7sisters is great!

Well, the books have been covered by everyone here-I've used them all as I have a son who loves the periodic table. But, just wanted to mention the website periodicvideos.com. It's some british university scientists who take each element and show you what it does (explode, change color, etc). They're pretty short, and you choose them by clicking on the periodic table. Very cool!

I've looked at the samples on their website, but am glad you asked. Following....

Comics off of gocomics.com (garfield, baby blues, fox trot, etc) Ballpark mysteries series (yep, too young for him, but older mysteries are too climactic/scary/realistic)

I wonder if it might have been a student worker whose job is to reply to these inquiries from a students perspective (and obviously, they probalby don't have the same manners under their belt as a seasoned, experienced adult). I would do as cintinative suggested and email them back explaining the entire situation-that your daughter is x years old and not ready to be interviewing colleges yet, but as her advisor, you need this info to direct her in class planning. In fact, since that email address might not get you to the person you need, I would see if there's a staff directory and see if you can find an admissions counselor to email. (Usually, there are emails listed) And also explain about needing it in writing so you can refer to it as you guide and plan. They shouldn't have any problem with that, I think doing a web form sent it to a specific area of the college that isn't used to answering these types of questions, so try another area. Keep us updated. 🙂

going into 8th grade What are your suggestions for a video based or online self-paced (but NOT live!) science curriculum. (He likes what his older brother is doing in chemexplained, but is definately not ready for that yet). It doesn't matter christian or secular as long as it's not preachy. Would like to have very little reading of either online stuff or textbook-I'd love it to be a page or so-maybe like a printout, but that's my unicorn. I know of science shepherd, but most have an accompanying textbook-so no. I've also looked into journey homeschool (can't put my finger on what isn't right for us there), and science.mom (too young). Is there anything else out there I can look into before I create and organize my own path? Thanks!

I have used both. We are currently almost done with the MLA one (did APA last year). The APA one was great. Written to the student, definately step by do-able step. The MLA one is also great. The MLA one isn't written for daily work. It gives you info and a task, and each chapter is a different part of the process. There is a couple of suggested timeframes at the front, So, I've had to give a timeframe of how long to work each day rather than what to complete in the guide each day. They are both good. And teach well how to write the paper without doing all sorts of supurfulous exercises. It's short, sweet and to the point while being thorough and explained well. I learned the difference between MLA and APA myself for the first time. Hope this helps, let me know if other questions arise.

Thank you for this. I was thinking the latter, but that's just me trying to increase exposure, which, you're right, is probably decreasing quality and enjoyment. Thanks! Thank you, I had lost sight of the "point"! You are correct: enjoy is much more important than covering as much as possible. Thank you!!! Thank you all for getting me back on track. I lost myself when reading through Easy Peasy's British Literature where they read a few books and just read summaries of many others. Thanks!

I'm creating a British Literature class for my 11th grader for next year (to go with British History). However, there are SOOOO many good books to be used, I'm exploring the idea to have a few main reads and then read just the plot summaries for a bunch of others. I know about the website Sparknotes, but wondering if there is another website that is good or better? Thanks!

Lifeprint has a lesson plan somewhere. Found it! At the homepage, up in the upper right corner it says ASLU and below ASL lessons. Click on "ASL Lessons" and see if that's what you're looking for.

7sistershomeschool.com has writing "units" (or bunches of units bundled together) that cover the basics: essay (general, persuasive, compare/contrast, lit analysis etc), creative writing, poetry, MLA research, APA research, and tohers that I haven't done yet. They are written to the student and are step by step but thorough. Including citations and planning. It's a digital download, so you'd have to print. Great approach!

I've been researching British History curriculum and haven't found much. The ones I did find I don't care for, so I'm going to try to make my own. I don't want an online class, though would consider self-paced, but definately not live (that doesn't work for us). I'm looking for spine books, youtube channels/playlists, DVD's, or other books that I can put together to create a credit's worth of input (reading & watching) & output (TBD). I'd like to do a quick overview of ancient and more in depth of modern eras. Also Scotland and Wales, as it's currently part of the UK. Any suggestions from the Hive? Thanks!

I just started panicing planning also! (creative and apt title you have there!!!) So far I've got: Math: Pre-Calculus-Mr D Science: Guest Hollow Physics History: British History-mom designed since I can't find anything I like already put together ELA: Literature-Probably British Lit & Poetry and 7sisters writing units(essays, research papers, etc) French: The ULAT picking up where he leaves off Psychology 1/2 credit: 7sisters Career Exploration 1/2 credit: 7sisters PE: tracking hours of physical activity 1/2 credit

We are doing Joy Hakim's Concise A History of US (4 volumes instead of 10). I have him read, then at the end of the week (or daily if you need to check in more often) tell me 3 interesting things they read about and 3 events that happened in that weeks readings.

