Enter Store - AP Online Classes - Testing Service - Who We Are - Volleyball - PHAA diploma Program

Message Board

We provide this message board as a service to the homeschooling community. If you see any inappropriate posts on this message board, please call us immediately so that we can delete them. Our phone number is 724-783-6512. Any opinions expressed are those of the poster and not the official opinions or positions of Pennsylvania Homeschoolers®.

Messages from PA Homescschoolers:

New Posts Start Here

  • Opportunity for Homeschoolers: "The Human Body" 2/10/12 - Abby Sullivan 2/3/2012 (0)
  • New to PA - Tish Ricosky 2/1/2012 (0)
  • tutor needed - Ruth Stratton 2/1/2012 (0)
  • Music Lessons - Sarah Burke 1/31/2012 (0)
  • Spring testing... - Cherie 1/31/2012 (0)
  • Greensburg Area: Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest - Dennis G. Jerz 1/30/2012 (0)
  • Biology requirements for PHAA - Brenda 1/30/2012 (1)
  • The Emperor's New Clothes in Trappe & Oreland - Family Stages 1/30/2012 (0)
  • Need an Evaluator in Gibsonia area - Sarah G 1/29/2012 (0)
  • change of address - Gerri Orlando 1/26/2012 (0)
  • getting started - sarah 1/26/2012 (0)
  • Anyone in Monroeville Area? - Lisa 1/25/2012 (0)
  • ID? - Amanda 1/25/2012 (1)
  • 5th GRADE NATIONAL BICYCLE POSTER CONTEST! - Suzan Knott 1/24/2012 (0)
  • Looking for a Pediatrician - Jessie 1/23/2012 (2)
  • testing - Barbara Braun 1/20/2012 (5)
  • Art Classes for Homeschoolers - Jena Robbins Schieb 1/20/2012 (0)
  • Reading Specialist available to tutor in Southern Chester County - Lisa Stoddard 1/20/2012 (0)
  • Play group/ meetup for my 6 yo? - Sarah 1/19/2012 (0)
  • geometry - Tammy 1/18/2012 (2)
  • Should I use K12 or just do it myself? - Sarah 1/18/2012 (2)
  • Oh Scrud! instructions - Libbie Kucel 1/16/2012 (2)
  • law - Cay 1/16/2012 (2)
    • Re: law - SharonM 1/16/2012 (0)
    • Re: law - Nanette Blank 1/16/2012 (0)
  • Home schooling a special needs child - Stacy Peeples 1/13/2012 (0)
  • Moving into PA - Heather 1/12/2012 (1)
  • Bowling for Home Schoolers - Arnold's Bowling Center 1/11/2012 (0)
  • Music Lessons-Earth Music School - Tim Dodson 1/11/2012 (0)
  • Community Apiary at Awbury Arboretum! - Anaiis Salles 1/11/2012 (0)
  • Yikes! Graduation Project!! Can I issue high school diploma mid-year? - Bonnie 1/10/2012 (1)
  • homeschool group in lehigh valley - kerri goodman 1/10/2012 (0)
  • Student Contest Info - Dixie 1/9/2012 (0)
  • Advice on Developing Homeschool program - Ashley 1/8/2012 (0)
  • Seniors - Donna 1/8/2012 (0)
  • Online Arabic Language Classes - Kendra 1/8/2012 (0)
  • PA Study Projecgt - Wendy 1/7/2012 (1)
  • New to Homeschooling - Julie 1/6/2012 (0)
  • Testing a child who cannot read - Lisa Cross 1/6/2012 (3)
  • Question about length of books for reading requirement - Jacqueline 1/5/2012 (3)
  • Wildlife Leadership Academy Youth Applications NOW Available - Michele Kittell 1/4/2012 (0)
  • Writing a Research Paper - Dan Hulse 1/4/2012 (0)
  • Health and Wellness program for homeschoolers - Janet Schmidt 1/2/2012 (0)
  • need evaluator - lynn 1/1/2012 (0)
  • 2012 greater pittsburgh homeshcool workshop and curriculum fair - debra 1/1/2012 (1)
  • Homeschooling seems to be going downhill - Dianna 12/31/2011 (0)
  • Reading Specialist available to Tutor your Homeschooler!! - Marie Hawley 12/30/2011 (1)
  • North Penn YMCA Home School Physical Education Program - Margie Washington 12/21/2011 (0)
