What would you consider to be the most important skills for one entering high school?

[imeverywoman]

We've been thinking (dh and I) about the necessary skills for high school. We come up with a very general list which includes the ability to write skillfully, work maths, endure a substantial work load, etc. He believes that one of our children should remain in the 8th grade level for a while longer because these skills are not yet developed.

I must admit that the child is not a wordsmith by any stretch of the imagination. Said child huffs and puffs under the work load, is finishing up with Rod and Staff level 7 math and Math u See Pre-Algebra, but will read Uncle Tom's Cabin, Huck Finn, Fredrick Douglass, et al, for pleasure. We are not happy with the results we are seeing, but are diligently forging ahead, working steadily on the writing and maths daily.

Under what circumstances would you hold off on the higher level work until you see that your student can cope?

[Cedarmom]

Your goals seem a bit broad. I think I would narrow them down. Write skillfully-Can he write a paragraph and keep on topic- begin working on five paragraph essay. I would narrow down the goals and make them specific as to what you want your child to work on. So, are you just supposed to be starting 9th grade. Here are some things I would work on

5 paragraph essay-
taking three or more sources and writing a 1-2 page report
taking ownership of work- giving him the picture of why he's doing what he's doing
Giving him assignments that are due in a week or two and teaching him how to plan time


Having him do a daily checklist of assignments-so he becomes more independant

I think rather than hold him back, I would determine specifically what things he needs to work on, and develop those.You could always do an extra 12th grade year if you need.

[JennW in SoCal]

To expand on some of Cedarmom's thoughts...

The difference in maturity between an 8th grader and a 12th grader is huge. The difference between an 8th grader in the fall semester and a 9th grader in the spring semester is staggering. With that maturity comes a burst in advancement in skills and mental endurance. Because of this, "high school skills" don't need to be in place before 9th grade, but need to be steadily worked on through high school. What is a struggle now may not be such a problem in a year, and each year in high school can be a little more demanding than the previous year.

Some kids just have subjects that are always hard for them, no matter how much you demand from them. If your child is getting by in pre-algebra, then just ignore the huffing and puffing. If he (she?) is struggling, then an outside tutor might help. Outside co-op classes sometimes are the ticket to a change in attitude and an improvement in the quality of work. Some teens also enjoy the opportunity to work with their peers and are motivated to do well for a different adult.

So what do they need to succeed in high school? It sounds like your child has the most important element already -- the ability to read and understand advanced material. The other elements would include knowing how to organize work for a week -- using planning calendars and check lists. Basic writing skills -- paragraph, simple essay that flows logically. Everything else just builds on those simple elements.

The most important element for a successful homeschooled high schooler is a set of parents who see the positive in their children, who are patient in coaxing them through their difficult areas, and are creative and flexible in finding ways to meet their children's changing needs.

[Jenn in CA]

Under what circumstances would you hold off on the higher level work until you see that your student can cope?

We've always managed to move to a higher intellectual or conceptual level, while holding back on the physical-endurance level, ie. the amount of work involved. And eventually, their physical stamina will catch up. I think boys esp. (at least mine) have trouble w/long, sustained deskwork or writing. Mine both did until about age 15. For my students, 9th grade didn't involve a whole lot more time than 8th grade, and 10th is where they really ramp up the amount of time spent on school.

To increase the challenge while keeping the workload lighter, students can work on writing excellent paragraphs, rather than whole papers; break up a paper over a few days; do only half a lesson of math; alternate days reading a book and writing about it. My kids did only half a lesson a day in Saxon math until 9th grade, and my 11th grader is in college calculus now so it didn't hurt him.


I think some red flags that would make me want to hold my child back or slow down are: habitually extremely careless work (and they don't see that they have a problem), clueless about questions that require higher-level thinking (in English or history), or doesn't grasp math concepts. Otherwise it's not too difficult to keep them going, just with a lighter work load until they can bear a heavier load. Especially boys.


Just a thought that might help you pinpoint what exactly your child needs to work on.

[Sue in St Pete]

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

This is one of my favorite threads....

[imeverywoman]

Okay. You are THE best EVER! Thank you for this!

[newbie]

Scheduling and planning.

[debbiec]

Big Ditto to that one! (Scheduling and Planning)

[FloridaLisa]

The difference in maturity between an 8th grader and a 12th grader is huge. The difference between an 8th grader in the fall semester and a 9th grader in the spring semester is staggering. With that maturity comes a burst in advancement in skills and mental endurance. Because of this, "high school skills" don't need to be in place before 9th grade, but need to be steadily worked on through high school. What is a struggle now may not be such a problem in a year, and each year in high school can be a little more demanding than the previous year.

