Chris in PA
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Posts posted by Chris in PA
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Hi all,
Since SWB does not have a modern world history text published yet, can anyone recommend a good book for my rising senior? I am looking for something to use as a spine that I will build literature, documentaries, etc around.
Thanks
Chris
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I have the solutions manual. The ISBN # is 0-13-237215-0.
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Thanks for the advice. I do believe he needs more practice so that he can develop a systematic approach to solving them. I ordered the Algebra 2 Word Problems and we will see if that helps his understanding.
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Hi all,
My ds is struggling with word problems. We are using DO precalculus this year and the class is going very well except for this one area. He can understand and work through the examples he is show in the text but when it comes to something different than what he is shown, he really struggles. He is a bright kid and a good math student. Can anyone suggest some resources we can use to help him in this one area?
Thanks in advance!
Chris
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Sorry I havent been on for awhile. I just pm'd you.
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Yes, Jetta my ds is the one who wants to be an actuary. Thanks for all the great responses! The water is much clearer now. Because he is going to be a math major, I want the foundation to be strong. We will easily get to calculus before he graduates so we are going to stop the algebra and trig book after chapter 12 and pick up precalculus in the fall. I don't want to short change him in any way and I think the year of precalculus will cement all the concepts before we tackle calculus.
Thanks again everyone!
Chris
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I am looking for some help in order to determine what math my ds should start in the fall. We are currently working through the Foerster Algebra and Trigonometry text for Algebra 2. We plan on finishing the book by mid-July (we didn't start the text until January). I have the Math without Borders DVD and Foerster precalculus text for the fall. I thought my plans were set until I talked with a friend today. We were discussing online math classes and I was telling her about my search for an online precalculus class a few months ago. At that time, I came across the Veritas Press online academy. I was telling her their precalculus class uses chapters 9-15 of the Algebra and Trig text as their precalculus. So she questioned me about having my ds complete another precalculus book when he will already have covered what Veritas Academy considers precalculus. Now the waters are muddied for me. My question is: Would there be an issue moving to calculus in the fall after covering the precalculus topics in the Foerster Algebra and Trig text? Would he be missing something by not completing a precalculus text? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Sue,
If he completed Abeka pre-algebra, he may find MUS Algebra 1 very easy ( I have tutored with MUS Algebra 1). I have used MUS with two of my dc. My dd used geometry through precalculus and my ds used parts of the Algebra 2. Does your ds have any career goals in mind? I ask because I am not sure it will adequately prepare a child who is considering a stem field (IMHO).
My dd is currently an English major at the local state university. She used MUS geometry, Alegbra 2 and precalculus. It was a good fit for her as she is good at math but does not like it at all. I feel MUS served her well. Prior to using MUS she had completed Lial's Introductory Algebra and before that we used Abeka. She had no trouble transitioning to MUS from Lial's and Abeka and she did 90% of her work independently. I would however check her daily work to make sure she was understanding the concept.
My ds started the year with MUS algebra 2. He used TT for geometry and Lials Introductory algebra for algebra 1. He is a STEM kid and wants to be an actuary. He quickly became bored and so we switched to Foerster Algebra and Trig using the Math Without Borders DVDs. He is thriving in this text. It is challenging and takes things to a level MUS does not. I check his daily work but he watches the daily DVD lesson and then completes the problem set. We choose to work the problems that have the DVD solutions and it is plenty.
So I guess what I am saying is to assess where your child is and what their future goals may be. Can a child use MUS and go on to be a STEM major? Sure and many have. I do feel MUS gives a solid basic high school math education. It may just fit the bill for what you need.
Chris
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Chris in PA - thank you for your comments!
My son completed Teaching Textbooks Algebra I this year but I did not feel it was a truly a full algebra I curriculum. Most of the areas he did very well, but there weren't enough practice problems for him to really grasp some of the concepts. I want him to redo Algebra I using a different curriculum knowing he may be able to move through the first portion very quickly.
I wish we would have used the Foerster text for Algebra 1. We used the Lial text Introductory Algebra. It was ok and got the job done but I like Foerster so much more!
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How does this DVD curriculum, along with the chosen text books, compare to say Saxon or Math-u-See?
Saxon gets so many reviews about not really teaching the why behind the algebra concepts, forcing some kids to simply learn how to get the right answer. Math-U-See appears to teach the why behind algebra concepts but then many people call it "lite."
I have a STEM focused son but he doesn't have time to do two curricula. I want him to get the why and be able to solve the higher level problems!
