Jump to content

Menu

Is mid Junior yr. too late to start trivium? How?


Recommended Posts

I've always wanted a classical education for my children, but so many issues in my life prevented homeschooling. Now my oldest is totally fed up with his pretty-good public school, and I am now free to do it, but I'm wondering if it's better late than never, or just plain too late. If anyone thinks it's worth a shot, what would you write off as a loss and what would you attack? He has already scored high enough on the ACT to get into any state school, but no chance at elite due to grades, and he's not the type, anyway. He's VERY smart, but not academic. He's also very ADHD and stubborn. :/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw your post on the High School Board was getting more attention than this one, but I thought I'd try this one.

 

Yes, I do think it is too late to start Trivium. You can certainly use ideas from WTM and the concept of classical education, but two years isn't much time.

 

That doesn't mean it is too late to homeschool though. It also doesn't mean it is too late to improve on the education he has received.

 

In your other thread you said he is doing well in math, that is great, just pick a program that he can continue. You said his science ACT was high, but that doesn't actually mean anything about science knowledge. The Science section of the ACT is much more about reading and synthesizing information given to answer questions. Again, just pick something you are both comfortable with and continue his Science studies for the next two years.

 

You said his weakness is Language Arts. If his grammar knowledge is weak, you might want to try a program like Analytical Grammar. It can be done in 1 year and will cover everything including diagramming. You also said he hadn't done a lot of reading. You might consider a program like Excellence In Literature or Lightning Literature to get on course. You could also just use the WTM suggestions for reading, discussing and writing about literature.

 

For history, I'd look at what he hasn't done yet. It might be hard to step into a classical history cycle because I would assume that isn't how he has done history up until now. However, there are many good choices. There are lit based history curriculums like My Father's World or Sonlight. There are plans for using traditional textbooks like Hippocampus which actually uses courses from NROC (the National Repository of Courses) or Oak Meadow. A lot depends on what you want him to learn and how he learns best.

 

Your ds is probably very right about being able to do far more without a classroom full of distractions. My ds has major attention issues and has thrived homeschooling for the last 5 years now. He will be a Jr next year too. You are also right, it is a potential recipe for disaster as well. Choose well, get him on board with what you want to do and of course, be sure you know your state laws and requirements. Then have fun!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Time might be short for him to get a classical education before he finishes high school. However, if he chooses he could pursue classical studies past high school. I picked up a copy of SWB's The Well-Educated Mind, and got sucked right in. I had many of the elements she talks about in my Catholic School upbringing (especially high school), but there were other parts I didn't get, that tie everything together so well. As I pursue learning about and preparing to home school my kids (currently in private school) I am also planning out my own classical education.

 

Check out a copy of The Well-Educated Mind from the library and give it a look. Many of the study habits she discusses I wish I had learned before or during college -- they would have been a big help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mom2NS, thank you for that insight about science. AMJ, I have owned Well-Educated and Well-Trained for years, b/c I wanted to homeschool, but Hurricane Katrina, as well as a husband whose job kept him away about 80 hrs./wk kept me from doing it! My son is math and science oriented, so really couldn't care less about a classical education, but if we're going the homeschool route, that comes with the territory! I'm really just afraid he's going to rush through lessons and start a new business in my garage every week!! How do I prevent that??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mom2NS, thank you for that insight about science. AMJ, I have owned Well-Educated and Well-Trained for years, b/c I wanted to homeschool, but Hurricane Katrina, as well as a husband whose job kept him away about 80 hrs./wk kept me from doing it! My son is math and science oriented, so really couldn't care less about a classical education, but if we're going the homeschool route, that comes with the territory! I'm really just afraid he's going to rush through lessons and start a new business in my garage every week!! How do I prevent that??

 

Well, okay, but that's not what you originally asked about. You originally stated that you had always wanted a classical education for your kids and asked if the junior year was too late to start, so I thought you might not be aware of The Well-Educated Mind. That was my reason for mentioning it.

 

Since I'm researching homeschooling to set my plan before I begin the switch I won't presume to make suggestions on keeping him from rushing through lessons or starting new businesses. I'll just wish you both good luck and enjoyable learning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it if I sounded snippy. What I meant was that HE doesn't care about classical. I do. And the part about starting businesses was not a real question, just a vocalizing of fears. As far as I can tell, NO ONE has figured out how to keep teenagers from driving us crazy! :crying:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Keep him so busy he doesn't have time to drive you crazy :).

 

My kids don't care about a classical education. They barely care about an education at all. One sees it as a means to an end. The other is a pleaser and works hard to please me. I share that to say, don't expect your 16 yo son to think a classical education is something to strive for. Don't expect him to be intrinsically motivated and amazing you at every turn. He could do either or both, but it really isn't where most 16 yo boys (with or w/o ADHD) are.

 

Instead, give him structure and expectations. Make sure he knows what he needs to do each day or each week. Make sure he knows he can and should come to you if he needs help. Then, let him soar. If he starts 5 new businesses in the garage next year, just tell him to make sure there is still room for the car. Teach him to do the accounting, talk about marketing and making a business plan.

 

Teen agers are gifted button pushers. Try to stay cool and focused. I can hear your fears and they are normal. Just don't let them overwhelm you. You're going to do great! The nervous moms always do because they put in the effort that is needed.

:grouphug:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My opinion is that it is too late to start homeschooling. What works about homeschooling through high school is the ability to tailor the academics to your child's interests AND have time to let them explore amazing projects. That combination is what makes homeschoolers attractive to colleges. With the deprogramming you'd need to do upon removal, half-way through Junior year just isn't enough time to put together an impressive homeschool transcript. Especially if he isn't on board with the Classical method, at this point your child is better off finding an early graduation program in his current placement or taking Running Start courses to build up some college credit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it if I sounded snippy. What I meant was that HE doesn't care about classical. I do. And the part about starting businesses was not a real question, just a vocalizing of fears. As far as I can tell, NO ONE has figured out how to keep teenagers from driving us crazy! :crying:

 

 

 

No offense taken. As for kids, they never comprehend adults' reasons for doing things until they have grown up a bit and gained some perspective. I, for one, to this day disagree wholeheartedly with my Dad on certain points, but I did finally realize one important thing (several years into college): I might not always understand what he says or agree with it, but I'd best pay attention because he speaks from experience and knows a thing or two. I've benefited from that, but only when I grew up enough to actually consider what he was saying.

 

Get the book (The Well-Educated Mind, the one for adults) again if you no longer have it, and expose him to it in whatever fashion you think good (perhaps ask him to read it through once, with the understanding that you won't make him follow it if he doesn't want to). If you like, get it for yourself and start your own classical studies using library books for material. You can talk to him about how YOU are benefiting from following that methodology. Once he's exposed he can ignore it if he likes (not a whole lot you could do to prevent that except force it on him, and then he'll most likely close his mind to it entirely). But I'm willing to bet if he goes on to further studies in college he'll think back to certain study methods and pointers, and want to revisit the book again.

 

Basically it's a tool. You lose nothing but the price of the book and a bit of your time (presenting it) if he declines to take it up, but if he accepts and reads it he may get some benefit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...