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Curric choices for your rising 8th graders


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I only have a rising 7th grader, but here are my plans for his 8th grade year:

 

Math: AoPS intermediate Algebra

Science: High school physics preparing for the Cambridge International Exam in Physics + science fair project in physics

 

Writing: Lost Tools of Writing

Spelling: Spelling Wisdom (yes, we will continue with this, sigh)

Vocab: MCT WWW1

Literature: working our way through the great books, with discussions with mom, and once per month essays (we might use Excellence in Literature)

 

Mandarin: 3rd year with a tutor

Violin: will take the level 5 ABRSM theory exam, and level 6 Practical Violin

 

History: continue with read alouds and discussions with father at night

 

PE: swimming, sailing, martial arts

 

I think that is everything,

 

Ruth in NZ

Edited by lewelma
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Here are my plans for my rising 8th grader:

Math: AoPS Geometry

Literature: Debra Bell's Introductory Literature class

Vocabulary: MCT WWWI

Science: Spectrum Chemistry

Computer Science: AoPS Introduction to Programming class

History : Ancient World History

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Our plans are far from finalized, but this is what I've got so far:

 

Math: probably AOPS intermediate algebra

 

Language Arts: All About Spelling 7, maybe IEW Windows to the World or possibly LLfLoTR, grammar (not sure what, but definitely something)

 

Science: Tarbuck Earth Science

 

History: Not sure, maybe American History of some kind

Foreign Language: Maybe an online class, not sure

 

Geography? Not sure what

 

Maybe computer programming?

 

 

Swim team, band, orchestra, robotics, chess, etc.

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I only have a rising 7th grader, but here are my plans for his 8th grade year:

 

Math: AoPS intermediate Algebra

Science: High school physics preparing for the Cambridge International Exam in Physics + science fair project in physics

 

 

Ruth, would you mind letting me know what you are planning to use for physics?

 

Thanks for replying.

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Dd14 did 8th last year....

 

CD Alg 1

TPS English 2

TPS US History

TPS Runkle World Geo

Spanish 2 at high school

homegrown lit

voice, piano, theater, worship teams

 

Three months physical science.

Is TPS The Potter School?

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Our plans are far from finalized, but this is what I've got so far:

 

Math: probably AOPS intermediate algebra

 

Language Arts: All About Spelling 7, maybe IEW Windows to the World or possibly LLfLoTR, grammar (not sure what, but definitely something)

 

Science: Tarbuck Earth Science

 

History: Not sure, maybe American History of some kind

Foreign Language: Maybe an online class, not sure

 

Geography? Not sure what

 

Maybe computer programming?

 

 

Swim team, band, orchestra, robotics, chess, etc.

Your plans look like mine. I have LA mostly figured out. I thought I had science and history lined up but recently realized that it just won't do.

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Here is what I do have nailed down if anyone is interested:

 

Math: MUS Algebra 1

Vocabulary: VFCR A-C

Logic: Traditional Logic 2

Grammar: Analytical Grammar to be finished in one year

Writing: CW Diogenes Chreia and finish Intermediate Poetry

Literature: A good/great book list as long as my arm

Latin: TLRTEG 2

Art: Learning to draw books I don't remember the title of right off.

Music: Same as art

Science: Up in the air at the moment

History: Up in the air at the moment

 

Ballet, tap, jazz, guitar, tai chi, drama club

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Oh, I forgot logic. I think we're going to try Paul Teller's "A Modern Formal Logic Primer."

 

 

Here is what I do have nailed down if anyone is interested:

 

Math: MUS Algebra 1

Vocabulary: VFCR A-C

Logic: Traditional Logic 2

Grammar: Analytical Grammar to be finished in one year

Writing: CW Diogenes Chreia and finish Intermediate Poetry

Literature: A good/great book list as long as my arm

Latin: TLRTEG 2

Art: Learning to draw books I don't remember the title of right off.

Music: Same as art

Science: Up in the air at the moment

History: Up in the air at the moment

 

Ballet, tap, jazz, guitar, tai chi, drama club

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Ruth, would you mind letting me know what you are planning to use for physics?

 

Course book: http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Physics-Coursebook-International-Examinations/dp/0521757738/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336427026&sr=8-2

 

Workbook: http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Physics-Workbook-International-Examinations/dp/0521173582/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c This works kids through reading and interpreting graphs and data.

 

Teacher's guide: (has answers, extra worksheets, and labs) I can't seem to find it on amazon, but I assume it exists as I have the one for chemistry from the same series.

 

The previous exams are available and they will show you the depth and focus of the program. The exams require serious integration of the ideas studied during the course, so it is worth doing a few exams just for developing that thought process, even if your student would not actually take the exam. http://www.xtremepapers.com/ look at GCSE exams (slightly easier) or CIE. Both cover the material in the texts listed above.

