I am struggling to put together curriculum for a 9th and a 10th grader this year. Plan to do American History for 10th and don't have a clue what to use. We are looking at a potential move in the very near future and I need a curriculum that offers lesson plan that is easy to follow and laid out with little prep work on my part. This might be something worth looking at even as a supplement.

Honestly, I don't really know. Sorry to be so vague...we are Christian however. We currently are signed up for math with Ms. Jann(they took Algebra with her this past year and are taking Geometry this year). We took a Physics class with Greg Landry but I wasn't as thrilled about it...neither boy enjoyed the class. I would prefer something online for a second language as we haven't touch that yet and I need it to be online or something that they can do themselves on the computer. My main concerns are that the curriculum will give them a solid preparation for college and laid out lesson plans. They both love history and science. In fact, science is a main concern for me as I know they need the lab experience. I am not science oriented at all. That was the one class I was strongly considering outsourcing due to my inabilities to give them a good education I felt in the subject. They have done well on science test scores but it is because they love nature, science etc. Writing is also a MAJOR concern as I have one son who is very much like me and struggles with any writing project. They don't have near the experience with research papers, essays and I wanted that to be another outsourced subject. So, hope this helps clarify...basically, as I said in an earlier post...I'm literally at a loss! I read these posts from others who have their high school years planned so well and wish to know the answers.

I have posted recently that we are making a possible move in the very near future. I have one 9th grader and one 10th grader. I have always used a hodge-podge of textbooks but need something that is laid out and ready to use the stress for all of us. Ellie recommended CLASS which I am not familiar with but will check it out. Do any of you have favorites that you had good luck with? If you have any input, please share what you liked about it and what you didn't. Thanks again.

My husband and I have discussed the possibility of me and the kids(and the 2 Labs!) staying here for a bit. However, we have the option of temporary quarters for a period of time. We haven't gotten that far in our discussion. My main worries come with the school situation....we were attempting to transition to some outsourcing of classes and now I have reservations about that committment. Moving is stressful and so I want to keep the areas I can control at a low stress level for the kids. I hope if we do stay that it would not be 6 months...We live in an area in southern Illinois where real estate moves slow which concerns us. Good luck on selling your house. Appreciate the words of encouragement.

well, my husband received a phone call late this afternoon from the supervisor over the Raleigh office and although it is not official...looks like Raleigh could be a new home for us. He was told that he would know something official by end of next week. We haven't told the kids and we are waiting for the official offer before breaking the news. I'm surprised...I thought that I would feel different than I do...this feels right and I'm at peace with it. Almost excited to head to this place I have heard so many good things about. Does anyone have any suggestions on areas to look for home? We would prefer something close to a golf course(my husband googled and said there were like 30 or so in the Raleigh area!). We like our space and woods...we have 2 Labs and love to fish, ride 4-wheelers and be outside. Not really the type to live in a subdivision. What is one of the top real estate companies in the area? I can't wrap my brain around all that goes with a move right now.

Nashville is OUT! :crying: My husband is soooo upset as he knows that Nashville was the one place my kids would be okay with moving to as we are still within 4 hours of family. Raleigh is now the next on the list to hear word on...and he heard this morning that he is a strong contender for that post. I have such mixed feelings as I guess I felt like Nashville would happen and didn't really have to deal with convincing the kids that moving 11-12 hours from family is doable for us just like lots of families. I have gotten very encouraging things from of couple of you out there! thanks so much for the news of homeschool group and the opportunity for my son with his golf game. I haven't really worried too much about him as he is like me and more outgoing but my oldest is a country-boy, deer and turkey hunter and introvert. He wants the small-town life where his grandparents live and everyone knows him. I can't compete with that as he compares every place to there.

Raleigh is the office that my husband really wants the job in as it is a smaller office vs. district office. We have heard amazing things about the area but we are very concerned about being able to afford a house there. We live in southern Il and we have been told housing is expensive. Distance is the ONLY reason none of us are wanting to accept Raleigh as our families live in Missouri and Arkansas and my kids are very close to Missouri family. If family was close to there, we would jump at it! My youngest son is very good at golf and my husband would like for him to have an opportunity to play on a golf team which is why we are considering school-private or other where he can participate. I also am struggling with how to teach high schoolo and so I think I am to the point I need a box curriculum to make me feel confident the kids are getting what they need at this point in the game! I was hoping there would be a big homeschooling push. I am overwhelmed in the worst way now with everything but I would welcome having choices with our homeschooling as there are none here! Your job/move sounds much like our situation so I truly appreciate your input. I don't know how to pm but I will likely be trying to connect with you thru the forum should I have any additional questions regarding Raleigh. Thanks so much for comments. Good luck with your adjustment to the area!

