[Blue Tent Calc or any BT math- what's the set up?]

Just now, MamaSprout said:

Yes. She said she knew everything, but there were a couple of topics on the pretest that she hadn't seen on the calculator, but knew how to do in a general way. Honestly, the calculator is not her strong area, though.

 

Thanks so much. I contacted the teacher and she told me about the assessment test, but I just wanted to see what your dd thought about it. Hopefully he will do fine. 

Also, this is off topic, but do you have any recommendations for a 1/2 credit web design class for ds (he's the same kid who will be doing BC - 11th grade)? He's done AP CS Principles & AP CS A and liked them. But, he needs another 1/2 credit next yr and also something not too time intensive bc he will have 3 APs, A&P, French 3 (at cc), and govt (1/2 credit at home).  I've been looking around online but haven't really found anything that would give him the 1/2 credit, exposure to web design & doable with his class load...  any suggestions/advice would be great!! Thank you

[Blue Tent Calc or any BT math- what's the set up?]

On 7/18/2020 at 6:36 AM, MamaSprout said:

It think coming from Derek Owens is fine. Dd said she had one topic on the pretest she had learned differently in how the answer was presented, but I don’t know that it was a DO topic. I’ll ask her when she gets up.

Thank you! Did you get a chance to ask your dd about it yet? 

[11th grade for 2020-21]

Our semi-finalized plans!

AP Calc BC (either BT or PAH)

AP Lit & Comp (PAH)

AP USH (PAH)

Anatomy & Physiology (local teacher, but online) OR AP Chem (not sure he can manage it though with along with the rest of the load)

French 3 (either online or local cc)

US govt (home, thought it would go nicely with APUSH)

(needs one more class either 1/2 credit or 1)... still mulling this one... 

Anyone know of a good web design class that's not too intensive? lol  (He took AP CS this year and liked it)

 

 

[Blue Tent Calc or any BT math- what's the set up?]

15 hours ago, Roadrunner said:

you will not regret her. Extraordinary teacher, fantastic class, challenging, top preparation for exam. She goes above and beyond. And yes, an AoPS kid loved her. I wish she taught other math classes. 

BC isn’t proof based, so somebody asked about AoPS calculus - follow up with AoPS. It will nicely complement.

 

Thank you for the reassurance! Ds has done Derek Owens for Alg 2 (honors) & Precalc, but not AoPS. So, would that be a deterrent?

Also, I looked around the BT website for the instructors email address because I wanted to ask her if she wrote recommendation letters. My ds wants to apply for NCI internship next summer (if it happens - up in the air bc of covid). The application & recommendations are due Oct - Dec and they require the recommendations are for student's current sci & math teacher.  I realize that's so early in the year to write a letter of recommendation for a student she barely knows, but idk how to get around that. And with online its even harder to really get to know kids (unlike face-to-face). Anyway, I was hoping I could contact her directly, but I guess I need to ask BT for her email (did I miss it on the website?)

Thanks!

[Blue Tent Calc or any BT math- what's the set up?]

I realize this is an older post from March, but I am looking for a AP Calc BC class for ds. My older kids have only had Susan Gilleran with PAH (many years ago)... but it's gotten so expensive. I just came across Blue Tent and they have BC & it's a little cheaper then PAH; I like that you can borrow the text for only the shipping cost. Has anyone had classes with Mrs. Shin Yen? Or can compare the Yen & Gilleran? Would you recommend one over the other? 

Thank you!

[Re: 2020- 2021 AP exams]

This has been on my mind too. This years APs were nerve-wracking for ds. Such a short amount of time to think, organize thoughts, write the answer and upload. When they first came out with the online-APs I was wondering about cheaters as well. I really hope there aren't as many out there as the teen-Vogue article implies! I just signed up ds for Math lvl 2 SAT Subject Test in end of August... all the 4 public schools near us were full so we have to drive 1 hr away - better then nothing. I'm hoping since SATs/SATII are being offered in-person again, so will APs next spring? I am really hoping PSAT will be offered in the fall since my son will be in 11th- So I called College Board to ask and got someone in the Philippines (whenever I call them I always get someone from the Indonesia or Phillipines) she said to register thru the college board website and if it gets cancelled, I can re-register for another the test date. I tried to explain to her that PSAT registration is done thru the ps and there's only one test date (and make-up date) ... smh

[AP Scores 2020]

Ds got his scores today too... It's a mixed bag :-/  AP Lang - 5 (yay!), AP Comp Sci A - 4, AP Psyc - 3 (He was disappointed bc he thought he did much better! 😞)  This definitely has been a weird year! Good luck everyone!