  • "Special Kids" Camp Expo - January 28 - Holly Henry 12/20/2011 (0)
  • Giving up homeschooling after 18 years - Annette 12/19/2011 (6)
  • Tutoring in English, Writing, and Mandarin Chinese in Philadelphia - Abby 12/17/2011 (0)
  • Carnegie Mellon University Algebra Experiments - Jennifer Ferris-Glick 12/15/2011 (0)
  • AP only transcript? - Michelle Borthayre 12/12/2011 (2)
  • HELP! - Katrina Gallagher 12/8/2011 (0)
  • Home School Swim - Rebecca 12/7/2011 (0)
  • moving out of PA - Brenda 12/3/2011 (1)
  • Need an evaluator - michelle ogureck 11/30/2011 (0)
  • Summer Language Camps in the Philadelphia Area - Elizabeth S. Dete 11/30/2011 (0)
  • Forestry Field Day - Carol Lugg 11/30/2011 (0)
  • PHAA transcript request - Ginny 11/28/2011 (1)
  • Homeschool groups near Whitehall, PA? - Nickole Jude 11/28/2011 (1)
  • December Theatre Schedule - Family Stages 11/27/2011 (0)
  • Best & Worst Ways To Teach A Poem - Bruce Deitrick Price 11/26/2011 (0)
  • new to homeschooling - krystle aybar 11/22/2011 (4)
  • Homeschool family move from VA to PA - Kathy B. 11/21/2011 (1)
  • getting a copy of transcipt from PA Homeschoolers - Pam 11/18/2011 (1)
  • The Common Application - JoAnn 11/15/2011 (3)
  • Homeschool Debate Teams - Amber 11/15/2011 (1)
  • help - casandra 11/14/2011 (1)
  • 2012 commencements - Sue 11/14/2011 (1)
  • Online Violin/Viola lessons for homeschoolers - Slapin-Solomon Viola Duo 11/14/2011 (0)
  • School performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker - karen miranda 11/14/2011 (0)
  • Enrollment of Homeschoolers in PA - Amy 11/13/2011 (1)
  • Berks County and nearby: RACC hosting open house; interested in HSers! - Diane 11/13/2011 (0)
  • Moving to PA - Nickole 11/13/2011 (0)
  • Environmental Science core experiences at Bethlehem Nature Center - Karen Dolan 11/12/2011 (0)
  • INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION/TUTORING IN ENGLISH/WRITING - Barry R. Greenawalt 11/9/2011 (0)
  • Friends Program - James R. Behrens 11/9/2011 (0)
  • Changing School Districts Mid-Year - Nancy Trauger 11/9/2011 (1)
  • Players of the Stage presents A Little Princess - Beth Barshinger 11/8/2011 (0)
  • Home Schooling Provider - Wilson 11/8/2011 (0)
  • Need of an evaluator - Judy Banks 11/7/2011 (0)
  • IUP Health & Physical Education After-School Activity Program - Janet 11/7/2011 (0)
  • Friends - Carol 11/7/2011 (0)
  • PA Youth Harmony adjudication event - John Cosgrove 11/4/2011 (0)
  • Going from homeschool to cyber school - Sherrie 11/4/2011 (0)
  • Transcripts & The Common application - Barb V 11/2/2011 (0)
  • Transcripts - Missie 10/28/2011 (1)
  • question - Analida Braeger 10/28/2011 (0)
  • Missed a testing - Denise Weaver 10/28/2011 (0)
  • Filling for Jessica Shirk - Brenda Shirk 10/28/2011 (0)
  • Testing & Evaluation - bianca guerra 10/27/2011 (0)
  • testing change - amy mcmenamin 10/26/2011 (0)
  • Parent Workshop: Organizing for Learning - Holly Henry 10/25/2011 (0)
  • Homeschoolers Ski Club --- Come join the fun - Carole Matheny 10/25/2011 (0)
  • HOMESCHOOL DAY at the National Watch and Clock Museum - Janet F. 10/24/2011 (0)
  • individualized instruction in Brookville/Summerville area - melissa kraus 10/24/2011 (0)
  • indiviualized instruction - melissa 10/24/2011 (0)
  • Homeschool band to book for groups - Guy Bilyou 10/21/2011 (0)
  • 10/22/11 - "Fangs! A Spooky Creature Feature" at the Wagner Free Institute of Science - Abby Sullivan 10/19/2011 (0)
