Dina in Oklahoma
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Posts posted by Dina in Oklahoma
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:lurk5: :lurk5: :lurk5:
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This is what I would like to do; pair the videos with our curriculum. Is this still possible Mr. Suchocki ?
I just wanted to say that last year my daughter used John Suchocki's Conceptual Chemistry Alive! videos. I had to sign up and pay a (very reasonable) fee for access to the videos. They turned out to be an excellent addition to her chemistry studies. At the time we started she was also using his Conceptual Chemistry text. I think it is well written and does exactly what it says it will do: provides a good course in conceptual chemistry. She quickly realized that she wanted to go deeper, and wanted the math that goes with it, so she switched to Zumdahl (perfect choice for her), but for another student--or for her when she was younger--CC would have been perfect.
What I'm really wanting to say, though, is that even once she switced to Zumdahl's text, she continued using John S.'s videos. She learned so much from them, and says she still remembers everything she learned because of they way he taught in them. She and I were especially impressed that he did not seem to feel the need to doctor the videos up with lots of fast-paced graphics, music, and other whiz-bang features. They just featured him, teaching a concept very well, and that's about it. We were both so grateful for that! We also found ourselves enjoying his humor, and humor is something that can be so easily done badly. He deploys it at just the right moments, and doesn't hit you over the head with it, and doesn't seem overly pleased with himself or anything. It's just little moments of delight where you can smile and then go on. Best of all, the humor does not talk down to the student like we see so often.
I have not looked much at this web site, so I hope what I have just said still applies--otherwise I'm going to feel kind of silly! I think "conceptual academy" is a wonderful idea. If the Conceptual Chemistry Alive! videos are any indication, it will be done very well. I will explore it more when I have time, and am considering using it with my younger.
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I had the same revelation tonight! Boy, did I need to see this! Thanks~
I realized this morning that I was overplanning again, and adding in more than we should even attempt to tackle. For example, while I'd like to go through OUP's Medieval & Early Modern World with the kids, adding in historical and other fiction, our schedule is already more heavily laden with science, which my children enjoy more than history. Reverting back to using Human Odyssey, and subsequently cutting
back onout matching up historical fiction (back to our LoTR based lit for the year) gives us some more breathing room, room to soak in what we're learning rather than rushing through it. -
I agree!
Kareni rocks! That is all.
:thumbup:
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Sheryl ~
Just wanted to offer a :grouphug: as this has been our reality for the past five years. Caregiving, death, health issues for DD and myself. I believe this year we will finally be on track! Please know all will fall into place. Best wishes on a great year! Dina
Background:
This time last year dd was a rising 9th grader. Later in the fall and continuing to present we've been impacted by health crises in extended family:
1. My uncle like a 2nd Dad passed away the week before Thanksgiving
2. Just weeks later in January, my husband's Mother passed away
3. Mil passed away in the morning on Jan. 8 and that evening bil was diagnosed with brain cancer
4. My Dad was not doing well, in hospital, rehab and we didn't know of his future
On top of all of that, dd was more socially active. She compromised her studies b/c she has blossomed into more of a social butterfly. She is involved in church youth group and volunteers. She's part of a teen homeschool group and they offer socials, service projects, meetings and field trips - we do not participate in every event b/c it's too much. We have Bible Study group every other week, horseback, etc.
It might seem like I'm carving a good excuse for her. I'm not. I want to be fair. All of the above contributed to her getting behind.
Today, August 28, she is finishing her 9th grade work! Because of the above she had to "school" part-time during the summer to finish TODAY! (She went through driver's ed class and behind wheel, took test and now has permit - this took 3 months turn around time from mid-May to mid-Aug.),
She was waaaaaaaaay behind in math. My friend's son who graduated homeschool and went off to college recently, spent several days reviewing math concepts with her to help her finish.
DD can not stand "format" of Apologia. She likes the content (faith-based) but it's written in a very dry format. So, to help her finish, I read the test questions to her. I didn't bait her for an answer. I asked her if that was the one she wanted only a few times in the 8 or so tests I helped her with. I know she missed a few already and didn't say anything. Basically, I had to read the question and help her where to find the answer in the book. Oh yea, I gave her open book tests too.
Question: How would I assign a grade to her math but more so her science? Do I grade down b/c it took longer than usual, friend's son helped her review math but she did the tests, and I had to help her with Physical Science.
Any input would be appreciated. I don't think I left anything out. HELP! :)
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Thank you Vida; I'm sure she will! :001_smile:
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We have not officially started school, but today was DD's first day for two of her online classes and we hit the jackpot! LTOW with Renee Mathis and Spanish with Senor Gamache. Both courses were an excellent fit!
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:iagree: :iagree: :iagree:
I haven't read all the responses, but my blood is boiling for your poor daughter. This isn't just bullying, but closer to a mugging. This is not a "social" problem, but a criminal one. The police should have been called and the other girl should have been kicked out over this behavior (or at least some disciplinary action should have been taken.) I think you need to call the original school back and explain to them what happened and that your daughter was prevented from calling for help. The fact that the other girl is still a student and has not been kicked out or had disciplinary action against her is very problematic. Before leaving for good, I would meet with the Dean of Students with your daughter and discuss the situation with them. AFter that, you can figure out whether or not it would be worth it to have her enroll at the bigger school
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:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:
They even moved the girl within the dorm. So all the social activities will involve that girl being there. The dorm is small and they have what is called "clusters" that they do things with each other. We felt the RA did not take things seriously, and the school downplayed how bad it was.
If it were my child, I believe it would be time to head to Baylor.
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I have no experience with online schools, but understand many with children pursuing goals such as your DD's use Oak Meadow.
http://oakmeadow.com/what-we-do/high-school/
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Thank you so much for all of your ideas - keep them coming, please.
