Kelly and Christian got off to a good start in their school yesterday. As always, there were a few hiccups. The Rosetta Stone French program did not get completely installed, Christian spent several hours doing Geometry corrections from last spring, and so on. But, when I got home last night, there was a very good level of enthusiasm for the new program. I think we did fairly well this year calibrating how much to put on their plates. Still, I am sure we will have to make some corrections as we go along. One very good surprise was that Kelly LOVED here new humanities/history reading program. She actually wants more reading so, on her own suggestion, we are going to go to the library every other Saturday to pick up some classic literature.
After the bible study last night, Kelly and I got to talking about what she might do in college. It is still pretty early to be trying to decide what she will do for the rest of her life, but it is fun to speculate. The one thing we have figured out is that she wants to do a hard science undergraduate degree in something like math or statistics with the idea that she will study as broad a range of things like history, sociology, and philosophy as she can with the electives she has available. That way, she will be able to make a more informed decision about what direction she wants to take when she gets to graduate school. We all love the start of the school year when these topics are particularly exciting to discuss!
Hi Ken….we are experienceing Hiccups all around..expecially since I didn’t take the time to do much planning this summer. Emma has experienced a series of things that are now funny….like locking herself out of the car at the library (she was just planning on running in and grabbing a few books that she and Tisse had reserved) and having to wait 3 hours to be rescued…but she could have been working on her Calculus 400 homework during that time…but it was at home, and then leaving her math homework problems on the floor and not being able to turn them in. This upper level math class (calc for engineering) is going to challenge her quite a bit even though she tested comfortably into it. Will progress very fast and lots of homework, which is only worth 10% of the grade. Tests (65%) and Final Exam (25%) make up the rest of the grading scale. No room to breathe! Anyway, she was happy that she got into the classes that she wanted – the JC enrollment is WAY up this year and many people desperate to add classes…many turned away. She is going to enjoy her lap swimming class…she had never worn a swimming cap before so that was an experience learning how to get it on…everyone was really helpful. She is a very graceful swimmer…the only stroke she hasn’t yet mastered is the butterfly. She need to work on flip turns, too.
especially…hmm, must have spelled it the way my kids pronounce it (for emphasis only!)
Ruthie, Your comments on how fast the math progresses is one of my worries for my kids in moving from homeschool to college. I know I was abysmally prepared for the pace of the classes when I went from government school to college. It is way harder to learn on a fixed schedule than one that is accommodating. It sounds like Emma is getting her feet under her now. There is nothing like a good exercise class to keep you sane in the midst of a heavy study schedule!
Lynn
It sounds like you’re off to a nice start! As you said, isn’t it great! 🙂
There are always a few hiccups. I already know that in September we’ll be installing a new computer system at work and it will greatly affect my job at home, which means in-house training and more hours for a couple of weeks, so I know in September I’ll be worn thin, but I’m going to try to keep positive and know that things will be back on track in October.
Lynn
Yes, an accommodating schedule can be a detriment for those who most certainly be heading to college. That is why I think I will have Tisse take Chem and some other classes at the JC while still in HS if I can have her there safely. Working on someone else’s unflexible schedule can be a good thing sometimes.
Lynn. I know it always seems stuff like that gets planned right in the middle of big other stuff like school starting/sports seasons/convention/etc/etc. I like your attitude. Sometimes all you can do is batten down the hatches and hang in there until the smoke clears.
Ruthie. I think your plan to send Tissie to JC while in HS is great. I think we are going to try to do that with Christian.