Yolanda in Mass
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Posts posted by Yolanda in Mass
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Here in New England, the SAT rules. Few, if any, take the ACT and you have to travel pretty far to find a school that administers it.
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To get a feel for how academic a college is, check out the college at collegeboard.com and compare SAT/ACT scores of students. Teachers can teach to the caliber of the students. It's also a good site to see where your student might fit in for their education, as well as for any sort of merit aid. Sending a student to a school where they are in the lower 25% of students might leave them overchallenged and discouraged - plus be difficult to get into to start with. Sending them to a place where they are in the top 25% of students can lead to nice merit aid. Having them be really FAR into the top 25% can leave them underchallenged and disillusioned - not to mention the possibility of an inferior education if they actually want to use what they've learned on the job or in grad school.
Although I can't speak specifically to the thread topic, I did want to echo what creekland said about matching your student's academic abilities to the school's student body. This may not be the best example, but my 19yos (homeschool grad) is in cc and has had, with one exception, outstanding teachers. However, these teachers can't challenge him as they have to teach to the low caliber of student; I'm speaking in generalities, of course. I know there are some highly motivated and prepared students at his cc, just not enough. All this to say that as he applies to 4-year colleges we are looking very carefully at the grades and SAT/ACT scores of the student body to make sure he's in that mid-50% range.
Yolanda
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Yes, that's what I'm going to do. My library consortium has the book, so I ordered it. Thanks.
Yolanda
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I had posted earlier about MUS Alg 2 being way too easy for my son. I had been contemplating either switching mid-year to possibly Foerster's or sticking it out with MUS but supplementing. I'm now leaning towards supplementing because my son would be overwhelmed with math in order to finish a different curriculum by summer and we really don't want it to go into the next school year to finish. He can't work through the summer.
What opinions are out there regarding using Life of Fred Advanced Algebra to supplement? I read a review somewhere that LOF has the the rigor of Foerster's (Cathy Duffy?) but it looks so much 'friendlier' than Foerster. I would also be using the MUS honors books. Due to his low PSAT math scores, he already has started Barron's Math SAT Prep books as well. He said he just is not used to seeing math presented the way it was on the PSAT.
Yolanda
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One more thing - are there any other algebra 2 texts that are more challenging than MUS but less rigorous than Foerster? No Teaching Textbooks. Been there, done that with older son.
Yolanda
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You can do whatever you feel you need to do. That's the beauty of homeschooling. Lots of kids graduate at 19. They just started later rather than ending later.
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Lori,
Thanks for the great suggestions. I originally thought about supplementing MUS with Foerster but I agree, too tough to do. He's a junior and he needs to finish Alg 2 this year, so leaving some for next year (the portion that is alg 2 in the text) is not something we want to do. Continuing with MUS and supplementing with some of the links you posted may be something to look into, but it's so much easier to switch and stick to one book. Besides, it looks like MUS leaves out some topics in addition to not having enough thinking problems, so again, lots of work for me.
That leaves my poor son working through math for yet another summer. Last year he had a lot of trouble with Jacobs Geometry so we had him do MUS Geometry through July. It was easy as pie, but it was still math.
Funny, we also started with MUS Alg 1 then switched to Jacobs. He did fine in that. Lots to think about. I feel so badly for my son since I keep switching curriculum on him. The one thing he did not want to do was math during the summer. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply with some helpful suggestions.
Yolanda
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What a timely visit to this board. I just hopped on to ask some questions about starting Foerster's Alg 2 mid-year as my son is finding MUS Alg 2 ridiculously easy. He's done with his lessons in less than 1/2 hr and gets mostly 100's on his tests, and yet bombed the math portion of the PSAT. He did great on the other sections so it's not test anxiety. My son is not a super-strong math student and is not math or engineering inclined at all, but he's been complaining about how easy his math is and even asked if it gets any harder or should he double up for a challenge. I would have loved for it to be more challenging, but I'm afraid it doesn't have the depth or breadth we're looking for. The honors books don't do it either, I'm afraid.
