We used Sonlight Core 6 & 7 the past two years, and loved it (with the SOTHW as spines). The first two books are the easiest, but the last two are more challenging, with lots of information. You could easily "beef" it up a bit by adding in some more challenging liteature. I think I would add in a high school level spine just for reference (I am thinking when you make transcipts for college you might want to have a high school text used....you don't have to reveal HOW MUCH it was used :)).

I don't have a firm answer to this, but I know in our state (Ohio) that if a child participates in a sport or marching band, they do not have to take P.E. Our state does have a one year P.E. requirement (for those that do not participate in the above). I am also thinking that if your child is going to do a sport all 4 years, you could count the first year as a P.E. and the remaining 3 years as an activity (I think that is what I will do as my children are on a USA swim team). I know different states have different requirements, so I don't know if this could work for you. Michelle

I agree very much that he needs to SHOW HIS WORK. My ds was not wanting to show his work last year, either, but I made him write everything down. I agree that once he gets used to it, he may be faster. It sounds like he has the basics down, but trying to do all of that work in his head is bound to take more time. I think I would have him do 1/2 a lesson per day until he gets faster (and plan on doing math over the summer). I think this is a hard one because he is doing o.k. grade wise. You could always go back, but it does not seem his comprehension is lacking. I know our children need certain classes for college, but one of the reasons we homeschool is so that my children can move at their own pace and really LEARN a subject (this may mean working slower of faster depending on the subject). I know in college they will not have that opportunity, but if we give them a solid base now, it will help them in college. For now, I would let your son move at his own pace (but show his work!). Blessings! Michelle

My ds took the ACT last year at the end of 7th grade (he has been in the 99th percentile on the ITBS for a few years, so those scores were not giving me much information on his growth in different subjects). The only high school level course he had at that time was Saxon Alg I. He did work through a practice book about a month before the test. He knew he was taking a test that was for juniors, so he wasn't stressed about it. His scored a composite of 22 (a little above the national average). I was very pleased with his English score of 28 :D (I think R & S and Latin were a big help). Anyway, he will be taking the SAT(through Northwestern's Center for Talent Development) and ACT this spring. I plan on having him take these tests every year for practice. I definately think there is something to getting used to the test and the testing environment. Your son already knows he has not had all the math he will need. So let him take it and see what he can do :) .

My ds has just finished Apologia Biology using the CDs and has loved Steve Rosenoff (but ds LOVES science, so take this review for waht it is worth:D). We will be starting chemistry in a couple of weeks and he has asked to use the lectures again. Ds feels like they add a great deal to the course (the leactures are about 3 hours per module). I have ds watch 1/2 of the module each week, so he has spent 2 weeks on each chapter. The cd also contains course notes you can print off for each lectures (with fill-in-the-blank questions), as well as additional tests for each chapter (with the answer key included). I have chosen to use these tests instead of the Apologia tests as there are more essay type questions on them. I just ordered the chemistry cd from christianbook.com for $100 (it was the 2009 edition, you can get the most up to date edition at the red wagon tutorial website for around $150).

Does this mean if a student IS pursuing a science related Bachelor of Science, Latin would be acceptable? I think I, too, might call them next week to clarify. It does sound like it would not affect admissions, but it would have to be satisfied at the college for graduation requirements. And I just look at that as adding an extra burden in college when it could be completed in high school :tongue_smilie:.

We are using Wheelock's with Dale Grote's study guide and Wheelock's Workbook (I posted a link the other day with an anwser key for the text and the workbook). My ds (8th grade) is doing fine (I also bought the MODG syllabus, but it is not necessary). However, IMHO, Latin should be studied every day in order to really learn it. (My ds spends 45 min to an hour M-F and sometimes a little bit on the weekends). I am struggling because I can"t put all the time in that is needed (so ds helps me!!). The actual lessons in Wheelock's can be read in about 10-15 minutes, and you can work on the exercises at your own pace. I think it is a very easy text to implement, but it should be studied every day. Your dd already has a full load, but if she wants to give Latin a try I would go ahead and let her attempt it. Perhaps she could start over the summer and see how she likes it. Latin is a great language to study for the vocabulary alone!! Both my 5th grader dd and 8th grade ds understand the meaning of many words because they know Latin. I hope you fing a good fit for your daughter :). Blessings!!

I found the site that has the answer key for Wheelock's text and workbook. You have to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page. You can download several chapters at a time, or the entire answer key (whcih is what I did). http://sites.google.com/site/spezadams/wheelocks1when This has been very helpful when grading homework! Enjoy :D.

Here is a link that works: http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrensimages/_Academic_WheelockToBeDeleted/ The end of it says "to be deleted", so I am not sure waht this means, but it has the answer keys to the book (as well as some other documents...from a class??), but each chapter is a separate pdf. I downloaded a single pdf over the summer for both the book and workbook. I will try to find the link later this evening and see if it still works. I like the "official" answer key because it includes the text you are translating.

