GED curriculum

[st_claire]

I'm trying to help a good friend study for his GED exam. What texts should we use to study from? Most of the homeschool stuff is for a younger age level, but he needs to work on almost every subject, from grammar to math, etc...

 

We've checked some of the GED study guides out of the library, but they help more with the test taking skills. What should we use to improve his knowledge base for the core material?

 

Thanks :)

[Kareni]

He might consider looking at some of the " ... for Dummies" or "Idiot's Guide to ..." books. They give an overview in a manageable format.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Pamela H in Texas]

http://www.free-ed.net has a program that if taken their speed takes 2 years, but you can speed up if you're capable or need to.

[Kelly on the prairie]

I am a GED teacher and Stech Vaughn study aides are great and close to the actual test. As a matter of fact, they were warned a few years ago that they were "too" on target. Anyway, I would avoid the big study guide and work your way through the topical guides. They are very user friendly.

 

I also remind my students that they can take the test a portion at a time if they get overwhelmed at the thought of the whole exam looming over their heads. For example, if math is really bothering her, she can put her all into studying just that and then go test in just that. I think that for many people it knocks down on the chance they will drop out in frustration. If she goes that route, she will have to pay for the entrie test once and then $5 for each individual portion she goes in for later. I hope this helps.

 

One more thing... she want to go to the local community college and find out what resources they think are good. Sometimes they will lend out books for a refundable deposit.

 

I think most GED teachers are geniunely interested in helping students even if they aren't signed up for the class at their location. Believe me, with what we experience through out the year, we are tickled pink to have someone truly motivated come through our doors!

[LoriM]

I just saw "Number Power 2" in Barnes & Noble yesterday in the math section (which is one of the texts we use in our math review in the GED program here where I work). It focuses on Fractions, Decimals and Percents (and would be a good middle school brush-up text as well).

 

The large GED prep book available at B&N in the test-prep section is a good place to start if you are looking for "over the counter" GED prep stuff. I agree with Kelly that Stech Vaughn study materials are the best.

 

Most schools won't allow a student to take all five components of the GED at once. So, focus on one or two subject areas at a time, and just take those. Then follow up with another. Reading (Language Arts), Science and Social Studies are really all reading comprehension. Help him learn to write a good three-paragraph essay with clear main points and good sentences, and review basic grammar rules on capitalization and punctuation for the Language Arts Writing test. Finally--math. It's not rocket-science-math. He needs to know basic arithmetic, plus some very basic geometry and algebra concepts.

 

In our area, a student cannot take the GED without being a registered student in our program. Then they have access to free classes, and free materials. Encourage him to take advantage of that, PLUS the tutoring you are offering.

 

Thanks for helping him achieve his GED--you are a good friend.