MommyThrice
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Posts posted by MommyThrice
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The language course does NOT sound like a good idea unless he has already had a good amount of exposure to that language---otherwise it will eat up his whole summer just as much as a full time job would... most high school students just could not handle that well (they NEED to be kids).
He used the class syllabus and studied on his own this semester. He made it about half-way through. One reason he wanted to take it over the summer is because he studied it (half of it) but he isn't getting credit. For some of the electives, I set a deadline and they must finish the course to get credit. So, now his junior year is looking a little light.
Since the community college only offers Arabic I and III in the fall, and II and IV, he might be better of taking that Physics over the summer and moving Arabic to the fall. I was concerned about taking the fall semester off from the language anyway.
Also 3 classes in the fall would be OK if they were the ONLY 3 classes he was taking (meaning very few if any other 'homeschool' classes). Think about high schools that operate on block scheduling-- the students only take 3-4 classes each semester.
The plan was to keep history & english at home with his brothers. I may teach it as a co-op. He wants to cram the 3 classes in before debate season begins in January. Then he'll probably take just one in the spring.
I laughed when you said that you hoped he would settle down once he got into the honors dorm... honors dorms are notorious for NOT fostering study habits because the majority of students staying there had an extremely easy (non challenging) high school experience and have very poor study skills)... BTW my brother and sister graduated from Baylor (honors dorms too...).
Oh no. Sounds like we might want to really concentrate on this now. Thanks for the heads-up.
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To help kid learn to manage his time, I set up mandatory study hall, just like in middle school. His afternoon study hall is for homework. He can use the help center, call a friend, or whatever, but getting behind means I will drive him to the help center and sit there while he gets tutoring. All extracurriculars stop until caught up.
Is study hall at home or on campus?
Noncooperation means no go away to college or weekend job or driving privileges. He thought I was an evil mother until his scout troop did a joint campout with a very wealthy Long Island troop and he found out all those guys have mandatory study hall at home, mandatory summer coursework, yada yada to prep them for their Ivy League future.
No phone calls, texts, IMs etc during study hall. Call the girlfriend's parents if need be.
He thinks I'm an evil mother, too. Then an hour after the loss of privileges, later he comes to tell me he loves me.
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Does your college offer a college prep/study/research skills class? I'd recommend he take one this summer, if it's available, and in place of the Arabic class.
He's done this at home... twice. He knows what to do, he just doesn't stay caught up. And I'm inconsistent... I make him schedule his work in his planner, then he accuses me of micro-managing so I back off, then he gets behind and I'm back to micro-managing again. He did meet with his professors last semester. This semester his class is squeezed in at night after a full day of debate, so he hasn't made the time.
IMO this year should be spent making sure he's prepared for independent work in college, and hopefully he likes his DE classes enough to be willing to do the work required.
You're right. This should be the focus right now. I may have him knock out an easier class this summer and make his fall classes contingent on his summer time-management.
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I am not so much concerned with your son's grades (because, unless there is grade inflation, a B is a good grade and should be above average), but more with the fact that you feel he is performing below his potential because of his time management.
Time management. That is the problem exactly. And I was so looking forward to having him accountable to someone else next year. He doesn't want to be micro-managed and has even resorted to hiding the fact when he gets behind. He's constantly moving from one emergency project to another (one week it's a research paper, the next it's Pre-Calc). How do you help your kids learn to manage their time?
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Ds is having a rough time with his dc classes. Last semester, as a junior, he took Intro to Chem (got an A) and Trig (got a B). This semester he's taking Pre-Calc and is probably getting another B. He's my future lawyer and he's never been strong in math, but this seems like a terrible start to college to me. Trig was not difficult for him - he just got behind and wasn't prepared for one test. I had hoped he learned a lesson, but the same thing happened again this semester. This kid is really busy and distractible. He competes in speech, debate and moot court and, of course, being cool and impressing the girls are full-time jobs!
