I need help. Long, Sorry

[Jilly6]

I need some help. My son who is in 9th grade has been home schooled for the last four years. We decided to try high school because he wanted the extended language and computer classes they offer. He has been going for two weeks and it is a disaster.

He ended up in the ER yesterday morning due to an acute panic attack. Apparently he is so flipped out about the 1500 students at the school that he can't physically handle it.

We live in Nebraska which requires a 30 day period to get the OK back from the state to start homeschooling. He will have to go for at least 3 more weeks. In the meantime, I need to find good high school curriculum for him.

 

He is a very visual learner. Very interactive online classes or DVD type courses would work best for him. Does anyone have any suggestions? We are considering BJU DVD program. Is there something that may be better. The more challenged he is, the better but I have a hard time with the more challenging subjects. :(

Thanks for any tips and for letting me babble. :)

[kimcarrots]

My son is really liking the Udacity Intro to Physics class. And it's free!

 

Do you really have to wait the 30 days? I hope someone from your state knows more but that doesn't seem right.

 

Link for the Physics: http://www.udacity.com/overview/Course/ph100/CourseRev/1

 

Very challenging and fun!

[Jilly6]

Thank you. i will check it out. We sent the forms to the state on Monday. They say they have 30 days to process and return the ok to home school. it usually takes about three weeks. If we pull him out early, we can get in trouble for attendance and end up in court. Nebraska is a very easy state to homeschool in but you have to have the paperwork to begin.

[kimcarrots]

Ugh - I'm so sorry for you and your son.

 

I hope your approval comes ASAP. :)

[Jilly6]

Thank you so much! That physics class looks wonderful! I have Math and Physics figured out know. I just need to find the rest of the classes.

[flyingiguana]

He's sick. Isn't that a valid reason to keep him home until the approval comes through?

 

Is there a doctor who can write you some sort of excuse for the long absence? Someone he saw in the ER?

[Jpoy85]

:grouphug::grouphug:

[Sumiller]

Hi,

 

My ds15 tried going to the local high school last year as well and made it through 2 weeks. He, too, hated it and wanted to come home...which he did. It made for an interesting weekend with me scrambling to figure out what he would do. Luckily, I hadn't sold all our curriculum from the two oldest yet so I had some things to start with.:001_smile:

 

 

My son is a visual/auditory learner as well and I have implemented a few video/dvd courses this year. One of them is Teaching Co.'s World History lectures by Linwood Thompson and I will also have him read Notgrass' Exploring World History. Just a thought for your son. Then again, I came very close to ordering BJU's History and English dvd courses. Cost was the deciding factor for me since I got the TC dvd's and Notgrass book used and cheap.:D

[Jilly6]

Hi,

 

My ds15 tried going to the local high school last year as well and made it through 2 weeks. He, too, hated it and wanted to come home...which he did. It made for an interesting weekend with me scrambling to figure out what he would do. Luckily, I hadn't sold all our curriculum from the two oldest yet so I had some things to start with.:001_smile:

 

 

My son is a visual/auditory learner as well and I have implemented a few video/dvd courses this year. One of them is Teaching Co.'s World History lectures by Linwood Thompson and I will also have him read Notgrass' Exploring World History. Just a thought for your son. Then again, I came very close to ordering BJU's History and English dvd courses. Cost was the deciding factor for me since I got the TC dvd's and Notgrass book used and cheap.:D

 

Thank you so much! I have been checking everything out and i am finding some good things. :)

[TiaTia]

Jilly6, :grouphug:.

 

Assuming DS wants to help plan his year, it might be very beneficial for his sense of control and calm to have HIM pick out his subjects to cover the bases that need covering -- then look together for suitable resources. No rush, since you're going back to homeschooling, you can work as you need to and drip into summer if you need some extra weeks. Finding it all in one box, I think, is pretty hard for high school.

 

Also, a decompression time might make his later work this year much more productive. Having to stay in a stressful situation for weeks will raise your cortisol levels, so Dr. Tia (I'm not, really) prescribes lots of educational videos on the couch, chocolate, deeply-colored fruit and salad, joyful exercise, and lots of sleep. At least for Week One. Gives Mom some extra time to shop & plan, too. In two words: planned transition.

 

BTW, a few random panic attacks, even when things are going smoothly, might be expected. Let DS know that our bodies can't figure out as fast as our brains when the "danger" is over (sabre tooth tiger, high school, mean people, whatever). The technique of assigning numerical values to your level of panic, while doing slow and deep breathing, is a simple self-therapy anybody can do. (It's harder to freak out when following an analytical script and counting in your head.) If you ever feel like posting, I'd be curious to know what the ER doc suggested. Panic attacks can truly feel like you're dying . . . sigh . . . but it's part of nature's survival plan, blah, blah, blah.

