Post
by jennvious » Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:35 am
Whether you plan on homeschooling through high school or returning to public/private school, you may want to consider using the High School Geography program with your son. Most states require 1 credit geography, 1 credit world history and 2 credits American history (in that order) to meet history requirements. Also, most states require biology, chemistry and physics, with the remaining credit being integrated physics and chemistry prior to biology (for recommended graduation program) or an AP class (for accelerated program). Doing the geography program will get you on the right path for graduation. Your son is a strong reader, so you can stick with Carrie's plan for BJU Literature. You could just substitute something different for grammar and composition. The Rod and Staff book for the Geo guide starts out with a lot of review and is stretched out over 2 years. It would not be too difficult to just use that if you plan on helping him. I wouldn't recommend that path if he would do it independently. I am not familiar with the writing that Carrie is using for this guide - I'm waiting to get it in the mail tomorrow (woo-hoo!!). I taught college prep writing to homeschoolers for years and have used many different curriculum. I prefer Institute for Excellence in Writing (Intensive C for high schoolers) for writers who struggle a bit. It's a little tedious for those who are naturally creative and free-flowing with words, although it does seem to help those writers organize their thoughts. However, for inexperienced writers who have a hard time getting anything on that blank page, it's great. My oldest son, truth be told, was a horrible writer. I am proud to say he is now a college junior with a 4.0 gpa writing 9-12 page papers with ease. I owe this to years of Institute for Excellence in Writing. He still uses the outline techniques he learned in the middle school program! That said, I've found that anything Carrie picks is excellent. I've used exactly what she recommends for my 13 yr old (starting geo in a few weeks) for 5 years and could not be more pleased. I only wish it had been around for my oldest!
I am praying for you and that decision you have in front of you. I know sometimes we stress so much on these things, but please know that God will bless your decision to bring your children up in His way. In the long run, He's not looking at which writing curriculum you use, he's counting your faith in Him to homeschool as righteous to you (Rom 4). All blessings this year!!
Counting it all JOY!
Jennifer
Wife to Christopher - sweetest husband ever
Mom to Lucas, 13 - PHFHG, CTC ext, RTR ext, RevTRev ext, MTM ext, W. Geography 2013-14
and AJ, 19 - Junior at Liberty University
