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Staceyshoe

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Posts posted by Staceyshoe

  1. We love both CWP and IP.  I love how easy it is to customize Singapore.  Maybe get one of each for the next level and see whether you want to move forward with either or both.  If he is going through curriculum quickly, adding both of these books is probably doable.  The beautiful thing is that it is not more of the same -- there is a beautiful depth and problem-solving logic that is added through these resources.

  2. Just adding a quick anecdote.  My son took an ACT his freshman year and got a great score.  No need to re-test for college scholarship reasons.  He also took the PSAT his jr year and was a National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist (the PSAT jr year is the only way to attain this particular credential).  The one issue we had is that he needed a "confirmation" score on the ACT or SAT within a specific time frame (2 years?) before or after the PSAT.  (I guess to confirm that his score wasn't a fluke? Bizarre that they don't trust their own test.)  His ACT was 6 months too soon to qualify.  So to get his National Merit, he had to take yet another test.  Given all the testing issues, the National Merit rules may have changed.  (Ds was a jr in 2020-21.)

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  3. On 2/22/2014 at 11:40 AM, nature girl said:

    We've actually used both! BFSU is definitely more complex and harder to implement, and will probably last longer, we'll be going over the same concepts as my DD gets older, digging deeper. But she's having fun glossing over the subjects at the more simple level that she's capable of processing now. Many of the experiments in SMS and BFSU cover similar concepts and reinforce each other. One of the strengths of BFSU is the way it interrelates different concepts, many of the subjects are linked to the others, which gives a deeper understanding, and it's the main reason we started working with it. And like you said SMS does a great job of teaching a scientific way of thinking/observing. Both have given her a love of science and really helped her observe her world. (And experiments are just plain fun, the more the better in my mind!)


    Can someone tell me what SMS is?  TIA!

  4. Thank you all!  I knew you would be able to point me in the right direction, and I am looking forward to checking out the options you mentioned.

     

    22 hours ago, SusanC said:

    One thing to consider about online classes is that there is often a discount for multiple dc or multiple classes. However, the best classes for each child in different subjects often come from different providers, so a balance must be found. What area(s) of science are you considering?

    Thank you for sharing some of the other considerations to take into account.  He is planning to take a general Biology class this year.

  5. My son needs to take Spanish 2 this year.  Because we are moving out of state during the year, I would like to find an online class for him.  It is possible that he will need other online classes also (perhaps science and perhaps another elective).  I am not that familiar with online class options.  Can someone provide me with suggestions for online high school classes?  TIA!

  6. I'm in favor of not pushing a child but also not using unnecessary repetition.  IMO, Singapore's level 6 is unnecessary for some students because there are very few new concepts compared with previous levels.  Algebra is a different way of thinking and is taught differently.  A student needs to be mature enough to struggle a bit (i.e., not immediately understand and not get upset) and needs to be able to handle the sheer volume of words-on-the-page of an algebra text. 

    I would try the placement test for the algebra program you prefer after level 5 and then decide if it would be best to switch then.  If it's not the right timing, continue with level 6.  My own children started algebra at very different ages/levels because of differences in overall maturity, low frustration tolerance, and readiness to process abstract concepts.  Your child may need algebra after level 5 to keep that spark alive-- or looking at a page of an algebra textbook may make his eyes glaze over.  I would consider that a major factor in the decision.  

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  7. My older children are in high school so it's been a LONG time since we've done K here.  Our focus will be short phonics/reading and math lessons, and I have a plan for those.  I would like to add some content learning--perhaps social studies, science, or geography.  I want something gentle and possibly using living books.  What curriculum or parent guides would you recommend for us?  What do you just love for this age?  TIA!

