High School half speed on the HISTORY side only?

[flydena]

I apologize in advance for the length, but here goes:

Has anyone done the guides half speed on the HISTORY SIDE only for High School? I have the Rev2Rev guide for my son's 9th grade year, and will be adding in foreign language, our own devotional study, some government and videos, doing a different math and writing program, and the rest of the guide I am doing as written with extensions. However, we did RtR last year for 8th grade w/o extensions and the ONLY thing we changed was the math, but it was an extremely full year and I feel like we rushed through and my son didn't learn as much as he could have if we'd have slowed the history down so he could savor it. In my state (MO), we do not have specific High School requirements. We only have to meet 1000 hours of instruction for the year and keep a portfolio or some kind of record of progress. So, I don't have to have any particular history credits to graduate. I would like to cover American History for sure (as we've covered every other time period and world history in the past quite thoroughly). So, I am thinking that I could potentially do Rev2Rev history side for 2 years and the new Modern Time guide for 2 years. I will add in lots of geography each year to be sure he gets at least 1 credit in that, and keep him on level with LA and Math. Bible and character I will also do full speed and science, too. So, the only thing I would slow down would be the history. Has anyone done this? Do you think it would work? I'd love feedback as this is something I am seriously considering. My son does not enjoy school, especially when we are rushing through and don't have the time to savor and discuss like we have in the past. I think the year would go smoother and he would potentially enjoy it better, which is certainly a goal I have for my homeschool...enjoying and savoring, not rushing or checking off boxes. Thanks for any input on this. I certainly don't want to do something that would make it not enough, or not what would be considered high school credit worthy. But, 50 minutes per day for the school year is the average recommendation for a credit, and I know for RtR this past year, he was spending at least double that if not more on the history boxes alone. And, this year I will be adding extensions which will add even more reading to his time. Thoughts? Suggestions?

[tiffanieh]

I certainly have a few years before I need to worry about highschool but the thought that immediately came to my mind was his college plans. Regardless of what your state might require, if he has plans to go to college I would look at what the college would require for entrance. The state may not need XYZ, but college may certainly require it, especially if it is highly competitive to get in, or not.

[flydena]

I agree that colleges will want students to have certain credits. But, ultimately I decide if a credit is awarded, and from what I understand, a credit is approximately 120 hours. I believe that he could accomplish 120 hours in history per year even splitting the history portion down to half. So, he'd still be getting 4 credits of history before he graduates. They would all be American History, though, unless I add in Ancients with a Bible History course at some point (which I may). And, I also plan on at least 1 credit in government if not more. I think that would be sufficient for most any college. And, I am quite certain that he will not choose a degree that has to do with history. He's more of a math/science guy.

I definitely want to award credits thinking of the possibility of college, though, honestly, at this point, I'm not sure he will even want to go to college. He is still young, though, and I can hope that he will change his mind.

I would still love to hear from someone that has considered this or done it, though! I am praying about it, and I feel like it may also help us to have more time to really discuss what is being read. That is something that is important to me, yet I didn't feel like I had much of an opportunity for that in RtR. I am very excited about Rev2Rev, though, and think it will be a wonderful year (or two!).

[LynnH]

If you add in enough geography to get a credit that is considered a history/social study. Colleges seem to want to see a world history. Looking at MTMM you could make that a course called "Modern World History" pretty easily I would think. I know the world history my dd took in public schools was about the same time period as MTMM. Just write up good course descriptions and keep track of all books he uses. Even some of the very homeschool friendly christian colleges my dd is looking at will request to see those things.

[flydena]

That's a great suggestion about World History. I may be able to supplement and make that happen. Thanks.

[flydena]

Bumping. Would really like someone to say this sounds like a good option, or that it doesn't look like it would be enough. I am truly leaning toward doing half paced history for all of high school. I'm not sure how it will all play out, which is what is holding me back a bit, but I'm thinking I would just purchase the next guide up (MTMM) the following year and do the right side of the guide on it and continue with the history side of the Rev to Rev guide. Then, move to the History side of the MTMM, and so forth.

