stupidusername
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Posts posted by stupidusername
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DS11 is working his way through K12 Human Odyssey, Volume 2. He is currently halfway done with the book.
To supplement his reading, I'm interested in books and movies -- both documentaries and fiction -- dealing with what he'll be learning.
Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- French and Indian War
- American Revolution
- French Revolution
- Napoleon
- Latin American independence movements
- Imperial Russia under Peter the Great, Catherine the Great and/or Alexander I
- Industrial Revolution
- Slavery
- Rise of Italy and Germany as independent, unified countries in the 19th Century
- Civil War in the U.S.
- 19th Century imperialism in Africa and Asia
- Rise of organized labor in the early 20th Century
- Henry Ford
- Construction of the Panama Canal
- Wright Brothers
I'd also be interested in books and movies relating the material he recently completed, especially the Spanish conquest of central and South America, the settlement of Jamestown, the Glorious Revolution, and the life of Galileo Galilei. There must be many great books and movies about these fascinating topics.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
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Can you afford something in San Ramon itself? I hear it's nice. Am not familiar with Rio Vista and Brentwood.
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thanks everyone. very helpful!
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My 11-year old son is book-smart but he has a lot to learn about making his way in the world. Here's my starter list of things he should know how to do:
pitch a tent / camping
change a light bulb
use basic tools
know how to handle a firearm (clean it, load it, store it safely, etc.)
change a tire
bike repairs
confident handshake
tie a tie
laundry
cook
play poker
iron clothes
read a map
CPR
how to fish
gut a fish, clean it, and fillet it
- self-defense/martial arts
- understand the rules of major sports (basketball, football, baseball)
Feel free to add to the list!
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he should eat a good, healthy breakfast at home. Don't go crazy, but he should eat well and make sure his stomach is full. That will get him through his first race. Then as soon as possible after his first race, he should eat a light lunch -- maybe a turkey sandwich if that's what he's used to. Then have something on hand to eat after his second (last) race. Also, he should drink plenty of water throughout the day.
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I am not there yet in Saxon Math, my son is only using Math 65 but we are loving Saxon Math so much that we hope we can continue with it through the end. I *think* you should complete Advanced Math before taking the SAT Math Level 2, but I do not *know*. I have not seen the Advanced Mathematics book in person yet, nor do I know much about the SAT subject tests, but based on the description, I think it is safer to complete Adv. Math and maybe take a couple of weeks to do some test prep.
Your son is in Saxon 65 in 1st grade? Wow.
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Hi everyone. My daughter is about halfway through John Saxon, Advanced Mathematics: An Incremental Development, 2nd Edition. She would like to take the SAT Mathematics Level 2 subject test but isn't sure when she'll be ready (i.e. when she will have covered all the topics on the test). Does anyone here know?
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My daughter is thinking about applying to BS/MD programs.
1. Several of these programs are at universities that participate in the College Merit Scholarship program. If my daughter listed one of these universities as her first choice and then went on to win a National Merit Scholarship, to what extent do you think would that help her get admitted to that program? I'm just wondering if it might help her stand out a little from other equally qualified BS/MD applicants if she had listed a particular university as her first choice and other applicants had not.
2. Is there any reason to think that the four-year scholarships given to National Merit Scholars wouldn't be given to a student in a BS/MD program? That is, are BS/MD students somehow ineligible for this money?
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Yes, this is the big reason to take the PSAT. That is what I was referencing in my previous post: "other Finalists may receive College sponsored Merit Scholarships (frequently renewable), from the first choice college they selected back in Sept. 2016 in the application process". The student needs to list one of these schools as their top choice when filling out the application. You can see the list of schools on the very last 2 pages of the PSAT Student Guide.
Even if your student does not earn one of these 4-year scholarships from , being able to put NMS Commended Student, or NNS Semi-Finalist or Finalist on a college's scholarship application will definitely improve the student's chances at being awarded a scholarship from that school. :)
Thank you Lori D. You are a font of great information.
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June after graduation
- 7600 Finalists = $2500 one time National Merit award
- other Finalists may receive College sponsored Merit Scholarships (frequently renewable), from the first choice college they selected back in Sept. 2016 in the application process
- other Finalists may receive corporated sponsored merit scholarships, if they are the children of employees of a company/corporation that sponsors these scholarships (which may be one-time or renewable)
Honestly, I would not fret too much about it. Yes, it's great to earn scholarship money from PSAT/NMSQT, but the reality is only about 9,000 of the 1.5 million 11th graders taking the test earn scholarship money from the process. The odds are not in a student's favor to begin with, so I'd focus on prepping for the test of choice, ACT or SAT, score high, and work to be a varied and interesting student with well-developed interests through volunteering and extracurriculars. Those are the things that will land merit aid from the university.
Most students taking the PSAT won't score high enough to advance in the NMS scholarship process, so you can switch your efforts to the ACT if you want to avoid the new SAT.
And in the grand scheme, NMS merit aid is just a small amount of merit aid awarded overall each year. If your student scores high enough to be in the running for money, great! It's worth the hoop-jumping of the new SAT test to go for it. Being able to put NMS Commended Student, Semi-Finalist or Finalist on scholarship applications will be a boost along with high ACT or SAT scores.
