LAR
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Posts posted by LAR
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First off, know that we are a secular family looking for an AP Bio class with a live online class component.
I realize both Wilson Hill Academy, Sylvia Chen and Potters School, David Rockholm teach from a religious point of view, but both also use a secular textbook (Campbell). This is the first time in our eight years of homeschooling that I'm at a complete loss. I've even contacted and met with a local public school AP Bio teacher. While this teacher was amenable to our proposal, she is very geared to the public school system.
I just can't find another option.
Can anyone please give me some insight as to whether WHA or TPS might work for us?
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highschoolmathlive.com
Our daughter took AP Calc AB with Ms Regina London this year and ranked this class as one of the best. According to our girl, Ms London, Ms Jetta (physics) and Mr D (pre-algebra to pre-calc) all share the top spot on her list!
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We're on the fence with FLVS for AP. We live in Florida so classes are free. But so far we've not been impressed with the quality. There is rarely a "lecture." It's mainly slide presentations, animated videos and readings for each assignment. The material is basic, generic, with very little substance. A good teacher helps but can't make up for the lack of depth. Even with responsive teachers, feedback and recommendations have been minimal. DD has had to research topics on her own in order to complete assignments and gain a better grasp on the material. With that said, these classes are easy As.
DD has taken chem and bio (honors), anatomy and physiology (honors), english 2, HOPE and drivers education.
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On 5/13/2019 at 10:38 PM, DocMom said:
Just so difficult to find synchronous classes. We found 1 options for AP calculus next year that has live classes, but nothing for any of the other AP classes we are interested in.
Had to jump in regarding AP Calc. Mrs Regina London, Highschoolmathlive.com, was exceptional. She ranks up there with Ms Jetta! Live classes. Meet 2 to 3 times a week. Truly outstanding. Now if only I can find an AP Bio teacher like Ms Regina and Ms Jetta!
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Has anyone looked at Apex Learning's AP Bio? I'm also looking for an AP Bio for this year.
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3 hours ago, SanDiegoMom in VA said:
Simplify Homeschool by one of our boardies has the first year of hopefully a multi year secular history and lit combined. It is called Global Perspective Studies. The first year focuses on Africa and East and South Asia, and I think the second will be European Lit.
Thanks for the info! GPS looks perfect for our family.
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I just don't know what to do. DD16 10th grade has taken geology, chem/honors, bio/honors, physics, and anatomy and physiology/honors. She said she'll take an AP bio or chem next year if I make her. But she'd like marine bio/honors or something different. While she's taking math and spanish at the local college in the fall, she's not ready for three college classes yet. She's a premed student, currently has 400 hospital volunteer hours, nearly finished with her congressional award program, and struggles to handle more than 3-4 classes at a time. As part of her schedule next year, she wants to continue volunteering and asked me to find more job shadowing opportunities for her. She's shadowed three doctors so far and loves the experience. Any thoughts on how I could turn job shadowing into an elective or science credit? I also have calls in to several labs so if she can shadow, intern or participate somehow. I know I'm pushing the envelope especially for her junior year, but know that she's not shooting for an ivy league school - plans to apply to University of Florida, University of Tampa and University of South Florida....maybe Miami. Think this crazy idea would be a red flag since it's her junior year?
