8th graders getting ready for high school

[mom31257]

Have any other 8th grade parents been heavily researching and planning already for high school? I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Here is what I think we are doing for 9th grade. How does this look?

 

MFW Ancients (Bible, History, English/Literature)

BJU Algebra 1 with LoF as a supplement

Dive Integrated Physics and Chemistry

Breaking the Barrier Spanish with SpanishDict site

Logic (Fallacy Detective/Thinking Toolbox)

PE (exercise log)

 

We've never done Latin, but I'm considering doing Getting Started with Latin with both kids next year, but we won't put it on her transcript.

Edited November 18, 2010 by mom31257

[coffeegal]

Have any other 8th grade parents been heavily researching and planning already for high school? I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Here is what I think we are doing for 9th grade. How does this look?

I think it looks similar to my plan for highschool, although dh and I are still debating whether we should go on our own or use an accredited curriculum. ;)

 

MFW Ancients HO Ancients level 3 w/ R&S English 7

BJU Algebra 1 with LoF as a supplement Saxon Algebra 1

Dive Integrated Physics and Chemistry Apologia Biology

Breaking the Barrier Spanish with SpanishDict site Latin 2 and Ancient Greek 2

Logic (Fallacy Detective/Thinking Toolbox) Intermediate Logic

PE (exercise log) Typing and PE (karate)

 

We've never done Latin, but I'm considering doing Getting Started with Latin with both kids next year, but we won't put it on her transcript.

 

:)

[mom31257]

:)

 

We have a school in our area that offers accredited transcripts along with your choice of curriculum. The service is not cheap, and you have to go there 4 times a year to take tests that you provide the school. From what I understand they will provide transcripts for colleges as long as you have been in the program for at least a year. We are thinking of doing it her last two years.

 

I assume you are doing Latin 1 and Greek 1 this year. Will they count has high school credits? I've wondered about starting Spanish this year if I can count it toward high school.

 

Also, how is it going doing 2 languages at once?

[Kfamily]

Yes, I'm planning and trying to breathe too!:lol:

 

I think what you have planned looks great!

 

Here is what I have so far, but this may change over time...

 

Ancient Greek History I

World/American History I

Conceptual Chemistry (I think?)

Jacob's Algebra I

French I with Breaking the Barrier

Latin I with Henle

Traditional Logic I

English I (Grammar, Dictation, CW Chreia + some of Herodotus, Grammar of Poetry and SAT vocab. flashcards)

Art

I may add something specific for PE

For nature study, I may use Tarbuck's Earth Science but do only the section on Geology this year.

 

Still working on this...:001_smile:

[swimmermom3]

There are three good threads in this post that should have some answers for you. I am having a brain blip as far as just pasting them here.

[coffeegal]

I assume you are doing Latin 1 and Greek 1 this year. Will they count has high school credits? I've wondered about starting Spanish this year if I can count it toward high school.

 

Also, how is it going doing 2 languages at once?

 

No, I'm not going to count Latin 1 and Greek 1 as high school credits. It's taking us 2 years to get through each course, and ds wants to continue both languages through high school. Senior year will likely be AP Latin, and the Greek course includes a 5th year of high school.

 

Ds 14 is doing well with both languages and loves it. He's talking about being a classics major in college. :001_huh:

[lionfamily1999]

I'm sweating it out over here too :p

 

I have found heav.org very valuable to me in what I am choosing. They list the required classes for graduation or graduation if you're headed to college.

 

Here's what I'm thinking :D

 

 

• Language Arts: Writing Strands 5, Vocabulary From Classical Roots B, Easy Grammar, and we'll use "The Well-Educated Mind" for Literature
  
• Math: Either Algebra II or Geometry from Saxon (I'm not sure what they use as the follow up for Algebra I)
  
• Social Studies: Ancient Times and World Geography (except I think we'll make that class up ourselves instead of using anything)
  
• Science: Earth Science... I'm considering spending one semester on Earth Science and the second semester on Astronomy
  
• Japanese, dd begged
  
• Art: another dd request but I need to find a good class for self-teaching
  
• Typing: dd already types well, but it's apparently a "required" class
  
• Health & PE: I'm thinking 30 minutes of basic exercises a day and maybe Your Body and You or something for a health text.
  
