Jump to content

Menu

Di3kids

Members
  • Posts

    188
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Di3kids

  1. My two older kids were "ahead" in math all along in elementary and middle school, but I think something went wrong, however, when the were in algebra and algebra 2. I think they were a bit too young to be two years ahead in math, and I don't think it helped them as much when it came time to take ACT tests. They both did very well, but largely due to their English and reading scores, not their math scores. If I had it to do over (which I do as I have one more daughter), I would make sure the algebra concepts were planted firmly in their heads and NOT move on unless they were. There really is no rush or need to push our kids. In the end, our son did calculus his senior year and our daughter will finish her senior year with a year and a half of pre-calculus (Saxon). For the college she is attending, she will probably need to to take calc but I am okay with that. I regret that they kinda "stalled out" in math during their early h.s. years. So, my two cents, for what it's worth is to master algebra before moving on.
  2. I've read some negative comments on the forum about Sonlight CS. I just wanted to give them credit for outstanding customer service today. I've used SL in the past and will be doing Core F this year. The woman I spoke with was helpful and humble and "made things right" with my current order. I know that no company is perfect, but I do believe that they are trying to meet the needs of homeschoolers in a professional way. Cheers for Sonlight!
  3. I have used Sonlight some years ago (what would be Core A, B, and 100 now) and was considering Core F-Eastern Hemisphere for my 12 and 15-year-old daughters. I've heard some dissatisfaction with SL because of some "changes" and issues with the company. Can anybody fill me in on this? Also, with some supplementation, do you think it is meaty enough for high school? Last year we did Omnibus III for older dd - she's smart but it was grueling to read much of the literature. I was trying to keep up with her, but, honestly, reading "Of Plymouth Plantation" or "Foxe's Book of Martyrs" from cover-to-cover was not something I looked forward to. I want my children to be challenged, but I don't want them to dread the books they are reading. Any help would be appreciated. Also posting on K-8 board.
  4. I have used Sonlight some years ago (what would be Core A, B, and 100 now) and was considering Core F-Eastern Hemisphere for my 12 and 15-year-old daughters. I've heard some dissatisfaction with SL because of some "changes" and issues with the company. Can anybody fill me in on this? Also, with some supplementation, do you think it is meaty enough for high school? Last year we did Omnibus III for older dd - she's smart but it was grueling to read much of the literature. I was trying to keep up with her, but, honestly, reading "Of Plymouth Plantation" or "Foxe's Book of Martyrs" from cover-to-cover was not something I looked forward to. I want my children to be challenged, but I don't want them to dread the books they are reading. Any help would be appreciated. Also posting on high school board.
  5. When my ds was in 9th he used MFW AHL and in 10th he used WHL, but now with my dd in 9th, I'm using Omnibus. She is 14 and very bright, but we are finding Omnibus III to be quite challenging. Since she is also doing Mystery of History III with younger sister, we are actually only doing the first semester of Omnibus this year, but are including primary and secondary books (that's 15 not-so-fluffy books). Omnibus requires much more of my involvement than MFW did. I really love it, and enjoy how much I am learning, too. The discussions are great, and the writing assignments are quite rigorous (since she has a passion for so many other things like voice, piano, dance, etc. and also has other coursework she does not do all of the writing assignments). My son would not have enjoyed Omnibus, though. Reading "Of Plymouth Plantation" and "Foxes Book of Martyrs" has been somewhat difficult for us. Perhaps we're wimps, but these classic books are not like reading "The Hunger Games!" I think we'll stick with Omnibus, though. Well, I hope that helps.
  6. We have loved using MOH and are wondering what anybody else has used in lieu of Vol. 4 which has not been released because it is still being written. Thanks!
  7. Any opinions out there about Huntington? I got a card in the mail and talked with a representative about ACT/SAT prep. It's fairly expensive but they say they can increase a student's score 200-600 pts (SAT) or 2-9 pts (ACT). Sounds impressive to me, but is it worth it? Of course, getting some scholarship $$ would more than pay for this one-on-one tutoring. A college in our area offers a group class for a much lower cost and a friend's daughter is currently enrolled for five Saturday mornings. Any thoughts?
