Does anyone have experience with using any of the courses at this site? I have played around with the free offerings a bit and it seems good, but it's fairly expensive. Do you think it is worth the investment? I am looking for summer enrichment for an advanced 5th grader who is in my prealgebra class this year. TIA!

Thank you! I will try that.

Hello! I have done an extensive search online and cannot find any samples from Foerster's Algebra I textbook. If anyone can help me with a link (or selected pages copied from your own book), it would be greatly appreciated. TIA, Pamela

I am trying to help a parent complete a transcript for her ds. He attended a private high school here in VA, but did not pass English 11 or 12. He was not allowed to return. I tutored him in both those subjects, he passed them, and he now needs a transcript to continue at the community college. I have listed two options below but would really like your input or other ideas. 1) Present a FULL transcript with the courses and grades from the private school and my two courses. The private school courses would be identified and then it would be noted that the official transcript is requested from that school. ETA: I lean towards this option so that a cumulative gpa can be reported with the additional 2 courses. 2) Present the LIMITED transcript with my two courses only. Note that the remainder is requested from the private school. Thanks in advance for your input! Pamela F.

Thanks everyone for the quick responses! They are pretty much what I advised her, but I just wanted confirmation before proceeding (just in case there was a "loophole" I didn't consider...and there's not...). Pamela

I am trying to help another hs mom with the transcript and her daughter has a D from French 101 at the local CC. Since this is just an elective, is it possible just to omit it from the transcript? Also, it is possible they will hire a private tutor for French for the rest of this year. Would it be "legal" to include that course on her transcript? Along the same lines, if she withdraws from a CC course, does that have to be included on the transcript? THANKS in advance! Pamela

Hello! Dropping back in after a long absence (my own have graduated)... I am tutoring a student and we are reading The Count of Monte Cristo. I am reading the unabridged version (because it is so much richer), but he is reading the Bantam Classic unabridged version. Has anyone ever matched up the chapters of these two? It would be helpful in my planning to know ahead of time. I have never read the unabridged version and don't want to "peek" ahead so I thought I'd ask here first before resorting to all night reading sessions. LOL! Thanks so much! Pamela in VA

Hmmm...I'm wondering if the lack of response to my inquiry is a bad sign about this curriuclum :confused1:

It's been a while since I've posted anything here since my children are both in college now (ds-junior, dd-sophomore), but this has always been my go-to forum for great advice, experience, and opinions. I will be tutoring a freshman who is supposed to be starting Algebra I with Shormann Math. His mom gave me access to the account and I have spent the last 3-4 days becoming familiar with the program. I have read the documentation of its success if the program is followed EXACTLY AS WRITTEN. I have reservations about using the program for a number of reasons and hope to get input from those here who have used it (successfully and unsuccessfully). FYI: I read the one thread already in this forum about SM and agree with all of the one extensive review that posted. Some of my reservations repeat that, but I am looking for more current input since the program was very new at the time. 1) SO MUCH information SO QUICKLY - This is my biggest problem. It's not just that it's a lot of information quickly, but it's not presented in a traditional algebra sequence. WHY trigonometry and calculus concepts when you've barely learned how to express something algebraically? I'm not totally opposed to introducing either of these in Algebra I, but it seems like there needs to be a better foundation first. (Seriously...working with imaginary numbers already? Many students have trouble in the beginning with just the abstract nature of a variable and this is asking them to understand the abstract of an abstract?) 2) Not enough PRACTICE - I get that this is a spiral program and new concepts will be practiced daily, but I'm not convinced there's enough practice of new concepts. I prefer programs where the bulk of practice is the new concept and there are just a few review problems. Also, new concept problems build on old concepts and you are practicing them inherently. 3) New concepts and their examples often skip steps and/or the reasoning for steps. OR he will say, "You should remember how to do this from Example X" but not repeat what it is. I get that you can go back to that example in the video or the notes, but realistically only the most disciplined student is going to do that. I believe they need to see and hear the repetition from the teacher. 4) In a similar way, students are asked to string together multiple new concepts almost immediately without the benefit of issues raised in #2 and #3 above. 5) In the introductory geometry lessons the student is told that if figures look similar or congruent they are to assume that they are. WHAT? I have always seen that you are NEVER to ASSUME something like that from the way a figure looks. (e.g., If lines appear to intersect, that's not a trick. But just because two lines look parallel, that must be proven unless GIVEN.) 6) I do wonder about the learning styles and aptitudes of the test group... I have been told that the student I am tutoring is good with concepts but that his fluency is lacking. I plan to go through some basic review with him today to assess that and then make some recommendations before we start. I am not looking forward to tutoring/teaching from this curriculum and if the mom is willing I might suggest some other options. Shormann accounts can be put on hold for a time and that might be a temporary solution. I just feel like for a struggling student with some learning challenges that SM might be overload. Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to your thoughts. Pamela Freeman

