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pjssully

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Everything posted by pjssully

  1. Hi, I am still looking for an online course for Precalculus- Calculus 1-preferably one that meets late afternoon but will have to be flexible. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated Pam
  2. Hi, I am looking for some advice and or recommendations. We are just finishing Chapter 1 with Foerster, using Math Without Borders videos. My 15 year old son is very unhappy with the book so far. I realize that lesson 1.7 with the proofs is unusual and will not continue throughout the book, so I am o.k with this. But at least one time, the lecture didn't discuss an important topic for the assignment: how to plot integers on the number line, so he got those wrong. I suppose if he had read the book AND listened to the lecture he would have picked up this while reading, but we just assumed that the video would cover everything needed for the assignment. So he is a bit frustrated about this and wonders if this is going to be a typical issue the rest of the book/lectures. I am just wondering if we should continue plodding along and see if it gets better and he likes it better-or if we should jump ship before we get too far. He is very bright and picks up new concepts extremely fast-and generally is o.k. with whatever I pick out for curriculum. But this book really has him frustrated to the point of almost tears! And we have only done 7 lessons!!! Any other recommendations for Algebra 2?? We used Lial's Elementary Algebra for Algebra 1 and while neither of my boys enjoyed the book, there were no tears (LOL!) and they did well with the layout of the book. Does Lial compare with Foerster in Algebra 2? And what book would I use of Lial for Algebra 2? Would love to hear from anyone would can give some input or advice!!! Thanks pj
  3. We are beginning with Foerster Algebra 2 (Algebra and Trig. book) and I noticed that in chapter 1 there are proofs using algebraic concepts. I have not seen this before and I am curious as to why some books have proofs and some do not. What is the benefit to completing an Algebra 2 program with proofs-or is there a benefit? After proofs in geometry, I kinda thought we were done with that! :) Any thoughts/insights?
  4. Hi, I just have a few questions about Latin as a foreign language for high school/college prep. My son has taken 2 years and he will be a sophomore next year. He is wavering about whether he wants to do another year-he really doesn't like it or the amount of time it takes.(online course) But he is getting a 99%, so he understands it very well. I have heard that some colleges are not accepting Latin as a foreign language any longer. Has anyone heard this? Also, how many years of foreign language do most colleges want these days? He won't be going to a top notch school, but will be competing somewhat for UW Madison, if he continues to pursue his plan as of now. I don't want to base everything on that school, as he may change his mind. Would it be wise for him to choose another foreign language at this point? He could still get in three years of another language, though I know he won't be happy about any foreign language. Thanks for any input. pam
  5. Hi, We are in the process of moving and I need to develop a plan for 2nd semester quite quickly here. We finished Middle Ages using a combo of Ambleside and TOG but I can't do that for this 2nd semester with the move. I really need something that is pretty well planned and simple to execute. So I was looking at Human Odyssey Volume 2 with the student pages. If I add in some videos and literature, would this be o.k for 9th grade history? For 1st semester the read Ivanhoe, Joan of Arc, The Brendan Voyage, Watership Down, and Beowulf. Thanks for any feedback pa
  6. To make a long story short, the government plans that I was planning on using with three of my high schoolers is no longer going to work so.....I am splitting them up and one group of two will be doing World Geography as they will be 9th graders. I am looking for something that is very simple, planned, and easy for me to manage as I deal with chronic pain. Is there anything like that?? I don't even know where to begin looking and it is so late already! Any suggestions greatly appreciated! pj
  7. I have a soon to be 9th grade boy who has been struggling with writing for the past 2 years or so. We have done many oral and written narrations, and he does O.K. on these-not great but average. His twin does excellent in comparison. When we have worked on essay writing, he just can't do it unless I am sitting with him and helping him get his thoughts in order. He needs to talk everything out and really needs help organizing his thoughts into sentences and main points for his essays. I am wondering what to do with him this year. Would Writing with Skill be helpful for him? Or does anyone know of another idea? I am going to listen to the audio talks from S.Bauer tonight and go back to the middle school lectures, as well as the high school lectures. It would be nice, however , to have a prepared curriculum to help him with is weaknesses. Thanks
