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christine in al

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Posts posted by christine in al

  1. but our local district has a reputation for strong test scores and rigid attendance requirements.

     

    I treated it as though my son was a transfer student, and mentioned to counselor it is like coming from another country. Different cultural expectations.

     

    I would NEVER have thought , " oh good, let's put you in to MIDDLE SCHOOL the last three weeks. I told friends, the only person who'd want to start school in midle school is a person who's nevr BEEN to middle school" But it has been a breeze. mostly because he desperately wanted to go and nothing was happening here academically.

     

    I rang up the school and said I needed to register my child for this next year . I said I had never registered in this district and would like help knowing what I need to do. ( 7th grade )

     

    Secretary asked if we were moving into town, and I said, " uhm... no we live here" She was confused so I said, " We have homeschooled "

     

    "Oh, okay, that's just fine. Here's what you will need to bring to the school" gave me a list, I asked when would be a convenient time to bring them in. She didn't even at like we had three heads for homeschooling.

     

    We took a tour and he liked it so much he finished last three weeks of 6th at the school, no grades but a terrific transition for classes and friends etc. Got to choose his band instrument ,

     

    I think they have tested for math placement, but I'm not sure. They only want their tests anyway. I can now throw away all my CYA records for him.

     

    A friend found transitioning into 9th grade much much more complicated. records count more AND JR High is just more uptight here.

     

    If Homeschooling is legal in your state, I'd just ring the school very soon to see if there are any placement tests etc scheduled for the summer. Folks frequently move to new towns and register for school over the summer. I would go ahead and call school so you don't miss anything .

     

    It has been a great thing fo rus, He is vry happy. Good luck to you.

     

    ~christine in al

  2. just looked at an AoPS video... short and sweet.. I'm liking AoPS .... If I keep in this direction,,,, ds is liking the computer aspect of KB... If we go with AoPS,,, I'll just have to convince my ds to "step away from the computer."

     

    Oh, ds will be folding into public school in 9th, and they use block scheduling... ( ARGH) , And they are VERY anal retentive about credits, as in anything we do doesn't count. so I want him to have the strongest skill base possible and the name of courses don't count.

     

    ~christine in al

  3. Can I have some help? I am trying to decide between these two. Anyone have experience with comparing these two?

     

    Here's what I THINK they are like

     

    Kinetic Books

    Pros.

    DIY

    interactive so has moving videos to demonstrate concepts

    only pre algebra I found that covers functions as such

     

    cons,

    computer so not portable

    DIY, I'm concerned I'll let this slide and just epect him to do it. I hope they test.

     

    AoPS

    Pros, text so so adjustment to textbook learning for future.

    sounds like balance of theory and practice

     

    Cons

    I'll have to learn this too and he'll need me to help him.

     

     

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``

     

    Can anyone chime in on any of these thoughts? mis guided ? or in accurate understanding on my part. ( DUH.. YEAH )

     

    thanks

    ~chriistine

  4. my kids rebelled at going back to 3 letter words.

     

    SWR is ( IMHO)

    1. needlessly complex. Learning curve WAY too steep for the instructor.

     

    2. teaches that (y) does not make a long e sound.. that " baby" should be pronounced " ( something like) ba beh. AAS gives a long E as one of the sounds of y.

     

    3. The sample sentences are sometimes political. Ex: "Everyone knows our taxes are too high".

    There is an activist flavor to many lessons. Another Example, In the abreviations for honorifics.. Mr, Mrs, and Miss. but no Ms.

     

    word lists heavy on Christian worship words.

     

     

     

    PROS.

     

    You can test into the spelling list you need. Wise Guide takes you through college level words.

     

    If you like it, then once you have mastered the format, you are set for the duration of schooling.

     

    ~chrisitne in al

  5. as stated in my monolouge posted elsewhere.

     

    I have been impressed with the non-calvert books Calvert uses.

    Houghton-Miflin Message of Ancient Days

    This isn't American History, but H-M may have good text for that as well.

     

    IF you want a text book, you may seriously check out thrift stores and Goodwill and Salvation Army.

    You may be able to find a jewel for just a few dollars.

     

    Also, our public library has a homework help shelf with all the books used by our school system. If yours does the same, you could put your hands on some textbooks and get ISBNs and look on Ebay .

     

    happy hunting.

    ~c.

  6. I love that we have this "place"

    For those of you who haven't been to a ( good) therapist, a good one basically listens while you sort out your own issues.

     

    Well, knowing that at least one person would read my post, allowed me to think through what I can do.

     

    I found an " Idiot's Guide to American Gov." on my shelf and am busy planning out ds' first 9 weeks of next year. Sort ed !!

     

    thank you.

    ~chrisitne in al

  7. next fall we are going to get back in sync. and do HO middle ages.

     

    ds has already started it, so while dd catches up, I want to give ds an american over view.