Thanks Gwen and Kareni! I think any insights, even though I was initially referring to W&M, are valuable to consider. My thinking is pretty much in line with the answers you have both given and I especially like the reminder to have someone else proofread...like I should have done with my initial post here. I should have said "questions" not "question"...oops. I'd still love to hear from anyone else with W&M experiences. Blessings! Pamela

Hello all! I know I haven't posted in ages and only read occasionally now, but I have an important question that did not garner any good search results on the forums. Dd is applying to my alma mater, William and Mary, and I am working on her transcript and course descriptions. I am familiar with their application requirements per the website and on-campus visit, but would like experienced input from this group since I know there are some who have gone down this road before me as a homeschool parent. 1) Did you include course descriptions for all classes, or just for those which were significantly different than the typical public school class? 2) Did you include a reading list in addition to course descriptions, or were titles included in the course description? 3) Do you have any pointers as to what areas of her education and extracurriculars to focus...or not to focus? 4) For any transcript, would you include 2016 dates for activities, service, etc., not yet completed if they are annual events? 5) Does anyone know how much being a legacy helps in the admission process? 6) Any other important information I should know regarding application? 7) ADDED: Did you use weighted GPA or unweighted? As always, THANKS in advance! Pamela F. in VA

Just to add...the cost of a virtual co-op is very reasonable. We have only paid $25 per family the last two years. IF you can afford it, then you might also consider the classes TOG offers through the Lampstand Learning Center.

I can heartily recommend TOG for Rhetoric! I have seen such growth in my children in the two years we have done this level. They both scored very well on the Critical Reading portion of the SAT this spring and attribute that to the reading requirements of TOG. However, I must be honest and say it was not always this way. We struggled to complete Y3 Dialectic our first year with TOG when ds was 9th and dd was 8th. The discussions took forever and we got behind. But, it may just have been our dynamics because I know there are other families who have accomplished this on their own. Keeping to a weekly schedule is KEY. We had one, but did not always stay on track...too many reasons unnecessary to explain :) Two years ago we joined a virtual co-op for Y4 Rhetoric and it made all the difference in the world. We not only had a weekly schedule, but dc were compelled to keep up with the work. The discussions were held weekly in History and Literature with about 10 other R-level students. The moms rotate leading the discussions and students participate in numerous ways. Each virtual co-op varies with their expectations - ours requires weekly HW to be turned in, occasional PowerPoint mini-reports, and participation in weekly discussions. Co-ops also vary in which TOG subjects they offer and the levels they offer. You can join the Yahoo group below to ask about joining co-ops that have openings in the TOG year you will be studying. TOGVirtualCo-opSynergy@yahoogroups.com Ironically, before we started in our virtual co-op I was seriously considering CC. But, I couldn't reconcile some of the approach AND we were out of sync with where we would have jumped in the cycle. Very happy we stuck it out with TOG. Hope this helps! Pamela

We have done TOG at the rhetoric level (high school) the past two years and I have been VERY pleased. Previous to that we tried TOG but the discussion times always tripped us up and we did not stay on track. The difference? We joined a weekly virtual co-op and it has made all the difference. While Tapestry offers their own classes and they are very good, they cost quite a bit. We have only paid $25 a year for the family to participate in the virtual co-op. I do have to teach a number of times during the year, but it is totally worth it because more often it is another mom who has to prepare everything for the week. It keeps my students on track for history and literature, then I get to choose at home which of the other subjects we will do from TOG. Keep in mind that each virtual co-op operates slightly differently, but the idea is the same. Another benefit is that both my students took the PSAT and SAT this past year and did well on the Critical Reading sections. The reading level of TOG resources far surpasses what I saw when comparing to Sonlight or MFW books. TOG really requires digestion and analysis of difficult material and I am very satisfied with what they are getting out of it. HTH, Pamela in VA

I tutor a young lady who is enrolled this year in Liberty Online Academy and have been less than pleased with the format and material. It is essentially AO's Switched on Schoolhouse administered through a Liberty Portal with the addition of teachers to grade and to lend help when needed. It is really horrendous. HOWEVER, I just spoke with LUOnline reps at the HEAV convention this past weekend and they informed me that the whole program has been re-vamped. With the exception of math, which will use Thinkwell online courses, all the other classes have been newly written by Liberty personnel. They realized how poor a product SOS is and have been working for several years to upgrade their offerings. Hope this helps! Pamela in VA

I had this problem recently and it was easily solved. Another TOG user pointed me to the One Note application in the icon tray. Every few times I open with LL, I have to close One Note in that tray. Hope this helps, Pamela F. in VA

As long as we're talking about homeschool codes, I'd like to know if anyone has had the problem we did with PSATs. Both dc registered and used the homeschool code for VA. The guidance counselor walked them through the application process and made sure that they put the right codes down. However, every time they receive info now from College Board, or sometimes from a college, they are referenced as students at the high school where they took the PSAT. I actually spoke with the CB today about it because I wanted it changed before they signed up for the June SAT. I was told they could not fix it, although dc were able to change it on their online profile when they registered today. Should I be concerned about this administrative error? TIA, Pamela F.