Sheep in a Jeep is one I love! by Nancy Shaw

So, a few years ago, I got my boys the Littlebits Star Wars Droid Robot Kit to supplement our science. It's basically, where you build the robot with electronics and then use an app on your phone to move it (well, actually, the buiding instructions are on the phone also). Basically, a STEM supplement. However, in the past year or so, the compnay Sphero has bought them out, discontinued the product and do not support the app. Therefore, the $100 kit is basically useless. Super disappointed with them, especially since Sphero has an education push with other robots and stuff for STEM. Their products seem good, but their customer service basically said "too bad, so sad" that their warranty doesn't cover anything not bought through them. Oof. I'm pretty sure I can't do anything to make them care that my product is useless and money wasted. But does anyone have any ideas on how to salvage the components to be useful? Probably not, but thought I'd try...

My 7th grader is completing the book by Critical Thinking Company "Balance Math Teaches Algebra". Basically, it's shapes on a balance scale and you have to find the algebraic equation. For instance, 1 hexagon and 3 circles balances with 180 + 1 hexagon AND 3 squares balances with 2 circles AND a triangle (half a square) balances with ?. You have to find the ?. My 10th grader, who is currently beginning Mr D's Algebra 2, fondly remembers doing those and is asking for some. However, there is only the one book at the CTC, which he's already completed and is a tad below his level now. Does anyone know of any fun algebra puzzles I can check into for this interest? Thanks! ETA: Looking for a quick, fun supplement not a whole curriculum, just to clear up any confusion.

Yep, I would do exactly this!

In my experience, the Real Science 4 Kids subject books are below the grade level they say. I think that 7th grade is the upper end of their age span. (I used it with 3rd and 6th graders and it was ok.) And he's right-they are childish but in design-not content. I know they are expensive, but if you can, I really would go with something different for him. I'll let others recommend what specifically might work, though, as I have no suggestions. As to History, I'll let others suggest on this.

So, my young high schooler and apparently, his middle school brother as well, tell me they don't see the importance of doing literature for school since they read books on their own time. (BTW most of the books they choose to read on their own are either below their reading levels or just plain "brain candy".) So, I'm trying to figure out how to explain to them both the difference between books and literature, as well as why studying literature is important (so far, we haven't delved to deeply into any books as their maturity for that isn't there yet). For instance, they do not even understand the concept of an author writing for anything other than telling someone a good story, or reading to learn about other cultures (though they definately do). Does anyone have any articles or books that might give me short, basic reasons I could share with them for why I'm torturing them by making them read some classics? Or do you think just digging a little deeper into the books would help them experience it on their own-though it would still be nice to share why studying literature is beneficial in general. Thanks!

My 9th grader had troubles with the punctuation part of his standardized test this year. So, I'm looking for a workbook that will help him practice that. He's great on grammar, and has even had the punctuation rules multiple times, but needs practice editing or using them. I've looked into books like Eats, Shoots, Leaves and Have you Eaten Grandma, and they make learning punctuation fun, but he needs to learn and then practice it. I suppose I could make my own, but it would be a lot easier if there was something out there. Everything I find has Grammar AND punctuation, and usually not divided up enough that I can just do the parts that are needed. So, I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me to look into. Thanks!

Some that come to mind that we've done (that aren't in the historical genre as there are lots above) are: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library Walls Within Walls by Sherry

I'm working on my 7th graders literature for next year, and thought it might be nice to do some faster reads with longer, meaningful picture books. I've seen a few blog posts about teaching the literary devices or something via picture books but can't seem to find them again. What do you know of that is for middle school age, but uses picture books to teach literature? Preferably a unit or two type of thing, but I would look at a whole years' worth if it's out there and pull what I want. Either how to teach literature with picture books, or just a list of good literature picture books would work also. Thanks!

I would go with games where the easier levels are learning and they get harder. These are all solitaire games: Colorku anything by age from smartgames.eu, especially Walls & Warriors, Penguins on Ice, thinkfun logic games (https://www.thinkfun.com/products/type/logic-games/) Especially Gravity Maze, Laser Maze, marble circuit mindware's logic links booklets (Level C or D) IQ set of games-We like IQ Twist and IQ candy solitaire chess Or Multi Person Games such as Set or Swish.

Agree, we have enjoyed balance benders and Mind Benders. Also the Balance Math & Balance Algebra subseries of Balance Beners. The Building Thinking Skills book is good, not great-not as fun and game-y as the others. You can sign up on their website for a "Free Puzzle Every Week". After a month or so, you have a pretty good idea of some of the types. And, if you want to spend even more money 😄 there are some great games out there for critical thinking: colorku, anything by age from smartgames.eu, thinkfun logic games (https://www.thinkfun.com/products/type/logic-games/), marble circuit, mindware's logic links booklets;