At my daughter's high school, all students are strongly encouraged to take the PSAT both their sophomore and junior years. If the data presented by Lori D are correct, I see no reason for her to take it at all. I don't think she would win a National Merit scholarship, and even if she did so the amount of money she would receive appears to be small compared to the overall cost of a four-year college. The standard argument for the PSAT -- it is good practice for the SAT -- doesn't apply to my daughter because she will be taking the ACT.
Update: Maybe not a waste of time!
According to This site, http://student-tutor.com/blog/crazy-scholarship-money-from-the-psat/, the real money for NMS winners is provided by individual colleges and universities. The site lists dozens of colleges that provide full FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS to NMS winners. Granted, the majority of these are not top-tier colleges, but still.
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My daughter is in 9th grade. She will be taking the ACT rather than the SAT for the following reasons:
1) I gave her a practice SAT test and a practice ACT test. She did much better on the ACT.
2) The upcoming revisions in the SAT make it harder to practice for it.
3) Almost every single university accepts both the ACT and the SAT.
My daughter feels that the ACT math and English tests are more straightforward than the SAT. The one exception is the ACT science section. It is extremely challenging.
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So who's got ACT practice book recommendations?
The Real ACT -
No. It doesn't. It means "a particular type or category of literature or art". Yes, it etymologically means "class or category", but etymologically speaking, "lord" means "loaf guard".
If you believe that the word genre is interchangeable in all circumstances with "class" or "category", then you are incorrect. The book isn't wrong. It isn't nitpicking, or asking for a particularly subtle distinction that you might not normally make. Your internal definition of "genre" is out-of-step with everybody else's.
If you have another example to cite, you probably should, because in this one, it is your opinion that it is "too subtle" that is flawed.
I am using the definition that was given in the book. "A type, class, or category, especially of fine art or literature." See page 10.
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If I were going to classify nouns, I would say the three classes are persons, places or things. Noun gender is a specific grammar concept, so I would agree with the program.
It it were English I'd agree but when we're talking about a foreign language who knows? Are you certain that there are no additional classifications of nouns in, say, Arabic or Romanian?
My argument is not that the book is wrong. Clearly the book is correct. My argument is that this question was poorly written. This is just one of several examples I could cite.
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No, it's not that subtle. The word that should be there is gender, or possibly even word class, but does genre even have a meaning in grammar?
"genre" means "class" or "category." Thus,
"A beginning German student learning French may confuse masculine, feminine, and neuter genres of nouns."
seems roughly equivalent to
"A beginning German student learning French may confuse masculine, feminine, and neuter classes of nouns."
Or:
"A beginning German student learning French may confuse masculine, feminine, and neuter categories of nouns."
To someone with no knowledge of German or French, these seem at least plausible.
I still say subtle.
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DS11 has been using Vocabulary From Classical Roots for about a year. Up until recently, everything was good. Now we are in Book C, and it's starting to get pretty hard. Consider Exercise 2B, Number 1. The book says, "Circle the letter of the sentence in which the word in bold-faced type is used incorrectly." It says the answer is THIS sentence:
"A beginning German student learning French may confuse masculine, feminine, and neuter genres of nouns."
Now, I understand that "genre" refers primarily to artistic or literary classifications; that must be why the above sentence is deemed incorrect. However, this is a subtle distinction.
I've seen a couple other problems like this recently -- problems that are really tough even for me. It's a bit frustrating for DS11. I've enjoyed the Vocabulary From Roots series but I wonder if perhaps it is time to move on to something more straightforward, i.e., something along the lines of "500 SAT words you must know." (I made up that title, but you get the idea.)
Thoughts?
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But why would you want to try to skip a child ahead? Unless she's off-the-charts and skipping her way, bored and unchallenged through algebra, I can't see any reason for it. The disadvantages of missing out on a year of geometry and two years of algebra are that she'll have had less time for algebra 1 and 2 and geometry to sink in, she'll be placed with honors level juniors who are more mature and have taken the traditional three years to cover algebra 1, geometry and algebra 2 (probably using a more rigorous program than Saxon), and if she is successful, she'll have less math available to her for the remainder of high school (and if unsuccessful, may need to repeat both geometry and algebra 1). Besides making you (or your child) feel good, I can't think of any advantage. It's not a race. Better to be the most successful Algebra 2 (or geometry) student with solid skills getting an A than the mediocre freshman in precalculus.
I should add - I was that struggling student, failing and unprepared in calculus in 10th grade because of middle school acceleration. That was my last math class ever and I was bitter and hated math for years because of it.
It's not a race, and there is no skipping ahead. The Saxon series (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Advanced Mathematics) takes most students 3.5-4 years to complete. It includes the equivalent of at least two years of Algebra and one year of Geometry as well as a semester of trigonometry. Tens of thousands of students have used this sequence over the years, and it has served them well. John Saxon knew what he was doing.