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On 5/2/2019 at 5:11 AM, borninthesouth said:
I run short-term exchange student programs and oversee year-long students. I have hosted 12 people short-term and been over about 100 kids and adults. I think for someone with the time to put into the exchange, that year-long exchanges can be incredibly rewarding. I have not year done a semester or year-long exchange. I may do it after my older 2 kids graduate and go off to college and then again I may not. I take things year by year and with a senior next year, I don't think I can. An exchange student, though independent in so many ways, is like having another child. You have to give hugs, encouragement, help with homework, carpools, parties, and all the rest. It is a big commitment. If you feel like you can incorporate another child into your family then I would say-- do it!! Make sure you carefully pick out the student. Find a coordinator that will go through your application and the child's application and see if it will be a good fit. It may not always be a good fit. I have had kids that fit into my family as if they were one of my own. I have had kids that I have had to work hard with to make sure they felt like part of the family. I have never had a bad exchange, but I have only hosted for a maximum of 6 weeks. I have had kids I oversee not work out with their host families. This year though, I have had 2 very successful year-long exchanges where the students don't want to go home and their host families adore them. I just finished a 3-week exchange where I had 9 kids come from Germany and hang out with host families and attend a local school for 7 days. It was a wonderful program and I would say that there was only one student that was "negative" in the group. The host family has hosted before and was not deterred from hosting again because this one young lady was a little negative. I love to host in the summer when we have all the time in the world to play and have fun. My oldest daughter was able to visit one of our exchange students last summer in Germany. It was nice for her to see the German culture from that perspective. If you are able to find someone that does short-term exchanges I would say to start there and then if your family loves that experience then definitely do a long-term exchange!
I believe ICES does offer short term programs - one semester. And maybe 6 weeks. I'll definitely look into this option. Thank you!
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On 5/1/2019 at 7:15 PM, katilac said:
I think your dh's concerns need to be taken very seriously. Having another person in house is, almost by definition, going to take away from his time with the girls (certainly his time with only the girls). And, with them being teens, they are going to be gone before you know it.
A foreign exchange student might or might not add positively to the family dynamic. Even if it for sure would, your dh might value his time with the girls more than he values that potential dynamic, and I think that's valid.
You are right. And dh is not 100% on board. Appreciate your insight.
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Wow...so far such positive experiences. I can't wait to share your comments with my family.
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43 minutes ago, J-rap said:
Two of our close friends hosted foreign exchange students regularly. They always chose their students carefully, and actually, always tried to do it when one of their dd's was in 11th grade too. That seemed to be a good year, because that's the general age of the exchange student of course, plus an 11th grader can be quite independent (old enough to drive etc.), but they're not yet a senior (I mean, your own child) which is always such a busy year, and it would be harder to share that year.
They always had wonderful experiences, and wouldn't trade them for anything. Now, some students were of course better matches than others, but it was always a positive experience for them, nevertheless.
The only possible concern I might see is if your dd close in age is doing all of her work at home (I assume DE means distance ed?) and the exchange student is at school, it might create a few...situations? For example, what if the exchange student is in theater or band or some other fun activities and comes home every night excited and talking about them, or talking about all of her public school friends... Would your dd feel badly that she didn't have those opportunities? Or, I assume you'd want to support the exchange student at her school events from time to time. Again, would your dd feel badly that she doesn't have those events?
The families I know who did it were a mix of public and homeschoolers, but their kids close in age to the foreign exchange student were always in public school by then, so they were involved in a lot of the same activities, which worked out well.
Sorry...I mean dual enrollment. Thanks for the insight! Super helpful.
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Considering it.
We recently moved into a larger home, and are fortunate to be in a decent financial position. (At least for the moment! Family owned businesses are a roller coaster ride!) We briefly considered being foster parents but that path doesn't seem to be the right fit for our family. So, we're thinking about hosting a student through ICES: boy or girl, age 15-18, would attend the public high school which is a mile away, they have health insurance/allowance, one or two semesters here, we can select the student, we can "return" the student if it doesn't work out.
Background on us: DD16, going to DE for 11th, will have her drivers license this fall. DD13, 9th. Both girls are active. Husband works long hours. I'm full time with the girls. The girls are very open to the idea. Husband is worried that having another student in the house will take away from his time with the girls. I think we should share our current situation and feel that an exchange student would add yet another positive element to our family dynamics. Any thoughts out there?
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We are all about Mr D and highschoolmathlive.com. Ms Regina London has been truly phenomenal with AP Calc this year.
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Opententacademy.com offers ASL3 and 4.
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Yes. DD16 was definitely prepared. She took Mr D precalc then AP Calc AB with Mrs London, highschoolmathlive.com and currently has a high A. DD diligently works at each assignment and attends every class. She was not going to take the AP test in May but changed her mind. Mrs London continued right where Mr D left off and has generated even more confidence in our daughter's approach to testing. DD had no issues making the transition and, like Mr D, she will miss having Mrs London as a teacher.
