Sweet Home Alabama
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Posts posted by Sweet Home Alabama
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If you like the BJU book but would prefer a less overwhelming way to do it, you could use DIVE. It's much cheaper than the BJU DVDs and still quite rigorous. The DIVE lessons run the class and the BJU book is supporting material. Actually you can use a variety of texts with the DIVE cds. We are doing very well with it.
Heather
Thank you, Heather!
I would do BJU Physical, but I think since it's a 9th grade class, the math is more than we're ready to tackle. An 8th grade physical science that focuses on chemistry and physics is what I'm looking for. So many physical science texts (including Apologia) include earth science. Since we've done that and didn't just love it, I'm trying to avoid it in physical science.
Many people use and recommend DIVE. It must be a good way to supplement.
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What texts would teach pre-chemistry and pre-physics for 8th grade? BJU 9th grade physical science does this, but it is too much for an 8th grader.
I don't want to repeat earth/space science.
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We are using BJU 7th Life Science with DVDs. There is no way I would attempt to use this without the DVDs. There may be some who would. I just don't feel like I could have taught the lessons to the depth and degree that Mrs. Vick does.
It is challenging. This is our first "real" textbook class, and we do some of the work open book. I don't know how others would feel about that, but this class would be beyond us if we did not do it this way.
My dd is learning a HUGE amount of great science. Life Science has fantastic information, and Mrs. Vick does many experiments. Life Science will certainly prepare us for high school biology.
I have very little experience with Apologia elementary science. We used only part of the Flying Creatures book when we studied birds since I made up our curriculum that year. We used the Mammals of the Sixth Day last year. We have not used any upper level Apologia.
I am trying to decide about 8th grade science, and I'm considering Apologia Physical Science. My dd isn't interested in using BJU again since it is a bit intense (border-line overwhelming).
So..... I'm also interested in learning more about upper level Apologia.
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As far as work load and getting used to online classes~my son was pretty undisciplined at the time, so both were a challenge for him.
Teacher expectations made him tow the line pretty quickly, so in the sense of teaching accountability, the classes were a success.
This is why I am thinking about using Potter's School. I like the idea of a "real" teacher teaching subjects I might not teach well.
Parents are expected to grade work, especially in English (grammar sheets.)
I would have preferred not to especially considering how much the class costs, but that's the way it was.
I agree.
The English class completely turned ds's attitude around in regards to writing. He loves to write now.
I am hoping for the same response. We are using SWB's recommendations this year, and I am very pleased with this so far. Yet, I also want her to be prepared for the realistic amount of writing that will be expected of dd as she moves into high school.
I've also heard that Potter's School prepares students for writing on the SAT tests. Can anyone confirm this or comment about this?
I put dd's writing assignments on my blog. I label them Anna's Writing Assignments. She is currently working on a cause/effect essay on a topic of her choice. She chose China's one-child policy.
Thanks so much for posting this! I'll be sure to take a look! Do you feel that your dd is being prepared for SAT writing through Potter's School?
Anyone else? :bigear:
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I want to know more about The Potter's School classes for Apologia Physical Science and English I for an 8th grader.
We've never used Potter's School before, but I have friends who love taking classes with them.
Has anyone taken either of these classes? I have several questions:
Would you take both classes the same year or just one?
Which one would profit the student more for highschool prep?
What teachers would you recommend?
How much time would it take to do each class?
What is the workload like?
Would you rather choose to do Apologia just as a home study-not online?
How easy is it to adjust to doing school with Potter's School?
Is there a break in price if you take more than one class?
Thanks for any help!
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I think I know what I'm going to do..... it will just take a little work on my part.
I'm going to complete FLL2 combining lessons where I can.
Then, I'll use some fun color-coded magnitized words that I have. They are categorized as nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, preps, etc...
Once ds learns all of the different parts of speech, we can use these magnets and build sentences.
I also have CLE's diagramming book which starts at 2nd grade. I can introduce diagramming this year.
I also have Winston Grammar..... written for at least 4th grade, I know, but for a hands-on activity, we can use the cards to either build sentences or identify parts of speech in simple sentences.
I'm really just describing some "games" that we can play together. I would love to "finish" FLL 2 by the end of 1st semester. (My plans show finishing by the end of April if we do every lesson 4x a week.) I'll have to start combining those lessons!
