steppingstonemomma
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Posts posted by steppingstonemomma
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Yes, I was pleasantly surprised, especially because she absolutely hated Saxon and did terrible with it. I guess something stuck. Or she guessed really well on the assessment test... lol!
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Is there a big list of STEM opportunities (camps, internships, etc) somewhere? If not, can we start on one here? I am specifically looking for engineering related opportunities.
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Ok, thanks everyone!
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My son finished Saxon 1 (used Art Reed dvd's) and is now doing Geometry with Derek Owens. He is headed to Aerospace Engineering and I want to be sure he is REALLY solid in his algebra. (Puberty hit last year and though he is bright, there was a lot of other stuff going on in his head...)
I am trying to figure out if there is some kind of general test or assessment that I could give him so I know whether he needs an Alg 1 bootcamp/refresher before Alg 2. DO has a little bit of Alg 1 review built into the Geometry but I'm not sure if it is enough. Any opinions?
And, if he does need an alg 1 refresher, is there anything online that I could sign him up for that would be just a few weeks instead of a full year or semester?
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Hmm.. It's just called Liberal Arts Track 2...
I'm really confused... Here's the website if you don't mind taking a look...
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My sophomore dd is signed up for the spring semester for the highest remedial math class. She is one point away from testing into college level math courses, but we decided to give her a semester of remedial math just to help build her confidence since she has been homeschooled all the way through and has never even been in a classroom. I am surprised she tested as high as she did because she literally JUST finished Saxon Algebra 1 two days before she took the Accuplacer test. (Personally, I am leaning towards her being a good guesser!LOL! Math is not her strong suit by any means)
I am curious as to what the course description would translate to if we were doing math at home. Is it Algebra 1 review or will she be getting new info such as Alg 2?
(She gets her terrible math skills from me, so that's why I need to ask! LOL!) The next course she would take would be "Contemporary Math" or "Statistics". She is planning on going into nursing in the future.
Here's the course description:
Course Description:
This course provides students with a foundation necessary for study in a college level math course. It includes the study of polynomial factoring, quadratic equations, rational expressions, rational equations and applications, radical expressions, radical equations and applications. The use of technology is integrated throughout the course. May not be used for graduation credit. Course includes 28 lecture hours. This course requires outside class time for testing in the Test and Assessment Center. Prerequisite: qualifying score on the math assessment or MATH 022. -
Here is my dd's first research paper. This is her second revision. I am wondering two things...
1. Can anyone offer any advice on the writing?
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2. Dh thinks that we should have her dual enroll this upcoming spring semester for English 101. I am all for it because I don't feel like I can teach her anything else, but I don't feel confident that she is at college level ability yet. According to the assessment test for the CC she tested into Eng 101, but I am just doubtful. She is in the summer Informative Research Paper workshop from Write @ Home and this is her first time being evaluated by someone other than me. I just have NO frame of reference as to whether she is doing well or miserably!
Ok, here it is..formatting is all messed up...
The Tarahumara’s Transition to City Life
Little girls in brightly colored traditional clothing are a common sight in the city of Chihuahua. Their families have come from the Sierra Madre farther west in the mountains. Over the years Tarahumara culture has changed from a primitive life in the caves on the side of the mountains to a more modern lifestyle as they have transitioned to city life.
First, consider the history. The Tarahumara are one of the largest indigenous people groups in both Americas. (Geographic, 07) They are a Uto-Aztec tribe which used to inhabit all of north, central Mexico. To this day they have maintained their independence and identity. During the European conquests some native groups disappeared because of enslavement and interbreeding. The Tarahumara, however, prospered.
In the past, the Tarahumara’s first contact with the Spaniards were with the Jesuit missionaries in 1607. They introduced the Tarahumara to Catholicism and provided them with plows, axes, sheep and goats, which allowed them to advance their culture slightly. Though the Jesuits provided the Tarahumara with many new things to make their lives easier the Jesuits were not the kindest neighbors. There were several uprisings which soon caused the Tarahumara to retreat to the Sierra Madre which is in Northern Mexico, approximately 4 hours from Chihuahua City.
The Sierra Madre means “Mother Mountains†which is a fitting name because they are very in tune to nature. The Sierra Madre is over 8,000 ft bigger than the Grand Canyon. The copper canyon which is part of the Sierra Madre has been cut by the Urique River to the depth of 5,000ft. The Tarahumara live in both the canyon and the plateau country. On the plateau the land is broken and rough causing farming to be very difficult.