Amen and amen sistah. :iagree: I've found (with my boys) that maturity is two steps forward, one step back until just about the senior year.

Lisa, just about to emerge from under ds1's senior paperwork.

[ThelmaLou]

Well, coming at it from the angle of someone whose son is just now in 9th grade, what's tripping him up right now is his attention to detail, following directions, and his general apathy. But then again, we've been dealing with these issues for the last several years. Skill-wise, he's very capable. But his goal in life is to get school "over with", not to learn the material. He's really shooting himself in the foot and creating more angst for himself, but he just doesn't get it.:glare:

[Mom24bz1g]

Self-motivation.

Seriously. I am no longer there to write anything down or remind him of something. If E doesn't write something down, he will miss an assignment. The school gives every child a planner at the beginning of the year. They are required to actually use it. However, if ds doesn't write the assignment down, he only remembers when he gets home that he had to do something, but can't remember what exactly to do.

Being able to hand write a page or two. Again, this has surprised me, but they require them to write most of their work out by hand.

I explained to ds that he was absolutely not going to know everything because I've never taught to what a school does. However, he has the skills required to learn quickly. I explained that he would be ahead in some thing and feel behind in some things and just let me know and I would help him get up to speed. So far, it has worked out fine.

The hardest part for E has been in science class. They are not allowed to use any part of an essay, article, key vocabulary, etc to write in their own words an argument or sentence. If he even uses a few words, quotes, in this particular class, she will call it plagiarism. I don't agree, but clearly she is trying to teach them something important so I tell him to go along with it.

We have told him this is his opportunity to figure out what each individual teacher wants and meet that standard. He will be doing this his whole life, with bosses and such.

Blessings,
Michele

[Kareni]

Self-motivation.

Seriously. I am no longer there to write anything down or remind him of something. If E doesn't write something down, he will miss an assignment. The school gives every child a planner at the beginning of the year. They are required to actually use it. However, if ds doesn't write the assignment down, he only remembers when he gets home that he had to do something, but can't remember what exactly to do.

Michele,

You might suggest that he get the telephone numbers of some fellow students -- that way he can call someone if he does not write down all the needed information.

Regards,
Kareni

[Lady Lorna]

I made the list below for myself when my daughter was in 8th grade. I'm not sure I would make the same list now, but perhaps you will find it helpful. I hope it's okay to make such a long post!

Research and Study Skills
Time Management
Able to

use planner to schedule assignments
accurately estimate time it will take to complete assignments
schedule time for long range projects
complete assignments in a timely manner
Notetaking
Able to

take legible and accurate notes from interview subjects, research materials, and a speaker’s presentation
Supplementary sources

Thirty Lessons in Notetaking
Teaching Outlining in World History
Outlining
Able to

create an outline to organize work prior to writing
create an outline to determine the central ideas of a work and distinguish them from supporting ideas
Supplementary sources

Thirty Lessons in Outlining – First Level
Thirty Lessons in Outlining – Advanced Level
Teaching Outlining in World History
Summarizing
Able to

condense novels, essays, textbook chapters and other works into 1-2 page summaries
Research
Able to use

library (catalog, periodical indexes, vertical file)
globes, atlases and maps (physical, political, thematic, historical)
dictionaries (abridged, unabridged, etymological)
thesaurus
encyclopedias (general, topical)
quick reference sources
gazeteers and geographical dictionaries
collective biographies
Research Papers
Able to

choose topic, formulate thesis, conduct and organize research,create outline, draft, write and edit paper
distinguish between paraphrase and plagiarism
cite sources
Supplementary sources

A Manual for Writer of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations
A Rulebook for Arguments
Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student
The
Elements of Style
The New Oxford Guide to Writing
Study Skills
Able to

set priorities
monitor pacing of study time
read effectively
outline or take notes from reading
balance short and long-term assignments
complete assignments in a timely manner
Testing Skills
Able to

plan for tests in advance
use textbooks, notes, homework and prior tests for review
find or create questions for use in review
answer test questions in strategic order
review answers before turning test in
Classroom Techniques
Able to

ask questions
answer questions
request more information
present ideas in contradiction to others
defend ideas in contradiction to others
speak effectively in front of a group