if a sophomore's score is within reach of NM level by working hard for his junior year test? My son scored 28 points lower than the last cutoff for our state. I'm wondering if studying combined with the extra year of school would bring him close, or if it's too much of a long shot to work that hard for... any advice? TIA

We've taken classes at Home2Teach and been pleased, but I think having more than one writing instructor is beneficial, so I'd love to hear more about it, especially if anyone can compare the writing instruction/feedback between Write@Home and Home2Teach.

nothing yet! :glare: On pins and needles in northeast Ohio

We began VT Geometry this year after using it for Algebra the last two years. I can give a little info about the course begins. Module A was largely a review of geometric concepts (lots of different types of shapes -everything from triangles and circles to cones and prisms- and how to find areas, perimeters, and volumes. It also introduces formal logic. Module B begins with lessons in logic - statements, converses, inverse, etc., and then teaches formal definitions of points, lines, rays, angles, circles, etc. This is where we are currently. The rest of Module B is postulates/axioms, followed with proofs and theorems in Modules C and D. HTH

I asked my son (who did Apologia Chemistry this year, and is doing Apologia Anatomy & Physiology this year.) He said the Chemistry text is definitely tougher.

in advance to anyone who I offend by asking this.... but Ria, can you not see that this is unnecessarily hurtful? I point it out now because it's not the first time I've noticed this in your posts. The rest of your answer was good, and would have been much better without the preliminary 'jab' asking why she got married in the first place.

so thanks for the tip. Unfortuntely, according to their website, their prices start at $1500... :ohmy: Any other ideas? Anyone?

...given that she's so young, and you're still in the early stages. I would suggest relying more on the other review materials in later modules as she gets older. Using Form A of the test to prepare for Form B might be too much like school teachers who tell students exactly what is on the test so they don't bother learning anything they don't 'need' to! $.02

...or even if they're still sold, but my kids would spend hours with a certain type of book. The books are large with hard covers and buttons to push. The back cover is wider than the front cover and the buttons are on the back cover, so they're on the right side of the book. (I don't think I'm describing this very well... sorry) Some of the books are just songbooks, and the buttons play songs, others are stories and the buttons supply sound effects. Another similar thing are the small children's keyboards which often have pre-recorded songs or sound effects depending on which buttons are pushed, in addition to playing notes like a regular keyboard. Blech... I don't think I'm awake enough to try and describe things we used that long ago. Hope this is somewhat intelligible and helpful

My oldest is taking the course through Potter's School this year; it seems to be very thorough. I'm not sure it would be easy to get through in just a semester, however.

(Intro: Hi, I mostly hang out on the high school board, but occasionally read stuff here when I'm avoiding doing whatever I'm supposed to be doing. Anyway this isn't really homeschool related, so it isn't appropriate for the high school board.) My 13 year old daughter wants to go to some sort of wilderness survival camp next summer. Does anyone know of something like this in Ohio, PA, western NY, WVA, northern KY, or other states which aren't too far from Ohio? Icing on the cake would be if it is Christian... TIA

The problem is their business/labor practices. Bailing them out now will encourage them to continue on basically the same course, which will eventually lead to whatever disaster the bailout is supposed to prevent. I think it's time to take the medicine, and any delaying will only make things worse in the long run. My $.02 from one of the rust belt states...

One of its strengths is putting the history in the context of faith. It's a very solidly Christian (Protestant, I assume -- I didn't notice anything to indicate otherwise) program. HTH

I have to agree. My 10th grade boy is definitely showing some maturing compared to last year.

I make gravy from scratch, and it's usually edible, but I don't think it would win any awards.

As long as they stay non-union, they will be my first choice. Unfortunately, the one here is a smaller store without groceries, and I buy clothes at the thrift store when I can, and I have always been minimalist with buying... so I don't actually support their non-union stance with as many dollars as I would like. But, hey, we do what we can!

In the earliest years (1st-3rd) Miquon Elementary/junior high - Math-U-See (it continues to Algebra, but didn't seem to explain the 'whys' as well at that point.) Algebra and Geometry - Videotext 3rd - 7th we combined MUS with Singapore. MUS's strength is the 'why.' Singapore's strength is teaching the mechanics of problem solving.

with bleach if it's really a mess. Just watch that you don't get it on your shirt!

My 9th and 10th grader are both using it. I think it's great because instead of focusing so much on names, dates, and cultural data, students get a much better grasp of the principles and ideas that have made the US what it is. I have found that for them to get the most out of some of the source material, it is helpful if I read it aloud to them and we discuss it a little. Having recently read George Washington's and Thomas Jefferson's inaugural speeches, I've decided I want to pull them back out to compare with what we hear in January. Even before the election--no matter who ended up winning--I was pretty confident that in the level of rhetoric, as well as the ideals and the humility with which they were expressed, the new president would fall very short. I highly recommend Notgrass, although it's somewhat atypical and seems aimed at a lower level if you just take the text and not the extra reading. HTH

My kids go through Book 8 in two years... 9th and 10th grade (and they don't do everything in it, either.) That way it doesn't replace other needed literature and composition study, but just works as a continual light review and strengthening in addition to the rest.

Book 8 contains a lot of review of earlier material, of course. You could certainly go through it at a fast pace, skipping sections that have been mastered. It does introduce a few concepts that I don't think Book 6 has, for example the loose, balanced, or periodic sentence structure. The associated exercises have the potential to improve writing skill. HTH

...don't be so quick to question people's sincerity. If it's not 'real,' so what?! If it is, you may be twisting the knife in a hurting person's heart.

I'm not familiar with R&S math, but if it is what he's been doing all along, you may want to find something else. Sometimes a student will be stumped by familiar material being presented in an unfamiliar manner -- especially in math -- so I think a little variety goes a long way. It may help to learn a different curriculum's style and language. Not sure I'm explaining myself very well. It's not even 10pm yet, but I'm feeling rather foggy around the edges....:blink:

My son started the Apologia sequence in 6th grade, and math was never an issue until 10th grade, when (having taken General, Physical, Biology and Chemistry) Physics was next in line, but he was still a year away from starting Trig. We solved that by having him take the Anatomy and Physiology course in 10th grade through The Potter's School. Possibly Chemistry would have been difficult if he had taken the traditional math sequence, which inserts Geometry between Algebra 1 and 2. However, he took Algebra 2 concurrently with Chemistry and had no trouble. We're going to try to finish what looks to be a very proof-heavy geometry course in less than a year during 10th, and get enough of a head start on Trig to take Physics in 11th, though I'm not sure where... at home... online... CC... ??? HTH

I vary this depending on the circumstance. In the earlier part of a course, or even at the beginning of a new unit, when the material is easier and introductory, and I am more likely to have the kids take a quiz, and then do a lesson on the same day. Otherwise, they usually do one or the other, and my oldest was able to finish the full Algebra course in two years. HTH