  • fayette county-where/to whom send affidavit - register as homeschooler? - Marisa 10/17/2011 (1)
  • transcript - Candace 10/17/2011 (1)
  • Mark Milovats Invites your child to perform at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh 11/27/11 - Eliabeth Dames 10/16/2011 (0)
  • PEGASUS Poetry Contest for PA students - Ann Gasser of PPS, Inc. 10/15/2011 (0)
  • Virtual homeschool - Carla 10/14/2011 (0)
  • Bucks County Community Wellness Day Sat Oct 15th - Community Wellness Day 10/13/2011 (0)
  • Wilson Reading Tutor Collegeville Royersford Limerick Pennsylvania - Jill Vettori 10/12/2011 (0)
  • Lackawanna County Learning Clinic - Dr. Kristin Bewick 10/11/2011 (0)
  • innovative teaching tool: Cook Your Way Through The S.A.T. - jennie 10/10/2011 (0)
  • FREE Master Class with Taylor 2 Dance! - The Palace Theatre 10/10/2011 (0)
  • pa laws and high school - jane 10/9/2011 (0)
  • Kutztown University Offers Free Reading Testing on Oct.. 15th & Nov. 19th - Dr. Cathy Walkovic 10/9/2011 (0)
  • Looking for HS Band Near Sunbury - Caroline Owens 10/3/2011 (0)
  • ? about HSing in PA - Abby 10/2/2011 (3)
  • Tutoring/Enrichment K-6 - Lori Seekely 9/29/2011 (0)
  • Public School Sports - James 9/28/2011 (1)
  • Math Tutor - Appa Hardner 9/28/2011 (0)
  • Reading Tutor Serving Philadelphia's Main Line - Marie Hawley 9/24/2011 (0)
  • New historical fiction novel that might appeal to homeschoolers - Douglas 9/24/2011 (1)
  • Writing Workshops Available, Susquehanna Valley - April Line 9/23/2011 (0)
  • National Merit Scholarship - Diana Francesca/parent 9/21/2011 (2)
  • National Merit Scholarship - Diana Francesca/parent 9/21/2011 (0)
  • Fall Classes at the Butler Art Center! - Michael R. Rehm 9/19/2011 (0)
  • English Tutoring - Westmoreland County - Colleen Raymond 9/19/2011 (0)
  • Non-profit theater class information in Wallingford, PA - Susan Wood 9/19/2011 (0)
  • Question about Gifted IEP - Lisa C. 9/18/2011 (2)
  • Used Book Sale at GreenTree Library-Strong Children's Section - Mary Lou Pacella` 9/18/2011 (0)
  • cello lessons - Dr. Eleanor Christman Cox 9/17/2011 (0)
  • Homeschool Enrichment classes at North Hampton Community College in Bartonsville PA - Nikki Sajudin 9/16/2011 (0)
  • Harrisburg, PA Social Group - Rebekah Mallonee 9/16/2011 (0)
  • Spanish lessons/academic tutoring - Cindy Hayko 9/16/2011 (0)
  • Kidsfit classes at Crossfit Pottstown - Rob Matthews 9/16/2011 (0)
  • GPA - Sandy Newman 9/15/2011 (1)
  • Celebrate Citizenship and Constitution Day! - Alyssa 9/15/2011 (0)
  • Home-school students invited to Drexel to see interactive science exhibits - Maria Zacharias 9/15/2011 (0)
  • Home School Friends - Elizabeth Erikson 9/15/2011 (0)
  • York Area Drama Camp AUDITIONS less than a week away!! - Michelle Robinson 9/14/2011 (0)
  • Tumbling and/or Cheerleading Classes - Xtreme Tumble and Cheer 9/13/2011 (0)
  • Health and Physical Education - Janet 9/13/2011 (3)
  • FREE Practice SAT Test Saturday 9/24 (Kaplan) - Tim Tobitsch 9/13/2011 (0)
  • Don't Miss York Area Homeschool Drama Camp!! Registration Deadline Extended - Michelle Robinson 9/11/2011 (0)
  • Swimming lessons and dance lessons in Phoenixville - Nick 9/11/2011 (0)
  • Home school speech and debate - Pam Hopkins 9/10/2011 (0)
  • Wilson tutor available for 19525 and surrounding areas - Joan 9/9/2011 (0)
  • Need Voice lessons in South Fayette Area? - Juli Wright 9/8/2011 (0)
