Grantmom
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Posts posted by Grantmom
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With these logic books, like Critical Thinking Skills and Art of Argument, would you read the text with your child? Like read it out loud, or would you just have them read it and come to you if you had questions? I'm asking for a 7th/8th grade aged child.
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Thanks for this thread! I was looking at Critical Thinking Skills 1 and 2 and it has an instructor guide and answer key. Did you find that was necessary?
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Thank you! That was one point that I liked about the VideoText, in their intro they said that they teach you to understand it, and so you don't need to memorize a lot of formulas, because you will know it because you understand it. So would you sat AoPS is the same then in that regard? Do the videos online correspond well with working through the book? Because I feel like even I definitely need that person talking to help me understand so I can help him.
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No! The book Introduction to Algebra covers a lot more than any other traditional algebra 1 text; the algebra 1 part is chapters 1 through 12 or 13. The Intermediate Algebra text covers not only algebra 2, but some material usually covered in precalculus.
So, if you just want algebra 1, either use chapters 1-13 of Intro to Algebra for a scope comparable to a standard course, or do all of Intro to Algebra for a course that contains a lot more. This is the thickest book and the one that takes the longest time to finish. Some students take more than one year.
So, in terms of writing a transcript though, how would you apportion that? I may be thinking ahead too far here, but I really need to feel like I have a solid plan for high school math so that he can achieve his goals for college.
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I just don't want to mess anything up with how my kids love math. They never complain and I want to keep it that way! I have kids who love learning the "whys" of things. (We do a spelling curriculum that helps them see "why" words are spelled a certain way and they (and I) love that.) I would hate to resolve myself to a curriculum that only teaches rote memorization or formulas and doesn't give them the "whys" in favor of rigor.
Ugggg.... I am so comfortable with the little ones and curriculum. As they get older this is going to stretch me! :glare:
I feel this way too. I realize this is an older thread, but just wanted to comment on this because I feel the same way about math. I'm scared of "picking the wrong thing". I feel like what we've done up to now has been great for laying a solid foundation for math and my son is very math-inclined. He really gets math and loves it, thinks of it like a puzzle. I want to continue that, and want to be sure he continues to understand on a deeper level and not just learn shortcuts. I took AP Calculus in HS and I didn't understand a single thing I did and have no idea how I even passed that class, let alone get a decent grade. It wasn't until college when I felt like I really started to understand math in a way I never had before. (despite taking high level math in HS and even doing well in the math on the SAT)
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Wow, these are great resources for online algebra supplements! Thanks so much!!
Our older DS is in the midst of Foerster Algebra 2 right now; it is a substantial textbook, teaching multiple methods of problem solving for each topic, and with SO many problems for each lesson, that I only assign a portion of the problems after the first 2 lessons of each chapter. Foerster also comes at the math from a completely different point of view than MUS. (Younger DS just finished MUS Algebra 1 and is in the midst of MUS Geometry, so I am also familiar with upper levels of MUS; we will supplement MUS Geometry with Jacobs Geometry, and will use something ?? to supplement MUS Algebra 2 when we get there.)For those 2 reasons (rigorous, different viewpoint), I would suggest that it will still take a full year to complete Foerster Algebra 2. If you were to switch from MUS mid-year, then your son would either need to work very diligently all through the summer to complete Foerster, or he would use the first semester of next school year to complete Foerster.
Or, you could have him continue with MUS this year and consider it overview for easing him into doing Foerster Alg. 2 all next year. Repeating algebra is not necessarily a bad thing, as the student is getting 2 years and 2 approaches to Algebra 2 -- and remember, algebra (rather than geometry) concepts are what are stressed on the SAT, ACT, etc. tests. Our younger DS did Jacobs Algebra 1 all last year, and I was not convinced he "got it" at all, so he did all of MUS Algebra 1 for the first semester of this year to review/cement the concepts.
Another option might be to continue MUS through this year, but supplement it. (Foerster would NOT be easy to use as a supplement.) What about some online supplements? Then at the end of the year you could have DS take some practice PSAT / SAT math sections, and see if there are areas that still need some work, which could be addressed either over the summer or in the following school year.
Ideas for online math supplements:
Algebra 2 Tutorials
http://www.professor-j.com/algebra2.htm
Holt, Rinehart, Winston: Algebra 2
http://go.hrw.com/gopages/ma/alg2_07.html
Hippo Campus: Algebra
http://www.hippocampus.org/Algebra;jsessionid=64F86BCAA1887A53A5A58E05B9E1BC28
Class Zone: Algebra 2 textbook online
http://www.classzone.com/books/algebra_2/index.cfm
Henrico County Public Schools: Algebra 2 Online!
http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/math/hcpsalgebra2/
Your Teacher: Algebra 2
http://www.yourteacher.com/browse-lessons.php?courseSubject=algebra2help
Homework Help: Algebra 2
http://www.algebra.com/algebra-2.mpl
Free Algebra Tutorials
BEST of luck, whatever you decide! Warmly, Lori D.