  8. Hi, I will be using the Windows to the World and I think I will be doing the syllabus by Jill Pike (?) to make it a year long course. We will read To Kill a Mockingbird and Hamlet for sure and I am still researching another one for 14 year old boys. I am not sure they would appreciate Jayne Eyre.... BUT my question is the amount of writing for the year. Should I add another writing program to this? I was thinking about doing Bravewriter Expository Essay, but doing it at home. I have the manual and basically I would be the teacher and would make it a 6-8 week course. Would that be overload with the Windows to the World work as well??? T My boys are 14 and will be 9th graders. One is comfortable writing and the other one struggles. I would love feedback from those who have used this program for the year. Thanks pam
  9. Hi, I am feeling overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" out their for government credit. My daughter does not want to do the Notgrass book, which would be the easiest for me....she did their American History and that was enough of textbooks for her. So trying to pull resources together has just about put me over the edge. AND I still have 9th grade plans to finish up before we sell, move, vacation, and hubby surgery. So, would anybody be willing to share their government plans for the fall? I can do either a semester or a full year, we have a little wiggle room. Thanks in advance.... pj
  10. Hi, I am planning on using the "dragonfly" Miller Levine biology book for the fall and I already own one book. I want to order a few other things; a teacher's book, another student book, tests and study workbook. But it seems there are different editions and I am confused. The book I own doesn't have any edition and at Amazon, it shows as " 0 edition" Can I assume that means 1st edition? And if that is the case, should I get the 2nd edition instead? Is it better? How do I tell what studt books and tests go with which edition? They seem to be labeled by letters, A , C, B are the ones I have seen. This is hurting my brain, and in turn, hurting my new hip - yep, just had a hip replacement at 50!! That's what sports will do to you! Any help would be truly appreciated! pam Just looked again and what is even more strange is that my book that has no edition, 0 edition according to Amazon, has a printing date of 2006- which is after some of the other books. Now is am truly overly confused!
  11. I have upcoming boys who will be doing 9th grade in the fall and I am having a difficult time with history. Last year, we did TOG Ancients, Year 1 and they worked well at the dialectic level. They generally liked the structure and independence this program gave them. So, if we stayed with TOG, we would be looking at Year 2. My only "problem" with TOG is the literature analysis at the Rhetoric level-it is very rigorous and more than they need in 9th grade. The dialectic books are too young for high school, I think. Public schools do American History for 9th grade, so I am wondering if maybe that is a better option. But which program? Do I do it in one year or two? And what about the kiddos missing out on the 4 year cycle.....will we ever get back to the medieval times??? And when we do, will they remember the sequence of events with the fall of Rome and all that happened that ushered in the middle ages. I would really love some input- anything!! I am just going round and round with this one so anything you say will be helpful, I am sure! Thanks in advance for your comments! pj
  12. So... I have decided on the Miller/Levine Biology and I am wondering what the difference is between the dragon fly book and the McCaw book. Is there a significant difference? I have a copy of the dragonfly so if I went with the news one I would have to buy 2 books as I am teaching 2 plus the teacher edition. That will get pricey. But if there is a big benefit to using the new one, I will do it. Looking for feedback Thanks VB
  13. Hi, My 14 year old son is interested in learning more about computers and will eventually take the AP Computer Science course, but he will be only a freshman in the fall. He has put together his own computer and worked through the TeenCoder Java progamming book this year. What other computer type activities or curriculum could I offer him for freshmen year??? I am pretty ignorant when it comes to the world of programming and computer. I can use my laptop and I am satisfied with that!!LOL Thanks so much pam
  14. Hi, I have a slew of Geometry books I will be reviewing this weekend: Jacobs 2nd and 3rd edition, Saxon, AOPS, and math u See. I have had 2 kids use math u See and one is in college Engineering. On one hand, I feel like math e see was good enough for this child (the one in college) so why am I stressing that it's not enough....? On the other hand we have just completed Jacobs Algebra and I see the difference in rigor... My upcoming kids are looking at careers in computers and architecture or building \design, not STEM so do they need the rigors of something other than Math u See? What might be a good in between curriculm.- not as easy as Math u See but not as difficult as say AOPS? Any thoughts or experiences??
