kbernt
-
Posts
66 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by kbernt
-
-
Here's an example where the "powers before parentheses" rule would fail if they tried to apply the power to each member inside the parentheses first:
(2+3)^2 + 1
Because if they try to evaluate the powers first, THEN do the parentheses, they could get 2^2 + 3^2 + 1 = 14, when the answer should be 26: (5)^2 + 1
Parentheses (and radicals, which basically act parenthetically too) should always, always be done first. The only way to properly teach "powers first" is to know that to "properly" evaluate powers means that if the power is applied to a parenthetical expression and if that expression involves addition/subtraction, then it needs added or subtracted first THEN taken to its power. Seems kind of weird and confusing to me, because you're still doing the parentheses first in the long run. (It doesn't matter if the only operation inside the parentheses is multiplication/division.) If I were you, I'd stick with the old PEMDAS. I've run in to multiple times over the years where I just have to explain that the author of the book is only human and thus can see things differently than others do, or, at times can make flat out mistakes (or the publisher botched the author's work), and our Creator didn't make us all the same nor perfect, so just explain the right way and move on!
-
Maybe the Language Smarts series at Critical Thinking Co.?
Includes a fair amount of phonics, and other awesome stuff too. We used them for my two youngest and they really liked them for their variety, colorful graphics, "makes you think" type things, etc. The series consists of Levels B (1st gr.), C (2nd), and D (3rd). There is no level A. In my opinion, they can be used at grade level "doing with Mom", or 1 to almost 2 grades above "doing independently". Here's a link to see a couple sample pages of Level B:
-
Thanks Kiana! So THIS is the correct road map then....right?
And I understand Geometry is sprinkled throughout the Algebra 1 - Advanced Math classes?
2nd Grade-Intermediate 3
3rd Grade- Intermediate 4
4th Grade- Intermediate 5
5th Grade- Saxon 7/6
6th Grade- Saxon 8/7*
7th Grade- Algebra ½ -or-Algebra 1
8th Grade- Algebra 1 –or- Algebra 2
9th Grade-Algebra 2 –or- Advanced Math Year 1
10 Grade-Advanced Math Year 1 –or- Advanced Math Year 2
11th Grade-Advanced Math Year 2 -or- Calculus
12th Grade- Calculus -or- Elective for Math
You can also use the newer sequence,
Intermed 3
Intermed 4
Intermed 5
Course 1 (I personally looked through this one and it is almost exactly the same, problem-for-problem, as 7/6 3rd ed., with just a few things juggled around/added, etc.)
Course 2
Course 3
(all of the above as 2008 or 2012, they're basically interchangeable and the teacher tech pkgs work for both dates)
Alg 1
Geometry
Alg 2
(the above three are 2009)
Advanced Math, 2nd ed
Calculus, 2nd ed
This is the sequence offered in Houghton Mifflin's current catalog for schools (and which my two youngest are doing very well with.)
-
...what do you need to buy in order to use this program?
You can get the teacher's edition as a pdf file on cdrom relatively inexpensively; it's included in:
Saxon Math Intermediate 3: Teacher Technology Package isbn 1600328946.
The associated student text is isbn 1600325343.
-
Oh, and another thing we did right was, and I'm pretty sure many here will attest to, tailoring the curriculum to each child. For example one DD loves colorful graphics, another actually preferred all black and white text for the most part. Another example is we used more of a sight word focus for reading instead of 100% phonics for my youngest, since she apparently has more of a "global" vs. "sequential" learning style.
-
Just a suggestion, but maybe whatever program you use maybe should be one that has dotted line (or light gray) letters to trace, and that shows:
1) The little dots where your pencil should first touch the page
2) The little arrows that show the direction of the stroke, and
3) The little numbers that show which strokes should come first, then second, etc.
(A book we used that has this is Cursive Writing With a Twist! by Kama Einhorn, Scholastic Professional Books publishers), for grades 2-5)
-
I learned two spaces on a typewriter in the 80's here too. I started teaching my oldest daughter(s) two also, but then found out when the oldest took an expository writing class for dual credit at the community college in 2008, that one was the new norm.
-
6-8, and stress correct fingering. Also, once in a while cover the keyboard to see if they are learning by touch, not sight. (We have a "roll-out" keyboard drawer and so sometimes I roll it in so they can only see the screen).
-
I wouldn't stop completely--that's a lot of pressure that could have some negative effects possibly. I'd keep going but keep reinforcing/practicing on the side, consistently. I think the consistency is the key, and maybe helping them see that they are making progress.Doing timed drills (like Saxon program has) and charting their progress is good, or making a chart that gets filled in as they know each fact; they can see their progress as "filling up the page".
