I like Robin Finley's Analytical Grammar. https://www.analyticalgrammar.com/our-products/analytical-grammar/

Hi. My daughter (7th grade) is working on her 2nd year Latin credit using Memoria's 2nd Form Latin. I am planning to use Henle with her next year because I already own it and the the guides from Memoria Press. This was a good fit for her older sister. Roman Roads has Visual Latin on Sale right now and I am comparing what would be good learning. Does anyone have opinions about Visual Latin?

Hello, I see some great ideas here about futures for our young people. I bought something from the 7sisters website: It is a course called Career Exploration. This is a short e-book course that prints as a PDF. It is Christian perspective. The course has questionnaires and links to online personality tests to help a young person see possible options. Ideas like shadowing someone in a possible career is one of the things that caught my interest. I haven't gone through all of it, but I like getting some guidance in helping my children look at their strengths & weaknesses, talents, temperament, physical ability, etc.... all of these make a difference in choosing a career. While I am not using this a class for credit, it does go along with so many discussions that we have at my house all the time. https://7sistershomeschool.com/products-page/career-exploration-for-high-school/career-exploration-curriculum-bundle-duplicate-2/ Good luck, Calming Tea as you help your girl think ahead ? As moms, we are all trying to be a help to our young people in this area.

My senior is auditioning as a double perf major next week. On her transcripts, I gave credit for private lessons and listed the repertoire as part of her high school fine arts credits; the audition application required her to list all her solo performances along with the place to list her recommending teacher. I put string ensemble, musicals, and local classical choir on her extracurricular list. I will add the community orchestra to this list also (It was organized after we uploaded her information). If I needed to count orchestra as a credit, then I would make a description. If my girl is honored by being the CM, I will also note that. For now, she is playing second chair of the first violins. I will also include the music selections from group repertoire on her course description for "Violin Technique and Performance 12" for 12th grade violin work. This is my record of the music she has been practicing during the school year.

Has anyone ever used Thinkwell's Public Speaking course? We are using it this year and I am trying to determine if it is a 1/2 credit or 1 credit.

thanks for sharing. This looks like a great resource for me to incorporate with my Latin teaching!

Hi, I need some help in determining how to name a math course for my senior daughter. How to name the content of financial literacy with the practical aspect of consumer math. This needs to be a clear math credit, not looking like economics or personal finance elective. Here is what I am thinking: We are doing a 1/2 credit Introduction to Statistics for a semester to give her an introduction to the concepts ( I am using a combination of the basic statistics course on schoolhouse teachers .com and the statistics and probability chapters in the back of the new edition BJ Press Algebra 2 book, also additional reading) The other semester needs to be practical math: I really like the Financial Literacy course from 7sisters, I already own the BJ Press Consumer Math book which I feel is an insult to my daughter's intelligence because it looks like Jr. high arithmetic in a real world concepts. But, I have to say, it is thorough. I can skip the chapters that are way too easy so to condense the content. I honestly don't want to use the Cons Math book. I need to make Financial Literacy have enough math to be a math course. My goal is that I want her to be ready for real world with an introduction to how to apply math to car insurance, loans, interest in accounts,etc - to help her apply all the hard work in math she has done. She wants to be a music major, she really doesn't need pre-cal. And her Algebra 2 course through BJ Press included a lot of pre cal concepts anyway. As I am finishing up her transcript to send off to her first choice college, I want to name this course in a way that reflects the content in a positive (but math class) way. https://7sistershomeschool.com/products-page/language-arts-3/financial-literacy-from-a-christian-perspective-duplicate/ Another thought, I found a course called Financial Algebra at a local private school website. This is meant to build on Algebra concepts, not be a replacement for people who can't do the regular math. The textbook I am finding through web searches is Financial Algebra, Student Edition 1st Edition by Robert K. Gerver. There is also a newer second edition. I still have to learn if this is written in a way that I can teach it or if it is written for math professionals to teach. I just found this book about 20 minutes ago. https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Algebra-Student-Robert-Gerver/dp/0538449675/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1532347230&sr=8-2&keywords=financial+Algebra My ideal would be to find a supplement work book or website to apply algebra concepts to real world adult math. (To add more math to the Financial Literacy course) Then, there is the question of the name of the course. Any ideas??

Thank you for looking.

Would you see if Converse College in SC is on the list. That is my daughter's first choice school. She will also be auditioning for merit scholarships in the fall.

