This literature would be added to the VP Self Paced 1815-Present course to kick it up a notch. So, do you know where a good list is? Or could you tell me what your favorite books are for this period? Thanks! :)

IF I was going to get crazy and do both....what would you recommend? We are doing VP Explor-1815 this year. For my other dc we will be doing 1815-Present next year. Would you just have him work through the American Republic text on his own? Or just the second part of it to coordinate with the VP time period we'll be doing? I just rethought it and as much as I would like to do the BJU DVD, that Mr. Swingle might be difficult to watch every day! But, the VP is sooo engaging that it might be a lighter thing for him in the midst of the switch to the more challenging BJU stuff. Of course, I will have him doing literature along with VP. Would that be sufficient or should I add the Am Republic text?

OhElizabeth, do they teach the child how to do the outlining and take notes? I think that would be kind of challenging to my ds. I could see me needing to help with that unless the teaching on it is rather detailed. If they don't teach it at the Life Science level, did they teach it in the 6th grade science?

Yes, that is the one. :)

Merry, I am not sure about the closed captions, etc. If you call BJU, they are always willing to help. :)

Heather, the BJU sale is through the consultants at a Solutions meeting. If you purchase at least 6 of the subjects on DVD with books, you get them for half off. You can purchase as many as you like, but it has to be at least 6 to get the half off price.

I completely agree about the open book tests if it is a problem. If we go forward with the Life Science course, that is what I plan to do as well. I remember someone saying that Mrs. Vick recommended that herself if the child is struggling. I think I have that right...but, I'm not sure what class was being referred to. Still, it shows that even she is not opposed to open book at times. What kind of time limit do you think would be reasonable?

I know what you mean about getting my hands on the actual books! I think that will help a lot. A scope and sequence can only tell you so much, kwim? I guess I'll see the books at the Solutions meeting. I so wish I could see them now, though. I think you are right about my ds. I just think it is time for that bit of challenge. I'll just have to help him through the adjustment. I like the idea of telling him from the get go that it is going to be a year of transition. I am not sure what to do about TT. I guess my goal for everyone except my oldest that has Lyme is to move to BJU. But, I am not sure about doing it this year. But, the thing is, I have a couple who are at the upper end of elementary so if I don't do it this year, they won't have the advantage of using their program and being totally adjusted to it before it steps up a notch. Another concern is that when we do make the switchover, they may test into a lower level...not sure about that, but it is a concern. I wondered about the time thing. I can see how it could end up taking as long. I am concerned about that. But, I think I may be like your SIL in that I would like the peace of mind of knowing that it is all put together for me and that it is at the correct level. The idea of the DVD teacher doing the teaching is very appealing to me at this point. If I'm not feeling well, at least they can get the lesson on DVD without it requiring so much of me. VP Self Paced History has been a huge blessing this year for that very reason. I LOVE being able to say, "Go do your history." I am still praying for direction regarding it all. I only want to do it if it is the wisest thing for my family...not just because BJU has this great sale going on!

Thank you Susan and Lolly. That is very comforting. I was starting to get the wrong impression about the upper grade levels. :)

Thank you, OhElizabeth. I think that is a wonderful bonus. As you mentioned on the English post I did, I feel pretty comfortable putting the elementary kids in at grade level. But, do you think that I could do that with the upper levels as well? In my research I have found comments over and over that the upper levels are just, well, hard. I hope this isn't the kind of thing that will be great for now for my elementary kids and then not work later. It makes me feel very unsure about what level to put my 7th grader in for science, english, etc. He is an older 7th grader, but he has not had to really study before, so I'm a little concerned about Life Science, for example, although I hear great things about Mrs. Vick. He is painfully aware that he could be an entire grade level higher than he is, so I am concerned that BJU be a good fit. I just think it might really discourage him to see English 6 on a book, for instance. I don't want to put too much weight on that, but I do care about how he feels. What I would love to do is put him in at grade level and see him rise to the occasion. But, the other part of me is scared that he wouldn't do well and then I would have discouraged instead of encouraged him, kwim? I want him to feel successful. Any thoughts, OhElizabeth? I do love to pick your brain on things. I would love to just have you sit down with me and help me decide about all this! Please. Somebody....tell me what to do! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I looked at Science Shepherd. It sounds like that although the author is a Christian, he doesn't include thoughts about God in his science materials. I prefer that God be the focus almost. The important thing to me is that God is glorified in everything we study so I guess I feel that our needs are met more through a company that speaks freely about Him. I will say that Science Shepherd is very well written. It looks wonderful aside from what I mentioned above. Now, I am coming to this conclusion by just looking at the sample on the website. If I am wrong, someone please correct me. :) It could be that the Lord just wasn't mentioned in the sample.

Thanks, Melissa. I was going back & forth between Level 5 or 6. I'll check the TOC more closely. :)

:)

Thank you, OhElizabeth. I'll check it out. Holly, did you use the DVD's with Life Science and feel that it was too much too fast...or was that just your impression of the text when you looked at it? Did you actually use the text? I'm interested because I was considering doing Life Science for my 7th grade ds next year. He hasn't done a lot of challenging science, so I am a little concerned about it feeling too hard for him. If it is on the very challenging side, I may have him do the 6th grade science with his sister and save Life Science for the next year. I appreciate your thoughts and comments, everyone.

