SierraNevada
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Posts posted by SierraNevada
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I’m looking for a resource (great audio book/book/documentary/etc.)
that will help introduce my teen to basic facts/story lines that everyone in our culture should know about the Bible and other important religious texts. We are non-religious, so he’s had no exposure to these things. He loves history though. What are some top-notch, well narrated, deep and interesting audio books ( or other) for a beginner with no religious background to understand the texts from a secular point of view but one that also explains the religious point of view of believers?
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We recently started WWS 1 (having never used the earlier series WEE). WWS seems to be pretty easy, but in a nice, get it done quick, type of way. DS is a natural writer but I feel like the main area of writing where he needs a little direction is in the organizational flow. I don’t think sticking with this series for three years is what he needs, so I’d like to compact it. Had anyone else used this series but in a compacted manner. Or any other ideas to really focus on writing organization? Thanks.
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Would someone please compare the Lukeion class, “Barbarian Diagramarian” to the grammar class/book Grammar Voyage. If you have completed through MCT Voyage level will Lukeion’s BD class be repetitive?
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We were in a similar position 6 months ago. DS had taken all the intro Aops classes, felt he wasn’t as strong in Geometry and considered WTMA. After some debating, and researching WTMA, we decided to sign up for Aops Geo anyway. The first few weeks were rough (after the intro/review weeks) and there was a steep learning curve- learning to write proofs. Then something clicked and I saw one of the biggest growth spurts in mathematical thinking I’ve seen in awhile. I didn’t think DS was strong in geometery, but I was wrong. He just hadn’t had enough exposure/experience/stretching. I’d say if your child has enjoyed Aops so far and can power through (for us it was 4-5 weeks of serious frustration on the writing problems) they may come out in the end stronger for it. I understood that WTMA, though they used the Aops books, didn’t do as much challenging material as Aops. So it wasn’t that it just moved slower, but didn’t go as deep. So from my one data point of experience, I’d give Aops a try, you maybe surprised.
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Regentrude- Thanks. I know discovery based isn’t really an option. I’m more thinking problem solving instead of plug and chug into a formula. More deep thinking problems. And maybe as this class advances it will get there, the first two chapters are always deceptively easy. But the pace of his videos is slow. So I’m a bit worried.
The Brillante app looks fun. I know DS has played on it before, don’t know to what extent and I didn’t know they had physics stuff. Will look into it more.
Heigh ho- Do you have experience with the CTY class?
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I feel like Aops has spoiled us, so that no other curriculum matches up. Everything else is a disappointment. With respect to Physics, how/where can we do algebra based physics with interesting/challenging problems? Or would it be better to just wait until we can do Calculus based (Which will be one more year)? DS has started Derek Owens (2 chapters in, so certainly not into the meat of the class yet), but it just feels like the videos he has to watch move so slow. Like we got the point hours ago, let’s move on. (DS has also never been a fan of Khan Academy for the same reason-the pace of someone writing out what they are saying on the chalkboard and explaining simple steps just isn’t what he needs.) I’m sure physics will pick up, but even as it does so the pacing might not be right for a PG kid who clicks with math very quickly. What is your experience with this Derek Owens class? Is there any other class out there that will hit the mark like Aops does. I know people on here say Aops moves fast (the online classes) but really that style of pacing is just what we need. We need to approach the big interesting/problem solving style problems and not be given a bunch of the rote work.
Really wish Aops would come up with a physics curriculum. Seems like it would fit right alongside their current format.
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Thanks roadrunner. So it sounds like fewer problems overall (with no alcumus) but harder. If the writing problems really are easier than the geometry proofs then we should be good! ?
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Lewelma, do you happen to remember if there are still around 8-10 challenge problems or do they double that since there is no more alcumus? Is there still just a single writing problem every week? It more than one? I’m trying to figure out what they replace alcumus practice with. Thank you all!
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DS is finishing up the "dreaded" AOPS geometry book/online class. It isn't nearly as difficult as I had heard. (Other than the proof writing problems which seem to frustrate him every time. For some reason he does fine if it's a solve it style writing problem; but the proofs have definitely given him a headache.) Anyway, I am looking for feedback on the intermediate AoPS classes. With Alcumus disappearing, do the classes get harder? Do they just give a lot more challenge problems? Did you find Intermediate Algebra took a similar amount of time as Algebra B? I am trying to budget time/output for this coming fall and don't want to overwhelm him with too much work. But without knowing what the intermediate classes look like, it is hard to know how much time he will spend on them. Thank you!
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Roadrunner,
This looks interesting to me as well. Where did you see a sample course video? I tried looking for it. I saw the first two lectures were available if you paid first. I'm wondering if the classes are pre-recorded and you just watch them at a specific time? Also trying to figure out if they do tests/graded homework. I guess I will email the instructor.
