Beth in SW WA
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Posts posted by Beth in SW WA
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Dd7 & I watched Rosie's newest video this morning together. Aly paused the video and said, "Mom, Um...I'm not trying to be rude...but...She's a better teacher than you are." I said, "I know. She's awesome." :)
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:lurk5:
Ds visited, met w/ an undergrad advisor & sat in on an EE class at UW last month.
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Here is what we have found regarding my son's attendance at a small private school for the second semester of this school year (10th grade).
It is not nearly as academically rigorous as I would have expected or hoped. In fact, it infuriates me if I think about it too much.
Dd14 is transferring to a different private school starting this fall. It offers a more rigorous program, lots of APs, better theater/music, more opportunities, etc. Dd14 'shadowed' a few weeks ago and was thrilled to see the freshman English class analyzing Julius Caesar and Our Town. She is currently 'Emily' in her school's production of Our Town this spring. Her current class only read To Kill A Mockingbird, Lord Of The Flies, Animal Farm and a bunch of poetry. It has been ok but dd wants more. She'll be at cc for Spanish 5 in one year. How time flies....
Ds16 is going to CC for his senior year since he has outgrown his high school on a few different levels. He took advantage of every opportunity and now it's time to move on. A bittersweet decision. We love this little school but God is leading us in a different direction. This school has been fantastic. Lovely people...
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I'm not actually opposed to radical acceleration. I don't believe there is a magical age where all kids are ready for algebra after and none prior. If you've got a student who zips through Singapore with the IP's, or MEP, or AOPS Pre-Algebra or other challenging curriculum and still gets to algebra by age 9 or 10, then more power to that kid.
I just think that it's far better to be only a bit accelerated in a challenging curriculum than radically accelerated with an easy one. It's like with weight-training. I could do a lot of reps with a really light weight or a few reps with a really heavy weight.
A sweet workout uses both methods. Light/fast, heavy/slow. On the same day or rotating throughout the week. Add some cardio and you're golden.
AoPS is wonderful for students who love the discovery method. Dd9 would not enjoy a full diet of that. Not now at this age. Plus, there are better options for her at this stage in the game. The hybrid approach is best for her with a combo of discovery & direct instruction taught by a fabulous teacher (of which I am not). I am able to flesh out what she is learning in her various resources. Dh & I go over her homework. We do math together often but at this point, I need a solid answer key handy. A complete solutions guide is ideal. Thankfully dh is extremely mathy and can help out when I fall short. I am keenly aware of my abilities (or lack thereof). Thank God I have so many fantastic options. I do my best w/ the DNA I am blessed with. I plan to learn through precal w/ Abi. This should be interesting. :tongue_smilie:
I digress...
This morning in her online session with Rachna, Abi 'discovered' the shortcut for multiplying certain binomials. Rachna directly instructed her in a way that got Abi's wheels turning. It is a thrill to watch.
Afterwards I asked Abi what she learned. She said, "Mom, Rachna said the little kid way is using FOIL for some problems. She wants me to use the grown up way like this: (she then got out a piece of paper and wrote this out)
(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2
(a - b)^2 = a^2 – 2ab + b^2
(a - b)(a + b) = a^2 - b^2
I like it better. I'll show you. (2x - 5b)^2...."
Today I will have her build some problems with the MUS blocks and have her 'teach' me.
All this to say...She. Loves. It. All those neurons firing and it isn't even 9 AM on Memorial Day. Now they're both outside on the fort having a morning picnic and 'cuddle time' with the dog.
I can't emphasize enough how thrilled she is when she learns something new about algebra. Why in the world would I hold a kid back who digs special products or quadratics for the sake of 'mastering' more basic math? My only fear is that she surpasses me by age 10. I spend hours each week self-educating. It has become my passion. I'm so thankful I have the time and opportunity to do this. What a gift.
Pardon the ramblings. Happy Memorial Day. :)
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Thank you!
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We use TT along w/ other resources. Link below in siggy if you would like some more ideas.
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We skipped SM 3b text/wb since dd7 is doing BA3a/b along w/ SM 2 cwp. Beast is much more enjoyable than SM 3b (which is my least favorite level). Don't ask me why. It just is. :tongue_smilie:
Dd7 uses MUS blocks w/ some BA problems. Seemed logical since she was building squares. Your dc may not need the concrete.
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Have you used the elementary level? I'm very interested in this for my DS.
Nope. But it looks great.
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Have you noticed more traffic on your blog coming from the south of you? :D. We're going through a mental growth spurt, so I need to start researching again.
Ha! How far south? I haven't noticed. Off to look... :auto:
Glad to help. I'm really just learning as I go. Course corrections and all that jazz. :)
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Now if a parent is taking an easy curriculum and significantly beefing it up with outside resources, that's fine. It just seems like a lot more work to me than simply choosing a challenging curriculum to begin with.