• Rhetoric: well, it's recommended, but I might go for Material Logic instead, not sure
  
• Debate: hoping I can find a "team" for her
  

I'm excited and scared and excited :D

ETA, THIS is why we needed a board. Everyone's plans look fantastic :w00t:

Edited November 18, 2010 by lionfamily1999

[Granny_Weatherwax]

My DS is going into 9th grade next year but he is leaving me for the public high school. He wants to apply to IMSA for the remainder of his high school years.

 

I am very sad. :(

 

He took the ACT as a 7th grader (12yo) and will be taking it again this Feb. He will probably take the SAT, too.

[Oakblossoms]

I am completely overwhelmed with the thought of my Grade 8 student going into High School. He is no where near any of your students. He is in Teaching Textbooks 6 currently. So, he will be doing pre-algebra for Grade 9. Much better than where he was a year or two ago.

 

I do have a folder for next year. I have been tucking in catalogs and print outs of stuff that looks interesting. I am going to let him go over them this summer to see what interests him.

 

He is an Aspie and school continues to be a struggle for him. We are on our second year of using a VA. If my husband gets a job this spring I may have him stop using the VA. I think he would do better if he did not have to live up to weekly reports. He learns in spurts and I think he might need the down time when he is having a hard time.

[lionfamily1999]

I am completely overwhelmed with the thought of my Grade 8 student going into High School. He is no where near any of your students. He is in Teaching Textbooks 6 currently. So, he will be doing pre-algebra for Grade 9. Much better than where he was a year or two ago.

 

I do have a folder for next year. I have been tucking in catalogs and print outs of stuff that looks interesting. I am going to let him go over them this summer to see what interests him.

 

He is an Aspie and school continues to be a struggle for him. We are on our second year of using a VA. If my husband gets a job this spring I may have him stop using the VA. I think he would do better if he did not have to live up to weekly reports. He learns in spurts and I think he might need the down time when he is having a hard time.

When I was in school MOST of the kids had pre-algebra in 9th, only the "gifted" students were in pa in 7th.

[Oakblossoms]

Thanks. I just feel a little overwhelmed when I am here on these boards. I feel like he is doing fine by regular high school standards. But, I really need to let go of where I wanted him to be ya know.

 

I have tried to stay out of the high school threads for that reason. But, I have to stop sticking my head in the sand at some point.

[lionfamily1999]

Thanks. I just feel a little overwhelmed when I am here on these boards. I feel like he is doing fine by regular high school standards. But, I really need to let go of where I wanted him to be ya know.

 

I have tried to stay out of the high school threads for that reason. But, I have to stop sticking my head in the sand at some point.

:grouphug: He's fine. Here's a crazy idea. My sister graduated and was accepted to a good college. Her first year of "advanced math" was at college. She managed to survive her SATs without even taking Pre-Algebra. Now, there's seven years between us (I'm younger) and when she came home for visits I tutored her in math, we were taking the same class :lol:

 

Granted, standards have changed, but this might make you feel even better:

TYPICAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

4 credits – Language arts (literature, composition, grammar, vocabulary)

3 credits – Social studies (geography, U.S. and world history, government)

3 credits – Mathematics (algebra, geometry, consumer math, trigonometry, calculus, etc.)

3 credits – Science (physical science, earth science, biology, chemistry, physics)

4-8 credits – Electives such as Bible, physical education, home economics, health, typing, computers, woodworking, or art.

 

 

 

ETA, Pre-Algebra in 9, Algebra in 10, Geometry in 11 and then Consumer Math (or however you want). He has time to do this and you don't even have to force him into summer school :)

[Niffercoo]

I am completely overwhelmed with the thought of my Grade 8 student going into High School. He is no where near any of your students. He is in Teaching Textbooks 6 currently. So, he will be doing pre-algebra for Grade 9. Much better than where he was a year or two ago.

