happymomofboys Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 My son will be going into the 6th grade this summer. I've not decided how we'll handle high school yet, whether he'll go to public school or CC, online classes or the same homeschooling we've always done. I want to make sure that he's prepared no matter which route we choose. What would you experienced veterans recommend a parent like me do to make sure my middle school student is fully prepared for high school? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Focus on math. His math skills will determine whether he can take high school level math; they will also determine what science sequence is possible, since chemistry and physics require at minimum algebra 1. Focus on reading comprehension and speed. Reading volume picks up in high school; make sure the student can handle it. I personally find that it is not necessary to have covered any specific content in science or history; we go for exposure and do not worry about holes. High school courses start from the beginning and do not suppose and previous knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Focus on math. His math skills will determine whether he can take high school level math; they will also determine what science sequence is possible, since chemistry and physics require at minimum algebra 1. Focus on reading comprehension and speed. Reading volume picks up in high school; make sure the student can handle it. I personally find that it is not necessary to have covered any specific content in science or history; we go for exposure and do not worry about holes. High school courses start from the beginning and do not suppose and previous knowledge. What does this (the bolded) look like? Anything specific, besides lots of reading & discussion? And read alouds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewelma Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 What does this (the bolded) look like? Anything specific, besides lots of reading & discussion? And read alouds? Here is a very long post that I wrote up a few months ago. It should give you some ideas: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/450867-why-are-textbooks-considered-bad/page__st__50#entry4643701 Ruth in NZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Here is a very long post that I wrote up a few months ago. It should give you some ideas: http://forums.welltr...50#entry4643701 Ruth in NZ I just wanted to say that I thought that was an EXCELLENT post, Ruth!!! :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happymomofboys Posted April 6, 2013 Author Share Posted April 6, 2013 Thank you Regentrude and Ruth. You've given me some ideas to implement and it's good to know we're already heading in the right direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 I would say writing as well. Being able to write a decent 5-paragraph essay and handle essay and short-response questions is very important. Even though I teach a technical course at the local community college, I still require short responses for some topics in the class. And frankly the majority of my 18-20 y.o. students can't handle them, or they write like a middle school student with no depth or development. The only way to do that is with lots of practice and critique. My oldest is taking online Omnibus classes, and I was nervous when we hit the first two 5-hour semester exams. We had done a lot of essays and a lot of short responses, but never anything that long and complicated. No problems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happymomofboys Posted April 6, 2013 Author Share Posted April 6, 2013 I would say writing as well. Being able to write a decent 5-paragraph essay and handle essay and short-response questions is very important. Even though I teach a technical course at the local community college, I still require short responses for some topics in the class. And frankly the majority of my 18-20 y.o. students can't handle them, or they write like a middle school student with no depth or development. The only way to do that is with lots of practice and critique. My oldest is taking online Omnibus classes, and I was nervous when we hit the first two 5-hour semester exams. We had done a lot of essays and a lot of short responses, but never anything that long and complicated. No problems! Do you think writing essay and short-response questions should be taught in middle school to prepare for high school or in high school to prepare for college? I ask because through elementary we've been using TWTM style copywork and narration for writing along with IEW TWSS keyword outlines and style techniques. We'll be using WWS1 next year in 6th grade. My plan is to use LToW in 7th before continuing the WWS progression. Will this enough writing prep for high school? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 Do you think writing essay and short-response questions should be taught in middle school to prepare for high school or in high school to prepare for college? I ask because through elementary we've been using TWTM style copywork and narration for writing along with IEW TWSS keyword outlines and style techniques. We'll be using WWS1 next year in 6th grade. My plan is to use LToW in 7th before continuing the WWS progression. Will this enough writing prep for high school? Yes, mine learned basic essay-writing and short response writing in middle school. Then in high school we assume the structural part is down and work on rhetoric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 I would say the best gift you can give a rising high schooler is time managment skills. The ability to figure out how much work a subject is going to take and when in the day it can get done, etc. Also, the ability to do an independent study project of some sort: to take a long project, break it down into steps, map them out on a calendar, and make setady progress over the course of a semester. When I polled my friends with 9th graders last year about how homeschooling high school for the first year went, the most common answer was "pretty good, but we're going to be schooling all summer to finish our subjects." I swore I was not going to be one of Those People this year. Sure enough, it's the end of the school year and I am one of Those People. Sigh. Best laid plans and all that. ETA: The independent study experiences I've have used with my kids over the years have included: writing contests, National HIstory Day, and science fair. We have a few prizes, but mostly they do it for the experience. Contests give specific requirements and deadlines, like a college class would, versus a mommy-class where those things might be more negociable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happymomofboys Posted April 7, 2013 Author Share Posted April 7, 2013 Thank you all so much! This has been very informative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjssully Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 What is WWS? I have 2 6th graders next year also and thinking about writing for them. Thanks pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happymomofboys Posted April 7, 2013 Author Share Posted April 7, 2013 What is WWS? I have 2 6th graders next year also and thinking about writing for them. Thanks pam Writing With Skill :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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