Choices

I really wonder if there is anyone else out there who obsesses and plans the way I do? Sometimes I think my need to plan and have paths laid out are what drive me. This need can be a blessing and a curse. Sometimes I wish it would turn off so I would be able to have a moments peace inside my brain, then again maybe I should just get a hobby!

Next school year I will have a high schooler. Just the thought of it is keeping me up at night, and it's still a year away! So many options, so many choices to be made. All the burning questions: What does he want? What do I want? What can I handle? What is the best choice for him? How do I ensure he gets into the colleges he wants? I'm literally tearing my hair out.

Here is my main conflict. I want to continue homeschooling him, but his snarky teenager ways are starting to get a bit on my nerves. He's always been such a wonderful and delightful child, now the testosterone has kicked in and he's well, a teenager. My husband keeps telling me that this snippet of it will pass in the next year, but I'm honestly afraid it might not. Some days it's like having a 3 year old all over again. The boundaries are getting pushed and the emotions are running high.

I think my plan at this point is to tour the high schools we're interested in when it comes time in January. This way we get a feel for what's available. I'll probably even consider enrolling him in one at that time just make sure he gets a spot, then make a decision in June. But even as I'm writing this I can hear the little voice in my head telling me I won't be happy with them. :)

Time for School

What an exhausting summer! Lots and lots happened around here this summer. But not a single scrap of actual school work! So much for all of my great plans. It's alright, everyone needed a break after such a busy year. Bug spent the summer rereading Harry Potter and working at the vet. Monkey read and played outdoors as much as he could and Frodo is now a master at Magic the Gathering. He has memorized the rule book and taken out plenty adults who thought they knew the game well. His friends are insisting on a hard copy of the rules when they play because they think he's cheating (which he's not, he's just really is always right). So much for me thinking nothing got done around here this summer!
Our school year is shaping up to take a different turn this year. Monkey needs a lot more time outdoors and I need to be more flexible with him. Bug has asked to be completely independent from me and be in control of her education this year. Frodo, well I'm trying to get him to be more independent but the hormones are in full gear and he has temporarily lost his brain. So here is our basic plan for the year!

Math:
Monkey: Singapore Math and Right Start Math games. I will probably throw in some Family Math problems as well.
Bug and Frodo: Thinkwell, Beginning Algebra and The Life of Fred Beginning Algebra

Language Arts:
Monkey: First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind, Spelling Power, lots of reading to me from what ever interests him and I plan on getting through the Andrew Lang Fairy books with him.
Bug and Frodo: MCT three times a week, Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings, they will do a semester online writing course so they can receive feedback from an instructor and they are participating in an online book club for teens. They will also choose their own books for free reading time.

History: Monkey will use History Odyssey level 1 Middle Ages and Frodo and Bug will use History Odyssey level 2 Middle Ages with a few extra biographies and a unit on navigation.

Science: Monkey will be covering Human Anatomy and anything else that strikes his fancy. Frodo and Bug will cover Anatomy and also use the escience life lab and Singapore Interactive Science. We will also read The Story of Science aloud everyday. They asked for a science heavy year since they felt they didn't get enough last year.

Foreign Language: Monkey will begin Spanish, Frodo will be taking Latin and Bug will be taking French.

I'm still trying to figure out music for everyone. Frodo plays the guitar and Monkey will start piano again this year. I'll also work in some music appreciation that goes along with our history study.

Everything else looks a bit like this:
Monkey: Shakespeare performance class, various sports teams, lego class, gymnastics and several park days.
Frodo: Shakespeare performance class, programming class, video production and editing classes, swimming and mountain biking.
Bug: Improv class, Shakespeare performance class, sewing classes, video production and editing classes, digital design and Photoshop classes, swimming and working on earning her girl scouts Silver Award.

I know things will change and need to be tweaked a bit. But overall I think were off to a good start!