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Jen the RD

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Everything posted by Jen the RD

  1. Thanks for the link to Annenberg. I'll have to review some of the books--looks promising. I also looked at Classical Mythology and More and thought it was perfect, but it doesn't come with an answer guide, so for me, that's out. I just can't devote the time to filling in all those answers myself and stay ahead of my student. Regardless of what I use, I will definitely get the Vandiver lectures. Everyone raves about how much they enhance the study of ancient lit. And as far as Coursera, do you know how that works. I've actually been meaning to start a thread about that! Any info you can give me about their program(s) would be very helpful. Thanks so much, Jennifer
  2. Well, let's hope someone will chime in about this program. There's got to be someone on this board who's used! Or if you find out anything from another source, please let me know! Thanks, Jennifer
  3. Hi Julie, thanks for being patient for me to return. I've been having a private message going with Sweet Home Alabama about AHL. She also said that the Notgrass text was really such a small component to the whole program, that I really shouldn't sweat it. One of the things I remember from some of your posts about AHL was that you felt it leaned toward an apologetics course. Would you mind elaborating on that because that's one of the reasons I WANT to cover mythology? Also, would you describe some of the writing assignments & how you felt about the rubrics used to grade them? I feel a bit weak in this area about "grading"--not because I don't feel qualified to do it, but rather I'm not really sure what to expect from an argumentative essay from a 10th grader. I think I can overanalyze/criticize. KWIM? Thanks so much, Jennifer
  4. Julie, thank you so much for responding. If you don't mind, I want to discuss the AHL some more. I've got a very busy day today and won't be able to sit down again to compose my thoughts until later tonight. So, I'll be back later...... Thanks, Jennifer
  5. Dd will be studying world history for 10th grade in the fall and I want to include some ancient lit. I am just not savvy about ancient lit, but I love the concept of studying it with history. I need guidance and a plan. I'm looking at MFW AHL because I like the spiritual aspect that it brings in, but I really dislike the Notgrass text. So, I'm wondering if the GA virtual school's mythology course could help us with a framework. I can always interject Biblical teaching, but I'd like some feedback on how the course works and if you really thought it did a good job with lit analysis/composition. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Jennifer
  6. Good question. In years past when GHEA was the 1st weekend in May, I know AO extended the 20% because that's generally when I purchased their Horizons Math. They even shipped it free. However, with the later date this year, I don't know if they will still honor that. Maybe a call to their main office would give us an answer.
  7. Hi Amy, You may have already looked at these samples, but I'll link them just in case you haven't. I'm also interested in opinions; I thought it looked like really good coverage of American authors. I think your plan to add in books, plays, etc. sounds great & you can't beat the price! Here's the link to samples: http://www.christianbook.com/lifepac-electives-american-literature-complete/9780740301346/pd/61349?item_code=WW&netp_id=211215&event=ESRCG&view=details. HTH, Jennifer
  8. You've really gotten some great recommendations. I'm looking at the same subjects myself for my dd, who will be in 10th next year. A few other considerations for history... BJU world history--Christian worldview & if you use the student activity book, it will incorporate a good bit of Bible. I'm also looking at The Classical Historian. It covers modern world history, but I really like the Take A Stand workbook that goes along with the textbook. It teaches how to use primary sources, write essays, cite research, etc. Here's the link where you can view samples: http://www.classicalhistorian.com/. HTH, Jennifer
  9. I'm looking at the World History course (2 yrs: Ancients-1450 & 1450-present) offered by the Potter's School for my dd for 10th grade and I noticed one of the extra texts used is Asia: A Concise History by Arthur Cotterell. I know NOTHING about this text, so maybe others can offer feedback on it. It must be pretty good because I find TPS courses to be fairly rigorous. Just thought I'd throw that out there for you to check into! Jennifer
  10. Sue, if you think he NEEDS a teacher, I'd look at using Jann in TX or Derek Owens. We have used Derek for physical science & geometry, so I know how great he is. My dd has really thrived in math this year! Jann was the one that convinced me to do Lial's Algebra I for my dd last year and although we didn't use her as a teacher, I know there are many on this board that rave about her. I'm not sure how her classes run so you might want to check her site or ask others here. With Derek's classes, students can start a course ANYTIME and continue until they are finished. You just pay a monthly fee for access to the lectures, homework assignments, tests & grading. Hope you find what works! Jennifer