These three books plus Saxon Calculus were used until very recently at my daughter's high school. I asked the AP Calculus BC teacher there if the incoming students -- students who used these three books -- were well-prepared for her class. She said yes. Very well-prepared. Unfortunately, the school has now switched to the crappy Houghton-Mifflin version of Saxon Algebra. I doubt the students will continue to be as well prepared.
Spending an additional year on Jacobs Geometry is fine if you're into proof-based Geometry but it probably won't help a student in pre-Calculus or Calculus and it probably won't help on the ACT or SAT. From my daughter's experience, I can tell you that not everyone adores Jacobs Geometry. I may have my son spend a month or two on it, but that's it. We're happy with Saxon and don't see any need for diversions. I'd rather him spend extra time on other subjects.
I prefaced my advice with the assumption that the OP's student is doing well in math and that the OP is happy with Saxon. If we're talking about a student who is struggling, I would recommend that she repeat Algebra 1 before proceeding to anything else. If the OP doesn't like Saxon, then switching to another text would of course be appropriate.
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My 7th grade daughter is about to finish Saxon Algebra 1. Is the Saxon Geometry needed if she plans on going to a brick and mortar high school? I am under the impression that she would have to go through Advanced Math to finish geometry credits if we don't do the geometry book. Is this right?
Thanks for any advice.
First off, congratulations! Your daughter is young to have come so far.
Second, we need to be clear which Saxon Algebra book you're referring to. I assume you are talking about this one: http://www.amazon.com/Algebra-Incremental-Development-Edition-Saxon/dp/1565771346
There is a more recent version of Saxon Algebra, published by Houghton-Mifflin, that is awful.
The first thing you should do is contact the chairman of the high school math department and explain the situation. Your daughter may be ready to enroll in a pre-Calculus class her freshman year. Here's how she can do it.
Important caveat: In the advice that follows, I assume two things: (1) you are happy with Saxon and (2) your daughter is doing well (85% or higher on her tests).
Given those assumptions, I would have her proceed to Saxon Algebra 2 as soon as she finishes Saxon Algebra 1. After she finishes Algebra 2, have her go as far as she can in Saxon Advanced Mathematics. Depending on how far she gets, she may be ready for a pre-Calculus class as a freshman in high school.
Between Saxon Algebra 2 and the first half of Saxon Advanced Mathematics, your daughter will cover the equivalent of one year of Geometry. It's solid -- certainly sufficient for standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT.
If she needs or wants more proof-based Geometry than is offered in the Saxon books, you can have her tackle Jacobs Geometry after Saxon Algebra 2. My daughter didn't care for the Jacobs book, but many people like it.
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My daughter completed the Algebra 2 book and is about halfway through the Advanced Mathematics book. We've been happy with everything so far. I think she will be well-prepared when she gets to Calculus and I expect her ACT math score to be high.
We spent about a month on Jacobs Geometry after Algebra 2 as a supplement.
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Tentative plan:
- Math: Saxon Algebra 1 (finish by January 2016), then start Saxon Algebra 2.
- History: K12 Human Odyssey vol. 2 + Oxford University Press + other supplemental materials TBD
- Language Arts: Institute for Excellence in Writing + Warriner's Grammar + selection of books TBD
- Science: Prentice Hall Science Explorer books TBD.
- Latin For the New Millennium 2
- Music: Stefan Kostka et al., "Tonal Harmony," 7th ed. + violin + drums
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We are nearly finished with K12 Human Odyssey Vol. 1, which we've liked a lot. I would like to start getting prepared for Vol. 2. Anyone have a list of supplemental readings?
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Uh, my reaction? "I think your job is senseless and useless, too. Go away."
:)
(I think that's a really rude thing to say to someone, particularly if they're opinion wasn't requested.)
This. I think it sounds like a very interesting and lucrative job. I hope your husband makes a gazillion dollars. How does one get into this field, if I may ask?
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9th graders - esp boys - are definitely still in the maturing stage IME (speaking as one who works with 9th - 12th graders on a regular basis).
Some of the other differences folks have mentioned are mainly differences in wiring between the thinkers and the feelers (from personality testing). It's VERY easy for some to empathize with others (cry at sad movies, etc) and considerably tougher for others (these tend to look at all situations rationally).
I lean on the Thinker side of things naturally, but maturity (and experience) has definitely brought out more empathy over the years. For the majority of students in the class, it will do the same, but they need more laps around the sun and experience to "get it."
It's common at school to have kids (esp boys) laugh at the death of a cat or other pet - until they experience a loss themselves. Then they get it. It can work the same way with a person they don't know.
I think it's all part of the source for the quote:
Don't judge a man (person) until you've walked a mile in their moccasins.
Thinkers can easily judge - until they've BTDT and truly "get" the feelings. Feelers mainly judge the thinkers (and rarely understand them as they seldom switch categories).
To my mind, the reaction of these kids was heartless and cruel. Yes, I am judging.
Saxon Algebra 1 - 3rd or 4th edition?
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
I strongly recommend the 3rd edition for Saxon Algebra 1 and Saxon Algebra 2. Both books are quite good.
The 4th edition Algebra books are a nightmare. Many of the questions are poorly worded; the answer keys are littered with errors; the material does not progress in a logical, straightforward manner.