If you have read Ben Hur and/or Quo Vadis, would you give me your opinion about them? Which one would you choose for 9th-11th grade boys? Thank you for your help! ~Brigid

My heart goes out to you. If you can structure an alternative, I would seriously consider pulling out. Once you have determined all the alternatives, I would ask your ds to discuss the options with you, and come to a joint decision. If you pull out, you will want to make sure your ds doesn't think he has "failed." You also don't want your ds to see you as a safety net every time. It sounds like this warrants a "reset." No co-op I've been in has graded this way (and my kids have been in lots). It doesn't sound to me like your ds is being evaluated on a 9th grade level. In co-ops my kids have participated in -- with multiple grade/ages -- the grading has always factored in the grade-level of the student (with a beginning baseline -- and looking for improvement when it comes to composition). I'd ask yourself 1.) whether your ds is really learning, 2.) how much YOU are involved in the "outside" class, and 3.) whether the angst is really worth it. I wish you peace and a clarity. ~Brigid

Have you tried the IEW DVD's? If IEW has helped, and you are looking for an independent approach, the SWI (Student Writing Intensive) DVD's followed by the SICC (Student Intensive Continuation Course) DVD's might be helpful. We had great success with them. :001_smile: ~Brigid

I listed it as one credit on my ds's transcript his senior year -- last year. The PA Homeschoolers' AP Econ class is definitely more than a 1-semester course in length and material, IMHO. ;) ~Brigid

We have used the box of 1000 Sparknotes vocabulary flashcards. We did them over two years (in 10th and 11th) with my older, and are doing them on a more intensive schedule in one year with my younger, 10th grade ds and the class of 8 high school boys I am teaching. This year ds is studying approximately 30 words a week. I give a quiz a week with 5 or 10 randomly chosen words from the week. The quiz is basic: define the words, and then use them in a sentence. I also give 4 cumulative tests over the year. The only thing I don't like about the flashcards is that they do not give the pronunciation. Just one way to approach it. Thought I would share what seems to have worked well for us. ~Brigid http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=sparknotes+english+vocabulary&box=sparknotes%20english%20vocabulary&pos=-1

I agree. It seems like the quality of AP instruction varies tremendously between, and even within, schools. The good news for home schoolers is that the curtain has been pulled back for us to see what AP is really all about -- and that our kids are capable of performing well on AP tests and earning college credit, if they wish. My three most recent AP anecdotes: - an AP Chemistry teacher who, himself, earned a 1 on the test (not that you have to do well on an AP test to teach the class, but come on!). - last year my son took the AP Comparative Government test at a (very expensive) private school. The kids there had not even gotten to two of the countries that were supposed to be covered in the course. - my niece's AP U.S. History teacher taught the material in reverse chronological order. The teacher said that, otherwise, the class would never get through the 20th century. For anybody who wants to see what the AP tests look like, here is a link to one subject, with multiple published tests and scoring rubrics. There is a drop down menu to go to the others. ~Brigid:001_smile: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/chemistry/samp.html?chem

I'm teaching a literature and composition class to a small group of high schoolers this year, and I'm currently having them read The Lively Art of Writing. Has anyone come across any teaching resources for this book? I'm creating my own "lecture notes" and wondered if I don't need to reinvent the wheel (once again). :) Thanks for any insights! ~Brigid

My ds is in his second year of Latin with the Lukeion Project. The teacher, Amy Barr, is terrific. Wheelock's is the text used (over 2 years -- Latin I and Latin II). Good luck! ~Brigid http://www.lukeion.org/

I don't think this has been posted yet -- here is a link to past Physics C tests and answers. My ds found this very helpful. There is also a drop down menu that lets you choose other AP tests, if you are interested in past tests/answers in other APs. Good luck! ~Brigid http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/physics_c/samp.html?physicsc

This is a wonderful link that has been posted on the WTM Forum before -- and it is well worth bookmarking for all future AP endeavors. It gets you to many years of actual tests and sample answers/evaluations: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/exam/exam_questions/index.html I have no experience with the foreign language APs, but we have found the published exams on the College Board's AP Central to be a great way to practice. The only thing that is lacking is the multiple choice portion -- the multiple choice questions are closely guarded by the College Board. You can purchase past mc tests, but we have never done that -- and I'm not sure how hard it is to do that. I would not think that you would need a current prep book -- unless there have been changes in the exam structure. I have noticed that many of the SAT/ACT prep books are identical year to year. I'll bet that's the same for AP. Good luck! ~Brigid

I definitely think that scores can be raised -- and raised considerably, with effort. This has been true for us on both the ACT and the SAT. Here is a link to lots of good College Board info. Scroll down to "Repeating the Test" and you will find data on students who took the test from 1 to 5 times. http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/sat-reasoning/scores/sat-data-tables The average score for all test takers goes up in each re-take. Of course that is an average, and there are lots of factors involved in retakes that might not make this data applicable to all students. But it does show that, on average, scores do go up as more tests are taken. Best of luck! ~Brigid

