Is it possible to have too indpenedent?

[sixglides]

My 8th grader needs basically no help from me. We're still pretty new at this & I'm wondering what I should be checking more on. I'm working in upgrading the writing/grammar, we're using Sonlight 100.

 

Any tips would be appreciated.

[Amy in CO]

I have wondered this too, but I don't have any answers. My 5th grader is almost completely independent. I watch him do his experiments for science to make sure he is following the steps, and I give him spelling tests. Other than that, I am just checking his work, with the very occasional help with some math concept or answering a diagramming question. But he is very self motivated and accomplishes every thing he sets his mind to.

 

My 9th grader on the other hand, fights having any oversight on her work, and feels that if she needs help it is because she is stupid, but is not a self-motivated child, and won't do a very good job on her own. So I have to keep a much closer eye on her.

 

So, I don't know that there is a right or wrong answer, I wonder how much of it is personality types and abilities of the individual children.

[Mama Lynx]

It is not necessarily a problem. My 8th grader is very independent - well, so is my 6th grader, for that matter.

 

I give them their assignments at the beginning of the week, and they do them. I check the work. After they've read their history or lit assignments, I discuss with them. The only thing they really do *with* me at this point is Classical Writing.

 

However, when you have a very independent student, you must check with them to make sure they're learning the material correctly, and understanding, and retaining.

[lllll]

Also, it's nice to be able to discuss some of the things they're learning with them - if you are able to keep up.

[G5052]

It is not necessarily a problem. I give them their assignments at the beginning of the week, and they do them. I check the work. After they've read their history or lit assignments, I discuss with them. The only thing they really do *with* me at this point is Classical Writing.

 

However, when you have a very independent student, you must check with them to make sure they're learning the material correctly, and understanding, and retaining.

 

Mine are more and more independent, but their level of quality is not always my level of quality.:glare: So yes, I do check their work periodically and require them to have me read rough drafts, grade quizzes/tests, etc. They check their own daily math and Latin work though and handle other things.

[4wildberrys]

My dd17 is independent and has been since 6th grade. She gets irritated when I 'intrude' and check work, etc. But I realized I had allowed a little too much independence when I noticed that she started skipping experiments, proper essay writing etc. So I am more involved in a few things---at first she thought it was because she was 'stupid' and got irritated. It's more work for me--:glare:---but so far I am noticing improvement in those neglected areas.

 

My ds14, on the other hand, gets my attention pretty much all day! He CAN do the work himself, but tends to slack off and skip whatever he doesn't feel like doing without my oversight or presence. :001_huh:

[Heather in VA]

It is not necessarily a problem. My 8th grader is very independent - well, so is my 6th grader, for that matter.

 

I give them their assignments at the beginning of the week, and they do them. I check the work. After they've read their history or lit assignments, I discuss with them. The only thing they really do *with* me at this point is Classical Writing.

 

However, when you have a very independent student, you must check with them to make sure they're learning the material correctly, and understanding, and retaining.

 

:iagree:

 

My older two are very independent and this is the approach we take as well.

 

Heather

[Teachin'Mine]

Yup, I have an independent 8th grader as well. She's been that way for a couple of years. I miss being able to teach the subjects as it made home schooling more fun for me. Oh well. Now I correct math with her, and help her out occasionally, and give spelling tests and a few others, and correct other work with her, but that's about it. She follows the lesson plans and knows what she needs to do every day. I guess that's why I spend way too much time on here. :lol:

 

I guess every student is different, and the ultimate goal is independent learning anyway. :001_smile:

[LauraQ]

My 8th grader needs basically no help from me. We're still pretty new at this & I'm wondering what I should be checking more on. I'm working in upgrading the writing/grammar, we're using Sonlight 100.

 

Any tips would be appreciated.

 

My 8th grader is doing Omnibus I, and works mostly independently on that. We do some session orally, and I check her written work. For essays, I still guide her through research, help her with MLA formatting, and of course act as her copy-editor between drafts. For simpler essays and creative writing assignments, I only get to be editor. She has worked through most of SWI-C already and will do more in the next couple of weeks. Science (Apologia Phys Sci) she does alone, with only occasional help from me or dad. Math is a struggle for her at times (She is using LOF and Jacob's for Algebra I) and she needs additional teaching from me, but mostly she works alone. We are working through Fallacy Detectives one chapter a week together. All other subjects (Japanese, Vocabulary including Book of Roots, Geography, Analogies, etc.) she does completely alone, and I only check her work and review corrections with her only when needed.

 

We have worked hard to get this intelligent but ADD child to this point of independence, and I am always gradually moving her towards doing more writing, working more independently, and working through rough spots on her own. I think where you are is a very good point to be with an 8th grader, and their independence should continue to steadily increase from now until they are on their own. You should pat yourself on your back for raising such a self-sufficient child, not fret that you aren't doing enough ;-) Just make sure you are checking work and checking comprehension in some way on a regular basis in all subjects and you should be fine.