[Precalculus & AP Govt online recommendations]

6 hours ago, shburks said:

My son has done Geometry and Algebra 2 with DO. Our experience was complete opposite. Geometry took him forever and he breezed through Algebra 2 finishing the year early. He did every video and every problem that DO required but not anything extra. I’m not sure what you mean by “he did all the problems”—my son did the ones in the workbook and then the ones to turn in. Were there others  your son did?

were doing pre-cal with DO this fall and reviewing Algebra 2 this summer via Khan Academy. He’ll take Math 2 Subject test in the spring 

He did Honors Alg 2 so yes, he watched all the videos, every practice problem, all homework assignments along with all the extra honors assignments and honors test pages. His final grade was 96% so he did fine, but it took a long time for him. He doesn't want to do honors precalc next year! lol... 

[Precalculus & AP Govt online recommendations]

5 hours ago, MamaSprout said:

I have three precalculus books on my shelf (one is pretty new), and none of them have statistics included. Larson has a web section to cover that. It's not to say you won't find a class that will cover stats, but I would get a hold of a test prep book and see if it's maybe taught at more of an Algebra 2 level? Maybe it isn't really a precalculus-level topic? I think it's on our state's Algebra 2 standards, which is why they don't cover trig until precalc here.

ETA- it looks like the stats section might take 3 days to cover at the most. I guess I would find a class that works for your ds overall. Most precalc classes (including DO) cover some probability. I know you don't want him to self-study anything, but I think some subject test prep will need to happen. Very few classes prep for the subject tests (I've looked for Bio). Maybe choose the June date for the subject tests and focus on those after the AP exams in May? We're kind of in the same situation, but decided to do dual enrollment instead of APs this year.

Thanks for the post. Its good to know prob & stats won't take that long to self-study :) 

Honestly, I guess I'm hesitant with son doing DO for pre-calc because he got so ridiculously behind in Alg 2 this year! It might have been a combination of things (many videos, doing all the practice problems, self-pacing/getting sidetracked on the internet, etc) I've heard pre-calc is has many practice problems (too many?) Have your kids done DO for pre-calc? Did they do all the practice problems (along with homework problems?) What are your thoughts? Did they take the math level 2 subj test? How did they score? I don't mind him self-studying for the subj test. I just figured if I could find a precalc class that had that included it would be a bonus lol 😉

[Any feedback on TPS PreCalc and/or the instructor Lisa Crosby?]

On 4/15/2019 at 1:36 PM, yvonne said:

Hi, all,

Looking for an alternative for PreCalc for my dd for the fall if she can't do math at the local hybrid in the fall.  (They don't put out their schedule until August, so I never know till a couple of weeks before the year begins if the class we want will be available at a time we can use. ERGH!)

If anyone has had a student take PreCalc with TPS or take any other class with L.Crosby, please, please let me know what you thought!  We've never used TPS for math, but I've been happy with their English courses, for the most part.

Please PM if that's easier!

Thank you!

I was wondering if you signed up your dd for the TPS Precalc class? We are wondering the same thing! Thanks 

[Precalculus & AP Govt online recommendations]

52 minutes ago, fourisenough said:

Oh, and I agree with GoodGrief1 re: Derek Owens. DD did his Physical Science and Pre-Algebra. We did live Algebra 1, Geometry, and (will do) Algebra 2 with WHA. But for Pre-Calc onward, I think we’ll need an asynchronous class so we’ll migrate back to DO. I’ve heard especially good things about his Pre-Calc.

