Granny_Weatherwax Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 My son loves to investigate and do research. Whenever he finds a topic he is interested in he will spend hours researching it. I haven't had too much of a problem with it until recently. For example, he was studying the astrophysics chapter in Apologia Physical Science and did so much research/reading he learned way more than was necessary and when he took the test he couldn't give straight answers. His response would include portions of the correct answer but then he would give examples of exceptions to the rule and include terms I had to look up to determine relevance and correctness. I simply do not know enough about black matter, black holes and the theory of relativity (which weren't discussed in Apologia's astrophysics chapter) to be able to answer his questions. We have moved on to Biology this term and he is already wanting to do more research and reading. I have told him that his extra reading will need to approved so that it remains relevant so we can stay on schedule. We are weeks behind in science because he goes down so many rabbit trails. I don't want to discourage his love of learning and desire to increase his knowledge and understanding but I have to draw the line somewhere. Right? What do you do with kids who do so much more than is required, necessary or immediately beneficial? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 My daughter loves research now too. I let her do as much as she wants in her after school hours. If she needs more time to work on it, she has to create output for me such as a report or a historical fiction piece. The research and thrist for more is the best part of homeschooling this age. I also make sure our school is structured so she has plenty of time for her to do this. Learning to sort out all of the information to determine what is relevant for your science program is a skill he has to work on. btw - I don't do a science program - I just let her research, experiment and write about it. When she runs out of ideas, I help her to find something else to get excited about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Well how old is he? Behind is relative. Unless it's high school, I would pretty much let him continue on, within reason. Those kinds of kids are the ones who pursue degrees in science later. (I went to school with some.) It's good, not bad. The schedule is to move forward kids who don't do that. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 How old is your son? In Middle school, I set no agenda for science - the kids can research as much as they want, follow rabbit trails etc. There is no "behind", because I don't have a formal program to complete. Even in high school, for some subjects that's perfectly acceptable (that's the way we do history) As long as he is reading science, he is quite possibly learning more from his free selected reading than from his canned curriculum. So, I really don't see that you "have to draw the line somewhere". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 (edited) I've not BTDT so take my 0.02 for what it's worth..... but I say let him loose. How old is your son? I assume he's not high school. Personally, I wouldn't worry about tests. If he can discuss with you, then I let it go at that. I could be totally wrong about that b/c I was a binge and purge test taker with very little long term retention. I don't give tests. I figure through discussion, I know if DS understood the material. At this point, I'm not looking for cementing of ideas such that he can regurgitate facts, it's about exposure and critical thinking and developing the love for science. I would use what you're using as a spine and let him go from there. Perhaps set a time limit. Or during school time he does the regular stuff, give him the test BEFORE you let him loose to do research once that segment is over so that the research doesn't mess with his taking the test. I really wouldn't worry about a schedule at this point now would I approve his reading. It's like making a race horse walk around a boring, teeny, tiny track. I'm a scientist...or was BK. My kids love science but haven't yet developed that research, learn on their own yet, well they do but not to the extent that your son does. Cultivate....cultivate....cultivate...you have a rare plant there....just let it grow w/out too much pruning. Edited February 2, 2011 by Capt_Uhura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Behind what? Public school? I bet he's really light years AHEAD if he's showing that much interest and doing that much research. I'd just let him do his thing! Or at least cut back on other expectations so that he had more time for it. I think it's great he's doing that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny_Weatherwax Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 Thanks for replying - My son is 13. I am concerned because he is going to public high school next year and will need to keep on track with the teacher's lesson plans. I think he needs to learn the discipline that will be required to succeed in public high school. The teachers there aren't going to care that he read ahead, read deeper and can cite other works. He won't be able to explain his reasoning or discuss each test question. When I say we are behind, it's due to our time constraint. We have 8 months until he enters high school. If we are to complete this year's curriculum (and allow him to have a social life and a summer vacation) we need to buckle down and focus on the work, not extras. Maybe I am worrying too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Thanks for replying - My son is 13. I am concerned because he is going to public high school next year and will need to keep on track with the teacher's lesson plans. I think he needs to learn the discipline that will be required to succeed in public high school. The teachers there aren't going to care that he read ahead, read deeper and can cite other works. He won't be able to explain his reasoning or discuss each test question. Ah, but the situation in public school is different: he will have to SIT there while the teacher covers the material. So, just by being present, he will be forced to adhere to the teacher's lesson plan. As for the tests: he'll figure out what the teacher wants. I do not think you should have to practice now the "teaching to the test" - have him enjoy learning as long as he can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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