Thanks for the answers so far. To address a few things... I don't have issues with my ability to teach the Chemistry since I have a Master's in Forensic Science. I was just looking for videos to supplement and/or replace my teaching the lectures for several reasons. 1) Give dc a chance to hear another person teach and 2) Free me up to do other things I need to (like a possible PT job). I was just hoping someone had matched BJU Chem up already with Khan or GPBS to save me the time. OHElizabeth - I totally get what you're saying and agree that there is, and rightfully should be, a spectrum of approaches to any subject. Each child has different interests and needs. That's one reason why we homeschool, right? What is right and good for one is not for another... So now we are back at my original Qs: 1) Coordinated plans for BJU Chem with Kahn or GPBS 2) Physics - Since I haven't chosen a text yet, I'm willing to consider recommendations for a "get it done" choice to combo with online videos. Dc are both math capable, but we don't need a calculus based approach THANKS again!

I am looking to line up chemistry videos from either of these sources with BJU for the remainder of this year. For next year, I am wondering if the GA PBS videos and their supplemental notes and problems would be sufficient alone for a physics course. If not, do you have a recommended physics text you would recommend as a spine for this program and that you might have a coordinated schedule for? I figure if anyone has done this, I would certainly find them here...or at least find someone who can point me in the right direction :) Also, do you know if GA PBS will send the CD with the Teacher Print Materials if we do not live the GA? TIA, Pamela in VA

Hi Four Oaks, I am considering this for dd next year and would really love to hear your comments, good or bad, about the program. We have been doing Rhetoric level TOG, so it seems like it would be a good transition. Dd is considering the 4 yr BFA in Dance at Belhaven, so this would fulfill the required Worldview Curriculum credits if she did it. If you want to respond privately, you can email me at freeman4him at gmail.com Thanks! Pamela F.

I have access to the full scope and sequence, but as noted by mom31257, you cannot tell if orbital filling is actually covered. It's frustrating because some complex topics are presented, but without sufficient foundational information. Students are just expected to memorize the "what" without knowing the "why." As a scientist/mathematician, it really bugs me. Dicentra...your suggestion is exactly what I was considering. Thanks for the confirmation in my thought process! Thanks! Pamela

I need a quick answer to this if possible. I am tutoring a student who uses Liberty Academy Online, which is essentially the AO Lifepacs in a digital format (similar to Switched on Schoolhouse). Unlike the printed copies, she cannot open future lessons until she is up to date on current lessons and their quiz. It is hard to tell from the section title whether orbitals designations and how they are filled gets covered at all. She is having trouble understanding the lesson on the periodic table because it vaguely refers to how energy levels fill with electrons and how that affects elemental periods, groups, and trends, but she hasn't been taught the foundational reasons yet. It even mentions valence electrons, but hasn't really explained it. Thanks! Pamela

We did TOG Y4 Rhetoric last year and dc were 9th and 10th. For the most part, we enjoyed all the literature (we skipped the poetry), although much of it was depressing or strange. Did you mean to ask what were our favorite Y4 books (you said Y3)...To Kill a Mockingbird and The Chosen are both Y4 and highly recommended. Here's my take on some of the others: The Cherry Orchard - great picture of Russia at the turn of the century and the class struggle going on All Quiet on the Western Front - easy to read, but the realities and violence of war are exposed; I wouldn't skip it Animal Farm - excellent satire; KEEP! The Great Gatsby - most either love it or hate it; a good reflection of the Roaring Twenties To Live - our whole family enjoyed this film about the social revolution in China Fahrenheit 451 - lots of food for thought here The Hobbit - who doesn't love this? Hope this helps, Pamela F.

I would like advice on trimming some of the literature from Units 3 and 4 of Year 1. Although I have looked at the chart on the loom, sometimes more specific explanation is helpful. For example, there are 4 weeks of Bible (poetry, proverbs, and psalms) mixed with Akkadian poetry. I'd love to hear how that could be trimmed and cut to about 2-3 weeks of work. Also, there are 6 weeks of Greek dramas (a different play each week). The chart recommends cutting 1/2 of these and I am not familiar with any of them, so it's hard to judge the worthiness of the content. It says KEEP Trojan Women, Agamemnon, and Oedipus Rex and DROP Libation Bearers, Eumenides, and The Frogs. Any thoughts here? I know I will keep The Aeneid. Are any of the Gospels scheduled for the last 4 weeks easily combined? Thanks in advance for your comments and advice, Pamela F.

Access through our library to several online encyclopedias was cut because of the budget, so now I am looking for good alternatives. FREE is the ideal, but I haven't been impressed with what I've seen so far. Any recommendations for free or inexpensive would be greatly appreciated. TIA, Pamela F.