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amtmcm

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Everything posted by amtmcm

  1. Wow! Someone could homeschool for free using this website - especially with the History resources.
  2. Thanks for the responses! You've given me good food for thought.
  3. If we do Pre-Algebra we'll use Life of Fred to make it more interesting. If we do Algebra 1 we'll be sticking with Bob Jones. BJU Math 7 (aka Fundamentals of Math) is probably considered a pre-algebra text and includes all of the topics you mention - scientific notation, measurements, etc... LOF can be completed in a semester, so maybe we'll use that in the fall and see where we stand. We could start Algebra 1 in the spring and take 1+ years to complete. My goal is to get her interested. She's interested in the basic algebra she's learning now and she's sleep walking through the other mundane subjects because she's seen them all before. She won't really retain anything unless it piques her interest and she applies her brain to actually think about it.
  4. DD12 is using BJU Math 7 this year. We're just getting into the chapter on Equations and she loves it! She's actually excited to be learning something new instead more fractions and decimals. This child is mathy, but she's not a motivated student. She understands fractions, decimals, exponents & negative numbers, but sometimes forgets and needs reminding. For instance, when faced with a fraction division problem, I might have to say "multiply by the reciprocal" and she says "oh ya" and does it with no problem. Here's my dilemma. Pre-Algebra will give her the additional practice she needs, but she's getting totally bored with these fundamentals. She's happy when she's introduced to something new like Equations or Geometry. Should we trudge through another year of fundamentals with Pre-Algebra for the extra practice? Or should we start Algebra and take it slow? She'll be in 7th grade so I don't mind spending two years on Algebra, but I don't want to get half-way through the year and realize she's lost because she doesn't have a strong enough foundation. Please share your experience or opinion. Thanks!
  5. Here's my non-mathy, DD15's sequence: 8th TT Alg 1 and most of TT Alg 2 (we're calling this Alg 1) 9th TT Geometry (doing this now - almost done) 10th Foerster Algebra 2 & Trigonometry w/ Math Without Borders 11th TT Pre-calc (or CC dual credit) DD15 scored in 90% on PSAT compared to her peers with virtually no geometry yet. I'd say she was well prepared for the algebra portion of the test. So if TT is working for you and you want to stick with it, as Creekland says, it should lay a good foundation for more rigorous math later.
  6. I personally prefer the 1st edition if you can find it used on Amazon or eBay. The current edition is much more hip and whizzy, but I don't seem to come away with the concrete action items like are presented in the 1st ed. In my opinion, the 1st ed. is geared towards more linear-analytical thinkers and the current version may appeal to global-spatial learners. For instance, the 1st ed emphasizes outlines where the current ed suggests using idea webs for taking notes of a textbook.
  7. What about using CLE for pre-algebra? My DD loved CLE and did very well with it. She detests math, but enjoyed the family she got to know in her CLE lessons. She was actually sad when she couldn't continue into Algebra using CLE. She's now using TT and she likes it as much as she'd like any math program. It makes math pretty painless for her. Here's our math sequence, if this helps: 7th grade: CLE 8 8th grade TT Alg 1 & 1/2 of Alg 2 9th grade: TT Geometry 10th grade: Foerster Alg 2 & Trig w/ Math w/out Border DVD (planned for next year) 11th grade: maybe TT Precalc (depends on if she's ready for calc after Foerster) 12th grade: Calc or Stats (probably at CC) My younger DD uses BJU math and we're very happy with it too. The younger grades (pre-algebra and before) need at least some teaching by the parent because there's not a lot of instruction in the text. The lessons are "mastery" and not spiral, so they stay on one topic and there's very little review. This works well for my DD12. She wants to focus on one topic until she fully understands it and doesn't want to jump back and forth. TT stays on one topic for lessons, but the problem sets are spiral (like CLE). If you have a specific question about TT I'll try to answer it.
  8. I grew up with Mastermind (we still play my game from the '70's) and it's a favorite! We also like Connect Four Mancala Guess Who? This is not nearly as challenging, but it will be fun for her to play with friends. Blockus Is she ready for Clue? We enjoy playing that as a family. And at the moment I'm looking at the Clue box on my dining table with a Snap Circuits set underneath it. Snap Circuits isn't really a game, but it's excellent for building logic skills and following directions.
  9. This was even worse in BJU. There was no vocab list at all - we finally found one on their website, but not in the book. So BTB looked like a huge relief to me. I've also purchased two secular/public school texts and they seem to be the same as the BJU text - assuming there's a daily teacher and more conversational than grammatical. I hear you! Except in the French text it's Celine Dion instead of Ricky Martin. LOL!
