High school.....using MTMM

[snadig]

I know this is on another thread, but have some different questions. The Lord has answered my prayer! We will be moving right into the next guide for High school, but wanted to make sure about a few things that I have stated below. I am always to thankful for every ones help! -Stacey


We are finishing RevtoRev with extensions and advanced science this may. We did the guide as written adding all the extras. So what if we did this:

MTMM as written using extensions, counting RevtoRev and MTMM history and extensions wouldn't that be counted as 1 credit for American History? Advanced science from RevtoRev count as 1 credit for Physical science? We will be more than half way through Rod and staff 6 and will finish that early in MTMM and start into Rod and Staff 7.

I guess my questions is if I count both guides, 1 credit History and 1 credit for Physical science, What or why do I need to beef up. My other question is we aren't going to finish all the genres for book pack 7/8 for DITHOR, only because I am slow getting it together, the reading is very easy of her. Another thing I am not sure if just doing Write with the Best 2 is enough (and if it will a good level for her). She hasn't done a focused study like this so maybe even if it is a bit easy it would be good for her.

So if we use MTMM for high school would it look like this?
Bible - 1/2 credit
History - RevtoRev&MTMM for 1 credit
Science- Advanced Physical science w/labs from RevtoRev for 1 credit/do MTMM science as written
literature - DITHOR with Higer level boosk(not sure which ones or if we could finish what we have, don't really want to use the books from the Geography guide, as she has already read some of them and I would like to have those for the next year) write with the best 2, we would finish Rod and Staff 6 and start 7 for 1 lierature credit
Math - Finish Algerbra start advanced algerbra w/ Life of Fred 1 credit
She does some out side classes like art,theater,dance and pe, so not sure what I am missing, maybe do a langauage?

I do think I am leaning more to doing the MTMM guide instead of jumping up to the Geography guide for some of the reasons Carrie you stated regarding letting them grow in their faith. I was a bit worried about how to make it work for High School, but maybe this isn't as hard as I make it. I will also begin CTC with my 7th grader, and Bigger with my 3rd grader (half speed). My high schooler will read all of the books from CTC as well, she loves to read.

thanks for the help and let me know your thoughts.
Stacey

[Carrie]

Stacey,

I'm so sorry that I derailed your other thread! Your previous questions just prompted me to think deeply over several days about what families who are in a similar situation should use as a guideline to help them figure out the best path for their student.

I'm so glad that you have posted a new thread, where we can really just look at your child more specifically. First of all, I need to ask some questions to better understand your daughter and her skill areas. I want to clarify that she is going into 9th grade? Next, it would be so helpful to know what she has had for writing over the past 3-4 years? Has she used Write with the Best I, Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons, or has she had a formal writing program (outside of the Exciting World of Creative Writing from Rev2Rev)? Has she had quite a bit of experience in essay writing already?

Next, I'm wondering if she has done DITHR for several years, or how much formal literature study she has had?

In pondering the science, one thing that comes to mind that will make a big difference in the route we go, is whether your state allows you to count science that was completed in 8th grade (middle school) as part of your daughter's high school transcript? Some states do allow this, but they are usually the exception. Typically, the transcript for high school is to contain only courses completed during high school. Math is most often the exception in more states than science in this area. Other states will let you list courses from science/math completed in 8th grade, however they still want to see that all needed state requirements for graduation have been met in high school. So, they still want to see 'x' number of math/science courses as required for graduation to be completed during the the high school years (outside of what was completed in middle school in these areas).

With this in mind, while you may be able to list the Advanced Physical Science on your transcript (if your state happens to be one of the states that allows this), it is likely your child will still need to meet the number and kind of sciences required by your state during your daughter' actual high school years. If this is the case, then I would definitely encourage your daughter to do the IPC science from the World Geography guide no matter whether you end up with MTMM or the World Geography guide. I would leave chemistry to be done on a deeper level during her 11th grade year after the foundation in Integrated Physics and Chemistry has been laid this coming year. I wouldn't typically want the Chemistry done in MTMM to be a child's only high school chemistry experience. I am also taking into account what you shared about her math level, when making this recommendation, as I see she'll be able to handle the math needed for the IPC labs.

