What skills would you consider essential for a 9th grader to have?

[Kfamily]

My dd is going into 7th and I want to use this year and next year (8th) to begin breaking down some of these skills so that she will be ready for 9th grade. Would you please list some ideas of what skills/concepts should be in place or at least started?

Thanks!

[Faithr]

I think high schoolers need to be ready for upper level math (if that hasn't be already started in 8th grade with Algebra) so a solid understanding of basic math concepts and speed and accuracy when it comes to computation is needed.

I think they need to be able to read analytically so they have to have a working understanding of things like character development, literary terms, recognizing things like foreshadowing, irony ,etc. They also need to be able to read more difficult works of literature, so they need a good vocabulary.

They need to have a good idea of how to put their thoughts on paper. They need to be able to write and type well enough to put those thoughts down without too much frustration. They need to understand what a complete sentence is and how to develop a paragraph systematically. They need to know how to make their thoughts clear.

All these skills get honed during high school but they need to come into high school with some rudimentary knowledge.

[Aggie]

Faith has a good list.

My older dd is entering 8th, so I've been wondering what skills she's lacking right now. One is researching. We limit internet access, and a good library is about 45 min away, so I've hindered how much research she's done. We have a great home library, but it still is a home library. We'll be working on researching this year. Lots of time at the library and mom-monitored web searches.

Another area we've not concentrated on too much is geography. So we'll be doing a home-made geography unit this year.

[Therese]

Faith has a good list.

My older dd is entering 8th, so I've been wondering what skills she's lacking right now. One is researching. We limit internet access, and a good library is about 45 min away, so I've hindered how much research she's done. We have a great home library, but it still is a home library. We'll be working on researching this year. Lots of time at the library and mom-monitored web searches.


I wouldn't worry too much about the researching. It would be far better to work on the ability to
- make good outlines
- organize the material for a paper from certain given information
- explain things clearly
- transition from one point to another smoothly
- 'connect the dots' in papers; that is to explain why a statement is relevant to the thesis or point being presented
- write lucid yet interesting factual accounts in the different subject areas (e.g. the colonization of N. America including who came, from where and when (History); the formation of mountains; different types of rocks (Science))

If you assign some papers such as in the last category, you could find some topical reference materials that would have the basic facts. Learning how to use reference materials is a good skill to have, but it is relatively easy to pick up. I have seen papers that are full of quotes and sourced information, but they are not good papers because the student didn't do the necessary analysis or properly tie the sourced information in to the thesis. Which is why I think it is far better to focus on developing the student's analytical thinking and writing skills at this age.

Also, we've built up a pretty good reference library here at home by going to used book sales. It doesn't have to cost very much! http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Therese]

As far as character formation that will stand students in good stead in high school, discipline and organization are key!

Some day I may be brave enough to share my experience with children who were lacking in these areas. But not today!:001_huh:

[Sue in St Pete]

A great thread:

To all you people with 8th graders (or there abouts)... (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68058)

[CynthiaOK]

Should be able to type papers in proper format (MLA, etc.). Should have a basic working knowledge of how to put together a lab report. Should be familiar with the places one can go to research a topic and have a basic knowledge of the types of sources. Should be able to write a decent 5 paragraph essay in proper form.

These are skills we are working on with junior high school students in our co-op. We hope that by high school they will be fairly proficient in them.

[Julie in MN]

I think high schoolers need to be ready for upper level math (if that hasn't be already started in 8th grade with Algebra) so a solid understanding of basic math concepts and speed and accuracy when it comes to computation is needed.

I think they need to be able to read analytically so they have to have a working understanding of things like character development, literary terms, recognizing things like foreshadowing, irony ,etc. They also need to be able to read more difficult works of literature, so they need a good vocabulary.

They need to have a good idea of how to put their thoughts on paper. They need to be able to write and type well enough to put those thoughts down without too much frustration. They need to understand what a complete sentence is and how to develop a paragraph systematically. They need to know how to make their thoughts clear.

All these skills get honed during high school but they need to come into high school with some rudimentary knowledge.

:iagree: