BB711 Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 I have been reading over previous threads for hours. I am not finding the answers I need. If this has been asked, I am so sorry! So I have a fifth grade gifted son, I was a public school teacher previously (4th) and husband is an engineer. Now my little "angel" is really struggling in school. His questions are annoying (his teachers), he is bored beyond words, he is sick of silent reading all day (in a noisy classroom, his words). The list goes on and on... I have decided to pull him and homeschool. And although I am looking forward to this adventure I feel lost when it comes to choosing a curriculum for him. Initially I chose Saxon 7/6 and to allow him to progress through as fast as he needs an then purchase the next level as needed. But now after reading through your threads I see maybe there might be a better place to start. So my question is; I am interested in AoPS however he has only been schooled through 5th grade math. What would you have him do? I'm reluctant to throw him into AoPS because I fear for gaps in his learning/understanding. What would you do before AoPS? His personality: Eager to learn, persistent, vocal, easily frustrated. Can you guys help me OR point me in the right direction? Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skueppers Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Take a look at Beast Academy 5. It might suit your needs. If you think it’s too basic, move directly to AoPS pre-algebra. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Contact AOPS about Beast Academy on line. We don't have much info but it supposed to be soon and we are all hoping you get access to everything. If so he could work through the early levels quickly while he gets used to being at home. Alternatively you could go through SM or MM 6. But a lot of people do go from 5th grade maths to AOPS Pre Algebra. There is a placement test on their site and you could take it slow at first. The free videos are really good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 I suggest you have him take the placement tests for the Beast Academy books, which are AOPS’s elementary level. They’re labeled 2, 3, 4, and 5, but that doesn’t necessarily need to match up with grade level. They expect kids to be able to move directly from BA to AOPS Pre-Algebra. Unfortunately, they just announced that the BA Online’s release is being delayed until summer. But the hard copy books are my preference, anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB711 Posted April 14, 2018 Author Share Posted April 14, 2018 Thank you so much for your input! I would like to homeschool all the way through high school but I'm not 100% that is what he wants. Do you think AoPS transfers nicely to a traditional high school/public school curriculum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal_Bear Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 It will not transfer well beyond pre-algebra if your district uses an integrated math curricula versus a a traditional higher math sequence. AOPS is not everyone's cup of tea either even within gifted circles. It's discovery based and meant to make the student think, puzzle, struggle and be challenged. The pre-algebra text is pretty dense meaning it is pretty wordy. It's also nearly 600 pages long as well. See if you can borrow a copy through your library or inter-library loan and take a look at it first. Depending on what your son is used to, it could be really great or not. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igbu Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Our sons have found AoPS’s classes and AoPS’s online community (I.e., classes, message boards, study groups in the online classrooms) to be one of their best educational experiences thus far. As pointed out earlier, it may not be for every student, but for ours it’s been a blessing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clemsondana Posted April 16, 2018 Share Posted April 16, 2018 You might consider doing a placement test with something a little easier, like Singapore Math, or Beast Academy if you want to start in AoPS, just to make sure that there aren't gaps from whatever he was using at school. If you decide that AoPS is daunting as you start homeschooling but you want something different, you might check out the Jousting Armadillos series. My older kid started AoPS at an early age and wasn't ready for it, maturity-wise - their frustration tolerance wasn't there, so after a while we took a break and did some Life of Fred and Jousting Armidillos for a while. We went back to AoPS and worked slowly and, with a little more maturity, it went much better. We keep Life of Fred around for any time that we get frustrated or need a break - its a pleasant change, we can move quickly, and it makes school more fun, and after that mental break the kids are usually ready to jump back to something harder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 I am on their email list and I didn't get the update? No fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 6 hours ago, kiwik said: I am on their email list and I didn't get the update? No fair. The delay on BA Online? Only place I’ve seen it announced was their Facebook page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB711 Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 I can't thank you enough for all your feedback! You have given me a clear plan and I appreciate it more than I can express!! Thanks a million!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 10 hours ago, Jackie said: The delay on BA Online? Only place I’ve seen it announced was their Facebook page. Ah. Odd though because I put myself on their receive BA Online update list for that reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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