I actually don't know if it is accredited. Maybe I'm being naive...we are still in our research component deciding on a program. Our M.O. is to mash programs together as we need...I've not outsourced before... I do understand about not labeling a transcript AP unless college board accredited, but it is easy to throw the "name" around, so you are absolutely right to point that out. There was a time I *didn't* know that. Thanks, Dicentra.

As a mom to another dd15, you have my absolute commiseration. It is very hard to fit in at the best of times, so this must be very difficult for her...big higs... :grouphug: A couple things my daughter uses... Comparing herself to a foreign student. Not unlike picturing people naked while publically speaking, it is a tool that puts her in a mindset of, would a student from Japan be in this conversation? Holland? Would it bother them not to understand or speak that way? If not, then let it blow over my head. We refer to "middle school" thought/actions a lot. It is just a code for us. Even not been in middle school, she recognizes "middle school drama" (don't we even see it in our adult lives as well?) and calls it that. That includes boy talk, bad manners, you name it. Finally, we talk a lot about how people act. She has been shocked that people don't act as she thinks they ought to. I want her to reserve judgement. We talk about situations, and it usually comes down to: People don't do what you think they should or act the way you think they should. They just don't--that's the real world. BUT, when they do, those are the ones you should seek out as friends. I encourage her to keep an open posture and body language--smile--maybe when they are all done busy impressing each other with their shallowness, she'll find some are actually interested in some similar things. There is also a quote, I believe African in origin...that one is only as happy as one's most miserable child. Hugs to you too. I hope today is better for her, and you.

I just KNEW you guys would straighten me out. Great thinking here. It takes a village, right? Thanks for the responses! Emphasis in the quotes is mine... 8Filltheheart, those are all excellent questions. I'm fairly confident in her ability to handle the course, but that is a really good reminder to make sure I have the exact right fit of a course for her, and to maybe do some intro work this summer. at the beach, MANY good points here. She is more excited about chem than physics as she became acutely aware how much chem there is in biology with her intro bio last year. I'm trying to follow her lead, and that is why we are doing the chem--I will definitely keep the physics in mind though. I've bolded the things that I was forehead slapping myself. Thanks for straightening my thoughts out there...I know SHE thinks she can do multiple tests (AP), but I know for a fact for even her, that would be too much of a stretch, particularly that time of year. In fact, you've reminded me that the whole AP discussion is her doing...I had figured on sat subject tests where warranted...and maybe one AP test, probably bio. Most years the summer chem idea would totally work for us, but she will be dancing all day most of the summer, so her brain will be pretty kaput--too much this year. And Jen, thanks for lots of good thinking here...yes, it sounds like it would be dumb to wait a year for the exam...that would NOT maximize results...I guess I was stuck in the "well, if she did the work, why not take the exam" conundrum. I remember taking multiple APs, but mine were not in the sciences, and I think ya'all are right--why all that unnecessary pain. I like the idea of seeing where we are after a semester or so. She could be struggling--that answers the question right there. Or, she could be thriving (I've had that happen with challenge with her), and we can decide then what to do. I'll look into the college boards--thanks for that advice... And the junior year battery of tests is a highly motivating factor for us. This year she took the world history sat subject test for that exact reason (get one out of the way). I would like to see the tests spread out more, and tests that happen in the spring (AP in particular) happen during our heaviest schedule (dance performances), so thanks for that reminder. So, what I pull from this going forward... -I will try and find out what Thinkwell (if that is what we go with) plans to do to address changes in the AP test. -We will plan on studying the Holt chem over the summer to get prepared for the fall curriculum...at least I will raise that weather balloon for her and see if she is game. -I will keep an eye on the college board updates to align if necessary for the test, but also keep an eye on whether she is thriving or struggling in the subject matter. We will decide at registration time for the AP where we are, and no harm done if she doesn't take the test, (but not plan on taking it the following year). I would like her to take at least the SAT subject test, however. -Then plan on APBio the following year, with test and all. Sounds like a plan! Now to present my findings to the board...err, I mean student. :thumbup1:

