I have a 9th grader that doesn't like school. He will probably not go on to college. I am going to be looking into a high school where he can go part of the day for a trade, ie. mechanic, wood working, etc. He is taking Pre-Algebra, Science, Geography, and English/Literature this year. I am thinking that he probably doesn't need any higher maths or sciences. Is there a curriculum that does a General Math, General Science, etc. for the rest of his 3 years? I don't want to make it any more difficult for him. He has already taken Consumer Math.
You're going to have to discuss that with the counselor at the school he will be attending. Will YOU issue the diploma, or will the school? If he wants to graduate from a public school, he will need to have three math credits. That's a state requirement. Carl's district requires two of them to be algebra 1 and Geometry. Am not sure about the third. I don't know if that's required by the district or the state. His consumer math may not count, if he took it as an 8th grader. Also if he's going to be graduating from a public school, he'll be required to take the OGT (or whatever it's called!).
Jackie, you are so good. I didn't even think about those questions. Now I am going to have to rethink this whole thing. He is driving me crazy. Any other suggestion on what to do would be helpful. HELP!!!!
Unfortunately, our schools aren't designed at all for kids who are not academically-minded. Does he have any idea at all of what he would study at the Vocational School? Here's a thought, but I don't know if it could work or not. Rather than a vocational school, maybe you have a friend "in the trade" who would take Elijah on as an apprentice sort of position. He would learn the practical, hands-on stuff there. Elijah would still have to have some math, etc., but it could be a more practical math. Maybe business math? If he understands there's a difference between being a mechanic, and running the shop, and to run the place he'll need the math skills... Again, that's where the person working with him could help. Just a thought!
Yea, find someone who would take him under there belt. Whatever he wants to do? You would be surprise at the people out there that are willing to help. Like if he wants to be a vet? Call around. I found a vet office here that took both of my girls for the day, they both thought they wanted to be vets until they spend the day there. Have you try lifepacs?
That sounds like a good idea about an aprentice situation. I will try and find someone like that. I have always used A Beka with him. Since he never liked school anyway, I thought why change. Now I'm at a point that I am going to have to do something different. I will look into Lifepacs.
You might want to look at CLE. Their materials in high school are very much like lifepacs, but less expensive. They also have tons of electives he might be interested in -- car care, small engines, carpentry, woodworking, horticulture, agriculture, home repairs, electrical, lots of stuff. They also have a consumer math -- maybe it's different enough from what he had that he could do it again in high school for credit?? They also have a math called Practical Math that is a sort of general math up to about pre-algebra level. They have both recordkeeping and accounting. Unfortunately, the elective courses are expensive because they use regular school textbooks but with CLE's study guides and tests. But you can always resell them when he's done. You can get a Business Math the Easy Way from Christian Liberty.
Are you in a small town or near a large city? Here in Houston there are so many different types of schools. There are schools like what you are talking about. There are schools for kids who know they want to go into medicine. There is a fabulous school for the arts that Beyonce actually graduated from. It is a shame things like that are not offered in more places!
Oh no he wouldn't get pay but he can still do them? My girls have done a few, they don't get paid but hey they enjoy them.
Maybe volunteer when he's younger, and it could go into a paying thing as he gets older and more responsible...?
I have an 8th grade son who is very similar. He plans to go into the military. Even though he is considered gifted, he LOATHES the normal means for learning (i.e. textbooks with a scheduled set of information for you to absorb). However, he thrives when he is allowed to delve as deeply into a subject in the way he wants to. For history, I am experimenting right now with getting in the generally required information in different ways. We have been watching documentaries and reading historical fiction and non-fiction. We read and watch the same material and he has virtually 100% retention....when he was doing SOS history, he was doing well to agonizingly get 70-80%. Is it possible for you to do some subjects in a similar fashion? Find out what he wantst o learn about from his favorite subjects and work in the ones he isn't crazy about. My state doesn't have strict requirements, so I have some wiggle room (at least I perceive that I do) when it comes to what we use for curriculum. My ds is looking into apprenticing with a gunsmith if I can find one willing to let him learn, too.
He has been "working" across the street at a place that uses him when they need him. Not too often lately because of the economy. He has gotten paid for working. His interests are playing, I will check out the web sites that were mentioned and go from there. Thanks everyone for your input. Don't stop if you think of anything else.
Brooke, Elijah sounds just like your son, he does like history and current events. He will watch history dvd's and documentaries. In fact yesterday he went to the library and brought home The Tuskegee Airmen and In Search of bin Laden. I still need to incorporate Math, Science, Language/English. Then check out his work interest. Keep the posts coming.
I guess it depends on where you live and who you know because we can't find anyone who will let Crystal come job shadow or anything since she is only 16. She would love to work in a daycare someday and would like to spend a day in a real daycare but they say she has to be 18 to do that! We are trying to get her in as a volunteer at a nursing home but it is taking forever for the lady to get back to us. She has to have a TB test and go to orientation before she can volunteer and for some reason they just aren't getting back to us about it. Good luck finding something for Elijah. Beth
well I didn't read all the posts. but it seems he is just in 9th grade which would put him at about 14 ish. Plus if I caught it right, you mentioned in a previous post that he is interested in 'playing'. You said in the original post here that he doesn't LIKE school. That is different than having learning difficulties and being unable to do more advanced classes. At 14, espcecially for a boy, as they usually are slower to mature, they are not nearly old enough to make a career choice, or to decide they don't 'need' advanced math. ALOT can happen from 14 to 20. He may VERY WELL change his mind on college. He may make several 'career' changes between now and then. I guess it is your call of course, you know him better than anyone else. But from a 'generic' point of view, I think it is a bad idea to let him 'get away' with not doing advanced learning, and letting him settle for a vocational training. Especially at 14, and especially if he just doesn't want to do it. What I always say about my oldest, if it sounds like work, she's outa there! I'm still hoping she will outgrow that One day YOURS might, and then he will wish he had took those classes and such. Maybe not. who knows? but that's the point. at 14 he doesn't know. I think if he has trouble with the book style of learning, maybe he needs some alternative learning methods to do the advanced material. ?
Your son sounds like my son. My ds is in 9th and wants to go into the military. He has always loved history, he got a history award in 1st grade (the teacher said it was the first history award she had ever given out). But textbook history is one of his lowest grades (huh?). He loves to target shoot and hunt. I have even thought of a gunsmithing apprenticeship for him also. There is a community college (in Colorado) that teaches gunsmithing. Maybe there are more-I haven't researched it too much.
(taking the thread into my hands for two seconds)...I'll have to check the local community colleges and see if there is something available. I never thought of that before...thanks! I'll have to check at what age they allow minors to enter the class....or make him a fake ID.
