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iammommy

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Posts posted by iammommy

  1. My high school ds has miniature, (and I mean miniature) and sloppy writing.  I've been lenient the past year or so, but I would like to help him improve his writing.. Any suggestions on a handwriting (not cursive) program that might be tolerable by a high schooler? He'd resist something meant for young elementary kids. It's not a handwriting disability, it's his ADD wanting to rush through it as fast as he can, so he will exaggerate how looooooong it takes him to print larger.Thanks!

  2. We've had ongoing discussions about alcohol since he was younger. We're not a drinking family, and DS (15) is a rule follower, BUT...the other volunteer firefighters  (DS is a junior firefighter) often talk about "going out to drink" (of course not when they're responding to calls) and DS is intrigued by this. Worries me that peer pressure will over rule his adherence to rules. Scary stuff.

  3. We are using it for a few subjects this year. George Wolfe, who teaches the Physical Science course, is wonderful. He's a highly regarded science teacher, and I'd say that yes, it's certainly high school level.For Biology this coming year, we will supplement with experiments, and I wish they included some in the program.  My ds, who is NOT an academic type kiddo, enjoyed the 9th grade English as well. That too, is on par with a high school English course. We didn't care for the Algebra 1, but math is my son's weakest area. History was a bit dry, so we're not using that either. I did supplement the 9th grade English with additional novels, and we skipped one of their "chapters" if I recall. It's also nice that you can mix grade levels, even taking English 9 and 10 together. We're really pleased with the program. And it's a bargain at 30.00 a month for 4 courses, with additional courses being 5.00 a month extra. I do wish they would add review lessons before their tests. 

  4. I agree about trying to find an inexpensive laptop. We just began using TabletClass for Algebra 1. My son is not mathy at all, and he's doing well with it. It's got the lecture part, the teacher is VERY accessible, and for us it has the right amount of examples/practice problems. He didn't do well with Teaching Textbooks, but is doing well with this program. HTH!

  5. The Interactive Metronome Program helped my son with impulsiveness. Not a miracle cure, but it did help. Also, I've noticed as he hit the teen years, he outgrew some of the impulsiveness. His obsessions remain, BUT, his primary obsession with emergency vehicles has turned into his passion. He's now a junior firefighter, hoping to become an EMT/Paramedic. Hang in there, it does get better.

  6. Drum roll!!!!! And the winner is....TabletClass Algebra 1. I like how Mr. Zimmerman presents the topics, there's adequate practice,the tests seem reasonable and his lectures are to the point with great explanations. He was very approachable when I contacted him, and I think this will work. I'm glad the worry is off of me having to teach it all. I vow to stick with this, and NOT change throughout Algebra 1. I think if we go slowly (we plan on doing math during the summer) it's doable.

    Thanks so very much for all your thoughts! 

    MomatHWTK and Tokyomarie, thanks so much for suggesting I look at John  Zimmerman's math classes! I'd never heard of his programs. 

    Nan  :party:

    • Like 4
  7. Thank you all for your thoughtful suggestions. I'm torn between Keys to Algebra, Power Basics Algebra,  and the online Tablet Class. I am a huge part of the problem, as I keep flip flopping. We tried more than a few PreAlgebra programs this year and made less progress than if we had just stuck with one thing. I think I'm looking for THE perfect program, and it doesn't exist. Still obsessing over this one. LOL

    • Like 1
  8. I'm not sure of the differences between these two sites. It looks like the free site gives homeschoolers a taste of the full course materials. I will say that John Zimmerman is personable and accessible. I'm sure he'll be happy to answer any questions you have. My son did Tablet Class Algebra I and Algebra II a few years back. He also did tutoring with Mr. Zimmerman for a few months while he was going through Algebra II. The tutoring really helped my son gain confidence in his math abilities. Mr. Zimmerman only has a small number of tutoring slots available because of his schedule, but it could be worth considering if you are up a brick wall. I receive no compensation from Tablet Class and have rarely mentioned our experience with the tutoring on a public site. We just happen to have had success using the curriculum and the tutoring opportunity.

    What a nice man! We've been emailing back and forth today and he offered to call and talk about my ds. Very impressive. There's a sale right now on the full course, so I think we might give it a try. Part of the problem is me. There are so many options, and when we hit a wall last year in PreAlgebra, I just tried too many things to see what might work, and we accomplished little.  I need to pick something and stick with it. :banghead:

    • Like 2
  9. You might also check out Time 4 Learning. I've read in other forums moms that say the algebra was a perfect fit for their child. Just a thought. (it would come with three other courses for, I believe, $30/mo.) Good luck.

    We're using Time4Learning this year! It's not bad. I like the Physical Science very much. George Wolf is an amazing teacher. Didn't care for the American History. I do like the English I very much. I looked at the Algebra but felt there wasn't enough practice. DS needs to go over and over things. Of course, I could supplement this with some of the other suggestions. Thanks!

    Nan

    • Like 1
  10. Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions!! You are the best. OK, I had been looking at the Key to Algebra books, but, from reading  posts in other forums here , was under the impression that it would not be considered a full year of Algebra 1. Not "rigorous" enough. Having looked at the scope and sequence of the KtoA books, they DO seem to be a year of Algebra. I also like the idea of going back this summer to the Key to Fraction, Decimals, Percents, etc. books. 

     

    I have eliminated Math U See, sadly. I like what I see, but think ds would become too distracted with the manipulatives. 

     

    We have the Hands on Equations, but didn't even get to it this year. Another great summer idea! Power Basics is another great idea. I will also look at the homeschoolmathonline site.

     

    Thanks SO SO much. I feel better about tackling this next year. All the options you guys mentioned are perfect.

     

    Thanks,  Nan (who hates the word rigorous! LOL)

    • Like 1
  11. Hi all. I have a 9th grade son with high functioning autism/ADD.  I need a suggestion for the most basic (read: easy) Algebra 1 program out there. No, I'm not a slacker mom. LOL Please no judging. He's just not a math kid at all. We didn't like Teaching textbooks, as I know that's a common recommendation. We need just the very basics. VERY basics to get him enough for an Algebra 1 credit. Has anybody used AGS Algebra 1 or Pacemaker Algebra 1?  This was such a difficult year in math for us. We repeated Pre Algebra, as he wasn't able to do the Algebra 1.  Thanks so much.  :confused1:

    • Like 1
  12. How about Teaching Textbooks for math,and Learning Language Arts Through Literature? Check out the Power Basics books by Walch. I like their Biology and you can add experiments. Walch has some books for that, too.They are good for kiddos who have problems with the standard textbooks. Pretty thorough, but removes all the extras in textbooks that often distract some students. I'd start by going to the Walch website and looking around. Tons of options. I'm using some of them in high school with my ds, who is also somewhat academically fragile due to anxiety, and low stamina. Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum also might be a good choice. I like their Integrated Physics and Chem. Not mathy, and enjoyable. Short lessons. We're using their American History this year, and it's really enjoyable. Not your standard history text. They use workbooks, and short reading passages. Very doable. Non-stressful. I hope this helps. If you have any questions, fell free to pm me here. Let us know what you decide!

     

    Oh, another really nice Lit. program is by Perfection Learning. Check them out as well. They have a large selection of textbooks and workbooks. If you want to do some classics, do some abridged ones. (Hope I don't get bashed for saying that! ) My ds could NEVER plow through the unabridged classics. So to me, something is better than nothing. :001_smile:

     

     

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