OhElizabeth, that is my gut about it, too. I am leaning toward the earth science. My dd was so discouraged by having to do two 8th grade years due to Lyme that she is all about doing "true high school" work. But, I think the physical science would be too much too fast. When I go to the Solutions meeting, I'll let my dd decide if she wants to do the dvd w/ old text or the new text w/o dvd. I really like the idea of using the lit. as a book list! I am not familiar with the guides you mentioned. Do you have a link? I'd love to take a peek.

I plan to take full advantage of the BJU special (as much as my pocketbook will allow, anyway :D) I will have to make a change after FLL 4 anyway...so any thoughts as to what level of BJU English would make the smoothest transition? Thanks for your thoughts. :)

Physical Science w/ Mr. Harmon is the other class we are considering. Do you know what kind of math would be needed for that class? I have heard that his class is wonderful, but very challenging. That makes me a little nervous. But, I guess we can adjust as we go through to make it work if we go that route. My dd would benefit from a video type class right now also...that is one reason we are looking at BJU. As you were saying, that price is the deal maker. I could never do it without the sale. Regarding the whole textbook thing...she has been working on Apologia for a while now (General Science) Because of the whole Lyme thing, I have been letting her just read it, so I am not sure what she is retaining. But, when she looked at their Physical Science that I had thought about for next year, she did NOT want to do it. She really likes BJU textbooks, though. I really like the accountability of the DVD classes...keeping her on track, etc. Also, if I waited until the next year to do the Earth Science, she and her brother could do it together. So, maybe it would be best to just wait. The DIVE clip I saw of Earth Science looked pretty interesting, but I think I prefer BJU.

OhElizabeth, have you decided about the Earth Science? I just looked at the new BJU text. You are right...it is wonderful and so much better than the older edition. It is so much more readable and interesting. Do you think that it could be done independently? (since the DVD won't be available for a while yet) What did you think of the DIVE Earth Science? Any more thoughts after looking at it in more detail?

Were you pleased with the DVD instruction from 7th grade on up? Were the textbooks harder at that level or just a different format? Do you think the average math student can do BJ math from 7th grade on up? Thank you so much for responding to my question. I hope the lack of response isn't indicative of a general dislike for the program. :confused:

I am thinking of switching to BJU math for my elementary dc. I would like to stay with it through high school. I have heard that BJU changes a little once you get past elementary. BJU users, has that been your experience? If so, how would you describe the change? Thanks! :)

:)

Well, I think it is a little of both. I've always felt a little concerned about TT because of the "it's behind" talk. I haven't tested this year yet, so I am not sure about how they are doing. I always do the Seton CAT tests...like you said, they are just enough and a lot cheaper than some. The trick will be to get the testing done and results back BEFORE the Solutions meeting. Also, I have one son in particular who is mathematically inclined and so I would like for him to have a more rigorous program. My oldest dd will stay in TT...she is the one struggling the most with Lyme and it just works well for her right now. The dc in between, I'm not sure about. Could you explain what you mean about the change between their elementary program vs. the upper levels? I would definitely be using any of the levels with the DVDs. So, I didn't know if you were referring to TMs or the way it is laid out or what. I admit that I am a little hesitant to make the change. It is just difficult to change math programs, but in my heart I feel that it is probably a better quality program than TT. I could be wrong about that and it may be a fear based conclusion. I'm not sure. Thank you for the advice about testing. I had not considered that the end of the year testing may tell the tale. I guess I would have done something like BJ with DVDs (if I had the money) from the start. With the DVD sale, I have the opportunity to try it. But, there is that ever present wondering if it will work. If it doesn't, that would be a real regret of mine. Sorry I didn't respond sooner...I had not seen your post, OhElizabeth.

I taught all 6 of my dc to read using Abeka Phonics & Reading. With the last one, I ventured to try something different...OPGTR. It ended up being a waste of time and I went back to Abeka. :) Abeka is just good and solid. It does the job and is as fun as the teacher makes it. ;) I have never used their K5 program, though. All my kids went straight into their first grade program.

Did you know that VP has an online class this summer on Jane Austen lit? Bruce Etter is teaching it...looks wonderful, but very intense time wise and then there is the cost...sigh...

See, that's the problem...I LOVE to sit on the boards dickering over the perfect eclectic mix!!!! It's almost a hobby with me. BUT, I do not have the time to do it. I am worn out with trying to figure it all out for each child each year. And unless someone talks me off the ledge, I am liable to take the BJU plunge for 80% of our school! It just looks so great...it's all figured out for me...great teachers on the DVDs for the most part...not to mention the great DVD sale being offered at the Solutions meetings. BUT, I'm having a little bit of a hard time letting go of the idea of using this or that curriculum. Reality says I need to let go of that lofty ideal and be practical. As a wise woman once said, "The best curriculum is the one that gets done!" (Did you say that? I can't remember who it was, but it stuck with me) I truly am impressed with their stuff, so I feel like the children would still be getting a wonderful education and I could have peace of mind and maybe a little more time to cook & clean. Thank you, OhElizabeth, for those encouraging words...funny, I don't see myself like that at all, but it sure did bless me!