I'm confused now. Putting 4.0 makes perfect sense to me, and is what I had put in, but the screenshot from Common App makes me pause. I could put 5.0, but there's no way my daughter could actually get that because I cannot afford more than a couple DEs each semester. She has all As, but only has so many honors and DE. Not sure what to do? I may just leave the 4.0? I think her transcript is pretty self-explanatory.

Looking at what your needs are, I would recommend the dragonfly edition. This is assuming you are not interested in having them take the SAT subject test. You said you want something cheap, and the dragonfly edition is easy to find cheap and used, and you could probably get the teacher's manual too for pretty cheap. It's very thorough, but a few sections have "overview" chapters you can do for a more general review of that topic. Also, there are a lot more resources available for the older edition online, such as biologycorner.com. My daughter used it 2 years ago and did well on the SAT subject test, but she had to update a few things with a Barron's review book. I'll be doing the Macaw with my son next year, but he is very interested in pursuing science. However, I don't think it's totally necessary to get in a good biology class, that you have the newer one.

Never used this, but might be worth a look, since it's so affordable: http://elementalscience.com/collections/honors-biology

Anyone hear anything new on this? I e-mailed them about a month ago about the new course plan, and 2 weeks later I got a reply saying they planned to have a beta version out by the end of the summer. However, seeing the beginning of this thread saying the same things about *last* summer, makes me wonder if I should just ahead and order dragonfly. I see the 2014 answer key out there, but not the course guide.

So good to see all these posts! I am thinking of using it for 9th grade next year. It seems like if you go through the "school" section of the website, and not the general section, there is more than enough material to make it a full year course. I'm wondering if you think this can count as a world history program? And we were also planning to do biology. Will this be too much the same? Or a nice complement? Just wondering how others have treated it on a transcript. Thanks!

I'm so glad to hear about all the people going from 5B Stds to AoPS Pre-A, as that's what I'm planning to do with my 5th grader. He is young, so I'm okay if it takes us a while to get through it, but he's definitely not ready for algebra. My dd had gone through 6B, did both of LoF Pre-Algebras over one semester (mostly review), then into Foerster's Algebra without incident. We found 6A and 6B to mostly be review. Standards edition does cover negative numbers and coordinate graphing, but I found that as they were both near the end of the books, there wasn't much review of them. This is why we're switching with ds after 5B. Also, he loves math, and is a good candidate for AoPS, which cannot be said for dd. I think it would drive her crazy!

Thanks for feedback so far! I am feeling a little better about moving on. When I say "not fully confident", I mean that she feels she is doing poorly because it is the first math course she's really had to work at. She is used to getting 100s on everything without studying, and in Algebra it was more like low 90s on average, and the work took a lot longer. I think I panicked reading a few older threads where some people (Jann in TX for one) thought 8th graders are just not ready for geometry, and were encouraging an extra review year. Thinking about it though, dd would probably go crazy if we just reviewed the same material again. I guess my concern is that she feel successful. It's hard explaining to her how well she is doing when she has no one to compare herself to! I really like the look of the Jacob's geometry text, and dd has always said she does better just reading from a book without flashy games, pictures, and videols. However, our one big issue with Foerster was the feeling that I could have used more back-up material. She would get frustrated if she didn't understand things perfectely the first time, and I sometimes wouldn't be able to explain it another way. We did use Khan for things that needed more explanation, and that worked well, but it obviously would be easier to have some matched to the lesson (but not verbatum a la MWB). The Berger videos (Holt) sound great, and I like that algebra review is pretty thoroughly integrated in Holt. The pages are busy, which will turn her off, but I do feel like Foerster alone wasn't *enough* for Algebra, and I worry about the same thing with Jacob's. I think I'll have to start another post on this one...