  10. We've been using BJU French and there's not enough instruction for the student in the text. DD was getting an A with an outside class, but her pronunciation is abysmal and her usage is shaky. I just ordered and received Breaking the Barrier French and it looks like exactly what I was hoping for. It is self-teaching and includes clear explanations of each new grammar concept. Each chapter starts with a new list of vocabulary words and the CD includes pronunciations for all of the new words. There's a well balanced emphasis on grammar (verb conjugation, how to ask questions, verb tense, etc...) and conversation (written & auditory dialogue). I took French for 4 years in high school so I'm pretty comfortable with the basics, but I found a tutor through VerbalPlanet.com to help with pronunciation and specific French nuances. We're very happy with the tutor and I can't wait to dig into Breaking the Barrier. I read about BTB on this forum, so maybe some one else who's already using it will respond.
  11. My younger DD uses BJU math and does very well with it. I call it Goldilocks Math - not too easy and not too hard. As for using a math program that will be good for testing, I wouldn't count out TT. DD15 who detests math scored a 57 on her PSAT after completing TT Alg 1, half of TT Alg 2 and barely starting TT Geometry. She's only a freshman, so I hope her score improves significantly during the next two years, but 57 is in the 90th percentile compared to sophmores in our state. And here's a current thread from Jean in Wisc.'s success with using TT: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=342424 If you want to research threads on BJU Geometry you might search for posts by Susan C. - she's used many levels of BJU math through high school.
  12. What goal are you trying to achieve? I thought you wanted your DS to be more independent and not take 2 hours to complete lessons? Based on my personal experience (I personally have to work through Saxon Advanced math for tutoring a class) and anecdotally on this board, Saxon lessons always take about 2 hours to complete. And at the more advanced levels, that doesn't include the reading.
  13. Your DS will have no problem going from Saxon Algebra 1 to TT Geometry. We used Saxon Algebra 1/2 for pre-algebra and it took DD forever to complete the problem sets. TT takes about 1 hour (give or take 15 minutes depending on the lesson). TT Geometry can be used independently, but it's not as easy as TT Algebra programs. There are a lot of proofs and they can be challenging. My DD (who dislikes math) can't wait to get back to Algebra next year. If you want your DS to be completely independent with TT, I have two pieces of advice. First, from the very start, when your DS needs help, put in the solution CD and watch it together. Get him in the habit of watching the solution CD as his source for help. This will accomplish two results: 1) He will push himself harder to understand the math and complete his problem sets on his own because he will not want to take the time to watch the solution CD. 2) He will start going to the solution CD independently when he really needs help. My second piece of advice it to make sure he grades his own work every day (under your supervision if needed) so he can see if he's making any mistakes and correct then right away - so he doesn't go all week making the same mistakes. Sorry if this is obvious, but I thought it was worth mentioning since I know how busy we all can get and when they're working independently it can be easy to assume they're doing great when they're not asking for help. And if you're not tuned into the daily lessons, at least make sure you keep up with his test results so you know if he's getting the material.
  14. It's a middle & high school series. Book I is available in two books as IA and IB for middle school. Here's a review on Cathy Duffy's website: http://cathyduffyreviews.com/foreign-language/ecce-romani.htm I just switched my DD15 from the middle of Henle I (which is considered a 2 year text) to Ecce Romani II. It has been a very smooth transition. We like Henle, especially the Grammar Book, but the translations were becoming too boring. I also noticed that Ecce Romani's style of questions matched up better with the SAT II format. I also use Ecce Romani I translation stories as a supplement for DD12. She would have no problem using this text, especially if it was the IA version which would split the text over two years. But ERII is definitely at a high school level - DD15 is a gifted, diligent student and it's not a breeze - she does have to work at it. We are all enjoying the stories, beautiful full-color pictures and the Roman history in ER I & II. Prentice Hall has a website with extra activities: http://www.phschool.com/atschool/ecce_romani/program_page.html DD15 has been using these exercises as her weekly chapter test. And the Language Activity Book is great for extra practice. Here's a thread on finding the TE: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100138
  15. I pretty much feel the same way you do. Though we are Christian, I still enjoy learning about other cultures. We have Diana Waring's audio CD's and enjoyed them tremendously! DD and I used to listen to them during lunch. Diana's enthusiasm about history is contagious. You can't help but feel excited about the topics she discusses. I've had the CD's for 3+ years and they are keepers.
