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profmom

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  1. I'm researching this sequence: Jacobs Alg 1 & Geometry + Foerster Alg 2, and I ran across a comment saying that these older texts don't prepare a student as well for the SAT as new texts would, such as Pearson/Prentice Hall. Do you think that's true?
  2. Thanks. We're in Course 1 right now and are thinking of jumping out and going to pre-algebra for 7th, Algebra 1 for 8th, etc.
  3. I'd love your opinions on favorite Pre-Algebra programs! What goes well with Foerster Algebra I? We're coming from Math in Focus/Singapore, if that matters.
  4. My dd is in MIF 6 right now and my older dd used Singapore PM 6 8 years ago. Obviously, MIF is freshest in my mind, but I remember thinking that SM 6 was getting difficult (after using Singapore from Earlybird on), especially 6b. MIF is difficult, IMO. My dd has been through MIF since the middle of 3rd grade, and I understand the program well enough to teach her. So, it's going fine/well. There isn't a lot of practice and it definitely needs more review to keep the material fresh -- it's too easily forgotten as they dive into the next topic. Personally, even though I'm a firm believer in the value of the Singapore approach, we're probably changing to a more traditional pre-algebra for 7th, algebra for 8th, etc. instead of continuing with MIF for 7th-8th. Since you describe your dd as needing more time and practice, I wouldn't choose MIF because it moves quickly and doesn't give a lot of practice or review. I've only looked at MM, but, if I were you, I'd seriously look at it for 6th & 7th (or stay with Singapore for 6th). From what I've read, MM is similar enough to SM that she'd probably have no problem switching, but it gives more "scaffolding" for new material and may give more practice.
  5. Thank you for that helpful comparison, Zoo Keeper!
  6. Sorry! I think I posted this on the wrong board earlier! What is your experience with BJU math? Does it have more "why" than Saxon, but is more American and easier to teach than Singapore?
  7. Is BJU math have the "why" and some of the depth of Singapore, but easier to understand for teachers and parents to teach the lessons (because it's more American)? I'd love any comparisons you want to give!
  8. Thanks, guys! I've used SM Primary previously and am now using Math in Focus -- neither have had the built-in review (other than needing to know past concepts for a few of the current word problems). I've used Extra Practice (a semester behind) & Challenging Word Problems in the past, but they are extra books to schedule. =D Just wondering if there is something that already includes review and still teaches the wonderful mathematical thinking and problem solving, but maybe doesn't ask for as large of leaps in application of new concepts. I'll look at Math Mammoth! Any thoughts on how it compares/contrasts to SM?
  9. I love that SM teaches deeper mathematical thinking, with word problems that require thought rather than just plugging the numbers into whatever type of problem is being taught in that unit. The bar models are great -- I don't expect to find another program with those. The "weaknesses" for us are that sometimes the program goes too far in how quickly and deeply it asks the students to apply the new concepts (ie: it's really hard! -- good, but can be bad if taken too far), and there isn't built-in review to make sure the concepts stay fresh. (The concepts build, but there aren't problems similar to the past chapters to keep kids from forgetting.) Oh, and math facts have to be practiced and drilled separately. Any thoughts on a math curriculum for grammar stage? Overall, I like SM, but I wonder if there's something similar without the issues we tend to have.
  10. Does anyone know of a chart or article that compares the different approaches to classical education? I'm wishing for something that compares approaches like Bluedorn, LCC (Campbell), TWTM, etc.
  11. My 11 year old daughter has had private cello lessons (with no group classes) for the past 2 school years, but I've always had in mind that we would move her to the strings academy with private lessons + group classes at some point. The academy has a great reputation and is run by two music professors at our local university. The problem is that she is our first child to study an orchestra instrument, and we don't know much about the process. How important or beneficial are the group classes? Her current teacher put together a cello choir day with 6 students and hopes to put on 4 of these days each year. (10:00 to 2:00, wth a short concert at 2:00 for parents.) How would these 4 cello choir days each year compare to having the group classes each week? Both her current teacher and the strings academy use the Suzuki method, and my daughter is in the middle of book 2. We are leaning toward moving her now, but I'd love to hear some thoughts on the benefits or importance of group classes -- and any other cello advice is welcome too!
  12. These are both ancient Greek. The Bluedorn book may still be helpful. (I'm not familiar with Code Cracker, but i generally really like CAP products.) The Bluedorn book has lots of writing practice & teaches the (ancient) letter sounds.
  13. Thanks, guys! After looking at each one and remembering what I've heard about each over the years, LOF won out! My girl has had it for 2 days and has done 3 lessons so far. She likes it! It's so completely different than what we use all year (Math in Focus) that it's a nice change. Thanks again for your help!
  14. We loved this one -- Elementary Greek by Open Texture! We did all three levels -- such a great program! http://www.opentexture.com/products/greek/yearone/ For 2nd grade, though, we used the Bluedorns Greek Alphabet book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1933228016/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687602&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0974361690&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=SADNSY5MWX7FY4N8H8BE This was before CAP had any Greek products though, so I can't compare. Have fun!
