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shburks

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Posts posted by shburks

    PA Homeschoolers vs Blue Tent Academy/AP Stats or AP Calc BC

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Undecided if ds should pursue AP stats or AP Calc BC for next year. He's a current sophomore taking AP Calc AB with Derek Owens and taking the AP test in May. This course is the first course that has really challenged him; he has a solid B. Not sure if BC would would be good (some review and some new material) or move to AP Stats. We will definitely have another math senior year.

    Then, do I do Blue Tent or PA Homeschoolers?

    My plan was AP Calc BC through Blue Tent Academy. It's expensive but seems worth it. I'd love any thoughts/opinions here.

    How Long Are SAT 2 Subject Tests?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    DS is taking two SAT 2 Subject Tests this Saturday. Admission ticket says be there by 7:45 and testing starts between 8:30 and 9am. If he has two, what time should we be planning to pick him up?

    He's taking it on a college campus that neither of us are familiar with, so I don't want him to have to get out of testing and then call us and wait for us to drive from home! Any help would be appreciated. Googling is not giving me answers!

    Math After AP Calculus (and Where?)

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    8 hours ago, GoodGrief3 said:

    My daughter did DO Calc AB sophomore year too. She went on to do Calc 2 and 3 at the local university, then did AP Stats senior year. She did AP Comp Sci as well, which was technically considered math.

    Thank you! I appreciate hearing a "been there, done that" experience. I had planned on him doing a comp sci course, but I guess I had just assumed it would be an elective rather than a math class. I'm glad I have experienced moms to give advice!

    19 hours ago, Roadrunner said:

    And don’t forget AoPS. They have math outside of normal scope. Hard courses, but definitely worth it.

    Yes! That's on my short list, too. He's already done the Intro to Counting & Probability and Intro to Number Theory. He did those in 8th grade when I opted to slow him down a bit. I could certainly have him work through the upper levels of those.

    17 hours ago, AEC said:

     

    To be clear - NOTHING BAD will happen if you take AB one year and BC the next. But I also don't think a full year is required.

    If this DC is headed to be an engineer then yes - there is more calculus (and other mathy-things) in the future. As general guidance, if your calc came from AP classes then I suggest re-taking the freshman calc courses @ the 4-year college, regardless of how you do on the AP exams.

    Actual college math classes, IME, are different. Less 'here is a theorem and how you apply it' and more 'you have just watched me derive a theorem or technique. Now that you fully understand it (because you watched me derive it, therefore all aspects of it are self-evident), all application of this are exercises left up to the reader, and some such applications will appear for the first time on some future exam'. I found having my first real college math class be in a topic I thought I already understood was pretty helpful.

    lin-alg pre-req's are generally fairly light, but do check. 

    +1 on AoPS classes.

    Also - and this is not easy to find unless you have access to a university, but I found discrete math and graph theory to be super fun and the pre-req's are light. I cannot fully justify that opinion - you just never know what will float your boat.

     

    I do appreciate you thoughts! We have already discussed the need to retake calculus freshman year regardless. With the AP test, my intent is to show rigor and prove knowledge of the subject matter but I absolutely think he should not skip it in college even  if college offers it. We have easy access to a community college. There's also a few major universities in our area, but I'm not sure how they work with high school students. Some things to look at and consider for sure.

    11 hours ago, Momto6inIN said:

    My oldest did AoPS Calc (self study) and took the BC AP exam and he said it was midway through his Calc 3 class at uni before he encountered any new material. He enjoyed the AoPS Number Theory and C&P courses too, and they were useful for him as a CS major. 

    Thanks! These AoPS NT and C&P courses are on my list, too!

    • Like 1

    Math After AP Calculus (and Where?)

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    10 hours ago, AEC said:

    (AP) CalcBC after CalcAB seems like not that much. They are just not THAT different. If DC understood and did well in AB then it seems like a month of 'here's the stuff that's in BC but not AB' and you'd be good and ready to move on.

    So, then, what's next? IMO, this is an opportunity to be interest driven. Stats (not nesc AP) is super useful for understanding data and the world around you and is directly applicable to anything in the biological or social sciences as well as compSci and other topics that someone taking calculus as a sophomore might find interesting.

    linear algebra is also a reasonable next step and super useful - definitely in the physical sciences, but also machine learning. If you have the math (basic lin alg will do), ML is actually pretty approachable. It's crazy how simplistic most of it actually is compared to what people are doing with it.

    and if nothing else, there's always MORE calculus (diffeq? multi-variat?). (wheee.  :/)

     

     

     

     

    Calc AB is proving to be the first math course to really challenge him! Like MamaSprout said, my understanding is that Calc BC covers CalcAB the first half of the year and then new material second half of the year. I don't think it would be the worst thing ever to go over it again!  I considered Stats but I'm not sure how applicable it is. I also will likely pursue computer science, but it doesn't feel like a math class.

