I can't answer with certainty regarding the language arts classes - but, AoPS wants students to use proofs - to communicate their math. Perhaps they are tying math proofs to language arts in the big picture?

Hello All, My new-to-homeschooling friend needs help. She would like to use a proven method/curriculum to teach her almost 5 year old daughter to read. Honestly, I cannot remember the details of how I taught my two homeschooled kids to read (they're 14 and 12 now - I know we used A Beka phonics - some...). Could any of you help me help her? She also has a 6 year old at home who is reading fluently (one of those kids who picked it up on his own) and an 11 year old daughter who does very well in a small private school. These three kids are bright, musically talented, and lovely. Thanks! Bells

Thanks all for the guidance. We've decided to work through CD Alg II (w/ a little AOPS on the side) doing reviews and slowing to broaden knowledge as needed. Mr. Mosely sent me a detailed comparison of CD's Alg II, College Algebra & Precalc - and for the most part, his recommendations dovetail nicely with all of yours. He did mention that Geometry could be taken between the Algebras, after them, or even after Precalc. I think we'll put it right after Alg 2. The old Dolciani Alg 1 had a hefty dose of Geometry & Trig - enough to get her started in Alg 2; if she needs more to finish Alg 2, we'll punch in the Geometry course then. Yes, we could do Geometry next but I would really like to do more Algebra next with a kid who is asking to learn more of it - now. Again, thanks. You've all been a big help. Bells

Thank you. Excellent points. I've been told by some highschool math teachers that doing Geometry after Alg 2 or 3 is better than between Alg 1 and 2 - as it takes a more logically-developed brain. Your opinions about this? I hadn't thought about it being necessary for Precalc - now I understand why it is. I'm not crazy about AOPS because of the text-based platform. My daughter hasn't had any trouble with the Alg 1 content or the pace (except for growing tired of waiting between the teacher's question and the students' answers to be posted). She thinks the AOPS book explains algebra nicely but I think her real strength comes from her Dolciani background. I'm not sure she'd learn more advanced algebra concepts - or geometry - so well in that forum the first time around. Thinking she'd do better w/ a Chalkdust approach. The other reasons I'm not a huge fan of AOPS: it seems that a lot of the AOPS class time is spent teaching students how to spot an undefined problem; and I'm not sure I like the "race" to answer the questions. That said, I think her teacher (DanZ) explains things clearly, motivates the students, and is exceedingly patient. Wish we could see and hear him. My plan was/is for her to finish the AOPS Alg 1 book and then do more algebra before adding geometry. Maybe I have it all wrong. Perhaps she should finish the AOPS Alg 1 book, do AOPS or Chalkdust Alg 2 supplemented w/ Dolciani's Alg 2, then AOPS or Chalkdust Geometry and then work in Precalc and so forth. Thanks for your help. Bells

Thank you both. Excellent points. I've been told by some highschool math teachers that doing Geometry after Alg 2 or 3 is better than between Alg 1 and 2 - as it takes a more logically-developed brain. Your opinions about this? I hadn't thought about it being necessary for Precalc - now I understand why it is. I'm not crazy about AOPS because of the text-based platform. My daughter hasn't had any trouble with the Alg 1 content or the pace (except for growing tired of waiting between the teacher's question and the students' answers to be posted). She thinks the AOPS book explains algebra nicely but I think her real strength comes from her Dolciani background. I'm not sure she'd learn more advanced algebra concepts - or geometry - so well in that forum the first time around. Thinking she'd do better w/ a Chalkdust approach. The other reasons I'm not a huge fan of AOPS: it seems that a lot of the AOPS class time is spent teaching students how to spot an undefined problem; and I'm not sure I like the "race" to answer the questions. That said, I think her teacher (DanZ) explains things clearly, motivates the students, and is exceedingly patient. Wish we could see and hear him. My plan was/is for her to finish the AOPS Alg 1 book and then do more algebra before adding geometry. Maybe I have it all wrong. Perhaps she should finish the AOPS Alg 1 book, do AOPS or Chalkdust Alg 2 supplemented w/ Dolciani's Alg 2, then AOPS or Chalkdust Geometry and then work in Precalc and so forth. Thanks for your help. Bells