I used to make my own reading lists up through 8th grade. I used Veritas Press Omnibus 1 - 3 for teaching World Lit for my oldest for 9th - 11th grade. (Beautiful Feet also has similar lists that are easier, with a reading guide). I wanted this child to have online lectures and more college prep. We used the Veritas Omnibus self paced, but the textbook teacher CD also gives lots of study helps. This was very intense - but great for my daughter. The reading assignments are good, the lectures and discussion activities helped reinforce and interpret the content. I bought my courses when they had sales. It was the cheapest way for us to make sure my daughter had the experience of listening to lectures by qualified teachers. Since I also have younger students, it made quality lit possible - and it gave me time to teach long division to one and reading phonics to the other while girl #1 was online. (Both BF and Veritas Omni are religious perspective.) https://www.veritaspress.com/selfpaced/omnibus.html http://bfbooks.com/Study-Guides When working on my own lists, I used the book Invitation to the Classics as a starting place, along with the lists in the old first edition Well Trained Mind book. Christine Miller's All Through the Ages has also been a help in finding titles to match specific eras of history and literature. I have also used catalogs from conventions from Veritas, Sonlight, etc.. The Tapestry of Grace website gives lists for books that match up with trivium years also. I have gotten ideas for titles without buying them from TOG. It has been a good resource. https://www.amazon.com/Invitation-Classics-Masterworks-Louise-Cowan/dp/0801011566 http://www.nothingnewpress.com/books/all-through-the-ages-2/ http://bookshelfcentral.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=17_833 This year for my hs senior, I am putting together my own lists again for one semester of a survey of some of the great World lit titles we have not had time to cover. (Jane Eyre, Count of Monte Cristo, maybe Ivanhoe, Les Miserables, more Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet, something Tolstoy.....( Since this is second semester, I am not yet done with it.) I am also going to use Robin Finely's The Eternal Argument to help with overview. The other semester is a chronological survey of science fiction which I am currently planning.

I am just starting to seriously research this with my rising senior. (Last year, everything I found was for high school seniors and college students.) We have seen some of the sights you all have mentioned. We are also started doing searched specifically for our city, our state, and our region (the southeast). Lee Binz is also doing another one of her scholarship talks I think July 17 or 19. It is free. https://events.genndi.com/register/169105139238451455/84aa27aa4e Also, has anyone used Raise.me? I am having trouble seeing a list of schools without an account https://www.raise.me/about# I will check out the scholarship searches mentioned above. Thank you!

I am also interested. TPS seems like a source for very detailed academic work the last time I looked at their website.

When they have a sale for online courses, it is just the online access only. The DVD's are not on sale. My high school student is doing a math course through the BJ online. I like giving the hard copy tests, rather than the online tests. I also have a TE. This helps me to see the step by step lines of the equations without going online. Our course came with a packet of student notes pages as well as a booklet schedule of assignments. The access is only for 12 months. You do not get to pick a start date. Access for us runs Dec 2016-Dec2017. I just repurchased access to finish out the year for second semester so now we have access until Dec 2018. Paying $99 twice is still cheaper than their other sales. For someone able to start a new course in January, this set up is ideal. We just operate on a more traditional schedule starting our coursed in late July or early August.

Here are a few links that I just found. It seems like the web has an endless amount to say about this, especially in the context of teaching. Some of these are lesson plans, some are just information with ideas. I have not personally taught this concept as of yet except in the context of requiring my students to use a variety of quality of sources. So, I have not tried out any of these in my own teaching. I am just making a list of ideas.... I hope this gets you started. http://busyteacher.org/9526-facts-opinions-theories-how-to-talk-esl-classroom.html ww.edudemic.com/teach-students-evaluate-information/ (more for younger students) https://www.edutopia.org/blog/evaluating-quality-of-online-info-julie-coiro http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/page/the-credibility-challenge http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/conferencesandevents/ecollab/lpd/SavvySurgersWe(meant for middle school - but might have some valid application) https://web.stanford.edu/~jonahw/PWR1/Syllabus.html(college course description) http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/SoYouWantTo/WriteAConspiracyTheory(for using conspiracy theory as setting for fiction) https://msu.edu/~benoitme/BenoitLessonPlanTemplate.doc.pdf https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/ks3-yr9-conspiracy-theories-analysis-of-evidence-6434823(I did not download this, but looked at it through the preview. It might be worth considering for ideas. ) https://www.coursera.org/learn/news-literacy(free course) http://mediaeducationlab.com/sites/default/files/Hobbs%20Teach%20the%20Conspiracies%202017.pdf