Dh doesn't mind letting him learn this lesson the hard way. I'm not sure about that. He is still in high school; should I let him fail already or should I be training him (feels like forcing him)? Looks like he will be going to Baylor with a nice scholarship (National Merit) but he will need to maintain a 3.5 GPA. If he loses the scholarship, he can't stay at Baylor. I realize that these dc grades won't be averaged into the Baylor GPA, but it already looks to me like he may not be able to keep up. I have hopes that when he gets into the honors dorm and is surrounded by other smart students it will help his work ethic. Maybe that's just wishful thinking. Right now he isn't in that environment. I'm tempted to put him on "probation" here. Maybe stop his dc classes if he drops below a 3.5 He just registered for Arabic over the summer and it's a 5 hour class. It's not too late to drop it. He plans to take 3 classes next fall (Statistics, U.S. History, and Physics)
How do you handle this with your kids? Do you leave them alone? Do you prod and nag? Do you have "consequences" or probation? Please tell me he will outgrow this soon, because it is making me old in a hurry!
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That answered my question. No brick & mortar for these two (junior & senior next year) and no AP Gov't plans. Baylor will take this CLEP. Thanks so much!
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I'm still not clear... would you put .5 credit on the high school transcript (as if you spent one semester on it)? Or just list it as a CLEP score?
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What about calculus? I would definitely want my child to take high school calculus before going into engineering calculus at college.
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So, is it okay to give credit hours for it? 1/2 credit?
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My boys would like to take the Government CLEP. They have been very involved in government, debate, moot court, etc... so I think they can do well on it. But, do I put it on their high school transcripts? If so, how? They need a high school government credit.
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:grouphug: Same problem here, but I haven't found the answer. How old is he and how many problems is he working in a day? It did seem to get better as my son got older (but not until about age 17 AND as he started taking college courses.) He was willing to turn in work to me with mistakes, but not a college professor.
One thing that may have really helped him was studying for the PSAT. One careless mistake, and he lost credit for the WHOLE problem. He was in competition with some friends and was shooting for a perfect score every time. So, maybe give him some practice SAT or PSAT sections. Most are multiple choice, so they are either right or wrong. For some reason, my kids won't argue over multiple choice answers. Find some friends he can have a friendly competition with.
One other suggestion... As you (or he) check his answers, have him write next to every wrong answer either:
1. "Concept" - Meaning he didn't understand or couldn't remember the concept. These are the things he should be studying on a regular basis.
2. "PAD" - Pay attention to detail.
You might show him both his actual score as well as the score he COULD have made without the "PAD" errors.
Well, as I am sharing my "wisdom" with you, I just noticed that my 17yo (the one that has overcome the distractions, remember?) has paused his Khan video and is playing Solitaire. :banghead:
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I DO think it's reasonable to be able to skip some. My oldest went from Saxon Alg. 2 straight into Trig, the Pre-Calc. His Trig prof told him he could move straight into Calculus, but he chose (well, "I" chose) to take Pre-Calc first. He says it is mostly review, but he's getting a B right now. I think is was so much review, that he kind of snoozed. He could have done Calculus. Ds #2 is weaker in math.
The other reason I am hesitant to skip any of those courses is because of the need for 4 years of math. I can put Geometry on the transcript, but that wasn't really a year of math; it was included in Saxon Alg 1 & 2. So, in actually, the sequence is...
Alg 1 (and Geom 1/2)
Alg 2 (and Geom 2/2)
Trig/Pre-Calc (isn't this equivalent to Saxon Advanced Math?)
Calculus
Most high schools around here only give .5 credit for DE Trig and .5 credit for DE Pre-Calculus, so he would need both for a full math credit.
One semester of Calculus IS a full-year credit. If, after Trig/Pre-Calc, he decides to go liberal arts (which I suspect he will do) I will let him take Statistics or another math elective his senior year. That will only be .5 credit but, by that time, he will know what the colleges & degrees he's considering require.
He has finally bought into the idea of taking a summer class. At first, it seemed like a punishment (and it was... he will not stay caught up on Alg 2 for me) After his saw his placement test, he agreed he needed it. He is also studying for the PSAT this summer and he knows it will help with that. His older brother studied hard last summer and scored well within the range to be a finalist. Both had the exact same score on 10th grade PSAT, so Ds #2 thinks he can do it, too. His language skills are very strong.
Thanks for all the input. I really appreciate it!