Hello. My almost 13 yo daughter is about to finish her second year of Algebra 1. She has worked through a 1963 Dolciani, NEM 1 and is about to finish the first half of an Art of Problem Solving Alg 1 class. She wants to move on - I really think the Dolciani went well into what is now included in most Alg 2 books. I've recently been shown Chalkdust and I like what I see. Have any of you moved from Alg 1 to Chalkdust's Precalc? (Their Precalc is a combo of College Algebra and Trig.) I think most of what is offered in their Alg 2 class will be review for her - all but the last 3 chapters. I'm not crazy about buying the class just to use 1/4 of it. If I order the College Algebra, I might as well just order the Precalc and save about $300. Any advice out there? I also posted this on the Accelerated Learner Board. Thanks, Bells

Hello. My almost 13 yo daughter is about to finish her second year of Algebra 1. She has worked through a 1963 Dolciani, NEM 1 and is about to finish the first half of an Art of Problem Solving Alg 1 class. She wants to move on - I really think the Dolciani went well into what is now included in most Alg 2 books. I've recently been shown Chalkdust and I like what I see. Have any of you moved from Alg 1 to Chalkdust's Precalc? (Their Precalc is a combo of College Algebra and Trig.) I think most of what is offered in their Alg 2 class will be review for her - all but the last 3 chapters. I'm not crazy about buying the class just to use 1/4 of it. If I order the College Algebra, I might as well just order the Precalc and save about $300. Any advice out there? Thanks, Bells

My hs mom friend and I are planning to visit NYC for a long weekend in late September. We need recommendations for reasonably priced but safe hotels. Any ideas? Thanks, Bells

Nice to know others have used it to supplement other writing programs. I visited TTC website and the reviews are certainly mixed about the prof's teaching style. Guess I'll order it and see what we think. Bells

Hi, I'm considering ordering the Teaching Co.'s Building Great Sentences course. Wondering if anyone has used it to supplement academic writing for a student keen on creative writing. If so, would you recommend the CD or DVD version? Thanks, Bells

Thanks everyone for such helpful suggestions. I think Wheelock's will work just fine. Bells

My 11 yo dd has done the four volumes of SOTW and two years of History Odyssey. HO is a great concept but too open-ended for my teaching style. Any suggestions for a world history program - perhaps Streams of Civilization, other?? Thanks!

My dd has done Latin for Children A, B, C and Latin Alive 1. Although we liked the layout of Latin Alive, the book is in its first edition and has quite a few errors - tough for a mom without a Latin background. I'm considering switching to Wheelock's this fall - I like the look of the 6th edition and the accompanying text written by Grote. I assume some of what she'll cover in Wheelock's will be review but the info should be cranked up a big notch...? What comes after the Wheelock's text? Should it take one year? Two years? Is it considered a beginner's book? Help! Thanks! Bells

Appreciate the help!

Hello, Does anyone know of homeschool book/supply stores in the Minneapolis/St.Paul area? Thanks! Bells

In our search for distance learning sources, our eyes are being opened to many other options. Time will tell which ones we choose. Bells

My friend and I would like to register our dc for the Potter's School English 1 course, however, our available times do not align w/ the open class times. I've emailed them to ask if they would consider opening one more class - but in the meantime, I thought I'd look for a clone! Any ideas? We're most interested at present in an English class that combines literature, writing and grammar (for middle school or jr. high level). Thanks, Bells

And just because I pay attention to larva/larvae type things, I came back here to make my 50th post on this particular thread! Bells

For the past couple of years, we've used Singapore as the spine and supplemented w/ the closest level of Saxon. W/ Singapore NEM, we're supplementing w/ Dolciani. Bells

Imo, they get progressively more difficult but not the least bit overwhelming. Vol 4 is fantastic - the outlining ramped it up a big notch - and we needed that at the time! Bells

FYI, I started a thread on the highschool board regarding AP Latin (just looking ahead). There are a number of sources for this to use at home. Bells

Thanks for all the help! I'm relieved to know we can do AP classes at home - we're a good distance from a community college and the nearby public school doesn't offer Latin. Bells

Thank you for this. I'll see what they've come up w/ on the highschool board. Bells

I'm leaning toward using Latin Alive (middle school-ish) and would like to follow that w/ Latin reading and AP Latin. Are there AP Latin classes available online (or otherwise) that would qualify for credit in a homeschool setting? Thanks, Bells

Where to find the AP Latin, that is. This might belong on the highschool board - I'll cross post it. As long as I'm here, let me ask if any of you know of a source for AP Latin for at home use. Thanks! Bells