I like the idea of Progeny Press study guides, and I could use some of them if I decide to let him do Science Fiction as well as if I "pick & choose" specific works for him to read. The downside to this is that it means I am the one to enforce getting the work done and we had serious issues with that last school year.
He has already completed WttW. He did fine on the worksheets/questions and when we talked about the work, but not so much on the writing piece. That's another reason I am wanting him to take writing from someone else.
The Center for Lit Academy looks interesting, I'm going to explore that further. Does anyone have any experience with their kids taking any of the classes, either a lit class alone or a lit class plus writing class?
Based on the comments here and what I've read in the book descriptions, I'm going to rule out Stobaugh unless I come across a convincing argument to use it, but I'm not going to research it anymore.
Another option I've thought of is that he could do a 1/2 credit on either Am. Lit. or Sci Fi, and then try to get him into ENG 111 with dual enrollment next semester. Unfortunately, dual enrollment students enroll last, so there might not be any open sections.
Yes, DD took a lit only class last year and is enrolled in American lit this year. We would have taken the writing portion also, but are playing catch-up this year. It was her favorite online course. She enjoyed hearing other's ideas and perceptions about each book. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews walk the students through the analysis in a relaxed, guided way. My DD blossomed under their instruction. You may listen to an excerpt by scrolling to the bottom of any of the high school course pages. We highly recommend them!
ETA: You might like to search Center for lit on the High School Board to get additional feedback.
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Center for Lit. Online Academy. There is an optional writing class as well.
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Thoughts and prayers. Please keep us updated. Blessings, Dina :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:
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My dear friend's MIL swears by this!
This is going to sound kind of weird, but there are some medical journal articles on this--not a large enough sample size or close enough methodology that I can call it "research"..... I take raw apple cider vinegar (2T) at bedtime and before particularly carb heavy meals. My carb cravings are tied to my reactive hypoglycemia. If I can keep my glucose levels steady, I don't crave sugar as much. Low carb dieting is a part of this, but this is an added measure of support.
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LOL!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
I am sitting here eating brownie mix. So my will is weak and I sympathize.
Sometimes it helps if I eat pineapple first-it's so sweet and acidic that you can't really taste sugary sweets well after that and it makes it not worth it. Really eating anything naturally sweet first might help-smoothies, banana, apple, a date, raisins, etc.
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We will use Killgallon Middle School this year in 9th as we didn't get to use it last year, and High School in 10th along with Rod & Staff.
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Mine showed up all day yesterday but are now gone. :confused1:
I'm pretty sure that I read on here somewhere that it just takes a few days for the newer threads to show up.
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Add me to the list as well! :sad:
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Just learned of the situation, you and your family will be in our prayers. :grouphug:
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We bought loose leaf for my DD's online Spanish class (high school) and plan to use page protectors.
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I certainly understand as we have had several difficult years also. Hopefully your year will be the best yet! My focus this year (9th grade) will be on not comparing to others, keep things more realistic and relaxed while still being challenging. I stumbled on the following thread and it was quite eye-opening. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/359457-how-does-one-provide-a-classical-education-circe-institute-lovers/
I'm aiming for September 8. This is our last year and I am freaking out. The last couple years have been terrible for our family. Our whole homeschooling journey looks like it might end with a wimper and regret.
I'm desperate to turn things around but hope is in short supply.
This depressing little vent was brought to you by not-currently-happi duck
Things will look up...eventually! -
I'm old school. We don't start until after Labor Day except for DD's online courses. When do you start and why???
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Personally, I count it a blessing when kids don't rush to grow up. I strongly believe there is far too much pressure in our society to become a mini adult before there is the maturity to handle it responsibly. I find it very sad when elementary children dress and act like they are 13, 13 year olds like 18 etcetera. I don't understand why children are pushed to rush through their childhood instead of enjoying it. Once it is gone. . .it's gone forever.
ETA: In the long run, I believe children who are allowed to develop at their rate fare much better than children who try to keep up; be cool! One can often tell who these kids were when they are adults.
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Sage advice. I was not competent in grammar and have learned alongside my child. Having an only, made the process more enjoyable as we completed the lessons together (some oral, some written). We have great fun discussing what is correct and why as well as a bit of healthy completion to see who scored higher on lessons. Our grammar discussions in everyday life continue to grow and DD an avid reader, loves to share excerpts she finds well written. She took an online English course in which the instructor posted grammar goofs each week. DD still enjoys trying to find goofs in advertisements etc. We reviewed Rod & Staff English 3 the summer before 4th grade and have used the series since. I intend to keep it for my grandchildren!
I think the kindest thing I could tell a "stressed or scared" homeschooling mom is to just learn alongside your child. I think we can all agree that handing a workbook off to a child is going to be the least effective way to teach grammar. I did that one year. And then I just plunged in and started teaching/working the materials alongside my oldest. If I could tell my younger self anything about teaching grammar I would say:
- Don't stop teaching formal grammar in 7th grade. Continue formal grammar at least 1 year into high school. Your SAT scores will thank you.
- Find and use a solid program that gets beyond the simple patterns of noun-verb-indirect object-direct object. Good writing is much more complex.
- Learning how to parse or diagram a complex sentence is not just about the subject content of grammar. Puzzling out a sentence also develops skills of analysis and logic. (Truly, I have no research to back that up. That's my own experience. I get the same feeling from translating Latin or figuring out an Algebra II problem. It's good brain work and I'm as interested in my kids developing those neural pathways from good brainwork as the content of the material.)
Great discussion. I hope no homeschool moms are stressing over grammar. It's too easy to learn -- slow and steady, year after year -- with your child. In about 15 minutes a day.
Lisa
ETA: Grammar! LOL!!!
Conceptual Academy for Homeschoolers
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
Thanks g1234!