  8. Is there an online class for honors level Algebra 2 that is not an AOPS class?  My older son connected well with AOPS, but my younger one hasn't.  He's currently in an in-person Geometry class (not honors) and is bored senseless.  He really needs an honors level class, but there are no in-person honors options for homeschoolers in my city.  We are looking ahead to next year and want to find an online  option.  He is not autodidactic and needs an interactive class.  Recommendations?  (If AOPS really is the best option, we can try it again.  He would need some hand-holding because he has an incredibly low tolerance for math frustration.  What class option would provide the best support?)

  9. DD (3.5 y.o.) adores "writing" and "drawing."  She has filled up every page of multiple notebooks and hoards pencils and paper.  Now she is beginning to copy letters regularly, and I want to help her develop good habits.  (Her pencil grip is fine, but she uses poor techniques for letter formation.)  What do you recommend for a young child?  We will go very slowly, and I want to find something with fairly large letters since she's young.  HWOT?  Something else?  

    TIA!  This so totally new for me.  My older children hated writing/coloring/fine motor practice when they were young.

  10. My rising 7th grader does not have a strong vocabulary.  I would like to use a program this year to improve his vocabulary, and I think something focusing on roots may be the best as far as retention and generalization of what he learns.  (I'm very open to hearing other opinions about this strategy if focusing on roots isn't what you would recommend for him.)  Bonus if it's fun and won't feel tedious.  Recommendations?

  11. On 6/12/2020 at 12:01 PM, gstharr said:

    As discusssed above, my new 10th grader took TW AP Chemistry.  When all our summer plans got wiped out, we are doing a redo with CTY AP Chemistry (12 weeks/ teacher) for the summer.  The CTY lessons are TW based--same video, and questions.  .  However, the value added by CTY  is that there are teacher produced questions, and more, importantly, graded lab reports.   Now that he completed his 2nd week of classes, my opinion is TW is very good for fundamental chemistry subject matter.   However, TW's all multiple choice format is a weakness.  And, the lack of lab instruction-- that would probably be a glaring weakness if he were to straight from AP to a more advanced college class-- will keep us from using TW for biology.  But,  I remain a fan of  all TW math. 

    This is very helpful.  It is possible ds will do an online AP Chemistry this year.  It sounds like CTY is a good option for that class.  Do you know whether there are other AP Chem classes of comparable quality?  

  12. On 5/29/2020 at 3:12 PM, square_25 said:

    Art of Problem Solving has number theory and discrete math classes :-). 

    I'm curious about the linear algebra, because you can go pretty deep into that, or you can not. Any idea what he's covered? 


    The Linear Algebra course was based on the Linear Algebra class taught at Purdue U - using the same textbook, test, etc.  I assume it was complete.  They finished all the topics in the course/text.  Thanks for the suggestions of AOPS.

  13. On 5/21/2020 at 5:46 PM, square_25 said:

     

    Hmmmmm. How much linear algebra was there in multivariable calculus? Has he done probability/statistics or number theory of any sort? 

     
    He completed both Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra.  They were separate math subjects but he completed both at his B&M school this year.  He has not taken stats or number theory (at least nothing with that title).  He took a "Math Analysis" class a few years ago that may have had some of that content.  We are considering AP Stats this year because it is an easy class to find.  He hasn't taken Differential Equations or Discrete Math yet either.  If you can recommend a specific Number Theory, Differential Equations, or Discrete Math class, I'm all ears.   TIA!

  14. Ds15 was homeschooled years ago but has been in private school for a few years.  Given the current circumstances, we may not enroll him in the fall.  I'm starting to explore option for a Plan B.  Math and science are often hard to find a good fit because he is radically accelerated in both.  He completed Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra this year.  Any thoughts about math options for next year?  He's been taking advanced high school science classes for several years but has not had chemistry, and we've talked about possibly AP Chemistry for next year.  I do not have the ability to lead him in math or science, but he is autodidactic (though he prefers direct instruction).  What options do you recommend for him?  We're not interested in dual enrollment if there are any other options.  If you have honors level high school options that you love for other subjects, I'm open to hearing those as well.  He's very talented academically, but writing is his weakness (probably average to above average).  He also struggles with organizational skills and time management. 

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