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Also, are there certain programs that will or won't "count", as in, on my own homemade transcript, for these requirements for college? How do you even do this?
Also, with AoPS, they have different courses, like intro to algebra and intermediate algebra, so do you combine the 2 to count for Algebra? Or is the first like Algebra 1 and the second like Algebra 2? Sorry, feeling so lost.
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Thank you all so much for your thoughtful discussion. I think I'm more confused now though! Sounds like there are many wonderful programs that I hadn't even researched yet! I do get that what you put into it makes is what makes it rigorous, I just wanted to be sure that whatever we get will cover and prepare him for the kind of higher level math he will want to be able to do in college, and help him score well on tests to get into the kind of college he would like to go to.
So, as for determining what fits his style, how do I do that without trying them all out? Some of these are super expensive. The Chalkdust for example looks really steep. Before this thread I was thinking about the VideoText Interactive, but the Chalkdust website compares their program to the VT and says it is not as comprehensive. I thought I really liked the idea of the VT, when I watched the intro video it made so much sense and I was kind of excited about it. But now I feel like I need to look at these other suggestions closer first.
I really like the idea of the programs that have a video with them, because although I took up to AP Calculus in HS and took higher level math in college, it has been 20 years since I have used any of that stuff and I know I cannot explain things. I like the idea of having a "teacher" even if on a screen, actually explain the concept and work out problems along with you. But, maybe that is just *my* need. I don't know!
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Thanks for sharing this. I am trying to decide which program to use for higher level math and someone suggested this in another thread. Do you think you will continue with it all the way through, up to Calculus?
And about the shortcuts you mentioned, that was one thing that stood out to me in the intro video about the VideoText Interactive program. The author said they don't teach any shortcuts and you don't need to memorize any formulas or shortcuts because they help you to understand the material, so memorizing a shortcut or a formula isn't necessary. What's your opinion about that so far? (I honestly know nothing about either program, I am just trying to compare them based on my very limited knowledge.) Thanks!
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What about becoming a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, audiologist, public health educator? There are a lot of other health care jobs that are still very stable, that you can get a job anywhere you go.
I just wanted to share that I work very part-time and have a very flexible schedule and even work a portion of the hours that I work from home. And yet, my youngest son says frequently that I work all the time. And I really don't. I mean, my schedule is very flexible, and I feel grateful that I am with them for the majority of the time. When I work away from home, they are almost always with a family member. We have had times where we had a babysitter (college student) two afternoons a week. But now they are always with a family member if I have to work. And yet, his reality, what he perceives, is that I work a lot. So, just sharing that perspective.
I go back and forth through the years, and I think this is felt by many women. When I was only home with kids and did nothing else, I felt pulled to doing something more. Yet now that I work, even though it's only part-time, things feel too busy and I sometimes wish I were able to just focus on the kids. I think it's just a constant rebalancing to find what works for your family as they grow through different stages. Good luck!
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Thank you so much!!
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I am seeing a lot of posts saying that MUS is not rigorous enough for upper level math, for those who are math-inclined and wanting to head toward math/science/engineering degrees. Is this really true? I was excited thinking this would be a good fit and we could just use it all the way through. My son is definitely very math and science oriented. I know he will want to be prepared to test well in math when that time comes, and I want him to feel well prepared. What is the best then? What about VideoText Interactive?
I would like to start with something now that we can follow all the way through for higher level math.
Thanks for sharing any opinions!
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I have been searching for threads on Right Start math, and reading through them. In some of them, some people allude to switching out of RS in Level C or D, or kind of allude to Level D and E not being very good. I couldn't find anything more, and it's also hard to search for since "right" and "start" are such commonly used words in a homeschooling forum! :001_smile:
So, I was just wondering if anyone could share, are there some negatives to levels C, D, E? I feel like it seems like a good solid program, but we only have A and B.
Thanks!
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Thanks, all, so much.
So, what I am hearing is:
Start with Magic Lens and Cesar's English, then move on to Word within the Word. Concurrently do Essay Voyage and WWS. Maybe also do Evan-Moor Daily Paragraph Editing for mechanics like when to italicize a title (mentioned in another thread)?
OR, maybe just start with the Voyage level (does the Cesar's English come with that one too, or does it just come with town?) and use WWS along with it. Then move up to Magic Lens after that.
Do either of those sound like a good plan? Too much?
It sounds like I don't need to start with WWE, I can move straight on to WWS. Is that correct?
Thanks again so much.
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So then is WWE designed for the elementary and then WWS designed to follow? It says there are four levels but I can only find info about Level 1 in WWS.
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Okay, I just looked up Evan-Moor Daily Paragraph Editing, and it starts at 2nd and goes through 6th. Ugh, again, where to start? Can I just start with 6th? honestly, I feel pretty confident that he has the basics down, he certainly knows when to use a capital, etc. But he likely doesn't know stuff like when to italicize. (I am pretty sure I don't even know all of that!)