 

I do have a folder for next year. I have been tucking in catalogs and print outs of stuff that looks interesting. I am going to let him go over them this summer to see what interests him.

 

He is an Aspie and school continues to be a struggle for him. We are on our second year of using a VA. If my husband gets a job this spring I may have him stop using the VA. I think he would do better if he did not have to live up to weekly reports. He learns in spurts and I think he might need the down time when he is having a hard time.

 

Wow, I could have written your post - except we don't use a virtual academy.

 

My 8th grade Aspie is going through the Key to Fractions/Decimals/Percents books this year and next year I'm planning to do Key to Algebra with him as "Pre-Algebra". Writing is an entire different story. We're really going to focus on that hard after the first of the year. He needs to learn to write a coherent paragraph, and then, I hope by the end of the school year to have him writing short essays. ::fingers crossed::

 

It's terrifying to think about him being high school age. But luckily, he has recently started talking about life options other than 4 year university, so that gives me a little hope that he will be open to other ideas. I'm going to have a homeschool-friendly M.Ed. test him in January so we can see what sort of progress we have made since his neuropsych testing from back in 2006, which was before the onset of the seizures.

 

I'm glad to have this new sub-forum, but at the same time, I'm a little intimidated. I usually have to leave the boards after a few weeks because I end up feeling like a failure when I read the posts. LOL

[lionfamily1999]

Wow, I could have written your post - except we don't use a virtual academy.

 

My 8th grade Aspie is going through the Key to Fractions/Decimals/Percents books this year and next year I'm planning to do Key to Algebra with him as "Pre-Algebra". Writing is an entire different story. We're really going to focus on that hard after the first of the year. He needs to learn to write a coherent paragraph, and then, I hope by the end of the school year to have him writing short essays. ::fingers crossed::

 

It's terrifying to think about him being high school age. But luckily, he has recently started talking about life options other than 4 year university, so that gives me a little hope that he will be open to other ideas. I'm going to have a homeschool-friendly M.Ed. test him in January so we can see what sort of progress we have made since his neuropsych testing from back in 2006, which was before the onset of the seizures.

 

I'm glad to have this new sub-forum, but at the same time, I'm a little intimidated. I usually have to leave the boards after a few weeks because I end up feeling like a failure when I read the posts. LOL

You're not a failure unless you give up :D

 

I have an easy row to hoe. My kids grasp most concepts quickly, they've all read early and well. They would not have the schedule they have otherwise. Honestly, if I had as much struggle as many parents in the hive I'm not sure that I could homeschool.

 

:grouphug:

 

ETA, by "giving up" I mean completely quitting (not putting them in school). I mean, leaving them to languish on the couch.

Edited November 19, 2010 by lionfamily1999

[Oakblossoms]

Maybe I should spin-off with an 8th grade Aspies getting ready for High School.

 

Honestly thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm super duper cranky today. I'm not taking it out on anyone except for the guy that decided he needed to be in my lane in the stoopit traffic circles that they decided to throw into our very un-European town:tongue_smilie: Well, I just grumbled under my breath but still.

 

I am home with hot chocolate. It might snow this weekend. I don't like snow.

[Guest Dulcimeramy]

Haus and Niffercoo, I hope we'll all keep talking no matter where our kids are in their academics! I'm learning that it homeschooling high school is not all that common. We need to hear from everybody.

 

My oldest son is my most 'gifted,' so his 9th grade year looks absolutely terrifying. At least, I'm scared. LOL I'm purchasing my materials now that so that I will be familiar with them! Especially TOG. It is exactly what I want, yet I feel very intimidated by the Rhetoric level.

 

Nathaniel's 9th grade plan for overachievers:

 

TOG Year 1, Rhetoric

Apologia Biology

Saxon Algebra II

Material Logic by Cothran

Henle Latin I

French

[Guest Dulcimeramy]

I meant to add that I'm watching posts about Aspie boys and very individualized learners, because that's where I'll be with #2 son. I want to see how others are doing the best they can for their child who doesn't quite fit the WTM mold.

