Jump to content

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

Rebecca

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,259

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Rebecca

    College application-test scores optional-include or not?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Harriet Vane said:

    Student is at a traditional high school in a good district and has always attended public schools. I don’t know why his scores are low. I think he did some test prep but not tons and not with any focused tutoring or coaching. 

     I would not include the test optional scores based on this information.

    • Thanks 1

    College application-test scores optional-include or not?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Is the teenager homeschooled? Does the student have advanced math courses and physics on the transcript?

    Is the math portion of the SAT solid?

    In general, I would not report these scores for admission. I would research the average SAT/ACT for admission at the school to confirm this. 

    I would consider serious focused test prep to improve the SAT, if I felt the scores were needed-- which I generally do for homeschooled students.

    Also, I would investigate the issue with test taking. Engineering programs have difficult exams. Is it just test taking in the SAT/ACT setting that the student struggles with or is it test taking overall?

    mid year report "note" about DE (voluntary) course changes

    in The College Board

    Posted

    I have had to make mid year changes for my 2019 senior and will again this year for my current senior.

    In 2019, son's school did require the mid year report. I provided a letter with brief explanation and updated transcript and course descriptions.

    This year, son's school does not require the mid year report. I also did not provide course descriptions for him/this school like I usually do (not needed). I will update his final transcript with the correct course work. 

    If at all in doubt, call admissions for your son's first choice school (at minimum) and ask how they prefer this situation handled. 

    Hth!

    • Like 2

    College Suggestions ?

    in The College Board

    Posted

    Wondering if anyone has any suggestions/schools come to mind:

    Child #5 (son) high school junior

    I am struggling to create /bring suggestions to him for his college applications list. 

    760 Math/680 English =SAT (first and only time taking it so far) Think he is capable of 700+ on ERW. Not sure if it matters/if he should retake in March.

    Very strong in Math and Computer programming (in AP Comp Sci A) this year. Probably headed to Computer Science/Cybersecurity or Computer Engineering.

     Extracurriculars:

    working on Eagle Scout, Viola (lessons and regional youth orchestra), ballet (Nutcracker Prince this year), high school youth group

    Christian faith and practice 

    Very smart, easy going personality, doesn't do well under lots of pressure and overloaded schedule.

    Older four siblings

    #1graduated Messiah honors program 2022, #2 graduating this Spring Lehigh University (apply to dental school in May),#3 sophomore Lehigh University Computer Science and Business, #4 Freshman at our local community college, most likely will transfer to Messiah after next year (dance and accounting, prob).

    son #3  (and my nephew)were waitlisted at Case Western admission cycle 2021(Early Action) and then went ED2 at Lehigh. So, I don't have a good vibe about Case. 

    Messiah and Lehigh are on the list. Wanting to explore some options his siblings haven't attended. Grove City doesn't have any dance for men. He is not sure how prominent a role he wants ballet to have in college, at this point.

    Thank you for any thoughts, suggestions. We live in the Mid-Atlantic region (near the East Coast).

    -Rebecca 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Starting a competitive Mathlete (AMC/Math Olympiad) Team --has anyone done this?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Ruth,

    Thank you for your post!

    This would by my son's dream: he is definitely interested in elite mathematics and IMO and began creating a study plan for himself to get ready. He is thinking about creating an Olympiad Math Club-- He would love your son's experience, even though we know it is international!

     

    Local schools are inaccessible to us as homeschoolers. We are not permitted to participate in any of the public school activities. I do not know if the private school or charter schools would be open to homeschoolers- and we don't know how to find the population who would be interested in this level of elite mathematics.

    Thank you so much!

    -Rebecca

    • Like 2

    French with Mild Dyslexia

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    To answer your question: What would you do if you were me? I would keep her enrolled in the class. More below!

    First, I have experienced my daughter (who I write about below) who has a learning disability doing exceptionally well with live online classes with excellent tutors. Especially helpful-- because she can go back and re watch the lectures when she needs to and everything is in writing and easy for her to find. The best thing I ever did for her in high school was provide her with explicit instruction. Your daughter's success with Memoria Press Online truly should be a great comfort/confirmation, in my opinion.