One thought: in helping students document ideas and support thoughts, they need to know how to use a variety of sources to document unconventional idea. Any subject has more than the politically correct view. Students who write about corruption in any area especially in health, politics, science....whatever it is - need to learn how to do it well - not sounding crazy by only using the small press type of sources on their bio. Your students sound like thinkers, but they need to know how to use newspaper articles, magazine articles, or web documents that will support the thesis of their papers. Their different thoughts will be branded as "crazy" unless they learn to recognize that people can't comprehend what they do not view as credible. If I were in your position, I would honestly talk to them. Since your views are obviously different from their family's perspective, then you are very qualified to help them to know what kinds of sources would get you to actually think beyond "science fiction" about their points. For many of us, ideas that seemed odd years ago, actually can be logical once we see some valid sources. So, you have the opportunity to help these young people learn about "valid sources." One place to find their better sources might be starting with the sources in the back of their books. Scientific studies, newspaper articles, government documents, and interviews with professionals associated with the content would be a good place to start. The source I use for logical writing is Sharon Watson's The Power in Your Hands. I have never looked for a web source for filtering crazy from fact. But, it should be something that all of us address. And checking the sources of any writer will help our students differentiate between fact and opinion.

Another idea: The writer of Chem 101 says the video is only part of the high school credit. He intends for the student to read sources outside the DVD. This would allow time for even a research paper, or series of experiments. Maybe do something hands on and participate in a science fair. The DVD's also include a PDF book you can print that is black and white - not hogging ink. Quizzes are also included. It is more than just watching the videos. I have the Chem 101. I bought it to help me review Chemistry concepts so that I could better teach Dr. Wile's new Chemistry book (which we love - but it is hard). My 6th grader has ended up loving it the 101 videos. Even though I use AIG science with her for now, it is fun to get some of the history visuals from the DVDs. The chemistry videos we have seen so far assume that the student already has middle school knowledge of atomic structure, mixtures, solutions, etc. It builds on that knowledge. It does not introduce these basics. I personally really like the 101 series. Since videos are a good fit for your student, something else that might also go along with the bio 101 is the set of human anatomy DVD's on the timberdoodle website. This is the cheapest price I can find anywhere. I am researching this to supplement our anatomy studies next year. https://timberdoodle.com/collections/science/products/body-of-evidence-8-dvd-set Aurora Lipper also has an experiment video with PDF curriculum for both biology and human anatomy. I have used her middle school and elementary resources as supplements - though it could be a spine. Here is a link to her high school resources. Her elem and middle school teaching is very "hands on." This might also add content for a biology or chem credit without you having to build your own semester to add to the 101 material. Guest hollow has a chemistry lit list that may give ideas for books/experiments to supplement.. Ellen McHenry has nice science units. I downloaded one recently on cell biology during one of those homeschool freebie links. I also got the chemistry plan from Guest Hollow that way too another time. http://ellenjmchenry.com/curricula-for-sale/ http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/science/chemistry_highschool/chemistry_home.html http://www.sciencelearningspace.com/grade-levels/advanced-projects-2/ Good luck as you put a plan together!

Child's Geography of the World Explore the Classical World might be a good place to start. This is a read aloud ancient history / geography course that is easy to use as a spine. The writer writes as if she is visiting these places. Lots of ideas for hands on activities such as cooking meals like these cultures. https://knowledgequestmaps.com/geography-resources/a-childs-geography/ I have used the VP self paced OT/Ancient Egypt. In my opinion, I would not use that for a first grader because the games require reading skills. (unscrambling longer names of pharoahs...) VP tends to be accelerated in their reading levels for all the grade levels. If you or an older sibling is able to sit with him, the VP course is great! We loved it, but my child needed help in the activity sections. Another good VP option is to do their Bible OT with a first grader. This is a little bit more gentle in using language arts skills in a history type of course. I do love the OT/ancient history, but if you use it - expect to enjoy it with him. The reading list they give to go with the course is wonderful. Our family really enjoyed it.