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Ds took the placement test and he visited with the counselor. Results showed exactly what I expected (mom's know:-) He tested into trig, but just barely. Counselor agreed that he should start with College Algebra (he'll take it over the summer b/c he hasn't finished Alg 2 for me) then Trig & Pre-Calc next year. That will leave his senior year for Calculus or a math elective.
I haven't decided about Spanish. I may let him continue to study at home, then take college Spanish in the spring. He will be taking Trig and Intro to Chem in the fall, and I'm hesitant to add a 3rd college class until he's had some experience.
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These could all be electives, but most schools require foreign language, so that is not really an "elective."
Fine arts - art, music, etc... My boys all took private music lessons. I gave each 1/2 credit the years they took lessons. They still play (we're a performing bluegrass band, now) but I've only given them credit for the years they took lessons)
The electives will become more obvious to you as your kids begin to show their interests.
** Warning: This is where I insert my pitch for speech/debate... This has been THE most valuable elective my kids have ever taken. Both of my oldest boys found their passions through speech/debate. Ds #1 wants to study law, Ds #2 wants to study economics (then, maybe law) Both have developed excellent thinking & writing skills with very little instruction. Can't say enough good things about it! ** I gave them 1/2 credit for each year of debate.
Resources:
Debate through NCFCA or Stoa (whichever is more prevalent in your area)
We have used Economics in a Box one-semester economics course.
Philosophy videos from The Great Courses.
Statistics will probably be taken at local community college for an extra math credit (after Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2, Trig, Pre-Cal)
Good luck and have fun!
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I know very little about the topic, but I do have a friend that was homeschooled (NOT academically rigorous - she had LDs) She then attended a local cc then went to Ross Univ. Med School in Dominica. When I first heard where she was going, it sounded kinda like on-line law school to me... who would want to hire her? She made excellent grades in med school. She is now finishing up her internship at UTMB with a specialty in infectious diseases and is getting job offers all over the country!
I just want you to know that your son has more than one way to reach his goals.
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What we did.
DD took Spanish 1 in high school then took Spanish 1 and 2 at the CC. Our CC does not accept any high school Spanish courses so all students start at Spanish 1 (Excellen course BTW!). We listed the CC as Spanis 1511 and 1512 on her transcript. In other words we named the course what the CC did!
College Algebra is above Algebra 2. So list that separately -- combined with Trig it makes a full Pre-Calc course.
DD took Chem 1 in high school then took Chemistry for non-majors 1 at the CC-- even though it was an 'intro' college course (not for credit for science majors) it went ABOVE her high school Chemistry. I listed it as Chem 1105 on her transcript.
So, would you suggest College Algebra + Trig instead of Trig + Pre-Calc? This is for a student that may never take Calculus, but probably some other math elective.
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I'm not sure about the College Algebra. Ds#1 completed Saxon Alg 2 at home, then took a placement test at the cc and tested out of College Alg and almost out of Trig. I put him in Trig and he did well (B+ because he forgot to study for one of the tests... lesson learned). Now Ds #2 is finishing up Alg 2, but he has really struggled through it. He is going to take the placement test tomorrow, so we will see how that goes. I'm tempted to have him take College Algebra over the summer even if he scores well. I just don't think he has the Algebra foundation that he needs to do well in Trig. He will be a junior next year. He won't take the Spanish until spring, so I'll have him take a placement test for that, too. He could test out of Spanish 1, but I doubt he could test out of year two.
Thanks for your replies!
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A couple of transcript questions:
1) Do you list summer classes separately as a summer semester, or do you just include them with the previous academic year?
2) How do you show high school classes that are repeated at the college level?
For example, ds is finishing up Algebra 2 at home, but he will take College Algebra (dual credit) over the summer. Do I list both? If so, how? Another son is in his 2nd year of high school Spanish at home, but will take dual credit Spanish 1 next year. Should I just call it College Spanish 1 to differentiate it from high school?
Thanks,
Tracie
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I would avoid the junk at all costs. And I agree about checking university requirements; most here in Texas will not accept CLEP for English credit. I almost put ds in English 1301 with an "acceptable" professor at out local cc, but then I discovered that he won't even need that class at Baylor - it is considered remedial. It would have been a waste of time. His time is better spent taking courses that will transfer AND that are needed for his degree plan. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to take the CLEP and just hand onto it in case it does prove useful.
