So so sorry for my delay!! here you go:) https://intoxicatedonlifedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/astronomy-class.pdf

Thanks all. I am leaning towards Classical Astronomy. I even found a homeschool dad who created a syllabus. Excited!

Thank you both! BR

Hello and thanks in advance for any insights. My 14 year old has been home schooled for 6 plus years. He currently takes classes at our local churches ( 6 subjects) three days a week. In grade 9, he is taking physical science. First quarter just ended with an "A". He repeatedly keeps asking me to teach his next science course next year. He wants astronomy vs biology. This kid just doesn't have any interest in science whatsoever. He does not plan on going to college but he does want to explore vocational/trade schools. With that said, we are independent private school family in California. If he changes his mind one day to go to college, he would go to the local CC and do what he has to do from there. My question boils down to this; have any of you created your own astronomy class with a basic textbook, field trips, planetarium trips, etc for a school year? Any suggestions would be great. BR

Thank you everybody. I value all your posts. I appreciate the replies. BR

Thank you. Do you think the pricing seems competitive for the twice a week option? I am sticker shocked at the cost but this is new territory for us. Thank you for the info. BR

Hello all. I am looking at The Potters School live class for beginning Spanish. If we chose once a week, the class is $478.00 plus $30.00 material. If we chose twice a week, the class is $616.00 plus $30.00 material. For those of you who have had a student take Spanish (beginning) for high school, is once a week sufficient? I hope so because of the time change. He would have to start class at 6:45. lol Also, any reviews on TPS Spanish? It is taught by Martha Falk. Any other suggestions? I know that Ray Levin is teaching a class but it is very pricey. Thank you. BR

Thank you Kai. I see it. Appreciate the post. And for what its worth, a little blurb on Common Core regarding math. You think California has lower math standards? Check this out.. MATH STANDARDS The mathematical standards will be lowered. Algebra I education will be delayed from 8th grade to 9th grade, so it will be extremely difficult for students to take calculus prior to graduation. Ok, I am veering off subject. Thanks for all the replies on English and such!

Thank you. That is what I thought but I was not sure. We would like him to also consider trade schools. We have been very clear that he must work. That is a given. Trade school, apprentice, college. Whatever he wants but the end goal is to work and support himself. He swims ( lessons/precomp) year round and has lifeguard ambitions as a teen/young adult till he finds his way. He will get certified and apply at 15 in hopes for a part time JG job. Jobs are hard to come by here for teens. The manager at the pool was helpful in setting a course for him to work. We wouldn't mind if he looked into the Coast Guard perhaps with his lifeguard interest. But you know what will happen, I have a plan but none of it will pan out. lol What he knows he doesn't want; an inside job, engineering, science and tech stuff. He likes to read, write creative stories, physical activities. As he grows up, all subject to change. lol Thanks:)

You know, I am not sure where kiddo wants to go or if college is something he is interested in. We were hoping that he would be interested in his dads profession and could train with him ( a sea captain, tug boat caption). But he has no interest. He is only 13. lol I believe we will do the regular high school route with some concurrent/dual credit if possible. The rumor on the street is the kids are having very little classes open to them anymore. By the time he enters grade 10 to do that, it may not be an option. On one hand we are talking about dual credit and the other we are saying just do high school and focus on college separately at the community college. If you look at this link, there is a breakdown of class requirements to graduate and also enter US and CSU. http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/hsgrtable.asp And just to clarify, I was just focusing on what it took to graduate high school. I know he would benefit from doing more math, English, etc for college but let me ask you this; Let's say he doesn't do all the extra. Lets say he does the minimum to graduate high school. Then he works for a while and finds he is starving (lol) and college is the best way. So then he goes to jr college to get his AA as its local and cheaper. After he has that under his belt, do colleges even look at him? Is this just a bad idea? I guess I am saying, is it too late, too competitive? Mabelon, yes, I see what you are saying. I see the UC requirements on line. Somewhere along the line I also read here locally that UC is much stricter with home schoolers getting into their school. A lot to think about that is for sure. Thanks for helping me all. Nothing is set in stone. Just trying to look ahead. He just started 8th grade but I am a planner. lol

Yes, that is a thought for a jr college here. I am weighing it all out. I appreciate an outside voice looking in. So thank you for that. I am hoping he will surprise me and want to continue the higher level math but time will tell. Thanks again for your input.

