Just summarizing the last few threads GRIN... I've been reading these boards for awhile, and I've listened to several of my children's friends complain about their teachers' threats and complaints at the beginning of 8th grade, and I've concluded that it is perfectly normal to spend the entire 8th grade year struggling to begin to learn how to: -Write a short well-organized expository paper -Produce work that has a heading and date, is legible, has full sentences that actually answer the questions, and isn't half question marks -Use an assignment book to keep track of one's assignments -Make and use some sort of study guides -Show one's work in math (math becomes complicated enough that one needs to show the work now) -Type And it is normal to spend the rest of high school learning how to: -Use more adult reference material -Skim so one can sift through a greater quantity of material -Write a longer expository paper -Read at an adult level -To do research Eighth graders don't have to arrive at high school able to do the second list. It is ok to spend high school learning to do those things. High school is long - four whole years. Yes, it is nice to arrive knowing them, and lots of students do, but lots of other students' academic skills are slower to mature. They still will arrive there by college, when students do, indeed, need to have those skills in place. Lots of people say their children made huge leaps after the age of 16. So... if your 13yo isn't behaving like a 17yo, IT IS OK. DO NOT DESPAIR. They keep growing after 13 or 14. In fact, they grow tons, just like they grow tons between the ages of 2 and 6. Part of that growth is a new awareness of themselves and language and the world around them and their own reasoning powers. This awareness, unfortunately, also leads to some of the less attractive 13-15yo behavior. They are two sides of the same coin. If my own children and their friends are anything to go by, they themselves are horrified by some of their own changes and tendencies, and just as glad when they ease off later on. Growth isn't always easy, fun, and pleasant. Remember the terrible twos (or threes)? They were learning to be children then. Now they are having to start all over again and learn to be adults. Please, please give them lots of sympathy and tolerance along with bolstering their still immature self-discipline and judgement. And talk to them, lots. And listen to them, really listen, to the new person they are becoming, not just the old one they were. And mourn the child that is disappearing, because they are, too. And help them to look forward to the nice adult things, like being able to drive and being able to get together with friends more easily. And remember that they are still young. Hugs to everyone who is going through this. I'm going through it for the third time GRIN. HTH -Nan (I've left off various science goals, like learning to make observations, to draw, to design an experiment, to keep up with current discoveries in a field, and to use lab equipment because I haven't heard them discussed enough to be able to tell where the 8th grade/high school line normally lands.)

I realize there is an 8th grade planning thread on the K-8 board. Thought we needed one here, too, for those that pop in more on the Logic Board. We are jumping into a new co-op for 8th grade to spice things up a bit for ds. It's a STEM co-op, so I think he'll enjoy it. I'm also streamlining our choices this year as I hope to have a part-time job. STEM Co-op Fall & Spring classes: SCIENCE: Physical Science with Lab and Aviation class Handcrafting with metal & leather (fun) Beginning Programming/Coding (fun) MUSIC: Guitar I & II At Home: MATH: Mr. D Pre-Algebra ENGLISH: Essentials in Writing 8 with grading/ EIL 8? (there is only one novel scheduled, Night, so we will add more just for free reading, maybe adding in Boomerang guides for discussion: (still continuing with some Bravewriter Lifestyle activities) The Giver, Echo, Night, The Westing Game, Brightly of the Grand Canyon, Lord of the Flies(maybe), White Fang, Basher Five-Two, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Book Club), Navigating Early Easy Grammar 8, Marie's Words, Word Root study HISTORY: Notgrass Civics Uncle Sam & You... D.C. trip and local field trips LOGIC: The Thinking Toolbox or Critical thinking resources BUSH CRAFT Club (organized by husband, 2x a month) PE: YMCA class ART: Masterpiece Art Society Ongoing Projects: '72 Ford Truck remodel & School bus remodel for teen hangout.

