For something that's book-only, I've heard good things about: Maran Illustrated Effortless Algebra http://www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Effortless-Algebra-maranGraphics-Development/dp/1592009425/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406932403&sr=8-1&keywords=effortless+algebra Hot X: Algebra Exposed! http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Algebra-Exposed-Danica-McKellar/dp/0452297192/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_z

We might be an odd case, but dd is switching to homeschooling for the last 2 years of high school. This is the first year its been workable because she now has her license and can drive to classes while we're at work. Between the local homeschooling co-ops, dual enrollment and online courses there are a lot of ways to take courses these days! If its a big concern, maybe you could focus on getting most of the required courses out of the way in 9th and 10th, then you would have some flexibility in case something happened?

Has anyone used Study Island for ACT/SAT prep? My dd used this program in elementary school and I thought it was a good resource. Haven't heard anything about the high school level options though. Thanks!

From a completely different perspective, I work at a university and coordinate an honor society here. We typically induct students during their senior year (90+ credits) and they have to have earned at least 50 of those hours at our school. Unfortunately, that requirement disqualifies most of the transfer students even if they have stellar grades and outstanding international experience. We also have several residential colleges and special programs within the university that are only open to "First Year College Students" I can't say for sure that this is an issue everywhere, but graduating early would definitely be a disadvantage here.

http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/deliciousnessw09/?cat=62 http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/docs/ctd/Kitchen_Kaboom_11.pdf http://rvrhs.enschool.org/ourpages/auto/2010/9/1/60846765/Syllabus.pdf http://www.onesparkacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/OSA-Kitchen-Chem-syllabus.pdf

When my dd was in elementary school, they had textbooks but weren't allowed to bring them home, so I bought copies of everything so we had a set at home. Ditto in middle school because it was easier than lugging a huge backpack home every day. In high school I only purchased Math and History. We switched to homeschooling this year with a mix of co-op classes and dual enrollment classes at the local community college. I was pleasantly surprised that all of the CC courses had real textbooks as well as study guides that are almost as large as the book. I love these study guides and wish this option was available back when I was in college! I could see having a digital textbook if you had the printed study guide.

What does she think she might want to do as a career eventually? My dd is interested in theatre and history so we found internship opportunities in those areas. She also created this website as part of her Gold Award project: https://sites.google.com/site/upcycledumbrellas/ and helps with the puppet ministry at our church. Is there a summer program she could help with each year? Colleges look for longevity, but that doesn't mean they have to volunteer with the same organization every week or month for years. It could be helping for 3 summers, for example. Community events might be another option - they always need extra volunteers.

Free American Sign Language class, 2 levels: http://lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/syllabi.htm

Homeschool Coop has Kaplan until the 12th: https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/kaplan-sat/?c=1 Has anyone had experience with this program?

:cheers2: That's awesome!!!!

My daughter's traditional high school counted it as an elective.

I haven't seen any specifically written that way, but you could probably put something together between all the documentaries out there and resources online. Here's a list of episodic histories: http://www.heritage-history.com/?c=library&s=genre#EpisodicHistory_LOC I wonder if there are any good podcasts out there?

This is probably a stupid question, but my understanding is that if a student works through Saxon Algebra 1 and 2 ( 2nd or 3rd edition) that they have essentially completed the equivalent of Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Geometry? If that's true, maybe it would be more time efficient to use those books and skip Geometry altogether?

Thanks for the IRS publication number, G5052! Books are covered under the Lifetime Learning Credit, but not the American Opportunity Credit! American Opportunity Credit Qualified Education Credit: For purposes of the American opportunity credit, qualified education expenses are tuition and certain related expenses required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution. Student activity fees are included in qualified education expenses only if the fees must be paid to the institution as a condition fo enrollment or attendance. Lifetime Learning Related expenses: Student activity fees and expenses for course-related books, supplies and equipment are included in qualified education expenses only if the fees and expenses must be paid to the institution for enrollment or attendance. (But you can't claim a credit on the same expenses you pay with a Coverdell education savings account or qualified tuition program.) http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/p970--2013.pdf

DD is starting dual enrollment classes this fall at a local community college. The tuition is waived but we'll need to cover books, fees and incidentals. Can we claim these under The Lifetime Learning Credit? Also, does anyone know if high school students are allowed to get a campus job through the Federal Work Study program? Thanks!

