Maura in NY
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Posts posted by Maura in NY
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My bright but not science-loving son used Miller & Levine's Prentice-Hall Biology (the "dragonfly" version) for his 9th grade bio. He took the SAT II that spring, and scored 740. He did use review books (Princeton and Barrons) for maybe a month ahead of time, and looked up a (very) few things that weren't covered by the text.
Maura
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A programming class is on my list to investigate for the fall.This looks very doable.
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the 4 free reports that you get with the SAT, the SAT IIs scores can be sent for free at that time, too.
Details: http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/sat-score-choice
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There are no Algebra II questions on the PSAT, and only a few Algebra II questions on the SAT and ACT. There are no geometry questions that require understanding proofs. If your student takes Algebra I in 8th, he or she will be all set for a practice PSAT in October of 10th, the real-deal in Oct of 11th, and ready to start taking the SAT/ACT in the spring of junior year, if not earlier. This gives plenty of time to get the tests out of the way, including retakes, before college application season.
Obviously, there are many ways to cover math. In full disclosure, we are a Jacob's Algebra I, Jacob's Geometry, Foerster's Algebra II, Foerster's Pre-Calc family. The geometry program does a great job of keeping Algebra I skills current, with review at the end of every chapter, so there is no need for review before beginning Algebra II (assuming that you don't have summer brain drain. My boys only take one month off from math).
If your student takes Algebra I in 8th or 9th, followed by and Geometry in 9th or 10th, he or she will be all set for a practice PSAT in October of 10th, the real-deal in Oct of 11th, and ready to start taking the SAT/ACT in the spring of junior year, if not earlier. This gives plenty of time to get the tests out of the way, including retakes, before college application season.
Just one point of view,
Maura
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It's a basic Algebra I program, and covers quadratic equations, systems of equations, etc.
That said, I do think it needs to be supplemented -- Or, as in our case, used as a supplement.
We alternate it with Jacob's, sometimes for additional practice, other times for introduction to a concept. It works for us in the same way that Miquon and Singapore worked well in the beginning years (K-2). When my son gets slowed down in Jacob's, he does a bit of KTA, which seems easy at that point. After a few days, he switches back. KTA is also his "travel" math, when we are out of town. He certainly won't do every page, but it helps solidify and review concepts.
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We struggle with the "teen ownership" issue, too. Hugely. And I'm just wondering whether our external consequences (losing electronics, losing outside activities) actually produce ownership.
The time limits on assignments, etc. won't exist at college, and no one is going to ask if his math is done before he goes off to play guitar with friends. At some point, don't we want our students to internalize the responsibility, rather than just comply to avoid our penalties? And other than by example, how can we do this?
Any ideas?
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Thanks!
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The Univerisity of Notre Dame.
Ds was also accepted at 9 other schools, 8 with merit scholarships, 4 with honors college acceptances. But ND was always in his heart, and the cost ended up just over the state school option. Happy, happy, joy, joy!
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that make your FAFSA EFC just ridiculous for you that year, contact the college. If the school of interest is "need blind admissions," contact the financial aid office even before you know if your student has been accepted.
In our case, our "base year" for financial aid was a perfect storm of unusually high income and unusually high expenses, unlikely to be duplicated -- so we had a unreachable EFC, and no money left in the bank. The school was extremely generous with aid, and the financial aid offer stated that it was because of our "special circumstance" letter.
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nd4judge - DS#1 Furman University (attending), Sewanee - University of the South (accepted), Univerity of Alabama (accepted), University of Alabama in Birmingham (accepted), Birmingham- Southern College (accepted)
Blue Hen - ds - University of Delaware, Case Western Reserve, CO School of Mines, Drexel (PA), Lehigh(PA), Rose-Hulman, Tulane, RPI (NY), Stony Brook University --- all acceptances.
Brigid in NC - ds - accepted @ Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State (attending)
CherylG's ds-UCLA, graduated, UCSB, UCSD, Westmont, all accepted. UMD-attending for master's in engineering.
