What did you use to outsource the lit essays? Love the topic!

I posted on the WTB boards here, but can anyone recommend good sites to buy gently used versions Lial's and Chalkdust (Intermediate Algebra and pre-calc)? I often buy used on Amazon, but searching for textbooks is so different than other books. What good sites (or search engines for sites) are out there for this? And of course I'm a little concerned about trying to piece together all the right editions of a particular course. If you've BTDT, I'd welcome any advice you have to share! Thanks! Stacey :)

Thanks so much for the replies! I'm particularly interested in pursuing the Froguts, I think. http://dissect.froguts.com/welcome.html I really liked what the demo covered (although I wish they would've included the quiz for that section so I could see what it's like). And the variety of specimens available looks quite promising! $30 for one year of use at home, installed on up to 3 computers. Considering what it would cost for dissection supplies and specimens, I think this is very reasonable! I've looked at some other virtual dissections and they were way too basic. I still see the value in hands-on dissection, but I think this will make virtual dissection a more viable alternative. Thanks so much!

Has anyone had good (or bad) experiences with virtual dissections for the lab component of high school biology? My kids are finished with biology, but due to certain issues were unable to complete the lab component. Now we need to take care of the lab part this summer -- really by mid-July. I'm still considering doing standard "hands-on" dissections, but would also like to consider doing virtual dissections instead. If you can recommend any particular software (or if you were unhappy with it), I'd love to hear about it. Thank you! :)

Thank you, that's encouraging. I forgot about texting. lol I should probably know this, but what are "SES groups"? I'm thinking socio-economic something-or-other. Can you spell it out for this bleary-eyed mom? ;)

One of my teens has about 1/2 of her geometry book to finish this summer, and really wants/needs to get into Algebra 2 by September because of her concurrent science class. She did recently watch the Geometry DVD course through the Teaching Company/Great Courses (thirty 30m lectures, taking notes but not working through all the problems in the accompanying workbook, done in about 4 weeks), but still has 1/2 of her regular textbook to go -- it's a Glencoe textbook, which is fairly typical ps type of book. I've got no problem just having her do the 2nd 1/2 of the book, if that's what it comes to (this is what she is planning on at this point). But I find myself wondering if this is the best option. I am considering having her do a pre-test of sorts at the beginning of each chapter and then just focus on problem areas. So I thought I'd throw it out here to see if there are other options I should consider. The goal is to be done with whatever needs to happen by mid-August so she can start Algebra 2. Oh, and of course she wants to do well on the ACT/SAT, and I was planning to have her and her sister go through the Chalkdust SAT Review course this summer, than maybe again later. ;) What would you do?? FWIW, here is the TOC from her Geometry book (I'm not sure how it compares to others). We are switching math publishers after this. UNIT ONE: LINES AND ANGLES 1-Points, Lines, Planes, Angles 2-Reasoning and Proof 3-Parallel and Perpendicular Lines UNIT TWO: TRIANGLES 4-Congruent Triangles 5-Relationships in Triangles 6-Proportions and Similarity -----where she is right now, between chapters, typical "semester" break after chapter 7------ 7-Right Triangles and Trigonometry UNIT THREE: QUADRILATERALS AND CIRCLES 8-Quadrilaterals 9-Transformations 10-Circles UNIT FOUR: AREA AND VOLUME 11-Areas of Polygons and Circles 12-Surface Area 13-Volume What do you think? Just do the whole 2nd half of the book, or something else??

I have a 15yo dd as a rising junior, which means she will be a young 17yo when she graduates high school, technically. Originally we thought she might take a gap year or something, but now she seems to really want to go to college right away. Out of state. Across the country. I am just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences (pro or con) with one going AWAY to college at that age. She's got a good head on her shoulders in terms of real-world things, and socially she's good too. My biggest concerns, I guess, are dd being homesick as she is quite close to her younger sibs and me, and in the back of my mind I also wonder about time management for her studies... although I don't know that a year will make a difference on that matter. lol Her older sister would be graduating at the same time, but I'm not sure if they'll end up at the same school, or even the same state.