  8. I hate this homeschool tracker program. I've wasted days on this and now cannot figure out how to make it print what I need. Watched the videos, but I guess I'm just not smart enough to figure it out. Kinda tired-had a hamster on the loose and we've caught him now, but I really need help on this program, or I'm gonna scrap it and start from scratch with my own grid format. We start school tomorrow and I want the kiddos to have a schedule for the week. Thanks for any assistance (BTW I did look at page 119 but this still doesn't help me).
  9. Trying to figure out this program - I spent hours putting in all of my daily lessons into Lesson Plans, but now I want to create an assignment sheet (hoping for a grid with Mon-Fri at the top and subjects along the left side of the paper). Can anyone tell me how to do this? I printed out the 297 page manual, but cannot figure it out. Thanks for any tips!
  10. Originally I wanted From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, as it takes place in an art museum, but I can't seem to be able to rent it anywhere, and it's for sale on Amazon for $196! Crazy! I'd like a longer movie for the girls to watch as they are getting ready to go to sleep (it's a slumber party).
  11. for my dd10? The girls will be doing crafts, and we'll have an art auction, etc. I'm looking for a good movie that would go with the art theme. Any ideas? Thanks!
  12. Probably, depending on your area. I'm in a rural area in WI and my dd13 is paid anywhere from $4-$7 an hour for 1-3 children ages 2+. My sister in CO paid at least $10-$12 an hour for two children, and this was several years ago. Yikes - I remember getting $1/hr. HTH
  13. Whoa... purchased the $50 HST Plus and I can't figure this thing out! I was so excited about this - the answer to my disorganized homeschooling. I'm trying to slog through the 268 page manual to get answers to my questions, and I've watched a few training videos, too. I've even got my smart dd13 trying to help. Any suggestions out there? Thanks!
  14. Just thought I'd share our good news - my son (15) just won "Best of Show" in photography at our little country fair. Move over Ansel Adams (ha!).
  15. There are so many editions out there - do you have a favorite?
  16. For 8th grader, I wanted to coordinate most lit with our history, but now I'm rethinking things. Is is better for her to read some more common lit such as Diary of Anne Frank, Treasure Island, To Kill a Mockingbird, etc. even if it does not "go" with our history time period? Or, can anyone suggest age-appropriate read-alones for the time period AD 30-1450? Thanks so much for any help you can give me.
  17. Thanks for the encouragement, and the suggestion to give my son credit for his music (he does put in a lot of time on this). Any tips for grading this subject?
  18. For my 5th grade dd. I'm starting her in level 4+ (the first book, which is kinda confusing IMHO because the second book is just 4). Really excited to use it - a few others posted good things about it. If I knew how to do it, I'd copy and paste their comments here. I'm a bit techno-challenged. I'll be happy to report how it goes in our hs.
  19. My 9 yr. old also enjoyed Detective in Togas this past year. Thanks for the other suggestions. We're on the same wavelength and kids have already read some of those suggested. I think I'll add Charlemagne. Was holding off on Beowulf and Canterbury Tales for 8th grade dd as she'll be getting this in 2 years when she does MFW WHL. I posted our year plan on another thread and would love any input. I've been so blessed by this forum and you wonderful ladies.:001_smile:
  20. Thanks for any input! (I also posted on K-8 not to duplicate but only since I have kids in both age groups.) **I particularly need wisdom with the read-alouds (I have a few too many!). Which of these would be less well-suited to reading aloud so I could assign to 5th or 8th grader on their own (I’m greedy and want to read these, too!)