Lial's Introductory Algebra = Algebra 1 Lial's Intermediate Algebra = Algebra 2

I already have the text and solutions manual, microscope, and slides; and I plan to purchase the dissection items. What about the multimedia CD? Is that needed? Anything else that would be useful? Thanks, Karri

I have a 17yo son who has been doing Driver Ed in a Box ...for almost two years. Part of the reason that it's taking so long is that, for a while, it was hard to find the time to get out there and practice driving on a regular basis. We also took several months off when he just wasn't progressing very well and I decided that maybe he just wasn't ready. We've been steadily at it for six months and we still have not progressed past light traffic. Some days he does just fine; other days he nearly gets us in an accident because he'll turn in front of someone, almost run a traffic light, suddenly change lanes without looking, etc. Often this is because he has his mind on something else and is not paying attention to his driving. This kid is extremely bright and has excelled in everything he has ever attempted- except drivers ed. He will be a senior next year, and I really would like for him to be driving on his own by then. Anyone else been there, done that? Any advice? Am I doomed to chauffeur forever? Thanks, Karri

Ds has technically just finished 10th grade; however, he is going to take some courses this summer. On his transcript, can I list those courses under his 10th grade year or do they need to go under his 11th grade year? Thanks, Karri

We've used TOG for the past 4 years, finishing up with Year 4 last month. I counted TOG Yr 4 as 20th century U.S. Hist. because that was its main focus. DS starts 10th grade in the fall and needs a World History credit. I don't want to purchase another history curriculum as we really liked TOG and I don't want to spend the $ if I don't have to. He's only going to have time to spend one year on World History. How would you TOG users create a one year World History credit using all four years of TOG? Just pick a year and do the Rhetroic level? Pick and choose lessons from each level? Suggestions welcome! Karri

Help!!!! I never took Physics in high school or college, but my son loves the subject. I bought Conceptual Physics 9th edition, but cannot find the teacher's manual anywhere. If you've used this text, could you please tell me how you graded the material? Did you make up your own tests? Use something from the publisher (if so, could you give me the ISBN?)? Can I use the teacher's manual from the 10th edition or have the exercise problems changed from the 9th edition? Any help would be much appreciated!!! Thanks, Karri

The lab book that I ordered is supposed to be the 9th edition. I ordered it used and hope to have it by the end of the week. The ISBN for the 9th edition lab book is 0321052056. I hope someone can post the ISBN for the 9th edition teacher's manual. Karri

I have a lab book ordered. Have you seen the website linked below? It has answers to some of the exercises in the 10th edition. Many of the same questions are also in the 9th edition. Unfortunately, it doesn't include answers to ALL of the exercise questions, but it does give quite a few. Karri http://home.southernct.edu/~tremblayr1/answers.html

Could someone please give me an ISBN for Conceptual Physics 9th Edition TEACHER'S edition? I've been looking high and low and have had no luck finding it. Thanks! Karri

DS-15 used SOS High School Spanish 1 this year. He did great all year until the last section when his grades took a major nosedive. I'm wondering if this is a sign of things to come. Is there a steep learning curve once you get to SOS Spanish 2? Is that last section of SOS Spanish 1 indicative of how a student will fair in SOS Spanish 2? I'm wondering whether to continue with SOS Spanish or put him in a class where he can get some live feedback from the instructor. Thanks, Karri

Anyone have curriculum suggestions that would prepare ds for the World History AP exam next year? I'm trying to avoid dry textbooks if possible. Is Notgrass considered rigorous or would I need to supplement? I'd even be interested in online courses, or even an online syllabus. Thanks, Karri

How many hours of PE does it take to make one credit? Ds has been sporadic with exercise this year. One week he may get in 8 to 10 hours, the next couple of weeks only one or two hours. Is there any rule of thumb that says it has to be consistent? Do colleges even look at this stuff? We're in a state that doesn't require any reporting, this is just for transcript purposes. Thanks, Karri

Life on the Edge - The Next Generation's Guide to a Meaningful Future by Dr. James Dobson

I'm looking at this for next year. Here's a link: http://www.mypearsonstore.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=032122762X

Spanish I and Spanish II are purchased separately. Each is a one year program. There is a little bit of writing, as in typing in the answers to questions - usually just a sentence. The computer program will grade these answers. The student also answers questions verbally via a microphone (purchased separately) that is hooked up to the computer. You have to grade the spoken answers yourself. This is easy because as you are grading you can listen to the native speaker say the the answer, then compare it to your student's answer.

Ds (9th grade) is using Switched on Schoolhouse High School Spanish. He really likes it and has learned quite a bit from it. I like it because it is mostly self-teaching and self-grading. There are only about one to four questions per lesson or test that I have to grade. Hope this helps, Karri

Praying for you both!

13yo ds LOVES to read. His favorites are LOTR, Redwall series, Gregor the Overlander series, and the Chronicles of Narnia - all of which he has read mulitiple times. I'd get him to move onto something new. Any title suggestions? Thanks, Karri

Are these two programs so similar that doing both would be redundant? Can someone please compare/contrast them for me? I'm trying to figure out which one would be a better fit for 15yods or if it's worth it to try to do both. Thanks, Karri

My 13yo ds has horrible penmanship. He finished the last book of the italic handwriting series about 1-1/2 years ago and I haven't done any formal penmanship with him since. I hadn't been really worried about his handwriting because my own handwriting was really bad when I was his age. My penmanship improved when I was about 15 or so and I developed my own style of writing. However, I'm now concerned that ds may not outgrow this messy stage without some intervention. I make him re-do anything that is illegible, but his overall handwriting is still sloppy. Anyone else had this problem? What helped your kids improve their penmanship? Thanks, Karri

I posted yesterday wondering what comes after Algebra II. After I realized that it is PreCalc, I decided to edit my post to request info on reviews of PreCalc texts. Unfortunately, my changes did not turn out as I had hoped!:eek: Oh well, maybe someone will be able to figure out what I'm talking about! Karri (still learning how to use this new board)

Here's a link to rubrics for many different subjects, including writing. This is my favorite rubric site! :) http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/

English - ABeka Grammar & Comp; Tapestry of Grace Literature; Poetry & Prose Math - Lial's Intermediate Algebra Science - Apologia Biology History - Tapestry of Grace Spanish - Switched on Schoolhouse Health - Switched on Schoolhouse Computer Fundamentals - Discovering Computers (Shelley & Cashman)

Ds has been using Lial's for the past three years. He's been through Introductory Algebra, Essentials of College Geometry, and is almost done with Intermediate Algebra. He has really done well with the Lial's series. Pre-Calculus comes next. I'd like to continue with Lial's, if Lial's Pre-Calc is as good/better than the earlier levels. Can someone please give me some reviews of the various PreCalc texts ... Lial's, Foerster's, others? What did you like/not like? Thanks, Karri