So, it would look like this:

9th Grade: Rev2Rev guide
1/2 of the Learning Through History side of the guide (Doing 1/2 of the guide for 9th grade)
ALL of the Learning the Basics side of the guide

10th Grade: Rev2Rev guide for Learning Through History only and MTMM for Learning the Basics only
Finish Rev2Rev guide Learning Through History side of the guide for history (Doing the 2nd 1/2 of the guide)
Do ALL of the Learning the Basics side of the guide in MTMM

11th Grade: MTMM for Learning Through History only and next guide up (Geography?) for Learning the Basics only
Begin MTMM guide Learning Through History side (Doing 1/2 of the guide for 11th grade)
Do ALL of the Learning the Basics side of the guide in the Geography? guide

12th Grade: MTMM for Learning Through History only and the next guide up (World History?) for Learning the Basics only
Finish MTMM guide Learning Though History side (Doing the 2nd 1/2 of the guide for 12th grade)
Do ALL of the Learning the Basics side of the guide in the World History? guide.

I know it may look more complicating to do it this way, and I guess it is somewhat, but I think it would help us to enjoy the history more and I will also be able to comfortably add in things that I wouldn't feel like I could otherwise. I don't want school to last ALL DAY long, yet I do want to be able to fit in fun field trips, maybe a coop, a history related movie now and then and not feel like we are getting behind by doing those fun things. I have two other children that I also homeschool (ages 11 and 5) and I also work 32+ hours a week so I don't have a lot of time to work with, but the free time we do have, I want to make it fun.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

And, I can't say I will do the same with my other children. My son is different. He lacks organization skills, he likes me to sit with him and work with him. He is just much more needy. This may be because we didn't have previous guides to build skills upon, it may be a character flaw, it may just be his personality. And, honestly, it's probably a combination of all 3. However, we get along much better when I do work with him more and keep him more accountable, and school seems to be much more enjoyable as well for both of us (if he gets the attention he needs). My 11 yr. old daughter does very well working independently and is very organized so can do this without a problem. She is also a good help in entertaining my 5 year old (sometimes to a fault). I'm not sure how it's all going to look since my 5 year old will definitely NEED some of my time in learning phonics this year. I am planning to do a "family time" where we work on memory verses and do the Apologia Worldview study together. We've already done the Who Is God? before we found HOD, so we will be using Who Am I? instead, and together with all the kids. I'm hoping starting off with some together time will help give us a good start to the day. All the kids will need me at some point, and I will just have to organize my day this way. It worked well last year splitting my time between them, so I'm sure it will work out again. I just need to get all my ducks in a row! And, not being certain about this is slowing my planning process! So, please help!

[Gwenny]

I had a couple of thoughts, FWIW.
What about full speed without the extensions? Are you planning on working with the extensions or just having him read them in his free time? Is he a big reader?

I think him becoming more and more independent is an important thing this year, based on his age and especially because he's a boy. . Our boys need to not be so dependent on mama and become more responsible for themselves and under their dad's eye more and eye. (if that's possible anyway). Could your husband have some time with him, or have your son be more accountable to him? I say things a lot about what a man they are becoming and how great that is, etc.
Maybe he just needs more helps for organization. Did you see the post the other day about the colored boxes and file folders in them? She had grouped some subjects together and their books, notebooks needed for them in one box for each group. Something like that might help. Maybe you could just have some check-in times with him. You don't sit with him, but have checks every 1.5 to 2 hours for a few minutes.

Hope something helps!
Blessings.

[8arrows]

I was thinking along the same lines as Nancy. I would not go half-speed with a high schooler. If you think it is too much, I would drop the extensions. I think going full speed without the extensions would be much easier on both of you than trying to split the guides. Remember, there are a lot of other skills being practiced during the "history" boxes. My 9th grade daughter will be doing REV2REV this year with extensions. We are really looking forward to it. I will look forward to watching your posts for the year.

ETA: I chose not to add foreign language until 10th grade. This will give my daughter a year to get to use to high school classes without being overwhelmed. We will dive into Rosetta Stone next year.