? Josh-10th grade (7 credits) History (1 cr.): MFW World History and Literature Exploring World History (Notgrass) World History Map Activities Rand McNally Historical Atlas of the World Encyclopedia of the Ancient World History of the World (MFW edition) Bible (1 cr.): MFW World History and Literature In His Steps Heroes of the Faith Church History in Plain Language More Than a Carpenter Christianity, Cults and Religions Experiencing God: Youth Edition Also memorizing verses as a family, reading his own Bible Literature (1 cr.): MFW World History and Literature Julius Caesar Beowulf British Literature Teacher Guide for British Literature Practicing His Presence The Pilgrim’s Progress in Modern English A Tale of Two Cities Silas Marner Pride and Prejudice Cry, the Beloved Country Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret The Hiding Place Animal Farm Writer’s Inc. (Also reading short selections from The Canterbury Tales, Paradise Lost, Gulliver’s Travels) Science (1 cr.): Apologia Chemistry Math (1 cr.): Videotext Geometry or perhaps Geometry at local school (!) Spanish (1 cr.): Pimsleur, extra reading and reports Photography (1/2 cr.): online course through betterphoto.com, lots of personal work Phy. Ed (1/2 cr.): running, soccer, and a p.e. class through our co-op A few extra items: Writing: IEW’s The Elegant Essay Literature Analysis :Teaching the Classics (view DVDs with Mom and Elisabeth) The SAT and College Preparation Course for the Christian Student [extra activities: piano and guitar lessons, 4-H, homeschool drama troupe, church youth group and leadership team, church worship team, forming band with some friends, nursery worker, sound volunteer, playing and visiting at nursing homes, co-op, learning to drive] Elisabeth – 8th grade History: Mystery of History, vol. 2 (early church through middle ages)/do with Mom and Annie, add'l history books Math: Videotext Algebra Science: Apologia General Science Spelling: Spelling Workout H, spelling bee preparation Spanish: Pimsleur English: Rod and Staff 7 Bible: memorizing verses as a family, reading her own Bible Writing: IEW Student Writing Intensive C Art: Draw and Write Through History-Vikings and the Middle Ages, also Draw Today (through co-op) Literature Analysis: Teaching the Classics (view DVDs with Mom and Josh) Logic: Fallacy Detective and Thinking Toolbox Literature: Little Women Ivanhoe Eagle of the Ninth (119 A.D.) Fingal’s Quest (6th c. France & Ireland) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Tolkien) Saint George and the Dragon (England) Castle Diary (1285) [extra activities: piano lessons, 4-H, homeschool drama troupe, church youth group, nursery worker, playing and visiting at nursing homes, co-op, ballet, tap, jazz and pointe, much-loved baby-sitter] Annie-5th grade History: Mystery of History, vol. 2 (early church through middle ages)/do with Mom and Elisabeth, add'l history books Math: Singapore, Mathtacular video Science: Apologia Human Anatomy and Physiology plus notebooking resource Spelling: Spelling Workout E Spanish: Pimsleur English: Rod and Staff 4 Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser 5 Bible: memorizing verses as a family, reading her own Bible Writing: Meaningful Composition 4 Art: Draw and Write Through History-Vikings and the Middle Ages, also Draw Today (through co-op) Literature: Heidi Cricket in Times Square Eric the Red and Leif the Lucky Black Horses for the King (5th c. Britain) Theras and His Town (5th c. Greece) Tales of Robin Hood (1200’s) Saint George and the Dragon (England) Castle Diary (1285) [extra activities: piano lessons, 4-H, homeschool drama troupe, playing and visiting at nursing homes, co-op, ballet, tap, jazz, soccer team] Read-Alouds (with all three children)-most go with history and a few are just for fun The Gammage Cup Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Pictures of Hollis Woods Red Sails to Capri Twenty-One Balloons Twice Freed (1st. c) The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow (early Christianity to Vikings) Augustine Came to Kent (597 England) The Shining Company (7th c. in Britain) A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver (1100’s) Adam of the Road (1200’s England) Catherine, Called Birdy (1290 England) The Ramsay Scallop (England, France, Spain, crusades, 1299) The Beduin’s Gazelle (Morocco, 1302, sequel to The Ramsay Scallop) Crispin: Cross of Lead (1377 England) The Door in the Wall (1300’s, Britain) Joan of Arc by Stanley (early 1400’s) The Trumpeter of Krakow (15th c. Poland) The Great and Terrible Quest (late middle ages)
  21. **I particularly need wisdom with the read-alouds (I have a few too many!). Which of these would be less well-suited to reading aloud so I could assign to 5th or 8th grader on their own (I’m greedy and want to read these, too!)