Jump to content

Menu
Giving You and Your Child a Road Map to the Best Possible Education
The Well-Trained Mind Community

alwaysinhiskeeping

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    37

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by alwaysinhiskeeping

    Compare Jacobs, Lial, foerster, TT math

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Thank you for all the posts. I have been looking at Chalkdust, Jacobs, Lial, and Foerster Algebra I now that I got a copy of these textbooks (yes, it took a while, because I was looking around for used copies). I also have my ds look at each curriculum, go through the lesson to see which one fits him better. Now I have narrowed it down to Lial and Foerster. Does anyone know where to find a solution manual for Foerster? I can teach the lessons so DVD is not what I am looking for. I just don't want to have to do the problems myself in order to check his work.

    Hellp with choosing highschool history curriculum

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Just wanted to throw in another suggestion--

    Have you looked at VP's Omnibus? You do Ancients, Med/Ren and Modern in a 3 year rotation. You'd have enough time at the end of it to do Gov't and Econ if you choose to, or just pursue an interest and do a neat project, or something along those lines.

     

    I've used Omni 1 and 2, and they are plenty for 9th and 10th grade, though now VP has an "upper level" Omni for that age.

     

    It's WAY easier to assign and implement than TOG. You do readings in Spielvogel's Western Civ (but can use SWB's or another history text for backround) and get the rest of history in the context of literature written at the time (Great Books). Comes with writing assignments.

     

    Great program. Incorporates Bible. Each year is 3 credits--Bible/Theology (I subbed some books b/c we are not Reform), History, and Literature/English.

     

    Not saying TOG is not good--it's wonderful. But Omnibus is definitely worth a look.

    Thanks! I will take a look at Omnibus.

    Hellp with choosing highschool history curriculum

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    We have the same requirements here, 1 year World History, 1 year US History, 1 semester government, and 1 semester econ.

     

    I was looking at TOG 4 year scope & sequence and it seems that year 3 and year 4 covers more US history (but not solely). I am not sure if I like the idea of using TOG Y3 & Y4 for 2 years but it only fulfill 1 year of US history requirement.

     

    All 4 years of TOG cover government. How does that work for 1 semester government requirement? Does it mean you don't get the credit until after you finish the 4 years?

     

    This is starting to get very confusing to me...

    Hellp with choosing highschool history curriculum

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Am I correct that for high school, you need world history, US history, government, economics? By using TOG, according to how much each year covers (Ancient World, Medieval World through the American Revoluation, 1800's, 1900's), if you finish Y1 then decide not to continue (hypothetically), then you will not get the credit for world history or US history since the curriculum is not divided in a way that Y1 is world history Y2 is US history. Am I correct? Does it make sense? Has anyone done 1 year with TOG then switch to other curriculum?

    Hellp with choosing highschool history curriculum

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    The folks at TOG are Reformed Christians. I don't know anything about their staff; I only know about the owners because I found a link to it somewhere on the website. I do know that they lean charismatic (ever heard of Sovereign Grace Ministries? C.J. Mahaney, Gregg Harris...), but I don't know anymore specific than that.

     

    The folks at MFW are of various Christian denominations... the Christian Church, Vineyard, Baptist, non-denominational (IFCA), Lutheran... just to name a few that I know of. They don't put any specific denominational slant into the curriculum. For example, they teach about communion in the context of studying bread/yeast and Jesus as the Bread of Life, but don't tell you how you are to perform it or when. They teach that there will be "a new heaven and a new earth" by assigning a reading of Revelation 21 at one point, but don't tell you when or how it will come about. They teach that Jesus will come again, but don't tell you how or when. Those kinds of specifics are up to you, the parent.

     

    So it's just the basic tenents of Christianity in general that MFW teaches. You do a LOT of Bible reading (large chunks of both the Old and New Testaments in elementary, and then a cover-to-cover reading of both in high school), church history, reading of missionary bios, and focus on the Gospel and service to Christ. You can find information about their missions focus (Bible translation) and missionary & discipleship training on their website.

    Thanks! That was very helpful.

     

    How about TOG? How do they incorporate their theology into the curriculum, if at all?

     

    Is MFW grade-specific?

    Compare Jacobs, Lial, foerster, TT math

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    I suggest reading several of the old posts about these programs... here are my thoughts from my personal experience (as a parent and a Math teacher) with these programs...

     

    Jacobs-- this program has Algebra 1 and Geometry. Jacobs Algebra 1 covers all of the traditional Algebra 1 concepts and a tiny bit more. The methods and wording is a bit on the 'unique' side (non-traditional) and sometimes he will introduce a concept in a confusing way--but within a lesson or two the students will 'see' where he was heading... I suggest using a video component with this program. This is a hit or miss program. If your student THINKS like Jacobs then it will be a good fit--but there are many cases of it 'not working' for some.

     

    Lial--this is one of my favorite programs to teach from. This text is 'different' in that the complete teaching lesson is included in the student text. The lessons were written on block scheduling--allow 2 days per lesson--with 20-30 problems being assigned each day (odds only). These are community college texts--but they are totally on a HIGH SCHOOL level (remedial). Being a college text, older editions are easily found--so the program is very inexpensive. It is very possible for this program to be worked independently by a student-- a video component does exist--but it is not usually necessary. I like the layout and the progression. I've used this program all levels of students--from below average to honors.