I was inspired by Polly's update of the 7th Grade Planning Thread to start a new 8th grade thread - I know we've had a couple, but I hoped we could use this thread to share our plans as they develop, and to talk about the skills we want our students to build in 8th grade and how we've chosen resources to build those skills. Plus, then we can all giggle next May about how far our plans diverged from reality! So, without further ado, here is our 8th grade plan as of May 2015: 8th Grade Synposis Syllabus Math 1. Algebra a. Finish Crocodiles & Coconuts, do Chuckles the Rocket Dog b. Khan Algebra 1 mastery for practice 2. Geometry a. TC Course Geometry: An Interactive Journey to Mastery b. Finish Understanding Geometry c. Khan Geometry mastery for practice 3. Probability & Statistics a. Khan for continued practice 4.Problem Solving – Skill Focus: Problem Solving a. Alcumus English 1. Rhetoric - Skill Focus: Essay Writing a. Writing With a Thesis b. Bravewriter Expository Essay class c. They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing 2. Creative Writing a. TC Course Writing Great Fiction Adventures in Fantasy: Lessons and Activities in Narrative and Descriptive Writing b. Screenwriting & Novel - personal projects 3. Literature – Skill Focus: Essay Writing a. Movies as Literature: The Music Man, ET, The Maltese Falcon, Rear Window, The Philadelphia Story, The Journey of August King, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Raisin in the Sun, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Chariots of Fire, Emma b. Shakespeare: The Tempest c. Science Fiction/Fantasy: Frankenstein, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The War of the Worlds, His Dark Materials 4. Grammar & Style - Paragraphs for Middle School Science 1.TC Course: Joy of Science - Skill Focus: Taking notes from lectures, discussion & critical thinking, short essay questions a. Science Matters b. What’s The Matter: Readings in Physics c. Nature of Life: Readings in Biology 2. TC Course: Science of Self - Skill Focus: Taking notes from lectures, discussion & critical thinking, short essay questions 3.Unit Studies – Skill Focus: reading to learn, taking notes from text, answering short essay questions a. Story of Science: Einstein b. Carbon Chemistry – McHenry c. Cells – McHenry d. Exploring The Way Life Works e. HHMI Evolution Unit f. The Brain – McHenry History of Science 1. Independent Reads w/ Reading Log – Skill Focus: Reading & Writing to Learn, Critical Thinking a. String, Straight-Edge & Shadow: The Story of Geometry - done b. The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, The Royal Society & the Birth of the Modern World – Edward Dolnick c. Longitude – Dava Sobel d. Curie in 90 Minutes – John and Mary Gribbin e. Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon – Steve Sheinkin f. Stargirl – Jerry Spinelli (IR) g. Black Hole – Marcia Bartusiak h. Uncle Tungsten: Memoirs of a Chemical Boyhood – Oliver Sachs i. The Disappearing Spoon – Sam Kean j. Napoleon’s Buttons – Penny LeCouteur k. Itch – Simon Mayo (IR) l. The True Adventures of Charley Darwin – Carolyn Meyer (IR) m. Remarkable Creatures – Tracey Chevalier (Mary Anning) (IR) n. The Double Helix – James Watson o. The Violinist’s Thumb – Sam Kean p. The Adoration of Jenna Fox (2009) (IR) q. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Skloot r. The Dueling Neurosurgeons – Sam Kean s. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat – Oliver Sachs 2. Read Alouds w/ Discussion – Skill Focus: Oral Discussion & Critical Thinking, Big Ideas a. A Little History of Science – WF Bynum (read aloud w/ Morgan) b. The Story of Science – Susan Wise Bauer c. A People’s History of Science: Miners, Midwives and “Low Mechanicks†– Clifford D. Conner d. Science as a Way of Knowing: Foundations of Modern Biology – John A Moore Ch. 1-10 e. Voyage of the Beagle – Charles Darwin f. The Origin of Species – Charles Darwin g. Why Evolution is True – Jerry Coyne h. The Beak of the Finch – Jonathan Weiner a. Science as a Way of Knowing: Foundations of Modern Biology – John A Moore Ch. 11-22 Metacognition – Skill Focus: Critical Thinking, Study Skills, Logic, Metacognition 1. TC: How to Be a Superstar Student 2. TC: Your Deceptive Mind 3. The Demon-Haunted World – Carl Sagan 4. TC: The Philosopher’s Toolkit 5. A Rulebook for Arguments 6. TC: Meaning from Data: Statistics Made Clear 7. Letters to a Young Scientist – E. O. Wilson Spanish – Skill Focus: Vocabulary, Grammar, Oral & Written Expression 1. Easy Peasy Spanish 1 2. Finish Easy Spanish Step by Step 3. Finish Getting Started With Spanish 4. Duolingo PE – TBD Extracurriculars Horseback Riding Theater