You did an absolutely beautiful job! Thank you for sharing this! ~Brigid

I think that there are instances when pre-9th classes should be noted on a transcript. My ds took a high school biology course in 8th, and although he took additional science courses (no more bio or anatomy) in each of his four high school years, I felt that it was important to note that he had completed biology -- and that it had been a class with a lab. I listed it with an asterisk on his transcript below his high school courses. ~Brigid

I think around 8 hrs/week. Not a lot of writing - mostly answering questions and defining terms. The text is not huge, but the reading level is VERY high -- so it is slow going.

My 12th grade ds took AP US History (APUSH) last year from PA Homeschoolers and had an awesome experience with Susan Richman. Very rigorous, but well worth it. This year he is taking AP Econ and AP Comparative Government. The Econ is excellent and the Comp Govt is very good (but not as interactive, so not as enjoyable -- still worthwhile though) There was a question in this thread about how young to start AP. After my older ds took APUSH last year, I realized that he would have benefitted taking APs earlier, so my 9th grade ds is taking AP Human Geography this year. This AP is "billed" as one of the least rigorous APs. I would recommend starting AP classes early if you have an advanced student who is willing to put in the time. The volume and the rigor is definitely a step up. I see value in starting early so that the kids stretch themselves, and learn to tackle hard material early in high school. But I would not suggest more than one AP in 9th -- because of the time commitment required. Just one more perspective. :) ~Brigid

First - Congrats on your student's success! What an accomplishment to be awarded a partial scholarship and in the running for a full ride scholarship!! If I were you, I would not worry. You will probably hear early, but I seriously doubt that College A will notify you after the date they have given you for decisions. They know how much students are on pins and needles. But! That might happen. In anticipation of that scenario, this is what I would do. It wouldn't hurt to contact College B to ask for more time, but I definitely would not contact College A. Chances are there are lots of other smart kids in the same scholarship/decision boat as your student -- with multiple offers and options. If you hear late (which I really highly doubt will happen) just accept College B's offer on March 15th, and then immediately call them and tell them the circumstances for your need to withdraw if your student gets the full ride. It won't be irresponsible of you, and the school will certainly understand (if you explain that you did not hear by the agreed-upon March 15th date -- so it was out of your control). Others might disagree with this, but that is what I would do. The partial scholarship you decline will not evaporate. It will go to another deserving student who will be thrilled. Good luck. I hope you get good news -- and early news! ~Brigid

Yep, the TI-83 is fine. DS has used in several times. Be careful not to use the TI-89. That is not permitted, and it is a common calculator if your student is taking calculus courses. :)

When my ds took the PSAT the scores were sent directly to us. We did not get them from the school. There is a week or two range of scores being received, so if you have not received yours yet, I wouldn't worry. One family I know received scores for one student, and not for the other yet. The 11th grader got hers, the 9th grader -- not yet. So perhaps they go out in batches by grade-taken, in addition to geographic batches? Don't worry if you haven't gotten yours yet, though. This is typical. :-) Hope all the scores are joys for everyone!!:grouphug: ~Brigid

Hi Myra - AP tests are administered once a year in the first couple of weeks of May. You may retake them if you wish (but you have to wait a year). The only scores that are reported -- or used for college credit -- are the scores you choose to release, on a case by case basis. So if your ds gets a 5 on one and 1 on another, colleges never see the "1" unless you choose to send it to them. You probably know this, but you need to contact a school in your area to arrange for your ds to take the test. You cannot sign up on-line, as you can for the SAT and ACT. Best of luck! ~Brigid

There has been very helpful information recently about what the total "package" for college apps should consist of. Thank you ladies. It is so helpful to see the sum total of the materials -- especially for those who have been through the process very successfully -- in a tidy list! :) I am stumped about the "counselor letter" and wondered if anyone could give me specific pointers about what to include in this. I assumed that the list of my ds's classes would be a separate document -- but maybe not? What goes in the counselor letter? I have looked in prior posts, in files of other homeschooling forums, and on the internet, and the only examples of actual letters I have found look like letters of recommendation (strengths of the student). I have trouble believing that colleges want this type of letter from a parent -- but is that what is being sent? Thank you, thank you for any help with this. I am stressing and procrastinating, because I don't have a model to work with. ~Brigid

A couple of suggestions and thoughts from our experience with CC math: First, I imagine that there are different placement tests across the CC spectrum, but the COMPASS test is not timed. You have as much time as you need to complete it. The questions (on a computer) are scaffolded so that as the students answer questions correctly, they are given increasingly more difficult questions. This tests the upper limits of their math skills. (There is a time limit -but it is a practical consideration, not a timed-test objective). Secondly, be cautious when using the placement recommendation. My ds, who is strong in math, took the COMPASS after completing Algebra 2 and the results placed him directly into calculus. That would have been a disaster. We then had to decide how far to back up in CC math classes. What worked well for us was to look at the textbooks for the classes he might take (at the student bookstore). There was a lot of review in the first semester of pre-calculus (our CC has pre-calc over two semesters). But that turned out to be a GREAT thing for my ds. It helped him negotiate his way through the non-math part of CC -- new systems and expectations. Although the first semester was relatively easy, there was a lot of learning about the graphing functions of calculators -- a huge help. The second semester of pre-calculus was MUCH harder than the first. In hindsight, I know that starting there would have been extremely difficult. So, what worked very well for us was to back up to a comfort zone for the first CC class. There is so much more that the kids learn in that first semester than the course material itself. We have found dual enrollment math and science classes to be a big help in "stepping up," and transitioning to college. Good luck with your options. ~Brigid

Are there any sites that highlight potentially objectionable issues in books, similar to some movie review sites for parents? There are a number of books that I have not read, or that I read eons ago, that I would like to include in a reading list for a co-op -- but I am concerned that unwanted "surprises" might pop up that parents might not appreciate. I don't have time to read or re-read all the books beforehand, and my memory is often fuzzy when it comes to some books that I read in high school and college. I also really don't want to go to Sparknotes and read book summaries, because I'd like to read some of the books along with (or slightly ahead of) the kids -- and enjoy the books without knowing what is going to happen. Thanks for any suggestions. ~Brigid

Have your college kids taken foreign language placement tests given by the college that they will be entering? I'm wondering how challenging these are, and whether the rigor of our Spanish (at home) will be enough for my son to place out of taking a foreign language in college. If your students have taken college placement tests, I would love to hear your experiences with them. Is there any way to get a glimpse of what such a test would look like or expect? Is there any way to prepare for such a test (similar to SAT prep)? Would the SATII practice test books be a good idea? I had thought about having my ds take the Spanish SATII test, but I understand that it is very hard to score well in foreign language subject tests, because so many native speakers take them. My ds will be a senior in this third year of Spanish at home. We use Rosetta Stone (will start year three in the fall), and supplement with Practice Makes Perfect workbooks for grammar. My ds also spends one to two hours a week with a native speaker (my ds helps that individual with his English, and gets help with Spanish -- so I wouldn't really call this individual a tutor or teacher). Thanks for any insights and advice. :001_smile: ~Brigid

LaJuana - I think that you can get the test scores with a social security number - if your student entered it on the bubble sheet. Also, the system is totally automated. Unless you have a problem, there is no warm body on the other end -- so you may not need to call during "business hours." Just a suggestion if you want to try before Monday. :001_smile: ~Brigid

Here is the timing that we used: PSAT: (NO on-line sign up) 10th - for practice 11th - the one that "counts" for National Merit These are offered ONLY ONCE a year in October. You must contact a public or private school and request to have your student test there. Start calling at the end of the prior school year, or the beginning of the summer. You may be put off until September, but some schools start a list of home schoolers who want to test. You want to get on that list to guarantee a space for your student. SAT (On-line sign up) First time - 11th grade (any date; we chose June bec/classes and AP tests were over in mid-May, so ds had 2 weeks of no-school prep time) Second time -12th grade in October Be sure to check deadlines for applications and scholarships if you decide to take it later than October of 12th grade. November may be too late for some submissions. By the way, beginning with 2010 grads, the College Board will offer kids the option of only sending the SAT scores that the student selects, rather than ALL of them. This is brand new. ACT (On-line sign up) 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th We saw these as good practice, plus they met our state's requirement for one standardized test per year. Also, students may select the ONE score they want sent to colleges, rather than having to send all of them. AP: (NO on-line sign up) 11th, 12th (or whatever years your student takes AP tests) These tests are offered only ONCE a year in May. Just like the PSAT, you must contact a school to request to have your student test there. Ask for the AP Coordinator. Start calling in the fall. SATII Subject Tests (On-line sign up) 11th (or whenever your student is prepared) Some schools require or recommend SATII's from homeschoolers. SATII Subject Tests may not be taken on the same date as the SAT. A student may take up to 3 different SUBJECT tests on one date -- they are each 1 hour long. ************** We found the April/May time period of 11th grade to be pretty crazy. If you have a student who plans to take SAT II Subject Tests AND AP tests, plan carefully. AP tests are ONLY offered in May. We received sage advice from another homeschooler who accelerated some of her student's work so that some classes would be completed in early April. That gave the student more time to concentrate on studying for the AP tests and the SATII Subject tests. I hope this is helpful. The timing above is what WE did. There is definitely flexibility based on your own family's objectives. Good luck! ~Brigid