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Servant4Christ

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    From R&S math 8 to Foerster or Dolciani?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by Servant4Christ

    Thankyou @Janeway. I think I'm just stressing because I struggled in highschool math but was ignored by most math teachers. I was getting good grades so I clearly didn't need the same kind of help as the students who were failing. I could see and copy the patterns being used to solve problems but had no clue why I was doing it or why it worked. Thus, good grades and no clue. I'm currently looking at a picture of a page in Foerster's Alg 1 that is a prime example. I haven't found a similar lesson in Dolciani (yet) to compare explanations, though. I will say, I am thankful for all the research I'm doing, as it's shedding light on areas I truly want to reteach myself.

    • Like 3

    Ignore this thread!

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted · Edited by Servant4Christ

    VentPo:

    I have been researching high school math options. Last night, while perusing Foerster texts on eBay, I came across and read a page from the Foerster Alg 1 text that is a prime example of what regularly had me in tears as a teenager. I can literally see what is being taught and the pattern used for solving the problem, but I have absolutely no clue why. Why does that work and why is that how to go about it? (And I cannot seem to find a comparable lesson in Dolciani Alg 1 or 2.) I am determined to figure this stuff out, which is why I'm researching so far in advance. If I can't make heads or tails of something, I cannot expect my children to learn with understanding when we get to that point in time. I really want to reteach myself these things with better understanding, but time is limited and I'm not sure the best way to go about it. 

    • Like 4

    Ignore this thread!

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I only had Oldest do a partial lesson in English today. It's a character sketch assignment. We went through the requirements and the classroom exercise that walks you through how to write a character sketch about David's loyalty to God using scriptures from the book of Samuel. I then told Oldest to write down who he wants to write a character sketch about and which character trait he will be emphasizing. He has the weekend to come up with a list of at least 3 examples which he'll use to write his first draft on Monday. Done. Now it's time to weekend. Yes, I used 'weekend' as a verb.

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

    Writing Curriculum Change?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by Servant4Christ

    On 9/2/2023 at 1:05 PM, Dianthus said:

    I don't think it's physical. He just doesn't want to do it. He'd rather build Legos. It takes too long, etc. 

    I took a snap shot of one of the slides in that youtube videos about writing being a predictor of academic success. This will encourage him. He wants to be successful

    OK, I won't even consider WWS then at this point. I've really tried to keep him off screens, so haven't done typing yet.

    Your first sentence describes my oldest perfectly! 🤣

    • Like 1

    Rod and Staff English

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by Servant4Christ

    1 hour ago, Green Bean said:

    Most grammar books regardless of publisher do up the writing as you move through the series. I always thought that was appropriate since the younger years are laying the foundation for learning to write well. I don't like series that try to cram a ton of writing too early because they need to satisfy some school standard. Just my $0.2.

    Yes, I agree. I'm fine with teaching symbols as we go. I am just accustomed to a little something briefly noted before the lesson or in the TM stating, "This is a new symbol and here's what it means and when to use it." Some symbols I don't remember or are different than I learned. Examples are the transposition symbol (I don't remember learning this one) and the slash mark with a curly que (I've never seen one with the curly que on it).

    • Like 2

    Rod and Staff English

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I spoke to R&S this morning and found out I didn't miss something, which is a relief. The gentleman I spoke with said I definitely brought to light something they can improve upon. I asked about/suggested just a chart of symbols with meanings and when to use them for the student and teacher to refer to during writing assignments and he was nice enough to look and find that there actually is a chart in the 9/10 book and an entire chapter in their English handbook. Thought I'd pass along the information in case it helps someone else.

    • Like 3

    Rod and Staff English

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, Nm. said:

    Exactly why I’m not in a hurry to go through those levels until much later.  I have books 2-9/10.  7+ has tons of writing.

    Thanks for the heads up. I wish I'd have thought to look through it over the summer so I could make a game plan. I'm debating on pushing out all the writing assignments to be done consecutively at the end of each chapter.

    Rod and Staff English

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by Servant4Christ

    We just started 7 and wow, at first glance, there appears to be more writing assignments than I remember there being last year. There's a proofreading assignment coming up that expects the student to know/use proofreading symbols that I don't remember teaching last year. Not that it's a big deal to teach them, but I'm trying to figure out if my mom brain missed something or if the upcoming lessons will teach them beforehand. I'm assuming this one is on me because it's rare for R&S to expect something that hasn't been taught at least through the TM. 

