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First Things First
"My question is regarding high school science for a Mom and student who just can't get their heads wrapped around science."
~ Bethany Plante from Amesbury, Mass.
Dear Bethany,
I love your question, because it can apply to so many subjects other than science! Your question shows that you have identified the area of your homeschool that needs the most help. Everyone has one - and it's good that you have identified it.
Put first things first
Every homeschool parent has a subject that they don't understand, tolerate, like, or remember to teach. When you identify your weak area, then you can do something about it! Once you have identified your weak subject, remember to put that subject FIRST.
Your weak area is the first thing you do with your time.
It's the first thing your student does in the morning. It's the one thing you make sure is done every single day. Even when a fabulous opportunity arrives, and all the other homeschool things get put on the shelf, this is the one thing you are sure gets done. You always take the time for it even when their is a field trip, activity, or 8 hour theater rehearsal that day.
Your weak area is the first thing you do with your money.
It's the first curriculum that you buy each year, and the thing you are willing to spend the most money on. It's the only thing you will be SURE to reinvest in if necessary. In other words, if you choose a curriculum and it doesn't work, this is the area that you will make a second purchase - even within the first couple of months of school.
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Amarillo, TX 79106
Phone: 1-888-533-2435
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9.00 am to 03:00 pm (PST)
Comments 4
TO: BETHANY
Is there a certain area of 'science' that your child is interested in? Crime scene science? Raising animals? Growing a garden? The human body, or even a system of the body? Nutrition? Genetically engineered foods? Engines & motors? Energy -- solar, wind, fossil fuels? Ocean animals? Pollution of the oceans?
There is a lot more to science than just what is in the BJU or ABEKA catalogs!!
I might have to disagree with a couple of points! Depending on the child, and how much you've been hammering & working & toiling on that 'weak spot' -- you could make them absolutely hate that subject. Sometimes you need to step back, reduce the amount of time you spend on that topic, maybe not even touch that topic for awhile. Not everyone is going to make A's in Algebra 2 or Chemistry or Spanish. I do agree with taking a different tack -- a different curriculum, maybe that same topic a few grades or levels behind to make it easier to get through.
There are as many ways to approach that 'weak subject' as there are children!
Lee, you always have encouraging suggestions, but this is the one that has stuck with me. I'm so excited to have my daughter taking an outside biology class this coming school year, that I've already signed up and talked with the teacher.
I've looked at various college admission requirements (per another suggestion of yours!), and the science requirements vary widely. Yes, she *can* take an offbeat science schedule (i.e., Classical Astronomy, Forensics, both with labs), but since she doesn't know yet where she wants to go, we want to be sure her choices are not limited just because she missed science classes that she had an opportunity to take.
You know I continue to share your website with hs moms of older kids at my library, and I recently purchased your "How to Find a College" DVD. You are such a blessing.
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