  15. I'd love to have your recommendations for practicing fractions over the summer! My dd has finished Math in Focus 5A & B, but I want to help her solidify all operations with fractions over the summer.
  16. Exactly what I was thinking! Thanks for your input! We have three kids in our group who will complete LfC B this year for 5th, and we're trying to decide what to do with them for 6th. Our options are: to have them join the rest of their age-mates who are just finishing LfC A (so, repeat LfC B); find another teacher so they can continue on to LfC C; or possibly skip LfC C and go to Latin Alive 1. I also wonder if all the kids, regardless of Latin background (all would have had at least LfC A) could go into Latin Alive for 6th. Any thoughts??
  17. I thought I'd read that some go straight to Latin Alive from Lfc B. What do you recommend? This would be for some 6th graders who will have finished LfC B in 5th.
  18. Dd wanted: ~ Either a strong Christian campus or secular (not a Christian campus in word only) ~ If Christian, chapel services that the students find meaningful and don't dread attending ~ Not a super-strict campus (dresses only & gospel music would be out immediately) ~ 4 seasons, but not too long of a cold, snowy winter ~ Pretty campus ~ Beautiful natural scenery nearby (didn't really get this one!) ~ Not too large or too small (ended up choosing one with 3,200 students)
  19. Thanks again, guys! I think we'll start out with $100 a month. Dd thought that might be too much and suggested that we start with $80 a month. We'll see! We don't want her to get used to using a credit card, so we'll skip that. She is keeping her account at our bank, so we can easily transfer money from our account to hers in an emergency. She can deposit checks by taking a picture in our bank app, and she can withdraw money by getting cash back at Walmart, etc. This thread has been very helpful! I appreciate your input!
  20. Ok, we did it!! Thanks for all your advice! We drove up the night before in two cars. She wanted to drive the whole way to see what it was like (6 hours), so my husband and I each rode with her for 1/2 the time. Move-in time began at 8:00 a.m., but we met her roommate's family for breakfast at 7:30. (My daughter and her roommate have been friends for a couple of years, but we hadn't met her parents.) Once we arrived at the college, we ended up spending the first hour getting student IDs, parking passes, etc. Then, student volunteers were there to help carry things up to her dorm, so we were able to get everything in 2 trips! I'm not sure why it took so long (I was expecting an hour or so after reading above), but we spent about 3 hours moving items in and setting up the room -- making the bed, putting clothes on hangers, filling drawers, setting up the printer, etc. Most of us were working that whole time! (Younger siblings took breaks to relax on the newly made bed.) Her roommate's family worked for the same amount of time! We all went to lunch around 1:00, then to a parent meeting from 2:00 - 2:30. Dh and I stayed at the parent meeting a little longer talking to some parents we had met at College Weekend, but then joined everyone back at the dorm. Her roommate's parents said goodbye, and we took dd to Target for a few more hangers, under bed storage baskets, etc. We dropped those things off at her dorm and let her take a little rest while we showed our younger two around campus a bit. We left campus at 5:30 to take dd and her roommate out to dinner and returned to attend the welcome chapel service from 7:00 to about 8:30 (worship and sermon by college president). After reading the responses above, we were thinking we'd leave in the afternoon, but I'm glad we decided to stay and attend this service. The last thing on the day's schedule was "8:45 p.m. New Student and Parent Farewell" with cookies and ice cream bars in the student center. I was afraid I'd cry, but I didn't! I think it was a combination of spending the whole day together, really loving the college where she's attending, feeling that she is ready, and preparing myself emotionally the best I could ahead of time. I also wrote her a letter and handed it to her before we left. I didn't want to feel pressured to cram everything I wanted to say into the last bit! I had read that moving day would be hot, busy, and crowded, which aren't the best conditions for a heart-to-heart! I'm glad we had the individual time in the car on the way up. I had mentioned that I had cried a couple of times that morning at church -- I didn't want her to think I wasn't feeling anything. At the end, It seemed like she didn't want me to cry, and she didn't want to cry herself -- neither of us did. We each hugged her, then a group hug, then individual hugs again, then we said goodbye -- or "see you in October" (fall break)! I hope it goes well for you guys too!
  21. Thanks, guys! This is very helpful! (Of course, more comments are welcome!) My goal is to give her what she needs for gas, h&b products, laundry, and a bit of entertainment, but not so much that she doesn't need to budget the money.
  22. I'd love to hear your advice for dorm move-in day! We're driving our oldest up on Sunday, and move-in day is Monday! We plan to start early when it's cooler. How long should we stay?? What other advice do you have? :bigear:
  23. This is our first one going off for college, and it's this weekend!! She'll be living on campus with a meal plan, and she'll have a car. We're not sure yet about a job, but she plans to work on campus. What have you guys done that has worked well for living expenses? How much does a student need? (We'll be paying car insurance & cell phone.) I've asked some local friends, but they will not tell me how much they transferred to their students' accounts each month. ("It's different for each family.") Will you guys at least give a range (because we have no idea!)? What has worked well for your family?
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