Last, I am wondering as you look at the placement chart, where you feel your daughter fits best? Try to think of this as if she were brand-new to HOD, and we were trying to place her skill-wise in the guide that would fit her best. Next, I'd love to hear about her maturity level (as far as sensitivity in handling difficult topics and in taking ownership of her work), her ability to complete her work in a timely fashion (and to do it well), whether she has many outside activities that will affect how long her school days go, and her feelings about a longer school day. Is she a self-starter and a strong student overall?

I know this is a lot of questions to ponder, however the answers will really help all of us talk with you to see what the best path is for your daughter. I look forward to dialoguing about your daughter and getting to know her better!

Blessings,
Carrie

[snadig]

Carrie,

Thank you for your response. No worries about the other thread.

As far as I can see for state requirements Colorado lets the parent make the course of study. I have had many tell me to follow the public school district requirements for graduation/credits. So that is what I know and will continue to make sure I am not missing anything.

So let me see if I can answer your questions.
Yes she is going into 9th.
Writing-Last 2 years have been creative writing one of which was a high school enrichment class, but outside of that she hasn't had much beyond that. She was at a private school for 4/5 and part of 6, but I am sure she didn't get any writing help then. She really likes writing.
DITHR-This was her first year. We used 6/7/8 pack/workbook. Haven't finished all the genres, because I was slow in getting it together. She loves to read and has read many books, like Pride and Predjuice, The Lliad and Odyssey, Scarlet Pimpernal, Moby Dick (Abridged)20,000 leagues under the sea, Little Women

Science-yes as far as I can tell you can count 8th grade work.

Maturity- She has grown a lot and really improved her work and time management. Taking more ownership of her work.
Time Management-Is better, but I think there is room for improvement.
Strong student- yes I think she is a strong student, most things come easy to her, and she is working hard if she doesn't get it, like self teaching Algebra (her dad will help if she needs it) and piano( finally talked her into lessons, but she taught herself a lot).
Self starter- most of the time, but she likes to start with all of us, but will take off and get her stuff done.

I hope I answered all your questions. I am not really worried The Lord has really given me peace. I just wanted to see if there was some things I should change around.

I so appreciate you taking the time with me and all the other ladies you help, it is a blessing!

I might even get to go to the conference in April, but will have to see if we can figure out the trip w/ a pupppy .

Thanks,
Stacey

[Carrie]

Stacey,

Thanks so much for sharing more about your daughter! That really helps!

I think from what you've shared so far that your daughter could really benefit from using Write with the Best: Vol. II as scheduled in MTMM. Here is a link to its description. Link: http://www.heartofdakota.com/missions-t ... .php#write

It sounds like she hasn't had much in the way of formal writing, so this would be a good introduction to those skills. Write with the Best: Vol. II is incremental in its approach, which may make it look easier than it actually is. The skills wound within it are very well done and are necessary for high school level writing. This is why it is designed for grades 6-12, however I would say grades 8-10 would be most appropriate.

As far as literature goes, I think your daughter could either use DITHR with higher level literature, or she could do the BJU and real books combination from the Geography guide. Either would work well with her abilities in this area.

I would also make sure to do at least some British literature titles/plays along with DITHR if you go that route, (4 titles + some British poetry and British plays is usually a semester credit), as your daughter will not get to British literature in our final guide either. There are some British titles and poetry in the BJU text (so she will get some there whenever she uses that) and there are a couple of Brit. titles in our "girl" selections in the World Geography guide so those will help count toward Brit. Lit. too (Pride and Prejudice and The Importance of Being Earnest) when she follows the World Geography guide's plans for literature. If you did do the BJU and real books from the World Geography guide, instead of DITHR with MTMM, then you may wish to consider just doing the comp. (Essentials in Writing) from the World Geography guide too, simply to keep things easier to track and do each day.