? Josh-10th grade (7 credits) History (1 cr.): MFW World History and Literature Exploring World History (Notgrass) World History Map Activities Rand McNally Historical Atlas of the World Encyclopedia of the Ancient World History of the World (MFW edition) Bible (1 cr.): MFW World History and Literature In His Steps Heroes of the Faith Church History in Plain Language More Than a Carpenter Christianity, Cults and Religions Experiencing God: Youth Edition Also memorizing verses as a family, reading his own Bible Literature (1 cr.): MFW World History and Literature Julius Caesar Beowulf British Literature Teacher Guide for British Literature Practicing His Presence The Pilgrim’s Progress in Modern English A Tale of Two Cities Silas Marner Pride and Prejudice Cry, the Beloved Country Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret The Hiding Place Animal Farm Writer’s Inc. (Also reading short selections from The Canterbury Tales, Paradise Lost, Gulliver’s Travels) Science (1 cr.): Apologia Chemistry Math (1 cr.): Videotext Geometry or perhaps Geometry at local school (!) Spanish (1 cr.): Pimsleur, extra reading and reports Photography (1/2 cr.): online course through betterphoto.com, lots of personal work Phy. Ed (1/2 cr.): running, soccer, and a p.e. class through our co-op A few extra items: Writing: IEW’s The Elegant Essay Literature Analysis :Teaching the Classics (view DVDs with Mom and Elisabeth) The SAT and College Preparation Course for the Christian Student [extra activities: piano and guitar lessons, 4-H, homeschool drama troupe, church youth group and leadership team, church worship team, forming band with some friends, nursery worker, sound volunteer, playing and visiting at nursing homes, co-op, learning to drive] Elisabeth – 8th grade History: Mystery of History, vol. 2 (early church through middle ages)/do with Mom and Annie, add'l history books Math: Videotext Algebra Science: Apologia General Science Spelling: Spelling Workout H, spelling bee preparation Spanish: Pimsleur English: Rod and Staff 7 Bible: memorizing verses as a family, reading her own Bible Writing: IEW Student Writing Intensive C Art: Draw and Write Through History-Vikings and the Middle Ages, also Draw Today (through co-op) Literature Analysis: Teaching the Classics (view DVDs with Mom and Josh) Logic: Fallacy Detective and Thinking Toolbox Literature: Little Women Ivanhoe Eagle of the Ninth (119 A.D.) Fingal’s Quest (6th c. France & Ireland) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Tolkien) Saint George and the Dragon (England) Castle Diary (1285) [extra activities: piano lessons, 4-H, homeschool drama troupe, church youth group, nursery worker, playing and visiting at nursing homes, co-op, ballet, tap, jazz and pointe, much-loved baby-sitter] Annie-5th grade History: Mystery of History, vol. 2 (early church through middle ages)/do with Mom and Elisabeth, add'l history books Math: Singapore, Mathtacular video Science: Apologia Human Anatomy and Physiology plus notebooking resource Spelling: Spelling Workout E Spanish: Pimsleur English: Rod and Staff 4 Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser 5 Bible: memorizing verses as a family, reading her own Bible Writing: Meaningful Composition 4 Art: Draw and Write Through History-Vikings and the Middle Ages, also Draw Today (through co-op) Literature: Heidi Cricket in Times Square Eric the Red and Leif the Lucky Black Horses for the King (5th c. Britain) Theras and His Town (5th c. Greece) Tales of Robin Hood (1200’s) Saint George and the Dragon (England) Castle Diary (1285) [extra activities: piano lessons, 4-H, homeschool drama troupe, playing and visiting at nursing homes, co-op, ballet, tap, jazz, soccer team] Read-Alouds (with all three children)-most go with history and a few are just for fun The Gammage Cup Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Pictures of Hollis Woods Red Sails to Capri Twenty-One Balloons Twice Freed (1st. c) The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow (early Christianity to Vikings) Augustine Came to Kent (597 England) The Shining Company (7th c. in Britain) A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver (1100’s) Adam of the Road (1200’s England) Catherine, Called Birdy (1290 England) The Ramsay Scallop (England, France, Spain, crusades, 1299) The Beduin’s Gazelle (Morocco, 1302, sequel to The Ramsay Scallop) Crispin: Cross of Lead (1377 England) The Door in the Wall (1300’s, Britain) Joan of Arc by Stanley (early 1400’s) The Trumpeter of Krakow (15th c. Poland) The Great and Terrible Quest (late middle ages)
  22. For 8th and 5th graders, and some read-alouds to include 10th grader. Thanks!
  23. DD9 really likes to do science experiments so I want to provide this for her but keep my sanity. I like these colorful books and I've heard good things about this curriculum. Anybody have experience with KOGS, and if so, which one would you choose (we just couldn't do all six). I was actually wanting a Christian science curriculum but not sure what that would be (CKE? - opinions?). Thanks so much!!!
×
×
  • Create New...