Although he's 12, he's getting ready to go to college at 14. No, we're not pushy parents. In fact, we tried to hold him back. But he gets bored easily, and we finally threw in the towel and decided to homeschool him since he can't advance as many grades as he needs to in the conventional school system.
I should add here that (overall) my ex and I are getting along much better than we have in the past, which I've been asking for all along. And when it comes to schooling, we're in agreement. I won't go into a lot of details because I try to keep relatively anonymous and I try to avoid giving too many hints about our families. So please understand that I don't wish to give any more details than that.
Because SaurKid's so advanced, he's doing prep work for his college SATs. That means he must get used to writing essays off the cuff, on any topic he's thrown. Here's a recent one he wrote (notice that he's still very much a kid with his little cartoon character at the bottom):
32 comments:
I need someone to help me with my English, is your son up for a trip to London to assist me?
I'll pay him in sweets and ice cream.
Bravo! He's ready for my Advanced Placement class. He writes better than many of my students. Love the diagram on the bottom. I'm a visual learner, so that always helps me.
Wow! I am impressed. Amazing for 12. I can see why he is advancing so quickly!
Daniel, I think you could bribe him with video games and some bangers-&-mash. ;o)
Fred, what grade do you teach again? I'll let him know! He'll be pleased.
Lee Ann, yes, it really is...isn't it? His father and I always felt like weirdos because we were so advanced, and we never had that option of homeschooling back then. So we're happy that he is being challenged and able to develop at his own pace.
Wow, really talented! Lucky you!
Ah! Bangers and mash, the food of the Gods!
That is wonderful! It is good to get him ready for the APs too. Sounds like you have a wonderful son.
When my daughter was 15, she took a couple of classes at college, to stimulate her, and it made her happy.
You have every right to be a proud mother.
I am a fan of your blog and proud for you and your son. If you have time stop by mine I have some stories about my kids too.
Whoa! The kid is a better writer than me.
Great structure, flow and clarity. Have you considered having him try A&D? Would he even be interested?
Mallory, thanks! What's A&D?
Ted, thanks so much! I will stop in. I appreciate it!
Barbara, thank you very much. Your daughter would have to be bright as well. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, huh? ;o)
Daniel, he's a tall skinny kid who prefers fattening foods. I've warned him that it will catch up with him one day! But, I could be wrong...
Kathleen, yes, we are truly blessed. He is an extraordinary kid, with a loving heart as well.
Daniel, Saurkid and my stepson both love the same video games. I'll have my kid give you a list of video games so you can surprise Saurkid. Saurkraut may not know this, but he likes shrimp flavored roman noodles.
Michelle, does he??? Interesting! I had no idea he liked those. I'll have to stock up! We need to get them together this weekend, BTW.
Yes and to make it a healthy dinner add peas on the side! Don't mix the veggie's in with the noodles, the kids will freak out.
Now you know how I feed multiple kids when they are at my house. Add cool-aid jammers (100% Vit C) and a kids yogurt and you can say you gave them their carbs, milk, veggie and fruit. If you MUST have protein throw in a couple Tyson chicken nuggets.
You should read some of my 12-year-olds writing. His teacher says his are the best of all 7th grade classes. I'd say he is writing at 9th grade level at least. Now if I could get mine to even like school our kids could really have more in common than they already do.
This weekend is good. I can go your way this time if you want. Donuts and coffee?
Michelle, Yup! I'll bring the donuts. And it's tough to get a bright kid to like school, sadly. That's like trying to run uphill through molasses in January.
Well done, Saurkid! Keep up the great work.
Pass me the soy sauce. I love rice!
Saurkraut- Ah, the power of education... and self education at that! Bravo! Your son wil have places to go, people to see, and things to do in his future, no doubt.
Jamie Dawn, we do, too! Slathered with lots of butter and salt, truthfully... but that's not particulary healthy...
Ellen, thanks! It was a funny coincidence that he just did this paper, but it was appropriate, wasn't it?
Saurkraut- More appropriate than you can possibly imagine. My son is an excellant writer as well... but not so good with math. Oh well, you can't have everything, I guess.
Saur: I teach 10th grade world history honors, and I have three AP classes. The AP classes are probably 80% seniors, the rest being juniors.
Child wrote this off the cuff, with no reference books at the ready? Amazing. Send straight to grad. school.
I seriously cannot believe a 12 yr old wrote this. Not only is it well researched and thought out- the writing is unreal!
Truly amazing, you must be very proud, because I would!
impresivo!
So clear and concise!
That is much better than many college graduates that I know - including myself!
Love it! But--
The most important thing you can teach him to do next is to cite his sources in the essay and use a works cited page at the end.
Most freshman can't do this, but SaurKid seems to outshine the ordinary kids and would be up for the challenge.
You have a smart kid.
I like rice.
Shrimp flavored roman noodles?
Sounds good, I want some but I don't reckon they'd go with bangers and mash.
Guess what I made the kids for dinner last night? Ha Ha. They were shocked because on school nights I usually make meat and veggies.
Saur, What time on Saturday?
Michelle, how about 10ish? Funny about dinner. We ended up doing Thai takeout as a reward for the daughter's being such a helper last night.
Daniel, I still prefer bangers and mash myself...
Zombie Slayer, thanks!
Me2!
Jessica, yes, but in this case he wasn't asked to do research. This was like an SAT exam where they give you bullet pointed facts and you have to construct a paper using them. ;o)
Deb, thanks, hon! He didn't research it, though. Check out what I told Jessica above.
Eddo, thanks! ;o)
Old Hoss, he has quite an impressive vocabulary, doesn't he???
Fred, Ah! Thank you. I'll let him know today!
Ellen, I was always like your son. SaurKid is good at both, but I don't see how! However, his father's very good at math, so that probably explains it.
Saur,,,,A&D, Argumentation and Debate, it is a great exercise in learning critical thinking. Sounds like Saur kid is well on his way there already
Mallory, ahhhh! Yes, I keep telling him he'd be a great lawyer. I was always good in A&D myself. In fact, his father has sometimes snapped at him "You sound just like your mother!!!" SaurKid takes it as a compliment. ;o)
My mistake. Saurkid had to look up all the facts himself (his dad gave him this assignment). He does cite stuff in some of his papers, but wasn't asked to on this one.
Saurkraut- I'm very much like my son as well when it comes to math, and told him I could help him in any other subject except that. I can do the simple stuff... the rest is just too many numbers and signs to deal with. I've always thought the calculator was one of mans best inventions, and thank God for them everyday.
For some home schooling is a nightmare, but you seem to have pulled it off very well.
Bravo to your son ... I love rice.
Post a Comment