[JennW in SoCal]

Just a word of encouragement on homeschooling an Aspie through high school. I graduated one and lived to tell the tale -- you can do it too! But you have to develop a thick skin on the high school board and all threads on "rigorous" high school schedules. You are homeschooling so you can give your ds a unique education that suits his strengths -- of course what you do and what he does is going to be very different from what everyone else does.

 

Play to his strengths. My ds created many video projects instead of writing papers or taking tests. He put in countless volunteer hours and has quite a resume already. We worked on basic college skills slowly but surely until he graduated, and by the time he graduated he could write a decent essay, could do basic research, take notes and study. He is not, however, going to a traditional college but instead will get a degree from a professional school with an excellent reputation. He knows what he wants to do in his life, knows what he has to do to get there, and has researched this school. Very few 18 year olds are as prepared as he is for adult life.

 

I used to NEVER post because what we did was so non-traditional, but he turned out just fine, and I became emboldened! Karen Anne and I, and Swimmermom and Correlano are the people who post most often on the homeschool board about our out-of-the box, non-standard but excellent approach to education.

 

My advice for 8th grade? Have fun. Read aloud, do crafts and projects together, and give your Aspie as much time as humanly possible to explore his interests and to develop expertise. Sure you still do the 3 Rs, but a 14yo Aspie is a lot of work, and your best survival skill is to enjoy him.

[Rebecca M]

Just a word of encouragement on homeschooling an Aspie through high school. I graduated one and lived to tell the tale -- you can do it too! But you have to develop a thick skin on the high school board and all threads on "rigorous" high school schedules. You are homeschooling so you can give your ds a unique education that suits his strengths -- of course what you do and what he does is going to be very different from what everyone else does.

 

Play to his strengths. My ds created many video projects instead of writing papers or taking tests. He put in countless volunteer hours and has quite a resume already. We worked on basic college skills slowly but surely until he graduated, and by the time he graduated he could write a decent essay, could do basic research, take notes and study. He is not, however, going to a traditional college but instead will get a degree from a professional school with an excellent reputation. He knows what he wants to do in his life, knows what he has to do to get there, and has researched this school. Very few 18 year olds are as prepared as he is for adult life.

 

I used to NEVER post because what we did was so non-traditional, but he turned out just fine, and I became emboldened! Karen Anne and I, and Swimmermom and Correlano are the people who post most often on the homeschool board about our out-of-the box, non-standard but excellent approach to education.

 

My advice for 8th grade? Have fun. Read aloud, do crafts and projects together, and give your Aspie as much time as humanly possible to explore his interests and to develop expertise. Sure you still do the 3 Rs, but a 14yo Aspie is a lot of work, and your best survival skill is to enjoy him.

 

What an encouraging post! Getting a little OT here... we have an 8th grader Aspie in PS and I'm just not sure about teaching him at home (many reasons.) However this thread and the aspie posts especially are so encouraging to me as I think about the possibilities. Thanks!

[8filltheheart]

Thanks. I just feel a little overwhelmed when I am here on these boards. I feel like he is doing fine by regular high school standards. But, I really need to let go of where I wanted him to be ya know.

 

I have tried to stay out of the high school threads for that reason. But, I have to stop sticking my head in the sand at some point.

 

My Aspie is 18. He was academically advanced when he was younger. He is now on par course-wise with his peers b/c he lost about 18 months between 15-17 when he was in hormonal rages and didn't really do anything academically.

 

He has been going to the CC this semester b/c he graduated from high school last yr. You know what......I wish I had done things completely different than we did. I wish we had spent more time exploring interests, vocational shadowing, seeking career counseling when he was your ds's age. It is fully apparent to me that our ds will not be going to college and earning a degree and getting a typical job, etc. He could academically. But.....and this is where our head in the sand has complicated his life.......he has huge anxiety issues and is completely non-flexible in his perceptions. Those 2 issues are life-limiting as functioning adult. He is also highly distracted, so he probably won't ever drive.