In the next few days, we are deciding 13 yr. old sons schooling for this coming year. I could use some input from those who have been through a similar situation, especially those with this age or older. Here is the basic situation: I am mentally, emotionally, and physically spent. The past 2 years of homeschooling have been difficult---we had a death in the family two years ago and since then I've had an extremely tough time adequately (in my opinion) staying on top of all the academics and not becoming overwhelmed and/or frustrated in our day to day schooling. While I really would like to continue homeschooling all my kiddos, I am concerned that it will just be TOO much. I really want homeschooling to be a positive experience for my kiddos and I don't feel like the past two years have been due to other life stuff. Here is what we are trying to figure out: I'm definitely going to homeschool my 9yr. ds and my 6 yr. old ds---they DO NOT want to go to public school. I'm also going to finish up by 17 yr. old ds, since he will be ready to graduate high school next spring and is taking most of his classes at the local CC!! My 13yr. old has shown an interest in trying out public school (maybe straight to high school for 9th grade or go into 8th grade to allow for adjustment) but he is unsure. (expensive online classes, private school, christian schools are not in the budget!) He is also considering staying home for school. IF he would prefer to stay home, I'd like to do an "easy" year (easy for me and for him...somewhat) He is ready academically for high school level work so I was thinking maybe he could do some free (or inexpensive) online classes or Khan Academy stuff and maybe just a couple things with me...he loves computer programing so maybe he could have time during the day to do something productive with that? I'd love to hear 1.) what resources, online or otherwise, would be good to look into and 2.) Am I setting him up for a tough time academically in high school if he does an easy 8th grade year? (he may go to PS for high school...not sure yet on that...most of his academic records I would give them would be what he did this year) 3.) IF he prefers public school, any input on whether it would be best to go into PS 9th grade (where he is academically) or PS 8th grade (where he is age wise) We've visited both schools and both are open to whatever we decide. Sorry such a long post....hope it's clear.

Our DS did one online class this year (7th grade) in Latin, and will continue next year. But we'd also like to look into at least one more online class next year, for 8th grade. I'm sure this has been covered before, could someone direct me to a link for sources of online classes? I'd also appreciate any feedback and recommendations based on your experiences. I think part of why this year's online class was great was because I looked at many options before choosing -- we want another good experience this year. We do have most of the core subjects covered already at home. So we're not looking at "core" subjects necessarily. But we'd be interested in a special course in history, philosophy...maybe something even like programming or computer science? Electronics? He is very interested in technology and may well go into a field in this area. One caveat is that we'd like a well structured course that has a clear syllabus, this helps keep us on track. Thank you for any and all options!

I've been reflecting on great past posts by Nan and Lori D and others, and thinking about what my particular child needs to work on in 8th grade to be ready for high school. I thought it would be fun to discuss - I bet I'll come up with lots of new ones, reading others' lists! These goals are things that I hope my dd will be able to do by the end of 8th grade - so 12 months from now! 1) She needs to practice taking notes from a text. In 7th, I made study guides for some of the texts she worked through. Next year I'd like her to experiment with different strategies to come up with a way to take "unassisted" notes from a text. 2) She needs to practice taking notes from a lecture. She's never done this. We have a number of TC lectures lined up, I'm hoping one or more of them will be appropriate to learn note-taking from lectures. 3) She needs to practice taking tests. We've not done tests in anything but math. I feel like she needs to experience taking a test, under timed conditions. We do plan to do the NME next year, and continue doing math tests. Maybe I need to add in science tests this year? 4) Related, she needs to learn to answer short essay questions under time-limited conditions. I will have her do this once a week, rotating through our subjects. 5) She needs to pick up the pace a little bit with essay writing, and learn to juggle more than one writing assignment at a time. In 7th, I've had her working on one essay at a time - either in lit, or in history, and though I've generally shot for one paper a week, I've given an extra week if she needed it. I'd like to gently and gradually increase this so that by the beginning of 9th, she'd be able to handle a short paper per week in more than one subject. 6) Outside accountability? I'm not sure what this would look like, but if we're going to start DE in 9th, I feel like it's something we should practice somehow? What goals do you have for your student for 8th grade?