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I think it's fine to combine Omnibus 3 & 6. Both contain some obscure works, or works that I don't want to cover, and I like to pick and choose within a time period. Having said that, however, I think the Omnibus reading schedule is really ambitious! My kids are over-achievers, but we could never keep up with the Omni schedule. Partly because some works need more time to process, and partly because we just couldn't maintain that pace all year long. I schedule a few breaks for fun reading or outside activities. Mine all compete in debate and we go out of town alot.
Concerning specific books...
Many people say UTC is boring, but that was one of my favorites.
If you're going to read Frankenstein and Dr.Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, you should add Jeff Baldwin's The Deadliest Monster. I know many disagree with his ideas, and you may too, but it will at least get you thinking about the differences in worldviews. That's a discussion worth having.
I'm saving Emerson/Thoreau/Whitman until later high school. I want my kids to understand what led up to these ideas before they read them.
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Now I see that this is for 7th & 9th. I think it is way too ambitious for 7th - both reading and the rhetorical questions in O6. I would just stay with O3 and, even at that, I would cut out some works for the 7th grader. Now that my kids are all in high school, I have changed my philosophy. We read less, discuss more and make more time for current events discussions.
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I've used Write at Home and Cindy Marsh; both were marginal. I have found a writing tutor for my oldest and I am really pleased! I called our local university's (Univ of Texas) RHETORIC department and asked for a grad student tutor. I told them exactly what I wanted - ds was already a pretty good writer - and she has been excellent and has really pushed him. Initially, I gave the assignments and she tutored. But it turned out her assignments and instructions were so much better than mine, I just turned it over to her. She has not actually graded any papers, but I didn't ask for that. I just wanted tutoring.
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Ds took a PSAT prep class over the summer. I think it met 6 times. It was helpful, but more helpful was the informal group he formed with two other boys. They were all very good students and they emailed/phoned/texted over the summer to compare scores. After each practice test (all old PSAT tests that they were able to get from the prep class) they went over every single wrong answer to learn why the correct answer was best. They were very competitive and, in the end, all three scored above 225. I'm looking for a similar group of students for my next son.
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I thought "adverb" at first, too, because it's a negative word. But it seems to me that it's modifying a noun; and if it is, it can't be an adverb. But now I'm wondering if it's considered to be modifying "is," which would make it an adverb. "...but there is no evidence that she made the first Stars and Stripes" could (awkwardly but grammatically-correctly) be changed to "but evidence no is that she made..." (meaning that evidence isn't existing as opposed to is existing)
I agree that "no" is an adjective.. I think if you look at a different example it's easier to see. Instead of "There is no evidence..." Try a more obvious noun like apples. "There are no apples" or "There are two apples." "No" or "two" are modifying the noun "apple" and tell us how many. Adjectives modify nouns and answer the questions, "Which one, what kind, how many, how much or whose?"
I still think "happy" is a predicate adjective. "To live in a prosperous country..." is an infinitive phrase acting as an adverb modifying happy. (I had to look this one up - I couldn't remember.)
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I highly recommend SWB's high school writing lecture. You can download it for $3.99 and it is worth every penny.
You should also look at The Lively Art of Writing. Short little paperback that I've used with all my kids. It teaches persuasive writing (only) and tell's the reader every step to take... you don't have to make any lesson plans to go with the book! Just work through it.
If you're feeling really adventurous, there are lots of writing competitions that offer scholarships. My kids will put forth much more effort for a possible prize than the will for a mommy assignment. Look at some of the contests listed here.
My last suggestion is my kids' favorite - current event topics. Have them read the newspaper (or Google News) and pick an article that interests them. Have them write about it - they can summarize but eventually work their way up to a thesis paper and form their own opinion.
Dual Credit not going so well. Help!
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
Thanks. I just ordered the book. I am super organized but, somehow, it wasn't passed down in my DNA. I'm going to have my two oldest sons (and hubby) go through the book. Thank goodness the youngest takes after me. He gets it all done, then enjoys his free time.