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Amy in KS

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Posts posted by Amy in KS

    Dave Raymond's History....opinions please

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    We did this in a small co-op. It's independent, but I don't think my daughter would have kept up with the projects if it weren't for the group. Or been as motivated. The discussion questions are at the heart of it. Is it possible to do it with a couple friends? Our co-op allowed 8-12th. Pronghorn, Did your student do all the original source readings assigned and answer all the essay questions for the week? Do the map project, scrapbook project, memorize an original speech? We do Omnibus now and it hasn't been that much more difficult.

    Dave Raymond's History....opinions please

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    We did this in a small co-op. It's independent, but I don't think my daughter would have kept up with the projects if it weren't for the group. Or been as motivated. The discussion questions are at the heart of it. Is it possible to do it with a couple friends? Our co-op allowed 8-12th. Pronghorn, Did your student do all the original source readings assigned and answer all the essay questions for the week? Do the map project, scrapbook project, memorize an original speech? We do Omnibus now and it hasn't been that much more difficult.

    Jurgensen Geometry

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted · Edited by amy in ks

    My daughter is currently in what geometry. I think you are stressing over the grading too much. Students attempt the homework, student or parent checks using answer key. If student doesn't understand, they ask for help on the discussion board. Students can rework problems until they can get the answer on their own. Even if it means studying the proof until they can reproduce it on their own the next day. There really isn't a good reason they shouldn't get a high grade (100 or close) on daily homework grades...

    Wilson Hill Academy WHA questions/info

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted · Edited by amy in ks

    Brenda, 

    Sorry...  I just realized I made a mistake in reading your original question.  I was confused with the name change issues with English.  I originally thought you were asking about FOEW (the course before Honors Comp), not the current Honors Comp.  My daughter says she appreciated Honors Comp because it was less formulaic than her previous writing instruction.  There's more emphasis on the essays "sounding good" while allowing students to develop their own voice/style.  She's found this was a useful skill because many essays don't fit neatly into LTOW or IEW style.  They do writing exercises in pull-out groups and peer editing as well.  My daughter also appreciated the review of mechanics, how to do in source citations, and the grammar review (which she understands and uses better now because she is more mature).  Of course, the teachers at WHA would offer better advice than I can!  Just sharing my experience. 

     

    That's impressive that your daughter wants to keep doing both Latin and Spanish!  My daughter longs to do something other than Latin.  She's a free-spirit, and she loves new things.    

     

    I should also clarify... My daughter is in Chemistry, not Physics.  Because she attended a high school class locally the year before that which was considered an equivalent of Physics I, she was advised to start at Chem.  It's more math than she was doing with BJU the previous year, but it sounds like your daughter is much farther in math than mine is. Mine is currently in Geometry and the amount of math required is a bit of a stretch for my daughter.  She's managing, but it is a stretch.   I'd say the Chem book was better suited for Alg II students (which your daughter is past).  I can't speak to the Physics book at all.  As a certified science teacher myself, I do really like Novare Chemistry.  It takes a bit to warm up to, and it is very math driven, but the constant review means the student really ends up retaining the information more long term.  I'm certain that Mrs. Jester could give you better advice than I with regards to where your child should be in the science sequence.  

     

    Good to know about Logic 2!  I need to check into that!  If you find more specifics on the Jumpstart Logic over the summer, please let me know!

     

    By the way, you have probably figured this out by now, but the teachers' emails at WHA are simply firstinitial lastname at wilsonhillacademy.com (except for Starlet Baker, because there are two sbakers).  I've always found the teachers are very responsive to questions:)

     

    Amy

     

    • Like 2

    Wilson Hill Academy WHA questions/info

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Omma, 

    We are former long time CC family as well!  We moved my daughter to WHA this year in 9th.  She is in Starlet Baker's Honors Comp class this year and loves it.  It's not as many papers, but it is more about refining the essay and reviewing mechanics and grammar from time to time.  This has been perfect for us because there are other essays she works on for GC and (a local) debate.  I think it's been renamed as Fundamentals of Academic Writing for next year.  I think as long as she's done IEW and LTOW from CC, she'd be fine there.  

     

    The Science is Novare (with the exception of Biology--because their Bio isn't out yet).  It is very much a math-heavy course (even the non-honors version).  It takes a bit to get used to, but my daughter has thrived.  I'd email cjester@wilsonhillacademy.com for placement advice.  

     

    A logic course is recommended before Rhetoric, but I don't believe you need to do Logic 2.  I haven't seen a summer schedule yet, so I'm not sure about Jumpstart Logic, but it looks as if bmartin@wilsonhillacademy.com might be able to answer that for you.  If you do email him, I'd love a response as well.  We are in a similar boat.  

     

    As far as foreign languages go, my daughter wants to take Russian next year.  As a Russian major, this is a sigh of relief for me.  I can help her as needed.  If your daughter likes Latin, she might like Russian.  It has a similar grammar (hsix cases instead of Latin's five). I won't lie.  It isn't the easiest language (and it uses a different alphabet), but a Latin background would make it easier! Honestly, I wish my daughter wanted to take Spanish.  I love languages and took many over my high school and college years, but I never took Spanish and I regret that.  Plus, I've heard the Spanish teacher is amazing!      

     

    Also, consider that you don't need to take all of the classes through them to get a diploma (a certain number per year).  For us, four per year seems to be a sweet spot (academically and socially).   GC is worth 2.5 credits (history, english and worldview), so that is 5.5 credits per year for us.  Add a couple local classes like music/art/debate, and you are good to go!  

     

    p.s.  I know it's unlikely, but if you are in KC, pm me!  I'm trying to start up a high school social group for local WHA families!  

     

    • Like 1

    Novel writing curriculum help

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    We love OYAN! We treat it like an elective. I don't have my daughter take the DVD quizzes, but they don't look difficult at all if you feel the need to quantify things. The boards are very active and super helpful. A lot like WTM boards for writerly people. Students are always posting things that get critiques. Writing Olympics and games to encourage writing all the time. They also have webinars and encourage each other. You can even sign up for professional critiques (those are extra, but quite reasonable). They encourage each other and my daughter loves having a group of people that "get her". She is even getting together with a few of them tomorrow locally. Plus, the summer workshop is amazing.

    • Like 1

    Looking for alternative to Omnibus 2ndary Live

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    For secondary, you could do 3 (Modern/emphasis on American), 1+4 (Ancient, best of 1 and 4), 4 (Ancient), or 5(Medieval).  The courses aren't grade specific.   For 1+4, we've read Genesis, Exodus, Iliad, Odyssey, small portions of Herodotus, and small portions of Orestria thus far.   LOTS of help from Mr. Etter has been key.  He makes really difficult materials very accessible.  

     

    William Jewell College

    in The College Board

    Posted

    I was married at the chapel at William Jewel 16 years ago tomorrow. We take pictures there every year on our anniversary. It's a small university in Liberty, Mo. I've heard it's good, but no first hand experience. My nephew goes to UMKC for its engineering program. It's in urban KC, but the science/engineering program is well respected. Mid America Nazarene University is another well respected university in the area with generous scholarships. It's in the suburbs of Olathe.

    • Like 1

    Wilson Hill Academy

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    My daughter is enrolled in four classes there as well. GC 1+4, Honors Comp, Geometry, and General Chemistry. She says they are spectacular (well, she likes the first three best). I find the quality and accountability much better than the CC Challenge program as well (we were long term cc family prior to this). I miss the live discussions, though.

    • Like 1
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