Help have some decisions to make....

[Holly IN]

I almost got most of my curriculam selected for my son's 1st year of high school.

I am struggling with Windows to the World. I keep going back and forth on this. I have read alot of the postings on this. Those of you that use TOG....Are you using Windows to the World?? I thought I might go ahead and get it but use it differently than intended. I am also going to be utulizing Deconstructing Penguins and How to Read a Book by Mortmer. Any thoughts?


Poetry: I still want my son to memorize at least 4 and write 1 for me.
Any good books to use for Poetry study?

This boy is capable of so much more than what he is putting out. He is fighting me alot on his school work and I fear it is only going to get worse. Dh and I agree that we need to keep pressing him on because of my dh's experience of not pressing on in high school. He said his career would be very different than what it is now if his parents had pushed him hard like mine did. So we are not sure what to do in this area of his life. He is totally unmotivated and thinks I am out to get him. I would say he is lazy and has to be prodded harshly to do anything. He is going through some major puberty but I have never been like this though. DH is shocked at how moody he is. Any thoughts?

I just want his high school years go smoothly with no bumps because he is behind in two areas according to his IOWA test.

Thanks!!

Holly



Thanks!

Holly

[Michelle in AL]

Have you thought of some online or outside classes to add some outside authority and take some of the weight off your shoulders.

I have Windows to the World and I think you could use it as is alongside TOG as it's based on short stories, so it wouldn't be too much reading. You could also use the lessons in Windows to the World and apply them to the TOG selections, thought this would be more work on your part.

[Holly IN]

Yes I have thought about outside classes but they are asking for a whopping $300 per class per semester. Not something that I can afford....

Holly

[FloridaLisa]

This boy is capable of so much more than what he is putting out. He is fighting me alot on his school work and I fear it is only going to get worse. Dh and I agree that we need to keep pressing him on because of my dh's experience of not pressing on in high school. He said his career would be very different than what it is now if his parents had pushed him hard like mine did. So we are not sure what to do in this area of his life. He is totally unmotivated and thinks I am out to get him. I would say he is lazy and has to be prodded harshly to do anything. He is going through some major puberty but I have never been like this though. DH is shocked at how moody he is. Any thoughts?


I'll not tackle your question about Windows on the World, but this part of your post caught my eye. I think it is very common for boys to go through a very sluggish period around the 8th grade. We've experienced it, I've heard it over and over from friends and the concern appears regularly on this board. Puberty seems to really take a toll on some boys' work level, interest level, focus and first-time obedience!

We are over that hump with my oldest. Ninth grade was a step up from 8th and 10th grade was a night and day difference. Not that you asked, but what worked for us was 1) keeping the same high standard and 2) having Dad set up and enforce the accountability. Lots of sleep along with lots of physical activity makes a huge difference. My ds seemed to do better with a tight schedule, with less wiggle room, than days of freedom. And, as my good friend related to me, my role as mom should become more and more of cheerleader/encourager than Mrs. Overlord as my sons pass through high school.

So perservere. If he's capable of more, ask for it. I really think part of the beauty of homeschooling in the upper years is that we can continue to sow through the difficulties, whereas boys are just allowed to flounder in many school situations.

HTH! Many blessings,
Lisa

[Jenn in CA]

Amen and seconding everything Lisa said. My 8th-grade lazy boy pulled it together overnight in 9th grade. He just completed 9th and is a completely different guy.

I also agree with mom being a cheerleader for teen boys... and sleep and rigorous physical activity.

As far as moodiness... No easy answers, but everyone is capable of socially acceptable behavior, and even changing teens need to respect and honor their parents (and be considerate to everyone else). My boys need to hear that over and over. I firmly believe that them being with me all day (as opposed to in school) has helped them to learn that!

Press on!

[Kathy]

Thank you, Jenn and Lisa, for your encouraging words. I have a ds entering 9th grade who is struggling with the same issues. It's a daily struggle, but hearing from those who have gone before helps immensely. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights.

[Eliana]

Poetry resources:

Perrine's Sound and Sense (http://www.amazon.com/Perrines-Sound-Sense-Introduction-Poetry/dp/1413030548/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216071286&sr=1-1) is the best single resource, imnsho (I prefer the selection in the older edition - I think I have the 2nd edition)

Other books I like to use as supplements:


How Does a Poem Mean (http://www.amazon.com/Does-Poem-Mean-John-Ciardi/dp/0395186056/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216071335&sr=1-5) Ciardi
UnderstandingPoetry (http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Poetry-Cleanth-Brooks/dp/0030769809/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216071411&sr=1-2)Brooks & Warren
A Poetry Handbook (http://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Handbook-Mary-Oliver/dp/0156724006/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216071444&sr=1-1) Oliver (and its sequel)
Poetic Meter and Poetic Form (http://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Meter-Form-Paul-Fussell/dp/0075536064/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216071504&sr=1-1) Fussell
Poetry Handbook: A Dictionary of Terms (http://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Handbook-Dictionary-Babette-Deutsch/dp/0064635481/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product) Deutsch

[Jan P.]

My ds went through this too. His junior year I let him pick his literature program even though I really wanted to do things TWTM way. He chose an online class with Oxford Tutorial which was the Tolkein/Lewis class. My ds loved it! Norm Lund is a terrific teacher. See how this year goes, but if you need a tutorial for next year then go with Oxford Tutorials. Just save your pennies early on. Dr. Lund might even work out a payment plan. I think by letting my ds choose something, then he was more inspired to be cooperative. I did have to push him all through high school though. He took dual enrollment classes his senior year (Intermediate Algebra and Computer Sc.). I think it made him feel like he was a college student, so he was a bit more motivated to work hard. Now that he has completed one year of college, he is much better at being motivated on his own. Hang in there! I wanted to quit homeschooling with my ds, but I'm so glad that we stuck it out.