W finished up his sophomore year with a bang. 99th percentile on the CAT-E and what seems like a clear goal for his future. He's always throwing ideas around and researching various careers. I think he's finally narrowed it down to 2. We'll see which one wins, lol.
His daily schoolwork has mainly been Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2 and a few workbooks that cover literature, poetry, reading comprehension, analysis, grammar, writing, vocabulary, and analogies. I don't worry about his writing. He hasn't really had much formal teaching in that area, but a few weeks ago he wrote essay-type answers to a bunch of questions in order to be chosen as an administrator on a popular gaming server. It looked awesome to me, although I have no idea about any of that stuff. Needless to say, he got the position. It reminds me of how J always got As on her English reports in high school, even though she, too, had no formal writing instruction. It still fascinates me how such a common-sense concept like child-led homeschooling delivers unbelievably amazing results.
All Science and History is done with short novels, documentaries, website research, and field trips. Last week, he and a new homeschooling friend made plans for us to see a show called Dark Universe at the Hayden Planetarium. This fit in nicely with what's on the agenda for the upcoming school year - and we had a great time. The show was awesome. We'll be reviewing some Physical Science and Life Science, filling in whatever gaps we come across, and then focus mainly on Earth & Space Science. History will include some review but mainly focus on US History (from the Civil War to the 1970s), World History (1750 to the end of the 20th Century), Civics & Government, Geography, and Economics.
W is still learning new things on the ukulele and has taken a renewed interest in the piano, teaching himself to read music and learn full songs with intricate chords (from YouTube), hanging up his drumsticks for now. If he sticks with piano, I'll have no problem starting him on formal lessons if he wants. The kid can really sing, too. Maybe another career choice??
The owner of K's hair salon is on maternity leave, so K is running the place by herself. She's really working so hard. She has a few weeks off in September and she and her boyf planned a trip to Greece. I wish I would have had even half that drive and determination when I was her age.
J is still teaching dance. Her studio just had their recitals and J will start teaching a bunch of summer classes in a couple of weeks. She was in another music video that was released yesterday, as one of the back-up dancers. Oh, and her 21st birthday is quickly approaching. How did my girls become adults so fast?
Oh, and I did get to keep my new work schedule. It's been working out wonderfully.
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Sunday, February 12, 2017
16 Months to Go
I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while. Life is just going and going and all is well. Most things that were happening last summer are still happening.
W is still taking drum lessons (and has an awesome electronic drum kit now), he's still playing the ukulele, and just got his sister's old guitar restrung and is teaching himself how to play that, too. He's still going to Muay Thai several times a week and just trained with a pro from Thailand who is visiting the gym this month.
After experimenting with various career ideas, I think he's finally settled on sticking with something in the computer field. I mean, it's something at which he's always been a natural and I truly believe a great career comes with doing what you love. It's been true for my girls. So, for the next year-and-a-half, W's plan is to cover the remainder of what is required according to the regs. We have everything he needs for all the major subjects and he gets it all done on his own terms. Since W turns 17 in March of 2018, that will be his final year of reporting to the city and also his final year of homeschooling. That spring he will take his final CAT-E, that summer he will take the TASC, and that fall he will get ready to start his post-secondary education, which should hopefully be sometime in 2019. He has a few ideas on where he wants to go but wants to research a little more before he makes a decision. Having some sort of game plan really helps with organization. He seems to have it all together and I can't be more proud and excited for him.
I am trying out the afternoon/evening shift at my job so I can get more done in the mornings. With the early shift, I'm so dead tired in the evenings and just feel like hitting the pillow when I get home at 7:15pm. This trial has been great because I wake up around 8:30 and start the day. I'm so wide awake and have the time to have 2 cups of coffee, eat breakfast, clean, exercise, and sing at the funerals at my church a few times a month. My favorite thing, though, is having more time to get schoolwork done with W. He gets most stuff done on his own now, but still prefers some help and guidance from me. :) . I feel way more productive at work later in the day, too. I leave just before noon and get home by 10. I love it. I hope I get the ok to keep this new schedule permanently.
My girls are still doing what they do. K is back in Queens working in a posh, appointment-only salon. She and the owner run the place together and do weddings and other parties on the weekends. K also just bought her first car - a beautiful, 2015, white, fully-loaded Jeep Cherokee. It's awesome. J has been teaching dance at a couple of studios and going on auditions here and there. They are both happy and love what they do.
W is still taking drum lessons (and has an awesome electronic drum kit now), he's still playing the ukulele, and just got his sister's old guitar restrung and is teaching himself how to play that, too. He's still going to Muay Thai several times a week and just trained with a pro from Thailand who is visiting the gym this month.
After experimenting with various career ideas, I think he's finally settled on sticking with something in the computer field. I mean, it's something at which he's always been a natural and I truly believe a great career comes with doing what you love. It's been true for my girls. So, for the next year-and-a-half, W's plan is to cover the remainder of what is required according to the regs. We have everything he needs for all the major subjects and he gets it all done on his own terms. Since W turns 17 in March of 2018, that will be his final year of reporting to the city and also his final year of homeschooling. That spring he will take his final CAT-E, that summer he will take the TASC, and that fall he will get ready to start his post-secondary education, which should hopefully be sometime in 2019. He has a few ideas on where he wants to go but wants to research a little more before he makes a decision. Having some sort of game plan really helps with organization. He seems to have it all together and I can't be more proud and excited for him.
I am trying out the afternoon/evening shift at my job so I can get more done in the mornings. With the early shift, I'm so dead tired in the evenings and just feel like hitting the pillow when I get home at 7:15pm. This trial has been great because I wake up around 8:30 and start the day. I'm so wide awake and have the time to have 2 cups of coffee, eat breakfast, clean, exercise, and sing at the funerals at my church a few times a month. My favorite thing, though, is having more time to get schoolwork done with W. He gets most stuff done on his own now, but still prefers some help and guidance from me. :) . I feel way more productive at work later in the day, too. I leave just before noon and get home by 10. I love it. I hope I get the ok to keep this new schedule permanently.
My girls are still doing what they do. K is back in Queens working in a posh, appointment-only salon. She and the owner run the place together and do weddings and other parties on the weekends. K also just bought her first car - a beautiful, 2015, white, fully-loaded Jeep Cherokee. It's awesome. J has been teaching dance at a couple of studios and going on auditions here and there. They are both happy and love what they do.
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