lol -- I have felt this way! I can empathize with you. :) And it was somewhat similar in that it was an "outside" opportunity. For me, it was loving high school classic literature (and being happy with IEW resources we'd been using), then having my dd go to the local high school for IB English. I almost didn't want her to like it, in a way, if that makes sense. But admittedly it has been great and challenged her a different way. She loved her teacher, who was a great person and almost like "second mom" to her, and the teacher even gave her a heads up when there were going to be issues with graphic language/scenes in a couple of books so that she didn't have to read those parts. Plus, I had baby #5 less than a year earlier and I have to admit that, for consistency sake in terms of dd getting feedback on papers, etc., it was probably a good thing. I always said I wanted my children to take a few "classroom" courses before they left for college, but I always kind of thought that would happen at the local cc. In retrospect, even though I didn't get to do what I thought I wanted, I think it really was a great opportunity for her. It'll be ok! :) Stacey

I've been trying to find video samples online for the VDT that goes with Lial's higher-level books. Is there such a thing anywhere? One of my daughters wants to use Chalkdust, but the other is considering her options still and wants to see what the VDT is like. Also, it seems like Lial's VDT is infrequently used, whereas CD lectures are integral to the program. If your student is pretty much completely independent, is Lial's video portion the kind of thing your student would watch at the beginning of the lesson (instructional, explaining), or is it just showing someone working out the problems after you've already done the lesson and need a bit more help, or something else entirely? Thanks! Stacey

Cumulative GPA is just all the individual course GPAs averaged together, factoring in the credit hours for each grade. For example, an "A" in a full credit course is worth more than an "A" in a 1/2 credit course. Colleges usually have 3 credit courses for a semester (or 4 credit if it has a lab with it); high schools typically use 1 credit for a full-year course, 1/2 credit for a semester-long course. Semester grades are typically what is shown, not quarter grades too. Here are a couple of links that may help: http://www.back2college.com/gpa.htm cumulative GPA calculator http://www.ehow.com/how_5278295_calculate-cumulative-gpa.html HTH! Stacey :)

Cheryl, are you basing that on actually seeing LoF? I'm curious because I was just looking at LoF tonight and trying to decide how we would use it for my dd who has completed Alg2 (including some trig) and was planning to go into pre-calc. But of course now we are switching to a different math program. As for the original topic, I'm not familiar enough with LoF yet to be able to answer... but I look forward to hearing what you decide! Stacey

OK, this is really good to hear. Have your kids done any ACT or SAT testing? Just wondering if they've felt well-prepared for those with these programs. (Yes, learning is more important testing well, but with some schools we've looked at they really emphasize the test scores even more for homeschoolers....)

Hmm... now I am confused on this Foerster book/DVD. The publisher says: Algebra II is suitable for a second-year algebra course, a trigonometry course, or a pre-calculus course. I have one ready to go into Alg 2, and one who just finished Alg 2 (using Glencoe which does include some trig as well). Is the Foerster book a 2-year book? I think of "pre-calc" as being college algebra (alg after alg2) and trig. In fact, I remember college alg/trig being offered ay back when I was in high school. Ideas?

Thank you, Jackie. Have you used this combination (Foerster with this DVD)? I just read someone's review on it -- intriguing. I wonder if they have plans to do the next level anytime soon....

Interesting thread! I have 2 dds going into 11th, thus the slight variation: Algebra 2 / Pre-calc (still deciding on the texts...help!) World History with World Religions Part 2 (part 1 was this past year. Using an AP world history text, supplemental readings, and girls are building a website exploring women's roles in world religions) IB English (taken at ps) Physics (taken at ps) American Sign Language (3rd year) 1/2 credit: Personal Finance ...and something I'm forgetting! lol Extra-curricular: Library teen advisory board ASL tutoring at the middle school Some theatre/forensics for one dd: rehabilitating abused horses local American Red Cross NASP Archery church youth group

