Re the teachers manual for LOF--there isn't any. For Algebra I he gives the answers in the book for the first problem sets, half the answers for the next problem sets, and none for the final. Then you refer to the homeschool companion for the other half, and the final set answers. For books in the series that don't have a homeschool companions, there is an answer key. Mr. Schmidt does not believe the parent should be "helping" the kid--he told me his books are designed not only to teach math, but also to teach the child to teach him/herself. In fact, he says that if the child has been making a good try, gone back over the chapter and re read, and still can't understand the answer, they should email him and he will explain. DD has done this once so far, and he responded in one day with a helpful suggestion (not a complete solution) that caused dd to understand quite well. It hasn't been much work at all for me. In fact, when I started working out some problems with her, I quickly realized that she was relying on me for problem solving (selecting the right algorithm, etc.) and not learning anything. In our experience, it truly is a self teacher, but the child has to be willing to work at it--go back over the material to see how the relevant problems were solved, etc. Danielle

My impression from other lists is that, unless your dc hit 800 on at least one measure, it's probably not worth going through the trouble. Also, if any of the scores are over 700, dc might qualify for SET at Johns Hopkins. Danielle

Beth, That was great. My dd is very into classical, so band won't be an issue. She's looking to get some orchestra and playing with other kids experience and just having some fun, so this sounds good. Thanks for the great rundown. Ain't this list great!? Danielle

We did Tools & Technology and Light& Sound for 5th grade Physics and really enjoyed it. I only have the one child, so I just ripped out the pages in the book--just couldn't see copying all that. I think the suggestions she makes are very rich, and I've kept the rest of the books as references for our current studies. It all depends on how much you do--so I do think it would work well for a variety of ages. However, this isn't a program you can just hand to the kids, unless they are very self motivated--the extensions are way more than anyone could do and have to be picked and chosen. We also enjoyed How the Body Works and How Nature Works, which we used in 6th grade. However, my dd found the numerous sidebars and "islands" of info to be very tough reading and distracting. This DK-style is very attractive to many kids, but not mine-YMMV. The experiments were good, but often required a lot of time and about half way through the year, she just begged to read the book and find extras on the topic. I'd use them again, but this time I'd pick out which experiments and have everything ready to go before starting (not one-two weeks ahead as I did them). Danielle

Cajun Classical, Dd just had to take the EXPLORE in order to be allowed to take Orchestra and Debate (!?) at the local high school and scored a 23 on the math section, so I guess she made the transition. If you work out the problems in LOF, you definitely get plenty mathy looking answers! We use the Creative Problem Solving book and plan to go on to Art of Problem Solving from Math Counts for a different exposure--usually once a week on Fridays. I don't think this is so much supplemental--LOF is complete, imho--as extras to encourage looking at stuff from different angles. I ask myself what's important in math. For me the answer is, can the child solve problems in real life (easiest level), can she solve problems required in her field (harder level--I want all fields to be open to her at this stage), and can she score very highly on tests, because we homeschoolers are judged by colleges even more on those than most kids. I have a kid who's really good at math, but no genius. We will complete LOF Algebra I this year (8th grade). In high school, we plan to go thru Algebra II, Geometry, Trig, Calculus and Statistics. Stan Schmidt, LOF author, says each of those are one year courses, so I'm not sure how we'll do it all--maybe try to squish some (most are 100 lessons or so). FWIW, I did have someone evaluate the Statistics book. We have a friend who's a cardiologist, now very expensive consultant to medical businesses. His daughter won the Westinghouse Sci competition. He's an absolute mathbrain. He was very impressed with the Stat book, thought it was very innovative, and very HARD. He also felt it covered more Stat than most college courses, and needed to be worked thru very slowly. He basically said it sucks you in by the cuteness, but packs a punch. There are lots of good math programs out there. Many children can do very well with a variety of programs. Homeschooling gives us the freedom to search for the best for our children. For most program decisions, after 6 years of doing this, I say try it(any program) and toss it if it doesn't work. We don't need to report to a textbook committee! Danielle Danielle

