Pamela in VA
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Posts posted by Pamela in VA
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Great advice again, because I am one who tends towards overkill if I don't watch out. Also, ds is becoming a good independent learner and I have had to learn that less is often more where he is concerned. I definitely don't want time "suckers" where he is understanding the concepts...but I do want to challenge him with some of the harder problems.
Thanks so much for your wisdom! I can't promise this will be the last time I ask about this program :)
Pamela F. in VA
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We are doing option B and using Holt Geometry 2007 this year. The only thing that might change is if ds decides to take precalculus at CC and then we have to use the text they chose. I like Lial's so much that I will probably have it on hand for reference anyway if that is the case.
Pamela F. in VA
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I really like this curriculum for teaching Latin, but my only complaint is the lack of practice exercises for new concepts and vocabulary. We use the online site Headventureland for vocab and culture, but we aren't getting enough practice with grammar constructions or working with the declensions and conjugations before moving on.
Are there any online sites I can go to print practice latin exercises and translations?
Thanks!
Pamela F. in VA
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Thanks so much for your answers Jann! I"m quite comfortable with geometry, but I figure it's always better not to reinvent the wheel, especially when there is someone (like you) who knows the curriculum itself better. So...
Is there some reason you like the different exercises from the OSP better than what is in the actual text? And, if you skip assigning ex. from the text, do you always assign all the Review B, Reteach, Problem Solving, and Challenge exercises from each section?
I also meant to ask about the codes for the technical labs in the text. The ones in my book (Holt 2007 NY) don't seem to work anymore. Any clue how I can access these?
Thanks again!
Pamela F. in VA
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I was finally able to obtain a one-stop planner at the end of the summer, but just today had a chance to really check it out. Ds started the Geometry text a few weeks ago and has just been reading the sections on his own and doing the odds and “red†questions in the Exercises section.
1. I know that Jann recommends the OSP as opposed to the textbook (Practice B, Reteach, and selected Problem Solving and Challenges ex.). If these are really better than the text, I’m willing to change what we’re doing, and if so, are all of these assigned for a section? Right now it’s taking 1-2 days to do the text exercises in each section.
2. Also, there are so many quizzes and tests to choose from that it’s overwhelming. The quizzes are multiple choice on the OSP, but traditional in the book. There are 6 forms of tests – an A, B, and C in either MC or traditional – on the OSP and at least 2 forms – a traditional and a MC/Std test type – in the text. I know Jann makes up her own tests, but I’m not going to do that. Which ones of these tests would you recommend? I tend not to like MC for math tests, but I realize it can be good practice for std tests. Any other good reasons for MC tests in math?
3. I think ds would enjoy the technology labs in the book, but the codes are not working on the go.hrw.com site do not work. Would these exercises work with Geogebra?
4. Constructions with compass, protractor, etc. and patty paper exercises: Do you have your students complete these? At a minimum, I think ds should be doing the constructions.
5. Doing all of what is recommended, about how much time/how many days do sections/chapters take? Do you complete the whole book?
I am also having ds write down all the postulates, theorems, corollaries, and formulas in the back of his notebook.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice!
Pamela F. in VA
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THANKS once again for the great advice. I think I'll save the $15 since Holt has so much already and there is a free resource online for dc to use in addition to hands-on labs.
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Just wondering if this is a worthy supplement for geometry since it is discounted through HSBC until the end of the week. I have Holt Geometry 2007 with the Lesson Videos and the One-Stop Teacher Planner and don't want to duplicate resources. I have not had a chance to look closely at the Holt supplementals in the Videos or Planner, so your advice (Jann :)) would be greatly appreciated.
TIA
Pamela in VA
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DD, 14, has always struggled with spelling. She improved alot with the first two books of Sequential Spelling, but last year we switched to Phonetic Zoo because she can do that on her own. After the placement test, she had to start at the A level, but that has been good for her. She is a little over halfway through the A level lessons, mostly because I didn't stay on her to complete the work last year.
I like that when she gets to the B and C levels, the lessons will review all of the same rules with more difficult words (e.g., multi-syllables...).
Good luck!