Also, for that, they have a "reproducible teacher edition" and a "student practice book". Can I get just one or the other?
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Thanks, all, for this discussion. I am trying to keep all these ideas sorted out here. So, if I were going to add something to MCT, then maybe WWE or WWS would be a good addition? Would it be worth it to go through WWE quickly, or can we just start with WWS since he is older? I doubt he is going to go for rewriting sentences at this age.
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Thank you! This is all very helpful!
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And yes, I was also kind of thinking that I needed to do one "whole" level at a time. Like do the whole Voyage package. The complete packages are kind of expensive though, so if I don't think I would use all of the books, I would hate to waste the money on the whole set.
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Thank you all so much for this great information! I was worried that if I started with Magic Lens, that he would have holes in the grammar part. But you don't think so?
And, by "no step-by-step writing instruction", what do you mean? Do you mean, organizing your thoughts into a paragraph? And can you suggest something else we could do along with it for that function? I really need something that is going to engage and challenge him, and yet I want to be sure we haven't left any holes by kind of "skipping over" the elementary grammar stuff.
Many thanks!
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Oh no! When you click on this link and try to download the full text, it says a limited number of full text documents are available on ERIC now due to privacy issues, and that they are hoping to resolve it soon. But you can't access this at all anymore.
I was hoping this would be helpful to see because I'm trying to decide whether to use MCT with my 7th grader and where to start. :(
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Thank you very much for posting this. I am thinking of starting this with my DS this year. Can I just clarify what the chart means? You say the page numbers are for Mon Wed Fri. Are the last two numbers the lesson number for sentences and the lesson number for chapters? And do you do that all three days? I'm sorry, I am confused because I don't have it yet. Could you write out the first week as an example? Thanks so much.
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Hello all,
I am trying to decide whether to use MCT for my child and where to start. I was thinking it was a complete program, and didn't think at all about needing something more for mechanics, so I appreciate the advice given here. but, by "mechanics", what exactly do you mean? Do you just mean punctuation and things like that?
Also, I thought that the upper level of the MCT curriculum did give more of the actual writing practice, like how to organize your thoughts and write an essay. I thought I had read that the goal by the end is to be able to write a college level essay.
I have not done any formal grammar curriculum with my son at all, and he is 12, so I need something that will be engaging and interesting and not at all seem like it's written for a third grader. He already knows much of the mechanics part, I feel, from what we've pieced together and from extensive reading.
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Hello all,
I hope this is the right place to post this question. I have a 7th/8th grader who is very bright and was an early reader. We have never done any formal language arts curriculum at all. All of our language arts study has just been put together as we went along, taking pieces from this or that, having conversations, reading books together. We've talked about parts of speech, etc, but we've never done any formal grammar. We haven't done anything like diagramming sentences.
However, he is now definitely ready for more structure and academic writing instruction. I was considering using the MCT curriculum with him, on recommendation from a friend. But, I don't know where to start. Since we've never done any formal grammar, I thought maybe I should start at the beginning. But he is very sensitive to anything being too dumbed down, or if it seems like it was made for a younger child. Because we haven't followed a traditional course in language arts instruction, I feel like I need to start at the beginning, but I was looking at the sample for the Island level and it seems like it is written for a much younger child.
Any suggestions? Do you think if I started with Town, would there be things we would have missed at the Island level?
Also, I have to say, I've been very hesitant to use formal grammar curriculum up until now, because I really wanted to preserve his love of reading and wanted him to just be immersed in words and language. That has worked well up until now for him. But he may be interested in attending a school in the next year or two for high school and I want him to be able to write an essay before then. I want him to be able to write well, organize his thoughts, etc.
So, if you have any other suggestions of other curriculum that might work well for him, I would be grateful to hear. Thanks so much!
Please help me with structure!
in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges
Posted
Up until now, we have been very child-led and eclectic in our approach, but my 7th/8th grader is ready and actually asking for a lot more structure in his schooling. I am excited about this, this is what I have been waiting for and am excited that he wants so much to learn!
However, I am really struggling with how to structure things for him, and come up with things he can work on independently. I am fine with spending a few hours each day in one on one time with him, but I also have to do that with my younger child too, and I have to do everything to keep the house going, make food, laundry, and I work part-time. So, I want to make this work. He is actually excited about the changes, says he wants quizzes and homework, but I need to keep him engaged and challenged when there isn't an adult right there with him.
Any advice? Recommendations for things he can do independently?
I plan to work alongside him for math and LA definitely. I was reading in another thread about some suggestions for logic, and I think he will really like those books, and hopefully he can do some of that independently. But how do you figure out where they can work alone, and how do you know if they are getting and understanding the material if you are not working through it with them?
Thanks for any words of wisdom!