THEO

THEO math history and new news….

Since opening in August 2006, THEO has only offered math classes using the Saxon textbook or the Jacobs Geometry textbook; both of which have worked well for thousands of THEO students over the years. In fact, they have worked well for hundreds of thousands of home educating families who don’t attend THEO. Pros for the Saxon textbook, which teaches math incrementally in a spiral method rather than topically as many other math curricula, is that this incremental approach provides built-in review and long-term retention.

During the spring of 2020, the coronavirus has led THEO teachers to hone their remote teaching skills, and they are now ready to launch ONLINE-only math classes for the fall of 2020-2021.  THEO’s amazing math team created the following youtube to introduce you to each one of them!  Eight minutes to become better acquainted with all!

With the addition of ONLINE ONLY math classes in the fall of 2020, THEO is going to add online math classes using a second math curriculum which teaches math topically.  Glencoe is the math curriculum the teachers chose to add.

BEWARE:

The disparity of the two curricula will not allow students to switch back and forth between the two. Once the student reaches Algebra 1, they should continue exclusively with their chosen Algebra option.

REST EASY if you don’t know which to choose.

THEO math teachers are 100% fabulous. The Saxon math teachers bring the pages to life with their teaching and both Mrs. Boyd and Mrs. Jones have successfully taught Saxon at THEO since the fall of 2007. Please take the Saxon placement test to see which level your student would benefit the most from taking.

However, the new math curriculum will be taught by Mrs. Booker and Mrs. Hacker who have been long term math teachers for decades. They both bring a love of math as well as wide and deep experience.

If your student is transferring to THEO from public middle or high school, the topical curriculum probably best matches what is used by public schools.  However, if the public school math was not beneficial for your student, then the Saxon curriculum may be a more beneficial approach. Decades of successful students cannot be discounted! If you are transferring into Saxon math from a different curriculum than Saxon math, you must take the Saxon placement test.

1) We acknowledge that 90% of all students learn best in a classroom setting with face-to-face interaction with their teacher and classmates.

2) However, in spite of the COVID disruption, learning must continue for 100% of the student population.  The current generation of students must not be robbed of their education, nor should it be delayed.  Therefore, THEO online classes are developed to promote and encourage continued learning for  all students in spite of local or national events.

3) Now is the time for THEO teachers to shine as they continue to have hone their teaching skills in order to make online learning as positive as possible for 100% of all students.

4) The majority of THEO’s online classes will be held in a format that meets weekly with face-to-face interaction between student, teachers and classmates. THEO’s purpose is not to duplicate online curricula already in existence.

5) A commonly used phrase at THEO is “you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.” That phrase applies here. THEO teachers will

• do everything in their power to lay out a well-designed course,
• to provide clear instruction,
• to use tools designed to reach all learning styles and
• to provide a road map aka class syllabus for parents and students alike to follow.

However, the student must “drink that proverbial water.”  Students must

• have a stable internet connection on a working computer with a working camera and microphone turned on
• attend class with  adequate work space and necessary supplies close at hand
• wear appropriate classroom clothing (see THEO’s Rules and Guidelines for further detail on THEO dress code)
• stay engaged in spite of the challenge of viewing a computer for every class,
• turn in their assignments in a timely fashion with as much attention to detail as is possible for a student of their age/maturity and
• study.  Teachers teach; students must commit to learn.

6) THEO teachers recognize that online learning is now a part of the future of education since families are scattered far and wide, perhaps not near an outsourcing resource such as THEO.

7) A benefit?  At times, THEO’s online classes can be recorded (teacher only, not even student’s voices without permission) for viewing at a later time should a student miss a class.  That is not an option with live teaching. 

8) If your students are succeeding in their current learning environment, then Godspeed to you and your family.   If not, please know the THEO family of staff and teachers stand ready to support you. It is our hearts’ desire that every child’s education continues without  delay.

9) Going forward, THEO teachers commit to search for methods and tools that can make online learning as palatable as possible for 100% of the students God brings to our THEO classrooms.