  11. Grading proofs was exactly the reason that I hired out geometry. I was never as good at geometry as I was algebra, trig, & calculus, therefore I did not feel comfortable with the grading. I know proofs don't always have one right way and I wasn't sure I could follow the logic of the proof and grade it accurately & objectively if it was different than an answer key. My dd has used DO Geometry and I have nothing but high praise for him. (If you'll search on my name, you'll see my recent comments about Derek Owens.) Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with Derek or Jann. She is also wonderful and you'll find many, many positive reviews for her classes. It all comes down to whether or not you want someone else to do the teaching/grading. It has been a great experience for my dd to do an online format, scan homework/tests, ask a teacher questions via email, etc. I think sweethomealabama has used Jann for algebra & geometry if you'd like to pm her. HTH, Jennifer
  12. I think he only "sells" his physical science program on DVD, so far. I think he's working on Pre-Algebra. Everything else that I'm aware of is distance learning or a live class in several Atlanta locations. You pay a $15 registration fee which gives you instant access to the site, then give him a start date. He then bills $58/month until your dc finishes the course. So if your dd finishes in 7 months then you only pay $58 X 7. You have access to the videos 24/7. They are not live courses. You see a blackboard and hear him talk/teach. Therefore, your dc can do these courses anytime, not by any set schedule. For us, that has been a perfect fit. Oh and BTW, my dd is also using the physical science program which I did purchase. It has also been great. We really love Derek; he's one of the best math/science teachers I've ever seen. Let me know if you have any other questions. Jennifer
  13. My 9th grade dd is in her 2nd semester of geometry w/Derek Owens. She LOVES his teaching style/approach. He adds humor, history, and interesting tidbits to his lessons. She logs into his website and accesses her videos which generally cover one concept. So she might watch as many as 4 or 5 videos, but they are pretty short. I'd say she spends about 90 minutes daily doing her work. When she's finished, she scans the work and emails it to him. He does the grading, which is great for me. I think geometry is very tricky to grade, so I'd rather have his expertise. He is very personable and accommodating. I have nothing but high praise for him. I do not know anything about Dr. Callahan. HTH, Jennifer
  14. Prof Mom, a good friend of mine is a high school science teacher and she says that the AP Chem test is one of the toughest exams because it is VERY problem oriented. The types of questions asked come from college level texts that are lots more advanced in concepts than what I've seen in Apologia. Now that is not to say that there is anything wrong with Apologia; I actually think the chemistry texts are the best of the Apologia courses. BUT, if you really want her to take the AP exam, I would consider signing her up for an actual AP chem course using a college text--maybe PAH. The other thing to consider is to have her take the TPS course and study for the SAT II Chemistry. Maybe she won't get actual credit, but it will show admissions folks that she mastered the chemistry content. If you follow some of the CB threads, there are A LOT of kids taking SAT II subject tests to improve their chances for admissions. I think these tests are holding more value in admissions than they once were. As far as the physics, Derek Owens teaches an online physics program using the Giancoli (college) text. He doesn't call it an AP course, but I know he's had many students take the test and score 4 or 5. I know you love TPS, but the nice thing about his distance learning is that your dd could move through it at her own pace maybe starting this summer with a finish date in February or March, giving invaluable prep time for the May AP exam (also before the test revision occurs). Just food for thought. Blessings, Jennifer
  15. Thank you for your response. Can you give me some ideas about the workload and books, sources, etc. that he uses in your dc's class. What about writing assignments, papers, & tests? Any description of what is expected of the student is helpful. Thank you, Jennifer
  16. I don't know if they "pair" these classes intentionally, but they do look like they would line up well. The World History course uses the Strayer texts, one volume each year along with readings from the period and primary/secondary sources. I think the teacher is Leonard Mailand. The lit course is divided into 2 years and covers western lit before 1650 in first year and after 1650 in second year. The teacher for this course is Nikki Troxell. DD has been taking French 1 with TPS and we have been very pleased with this course. I just haven't seen anything posted about the courses I mentioned. Or if you feel there are better English/lit or history courses for a 10 th grader then please let me know. If you have some feedback, but don't want to post publicly, just send me a pm. I greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much, Jennifer
  17. Our winners this year: Derek Owens geometry & physical science (excellent), IEW Student Writing Intensive Level C, IEW Windows: Introduction to Literature (Why have I never used IEW before???? Great courses for us!) , Potter's School French 1 w/Madame S (excellent), World Geography--DD has been researching every country in the world & making a notebook w/maps that has captured all she's learned. She's been completely on her own with this and has LOVED it. I've been so impressed with what she's learned & retained.
