I'm starting to get scared! My (soon to be) 7th grader is VERY gifted with Math. He has some "issues" we hope HS will iron out and he will be college bound. The problem is that I'm not sure I can teach HS Math for this kid. He would be taking High School math next year if stayed with the PS. I keep looking over Math options and I'm not happy with any of them. He would be taking "Integrated 1" which he'll have to test at the end of the year to get credit. (He teacher told us he is the one student she knows will pass the test w/o any issues.) He would then take Integrated 2 and then Trig. (And trust me I can help him but I won't be able to teach it.) We hs through an online academy and ALL the High School math is a joke. (The teacher tells me there is other options and I sure hope so.) They only offer Algebra, Algebra 2 and Geometry. So if he wants to go back to PS, there wouldn't even be a class for him.) I'm also looking for Pre-Algebra for my other son and I'm not finding anything. The thing is I think HS is perfect for Mac IF I can find the right program. But if I can't, then it might be a HUGE disaster.
Saxon is an excellent Math program. I used it through Calculus for sd. If you feel uncomfortable teaching it you can check out the D.I.V.E. cds or Saxon teacher ( I think that is what it is called). The lesson are presented in a video. Sd did not need those. She found that just by reading the lesson and going over the examples she was able to understand the work.
My first choice is also Saxon. but there is also this http://www.videotext.com/ and this http://www.chalkdust.com/courseindex.html
Rachael did Teaching Textbooks for Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Cal. She did Calculus this year with Math U See, because TT didn't have it that high.
Thanks I'll look into these. I was told "no" to Teaching Textbooks. (The teacher explained it wasn't thorough enough for them) Seriously when I looked at High school math, the only book they mentioned was Holt......... Grrrrrr!
Of course, you have to do whatever the teacher says, but Rachael had very high scores in math on her ACT test, and also on the Ohio Graduation Test. So I sure can't complain about it not being hard enough!
what does "integrated 1" mean? What math is that, algebra, geometry, algebra2 Trig? what? Or is it like they did in Vancouver BC when I was in school up there where it was all of the above and when I came to states I tested to Advanced Algebra? Got an A too I should say!
It is a Mix of Algebra and Geometry. I've never heard of it before either but it is what this SD offers. I had to go ask the teacher. He would take Integrated 1 and 2 instead of Algebra, Algebra 2 and Geometry. Then he could take Trig and Calculus.
I thought it would be great for one of my sons but he shot it down. They prefer Aleks (which is cheaper) but I don't think that is a good fit for him. Saxon doesn't look too bad...............
Then maybe you'd be better off going with a more traditional homeschool, since they feel THEY should be in charge instead of you. My husband has taught "Integrated Algebra" in the public high school. Now, that's a very broad term and can mean just about anything, BUT where he taught it was "dummied down" math. The district decreed in their infinite wisdom that ALL students had to have Algebra 1 by ninth grade regardless of their abilities, and Algebra 2 for graduation. The kids that flunked Algebra 1 were dumped into Integrated Algebra.
Saxon has more of that intergrated approach. Saxon is also used in alot of public schools so that might make the teacher feel better.
That's what I'm getting from our Internet Teacher. I keep trying to explain what is happening here but they are using a different program. Mac finally has his grades up in his math class too. It is a B for the first time ALL year. (And he is doing pretty well in his other classes too.) I did get a note saying he didn't make it into one of the honor classes. (Which is "bull poop on a stick" to copy a phrase I read here.) Mac is beyond bored in his classes. When this happens his becomes social and then starts filling his head with pokemon garbage. (Been there done that!) If I could just get him to turn in his work so the teachers can grade it, he would have straight A's. I emailed the guidance teacher at his current school. Even though we've already enrolled him with the HS program, I'm really, really thinking about taking him out right now.
No idea! All I know is that they teach Trig AND Calculus at the HS and they are separate courses. And my Dh took both Trig and Calculus when he was in High school. I took Algebra, Algebra 2 and Geometry. (I hit a brick wall with Geometry too. I barely understood it and barely passed.) My problem is that they don't teach Algebra, Algebra 2 and Geometry at this school. They teach Integrated 1 and 2. (Then Trig) I went to the school and asked. So for me to teach him Algebra, Algebra 2 and Geometry seems silly. If he wants to go back to PS (which is a possibility). He would have to start over with Integrated 1. *head met desk*
marta thats just all those three in one then, if thats what they are calling it. Integrate means to mix together am I right? I think integrating math is good, but its also good to get the whole lesson too... We are using MUS to teach our kids high school math, because it works for us and I am learning to understand things that in Secondary school I had a hard time with (8th to 12 grade was one school at SWC IN BC.
I talked to the teacher/advisor again. It seems like WA state laws are changing and ALL high school students will have to take tests (and pass) on Algebra and Geometry. That said IF Mac is as advanced as we think he is, there is no reason he can't take BOTH Algebra and Geometry next year. (One after another...............) So that is what we will do. The whole idea is for him to work at his own pace.
Now I may be way off, but I took a class called "Advanced Math Concepts" after alg1, 2 and geo. It was a mix of calc and trig. Trig dealt more with geo (I can remember elipses and angles briefly, I was in a hard time in my life my senior year and I really have lots of black spots in my memory), calc if I remember rightly had more to do with numbers and math.. Like I said I don't have a good memory of that time in my life, I was trying to keep a roof over my head (I was on my own halfway through my jr year), deal with an abusive boyfriend and keep my grades high enough to graduate. We are using Teaching Textbooks, we will finish them before he is finished school, so we will look at other options closer to that time. I agree with some of the other comments, maybe it's time to go your own route so you can choose what you want your kids to learn, not what someone else says you have to choose.
