I presently homeschool my two younger children (9&6) and used to homeschool my eldest until the 7th grade. Now I am considering pulling the oder one back out of school becuase he is letting his grades just see-saw. He has all AP classes and can definately do the work with ease, but he has of a late a typical male teenage 'tude! This is obviously interfering with his work and I feel that if I can find the right program for him back at home then I can get him back on track before he ruins his academic future.
I use TXVA which is a charter school at home for my 4th grader and time4learning for my 1st grader, but niether has anything for my sophomore who is in AP classes, any suggestions?
Thanks.
It has been some time since I have been to mamasouce, but my son and his seesawing has seemed to come to an end and not due to the end of the year, but rather due to some serious heart to hearts between us. I believe that he has finally come to terms with the fact that his educational fate is really in his hands and despite my efforts, he can really make or break himself. the last two marking periods he busted his bum to get his grades up and relly showed me the son that I knew he was, both academically and overall. Not only did I see a different side of him in the books, but it really seemed as though he took pride in knowing that he was doing it on his own and when he missed the mark even by a little bit, this time he was angry with himself because of the efforts that he knew he put forth and that pleased me! I am truly proud of him and though he still had some pitiful marks, the turn around in him showed me, that my son is back on track, and that with perserverance and a little time ( and a few threats :) all things can and do work out- of course a whole lot of prayer was in the mix as well!!!!
Texas Tech has a great program for home-schooling. We're only using it to substitute some classes at high-school that don't work well for us otherwise, and it's been a great experience.
I used Abeka as a sophomore and learned sssooo much! I'm a visual learner so the videos really helped. Its Christian based also.
Have you tried talking to any of your son's teachers to see if your son's attitude is just a "rub off" from his friends? What other activities is your son involved in? Is he involved in any athletics, or scouting/church groups? If not, NOW is the time to help him find a group to get involved with that meets your and your husband's approval (don't forget to make sure you can afford it both financially and time-wise).
My oldest son has been home-schooled his entire life, and has actually finished his high school curriculum 2 years early (he's 16). He is now working on some post-high school studies that will also give him some college credits. He has been living with my parents since he was 4 1/2 (long story), but that has afforded him opportunities he would NEVER have had, had I tried to keep him home with me. He has just been awarded his Eagle Scout award this year, and feels that he is being called into Youth/Family Ministry. If you want to know which program my parents used to educate him, just let me know, and I will call Mom and ask her.
Good Luck on pursuing this! Keep me updated.
~J.~
I'm am a homeschooling parent as well, and even though your children are all older than mine, I thought I might suggest Seaton Catholic Homeschool. Catholic or not, I believe their program is excellent and they're accredited nationally. I am currently using their program for my oldest for our second year of homeschooling. She is technically in the third grade, but is doing fourth grade reading and phonics. The thing I like about Seton is that the program is complete with books, lesson plans, on-line and phone counselors, etc. Everyone I've ever spoken to or e-mailed has been very helpful and courteous. You can pick and choose what you use them for, or like me, use their whole program. You can find more info on their website, which is www.setonhome.org. Good luck.
Remember that AP classes are essentially college courses taken while in high school. You may want to use some regular courses from a curriculum, and supplement with enrolling him at the local junior college. Texas Tech also allows for "dual credit" with their distance learning program.
In my experiance with teaching children is that when they exhibit behaviors like your son they are bored. He is probably bored with the pace and the curriculum at the school and isn't feeling challenged; I think homeschool is great for children like this because they can set the pace that works well for them. As for curriculum, some colleges will offer homeschool courses such as Texas Tech and Brigham Young University. The courses are online. There is also American School based in Illinois that provides high school homeschool curriculum. He can also take dual credit courses at the community college.
As for attitude, at this age kids can be very self-centered and they need opportunities to serve and help others; you could help him find ways to volunteer in the community or enroll him in boy scouts. Boy scouts can offer him a place to interact with other boys his age and learn important skills and also be involved in service.
I hope some of this helps.
My daughter had a tough time adjusting to middle school especially that first year. During her middle school years, we could not find a church to make home for both of us. We both paid for this mistake in the beginning of ninth grade. Ninth grade was particularly scary because her grades started to fall, she was very depressed, and she had always been an "A" student. We found a good church and a great youth group at our church for her to make friends and have the support she needed to stay on the right path in school and not stray because of kids who were a negative influence. This helped her to bring her grades back up and keep them up. She is involved in her youth group at church and immediately connected with kids at school who were also interested in staying on the right path and being focused on their studies. Mind you, my daughter and her friends are not the majority in public schools now; however, our church, her peers in church and school, give her the strength she needs not to be pulled into a downward spiral. She volunteers now, she has a part-time job, she's involved in a school club that volunteers in the community, she's still in orchestra, she has several IB classes, and her grades have remained high. I seriously considered homeschooling my daughter, but I realize now that she had to learn how to make the right choices with friends, fellow students, co-workers, and what was really good for her. It's not curriculum but another perspective from one who's been there and witnessed how it can transform a teenager's whole life.
check out www.sonlight.com