CherylG's dd-SBCC school of nursing-graduated.
Chris in VA ds--attending VCU. Got into the Cinema program sophmore year.
CindyMarsch's dd#1 - Grove City College - attending
CindyMarsch's ds - Grove City College - attending
CindyMarsch's dd#2 - Grove City College, Gordon College, Union University - all accepted, she's choosing UU
CO Mom -dd- George Fox (will attend in fall of 2010); Taylor University, Northwest Nazarene University accepted.
Creekland's ds - Covenant College - attending fall 2010, Union University, Calvin College - acceptances
Deb in NZ's dd - Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (begin Feb 2010)
Distancia in FL--dd: New College of Florida (the State Honors College)--accepted and will attend in fall 2011; USF (accepted)
dkholland- ds - Covenant College (will attend in fall), Patrick Henry College (accepted) Grove City College (accepted)
FloridaLisa -- ds1: accepted to: University of Florida, Florida State University (attending)
Gwen in VA -- Washington & Lee (attending); acceptances from U Chicago, U Pitt, U Dallas, U Delaware, Hillsddale, UVA, William & Mary, College of Wooster, Case Western
HeatherH -- Belhaven University (accepted w/scholarship; won't attend); University of Montevallo (same); University of Alabama at Birmingham; Samford. Still deciding between UAB & Samford based on $$ award.
Jenny in Florida -- Mary Baldwin College early entrance program (Senior)
Kate in FL-ds1-Cornell University (accepted Early Decision so all other apps had to be withdrawn)
Kate in FL-ds2-Savannah College of Art and Design, Ithaca College, Drexel University, all acceptances
Kathy in Richmond - ds - MIT (attending), also accepted at Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, U Michigan, and UVA.
Kathy in Richmond - dd - accepted at Princeton, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, U Chicago, William & Mary, and wait-listed at Swarthmore
Katia - ds- Ellsworth Community College (AA Computer Science) , Anderson University-attended , University of Northern Iowa (BA Computer Science), Kansai Gaidai University, Kyoto, Japan-attended
Katia - dd#1- Hilldale College-attending , accepted at: Luther College, Ball State University, University of Northern Iowa, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music
Katia- dd#2 - applying to: Hillsdale College , Warner University (accepted)
Lady Lorna - dd accepted at Fordham University, Hillsdale College, The King's College, Middlebury College, St John's College, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, Thomas Aquinas College, Trinity College. Waitlisted The University of Chicago. Still waiting to hear from Columbia University, Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University
LaJuana - dd#1 University of Dallas - graduated Summa cum Laude. Also accepted to Hillsdale.
LaJuana - ds#1 University of Dallas - graduated Summa cum Laude. Also accepted to Hillsdale. Attending Westminster Theological Seminary (MDiv).
LaJuana dd#2 Attending Oklahoma City University Bass School of Music (Musical Theatre and Vocal Performance). Also accepted at Samford University (AL), Whitworth University (WA), George Fox University (OR), Covenant College (GA), Houghton College (NY), Oklahoma Christian University.
LaJuana ds#2 Attending Whitworth University. Also accepted at University of Dallas.
(Except for dd majoring in MT and VP, my dc knew where they wanted to go, applied to two schools only, and were accepted at both.)
Laughing Lioness - DS -Boyce College (KY) attending. Accepted to Augustana College (SD) and St. Mary's School of Nursing (SD).
Lisa in TN's dd - Vanderbilt University - attending. Also accepted to Hillsdale College, Belmont University, University of Memphis.
Lisa in TN's ds - Washington University in St. Louis - attending. Also accepted to the University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Case Western Reserve University, University of Alabama, University of Tennessee.
Liza Q's dd - Saint Francis College - attending. Kings College, St. John's University, Brooklyn College - accepted
Luann in ID ds1 and ds2 - LeTourneau University - attending (They both knew they wanted to go there, so this is the only place they applied.)