Hi Friends, This deadline snuck up on me. The online access for all BJ Press lectures is on sale for $99 today. Since I use their math for Alg 2, it has been helpful to have the lectures. These sale courses are self paced. Since I bought access last year with the Dec. sale for the class my student started in July, I do need to repurchase it again to have access after January for the second semester. It could work well for someone starting a new course in January, rather than the traditional end of summer school start time. This sale is the cheapest way to get access to a video teacher for their curriculum. Even re-purchasing again to have continues access is still cheaper than any sale they have at any other time of the school year. All subjects are on sale. Last year, they also did a $99 January sale for the same thing. Here is the link that came to my inbox: http://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/content/special-offers For questions, here is their office phone number: 1-800-845-5731

Hi, I am teaching the BJ grade 6 math right now to my middle daughter. It is definitely the right one to teach after 5th grade because foundational geometry concepts are built. Also, the pre-algebra style thinking for dealing with factoring is begun. If I had an advanced student who was totally solid on arithmetic skills, I would instead recommend skipping 7th grade math, and go straight into the 8th grade BJ pre-algebra, so he is ready for Alg 1 at 8th grade. I considered skipping 7th for my daughter, since she was so solid with arithmetic, but later decided the year 7 review was in her favor. If your school year starts in Jan, you could do the online teacher which is usually on sale, and the once we are doing now is so worth the money. Honestly, the pre-algebra is not complicated to teach as long as you have the teacher edition. Video access is just an option. BJ Press might have a scope and sequence on their website. But I did talk to one of their math textbook writers about this, and she told me that the 7th grade math is the optional review, and that lots of people skip it and go straight to Pre-algebra. Good luck as you research. I will continue to keep this thread bookmarked if you have any more questions.

We love fraction tiles, and the unifix type of cubes that are interlocking so to make cubes, not just sticks. https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Rainbow-Fraction-Tiles/dp/B001604R1G https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0199IISP2/ref=dp_sp_detail?psc=1

Some personalities like a definite beginning and definite ending. When we homeschool moms use a few resources to create a great course, it can be harder for our students to know how far they need to be by Christmas so that they can finish the course by May. One of my children talked to me about this: for a subject she dislikes (math and science) , she wants to just use a good college prep level book and get it done. If you son is ahead of math on a high school schedule. He may enjoy switching to a totally different type of math. Math with Fred has some interesting titles for Jr. High level. One goes along with science concepts and another with economics. Even a consumer math or science applications of math as a break from the algebra might be worth considering. I have never used the Fred books because the few I reviewed did not explain concepts well enough for my children. For one of my friends, the Fred books helped them survive math. Since you have an older student and you yourself are in a math course, you would be very prepared to fill in a gap. You could always hit algebra again next year or next semester. For my oldest who really does not like math , we do it early to get it out of the way. This does not work for all of my children, but for my oldest it does. For a younger student - not high school, maybe he could earn a "day off" of math by getting a specific amount done the other 4 days. Best wishes as you think, read ideas, and just brainstorm for how to motivate your son. The investment of energy and care is truly well worth it!

klmama, you are right about performance majors. I still have to do some checking to see if we can apply this to any general ed classes. If she decides to double major with 2 performance instruments, some extra available time might be needed.

It has worked well for us. Teaching for understanding rather than trying to remember a procedure has worked very well for my creative kids. The teacher edition gives a lot of discussion ideas for addressing various learning styles.

I know with high school math, a Teacher Ed PDF is available online as part of the parent's login access. (There may also be a link for a student e-book. )The student does need to have a book for the course we are using. Honestly, I think it is easier to have your own teacher book. You would need to just call and ask or email and ask someone. It might depend on which grade level you are doing. For my daughter, we have both the TE, and the student book. The quizzes and tests can be taken and graded online. I choose not to do that. We use the printed quizzes and tests. Thankfully, we have the flexibility to skip to any lessons we need to , so I can skip the online tests since we do our testing on paper instead.

Have you heard of College Plus, recently renamed Lummerit? They have a program that helps students earn part of all of a degree online or by transferring in to a college. I am investigating this for my musician daughter. If she doesn't get a doable scholarship offer next year, Lumerit would help her get some classes out of the way and negotiate the credit transfer to a 4 year school. I have held off for a while, and I'm not sure if I will even go this route for her senior year. (We have followed a classical plan and have exciting plans for her senior year with academics...) But this is definitely in the back of my mind as college gets closer. I found out about this at a convention. A nice young man who worked for the company in the booth took time to explain some of the options for me and how it might apply to my daughter. This company has helped dancers work on college credits while dancing for a professional company. It is very flexible. https://lumerit.com/our-systems/ https://getunbound.org/how-it-works Something like this might be an option for your daughter to follow both of her dreams. affordably.