Dd did Foerster's Algebra 1 last year in 7th grade and did fine. Plan was originally for her to do geometry in 8th and then Algebra 2, Pre-Calc, Stat, Calc, or whatever her interests determine. She is very good at math, but does NOT love it. In fact, she was looking forward to geometry as a break from algebra (though we were planning to do LoF algebra on the side as review). I was going to post a Jacobs vs. Holt Geometry question, but have been reading other threads about going too fast in math, and it possibly being a mistake to do geometry in 8th. I am now considering doing an algebra review/pre-geometry year. I'd love some input though. What are your thoughts? Here are my concerns: - I do not think she is fully confident in her algebra, despite scoring very well. Foerster's had some review, but not tons. Algebra review has already been heavily planned for this year during geometry. - Do colleges only let you count credits from 9th grade and up? Is it okay to have geometry completed before 9th? - Although she is very intelligent and has done well so far, is it better to solidify basics before moving on? Is there a downfall to speeding ahead fast? I am wondering if there are others who have done geometry in 8th grade and have had it backfire. - On the other hand, is there anything to lose by NOT plowing ahead? She should still get at least a full year of calculus in with geometry in 9th grade. However, she would have less time for math electives like stats. She's not a math lover and probably wouldn't mind this? - Have others done an "extra" year of algebra/pre-geometry? If so, have you regretted it? And what resources did you use and like? If we go this way, I'd love to bring a little more fun to math, so she feels nice and confident going into geometry. She thinks she is "bad" at math right now, which is simply not true. - I know my husband likes the idea of her being "ahead" and would probably rather see her go farther instead of deeper, but I'm not sure I agree with that one. - Another option might be spending the fall "finishing up" algebra, then starting geometry in January, and taking as long as needed, with algebra review insterspersed. Anyway, you can see I'm rambling with indecisiveness, so I'd love to hear if anyone has BTDT, and has words of wisdom or examples either way. Thanks!

5th grade for my youngest! We do a weekly check off list. As long as it's all done by Saturday, I don't care so much when they do it. It gives them some independence, and they learn the direct impact of taking a day off on a subject (they need to make it up). I really have to get on ds10 though to make sure we do the stuff we need to do together every morning early; he gets so distracted. Here's our plan, with a few holes: Grammar: Analytical Grammar Jr. (or GWG 5, but I think we need a break from it) Spelling: All About Spelling 5 Vocabulary: Wordly Wise 3000 Book 6 Literature: reading literature Writing: Undecided! Has done IEW class for 2 yr, now wants to do something at home - will be another IEW or WWS1 or CAP's new series Math: Art of Problem Solving: Pre-Algebra Science: CPO Physical Science History: History Odyssey Level 2 Ancients Spanish: Spanish for Children A Computer: online programming class, Lego robotics, etc Gymnastics, karate

I would say what keeps it from being open and go is having to adapt the labs to the home environment. There are quite a few CPO-only supplies (NO one else makes a "geobox") that you'll need to make an alternate version of, fork over tons of money, or skip the lab altogether. Doable, but not open-and-go. I found quite a few acitivites online that I preferred to their labs, but that's not necessary I guess. I also added in videos from various sites/channels. But *can* you open and go if you want? Yes, but only if you have a well-stocked science lab. I had my kids write out the answers to all the chapter review questions. We did the test out loud as a group mostly, but I occasionally had the older ones do it written. And I added a few written research projects in there for fun.

Bringing this post back since I think I might finally have 8th grade in place, with a few obvious, glaring empty spots (but that's another post!): Okay, 8th grade: Grammar: Analytical Grammar (possibly, am looking at it next week, already finishe GWG8), otherwise none Spelling: Spelling Power - almost done with the book Vocabulary: Wordly Wise 3000 book 9 Writing: Windows to the World, then EIL writing (also taking Speech Bootcamp at co-op, so it depends on how much outside work that requires) Literature: EIL Intro to LIt, use book list and discussion, add writing when WttW is complete Math: Geometry (STILL deciding! Holt, Jacobs, MWB are all on the table right now) Logic: Art of Argument and Argument Builder (not sure we can fit in both, but we'll see how things line up) Science: CPO Physical Science w/labs at co-op History: HO Level 2 Ancients Geography: possibly myWorld Geography Spanish: Spanish for Children B (I wish they would come out with C by January and she'd do that too!) Still not totally complete, but my report to the school system is due in two days, so I'll make by best guess and change things as necessary!