I *love* the pet therapy idea ... how about fostering a pet through the SPCA or local rescue group if you don't want something long-term? Also, could he wear dark glasses and ear plugs and still be around the rest of the family?

Awesome news!!! Glad you stuck with it and got the answer you wanted. :hurray:

Anatomy & Physiology - my dd took it last year and it has already been useful

ThisIsTheDay is on the right track ... it wasn't a "must do" just a suggestion. By high school they want to see something that speaks to consistency, dedication and focus - whether its sports or volunteering or fine arts - and then see other activities that show the student is well-rounded. As far as volunteering, it doesn't need to be something that they do every month for 4 straight years, but it could be a cause they help with every summer. VBS is a good example. Our local Ronald McDonald House has an excellent program for teen volunteers every summer that lasts 1 week. It could even be helping with a sports camp or an animal rescue or being a poll worker. If a teen was interested in politics they could help with different campaigns. "At this point, I am not going to push her to focus on "one thing" just to make a transcript look good." I totally agree with this ... I don't think its advisable to get hyperfocused, but as time goes on she'll most likely start to narrow in on the things that interest her the most. And I don't even think it's a good thing to focus their activities for the sake of college applications or anything else. I took it as more of a suggestion to package everything in a way that highlights depth and breadth when the time comes.

We were cracking up at the enclosed bumper sticker ... "proud parent of a scholar" If you received a letter, you can put "National Society of High School Scholars nominee" on the transcript/application/resume to recognize the achievement without paying the fee.

Common Core has been a big mess in NC and the General Assembly voted to do away with it for our state. From everything I've seen and read, the math component was stronger than anything we've ever had here. The main problem (in my opinion) was they didn't adequately train teachers before rolling it out and it was thrown at them in a sink-or-swim fashion which was frustrating to everyone involved. The reason I mentioned it is that the course description specifically mentioned this was based on Common Core, but I don't know if this will be affected by the legislation that was just passed. I'm very pleased that dd gets to take this course and so is she!

Follow up ... there's a new math class at the community college this fall that will also fulfill this requirement. It's based on Common Core math - so I'm not sure how long it will be around since our state recently voted to do away with Common Core. COURSE: MAT 143 QUANTITATIVE LITERACY COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to engage students in complex and realistic situations involving the mathematical phenomena of quantity, change and relationship, and uncertainty through project- and activity-based assessment. Emphasis is placed on authentic contexts which will introduce the concepts of numeracy, proportional reasoning, dimensional analysis, rates of growth, personal finance, consumer statistics, practical probabilities, and mathematics for citizenship. Upon completion, students should be able to utilize quantitative information as consumers and to make personal, professional, and civic decisions by decoding, interpreting, using, and communicating quantitative information found in modern media and encountered in everyday life. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a general education course in Mathematics. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Judge the reasonableness of results using estimation, logical processes, and a proper understanding of quantity. 2. Utilize proportional reasoning to solve contextual problems and make conversions involving various units of measurement. 3. Identify, interpret, and compare linear and exponential rates of growth to make predictions and informed decisions based on data and graphs. 4. Differentiate between simple and compound interest and analyze the long-term effects of saving, investing, and borrowing. 5. Describe, analyze, and interpret statistical information such as graphs, tables, and summarized data to draw appropriate conclusions when presented with actual statistical studies. 6. Determine probabilities and expected values and use them to assess risk and make informed decisions. 7. Analyze civic and/or societal issues and critique decisions using relevant mathematics.

We got one today too ... I can't figure out if the address was hand written or the most awesomely authentic font ever.

Yes - he should put what year of high school he's completed as well as any volunteer experience and extracurriculars he might have done that would look impressive to an employer - leadership camp, elite sports teams, anything that shows initiative and dedication.

We met with a admissions rep for a competitive university a few weeks ago and her advice was to make dd's transcript revolve around a purpose. According to her, those tend to stand out - just like any high school student from any type of school. DD has lots of volunteering, leadership experience and is interested in theatre so that's what we're going to focus on. I could see incorporating travel in there as well if that's a recurring activity. As a side note, she also said that long-term volunteering and activities are seen more favorably than jumping around. For instance, volunteering for the same organization for 4 years is preferable to doing the same number of hours with a number of different groups. By high school they are looking for focus and commitment to something.