Now that I'm getting my legs back for planning, and have gotten some feedback from dd, I'm hoping somebody can look at my logic, and back me up or straighten me out. The essentials: dd15, starting 10th in fall, math/science inclined, self-motivated, avid test-taker, has finished Alg1/Alg2/Geom. Took run of the mill biology (Holt) this year with no labs (did a microbiology workshop the year before, so she felt the labs were unnecessary). Did I mention she is opinionated? Maybe I'll mention that at this point. She really enjoys biology and at this point feels that is the science she is leaning toward and will take a second time. She would like to take AP Chem this fall. Her math and logic is very strong. We are leaning toward Thinkwell at this point in the summer. I understand the AP Chem test is changing this year from some of the posts on the forum... I think she just likes the "idea" of it being an AP class...I'm thinking NOT to take the test in the spring, but maybe take the sat subject test. She mentioned maybe cramming next spring for the AP test a year after actually taking the course. I can't imagine, but she's crammed entire textbooks before and has fabulous retention (not from my genes I can tell you!). Her point being by then the new AP test will have been test-driven by others, and there may be test prep books geared to the new test. So question one: is that just asking for misery, or does it make sense? My logic is that if she wants the name "AP," then fine. If she wants to take the test, okay, but let's plan to do it the year after? Or is that just going to look wacko on a transcript? Part two: After the AP Chem, I was thinking she should then do AP Bio (her junior year). That way, she can do the AP test or sat subject test spring her junior year, and assuming she did well, her interest areas would be very clear and documented on her transcript by the time senior year we are college-shopping. So question two: that is not a normal science sequence from my limited experience (bio/APChem/APBio/other), so is that really odd, or does it make sense to more science-inclined folk? Thank you for any and all feedback!

I think this is the most validating thing anyone has ever said to me. It was like the perfect performance review right when you are ready to quit. Everyone should hear this said personally if they are teaching high schoolers whether they be homeschoolers, afterschoolers, outsourcing, insourcing, or just trying to better the character of the next generation. Thank you, Sarah, for sharing these thoughts...you have righted my boat, and put wind in my sails. :grouphug: Group hug for all moms.

I believe you are dead on here. My hesitation to outsource is to be tied to other's timetables. We have a weird ebb and flow with our schooling (very intensely for a month or two, then huge breaks) due to dd's dancing. Perhaps that just takes more research on my part to find an outsource possibility that would work with. Thanks for mentioning it.

Bold one: Brilliant! Hmmmm, wonder if I could pitch my huge tent in the backyard, put all my books and things in it, sort through my resources AND camp at the same time? I wonder if they would miss me? :laugh: Bold two: This reminds me of when mine were younger, and I planned a "flow" for the day, rather than certain times. Makes sense to be flexible with the older ones as well. Bold three: Bwhwahahahaha. Thank you ladies for making me feel less crazy. I can only imagine this gets harder each year (high school, I mean), not easier. If I'm ready for the looney bin now, I don't have much hope. Thank you for the voice of experience and reason. I have found some more threads on the board (particularly the chemistry thread) that are calming my fears...I am NOT reinventing the wheel....others HAVE successfully trodden this path....and I CAN DO THIS. (There, was that convincing? I tried... :rolleyes: )

You guys are really helping me think this through...thanks for that. I do have the general blocks worked out...I used the UCalif admissions minimums as our minimums, and are working around that framework...it is the specifics bugging my eyes out. So in thinking in the conversations in my heads with you ladies (thanks again!) I think I have stumbled across what my main paralyzing point is........... DD has outgrown me. I am now out of my depth. No wonder I don't know where to start. I started with full confidence that my education and background could get us through high school, but that was when we were using TOG, and felt confident in my liberal arts to get her where she wanted to go. I was really enjoying the planning and collecting, and discussions. After all my careful TOG planning, she very clearly pointed out what I had been too obtuse to recognize.... she is a math and science kid. Why was she spending so much time at history and literature when we had been doing it *all along.* (her emphasis) I realized if I kept going, she was going to resent assignments, so we waaayyyyy backed down on the history/english/literature, and she happily ensconced herself in her math and science books. She agreed to finish a world history course on her own and take the sat subject test so that we could put history to rest for her (we plan to do the same for us history this next year, but I want to see the subject test results first). That leaves me planning her math and science but still needing to round out her english/writing skills with her "buy in." It could be time to outsource, but my gut says, not yet. Wow. Okay, self-realization moment there. That's what's happened. I sat down to start mulling and planning like I do every year, but had to research and plan science and math, and then found out about coursera, and then went OMG what else have I missed! And started panicking, and reading threads about all sorts of other new things that I was blissfully unaware of, because I was happy on my own TOG-concentrated trail....and got absolutely overloaded.... I recently stumbled on Aops math (she is thrilled), she started looking at the coursera classes, and was like "Oh, I wish I'd known about this one! And look they don't have that one anymore!" and I'm like eeegads, I have to LEARN THE ENTIRE INTERNET! :svengo: Well, I feel like I've been in a therapy session and had a breakthrough. Thanks, all...I need to reframe my thoughts, and I will also as suggested (bold) read some what are you doing for x threads... Climbing off the roof........ ;) yoyoma