  16. Have you checked Abe Books? Here's one posted with the isbn from the previous poster: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?isbn=0201861003&sts=t&x=0&y=0 This website says they have it, but there's no picture so it's hard to know if it's the right one? Maybe ask them for the isbn? http://www.bywayofthefamily.com/Foerster-Algebra-1-Solutions-Manual/productinfo/861003/
  17. It sounds like you have her back on track for everything except English. DD15 and I typically change a few curriculum mid-year when things need tweeking. There's no shame in that - it sounds like you're working very hard (and successfully) to find what fits her learning style and needs. Since she doesn't want to talk to you about Literature, can you outsource that class? Maybe just get that class from BJU or find an online class? There was a recent thread recommending these online literature classes: http://www.captivethoughttutorials.com/cs-lewis-course/ I haven't used Total Language Plus, but I purchased one of their guides to review and I didn't like how long they spent on each book. It seemed slow. How about Lightening Lit or Smarr guides instead of Total Language? I haven't used those yet, but we'll be using Smarr next year with an online class. If you want a "get 'er done" curriculum for English, I like Christian Light Education. For High School, they spend one semester on Reading and one semester on Grammar - though there's not much writing instruction. It looks like Lightening Lit includes writing instruction along with literature, but not grammar. I think BJU would include all three (lit, grammar & writing).
  18. DD15 is currently using 4 Great Courses: Great American Bestsellers - we watch the lecture on Monday and she spends the week reading the book and discussing with me. We're very pleased with this. The instructor does "spoil" the ending of every book. I guess he assumes people are watching his lecture so they don't have to read it. Analysis and Critique: How to Engage and Write about Anything - DD watches on Tuesday and completes the exercises provided in the book. DD is enjoying this - even DD12 was watching today and said she wants to do it in high school. Physics in Your Life - DD watches 1-2 lectures each week to accompany Conceptual Physics. She enjoys it and looks forward to watching these. I'm not sure how much new info she's learning, but I assume it reinforces the info from the text. Thinking Like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making - We haven't started this yet. We completed Government in the fall and start Econ for spring. We're supplementing with Penny Candy, The Bluestocking Guide and The Money Mystery. DD will read on M-W and watch a lecture on Thursday. So basically, I've broken up her schedule so she watches about 1 lecture per day for the various courses. We also have Super Star Student - both the 1st and current editions. I personally prefer the 1st edition if you can find it used on Amazon or eBay. The current edition is much more hip and whizzy, but I don't seem to come away with the concrete action items like are presented in the 1st ed. In my opinion, the 1st ed. is geared towards more linear-analytical thinkers and the current version may appeal to global-spatial learners. For instance, the 1st ed emphasizes outlines where the current ed suggests using idea webs for taking notes of a textbook.
  19. :iagree: These are both excellent and pain-free. I'm off to check out this one on Amazon: Warriner's Complete Course I also like Our Mother Tongue for grammar - every time I've been confused by a Latin concept I've been able to look up the English grammar equivalent in OMT and it's explained in easy to understand terms. For creative writing, I like The Exciting World of Creative Writing which is an instructional workbook for less than $10.
  20. This is for elementary age children, but even as an adult I found the mnemonics very helpful. And watching 15 minutes of video each week seems pretty painless: http://www.tenderheartpress.com/index.html
  21. For BJU 6th, I give the test orally to my DD to see if there are any gaps. Then the next day she takes the test by herself. This has worked beautifully for her and removed any test anxiety. My older DD did fine on her own with the BJU Life Science tests, but she's a good test taker (she loves "test" days for math and science).
  22. :iagree: Great advice! My DD and I did a combination of reading aloud together and listening to an audio version from the library. The hardest part is initially keeping all of the characters straight. I had to pull out my old Cliff's Notes from high school to refresh my memory on who was who. Maybe you can type up (or find on the internet) a cheat sheet with a list of the main characters for the class to keep handy while reading?
  23. I'm a huge fan of BJU science, but it's pretty rigorous. My next "go-to" science is Rainbow, but it's pricey. Based on your criteria (Christian, not-too-heavy and reasonably priced) I'd suggest ABeka 7 General Science called "Science, Order & Reality." It's a beautiful textbook with lots of gorgeous photographs and drawings. The topics provide a solid, general intro for middle school (ie: weather, chemistry, life science, etc..). You can find used copies for cheap on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=science+order+and+reality+a+beka&x=0&y=0&sprefix=science+order If you want to do Life Science in 7th, then Shepard might be a good option, but I haven't used it.
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