Placement revisited-update below!
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 3:10 pm
*Sigh*. My 13 year old STILL is asking to go back to public school. her main reason, this time, is she feels that I am holding her back (not letting her work at a level appropriate to her) and that having specialized teachers for each subject was better 
I told her, because of her attitude over the past year, I had her working at the level of ability she was showing, and if she can work at a higher level, then that is what will happen. So now I was thinking of having her look at the placement chart and tell me what she feels she is capable of. Also, my dh is soooo much better at math than I am, and very good at explaining it, so I thought maybe he could be her math teacher. He is already teaching her piano and she seems to like his methods and manner. Good ideas?
I told her, because of her attitude over the past year, I had her working at the level of ability she was showing, and if she can work at a higher level, then that is what will happen. So now I was thinking of having her look at the placement chart and tell me what she feels she is capable of. Also, my dh is soooo much better at math than I am, and very good at explaining it, so I thought maybe he could be her math teacher. He is already teaching her piano and she seems to like his methods and manner. Good ideas?
It has worked well for their family. 
I'm not sure she'll be able to do that. Maybe you could narrow it down to 2 for her to choose between, based on where you think she places? And then print off the first week of plans for each and have her pick? I'm not sure, but you'll know here. I wondered if it might be good just to make the decision for her about school next year - as far as going to ps or being homeschooled that is. I think that there will be much angst and discussion back and forth about this all summer otherwise. I think a more peaceful summer could be had by all if you and your dh decided that dd is going to do "x" next year, and that the decision is final. It will be easier to work through any rebound emotions now then at the start of a school year, and dd would have some time to adjust to the idea, whichever it is, throughout the rest of the summer. Sometimes dc just don't know what's best for them. Most the time they don't. 
Truth is, we have already informed her of our decision to homeschool her for grade 8 since last month, but she is the one who keeps bringing up public school. We already told her that is not an option for this school year. But I do like the idea of printing the sample lessons and letting her pick from those. Truly, I think she could do RtR or even RevtoRev IF she puts her mind to it. She will turn 14 mid year (January), is advanced in math and science, does well with R&S 6, and is interested in any kind of history. Reading is always a concern I have for her, but again, much of it has to do with attitude. If she is a slow reader, so be it, just as long as I don't feel like I have to "sit" on her, you know? I would like to trust she will complete her readings on her own if I have to do something else. This past year was a mish-mosh for her academically (and maybe emotionally) and I want her to have at least one, solid, productive year before grade 9. Continuing CTC with Extensions would be a pretty easy year for her, so although that is my least expensive option (since I have CTC already), I want her to work up to her potential so *she* will feel she is being prepared for high school, too.
(He is also teaching her piano once a week, and the church is offering some free basic voice instruction.) She even thought the Creative Writing book was agreat idea. The only complaint she had was Rod and Staff English-I told her if I find anything at all comparable that is in a format she prefers, I will get it, but R & S is hard to replace. Thanks for advice and prayers-I look forward to a better school year-now please pray for us to get good ideas to raise the money to buy all the books!