  • Fall Testing Sites - Charleen White 9/8/2011 (1)
  • Professor Phineas T. Boggs & His Incredible GOBAC Time Machine (York Area Homeschool Drama Camp) - Michelle Robinson 9/7/2011 (0)
  • What is the PHAA school code for AP exams? - Sandy Newman 9/6/2011 (3)
  • Math Tutor with BA Mathematics degree - Martin Cohen 9/6/2011 (0)
  • Having trouble printing test application - Lisa 9/4/2011 (2)
  • K-12 Tutoring Support from Certified Teacher - Amy 9/4/2011 (0)
  • Home School Options: Art Education - Victoria Quiroz 9/1/2011 (0)
  • Do missionaries home on furlough have to follow homeschool law? - Jacqueline 8/30/2011 (0)
  • vo tech and homeschooling - Karen 8/30/2011 (0)
  • speech - judson c. sears 8/30/2011 (0)
  • Sullivan, Bradford, Tioga, Lycoming and Wyoming Counties: Spanish and College Prep Courses Available This Fall - MissB 8/30/2011 (0)
  • French tutoring offered - Cordelia Cayten 8/30/2011 (0)
  • assesments for special needs children - Katie 8/29/2011 (1)
  • Correction: York Area Homeschool Drama Camp Multiple Child Discount - Michelle Robinson 8/29/2011 (0)
  • $$$ DISCOUNT OFFERED for Multiple Children Enrolled In York Area Homeschool Drama Camp - Michelle Robinson 8/29/2011 (0)
  • Fall Testing - SAH 8/27/2011 (0)
  • co-op classes in State College - Laura 8/26/2011 (0)
  • Spanish and College Prep Courses - Bradford/Sullivan/Lycoming Counties - RSnavely 8/25/2011 (1)
  • Fall Testing - SAH 8/25/2011 (0)
  • PSAT score on transcript - Sandy Newman 8/25/2011 (1)
  • Private piano lessons - Heidi Griffith 8/25/2011 (0)
  • Extracurriculars - Dan 8/24/2011 (1)
  • fall vs. spring testing for 3rd graders in pgh - Patti T 8/24/2011 (1)
  • Praise for Homeschoolers - Bruce Deitrick Price 8/23/2011 (0)
  • Lancaster Science Factory Offers Homeschool Classes! - Lauren Schaller 8/23/2011 (0)
  • tutoring - Michelle 8/23/2011 (0)
  • FS Sonlight Cores 300 and 400 complete postage paid. - Sherry 8/23/2011 (0)
  • FREE Pennsylvania Project - Wendy 8/23/2011 (0)
  • Free Montessori albums - Paula Kline 8/22/2011 (0)
  • Reading classes for those students who struggle with dyslexia, reading comprehension, spelling, or writing - Debra Gingrich 8/22/2011 (0)
  • Reading classes for those students who struggle with dyslexia, reading comprehension, spelling, or writing - Debra Gingrich 8/22/2011 (0)
  • York Area Homeschool Auditions Less than 1 Month Away - Michelle Robinson 8/21/2011 (0)
  • Fall 2011 testing in Lancaster - Marybeth 8/21/2011 (0)
  • New to homeschooling, Help! - Jennifer Gipson 8/21/2011 (1)
  • Additional Homeschool Classes offered at Ambler YMCA - Angela Townsley 8/20/2011 (0)
  • home school curriculum available - Lorraine Daddario 8/19/2011 (0)
  • Christiana Homeschool Academy...any others? - Gretchen 8/19/2011 (0)
  • Rental Space Available - Leslie Fick 8/19/2011 (0)
  • 2011 York Area Homeschool Drama Camp - Michelle Robinson 8/18/2011 (0)
  • Pollinator Power! A program of the second annual Philadelphia Honey Festival - Abby Sullivan 8/18/2011 (0)
  • Auditions for Children of Eden - Holly 8/17/2011 (0)
  • Fall Testing - Christy 8/16/2011 (0)
  • College Board Exams - ACT - Trish 8/15/2011 (1)
  • end of year portfolio - Wendy 8/15/2011 (0)
  • Homeschool Band - Cathy Taylor 8/11/2011 (0)
  • Christian Homeschool Phys Ed Classes - Nathan Rosentrater 8/10/2011 (0)
  • Should I be worried - Theresa 8/8/2011 (3)