We will be doing History Odyssey Level 2 Ancients from Pandia Press. My dd started it last year "for fun on the side" and loves that it can be very much student-directed. And because it is more of a curriculum guide than a curriculum in itself, it is easy to plug in other resources where you want. And it includes some great literature, which is a bonus.

I agree about Khan. We used Foerster's this past year but didn't get the videos because I heard it was just reciting the text. Whenver there was something dd just didn't understand and I couldn't explain better, we would find the specific topic on Khan and watch a video of him teaching and solving an example of two. I'm going to have her use Khan to review Algebra over the summer and over next year while we're diong geometry too.

We just finished up CPO Earth. The previous year we had used CPO Life, and are getting ready for CPO Physical next year. CPO Earth is definitely the easist of the three content wise, so it would be good to do first. However, it is NOT open and go, mostly because the labs are written for classroom use using expensive equipment, and many need to be altered or replaced. I really like the text book. I found that I had to use a school-y textbook instead of a homeschool program to make sure important topics like evolution and the big bang were covered well. CPO is written well, though the amount of time spent on certain topics is maybe not what I would have chosen. You can tell physics is the author's favorite topic as it is brought up in all three books consistently, which is not necessarily bad. As a nurse, I was horrified in the human body section (of Life) with one sentence on the kidneys and one paragraph on the digestive system (!). However, all in all, I really like the text and the writing. It is not too "busy" like some of these newer text books that are trying to look like websites, but it does have pictures and charts on almost every page, which are helpful. How we used CPO Earth: We did this program with two other families, a total of 6 kids ranging from grades 4 to 7. They all met at my house for lab/activities once a week over 2 hours or so. At home they would read one or two sections per week and do the section review questions for each. When we met, we would go over homework, watch some online videos, and do whatever activity I had planned for that week. We definitely did not do all of the labs. I didn't like all of them, and some of them required expensive equipment, and we only met once a week. I did make alternatives for the stream table (plastic bin with a hole cut out) and the GeoBox (cut up Ziploc container). These CPO-specific lab items are too expensive for home use, but are used in several labs. I replaced a lot of the labs with my own from usgs.gov, middleschoolscience.com, science-class.net, and other websites. There are a lot of neat ideas out there that teach concepts a little better with a smaller group. For example, during the solar system chapter, there is a lab that says, "Use a dark gymnasium with at least 20 students and 10 flashlights," or something like that. Ummm, no. However, we loved the planet distance lab we adapted to fit in my back yard. I also had them do research projects periodically to present to the group. We got through the book in a year, no problem, doing 1-2 sections per week, depending on length and difficulty of content. I wish I had kept track of all the activities/labs/videos we did, as I think it would be helpful for other homeschoolers. I do feel like you need the teacher's guide. I bought both the teacher's guide and the text book used on Amazon. I think I paid about $60 for the teachers book and $15 for the text. The prices of the texts fluctuate depending on time of year. I bought CPO Physical in March because I saw it for $2.50! I'm still waiting for the perfect middles school science program. I want one that is not just secular, but actually includes the study of evolution (a whole unit in CPO) and the origins of the universe, and with labs that are easy to do at home. A lot of these "secular" programs just avoid the issue, which leaves an important and interesting section of science out. However, most school texts are written for classroom. I'm hoping REAL Science Odyssey comes out with Level 2 Earth and Physical, but at the rate they're going it will be too late for my kids. Their Level 2 Biology looks great!

A note on the Trail Guide. We used and loved the U.S. Trail Guide, but found the World Trail Guide to not be as good. It looks the same on the surface, but it wasn't as organized, the questions didn't make as much sense, and the mapping was all over the place. That were my kids' thoughts anyway. We stopped halfway through. I may have dd 8th grade do MyWorld geography next year in addition to other history; not sure if it will be too much.