Yes, we used DO this year for Honors Alg 2. It was very thorough but ds said videos took a long time and he ended up getting waay behind. He also did all the practice problems, which I recently heard he didn't have to do? Do your kiddos do them all?  Since you did it live, do you live in the Atlanta area?

Also, DO said he doesn't teach the probability & statistics part that's on the Math Level 2 subj test. So, I was looking into WHA or Potters School since both of their PreCalc classes prepares students for Sat subj test. (He could learn it on his own, but he wants to take 3 APs next year and I would rather have it taught to him then leave it up to him when he'll already be studying for APs, though he will likely take the Math 2 subj test June 6)  Any thoughts? 

[Precalculus & AP Govt online recommendations]

25 minutes ago, fourisenough said:

Here’s a 36-week lesson plan provided by Thinkwell. Looks like there are 7 chapter tests plus a mid-term and a final exam. Not sure if there are quizzes. Obviously there is nobody to give feedback on free response questions/essays. I assume it could be completed in less than a full year, but I haven’t heard anyone say so! I’m also considering it for my DD .

Thank you!!  I can't seem to click on the attachment. Can you resend? Also where did you find the lesson plan? 

[Precalculus & AP Govt online recommendations]

On 7/14/2019 at 10:26 AM, GoodGrief1 said:

We used Derek Owns for precalc and Thinkwell US Govt. My daughter had great test results. That said, I always recommend getting a test prep book to help fill in any holes left by any given curriculum prior to the test.

Thanks. Di you dd use Thinkwell AP govt or regular govt course? I went to their website, but didn't see any details or info on how long it takes (1 or 2 semesters) or pacing guide, do they is there any tests/quizzes... not a lot of details listed. Can you provide any insight? (maybe I wasn't looking in the right place? hmm..?

Thanks!

[Precalculus & AP Govt online recommendations]

I'm searching for a thorough online pre-calculus class that prepares the student to take the SAT math level 2 subject test. Any recommendations?

Also, for the same child (10th grade) considering taking AP govt - any online providers or teachers you would recommendation that prepare the student well for the AP govt test? 

Thank you!

[Edhesive - AP Comp Sci A]

On 7/10/2019 at 3:24 PM, Julie of KY said:

My son did Edhesive AP Computer Science last year and made a 5. He found it to be an easy course. He did not have any interaction with the teacher except to ask how to unlock the tests. I did nothing to help him, it was all himself. 

He did not have any computer programming experience except Scratch.  Took 4 AP exams last year and though the CS course was by far the easiest.

Thanks Julie!

1) Since you took it last year ... who did you write as the instructor in the course description? (see my recent previous post to daijobu); Did you write "AP Computer Science A"? 

2) Also just curious, what grade was your son last year? And what APs & reg classes did he take? 

3) I'm trying to decide if my son (10th grade next yr) should do take AP Lang (PAH already signed up) , AP Psyc (PAH - not signed up) & AP CS (Edhesive) OR instead of AP Psyc do AP Govt (PAH or some other provider... not sure)... along with Precalc (need to find online provider that also prepares him for sat subject test math 2), french II (Potters School) and Chem (local teacher but online). So, any advice you can give for what AP he should take - psyc or govt? Also any AP providers you like (other then PAH - they're the only ones we've used) and if you have any recommendations for good/strong precalc (son used Derek Owens this year for Alg 2 honor - did really well, but he got super behind bc of self-pacing, and wants online component. Also I want class to prepare his for Subject test. I emailed Derek and they told me his precalc would have some gaps in prob/statistics for Sat 2.... so looking elsewhere ... ugh hard to make these decisions... 

Thank you!! 

[Edhesive - AP Comp Sci A]

3 hours ago, daijobu said:

Just FYI, it seems your info is more recent than mine.  My kids took the class 2 and 3 years ago.  Here's my course description.  I didn't teach the class because I really only know a tiny bit of Java and certainly not enough to prepare for the AP exam.  