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We use TOG, so I have access to a number of rubric for different types of presentations and discussions. I would suggest googling for rubrics and see what comes up. It will give a more concrete ways to assess the discussion that occurs.
HTH,
Pamela in VA
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Getting ready to plan this out for the year...does anyone have their dc make cards for the words? What do you do about all the extra words in boxes on the sides of the pages?
Would love any and all suggestions on ways people use this program.
TIA,
Pamela in VA
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The answer really depends on the current writing level of the students you will have. This would also affect when you teach WttW.
If they have some experience with writing and are comfortable with the 5-paragraph essay, then the Elegant Essay will refine those skills by concentrated lessons on each aspect of the essay (e.g., thesis, supporting statements, intro, conclusion, etc.). Previous experience with IEW writing is helpful, but not a prerequisite for this course.
On the other hand, if they have not done much writing, then the SWI-C might be a better starting point. It will cover all the basic types of writing through the 9 IEW units (fiction and non-fiction) and build up to the 5-paragraph essay (and possibly more...don't have a TOC in front of me). If they have some writing experience, but not alot of essay writing, then EE would be good to polish that skill.
All that said, and if I remember correctly, Windows expects the student to write essays about literature, so it would be better after learning the 5-paragraph essay.
HTH,
Pamela in VA
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Man, if we had that we'd be golden. :lol: Some kids just don't have it, sigh. Sometimes I've connived and created projects that required her persist. Doesn't usually seem to help. I must not have persisted long enough at them. :D
Some encouragement...I have often felt like this with ds, almost 16 and a rising sophomore, but there are glimmers of breakthrough...FINALLY. I think for some kids, it's just not innate. I can't speak for your dd, but for my ds, who is intelligent and gifted in many areas, this manifests as sheer laziness. Once something that was initially easy (and he was easily excelling at) becomes the least bit challenging, he doesn't want to apply himself or work hard to improve or study at length. This applies to academic subjects, piano, and even fun things like soccer, NRA shooting, archery, etc.
So, for now, the one that has to persist is me. But like I said above, that is changing. Not sure if it's how you meant it, but the "goat wrestling is tiring" quip is how I feel about it sometimes. Made me laugh!
Good luck!
Pamela in VA
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I would highly recommend getting the TM because they contain blackboard ideas to help with brainstorming. These are very useful to help your student "think."
HTH,
Pamela in VA
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Last year I asked a similar question of the rep at HEAV. The most significant difference is in the "tone" of the instruction and not the difficulty of the projects. Each of the first books in a level (Elem, Jr. High, or High School) assumes no prior knowledge or experience with artistic expression. If your ds is going into 10th, he might feel talked down to if using the Elem 4-6 book. The Jr. High might be okay, but you can always compare the instruction style of Jr. High to HS by looking at samples online.
That said, I have the Jr. High Book 1 from a year ago and ds will be going into 10th and dd into 9th. I do plan to use it this year, but if I were buying new, I'd probably go with the HS level.
HTH,
Pamela in VA
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Introductory Algebra:
- Concepts taught through examples are very clear and steps explained well
- Plenty of exercises to practice
- Lots of review
- Real-life application in word problems and special pages
We'll be using the Intermediate Algebra for Algebra II.
HTH,
Pamela
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I am thinking about using this program with a 9th and 10th grader next year, but know that if we start at level A we won't finish the series and get the benefit for SATs. We did a level of MCTLA CE I last year and have several years of Latin accomplished, so they will be familiar with many of the roots and stems.
Is it possible to do two books in a year? I noticed there are only 16 lessons, but I can't tell from samples just how long they are.
I still haven't ruled out moving to MCTLA WWW, but it just looks like LONG lists of words with a few exercises. I'd love to hear how people use it.
Looking for advice...
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bump - Would love to hear people's experience with either one of these programs (Teen Coder or SingPath)
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:bigear: I will also be transitioning 2 dc from D- to R- level next year in TOG (Y4 - what about you?). I'm not so worried about comprehension for R-history, but I think there is going to be an adjustment to the amount of reading and Qs to answer.
The literature has me a bit more concerned, but the V-Co-op we are joining is going to take it a bit more like a book club and hit the high points in a relaxed manner. I think that is going to be good for us this first year (and maybe even longer since neither dc are headed in a humanities direction). Anything left out that I feel is still important I will cover at home.