    Linear algebra may be a good place to look in additional to differential equations, etc. Would I look for these at a community college? 4-year college willing to take a DE kid?

    4 hours ago, MamaSprout said:

    Calc AB covers Calc 1

    Calc BC covers Calc 1 and 2.

    So if a student will go beyond Calc 1 in college, then they could do either Calc BC or a Calc 2 class after Calc AB. 

    Linear Algebra is also a good option depending on what the pre-reqs are for the class.

    Stats is definitely an option, but if the student has lots of time, it could be worthwhile to keep going in the calc sequence. My dd will probably do a calculus-based Probability and Statistics after Calc III (multivariable). She's probably going to be in a major when the AP Stats class wouldn't count towards anything, and I think she'll like the class.

    Another option would be the eimacs courses. They are pricey, but unique. 

     

    Thank you. He is likely going to be in a STEM field--thinking engineering--so I'm sure he'll do additional Calc classes in college. Where would I find courses similar to what you mentioned--calculus 3, calculus based probably and Statistics, etc? We haven't delved into CC yet--would I find these at an average local community college?

    I'm not familiar with eimacs--going to look that up!

    Math After AP Calculus (and Where?)

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    58 minutes ago, MamaSprout said:

    Calc BC with Blue Tent is an excellent course.

    My dd went straight into it from DO PreCalc  + EMF/ competition math, but Dd said the class is about 1/2 those who took AB and those who did not. 
     

    I work at a university and have work study students. She asked one who is a math major to work through an example problem so she could watch. He said, “I thought this was like Calc 1. What is this?!” She laughed and said, “Wednesday...”

    The class is sufficiently challenging, definitely beyond the usual BC course.

    Thank you! I have added Blue Tent to my start my list!

    Math After AP Calculus (and Where?)

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    My son is a sophomore currently taking AP Calculus with Derek Owens. I'm not really sure where to go from here. Perhaps Calculus BC next? And then what?

    Additionally, do you have recommendations on where to look for these classes? I'm aware of PA Homeschoolers courses, but are there other online options? I just don't know where to look! I'm not really interested in doing DE for math quite yet.

    Note Taking Course?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    30 minutes ago, klmama said:

    This website shows several note-taking methods.  

    Once you decide on a style of note-taking, I suggest you watch a lecture together and each of you take notes.  After five minutes, stop it and discuss what you each wrote and why.  Then continue, stopping every so often to discuss.  Be sure he doesn't think your way is the only "right" way!  Discussing and comparing is just to help him see what a more experienced note-taker would write down.

    As for how to use notes to study, this method is more or less what my college student does, with great success.

    Thank you! That's a great idea. (I mean, my way is the right way, of course, but I'll entertain other ways! HA!)

    31 minutes ago, stlily said:

    There are two simple workbooks I can recommend but they're both geared for upper elementary and middle school.  The first one was recommended in the 3rd edition of TWTM for the logic stage and is only available as a PDF download. I printed it our copy. It is Note Taking & Outlining by Q. L Pearce. It's a Frank Schaffer Publication. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Outlining-Grades-Schaffer-Publications/dp/0742418308/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Note+Taking+%26+Outlining+Frank+Schaffer+Publications&qid=1596217431&s=books&sr=1-1

    The other is also a workbook titled Note Taking by Deborah White Broadwater. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Note-Taking-Grades-Lessons-Research/dp/1580372538/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Note+Taking+by+Deborah+White+Broadwater&qid=1596217612&s=books&sr=1-1

    I'll be following the post in case someone  recommends a good resource for the high school level 🙂.  Hope this helps.

    I'll definitely take a look at those. I'm not opposed to middle school level if it makes it easy to understand. Appreciate the help.

    40 minutes ago, Plum said:

    Oh that sounds interesting! 
    I usually have my kids watch How to Become a Superstar Student from Great Courses, it has a lecture on note taking and some others you might find helpful. I believe it’s on GCPlus as well. 
    I would also look on YouTube for a video on Cornell Notes. 

    That sounds interesting! I'll take a look at that Great Courses option!

    • Haha 1

    Note Taking Course?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    My ds is a rising sophomore. He's a pretty smart cookie with a good memory, so his note taking skills are poor! However, I know this is a skill he needs to develop now! Does anyone have suggestions for a short course or workbook even that we could use before we resume homeschooling in late August? Thanks so much!

    Semester Long Government Class Using Crash Course?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted · Edited by shburks

    15 hours ago, crl said:

    My daughter is using http://www.startsateight.com/uncle-eric-books-lesson-plan/. They use 2 "Uncle Eric" books and crash course videos to got with them.

