I guess I'll just look for some other science for the next year (or two!) I was hoping to move away from Apologia for physics -- not that we haven't been pleased with it. I just want to widen their exposure a bit. Thank you all so much for the info!

Both of my kids have OCD, but both seem to be fairly mild. With my 9th grade son, it's all about the germs -- so he washes his hands a lot, but seems to be able to control it, and also has a lot of issues with food and eating. We have not yet sought counselling for him. He seems to be able to keep it manageable. I keep praying that God would give us wisdom as to when/if we should. My 7th grade daughter's is reflected in what looks like an extreme pickiness about what clothes she'll wear (won't tolerate the feel of things) and an as-yet unbreakable habit of picking at her skin. Only in the last 6 months when we finally sought counselling for her did we discover that these were also common symptoms of OCD. She's not getting the cognitive behavioral therapy and Zoloft, but it hasn't helped yet. We'll probably have to increase the Zoloft, but I ****HATE**** having my little girl taking that stuff. I have not been aware of it affecting their schoolwork, but I'm not sure I've been as on-top off all this stuff as I might have been. I am so glad your son is getting help and being helped by it. Going through all this stuff with your children is so incredibly hard for mom.

He's finishing the 2nd year of Videotext, which means Algebra 2, but having skipped Geometry. Next year, he'll begin Videotext's two year course covering Geometry, Trig, & Precalc. He has done fine in Chemistry, and has said the math has not been difficult. Thanks for the input... maybe we can go back to our original plan. What about other Physics courses? Would basic, perhaps easily taught concepts of Trig be adequate? Thanks.

OK, so I've recently discovered that apparently a student ought to have Trig before taking Physics... I have a 9th grader who has followed the Apologia sequence (Gen. sci, Physical Sci., Biology, Chemistry) but he started in 6th grade, meaning he is taking Chemistry this year. We were going to do Physics next year, but he hasn't had Trig at all, so I need another alternative. Can anyone suggest a good alternative for a kid who's strong in math and science, but not a very fast worker? It doesn't have to be Apologia, but we're considering the Adv. or Marine Biology.... Otherwise, I'm looking for any suggestions... at home, online, or comm. college type courses. Thanks!

I can tell you about one I found recently, and may sign one or both of my high schoolers up for next year. It's offered by Florida Virtual School, which I heard good things about on these boards. Here's the link: http://www.flvs.net/students_parents/VSACourseDetail.php?CourseID=46 HTH

I have a 9th grader who is currently taking Algebra 2 with Videotext and Apologia Chemistry. Following the standard progression, he will take Physics next year. However, in math, he will be taking Geometry. A recent thread or two here recently suggested a student needs Trig before Physics... is this true? Will he be unprepared for the math in Physics next year? Thanks!

I don't think PTIW needs to be a full year course... Both levels use the early weeks to teach the writing, but the bulk of the course is practicing many different types of paragraphs/essays. We've just finished the first book. The early lessons were great (and I think a basic grasp of grammar is adequate -- you may need to help your student with the difference between phrases and clauses, though the text covers that.) I found a great improvement in my son's writing in just the first 10 weeks or so. The last 2/3 or more of the book is a three week cycle in several different types of paragraphs, as follows: week 1: a lesson introducing the type of paragraph, and five days of work to write one. week 2: a week spent preparing to write a paragraph of that type, followed by a half hour timed period to write it. week 3: first, a paragraph in the text is 'graded' by the student, then the rest of the week is spent revising their paragraph from week 1. We did not do all the weeks for each lesson, though we did do all the different types of paragraphs, though it is probably not necessary if one wants to get through it quickly. Hope this helps.

He said the the Labs in Chemistry are easier than in Biology last year - there are also fewer of them, which means fewer lab reports! But the text is a little more difficult and the work involves problem solving rather than memorizing.

Well, it did take us almost two years, and that was doing it every day. However, I used a lot of the worksheets off the website as extra practice. I also did every lesson and every quiz, and most of the comprehensive reviews, assessments, unit tests, etc. Having started in 8th grade, he'll still start Geometry in 10th, so I saw no reason to go through more quickly. I am planning to get through it more quickly with my youngest, starting next year.

