My ds will be in 9th grade next year. I've been planning on him doing Biology and have been reading all of the posts to get some insight on the different things available for biology. Well, just minutes ago, I talked with someone from the oversight/umbrella program that I joined for next year and found out that they required general or earth science for 9th graders. So....I have to reconfigure our high school science plans and find a general or earth science for him. Any suggestions for a college bound, average to slightly above average child whose mom doesn't want to teach this subject? He's not a science kid although he thoroughly enjoys it (he opted to finish science last year after we decided to end our year). He's wants to major in music when he goes to college, so no scientist here. I want something that is thorough, but not too rigorous. I need something he can do himself with little help from me. Really, I just want to make sure he's doing his work, reinforce if needed, grade tests, and provide supplemental work/opportunities when available. I want to give him the opportunity to become more independent and responsible. I want to teach him how to schedule and manage his assignments. Oh, I also need something with doable labs (all sciences must have lab work). All suggestions are welcome......and needed :confused1: Val

Yes, April. You have helped. Minutes ago I found out that the oversight/umbrella program we joined for next year requires General or Earth science for 9th grade. Now I have to revamp and look for a good General or Earth science. Any suggestions for a college bound, slightly (and I mean "slightly) above average (could do much better if he put forth some effort), artsy, music minded child with a mom who doesn't want to teach the subject herself? I need something that is student driven with little help from mom. Val

Are these two biology courses designed to be taught by a parent or are they student driven? I'm looking for a high school bio course where the learning is student driven. Val

I am so relieved to find out that I don't have to follow the state or county guidelines. Since we are a military family, my dh is still active duty, and my son wants to go to college near home, we are having a hard time choosing colleges at this time. We may not be in MD when ds graduates. We've looked a some of the college requirements in MD. We are also looking in TX, as that is where we started our journey. Anyway, I really appreciate the help. Val

I guess I stated it the wrong way. When I researched graduation requirements for my county (Charles), I found that Physical Science was a requirement for graduation. Under Option 1 of MD home schooling it states, "Must provide regular, thorough instruction in the same subjects as the public schools including English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education." Am I wrong in assuming that this means that you must take the same course that the high schoolers do? Am I good as long as I teach a high school science? Right now, we get our reviews through the ps, but we've enrolled in an umbrella program for next year. Val

My ds will be in the 9th grade next year. He is currently doing Apologia Physical Science. In Maryland, Physical Science must be one of the sciences they take during hs. I was planning on starting Biology in 9th grade, but I'm now considering doing Physical Science again (with a different text) since it is required in MD. Should I do Biology in 9th and then go back to a Physical Science in 10th? Should I repeat Physical Science next year? I'd like to use something other than Apologia. Can anyone recommend a thorough AND fun Physical Science curriculum for a 9th grader? Something that is student driven....I don't want to have to teach ds science since he's been self educating in this area already. Val

Pam, I feel your pain. I agree that you should take a few days off to "refresh". That always helps me. Just a few months ago, I was considering putting my ds in PS next year because I was so stressed about what I was able to give him as a home schooling mom. I've since taken some time off and was able to get back to my senses. Faithe, I needed that post. It's 9:28 AM here and my dc are still asleep. Yesterday, they didn't do school, they went to work with dh. I guess I can count that a lesson.? Val in MD

I would say that I prefer Abeka. I've used Abeka for my children, but decided this year to use BJUP for my 8th grader. We both hated it and ended up ditching it and going back to Abeka. What a waste of money. It may have been that we were more familiar with Abeka's layout and the rhythm of the lessons. I can't say that Abeka is the BEST program. I'm just saying that it worked for us better than BJUP. Abeka AND BJUP are very work intensive. I don't like the writing instruction in either program. To be honest, we are looking for something other than both Abeka and BJUP for next year's grammar.

and also agree that they will send your child running. My dc joke that the children in the Abeka videos are like robots. The children are taught and expected to answer a cetain way, they yell, they speed through answers, etc. My ds and dd were not as quick at answering as the children in the class and they got lost and frustrated. I have used K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade DVDs. I've sworn off Abeka DVDs and as my dc progress in grades, we wean off all Abeka.....except for grammar.

this is just the information I needed. I will stretch it over 2 years and assign 1/2 credit each year.

I think I've decided to use Total Health HS for my ds who will begin 9th grade next year. We used Total Health middle school during the 7th and 8th grades. I'm wondering if those of you who use Total Health HS, do you finish it in one year or stretch it out over several years? If I can make it last for two years, that will keep me from having to buy a new health text each year.

as we have done Abeka grammar for the past 8 years. My ds is going into the 9th grade and I'd like NOT to keep doing grammar....especially Abeka grammar.