     

     

    Here's who we are:

    I will be using the Collier brother's Drama of American History as spine when we really do American,

    and the only problem I have with Hakim is the patronizing tone.

     

    Maybe a HS cliff notes kind of thing?

     

    Any ideas?

    TIA

    ~christine in al

  8. Plato science is looking like a good fit, maybe...

     

     

    I have a few questions,

     

    ARe there tests? without them, my competitive son will slack I'm afraid.

     

    number of lessons and length? I'm wanting to time it to be able to do Story of Science alternating days or weeks.

     

    I am thinking MAYBE

    Plato Life Science and Aristotle Leads the Way for 7th

    and Plato Physical Science and the second Hakim Story fo Science for 8th

     

    oh oh,,, and any experience with the differences between regular and advanced Life Science??

     

    He does enjoy advanced material. just not mountains of it.

     

    Thanks alot.

    ~c.

  9. I am looking for secular science for 7th.

     

    looking at Plato, Classiquest and K-12.

    Did I understand correctly that it's 22 dollars a month for a class?

     

    That's 600.oo a year for ONE CLASS !! surely surely , I didn't read that correctly. EDIT :: Found the different pricing on another page.

     

    I'm looking for somethign to cover the basics, little or no lab.. ( I know, not sounding very through, but all I hear is " Do I have to do this lab??"

    We'll combine it with Story of Science.

     

    So sort of a " just the facts ma'am" kind of program , and independent. Does K-12 fit that, We can do a FEW labs,,, but we are not into them AT ALL.

     

     

    ~christine in al

  10. I think it's called " Color of Blood" looked on my shelf, but cant find it, It's being read somewhere in the house.

     

    While some folks think their non-fiction too liberal. ( just a disclaimer.. I like their non-fiction )

     

    I find their fiction to be engaging, well written and balanced with several points of view from different characters. I think they may have other Civil War historical fiction books as well.

     

    ~Christine

  11. A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

     

    Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas

     

    from The National Academies Press.

     

     

     

    I'm looking at this carefully. Trying to find a curriculum that works with some of these new ideas . To not just learn facts, but to inspire exploration.. ( blah blah blah)

     

    Anyone else striving for this? Anyone else looking at Classic Quest or RSO with the Framework in mind?

     

    ~Christine in al

  12. worth the fee.

    totally.

     

    It DOES involve getting up and there very early... as in when the gates open.

    you do certain things in a certain order, then you are DONE by noon. you can go back to hotel and relax . you walk out past folks coming in with screaming kids who are just arriving....

     

    I hate crowds too, I LOVED DW using Tour Guide Mike.

     

    check it out.

    ~christine in al

  13. thank you ALL.

     

    I like the " no more discussions, but will revisit on X date.

    We have changed teachers for ds and its a good fit.

    the kids are different, dd hates to perform doesn't mind practice,, ds, loves to perform, hates to work at something ( the curse of the clever)

     

    and thanks for comments about my goals:

     

    my goals are

    1. musical literacy.... a hymnal is coming home with us. perfect idea- thanks When they can sight read and unKNOWN song.. at that level,, they can be done.

     

    2. . sticking with something hard that one doesn't want to do ( like multiplication for dd age 9 )

     

    3. not having kids who say as adults, " I wish my mom had not let me quit" I dont' want to let them down.

     

    4. life enrichment. ( not saying this out loud anymore... ds LOVES this one I often hear,, " that did NOT enrich my life" ( makes me grin inside, but I tell him not to be obnoxious. )

     

     

    Thank you all so very much.

    ~christine in al

  14. I could really use some cheer leading that MAKING my kids take and practice a musical insturment is good for them.

     

    I've read some research and even read it to them.... I cold just use some " buddies" cheering me on to tolerate the screaming, and crying and whining and complaining.

     

    FWIW I've repeatedly told them they can learn any intsrument they choose, but they must study the making of music . They play piano because neither has chosen an alternative.. ( however, my dd is at this moment plunking on the old banjo " you are my sunsthine".)

     

    I'm just tired of the fight right now and completely understand why parents let kids stop taking piano... cheaper, and easier and more peaceful.

     

    Can someone tell me it's worth the fight?

     

    TIA,

    ~christine in al

  15. see if there is a Cotillion organization in your area.

     

    my son is doing Jr. Cotillion, In addition to learning and practicing ettiquette with other kids, They learn to do basic dance steps and write thank you notes,, etc.

     

    Your son would probably really grove on it. And do very well with it.

     

    It's not cheap , but we are seeing some great results just by ds knowing WHAT to do . REcently, It was his idea to put on a little nicer shirt and take a hostess gift to a tree triming party, so he did.

     

    ( PS Full Disclosure, IT was NOT my sons idea and My son HATES it, but we keep telling him, it's a required course and while he doesn't want to learn to dance now, he will be glad later becuase " chicks dig it" . )

     

    ~christine

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