  • Ballet Classes in Mt. Airy/ Homeschoolers Welcome! - Cynthia 8/8/2011 (0)
  • Central PA 2012 Graduation Ceremony - Janae 8/8/2011 (0)
  • Speech requirements for high school - Brenda 8/7/2011 (2)
  • 2012 graduation - Susan 8/5/2011 (1)
  • Art Instructions and P.E. curriculum for Homeschoolers - New Freedom Art and P.E. at PSC 8/5/2011 (0)
  • The Artist Within Art Studio Field Trips - Jennifer Urbanek 8/2/2011 (0)
  • New to home schooling... - Ann 8/2/2011 (3)
  • Help understanding the law please.... - Lee 8/2/2011 (2)
  • PSAT, ACT, and SAT - Trudi 7/28/2011 (3)
  • Daytime Music lessons - Central Penn Music 7/27/2011 (0)
  • Vaccine - Sharon 7/27/2011 (1)
  • AP Lit books for sale =--used last year with Mrs. Inspektor's class - Leslie Chaverin 7/26/2011 (0)
  • Sign Up for a Kaplan SAT Prep Course! - Tim Tobitsch 7/26/2011 (1)
  • FREE Practice SAT Tests Sat. August 6 & Sat. August 27 - Tim Tobitsch 7/26/2011 (0)
  • Health & Physiology Requirement - Mark 7/26/2011 (0)
  • legal status of post-mandatory age homeschoolers - CE 7/25/2011 (2)
  • Baierl Family YMCA Home School Art Gym and Swim Program - Ashley Kuban 7/23/2011 (0)
  • re: ap latin vergil - Julie 7/22/2011 (1)
  • Hearing screening tests - Christa 7/21/2011 (1)
  • Kids Martial Arts Training - Master Mary DeStolfo 7/20/2011 (0)
  • high school transcripts....detailed - Nanci 7/20/2011 (0)
  • Pedaling the Planet K-8 group/assembly program - Lisa Primerano 7/18/2011 (0)
  • selling Teaching Textbooks sets - Suzanne 7/18/2011 (0)
  • what is 7th grade? - jackie 7/18/2011 (1)
  • Private Voice Lessons - Patricia Rowell 7/18/2011 (0)
  • K-12 ESL Specialist & HS English & History - Jo Abrams 7/17/2011 (0)
  • Music tutor for Gideon Study Center - Laura Miller 7/15/2011 (0)
  • 2nd year French tutor for high school students - Laura Miller 7/15/2011 (0)
  • Phildelphia portfolio pick-up - Theresa 7/14/2011 (4)
  • PHAA conference - Nanette Blank 7/14/2011 (0)
  • Online Reading Tutoring Available - Michael Stearns 7/13/2011 (0)
  • Wilson tutor available for 19525 and surrounding areas - Joan 7/11/2011 (0)
  • School has requested more materials for documentation.... - Bonnie 7/10/2011 (1)
  • Diploma from MN will is not accepted by PA trade school. HELP. WHAT CAN I DO? - Daniel Andrews 7/10/2011 (0)
  • Reading and math tutoring available. Certified/experienced teacher. - Megan Miller 7/9/2011 (0)
  • Mandarin Chinese - Appa Hardner 7/8/2011 (0)
  • Computer Science - Appa Hardner 7/8/2011 (0)
  • Available Literacy Coach\Certified Reading Specialist - Jackie Wright 7/7/2011 (2)
  • FREE Practice SAT Test this Saturday (Kaplan) - Tim Tobitsch 7/7/2011 (1)
  • High School at Home conference - Bonnie 7/6/2011 (0)
  • Online Driver Education - Dennis Conwell 7/5/2011 (0)
  • Maximum age under Act 169 - Jan 7/2/2011 (0)
  • 5 Host Families Needed Now for Girls! - Jennifer Keating 7/2/2011 (0)
  • Photos in my potfolio by mistake, seek their rightful owner (Philadelphia School district) - Sylvia S. Duggan 7/1/2011 (0)
  • PA Homeschoolers Newsletter - Kathy 6/30/2011 (1)
  • ? too late - colette 6/30/2011 (1)
  • Extracurricular classes for bright kids! - C-MITES 6/28/2011 (0)
  • Physics B Materials for Sale - Jeanne Pricer 6/28/2011 (1)
  • Guitar Teacher - Scott Labenski 6/27/2011 (0)
  • Resources for homeschool parents - Gail 6/26/2011 (0)
  • Reesources for homeschool parents - Gail 6/26/2011 (0)
  • Homeschooling Items for Sale - Shanti 6/25/2011 (1)