When I read this, I felt like I was listening to my husband and my mother-in-law!!! This is how we feel BUT we keep going back to wanting the kids to be happy. I guess my guilt comes from the fact that we have moved our family four times and this fifth move comes at such a hard age with kids. My husband said the other day that moving when the kids were young was considered an "adventure" to them! Plus, our moves have come about every 2 years but we have lived here for the last 5 years. Despite that, it has been difficult for the kids to find friendships with other kids here so we thought moving would be desirable to them. I guess we both know what you are saying is right. Thanks for beging the "bad Mom"...I'm glad to know there are others like me out there!!!!!:001_smile:

We are trying so hard to be encouraging and explaining the situation at hand to both boys. One of our boys is not very confident and he has a few friends where his grandparents live and so between family and filling like he fits in there more than here---he keeps his eye looking down the road. I can understand why but we are hoping that if we move that he can find his "place" where we live rather than wanting to be somewhere else. I haven't heard of this particular curriculum but I will try to look at it. thanks so much for your comments

My husband has just recently interviewed for 2 positions and will be interviewing for a third soon. We currently live in a small town and have always homeschooled our kids who are going into 9th and 10th grades this year. We have always lived in cities where there are homeschool opportunities and more opportunities in general for teens- the town we live in now(16,000) offers very little for our kids currently or in the future with college/jobs. He interviewed for Nashville which is truely where we would love to go but 50 people applied for the position. He also interviewed for Raleigh and has a very good shot at this position. Our problem is that it will be far from family and require flying vs. driving which is something our kids are not thrilled about at all. If it was just the 2 of us, we would love Raleigh from all that we have heard about it and it is a small office vs. district office in Nashville. Our third option is St. Louis and would be ideal for family travel. We are considering these moves for my husband's salary/retirement opportunities as well as for opportunities for our kids even though it is hard for them to see making the change. We have for the last 4 years planned to enroll them in a local Christian High school for a couple of classes and then these interviews have popped up. So, now here I am..a month away from school starting and have NO IDEA what we are doing for school. We hate to start them in school(for the first time EVER!) and then move in the middle but keeping them at home...they are bored with no friends and no extra activities. I have no curriculum planned and honestly, I don't have a clue what to consider for these grades. I'm lost and my husband is stressed with thinking the kids will hate him for moving them. I read one thread about boxed curriculum and most said that they don't go that route. I have always picked an assortment in all the years that we have homeschooled... I use a hodgepodge but my confidence level is shot as well as stress and hormones messing with my emotions and thinking ability. So thinking boxed will help. Can someone provide some encouraging advice/ suggestions? I have read on the forum some of you have moved and uprooted your kids. How do you handle them being mad at you for it? And how do we handle it if we don't get the job in the place they want to move? Where is a starting point for me with planning a curriculum for these grades? I have already lined up math(Geometry with Ms. Jann). We have talked about them taking a science/lab at the school. I ordered the registration packet yesterday and plan on meeting with the principal soon but want to select a class that they will enjoy since it will be all new to them. Thanks for ANY suggestions at all.

Thanks sooo much....I think this is exactly what he is looking for! Always can count on the hive for help!:001_smile:

I don't know that her reading level is that low...she may have improved but I want to give him some websites to turn to for support and help. Does anyone have suggestions on math?

I posted a similar message on the K-8 board but I want to see if any of you can pass on some suggestions for me. I received a phone call from someone last night that has a 6th grader that is apparently having difficulty with school work. He asked if I had any workbooks that worked on reading comprehension, math skills etc. My boys are going into 9th and 10th and so I have gradually let go of most books I used at that age. And, I have just recently given and sold several textbooks, workbooks, supplemental activities and so I don't have much to offer. Can any of you provide me with some great sites for me to pass on to him for work on these subjects? I would prefer ones that your upper elementary kiddos enjoy as it will be for summer learning and I do know that she is a reluctant learner which makes the task even more difficult. I know at one time that her grandmother told me that she was about a 2nd grade reading level at first of year and she was receiving passing grades in her subjects. Not sure how she is doing now but he requested 6th grade material. thanks for any suggestions.