 

We are now scrambling trying to help him function as an adult. We are in the process of seeking assistance from the state as far as career guidance goes. I think that being realistic is a huge blessing and not anything to be ashamed of or feel negative about. I wish we had not been in denial as long as we were. I feel like westuck our heads in the sand b/c of the exact opposite scenario you have described. Academically he was strong, so we ignored the real weakneses.

[bunnyvirus]

Try duel-enrollment that way he can get the high-school cred and the homeschool he needs.

[jenn&charles]

I appreciate all the posts about Aspies.

 

I'm dealing with this as well and we are moving SO SLOWLY through everything (except science and history).

Otter is is the 6th grade, but would be in the 7th if we hadn't held him back a year in the 3rd grade. I'm very glad we made that decision, as he needed a lot more time on the very basics.

He's still working through WWE level 3 and we're working on learning how to write a paragraph. I really couldn't address writing until he learned to comprehend and retain what he was reading first (finally got there for the most part).

 

I'm finally (mostly) at peace with the fact that he moves a a much different pace than my other two did. We've been stuck in fractions for over a year now but he is making progress.

 

Anyway, it's nice to read about others going through this, even if you all are a bit ahead of me. :)

[FaithManor]

This is our plan for Ds:

 

Harold Jacob's Geometry

 

Henle Latin

 

Biology - Apologia

 

Abeka Gramar (not the composition portion, I use different texts for writing)

 

Art of the Elegant Essay and my old college writing text

 

Vocabulary from Classical Roots E (last one in the series)

 

Practical Drafting

 

Introduction to Geology - Massachussetts Institute of Technology Opencourseware

 

Faith

[elegantlion]

We are considering making this 8th grade instead of 7th, so I'm planning and researching to that end. I'm also gaining a few grey hairs in the process. He's one of those quirky kids too.

 

Here's the current plan:

 

Latin - Latin Alive II

Japanese - Irasshai year II

Math- either LOF Adv algebra or LOF Geometry

English - Lively Art of Writing, Igniting your writing

Megawords

LL LoTR

History - Study from Renaissance through early 1800s using various resources

Science - Integrated chem/bio/physics year I using various resources

Formal Logic - Discovery of Deduction

Art - History of the Arts using The Creators book by Boorstin

[Tamy]

This thread is so timely. I've been putting together a high school schedule for my oldest (who was in first grade just yesterday...or so it seems). I started with what our local high school requires for graduation and went from there.

 

This is my tentative list for 9th grade next year...

 

US History - Oak Meadow & Teaching Co. Lectures

Chemistry with Lab - Oak Meadow & Teaching Co. Lectures

English - Oak Meadow / Lightning Literature / Meaningful Composition

Algebra II - Saxon Math

Spanish I - Rosetta Stone

Fitness / P.E. - Tennis

Elective - Fine arts? Possibly Teaching Co. Lecture.

 

Extras:

Latin roots with English from the Roots Up (we've used this for over a year now)

logic puzzles

debate team at co-op

 

Tamy Davis

Edited November 20, 2010 by Tamy

[oldskool]

Thanks. I just feel a little overwhelmed when I am here on these boards. I feel like he is doing fine by regular high school standards. But, I really need to let go of where I wanted him to be ya know.

 

I have tried to stay out of the high school threads for that reason. But, I have to stop sticking my head in the sand at some point.

 

 

This is me as well. In two weeks my fifth grader will be in the same math book as my 8th grader (Saxon 7/6). I am just trying to keep telling myself that every kid has their own pace and it is the end result that matters. I do panic though at the thought that if DD had to go back to ps for whatever reason that she would be terribly behind.

 

I just looked at Oak Meadow and feel overjoyed that I may have found a curriculum for next year. The stress of planning is killing me right now and in order for DH to be on board to homeschool for high school I have to give him a solid plan.

