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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Feb 26 2008 at 7:27pm | IP Logged
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Earlier today, I posted this plea for help regarding my teenage son. I really "slammed" him you could say, and rightfully so. In general, he does not try and sees little point in trying to learn subjects he dislikes.
However, I sat down with him tonight and tried to help him with his Chemistry. He does not learn well from a textbook and really needs a good teacher to explain the material. I cannot do that. And he claims his teacher is horrible. I know that is a standard teen complaint. But, assuming it is true in this case, how can I help him? Are there online sites that teach Chemistry? Should I invest in a video Chemistry course? Or maybe there is a Chemistry for Dummies that I could read so I can help him.
Money and time are in short supply here. I am looking at finding a tutor but I don't know how we will pay for it. 
Any suggestions would be helpful. Sending him to school was supposed to at least make it easier when it came to these harder courses!
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Bridget
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| Posted: Feb 26 2008 at 7:47pm | IP Logged
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Molly have you talked to his counselor at school? This seems like an area they should be able to work with you in. Maybe they can switch his class? I really don't know, but I thought that is part of what they are there for?
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God Bless,
Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
Our Magnum Opus
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mom3aut1not
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| Posted: Feb 27 2008 at 10:13am | IP Logged
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Molly,
I know money is a problem, but perhaps you could see if your local library has the chemistry course from The Teaching Company? We have done 16 of 30 lectures, and the material is well presented. I'm willing to share our dvd's if you are willing to drive to our home!
In Christ,
Deborah
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MacBeth
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Probably at the beach...
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| Posted: Feb 27 2008 at 10:56am | IP Logged
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I second the Teaching Company advice. I'd totally take Deborah up on that offer!!
And if he likes to read, and wants a reason for chemistry (Marine-wise, mayn't he need to know about explosives?) try something like The 13th Element. Its a book full of (often horrible) anecdotes about phosphorus...
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God Bless!
MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
Nature Study
MacBeth's Blog 
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glinNC
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| Posted: March 04 2008 at 12:04pm | IP Logged
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Apologia's chemistry (and biology) course can be done totally on the computer. (There may be more courses like this, but these are the only two I'm familiar with.) It follows the textbook, but it also has "extra" explanations in the way of videos and animations to help. I am not strong in the science field, particularly high school, so this course really helps us all! 
BTW, my senior also has used the Teaching Company chemistry course with using Apologia and is doing really well!
Hope this helps.
glinNC
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: March 04 2008 at 12:31pm | IP Logged
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Well, Charlie seems to have had a miraculous change in his ability to understand Chemistry. Could have something to do with having all privileges revoked, or no longer sitting next to a pretty girl, or actually listening in class AND taking notes! Go figure.
Actually, now that he is paying attention and spending time in the evenings working on it, he says he understands. He had a big test today, so we will see. I am not ruling out the need for outside assistance, but I told him I would give him the chance to get out of the hole he dug. He hates the idea of a tutor.
Deborah, are you in VA? I am sorry if I should know this. There are a lot of things that are somewhere in my brain that I don't seem to have access to.  Anyway, if you are, maybe I could borrow the DVDs, if nothing else than to get myself back up to speed with Chemistry since I do have 7 more kids that will have to take it.
MacBeth, I looked at the library for the 13th Element, but they don't have it. Is it something worth buying? (The book wish list is ridiculously long!)
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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mandmsmom2001
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| Posted: March 04 2008 at 2:04pm | IP Logged
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We found a site online that covers the basics of chemistry called chem4kids.com. It may help a bit.
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mom3aut1not
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| Posted: March 04 2008 at 4:08pm | IP Logged
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Molly,
I don't expect you to know where I live. I'm in MD between Baltimore and DC.
I hope your son did well on his test.
In Christ,
Deborah
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: Chemistry help!
