Mid-Year Homeschool Update

[@Well-DoingMomma]

For high school science, master books has an applied engineering course that is pretty interesting. I added in some more projects that required building certain things ( we did it at a co-op). Also they just released a forensics science course that looks really interesting too. Although as a science person I do highly recommend taking a biology course for all high schoolers for some general knowledge.

[@aliciamitchell6028]

We are trying the applied science for next year! Haven’t heard much about it but it looks quite interesting

[@Well-DoingMomma]

@@aliciamitchell6028 it was interesting. The first half doesn't have very many hands on activities so I added some in but the second half does have a fair number. We did lots of stem type building projects ( make the best tower to withstand an earthquake, make the strongest bridge, etc).

[@aliciamitchell6028]

Oooo my kids will love that then! Thanks!

[@OneMamaToAnother]

One of my kids will be doing the applied engineering next year; I already bought it! One of my other children just doesn't know what he is interested in so its a challenge.

[@fab5bailey369]

Not starting a high schooler until July (by God's Grace) but I am looking into 7Sisters for Language Arts. Also, Oak Meadow has some different science options for high schooler. I have a son who would rather not do science at ALL so I am looking into Science 101 series, Funschool Journal or Gather Round Unit Studies. My son also likes history so we may do the History of Science from Sonlight and count it as Science. Glad I am not struggling alone :)

[@OneMamaToAnother]

Thanks for all the ones to look into!

[@YasminB-u9d]

Essentials in Writing, Essentials in Literature, and Memoria Press all go through grade 12 for Language Arts.

[@OneMamaToAnother]

Thanks, we have tried a few of those before without much success.

[@homesteadschooled4587]

Can't wait for the what we've been reading video! Those are my favorites of yours because we also read a lot, and your kids are similar ages to mine. As far as science, that's a tricky one for me as well. I still try to do science as a group as much as possible, which works mostly ok for us because my oldest (16) is a struggling learner, and my next two (ages 14 and 12) are both advanced in science. So I tend to shoot for the 14 year old and it works for those three. Then my youngest (age 10) just tags along and learns whatever he picks up. We have used and enjoyed Exploration Education Physical Science because they have multiple levels that all track together. We also did Science Mom Biology a few years ago, and they enjoyed that. This year we are using Real Science Odyssey Biology Level 2 as a group. I'm using it as a starting point, and then adding things as I get inspired. I do tend to gravitate towards secular science, even though we are Christian because I'm a fan of giving all viewpoints and discussing. For next year, I'm considering Astronomy for everyone (Science Mom hinted at a course for either Middle or High School for next year), or a year of Chemistry. I'm toying with the idea of finally splitting my oldest son off to do independent Chemistry with Chem Explained. You could look at MasterBooks Forensic Science for your kid who doesn't want the "normal" science courses. Or Guest Hollow Botany?

[@OneMamaToAnother]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will look those ones up.

[@sarahbennett7235]

Are you a native french speaker? My son wants to learn french and has used Rosetta Stone for 2 years now. My whole family is originally from Quebec, but my father was the last that could speak any french- and really not much. My grandfather moved to America not speaking any English but he passed many years ago. Would love to hear your thoughts on learning a language. My younger two want to learn french (12 year old) and japanese (9 year old). What are the resources you mentioned for french?

[@OneMamaToAnother]

I don’t speak French unfortunately. My kids use Duolingo, books, music, movies, and M. Steve here on KZbin. They also use workbooks which I have a video on in my curriculum review playlist.