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LittleHouseHomeschool

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  1. No, it is not pre-algebra - not by a longshot. It covers all Algebra I concepts, but it does not always dig into very difficult problems. It is a foundational algebra program. The "key," in Key to Algebra is that every baby step is taught in simple language and a ton of practice is provided.
  2. Key to Algebra is the only program that helped us reach the goal of learning algebra. (We even tried Lials and it was a huge bomb.) My second oldest son was not moving forward with the two programs we tried. Once we found Key to Algebra, progress was made. Key to Algebra is a thorough Algebra I program (though it does not dive deeply into difficult problems). That said, it can easily be supplemented in its weakest spots. That's what we did. I found a math series by Allen Angel designed for remedial college students. Both are written in simple language with every baby step taught. This is helpful for students who may have "holes," in their math education. Many curriculae assume knowledge. Most of us have struggled over one concept or another, and lots of programs (and teachers too) gloss over these issues. The result is a swiss cheese math education resulting in frustration and often failure. So, if your friend thinks Key to Algebra is the right program for her son, then I would encourage her to use it. I might also suggest that she be prepared to supplement it in it's weaker spots. If she is an active teacher, then she will know when supplementing needs to occur. If her son feels confident in math as a result, then he will be ready to tackle college math. We used Teaching Textbooks for my oldest child. It was a great fit and now he's considering geomatics as his major. There are those here who have often said that TT's is not rigorous enough. Well, apparently it was fine for him. Just like Key to Algebra was fine for my second son. His confidence is boosted and he's readily tackling geometry this year. The lesson I've learned is to mow my own yard and not worry what my neighbor is doing. :lol:
  3. I started out with ABeka many years ago. But like you I wanted to have fun learning with the kids so we began using unit studies, and piece-meal curriculum. We did have fun at first, but I became a very stressed out mother trying to pull together all the logistics. It was not the right plan for the season of life I was in at the time. (a 7 year old, a 5 year old, and a new baby) Fast forward - I am now a mom to a college student, a junior in high school, a 7th grader and a precious 7 year old girl. Over the years, I have learned that you don't have to do either a textbook OR a piece-meal type plan (literature based learning, hands on, unit studies...whatever.) We use ABeka in certain seasons, with a bit of what our family perceives to be fun, added in. We thrive on literature and hands on projects, but what has worked for us in busy seasons of life, is to use ABeka as a spine and then add in fun read alouds, projects, experiments, etc... I don't have my children do every chapter, nor each question in an ABeka book. Rather, I go through the book and mark the pages that I want my children to cover. Then I plan in the fun. This way, they get some independent learning experience along with family learning experience. Remember, curriculum is a tool. You are the contractor/master foreman. You get to decide how and when the tools are best used.
  4. Annette, You do not have to have a 3.0 average to get into FLVS. You might if you are a public school student. But if you are a homeschooled student, you don't need a gpa at all. You might want to pop over to www.fpea.com for more information on homeschooling in Florida. This is the Florida Parent Educators Association. This is a great place to begin. They have a beginner's guide that will be very helpful to you.
  5. I have not used The Idea Chain. We chose to use Visualize and Verbalize by Lindamood/Bell. But the programs are very similar and we found the materials very helpful in improving comprehension.
  6. Many children learn comprehension naturally, but some do not. Here is a great explanation of the comprehension process. Idea Chain
  7. This is a good idea - a solid plan. (SOTW, with additional reading material - ala Biblioplan, Truthquest, Sonlight, All Through the Ages, etc...) I like the ideas suggested so far - the only thing I would add is to simply ask your son for narrations of whatever he reads. If he hasn't done them before, have him do a few orally. Then begin to transition him over to written narrations. He might find that this style of learning, is challenging, yet very much more interesting than answering questions about what someone else thinks is important. I have a son who is going into trade school. He loves to learn, but instead of chemistry, after Biology, he really wanted to learn about zoology. But every program we looked at was tedious, boring and inapplicable to his life. (He will not be a science major.) So after much prayer and consultation with a dear friend, who is a homeschool author and our portfolio evaluator, we chose to use the Apologia zoology series. My son has completed all three books this year, plus extra reading from the library with a few written reports, nine dissections with lab reports and a few projects. It's been an EXCELLENT way to learn zoology. This was a perfect solution for our situation. Rigor appropriate for him...but without killing his love of zoology. **Updated to add info to the first paragraph and that we also used the Zoology Coloring Book - which is college level material. His transcript will read Intro to Zoology. He is not college bound, but will complete trade school and then possibly an associates in industrial management.
  8. I'm in a state that requires a portfolio be kept each year. We save everything during the high school years. But K-8th, we keep the best sample of work for each subject, every week. We toss the rest. So once a week, the kids and I look at their work and decide what's going to be placed in their portfolio. At the end of every year we have a nice, fat, three-ring binder full of each child's best work. In Florida the portfolio must be kept for two years. After that time has passed, I go back through each portfolio and whittle the paperwork down to the best samples for that year. This way I can usually keep three years of work in a single binder. The portfolio then becomes my "Memory Book," to be kept and shown to grandchildren. :tongue_smilie:
  9. Thanks everyone. I like the idea of purchasing the 8th book first, and then moving back to 6 or 7 if we need to. I appreciate your wisdom!
  10. Hi everyone, My youngest son is about finished with Winston Grammar Advanced. He has learned so much and I'm very happy with the instruction it provided. That said, I would like to have my son keep things fresh AND learn diagramming. Can anyone provide help in choosing the appropriate grade level for him? He has very little diagramming. (We've used ABeka in the past...and this child learned very little with it.) Winston has been a breath of fresh air for him...and has made grammar instruction, "stick." But I think Rod and Staff would deepen his understanding and I like the writing instruction as well. Any wisdom? Thanks!
  11. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh. This was the first book I ever read aloud to my oldest son. He was five years old. (Now he's 19) It was so good that I didn't mind reading it aloud again to our younger children just a few months ago.
  12. I would suggest Winston Grammar. Winston is excellent. My sons and I have worked through Basic and are 2/3 through Advanced. It's the only program that has helped us learn and retain grammar. I'm convinced it's because it has a hands on component that makes an abstract subject more concrete. We've used Easy Grammar, ABeka and Bob Jones in previous years.
  13. Hi Holly, I play music on my Kindle. It sounds like a Ipod...great audio. That said, I have not tried a recorded book, but I would imagine that it would be like the music. Kindle also has a feature where you can tell it to read to you, from a regular book (not an audio book). That voice is terrible. It's a very monotone computer voice. You can always call Amazon too. They have great customer service. Chuck gave me the plain, non lit leather cover with the Kindle for Christmas. But when I used the cover, the Kindle would freeze. I called Amazon and they refunded the leather cover and then gave me a lighted one free!
  14. What is BFSU? I've been following your CM posts with interest. Thanks for sharing.
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