-
We used T4L quite a few years ago for one of the kids (at maybe 2nd or 3rd grade?). I don't remember being either disappointed or super impressed, and the same goes for DD, no strong feelings either way. Then, just a few years ago I was looking into it again, and I do remember coming to the conclusion that there was a lot of variance--some lessons were colorful, fun, animated, etc. and some were just a bunch of reading. In my opinion, if they are going to do just a bunch of reading, I prefer it to be from books, not a screen. I think I was looking into it mainly for mid- to upper elementary social studies, and I believe that's where most of the "just reading on screen" lessons were, so I didn't go with it. It could have changed by now, I don't know.
-
That's neat that you two had that conversation. I have two grown daughters with families of their own now, and we've never really once sat down and pondered what was done right (or wrong) in homeschooling.
I hear ya as far as moving on without mastering math facts. My 17yo still doesn't know them as well as I'd have liked her to, but if we had waited and pushed and forced I don't think it would have benefited her.
Just off the top of my head, one thing I know we did right is allow for the girls to get enough sleep. We never pushed for very early morning starts--especially following a later than average night. If someone was really tired and wanted to nap in the middle of the school day, I was fine with it. Always having plenty of sleep may have something to do with how healthy all my kids have been/still are.
-
Maybe Kolbe or Mosdos? We've used Kolbe, but I've only looked at Mosdos (was too pricey for us at the time). Kolbe is Catholic, and Mosdos may? be written by Jewish people??? but it only is supposed to come across with high moral values, etc, not overly religious. Questions, both recall and higher thinking order types are included in both programs. Kolbe uses separate literary works from which you pick and choose which works you want to cover, whereas Mosdos is a textbook/compilation.
http://kolbe.org/homeschool/courses/elementary/elementary-literature-curriculum/
http://kolbe.org/documents/elemlit/elemlitsyllabus.pdf
http://kolbe.org/documents/elemlit/secretgarden.pdf
-
...They read it, understood it, thought it was interesting, but they didn't retain it because there was not enough practice/review....
DD zipped through decimals, fractions, (don't remember which order), and algebra books. She easily understood the concepts, and got correct answers, but as bluedarling said above, there just wasn't very good retention because of there not being enough problems. By age 16 it was apparent that she was quite good at math but just didn't like to do it, which means she is probably the kind of student who especially needs plenty of drills and practice for retention.
-
If your child is a audio learner, Excellence in Spelling: The Phonetic Zoo
From: INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRITING
Has audio cds.
CBD carries it.
DD used either level B or C--you don't have to start with level A.
I'm not sure where "advanced 5th" level would fit in, though.
-
Math - Dreambox math - entirely individualized and adaptable online math that is colorful and feels a little like online games. Also excellent for finding learning gaps and taking care of them.
-
-
Thanks! Love your signature by the way.
-
... I love the Kolbe lesson plans (they are fantastic) and the freedom to use them in a way that works best for my kids...
I second that.
~Kim
-
I have used this one many times over the years. Very direct, no fluff. $4 at Amazon.
Middle School Mastery Skills Diagraming Grade 6-8 by Linda Denstaedt
Edited to add: ...And quite thorough, too! -
Physical Science is essentially an intro to chemistry and an intro to physics put together. Sometimes intro to earth science is thrown into the mix. So I suppose you could use any introductory chemistry and physics courses, roughly one semester each and call it a year of high school physical science??? Just another option anyway.
~Kim
-
Maybe http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/algebra-ii.html ? I am only briefly familiar with a geometry course and a world history course from them. They run their courses on sale at deep discounts, but only certain courses at certain times of the year. I think I read somewhere that throughout a year's time, every course will be on sale.
~Kim
-
How do you add a signature that shows up every time you post? I see the "enable signature" button, but I looked around the site and can't find how to add one.
~Kim
-
Cindy,
I'm interested in the AGS books for my special needs son. Do you know where I can view sample pages? I went to the Pearson website but couldn't see inside any of the texts.
Thanks!
Good amount of previews of AGS and some others at: http://www.wiesereducational.com
~Kim
-
I like the PB courses for when you want to spend a little less time on a subject to devote more time to other subjects and/or rich electives. Skinnier book=less reading=less time, period. The workbook activities bring the course up to where it's not just bare bones.
As far as level goes, the chemistry course (which DD is using this year and another DD used in the past) for example, is solidly high school level as far as what content is covered. In comparison to an introductory college course, it covers most of the same topics, but much more briefly--especially in the "end-of-book" topics.
~Kim
Math confusion-MCP math grade 6 Order of Operations Question
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
Well said. (Better than I did!)