Teaching Co Recommended courses?

[Sylvia in CA]

I just received Teaching Co. latest catalog and I'm wondering what are your recommended titles.
Thanks

[Susan M in WA]

These are excellent:
Economics 3rd Edition
History of US
Understanding the Human Body: Intro to Anatomy and Physiology

Haven't used yet - but excited about using this semester:
Art across the Ages paired with Museum Masterpices: The Louvre

I'm drooling over these...Which would you get if you could only have one?
Understanding Genetics...
Classics of American Literature
History of World Literature
Museum Masterpieces: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

[Michelle in MO]

"How to Understand and Appreciate Classical Music" - Professor Robert Greenberg. All of Greenberg's courses are excellent, but this one has been a best-seller with TCC for years!

"The History of the English Language" - Professor Seth Lehrer. Excellent! Even my husband is thoroughly enjoying this course!

"Foundations of Western Civilization" - Good; the professor is not quite as engaging, but the material is excellent.

We also own many others, but the first two are outstanding.

[percytruffle]

We really enjoyed Understanding the Universe with Alex Filippenko.

[Heather in Savannah]

I have not seen any of Teaching Companies DVD/material. Could someone please explain the format? When I visited their website I discovered that there are courses which are classified as highschool, and apparently they have a workbook??? to go with the DVD's. If so, what does it contain? Are there questions, tests, answer keys, etc? Thanks so much.
Heather

[readwithem]

"How to Understand and Appreciate Classical Music" - Professor Robert Greenberg. All of Greenberg's courses are excellent, but this one has been a best-seller with TCC for years!

"The History of the English Language" - Professor Seth Lehrer. Excellent! Even my husband is thoroughly enjoying this course!



Agree with these. We also LOVE anything by Elizabeth Vandiver - Iliad, Odyssey, Aeneid, Greek Myths, Greek Tragedies...

Also we like "Joy of Math" - very interesting and enthusiastic teacher (Arthur something, we affectionately referred to him as "Art"). :)

[Anne/Ankara]

We have too many to recommend! But I can tell you what we are using this year, Year 4 curriculum, that have been great:

Art Across the Ages
European Art
History of United States
Brief History of the World
Great Ideas of Classical Physics
Joy of Science, physics and biology lectures

Now, if you have younger children, and just want to sample one, I would go with the High School World History course, which was entertaining and fun. The chemistry and algebra, and study skills for high school were also very helpful.

What are the ages of the kids, and what are your curriculum goals? For instance, if you are studying the middle ages, I would recommend the Philip Daileader series on Early Middle Ages and High Middle Ages. Just terrific. And the Great Authors of the Western literary Tradition is also wonderful, spanning many authors...

Too many to choose from! We just ordered the new genetics one, which we will watch next year with the biology series. That should be very interesting.

[Rebecca in VA]

is a fairly new one, and it's very good. The professor reminds me a great deal of Elizabeth Vandiver -- she has a pleasant voice and is fun to listen to. I spent many worthwhile hours in the car listening to this series, and I came away knowing A LOT about Ancient Mesopotamia. I was so impressed that I sent a "rave review" feedback card back to the Teaching Company, something I've never done with any other course.

[periwinkle]

The Joy of Thinking by Starbird and Burger? It is different than The Joy of Math, although it is about all kinds of mathematical thinking.

Ds really thought it was a fun course, but he likes abstract thought and logic.

We have the Calculus videos by Starbird on hold at the library and will take a peek next week.

[Margaret in CO]

Physics in Your Life. I just posted about it.

[Melissa B]

Just spoke with my father two days ago and he said the new series on Classic Russian Literature is excellent! Dr. Weil does a wonderful job and he sings - quite well! He highly recommends it (and he is a regular TC listener.)

I haven't seen any reviews so I thought I would mention it.

[CynthiaOK]

Favorites so far:

Books that Made History; Books that Can Change Your Life
Understanding the Human Body: Intro to Human Anatomy & Physiology
Economics 3rd edition
Iliad, Odyssey, and Aeneid (Vandiver)
Shakespeare: Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies

[Captivated]

So far we have enjoyed:

Argumentation
World History - Fertile Crescent to the Revolution
Superstar Student
Odyssey
Ancient Mythology

[Kathy in MD]

My 13 yo is enjoying Great Pharoahs of Ancient Egypt and Great Battles of the Ancient World.

[Kathy in MD]

I have not seen any of Teaching Companies DVD/material. Could someone please explain the format? When I visited their website I discovered that there are courses which are classified as highschool, and apparently they have a workbook??? to go with the DVD's. If so, what does it contain? Are there questions, tests, answer keys, etc? Thanks so much.
Heather

reviews. The workbooks do include answers, but no tests.

[Beth in SW WA]

World History -- Fertile Crescent to American Revolution

Linwood Thompson is a hoot. My kids, ages 10, 12 think he's great. He speaks in different voices, wears costumes and is generally pleasant to watch/listen. He is a high school history teacher in southern California. This is the TC's option for the younger student. We consider it a supplement to our WTM method of doing logic stage history (which also includes lots of Netflix docs).

[percytruffle]

Linwood Thomson's hs American History has a workbook and also recommended readings in a text book. My dd used this exclusively for early American history. We don't use tests much anyway, just essay questions from the text used as a test. Used this way this course can stand alone.

[Janice in NJ]

I'm drooling over these...Which would you get if you could only have one?
Understanding Genetics...
Classics of American Literature
History of World Literature
Museum Masterpieces: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Of course I'm sure that they are all good. :D
But even though I really like what I have heard of Weinstein's American Literature, I would give Grant Voth's World Lit course the edge - especially if you are doing the four-year cycle and would like a broader overview that includes more than just American Lit. (both historically and geographically) He is a VERY good teacher. Very good..... but aren't they all!

