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mymommy1

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Everything posted by mymommy1

  1. Clickie, thanks for the recommendations! I'll check those out.
  2. Yes, I think that's basically what I'll do. I teach math and have come to this problem lots over the years. These skills have a purpose, but so many students never get to the part where they are used. I'd love to find a rearranged curriculum that focused on problems first.
  3. He is in Algebra 1, but since the question in Jacobs asked what was happening to the ratios as the variable got larger, I told him about limits. That's the kind of thing he'd like to know about even if he can't do all the manipulation yet.
  4. As an example, he is on the chapter of operations with algebraic fractions. I know he needs to have those skills to solve equations with algebraic fractions, but they don't come for 3-4 more chapters. (Also, limits and derivatives, which is what we talked about today ) He'd like to see the equations or word problems first.
  5. Thanks! I used MUS for another child, so I'll look at it again.
  6. I do that. This child wants to know what the individual skills are used for. Usually, I can look ahead in the book and show him, but it would be nice to have another source.
  7. Is there an algebra program that is more whole to parts: starting with problems and then breaking down the skills? We are about half way through Jacobs Algebra, but I'm curious what else is out there.
  8. Is there an algebra program that is more whole to parts: starting with problems and then breaking down the skills? We are about half way through Jacobs Algebra, but I'm curious what else is out there.
  9. My 7th grader has gone through several introductory Latin books. He will finish GSWL soon. What are good suggestions for curriculum or classes to move him forward? I don't know Latin and don't want to learn, but my husband had a semester in college using Wheelock's. I need something that is going to do a decent job teaching. He likes reading Latin in GSWL but doesn't feel there is enough instruction to figure out why he misses sentences.
  10. Is it helpful for kids to do Fallacy Detectives and Art of Argument? Is it repetitive?
  11. I'm supposed to teach Apologia General Science to junior high kids at a Christian co-op next year. I don't love Apologia; it's long winded. The experiments seem not great. These kids have been using the Young Explorers books and Real Science for Kids. What would you suggest for alternatives? The leaders are young Earth, so it needs to be YE or not mention dates. Thanks!
  12. I'm trying to help my new freshman deepen his interests and make them into something worth some high school credit. He is currently wanting to repair some old computers. I can see lots of potential in this, but I'm having trouble finding resources on the hardware and repair part of computers, not so much on coding and programs. Even our library system had very little. Any ideas? Also, any feedback on using Raspberry Pi would be welcome.
  13. You may have decided what to do by now, but I thought I'd give my input anyway. Ten years ago at the CC where I teach, we requires College Algebra and Trig OR Precal. Since then, what we can cover in CA and what students come in knowing has dropped. It is not unusual for students to need (think STEM majors) CA, Trig, AND Precal to get ready for Calculus. This is one reason many universities do not teach College Algebra. The university I adjunct at has students take a non-STEM math class (ideas in math) or Precal, unless students are ready to start in Calculus. If they aren't ready for Precal, they get to go across town to the CC to take College Algebra or study online. All of that to say, many College Algebra classes are little more than a good Algebra II course (not honors, just a good course). Here are somethings students who are most successful in my classes can do on day 1. I'm including links to Khan topics. Much of this is review of Algebra 1. If she understands these things AND has the necessary formulas MEMORIZED, she will have a much easier time keeping up with lectures and work. So many of our students just get bogged down with what they should know already and can't keep up. 1. Solve any linear equations, especially ones with fractions! (https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/one-variable-linear-equations) 2. Be literate in linear functions and graphs in all forms. (https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/two-var-linear-equations) 3. Factor and solve quadratic equations. (https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2/polynomial-functions/factoring-polynomials-quadratic-forms-alg2/v/factoring-polynomials-1; https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2/polynomial-functions/advanced-polynomial-factorization-methods/v/factoring-5th-degree-polynomial-to-find-real-zeros; https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/quadratics/quadratics-square-root/v/simple-quadratic-equation; https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/quadratics/solving-quadratics-using-the-quadratic-formula/v/using-the-quadratic-formula; https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/quadratics/solving-quadratic-equations-by-factoring/v/example-1-solving-a-quadratic-equation-by-factoring) 4. Simplify and work with roots and powers. (https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/rational-exponents-and-radicals) 5. Work fearlessly with fractions. (https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2/rational-expressions-equations-and-functions; https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2/rational-expressions-equations-and-functions/nested-fractions/e/nested-fractions; https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2/rational-expressions-equations-and-functions/multiplying-and-dividing-rational-expressions/e/multiplying_and_dividing_rational_expressions_2; https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2/rational-expressions-equations-and-functions/simplify-rational-expressions/v/simplifying-rational-expressions-introduction; https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2/rational-expressions-equations-and-functions#adding-and-subtracting-rational-expressions) She may relearn some of this, but the idea is to not freak when a fraction is present. Go forward and have a clue what to do. Finally, check to see if your school will expect her to use a TI83/84/89/inspire or no calculator. If she has never used whichever calculator, have her find tutorials and learn that over the summer.