We use/used CPO science. It's a school textbook series: Earth, Life, and Physical - so three years in all. The labs are designed for classroom, but they can be modified for home; I actually replaced a bunch of them with other labs I found online. But the texts are great. Totally secular; lots of stuff about evolution in the Life book. All the lab book pages and handouts are available free online.

I'm a bit shocked by some of this thread since I last read it! Firstly, where we live (New England), people in general are very academically oriented. Most people who homeschool do so because they believe their kids will have a better educational experience than at school. This does not always mean more rigorous - I find that many who were very "laid back" in the early grades are really no further behind in 6th grade, really. I haven't met a homeschooler that didn't want their child to go to college! But honestly, I love having different perspectives from different types of parents. As I mentioned earlier, I'm on the more rigorous end of the spectrum, but also there is no one that I feel is not giving their children a good education, in their own way. I can't even imagine purposely keeping my child's opportunities low because I want to shield them from certain world views or experiences. I honestly have not encountered that. Also, I find that having a co-op is vital to our homeschooling. Moral support for me, social links for my kids. And the older they get, the more academics we're including. Next year we'll have a lab science, and one of the moms has offered IEW writing for several years. I can't imagine homeschooling without a IRL community. I think it would be hard to be in an isolated aread, or an area where there was only "one kind" of homeschooler. We are not religious, and luckily most people in this area homeschool for other reasons. Some co-ops require you to be Christian, but most do not. Most homeschoolers I know encourage free-thinking and open-mindedness, try to incorporate interest-led learning, but also hold fairly high standards for their children. I would never think that going to a co-op decreases the "rigor" of our homeschool! In my mind, it makes it possible.

I'm a forum person, and if I didn't also work as a nurse 24 hours a week, I would be on here all the time! As it is, I don't post much, but do read a lot, and search here every time I'm considering a new purchase. We live in a fairly secular, academically rigorous area, so pretty much all homeschoolers are book-hoarding curriculum junkies. There are definitely the ones who go with one (usually religious) publisher for the duration, but most skip around to find what works for each child. We're definitely on the more rigorous end of the spectrum, but even those who were unschool-y at younger ages are all coming around as we approach high school. There are all types of homeschoolers around here, which is nice to get the different perspectives. The wonderful things about this forum vs. asking IRL friends are: 1.Variety of opinion - there is just a huge amount of posters on this forum, all subscribing to the same basic "theory" of homeschooling; 2.Objectivity - no one has a preconceived notion of your kids and what they are/aren't capable of; 3.Non-threatening - it's hard to keep the competitiveness out of parents when discussing curriculum sometimes, especially math or something with distinct levels (don't even want to bring up that I'm looking for pre-algebra for my 5th grader as I'm afraid of offending people who have 8th graders in pre-algebra); 4.Honesty - I'm not worried about offending people with my opinions if they've just bought something I disliked. The negatives of the forum: 1.Lots of tempting ideas of things to purchase! 2. Sucks up time like nobody's business. Sometimes I come on here researching one thing and find myself with a list of six more things I want to check out! Not necessarily a bad thing to have more choices, but... All in all, would never make a new purchase without first checking out what you guys think!

Just bumping this up once more to see if anyone has used this program. I read a lot of posts where people say it "looks great", but I won't buy it unless I hear of someone who has actually used the book. Otherwise I'll have to order Foerster SOON! TIA

Here is the link to the online "preview" of the book. http://vihmh.impelsys.com/holt_mcdougal_aga/index.php I had to sign up as an educator to view it, but it was quick and easy. I am looking at either the 2007 or 2011 versions, both with Burger as the first listed author. I like the look of it, along with the resources available, but am anxious to hear from people that have used it rather than going on looks alone. Otherwise, I am leaning heavily toward Foerster at this point. Nothing like the last minute! CupOCoffee, where are you doing the book online? Are you just viewing it and reading it like a book and writing out the exercises, or is there actually an online version available? Thanks!

