I was wondering if there is such a thing as a curriculum that has the students writing an 5 paragraph essay each week? I was thinking of doing this with my freshman next year, but why reinvent the wheel? If someone else has already come up with an actual curric for this, that's one thing off my list. I know the IEW topical books are almost one a week, but the topic books don't sound that interesting to my ds. Ideas? Thanks!!!

Dh and I were just talking about having our kids do a finance simulation like many of us old people did in high school. We did this whole semester or quarter of a simulation- We got a "job" and had to use that money to buy essentials, pay bills etc... all in a simulation. I really don't want to have to make this up on my own. Does anyone have any recommendations of a fun-isn game type simulation to give my highschoolers a wake-up about real life money responsibilities? Thanks, K

I am still using OLLY. I like the program, but the transcript page is "meh". I have a senior this year, and I will probably print out my OLLY records using the regular transcript page, but I will be looking for something more professional-looking. -K

I have come to the same conclusion that grammar really doesn't help that much. I have been doing formal grammar with my 3 oldest since 3rd grade, but I don't see my kids applying any of the concepts to their writing. My kids tend to see grammar and writing as 2 completely different subjects. My youngest is now doing more grammar in context of proofreading and writing instead of plain grammar, and I do see her writing improving. Seriously when will anyone ask a person to diagram a sentence; it's not practical. I do agree with the pp about her daughter needing grammar for languages. I, too, am a foreign language teacher, and I now am learning a 3rd language. Knowledge of grammar has helped me so much in learning new languages. For language learners, it is invaluable. -K

If anyone's kids are bored this summer, here's an idea mentioned by another poster a while ago. Prodigy math (I won't link -don't want to be accused of using the board for membership benefits) My kids call this game Poke-math. It's pretty much Pokemon with math problems. Kids have to "fight" monsters by beating them in a math problem. The math is not just easy stuff, but lots of different kinds of problems. Parents can see progress on the parent page and you can assign specific kinds of problems that you know your kid has issues with. Its more motivating than just 15 problems on a math worksheet. We are doing it for the summer only (probably). It's 8.99 a month or 54.99 for the year per kid. It could be expensive, but just for the summer, it's not bad. And so far for us, it's been worth it. Just an FYI. Hope it's helpful for someone :) -K

Thanks so much for all great responses! I not trying to be dishonest about anything, I am just trying to figure out how to help ds fix this grade. HIs class was from a non-credited, overseas school. He struggled with the math part big-time and that is pretty much why his grade was low. I am leaning toward some kind of credit recovery class for at least the second semester of physics. What does a credit recovery class look like in transcripts? If he was going to a public school and took a summer school class to improve a grade, how would that look on his transcripts? A second class with a grade, or a changed original grade? or something else? Thanks! -K

I am looking in to this for next year for some extra courses, like econ or government. Has anyone had any experience with these classes? How about Acellus? I am looking for cheaper online classes that are decent and these 2 have come up as possibilities. Would love any input. Thanks! K

I have seen this online program listed in a couple posts. It looks interesting, and the price is reasonable. Any reviews from actual users? Thanks, K

Ok, my ds tried, but it just didn't click. He just finished physics from an outside source and got a D+. Not awesome and probably not going to help a grade point. He has taken all the other Apologia science for high school and technically our state doesn't require physics for college. Has anyone just left off a bad grade from the grade point? and what about using the 8th grade science grade course as a high school credit? Or, I guess another option is doing a semester or summer of make up Physics to add to his course list, then this better grade can help average out the grade point. -Thanks for any info, K

We were buying furniture a few years ago and the salesman was trying to make conversation with my dh. salesman: What nationality are you? dh: Guatemalan salesman: Oh, my wife is from the Philippines and you have a similar look. Guatemala is like really close to the Philippines, so that makes sense. dh: ummmmmmm- yeah. :lol: :lol: :svengo: :svengo: :svengo: :svengo:

does anyone have a recommendation for ACT test prep--an online prep program? My junior in high school just took the test and definitely needs to improve. I was thinking about the Kaplan one on Homeschool buyers coop, but didn't know if it is useful or not. Suggestions welcome , THANK YOU! k

My ds 16 has no idea what he wants to do as a career in the future. None. He is a junior and does have some time, but most of his friends at least have interests, many have already chosen a major. Ds has no real interests and to be honest, school is hard for him and no subject seems like "the one". We live overseas and don't have a lot of contact with people in normal careers. What's out there for interest inventories, career choosing classes, or career info? Thanks! K

