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SS in MD

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Posts posted by SS in MD

    Logic stage history (early mod 1600-1850).... what are you using?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Have you looked at All American History? You could supplement with Kingfisher to pick up some of the world topics. Add in lit from world history, too.

     

    Chris,

    I did borrow my friends copy of AAH. It looked good. But, again, I didn't know what world history spine to use. We have Kingfisher History Encyclopedia (2004). Dc say its' too general. They want something more detailed yet engaging (sounds like SOTW! lol!!!). ANY thoughts on a good World text for 7th & 8th grade? help! I so want to figure this out!!!

     

    Thanks!

    Write with the Best - reviews?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    We're going to use it this year with my rising 5th grader. It is a highly recommended program and we're looking forward to it. I have heard good things about how well students writing progresses through the year. And, yes, it's a one year course. We're going to use it with HOD CTC this year and next year we're using Medieval Writing Lessons for HOD RTR. The author of HOD gives it a strong recommendation, and it's worked well for her sons.

     

    HTH! :)

     

    ~Momtofive

     

    Thank you for the info. I know WWTB is for a wide age group. But, do you think it's too young for 7th/8th graders? (who write well, but need polishing) Hope this makes sense!

     

    Thanks again

    Janice in NJ - About Tindall's - America

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Hi Janice,

    I read in a few previous posts you are using (or have used) George Tindall's America book (the one SWB recommends). My upcoming 9th grader will be studying 1600 - 1850 (early mod) and since it's recommended in WTM I'm really considering using it along with A History of Asia by Murphey (another SWB recommendation). Anyway, in an older post you mentioned a printed study guide for the Tindall book. Could you possibly tell me where I could find this? or an ISBN number?

     

    Also, do you think its not too over the top for a 9th grader to read?

     

    Thanks!

    Sangita

    dd(14),dd(12),dd(9),dd(6)

    Write with the Best - reviews?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I'm looking into writing curriculums for my 7th grade dd. Has anyone used Write With the Best (vol 1 & 2)?? What did you think of it? Any pros/cons? Did you find your dc writing improved? In what way? Did you use it daily & for how long?? Does each Vol take one yr to complete? Dd likes to write (especially creative writing), but I would really like to work on her style and writing more descriptively and eloquently...

     

    Thanks so much for any help you can give!

    Logic stage history (early mod 1600-1850).... what are you using?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Hi,

    Dd will start 7th grade and doing early modern history (1600 - 1850)... we've gone thru SOTW series, and used TOG for 2 yrs. Dd says TOG is OK... but would like something different... what are you all using for history? I looked at HO, but Van Loon doesn't appeal to me. Has anyone done WTM method (using Nat'l Geography Almanac, writing facts, outlining and further research of a topic)? I would *prefer* to buy a packaged curriculum (easier on me!) lol. But, I end up tweeking stuff anyway!!!!! Thanks for your help! I just want dd to learn more in-depth, but keep her history interest alive - ykwim?

    How does a student "qualify" for an AP class?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    I hear you!!! I'm absolutely floored that I never checked into something like this before. Now I'm thinking I need to revise everything I had already planned. :tongue_smilie: I'm imagining that even the texts would be free through these free virtual schools' date=' but I haven't seen anything in writing about that. I also need to find out how this works - can you just go on the computer and watch a lesson anytime you want, or are there specified class times. This opens up a whole new world I never thought about before. So far, the enthusiasm is only on my part - my dd isn't showing any interest. :tongue_smilie:[/quote']

     

    I PM'ed you...

    Stanford's EPGY courses

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Thank you all for your insight regarding EPGY! I appreciate it. I was also thinking of dd taking the beginning C programing class, but dh thinks it may not be wise to spend $$$ if she finds she's not interested in programming.... he thinks we should find a boxed curriculum and see how dd likes that.

    Thanks!