Mandy in TN-- ds Berea College (attending beginning in Aug)
Margaret in CO--dd accepted to Western State College for dual credit, accepted to Hillsdale College, graduated, accepted to CU Boulder School of Music, finishing Master's
Margaret in CO--dd accepted to Western State College for dual credit, accepted to USNA, attending finishing Firstie Year, accepted to flight school, acceptances: Hillsdale College, USAFA, USCGA, ERAU (on NROTC), School of Mines
Margaret in CO--dd accepted to Western State College for dual credit
I'm going to stick my should-have-been-son-in-law (killed last spring), accepted to Hillsdale College, transferred to WVU, graduated, accepted to Toledo Medical College.
Martha in NM-- ds --Central New Mexico Community College; he's already planning his transfer to a four-year institution
Mary in GA ds: Clayton State University (attended & transferred) Georgia Tech (attending)
Maura in NY: ds - University of Notre Dame (attending), acceptances: SUNY Geneseo, Marquette, Hillsdale, St. Vincent's (PA), Mt St. Mary's U (MD), Providence (RI), Stonehill (MA), U of Dallas, U of Dayton
Michelle in GA ds- University of Georgia (accepted); Berry College (accepted); Georgia Tech (currently attending)
Moira in MA dd -- Acceptances at Dalhousie U (Nova Scotia), McGill U (Montreal)
Mommyfaithe's dd #1 (accepted College of St. Rose (NY) attended Sage College Albany, NY Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Mommyfaithe's dd#2 Attending Russell Sage College. Accepted SUNY New
Paltz, SUNY Albany, waiting to hear from Simmons College in Boston Mass.
MSPolly's dd- Acceptances at Covenant(TN), Union U(TN), U of MS, Belhaven U(MS) - ATTENDING Collaborative Piano/Pedagogy major WAHOO!
Ms. Riding Hood ds1- MIT (attending), Texas A&M, Rose-Hulman, Purdue
Musicmom –ds- accepted at Carnegie Mellon (attending fall 2010), Cornell, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities Honors Program
Newbie -dd- Accepted Chatham University(PA), Carlow University(PA), Mills College
nrg - ds#1: attending BYU, accepted at Cal Tech, Stanford
ds#2: attending UC Santa Cruz, accepted BYU
ds#3: junior in hs
NYKatie -- Dd 1, Union College, Schenectady, NY (attending)
Osmosis Mom -Dd 1, Wellesley College (attending), accepted to Merrimack College, BU, Simmons, Emmanuel College
Osmosis Mom -Dd 2, Mt. Holyoke (attending Spring Admission 2011), accepted to Merrimack, Clark, Simmons, wait-listed at Smith, NYU, Northeastern
Outtamyshell - BYU Provo
Quiver0f10-dd#1-attending NWACC
Quiver0f10-ds#1 attending University of Arkansas
Quiver0f10-ds#2-attending NWACC
Quiver0f10-ds#3 accepted to: Missouri University of Science and Tech, University of Arkansas, Embry Riddle, Oklahoma State University Honors College, Texas A&M
Ruth in NC ds accepted St John in NM, Oberlin w/scholarship, Colorado College, Boston U, will attend UNC Chapel Hill, offered waitlist at Vanderbilt and Emory
Ruth in NC dd accepted NC State, UNC Asheville, Appalachian State and Earlham w/scholarship, on Oberlin waitlist. Still deciding.
Sepuld - DD 21 attending Bryn Mawr, acceptances U of Chicago, Haverford, Boston College, Bowdoin, Lehigh, Lawrence, ST Olaf, Catholic U, Villanova, Sewanee, William and Mary
DD 20 attending Swarthmore, acceptances Wheaton (Ill), Lawrence, St. Olaf, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Wellesley
DS 19 attending St. Olaf, acceptances Lawrence, Wheaton (Ill), Concordia (Mn), Hope College, Gustavus Adolphus, Susquehanna
Sharon in MD's ds-Drexel University -attending; UMBC-Meyerhoff program, UMD-College Park-College of Engineering, Messiah College- acceptances
Spock - ds – accepted at Liberty University (plans to transfer after attending CC for a year)
ssbmem - dd - accepted: Duke Univ, Fordham Univ, Univ of Texas at Austin (Business Honors), Texas A & M Univ (Business Honors), Houston Baptist Univ (Honors College); waitlisted: Washington Univ at St Louis
Starr - dd - Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY
Susann-dd-Rose-Hulman, Purdue, University of Evansville, Trine, Taylor, Cedarville-acceptances
Susie-Knits ds1 - Valparaiso (attending), Rose-Hulman, U of Evansville, TN Tech - acceptances
Sylvia in CA - dd - attending Biola Torrey Honors, accepted at UC Davis, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Westmont, Azusa Pacific
Sylvia in CA - ds - accepted at University of Pacific, Biola
TerriKY- dd- attending: Georgetown College, KY; accepted: Centre College, Eastern KY U.,
ds#1 - planning to attend: Cedarville U, OH; Accepted: Transylvania University, KY; Greenville College, IL
TransientChris's DS- George Mason U,attending; Hillsdale College- attended, Abilene Christian, Hampden-Sydney, St. Olaf- accepted
Valerie(TX) - ds UT Arlington attended
Valerie(TX) - dd accepted Biola (CA), Messiah (PA), Belhaven (MS), Mary Baldwin College (VA), UTA (TX), Hardin-Simmons (TX), Univ. of Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX), and Ouachita (AR). ATTENDING--Hardin-Simmons
ZooRho- ds#1 attending Bryan College (TN), accepted Pfeiffer University(NC), Eastern Mennonite College (VA)
Maverick's ds #1 - accepted to West Point, will attend starting summer 2011
KristinaBreece- Lee University (TN)-class of 2006, Ohio University Med School-class of 2009
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for the first course in Spanish. My son also did the grammar workbook portion (I can't remember what it is called.) I think it was a great Middle School intro to foreign language.
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My non-math loving son started with Algebra in 8th, and is finishing with AP Statistics through PA Homechoolers. I would recommend this class without reservation -- It's taught by the Hive's Blue Hen, and she has been wonderful.
DS's transcript is by subject, and the two high school subjects he took in 8th grade are listed as "taken in 8th grade", without including a grade or credits earned. In high school, he did Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-calculus, and now Statistics.
I think Stats is a great choice for any student, because so many numbers are thrown around in our modern life, in science, politics, etc., and it's easy to be misled without a good understanding of how the numbers are derived and what they actually mean.
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Ds has received acceptances from several schools, most with some merit aid, but he hasn't heard from his top two choices yet.
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There is a PBS iPad app that you can watch the full episodes on for a limited time.
I can't believe that we have to wait until next fall for the next 3 episodes...
If you are a Sherlock fan, of course you've watched the Robert Downey Jr. version. But have you streamed the BBC Jeremy Brett series? We watched dozens of episodes using our Wii/Netflix connection over the summer. Not the modern high action of the two new ones, but really great fun, if you are a fan of Doyle.
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How about Roger Lancelyn Green's version? Both my boys preferred it to the Howard Pyle version.
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I would suggest a good SAT review book to cover the Geometry topics. That way she won't spend any time on concepts that aren't covered on the test. I think it would be a more effective use of her study time at this point. Ds liked Princeton Review best, and he also used Barrons. You can usually get them from the library.
Good luck with the respect issue. I get pushback here sometimes (he's just so dang smart), and he's been home since 2nd grade. I imagine it would be much tougher if he was comparing me to ps teachers who get to specialize.
Peace,
Maura
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There's a little paper back called Solving Algebra Word Problems, by Judy Barclay, that starts with the very simple "translation" from English to math, and goes on from there. She introduces a five step method and applies it to a variety of problem types.
Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Solving-Algebra-Problems-Judith-Barclay/dp/0534495737/ref=gfix-submit-correction-product-detail
I suggest buying it used -- Despite the description on Amazon as having 208 pages, it's only 108 pages, and $18.95 is pretty steep!