    • Like 3

    Ignore this thread!

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    First day back to school went well. Math went FAST! As in 2 chapters and wants to test out of both tomorrow and move on! Who is this child?!

    Now, English, on the other hand, was not as amazing. There is a writing/proofreading assignment coming right up that expects the student to use proofreading symbols that I recognize but do not remember teaching last year. I guess I need to investigate.

    • Like 6

    From R&S math 8 to Foerster or Dolciani?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by Servant4Christ

    Thanks. I'm pretty confident I can explain and fill any gaps needed for Algebra 1. I just wanted to make sure the transition wouldn't be a huge stretch, if that makes sense. Now, I just have to decide. I'll likely buy both, but the one we use will be dependent upon which one I can find fairly priced solution manuals for. Finding Dolciani solution keys is like trying to find a needle in a hay stack.

    • Like 2

    From R&S math 8 to Foerster or Dolciani?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by Servant4Christ

    I am debating where to go once Oldest completes R&S math 8. Would Foerster's Algebra 1 (Prentice Hall Classics Version) be too big of a leap?

    My other thought is Dolciani (Classic Edition because it's easier to find solution keys).

    Disclaimer: Oldest isn't interested in Jacob's at all, which really surprised me with all the cool tricks and comics.

    Rod and Staff English

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Thank you for the heads up, @Ellie !!! We used grades 3-6 at grade level and will begin level 7 also at grade level when we start school next week. The progression is very similar year to year, but moves quicker and goes deeper each year. We had to slooow the truck down in two chapters of 6 just so I could personally refresh my own skills to help Oldest. I really like it. We plan to stay the course through grade 8 before determining whether to use the 9/10 books in high school.

    • Like 1

    Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2 recs

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Dolciani & Jurgensen are definitely what I'm on the hunt for. I actually prefer the layout of the editions that say new edition on the front cover, but finding solution keys for them is impossible. I may very well have to go with the 2000s because I found 2 of the 3 solution keys at Internet archive. I'm wondering, though, if I buy the teacher editions of my preferred editions, are all the answers included, just without answers? If so, I'll start looking in that direction.

    Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2 recs

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Zoo Keeper said:

    As far as I can tell (without actually having the books!), the content of all the 3rd editions is the same, the cover was different based on who was publishing that 3rd edition (Freeman----MFW----Master Books). 

    Jann in Tx has some good analysis of Jacobs' geometry editions- here's a search that you can read threads on ... https://forums.welltrainedmind.com/search/?&q=Jacobs&author=Jann in TX&search_and_or=or

    I have Jacobs Geometry, 2nd edition (hardback, 70's-80's copyrights)  I love that book.  Really.  I like geometry, I like proofs.  I worked through a bit chunk of the book on my own.  I really love that book.  💙

    BUT

    no one in my house has gone all the way through the book with me.  Four out of my six have done... MUS for geometry.  Because I didn't have the time to teach it (Jacobs Geo) like I wanted to, my students needed more time for other subjects (most of mine needed more time to marinade in Alg 1 & 2), and geometry is not really that well represented on the SAT's or other standardized tests. I had to get pragmatic.  So we went with an easy to teach, easy to get done, bare minimum geometry course that checks the boxes. 

    I am keeping my Jacobs, hoping that my younger two may get to use it.  Hope springs eternal.

     

    And, yes, I have too many math books.  🙂

     

    Thank you for that thread! I'm thinking Jacobs isn't what I'm looking for, after all. I doubt that discovery method is gonna be the winning ticket with this kid.

    Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2 recs

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, cintinative said:

    I'm pretty sure my Dolciani's are late 1980s. I couldn't come by the earlier versions without a lot of expense.

    Is the solution manual for the late 80s on archive.org? You might be able to swing that for awhile while you keep a watch via booksprice or something like that for a cheaper version.

     

    I didn't see the solution manual for the late 80s edition on archive.org. I still have a while before I'll need anything, but I'm not buying any Dolciani until I get my hands on the solution manual first.

    Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2 recs

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Does the edition matter? I notice the 2000 edition replaced the computer exercises with calculator exercises. I do like the bios better in the 88 (I think) edition. It's interesting that so many female's contributions are mentioned in this series. I've managed to download a pdf copy of the 2000 edition of Alg 1, Alg 2, and Jurgensen's Geometry to look through before mapping out my hunting strategy. 😂

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