     

    Thank you! This is also an idea worth pursuing for sure! Are you using just the two books or the student study guides as well?

    In looking over the lesson plans, I see final exam--is that something in the student guide or something created by Starts at Eight?

    Semester Long Government Class Using Crash Course?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    On 5/29/2020 at 10:48 AM, SusanC said:

    I'm having my rising 10th graders do a .5 credit American Government course over 8 weeks this summer. I am using the Annenberg learner course, which has great readings and videos with discussion points. On alternating days we are watching the Crash Course videos to break up the blocks of reading time. We are one week in, but I'm loving it. We may need to cut back on the reading slightly, since not everyone shares my enthusiasm and reading stamina. I also have a few things from icivics planned. I'm not trying to coordinate the topics between Annenberg and CC. I don't anticipate that being an issue.

     

    Which course are you using? Democracy in America?

    Semester Long Government Class Using Crash Course?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    On 5/30/2020 at 8:51 PM, BakersDozen said:

    I have a syllabus for an 18-week Government course (last week study/take Final) which uses Crash Course, iCivics, textbook and oodles of fantastic movies. I provided options for a basic class along with an Honors track with two text options. I can send it via email to anyone who is interested. My students really loved it as it was more application of concepts instead of just typical text reading/testing. My younger dc even got involved with the iCivics "Do I Have a Right?" simulation.

    Yes please! I'll message you as well. Thanks!!

    When to Take Math 2 SAT Subject Test

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    My son finished pre-cal this year, and my original intent was to have him do the Math 2 SAT Subject Test in June. Obviously that didn't happen, so we stopped preparing for it. He will do calculus starting in the fall. Should I have him prepare for Math 2 test over the summer and test in August or October or wait until he completes Calculus? On the practices we were doing, the questions he was missing were Geometry with a little bit of Algebra 2 thrown in, so I feel like he needs to hit Khan Academy hard and take the test early in the fall but would love second opinions!

    Need Poetry Study for World History/9th Grade

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    On 12/8/2019 at 9:23 AM, Lori D. said:

    Progeny Press: Intro to Poetry: Forms and Elements -- see sample pages here:
    - like most PP guides, can be done in 9 weeks or less
    - covers mostly British and a few American poems/poets
    - covers mostly 19th century works/authors, with a few 20th century
    - while there is a suggested anthology that contains all the poems, virtually all can be found online
    - focuses on a selection of specific poems, with some questions/discussion

    We did this PP guide alongside our regular Lit. -- just added another 20 min/day 2-3 days/week, for about 6 weeks, and did it orally together.

    CAP's Art of Poetry would be a great choice, and might also fit for you. It is similar to PP's poetry guide, but covers more authors. poetic devices and with more depth. It looks like it has a similar set of authors (British and American) and time frames (19th and 20th centuries), but with more balance between the countries and centuries. Set up very much like LL7/8, with short "teaching text", a poem, followed by guided discussion questions. It is designed as a 1-semester course -- just do bits/units throughout the year (or over 2 years!). If you get the full program, just pop in the DVD for "plug and play" video of teacher providing the lessons, making it easy on you.

    No personal experience, as this came out after DSs had graduated, but I would definitely have used this one if it had been available. See samples here.

     

    Thank you, LoriD! I always appreciate your viewpoints and thoughts. I had stumbled on Art of Poetry after I posted above. It does look pretty great!

    On 12/10/2019 at 4:06 PM, Hadley said:

    I’m coming late to the party, but I second the recommendation for Art of Poetry.  I have used and like MP Poetry, but I prefer A of P.  I have used it over the course of high school interspersed between longer works, and we have really enjoyed it!

     

    Thanks so much! So, you've used it over several years just doing little bits at a time?

    Need Poetry Study for World History/9th Grade

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    We're doing World History this year (Notgrass) and using some of their literature choices as well as some I've supplemented and mixing in Illuminating Literature: When Worlds Collide.

    Neither Notgrass nor Illuminating Literature cover any poetry at all. I do not have the time or the energy to create something from scratch. Can anyone point me in the direction of something pre-made for poetry? Ideally I'd like something that fits in with world history study but it doesn't have to. What I'm looking for is something similar to what Lightning Literature did for grades 7 and 8. A unit that focuses on certain pieces with some activities/questions/discussion to go along with it.

    Memoria Press has something that MIGHT work but I feel like I would need to purchase a lot of pieces to make it work. TLP has an American Poetry unit but I have no idea what it actually covers as I can't find a list.

    Progeny Press?

    Anyone have ideas for me? Thanks!

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