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TexasTea

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Posts posted by TexasTea

  1. My 7th grader is using Teaching Textbooks 7 this year. It started out great at the beginning of the year but that was all material she already knew. She has really struggled with it this 2nd semester.

    She thinks the guy on the CD is confusing and says she can't remember the 'new' concepts the next day b/c she is doing too many different things.

     

    I was going to have her do TT Pre Alg next year but now I'm not sure I should do that. What program would you recommend?

     

    Thank you

    Debbie

  2. You do NOT need the graphing functions of a graphing calculator for those tests.

    The cheaper option is to purchase a TI-30 or TI-30-XIIS. These cost around $15 and come in some cool colors (we have a few in NEON colors--and they are easier to find around the house!). This calculator has a MULTI-LINE display just like the graphing calculators--just no graphing option. It is EASY to just pick up and use. A week or 2 of using it before the test and it will dramatically DECREASE the time spent on each problem--this can be VERY helpful to most students. This is the only calculator I recommend to ALL of my students for Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2. It is very easy to transition from this calculator to the graphing calculator for Pre-Calc.

     

     

    Jann,

     

    Thank you for this info. Can I ask what is the difference between the calculator you listed above and just a 'regular' one? My dd has only used a regular 1.00 calculator from Walmart for basic operations. I'm wondering what else she could use it for if we got the one above. Thank you

     

    Debbie

  3. The Sonlight reading list is excellent and has already been suggested. What about the Childhood of Famous American series? They are autobiographies of famous American and written on a 3-5th grade level (I think). My children have loved them. There are many of them and found easily at the library. You can find books on any one from Babe Ruth to Walt Disney to Buffalo Bill.

     

    HTH

     

    Debbie

  4. I just wanted to add that I have used both PLL and ILL with my children and like them both. Also, I would still use something that teaches diagramming in the younger years if that is the program I wanted (I want to use FLL 3 next year). I plan to introduce the diagraming part and see how its received. If its not received well, we can skim or skip that part of the program.

     

    Debbie

  5. I can relate to what you are saying. I feel the same way. I'm drawn to both CM style and to traditional grammar that includes diagramming.

     

    My children are ages 7,9,13 and 16. I have done both methods.

     

    I do not teach diagramming in the younger years at all. If flopped with my older kids so I just decided to let it go. I have a huge family with lots of nieces and nephews and did an informal survey of my own. I asked all the kids I knew in highschool and beyond how much diagramming they did in school, when it was taught, if it was helpful etc. Then I asked one additional question: What was the most helpful thing you learned to help you in college.

     

    The response by all was similar. They all said that diagramming was taught in 7th or 8th grade and then they never saw it again: not on CLEP or AP tests etc. the answer to my last question was always the same too. The most helpful thing for all was the be well read and learn to write well.

     

    Okay, that is not big surprise to homeschoolers! ha ;)

     

    I found the information about diagramming interesting and it just confirmed what I thought about doing in my homeschool already. I am not trying to do as the public school does but did want to know about how useful it may or may not be in the future.

     

    I found that when I taught it in 8th and 9th using Analytical Grammar it was picked up easily and understood. I plan to keep reviewing it until graduation.

     

    HTH

     

    Debbie

  6. My 10th grader is using Sonlight and I am seriously thinking of using something else next year.

    Not only have *I* gotten lazy but I think I've allowed my dd to do so as well. I find we are doing less and less discussions and I'm letting the student notes and questions slide. SO basically she is just reading and writing a few papers every now and then. She told me last night she does not remember much of the American history we did with core 100 last year. I am not happy about that.

    Now I am wondering if we were doing more with what she reads if it would stick more. I have to educate myself on what she is learning and get more involved.

    I am pleased that my dd is an independent learner and can be a self learner but I have to ask myself should my 10th grader be a self learner?! Shouldn't she have someone involved with her learning process while she is still in high school?

     

    This post may not be helpful at all. I guess I am in the same boat as you.

  7. I am in the 'had it, sold it' camp...only I had it and sold it TWICE. ha

     

    I wanted to like it and use it because it looks like such a wonderful program but it caused me so much mental clutter and stress when trying to figure it out that I decided (Twice) it was not for me and to stick with what I know and what has been working. I will admit that when I see posts about TOG I sometimes get a pang of jealousy and wish I could have made it work for me. :glare:

     

    Debbie

  8. My kids used Typing Instructor Deluxe too. I don't think any of them have needed to finish the program either. The best thing that helped to get their typing up to 'speed' was giving them email address to email their friends and each other. I also have my 7th grader type her papers for school. Once she started emailing, she picked up typing in no time and it also improved her spelling!

     

    Debbie

  9. I started IEW SWI C with my 10th grader this year. I got this advise from SWB herself and its been a gem!

     

    My daughter has been able to work through this program on her own and has learned so much from it. She told me just this week that she now feels she could take any writing assignment as given (Like in a SL manual) and do it with no problem. That is good news to me!

     

    Next year we will either do the continuing course or do the Essay course that IEW offers.

     

    I'd say go for it and its not too late. The older the child, the quicker they can work through it.

     

    HTH

     

    Debbie

  10. I just wanted to add something......

     

    With MFW it is very easy to add in more if you want it. I added in *some* of the SL readers for my child who uses MFW. I was able to add in just the right amount of reading for her. SL was too overwhelming for this child. I think MFW with SL readers is a great mix. I have even heard of some ladies using MFW as their base and using SL Lang. arts with readers.

     

    Debbie

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