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Fran51

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Posts posted by Fran51

    French for middle schooler

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Thank you, OhElizabeth.

     

    I am getting the distinct impression that dd will be turned off on learning French with workbooks and/or texts, as this is how we do the majority of her daily studies. She seemed to really enjoy the change of pace when using the PowerSpeak demo -- and the fact that it was actually fun.

     

    I believe SWB mentioned PowerGlide (now PowerSpeak) as a foreign language option. It's not cheap, though, and I am hoping someone who has used the French program can comment on whether or not this is a worthwhile modern language program. Thanks.

    French for middle schooler

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    We like Galore Park's French w/ the audio cds. Using a tutor would make it more doable.

     

    Thank you, Jen. I think the GP material is excellent, but I am looking for something more interactive. We did a demo of PowerSpeak and she loved it, but I don't feel qualified to critique the program.

     

    Any other suggestions?

     

    Thanks.

    French for middle schooler

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Dd (12) has two years of Latin Prep under her belt now. We're continuing with Latin, but would like to add another language. Her first choice is French, so I'm going to honor that request. Any suggestions for French programs -- either on-line or with CDs? I have no French background, so we need something that she can work with independently or with tutoring assistance available. She is a language-oriented student. Thanks!

    Basic Latin question (preposition)

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    How do you know whether to use "ex" or "ab" in a sentence like "They hurried out of the town"? Thank you.

     

    Our latin program explains it this way:

    a or ab means away from (distant from), while e or ex means out from (departing from).

     

    agricola longe ab oppido abest

    The farmer is far away from the town.

     

    puer epistulam ex oppido portabat

    The boy carried the letter out from the town.

     

    So, in your sentence ex would be used as they are hurrying out from the town they are not already away from it.

     

    HTH

     

    Sarah

     

    Thanks. It's starting to make more sense now.:)

    Having problems with Singapore (help)

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Daisy, your dh tutoring her is a good idea. I have resorted to that approach before; the switch gives everyone a different perspective.

     

    SM is not an easy program for some kids (or parents;)), especially when the concepts and problems get a bit more complicated.

     

    When my dd was that age and having similar issues, I found a few things helpful: talking things through and making sure the concept was well understood; keeping the assignments on the brief side; plenty of practice in weak areas; and lots of praise for a job well done.

     

    Her emerging adolescence coupled with her math struggles are tough on you both. Hang in there -- you're not alone!:)

    Voyages in English (6)?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I see that SWB does not recommend the writing component of VIE. Does anyone know if she makes this recommendation based on the older texts, or if she has reviewed the newer VIE (with the revamped writing)? I came across a copy of the 2006 (newer) version, and the writing element (coordinated with grammar) looks pretty good. I'm weighing VIE 6 vs. RS6 (RS would be new to us). Writing Strands has not been a good fit for us.

     

    Any thoughts?

     

    Thanks.

    Singapore struggles (6th) - HELP!

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Ds used SM from PM-1 through PM-5B. He did fine with SM, but he needed improvement in showing his work on problems and in getting the procedures more solidified and routine in his mind. After PM-5B, he did Chalkdust Basic Math 6.

     

    Switching to a more traditional US program at this point was helpful for us. The math concepts in Chalkdust were pretty easy for him, mostly review; so it was good to be able to focus more on the way he showed his work, etc. Having a bunch of the same type of problems to do also increased his skill and confidence. Some of the Singapore problems, esp. the word problems, are quite difficult, and so it was a nice change of pace to do a greater quantity of problems with greater ease.

     

    PM-6A starts out harder conceptually, IMO, because the first unit is pre-algebra. I think something like Saxon or Horizons or Chalkdust Basic Math are all great options. Saxon has a more spiral approach than Chalkdust, which is set up in units/topics like SM. I'm not sure about Horizons. And all three have built-in review (though Chalkdust's review is only after each unit, not daily like Saxon and maybe Horizons).

     

    After ds finished CD Basic Math 6, he did PM-6A & 6B pretty quickly. Now he's in NEM-1 and it's going fine so far.

     

    HTH

     

    This is encouraging. It feels so defeating, coming this far and hitting a seemingly impenetrable wall. Thanks for the input.

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