Yes--how about friendliness/cliqueishness, quality of instruction, good "minors", level of expertise of other kids, would your dd go back, best and worst aspects, was it worth the money. TIA. Danielle

We're thinking about this one, as recommended by dd's harp teacher. I'd appreciate anyone's experience. Danielle

Sorry to disagree but I think that Jacobs is eesy-peesy (dd's term) compared to Life of Fred. We've used Jacobs, ALEKS and now LOF, and LOF covers more, with more understanding. Jacobs is good, but tends to give you 100 problems of exactly the same type, while LOF makes you do problems that require you to know the material and apply it in a problem solving way. If you compare what each covers, you'll see more in LOF (check the table of contents on line). I thought LOF would be nice bedtime reading also, and it is, but I bet you're skipping the problems. Try to do them (the 7 or 8 look minimal at first) and you'll find a good brain workout for an hour or two. This is anything BUT a light weight program. There are lots of programs that seem light weight unless you do the whole thing (Rosetta Stone and French in Action come to mind). But doing all the problems in LOF is no easy task. However, it will be thorough. Danielle

How about Annenberg/CPB. The Biography of America series is great. They have lots of civics and a Western Civ class. Most of the series have companion websites for further info, and texts if you want them. www.learner.org Danielle

Thank you for the feedback. It's just great for any author to hear how people are using the program and what else they need. I tried to strike a balance between not overwhelming the child with work and not going too slow. I am planning on posting additional activities on the website (crosswords, word searches, etc.) as soon as I finish writing First Start French II, which is due "yesterday". So, more help will be coming soon. Danielle

For the nature impaired, like me: we did this great 2 week program last summer, and now that dd is headed for high school at home, she's begging to do their 2nd and 3rd level instead of hs biology. I learned more in 2 weeks than in my previous 54 (ahem) years, and also how to find the answers. I highly recommend it for older kids (12+) or parents trying to stay ahead of the bugs, snakes, tree identification, endless questions, yadda, yadda. http://www.wildernessawareness.org/home_study/kamana.html Danielle

I don't know how I missed this : ) being the author and all...Here's a review fyi (not written by me!) http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Reviews/2364.php Danielle

Loved the Polanski version. Very evil, dark and scary. Also, if you possibly have time, don't miss the Japanese version, Throne of Blood. Great alternate take. Danielle

I'm going to join the faction that doesn't like the Branagh Hamlet. Absolutely interminable and so bright it was hard on the eyes. I didn't expect to like the Mel Gibson one, but it ended up being our favorite of the two--atmospheric, great costumes of the period, and Glenn Close is also terrific. Danielle

Can I just contribute one? It spoke volumes to me. We were getting ready to meet a big-time prof of music (my dd is thinking about a music major and this prof was willing to discuss music with us.) I was in my not too shabby black sweat pants and polar fleece vest. Hey, we have 10 inches of snow on the ground. I just said, I think I'll change into something better, and she said, "Thanks Mom, for doing that for me." I don't know why this bowled me over, but it really made me realize that little is lost on her, and she doesn't take me for granted. At least today, I think she's a really good kid. Danielle

These are generally only one semester courses and many colleges award them credit as such. I'd check the colleges your dc is interested in.How about both? If I had to pick, imho I'd do Comparative Government. Most kids (particularly hs kids) absorb plenty of info on the US thru history. But many Americans have little appreciation for other well functionning systems, ergo, Comparative Government. Danielle

Try being a little louder or moving closer to the mic--both helped us. I can get the French into the green range pretty easily, but I was hopeless when I tried Dutch. Danielle

No, I don't think that's right. I don't see the answers to the exercises in the new College Companion--I just got it so maybe I'm missing something. I think you still need the Teacher's Materials if you want the answers. The College Companion just gives fuller explanations of the grammar. Danielle