It's a lot more work for me -- and significantly more expensive -- but extremely more fun & rewarding for all involved. My kids LOVE it. This summer we're paperless. We're doing everything hands-on. I'm so excited to use Rosie's new videos and lessons and Crewton Ramone's lessons along w/ HoE for dd7. Dd9 will do Crewton Ramone's squares & quadratics lessons along w/ some MUS lessons. I am having a ball planning it out. The girls will have a ball learning it. I'm not worried about whether dd9 will get enough 'tough' math by high school. She's only 9. For now, she is moving forward and has developed a strong self-confidence regarding math (ETA: especially algebra). That is worth its weight in gold. This anxiety-prone perfectionist is all smiles now during math. Yay, God. :)
I've said before here so many times: Doing the same math day after day, year after year, would make me poke my eyes out. Talk about a kill-joy for teacher & student, imho. We're not a cookie-cutter family so we don't do anything cookie-cutter. That is so not us.
If I cracked opened Singapore day after day for 6 years I would literally hate it. And so would my dc.
Yes, my way is much more work compared to some alternatives. But the results are fantastic.
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New here and I can see that I belong after reading these. My 3yo was standing in the sun and I told him to put on a hat or go in the shade so he wouldn't get burned. He said, "ugh, mom, I'm being a photoautotroph." This week grandma told him, "stop picking your nose" and he replied, "no actually I was scratching my nasal septum."
Welcome. You belong. :)
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Ok, I see. I don't mind so much the videos and animations (I'm loosening the reins on that), but I can't really have DD read a computer screen.
What do you think about reading aloud the text or questions and clicking on the answers she gives me? She can then look at the videos/animations. Defeating the purpose of an interactive experience? It's really too bad that the lower level seems so simple - it has a read aloud component and fewer words per screen. I'm not trying to get an answer for me to buy; I just want to make sure I don't make an expensive mistake. I'm willing to look for another science program - it doesn't have to be this one. :tongue_smilie:
I wish I could help. My older dc used the original version years ago and I bought a new version for dds. We start in Sept. Much of it is read of the screen but the student workbook is very meaty also. I'm thrilled that nearly everything is in that box.
Have you called EE?
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She was frustrated by the lack of forward momentum in Singapore (challenge for the sake of challenge sometimes means little when there's nothing really *new* to excite a child).
Yep. This.
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Check out:
Coursera.org
Also, with coursera and codeacademy, the student codes directly into a sub-window while listening to or reading the course content. This was a very easy way for my kids to get started doing actual coding.
:iagree:
That is the class my ds is taking. Loves it.
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Usually the problem with younger children heading into algebra too early is that is requires abstract thinking skills that their brains are not developed enough to properly handle. Pr-Algebra perhaps, but Algebra not usually. It's not an intelligence thing, but a normal development thing. Of course there will be the odd child that will be developed early enough that they are ready for it before the other kids are.
:iagree:
I have 2 older kids who weren't interested in alg until grade 7. (ETA: Ds would have loved more math earlier. But, no. I chose more Latin for him. Ding-dong me. He would have been better off starting alg earlier. He was ready.)
My comments above address the myth that it will be a disservice to start alg too quickly after 'speeding' through the basics. For some students, they don't need 5 years of basic math.
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The fact that the rods are a visual representation of numbers is what makes them so useful - especially to visual learners like me!
:iagree::iagree::iagree:
You're such a trendsetter, Rosie! Our new c-rods arrived today. "Two tubs of bliss" -- according to dds. It was like Christmas morning when the UPS man delivered the box today. Now they can do the lessons the way you have presented them. :)
Thank you!
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Oh, I've seen plenty of posts over the years where parents talk about their child zooming through K-6 math using TT or MUS or other easy curriculum. I'm sure had I chosen one of those programs I could have a 9 y.o. in algebra as well. I just personally think doing that would be a disservice to her.
What's wrong with a 9-year-old doing algebra? If a child is ready, she is ready. Without a solid foundation in the basics, and a love for problem solving, algebra would be a disaster for a youngster who starts too early. Only parents can gauge the readiness. Dd never realized how amazing math is until she started algebra. It really is the promised land for some kids.
Dd9 used TT 3-alg 1 along w/ SM 1-5 cwp/ip, HoE, MM blue supplements and other 'Asian/conceptual' programs over the last couple years. I chose resources to target certain areas. TT was ideal for her for so many reasons. She could be in control. She could go at her own pace. She only needed to see something one time to learn it so she skipped tons of practice problems. TT is perfect for a certain type of learner.