 

Lesley

[Stacy in NJ]

This is a wonderful post and a wonderful reminder that there is more than one way to skin a cat (or educate a young person). Do what works, keep working, be happy!:D

 

 

Just a word of encouragement on homeschooling an Aspie through high school. I graduated one and lived to tell the tale -- you can do it too! But you have to develop a thick skin on the high school board and all threads on "rigorous" high school schedules. You are homeschooling so you can give your ds a unique education that suits his strengths -- of course what you do and what he does is going to be very different from what everyone else does.

 

Play to his strengths. My ds created many video projects instead of writing papers or taking tests. He put in countless volunteer hours and has quite a resume already. We worked on basic college skills slowly but surely until he graduated, and by the time he graduated he could write a decent essay, could do basic research, take notes and study. He is not, however, going to a traditional college but instead will get a degree from a professional school with an excellent reputation. He knows what he wants to do in his life, knows what he has to do to get there, and has researched this school. Very few 18 year olds are as prepared as he is for adult life.

 

I used to NEVER post because what we did was so non-traditional, but he turned out just fine, and I became emboldened! Karen Anne and I, and Swimmermom and Correlano are the people who post most often on the homeschool board about our out-of-the box, non-standard but excellent approach to education.

 

My advice for 8th grade? Have fun. Read aloud, do crafts and projects together, and give your Aspie as much time as humanly possible to explore his interests and to develop expertise. Sure you still do the 3 Rs, but a 14yo Aspie is a lot of work, and your best survival skill is to enjoy him.

[Stacy in NJ]

I currently have an 8th grader, but, if things go as planned, he'll be attending ps for high school. Of course, this denies me the pleasure of planning out his high school years, if not the pleasure(uh hem) of teaching him during those years.

 

Sooooo, If he were to say home for high school, 9th grade would be:

 

Science: Apologia Biology via TPS (he's doing Physical Science with them this year)

Math: Geometry - probably TT

History: US history with Hakim and the Sonlight or Hewitt Guide (maybe over two years with a unit on Government and Economics thrown it)

Language Arts: Lit via the WTM, grammar with another rotation of AG over three years, Composition with Laurel Tree or another online program.

Spanish: Via TPS (The Potter's School)

 

That would be the basics. Oh well...........

Edited November 21, 2010 by Stacy in NJ

[Niffercoo]

Just a word of encouragement on homeschooling an Aspie through high school. I graduated one and lived to tell the tale -- you can do it too! But you have to develop a thick skin on the high school board and all threads on "rigorous" high school schedules. You are homeschooling so you can give your ds a unique education that suits his strengths -- of course what you do and what he does is going to be very different from what everyone else does.

 

Play to his strengths. My ds created many video projects instead of writing papers or taking tests. He put in countless volunteer hours and has quite a resume already. We worked on basic college skills slowly but surely until he graduated, and by the time he graduated he could write a decent essay, could do basic research, take notes and study. He is not, however, going to a traditional college but instead will get a degree from a professional school with an excellent reputation. He knows what he wants to do in his life, knows what he has to do to get there, and has researched this school. Very few 18 year olds are as prepared as he is for adult life.

 

I used to NEVER post because what we did was so non-traditional, but he turned out just fine, and I became emboldened! Karen Anne and I, and Swimmermom and Correlano are the people who post most often on the homeschool board about our out-of-the box, non-standard but excellent approach to education.

 

My advice for 8th grade? Have fun. Read aloud, do crafts and projects together, and give your Aspie as much time as humanly possible to explore his interests and to develop expertise. Sure you still do the 3 Rs, but a 14yo Aspie is a lot of work, and your best survival skill is to enjoy him.

 

 

Jenn, when did you first start to notice the strengths and interest in your son that you felt would be able to be developed into potential life interests/careers? Austin's interests are currently weather, nascar, baseball, and guns. He mentioned that he might like to go into the military but I'm really not sure about that at this point in time. His other desire is to be a tornado chaser.