We are also using Getting Started with Latin which has introduced direct object. He's getting a little bit of grammar through this Latin.
He really dislikes the repetition in FLL. It is "boring" to him. I see the value in the repetition, but I don't want him to dread grammar every time he sees the book.
Thanks for all the good ideas and very worthwhile "conversation". So many love MCT, and I might look into that in a year or so. :001_smile:
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Thanks, Abbeyej and Starrbuck!
This is what I needed to know! I am using CLE with my 5th grader, and it's going well. I've also heard tremendous things about R&S. A friend of mine has FLL3 and isn't using it. I might ask to see it.
I'm sure there is an easy fix.... not worried at all.
Thanks for helping me think through options!
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I know MCT is recommended for 3rd grade and up, but I've read where 2nd graders have used it.
If we tried MCT, what would I need to buy??? Would I have to get grammar, voc, poetry/music, writing, and practice??? That sounds so expensive. I'm really just interested in replacing FLL2.
Yet, if we did not get the whole set and then wanted to continue with MCT in 3rd, how would we continue IF we only completed the grammar book in 2nd?
Please explain MCT.
(Other option.... try FLL 3. Is book 3 better than FLL 2?)
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I'm a little confused, but it might be because we're in different states with different requirements. Why would you start the high school 4x4 (I'm assuming 4 maths and 4 sciences, correct?) in 8th grade? Wouldn't you just continue with the next math or science in the sequence, whatever that might be? Your student would have to take 4 maths and 4 sciences during the high school years, regardless of what those courses are. So if you start with algebra in 8th grade, he/she would still have to take 4 years of math. If you start with physical science in 8th grade, he/she would still have to take bio, chem or physics and 2 other sciences in high school.
Luckymama, the context was that if the 4x4 were begun in 8th grade, the student could take community college duel enrollment classes in 12th.
I was having trouble deciding what we could do in 8th that would meet the requirements of a high school level class.
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Thanks again, everyone.
I'm going to rethink science. I'm trying to piece 8th - 12th grades, and I'm just working out the details.
I know BJU will have a new edition of Earth and Space Science for next year. Maybe I should re-consider this if we, in fact, continue with BJU. Life Science has been so good; maybe Earth and Space would be ok. E&S would get us ready for 9th grade physical.
I've also read a lot of wonderful reviews about CPO Science.
I was encouraged to start the high school 4X4 in 8th grade at a homeschooler's meeting last summer, and I've tried to make plans to accomplish that. Yet, that schedule might be a little over-enthusiastic at least for now. It's only the 2nd month of 7th grade right now!!!!:tongue_smilie:
I'll make a schedule with wiggle room, and if I see that we can handle a 9th grade class in 8th grade, then so be it. If not, we'll stick to 8th. No sweat.
I think for now, I'll :chillpill: and put my kids to bed! :auto:
Thanks, everyone!
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The right level of difficulty is one that challenges the student without frustrating him.
What that is, depends on the student. You are the only one who can tell if it is asked too much of your 8th grader to do highschool work.
Children are very different, so there is no one-size-fits all rule. (My 8th grader is taking a college physics class and doing just fine.)
Thanks Regentrude!
I really appreciate your response. I understand your answer.... I still have a question.
Should I use a 9th grade science text (curriculum) in 8th grade to justify it being a high school class..... or can I use an 8th grade science and call it high school?
Giving an 8th grade curriculum a high school credit doesn't sound right to me. But having an 8th grader work a 9th grade text might be too advanced.
If I had to answer my own question, I would have to say that if the 8th grader couldn't handle the 9th grade work, the class could not be counted as a high school class.
Would you use the 8th grade text and beef it up to high school level??? I'm facing my first try at understanding high school.
Sorry to be so frustrating. :confused:
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Thanks everyone!!! So, what about a progression like this:
7th Life Science
8th Physical
9th Chemistry
10th Biology
11th Physics
12th An advanced course or cc duel enrollment science
I had forgotten about starting a high school sequence in 8th grade... which leaves 12th grade open for advanced courses or duel enrollment at a community college.
If I treated 8th grade like the first year in high school, what would physical science have to look like???? I'm concerned it might be too advanced.
If I treated 8th grade like a middle school class, then as long as I did biology and ANY other physical science (chemistry, physics, geology, or astronomy) in the 12th grade slot, I'd be ok.
