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    The Great Courses Master Class List

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    My history breakdown is a bit odd based on what I was trying to cover with ds.  

     

    Ancient History - 400 AD War & World History Lectures 1-15 (professor spends the first lecture or so defining war)

    History about 400 - 1800 War & World History Lectures 16 - 34

    History about 1800 - 1900 War & World History Lectures 35 -40

    History about 1900 - Current War & World History Lectures 41 - 48

     

     

    Here is the "traditional" WTM breakdown (very rough)

    Ancient History - 400 AD War & World History Lectures 1-15
    History from 400 - 1600 - Lectures would be 16-26,  

    Then Early Modern History (1600 - 1800 or so) - Lectures 27 - 36

    Finally Modern History - Lectures 37-48

     

    Whoa, I hope that isn't too confusing.

     

    I did not know about the Art of War.  On a side note: He is reading "A Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi. 

     

    ETA: This thread is a good idea.

    • Like 2

    The Great Courses Master Class List

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    The second Great Course lecture series we ever used for school was The Iliad of Homer by Elizabeth Vandiver. Even now, after watching dozens of GC courses, this remains one of our favorites. The lectures were recommended to us by a long-time board member and I must admit that I was at first, unimpressed by the speaker’s delivery. It may take some viewers a while to realize the level of depth, analysis, and enthusiasm that Professor Vandiver brings to the subject, or maybe we are just slow.

     

    I last used both the Iliad and The Odyssey of Homer with my youngest for his 9th grade study of ancient history and literature. We followed the Essential Reading suggestions in the course guidebooks, using the Robert Fagles translations for both epics. We listened to all 12 lectures per epic and spent about 4-5 weeks on each. I think I required one paper and that was it. We spent many memorable hours discussing the literature and were blown away at being able to pull so much from works so remote from our own modern lives.

     

    I now own every series by Vandiver and consider it to be money and time well-spent. Without her, Sailor Dude and I would probably still think that Achilles was a great blubbering idiot when it came to losing his concubine.

    :iagree:  Totally!

     

    Conceptual Physics  This was 9th grade science class for both my kids (using the Hewitt text) and I supplemented the class with the course "Physics in Your Life" (here http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=1260) taught by Prof. Richard Wolfson. My kids and I liked it because the prof was interesting and provided relevant demonstrations. He suggests you watch the course in order, but concedes that it can be done out of order.  The first module is on light and sound, the second is on forces, and so on.  Most physics courses (including conceptual) begin with mechanics and get to light and sound much later, so I just skipped around but used the module as a whole.  I only wanted dc to take notes while watching.

     

    History For my ds, who is interested in weapons, I have used "War and World History" ( here http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=8870) taught by Jonathan Roth.  My son listens to the lecture and writes down 6 - 8 interesting facts.  He started the course last year while learning Ancient History and is continuing this year through the 1800s.  It is a 24 disc (CD) class (48 lectures), so he has been listening to the lectures relevant to the time period studied.  We think it is interesting because it's not just about weaponry, but also the politics and innovations that come from/because of war.

     

    p.s. sorry I don't know how to connect the web site to the title I typed in

    • Like 3

    Overseas trip

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I haven't been through customs for a couple of years so I won't comment on it.  I do fly domestically at least once a year so I can address my experiences.  i have traveled quite a bit in the past 30 years (boy, that sounds depressing!).  I fly cheap-o, so keep that in mind.

     

    The new "normal" is to allow plenty of time to get through security and on to the plane.  It seems airlines close the doors sooner than they used to and won't open the door if you are "late" (I got to a connecting flight 20 minutes prior to it taking off and they had already closed the door).  You can bring outside food on to the plane (which I prefer) and even go though security with it (domestically at least).  You can also buy food in the airport to take on or buy the airline food (meh). Keep your liquids to a minimum (3 oz), or nonexistent, going through security. We bring empty water bottles so we can refill once inside security.

     

    I haven't seen pillows or blankets on planes in awhile.  Domestically, the overhead baggage area tends to get full fast. If you are traveling for a month you will probably bring something large enough to check, then a small(ish) carry on. Traveling a long time make sure you bring snacks, toothbrush and toothpaste (less than 3 oz tube). Bringing a change of clothes may help in case you are unexpectedly laid over somewhere. 

     

    Not sure that is the kind of info/advice you are looking for. But I HTH!

    Overseas trip

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    You might want to say which state(s) you will be visiting and for how long.  I am guessing at least NY City? I have only visited NY so I can't offer any advice. If your travels are all around the North East make sure you visit some National Parks, which are inexpensive, especially the Smithsonian in Washington DC ( a few hours from JFK). 

     

    ETA: Woops! Just noticed you are from the US. I guess I still think we need to know your desired itinerary.

    Let's chat about gap years

    in The College Board

    Posted

    The main reason we want them to do gap years is that I wish I'd had one. :) I was very directed and knew I wanted to be a doctor. My parents had little money and there was no way I could take time off to travel or do pursue an interest. I won a scholarship to college that was fantastic but that didn't pay for study abroad (not complaining, I was very blessed). So I went from working very hard in high school to college and double majoring in Biology/Chemistry to medical school to residency with no time off. It's all worked out fine but there are so many things that it becomes harder to do when you get older and have a job and kids.  

     

     

    Except for the doctor and double major thing I could have written this. So I am glad my daughter is taking a gap year.

     

    She is not sure what she wants to do and felt too stressed at the beginning of her senior year to have applied anywhere.  She lifeguards at the YMCA, so she is and will be employed during this gap year. She wants to travel, but is not sure how to do it safely as a female.

     

    I am a little nervous about this upcoming year because she only has a vague idea of what she wants to do. I guess I had hope taking classes at the cc would help.  Guess it just gave her more options to swirl around her brain. 

    "Health" Course - Okay for Pass/Fail?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    I give P grades for participation for all electives outside the core subjects.

    I only give letter grades in math, science, English, foreign language and history.

     

    That is reassuring!

     

    It will depend on who is looking at your transcript next. NCAA for example treats all P grades as the minimum passing grade, D or is it C? I had one college adcom tell me they treat a pass as a C for scholarship GPA calculations  :scared: .

     

    Regentrude's dd has already been accepted and offered merit aid at colleges my kids would never dream of applying to though, so this is not a one size fits all answer. 

     

    Yikes! I don't know if my son will be involved with NCAA yet.

     

    Do you need to put it on the transcript at all?  I just teach health as part of life -- I've never made a course out of it.

     

    I have made it my policy to follow the state requirements, just in case my kids have to go to ps.

     

    I guess I could give it to him as a P/F then decide later whether or not it should actually make it to the transcript.

    If your high schooler has a paying job...

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    My daughter got her first official paying job this fall at our local Y (she is 17). I have been going there since I was pregnant with her. She has played in their tot watch, sat through my spinning class, and taken swim and TKD lessons there. She has volunteered at VBS since she was old enough and a couple of summers volunteering at a Christian camp. Some one she takes DE classes with her let her know of lifeguard/swim instructor opening.  The YMCA paid for the all her training.

     

    I think it's super helpful to "know" someone. But I do think that having adults who know your child's work ethic, and can provide a great reference, is even more important.

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