Life of Fred Danielle

When I read your post, I must not have had as much caffeine as I need. I thought I was on the high school board, and read "HS" as high school, not homeschool. Thinkwell and French in Action are definitely for high school or highly accelerated kids. Life of Fred begins pre algebra. Check out the Annenberg stuff, tho. We used Bio of America in 7th grade. Final idea: would your kids be interested in a natural science, outdoors oriented curriculum? Google the Kamana Wilderness Awareness program. It does have some Native American philosophy in it, but otherwise secular. BTW, my book for Memoria is secular except for some prayers included at the end--pages easily ripped out. Danielle

http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/first-start-french.html The link is looking weird from my computer, but I think it will work Danielle

For French I have 4 suggestions: my book, which is geared to middle school but is very easy to teach. http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/first-start-french.html Both volumes (Book II is coming, this year) would equal about 1 year of high school French. Another idea is French in Action, which imho is the creme de la creme for high schoolers. The videos are available online at www.learner.org, but buying the full program (audio, texts) is going to cost you a good buck. but a lot is available used. Third suggestion is to get a copy of French the Easy Way (Barron's) and combine it with Pimsleur tapes. Unfortunately, modern languages can be expensive because you need audio, at least a little to get the prononciation right. Finally, Living Languages puts out a pretty good kit called Ultimate French that is geared to adults. With careful study, this can work well--it's just not very heavy on the exercises. For science & math, have you looked at Thinkwell? Advantages: good quality, lectures, self instructional. Disadvantage: on the computer. Be sure to browse the Annenberg/CPB site. They have a great American History series--Biography of America, and a good Am Literature one--American Passages (which syncs to the Norton Anthologies, always available used). What you save by using these instead of Teaching Company might buy you another computer! This site is just a treasure trove, and I'm not sure why it's not more well known among homeschoolers. My personal favorite for math: Life of Fred. All textbook, no computer, dd loves it. Danielle

In our area (Chicago area) it's a big club. That said, I have yet to go to a meeting. The local has a gigantic Halloween party (costumes apparently based on puns) that we've heard so much about it caused dh to take the test (and pass, thank heavens!--imagine what it would be like to be in a house with me and dd qualified). Dd qualifies but lost the application with the check. Apparently smart has little relationship to organized! I joined intending to go to meetings and take dd for games nights, which I know she'd enjoy. MENSA is very much member driven, so if you want something out of it, you are welcome to organize it. It abounds in SIGs, so you can find many ways to pursue even strange interests. What I most enjoy about MENSA is the magazine--the letter column really lets it rip on any issue. Generally the mag is themed, but the letters in the next issue are usually way more interesting than the original article. Also, in the endless need for resume credentials, MENSA membership is a shorthand for really smart in most interviewers's minds. Actually, the test scores don't have to be THAT high, but people think they do. I was able to retrieve my old GRE scores (still had the copy in my files from 30 years ago!) and they accepted that. Danielle

My activation email went straight to the spam folder, so I'm late re-introducing. I've been around here for 6 years now (wow!), since I pulled my then 2nd grader from school, then went to the library looking for what to do! Luckily, I immediately found WTM and have been happily modifying it ever since. My dd, now 14, is profoundly gifted and loves the verbal side way more than the math (altho math is pretty strong too). She has studied French and Latin since early on, and now approaching high school, this is really paying off. Up until this year, I'd have sworn she'd end up as a classics, literature, or urban design prof, but now harp has really come on strong (due to attracting favorable comments from a harp prof at a recital). Okay, enough bragging. Me, I never expected to homeschool, and am not sure I've made my peace with it yet. I had her at 40, expected to return to my work as a freelance writer as soon as she went to school. She was such a demanding baby/little kid that I couldn't do anything when she was little! Anyway, I did manage to crank out First Start French for Memoria Press, am working on a second volume, and have become very interested in writing on home schooling (previously I focused on health care, architecture, real estate, and social policy issues). My interests are legion, but include travel, Japanese and French culture, needlearts (hubby once made a list of 35 that I've at least attempted), gardening, sumi-e, our too-many pets, environmental issues and participation in our Quaker meeting. I have learned so much from the diversity of opinions on this list, and am so grateful for the support you all give. Danielle http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/first-start-french.html