Yes, sorry, my posts are a bit vague. I was speaking of the ACT test. I did look through the book a bit more and do see that proofs are done in Advanced Math, just not every lesson like TT does. My ds just told me that proofs are very annoying to do and to avoid them at all costs. ;) Anyway, I know that Saxon has enough, that's for sure. I think we will stick with Advanced Math for now. I don't really want to learn a different way; we have always liked the review in Saxon. Not sure if TT has enough of that. And I don't like their bumpy looking lines they use for the geometric shapes in the textbook. I like the clear, crisp looking lines in Saxon. :) Thanks for your post!

Anyone? Any thoughts on this? I looked at Teaching Textbook just now and it looks way easier. I see a couple big differences. In Saxon, what my dd has learned already is all over the board as to the contents of TT Geometry. And there is no algebra, of course, and it seems there are gobs of proofs that the student does in every lesson. Is Saxon different in regards to writing out proofs? The solution manual doesn't look at all like TT as I don't see any proofs detailed, but maybe it's just written differently? Please help if you can; I'm in foreign territory with this stuff as my son did upper level math by himself. But my dd and I are doing this together and I don't want to get in over our heads. Algebra 2 was a stretch for us and I had hoped Advanced Math would just gel everything, but instead, it looks like a big complicated ordeal. :glare:

My dd is at the beginning of Saxon Advanced Math and I'm starting to wonder if this will get way too hard for her pretty soon and too light on reviewing algebra. She has done Saxon Algebra 1 and 2, but with this book I was hoping for the kind of review every day of what she's already learned, but it looks like that kind of algebra fades at about Lesson 40. I do want her to keep it fresh until she tests sometime in the late spring of next year. My question is do I need to supplement this book with maybe some of Algebra 2 again? Or do the heavier concepts in this book use what she learned in Algebra 2 and reinforce it that way? I'm not a math person and so I'm just not sure. I have Teaching Textbooks Geometry in case we have to bail, but I don't want to if at all possible.

Excellent advice! I showed my dd your post and she is now going to contact her teacher and ask that very question. And I figured out the other problem (thanks to Ann, I searched Google again and found more detailed instructions). So, I guess we're all set. Thanks, Janice, for that little nudge; I needed it! Margo

We have Windows 7. I tried going to the control panel and then adding French to the English, but I think I'm missing something with the International keyboard. Can't seem to find that as a setting. I'll try googling it too and see what I can find. Thanks for writing.

This is our first year doing French (my dd is in French 1). I am technically challenged I guess as this is driving me batty. I know after we get through this week all will be well, but I have a couple questions and don't want to keep bothering Madame S and thought of you guys! We cannot get the keyboard to work for us (have changed it, but it doesn't seem to want to work how it's supposed to). This isn't a big deal as my dd will just use the Alt/number method for now. Did you get your keyboard to work for your student? How do we upload her assignment for chapter one? Does she have to retype all that out again or could I scan the page or what? Thanks for any help on this, Margo

I just wanted to mention that Teaching Textbooks hold their value very well. So much so, that you could buy them used on eBay for the same cost you would actually end up reselling them for. (I don't use TT, but just wanted to give that comment about their upfront cost.) Oh, and it's not just a computer program as some don't even use the CD's. And then some students just use the CD's. Guess it gives the student some flexibility. Anyway, there are lots of great ways to teach math out there. Good luck finding the one that works best with YOUR student. :)

Or those who attend a Christian college in order to find a husband. The quest for education is secondary. Literally.

I figured out how to edit it! I feel so much better now; that was really bothering me. Kinda like I misspelled something. Now.....did I do the plural right....better go look it up. :001_smile:

Geez, I guess I need to read the credits a bit better. I wondered why Josh Harris (young guy, isn't he?) would write an article where he has older kids. Thanks for pointing that out in such a kind way. ;)

My ds is going the whole way with testing and just a handful of online classes (and he did do 2 dual credit classes in high school). He even took the GRE in Literature and received 18 credits (many of them upper level). Right now, he is a few credits away from his degree, all for under $5K. He is preparing to go on for his MBA next year. :) This course isn't for everyone, but has suited his needs. If your student wants to go the regular route, then my research has shown that a 30 credit limit is the general norm. Whatever you do, any amount of CLEP's or other methods of testing really does take down the final bill of a 4 year degree. ;)

My ds did say that he wasn't trying to tell me anything, just that he thought the moms (and dads) here might like to read this article. We also had a good conversation about how many of these points of concern can happen in any family, not just in homeschooling ones. :001_smile:

http://www.joshharris.com/2011/09/homeschool_blindspots.php My ds just sent this article to me. I wonder if he was trying to tell me something. Hmmmmm.