The highlight of last year (while dd plowed through 'basic' math) was doing complex word problems with her online tutor. It took a fair amount of time, energy and $$, but it was sssooooo worth it for dd to have someone passionate, enthusiastic and professional fan the algebra flame in dd. I blame HoE for lighting the fire. :) Rachna and other resources (especially our math-rich home) have kept it alive and strong. I can't imagine the flame going out any time soon. Now it is really getting fun for her.
I don't understand the angst regarding youngers doing algebra. As I said, if the foundation was weak, a student would not -- nor could not -- do quadratics at 9. Each kid is so different.
I only chime in to say that comments like "TT and MUS are easy" are not necessarily helpful unless you know the circumstances surrounding why parents choose those resources for their kiddos.
I had someone tell me on this subforum a year ago that I was doing it wrong -- that I would short-change dd if we continued down the path we were on w/ TT. One glimpse into our world and anyone can see that my plan has worked beautifully. I had the pulse on what was needed and I wasn't swayed by the 'experts' here.
As for MUS (which you claim is 'easy')...dd9 is LOVING it for algebra 1. I took this pic of her yesterday doing math -- long after her math hour was over. She is just about to delve into quadratics because MUS makes it fun. Is that so terrible? :confused::bigear:
ETA: I found my dds doing MUS alg 1 lesson 24 last night -- at 10 PM for fun. Together. In their jammies. Not sure how that can be a problem. :)
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Hands-On Equations is a great program to introduce at this stage. Do get the Verbal Problems Book as that's the "meat" of HOE. .
:iagree:
This verbal problems book is the one to purchase (not the little one that comes with the kit):
THE HANDS-ON EQUATIONS VERBAL PROBLEMS BOOK [VPB-1000]
Price:$35.00
More than 350 verbal problems with solutions! Included in this resource are number, consecutive number, age, coin and distance problems for all three levels of Hands-On Equations.
ISBN#: 978-0-9618105-1-1
This booklet has kept dd9 busy for months. Well worth $35 imho.
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My older dc haven't had ANY trouble with peer, social, emotional or academic issues going from homeschool to private high school (thank God). They are thriving in classes, sports, leadership, etc. Rlugbill, sorry to hear your dd struggled. It is fabulous to have options. :001_smile:
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A few months ago, I asked for help with finding a computer programing course for our children (ages 15 and 12).
Since I have a pathetic amount of knowledge about the subject, I was quickly overwhelmed. I just spent 2 hours looking over the notes I took and looking up old threads, and I am more confused than before.
If you are a few minutes and/or have an opinion, I would love some more input. Each of our children have their own PC laptop and they are excited about learning computer programing, but I just don't know where to start. I don't even know enough about the subject to set a goal of what I want them to learn. :sad:
Thanks!
Ds 16 started with Hello World (Python) and is now doing Stanford's free online course. He may have enjoyed Scratch as a younger learner. He doesn't seem interested in Alice or Game Maker. He dabbles in Arduino.
Start with Scratch, Alice, Hello World.
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I'm not seeing the posts advocating choosing easier elementary materials for accelerated students. Pick a sound and sufficiently rigorous program and work through it. Add in engaging and challenging supplements. Great. But there's little sense dragging the pace for a child capable of doing reasonably challenging work at a higher level. After a fashion, K-6 math is K-6 math, and there's not much more you can add in there. The real fun is in what comes next.
:iagree::iagree::iagree:
Plus...challenging algebra word problems -- and computations -- are more fun for advanced youngsters than anything in cwp/ip. How fun is basic arithmetic? It is BORING. (eta: Boring compared to alg, IMHO.)
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Ideas in blog below. :001_smile:
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Dd does a TT Alg 1 lesson in about 40 minutes. She loves it. I have said before I can't imagine a more delightful way of teaching this content to a youngster. Have you seen the online sample?
I am correcting myself now. MUS is the best alg for a youngster. Thank you, 8, for unknowingly prompting me to take a look at MUS alg 1 (honors). I am adding tougher word problems to the mix from AoPS. Thanks!
3rd grade plans?
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted · Edited by Beth in SW WA
This is my hybrid approach for Dd8/grade 3. Our local ALE is moving near our house. Aly is excited to take a few more classes 2x/week at this little public school for homeschoolers. She currently takes science and LOVES it. Not sure if we will stick with the literacy & math. It will be an add-on to our main programs.
CLE Bible 3, The Action Bible
WWE3/WWW3/MCT Island
homegrown lit & non-fiction
Beast, SM 4A wb, SM 3 cwp/ip, HoE, MM Fractions (finish), TT6 for review
CBoUSH
Science Fusion, EE, EiE, homegrown electronics course
Enrichment classes at ps 2x/week: Social Studies, Science, Literacy, Math (EnVision), Art
Mandarin tutor/class/BetterChinese
Piano & Violin lessons
Tennis
4-H FLL Robotics team, OMSI labs/classes