For science, I would use Integrated Physics and Chemistry from the World Geography guide. This is because most colleges will want to see only high school level work on a transcript, no matter what the state says is acceptable. So, I would always lean toward including only those subjects that were completed in high school on the high school transcript. If your daughter is not college bound, then you don't have to worry as much about the science sequencing so that is a different scenario. If she is not college bound, then beefing up the Chemistry in MTMM would be fine.

You can definitely count a full credit in American history when using both Rev2Rev and MTMM. In truth, there is so much there that you could really choose to count a full credit in early American history for Rev2Rev and a full credit of American history 1900-present for MTMM.

You will be able to count .5 of a credit in Bible (with the Acts/Romans/James study in MTMM), and if you desire a full credit in Bible you would want to add to the Biblical Worldview study that is already begun in MTMM for the other .5 credit (as that is something that will also be in our final high school guide).

Your daughter will also gain a full credit in literature or English (however you want to list it on the transcript). Your daughter will earn a full credit in math and a full credit (with lab) in science. I would add some to the Economics in MTMM to gain .5 of a credit in Economics, because if you go the MTMM route your daughter won't get to the Economics scheduled in our final guide.

I would consider adding the foreign language option from the World Geography guide to MTMM too. We plan to offer a .5 credit option in this area, which I have yet to share. If your daughter does the nature journal in MTMM, you may wish to consider adding to that area in order for her to earn a fine arts semester credit. You'd need to add coursework twice weekly for 30 min. or so to earn credit in the fine arts (with the nature journal as part of that). Otherwise, her art/theatre/dance classes will likely earn her fine arts credit as well. Both foreign language and the fine arts credit can wait if you prefer. These are just options to consider. It's good to work toward 5-6 credits a year as a general goal, with variations of course being fine too.

Blessings,
Carrie

[snadig]

Thank you so much for your help.

I will be praying for you and your family in this very busy time.

I am starting to flip flop on just jumping to the geography guide again. I am going to stop asking questions and keep praying. I think I will wait until the placement chart comes out as well.

Do you ever just over think things? I am just thinking about this way too much, time too let the Lord lead us, just like He lead us to HOD!

Again thanks for your help! It is all going to be great! I just love HOD!
Stacey

[snadig]

Carrie,

I was looking over this post and this struck me as coming across not very nice. I hope it didn't come across that way. I was talking (or typing my thought ) about me over thinking things. Sorry if I offended you. I am so thankful for all your time and thoughtful responses.


(Do you ever just over think things? I am just thinking about this way too much, time too let the Lord lead us, just like He lead us to HOD!)


On another note after looking at this post and seeing how much I would have to beef up or use of the geography guide I am back to thinking skipping MTMM is the way to go, but am still going to wait until the placement guide comes out before we make any finale decisions.

Do you have a date for when the placement guides comes out?
I hope you all are feeling better.
Thanks,
Stacey

[Carrie]

Stacey,

Oh goodness! I didn't think your were unkind at all! I just haven't had a moment to get back to respond. You were incredibly gracious!

And...yes, I am the "QUEEN" of overthinking things, so I am right there with you!

The placement chart for the World Geography guide will be a bit in coming. We won't have that up until the web content is ready (and we haven't even sent our web designer any content yet). We've had to halt things to get ready for convention season and all the prep. that goes with gearing up for that (booth, new product, getting all the product shipped and on the road, updated order forms, inventory, price changes, banner, flights, hotels, overnight sitters, etc.)

It will be a least a month yet for the placement chart.

Blessings,
Carrie

[snadig]

Carrie,

I will pray for health and safe travel. We are planning a road trip as well to the Creation muesum and it just happened to be on the weekend of The Great conference. We are coming from Colorado so hopefully all will go well.

The kids are really excited also.

No worries about the placement chart, all in God's timing!

Thanks,
Stacey