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High Schooler\'s Preference or mine?
- This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 8 months ago by
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Dear Readers,
My freshman son asked to read a history text (Notgrass) instead of literature. He says he “actually learns something” from the text, and not so much from the copious history literature he’s read over the years. He also prefers an Apologia text to the literature – rich Sabbath Mood guides. Would this be a case where the passion of a single author, Ray Notgrass or Jay Wile, qualifies it as a living book? Have I automatically assumed all text books are dry and dusty because every CM blogger refers to them as such? My junior son is the other side of the coin (and perhaps like me), who prefers and can better relate to a story rather than a textbook that explains the minutiae of a topic.
What’s a mom to do? I’m overwhelmed once again at all the amazing planned curriculum available today. Do I get two programs for two different learners and hope the rest of the family will fit one route or the other? Or do I settle on one and make it fit all my kids, (there are six more students coming down the pike)?
Sincerely,
Amy
P.s. If you gave feedback on the Sabbath Mood Science thread, thanks!
I’ve had high schoolers who have used both Notgrass and Apologia. I wouldn’t call either of them “living” in the sense that many books for younger students are living (and probably many books for older students, too; I just have less experience with using CM philosophy with olders). That said, I think a high school student often has strong enough self-knowledge to have a preference in this area, and I think those preferences should be respected. Especially if the preference seems motivated by a desire to learn. It’s really exciting to me to hear that your son is asking for texts in the first place! So cool! Part of our goal is to help our kids become independent learners, and high school is an excellent time to start that process. Just my two cents on a few of the issues you’ve raised. I’m sure others with more experience will be able to comment better.
I agree with alphabetika. It sounds as if your son is giving you a clear indication of his learning style. Be grateful he’s so in-tuned and speaks up so he may learn best.
He can read Apologia and Notgrass independently, and participate in a family read-aloud, if you like.
Okay, I just remembered something. When my oldest daughter was using Notgrass American history, I read most of the literature books aloud to her. I did this so I could discuss them with her, and also because I love reading aloud so much I couldn’t stand not to. 😛 Maybe that’s a way for you to bridge the gap? It may not be possible for you time-wise since you have several other students, but it’s a thought, even if you just read one or two. I really felt like the strength of the Notgrass history was in the source document book that goes with it, so if you decide on Notgrass, definitely don’t skip that. That’s what made it rich, imho.
One more note on reading the literature aloud: I read the Scarlet Letter when I was in high school. I was not a Christian at the time, and I just didn’t quite get it, though I loved it as literature and loved discussing it in class. When I read it to my daughter and we discussed it, having then been a believer for many years, the spiritual significance of so much of the plot came alive for me in a new way. It was like a gift God gave me. Even if that had been the only one I’d read to her, it would have been worth it!
My 14 yo son who is finishing 8th grade asked at the beginning of the year for either textbooks or video based lessons. He simply doesn’t enjoy reading. He’s an athlete with a get it done mentality toward school. He has had CM history, etc up til 8th.
This year…
Mystery of History, vol. 3 with an online class by author for HS credit – he finished with a 90. He GREATLY preferred the textbook to living books. He did read 6-8 living books along side, mostly with audible, but his assignments came from the text.
Literature – It’s been a rough year at our house so we dropped most books and counted the history books.
He prefers a science text, too. I bought the sabbath mood bio and he balked right away.
We’ve learned he does better, learns and enjoys more with textbooks and structure of outside teachers. He is a competitive kid in so many ways and actually prefers quizzes and tests to narrations. He also does better with them! So he will do the bulk of his schooling that way going forward It’s pricey for the online classes, but for this kid in this situation, it’s worth it.
Next year for 9th…
- Compass Classroom US History dvd course with an online class Romans Road
- Logic with online class Romans Road
- American Literature (will use mostly audiobooks) with online discussion only class from Center for Lit
- Writing Class online (name escapes me)
- DIVE Integrated Physics and Chemistry (online)
- Mr. D Geometry class online
- PE (life for this kiddo) – travel and hs baseball plus pe at co-op and help teach pe at co-op
- Auto Care 101 (through our co-op)
- Personal Finance (through our co-op)
- Food Science (through our co-op)
- The only things he’s will do for me directly- Bible study (though we’ve used Armor of God online classes for 7/8 grade), spelling & grammar review, current events.
I consider myself a CM purist, ideologically, but this kid DOES NOT learn best the CM way. K-7th, we did it CM style. He complied and learned, but it did not compare to how well he has excelled in his learning this year. Not even close. So, I decided it was time to put aside my ideology and teach the child I have in the way HE learns best. It’s not about me or what I like best and when I admitted that and stepped back and accepted it, my son is flying!
If your child asking for something different, I would encourage you to try it. Let him figure it out. IMHO, it’s better he be invested and engaged and learning than simply ticking the boxes.
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