My older son also did MUS Precalc and he placed into precalc at the community college. He did 'ace' it, but given that he did precalculus as a senior, we would have expected placement into calculus.
We used MUS at the lower levels, but had our reservations about using it at the high school level because of negative reviews. But we also read glowing reviews such as someone just posted. We decided based on these positive reviews rather than our gut feeling that it was lacking and simply comparing the scope of MUS as compared to other math curriculum. It has not worked for us as it has, apparently, for other people.
Yolanda
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I can't remember, but I believe there is a video program that uses Jacobs which might fit the bill for you. Hopefully someone will post with that bit of information.
Hope that helps!
Hi,
We're currently using Dr. Callahan's dvd's with Jacobs' Geometry. My son watches them alone and says they really don't help him at all, I'm sorry to say. I haven't sat down to watch with him, so I don't know if he's just given up and would rather wait for his dad to help or what. Dr. Callahan is extremely helpful, however, and responds very quickly to any questions. There are dvd's for both Jacobs' Algebra as well as Geometry.
Yolanda
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Hi,
Thought I'd chime in. After using BJU's Spanish with my older son and other kids for 3 years, I'm using Destinos solely with my younger son. I think someone on this board recommended it. Our local cc has the videos and I purchased the written materials, which are needed for a full course, from Amazon. If I were using Auralog or Rosetta Stone I would consider using the video portion as a supplement, I suppose, but why not just use the whole program?
Yolanda
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Danielle,
Well, I 'm glad I didn't mangle the facts too horribly! Thanks for the clarification.
Yolanda
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Hi,
The son of a friend of mine qualified as a Davidson Scholar (although I don't remember him getting $$) because IQ testing showed he was profoundly gifted - we're talking about numbers in the stratosphere. Numbers so high, you can't use regular testers and tests for. As she sought help in the area of IQ testing and how to challenge him, she met many people who led to other people who opened the doors some of you talked about. One of the resources offered to him was a type of guidance counselor for the gifted, so to speak, and some other more tangible items like special computers with voice recognition. He's dysgraphic. I forget which philanthropic organization/person funds either this program or another to help kids who are this brilliant. The reason is that this person (I may be getting some of the facts wrong, but the ideas are right) believes that kids that are this smart do not have access to what they need to fully achieve their potential. Hopefully, I haven't totally mangled the facts.
Yolanda
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:iagree:
Albert Marrin's history books are all fabulous!My son who is not a reader (or didn't used to be) absolutely loves Marrin!
Yolanda
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Hi Debbie,
A desire to teach, a willingness to learn and a knack - you should do fine! FYI - the cd's use speakers with different accents so kids get used to it and the people speak at close to normal speed. Don't be intimidated. There is a script of the all the cd's in the back of the teacher's manual so you can read it slowly. Check out Destinos language program as well for some listening practice. The videos are free downloads at www.learner.org.
Buena suerte!
Yolanda
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Wow, that's pretty good information. The website does mention briefly that the current mg't. did not found the company. It's pretty pricey anyway so unless I heard absolutely rave reviews, just wasn't going to happen. Thanks again!
Yolanda
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Hi Deb,
I've used BJU without the DVD's and CD's, but I speak fluent Spanish. Do you? This would be a tough course without DVD's if you don't. Don't know if this helps at all but I spent about 30-45 mins a day tops maybe 3 to 4 days a week, one-on-one with my kids teaching the new material then they would do the activities manual on their own but with me nearby to answer questions. We would do the text activities orally. Hope this helps.
Yolanda
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Hi,
I'm wondering about this program where they ship you everything you need for labs at 2 month intervals. I was considering using it with Apologia Biology. My 15yos would prefer to do science labs at home rather than with a 17 student weekly lab class led by a science teacher. I don't have a science background but am eager to learn and have the time to devote to this. Anyone have experience using this? Here's a link: http://labsinabox.com/
Thanks.
