Well Mr. Selby sent me a short email back and said that there are written samples within the upper level books. So, nothing that we can apparently see prior to buying the books (other than looking through them at convention). Sorry. I will be purchasing the Refutation/Confirmation and the Common Topics books in the next couple of months, so I can share from those then if you are still interested.

Sent off an email to Mr. Selby earlier today so I'll let you know if I hear anything back from him!

I'd be willing to post, but we're not in the upper levels yet. That being said, I would also like to see some of the upper level writing samples if anyone has any. I may just sent a note off to Mr. Selby (very nice man) and see if he would be willing to send me a few copies of some of the upper level writing lessons.

Valerie -- Thanks for mentioning John Brown. I had not heard of that university before. It's still about 9 hours from us, but 3 hours closer than LeTourneau. At least we might be finding something to compare at this point. Angie

Thanks for these thoughtful responses. I really appreciate all of the wonderful information that I glean from these posts that I know I could not get anywhere else!

Thanks ladies! I find all of your responses fascinating to read. So very informative. Since I was not in a science field in college myself, all of the research papers that I did definitely followed right along the same lines as what I had always done in high school. FaithManor -- I think your group SHOULD write a new model rocketry book!!! Have them go for it!

I saw Luann recommend the above book on another science thread and I am interested in it. I was also wondering if anyone knows of anything similar for non-biological science research papers. What about engineering, chemistry, physics, etc? Are research papers required in those fields and if so is there a helpful book for those? TIA!!

Luann, may I pm you in regards to LeTourneau?

This past week we attended a Christian College Fair and my dd and I were introduced to LeTourneau. We both were fairly impressed with their offerings in the science/engineering related fields and some other things we see from their website. However, we are in IN and TX is VERY far away. I see that many on here talk about visiting both Baylor & LeTourneau, so I am assuming they must offer comparable degrees, but do any of you know of any other Christian colleges that are comparable to those that are not so far from us? I know the LeTourneau rep said that they are one of the few Christian colleges offering what they are, so I'm interested to hear what you all have found. Thanks.

Does anyone know of any good courses (online, DVD, etc) that are available for students to learn to program for Apple? I'd appreciate ANY information or knowledge you have on this subject. Thanks bunches!!

"A more simple high school geometry program will mostly focus on lines, angles, circles, area and volume, and just a little coverage of proofs, often done as "fill in the missing steps" of the proof. I would suggest that Math-U-See's Geometry is a more simple Geometry program. Jacob's is more average, with more depth of coverage, and more actual proof-writing. An advanced high school Geometry course would most likely include proofs, beginning trig and problem solving, and would introduce Analytical Geometry concepts (which are typically covered in depth in a high school Algebra 2 course)." My dd is flying through MUS Geometry, so I am wanting to supplement now with even more geometry for her. If Jacob's is average, can you recommend a curriculum that would be considered advanced? I want to prepare her well if the math/science route is the way she may go, so I really would like something that colleges would look at favorably. Thanks

bumping

My kids would have no idea what the busy signal is either. A few of them don't even really know to dial a complete phone number -- aren't phone numbers just 1 or 2 digits on speed dial? None of us even KNOW phone numbers anymore. Seriously, if I didn't have my cell phone I could not call any one of my immediate family members because I only know that number they are on speed dial. RIDICULOUS Here's another one . . . just this week while eating lunch we mentioned the phrase "carbon copy". My oldest looked at me and said, "what IS carbon copy anyway? What does that even mean? Tried to explain the best I could but it's pretty difficult since that is such a foreign concept to them (probably to some on these boards as well). I told my hubby about it later and I started wondering if there is anywhere that we could even show the kids what carbon paper even was?

Ummmmm. .. . I don't even know what to say. BLESS YOU'RE EVER-LOVING HEART!!!!!!!!!! I cannot even fathom being placed in such a situation and I am quite positive that I would have run out crying and wishing to climb into a hole. Gee, I bet that just makes you want to run home, grab your kids and throw them into that ps where those people's kids attend, right? I mean, they are apparently incredibly socialized, well-rounded, well-educated, open-minded, non-judgmental, happy, well-adjusted, super-dee-duper citizens!! (tongue in cheek) One really, really wants to believe that there aren't many people who really have something against homeschoolers, but unfortunately I believe there are many more people out there that are in the camp with the people you were subjected to tonight than any of us wish to know about. Get up tomorrow, hug your kids and thank the Lord that homeschooling is, at present, still legal!!!

The other thread about exchange students & Spain got me to thinking. Does anyone know of any homeschool exchange options? I would love to have an exchange student, but I know that they have to go to the public school each day and be involved in all kinds of different things. I don't want that because it doesn't fit into our homeschooling life. However, I think it would be neat for home schooled kids to exchange from other places to experience different things. Just rambling thoughts. . .

