My Feelings About Aleks for High School Math

DJ used Aleks last year for Math for College Readiness, through FLVS.  He loved it, and said for the first time in his life he kind of liked Math.  That was a huge success for him, and he did quite well.  He is now in college, so this isn't really about him.

It is about my other child.  She is not a fan of Math either.  She did awesome on Pre-Algebra on Edx, and the setup is similar to Aleks, but it was free.  I then moved her on to Algebra 1 with Saxon, because I like Saxon, I understand Saxon.  It is the same textbook I used in high school.  Anyway it was not working for her.  She seemed to not even remember the most basic of Math rules that she had already learned.  Needless to say it was frustrating for both of us.  Since she is not registered with FLVS, and I did not want to take the time to wait until she was, I turned to Aleks the paid version. While it is 20 dollars a month, kind of expensive, right away she was able to master more than half of the required assignments for the first module.  That is huge considering using the textbook she just had brain fart after brain fart.  I don't understand completely why she couldn't do it in a textbook, and at this point I don't care.  I need her to know Math.  She doesn't need to be a Math major but she needs to know Math.  So for now we are sticking with Aleks.  If it continues to work for her, I will use it right until she graduates.  I am hopeful this will be the case.  They have tons of options too, probably more than I needed to think about, but for some people they like that. 

This is not a paid post, I don't really do those too much anymore.  This is my opinion on a product I like.  

A Few Changes to Language Arts Curriculum for 10th grade and 6th Grade

While at a birthday party, for a homeschool friend, yesterday the mom and I got discussing homeschool curriculum, of course.  She buys from the Critical Thinking Company, for Language Arts, and has been very pleased with the results.  Since Language Arts is on of the more boring class to teach, I am always looking for something more interesting.  So, I went to their website last night, and decided to save a few of their products, to purchase when I am ready.  Oh, by the way, I am considering getting the Algebra 1 book from The Critical Thinking Co, as well.  I was checking it out, and it looks amazing, especially for the way they want the kids to learn the Math now.

http://www.criticalthinking.com/word-roots-level-1.html
http://www.criticalthinking.com/critical-thinking-book-one.html

For Writing, I have saved:
http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/047638

Those are all for my High School child, though word roots I may use with my 6th grader as well.  The earlier I start, the better.

For my 6th grader, my friend is letting us try a curriculum her girls did not care for, but that I think mine will love.  It is from Micheal Clay Thompson, and we are starting right off with level one.  If she likes it, I most definitely use it again.  Language Arts is her biggest complaint, and hardest subject to teach her.  I am hoping this will be a good fit for her.

http://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/

Tomorrow we are off to a fun day at the water park.  I feel like we have not accomplished a ton the last week.  We were at the springs twice, and now the water park.  However, this time of year with lots of birthdays, and end of year fun stuff it is hard to say no.   We aren't behind, I just like to drive myself crazy, lol. 

Thinking of Next Year: 10th Grade

So, DJ and I sat down this week to discuss 10th grade curriculum choices.  After some debating, and negotiating, we put in stone what he will be doing.  FLVS offers certificate classes now, so he decided rather than dual enrollment, he would like to do one of the certificate classes.  He decided on Digital Design.  Plus he will be taking the 5 hour driving class for his permit, through FLVS. Here is what his year will look like.  I have not figured out the daily schedule yet, that can wait. 