 

AP Computer Science A

The course covers fundamentals of programming syntax and methodology using the Java programming language and prepares students for the AP Computer Science A exam.  At the end of this course, students will be able to design and implement solutions to problems by writing, running, and debugging computer programs, use and implement common algorithms and data structures, code fluently in an object-oriented paradigm using the programming language Java, be familiar with and able to use standard Java library classes from the AP Java subset, read and understand a large program consisting of several classes and interacting objects. Students also learn to read and understand a description of the design and development process leading to such a program, and recognize the ethical and social implications of computer use.

Partner: Edhesive 

Instructor: Rebecca Dovi

 

Thanks so much for the course description. Yes, I agree, I don't feel like I can put myself as the instructor because I'm not "teaching" son the class. But, the lady from Edhesive clearly wrote saying, "You will be the teacher associated with your son's course, so you should list yourself as such on his transcript. Rebecca Dovi is not an active instructor for the course - she designed the course and "teaches" through the videos, but she does not interact with the students." So... I'm a little confused and hesitant to write myself as the instructor because I'm doing none of the "instructing" only providing the letter grade based on the quizzes and tests and because I have not provided college board with approved AP syllabus. Though, I will include in the course description (like you did) Edhesive being the "partner". I guess I need to call college board and confirm. ?

[Edhesive - AP Comp Sci A]

Thank you all for the responses! Very good to know Edhesive did a good job in preparing your kids for the AP CS A exam. My friend's daughter took the course in 2017-2018 and came across errors/bugs in the code and it wouldn't run. Her husband had to help the daughter get thru' the course. But, I'm hopeful all this has been fixed and updated in the course. 

I think the biggest hurdle for my son (15, 10th grade next yr) will be time management with all his other classes (6 - 3 APs, Pre Calc, French II, Chem. I know he can do the work, but juggling all the assignments and keeping on track was an issue; this year - realized the hard way. I think he ends up looking at sports scores and likes looking a weather patters or storms coming up; (at least its not something worse! but still sucks time) Not sure how to get him to figure how to keep up with it all, when I try to help he says he's got in under control 😩 No I'm waffling whether to do 2 or 3 APs, but i know in 11th it will be even more of a challenge so maybe he should "bite the bullet" & figure it out next year?! Ugh....

Also, I emailed Edhesive and asked about how to write the course on my son's transcript. She said to write me as the teacher (not Mrs. Dovi) since they don't give out letter grades and she said the course is college board approved so 'AP Computer Science A' on transcript. Then I asked will College Board will be okay with that since I did not send in a AP syllabus for the class but giving the AP designation on the transcript? She told me to contact College Board student services, and they will have to advise me how to appropriately list it on his transcript. How did you all write it on the transcript & course description? 

Thank you for all the help!

[Edhesive - AP Comp Sci A]

I'm considering having my son (10th grader in the fall) take Edhesvie's AP Comp Sci A this coming year, and had some questions - 

1) Any pros/cons?

2) Did the class prepare your student very well for the class (of course son wants a 5 lol), I'm attracted to it because the cost is only $350 compared to other online providers. 

3) They said they don't provide a grade for the class. I want to give him a credit for the class, so on the transcript who did you put down as the teacher? (yourself)? I'm not sure how this works when the actually course materials are online, but no grade is given. 

4) Son doesn't have any prior coding experience with Java. Though he did take AP Comp Sci Principles this year (9th grade) and learned JavaScript, but his CSP online teacher said they're completely different programming languages. Would you recommend he take a java course before AP CS A? 

5) Son wants to take 3 APs next year (he's already signed up for AP Lang (PAH) , perhaps AP Govt (not signed up yet), and another one (deciding between AP Psyc or AP Comp Sci A)  Along with Chem, Precalc, French II  - both online. Sooo, if he enrolls in the Edhesive course but cant' manage/keep up, assuming he can stop & not take the exam and re-enroll another year if he wanted? (or can he pick up a java book and just call it java programming course for this year?) hope this makes sense! 

Thanks so much for the help & insight!

[Online classes leading to AP Language and AP Literature]

I was looking at Writeathome last night. I was wondering which high school writing class (annual) to start with because ds (9th next yr) wants to do AP Lang in 10th. Currently in 8th he's doing WHA Fund of Expository Writing and he's done Rod & Staff English 3-8. Writeathome recommends to start with high school 1 class, but I wonder if it will be rigorous enough?