    How does a student "qualify" for an AP class?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    This is what I found available for Maryland in my link above:

     

    http://www.connectionsacademy.com/what-is-connections-academy.aspx

     

    I didn't click on how to register and all' date=' but it sure sounds like it's up and running! :)

     

    ETA: Sorry - you're right. It's still in development. I'd give them a call and see if it will be available for the 2010 school year. There is also the National Connections Academy. Is this available throughout the country, or is this also in development and part of the plan on national coverage within a couple of years?[/quote']

     

    Thanks for idea of calling the Nat'l Connections Academy - good idea. It would amazing if dd do do APs for free!!! I keep thinking APs will break the bank! lol and she isn't even in college yet!

    How does a student "qualify" for an AP class?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    I do believe in Rhode Island there is one and it is free. also http://www.nric-ri.org/virtual-learning-academy

     

    There is a federal law mandating that each and every state offer one by 2011? 2012? for free.

     

    My daughter has taken several Florida Virtual School online classes and they are as effective, if not more so, than traditional classroom teaching. The teachers are certainly better, IMHO!

     

    Also you may want to consider dual-enrollment/ dual credit....my daughter is a h/s rising senior and she is taking online college classes through Clovis Community College in NM. it is fully-accredited and credits transfer easily to practically almost any other college/university. An out-of-state student can take up to 6 credits--2 3 credit classes--at a time for only a total of $234- which includes online fees, application, etc. that is $234- total for the both classes, not each class. A real bargain and the instruction is BETTER (again, my opinion) than our local CC.!

     

    Thanks for the information.

    I didn't know every state has or will have free virtual high school class courses. Can you direct me to the federal law mandating this?? I'd like to read more about it. I checked the link (from another poster) for online high schools and unfortunately Marylands was in "progress"... oh well :-(

     

    About Clovis Community College, how did you hear about them? It's amazing that their tuition is so low. I looked them up online and a 3 credit hour course is $125 (non residents). That's incredible our local cc costs $438 for 3 credit hr course!

     

    I had a few questions about Clovis -

     

    1) You wrote in your post, "An out-of-state student can take up to 6 credits--2 3 credit classes--at a time for only a total of $234- which includes online fees, application, etc. that is $234- total for the both classes, not each class." Where did you find this out. I didn't see it online.

    2) Do you know why the cost is so low?

    3) How can I find out if these credits will transfer to 4 year college? (Sorry our oldest dd is starting 9th grade in the fall, so we're new to homeschooling high school! lol)

    4) Any online classes you would recommend?

     

    Thanks so much!

    Sangita

    dd(14),dd(12),dd(9),ds(6)

    Red Wagon DVDs

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Hi All,

    I've been reading various posts on Red Wagon Dvds for Apologia bks. Can someone tell me how you use these? Do you have dc read the text first then view the DVD? The lectures are long, it seems imho it would add a lot of time if you read & viewed? Why do you think these DVDs are worth buying? Just wondering since I've already purchased quite a bit and money is tight....

     

    Also, are virtual experiments included?

     

    How do these compare to DIVE Cds?

     

    Thanks so much!

    Sangita

    dd(14),dd(12),dd(9),ds(6)

    Favorite World History book for 7th-8th grade?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I'm using this series in conjunction with K12 HO. I use the K12 HO book as a read-aloud/overview and to guide progression, and then have them read the Oxford books independently. I just look at the TOC and figure out about how they line up. We're still in the Ancient World now.

     

    The Medieval/Early Modern World series covers from 400-1800; the first three volumes cover till about 1500 geographically (Europe/Africa & Middle East/Asia), then the second three cover various "Ages" many of which overlap in time and geography - Age of Empires, Age of Voyages, Age of Science and Revolutions.

     

    Each of the two series has a separate Primary Sources volume as well.

     

    If you were to use these exclusively, there are teacher/student pages. I've heard from others that the teacher pages are the more useful. I got the student pages for one volume just to see what it was like and was underwhelmed - apparently there's a lot more in the teacher pages. I'm using the K12 teacher/student guides instead.