Pastel, the commiserating was like a beacon of light to me. Thanks. Maybe I really am just missing a little connection with other homeschoolers, and when I got back online to dip my toe in I got overwhelmed by all the things. Thank you for replying--sounds like our heads have been in the same space at times. Susan, I totally respect this decision for you and your son--and love your handling of the transition! Mental reframing, indeed. What a great expression. I have clipped your post to remind myself if we did find ourselves matriculating, how I would wish to reframe it for myself, as well. Thanks for sharing that. first bold: Loved this comparison for curricula. Thanks, OhElizabeth, for a good chuckle. second bold: A very valid question. I don't think I'm doing all the heavy lifting. She has definite goals and is helping map out her progression to those goals. I have outsourced the transcript and application process, and so she will be directly involved with the crafting of that plan with those people. At least that has eased some of the burden of worry (it was also at DH's insistence when we decided to homeschool through high school). It is still in my court to get there though, and DD helps a lot, but depends on me to know what will get her to her goals. third bold: This is a possibility, but this was not a troublesome semester...in fact, except for studying for an sat subject test, we have taken off most of May...that's why I'm having trouble figuring out where my head is. Re: lesson planning in advance, this is absolutely solid advice. I agree wholly, and you are right to bring it up. I'm struggling with even the loose plans though...and as I'm typing it out, I'm thinking maybe part of my brain freeze is also still the transition to high school, with narrowing interests down from everything we want to taste on the menu, to just a few dishes...but still not wanting to leave anything out. fourth bold: THIS. My plans need to be a bit different. This is where I am. Not sure how to proceed from that...I guess more mulling on "how to plan" than I'm used to. I'd like a plan to go forward like, week one: cruise blogs and boards for what is current curricula and college application-wise, week two: organize clippings and bookmarks, week three: narrow down subject choices and organize resources on those subjects, week four: order specifics as needed (or enroll).......just babbling--not thinking hard about this, but that's maybe what I need to do for the first time is have a gameplan for sifting information for planning before planning (boy that gets a bad writing award LOL) last bold: A great idea, and totally made me smile. Thanks.

Looking for other BTDT moms. Really wondering if anyone else has had this kind of homeschooling moment, and the steps they took out of it. ALWAYS, this time of year, I'm so excited to think plans, and start thinking about the framework for the next academic year. This year, I am so thoroughly overwhelmed, that for the first time EVER, I'm not enjoying my usual "time to mull"-- I really don't think this is burnout...I genuinely WANT to plan...otherwise, I promise to go back and read all the "avoid burnout" threads on the board :-D The necessary background for point of reference: we've always homeschooled, and I have a 15yo just finished first year high school daughter, a 12yo just finished 6th son, and a just-turned 4yo tagalong daughter. We use a very eclectic student-led style that I cover over a framework that resembles a classic and CM education. I *think* that my problem is: a) I pulled back from online support boards/chats a couple years ago (trying to avoid "comparison burnout), and in doing so have lost touch with all these new curricula, free online classes, and other amazing things that have evolved in the last couple years...and have anxiety that I am not considering the best tools in my planning and bb) have so many accumulated materials now that I'm not sure I even know what I have, or what is best and c) the spectre of college for my dd15 immobilizes my planning as my brain freaks out continually and d) maybe enough "dud plans" by now, that I know that even if I plan something out, we may not use the work, even though I *do* know by now that what didn't work with DC#1, might be perfect for DC#2, so the work is never really "lost" and e) just overwhelmed by it all...I remember when the Rainbow Resource catalog came in the mail, and it didn't cross my mind to use it as a booster seat. There were no google ebooks covering every topic we could desire...let alone the blogs, pinterest...I digress I could wing it....but I'd really rather not. Life is much better for my middle son, when there is a roadmap and plans for him. My eldest thrives on self-study, but she needs proper accountability as well or she spins in place... I'm sure the best advice will be think simply...I'm a fan of mindmaps...and lots and lots of post it notes for tinkering with sequence ideas...but I feel like this is the first time that it is all...too...much...I don't even know where to start anymore. Thanks for anyone who has read this far :-) and has any advice to share. yoyoma