I have used both Saxon and MUS at the higher levels. Saxon's incremental approach and method did not work for any of my dc. MUS worked very well for my dd who is now an English major at our local state university. This year I started my ds out on MUS algebra 2. By November he came to me and said he felt it was too easy. So we pulled the Foerster text off the shelf and have never looked back. He is thriving with this curriculum. This is a great text for the why of math. There are plenty of real life application problems that are multi-stepped and my ds's problem solving skills have taken off this year. I can say there is no comparison between the Foerster text and MUS. The Foerster text delves into concepts in a way MUS does not. In addition the problems are so much more involved than MUS.
MUS has its place and it works for many students such as my dd. However my ds has aspirations of being an actuary and will therefore be a math major. MUS was not enough for him but Foerster provides the challenge and foundation he needs. He likes the text and the MWB DVD's so much that he wants to continue with precalculus in the fall.
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We are using it right now with my DS. He is using the Algebra 2 Foerster text. We like the DVD. It has been helpful because David Chandler shows some ways to do things that the book does not. In addition we use the problem sets that he works out on the DVD. It is nice to have the worked out solutions. We don't always watch the lesson nor do we always need the DVD solutions. However it's nice to have that option available and IMHO you can't beat the price.
We like it enough that I already ordered the precalculus DVD and are looking forward to the availability of the DVD for calculus his senior year. -
Thank you so much! This is exactly what I needed. Not sure why I wasn't turning some of this up in my search!
Chris
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I am planning on using Understanding Basic Statistics next year for my ds. This is the book used by Chalkdust. I have the video and books and am trying to work out a schedule. Has anyone used this book in the past and could offer some advice? It looks like we could possibly do this in a semester? I have tried searching for a syllabus for this and am striking out.
Thanks
Chris
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As several friends and I move into having middle grade students, we're looking toward high school requirements, so I want to procure brochures from the various high school diploma programs here in PA to keep in our support group's lending library. These are the ones I have found listed so far that would be open to everyone (I found one that is open to members of a particular church) and which are not strictly cyber schools (I think -- I'm a little unsure about a couple of the ones below -- one or two might actually be cyber schools). Can any of you confirm these, or add to the list?
PHAA/PA Homeschoolers
ECHS/Erie County Homeschoolers
Susquehanna Valley
Buxmont
Mason Dixon Homeschoolers
Bridgeway -- cyber school? I couldn't quite tell.
I am familiar with all except Bridgeway and Buxmont. We use Mason Dixon and I know several families that use Susquehanna, PHAA and Erie. I know these three are open to anyone.
Chris
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Wow! Lori thank you so much!!! I have a great list of books but now my problem will be narrowing down the list. It's a good problem to have. I really appreciate all the links.
Chris
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Thanks for the links. I like the looks of the Mythgard Institute. I will need to investigate this more over the weekend.
Chris
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LOADS of ideas in this past thread (xpost: Any serious Tolkien fans? A question about the History of LotR and book order, etc.), in which 8FilltheHeart was asking for ideas about a year ago in order to do the exact same thing with her DD for this year. DEFINITELY take time to read through this one and click on all the links to see what fits in with your plans. :)
Resources for Tolkien influences and background info:
- documentary on Tolkien and his influences: "A Study of the Maker of Middle Earth"
- The Road to Middle Earth (Shippey)- Tolkien: Man and Myth (Pearce)
- JRR Tolkien: A Biography (Carpenter) -- written by friend and fellow "Inkling"
- Letters of JRR Tolkien (Tolkien)
- Peter Kreeft audio lecture: "Christianity in Lord of the Rings"
- Cory Olson: Mythgard audio lectures on The Hobbit
- "Talking Tolkien with Thomas Shippey" -- article interview with Tolkien scholar about Tolkien's influences
Literature to Read with LotR:
- The Silmarillion (Tolkien) -- Tolkien's myths out of which LotR comes; frequently people/events from The Silmarillion are alluded to in LotR
- Beowulf -- Heaney translation
- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight -- Tolkien's translation
- Norse works -- post #47 of thread above, Slartibartfast links English translations to some key works
- essays by Tolkien: "On Fairy Stories"; "Of Monsters and Critics" (about Beowulf); "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"
- The Once and Future King (White) -- a King Arthur work; many Arthurian similarities in LotR
- Macbeth (Shakespeare) -- choices that leaders in LotR make echo those made by characters in Shakespeare's play; a really good companion work due to similar themes, even though it is a more minor influence on Tolkien
Consider These Short Stories by Tolkien:
- "Farmer Giles of Ham" -- much humor based on Tolkien's playing with Latin, language, and names
- "Smith of Wooton Major" -- a poignant example of Tolkien's points in his essay "On Fairy Stories"
- "Leaf By Niggle" -- an example of Tolkien's faith shining through the story
Additional Fantasy Works to Consider:
You mentioned you want to do something similar to the sci-fi focus you're doing this year, so here are some quality fantasy works to consider including as part of your Tolkien Lit year:
- Phantastes -- OR -- Lilith (MacDonald)
Late 1800s, Christian author whose works influenced Tolkien (he is more well-known for his children's works of The Princess and the Goblins, The Princess and Curdie, and At the Back of the North Wind, and short stories such as "The Light Princess", "The Golden Key", and "The Wise Woman".