I just wanted to add my son loves this, too. He has requested we use the Steve Rosenoff lectures for chemistry as well. Michelle

I was a biology major in college, but a biochemistry minor (I took 3 years of chemistry, including general, organic, and biochemistry). I did not have physics in high school, but took a year of physics in college and did just fine. I would opt for advanced chemistry. I would think another year of general chemistry would be helpful before tackling organic chemistry (I found organic chem to be very hard). But maybe you could just study an advanced chem course over the summer and then try a basic organic chem course. I know Veritas Press offers an online organic chemistry class (I am not sure of the requirements to take the class). You could also do the same with physics the summer before you start college, just to brush up on the basics (you will probably only need an algebra based physics class in college given your major). Just a few thoughts. Let us know what you decide :D. Blessings, Michelle

I have looked at Spectrum also (mainly because of the labs :)), but DS really wants to stay with Apologia for now. I am thinking of using Rainbow for my dd for the next to years, and then possibly Spectrum for chemistry (I think it looks like it will work better for her :)). The price for Spectrum is high, but you get everything I believe (labs and all). For now, I have ordered the Apologia chemistry book and we will start it in a couple of weeks (as soon as I get the lab equipment ready!) Blessings, Michelle

This confirms my decision! Thank you for your post :). Michelle

April, Yes, that is the way I would for him to progress, both Apologia texts now, and then AP Chem no earlier than his sophomore year. I thought about the DIVE CDs, but he LOVES the Steve Rosenoff lectures and has requested to use those again. I thought I might at least buy the DIVE CD as a supplement for experiments (not to replace them, just in addition to the ones we will be doing). As far as math goes, he should be fine. He is taking Saxon Alg II now, and will start Saxon Advanced math this summer. I like the idea of perhaps doing an introductory physics course before 10th grade. If he progresses well with chemistry, that is a great option. Thank you so much for your reply :).

My ds is in 8th grade and is finishing the last chapter of Apologia Biology. He is doing the lecture series with Steve Rosenoff and has really enjoyed it. We school year round (lighter in the summer, but science and math are a priority). I was thinkng about having him start Apologia Chemistry now, and move on to Advanced Chemistry (in September or October). Then, I would like to sign him up for AP Chemistry through ChemAdvantage (his sophomore year). Would this be overkill? I thought about just starting a text like Zumdahl now, and preparing for the AP next spring, but he really loves the Apologia text and has learned a great deal. He is a math/science kid (currently taking Saxon Alg II) and wants to go into computer programming/engineering. ChemAdvantage really expects the student to be in at least 10th grade and ds would only be in 9th by the fall (I know we could get through the first Apologia text by starting now, but I think what is the rush?). DS is fine with this plan, but I always doubt myself. I figure then DS could take AP Physics in 11th and another advanced science in 12th. What do you think? :D

Here is the link: http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/spb You can also buy it through any number of homeschool retailers. Blessings!!

IEW also puts out a guide to go along with Starting Points (we are using it this year). It gives a little more detailed instruction for some of the assignments (which are a bit weighty and open ended).

The most important thing is that she is learning. In math, sometimes it really is maturity/brain development that needs to be at a certain level for a child to understand a concept. You may even want your dd to look at it this way.....she would also be the youngest when competing for a gymnastics scholarship. Maybe another year of gymnastics would also be beneficial :D. Honestly, if my child's grades were that low, I would repeat the work, because she is not masterting the material. I have a feeling she will thank you in the long run!! Blessings.

Sonlight does this in cores 6 and 7, but I have not done this on my own. I do LOVE the Foster books, though :).

We have used Saxon from the start. Both of my children started with Saxon 1 in kindergarten. My ds in in 8th grade and doing Saxon Algebra II. Dd is in 5th grade and doing Saxon 7/6. It is not a flashy text, but IMO it is solid and rigorous (my kids consistently test in the 99th percentile on standardized tests and they KNOW math). I have no plans to switch :D. I think you are very wise to want to choose one math curriclum and stick with it. IMO, this is very important in math, where the sequencing of concepts taught can vary greatly from one program to another. If you switch around a great deal, your child could end up with a gap in their math education, making the higher levels more difficult for him. Blessings :).

I think that looks just fine :001_smile:.

That is wonderful!! It really shows what a responsible young man he is!!

This is from Art Reed's website: Advanced Mathematics: Use “Geometry with Advanced Algebra (1 credit) if they only complete the first 60 – 70 lessons of that textbook. Add “Trigonometry and Pre-calculus†(1 credit) if they successfully complete the entirety of the Advanced mathematics textbook. Under no circumstances should you record “Advanced Mathematics†on the student’s high school transcript as colleges and universities will not know what math this course contains. They will ask you for a syllabus for the course. Hope this helps!

I'm with Lizzie....why did I open this thread :D! I am thinking that since my ds will just be starting high school next year, we could spread this out over a couple of years!! It looks wonderful.

I don't think I would do the perch and frog together. I thought the perch was HARD to get through....literally:D! Trying to get the bone shaved off of that fish's head to see his brain was torture :lol:. I think I would do the earthworm and perch together, and the frog and crayfish together. But ideally I would take two different periods to do the crayfish and frog because there is a lot to see. If you could take a break between them, that would work also! How nice that you are willing to help others with their dissections. Have fun!!!