Hello! I'm in the market for a good Biology/Life Science curriculum for my 8th grade son (for next year). Any recommendations? Thanks!

I had a thread a few days ago about looking for an American History program for my 8th grader and several people suggested Sonlight. With three other kids with their own special situations, I didn't feel I could dedicate on the "Sonlight time" necessary for the 8th grader to do her History, though I love the program. As I researched programs though, I kept coming back to it. So here's the question, can an 8th grader do just the History/Reading portions mostly independently, with mom doing some discussions but not doing all the read-alouds (she would do those independently as well)?

I have been looking and found a lot of great classic reading lists but I would love to add some more up to date books also and mix the two for the year. We do a lot of reading, and a lot of reading together, and sometimes the older stuff can get tedious. It would be great to mix it up with some do not miss more recent books. Anyone know where to find decent lists like this??

We will be using MFW Exploration to 1850 this year for our 8th grade dd. This is what we have so far to go along with it: English: The Shurley Method (mostly for the grammar) I already have the book and will use it unless PH satisfies my standards in this area. Prentice Hall Literature, Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes, Silver Edition BJU Pre-Algebra Science: Still unsure about this! Ugh! Any ideas? Our dd loved science until last year. She was in public schools 1/2 year and the science teacher taught them 6th grade science. She lost all interest in it so I need a science that will really get her captivated again! Also, any ideas about a good book for using microscopes? She has a really great one and we haven't been able to use it since we don't know what we are doing! Ugh again! Latin: Not sure about which to use. She did English from the Roots Up in an earlier curriculum of MFW. That's all the exposure she has had. Any ideas? History: Story of the World, Vol 3, as in our MFW package, but I am including the Activity book as well as the tests. Guitar: Private lessons Photography: Private and possibly 4-H Spanish: Rosetta Stone Logic: The Snake and the Fox In the past we have enjoyed the suggested reading lists in the TE. We have tried to always read some out of each section or recommended for the chapters. This has given our dd a more rounded insight and a deeper education than just skipping them as being unimportant. Some have said that MFW products may not be challenging enough, but if you do all the suggestions you will find that it is not only interesting, but fulfills the questions the kids may have otherwise. You can make this curriculum easier or harder, depending on your style and what you choose to do with it. I have found it makes our home flow a little smoother and is such a pleasant atmosphere. It is centered on Christianity and that makes it a fit for our home. We, also, study the Bible more in depth than it calls for. Our typical day started around 8-9 am and would end around 3 pm. We also spent a lot of times outdoors with the previous versions and plan on doing that this year as well. You can always adjust your days to work for you...that's what I love about having the TE that does the plans and everything for you. We have used Adventures in My Father's World; Exploring other Countries and Cultures; and Creation to the Greeks. Our dd LOVED these! We only skipped Rome to Reformation to stay on track with Texas guidelines and they are working on the history line of Exploration to 1850 for this year. Blessings!

