Decisions, decisions.
Aria is my "gifted" child academically.
Believe me when I say, that I am simply stating a fact and am not bragging in any way, shape or form.
I honestly wish she wasn't most of the time.
Parenting and schooling a child like her is difficult.
Especially for moms like me who are SOOOO NOT gifted.
Or crafty.
Or math-minded.
To give you an idea of how her brain works- she taught herself to tie her shoes.
When I asked her about it, she said, "I just watched you tie your shoes, and my brain recorded a video. Then I replayed the video and now I can do it myself!"
Yeah.....I guess my brain's video recorder broke years ago. HA!
Anyhoo.....
So many decisions to be made about her future, and academics is only one part of the picture.
Sometimes I wish we had a crystal ball to see into the future what her maturity level will be in relation to her academic ability.
Right now, she is six and a half and has finished second grade and I had planned to begin 3rd grade in March.
(We schooled through the summer for various reasons and are taking our break now. Gotta love homeschool!!)
That makes her two grade levels ahead. Right now, because all her extra-curricular activities are on peer level, it hasn't been a problem.
But let's say when she is, say.... 12 years old and we decide to put her in a Christian school (hypothetically) her peers will jump to 14 yr olds.
Will she be mature enough to run with 14 yr olds?
More importantly-Do I want her to run with 14 year olds???
If we wait and homeschool her through high school she will graduate and attend college (WITH 21 YEAR OLD MEN!!) at 16 years old?
Never gonna happen.
So I consulted with a dear friend (who is a teacher) and she advised me to stretch out second grade so that she will only be a year ahead.
We decided to take her advice.
Thanks Anne!!!
Today we went to the local school store and bought $150 worth of 2nd grade workbooks, activity books, and fun things to do on a second grade level.
In true Aria-like fashion we got home and she wanted to get right to work on those workbooks.
I had to limit her, as she was ready to complete half the work she needs to complete in the next 5 months.
We decided we are going to join a sweet friend's idea and do a home ec class. Budgeting, grocery lists, shopping with coupons and cooking meals provide lots of academics while being fun and more importantly she is learning life skills.
I'm hoping my mother in law will teach her to crochet, and sew and other crafty things when she comes home from living abroad in just a few weeks.
(hint, hint)
We are going to plant a garden and learn about soil and gardening.
We are going to take piano lessons, swim lessons and continue with science club, her American Doll class and our Keepers at Home group.
Hopefully, that will keep that little mind of hers busy.
Believe me when I say, that I am simply stating a fact and am not bragging in any way, shape or form.
I honestly wish she wasn't most of the time.
Parenting and schooling a child like her is difficult.
Especially for moms like me who are SOOOO NOT gifted.
Or crafty.
Or math-minded.
When I asked her about it, she said, "I just watched you tie your shoes, and my brain recorded a video. Then I replayed the video and now I can do it myself!"
Yeah.....I guess my brain's video recorder broke years ago. HA!
Anyhoo.....
So many decisions to be made about her future, and academics is only one part of the picture.
Sometimes I wish we had a crystal ball to see into the future what her maturity level will be in relation to her academic ability.
Right now, she is six and a half and has finished second grade and I had planned to begin 3rd grade in March.
(We schooled through the summer for various reasons and are taking our break now. Gotta love homeschool!!)
That makes her two grade levels ahead. Right now, because all her extra-curricular activities are on peer level, it hasn't been a problem.
But let's say when she is, say.... 12 years old and we decide to put her in a Christian school (hypothetically) her peers will jump to 14 yr olds.
Will she be mature enough to run with 14 yr olds?
More importantly-Do I want her to run with 14 year olds???
If we wait and homeschool her through high school she will graduate and attend college (WITH 21 YEAR OLD MEN!!) at 16 years old?
Never gonna happen.
So I consulted with a dear friend (who is a teacher) and she advised me to stretch out second grade so that she will only be a year ahead.
We decided to take her advice.
Thanks Anne!!!
Today we went to the local school store and bought $150 worth of 2nd grade workbooks, activity books, and fun things to do on a second grade level.