My son came to VT having completed most of NEM 1, so clearly he was beyond the pre-Algebra phase. He'd done well with NEM, understanding more of it than I did, frankly, but I was clearly at my math limits, so we turned to VT, and it has been great. He's just finishing Module E. We went through Module A, although fairly quickly. Yes, much of it was foundational stuff we were already familiar with, but VT has a very systematic, thorough way of explaining things (even I understand it!) and I think it's best to hear it from the beginning. The instructors make references to certain parts of it all the way through. One example which comes to me is the explanation of the 'language' of math, which is used frequently when new concepts are introduced. BTW, in a couple of months I should be able to give a pretty good final evaluation of VT. We'll finish the two year program early, and my plan is to spend the rest of the year in ALEKS, to see how he does in the Algebra 2 level. (I'm hoping that not having Geometry yet won't hurt him.)

A few days ago, at 6:30 a.m., I was sitting in my warm bed, drinking coffee and reading my Bible when my husband walks into the room. He'd just come in from shoveling about a foot of snow off our driveway so he could drive to work. I commented that I admire and appreciate his hard work... That's all - nothing very eloquent. That night, he told me those few simple words had bouyed him up all day. I think we women often underestimate the power our admiration and appreciation have in our husbands' hearts. I know my marriage is strongest when I remember to look for and comment on my husband's strengths and accomplishments. That's all. I usually hang on the high school board, but I wanted to share this because it was a good reminder for me.

My 9th grader is doing the first half of R&S English 8 this year, and will finish it next year. To cover the whole book in a single year, in addition to vocabulary studies, literature, and writing seemed excessive. It has worked well for us.

When my kids were in elementary school, I used Singapore in conjunction with Miquon and/or Math-U-See, because I thought that Singapore math was strong in teaching the mechanics, but the other two were stronger in helping young children understand what was going on with the numbers. FWIW

I'd recommend you solidify skills. What I mean is this: Much of what students must learn is content-driven, but some is more skills-based. Even in content driven areas, possessing certain skills makes mastering the content easier. Let me try to put this in more practical terms, though it will be generic since I know nothing about your student. Overall, since 8th grade courses won't go on a transcript, I'd worry less about making sure we cover this, that, and the other curricula; instead, make sure the student is ready for high school level courses. In English-and this may be the most important area-make sure the student can write and write well. That should be a priority. Second, work with your student on strengthening his grasp of tools for literary analysis. (Many high school courses teach this, but knowing it ahead of time will give your student a head start.) In Math, make absolutely certain the basic concepts are rock-solid, and if ready, it's a good time to begin Algebra. If not ready, do whatever it takes to get ready. Other skills I'd consider important to have at least a good start on before entering high school are logic, as well as a grasp of how to do good science. In addition to the scientific method, this would include how to carefully, systematically perform an experiment and write an excellent lab report. I'm sure others would have a lot of excellent input, but these are my thoughts on the subject.

MIT and Harvard are both in Cambridge, MA. There's a friendly rivalry between them (MIT students refer to 'the liberal arts school up Chuck River.' (The Charles River runs by both schools between Cambridge and Boston.) Having two of the best schools in the world just two subway stops away from each contributes to a unique atmosphere in Cambridge. Let me add that having one of the better public transportation systems in the country gives MIT students full access to all the area has to offer. It's a densely populated and developed area and has a lot to offer (cultural, definitely historical) but if a student likes green space and a lot of open room to breathe, it can be difficult.

Is that two different classes like Algebra 1 and Algebra 2, or is it two versions of the same class? Would both credits count? I've wondered the same thing if a student takes biology as a 9th grader, and then in 11th or 12th at a community college... Would both credits count? Thanks.

I did something special for my daughter's 13th. I invited her grandmother and three aunts over on the Sunday afternoon before her birthday. I polished my grandmother's silver tea set and pulled out my best tablecloth and china, and set it all out, sort of like a formal tea. I had asked the other women to speak to her, in some way, about growing up: either their journey, or what being a godly woman means to them, or just encouraging what they see in her of God's gifts and grace. It wasn't intended to be a gift-giving occasion, but I did ask them to have their words written down so she could keep them. Gifts appropriate to the occasion and theme were allowed - I gave her a ring (being a tomboy, she's never had an interest in jewelry, but recently wished for a ring) and talked about the forever symbolism of the band in terms of her walk with God. The whole thing lasted less than an hour. I know it will be a special memory for me; some of the others involved have said so, and I think/hope it will be for her.