Aww, very good. Thank you. I got it. Thank you very much for helping me clarify. While I have your ear, I wondered something. In CA, I believe high school requires 2 years of math. My 8th grader is taking Algebra 1 now. So in 9th grade, he will probably take geometry. He does math well enough but doesn't like it. Before I knew the standard, I was hoping high school math he would be done with just Algebra 1 and geometry. But now, I don;t think I can give him high school credit for 8th grade Algebra. He would have to take Alg 2 also. However, yes, we are a private school. We file the PSA. Are my feet to the fire on this? Or do I also have the flexibility of calling it good with geometry. Any input is appreciated.

Steampunk...intriguing. Is that something you created or do you use a specific curriculum. I would love to hear more of this. And yes, I hear you regarding the transcript description. This is a question if you are inclined to answer. Are these English courses to be 2 semesters? If a child finishes 9th grade Eng early, and then moves on to the next course but is still in 9th grade, do you just notate on the transcripts that they were done according to the year 9th, 10th? Not sure if I am articulating well on my question.

Thank you everybody. I dug up an reference book I have and it was said: Eng: 9th; Fund. of Lit & Comp Eng: 10th; Elements of Lit & comp Eng:11th; American Lit Eng 12th: English Lit and.. Eng. 9th; Grammar and composition Eng. 10th; Comp and Intro to Lit Eng. 11th: American Lit Eng. 12th; English Lit Interesting. This was the one area I was unsure of. Thanks:)

Hello, please ignore my ignorance, but what are English classes called? So for grade 9, 10, 11, we would select an English course but I have no idea what the names would be. Thanks in advance, C

Good question:) So what is a recommended vocab program for grade 7? :)

I may stand corrected, but I thought it was for anyone at a 5th grade writing level & up. My son is age 11.5 - he is enjoying both books thus far. However, he likes to write. :)

I see that it is, disregard:)

Is this the same free sample book on the web site? My son is enjoying that pdf book very much. Thanks

Hi all, happy 2012:001_smile: Can someone clarify what this book is? I see the free sample pdf on her web site. Is this book the same book? Thanks PS: The free pdf for Writing Skills, level 1 has been a gift. My budding writer is enjoying it.

We decided to use A Beka "God's Gift of Language" - It has a lot of bright colors and cute pictures which at first, my 10 year old son did not like. However, after using it for a bit, he seemed to get over it.lol I think so far, the lessons are easy for him to actually do a lot on his own. So that is a plus. So far so good. :) PS: he is in 5th grade level. Used all the First languages. They became too repetitive. Glad for something new.

Awesome! You can do more adult things. I know we talked about perhaps visiting the Holocaust museum - but my child would probably skip it and hang back with someone who has all ready been there. So much to do!

We are going in the spring of 2011 as well. We are flying from CA to MO and the driving to VA...spending a couple of days there and a few days in WA. My son wants to see the Iwa Jima at night. Did you try to get tickets for a white house tour? I sent my request through our local house re web site I think. That was a few weeks ago. They finally answered today - but still not sure if we get in for the self guided tour. Have fun! We are excited. :)

For my DH I bought him a leather wallet made by Dockers. I also buy him stocking stuffers with spices, kitchen gadgets. He likes to cook. He is hard to buy for. There is a new book coming out about Mark Twain that looks interesting:) The autobiography..... http://www.amazon.com/Autobiography-Mark-Twain-Vol-1/dp/0520267192/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288742716&sr=8-1 For the traveler in my family, I am buying pack cubes, ear plugs, a neck pillow. Kind of a travel pack. For the teenagers (nieces, nephews), I bought popcorn buckets and will fill them with candy and movie tickets. 10 year old son..toys, video games, clothes, xBox points, game card. FIL: A jacket and a track suit. Adidas is nice and he can wear it anywhere. My DD is 22 so I bought her a used iPod on eBay, a computer case, and beauty supply stuff (she is in beauty college). Also a keycard/Starbucks gift card, TJ Max gift card. I am still stuck on DH. I try to find vintage nautical decor for him but they are hard to come by. :)

Oh wow, thank you. A great start!