 

Also, do the writeathome tutors help with teaching students to write concisely, eloquently, maturing their writing? (does this make sense?) Ds had had multiple writing classes that emphasize grammar usage, mechanics etc - now he needs to go to the next level.  

 

http://www.writeathome.com/high-school-composition-1-annual

http://www.writeathome.com/new-page-1/

 

Any advice from those who have btdt would be appreciated!!

 

Thank you!

[WHA Price Increases]

WOW! WOW! I was already shocked by the price increase of classes and didn't realize there was a student services fee too!  :confused1:

My son (8th) is taking the Fundamentals of Expository Writing Class and learning a lot. I was going to enroll him in the Fundamentals of Academic Writing next year, but now that class has jumped to $720 and on top of that $150 for his student fee = $890!!!!! 

 

Just can't justify that cost now because we are on a budget & I know son will take AP's and some CC down the road... so need to be wise with the finances. This is just really disappointing because son enjoys FOEW & and his writing has improved (cost was $650) 

 

From the WHA website "This fee covers a number of services including House Systems activities, registration & placement assistance, records maintenance & basic college advising" I really don't need all that- My son was put in Augustine House Junior and he hasn't even had time to participate in anything. Also, son's not planning to get a degree thru WHA or need college advising. Wish there was an option to opt out of all this stuff that some folks don't need and lower this fee. 

 

Can anyone suggest other good (cheaper) online alternatives for writing courses? that will prepare him for AP Lang or AP Lit in 10th or 11th? 

 

Thank you! 

 

[Logic of English - Q's]

thank you all -

 

So I should buy -

TM,

2 student books (1 cursive, 1 Manuscript) for both dc

Phonogram cards,

game book & cards (2 sets)

 

Since dd is in 5th do I the advanced phonogram cards also?

 

thank you again!

[LOF physics is here]

Thanks for the thread. I was going to purchase it for dd 11 yo, but she's doing CLP Math 5 alongside LOF , so I think we'll try Elemental Physics instead. Love LOF though...

 

Thanks!

[If you have used Singapore 5A to 6B and LOF.....]

Agreeing with the other posters. Our older girls completed Singapore through 6B, then straight into Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2, etc. We used LOF alongside, but only as a supplement. (when kids were in Singapore 6A/6B then did LOF Algebra (pre-Alg wasn't out yet), then when doing Algebra 1 (online) they also did LOF geometry, when doing geometry (online), did LOF Advanced Alg). We primarily used LOF b/c dc liked the stories and they both were in MathCounts; so having the extra math, helped them with those advanced math problems.

 

I've always considered LOF as a supplement to their main math program. IMHO, I would continue on with Singapore (it's just that good).

[Wed design courses- any recommendations?]

My son had Mr Connor for the Potter's School web design course (it was a two-year sequence when he took it). (Looks like it's too late to sign up for this school year.) We love Mr Connor. My son has a nice little side business producing websites for local businesses, authors, etc.

 

My son has also taken courses from Derek Otieno (used to teach AP Comp Sci for PA Homeschoolers); my son's best friend has learned web design from Derek. We love Derek too! I think I just heard it's not too late to start classes with Derek this year.

 

Everything I've mentioned is in the format of live, interactive classes. My son learns best that way.

 

Thank you for the advice. I'll see if Mr. Connor still teaches at TPS.

Also, does Derek Otieno have a website? My internet is having issues and it would be great to start something second semster.

 

Yes, my dd learns best with a live/interactive class too - keeps her motivated, involved and on track!!

 

Thank you very much!

[Logic of English - Q's]

Ladies,

Thank you SO much for your detailed reponses. The more I look at LOE the more I think it will be a GREAT program for my stuggling speller and enhance my youngers writing. Thank you for telling me what exactly to buy and what to forego. Money is tight (husband on medical disability), so I'd rather save some money and not buy all the cards & journal.

 

Just wondering if I only buy the phongram cards, game cards & book (as recommended above), do I need to make the other cards? Or are they optional?? (If I need to make them, it might be better to buy and save time(?)

 

Thank you again!

Sangita