I would suggest that your son watch all the lessons; he wouldn't need to do all the problems, obviously. The quizzes which go with each lesson are short; perhaps he could watch a lesson and take a quiz, and you might find he could get through a couple per day without it taking too much time. I've loved Videotext. We're just finishing module E of the Algebra course. I am planning on spending some time on ALEKS since he'll finish Module F before the end of the year. I'll use ALEKS to check for any gaps, though my husband (literally a 'rocket scientist') hasn't seen any. Although he hasn't seen it in as much detail as I have, since I -- the farthest thing from a rocket scientist -- get to be math teacher. That's why I love it: first because *I* don't need to know the math for it to be effective, and secondly, because for the first time in my life, I'm understanding it, too. I plan on using the Geometry course beginning next year, and I'm eager to see if it will be as successful for us. I hope it goes well for you.

I have an almost 15 year old 9th grader who sounds a lot like you're describing! We had no success with Writing Strands or Understanding Writing, and some success with PTIW. (His biggest problem is that he writes like he talks -- in the fewest possible words using fewest possible syllables... sigh.) In March we're trying an online writing class, and for next year, I've got PTIW 2 and IEW's The Elegant Essay, and I may keep trying online classes. So, I'd love to know if IEW works for you. I hope it does!

I have some excellent starting points for my research now! I think we'll test the waters this year with a spring writing course at home2teach, and next year look for some courses with Potters, Scholars Online, PAH, or one of the others mentioned here. I really appreciate all the suggestions.

My oldest is in 9th grade, and other than a few 'for fun' co-op classes and karate, all serious classes have been done at home. I've decided that some high school courses should come from other sources in the next few years. In addition to local options such as co-ops and community college, I'd like to explore online courses. I'd love to hear people's experiences, both good and bad, with online high school classes. I know there are a lot out there, and I'm sure the quality varies dramatically. Thanks in advance.

So, if you're on a tight budget, and don't feel you have the expertise or friends to take them on your own, I recommend visiting a couple of Walmarts in the area and asking to see photos taken by their *current* photographers. You may find one that you're satisfied with and that meets your budget, which is all that really matters, anyway. I hope you find something!

I'm assuming we will take four years to go through it -- having not seen the geometry yet, I can only extrapolate based on the Algebra course, but I expect we'll do both in a similar manner. Here's how we're doing it: Except in Mod. A, which was largely review, we don't usually do a quiz and a lesson on the same day, but even so, doing the full Algebra course that way would take less than two years, but more than one year. Some of the extra days we've filled with doing the worksheets from the website, which seem to have slightly more complicated versions of the problems. Several times per module, I take a day or two and just have him do assorted problems from the extra practice worksheets, which also works as a good review of previous material. (Warning: unlike the rest of the material, the answers for those problems are not worked out for you. Fortunately, my husband is good at this stuff so he can help us if I can't figure out what my son did wrong!) Including the worksheets, we'll still finish Module F by sometime in April, I think, and I plan to have him spend the rest of the time in ALEKS. Two reasons: one, just in case there are any gaps in VT; and two, exposure to more than one curriculum is a real benefit in math. Disclaimer: I don't yet know if not having had Geometry between Alg 1 and 2 will make doing ALEKS Algebra 2 a problem or not. I've loved VT for us, but I'm also curious to see how he does on ALEKS. It will be a good test of his ultimate understanding and retention from the last two years, I think!

No words of advice... you're braver than I am! I haven't yet managed to bring myself to do it, though I've come close a few times!

VT absolutely teaches everything needed to know for solving the equations, and in the clearest, most helpful way I've ever seen. We're almost done with Module E -- this is our 2nd year in VT -- and I asked my 9th grade son about the proportions. He thinks VT taught it at some point, but says that she could do VT with no problems. FYI, I'm also a math despiser, especially an algebra despiser, but I understand this stuff and find it interesting for the first time with VT.