomore. I'm not sure him being away at a university or college full time as a freshman two years early would be any better or easier for him. Both of my older two children are mature and sensible. I still think being 18 when they are negotiating the adult world alone is preferable. We are close to a few universities (for example UD and Wright State) where my kids will dually enroll. If you're not close enough to a university, then you might ask the high school you find if they would consider making a suitable course for your son to take independent study with their support. The head of the math department and foreign language department at our high school have both suggested this as a possibility for our kids.

Possibly my situation is unique because we move frequently, but even the public school we spoke with here had no problem having my son take math and foreign language at the high school given his grades, SAT scores, and previous high school work from 7th grade. What does your public school do with advanced students? If a student is ready for advanced work (and nobody can stop anybody from taking the SAT, ACT, or AP tests regardless of age) the high school is legally obligated to accommodate. Surely they don't keep everyone in the same track regardless of ability and talent?

My 15 year old will take classes at the local university here next year part time as she will have run out of AP classes in two disciplines. The ability to dually enroll is a law here, I believe. Adding this to my previous post: My middle school students DID have high school transcripts. My kids both (while being home schooled) took classes from accredited high school sources in middle school which allowed for a high school transcript. They each took foreign language and math and my daughter took three other high school classes. This transcript, in addition to SAT scores, would have allowed her to enter community college. If you look at TPS, you can enter Bellhaven Community College online with a minimum SAT score (can't remember what it is right off hand). I think it's a matter of finding the right college to work with you. My 8th grader is driven by me from one school to the other. It's no fun, but it's what we're doing for now. I have considered homeschooling him part time this year and having him at the high school, but we're in the middle of a move and this is working. The high school was also willing to allow him to attend for five years, which we considered. There is also a local public school which has the middle school and high school on the same campus which would have allowed my son to walk between classes. The school my kids attended last year was an inclusive K-12 which made it easy, too. I had three high school/middle school combos willing to work with us this past year.

KAR, I just noticed you're in Ohio. We've just moved to the Dayton area. If you want info about our experience with schools here, feel free to PM me!

I didn't suggest anyone wanted a blue ribbon. I was using an expression to illustrate there is no reason to rush. There is no reward for finishing early. In fact, you just end up with your kids leaving sooner. Regarding the "need to do something different" I am just not sure I agree. There is a lot of value to skipping content without skipping grade levels. Once you hit 7th or 8th grade, if your scores are high enough, many high schools and colleges will work with you. I have just moved into a new district with nothing but grades from last year from my kids, test scores, and a letter of recommendation from the school they left. I have had no problem finding several high schools who were willing to accommodate them. We may move again this year, and again, I am not the least bit worried that my kids will have trouble. Test scores are pretty persuasive. I'm not sure I follow your logic regarding "piecing together math classes." Why would you have to piece anything together? If your student enters college early as a young freshman (presumably under 18) he will end up taking classes with adults anyway. At least if your child is taking those classes while living under your roof, you have the opportunity to guide them appropriately.

IME, the further along your child is in his schooling, the less questions people have regarding age and grade. That is really a little kids game since many parents believe their youngster is ready for more than they may or may not be developmentally ready to handle. For middle school and older students, the real questions are what work have the students done, what are their test scores, and are they mature enough to handle an older crowd. One thing to keep in mind is that if you double skip, your child will be leaving for college two years earlier than otherwise. For us, we've decided we want our kids with us as long as possible. There are enough options in today's world for high school students who are still in high school that leaving for early college isn't necessary. You can dually enroll usually starting around age 16 (earlier if warranted) in most states. This, along with AP and CLEP opportunities, mean a high school student can collect college credit and work at their own level while still considered a high school student. This gives that student the opportunity to become a freshman in college with credit as opposed to a young freshman without. Don't underestimate your child's peers, either. There are lots of bright and successful kids your younger kid is going to be competing with for college admissions. Being the same age as your advanced peers levels the playing field. I know from experience it's tough to understand what I've written when your children are younger. It really wasn't until my oldest hit middle school age that we seriously had to start thinking about if we wanted her leaving the nest sooner or later.... Now, I have a high school sophomore with enough credits to graduate at the end of this year and SAT scores high enough to get her into many schools, who will be staying in high school for two more years because of the opportunities. I also have an eighth grader going to high school for sophomore level math, science, and foreign language study and staying in eighth grade for other subjects. The high school was more than willing to take him as a freshman, but we've decided we don't want him leaving early either. Both students are in private schools now after being homeschooled until last year. All the schools cared about were test scores (SAT and PSAT in the case of both my kids).

I just thought I'd add, you don't have to teach every subject every day. You can follow a "block schedule" and teach 4 classes a day alternating every other day. Most high schools follow a similar schedule these days. For each hour in class, there should be independent study that the student works on by himself alone on the day off from class.

That is great news. Thanks so much for the reply!

Barbara, I am going through this same line of thought for my dd. She has just finished her sophomore year but she skipped 8th grade so she is currently on target to graduate at 17. She took the PSAT as a sophomore this past fall. Can she wait and take it again as a junior in two years instead of this coming year or would that not be allowed? Anyone know?