- Till We Have Faces (Lewis)
Okay, not really a fantasy :tongue_smilie: , but more of a reworking of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche and set in an ancient Mesopotamian-type of setting. BUT… powerfully written, GREAT Christian themes, and a "must read" if you haven't already done so.
- Watership Down (Adams)
An epic quest -- much like The Aeneid, a search for a homeland. The main characters are rabbits, and in some subtle ways, this tale reminds me of Lord of the Rings -- a journey, sacrifice, choices for power/control or humility, just wanting a quiet country life...
- Earthsea trilogy: A Wizard of Earthsea #1; The Tombs of Atuan #2; The Farthest Shore #3 (Le Guin)
These are very well-written, with great themes of power and pride, choices and consequences. Although the author is not a Christian, the middle book has some incredibly powerful Christian images and themes. You can easily read just book 1 and/or just book 2 as stand-alone works; book 3 is built off of book 1. Many years later, Le Guin wrote several additional books, but they are not as good and are VERY much from a strong feminist perspective that tries to re-write the culture she set up in the first 3 books -- JUST stick with the first 3 books. ;)
- Through the Looking Glass (Carroll)
Not so much a Literature "must do", BUT, just as Tolkien wrote out of his love and fascination for languages, Lewis Carroll wrote out of his love and fascination with math, puzzles and chess. If you decide to go with this idea, use the Annotated Alice by Martin Gardiner, which helps you trace all of the puzzles, references, and chess moves.
- Peter Pan (Barrie)
Use a good guide -- we read it right after Lord of the Flies, and we saw some spooky similarities...
- The Last Unicorn (Beagle)
It has been SO long since I read this; I just have the memory of it being unexpectedly more than I thought it would be...
- Auralia's Colors quadrilogy (Overstreet)
Four book series: Auralia's Colors #1; Cyndere's Midnight #2; Raven's Ladder #3; The Aleboy's Feast #4.
- The Dark is Rising series (Cooper)
More of a late middle school/early high school read, and not really deep, but definitely some King Arthur connections in the first book or two, and you can get a bit of discussion out of it. The tone becomes more Celtic-religious-based the further into the series you go, and there is less to draw out literary analysis-wise until the climax of the final book.
- Below the Root (Snyder)
At a middle school level of writing, it's still worth reading even in high school for some of the possible discussion -- but only go for it if you are really in need of additional reading material to fill up your year. (Or, possibly all 3 books in the Greensky trilogy -- Below The Root #1, And All Between #2, Until The Celebration #3 -- the first is the best and best-written, but book 2 brings up some good discussion points; book 3 is weak.)
This is amazing! Just what I was looking for. Can you tell me what guide you used for Peter Pan?
Thanks so very much!
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Hi all
I am trying to plan a literature study for my ds who will be entering 11th grade in the fall. He loves the Lord on the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit. We had an amazing time with literature this year as we used WttW along with a year of science fiction (thanks to the ladies of this board for the great recommendations). I would like to continue having him enjoy reading, analyzing and discussing books next year. So I am looking to build a literature course around the books that influenced Tolkien in his writing. I have done searches on the board and can't seem to find anything helpful. Would anyone have a link to a past thread on this subject or a list of books that might be helpful to me as I plan this out?
Thanks!
Chris
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I have been reading this thread with great interest. I have an older student, rising 11th grader, who has not studied poetry. Would I use some of the ideas mentioned above? I was intrigued by IEW's Grammar of Poetry but didn't know if it was appropriate for a high schooler. I have no poetry background at all and would need something to help both of us understand what we are reading. Any suggestions for an older student?
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I can only speak to our personal experience with MUS at the upper levels as we did not use it for elementary math (we used Abeka). My dd used the geometry through pre-calculus. She is currently an English major. MUS was the first math I had used with her where we had no tears. She understood the material and scored in the average range on the ACT for math. In my opinion MUS worked for her.