  14. Next year, the boys will be 2nd, 6th, and 9th. 2nd - focus on finishing MP first grade reading, cursive, spelling alternating subjects between husband and myself 6th-has had FLL 4, some spelling, some IEW; narrates very well; needs to get narration on paper with increasing length and accuracy; quick learner, but dislikes writing by hand 9th - very low processing speed and attention level, but dictation and writing speeches for his co-op class are most helpful this year; He doesn't learn well with a dvd; he needs to hear it a thousand times. I think the middle one could most easily use a DVD and learn from it. The oldest needs the most side-by-side because of neurological challenges.
  15. Lori D and Farrar, thank you for your thoughts. I think I would like to do what Lori said, but for one of my son's and my husband, it's difficult. Maybe I can do curriculum I'm comfortable with between semesters. (I teach at college). Then better choices for my husband.
  16. We are having trouble getting all of LA done - spelling, writing, copywork, grammar, etc. Dad homeschools and has difficulty with lists, but he is literally blowing up chem lab with the 5th grader. The kids read lots and listen to lots of audio and take history and other classes at a little co-op. I need something simpler for LA that the kids can more manage themselves. For my 6th grader next year, I want to try AOPS prealgebra. I'd like to have one thing for him to work through for LA + a reading list and free reads. Ideas?
  17. We are having trouble getting all of LA done - spelling, writing, copywork, grammar, etc. Dad does homeschool and has difficulty with lists and all the parts, but he is literally blowing up chem lab with the 5th grader. The kids read lots and listen to lots of audiobooks and take history and other classes at a little co-op. I need something simpler for LA that the kids can more manage themselves. For my 6th grader next year, I want to try AOPS prealgebra. I'd like to have one thing for him to work through for LA + a reading list and free reads. Ideas?
  18. A friend and I would like to offer a logic class for our high schoolers at a small, local co-op. The students have had little logic - games, chess, Building Thinking Skills, a few fallacies, Chocolate Mystery Logic book. I looked at Art of Argument, but that would really be 3 courses to finish the sequence. Is there something that would be shorter or better for this age?
  19. I want to add something that is in the guides and forum, but unclear when looking at samples. In the Highland Latin School where MP was created, students do the literature guide together. They do NOT answer every single question in writing. They do NOT do those alone. The teacher discusses with the class. Also, they read the passages TOGETHER, so the work load can look like a ton for one child. You need to help them in the younger grades. The teacher will pull the answers out, write the sentence on the board, discuss if it's a well-written sentence, then have students copy it into their guide. Obviously, there isn't time to do this for every question. Most people concentrate on the questions that will be on the tests and do the others orally. Latin should all be done. You could use the above procedure for science, classical, and Christian studies. Finally, MP fits my little because he loves to draw and write and craft. It wouldn't have fit my oldest because he needed more hands-on. Simply Classical would have been near perfect. They can always play and explore on their own time. Example, after reading about Julius Caesar, on their own, they made togas to wear and Roman towns on Minecraft.
  20. I used pieces of 2nd and all of 3rd with middle DS and JrK and now K with third DS. Last year, when we did MP3, was the best homeschool year as far as stuff getting done. It was manageable. I did combine my oldest in Greek Myths and Latin. I loved the plans; they made school manageable. Here are pros and cons. I think you can get the same thing piecing good programs together, but I finally had to admit that it wasn't getting done. Pros: 1. I work and needed something to take my decision fatigue away. I've pieced together for years and just needed a break. 2. We were dealing with many special needs issues with 2 family members, and I couldn't deal with school. MP saved me! 3. I am confident that if my son can do MP3, his is at least 3rd grade or above. I"m sure this is true with other boxes, but I like MP style. 4. I like that MP is non-denominational. I like that they memorize prayers along with their address and months, etc. 5. The repetition that I always thought would bore my ADD son was exactly what he needed. 6. I love the Latin focus. I may delay Prima Latina until 3rd, though, not 2nd. 7. I love the copywork, Christian Studies, Latin, recitation, enrichment, and literature. 8. I love the forum and customer service. 9. I love that MP supported Cheryl Swope in her Simply Classical curriculum. It is a jewel and would have been so useful to me if it were there when I needed it. Cons: 1. If your kids don't fit a level, the beautiful plans become harder to use. You can buy parts individually and put it together. That's what I'm about to do for spring 2. History is different for each child. We will use the Famous Men series and SOTW, as well as other resources, on rotation as a family till they get to high school. 3. Spelling Workout doesn't sit well with me, unless the child is already a good speller. However, MP is coming out with their own spelling in January! YEAH! 4. Math - I haven't found a math I love, mostly because I'm a math teacher. I finally put oldest in MUS because he can write on the page, it's doable pieces, and gets done daily. DS2 uses Singapore and supplements. It's okay, but not perfect. DS3 is using R&S Math 1 per MPK plans, sort of. I didn't teach him, just got him a hundred chart poster and he started learning. He's ahead of the plans, so I only fill in what he hasn't learned and practice facts. I think R&S is solid and mastery. If you like it, use it. I'm learning that curriculum has to work for 2 people: the student AND you!!
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