Driving- FLVS
Digital Design- FLVS
Guitar-  for anyone wondering FLVS does offer Guitar 1, but DJ decided to keep doing what he is already doing.
Algebra 1 and Business Math-  We talked, and decided that we will continue to work on the Math U See Algebra 1 curriculum, through the Summer and 10th grade.  I was given a Business Math curriculum, and it did not look too challenging.  So, he will do both.  We will worry about Geometry or Algebra 2 in 11th grade.  That way he can continue to learn it at his pace, and be sure he understands it.
Comprehensive English and Vocabulary- sometimes called English2, LA grade 10 etc.  We have a textbook and workbook, with a focus on writing.
Biology with Labs-  In Florida there has to be a lab component to at least three of the four High School Sciences.  We decided to use CK12 and online labs.  I will list all the resources at the end of this post.
Civics and American Government-  This was the hardest one for DJ.  He had his heart on doing Greek Mythology.  But, Civics and American Government is perfect for next year due to the upcoming presidential elections.  I am hoping to get to some live town hall meetings, and other rallies.  It will be fun.  Eventually he gave in, and will do Greek Mythology the next year.
The only other issue was a second year of Japanese.  He decided to wait and do that for 11th grade as well, and review all his info he is learning this year, from time to time. DJ's curriculum for next year, will not be expensive.  That will be very nice.

http://flvs.net/Students/Pages/find-course.aspx#highschool
http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/history/government/
http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/lessons/usg.htm
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides/Education/High-School-Government.pg_00.html
http://www.civiced.org/resources/curriculum
http://www.ck12.org/biology/
http://onlinelabs.in/biology

Teaching Homeschool Math When You Don't Remember Learning It Yourself

We are moving our way through Algebra 1, with Math U See.  Up until yesterday, I was able to teach the lessons, and assist, without too much difficulty.  Then came Slope and Intercept.  Ugh, not only do I not remember ever learning this, I don't remember ever having to use it either.  But, now I do.  The Math U See videos are not always helpful.  I like the instructor, but it doesn't always click.  We started using Core Algebra 1, as a supplement for videos.  DJ, and I, both find the instructor helpful, though a little dorky, but we can understand him.  I watched his lesson on Slope and I think I got it.  I have to memorize the formula, but I think I will just write it down, lol.  Unit 6, Linear Functions, is the lesson.  Of course, you could do them all.

Every now and then, I go through my Pinterest homeschool board, to look for things I forgot about.  I found a great website to help improve writing skills.  I wanted to share it, so I could find it easier, and so you could find it too.  It is free, and I like it.  There is another one for Grammar too, that I will share another day.  I don't think I will have my daughter, write every day, usually Friday is writing, so that will give her plenty of time to think about the topic. 

Don't forget to check out my new Jewelry in Candles Store.  I have to sell six candles in three months, or get booted.  The widget is in the top left hand corner.  Just click it.  You get to pick the type of jewelry, with your candle choice. 

Math U See and Core Algebra 1 Online

Some of you may have remembered that I bought Algebra 1 Math U See, with instructional video, even before we started Summer Vacation.  We watched parts of the video over the Summer.  While DJ is doing OK, he is still frustrated and not where he wants to be with Math.  The workbook is difficult.    It only has 15-20 questions per lesson, and they are long and hard.  There is not enough room to work out each problem, and not enough problems.  These are DJ's observations.  I believe I can print off more worksheets for each lesson, on their website.  But, for the price I paid for the books I don't think I should have to use my own ink to do that.  He also has not bonded with the instructor on the dvd.  I know that sounds stupid, but he does not care for the way he teaches, especially since he uses a lot of manipulatives, which is just confusing.  So, we are not giving up on Math U See.  I like it a lot.  I like the instructor, minus the manipulatives, and find the teacher textbook very helpful.  But, I myself have been using Core Algebra 1 to teach myself, and relearn topics I forgot.  Two days ago, I let DJ try it.  He does like this very much.  He likes the instructor, who is quite a bit younger than the Math U See gentleman.  He likes the online tests.  They get progressively harder, but he watches the video each time.  So after five tests he has watched the video 5 times.  So, he will do the Core Algebra 1, online lessons, then do the Math U See harder lesson after he has hopefully mastered it.

Caitlin is progressing nicely with her Saxon 54.  The only concern I have is that she needs to do more multiplication, and has not started division concepts yet.  I think I will be looking for something to supplement those for her.