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Martha
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 10:17am | IP Logged
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When taking a 9th grade end of first quarter exam, do you think requiring three standard essays excessive? ("standard" = 5 paragraph essay format for each one)
Would you consider any or all of these three required topic for above said essays excessive for the average 9th grader?
1. Explain why the Gospels are reliable historical documents.
2. Give evidence from the gospels that Christ claimed to be divine and that He showed that He was divine (do not include the resurrection).
3. State each of the four main theories that deny the historical reality of the resurrection and show why each is not convincing as a natural explanation of the resurrection.
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Martha
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Teachin'Mine2
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 3:04pm | IP Logged
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Martha this looks really challenging!!!
We're doing well with 8th grade, but part of me is dreading 9th. Now I know why! Hopefully it will seem less daunting for dd than it does to me.
If it's any consolation, from what I've heard, these students can write anything when they graduate. And they often comment on how much easier college is than high school was. But in the meantime, it looks like four very challenging years to get to that point.
Do they give the student the information they need to complete these essays, or do they need to do the research on their own?
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Martha
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 4:09pm | IP Logged
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Well I cattle prodded the boy to getting it done. Awaiting grading.
There are three supplimental lessons in the plans that cover each of these topics. However, it is a closed book/notes test.
This one test has taken us a solid 3 days. 70 t/f or multiple choice questions and the first essay (draft, edit, rewrite, edit, final draft). Then several hours each for the other two essays over two days (because this is not his only subject).
Yes. We are both trying to keep in mind the goal!
Ds says his brain feels beaten to a pulp and he is ready for blessed freedom on this absolutely gorgous day. So he is helping dh trim the trees! lol
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Martha
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kristacecilia
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 4:54pm | IP Logged
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It sounds like an academically rigorous program for sure. Definitely sounds like what I did in University. It also sounds like what I did in 9th grade, but I was in one of those 'advanced' IB high schools and 'they' say it is similar to university. So yeah, it sounds like he'll be ready for that when the time comes!
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 4:59pm | IP Logged
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Honestly, I would have a lot of trouble answering some of that. Wow. Can't blame him for wanting to get the heck outside after that.
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Martha
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 6:04pm | IP Logged
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At least it makes him like learning his faith. He says this beats grammar and diagraming any day. He has a deep and abiding hatred of diagramming. The quarter exam for that course resulted in his first ever official "F" for a quarter grade due to diagramming and adjectival and adverbial phrases. 
I try to stand back walking that thin line between assisting and enabling. Encouaging and pressuring.
This is a very hard job!
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Martha
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guitarnan
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 6:14pm | IP Logged
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I don't think I could answer the third question in five paragraphs. Ten, maybe. Five to ten pages, for sure.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Martha
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 6:19pm | IP Logged
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The third question ended up as a fourth middle paragraph.
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Teachin'Mine2
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| Posted: March 06 2010 at 10:31am | IP Logged
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Their grammar is really tough. My daughter is learning terms - in 8th - that I've never even heard of. In 8th, grammar is done in half a year. Maybe it's the same in 9th? If it is, maybe you could get the 8th grade book and just do it on your own to get more of the diagramming and all down pat before going on with the 9th and the tests. I read on the forum that others have trouble with the grammar tests, especially those who haven't done their program all along.
He can also get feedback from the academic counselors before he sends in a paper to see if he's on track with what they're looking for. My daughter has called them for guidance here and there and they've been really helpful.
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Martha
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| Posted: March 06 2010 at 12:58pm | IP Logged
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He did do 8th grade with them. Passed with a squeeking B. 
It's just hard.
Grammar is seperate from the composition papers. He isn't having too terrible a time with the actual writing assignments. It's not his favorite thing, but it's not the torture that grammar and diagramming is. I have to admit I'm not much help there. I've never in my life seen any purpose to diagramming. I try very hard to never let him know that though! 
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Martha
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Martha
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| Posted: March 06 2010 at 1:11pm | IP Logged
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My biggest frustration right now is that the tests seton grades are worth anywhere from 60 - 75% of the grade for each quarter. I know that's common in many courses everywhere, but I've never liked it personally. The good news is tht you can bomb the year and still get a decent score if the test is good. The bad news is you can bust your bum for a great score in all your daily work, and 1 or 2 tests can devastate your grade.
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Martha
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Teachin'Mine2
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| Posted: March 06 2010 at 8:45pm | IP Logged
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I have a hard time understanding why diagramming is necessary too. 
A squeaking B from them is good! I'm used to 90's being A's and 80's being B's, etc.. Their grading scale is really tough!
Yes the tests count for a lot. I've read on their forum that they encourage parents to let the students know what to study for the tests - as they cover a huge amount of text. I wish their daily work counted for more of the grade too.
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Topic: A two part question/poll