I may ruffle some feathers here, but I'm not at all sure this is a BAD thing. I have the opposite problem here with my oldest dd eating much too fast. We all tend to eat quickly, but she really eats entirely too fast. Slower eating is so much better for the digestive system. My guess is that your child probably chews the food much better as well. I'm assuming that 2nd helpings aren't an issue because when one eats slower than others, there really isn't a need for 2nd helpings. These are all VERY good things. The body is given time to actually feel full as opposed to when food is shoved in and then 2nd helpings are eaten so quickly one is "stuffed" before even realizing it. We gain weight much quicker that way. If the kid is only taking 20-30 minutes to sit and eat and talk, I actually think your kid has the right idea. Sit, eat, enjoy the food and conversation. Wish we would do that here. It's just too fast and everyone shoves food in and we all eat entirely too much because we take more helpings and everyone always has food in their mouths so not much conversation and enjoyment. If one is sitting for an hour or more eating then I think it would be wise to have that person practice eating a bit faster, but really, I'm not sure that what you are describing isn't what we all should be doing for our health and well-being.

I don't think it is outgrown but rather gets worse with time. It's an issue in my home right now. I say it also (but not to the extent that my kids do), and my kids will correct me -- which I WANT! However, I have taken to notice how much my adult friends use this word in place of the words said, expressed, stated, told, etc. It's most everyone I know and some of them use it even more than my kids. I believe it's definitely saturated the current culture -- at least in my area -- and it's not getting any better. I am trying to be conscious of it myself and am trying to help my kids correct what I consider to be a very bad habit, but it's not easy. But again, I truly believe it will only get worse and not just "go away" as they grow older.

We have a 2009 that we've had for almost a year and a half now. We love it. We have 4 girls who are not very big, so the backseat is not an issue. However, my mom has ridden back there for a 4 hour trip and didn't say much about it. I also ride back there sometimes for short distances and it's not be a problem for me. I would agree that there is more leg room everywhere. We also have a 2002 Mercury Villager and it's definitely roomier than that. We have the long wheel base van with the larger motor. In case you're interested, it's the same van as the Hyundai van (can't think of the name off hand). We have had no problems with our van thus far. We pull a 12' box pop up camper with 6 bikes and so far it has done very well. We're getting ready to go on our longest trip yet with it loaded down like that in a week, so we'll really get a feel for out it does. The seats that fold into the floor are wonderful and the captains chairs come out very easily. It is amazing to us how much more storage space we have in that van compared to our Villager just because of the deep back well. Again, not a single problem to date! Lord willing it will stay that way!!!!!

I see people with very young kids interested in homeschooling or giving it a try for a year. There are several homeschooling families in our church who seem to put the kids in school once they hit high school age. Another friend and I (both hsing hs) have discussed how that seems to be the "trend" there at least.

Besides those already mentioned: Speech & Debate Art classes/workshops Sports Bible Bowl or Bible Bee I am praying that we can find some really great ministry/community service options for our kids as well.

Scuff & others -- What can you tell me about these? Worth it? Holocaust Memorial Center Howell Nature Center Pewabic Pottery Art Experience, Inc (I have some artsy/creative girls) -- it looks too far away from where we'll be. Arts and Scraps -- is this something we could go to? Would we be allowed to purchase some stuff (such as fabric, etc)? If we wanted to visit any of these places, would we be able to take advantage of any of those passes, or is that just for MI residents?

Scuff, I'll check out your link and let you know. Frankenmuth is not off the list. What would you recommend doing/seeing there if we go? We're not big on spending money on eating in any of the restaurants or spending any money in the shops, so is it worth going just to look around? Thanks, Angie

Faith, We were originally thinking of visiting Edison Depot Museum, Huron Lightship Museum & Port Huron Museum--is this the one to which you are referring? What about those options? We will not be in that area until after Labor Day, so if some of these are closed it would be good for me to find out ahead of time. Also had considered the Dow Historical Museum in Midland. Know anything about that? It's not like we need to be busy every minute of the day, as we really do want to spend time riding bikes and experiencing your (what I hear) lovely MI nature. We want to get to play on the beaches as well. All of the options you listed driving up M-25 sound wonderful. Thanks so much!

I purchased Nutrition 101. You might want to check into that -- it might help with some basic planning and introduction. Also, do you visit PWs homeschool site? OMSH had a post not too long ago somewhat along these lines and she posted some resources she had found. Not sure if it would be exactly what you are looking for, but may be of some assistance to get you on the right path. We are FourOaksAcademy btw!

Keep the info coming!!! You are boosting my spirits about the trip. We had planned to go to Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum at some point. Worth the stop?? Angie