Yolanda
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Hi,
We've been using TQ as the framework for our history studies for years. It's a wonderful curriculum which engages the student and the teacher. I've learned so much from it. For each topic, along with an excellent commentary, there's a list of books, fiction and nonfiction, with grade ranges. In advance I go through the guide and determine how much time to spend on each topic, and choose the books I want my children to read. Most guides have spines. I also use other material to supplement. For example, I use Kathryn Stout's Guide to History Plus for discussion/essay questions, her list of movies, and other ideas. I also use Critical Thinking Press material for US History. If you want to learn more about how to use TQ, join their very active yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HIStoryQuesters/
Blessings,
Yolanda
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I've looked at, but never used either however both authors are very accessible if you have any questions. I spoke with Mr. Notgrass by phone and I emailed Diana Waring. She, in particular, was very helpful explaining how to use her curriculum. Her revised editions look particularly good. Also, there is a yahoo group for Diana Waring's curriculum. You might want to check that out. Good luck!
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I used Jacobs with both my sons. One did it pretty independently with occasional help from his dad, he loved it. Bright kid, but not a math whiz nor a math lover either. Enter son #2 - I did not hand him the book but instead taught him. Is Jacobs wordy? No, in fact his book could use more explanations with the examples. Skip the stories (or put in an appendix for those who love that sort of stuff), and beef up the explanations would be my recommendation.
Yolanda
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Hi 'Rich with Kids',
That is one of the funniest letters I have ever read, maybe it's because it's a little too close to home. You should send it in to Home Education magazine. They would love it and other homeschoolers would be blessed by it as I'm sure so many on this board have been.
Have a great day!
Yolanda
PS - Am forwarding to our support group's yahoo group, hope that's okay.
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I'm not familiar with the 2nd curriculum you mentioned, but I am a native Spanish speaker from Panama and have taught Spanish informally. IMO, I would use the RS LA version as it's the Spanish that you're more likely to encounter. When you do encounter the vosotros and other such minor differences in the other curriculum you mentioned, become familiar with it, but don't 'angst' about it. I never use 'vosotros' as all my conversations have been with Central and So. Americans who don't use it. Maybe Argentines do, but I could be wrong. Remember, there are more LA Spanish speakers than not!
HTH,
Yolanda
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You would think I would have learned that by now! Very good point. Thanks so much. We'll trudge through the remaining 4 chapters of Jacobs and chalk it up to experience. I think homeschooling was a lot easier without the Internet.The thing with teaching is that the curriculum has to work well with the teacher to really work well. I think the teacher is more important than the curriculum and the two need to really flow together. What works really well for me doesn't work at all with my friends often times. That is the danger of just using the boards to help you choose curriculum. Hope you find one that works better for you.Yolanda
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Hello all,
I have used Jacobs with 2 kids now and I fail to see why this is so highly regarded. My engineer husband taught my older son 3 years ago, while I am teaching our younger son now. Since I have forgotten all the algebra my transcript says I had, I am learning this material rather than just reviewing. I read the material and do all the work that I will then assign to my son. Any questions are answered by my husband prior to teaching my son. Basically I create a solutions manual for my son since there is none for this book. My problem with this book is that it's like a collection of examples with insufficient explanations. Without my husband, there is no way I could learn the material in this book. I have used other texts at times for clarification that was nonexistent in Jacobs. And don't get me started on the stories and examples he uses to introduce concepts - oy, vey; I want to yell at the book, "Get to the point!".
All this to say that I keep reading all these accolades about Jacobs and I keep asking myself, why? Clearly there is some fine subtlety to this book that completely escapes me.
Sorry to go on so long. Let me say, the BC and Peanuts cartoons in the book are great!
TIA,
Yolanda
SAT or ACT in your area?
in High School and Self-Education Board
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Funny, I do not have a prep school background, but I did go to parochial school and to apply to a Catholic high school, I seem to remember taking the PSAT's or something very similar. I'm also a 70's high school graduate.