I am planning to begin homeschooling DS13 for 8th grade. Part of my general plan is to tread lightly until the end of December, so he can "deschool" and reignite the love for learning he once had, and we would generally keep a year-round schedule. Planning for science is proving a bit tricky. He loves science, and is good with math, but his 7th grade math so far has barely grazed pre-algebra. I am planning to continue pre-algebra with AOPS (we dabbled a bit last summer, finishing only chapter 1), then start AOPS Intro to Algebra whenever we finish Pre-A. I thought we'd start science by reading mass market books, possibly with a slight focus on neuroscience, especially the arguments for and against the notion of "teenage brain"; otherwise, I'd just point him to our bookshelves and let him select whatever interests him. I also have the Teaching Company's Joy of Science and Great Ideas of Classical Physics DVDs, which I thought would satisfy his "big picture" craving. ETA: I am also planning to get some TOPS kits that he selected. Also lurking in my mind, however, is Hewitt's Conceptual Physics. DS seems to be a STEM-oriented guy, and if we are to get all the way to calc-based physics by the end of high school, he'd have to at least start Hewitt mid-8th grade, and it may take us into the beginning of his freshman year to finish. All of that leads up to .... I recently read a thread about "rigorous texts for high school science" and lewelma's "Physics for Poets" thread. Ruth's plan provides some general guidance for my loose first-semester 8th grade notion, and of course the rigorous texts tug at what I am ultimately aiming for. Can the two approaches be reconciled? Can I proceed in this mixed fashion for 8th grade, or would I be driving DS toward burnout if we start slow and then drive hard to make up for lost time? Perhaps more importantly, does he need to get all the way through Algebra I before even starting Hewitt, or can they be done concurrently? Thanks in advance for any input. I realize no one can read the tea leaves with precision, but I'd love to know your thoughts.

My 12 y.o. dd just completed Singapore 6B and I started her on Art of Problem Solving math. Whew! TOO INTENSE! She doesn't want to pursue math as a career or even in math competitions. She will likely use business math as an adult...she will have successful entrepreneurial businesses! That's just the way she's wired! But they'll be directed toward fashion or baking or salons...not math! What math should we do now? We are at pre-algebra stage, but she doesn't need over-the-top mind blowing math. Really she needs something she can do independently, preferably on the computer or at least after watching a video teaching about it. Recommendations? For high school, I expect that she will do all college prep, so I'd like her to continue preparing for Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, and I suppose, Trig or whatever is next. Thanks in advance!

What are your plans for 8th grade? I don't see one of these started on the Logic stage subforum for this year. If you see anything I have missed, let me know. Also, I haven't totally finished planning so have a few questions. He will be doing 2 subjects in ps. Band--public high school (every day for gr 8) Honours math ps(all year; first hon math concepts, then hon Algebra 1) Trumpet & piano lessons (my folks pay for the piano lessons) Music theory; thinking of Music Ace--has anyone used this? Note: we are leaning to specializing in music & science in high school as he is talented in music & wants to be either a pilot or an aeronautical engineer English: Lightning Lit (to be followed next year by Windows to the World, which I already own), writing with a fabulous homeschool writing teacher, a grammar review (suggestions?), vocab (suggestions? I'm thinking of Word Within a Word plus continuing Rosetta Stone German for vocab building not foreign language credit as he wants to do a different language next year). Science The Illustrated Guide to Home Forensic Science Experiments (lab heavy, already ordered) History Streams of Civilization Vol 1 is what we're leaning toward. We are keeping this on the history light side, although he will do audio books for some of the WTM reading suggestions as he might end up going to full time ps by his jr year, so we're following what they do just enough that he can have most or all of his history credits done. It may not stay light every year, but for this transitional year as he has a lot on his plate. Logic still deciding between the Bluedorn books & Traditional Logic, which we own all 3 of. Phys Ed Swim team & cross fit; he also wants to try baseball next spring for the first time, so he'd give up his swim clinic (okay by me; he's not nationals swim material based on all we've seen so far) Typing Instructor Deluxe I keep thinking I'm missing something, but he's not taking art or handwriting anymore.