  15. I have heard that AOPS was very challenging and only for gifted students. My student is not gifted....
  16. My twin 14 year olds boys just finished Jacob's algebra: Elementary algebra, and have done very well with this. I do not know much about geometry curriculums since my oldest daughter used math U see. Although this served her well as she has been accepted to electrical or mechanical engineering at a very good college I thought maybe Jacobs geometry would make sense for my boys. However, I don't know anything about it!!! Geometry is not a strong subject for me-give me any Algebra problem and I can do it. But proofs mess with my mind LOL. So what is Jacobs like? Similar to their Algebra? Or do you have any other suggestions that might help ME with teaching proofs? I know there is a wealth of wisdom here, which is why I always come here first! Thanks so much!! Pam
  17. Hi My 14 year old son will be a freshman next year and we plan to continue homeschooling. I have noticed some ADD tendencies, which is not surprising as his father was just diagnosed recently. I am looking for a good book that I can read that will give me some ideas of how I can help my son succeed in both school and life. He is very smart, but forgetful, makes many careless errors in math and well, I could go on about other symptoms but I don't think that I will bore you. Any one have a good book-doesn't need to be too technical, just some good strategies! Thanks, pam
  18. I am just beginning to research science for my freshman twin boys next fall and trying to decide on biology or physics. I am not sure I really understand the whole reasons behind the physics first movement so could someone fill me in on this? What do colleges think about this approach? How have your children done if you have gone this way? I really am just looking for any discussions on this issue so I am well informed when I make a decision. Thanks so much pam
  19. Hi, I have been homeschooling for almost 15 years now but the last 4 years I have had chronic,unexplained pain in several areas in my body. We have managed to graduate 1 child, who is now finishing her 1st year of college. But we have 3 more to go-17 year old, and twin 14 year old boys entering high school next year. Although it would be easier to send the boys to high school, we have decided to continue them as well at home. BUT, I am in need of some suggestions for some low prep curricula for 9th grade. Both will be taking online classes for foreign language so that is covered. They are finishing Jacobs Elementary Algebra this year, with me doing all the teaching, so we need: Geometry English History Science/Biology We have been doing TOG using the Dialectic level but I am not willing to go into the Rhetoric area-too much prep for me at this point with the pain. So we need to find a new history that is similar-that uses some good literature. We have all equipment for the labs, so we are set for just about any biology curriculum we find. I am willing to consider most anything at this point but really just need some help finding some low prep things. I will be also working with the 17 year old quite a bit getting her ready for community college or SAT or whatever we decide to do with her - next year is her senior year. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to give suggestions, pj
  20. I know this is kinda a personal issue but I am wondering how much does Potter school cost for the classical track, bethben? Do you mind me asking that?? I am also in the same boat with 8th grade boys We have done TOG for 2 years now and I have been thinking of virtual co-op, but even that sounds like a lot of work! I do like their book choices however, I do like the discussions that we have! But.....it is a LOT of work.! pj
  21. Landry has their group buy available for 2016-2017 school year for $58.00 /semester, normally $390.00. I am looking for those that want to go in on a group buy as we need to buy 50 semesters worth. If you are interested, please email me with the "landry group buy" in the topic so I don't miss the email. Remember, this is not for the coming fall but for the 2016-2017 school year. thanks pam pjssully@yahoo.com
  22. Landry has their group buy discount for the 2016-2017 school year available. It is at $58.00 for a semester, regularly $390.00 but you have buy 50 semester. I am looking for others who want to buy with me. If you are interested, please email me with the "Landry Group Buy" in the topic so I notice it right away. REMEMBER, this is for the 2016-2017 school year. pjssully@yahoo.com pam.
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