  18. I second what Jane says about a summer stats class. One of my best friends is back at college and she took statistics last summer. It was so time intensive for her that she dropped it. She was spending 5 hrs daily on homework! She said she understood the material very well and had an excellent teacher. It was just at too intense a pace for her. Just thought you might want a heads up about that. Jennifer
  19. I agree with the other poster to email him to find out. I do know he sells his Physical Science program directly, and once you purchase, it is yours to keep. This is what I did for my dd. I think he recently started selling his Pre-Algebra program, too. However, with this option, you do the grading because he provides a solutions CD. Your student does not send in daily work/tests with this purchase option. Let us know what you find out! Jennifer
  20. I took chemistry in 10th grade in high school and did not understand anything...and I mean ANYTHING! My teacher knew the material well, but very few of us understood what he was talking about. In fact, I still laugh at what he used to say in class..."OK, is this clear as mud?!" I never could make the transition of algebra to the factor-label method taught in the course. My teacher couldn't convey it either even in tutoring sessions. So, I called it quits and took it in 11th grade, with a different teacher, and voila, I actually understood it. It made sense to me. I'm not sure if it was a different teacher that helped or me waiting to take it a year later with more developmental maturity. At any rate, when I first thought I wanted to be a registered dietitian in college, I found out that I was going to have to take inorganic, organic, and biochemistry and I balked! I was so intimidated after having that bad high school experience that I completely went a different direction and graduated with a marketing degree. I hated that profession, so 5 years later, I went back to school, and pursued my passion: nutrition. I embraced those chemistry courses and LOVED them. I was very fortunate in graduate school to have some excellent chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy/physiology teachers. I think for all those courses it was the TEACHER that made the difference, not the textbook, though, I do think the texts we used were actually pretty good compared to some of the ones I've looked at recently. So, I guess overall, IMHO, I think much of the negative connotation associated with chemistry does stem from less than adequate teachers that teach it at a high school level. Secondly, I think students UNDERESTIMATE how much time is required to master the material especially when working the mathematical calculations---this requires lots of repetition and practice. I havent' seen many high school level texts that give this enough attention. Anyway, just thought I'd throw in my own experience. :) Jennifer
  21. What about Derek Owens? Maybe you could contact him and see if there's a way to condense his course. BTW, my dd is taking his geometry course now and it has been excellent. She has worked very hard, but has learned a great deal plus he reviews algebra 1. Another thought....Chalkdust??? HTH, Jennifer
  22. I agree with regentrude. If he does AOPs then *I* personally wouldn't overload him with more work. Just work through the course and when he's finished, move on to geometry and do a full course. That will be a good time to really put his problem solving skills he got in AOPs to work in geometric proofs. May I recommend outsourcing geometry especially if *you* hate proofs and don't feel confident in doing them. Personally, this is how I feel and that's why I outsourced this for my dd this year. Plus, proofs may be approached different ways and there may be more than one way to do that. Solution guides don't often give you multiple options, but a gifted teacher can follow the logic and determine if the student truly proved what was necessary. My dd has been using Derek Owens' online geometry course and it has been an excellent course. He is very accomodating and very easy to converse with through email. We couldn't be more pleased with his teaching. Here's the link to his site: http://www.derekowens.com/ HTH, Jennifer
  23. I agree with the other posters. Derek is very accomodating and very willing to answer student questions. My daughter has had to email him a number of this year and he has always replied in 24-48 hrs (mostly 24). He re-explained the info and told her he'd make a video if necessary, but she got what he meant in the email. One time it was a test question and she didn't understand what she had done wrong. His explanation was excellent and she/I both had an AH HA moment. I highly recommend him. Even though this is a distance learning situation, you can tell he loves what he does and is very attentive to student needs. HTH, Jennifer
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