After much discussion, between us we have finalised his learning plans. First we looked at his own learning goals. He wants to study for his IGCSE in maths and physics early, followed by biology and chemistry. Right now he wants to study herbalism, but that is likely to change (last year was vet science, the year before he wanted to study medicine.) He is fairly consistent though in the subjects he wants to explore to a higher level. These have always been science, science and more science, oh and maths, but that’s a given.
Based on his goals we had a look at his options for the next few years. He has decided to continue with Saxon maths. He is currently on Saxon 87 and will aim to finish Saxon Algebra 1 before embarking on a one year distance learning college based course which will guide him through his IGCSE.
With regards to physics, we are hoping he will be able to learn alongside a friend and her dad, who he just adores being taught by. We are still trying to work out the practicalities of this. He has chosen to do Apologia General Science, which he has been through fairly casually once before. This time he will be going through it thoroughly. We have been given the Apologia General Science note-book, we have the text-book, tests and also the accompanying CD Rom and also the actual text downloaded on his Ipod. We also have the experiment set which will make doing the experiments that much easier. The aim is to finish this book, move onto Physical Science and then join up with the same long distance learning college to complete a one year IGCSE physics course.
Whilst T11’s writing has come on in leaps and bounds this year, because of a diagnosed word finding problem he is likely always to find it a challenge. His spelling is probably his weakest area, and this year we have taken the decision to go through All About Spelling from the beginning, working through it at his own pace. I am hoping this spelling rule approach will be beneficial. As T11 has decided to fill in the Apologia notebook (I have never required science notes from them), we have agreed to only one or two extra (history) writing assignments each term (5 week terms). I will expect more from his notebook writing, which he has readily agreed to. I think it will be very helpful for him to learn to write succinctly yet including all the information pertinent to the question.
It will be from breakfast time until 2ish that T11 will be responsible for himself. He will need to organise his time to include his morning chores, bible study, maths corrections, maths, general science, physics and spelling.
By around 2pm each day he anticipates having finished all these and he will, at this point, come and join his twin sisters in their history learning. History has been the back bone of our homeschool for as long as we remember and we all have a great deal of fun with it. T11 was very definite that he did not want to be missing any of the history, so we have scheduled it to coincide with his own schedule so he can join us. This year we will be studying the crusades and Dante.
Last but not least he has asked for some 1-2-1 time with his littlest sister. It is very important to him to be building up relationships with them whilst they are young. He did the same with A4. To that end we have slotted in a 40 minute slot where he will be doing a bit of cooking and playing with B2, whilst building a beautiful and lasting relationship with her.
In addition to his academics he will be involved in the children’s choir, run by one of our extremely talented friends, a youth café, possible physics lessons with his friend and her dad on a Tuesday, youth group on a Thursday and he also helps out with the audio-visual at church on the nights Gary leads worship.
It looks to be a full year for him and hopefully a happy one.
What a well-thought out and balanced course of study. And how lovely that he wants to spend time with B2. I’m looking forward to hearing more as the year progresses.
I shall be interested as well. I think it will be a learning curve for both of us and I have to admit to not raising my hopes too high, at least in this first year! I’m excited by the prospect of the skills it could grow over time though!
That is a lot of work. My schedule for D12 who has special needs is, do some Maths, English and Spanish. This is done around me teaching life skills, financial management and banking, cooking and taking care of the home and himself. We also go on our bikes to my cleaning jobs, where I pay him to help me. I am doing a degree course so he will be doing some of the work with me. He is an only child so I do try to go to a meeting with another home ed child once a week, and he socialises at the church youth group on Sunday. We are autonomous in our approach as it suits his learning style.
It sounds a perfect mix of academics, life skills, socialisation and all things in between. I am sure he will thrive! I think you are amazing, working and studying and teaching your son. Good for you! I hope this year is a good one for you, Brenda.
What a well adjusted young man you are raising. It seems that he loves science as much as my fellow. All of his interests in science seem to point towards healing others. What a wonderful schedule.
Blessings, Dawn
He is a real blessing. I love his ‘can-do’ attitude to everything. I think he has set himself a tough standard to attain this year but I know, even if he doesn’t quite manage it, he will thrive on the challenge!
It’s a shame you don’t live closer, our sons could have studied science together!
You guys have discussed a very well thought out plan. I can’t wait to see how his year goes.
I think this is an American thing, but what is the test you’re referring to?
IGCSE stands for International General Certificate Secondary Education and they are usually the first set of exams students take at 16. The second set are called AS or A levels, with AS levels (I think) being the equivalent of half an A level. A levels are Advanced Level exams and are generally (although by no means always) considered important if you want to go to university. Universities usually require three Alevels. Have I confused you yet?!
I love the fact that T11 has scheduled time to be with his littlest sister. It’s a really balanced approach. I shall be very interested to read about how the year goes with his new schedule. It looks very promising. 🙂
It is certainly going to keep him busy! Even if it doesn’t work out perfectly, it will be a year of learning lots of lovely new skills, which I am all for!
Each year, at this time of year, I carefully plan my child/ren’s schedules, and then at the end of the school year I compare my original plans with the reality – they never match exactly! But that is because we are forced into a regimented, ‘tick the boxes’ style of learning (which lets face it is one of the worst things about a school) – instead we get to tweak things here and there to suit our individual child, there needs and what is going on in their life at any given time. (Which is probably one of the best thing about home schooling!)
Even if your ‘plan’ doesn’t go perfectly, I’m sure T11’s education be perfect for him.
Sorry – spell check is not my best subject!
* We AREN’T force into
*T11’s education WILL be perfect
You are so right. That is the freedom of homeschooling – that we don’t have to blindly and obstinately follow one particular path, we can change course if necessary. I’m positive T11 will learn lots about self – government this year!
Was very interested to hear the plans that T11 has. What a solid young man you have! His head appears to be placed firmly on his shoulders. My hat is off to him (and to you, his parents, for guiding him to this point).
Thank you Myra, for always being so supportive and kind.
“To that end we have slotted in a 40 minute slot where he will be doing a bit of cooking and playing with B2, whilst building a beautiful and lasting relationship with her.”
Can I say that just melted my heart? As a mama, you have to know something is going right when your eldest is choosing to make time to spend with his little sister. What a great testament to your parenting. Praying the year goes well for him!
Thank you so much! And wanting to spend time with each other is one of my pleasures of parenting. I just love watching all their little relationships evolve.
So interesting reading T11s plans, he sounds like a very motivated, mature young man. Looking forward to reading more about how his work progresses 😀
Thanks Debbie!
I absolutely admire T’s drive, motivation, discipline, passion, and compassionate nature. He really does seem to have the soul of a healer. What a year he has to look forward to!
I have to admit, it makes for easier parenting when you have a child who is all of those things!