    Question:

    How severe is the dyslexia and how profound is her difficulty with phonemes (sounds)? French is not recommended for dyslexics because of the sound difficulties. 

    I would not be afraid of this class, and I would keep your daughter enrolled (depending on your answers to the above questions). My DD with a severe language learning disability and some dyslexic deficits (but not phonemes (sound issues) or memory problems) also really, really wanted to learn French. We had an educational psychologist offer to write us a note excusing us from the high school graduation language requirement; she didn't think my daughter would be able to learn a foreign language. Another professional told us it was virtually impossible to ever truly get a waiver for foreign language. 

    After considering everything, and her own desire and work ethic--I enrolled her in French at The Potter's School. I enrolled her -- her junior year of high school after we had done a lot (A LOT) of remediation and intervention in language skills and language arts. She took two years of French there--- with great success. 

    The first year she got an honorable mention in the National French Exam and this past year (her senior year) she earned a Bronze Medal (French 2 level). 

    That Bronze medal means more than any perfect score to her and to me because it is her triumph-- her grit, determination, perseverance, hard work-- she worked harder than anyone. It was so worth it.  I still cry thinking about it.  

    So, I realize my response I think is different than the majority on this thread-- but this is my BTDT experience. I am SO glad I enrolled my daughter online.  

    I hope this helps! -- Note-- one of my ten year old daughters is severely dyslexic-- she is affected in phonemes, working memory, and more. I do not know what I would do if it was her-- I will have to wait and see what her desire is when she is ready for ninth grade-- and I do think I would encourage her to choose a language that is known to be accessible for dyslexics-- but I will still enroll her online with an expert tutor! For my family, learning a foreign language at home is the last possible resort based on my experience with three older children (already graduated- now adults- 19, 21, 22). So, it is totally a student by student and family by family choice. 

    -Rebecca

    Starting a competitive Mathlete (AMC/Math Olympiad) Team --has anyone done this?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    I have a rising 9th grader (child number 6 of 9) who participated on a homeschool MathCounts team this past season (2021-22). He did well, joining the team late when they needed another team member, and placed into the State Math competition. He just finished honors geometry and his interest in math has really taken a deep dive forward. He has expressed interest in preparing for the AMC math competitions and is currently enrolled in AOPS Intro to Number theory and doing very well. He will take a rigorous honors level Algebra 2 for 9th grade and has planned out AOPS coursework to include Olympiad Geometry.

    We talked about starting a "Mathlete" Club or team but really have no idea how or what to do. He is also interested in the HMMT math competitions.

    Has anyone done this and could offer suggestions or advice?

    He is willing and able to spearhead this but just thought I would ask the Hive as this is completely new terrain for me.

    Note: I do not have the math mind and could not be the coach as far as a coach who can work solutions, etc. to the problems and help students understand the math. I can certainly support and provide adult supervision and so forth-- but I really am out of my league with math.  I use expert tutors for high school math after much experience (as of this year, I have four students who have graduated my homeschool).

    Thank you for your help!

    -Rebecca

    Anyone with experience with a degree in Dance?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    4 hours ago, saraha said:

    She’s my dyslexic and just wants to do something that involves little actual “school “

    I would encourage her that is not a good reason to pursue a dance degree, which has a lot of academic school/class requirements along with dance training/classes.

    I would assess what her other strengths are to help her craft a future plan.  The plan can include dance, but also needs to include a pathway that will enable her to successfully provide for herself.

    Flexible options like bookkeeper, graphic designer, business (social media marketing, accounting)

     

    Physical therapy assistant (if she is okay with science classes), sports medicine...for example.

     

    The community college offers pathways for all of the above.

     

    • Like 1

    French 2 help! (and photography)

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    18 hours ago, Farrar said:

    Aim also has a French club... or they did this year... so that might provide more practice time. Aim's French is not intensive, but it is really strong. Agreeing that CLRC would be the other solid option.

    This is good to know. Thank you!

    18 hours ago, Farrar said:

    Oh, and my kid took photography as a dual enrollment course. I had trouble finding it anywhere else. Fundafunda has it though, so that would be one option I'm aware of. 

    Thank you for this. I was also considering Udemy or other online self tutorials. I will check this out.