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Thanks everyone. I got what I was looking for!
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DS signed up for Herp next semester. :)
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I have been searching for the past hour and need to move on. I am trying to locate the post that has links to Lewelma's master literature list as well as her how to grow in reading scientific literature list. (Maybe it was in the same post?) Also looking for link to her master math resources list. Wasn't there a master Lewelma post with all of this and more somewhere? She really is the gem of this forum. Thanks to anyone who has the link and thanks to Lewelma for providing this content.
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I don't see the achievement roll no matter what browser I use.
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Jackie,
Ideally I'm looking for a class with other students. But if I can't find anything, one-on-one will have to do. I'm just amazed that I'm coming up empty on a common language. It seems like there would be a lot of online language classes.
Do the native speakers at Homeschool Spanish Acdemy follow a curriculum? Or is it just a place to practice talking?
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I'm looking for a good, live-instruction, online Spanish class that meets at least 2-3 times a week. Any providers out there?
DS8 is currently taking an online class through BYU Online HS. Pretty disappointed with the quality. There had to be something better out there. Please help me locate it!
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Agree. We did Athena's last year, including chemistry and were not impressed. The chemistry book was very simple and the assignments very low level and lots of busywork. But it is good for class discussion. We have taken now about 5 Athena's classes and they were all that way. We stopped. I'd consider them great for 5-8 years olds who are advanced but not advanced in their output. We haven't tried G3 yet.
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What is the best/cheapest place to buy NEW textbooks?
Is there a discount store out there or any tricks to getting discounted books but that are still brand new?
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I wonder the same thing. I was a writer type. I learned another language. I got very high scores on the ACT and GRE in English. And yet, I never had a grammar class, ever. The most I ever did with grammar involved identifing nouns, verbs, and adj. I'm pretty sure the word predicate never came up in my schooling. Now I'm teaching my child diagramming through MCT. I am learning right beside him. I often am not sure of the answer. I don't know the purpose behind it. I think as I learned a second language I was clueless what the word types were...infinitive, etc. but I figured it out contextually anyway. I told my son the other day it will help him as he learns a second language. It will help him be a better writer. However, I don't think it necessary. Some people don't need the direct grammar instruction to write well or to learn another language.
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DS- Wind in the Willows (for school). Usually has 5-10 other books he is reading simultaneously. I've seen him about with lots of Horrible Histories lately. I don't keep tabs on what he reads anymore unless it's his assigned reading.
Me-picked up Doctor Dolittle the other day in an effort to go back and read lots of children's classic that I missed as a kid. Also Reading Wallace Stegner - Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs.
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We did a lot of what you have done so far--so I'll comment. We did some BA. DS didn't love math because of it. He loved reading the comic part but that type of thinking made him feel bad at math. We did LOF Pre-a and most of JA to warm up for Aops. I was certain Aops was direction I wanted. I just needed to wait for some maturity. When we started Aops about 9 months ago DS was still in a mindset that he hated math. He now is doing math daily on Aops-Alcumus and doesn't want to stop. He takes the online classes through Aops. He loves the community there-other kids in the classes to talk math with. He is now doing much more math a day than I would like. He has learned tons just from being active on the forums and reading all the high school and college math forums out of curiosity. Every once in a while he still has a bad math day-where he is just struggling with a certain set of problems and I wonder if this stress is good for him. He could be going through a much gentler program. But he has grown and matured and is learning to handle it better. I always have to remind him that Aops wasn't designed to get 100% every time. They want to stretch you. You are in the wrong class if you get every problem right. But even on days like that when I ask he if he wants to switch to an easier program, he now refuses. He loves Aops and it has opened up a huge love for math. Not saying that is going to happen to every kid. But it ended up working great for us.
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We too found chemistry to be really watered down. Overall the classes vary. Some are advanced but also have a fair share of fluffy assingments. There is always a ton of content thrown at you--YouTube videos, other websites, it's too much, in my opinion. DS loves the actual classes, the day of discussion and teachers are wonderful. But I'd like to see a little less fluff and a little more rigor as far as assingments go. I guess they are trying to appeal to a broad base of students.
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We are doing biology this year too, for the first time ever. We also have Cells and Botany. We are also using the Great Courses Plus biology lectures along with their guidebook.
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Is that 7-9 problems per day/week/class period? I know they meet twice a week.
We have taken Aops Pre-A through Aops so we know what that homework load is like.
Bible/religion cultural knowledge help
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
Think I’ll go with Bible and it’s Influence paired with the Great Course. Thanks everyone.