  • Graduation Ceremonies - Kim 6/24/2011 (0)
  • Alpha Omega Curriculum for sale - Marcia Hartman 6/23/2011 (1)
  • when to join PHAA?? - B 6/23/2011 (1)
  • Theatre Camps and Family Shows - Family Stages 6/20/2011 (0)
  • Did anyone videotape the Western PA PHAA Graduation Ceremony? - Lynn Kasprzyk 6/17/2011 (0)
  • Western Pennsylvania PHAA Graduation at Penn State - Lynn Kasprzyk 6/17/2011 (0)
  • 17 year old graduating - Kathy 6/16/2011 (3)
  • HUGE assortment of school (mostly science) books - Ronni 6/16/2011 (0)
  • cyber charter and evaluators question - Kathy 6/15/2011 (1)
  • Initial Documentation - Jill 6/14/2011 (1)
  • Homeschool evaluator NEEDED - Evelyn 6/14/2011 (1)
  • free evaluations in Pgh? - Marie 6/13/2011 (0)
  • required medical entering homeschool as 4th grader - Angela 6/9/2011 (0)
  • Lower Dauphin SD - Steph 6/9/2011 (1)
  • Diploma - Amanda 6/8/2011 (1)
  • Homeschooler graduating with High School graduation. - Valencia 6/8/2011 (1)
  • private tutor? - Laura 6/6/2011 (2)
  • Adult Mentor Needed for Summer Field School (June) - Michele Kittell 6/3/2011 (0)
  • son turning 8 yrs old middle of school year - B 6/2/2011 (3)
  • Question re: PHAA membership and graduation dates - Annette 6/2/2011 (0)
  • Art Class - Lola Schantz 6/1/2011 (0)
  • AP Physics student feedback? - Ava 5/29/2011 (1)
  • credits - Wendy 5/28/2011 (0)
  • Summer Spanish Tutoring - Mrs. Young 5/27/2011 (0)
  • nfinished course - Teresa 5/27/2011 (0)
  • 12 Grade portfolios - Teresa 5/27/2011 (2)
  • where do I begin - tammy 5/26/2011 (0)
  • Used Curriculum Sale, June 3rd - Mount Pleasant - Dana McQueen 5/26/2011 (0)
  • Summer Tutoring/SAT Preparation - Matthew Kamibayashi 5/23/2011 (0)
  • online writing programs you would recommend? - Linda 5/23/2011 (1)
  • Getting District to pay for Dual enrollment for your student - Mrs. Powers 5/23/2011 (4)
  • Portfolio requirements/New to HSing - Lucinda 5/21/2011 (2)
  • High School Speech Requirement - Karen Doll 5/20/2011 (0)
  • High School Speech Requirement - Karen Doll 5/20/2011 (0)
  • For Susan or Howard: Homeschool Evaluator Requirements - Karen Doll 5/20/2011 (1)
  • Free Homeschooling Magazines - Karen Doll 5/20/2011 (2)
  • looking for a person to do end of the year evaluations. - Valerie 5/19/2011 (0)
  • AP Online classes - Mithilesh Vidyarthi 5/16/2011 (0)
  • Day / Church School or Accredited School options of PA law - Amy 5/14/2011 (0)
  • 8th Grade CAT Test - Robin 5/13/2011 (0)
  • photo ID? - Madelyn 5/13/2011 (0)
  • prom greensbsurg next week tickets? - chuck 5/12/2011 (0)
  • Homeschool? Public School? Cyberschool? Critical decision for 10th grade education - Helen Heveran 5/12/2011 (3)
  • Volunteer for a Therapeutic Riding Program! - Rebecca 5/11/2011 (0)
  • Is a homeschooled high school student entitled to attend their local district's technical/trade program? - Nan 5/11/2011 (1)
  • RECEIPTS FOR HOMESCHOOL MATERIALS - Annette 5/6/2011 (0)
  • Beginning Kindergarten Homeschooling in September - Rachel 5/5/2011 (2)
  • Looking for teachers for a group of students - Patti Achee 5/4/2011 (0)
  • Concerned about children not being properly homeschooled - Concerned 5/4/2011 (4)
  • Homeschooling in Hard Times - Kathy 5/4/2011 (1)
  • Certified PA teacher and reading specialist looking to tutor/teach home-schooled children - Meghan Marcello 4/30/2011 (0)
  • AP Online courses - DMartin 4/29/2011 (5)

