happyhome
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Posts posted by happyhome
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Has anyone taken this with a provider they absolutely love?? If PA Homeschoolers, which instructor?
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Yes, that’s true but she needed one more AP class to achieve that goal, assuming she gets a good score.?
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So the deadline is actually in January and I was able to get a syllabus approved!! She wanted National AP Scholar and was one AP class away from getting that distinction. Not sure how important that is given that most kids are taking so many APs/dual enrollment now, but it’s done. Thanks all.
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Does anyone have experience getting a syllabus approved by the College Board for AP Calculus AB? Our online class isn’t going to work out, so I’m looking at other options. We use Chalkdust and AoPS so I’m thinking about creating our own class, but I could use some btdt advice.
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My son did both because he loved working with Maya Inspektor, but if I had to choose one to take, it would be Lang. AP Language focuses on nonfiction writing and with a good instructor, it's a very valuable experience in preparation for college writing.
At my son's college, AP Lang. and Lit. credits play out in the following manner:
A 4 or a 5 on AP Language earns the student 3 credits and it covers half of the student's general university writing requirements. Students without AP Language take both WRTG 101 and 102. Students with AP Lang. credit are exempt from one writing class and take a second one, WRTG 106. This means you are in class with only students who have done well on the AP. Lang. test.
A 4 or a 5 on AP Literature earns 6 credits total. At least 3 of those will typically meet one General Education requirement. The other may serve as one or end up as an elective.
If you do AP Lit, you might as well take the SAT 2 Subject test in Literature.
If she takes AP Lit with the exam, what would be the value of the SAT 2 Subject test? What am I missing here? Good point on Lang writing. She can write a good essay. I'm more concerned about research papers. I've looked at a dozen AP Lang syllabi online. I don't see research papers covered. I had always planned on her taking a specific course just for that. If Lang covers research papers too, then it might be a no brainer. She really doesn't hate the idea of Lang. I think she'd just enjoy Lit more.
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The idea to take AP Lit and self-study for AP Lang is good, except she would miss out on the important feedback regarding essays. My daughter also got a 36 on the Lang portion of ACT, and an 800 on the SAT, but she wouldn't have scored a 5 on the AP if she hadn't known the ins and outs of the writing that is specific to each exam.
Hmmmmm....well that's interesting feedback. Thank you for that. I had her look through the reading list tonite and she's mildly interested. She's taking APUSH next year too and I think AP Lang dovetails nicely with that. Let me see how she does on this practice test.
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I have no idea, but it sounds like she is an excellent reader and writer, based on that 36. I'd take a look at a sample exam and see what you think.
Thanks Kai. I didn't even think of it but I have a prep book. I'm going to give her a practice exam and see.
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How about taking AP Lit but taking both exams? She'd probably pass the AP Language exam with minimal studying.
That's an interesting idea. Do you think she can get a 5 by self studying? She'll need a 5 to opt out of ENG 101. They don't accept anything less.
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Hi all,
Looking for some BTDT advice. We are considering either online AP Lang or AP Lit as the next step in English for dd. We'd ideally be looking for an asynchronous class with minimum busy work. DD is a natural writer and got a 36 on the ACT language section. Most of the schools she's considering will give her credit for ENG 101 for Lang and elective credit for Lit (small LACs). For a strong reader and writer who enjoys fiction more than non-fiction, would you take Lang and opt out of Freshman Comp or take Lit (probably more enjoyable) and only get elective credit. Alternatively, would you just take both? Is Lang really necessary for an already good writer? She wants to be a fiction writer and will probably be working toward an MFA after undergrad.
We're looking at Lili Serbicki's classes at PA or AIM. I've read all the great reviews of Maya's class, but we're in a competitive speech and debate league so the "daily" format of Maya's class would probably back us up too much. DE is not really an option either due to time constraints and travel so AP seems like a better fit.
Any input would be so appreciated.
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Woodland Mist....Reviving this old thread to see what you thought of Lili Serbicki's class. Did your dd take it? What did you think? I'm thinking of this teacher for dd's AP English classes and would love any input you have. Thanks.
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Thank you for all the info and research!
What does your general "gut" say? Will you move forward with the course? I am considering FLVS course and 1 other and possibly another course. Not sure which one I am leaning towards....want to show DD all the different texts first.
We have not chosen yet. We are choosing AP for three reasons, in order of importance: 1) DE does not fit into our schedule due to travel and EC tournament schedules, 2) dd would always prefer an asynchronous class and 3) adding "advanced" coursework to her transcript.
That said, choosing the right one is very important for us because a 4 or 5 on the exam is the goal. She's fascinated with history and Literature is her passion, but she would read and study these topics with or without an AP class, so the class really is just interesting and exciting prep for the exam for us. I want her to enjoy the classes because busywork in areas of interest and passion would be a shame. But ultimately, the exam score is the goal.
We're still evaluating. I'll post some more info later. I'm running out the door now.
