Suggestion for elective for 9th grader...

[Sparrows-Song]

Ds will be entering 9th grade next year and I'm looking for the right elective for that year. I'm thinking that the later highschool years will be a more appropriate time for specific career-oriented electives, and earlier highschool years for study skills, ACT prep, keyboarding, computer skills, etc.

Does that sound right to you? What would you suggest as good (online, computer, or DVD) courses for things like that? Would the Teaching Company's "How to Become a Superstar Student" be enough for a complete year?

I've looked at Potter's School Office Applications already, and am now looking for more options.

Thanks!

[choirfarm]

Superstar student could be part of a study skills course, but not a whole one for a semester. You'd need something else. What about this semester course:

http://www.sonlight.com/580-00.html

My son did it in 8th grade, but it is appropriate for high school. It was WONDERFUL. Very interesting and independent.

Introductory Logic was a great semester course this year for my 9th grader. He is doing Intermediate Logic this semester.

Your idea for a computer course is great as well. My son did a semester of Alice Programing in 8th grade as well.

Christine

[Carol in Cal.]

There is a junior course, 8 sessions, that DD took earlier this year. It honed her public speaking ability considerably.

[newbie]

What about Giant Campus tech classes or Apex has tech classes. A great one would be Keyboarding or Comp. Lit, dd took Comp lit in ninth and it helped her w/all future work in hs.

[Julie in MN]

Ds will be entering 9th grade next year and I'm looking for the right elective for that year. I'm thinking that the later highschool years will be a more appropriate time for specific career-oriented electives, and earlier highschool years for study skills, ACT prep, keyboarding, computer skills, etc.

Does that sound right to you? What would you suggest as good (online, computer, or DVD) courses for things like that? Would the Teaching Company's "How to Become a Superstar Student" be enough for a complete year?

I totally agree with your plan.

I don't think Superstar is enough for a year. You might add in things from STobaugh or Chalkdust or other materials for test prep.

I'm planning at this point to do a semester of introductory logic using Fallacy Detective/TT and/or Critical Thinking I/II (depending on how far we get this year).

I'm also considering a semester of computer programming type skills. I've read threads about using both of the Computer Science Pure & Simple books in one semester, as well as other options.

Foreign language will take up the other electives next year, plus Bible is sort-of an "extra" credit all year. Maybe a semester of fitness. Just a note: I also would wait on health & practical math, since they both are usually more centered on adulthood skills.

Julie

[Photo Ninja]

Study Skills (add to the SuperStar program to create this course, perhaps add research skills)
Speech (public speaking, or perhaps a semester of Speech and one of debate)
Keyboard skills (touch typing saves so much time!)
Basic software: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Photography and photo editing software use
Video and video editing software use
Health and interpersonal relationships

[Sparrows-Song]

Thank you all so much!! I'm printing all these off to help make a decision.