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ssexton

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Posts posted by ssexton

    CHALLENGE: does this city exist?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Nashville, TN!!!

     

    1. Mild winters (It can be super hot in the summer, we are used to it. But I cannot handle brutal winters) Occassionally we get some snow flurries in winter, but it seldom sticks.

     

    2. Culturally diverse (Moreso than just white people and black people. We have a Korean child and an Indian child so diversity is important to us. Also, the diversity of the city should be looked at as a positive thing by the residents, not a negative thing. :glare:) Nashville is little Kurdistan. There is a huge Kurdish population. There is also a huge Hispanic population. There are also large groups of Indians and Somalis. There is a large enough Chinese population to support a Chinese school and numerous Chinese New Year celebrations. There is a large Hindu Temple, a Baha'i center and a few mosques, but tons of Christian churches. I also know of at least one Korean Christian church in my area.

     

    3. Educated populace (I don't mean rich and snobby but I want to live around people who highly value education, the arts, politics, religion, speak in full sentences, etc.)

    Certainly true in south Nashville and Williamson county, but it is also true that these areas have higher income levels. Although even with higher income, I would never call the people of Nashville snobby.

     

    4. Socially conservative

    Nashville is definitely conservative.

     

    Does a place like this exist in America?

    Yes, Nashville!

     

    :iagree:Williamson County also has many homeschoolers and international adoption is very common.

    Trying to decide if I really NEED PAL reading and writing.

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I would say if you have already started Phonics Pathways that you would probably be best to continue with it (even as much as I love PAL!). I originally purchases PAL for my dd6 even though she was already making her way through AlphaPhonics. Most of PAL reading is way too easy for her (although it does provide some good review for phonograms),

     

    :iagree:

     

    Yes, I agree with this. It is easy for Gran right now, but I appreciate the phonograms review. But, there's more to PAL than just reading and so I feel like he's still learning...

     

    We are working through ElizabethB's phonics videos this summer, so I'm really at a loss as to how PAL will fit when we start up again this fall. We just may move quickly through the lessons. We'll see...

    Trying to decide if I really NEED PAL reading and writing.

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Aime,

     

    You need to come over and check out my copy! We did just a couple weeks before breaking for summer, so I don't have a lot of thoughts on it just yet. Do you need it? I don't know. Phonics Pathways is good! PAL gives you more hand holding with handwriting. There are little mnemonic devices to help them remember how to write the letters, including a helpful way of distinguishing b's and d's and plenty of practice. It uses different poems to cover topics like rhyming, homophones, phonograms, etc...It schedules in spelling (but you'd need AAS 1 at some point). If you plan to use IEW, it seems to transition smoothly to SWI-A (though it sounds like you're leaning more toward WWE). I think it starts off a bit slow, especially if you've gotten very far into PP. Gran likes, but isn't crazy over, the farm stickers. I think it's very clever, though!! If you have any specific questions, let me know. It seems extremely thorough and very well thought out. But, again, we haven't gotten very far into it. :)

     

    It does take more time, but the lessons can easily be broken down into different sessions or done over two days.

     

    Really, you are welcome to come see it, or pm me and maybe we can meet somewhere. :)

     

    Shannon

    If you've done several AP classes in high school...

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    What did your 4 year schedule look like? My son is going into 8th grade this fall, and I'm trying to map out a plan for high school incorporating several AP classes. It's so new to me and I'm feeling overwhelmed! I don't know what years to plan AP classes...10th grade? 11th? Can he take any sooner? Is 12th grade too late?

     

    Here's what I have planned for next year (8th grade)--can you give me some idea of what we can shoot for over the next several years? Do I need to change some plans, maybe a different history? Add subjects? Refocus? When do science class APs fall?

     

    Next year:

    English (Writing and literature at home using WttW, WTM reading list and other things I pull together)

     

    Math--Alg. 1 at tutorial (using Larson text)

     

    Science--Apologia Physical Science at tutorial

     

    Latin 1 --Cambridge Latin w/National Latin Exam at tutorial. This is a high school level class with mainly 9th -12th graders)

     

    History--Notgrass America the Beautiful; Critical thinking in US history

     

    Logic--Memoria Press?

