Geog 3 and Mill's For High School and Other Musings

[Enigma]

We are delayed learners here, as most of you know. I am planning gentle high school work for D and F in the fall. I need just a little help with that, please.

I remember years ago a thread about adapting Geog 3 for high school world geography requirements. I searched but cannot locate it now. Would someone be kind enough to give me pointers on this?

My kids have not done the Mill's books or Guerber yet and asked to. I know the last Mill's book is listed for 9th. What would you add/require to make the others equal to that course? How would I list them on a transcript? Is this a terrible idea and I should hide in shame for even thinking it?

I have math, literature (MP all the way!), and language arts skills planned. We are still working on those pesky writing & GUM skills. It never ends!

Science is in limbo.

So any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you as always for your patience.

[jen1134]

Personally, I think the Mills books are completely fine for high school as-is. They work well as a half-credit each so I had my son do Book of the Ancient Greeks in the fall and Book of the Ancient Romans in the spring to make a full history credit. I'll likely title it History I: Classical Civilizations or something of that nature. It worked beautifully and my rising 8th and 9th graders will be doing the same next school year.

Science has been a tough one for us to figure out as Novare (as WONDERFUL as it is!) isn't a good fit for my crew. My rising 9th grader will be doing Friendly Biology — all of my kids LOVED the look of the samples and how it uses things they have concrete experiences with to explain more abstract concepts. They also offer physical science and chemistry courses (each has their own website) which I'll be looking into more if all goes well with biology.

HTH!

[Mom2mthj]

Personally, I think the Mills books are completely fine for high school as-is. They work well as a half-credit each so I had my son do Book of the Ancient Greeks in the fall and Book of the Ancient Romans in the spring to make a full history credit. I'll likely title it History I: Classical Civilizations or something of that nature. It worked beautifully and my rising 8th and 9th graders will be doing the same next school year.

Science has been a tough one for us to figure out as Novare (as WONDERFUL as it is!) isn't a good fit for my crew. My rising 9th grader will be doing Friendly Biology — all of my kids LOVED the look of the samples and how it uses things they have concrete experiences with to explain more abstract concepts. They also offer physical science and chemistry courses (each has their own website) which I'll be looking into more if all goes well with biology.

HTH!

Memoria Academy teaches classical studies 1 and 2 with the Mills books for high school credit. They are in 7th and 8th grade in the curriculum guides, but not everyone has followed that path. They don’t combine the two into just a history course, but that sounds like a great idea. My only concern with Guerber is that it is limited to very early American History since they are older books. Have you looked at Land of Hope? There are video lectures on the Hillsdale website and there is a student workbook. I have read some of it and it isn’t an overwhelming read. There is also a young readers version, but I don’t have that. It is split into two volumes so that might be a resources for more modern US History. Geography 3 I believe is a half credit if you do some of the honors exercises. I would think you could find some resources on different countries for further study on areas of interest - maybe use that as an introduction to research to make it a full credit. There are tons of videos at the library about different countries. Explore recipes from countries being studied. It would all depend on what your kids enjoy. It sounds like it could be fun, especially with two kids involved.

I am still deciding on science for my rising 9th grader. I have heard about friendly biology but am also looking at the newer Seton biology book. I can’t decide, but Novare doesn’t work for me either. The only book I have liked is the Earth Science book which is by a different author.

[Enigma]

Thank you, ladies, for the reassurances I'm not off my rocker.

I like not having to add anything to Mill's. For Guerber, if we do it, I was going to require all three options: the student guide, 200 Questions, Outlines, and the parts of SOTW 4 it references. Bad idea? I'm thinking we will start with Greeks because F asked to learn in-depth about them. She wants to know how they came to believe what they did, how they came to name the gods/goddesses, and "all that cultural stuff". D is my easy-going kid and will do whatever I ask him to.

Yep, science is a bear. We've done all but one of MP's lower options and some other providers over the years. Novare was a terrible experience the times we tried before. GREAT books, not for home use unless someone (Beorn) makes teaching videos for home use. But I digress...

[tanya]

Enigma,

You can use Geography III as a high school credit if you do all the honors work at the back as well as the Robinson Map Project (also in the back of the book). You basically have to do a series of essays and research projects to make it worth a full credit. The Mills books will each be 1/2 credit, so you could do two of those too. Or one Mills book and Geography III for your credit. So many options!

Tanya

[Jen_NH]

I think the Mills books together can count as one high school credit for history. You can call it Ancient History or something along those lines. I, personally, would require a 5 paragraph essay on each book, but that's just me.

[Enigma]

Wonderful ideas! I am mulling things over. Thank you.

[DiannaKennedy]

Science is in limbo.

So any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you as always for your patience.

I stumbled across a science provider that we loved -- Dr Kristen Moon hosts live classes as well as self paced versions. My daughter took a chemistry class from her for sophomore year and when the class wrapped up, she began considering a STEM major. 🤷♀️ I know Dr Moon teaches bio, chem, physics and anatomy and physiology.

[Enigma]

Thank you for the link, Diana. The classes look great, but sadly, more than we can afford.