Honestly, I don't think we'll be tackling all the Poetics and Frameworks assignments...I don't see ds lasting long with all that is there. My first thought is to read them myself and then distill the most important information for a SHORT lecture.
Not sure how much this helps, but it's a start.
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Thanks Jann! This will be fun for next year.
Not sure if you saw my Q to you on the Geometry post from last week. I was curious to know if you had any schedules/plans you are willing to share for Holt Geometry 2007. Like you mentioned, it appears that the planning might be a challenge since there is so much to choose from.
I understand if you are reluctant to share since you teach classes from them.
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That blue tool in the middle is used for the compass. Their geometry is really a great program.... The complete kit is used for their middle school geometry, and I think they should have added a traditional compass to that kit.
:iagree: I think learning to use a traditional compass is valuable and we did add one in for certain tasks. My biggest thought on this program is just how good it is and how overlooked it seems to be. It would be very rigorous for a 5th grader (5th-8th is rec) and was tough for my ds who was in 7th. We only completed 1/2 of it because a tree fell through our house that Nov and we spent 4 months in a hotel learning a lot of life skills while rebuilding.
I had chosen it as a "filler" for ds who I didn't think was quite ready for algebra at the time. It was billed as Intermediate Math and good for strengthening basic skills. In addition to being a good refresher, I thought he would enjoy applying that knowledge through all the hands-on constructing that is often absent from traditional proof-based courses in HS. Interestingly, many of its fun applications are similar to those found in the Developmental Geometry course I see recommended here. It's all in b/w, so not quite as appealing, but the work is solid. Also, it introduces 2-column proofs from a mathematical properties perspective and this was a bit hard for ds. However, he was able to tell me his thought process and I then converted it the format so he could see it.
He will probably do Holt Geometry 2007 for 10th grade, but regardless of the final choice, I am going to have him complete the last 1/2 of the RS Geometry course.
Honestly, for a non-mathy HS student, I would probably consider it for a geometry credit. I couldn't find a sample TOC online, but it is fairly comprehensive.
JMHO!
ETA: That should read Discovering Geometry!
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:bigear:
Timely question, because I was going to post something similar. Ds15 is also interested in this option, so it will be good to hear what suggestions you get.
I am considering one of the Teen Coder bundles that is on sale through the HS Buyer's Co-op until July 16. There are two different bundles that you can see at the link below. One of them claims to prepare the student for the AP exam. I would love to hear reviews from people who have experience with this program.
https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/homeschool-programming/?c=1
I have recently been made aware of a site called SingPath which is set up like a game format that allows the "player" to practice coding in a variety of computer languages. I searched the files here and found no reference to it, but did find favorable reviews online. Ds15 will probably start playing around with it next week.
I have not looked at SingPath extensively, but the student pastor at church was able to complete quite a few levels of Python with no prior knowledge. The co-founder/developer of the site is his sister and the company is based in Singapore. I get to meet her on Sunday when she is in town for a visit :)
I would love to hear if anyone has experience with SingPath.
Hope this helps!
ETA: Notice also that one of the consultants acknowledged is Nick Parlante, the Stanford professor who teaches the Coursera class CS101.
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We have liked the set from Right Start for Intermediate Geometry. It does not contain a traditional compass, but accomplishes the task with another instrument (can't remember name).
http://store.rightstartmath.com/rightstartand153geometryset.aspx
Good Luck!
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I have a copy of the first edition TWTM, but as dc are moving into Rhetoric level studies, I am wondering if there are significant enough differences between the 1999 and 2009 books to warrant an upgrade.
Would love to have explanations of the differences...
Thanks
Music Theory online class?
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
Ds 15 will be taking the VA Music Teachers Assoc. theory tests in Feb. He is studying for Level V and possibly Level VI. Although he gets some theory lab time with Maestro software (no longer available), I would love recommendations for online sites or a MOOC. Apparently once a student can pass level IX (out of XII), he should be able to pass the AP Music Theory test.
I'd especially love to hear from those in VA who have done this.
TIA,
Pamela