     

    Others: Bible, golf, CAP, maybe Greek...

     

    This child is very strong in history, and is continuing to improve his writing skills. He is wanting to study German starting in 9th grade. Thanks for your help!!

    Which should be done first, WttW or LLfLR?

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    Robin, thanks so much for your reply! It sounds like WttW might be the best for next year. He has the basics of expository essay writing down, and he has written a few literary analysis papers, but he's not solid on annotating, and I think he needs more practice. I think a solid, clear review on the process would be helpful before moving on. We'll be finishing up American history this year, and I think I'd rather do LLftLOTR when we're back in Ancients/medieval time period. Not necessary I'm sure, but it just seems somehow more appropriate. :)

    It's always hard on Mondays.

    in The Learning Challenges Board

    Posted

    Right there with you! My ds12 and dd11 can't be in the same room together any more without arguing, it seems. And the dsalmost7 is going to drive me crazy with the whining and complaining. Almost everyone has lost privileges around here, so now they are walking around bored and driving me crazy. I'm going to either put them to work or send them all to their room. Vent over. Thanks!

    S/O Circe/Classical Ed: Deliberate Literature Studies....

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

     

    Thank you! I'm wanting to put together a study on Anne of Green Gables that incorporates Canadian history/culture. My dd11 is wanting to learn more about Canada. I think we'll start with The Annotated AGG.

    Help me decide if I want to use IEW's PAL.

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Is an hour for the reading and writing portion realistic?

     

    PM'ed you about the VL! :D

     

    You know, my guy's going to be 7 in May, and I'm really wanting to make Lang. Arts a bigger focus this next year. He desperately wants to be able to write and spell more fluently. So, for us, I think the hour is doable. For a younger, wiggly child maybe not. Maybe the lessons could be broken up when/if needed?

    Help me decide if I want to use IEW's PAL.

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Oh, Aime, I'm in the same boat with my K'er. We are using PP and ETC, and it's getting the job done but definitely not exciting. I was already thinking of going to AAS for first grade--so this might work well for us. Arg...I am just itching to buy some new curriculum (this and Lost Tools of Writing) and I just really shouldn't spend the money right now...

    Best spelling prog for an older struggling student

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Apples & Pears spelling!

    It is totally different and designed for struggling spellers. It is not babyish at all. There is a placement test on their website. Go to the Special Needs board and search Apples & Pears. You will see how good the results are from the users. It is the best spelling program I have ever used!

     

    :iagree:completely! Apples and Pears has been amazing for my son, who is now 12. He's working on book D now, and his spelling has improved dramatically.

    Which Algebra I would you recommend for my son?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Will you be doing any of the teaching, or will it all come from these sessions with the tutors?

     

    Well, it would have to come from the tutors. In order for me to help, I'd have to relearn it with my son. That would be possible with algebra, but not much higher, I'm afraid. Math is not my area of expertise, so I'd like for him to learn from someone who is an expert, and concentrate my teaching in areas I'm more comfortable. I have looked at Saxon, and it does not make sense to me at all. I don't think I'd be much help with that one, but I could supplement with Saxon Teacher or Dive. I don't know much about the other programs.

     

    Thanks!!

    Which Algebra I would you recommend for my son?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

     

    I hope you don't mind me asking this over here--my ds will be an 8th grader next year. We will be using a tutor next year for math, but I'm having a hard time deciding which one, based on the program each will be using. My ds is finishing CLE7 this year, and has benefited from the spiral nature of the program. He's a fairly strong student, but a bit careless at times. I have several options available:

     

    2x a week using Larson (McDougal Littell) at local tutorial

     

    2x a week using Lial's online tutor

     

    1x a week (but for 1.5/2 hours) local tutor

     

    I believe all of these tutors are great--I'm just wondering about the material itself and which would be the better fit. We've never used Saxon at all, and I've heard it can be difficult to start at Alg. 1. But maybe with the right teacher?

     

    Thanks so much for your thoughts!

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