I finally got my password and can post again! Here's the problem. Last year in 7th grade, we took my son out of the public junior high because he was not being challenged, the teachers were poor, and his friends were getting into fights. Still, he got good grades and loves learning. He has tested at the high school or post high school level on the SAT-10 for years. He did well enough on the ACT to get into the NUMATS program. We homeschooled for the last half of 7th grade and enjoyed it. We had previously homeschooled in a similar way in 5th grade, but he wanted to try junior high. But he was lonely during homeschooling. So we decided to try a local private Christian school K-12, that is supposed to have a "college prep" type curriculum and is definitely more rigorous than public schools. But it's not what we thought it would be. The pluses are that it's safe, it's a new building, the classes are small. Mosr teachers are congenial. The downside is that the teachers are plowing through the curriculum, but not stopping to make sure the kids know the material. They never review homework, but it's usually graded. There are 6 new kids in a group of 24, but they're not helping them get up to speed, unless the kids stay after school for short tutoring. The parents have begun to tell me how they have to teach the kids at night. Homework is routinely 3 hours at night and often 5 -7 hours on the weekend. My son is doing the homework and really trying. But it is becoming too much for him. His grades are faltering considerably, which has never happened. The materials are not difficult for him. But if he didn't learn it in class, he isn't always asking for help. He doesn't have enough time to digest what he's learning either. So, we are debating how long we stay at a private school that is rather expensive place to be getting poor grades. There are other facts, but maybe someone would have a perspective or questions that would be helpful in our thoughts. Thanks!

I think my dd may return to school for high school. We don't know yet. I do know that she loves to read, read, read. She is really not getting into some of the textbooks we have used. But I also want to prepare her for high school work, whether at home or in public/private/charter school. So far I know we are doing Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra. I was hemming an hawing about this since we have used TT for a while now, and although she isn't thrilled about it, she retains the information and it is working well. We did Apologia General Science this year. I don't know. I didn't really care for it and neither did my dd. I cannot afford an expensive DVD program. I know my son did BJU Science in high school with the DVD's, but we were in a much better financial position then. She is a very "sciency" kid. I think we are going to go with Essentials in Writing. With using Daily Grams. We have been using VFCR. But us this really the best program to prepare for PSAT's/SAT's? History. Stuck. Completely. Notgrass was quite dry. If it is a textbook, it should be coloful. But trying to stay away from texts. Sonlight seems wonderful, but it also seems choppy. I can't(again) afford a program like Sonlight. I do need a program that is semi-independent. But would love to use a history program that also combines an in depth literature study. I wouldn't want to use a program with lots of books, and then do a seperate lit study with MORE books. Which bring me to Literature. I do not want a program like BJU or Abeka that has snippets of literature passages. I want a full out, read the book and do a lit study. Her big thing, like I said is reading(as long as it keeps her interest). So, if anyone has some ideas, throw them out at me. And, since I am just going to assume she is home for high school, I would like to plan it out so I am staying with the same programs throughout high school. (I know some may have to change like possibly writing programs) :grouphug:

I'm not getting much info on the K-8 boards and was hoping someone from this board might be willing to share their 8th grade plans? I realize this is a huge year for us. I want to do my best to prepare for bridging over to High School. Could you share your 8th grader's plans with me?? I want to make sure I don't overlook anything! Thanks!:001_smile:

Logic: Traditional Logic or Critical Thinking U.S. history books (We have only done Mind Benders and CT book 1 in the past, so I'm not sure if he's ready for TL, but I like the fact that I wouldn't have to teach it. I'd get the DVD.) Math: Lial's Introductory Algebra History: America the Story of US book and video, Presidents by Carter Smith, U.S. geography (He would outline the text, watch video, and I'd like to have him do a U.S. President section in his notebook and a section for each state. Grammar: R&S English 8 Composition: R&S and across the subjects as laid out by SWB in her audio lectures. (I haven't listened to these yet, but I've read TWM so I'm sure they are pretty much the same. My son is a natural writer.) Vocabulary: Wordly Wise 8 and VfCR A (We used WW last year, but I'd like to do VfCR, so I decided to use both and just do one of each a year, instead of 2 of VfCR. Literature: Painless Poetry, SL readers for Core 100, literary analysis hopefully explained thoroughly by SWB in her audio lecture! Science: PH CiA and maybe DIVE to go along with. Computer Skill: Let Us C and a Apple program for making apps. (My son loves anything computer related. This isn't really school to him.) Bible: daily Bible reading, memorize so verses that deal with things he struggles with, and read a few books that I've picked out: Do Hard Things, Start Here, and some Maxwell books. I don't make this part of schooling, but I think it's a good way to start his morning. Foreign Language: GSWS and Visual Link Spanish Art: Internet study using list in WTM (He will write a paragraph about each artist and put it in his notebook, after looking up some of their artwork online or in the books we already own.) Music: Guitar lessons and internet study using list in WTM (He will do this like he does art, but he will find music online to listen to. I love Pandora!) PE: Karate and he uses my stepper while watching TV if he can't get outside due to allergies or weather. He also swims when it's warm. I posted this in the main K-8 board, and I got no responses. I'm hoping someone here can give me their opinions. Any thoughts?