[flydena]

Gwenny,

He is not a big fan of reading....which is part of the problem. He likes to listen to me read, but not a big fan of independent reading, but I do agree....he needs to be reading more on his own, and last year with RtR was good for him because he did read much more on his own. I liked that and I think it does help him to be more responsible for his own work when he's doing more independent things. So, I'm not really speaking of holding his hand as much as I'm speaking of keeping him on task and discussing with him more about what he is reading. I tried to implement some scheduled times to go over his readings and his work last year, but with working and the other 2 children it was tough to have a consistent time scheduled. We also do have a sort of workbox system set up, but he is terrible at putting things back when he's finished and also terrible about telling me when he's finished something so I can look it over or so he can narrate to me. He does much better when I am really keeping a close watch over him and "making" him stay on task and clean up after himself. But, if I get distracted with another child, he also gets off track and I come back to a mess. I added in the extensions because it was something Carrie recommended for High School. And, I'm always hearing how awesome the extension books are, and didn't want him to miss them. Though, I don't know how we will use them, I haven't really looked at the guide a lot yet. I think I'm just feeling overwhelmed at what I'm supposed to be "adding" in order to make it high school credit worthy. (Extensions, more Bible, government, foreign language and more literature when the guide already seems full to me. It took 5 hours last year without all the added stuff!)

His dad starting taking a much bigger role in holding him accountable the end of the school year for RtR. I think it definitely helped quite a bit, so when we start back up, we will probably do the same thing again. However, we both are working the business while they are doing school (at the shop) so it makes it tough sometimes especially if there is a lot of work to be done. And, my husband is the one who does the repairs on the computers. He is there early in the morning, at lunch, and in the late afternoon/evening. (Unless he is out on house calls). The rest of the time I am there alone with the kids while my husband works his other F/T job as youth pastor at our church. I do the paperwork and phone calls part of the job and I also take the drop off of computers and pick ups while he is not there, all while trying to keep up with homeschooling the children. It's just tough to fit in REGULAR check-ins because I never know WHEN I'll be able to take the time. Some days are wonderful because the interruptions are minimal. Other days are crazy busy and it seems as though we will NEVER finish. I know this is just our life at the moment, and that I need to get my son into better HABITS of organization, but it's tough to do that when I can't keep watch over him at all times to make sure he is doing what he's supposed to. I wish I'd have found HOD before I did, but obviously that wasn't in the Lord's plans or I would have. And, he is very intelligent and very capable of the workload. It's just the organization and the telling me when he finishes something that he struggles with. I hope all this is making sense.

[tiffanieh]

Dena,

I say this lovingly, but I believe over curriculum, half speed, full speed, foreign language or not, my primary task at hand would be to understand why your son isn't capable of completing an age appropriate task on his own without you being right there keeping him on task. Then, working diligently on expectations and repercussions if he does not follow thru to completion (including putting books away properly, etc.) I believe our job as parents is to prepare our children to leave our nest, and if your son cannot do things independently, how is he going to be prepared for college? for a job? or living on his own?

The good news is, he's not leaving tomorrow! So you have time to ramp this up, but I would make this a very important part of your goals and objectives for this school year. There is no reason why a young man, without special needs, shouldn't be able to become more independent than you have said he is. I know this will make your life a lot easier once this has improved!!!

Wishing you the very best and look forward to updates from you!!

[flydena]

There is no doubt that I need to work with my son on being more responsible, and organized. He's been a tough one, but definitely adds flavor to our family! Developing good habits will take a lot of work for him because so many bad ones have crept in and bad habits are tough to break. But, I do plan to make this a HIGH priority. It will take diligence on my part and on his. And, I'm hoping Dad will also be a big part in helping with this. It's going to take all of us working together! We usually make quite a bit of progress in training of good habits during the summer, but when school starts the schedule becomes very tough, and it's much harder to keep up with the training of good habits when schooling (but this is where he needs the most help, training and discipline, and encouragement). And, I am trying to balance A LOT with working, and homeschooling. And, the other rough part is the ages of my kiddos. One will be learning phonics (needs me), one will be in middle school, and one will be in high school. All are at BIG stages, each requiring something different from me. And, because the training for the oldest needs extra work, it makes the rest even harder. I just don't know how I will fit it all in! Anytime you are diligent in training a child, it takes constant watching and making sure they are doing what they are supposed to, checking in, etc. Once the habit is formed, they can be trusted to be left to independent work without constant checking, but until the habits are formed it is HARD work! So, maybe I should go 1/2 pace with school until better habits are developed? IDK. I really don't know the answer. I know that if we are trying to instill habits concerning school he needs to be DOING school. But, maybe less school until the habits are instilled, and the training is well under way? I know this is better figured out sooner rather than later!

I am also second guessing my choice of HOD for him this year. The days were so long last year, and I fear they will be even longer this year! That will not help his JOY in homeschooling. Maybe this is just not the right fit for us at this time in our lives. I felt confident when I purchased, but now I just don't know.