The Training Ground

Here are some curriculum recommendations  that provide solid academic instruction yet with reasonable (not overload) parental involvement:

MATH

Teaching Textbook Series (for Algebra I, II, and Pre-Calculus)- great CDs that “tutor” students independently

Geometry, by Harold Jacobs (prefer 2nd edition)

(Honors Algebra I and Algebra II, Paul Foerster – requires more parental involvement, but excellent real-life problems)

ENGLISH LITERATURE

NorthStar Academy or NorthStar HIS programs – Christian only-online programs with excellent high school English (each year includes a novel study, a Shakespeare study, advanced grammar, Wordly Wise 3000 vocabulary (great SAT prep), as well as short stories, essays, and other literature).  Very thought-provoking questions that integrate history and Bible with literature.  Very flexible programs; student does not need to be online at a particular time.

Progeny Press literature guides – recommend you savor them with the literature, no more than one or two per year

WRITING

Wordsmith series

SCIENCE

Apologia series

(Roberts Wesleyan College offers Chemisty and Biology Labs for homeschoolers on alternate summers).

SOCIAL STUDIES & BIBLE

Check out Veritas Press and Sonlight for excellent biographies, history, geography, church history, etc.  Also helpful for basics of history is the LifePac workbook series (you can find one on the topic you need –such as U.S. history, World History, etc.–without having to stick to grade level).

Critical Thinking in U.S. History series

Assumptions that Affect Our Lives, Christian Overman

A House for My Name —  Old Testament Survey, by Peter Leithart

INFORMAL LOGIC

The Fallacy Detective, by the Bluedorns (a life-skill must read!)

DEBATE & PUBLIC SPEAKING

An Introduction to Argumentation and Debate, Christy Shipe

(Patrick Henry College offers Debate and Constitutional Law summer leadership camps.  Communicators for Christ occasionally offers local debate and public speaking workshops.  The Training Ground usually offers Youth Toastmasters in the spring.)