College Confidential's list has been going strong. Congratulations to everyone who qualified. Good luck with the deadlines and applications. :)

College confidential is tracking responses. CA, MI, KY, and NY have posted so far. Post 730 was the last list updated that I saw. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/1696275-class-of-2016-nmsf-nmf-qualifying-scores-p49.html

Love it that he responded to my email! :) Unfortunately there are not any resources out there other than what can be found used. I've done pretty well and have 2 student editions, the test masters, and a teacher's manual. I think we'll pull through. I found that http://www.motherofdivinegrace.org/ has a syllabus for $10. But that was all. Thanks for your input. From Mr. Jacobs: Since receiving your previous email, I have been spending quite a bit of time looking to find some of the materials that I used in the classroom with the 2nd edition of Geometry (homework assignments, etc). Unfortunately, I stopped using that edition more than 10 years ago and, not seeing the need to keep them, seem to have thrown all of those materials away. The transparency masters of the second edition have long been out of print. I am sorry about this but am always glad to hear from home-schoolers and will at least try to provide help and moral support to you and your son along the way. With best wishes, Harold Jacobs

Thank you. I may get that for DS#2 to use in a few years. Right now, I'm needing the Geometry 2nd edition transparencies. I've messaged that store to see if they might have them as well. Thank you for your help.

Since they are out of print would be it be possible to copy them? I'd be willing to purchase them if you're interested in selling the originals or a copy if that would be legal.

Does ANYONE have these? In particular, I'm looking for the Geometry (2nd edition) set, but I'd be thrilled with the Algebra ones as well. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to look for them? I've googled multiple times with no luck. Is there a way to contact the publisher or Mr. Jacobs himself?

I'm working up a plan to use Hakim's Story of Science books this year as a "general science" curriculum for my 8th grader. He's not a science geek like his mom, but likes history (unlike his mom). ;) So, I'm trying this route to see IF there are any areas of science that might interest him. I'm hoping to cover all 3 books (of course not in complete detail) and do experiments along the way to illustrate the works of some of the scientists. Has anyone done anything similar to this? Are there any overview schedules out there for these books? Do you have an opinion on the books or the Quest guides? Thanks for any direction you can share.

Moving this thread to Middle school board...... I'm working up a plan to use Hakim's Story of Science books this year as a "general science" curriculum for my 8th grader. He's not a science geek like his mom, but likes history (unlike his mom). ;) So, I'm trying this route to see IF there are any areas of science that might interest him. I'm hoping to cover all 3 books (of course not in complete detail) and do experiments along the way to illustrate the works of some of the scientists. Has anyone done anything similar to this? Are there any overview schedules out there for these books? Do you have an opinion on the books or the Quest guides? Thanks for any direction you can share.

Yes, I'm getting that idea from some replies I've gotten over on the Singapore board. They went REAL deep REAL quick on me. Going to have to get me a Coke Zero before I try to jump in with those ladies! :) Thank you for your link. I had not seen that, and hadn't given thought to going further in Singapore. But, sounds like there are options. Definitely the road less traveled though. The dressing from today was just the Kraft Raspberry Vinaigrette, but the one Teresa mentioned is called Hendrickson's. Really enjoyed our visit with you. We'll have to do it again very soon.

This is being discussed on the Singapore Math forum as well. http://www.singaporemaths.com/forums/showthread.php?3235-NEM-gaps-3x3-and-graphical-interpretation&p=9101#poststop I agree the thinking before doing is why I like Singapore math so much. I was considering switching to Jacobs Algebra. I believe he has a similar approach. But you lose the interconnected approach. Can you tell me a little about the Discovery Math? What would some of the college math be that comes after NEM?

I've used Singapore Math since 3rd grade for DS1 who is going into 8th grade now. He completed NEM1 last year and did well in it. We like the format. I was reading over some reviews recently and saw one on RR that I don't remember reading before. I'll quote it here: "Compared to Saxon, NEM begins introducing algebraic concepts earlier, generally includes more complex geometry problems, and covers more trigonometry. However, Saxon’s Algebra 2 course covers a wider variety of topics, including polar coordinates, imaginary and complex numbers, and logarithms. In Algebra 2, students must solve 3 by 3 systems of linear equations, while NEM only covers 2 by 2 systems. Also, NEM is extremely weak in coordinate graphing. The slope-intercept method of graphing lines is also not covered. Instead, students graph equations by plotting points from an x-y chart. Systems of equations are primarily solved by algebraic manipulation; graphical interpretations are not emphasized." So, my question is why would NEM not cover 3x3 systems? I can kind of understand not teaching slope intercept form. I would assume they teach the how you get to slope intercept, and then the students would intuitively use what they learn for future solutions. But, why leave out 3x3 and also why not work with graphical interpretations of systems of equations? I feel like there has to be a reason here, and I'm just too inexperienced to know what it is. Do you know if this review is accurate? Are these things omitted? If so, is it a problem or is there a bigger picture out there that causes this program to still be successful. Thanks in advance.