I second the suggestion of taking CLEPs. There is another one called DANTES/DSST that is very similar, except you can receive a grade depending on the test and some are upper level credits. My ds just took another one this morning on The Civil War and got 3 of those upper level credits (not lower level ones, which are the ones CC gives out). He also got an A added to his transcript! I think it took him an hour to complete the test (but, of course, many more in studying for it). :D

The first chapter has one of the most awful yet beautiful descriptions of what those people went through that I have ever read. I have tried to get through this book a few times now and never have made it through the first couple of chapters. I believe it is the second or third one that really gets to me. Lots of swearing (the big, ugly words) and a big put down on religion (particularly a small town pastor if my memory serves me right). I know Sonlight uses it in Core 400 so it can be done in high school. I don't think it's necessary though. There are plenty of books that cover that time frame. Out of the Dust comes to mind. I loved that book for it's poetic quality. One more thing. After reading that first chapter in The Grapes of Wrath, something like 3 times now, I never have gotten tired of it, and since you are asking and I do need a new book to read, I think I'll give it another try. Yet again. ;)

I've been away from the PBS early morning thing for so long now that I don't even know what Cailou even is. ;) And I must say that I am very glad to have that load off my shoulders. It was bad enough when they came out with Teletubbies. Ugh, what an insipid show. :glare:

Well, finally, a study that validates my concerns over this dumb show. We even know adults who watch it. Gotta wonder what it does after many years of viewing. :001_huh: Maybe they will do that study next. ;) http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/09/12/watching-spongebob-can-lead-to-learning-problems/

I would say that it depends on your son. My ds would have been fine, but no way would my dd have made it through. I've had many MRI's without sedation. It was a strain on me, depending on how the MRI was given (my last one was a piece of cake as I sat in the machine and watched TV!). Personally, knowing my experiences, I would probably do the sedation for my child (even for my ds just because how the sedation would make it easier on HIM). I so know what you mean about the safety of it though (my dd had surgery when she was 9 months old and trusting someone else with your child is the hardest thing to do). These places do that sedation all the time and it's not a deep IV type sedation. It won't give any side-effects. I do believe that if you opt for no sedation and your ds gets antsy in there, they can still do the sedation at that point. This could be an option for you. I'll be praying for you and your ds. God will take care of him....and you. Margo

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Well, I'm hesitant to write this too. I don't want to be the only dissenting vote. We did AHL last year, at least part of it. I too struggled with all the jumping around in Exploring World History. I understand trying to line everything up, but it didn't help with the continuity of the course as a whole. We have always done something like this (with Sonlight), so that part wasn't a problem to me, but jumping around INSIDE the text was bothersome. It sounds like you are having issues with ALL the resources being meshed together though. My dd also needed more help with writing than MFW gives. And the literature was a bit boring for her (think Mara, Daughter of the Nile compared to the Epic of Gilgamesh.....). The bible reading looked wonderful, but she got behind early on so that was scraped. I had wonderful intentions and even considered doing the second part this year, but have shelved that idea. Well, we are doing part 2 of World History, just in another way. I don't have the issue of my dd thinking someone else could do a better job though; that would be tough. Maybe that is where this all stems from and not just the curricula. Your son sounds capable of getting it done, but possibly you both need something like BJU with their teacher's manuals or Sonlight where it's written to the parent (and the student now). Or maybe just keep at MFW. Just think about what will work FOR YOU, because if you don't like it, it won't get done. Margo P.S. I have written this without reading any of the other posts, so I hope I don't sound too 'duh'.) :)

Yes, I remember that. I think it is a 4-5 page section if my memory serves me right, but sometimes that's a big IF. ;)

I haven't used it, but I did own the lesson plan book and the American Lit guide. I ordered it, but for various reasons, have chosen to go a different route. From what I saw, the writing assignments are mostly worldview based. You probably know MFW uses James Stobaugh's American lit material slightly altered to fit their worldview (less providential). The questions in this lit guide require a short or long essay answer in regards to what was read. Check out this book at CBD (look at the Critical Thinking questions, NOT the Enrichment ones as those are not in MFW's guide). http://www.christianbook.com/american-literature-student-book/james-stobaugh/9780805459005/pd/459006?item_code=WW&netp_id=352640&event=ESRCG&view=details#curr Also, there are projects for Thinking Like a Christian that involve writing such as corresponding with a legislator about his or her worldview. Progeny Press's guide for The Scarlet Letter (and for the record, Roger Chillingworth is spelled withOUT an s!) has a few writing suggestions. There is also a bit of writing in the Bob Jones' activity book (mostly short answers I believe). As for writing instruction, there isn't any. That is to be expected at this level though. I suppose the grammar review book could be viewed as instruction, but in the general sense, it's not the same as specific guidance just for writing an essay paper. A student could always use Writer's Inc. for any necessary help along the way. So, the writing in this particular year of MFW is very worldview oriented and there is no actual instruction on the how to write. That about sums it up. Hope that helped!

Saxon. I only had Algebra I in high school way back in the middle ages and would not have survived without Saxon's clear explanations and teeny, tiny increments. We will start Advanced Math this coming year. So far, so good.

Yes. Both DIVE and Mr. Reed's DVDs are set up the same way (in that respect). They both use their own problems to teach the courses, not what Saxon uses specifically in each lesson. I also owned Saxon Teacher which does have the solutions to those problems, but found, even with that, that I needed the solution manual right there on the table in paper form.

We were playing Apples to Apples last night and the card Absurd (ridiculous, senseless, foolish) came up. I put in Romeo and Juliet. After reading the cards laid down, my 16 yo dd says, "Let's skip to the part where they die already. They are so annoying." She had recently watched the play and can be quite opinionated. :D Maybe reading the play would be better? :confused: