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mommyoftwo

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Posts posted by mommyoftwo

    Final Questions about Lial's and Foerster's Algebra I

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    I think I have finally narrowed my choices down to these two texts and have a few final questions about each one:

     

    1)  Lial's Introductory Algebra 8th edition paperback ---  a friend pointed out it doesn't include naming polynomials using the words "Linear, Quadratic, Cubic, etc..."  Is it ok if that topic isn't in an Algebra I book?  Any other topics that you know are not in Lial's that should be added in using an extra resource?  I've never taught Algebra so I wouldn't know if a topic is missing or if there is a topic that could be saved for Algebra II.

     

    I've read that a positive thing about Foerster's book is that the Quadratic Formula is taught early on; Lial's book presents it in the last chapter.  Are there major pros or cons to either sequence?

     

     

    2)  Foerster's Classic Edition Expressions, Equations, Applications (1999) --- one thing I like about Lial's book is that there is obvious review of previously taught material in between the chapters.  Do the exercises in Foerster's include review of past material and maybe just not as obvious as the review sections in Lial's?

     

    I really appreciate any advice that would help me finally make a decision.  Why is this soooo tough?  :confused1:

     

    ~Melissa

     

     

    Are proofs necessary in Algebra I

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    I am comparing four Algebra I textbooks for my ds for this school year (Foerster's, Lial's, Prentice Hall, and McDougal Littell).  I was going down a CYT Mathematics Sequence Checklist that was suggested on this forum in another thread and I noticed that "proofs" are mentioned in a few places in this checklist. 

     

    For instance:  "use number properties in proofs," "prove theorems related to slope, and "prove theorems involving multiplication and division."

     

    I can't find the word "proof" in the index of Foerster's or Lial's.  Are proofs necessary?  Could it be listed as something else in the index?

     

    Thanks,
    Melissa

     

     

    Latin or Spanish

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Just when you think you have it all figured out you start second guessing yourself. My children will be entering 7th grade and 6th grade. They have each completed 2 years of Latin (Prima Latina and Latina Christiana I).

     

    If I have them do two more years of Latin, the 7th grader would be ready to do 2 years of Spanish in his 9th and 10th grade years. However, Latin wouldn't show on his transcript. I'm not as concerned for him as I am for the child who is in 6th grade now who has 3 more years before high school to start earning language credits. She potentially wants to enter the medical field so maybe she should only do Latin (might look better on her transcript).

     

    I had planned on doing Memoria Press' First Form through Fourth Form Latin program. It would take four years though which would leave my eldest his 11th, 12th grade years to take Spanish but by then he may not want to take a language in his senior year? So now I'm considering Henle Latin and debating as to how far to stretch it out.

     

    Any suggestions? I would like for them to get recognition for doing Latin but also see the benefits of learning Spanish.

     

    Thanks,

    Melissa

    Latin or Spanish

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Just when you think you have it all figured out you start second guessing yourself. My children will be entering 7th grade and 6th grade. They have each completed 2 years of Latin (Prima Latina and Latina Christiana I).

     

    If I have them do two more years of Latin, the 7th grader would be ready to do 2 years of Spanish in his 9th and 10th grade years. However, Latin wouldn't show on his transcript. I'm not as concerned for him as I am for the child who is in 6th grade now who has 3 more years before high school to start earning language credits. She potentially wants to enter the medical field so maybe she should only do Latin (might look better on her transcript).

     

    I had planned on doing Memoria Press' First Form through Fourth Form Latin program. It would take four years though which would leave my eldest his 11th, 12th grade years to take Spanish but by then he may not want to take a language in his senior year? So now I'm considering Henle Latin and debating as to how far to stretch it out.

     

    Any suggestions? I would like for them to get recognition for doing Latin but also see the benefits of learning Spanish.

     

    Thanks,

    Melissa

    religious bias of Biblioplan?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Julia at Biblioplan's Yahoo group responded to this question when I posted it on that forum. She put me at ease and said that as author's of Biblioplan, they present a balanced account of Church history without including their own opinions as to whether someone was right or wrong for their actions. She said Church History is presented with a neutral tone.

     

    Hope that helps answer my own question that I posted here:)

     

    ~Melissa

    religious bias of Biblioplan?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I noticed on the Biblioplan site they have a paraphrased section of Yr 2 contents that lists John Wycliff and Jan Hus as important figures of Pre-Reformation. Luther is also listed as an "important" figure. Just curious if the actions of these people are held in high regard in this curriculum like a hero status (which) would mean that their stance against the Catholic church is praised? Or are they "important" because of the effect they had in history without the authors opinion of whether their actions were right or wrong?

     

    Thanks,

    Melissa

    Foerster's Algebra an Honors text?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    I was all set to use Foerster's Algebra 1. I ordered it and my husband's initial reaction was that it looked good but very challenging. A friend of mine who used to teach high school math was visiting and saw the Foerster's text on my counter. She said, "That's a really good text but I would never teach from it. Use it as a supplement especially for the word problems which are great." She said it has a lot of Algebra 2 topics in it and would be more of an Algebra 1 Honors text. I'm afraid my non-mathy child will really hate math if I use this text? Any opinions?

     

     

    :grouphug: It takes a village...

    Classical Conversations

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    We are using CC cycle 3 at home this year. The actual CC groups this year are on cycle 2 but cycle 3 worked best for us because we are studying American History which is the theme of cycle 3's history memory work. We are also doing a study of the human body and that is the science theme for cycle 3 (one of the benefits of not joining a CC group is that you get to choose which of their 3 cycles works best for your family).

     

    I follow their Instruction Guide to write the memory work each week on a large white erase board then sit on the couch and listen to the cycle 3 subject/weekly audio cd as we read the info on the white board. This cd recites the memory work verbally and offers a song for the history sentence. There are other songs on it such as the one that helps memorize the names of the presidents.

     

    I also purchased the Veritas Press history timeline cards and we memorize 8 of them each week; adding on to the ones memorized the previous weeks. We attach the 8 cards for the new week onto our white erase board so that we see them all week. We take two down each day to read the back then reattach them to the white board.

     

    I bought their suggested science experiment book (by Janice Van Cleave) but haven't used it yet. They also recommend Classical Music for Dummies and Drawing with Children. We purchased our tin whistles but haven't made it to that part in the instruction guide yet.

     

    We are using the Institute for Excellence in Writing materials (CC uses IEW in their Essentials class). As another hive member mentioned already, you can not purchase CC's English materials without being a member. You also can not purchase their mapping materials and have to pay a much higher membership fee than CC group members to have access to a web site portal that contains helpful information.

     

    My children are enjoying the pieces of CC that we are using at home.

     

    HTH,

    Melissa

    math facts memorization aide

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Can anyone suggest a tool or program that my 10 and 9 year old children can use to help memorize math facts? I'm searching for a computer program or hand-held tool that will record their results and start them at the correct level the next time they play.

     

    Thanks so much,

    Melissa

    Suggestions for Vocabulary Cartoons

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I want to add the book Vocabulary Cartoons to the mix this year ( the first level which would be used with a 4th and a 5th grader). How many words do you introduce each week?

     

    I'm going to be using Prima Latina and English from the Roots Up; is it too much to add Vocabulary Cartoons?

     

    Thanks for your insights,

    Melissa

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