My ds is currently doing Algebra 2. We started the school year with MUS. He was doing very well and the worksheets were taking him about 15 minutes a day to do. I felt the need to supplement the MUS so I was pulling problems from a Larson text I have. Somewhere around November he told me he felt MUS was too easy. So we pulled the Foerster Algebra and Trig text off the shelf. He is thriving with this book. He now has to work for math and is forced to think. This is my child who wants to be an actuary. I can honestly say that MUS is no where near the challenge the Foerster text is. The problem sets are night and day. We love how at the end of every chapter in the Foerster text there are real life word problems that are multi-step.
So I will say this (IMHO):
1. MUS is a great curriculum for a parent who is not comfortable teaching math.
2. MUS is a good curriculum for a non-stem kid
3. MUS is a good curriculum for a child who hates math or struggles with it.
4. MUS covers the bases for a good, basic high school math education.
I tend to agree with 8Fill about being prepared for a stem major. Your child would need to be very good at filling in missing info in order to be successful. A student that needs to be taught would have difficulty filling in gaps.
To the OP, you need to choose a math curriculum that works for your child and prepares them for what they need in the future. We have been all over the board with math. I so wanted AoPS to work for my ds but it did not. He hated the Introductory Algebra book. However he is thriving in Foerster and the MWB DVD. There are lots of choices out there. Good luck in your search!
Chris
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Here is what I am planning for my ds. I can't believe he is the last of my homeschoolers. :crying:
Math: Precalculus - either with DO or Foerster using the MWB DVD. I am waiting to see how he does with the trig section of the Algebra and Trigonometry book.
Science: Apologia Advanced Chemistry
Language Arts: British lit (home-grown course), LToW and IEW High School Essay Intensive
History: This is a get it done subject. I will be using MOH vol. 3 with lots of supplements and writing projects
American Government: A Noble Experiment, 5000 Year Leap, and Never Before in History
Logic: Memoria Press Traditional Logic 1 and 2
Financial Accounting: Professor in a Box
Java Programming: Teen Coder
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Are you comfortable with the subject matter at all? If so, you might consider the McConnell-Brue college text; old editions abound on half.com and similar for a couple of dollars plus shipping. I also used the study guide that was made to go with (the SG was invaluable) it and a syllabus I found online from an actual AP economics teacher. I used the syllabus only for figuring out which chapters to cover and in what order, but it also divided the chapters into micro- and macroeconomics in case you wanted to cover one but not the other. Then we just went through the text and study guide. I made up tests for a while (though I think there were some available online), and then we used old AP exams. It is not "economics in a box," (and I think there is actually a curriculum by that name), but if you have any background in economics, it isn't difficult to teach.
Do you remember which text you used? There are so many different ones listed on Amazon. I want to create a strong economics class for my ds as he will need it for his college major.
Thanks so much
Chris
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3-dimensional vectors are usually taught from the beginning in multivariable calculus.
Matrices are usually taught from the beginning in linear algebra.
Probability is usually taught from the beginning in a probability theory or probability and statistics course.
Calculus is usually taught from the beginning in a calculus course.
Fractals are often not part of the standard curriculum.
For all of these topics, prior exposure is helpful but not required. We cannot assume that the students saw any of these in high school as most of them did not, and our precalculus course at the university does not cover them, so we must teach them from the beginning in every class.
That being said, if your child wants to major in math, I would consider it useful (but NOT essential) to have been exposed to these topics in high school so that he will be ahead of the curve in the above classes.
This helps tremendously! Thank you so much. I am leaning towards going with the DO class. As someone else said, precalculus was a long, long time ago!
Chris
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Here too. My dd also just wants to teach herself out of the Foersters text. I went and got the 2nd Ed, as it's much less expensive. I also considered using the MWB videos (did your ds find the videos helpful??), but she says she'd rather just work through the books, so I'm holding off. There is a helpful chart on the MWB website aligning the videos with the 2nd Ed. Foersters (they changed the order all around!!). I think the topics remained the same, though.
In some ways the videos are helpful for my ds. He needs to see someone work the problems and explain the concepts. When he reads through a text he tends to skim and thinks he knows more than he does. So the videos work for him. Do I think they are necessary? Not really. I think the text explains things very well.
I actually have both the 2nd edition and 3rd edition precalculus texts here. I think it would be hard to use the 2nd edition with the videos. The upside to the 2nd edition for me is I was able to purchase the solutions manual. I could not find one for the 3rd edition however the assigned problems are all worked out in the videos.
Chris
World History project ideas
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
Hi all
I will be doing modern world history with my 12th grade ds this fall. We are using A Short History of Western Civilization along with TTC Foundations of Western Civilization II. I will be having him write some essays and a longer research paper for the course but am looking for some other project type ideas for him. Does anyone have some suggestions for things they have done with history to make it more than reading and paper writing?
Thanks
Chris