Does anyone have a comment about starting the 4x4 in 8th as opposed to starting it in 9th? Specifically doing high school level work in 8th? How do you make sure the student is doing the right level of difficulty? Is this too much to ask of an 8th grader?
Thanks so much for all your help!!!
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We're using BJU's 7th grade Life Science this year. I'm not crazy about using Earth and Space Science in 8th. I thought we would do physical science instead...... until I checked Alabama's graduation requirements.
Alabama requires 4 sciences to include physical science and biology. That makes me think that I should wait for high school to do physical science.
I'm just not loving the idea of doing a "traditional" earth and space science in 8th grade. Earth science is ok.... but we really don't like space science.
What could we do in 8th instead of earth and space science? Or, should I just go ahead and do the earth and space science because it would be a good prep for 9th grade physical science? We're going to study Middle Ages in history, is there a way to link science with that?
I'm not limiting ourselves to BJU. I'm looking of more like a science progression. We might use BJU or we might use something else...
It is VERY important to me that whatever we do, we're moving in the direction of prepping for high school and later college science. I think I have kids who might go that route in college.
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Medieval Mom,
I am considering it with a 6th grader. He has not had any Latin yet. I may start in January.
Sweet home Alabama,
It's great to hear of your success with it.
you mentioned your son is in 2nd grade and you guys have encountered some grammar with which he was not yet familiar, in your opinion, what would be a good grade to start the program???
I ask because in the past (with my oldest) I have made the mistake of starting thing a little prematurely and the frustration level escalated quickly. Needless to say we quit stuff. I am attempting to not repeat that mistake again.
Also, could a 6th grader who has never done latin work it independently??
TIA
rmiz
Can I ask your opinion on using this with 2 children the ages of mine? Ds is 2nd this year and dd is 8th. I was thinking of trying to do Latin with both of them next year. Dd will be high school, but will be doing Spanish for her high school FL credits. It wouldn't have to be a high school level course since I'll just be adding it in for the exposure and increase of vocabulary, etc.What do you think?
Amy, I don't see why you couldn't use GSwL with both of your kids yet not at the same time. The younger one would necessarily need your help. The older one would be able to finish the lessons independently.
I think the book is actually a lot of fun for an older child or adult who wants to learn the language. Linney suggests translating the Latin sentences into English, and then translating the English sentences back into Latin.... quite a bit harder I would think! So, GSwL has some versitility.
Did you realize the same author wrote Getting Started with Spanish??? I have that book too and have intended to use it with my two older kids who are on the 2nd of 3 years of Rosetta Stone Latin-American Spanish. RS hasn't taught them grammar sufficiently imo, and if we can eventually work it into our already full schedule, I think it would add the grammar that they are currently not getting.
You can see samples on his web page www.gettingstartedwithspanish.com.
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Medieval Mom,
I am considering it with a 6th grader. He has not had any Latin yet. I may start in January.
Sweet home Alabama,
It's great to hear of your success with it.
you mentioned your son is in 2nd grade and you guys have encountered some grammar with which he was not yet familiar, in your opinion, what would be a good grade to start the program???
I ask because in the past (with my oldest) I have made the mistake of starting thing a little prematurely and the frustration level escalated quickly. Needless to say we quit stuff. I am attempting to not repeat that mistake again.
Also, could a 6th grader who has never done latin work it independently??
TIA
rmiz
I would not start this before 2nd grade. GSwL is plenty challenging with enough "fun" in it to keep us going. We have to occasionally skip a day or play Rummy Roots to prevent burn-out.
Also, I don't force anything. If I have to take more than one day to introduce a new topic, that is fine. We take our time.
The composition book helps too. Since we write new vocabulary and meanings in his comp book, we have a good time reviewing these words, and it doesn't take a lot of time. He's also remembering where certain words are in his comp book. That helps.
I'm writing the conjugation chart every time we we add a new word to the chart, so he's getting used to the terms: 1st person, 2nd person, etc and singular and plural.
The sentences to translate are like icing on the cake. If we can make it through the "hard" lesson, we get to play the translating sentences "game"! :001_smile:
GSwL would come easier to a 3rd grader, but it's going fine for 2nd. I think it would be possible for the 6th grader to use it independently after you do a few lessons together and teach him HOW to use the book. Make sure you "routine-ize" the process so he knows what to do and what to expect.... what your expectations are too. It is not a hard book to use.
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Anyone using Getting Started with Latin this year? How is it going? What do you plan on using afterwards? :bigear:
I'm using GSwL with a 2nd grader, and we are on Lesson 28, I think. Every time a new word is introduced, my ds and I write it in a composition notebook along with the definition. In the last few lessons, we've written down the 1st, 2nd, 3rd person singular/plural chart to conjugate the verb for "watching": I am watching, you are watching, he is watching, etc...
We've also studied subjects, verbs, and direct objects. Some days are easier than others. My ds had never heard of DO until GSwL. He didn't have a lot of patience to put up with a long explanation.
If I keep the lessons short and upbeat, he LOVES Latin. Sometimes I have to take a lesson like direct objects and teach that lesson over more than one day to avoid frustration. Once we get through the lesson part, we translate the 10 sentences. We both enjoy this part.
When we need a break from GSwL, he and I play Rummy Roots together. We play concentration.
After GSwL, I'm leaning toward Lively Latin, but I can't tell yet if we'll finish GSwL this year or not. I think we will. It just depends on how hard it gets towards the end. I also hear good things about Galore Park. I would consider that IF my ds were developmentally ready for it. I'll just have to wait and see where he is at the end of the year.
GSwL has been a success.
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Thanks so much, Jackie and Debbie!
I really appreciate the help as I'm thinking about science next year. I really like the CPO. In a different post, Lori D. made the following suggestion for physical science. I just love her ideas!!
I think combining Lori's ideas (below) with a yummy text like CPO might be awesome.
From Lori D.:
Making our own Physical Science was the best science we ever did -- loads of hands-on fun, and set the pace that worked for us.
We used and enjoyed Reader's Digest How Science Works as the spine and for the experiments. We also used a number of kits for extra experiments, and for extra info, also used:
- World of Chemistry (Tiner) -- historical look at key discoveries and scientists
- World of Physics (Tiner) -- historical look at key discoveries and scientists
- parts of Rader's Chem 4 Kids and Physics 4 Kids websites
- a hand-me-down copy of Abeka's 8th grade student science book, Matter & Motion
Chemistry chapters in Reader's Digest How Science Works
- world of matter
Chemistry Kits:
- TOPS Analysis
- TOPS Solutions
- TOPS Cohesion and Adhesion
Physics chapters Reader's Digest How Science Works:
- energy, force, motion
- light and sound
- air and water
- electricity and magnetism
- electronics and computers
Physics Kits:
- TOPS Floating and Sinking
- TOPS Heat
- TOPS Motion
- Educational Insights Kit: Adventures in Science: Electricity
- Educational Insights Kit: Adventures in Science: Light & Color
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Well, I had the same question and ended up with CPO Earth Science :lol: --links for life and physical science are in the left column.
I am very familiar with the PH series as my older kids used it in 6th and 7th grade science. I think it's a great series, don't get me wrong, but I wanted something more than that. CPO texts are straight-forward without being boring---the text is in a wide center column with definitions and diagrams in smaller left and right columns, absolutely without visual clutter. The teacher's edition is a gem. It doesn't recreate the student book in a box surrounded by "how-to" information. I find those types of TE to either not have enough content/extension/activities OR way too much jammed into a small space.
The website is also full of additional content and activities, from graphic organizers to presentation slides to skills and practice sheets (either reinforcement OR extension) to the ENTIRE lab (called Investigations) book under "student record sheets."
You can view samples of the student text and the teacher's edition through that link above.
There are two different editions of the books if you're looking for used texts: the regular CPO Earth Science/Life Science/Physical Science and the California edition CPO Focus on (Earth Science/Life Science/Physical Science). One is not better than the other. The differences are in what topics are covered in which book, as California requires certain topics be covered at certain stages. The online additional information, however, matches up with the regular CPO texts. If you choose to use the Focus on... series, you'd have to spend a little time with the books and the website to figure out what to use when. The Focus on... books are available used for less, so one might choose to go that route :)
Thanks, Luckymama!
I found CPO science! It IS awesome! It is on my short list of physical science to choose from. I haven't tried to find out how to order. I would go with the regular book (not the California one) so that I could use the on-line helps.
I just got an email from Holt which said that they can only send samples of their books to schools. I won't choose something that I can't see. I'd love to see a sample.... it looks interesting.
I also emailed PH. I'd like to find out more just to be able to compare to other books. I'd really like to see how the Discovery Channel and other computer-based study helps fit into their curriculum.
I'll slowly research the list of physical science curricula until I have the best two or three and then choose one to use next year.
Thanks!
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Thank you, ladies!
I'm comparing these two (PH and Holt). Which one do you all like better? We are using 7th grade BJU Life Science with DVDs this year and learning a lot. I LOVE the DVD aspect. I don't have to teach!
I'd like to find something similar for physical science. I really don't want to have to teach "serious" science:lol:. Anything past elementary science, I'm more than willing to turn over to an "expert".
Yet, if the text has enough resourses and it is written clearly enough, I might be persuaded to teach it. I have other curriculua that I'm researching, but I'd like to eliminate one of these.
So....
Prentice Hall physical science or Holt physical science?
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I'm researching physical science for 8th grade. I'm having a hard time seeing the Holt Physical Science and PH Physical Science. Can anyone send a link or tell me how to find out more about these? I'd like to see sample pages.
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I found mine on half.com just last month for about $6. I had to carefully look through a lot of sellers' descriptions though to be sure there wasn't any writing. Here is a link to one of Jann's threads telling best ways to buy BCM. HTH
Shannon
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114316&highlight=lials+bcm+half.com
Shannon, thank you so much for responding and sending me this link! I was able to help my friend.
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I have a friend who is not happy with the math she's using with her ds. She is interested in Lial's BCM. I bought mine through Amazon, but I want to be able to offer her several places she could try to shop around for the best price. She's coming over this morning.
Can anyone make suggestions? Thanks!!!!
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I'm having trouble finding what you are referring to on Christine Miller's website. Do you have a more specific link?
Thanks for writing out your thoughts here--this has helped me too.
I'm not sure how to get you there quicker.....
Google Classical Homeschooling. You'll choose: Classical Christian Homschooling: Classical Education at Home.
When you get to the websiet, click at the top of the page where it says, "Come visit the new classical christian homeschooling website".
At the next page, scroll down and click on "Dialectic Stage Scope and Sequence".
Inside the article, click on "Writing".
Begin reading this article, and read the links for the first, second, and third years. This is the heart of what has been so helpful to me.
See if this link works: http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/v2/index.php?page=179
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Check out Getting Started with Spanish. You can read reviews at amazon, and you can see examples at the web site www.gettingstartedwithspanish.com .
This is a beginning course that I would think is very effective for beginners. It can be used for children and adults. It's not cute and colorful; rather, it's very simply written in black and white. You learn one new concept at a time. The beauty is in its simplicity, and it cost less than $20.
My 2nd grader is using Getting Started with Latin (same author). We take it slowly and he is learning a lot!
CPO Physical vs. Apologia Physical
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted · Edited by Sweet Home Alabama
ETA: Tried to add Rainbow to the title...
Please help me pick one of these to cover chemistry and physics... 8th grade and 6th:
CPO
I much prefer the TOC of CPO because we've done earth science already. Apologia would be just a bit redundant. I could also use the middle school physical science with my 6th grader and foundations of physical science with my 8th grader....... I think. These books have nearly identical TOCs. If I went with CPO, I would need to line up high school courses with a different curriculum.
Apologia
But... Apologia is an icon in high school science. There is a clear sequence I can follow: physical, biology, chemistry, physics, and advanced. CPO does not have this sequence.
Also, it seems like, in general, homeschoolers have a love/hate relationship with Apologia. We're actually using BJU 7th life science this year. I would love to continue with them; but their sciences seem to have the reputation of being overwhelming, and their physical science is for 9th grade.
Rainbow
Rainbow might be a good middle that would keep both kids together. Yet, it is a two-year curriculum. I suppose I would eventually use the biology, but since we're doing life science this year, my focus for next year is really chemistry and physics. Again, I would need to choose a different curriculum for high school courses.
This decision just seems to be particularly hard because it seems weighty to me. It's the jumping off point for high school, and it seems that I am struggling to line up science from 8th-12th. I am also trying to keep my kids together (study the same subjects) just to save time..... (there is also a 3rd grader, but hopefully 3rd and following grades will be easy enough to fold into the mix...).
What are you all using for jr. and sr. science? How do you combine children especially when they are only 2 years apart?