This is evidenced in the way the Tarahumara live in small houses made of adobe, wood or even rock which are built into the side of the mountain. On the plateau area one Tarahumara family lives in a compound or rancho. Since they enjoy seclusion they live far distances from each other. (Chad Rizzuto, 09) The houses are dark because of no windows. A rancho consists of one to two rooms made of logs, granary, or rough boards. There is a small chicken coop and a goat corral. Inside the house there is very little furniture. There is no stove, chairs, or tables. There is a crude bench a board laid across two stumps. There is a metate which is a flattened stone to grind parched corn. There is no piped water or sink but a small well or river nearby. For bedding there are cowhides, sheepskin or a straw mat thrown down on the hard tramped earth. For growing families they enlarge their houses by leaning boards against the outside. Crops are grown in small pockets of decent soil. Grown there are beans, squash, potatoes and a small orchard. The animals that are on the little farm are goats, cattle, chickens and sheep.
Yet, they do not always stay in these homes. Sierra winters are harsh, so in the fall, Tarahumara travel down the mountain into secluded caves and canyons to brave out the winter months because the lower elevation is warmer. In the Spring they go back to their original homes closer to the top.
Because of this need to travel up and down the canyon, the Tarahumara have become known as amazing runners. They also need physical endurance to run the distance between ranchos to visit with family and friends. All boys and girls begin running early by running after stray cattle and goats. Because they run so much the Tarahumara hold famous footraces up to 100 miles. The races are called Ralajipame which means foot throwing game. As the runners run children will throw balls or hoops that the runners must kick into small obstacles as they go. (Kennedy, 90, 13-39) The runners race either barefoot or in sandals made out of tire rubber. Most races are only for men but some girls hold their own competitions. Once the first man has crossed the finish line he would have run for about 14-15 hours.
In addition to running, music is a very big part of Tarahumaran culture. Even the most common task holds higher meaning when music is in the air. During all their festivals or holidays there is always music. They play hand carved violins while dancers in full, flowy skirts dance with rattles. During other times they play three holed flutes combined with small handheld drums. They believe that music can make them holier.
Furthermore, Tarahumaran’s follow animistic beliefs. They believe that they were created by God and everyone else was created by the Devil. Since, racing is very important to Tarahumaran culture, they believe there was a great race between the Devil and God. After the big race the Devil was pronounced winner which caused the Chabochi’s to rule the earth producing hardships for the Tarahumarans. The Tarahumarans, however, can face any hardships because they will rule in heaven. Perhaps this lead to the conflict between the Tarahumara and the Chabochis. (Chad Rizzuto, 09)
Their seclusion offers little knowledge of the outside world. This appears to create an insular people who can care for their physical needs but who have little understanding of more sophisticated matters. “The Tarahumara regard work necessary for survival but lack intrinsic moral merit of their own.†(Karen Font and Cynthia Gorney,11)
The challenges of their environment led the Tarahumaran families to seek easier lives, however they did not seem to fit in with the other Mexicans. The transition was and still is hard for the Tarahumarans because they are ill equipped to succeed in the city. This time of transition is even harder than the time in Tarahumaran history when the Jesuits kicked them out of their Uto-Aztecan tribe. It was easier to just move and not have to change the way they lived and not have to learn a new language. Since the move to the cities, they have had to mesh with Mexican culture and learn Spanish in order to survive.
Though Tarahumaran’s have just recently started spreading out to different cities, they originally lived throughout Chihuahua state, which to this day holds the most Tarahumarans. “The CDI lists a total of Tarahumaran population is 124,947 as of 2011â€(Chris Nickerson,11)
Since Mexicans dislike Tarahumarans, they are not privileged to the same rights as Mexicans. For example “83.7% indigenous people are without access to health servicesâ€(Chris Nickerson,12) In the city the Tarahumara accept the ways of the Chabochi’s but still keep aloof from them.
Unfortunately, the government of Chihuahua barely tolerates Tarahumarans.(Chris Nickerson,11) The Government set up communities to segregate from Mexicans. The community is a 4 block square sometimes less. Approximately, 200 people are crammed into the four blocks of government provided housing.(Chris Nickerson,11) The 10X10ft cinderblock or scrap metal houses often are homes to 15-20 family members. Furniture is often limited to a small fire ring and some blankets on the floor. Electricity and running water are very scarce throughout the community.
In the midst of this poverty, alcoholism and drug abuse are rampant. In fact, it is common for men, women and even children to be addicted to drugs. According to Chris Nickerson, a missionary to the Tarahumarans in the city, “Many children are physically and emotionally neglected by their parents.†(Chris Nickerson,12) Some of this neglect appears right away, as many mothers will not name their children for over a year. Reasons for this may include the parents not wanting to emotionally attach to these children perhaps hoping to ease the pain should the child die.
