[Ben Crist]

Hello homeschool historians!

Due to a sudden illness, we didn’t get to conference with Day, but we had a great time at the webinar with Thomas last Friday. If you didn’t get a chance to attend—or want to review it again—you can watch the replay here.

Thomas and some of our homeschooling moms from customer service had a chance to address about some of your most pressing questions about the history series, how to use the pieces of the course, and the order in which it is suggested to take them.

Ever wondered how to use the portfolio? Want to see some examples of projects? Watch to find out!

Have any follow-up questions? Post a reply and Thomas and Dave will swing by and respond.

• This discussion was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by  Ben Crist. Reason: vimeo link change

[Vita]

Some encouragement to those who may be intimidated by the project and portfolio samples (I know I was!!). As mentioned in the video, the program really is SO flexible, if you let it be. I know, hard for us Type A homeschool moms.

Adjustments I made:

1) Spread out the schedule over 34-36 weeks (we are on our 2nd of Dave Raymond’s histories), with exams on a separate day and sometimes a study day scheduled.

2) Open notebook exams for new-to-the-program students and younger students. We did American last year with my then 11th and 7th graders – 7th grader was allowed to use notes the entire year. This year she attempts without notes first and then highlights where she fills in with notes. I take a few points off but not much since the note taking in itself is a major skill.

3) Portfolios were allowed to be whatever they were motivated to do. My son ended up creating 2-4 panel comics (satire, generally – examples in the tabs of this forum, actually) and my daughter (now in 8th, completing Modernity) switched from traditional style “image with caption” to 2-6 panel comics for this year.

4) Credit – I’m giving my daughter high school credit for both American (taken in 7th) and Modernity (8th) because I require all the projects from her as well. Since she was able to discuss the lessons at the same level as her older brother, I just don’t see a reason not to based on any other minor modification (open notes really is the only one and I know state virtual schools etc. allow open notes).

5) Projects can also be flexible but I highly encourage them! The thesis paper was VERY intimidating for us because I am a decent writer but a HORRIBLE writing teacher! My daughter has learned the process of writing a thesis…and I learned the process of teaching the process of writing a thesis. And we shall do it again next year with Antiquity!

Highly recommend this series! Yes, my daughter will only be in 9th grade next year and will take Antiquity but I feel she is at the maturity level that it will be fine. Considering some of the material in Modernity, if Compass deemed Antiquity to have more mature material, I would advise previewing first.

Finally, I was the 2nd winner drawn during the webinar so…THANK YOU, Dave Raymond, Thomas Purifoy, and Compass Classroom staff! For EVERYTHING! We are so blessed to have found your company!

• This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by  Vita.

[Vita]

Here’s my sample schedule. I did just realize that only people who have purchased classes can see these posts lol But at least they are helpful to those who have purchased other but not Dave’s yet!

2022-2023-Class-Syllabus-Modernity.pdf 65 KB PDF — Click to view

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[Ben Crist]

Vita, thanks for sharing this helpful information!

Re: posting/viewing………Anyone on the Internet can view posts like this in our subject groups, they just cannot reply or see user profiles until they register a (free) account. Purchasing digital curriculum gets them access to the respective LMS for that product, as well as makes them a member of the subject group.

So, this is a really helpful post!

[Vita]

Awesome! I actually got to see the “free view” in action since I wasn’t logged in first. Very cool!