I had a call from a friend last night that has a daughter in ps and he called me to see if I had any workbooks etc. that he could use to help his 6th grader with summer study. I have older boys and unfortunately I have given or sold most of the 6th -7th grade books that would be for good for his daughter. My question for you all is can you give me so great go-to websites that I can pass on to him for math skills, reading comprehension and review questions? I have just recently really cleaned house on our textbooks and I don't have much to pass on. thanks

Just curious but my husband is considering putting in for a job in Raleigh and everyone he has talked with says that it is a great place to live. Do you happen to know what a real estate is like in that area? We live on a small lake with 3 acres, 3 story(full basement, 4 BR/4BA 3300 square feet and we paid about $230,000. ( It was recently appraised for $275,000) Someone told us that this IS a perfect place to live/retire however he is putting in for Nashville,TN first and then Raleigh. I have heard it is gorgegous but expensive. BTW, congrats on your move!

I didn't realize until I clicked on the news link where this was! When I saw the town Centralia, I thought surely not---why, because we live just north of Mt. Vernon...3 miles south of Dix! We don't get a paper so I haven't heard about this girl. Wow. what a small world to read about a local happening here on TWTM. But it happens everywhere. We had a 25 yr old female drive into our front yard Sunday night at 11:30 in the pouring rain. She was drunk or otherwise compromised and told my husband when he went out to investigate that she came to tell his wife Happy Birthday! We ended up calling sheriff..sad situation.

don't be discouraged...I know that is easier said than done as I am one to feel overwhelmed by the achievements of other kids that I read about here on TWTM. That being said, I always try to remember what a good friend told me when I would stress(I say would but I still do and my kids are in 8th and 9th grade)about taking these achievement tests. Her advice was to remember that NOT everyone takes tests well but that doesn't mean that they aren't smart and that they don't know the material. Also, she said that she uses the tests to see where she needs to work with them...areas to focus on. I guess I'm strange but I sometimes wish we could go back to a world where education and learning was not so achievement focused but simply for the desire and love of learning. It seems so hard to be a student compared to when I was one.... good luck and be proud of your kids for who they are overall...don't let a number bring you down. I'm sure your kids will go far in life!:)

Our favorite meal for guests is marinated steaks on the grill with a salad full of fresh veggies. My husband is a grillmeister and everyone always asks if he is going to be grilling. We grill steaks, BBQ pork steaks, brats, and even boudin which is a huge hit with all our guests. I usually do baked potatoes, sweet ones as well with toppings for guests to add...cheese, scallions, bacon, sour cream, and brown sugar and marshmellows for the sweet ones. This is an easy meal and not much prep or clean up! Strawberry float is the dessert of choice...graham cracker crust topped with mixture of Dream Whip topping, cream cheese, powdered sugar and then fresh chopped strawberries over the filling. YUMMY!

Have you tried to post this on the general board? You might get more feedback. I'm interested in seeing the responses.

I can't do high school science...if your kids do online science, what do they prefer? I have one that will be going into 10th and one going into 9th. We were considering a local private school for fall part-time but now husband is applying for move to Nashville and so now change of plans. We tried Physics with Greg Landry last fall and it was not what I expected. Any others out there that you or your kids would recommend? thanks

what about Miss Marple?

:lol::lol: I am LOVING some of the comments on this thread!!! So needed a good laugh today!

:lol:

My son is 15 and we bought out first one when he was a little bitty kiddo to help while he was napping! Still have it and we never leave home without both of the ones we have! Perfect size for travel, our company love to use them when they come for a weekend. They are way better than any of the other more expensive sound machines out there that have all the thunder, crickets, and other nature sounds that only drive me crazy rather than help me sleep!

What are the attendance policy on the classes that he takes online? I know that we hate to miss our class on Mondays with Algebra as it only puts us behind with work. I will check out the site that you mentioned nevertheless as a possible source for class. I know that I'm interested in outsourcing a foreign language and possibly science. What are your tuition for the classes that you enroll him in?