In true Aria-like fashion we got home and she wanted to get right to work on those workbooks.
I had to limit her, as she was ready to complete half the work she needs to complete in the next 5 months.
We decided we are going to join a sweet friend's idea and do a home ec class. Budgeting, grocery lists, shopping with coupons and cooking meals provide lots of academics while being fun and more importantly she is learning life skills.
I'm hoping my mother in law will teach her to crochet, and sew and other crafty things when she comes home from living abroad in just a few weeks.
(hint, hint)
We are going to plant a garden and learn about soil and gardening.
We are going to take piano lessons, swim lessons and continue with science club, her American Doll class and our Keepers at Home group.
Hopefully, that will keep that little mind of hers busy.
Because I'm just not ready for my baby to grow up so fast.
Don't forget - go deep!! I'll send you a variety of resources to help, but you're on the right track! Two websites that may be very helpful - Enchanted Learning, Up to Ten, and BrainPop. Oh, and evan moor. Apparently math isn't my strong suit either :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I need to send you my brave writer stuff too.
Ok, I just need to come see you :)
Christy, I know how you feel. I have two of them. My girls go to a public school and they have been great in challenging them. But they also can do a number on mom when mom misqoutes something or not sure or come up with the answer before you do. I think the ideas you have are awesome ideas, I have always been a better learner by being hands on, and it sound like that what you are going to do with her.
ReplyDeleteNo hints were needed - I was trying to figure out how to insert myself in the school scene. As far as the math is concerned (not my cup of tea either) it is one of those subjects that can be advanced no matter what her age. I'll tap into Lisa's brain and see what we can come up with. Let her read as much as she will. It will provide her with and outlet and a college education that won't take her beyond her peer group. It is a situation that needs to be handled, as you recall my second son was ahead of himself in school, only one year but he would have gone ahead if we had allowed it. I do believe it is easier to hold girls back with extra curricular activities. I can't wait to get started. 18DAYS!!! Whops, gotta go pack.
ReplyDeleteSitting in the same boat as you. I pray that going deeper and wider will help her slow down. We are also having to look at the big picture esp. the emotional level vs. the cognitive level. It is a difficult road to find just the right balance. Oh, I agree with Grandpa and Grandma - we have just let S. go ahead with the math. I think when their brains are wired with that math ability they need to exercise it to the maximum.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through Shay's. I've homeschooled for 15 years and I would not worry about her highschool years now. Let her go at her pace and provide the extra's that she needs. She could hit a "lull" and slow down once she hits some of the middle or high school grades. And being with adults and older children shouldn't be a problem for a homeschooler ~ they generally related well to all ages. My daughter graduated last year a month after she turned 17. After months of praying and research, we settled on the College Plus for her college credits. She started in August and has 18 credit hours and has never set foot in a classroom. The first 2/3's or so of her hours can be earned with CLEP tests and the rest through classes online.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest 2 children are highschoolers ~ ages 1 & 14. I would love to go back to the colorful workbooks, play doh, finger paints, etc. Please enjoy these times and leave the future in the Lord's hands.
I can also relate Cristy. Madison is the same way. We have wrestled back and forth on which grade she should be in. Academically she is very far ahead of her friends in 1st grade but emotionally, I believe she is right where she needs to be. Right now, she's not bored. She helps others in her class and she really helps with Leah and her work. But I don't know where that will put her in the future. I don't know if she will get to the point where she is bored or not. I am big believer on keeping them where they should be so that you don't end up with a 16 year old in college. No thanks. Thankfully where Madison is at school operates about a year ahead anyway. It hard sometimes to find the right balance. And I have to remind myself too that not all of my children will operate at this level.
ReplyDeletejust read my comment...they are ages 16 & 14.
ReplyDeleteHI! Just ran across your blog today. My child went to a small Christian school 8th - 12th grades. For multiples of the courses, the children went to classes according to their level. Might be math, might be English, might be science... They also had a few AP classes. When they were finished with 11th grade, they also went to the community college for duel credit, free.
ReplyDeleteSo don't worry about it, let her go at her pace. Perhaps visit the potential school and see what they have to offer.
Best wishes!
Sharon