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Red Cardigan
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| Posted: May 25 2009 at 12:41pm | IP Logged
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Hi, all! My oldest dd is starting high school this year, and while I've done some preliminary investigation into what some of the major curriculum providers offer, I'm just completely confused right now. 
I either know what we're doing or have got a pretty good idea for math, grammar/language arts, and literature (though I'm still pulling that one together and would welcome suggestions). But I'm pretty lost when it comes to religion, history, and science--there's just SO MUCH out there!!!
So, for some specific questions:
Science: physical science or earth sciences for grade 9? Any outstanding, user-friendly texts/materials for the science-shy girl who would rather read about horses than study geology?
Religion: What's a good program for people who've used Ignatius Press's Faith and Life series in grade school? I've seen everything from pre-Vatican II texts to Baltimore Catechism based programs (a bit scary if we've never used it before except as supplement) to Catechism of the Catholic Church used as a "spine" to 9th-grade Bible study. With so many different options, I'd really, really love to hear what people have done here and what works for you.
History: Here's where I'm really, really clueless. Does the "great books" approach, e.g. start with Greek and Roman history and finish with American History in 12th grade, work well for people here? I like the idea a lot, but wonder if it's too fluid for a family that has generally used eclectic textbooks up to now. Any history faves or great success stories out there to share?
General question: how many "subjects" do you teach on a daily or weekly basis in hs? It seems that with core subjects plus language (thinking Spanish will work here) plus some "electives" we're going to have a pretty packed school day, but I don't want to induce burnout right out of the starting gate. Do you rotate subjects, or do the whole schedule each day, or...?
TIA to anybody who can reinforce my homeschooling sanity!! 
__________________
http://www.redcardigan.blogspot.com
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pattonhouse6
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| Posted: May 25 2009 at 3:15pm | IP Logged
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Hi Red Cardigan --
We are in the same boat. I have been obsessing since January (and it ain't pretty) about dd-14 starting high school in September. I have been all over the charts, looking at MODG, Sonlight and now Kolbe Academy. We are wrapping up our third year of homescholing, using a classical, living books, eclectic philosophy. After a LOT of soul-searching, I have finally narrowed down what I am looking for...solidly Catholic, well-laid out plans with background information and lots of details (to allow me to discuss and evaluate without reading all she needs to read...I cannot keep up), and rigorous college prep. I think Kolbe may be the answer to my prayers.
I had planned to use the Didache series for religion (and already have the book), but I may try to merge the Kolbe 9th grade religion plans with Didache. I have read great reviews about Kolbe's theology plans.
For science, I had planned to use Apologia...but I'm rethinking that in light of what the Kolbe adviser recommended. I think I'll end up going with the Kolbe physical science.
IEW for writing, maybe the SICC or theme based writing book...not decided. Fix It! for grammar and Vocabulary Vine to round out an English Grammar and Composition course.
Geometry using a textbook I taught out of years ago.
Kolbe history and lit, Greek focus.
Rosetta Stone for Spanish and CHC's Little Latin Readers for Latin (followed by Henle Latin I).
So, that looks like 8 separate courses. I had not though too much about using a block schedule, but many years ago, when I was teaching middle school math, we were on a block (A-B) schedule. My only worry would be making sure that she did two days worth of work to keep on track. Another option would be to accelerate the year, only doing four subjects at one time. My worry there would be the courses like math and Spanish that probably need the day to day practice. Maybe combining courses studied M-F, TR and MWF would work. (For example, Math and Spanish on M/T/W/R/F, History, English and Latin on T/R, Theology, Literature and Science on M/W/F)
I also have dd-12 (starting 8th), ds-6 (starting 1st) and dd-5 (starting K/1st?) and ds-1 (cute and into everything!). My main goal is to keep on top of the big girls' work so that they don't get lost in the shuffle of working with the little ones.
Whew! That's probably more than you wanted to know. It is helpful for me to know that I am not alone wondering what to do for high school.
Blessings,
Karen
+AMDG+
Karen Patton
...wife to Dave and mom to Katie (14), Missy (12), DJ (6), Janie (5) and Ricky (1)
homeschooling in Central TX (for another couple weeks)
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guitarnan
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| Posted: May 25 2009 at 4:47pm | IP Logged
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We love the Didache series for religion. Theologically sound, beautifully written and illustrated, written for teens but doesn't talk down to them...We've now finished 3 of the 4 books in the series.
My son prefers studying history with a spine textbook. I found a world history book that wasn't too anti-Catholic (I think we found two or three inaccurate statements) and we took two years to study it. This year has been U.S. government (Declaration Statesmanship, which I like but my son did not - too much writing) and economics (several books, ranging from Uncle Eric books to Freakonomics - he's loved it all). Next year will be U.S. history, hopefully at our community college. (Note: Year 3 of the Didache series is Church history, a big plus!)
I did tie our literature studies to our history themes, but we've done one Shakespeare play each year as well.
We do almost every subject every day in a traditional 45-minute block format. This is due to our umbrella school's requirements (I have to count hours for Carnegie units) and my son's preference - sometimes, though, he gets carried away with reading and exceeds the 45-minute timeframe...we just adust the schedule as necessary. Electives (aviation studies, auto mechanics, etc.) happen as time permits, with the goal of having a quarter-unit of credit for each one by the end of next year.