It looks great to me, but I haven't actually put it into action. So far, the ds I bought it for hasn't had a need.
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Ds asked his AP Gov't teacher if she would do a recommendation, and she agreed (Yeah, Mrs. C!). That makes four to choose from - the other three know him well, and can speak to his character, motivation, leadership, etc., and one that can specifically address his academic work.
Thanks, folks.
Maura
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is a really unique and special place, and while academic classes are offered there, my ds didn't really take any of those. He participated in a monthly book club for 5 years, and a monthly Algebra II study session for one, but everything else was "enrichment" - Puppetry, chorus, volleyball, service projects. Most things meet once a week for 8 or 10 weeks, or once a month all year. The director will be writing a recommendation, but she never taught him anything. She knows how bright he is, from tangential activities like Jeopardy parties and reports he wrote for a trip she sponsored & chaperoned to Scotland. But that's not really the same as being his teacher. The same for the woman who ran the book group. She's known him since he was seven, and can speak to his enthusiasm for books, but she wasn't his teacher, so to speak.
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If your child DOES NOT have any outside academic classes that you are willing to call on for recommendations (just one CC, an A, but the guy couldn't string together a sentence, and he can't be found anywhere -- and some current PA AP classes, but I don't know if they know him well enough yet), how do you do the Common App Recommendations?
Ds has some good non-family members willing to write recommendations, but none of them are, strictly speaking, academic recommendations. So, do you still send them the online "invitation" to do the recommendation, ask them to complete the profile by entering homeschool for the school, and "no" for "Do you complete the academic ratings" on the school profile page?
He'd prefer to do everything online, but I'm wondering if maybe in the case of these recommendations, he shouldn't provide his recommenders with stamped/addressed envelopes and them send traditional letters. I guess I'm just overwhelmed, but I can't quite figure out what (if any) combo of printed and online applications parts is allowed.
Also, does anyone know, when a student uses the online method, can the recommender just send the same one to each school? I'm trying to do this in the way that is easiest for the people who help him.
I feel like I'm just babbling now. Any advice?
Peace (maybe when the apps are all in...:001_huh:),
Maura
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Nobody? I know there was alot of chatter about this opportunity back in the spring, and that there were trips in March and June. I could really use a little feedback!
TIA,
Maura
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It had also occurred to me that it was just a check to see if we are isolated. I'll fill it in with our homeschool group. Thanks for the input, folks!
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On the Homeschool Supplement, we are asked if we belong to a Homeschooling Association. There aren't any such legal entities in our state, but we do belong to 2 different organizations, both of which require membership fees. One is a large group of Catholic families who meet for a variety of activities, and the other is a Homeschooling Enrichment Center, where we pay dues and the boys attend a few one-hour a week classes (academic, enrichement, and social). So -- is either of these an "association"? What are they really asking here?
What do you think?
Peace,
Maura
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I finally finished (I think) our homeschool supplement. I say, "I think" because I thought I had finished it a month ago, but when I took another look at it, neither dh nor I were happy with it, and I rewrote it over the weekend.
SAT II Biology
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
When my older son used the Dragonfly book, he did use the Study Guide -- it's basically spoon-fed note-taking, but it helps to reinforce the vocab and concepts.
He used these sites for supplemental material and some of his labs:
http://www.biologycorner.com and http://www.biologyjunction.com
We actually cobbled together labs from all over in order to get ones that were workable at home. When my younger son does bio this year, we are going to try
http://www.froguts.com
and
http://www.ucopenaccess.org/courses/CPBioLabs/gen_course/index.html
Unlike Chem or Physics, there isn't any math to worry about -- The SAT II for Bio is largely about memorization. The "ecology" version of the test isn't about being green, btw, it's about the interdependence of organisms. The molecular version has more of the respiration/krebs cycle stuff. The test version only refers to about 20% of the questions -- The rest is the same either way. And your student doesn't have to choose which test to take until they are actually sitting for it.
Hope this has been some help!
Maura