I can't comment on the others. Perhaps you should work through the art courses that you have first - before you buy another one. (Me too on that one! :))... and if the science course is really calling to you, then just ignore me and go for it!

Have fun!

Peace,
Janice

Enjoy your little people
Enjoy your journey

[Chris in VA]

Odyssey w/Vandiver was our fav!

[Sylvia in CA]

I'm going to print these and go over all these titles. Thanks a lot for all your recommendations.

Sylvia

[kpacademy]

Why oh why is it that I can pass by all that candy, chips and gum at the checkout counters, but can't get through a night of reading posts on this board without having to go and buy something!!

I am now on my way over to the Teaching Company's website to check out that Physics course - sounds like something three boys might actually enjoy and learn a little in the process!

Thanks!

[Janie]

Remember that what is excellent for one and just ho-hum for another rates that because it scratches where he itches!


High School Early American History: Native Americans through the Forty-Niners (VHS) — Interesting

World War II: A Military and Social History (VHS) — Excellent according to dh

Robert E Lee & His High Command (DVD) set — Excellent according to dh

Great Masters (music) (Audio) — Excellent

Books that have made History: Books that can change your Life (CD) — Excellent

Doctors: History of Medicine — Excellent

How to Listen to and Understand Opera (Audio) — Excellent

The Lives and Works of the English Romantic Poets (Audio) — Excellent

Augustine: Philosopher and Saint (Audio) — Excellent

Churchill (CD) — Excellent

How to Read and Understand Poetry (Audio) — Excellent

The Foundations of Western Civilization (CD) — Excellent

Europe and Western Civilization in the Modern Age (CD) — Excellent

European History and European Lives: 1715 to 1914 (CD) set — Excellent

The Joy of Science (VHS) — Interesting

Great Writers: Their Lives and Works (Audio) — Interesting

A History of Freedom (CD) — Excellent

Joy of Thinking set VHS — Interesting

Understanding the Human Body: An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (DVD) — Excellent

Dante’s Divine Comedy (CD) — Excellent

The Life and Writings of C. S. Lewis (CD) — Excellent

Famous Greeks (CD) — Excellent

Famous Romans (CD) — Excellent

Classical Mythology (Audio) — Excellent

History of the United States (DVD) set — Excellent

Tocqueville & the American Experiment (CD) — Good

The American Identity (CD) — OK

History of the United States (DVD) set — Excellent

[Cynde]

We just started with The Teaching Company this year. I sure wish we would have used them earlier. :( We're using the ones listed below and think they're all excellent.

The History of the United States
The African Experience: From "Lucy" to Mandela
Power over People: Classical and Modern Political Theory
Art Across the Ages

But as Janie said, tastes may vary from person to person.

[Lorna in the boonies]

Reiterating the matter of personal taste, I have to say that I bought one of the Linwood Thompson American history ones based solely upon the excellent reviews I read on this board . . . and I hate it. He "clicks" his tongue every few seconds and it just irritates the snot out of me. It got to the point where I was so distracted by that noise that we packed up the DVDs and put them up in the closet. I had to leave the room whenever the DVD came on. All I heard was "click, click, click, click".

You know how, when you notice something like that, it gets to where it's all you hear and you just want it to *stop*? That's where I was.

I'm truly *not* saying this as a complaint. I'm saying it because I wish someone had pointed it out to me before I purchased it. (Please consider it as a review, not a complaint.) I know it makes me sound really shallow, but it was *so* frequent and *so* annoying that it was impossible for me to ignore it.

(I'm really not that picky. My kids have used several DVD/satellite courses over the years and I've never found that any other instructor irritates me the way he does with his clicking. I'm truly not someone who goes around looking for things to criticize!)

I've wanted to try some more classes, but the constant clicking has made me hesitate to try anything else from the TC. I'm glad to see so many of you recommend some of these other courses so highly -- maybe I'll test the waters again soon.:)

[lwilliams1922]

Remember that what is excellent for one and just ho-hum for another rates that because it scratches where he itches!


High School Early American History: Native Americans through the Forty-Niners (VHS) — Interesting

World War II: A Military and Social History (VHS) — Excellent according to dh

Robert E Lee & His High Command (DVD) set — Excellent according to dh

Great Masters (music) (Audio) — Excellent

Books that have made History: Books that can change your Life (CD) — Excellent

Doctors: History of Medicine — Excellent

How to Listen to and Understand Opera (Audio) — Excellent

The Lives and Works of the English Romantic Poets (Audio) — Excellent

Augustine: Philosopher and Saint (Audio) — Excellent

Churchill (CD) — Excellent

How to Read and Understand Poetry (Audio) — Excellent

The Foundations of Western Civilization (CD) — Excellent

Europe and Western Civilization in the Modern Age (CD) — Excellent

European History and European Lives: 1715 to 1914 (CD) set — Excellent

The Joy of Science (VHS) — Interesting

Great Writers: Their Lives and Works (Audio) — Interesting

A History of Freedom (CD) — Excellent

Joy of Thinking set VHS — Interesting

Understanding the Human Body: An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (DVD) — Excellent

Dante’s Divine Comedy (CD) — Excellent

The Life and Writings of C. S. Lewis (CD) — Excellent

Famous Greeks (CD) — Excellent

Famous Romans (CD) — Excellent

Classical Mythology (Audio) — Excellent

History of the United States (DVD) set — Excellent

Tocqueville & the American Experiment (CD) — Good

The American Identity (CD) — OK

History of the United States (DVD) set — Excellent



thanks for the list