 

I'll enthusiastically second the recommendation on Teaching Company (TC) lectures, but I'm a bit of an addict (in fact, I'm about to sell what the earlier poster mentioned -- the 3-DVD high school "Early American History" by Linwood Thomson -- 'cause we never got to it before we simply plunged into AP US History with another excellent TC course). If you haven't seen any, just know that TC lectures are NOT highly produced entertainment. Most are . . . well, imagine a highly-competent-in-his-or-her-field lecturer standing behind a podium. Insert some graphics and charts. Maybe two cameras if it's more recent. Great stuff, but no CGI budget.

 

You can also cobble together an AV-oriented course for science, history and some other subjects by using a standard high school book as a spine, and filling in with NOVA and other quality documentaries that follow the list of topics. Netflix to the rescue. Oak Meadow sells some curricula (basically paperback pacing guides and parent answer keys) that are nicely matched with easily-obtainable high school texts.

 

Depending on maturity, your DS might also try putting together a study group for one of his classes. Could be just two guys, as long as they're both interested and compatible, and really take ownership. If it's THEIRS, a study group can take Mom out of the equation a bit, at least in terms of accountability, because it's a pretty poor discussion when one guy shows up unprepared! DS could decide to follow a simple reading plan or go for a more elaborate syllabus. Your cost: texts and time; maybe a purchased syllabus or curriculum.

 

Tia

[Jilly6]

Jilly6, :grouphug:.

 

 

 

 

BTW, a few random panic attacks, even when things are going smoothly, might be expected. Let DS know that our bodies can't figure out as fast as our brains when the "danger" is over (sabre tooth tiger, high school, mean people, whatever). The technique of assigning numerical values to your level of panic, while doing slow and deep breathing, is a simple self-therapy anybody can do. (It's harder to freak out when following an analytical script and counting in your head.) If you ever feel like posting, I'd be curious to know what the ER doc suggested. Panic attacks can truly feel like you're dying . . . sigh . . . but it's part of nature's survival plan, blah, blah, blah.

 

I'll enthusiastically second the recommendation on Teaching Company (TC) lectures, but I'm a bit of an addict (in fact, I'm about to sell what the earlier poster mentioned -- the 3-DVD high school "Early American History" by Linwood Thomson -- 'cause we never got to it before we simply plunged into AP US History with another excellent TC course). If you haven't seen any, just know that TC lectures are NOT highly produced entertainment. Most are . . . well, imagine a highly-competent-in-his-or-her-field lecturer standing behind a podium. Insert some graphics and charts. Maybe two cameras if it's more recent. Great stuff, but no CGI budget.

 

You can also cobble together an AV-oriented course for science, history and some other subjects by using a standard high school book as a spine, and filling in with NOVA and other quality documentaries that follow the list of topics. Netflix to the rescue. Oak Meadow sells some curricula (basically paperback pacing guides and parent answer keys) that are nicely matched with easily-obtainable high school texts.

 

 

 

Tia

The TC DVD's sound and look great but pricey at the last minute. I appreciate the words of encouragement. You sound like you have been through this yourself. The ER doc suggested XANAX. We took him to our lifelong doctor yesterday afternoon and he prefers behavioral and cognitive therapy without drugs if possible to help him learn to deal with the things that cause the anxiety. We are pulling him out of school an hour early today because there is a pep rally with the entire student body and the thought of it just freaks him out.

Our Doc is a huge supporter of us homeschooling him so that helps. We just need to find a way to get him through the next few weeks.

Someone on another thread suggested Jannette Perkins math classes and I signed him up for that.

I really appreciate the pm's and support from everyone today. It makes me feel like we are not alone in this and that he will be OK. He is my baby and I worry about him. :)

[PollyOR]

:grouphug: My daughter also deals with anxiety/depression. We have been doing a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. The meds helped get things under control and gave dd time to learn coping skills. The next few years will be a great time to help him learn coping skills before he heads off to college or work.

 

I wish you all the best of luck as you find the best ways to help your son.

[PollyOR]

I want to add that my dd loves Teaching Company courses. We used to buy them but our financial situation has changed. We have been blessed to find quite a few titles at our local library.

[profmom]

We love The Potter's School's live online classes! Being part of the class is a completely different experience than watching a DVD of a class that's already happened. Classes start after Labor Day, so there's still time, if you're interested. If he had to miss a few classes at the beginning because of school requirements, he could watch recordings for those.

