Hello, My 9th grader is hoping to start taking college level classes in the summer. We are looking for colleges that offer online classes for high school students in the summer. Can you recommend such colleges? Thank you! Jane

Thank you! This sounds impressive. Too bad they don't provide labs in California.

Hello everyone, can you suggest any places where incoming 9th grader could get lab experience before taking Bio Med class? My son is about to take a class that is a part of Project Lead the Way - https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/pltw-biomedical-science-curriculum#curriculum-1 . We understand that it is very hard to pass the lab portion of this project, and wanted to get some lab tutoring before our boy gets into real class at school. Thank you for any leads you could share! P.S. Additional Info about Bio Med Course is in the attachment below

Olga, I was wondering whether your daughter ended up taking UC placement test in Russian. I am considering the same for my son next year and would love to hear any feedback you may have. Thank you!

Thanks. My problems is that I cannot find the names / reference to any books above Algebra II. However, it looks like Kumon centers teach higher levels of math if you enroll. I wonder if they don't release any materials above Algebra II to general public...

Thank you, Klara. I will go to a couple of stores and double check. I think that Barnes & Nobles and other stores including online stores carry books through Algebra II. But then, it does not look that higher level workbooks are released to general public / stores...

Hello everyone, My son has been using math Kumon workbooks for a while. We used to purchase them on Amazon. He just finished Algebra II workbook, and it does not look that there are other math work books available. However, Kumon's curriculum seems to show a few more levels: K Functions - Quadratic, Fractional, Irrational, Exponential L Logarithms, Differential and Integral Calculus M Trigonometry, Straight Lines,Circles N Loci, Graphic inequality,Sequences,limits O Advanced calculus, Graphing, Differential equations X Elective study: Vector, Matrix, Trigonometry, Probability and statistics http://media.wix.com/ugd/f630d9_84a58803fdbc6055734057b33d9b80cc.pdf Can someone let me know where I could buy remaining math books or worksheets? Thank you! Jane

Hi everyone, I am looking for suggestions that would help my 10-year old son learn how to speak more eloquently. By the way of background - he is an excellent student, good writer, and is a bilingual child. But he is shy by nature. Unfortunately, people tend to judge book by its cover, and if a 10-year old cannot tell a story that someone would follow it, or cannot look person in the eye when he is speaking, then his cover is not very attractive right now. I do realize that a part of the problem is driven by his lack of assertiveness and anxiety when he deals with outsiders. But even at home his communication skills behind his age level. Any tips that you can offer are greatly appreciated!

Thank you, Lissande!

My son has received an assignment with no explanation. Can you please read the below enclosed assignment and interpret it for me? Is the target to reflect on what was written in the book and describe it from the point of view of a bystander who could be a new character reflecting on the tragedy described in the book? OR does my son's character need to spill a secret in a similar manner as the book character did? Also, are we allowed to use quotes, or is this not appropriate here? Here it is: Island of the Blue Dolphins You Were There In the following activities, you will become a character in each situation and express as though "you were there". Activity 1. In a chapter one, we learn that the inhabitants of the Island of the Blue Dolphins are rather simple and primitive people. Karana was surprised that her father gave out his secret name to the strangers, for it is believed that once your secret name is known, its magic is lost. When this happens, tragedy may follow. In your reading response journal, write about a person with a secret name who used to live on the island. While you are sitting at the fire with the villagers, relate what happened to your character after he / she foolishly announced his /her secret name to others.

Thank you, texasmama! I glanced online at the book you recommended and will certainly will order it. Yep, the descriptions fit - takes time to process information, does not like to speak up, etc... And yes, there are some thing that can not simply be "outgrown".

Thank you for sharing your experiences! I agree with you - I need to talk to my son's teacher and point out that in previous years he had more success in this area. I just think that she completely misreads his personality. She takes his shyness for lack of desire. In the past I've employed school psychologist, and she helped a lot by training my son and the teacher. I think I need to reach out to her again...

For now he is not irritated at all. That is what bugging me. I am a Russian speaker, and it makes it easy for me to use school books from Russia. I am utilizing book written by Ramzaeva.

I sure hope that in a couple of years it will be a matter of a simple conversation. For now, he is not that mature yet...

Personal testimony certainly counts... My concern is that he will start hiding behind peers, and in a few years when participation would be "graded", he won't be well received as he won't be used to participation....

To me it is not a question of marks... he became a shadow of that other boy, and feels that he does not need to speak up because his ideas would be overcasted by whatever friend promotes. I am afraid this situation damages his character.

He stopped showing initiative this year, and I attribute it to the fact that he is grouped with a boy whose mom is ensuring that her son leads everything. Further, the fact that this year teacher is disengaged herself and does not motivate my boy does not help...

He is an introvert...

Well, I would just say it. My boy is not a natural born leader. Moreover, when new people meet him, the very first comment we get, "why is he so serious?" He is 9 now, but the issue was haunting us since he was a toddler. I remember a 4-year old boy approaching me at the play ground, and asking "why is your boy so angry looking?" In fact, he was not "angry" then, and he is not "serious" now, he just does not feel like smiling or sharing, or taking initiative. Years went by, and he has outgrown the severity of the issue, but is still not taking initiative in a class, not raising hand, etc. Yet, he has been getting highest grades possible so far. So, the cause of quietness at school is not due to the lack of knowledge, it is likely to be due to his personality. Last year we lucked out - the teacher would find ways to bring him out of his shell through "special assignments", individual presentations, etc. This year we have a very subdued teacher... So, my kid is not taking part in any discussions, and the teacher is saying that she is yet to figure this out. I think that I know why, but am not sure how to tell her in a politically correct manner. There are 2 reasons for this behavior - 1) One is that the teacher might want to engage him more than an average kid. Once he feels that she won't go away, he will likely to keep participating at least at the minimum level, and 2) My son shares a desk with a good friend of his whose mom happens to be a PTA queen and a class mom. She is always in class and is making sure that her boy leads all the projects. I have nothing against her boy, but my son sees that all of his ideas are going to be dismissed any way, and ... is not trying to lead / actively participate any more. I don't think that full separation make sense, as they are friends and are both considered to be academic peers. I could probably ask to pair him up with other kids for some time or for selected classes. Should I approach the teacher with my suggestions or should I wait for her to come with solutions? OR should I talk with someone else - principal, school psychologist, etc.? Any parental advice you can give is much appreciated!

My 9-year old is very curious about stock market. He started to research basics on the internet and even bought fake shares. Can anyone recommend any stock market educational resources for kids? Or share experiences? Thank you!

That is the feeling I've got. Thank you!

Good to know. Thank you!

Many thanks!

Hello everyone! I am a bit perplexed by information discrepancies I am receiving from our school. One of the excuses for the principal not to promote my son into 5th grade math (while attending the 4th grade) is the class size. Apparently, there are 35 students in the 5th grade. She has mentioned that by law they cannot have 36 kids. Where can I find out what is the class size limit for CA public schools? In particular, I am interested in getting information about the 5th grade size limit. Thank you for your commentary!

Great resource! Thank you!