    Note: We enforce the following rules regarding postings:

    • Messages should be related to homeschooling.
    • Messages should not be related to buying and selling used materials. We can't be responsible for the honesty of posters. There are other websites that have worked out ways to manage such transactions.
    • Those who post should not call others names, call others liars, or impugn their motives.
    • Those who post should include their name and only their name in the name box.
    • Those who post should not denigrate PA Homeschoolers products or services.
    • When possible, homeschool politics responses should be posted in response to existing posts so that they do not take over the board.
    • Messages should not advertise our competitors, unless those competitors advertise us.
    • If you wish to advise PA Homeschoolers about this board, e-mail Howard, howard@pahomeschoolers.com . Public advice may or may not be left on the board.
    • Those who violate these rules should not expect that those posts of theirs which do not violate the rules will be left on the board or that they will be allowed to post in the future.
    -- Howard Richman, co-editor
    PA Homeschoolers

    [ See archived messages ]

    		•

    Magazine

    AP Computer Science-- What this about a 'Case Study'???
    Cynthia Lang, 2/22/2010

    Cynthia Lang is a homeschool mother of several PHAA graduates, and computer science instructor at various colleges. She is completing her first year of returning to lead AP Computer Science with PA Homeschoolers AP Online, after taking a number of years off while her own children were in high school at home. She is an exceptional teacher, and shares here about a unique aspect of the AP Computer Science course and exam-- the 'case study'. For more info, see the link at the very bottom of the article. Cynthia will also soon be writing an article on how to know if your son or daughter is ready for the challenge of AP Computer Science.   