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So after a long chat about APUSH, here's what I found out....
They recently revamped the entire course based on the 2015 CB revision. They are using the 4th edition of the Foner book because it seems that it was challenging to get the kids to actually read the 300 extra pages in the 3rd edition (would not be a problem here, so I would probably opt for the full text).
The class assignments are split: 50% multiple choice quizzes and 50% written assignments. They don't "write a ton of essays" for this class. There is an essay "outline" form that they fill out and turn in as the "essay" assignment. This confused me at first, but he explained that the expectation is that a well written outline would become a well written essay. Assignments can be "reset" 3 times.
There are monthly opportunities for live lessons that further explore the content in the text.
The course exams alternate between multiple choice questions exams and written essay exams. The essays are fully written and graded. The exams cannot be reset.
Since the redesign, the class has a 50% pass rate on the APUSH exam, which is "about the national average."
He was very helpful and super knowledgeable about FLVS AP offerings and returned my call promptly.
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Thanks for that info - my DS will likely be ready for APUSH then.
Note that APUSH is a different class than AP US Gov. You probably know that, but wanted to make sure my post was clear😊
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Someone from APUSH called me. I will return the call tomorrow and post what I find out. Their customer service is outstanding, I have to say!
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One other thing for those following.....I spoke to the FLVS lead teacher for AP US Gov and she told me that they are totally revamping the class. The new class will be available Summer 2018. We've decided to wait for the new one.
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No my kids don't take AP Music Theory. I'm teaching a music appreciation class using The Great Courses Listening to and Understanding Great Music course. I pulled it together myself with that and other resources.
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Thank you for that. Sounds like busy work to me? I'll run it past my dd. I have a recommendation for a teacher. I'm going to try to reach out to him. I'll let you all know what I find out.
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Thank you Tampamommy. And thank you sebastiancat for the link. Hopefully more will chime in. Usually we register for the class and tinker with it for a bit to see if it works but you can't register for APs right now on the website so I'm flying blind. If this doesn't work out, I'll use Pennsylvania Homeschoolers and I don't want to miss their deadlines. Thanks for the input.
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DD has taken AP Psychology and loved it. We're looking at APUSH, US Govnt and AP Lang next year. Does anyone have any experience with these classes using FLVS? Teacher recommendations?
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Is this how you'll credit it or is this how you'll chronologically study it? In other words, are you pulling US history out of the cycle for a dedicated year in 12th grade? Or are you sticking to the 4 year model with US embedded within it and just listing the credits the way you've outlined above?
Thanks for your help.
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Looking for some BTDT experience....
How do you assign credits for the 4 year cycle of history? The typical high school graduation requirement is:
1 year American History
1 year World History
1/2 Government
1/2 Economics
On your transcript, do you list each classical four year title? Or do you list the conventional titles knowing you've covered the material in totality over four years? Or do you do it some other way? Has anyone had problems with college admissions due to unconventional course listings?
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I've sorted my daughter's activities into long-term and exploratory categories. I put long-term passions/activities into extracurriculars, and exploratory into courses. For instance, last year for PE I logged her hours in new skills she was exploring--kickboxing, hiking, camping, ice skating, cardio workouts, as well as things she did casually like swimming. I kept her several hours weekly of aikido, which she has been doing since she was 6, as an extracurricular as it is an area in which she shows long-term commitment and leadership (helping with younger students). For arts, she was exploring painting, drawing, photography. I initially counted her 90 hours backstage work as part of the course, but in the end we didn't need it to make up enough hours for me to feel comfortable giving a credit, so I held it out, as it's something she may well continue to do. In both cases, I logged the activities she was already doing or wanted to do, and looked at things to flesh them out if needed.
It sounds like the band, guitar, and piano are long-term interests. I would likely hold those out as extracurriculars and go for more of an appreciation class with the Great Courses courses and attendance at performances. For a technique/skills class, photography would make a nice half credit (the photos being output--keep a portfolio), and screenwriting would make a nice credit/half-credit (depending on how involved the self-paced course is) along the lines of creative writing--if she ended up making her own movie from her screenplay, it would seem like a credit to me (more output). Musical theater could go either way. Is this something she expects to pursue for multiple years or is it exploratory at this point? You could use it as an elective for one year and move to extracurricular for subsequent years if she continued. One of the local private schools actually uses participation in a school theater production to count as one of the required physical activity credits (they require two per year https://www.charlottecountryday.org/page.cfm?p=708&LockSSL=true).
Some interesting theater resources we found:
"Technical Theater for Non-Technical People" by Drew Campbell
Digital Theatre Plus (buy through the Homeschool Buyer's Co-op) https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/digital-theatre-plus/?c=1
Inside the Actor's Studio interviews http://www.bravotv.com/inside-the-actors-studio
Someone on the boards recommended the following (unfortunately I didn't list who in my notes):
"http://ocw.mit.edu/c...-2009/index.htm
http://ocw.mit.edu/c...-2008/index.htm
That 2nd one has handouts on analyzing the *psychology* of costuming, which should interest a theatre student even if they don't wish to make costumes."