 

Using your advice in previous posts, I tailored his physics this year to his interests - he's been reading The Physics of Nascar and after the first of the year will read The Physics of Baseball. It has been great for him. Also, he struggles with the application of math skills (word problems) so I bought him a book called Racing Math where all of the problems related to race cars and it's amazing how well he can solve these problems when they are meaningful to him! :)

 

I continue to appreciate your encouragement for those of us with Aspies!

[JennW in SoCal]

What a nice post to find while I'm unwinding from a busy day with a glass of wine! (I know -- it is Sunday but I worked today.)

 

My son's passion for all things Disney was set in stone by the age of 12, I think. His interest in lighting design started about the same time, but he didn't start doing volunteer work with our church tech team until he was 13. He's been working at Disney for a year now, making all sorts of contacts with their technical people, will get a degree in production design within the next 3 years, and hopefully be doing lighting for Disney soon after that.

 

Interesting combo of interests that your son has! Does Nascar need a meteorologist? I'm just thinking track conditions are affected by the weather. The military needs meteorologists -- my dad was one for the Army Air Corp back in WWII. I think your physics and math choices are brilliant!! Isn't it amazing how tying a subject to an interest improves their work?!!

[Wildiris]

Notes:

My DD~13 will most likely leave home and go to high school 500 miles away at Grandma's where the schools are better than our local schools. With that in mind, I am going to focus on learning how to take notes in class from a lecturer. With the help of some Teaching Company DVDs, we can stop and start the teacher, I think that we will get this skill mastered.

 

Time Management:

I feel like a broken record, but homeschoolers tend to have more difficulty managing their time within a regular school environment. At least at our house, deadlines are flexible and grades non-existent; yet in "real school" ones grade depends on turning in work with a deadline, making sure it actually gets to the teacher, following the rubric, etc. The biggest difference I can see between home school and "real school" academically is learning how to do school, who to see when there are questions and how to negotiate a bureaucracy. There are good skills. But I wonder outside of high school does one find so structured a life in college or beyond?

 

Writing:

I firmly believe if a student can write well and reads voraciously this is a good thing. Getting a student to read outside of their favorite genre is the challenge. Writing the literature paper, extended research paper within reason for an 8th grader, science notes, i.e. writing up notes from experiments and activities from doing science and not just reading about it. (we need to work on this).

[Guest]

Using your advice in previous posts, I tailored his physics this year to his interests - he's been reading The Physics of Nascar and after the first of the year will read The Physics of Baseball. It has been great for him. Also, he struggles with the application of math skills (word problems) so I bought him a book called Racing Math where all of the problems related to race cars and it's amazing how well he can solve these problems when they are meaningful to him! :)

 

That is so great! I still remember the year I turned most of dd's math into Star Trek problems; we had never gotten through so much math so quickly and painlessly before!

 

That year we read -- of course -- The Physics of Star Trek. For Christmas this year I bought dd a book called Insulting Stupid Movie Physics.

[SkiMom]

I know that the WTM starts highschool in Grade 9, but we live in Canada, and highschool doesn't officially start for us until Grade 10. So, next year will be more of a transitional year for us. Here is what I have planned so far.

 

Bible - various resources from Sonlight

Math - Saxon Algebra 2

English - Rod & Staff 9

Writing - IEW - possibly a theme course, not sure yet

Vocabulary - Vocabulary from the Classical Roots C

Literature - BJU 9 with additional novel studies

History - Canadian history

Science - Dive Physical Science

Logic - We've fallen behind with this, so not sure yet.Possibly Critical Thinking

Latin - Henle 1-Units 3-5

Art-either God & the History of Art or Artistic Pursuits

Music - piano & drum lessons along with Classical Music Start Up Kit

 

I don't follow the 4 year WTM cycles religiously. I've always done a lot of Sonlight in a classical sort of way. Unfortunately, the literature approach has not been the best fit for my ds. He is ADHD and I have found that he does much better using textbooks, so despite my desire to give him a classical education we will probably go more of a traditional textbook approach for highschool.

Edited November 22, 2010 by SkiMom
addition