Do Hard Things

I have been reading some really good books lately. My latest is "Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris. If you haven't heard of it I would encourage you to read it. It is written by two teen brothers about starting what they refer to as a rebelution in our country. This means stepping out of the teen stereotype of we are teens and it is our chance to have fun into do hard things. As I have been reading it I can see how both of my boys have been influenced by the teen stereotype. They have learned how to get by but they could be doing so much more. When people compliment you and tell you how you are doing such a great job the tendency is to stop there even when you know you could do better. These teens recommend that you always reach higher and do things that force you to move out of your comfort zone.

I can especially see how this has affected one of my sons. He could be accomplishing so much more but the expectations are so low for our teens that it appears that is doing really well. I have been accused that my expectations are too high but I have noticed even since my children were little that the more you expect the more they do. This could lead into a whole new discussion. Just a little commentary on this great book. I am actually reading out loud to my children.

Web site that does and ACT - SAT comparison

This one of many links that compares the ACT and SAT test scores. If I read it correctly the writing portion of the tests is not included. I believe the writing portion on the SAT has a bigger impact on the final score than it does on the ACT. I may not be accurate on this but this is what it seems. The writing on the ACT does not really seem to change the final score. I say this because my sons English and writing scores varied by 30% and his final ACT score remained the same.

http://www.eguidancecounselor.com/act_sat_comparison.htm#SCALE COMPARISONS

Visual and auditory learners

I have read a lot about this and listed to Andrew Pudewa talk about brain development. This is just a funny story that happened with my son. One of my sons is an auditory learner. He learned to read listening to me teach the older one. I have always wondered how he knows the words to so many songs and can walk out of a movie and repeat the lines. His world is very different than mine. He is unconsciously aware of all the sounds around him. Now to the story: the two boys were in their spanish class at the community college. One was following along in the book while the other was drawing and playing around. The teacher was calling on the students to read in spanish out of the text book (my two boys are sharing a book in the class because I am cheap and only bought one.) The son following along and paying attention "spaced out" (as he put it) and the other son who wasn't really following along had to point out where they were in the book. That auditory learner really does know what is going on even when they appear not to be paying attention.

This same child I purchased a rubber squishy ball for so that he doesn't annoy everyone around him because he constantly needs to be moving or playing with something.

The lesson here is to identify the learning styles of our children to help them to be the best learner they can be.

Community College Classes

A word to the wise- do your homework. While you think you may be saving money you may find that your children have to repeat classes or they only transfer as electives.

1. It is best to have an idea of the schools you might transfer to after the community college.
2. Check with the university to see what type of classes they will accept. The truly liberal arts schools usually have a set curriculum and there is very little that will transfer.
3. Foreign language- this has been very eye opening for us. Most high schools require 2 years of foreign language which is considered college prep. Many college degrees have a foreign language requirement, an BA degree (BS degrees usually don't). Here is the catch, at the community college there are usually 4 semesters offered. Our cc offered a 101, 102, 103, and a 104 level. With 2 semester of high school foreign language you can take the 103 class. Some cc want you take a placement test. You can buy the credits if you do well. It is usually about $10 per credit hour which isn't bad. Here is the bad part. The first two classes don't qualify for the foreign language requirement. The 103 and 104 levels are the classes that transfer for most universities. At the university or 4 year college you have to place into the first (103 class). If the child has not had the foreign language recently they end up having to take a refresher course which is considered an elective. I know this is confusing so if you have questions let me know. The bottom line is have the school the child is ultimately interested in approve the cc class and GET IT IN WRITING that they will receive the appropriate credit.

The college my one son is interested in told me not to waste the money on buying the credits for the first two classes because it won't do anything for him; they would just be extra credits.
4. Not all math classes transfer. Make sure you check the prerequisites before taking a class. Look at the class syllabus and see if it something they have already done and see if you can place out of the class. I recently found out that you can actually take a placement test at the cc to place into calculus if you have a high enough ACT score in math. It took taking to 5 people to get that verified. Most of the people at the cc told me you could not do that.