My son and I really liked TT. We switched to VT because we had concerns about TT being "enough". VT is much better when speaking of content. However.....I don't like VT. My son is ok with it. There is NO review between concepts. Because of this, we've gone to the website and printed off the extra practice problems. When we got stuck we would call for assistance. There is never anyone available right away. When someone did call me back (they did so within a couple of hours), he didn't sound thrilled. He also informed me that the extra practice problems are not designed to be extra practice; they are considerably harder and designed to challenge students who need a challenge. Okay, well, extra practice means extra practice to me. They do teach the why of things, but I'm the type of person that works better with formulas. My son does alright with it, but we often get stuck and have to muddle through. With that said, I would say that it is a very good program if it fits with you and your dc. Val

After doing Abeka grammar every year for the past 5 years, my 14 y/o ds and I are ready to do some grammar lite. Don't get me wrong, I think Abeka grammar is very comprehensive. But...we are sooo ready for a grammar break. Hence, grammar lite. Really, is there any new grammar to learn after 8th grade? In the English department, we are planning grammar, composition, and fundamentals of literature (I don't want to do full-on Am. Lit or Eng. Lit in 9th grade). More specifically, a semester of grammar & composition, and a semester of fundamentals of literature. I am looking for recommendations for a 9th grade grammar program that will give my son a well-deserved break without causing him to lose any of what he's learned thus far. I am up for any suggestions on a grammar program OR 9th grade scheduling, as this will be my first year HS high school. Thanks in advance, Val (in Southern MD)

What are LL and LLATL? Val

We switched from Teaching Textbooks Prealgebra to Video Text Algebra I. VT is much more comprehensive, but at times it is hard to follow. As a matter of fact, we are stuck at motion problems right now. I get it, but my ds does not. I am not a mathy person, so the problem may be with me. I can't say that I'm totally in love with VT. I'm debating changing for Algebra II. It's a good program. Their method of teaching doesn't doesn't quite jive with me or my ds. It probably is us, not VT.

test conditions. How do you do that? I mean, how do you go about getting the SAT test to administer at home? Val

I would like to get a copy also. bstkdz@comcast.net Thanks, Val

This thread is giving me a serious headache.....from stress and anxiety, that is. I also have an ds going into hs next year. I'm very stressed about it. I feel unprepared and unqualified to make the decisions about curriculum. I've read HomeSchooling High School by Dennis and TWTM and STILL feel lost. I've decided that I will outsource for several classes. I'm researching local co-ops and some cc courses. I know NOTHING about when I should have him take SATs/ACTs. I know nothing about what is enough work and what is too much work? DS is college-bound. He wants to major in music. He's a slightly above average young man who could do so much better if he'd put forth some effort. He's not motivated and is very short sighted. His lack of motivation makes it hard for me to plan his high school years. I know that I want to give him a college prep hs education, but get stuck at the "which subjects" part. Anyway, I'm finding this thread quite helpful AND anxiety provoking. :willy_nilly: So for now, I'm going to keep reading, reseaching, and gleaning information from you wonderful ladies. Val

I've been looking into it further and have found many youth orchestras in or around MD. The bummer to that is that the child has to audition and most of them are for extremely talented or gifted musicians. DS still has a bit to go before he can be labeled " extremely talented or gifted". DS has been taking private lessons for trumpet for the past 2 years and took private piano lessons for 5 years prior to that. I've also looked into several co-ops in our area and have decided to go that route for accountability for his high school years. I'm still researching and going over my options. Val

I sit here with tear-filled eyes thinking how wonderful you all are. I needed this support, advice, and encouragement. I don't get to visit the site daily, but when I do, someone has always written something that I needed to read. I appreciate the diversity of everyone's experiences. Thank you. I am in Maryland. As far as I know, we aren't allowed to take any ps classes while home schooling. I don't know what's available (as far as music opportunities) to us here. We just moved here about two years ago and that's when my son fell in love with jazz music and trumpet playing (he also plays piano and has done so since he was 7). I presume that I should get on the ball and research what our options are before making the decision. There is a private school here that will allow home schoolers to take up to two classes at their school IF they enroll in their umbrella program. Not sure I want to enroll in an umbrella program. FloridaLisa - Yes, it is burn-out time for me and I needed the encouragement. I DO need to take time for myself. My hubby and I discussed things this weekend and he offered me to go spend a weekend wherever I wanted. I declined because I'm most happy and comfortable when I'm with my family. Maybe I should take him up on it. As far as things go right now, I have NOT decided to put my ds in ps. I'm leaning more toward some online and co-op classes for next year. He does not want to go to ps. Heck, he doesn't even want to take co-op classes. I also have to strap up and make him more responsible and do some additional teaching in study skills. I'm reading a book that someone here suggested about study skills. I'm waiting on the DVD series that someone else suggested. Thank you again for everything. Val

All I can say is.................THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I have a son that would really benefit from me taking these steps. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Val

My DS will be in high school next year and I am considering sending him to public school (can't afford private school at this time). I'm home schooling three DC and it is getting to be very taxing on me. I do nothing but teach and prepare lessons for the following day. I'm getting burned out. In addition, my DS wants to major in music when he goes to college and I feel like the public school would offer him so much more than I can offer him (music related). I don't feel like my DS takes home schooling seriously. He needs to be accountable to someone else for his learning and studying. I am at a crossroad and am very conflicted. :confused: :001_unsure: I need help. :grouphug: I'd appreciate hearing ANY and ALL opinions on making the decision. Has anyone else every felt this way? For those of you who have sent your high schoolers to PS, what helped you come to that decision? How do you let go? How did they adjust? Thanks for reading, Val

"It takes itself way too seriously." We are finally getting it after reviewing lessons and working on extra practice problems; however, I have two other dc to educate. I'm going to buy the Jacobs' just for reinforcement. I do own two cc math books and have used them to help me understand the VT material. I must say though, that VT is not the end all and be all of algebra programs (which I thought it would be....for us at least). Val

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I will purchase the DVD and book. I also plan to register him in co-op or cc courses next year because I think ds would benefit from being accountable to someone other than me for his work. He makes A's and B's with casual studying. Imagine his potential if he were to "really" study. I feel blessed to have been lead to this board. Thanks again. Val