I am in a high panic about Algebra right now! I feel like I've been researching for a year, and am STILL not decided (starting day after Labor Day!!). We've used Singapore Stds. Ed. since 3A. Dd12 finished 6B in February, and did both LoF Pre-Algebra books on her own this spring with no issues. So we are ready for Algebra! Singapore "worked", but I wish she had retained things better, and I'm wondering if there just wasn't enough review for her. She is very good at math and understands things quickly, but does NOT like it. I want a thorough program, but nothing that requires natural math-curiosity like AoPS. This may work for my son in a couple of years, but not dd. I was close to picking Saxon, but reviews on these boards made me worry about thoroughness and further contributing to her non-love of math. She does not like to do online stuff - I think writing things out really helps her, as does reading an actual book. So I think a text book approach will be best. Which brings me to my Jacobs vs. Foerster vs. Holt problem... I REALLY like the look of the new Holt editions (with author Burger). You can sample the entire book on the publisher's website which is great. It IS a bit busy, but I like that it's colorful. The examples seem very clear and straightforward. I LOVE that Burger's videos (the same ones from his Thinkwell site) are available for free online, and there seems to be a good amount of teacher support materials available. It has a "newer" feel to it, which I think dd will like, while also being thorough (at first glance). I've heard good things about it (mostly from this site), but I realize now that not a lot of the respondents had actually *used* the program for a full year. I'd LOVE to hear from people that have used the newer editions (I think 2007 and on are authored by Burger) and what you thought of it, and how it worked for your kids. I read a few reviews of the geometry book, which sounds great, but not of Algebra 1. And... if you think something else would work better, let me know that too! TIA

We used the JW program, mostly because my kids loved it. For first grade there are two books: Write About Me and Write About My World. Just Write 1 is for 2nd grade, Book 2 is for 3rd. It covers the basics of creative writing, planning a story, dialogue, organizing a paragraph, etc. Not too meaty, but makes writing fun. The first two are really just fun books for kids that aren't really ready for a formal writing program, getting them to describe pictures they draw, putting stories in sequence, etc. We started Book 3, which got a bit into other types of writing, but by then dd was doing other stuff and it was superfluous. Oh, another plus - it really is a grab and go workbook, not a bad thing!

We recently started reading MCT's Building Poetry, and we love it! We're reading a little bit each day and it probably won't take too long to finish it. It gives us a language with which to discuss poetry, more than anything else. We also use the poetry memorization book by IEW. Like another poster said, it is totally different - it is a list of poems to memorize, in approximate order of difficulty, along with a system of doing so. We've really liked that as well, and use just the book, not the CD. We did the first section as listed, then after that I let the kids pick which poems to do next. Now that we've been doing it for a couple of years, they're picking other poems from other sources, but this is still the "go to" idea book, and the one that started us off so well. I am glad to hear about the RFP philosophy program though. I was just about to order it. I really want something NOT from a religious publisher, so I think I'll try Philosophy for Kids. Sounds good.

Wow, this looks great! And the price is extremely reasonable. I have a 2nd and 5th grader - thinking it might be fun to do together. Dd has read these already, but we haven't really discussed in detail. Ordering!

We did FLL1, and I think it was a great start. It introduces them to the concepts without all the writing most programs demand in a very cuddle-up-on-the-couch sort of way. It also depends on the child though. My dd loves grammar, sucked it up like a sponge, and remembers absolutely everything she's learned. We did switch to GWG in 3rd grade, but we've had solid instruction throughout, only because she really loves it. My ds, on the other hand, has done FLL1, GWG1 and 2, and still he just doesn't get it. I feel like it goes in one ear and out the other. I think you could absolutely wait until 2nd grade or so, but exposure without mastery isn't such a bad thing in this case. I've always felt like you could do grammar every other year and be fine. Anyway, my answer is that it depends on the child! My dd loved it, and it's been great, but again, I don't think every day or every year was necessary.