We cover some of our foreign language requirements through travel (my son studied German for two years and switched to French this year, and we've coincidentally visited Germany and Canada on trips). I use textbooks and language learning CDs, VHS tapes (French in Action is great), etc. I have access to Tell Me More through our library, but both of my kids really dislike this program because it doesn't work well on our computers.
Do you have to do earth science for grade 9? (My son loved it, but I know not everyone does.) Perhaps you could tailor your science studies to your daughter's interests - biology, zoology, etc. Most colleges want to see biology for sure (with lab), chem and physics (with labs) for sci/tech-oriented students. I know my county school system offers a dazzling array of science choices, so I figure I can, too. My son did earth sci, bio and now chem (physics next year) but he wants to study civil engineering, so he needs them. Perhaps your daughter would enjoy zoology, botany or even basic genetics (the science founded by a Catholic monk!).
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: May 25 2009 at 6:24pm | IP Logged
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I have been obsessing since January (and it ain't pretty) about dd-14 starting high school in September
Ditto for me on this on.... 
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Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
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pattonhouse6
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| Posted: May 25 2009 at 6:52pm | IP Logged
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So Kristie, what are you thinking?
Blessings,
Karen
+AMDG+
Karen Patton
...wife to Dave and mom to Katie-14, Missy-12, DJ-6, Janie-5 and Ricky-1
Homeschooling in Central Texas (for another couple weeks) and loving it!
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: May 25 2009 at 7:39pm | IP Logged
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I have looked at Kolbe, doing my own plans, Great Books reading plans, The Latin Centered Curriculum...
Hmmm...now these choices have to lead somewhere!
__________________
Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
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Red Cardigan
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| Posted: May 26 2009 at 12:23am | IP Logged
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Karen and Nancy, thanks! I appreciate seeing what you're planning/doing.
One quick question on the Didache series (which looks GREAT!)--is it necessary to have the teacher's editions of the book and workbook in addition to the student book and workbook, or is that a "nice to have but not necessary" kind of thing?
I never bought teacher's manuals for the Faith and Life series, and other than the occasional odd workbook assignment (where we could usually find answers on the Internet or in the materials I already have) I never missed them. But if the Didache TM and teacher's workbook edition are actually necessities (e.g. you'll have a hard time teaching the course without them) I'd probably buy them.
Any thoughts from those who've used this series?
__________________
http://www.redcardigan.blogspot.com
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pattonhouse6
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| Posted: May 26 2009 at 4:47am | IP Logged
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Red Cardigan wrote:
One quick question on the Didache series (which looks GREAT!)--is it necessary to have the teacher's editions of the book and workbook in addition to the student book and workbook, or is that a "nice to have but not necessary" kind of thing? |
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I have not used any of the Didache, yet. I did purchase the teacher guides for the books. Whether I'll need and use them is yet to be determined.
I'm looking forward to hearing what folks using Didache say.
Sorry, not much help! LOL
Blessings,
Karen
+AMDG+
Karen Patton
...wife to Dave and mom to Katie-14, Missy-12, DJ-6, Janie-5 and Ricky-1
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Barb.b
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| Posted: May 26 2009 at 6:35am | IP Logged
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I love the Didache series. About the teachers manual - I use it soley for the tests that are in the back. My ds reads and studies the text during the week and takes the test on Fridays. I also used the answers to the end of chapter questions. My ds would answer these on his own, then we would discuss the ansers together (with me having the suggested answers from the teacher guide). I like the workbooks - that said we started out the year having him do the workbook and them somehow we stopped.
Hope that helps!
Barb
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guitarnan
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I have never bought any of the TMs or workbooks for the Didache series. I make up my own tests, and we use the end-of-chapter questions and handy chapter vocab lists for chapter-by-chapter written work. (This is what I've always done with F&L, too.)
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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pattonhouse6
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| Posted: May 26 2009 at 8:44am | IP Logged
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I wonder if anyone has successfully incorporated the Kolbe Theology course plans with Didache. Anyone???
Blessings,
Karen
+AMDG+
...wife to Dave and mom to 5 dc
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ALmom
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| Posted: May 27 2009 at 11:12am | IP Logged
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I'm not familiar with Didache (heard great things but never seen it) but I can tell you that the Kolbe Theology plans are intense. You practically read the whole Bible in one year plus several church documents plus things from the Tan book. There is a lot of reading and writing. I ended up doing half in 9th and half in 10th and then combining the Kolbe 10th theology with the second part of 9th. It is hard to tell from the booklist how much work is involved - and how good this really is. I just go a little slower so that my children have time to relfect on the reading. I'm sure you'd want to divide it up and go more slowly if you did it along with something else.
Janet
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Carole N.
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| Posted: May 27 2009 at 12:48pm | IP Logged
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We use the Didache here as well. My ds loves the books and in fact, it is one of his favorite courses. He is studying Church History at this point.
When we covered Understanding Scripture, I used the TM, but had a bit of difficulty with it. After that, they published the workbook. So our technique is that he reads the material by sections, then I discuss the chapter with him using the TM of the workbook (did that make sense?) I like this approach because I can learn along with him as well as making sure that he understands what he is learning. When he completes the chapter, he takes the test (also provided in the TM of the workbook.
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 Carole ... in Wales
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: Clueless Mom Needs High School Advice