This schedule is looking pretty full for DS 13. Lial's Algebra - Daily, class Tues. Derek Owens Physical Science - Mon., Tues., Fri. MCT's Word within the word - Mon., Tues., Fri. Growing w/Grammar - Tues., Wed., Thur. Composition class with weekly essays - Mon. (paid for already) Lightning Lit. American Lit. - Daily Figuratively Speaking - Tues. Thur. SOTW 4/A History of US/Literature - Mon., Tues., Thur., Fri. Visual Link Spanish II - Daily The Discovery of Logic - Tues, Thurs, Fri. Total Health - Wed. (First Semester) Music Appreciation w/Great Courses - Wed. (Sec. Semester) Art - Mon., Wed. Daily Reading (not curriculum based) Co-op on Wed. :blink: So, what do you think oh Hive one? Catherine

We've got 6 and 7, but what I'm planning for right now is 4/5 and 8... So how 'bout it? I'm still very much at the work-in-progress phase, but I'd love to see what others are doing, have done, or are planning...

I"ve been reading a lot of threads with suggestions for the 8th grade year. One of them is that you use a science text so that the student gets used to using a text. This is something that appeals to me because we are planning on sending our child to a private high school. We have used SL science until this year (we switched to Noeo Chem) and have covered many topics. Since we've covered several topics and most recently Human Body and Chemistry, I"m looking for a science text that reveiws many science topics for next year. Does anyone have a science text recommendation that would be a quick review of topics?

Right now ds (7th grade) is doing: bible math science history language arts latin piano He doesn't like sports so his phys ed consists mostly of stuff he likes to do (like swim, golf, etc.). Not a big artsy guy either but very techie so he does graphic art stuff on the computer for fun. Right now it seems to be going well but I am planning for next year and wondering if there are other things I might want to add in? What are YOU teaching?

Have any other 8th grade parents been heavily researching and planning already for high school? I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Here is what I think we are doing for 9th grade. How does this look? MFW Ancients (Bible, History, English/Literature) BJU Algebra 1 with LoF as a supplement Dive Integrated Physics and Chemistry Breaking the Barrier Spanish with SpanishDict site Logic (Fallacy Detective/Thinking Toolbox) PE (exercise log) We've never done Latin, but I'm considering doing Getting Started with Latin with both kids next year, but we won't put it on her transcript.

what would you do differently to be better prepared for high school? My dd is in 8th and is a very good student (makes good grades and scores extremely high on standardized tests), but I want to make sure we are really preparing for the world of homeschooling high school. Thanks for any thoughts!

Hi everyone! My dd is almost 14, she has always been homeschooled. She is very math/sci oriented. She loves to read but hates to write. I am looking to go in a new direction this year, basically 8th grade but sort of 7/8/9th depending on the subject. Has anyone else started in the middle? How has it been working? Any recommendations as far as books, is the plan for starting in the middle on this site a good reference to follow? Thanks! Melinda Nashville, TN

Hi, I just joined after finding some interesting material on here from google. My daughter is going to be an 8th grader and we are looking for a really good secular literature program for her. I've checked out the Lightning lit, Oak Meadow, Mosdos Literature, Laurel Tree's online classes and a couple others. They look excellent, but we are looking for a mostly novel based course that reads the hard novels like Dickens (we read Great Expectations and are looking for a good course to apply it to), which seems hard to find. Mosdos Literature looks perhaps the best but it is almost entirely focused on short stories and poetry. Does anyone know of any lit programs (secular) that read the big novels? Thanks very much!