Clothing for women has not changed from the Sierra to the city. The woman’s clothing includes a traditional skirt made of lots of heavy fabric reaching all the way to her ankles. The whole outfit is worn with sandals made out of rubber tire and rawhide. Men’s clothing has changed for the better. In the Sierra he would wear a loincloth without a shirt, sandals, and a colorful headband. In the city they dress like cowboys down to the hat and boots. In the beginning children wore traditional clothing but organizations and even the government have provided second hand clothing and shoes for children.
Traditionally, in order to earn a living, women make handcrafted items to sell. Normally the crafts are pottery, blankets, weaving, basketry and jewelry. Many small children, often only 2-4 years old, are sent out all day to beg in the streets. Many Tarahumarans believe that the Chabochi’s owe them money until it is their turn to rule heaven. This way of thinking is called Kerima.(Chad Rizzuto,09)
Generally, most of the Tarahumarans have kept the same beliefs from the Sierra. Two communities however have been greatly affected by a protestant missions group. These missionaries have set up a Tarahumaran church in the middle of one of the communities and a children’s afternoon program called Light Shine in both of them. This program teaches hygiene, social/ emotional skills, educational help (tutoring), a meal, and most significantly an introduction to a belief in Jesus and Christianity.
Due to this there have been great changes in both communities. Children are learning basic body hygiene which has caused a decrease in illnesses. They are learning about healthy relationships by honoring their parents, showing love to each other and learning right from wrong. Children are attending school more regularly and are succeeding in reading and writing. Their bodies are healthier due to a nutritious meal served twice a week.
Lastly, many of the children are changing spiritually. A handful of children recently converted to Christianity and publically announced it by baptism. Their lifestyle is showing evidence of this change.
Over the years Tarahumara culture has changed from a primitive life in the caves on the side of the mountains to a more modern lifestyle as they have transitioned to city life. This change has created a third distinct culture amongst the city Tarahumarans.
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Bummer. Ok, thanks. What else is out there other than Derek Owens and Teaching Textbooks that grades the Geometry?
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I have just briefly looked into this, but I can't find anywhere if it grades your student's work. It shows that it tracks their progress and struggles but I can't figure out how it does this if it isn't grading the work. Just confused....
And, any personal advice on this program? It looks new, is it?
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So do you feel that Apologia Chemistry (the intro level) would sufficiently prepare them for Chem 101 at the community college? I had been thinking that instead of trying to do Adv Chemistry another year in high school that we would just dual enroll when we got to that point. Or do you think they will need the Adv Chem in order to be prepared for the CC Chem 101?
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I'm wondering what a typical lab report looks like in your homeschool.
Do you make your students type up all the lab materials and type out the procedure that the book says to follow?
How long must the whole report be?
Which headings do you require?
What specific things are you looking to be in it?
How do I grade it?
Is it typed or handwritten?
Written in past tense or present? Active or Passive voice? Does it matter? LOL!
Anyone want to share a sample of a typical high school lab report? You can PM me.
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Now, a follow up question. How close to this kind of a lab report did you expect of your students in high school. Frankly, these links look terrifying and I have no idea how I'd teach my kids to do this. So what did a reasonable high school lab report look like in your house?
I'm going to cross post on the HS board....
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Ok, here's the situation. My 10th and 9th graders are going to be taught Chemistry next year by my father in law. He is a high school biology teacher by profession, but has through the years taught homeschool classes in Bio, Chem and Physics. He is an awesome teacher (passionate and knowledgeable) and I am so excited for my kids to be at the age where they will learn formally from him.
Here's the rub. I want my kids to be SUPER prepared by this Chemistry class. One is going into nursing and the other into engineering. They are both pretty average students BUT this class is going to be the one we put the most focus on this year.
My fil wants to use the Apologia Chemistry book since that is what he is most familiar with from teaching hsers through the years. I mentioned to him that I wasn't confident that Apologia Chem covered all the topics (I've read a LOT of threads on this forum!) that a rigorous Chem class would. He is fully open to supplementing (and even using another book if I find that I really want to. Although I don't think I will do that to him since he already has all the tests and lecture notes for Apologia.)
He is coming over tomorrow night to lay out the syllabus and discuss. He will have the BJU Chem table of contents with him, and he's going to stop at the library and see if he can find some college level Chem 101 texts.
So, finally to my question....
What topics does the hive feel like Apologia Chem either doesn't cover fully enough or at all?