I am SUPER frustrated with Olly and was wondering if there were any other programs that are not online like Olly for homeschool planning. I have bought a new computer and have been asking for a year for them to send me a new license to put Olly on it. I finally just got it, but found out I need to use dropbox to sync it and that isn't working. There are so many glitchy things about Olly that never get updated that I am getting tired of. I don't like the whole pay monthly thing on all the other programs, but maybe I will have to go that route if I want something that actually works. Any suggestions? Thanks K

Wow! I hadn't heard of that one. I think it might be the winner. I love that I don't have to teach it, but I can still do the activities with her to be sure she's getting it. It's one year access and thats all I need . Thanks for the suggestion! K

I have curriculum ADD. I admit it. My last child should be doing the same material that all the others have done, but I need something different. She has done some topical years in the past, and 6th grade will be the ellen McHenry chem. So, this year, 5th grade, I would like to do a year of general science. I have been looking at different options but I am underwhelmed. I need something easy for me to implement and not too expensive as I won't be using this more than once. I am open to any options. We have used Christian things before, but it really doesn't matter right now. Thanks for any suggestions, K

What is the multi-child discount? thanks, K

I have been using MUS for my kids for years. I have switched to a different program for high school and am thinking about doing TT for my precalculus son next year. So I was noticing that TT has a pre-algebra program as well. Has anyone switched from MUS to TT for pre-algebra? My son potentially has discalculia or at least has major math struggles. I have not been terribly impressed with MUS in the upper grades and am thinking about switching to a different program at pre-algebra. Any input? Thanks K

Ok, so we are finishing Glenoce Algebra 2 right now and I am finding it W.A.Y. more than I want to teach. I have to go check youtube constantly. I feel like I have learned far more than he has. My ds isn't math-y. He actually despises it. I am looking for another way to teach precalc next year. An online option would be great. Or something with very clear videos. Any ideas? Thanks, K

I also used to be a Philly library member but the price jump was annoying and they cut the amount of books checked out at a time to 6, I think. I joined the Brooklyn library instead. It is still pricey (maybe $50), but their selection is huge and you can check out 10 books at a time. We have been very happy with it. Oh, also, they do take credit cards, so you can do the registration completely online, great for overseas people. (the Philly one had to be snail mailed) -K

Wow! so glad everything is going so well! Hospitals in foreign countries are so different. My dad was in one in China and my poor mother had to change his bedpans and do everything for him, too. She really got the real cultural experience. Although super hard to be somewhere you can't speak the language or understand the culture, they also experienced the generosity and kindness of so many complete strangers--huge blessing. Have a god night's sleep in your own beds :) -K

My dd9 says it's a terrible book. "No one should read this sad stuff!!" She says she will never make her children read it. :) I have raised 3 boys who read anything, and everything. Nothing affects them. But dd is on my bed weeping in a puddle of tears over Charlotte's Web. This is new for me. I guess we will not even think about Old Yeller or Where the Red Fern Grows. Girls are so different. Off to find nice happy animal book to make up for this one. -K

I was wondering what other overseas Americans have done for dual enrollment. My ds is a sophomore this year and I was thinking about dual enrollment options for him for next year. Is there a list of online schools that the hive would recommend? Has anyone done any community college online classes overseas? I don't know if that 's even possible. This is my first high-schooler, so I am new at this, and any information would be appreciated. Thanks, K

Thanks, I know that switching MUS upper math has not made this any easier for ds. I am thinking I will take this class how it comes. If it takes us longer because we will be filling in some gaps from Al 1 and Geo, than so be it. If I need to count Algebra 1 as a class included on High school that sounds like an option. I really agree that I should make sure he has fundamentals before moving too quickly. Thanks again, K

My ds loathes math. And, frankly, he stinks at it. He would much rather write a paper than spend 2 hours trying to figure out matrix problems in Algebra 2. He tried doing a local school Algebra 2 program this year, but was too frustrated with the pace, so we are using the same book, just at home. I am finding that he really isn't getting this stuff. My question for all you btdt types is: How much will I ruin him if he ends up taking 2 years to complete Algebra 2? (Sophomore and Junior yrs) What have other people done for their non-stem field kids for a math plan in high school? Thanks! K

I will second a bunch of already mentioned games: Dix It -is fun and can be played by multiple players and is different every time you play Ticket to Ride -can be played with cut-throat strategy or by your average, non-competitive 8 yr old. Just a fun game Scottland Yard -fun, definitely strategy, but not like Settlers, and it is somewhat cooperative Pass the Pigs - super game for sitting waiting at restaurants or appointments, a little like Farkle which is also fun. We also like In a Pickle. It's more like Apples to Apples in that it's a word game, but different. -K