    -Rebecca

    French 2 help! (and photography)

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Thanks for the great advice. I also scoured the Foreign Language thread that is pinned above. I got on the wait list for WTM and enrolled in the French Culture club. I also reached out to CLRC. What a great provider!! They were so responsive and wonderful. I had never explored their offerings before. CLRC might be able to work something out for my son.

    The one thought I had with AIM academy is that the class is only for one hour one time a week and my student has been used to 3+ hours of French interaction/instruction each week plus the work he does on his own to study/homework/learn... so it seemed like not enough for him. 

    Grateful for this board!

    -Rebecca

    • Like 1

    French 2 help! (and photography)

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

     I am looking for a rigorous high school path for French Language and Culture. My rising ninth grader is ready for French 2 and The WellTrainedMind Academy is completely full. Where can we take French that will provide a true World Language experience? TPS French was absolutely amazing: reading, listening, writing, speaking and French culture and opportunity to participate in the National French Exam.  The Potter's School is not an option at this time.

    I am also looking for a photography course for next year. Just throwing that out there.

    Thank you for your help.

     

    book recommendations for Christmas (adult woman)

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Tamera Alexander has historical antebellum south Christian fiction books. Becky Wade writes Contemporary Christian Romance. One place to search is the Christy Awards-- you can find current and past winners as well as finalists. Some really wonderful choices can be found there. Charles Martin has some wonderful books: Water from My Heart is one of them. Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes is another one I read recently.  Finally, you could look into the Gilead series by Marilynne Robinson.

     

    Elizabeth Goudge books have wonderful themes and are very rich reading. Also, Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry. Wonderful book!

     

    • Like 1

    Please help: Survey for Community College Statistics Class

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    my  senior daughter has a research project for her community college Math 115 class. She is conducting a survey to learn how many hours a week homeschooled teenagers work (as in a job). The survey is anonymous. The form just asks for age and number of hours worked in a week. Any and every participation is greatly appreciated!  We thought we would reach out here in addition to the other places she has placed her survey because she needs between 40-50 people. 

    Here is the link to the Google Form.

    *I have been a member of these forums for years and years-almost two decades! (crazy!!) and my kids have all been homeschooled their entire education. She is number four out of nine for us (and our first CC Statistics class). 🙂

    Thank you for your time!

    -Rebecca

    • Like 2

    Large family vacations

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I am wondering if I could ask the Hive for suggestions for large family vacations. We have never taken one before, and I did not grow up taking vacations. I was thinking maybe beach or maybe lake...  I want to rent a house (not camping). Can you share your favorites? Do you go back to the same place year after year? It needs to be for 10+ people.  We are in Maryland, and I think 6 hours (which is travel to Outer Banks) is our travel limit.

    Thank you!

    InDesign

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Thank you so much. Yes, it is for professional publishing/editing.  The company I work for specifically uses Adobe and InDesign. I have never learned the program, and I would like to because I am limited in what I can do there because of my lack of skill in this area. 

    I was mainly wondering if there was a reputable online tutorial besides going through my local community college.

    -Rebecca

    InDesign

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Thx. It would help in a job I currently have. I saw Udemy offered a course with a certificate. Our local community college offers it as well. I would really like to be proficient- so just trying to figure out best options. Also wondering if I should try to learn Adobe Creative Cloud as a whole rather than just InDesign.

    Appreciate any thoughts/help!

    Help the lipstick-challenged: nontoxic brands/colors you like?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I love Beauty Counter. I am a big lipstick/lip gloss girl and wanted to move to non toxic/better chemical situation.  You can order right from their website without a consultant.

    As far as shades of color:

    I love the caramel cream blusher stick for eyes, cheeks, and lips.

     

    For lipstick, I love 9-5 but that is more of a sophisticated fancy color. I also love Little Black Dress. These are bolder lipsticks but I do not like an orangey tint on me and want a color that lasts a little through my day.

    For lip gloss: magnolia shimmer (so pretty)

    They do have a return policy but I haven't tried it to know how easy it is to use.

    I think I might have similar coloring: brown hair/hazel green eyes

    Freckles

    Irish heritage

    I do use the fairest shade of their foundation (twin skin) but I think I could go either way.

    I love lipstick! Brightens the day!

    Hope this helps!

    • Thanks 1
×
×
  • Create New...