    The Role of the Case Study in AP Computer Science

    As you would expect considering the subject matter, the AP Computer Science curriculum changes periodically with trends in the industry. For example, there have been 3 programming languages used in AP Computer Science since 1998: Pascal, C++ and most recently, Java. The last two languages have been object-oriented, rather than procedural, languages. As computers, particularly personal computers, evolved to have graphical user interfaces, the computer programs that produce such user friendly interfaces have become increasingly large and complex. For example, Microsoft Word had 27,000 lines of code in the first version. That’s a lot, but it's now about 2 million! Object-oriented programming languages such as Java use polymorphism, inheritance, and encapsulation to make large programs easier to produce and maintain. This is why object-oriented programming languages have largely superseded procedural languages.  Students who eventually go on to careers in computer science will most likely work in teams on large programs coded in these object-oriented languages. Consequently, the College Board wanted high school students to have the experience of working with a large program, rather than being limited to the small programs that are normally assigned in computer science courses.  To achieve this goal, the College Board develops a case study every few years that is coded by master programmers.  The objectives for the case study are as follows (source: College Board)

    • Read source code written by someone else.
    • Work with a program of significant length.
    • Become familiar with good coding, design, and documentation practice.
    • Learn about testing in a non-trivial context.
    • Think through design and implementation tradeoffs.
    • Experience an approximation of the master/apprentice relationship.

    This year, the case study is called GridWorld.  As the name suggests, GridWorld is a graphical world consisting of a grid where various actors move and interact. Although the interface the user sees (below) is deceptively simple, GridWorld consists of twenty classes (Java programs) working together.  Students are given 21 pages of documentation and code excerpts from the case study to use during the AP Computer Science exam.  This is the same documentation available to the students throughout the school year, so they have plenty of time to familiarize themselves with the content. Roughly five of the 50 multiple-choice questions in Sections I of the AP Computer Science Exam are devoted to the GridWorld Case Study, and it is the topic of one of the four free-response questions in Section II.

    GridWorld is an excellent tool for teaching inheritance in object-oriented programming. The actors that inhabit GridWorld have some traits in common and some traits that differ. They inherit their common traits from a “parent” class.  This enables students to see how a parent-child relationship is established in object-oriented programming.

    Another side benefit to the case study is that the documentation given to students entering the exam can be used as a legal crib sheet. If a student forgets the Java syntax for coding a particular statement, the case study code supplied in the exam may very well contain an example, which the student can use for a model. This minimizes that amount of memorization that is required to score well on the AP Computer Science exam.

    Although I have taught AP Computer Science previously, this is my first year teaching this particular case study. To help me prepare, I have already completed two workshops for teachers on the case study, and I am registered for a third next month. These workshops supply teachers with ideas for weaving GridWorld into many aspects of the AP Computer Science curriculum, not just those dealing with inheritance. Examples of good design decisions and concise coding abound in GridWorld. It is a very appealing and interesting teaching tool. And I know that students will appreciate having a familiar set of programs handed to them when they go in to sit for the AP Exam!

    For more information, see the College Board link:

     http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/compsci_a/case.html 

    Your Name:

    Post a Comment:

    Links

  • Message Board & Magazine RSS
  • AP Homeschoolers
  • Calendar
  • Enter Store
  • Evaluators
  • Fall Testing
  • High School Conference
  • Home Ed Law
  • Homeschooling in PA
  • Online Classes
  • Magazine Archive
  • PHAA Diploma Program
  • Support Groups
  • Testing Service
  • Volleyball
  • Who We Are

    Archive
    February 2010

    January 2010

    Categories:
    AP Online Classes

    College Preparation
    Community Service
    Contests and Scholarships
    Co-op Learning
    Curriculum Reviews
    Evaluations & Portfolios
    Getting Organized
    High School Conference
    Math by Kids
    Museums and PA Resources
    PA Cyber Charter Schools
    PHAA Diploma Program
    PreK - 6th grade
    Special Needs
    Sports and Fitness
    Test Taking
    Writing Club Ideas
    Other

    Outside Links:

  • AP Homeschoolers Online
  • Apple Pie for Moms
  • Basement Workshop
  • Explore PA History
  • PA Dept of Ed
  • Particular Physics Concepts
  • PHAA Diploma Program
  • Schoolhouse Publishing

    PA Cyber-Charters:

  • Achievement House
  • Agora
  • CPDLF
  • Connections Academy
  • PA Cyber
  • PA Distance Learning
  • PA Leadership
  • PALO
  • PA Virtual
  • SusQ-Cyber
  • 21st Century


    Views since Jan. 26, 2010:
    Web Site Optimization Services