 

Maybe he could use sick days at the end of his time, or even the last week, to get back to homeschooling a little sooner without officially withdrawing from school.

[Paisley Hedgehog]

nm

[Jilly6]

We love The Potter's School's live online classes! Being part of the class is a completely different experience than watching a DVD of a class that's already happened. Classes start after Labor Day, so there's still time, if you're interested. If he had to miss a few classes at the beginning because of school requirements, he could watch recordings for those.

 

Maybe he could use sick days at the end of his time, or even the last week, to get back to homeschooling a little sooner without officially withdrawing from school.

 

I looked into it but it is just way over my budget. I appreciate the information though.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

TC sets go on sale a couple times a year. Sign up for their catalogs/emails.

 

Also check the library. We've borrowed many sets over the years.

[lauracolumbus]

I know the TC's Iliad was just on sale (may still be--you can search this forum for the code--it was about $15. Once you're on the mailing system, you'll get all the codes.

 

I like Bright Storm better for math help than Khan b/c I can see how it's all laid out.

 

There's a Georgia Public Broadcasting System link for free online science.

 

We love Lukeion for Latin. There are several other sites for modern languages. We looked into Rolling Acres for French.

 

MP Traditional Logic dvd is a bit dry, but will help you with the hand holding.

 

Movies as Literature is not very rigorous, but it is fun and visual.

 

Laura

[Jilly6]

I just looked online at our library. I am on a hold list for the Joy of mathematics. It is the only one they carry. i signed up for the email list. hanks for the tip!

[Riverland]

My son is really liking the Udacity Intro to Physics class. And it's free!

 

Do you really have to wait the 30 days? I hope someone from your state knows more but that doesn't seem right.

 

Link for the Physics: http://www.udacity.com/overview/Course/ph100/CourseRev/1

 

Very challenging and fun!

 

 

Cool. This is the first I have heard about Udacity. Thanks for posting.

[Jilly6]

I have signed him up for the Physics class. I figure it doesn't matter if we go out of order for his Science classes as long as we do them all!

[TiaTia]

TC sets go on sale a couple times a year. Sign up for their catalogs/emails.

 

Ideas for getting TC lectures more cheaply: (1) the telephone operator will often tell you WHEN something goes on sale; (2) they'll often double up or triple up coupons and offers if you do it on the phone; (3) get on the email list for magic codes; (4) coupon sites will sometimes have a bonus code for free shipping; (5) you can buy used copies on Amazon and eBay; and (6) depending on where you live, you can see if a neighboring municipality's library system has more copies than yours, and get a card there.

 

Tia

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I just looked online at our library. I am on a hold list for the Joy of mathematics. It is the only one they carry. i signed up for the email list. hanks for the tip!

 

Another lecture series to look for is Modern Scholars. I've seen many of these in libraries too, in part because they are distributed by Recorded Books. I think the libraries may have some kind of an agreement for a discount.

 

You might also see if there are other library systems near you that would be an asset. For example, we have a county library, but several of the local cities count as their own county and have an independent library system. You might also be able to pay for a limited card at a local university or college.

 

If you have Netflix, they carry many of the Standard Deviants series. These might be useful.

[flyingiguana]

Ideas for getting TC lectures more cheaply: (1) the telephone operator will often tell you WHEN something goes on sale; (2) they'll often double up or triple up coupons and offers if you do it on the phone; (3) get on the email list for magic codes; (4) coupon sites will sometimes have a bonus code for free shipping; (5) you can buy used copies on Amazon and eBay; and (6) depending on where you live, you can see if a neighboring municipality's library system has more copies than yours, and get a card there.

 

Tia

 

Another tip -- for many of the TC lectures, don't bother to get the DVD. The audio is just as good and usually cheaper. We actually like the audio better as we don't have to watch the lecturer.

 

But we've never bought one. Our library has a number. For the others, we've gotten them through interlibrary loan.

 

You might also want to check out the videos at the Annenberg site. They're free:

http://www.learner.org/resources/browse.html

 

There are lots and lots of free lectures/courses on the web. These are just a couple sites:

https://www.coursera.org/courses

http://webcast.berkeley.edu/series.html#c,s

http://oyc.yale.edu/

 

That's already way more than you'll ever be able to do.

 

 

Also, if you actually want to learn math, I'm not sure the Joy of Mathematics video is really the place to start. If you want video and you want to buy something, Thinkwell isn't bad. There are many others, and some free ones as well.