And thank you also for the theater resources. She's going to love those!!
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I've sorted my daughter's activities into long-term and exploratory categories. I put long-term passions/activities into extracurriculars, and exploratory into courses. For instance, last year for PE I logged her hours in new skills she was exploring--kickboxing, hiking, camping, ice skating, cardio workouts, as well as things she did casually like swimming. I kept her several hours weekly of aikido, which she has been doing since she was 6, as an extracurricular as it is an area in which she shows long-term commitment and leadership (helping with younger students). For arts, she was exploring painting, drawing, photography. I initially counted her 90 hours backstage work as part of the course, but in the end we didn't need it to make up enough hours for me to feel comfortable giving a credit, so I held it out, as it's something she may well continue to do. In both cases, I logged the activities she was already doing or wanted to do, and looked at things to flesh them out if needed.
It sounds like the band, guitar, and piano are long-term interests. I would likely hold those out as extracurriculars and go for more of an appreciation class with the Great Courses courses and attendance at performances. For a technique/skills class, photography would make a nice half credit (the photos being output--keep a portfolio), and screenwriting would make a nice credit/half-credit (depending on how involved the self-paced course is) along the lines of creative writing--if she ended up making her own movie from her screenplay, it would seem like a credit to me (more output). Musical theater could go either way. Is this something she expects to pursue for multiple years or is it exploratory at this point? You could use it as an elective for one year and move to extracurricular for subsequent years if she continued. One of the local private schools actually uses participation in a school theater production to count as one of the required physical activity credits (they require two per year https://www.charlottecountryday.org/page.cfm?p=708&LockSSL=true).
Some interesting theater resources we found:
"Technical Theater for Non-Technical People" by Drew Campbell
Digital Theatre Plus (buy through the Homeschool Buyer's Co-op) https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/digital-theatre-plus/?c=1
Inside the Actor's Studio interviews http://www.bravotv.com/inside-the-actors-studio
Someone on the boards recommended the following (unfortunately I didn't list who in my notes):
"http://ocw.mit.edu/c...-2009/index.htm
http://ocw.mit.edu/c...-2008/index.htm
That 2nd one has handouts on analyzing the *psychology* of costuming, which should interest a theatre student even if they don't wish to make costumes."
Karen, that helps a lot....exploratory vs long term. This is our first year of high school and that is the exact kind of guideline that will help us make these decisions going forward. You're right, music is long term. Theater is a budding interest. Writing is long term, screenwriting and film is a budding interest. With this guideline, each item on my list seems to fall neatly into place. I also need to remind myself to be flexible. Like you said, something that starts on one list may well move over to another as time goes on. Thank you so much.
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Thank you for all of these responses. This was intended to be an easier elective credit that could tie in things we were already doing but after reading this thread with her last night, we're headed down a really cool rabbit trail. She loves the idea of the Intro to Fine and Performing Arts. Can you all weigh in on this?
She's an advanced modern piano and classical guitar player and plays in two local bands. In addition to the four recitals (two piano and two guitar), she plays/sings once a week somewhere with the bands. She's part of a local musical theater group that practices a small show each semester and then takes it to nursing homes and hospitals in the area. She's an avid movie maker as a hobby and is also taking an online Screenwriting class just for fun. We weren't going to "count" a lot of these activities because we thought they were just fun things (maybe ECs with leadership highlights) but now we're reconsidering.
Here's a list of things she is doing and we have available to us to construct a credit in Intro to Fine and Performing Arts:
Piano with lessons, practice and two recitals
Guitar with lessons, practice and two recitals
Weekly musical theater rehearsals with two performances per year
Weekly band performances
Online self paced Screenwriting class
Access to world music perfomances of all kinds (we looked this up last night and were happy to find Taiko drums, Indian lute, Moroccan dancing, Scottish bagpipes and Irish Dancing locally this year)
Access to a great performing arts center, symphony and local opera house (just found this too)
We have three Fine and Performing Arts Great Courses:
Elements of Jazz - http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/elements-of-jazz-from-cakewalks-to-fusion.html
How to Listen and Understand Music - http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/how-to-listen-to-and-understand-great-music-3rd-edition.html?pfm=UpsellSlider&pos=1&recloc=pdp
Fundamentals of Photography - http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/fundamentals-of-photography.html
We also have this course in Film:
Introduction to Screenwriting - through the NY Film Academy
So I guess my questions would be, what would be best for credit and what would be best left as outside ECs? Also, any creative ideas of how to build a Fine & Performing Arts multi year plan out of this? She leans more performing arts but is very interested in photography and film.
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AP Physics Online
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
Does anyone have a good vendor for AP Physics online? My son wants to take it over the summer asynchronously and all we can find is full year courses beginning in August? He can’t do the community college because we needed to apply by February. Any ideas?