The key here is ask the right questions. Rephrase the question if you aren't sure they are understanding what you are asking. Most importantly get it in writing.

College Applications

One quick word of caution. It seems some of the applications are automatically sent if you fill it out. This has happened twice. My son thought he was saving and it was sent. OOPS- Live and learn.

Testing- ACT - SAT- PSAT- Placements tests

I just registered my 11th grader for the PSAT. He is taking it at his old Catholic high school. I just have to remember to make sure he has the homeschooling code when he takes it. The proctor should have it but I trust no one.

Interestingly enough, last year when my older son took the PSAT no one in his class qualified as a national merit scholar. It is definitely a good idea to go through the format with my younger one before he takes it. Apparently, no one explain the test and how it is scored. I haven't totally researched it yet but I do believe they are counted down for incorrect answers like the SAT. More on that when my research is done.

ACT vs. SAT
1. Take both

2. SAT the colleges super score- which means if you take it multiple times the schools can take the highest score from each sub test to come up with a composite, or as they call it a super score.

3. You don't need to know any science for the science on the ACT you just have to be able to read graphs.

4. Timing is everything. My son raised his reading score 4 points by just learning how to time the reading selections.

5. On the ACT the sub test scores can vary up to 5 points from one test to the next. The tests seem to be layed out very different. Some math tests are more arithmetic and some more reading.

6. The whole thing does not seem very accurate. It's a game. You just have to learn how to play it or teach your children how to play it, unfortunately.

7. These test surely are not really a sign of success. Statistically they don't seem very accurate.

8. Sending scores- you can send a new set of scores even after you are accepted, just make sure to notify the school so they can pull the new scores. This will help with merit scholarship up until Jan. of the year they plan to enroll.

9. Writing- if you can write a 4-5 paragraph essay with a thesis that is supported and concluded you will be fine. My son is not a great writer but he did pretty well. Not a perfect score but not bad.

Placement tests

Really, what is the purpose? I am being slightly facetious since my boys just took one for spanish. A little background: They both have 2 years high school spanish but I wanted to be sure they were prepared to take the 103 level class at the community college. They took the test and one of them got 8 hours credit one didn't get any. The interesting thing is they had the same teacher and got the same grade in the class. The poorer test taker did better. The interesting part is the department head who graded the test said it doesn't really matter because they both meet the prerequisite for the 103 class so they both can take that one. He will give the one boy credit for 101 and 102 and if the other one gets a "C" in the class he will also get credit.

So I am back to what was the purpose of the test. The audio on the test was so old they could hardly understand what was being said. I mentioned it and the testing office and the professor both said they knew because the test is old. OK then why wouldn't you fix it? Stupid question, I guess.

To make things worse the professor told me to register them for the class but when I went to do that the computer wouldn't let me because they didn't attend the new student orientation. So, I did what every good mom would do, I called, only to find out I need to fill out a waiver because they don't need to attend the orientation. Of course, this had to be done at the college. Now I have 3 days to register them for the classes I want them in or I have to go through this again.

I guess I should have made this multiple posts but this is why I call this gobbeledgook.

Importance of public speaking

I've been doing a lot of thinking about the teaching of public speaking to children. It is more than just giving a speak. Just recently I asked my 16 year old to ask a question about a class he was going to take. After reminding him what exactly he needed to ask I also felt as if I needed to remind him about greeting the person, making eye contact, etc. His response was, "Can't you just do it?" That made me realize how important it is to work with all of my children on how to present themselves even to take care of simple tasks. Eventually he went and asked the questions and came back. I asked if it was as hard as he thought. (He would still prefer I do it for him.

Talking in our families is very different than going out to strangers or even standing up in front of friends. The way to help our children improve in this area is to watch how they do it and give them feedback. It is good to give positive and negative criticism. We are so worried today about offending someone or hurting our children's self-esteem that we often don't give correction. Practicing at home is good but it is not the same as standing up in front of someone else. Provide as many opportunities as possible for your children to learn how to present themselves. Simple things like shaking hands, making eye contact, not playing with your hair or clothes are all important.

For some people public speaking comes naturally but not for all. Start young and practice often!