I have read through so many posts on Chalkdust, Lial's, Foerster's, LoF, etc. Is there a somewhat straightforward listing of pros and cons or comparisons for each program anywhere? I'm looking at Algebra 2 and pre-Calc, specifically. But it seems like a lot of people ask the same types of questions I'm asking (or wanting to ask). Obviously there is no one "right" choice for everyone, or even for all the kids in one family! I am just really having a hard time deciding what to do; I just can't seem to wrap my brain around the main options.... CD seems very solid, but I wonder if my kids will find him too long-winded, yet they really want some more direct instruction like the DVDs offer. AND an even bigger concern: if I piece together a less-expensive version, will I run into problems with DVDs not working or compatibility between text/DVDs or something. Lial's concerns me because I can't find any samples for it, and I heard there were issues with the DVTs not working reliably. I don't know if the text on it's own would offer thorough explanations for truly independent student learning. Can a 15-16yo pick up Lial's Alg2 or pre-calc on her own and just do it, getting a thorough understanding from reading the text? My kids have been doing this with Glencoe, and while they're doing ok, their understanding of why and when and how isn't what it could be. They need someone to help them connect the dots. Foerster's concerns me because it seems like there is no DVD instruction... AND similar concerns to Lial's in terms of instruction/explanations and truly independent student learning. Life of Fred seems like it might be a fun way for my dds to connect with math on the literary level, so I'm wondering if that could be done in addition to one of the others... either during this summer or the school year... or if that would be overkill. And all I want is for them to understand the concepts, be able to apply it, do very well on the ACT/SAT, be well-prepared for college, love learning and enjoy the ride. Yep, that's all I want. ;)

I've heard people rave about both, and of course others be somewhat disappointed with both. Can anyone explain the differences between CD & Lial's? Again, I'm looking specifically at Algebra 2, Pre-calc, and probably Calculus after that. Are there samples online somewhere? I so appreciate hearing from all who have commented. Thank you so much! :) Stacey

Hi all -- I'm new to posting but have been reading on the forum for a bit. I am desperate for some help/advice in choosing a new math program. I have 2 daughters going into Algebra 2 (for one) and Pre-calculus (for the other one) for 11th grade. The quick version of my question is what would you recommend for these math levels that would be pretty much self-guided for girls who aren't naturally "mathy" (they want good explanations) but who also want something at a more rigorous, college-bound level? I was considering Chalkdust, but now here I've heard of Lial's, too. CD price is certainly cost prohibitive, especially because I need to buy 2 levels at the same time, but I am willing to work at finding less-expensive options for CD if that's the route we take. If you have time to hear a background summary, here it is: They have both been using Glencoe for the past couple of years -- not a typical choice for homeschoolers, but perhaps someone (like Jann??) is familiar with it. It's been pretty solid, I feel, but they really want something with more instruction/explanation (hence, I'm thinking DVDs, but maybe just a better textbook?) as they are largely self-taught in this area... somewhat by their own choice. While they excel more in the English area, they can hold their own in math when they really work at it and mostly need to work on being able to do it faster. They got reasonably high scores on the PLAN test (pre-ACT) this year, but of course would like to be able to do better. We ended up with classroom materials for Glencoe (student and teacher texts, along with quizzes, tests, etc.), which they have been using since pre-algebra. They pretty much stick with the student text and then we pull out the teacher text at times when needed. Dd1 is completing Glencoe Algebra 2 next week, and dd2 is completing Glencoe Geometry later this summer (she could then move right into Glencoe Algebra 2 since we have it, but she wants more instruction so I thought we could make a change for her too). We are full-time homeschoolers, but they did both go to the local high school for the first time this year to take chemistry (overall a challenging yet great experience!), and will be in physics there for 11th grade. We considered Teaching Textbooks after hearing so many people rave about it, and wanted to love it, but we were all quite disappointed by the limited amount of material covered; it just did not seem very challenging at all when comparing the same level of Glencoe. I know I'm asking a lot, especially when I haven't been a visible part of this community, but I am desperate for help from people who don't necessarily feel that Teaching Textbooks is the ultimate math answer for homeschoolers! Given that math is not their strong suit, and they want more instruction and explanation for self-guided study in these final years of higher-level math, what would you recommend?? Oh ya, and dd1 just informed me this week that after reading through a mailing from MIT and reviewing their website, she would really like to consider MIT as on option for college. Aack! lol Apparently they have some very appealing programs besides math, science, and engineering (but require math subject tests for all). Who knew?! ;) Stacey ------- Mom of 5 Homeschooling since 1996... has it been that long?!