 

I cannot guarantee that these textbooks are the best out there, but the Cambridge International Exams (CIE) are well respected internationally. This physics course is a first year high school physics course. After this course, you then move on to a 2 year course of study for the A levels (equivalent of AP). In the European schools you study >1 science per year, so you study for the A levels over 2 years instead of 1 year like the AP exams. Hope that makes sense.

 

If you are interested in physics, the person to ask is Regentrude as physics is her field.

 

Ruth

Edited by lewelma
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Course book: http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Physics-Coursebook-International-Examinations/dp/0521757738/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336427026&sr=8-2

 

Workbook: http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Physics-Workbook-International-Examinations/dp/0521173582/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c This works kids through reading and interpreting graphs and data.

 

Teacher's guide: (has answers, extra worksheets, and labs) I can't seem to find it on amazon, but I assume it exists as I have the one for chemistry from the same series.

 

The previous exams are available and they will show you the depth and focus of the program. The exams require serious integration of the ideas studied during the course, so it is worth doing a few exams just for developing that thought process, even if your student would not actually take the exam. http://www.xtremepapers.com/ look at GCSE exams (slightly easier) or CIE. Both cover the material in the texts listed above.

 

I cannot guarantee that these textbooks are the best out there, but the Cambridge International Exams (CIE) are well respected internationally. This physics course is a first year high school physics course. After this course, you then move on to a 2 year course of study for the A levels (equivalent of AP). In the European schools you study >1 science per year, so you study for the A levels over 2 years instead of 1 year like the AP exams. Hope that makes sense.

 

If you are interested in physics, the person to ask is Regentrude as physics is her field.

 

Ruth

When would one do the rest of the books in the series if one was interested? Are they all 1st year high school or do they progress?

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My understanding is the following:

 

Typically, between the ages of 13 and 15, kids take between 6 and 10 IGCSE exams. Then for 11th and 12th grade, kids take 4 AS level courses in 11th (1st year of A-level studies) and 3 A levels in 12th. So for all subjects (humanities, sciences, languages etc) the progression is IGCSE, AS, A levels.

 

It was recommended to me to start ds earlier because he is advanced and so that there is not a big crunch. So our plan is:

 

7th: IGCSE Chemistry

8th: IGCSE Physics, IGCSE Math,

9th: AS chemistry, AS Math, ABRSM Music theory and practical

10th: AS physics, A chemistry,IGCSE English

11th: AS biology, A physics, A Math

12th: A Biology, AS English, Mandarin Exam from China

 

I am pushing math and physics early so that applying for university entrance in Physics/engineering will be easier. We will skip IGCSE biology, because I think he already knows the material.

 

Ruth in NZ

Edited by lewelma
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My understanding is the following:

 

Typically, between the ages of 13 and 15, kids take between 6 and 10 IGCSE exams. Then for 11th and 12th grade, kids take 4 AS level courses in 11th (1st year of A-level studies) and 3 A levels in 12th. So for all subjects (humanities, sciences, languages etc) the progression is IGCSE, AS, A levels.

 

It was recommended to me to start ds earlier because he is advanced and so that there is not a big crunch. So our plan is:

 

7th: IGCSE Chemistry

8th: IGCSE Physics, IGCSE Math,

9th: AS chemistry, AS Math, ABRSM Music theory and practical

10th: AS physics, A chemistry,IGCSE English

11th: AS biology, A physics, A Math

12th: A Biology, AS English, Mandarin Exam from China

 

I am pushing math and physics early so that applying for university entrance in Physics/engineering will be easier. We will skip IGCSE biology, because I think he already knows the material.

 

Ruth in NZ

Thanks Ruth. I do appreciate you explaining it all.

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Math: Teaching Textbooks Algebra I/Geometry

History, Church History: Middle Ages using SWB's History of the Medieval World for spine

Language: Middle Ages, great lit of the period w/online guides

Science: Up in air; (wants to do physics)

Writing: IEW Medieval Based Writing

Computer programming (tutelage with older sib who is an IT Dept for his company =)

Logic

Guitar

Hebrew 2

PE

Edited by tvaleri
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When my older son (who is 2E with dyslexia) was in 8th grade we used:

 

Algebra II: Lial's Intermediate Algebra

English: K12 Literature 8, MCT Grammar Voyage, and CE2

Chemistry: Conceptual Chemistry with TC lectures

Meteorology: Visualizing Weather and Climate

Geography: Introduction to Geography: People, Places, and Environment (Bergman)

History: The Human Odyssey volume 3

Elective: K12's Game Design I course

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