And, are there any topics that are, due to modern discovery or whatever, actually inaccurate?
Any other comments?
And here's a stupid question that shows how LITTLE Chemistry I understand. He said that this is Inorganic Chemistry. Is that correct? I just want to make sure he and I are on the same wavelength! I love the man but sometimes he can be flighty- "absent minded professor"- like.
Thanks for anyone who can offer help!
Tiffany
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I'm trying to figure out an approximate schedule for the day. We've been using Saxon Alg 1, but are switching to Jacob's Geometry (through Derek Owens) next year. So approximately how much time during each day did your child take to do Jacobs Geometry?
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Would anyone be able to send me (Or post) a sample of what a typical lab report looks like for a first or second year college student taking either a Chemistry 101 or Biology 101?
I just need some frame of reference to know what to expect my students to work toward. Even though I took those classes, surprisingly we never did lab reports!
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I have a soon to be 10th, 9th, and 8th grader (among others) that I am trying to stay organized with? I am looking for ideas on how to keep myself orderly for the next 4-8 years! Right now I just have a big binder with page dividers for each child and pockets that I keep shoving stuff into. But it is quickly not working!
I have everything in there....from my 4-5 year planning sheets for each child, local community activity ideas or contact info, course descriptions from past years and ideas for future years, community service hours records, umbrella school handbook and record sheets, dual enrollment info for 1-2 years away, college brochures of interest, and tons more....
I'm sure I'm overthinking this (I always do) but I also need some inspiration...
So how do you organize the high school years? Binders? How do you divide the tabs? File folders? Accordian Files? Do you organize per child? Per grade? Per subject? Per college?
(BTW, I'm not talking about any of the actual work that my kids produce. For that we have porfolios we assemble each year for each child so that is easy.)
So, inspire me!
Tiffany
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Has anyone used the Apologia Chemistry book (not Adv. Chem) and been able to do well on the SAT2 Chemistry test? I am under the impression that the more SAT2 tests he can take the better his admission chances are at University of MD CP's aerospace program. He will be 9th grade this year and I was wondering if he could take the test at the end of the year or whether we should wait and do the Advanced Chemistry book in Senior year and then take the SAT2 test...
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I am trying to piece this together because I don't have the $$ to buy new from Sonlight. But I'm a little confused as to whether I need to have the 9th edition High School Printing in order to use the Sonlight Workbook and Diary supplement. Or can I just buy the college text that says 9th ed?
Or does anywhere else sell this for substantially less? I've already checked the For Sale boards and can't get any psychology to show up in the search at all.
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In the older editions of Saxon, how many lessons into the Advanced Math book would a student need to go in order to have covered all the topics needed for a Geometry credit?
I am wanting my son to finish the Algebra 2 book but want to make sure he's had enough geometry. Then I'm going to switch him to a traditional Precalculus program so he gets enough of the trig. I have read here that there isn't quite enough Trig in the Adv Math book to prepare him for Calc 2. He is going into engineering so I want him to be well grounded. Anyone agree or disagree with this plan or the comment about lacking the trig??
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We've never used BJU for History or Science but will be next year. Admittedly, I don't have the Teacher's manuals yet (still looking for used!) I kinda want to get on writing out the syllabus. So do you plan on 1 chapter of the history book per week? Do you do all the Student Activity pages or just read and answer the section questions?
And is science the same as far as 1 week= 1 chapter?
Do you do the test on Friday or give until Monday?
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Well, I didn't get any responses, but I figured that I'd post what I decided to do in case it helps someone. I went with HS Comp 2. Mainly because I wanted my son to get an overview of the 4 kinds of writing, essay 1 class and a research paper class, but all in a one year course with continuity (as opposed to signing up for multiple workshops). I spoke to the guy from Write @ Home and he said that if needed, we could switch course levels. He also said that HS comp 1 is NOT a prerequisite of HS 2....So I feel a little better about that.
So, we shall see...
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I found that doing an in person class (co-op) worked better than online. The desire to please the teacher (or not be embarrassed in front of peers) was more motivating than a virtual person on a computer screen. YMMV.
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I am looking at both HS Comp 1 or 2
Alternate BJU History tests?
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
We are using BJU American History this year (both high school and middle) for the first time after many years of classically implemented history. It is going "ok" but I REALLY hate the tests. In fact we stopped doing them after chapter 3 and have just been doing all the section reviews, chapter reviews and activity pages. BUT, one of my whole reasons for switching to a textbook approach was to teach study skills, which obviously isn't happening if I don't give the tests! LOL! So does anyone know of (or has created) alternative history tests for either of these books?