     

    Foerster--this program is best used with above average students. There is a lot of focus given to word problems and it is best if a video component is used as the text was designed to be 'taught' in a classroom situation. Foerster and Jacobs are friends and share a similar philosophy. Jacobs recommends students use Foerster for Algebra 2 following his program. Like the Jacobs texts--if your student 'thinks' like the author then it will be a great program--if not, it can be frustrating.

     

    Teaching Textbooks--this is a very popular program. It is either a love or hate relationship. TT is a truly independently published program and their levels are not divided traditionally--even though they are NAMED traditionally. Their Algebra 1 program is not that far below a traditional Algebra 1 program, but their Algebra 2 program covers about half of what a traditional (public school--college expected) Algebra 2 program will cover. The depth is also on the lighter side. TT will help some students gain confidence in Math--but it is lacking challenge/rigor for many. The video component is very necessary. TT is best for below average to low average (non mathy or those not needing college maths) students--noting that some GIFTED Math students may be able to take the simple level of problems taught and expand it on their own.

    Why are there so many editions of Lial's? Are the changes for the better? What are the changes? I see one advantage of having many older editions is that it's easier to find the textbook and it's cheaper. Thanks.

    Hellp with choosing highschool history curriculum

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Tapestry of Grace uses history as a spine, and then all geography, literature, and worldview is interconnected with that. The assignments are organized in four pillars - lower grammar, upper grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. So a family can all be studying and discussing the same time period, but each student at his or her own level.

     

    The curriculum is sold by year (Year 1,2,3,4 - which corresponds to ancients, medieval, renaissance, modern -- or something along those lines ), and is organized by week within each year. There is background reading for mom, and assignments for each age range. There are activities, worksheets, discussion questions for each level.

     

    It's a fabulous curriculum. The older "models" are hard copy. I think the new versions are on DVDs. Not sure. I have the hard copies. I like some Years better than others, but it's really a terrific resource. I only have two kids, but if I had more, I'd find it even more appealing -- because it is intended for a family to be able to learn on the same history track -- and talk about it.

     

    Hope this helps! :001_smile:

    I have run across TOG classic version and redesigned version on some blog. Am I correct that I should be getting the redesigned version (and that's what their store sells)?

     

    Which one to purchase? Digital Edition or Print edition?

    Compare Jacobs, Lial, foerster, TT math

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Lial sequence:

     

    BCM (Basic College Math) or Pre-Algebra = Pre-Algebra

    (I prefer BCM 7th edition))

     

    Introductory Algebra = Algebra 1

    Beginning Algebra - Algebra 1 (from different series)--I like Intro 8th edition best

     

    Intermediate Algebra = Algebra 2

    I like Intermediate 8th edition best

     

    Pre-Calc = Pre-Calc

    College Algebra + Trigonometry = Pre-Calc

     

     

    College Algebra comes AFTER Algebra 2 (it is Algebra 3) and may be taken separately if college major does not require Trig.

     

    Lial DOES have a Geometry "Geometry for College Students". It is a basic no-frills Geometry text--not as many of these are published so it is close to $100 for the student text.. other programs are more home-school friendly for this level... but it IS a usable program!

     

    Calc would of course come after Pre-Calc...

    Thank you for breaking it down. It makes better sense to me now. I will try to get a copy of the three different curriculum from the library and review them. Too bad I had already bought the TT curriculum, but not I am leaning towards not using it. But it's better to know about it now before I start diving into it and change later.

    Compare Jacobs, Lial, foerster, TT math

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    I can't speak to the others but the sequence you've listed for Lial's is wrong. Here is the right one:

     

    College Algebra (equal Alg 1) I may be wrong about this title

    Lial's has no Geometry book so you would have to go to something else.

    Intermediate Algebra (equal Alg 2)

    A graphical approach to Pre-Calculus (at least that's what Jann recommended 2 years ago to me don't know if she still does though)

    Does Lial (or any other two) provide a schedule to follow? How many lessons are you supposed to do a day? Do you try to finish the entire textbook?

    Hellp with choosing highschool history curriculum

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Have you looked at History At Our House? We used this last year and loved it. We are going to us it again this year. Mr Powell is the instructor and you can either listen in to the class or download and listen. He really makes the history come alive and they have narratives that he has them turn in weekly. My dd just finished European history for 8th grade and learned so much.

     

    Here is the link http://historyatourhouse.com/

    Thank you for the suggestion! I just went on the website and viewed/listened to the sample lecture. While we used MOH, my kids preferred me giving them the lecture (not just reading the text, but also with extra explanations and resources). We also bought the audio CD, they loved to listen to them in the car, but once they were at the lesson we haven't covered, they would ask me to stop the CD because they wanted me to give them the lesson first. I think they prefer a 'live' person. I also prefer history incorporating the Bible history.

    Hellp with choosing highschool history curriculum

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Another option to look at is My Father's World. Combines Bible, History, Literature. It's all planned out for the student to do most of the reading on their own. the final year is being "piloted" this year and will be on the market a year from now. Here's a link to look at the overview and first year sample

     

    overview

    http://mfwbooks.com/highschool.html

     

    AHL (mfw's high school year 1)

    http://mfwbooks.com/pdf/ahlsample.pdf

     

     

    My oldest is doing it now and she likes working more on her own. I like that I just "check in" and do the Bible readings with her and have a weekly conference to really discuss things.

     

    -crystal

    I just looked at the sample page on the link. I like how they write out the schedule for you. When you buy the curriculum, are the reading books included? Thanks.

×
×
  • Create New...