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Our DD16 will DE in August and is considering Spanish I at St Pete College along with a math course (not sure which math, that's a whole other issue!). I've heard the workload is tough but DD likes the idea of one year of college Spanish as opposed to two years at a high school level. (She already took three years of ASL as her foreign language plus one high school credit of Deaf culture.) Any pros and cons out there?
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Thank you so much, Brigid!
From an AP Newbie Mom
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Nicholas_mom,
Yes, we are with Ms Regina. The best decision. I can't get over how quickly she responds with positive feedback on everything. Lectures are thorough and clear. It's been a smooth transition from Mr D Math to Ms Regina. Gearing up for the AP Calc test in May, which at the beginning of the school year our daughter wasn't going to take. However, the year has been so rewarding, she wants to give the test a try.
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Here's a rough outline of DD's plan.
These are definite:
Math - St Pete College (Dual Enrollment)
Science - St Pete College (DE)
Research Writing - Ms Eva (Open Tent Academy)
And the rest . . . we're not sure yet:
US Government (Thinkwell, FundaFunda) fall
Economics (Thinkwell, FundaFunda) spring
Spanish I (Homeschool Spanish Academy)
English III Honors (FLVS)
DD wanted to add in an AP class, but I feel the two DE classes will need most of her attention. She's taking AP Calc this year so we can at least put one AP class on her transcript. Plus, writing is her weakness so Ms Eva's class will take up tons of time. She also volunteers at a local hospital, tap dances and belongs to an acting studio.
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Our baby is starting 9th grade . . . still shaking my head. This is what we have confirmed:
Math - Algebra II (Mr D)
Language - ASL 4 (Open Tent Academy)
Still not sure on the following:
English - English I (T4L or Plato/Edmentum)
History - US History (Great Courses DVDs)
Science - Biology (Friendly Biology, T4L, or Plato/Edmentum)
Possibly a fine arts credit in theater and pe/health credit in dance/yoga/nutrition.
I need to keep our DD's 9th grade year pretty basic, straightforward with less live online classes. I overloaded her for 8th grade with 7 online classes and it hasn't gone well at all. Plus, she wants to continue with volunteering at the local theater and elementary school.
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Thanks, I definitely appreciate your two cents, teachermom2834. I do spend a ton on outsourcing. Our oldest has always wanted these live online classes but now with our younger daughter, I'm learning that the fit may not be ideal. Guess it's a good thing I'm figuring things out now in 8th grade before she starts high school.
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Mr D Math
highschoolmathlive.com
Both have been outstanding. We've taken Mr D for math for almost 5 years - pre Algebra through to pre Calc. And started with Ms London, highschoolmathlive.com, for AP Calc this school year. Excellent in terms of responsiveness to our daughter's questions, grades quizzes and tests typically within hours and is engaging during the live sessions. I'd have to look up what we paid Ms London, but it just doesn't seem like enough! She's incredible.
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RootAnn, I'm able to teach her science. I just feel more secure when I outsource classes for high school credit. It's not that I'm unsure of my ability, it's that I want to present a high school transcript that demonstrates my child's ability to handle third party classes with a professional and I serve as the counselor....not the teacher. Perhaps I've been too hung up over this idea.
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RootAnn, she’s currently taking her third year of ASL. So either ASL 4 next year or I’d prefer Spanish. I thought Spanish Homeschool Academy - live one on one class. Again another online class.
I never considered giving credit for her extras but several of you make valid points. And this would help her a ton.
She’ll take algebra 2 with Mr D for sure.
I like the idea of Great Courses.
Goodgrief1, she also dances. Last year it was 10 hours a week. We’ve cut that down because theater picked up. She’ll add in more during the spring. I’ll look at Plato. Thanks
AP Bio - WHA or TPS? Help please.
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
I just had a religious science teacher respond to me via Facebook to say that "You cannot teach AP bio from a Christian perspective. 33% of the test is evolution based." So, perhaps an opening prayer will be the religious aspect of the course. Will post an update once we decide.