     

    We used K12 HO last two years as well - great books. I wish Vol 2 was more detailed - it takes a sweeping trip from the MA to 1914... So, even though it's on my shelf I'm looking for something more in-depth (kids loved vol 1 & Vol 2 (read upto end of reformation). Thanks for the advice on the Oxford set. I'll see if we can swing the cost... Would you happen to know the ISBN for the teacher pages for the oxford bks?

     

    Thanks for your advice!

    Favorite World History book for 7th-8th grade?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Hi all!

    We're starting year 3 again (1600-1850) for 7th grade. We used TOG last year (Year 2 units 1 & 2), but for various reasons we I'm considering not using this year. I've been *really* closely reading WTM and would like to follow SWB's suggestion of a spine source- We'll probably use Nat'l Geographic Almanac of World History or DK's The Definitive Visual Guide. Anyone use either of these?? But, I would also like to have a more in depth book handy for further study and summaries. Anyone have a great world history book recommendation for 7th-8th grade?? Something that's detailed and a good read??

    (We already own K12 Human Odyssey series. It is written in a very engaging style, but not very indepth. Also tried Streams of Civilization - boring after reading SOTW!) I also have a few book titles in mind for US History books, but really coming up blank for world history... any ideas would be GREAT!

     

    Thanks!

    Sangita

    dd(14),dd(12),dd(9),ds(6)

    Stanford's EPGY courses

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Hi all,

    Have any of your dc taken courses thru' Stanford's EPY https://epgy.stanford.edu/overview/index.html? If they have what courses would you recommend or avoid? Are they really worth all the $$$? The only way we could afford these classes would be with financial aid. I'm specifically interested in the W11A-W11C Expository Writing for our oldest dd (14 yo)- https://epgy.stanford.edu/courses/english/W011/ - has anyone had experience in these?

    Do dc typically take 3 classes per year (1 per quarter?)

     

    Any advice on these classes or EPGY experience as a whole would be very much appreciated!

    Thanks!

    Sangita

    June SAT scores are in

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    My son did OK I guess. We would love to know how to boost his Critical Reading score at least, his math needs improvement and he'll be using the Chalkdust dvd and LOF over the summer for review. Any tips for boost CR?

     

    Critical Reading: 600

    Math: 590

    Writing: 690

     

    Though my dd is an 8th grader, I had her try the SAT in May. I just wanted her to experience a timed test and since it doesn't stay on her record there's no harm.

     

    I had her go thru' the College Boards Blue book one month prior, doing 1 section a day and the same checking her answers and reviews what she got wrong.

     

    After she came home from the test, she exclaimed the proctor was terrible - the lady put her feet up on the desk (wearing a skirt!), periodically whispered to another woman and stopped the clock 5 minutes early on the math section and subsequently gave them the 5 minutes later!!!! I told dd it's unfortunate that happened but good for her to experience these "up"s & "downs" now and realize even in a controlled environment things are out of our control and you have to keep focused.

     

    She got her results end of May and she scored very well! English has always been a strong subject for her so it was no surprise she scored 770 on writing. CR & Math were very respectible, but she has room for improvement. I'm hoping as she matures and reads more literature, current events CR will go up. Also, when I registered online for the SAT test I paid a little extra to receive the Question & Answer service- they send you a copy of the SAT exam along with dc answers, correct answers, and difficulty level. It also included math student-produced responses. I had dd review her answers that she got wrong. She realized on the math student produced answers she knew the right answer but filled in 2 incorrect bubbles... oh well... it's all a learning experience.

    The SAT booklet also has 4 different essays (one of them was the one for May). So, she was able to see what the other essays were - I'll keep them for practice in a few years! :)

     

    HTHs-

    Sangita

    dd(14),dd(12),dd(9),ds(6)

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