Home from camp

Haley is HOME from Math Camp.  She had geometry class in the mornings and algebra 1.5 (transition from algebra 1 and 2) in the afternoons.  9 - 5p, Monday - Saturday.  Plus evening homework and weekly exams in each class.  That's 42 hours of math instruction, not counting group homework sessions or private office hours EACH WEEK.  Times 2.5 weeks 105 instruction hours in intermediate math for this 12 year old!!!

She is eager to jump right into summer geometry class (her choice, not mine) and has already (in less than 1 week) completed 10 lessons.  "After that math camp, Mommy, this geometry is very easy!"

7th Grade

The year of TWELVE has been phenomenal for this little girl!!  From a speech that helped win a Peabody, to a premier math-camp opportunity, this girl has been a shining star.

Her curriculum this year has focused on HER.  Whatever she vaguely thought she might want to pursue, we tried to give her a taste.  Afterall, this is the last year of "whimsical fluttering" from flower to flower.  Its time to FOCUS and specialize!!

There are a few *staple* foci, which include math, and language arts.  As stated here:  math is the metronome for the cadence of education.  We focus on math - regardless of the desired ultimate field of study.  Additionally, being able to read well is the foundation of being able to "self-teach."  Ultimately, "self-teaching" is how all teaching is done.  

This is what we did this 2014-2015 7th grade academic year:

• Algebra - we spent last summer doing pre-algebra so she'd excel this year
• Language Arts - Excellence in Writing, Elegant Essay, and lots of time spent doing Analytical Grammar.
• Physical Science - PLUS science fair.
• Debate:  Team Policy
• Piano
• Harp
• Orchestra
• Fencing
• Choir
• Jack and Jill

Also it's important to mention that this year was the year of the Talent Searches. Haley took the ACT and qualified for Talent Searches (in qualifying for 1, it is very likely qualifications have been met for the others).  So we opted to participate in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and Duke TiP.  These additional merit badges are intrinsically great (especially for a homeschooled child) as external validation of "smartness."  Also, though, they have GREAT online courses (which are outstanding resources for homeschooled students) and summer camps.  It is our intention to have Haley participate in an online course this upcoming year, and go to a CTY camp in upcoming years. 

Summer Plans

• Math Camp (geometry and algebra 2)
• Geometry 
• Piano
• Harp
• Fencing camp
• Debate camp:  extemporaneous 

What she's done from then to now (2014).  

Awesome Math Summer Residential Camp

The list is complete.  We are all packed.  And headed to MATH CAMP!!  

Upon our arrival we are shown to a beautiful new dormitory with single private rooms, a shared bathroom and lounge area (within a suite of 3).  Additionally, there is additional lounge space, study space, and musical instrument practice space on each floor.  The cafeteria serves grilled cheese and steak.  And the students and staff are all friendly and welcoming to a newbie.  So far, a great experience.  

Camp list (updated)

Linen/towels

 Bath towel (2)
 Beach towel (1)
 Hand towel (1)
 Face towel (5)
 Linen (1 set)
 Extra linen (1 set)
 Pillow
 mattress/pillow cover
 Blanket

Toiletries

 Shower caddy
 Shower cap
 Deodorant
 Bath soap
 Feminine hygiene products
 Face soap
 Face scrub/mask
 Face astringent
 Face lotion
 Face spot treatment
 Lip balm (Enos)
 Q-Tips
 Brush (hair braided)
 Comb (hair braided)
 Shampoo
 Conditioner
 Hair Products (braid spray & grapeseed oil)
 Hand cream
 Vaseline
 sanitizer
 Toothbrush (storage)
 Toothpaste
 Floss
 Tissues (pocket and box)
 Nail clippers (manicure set with tweezers)
 Shaving cream
 razors
 Soap carrier
 Sleep bonnet/scarf
 Body Lotion
 Body spray/perfume
 Cotton balls
 Shower puff (2)
 hair accessories (scrunchies, headbands)
 jewelry (inexpensive)


Medications
 Motrin
 Execdrin
 Zofran
 Benedryl
 Lactaid
 GasX
 First-aid kit





Fun in the sun
 Swimsuit x2
 Swimsuit cover-up (2)
 Sun glasses
 Sun block
 Bug repellent


Clothing
 Bras (6)
 Panties (18)
 Jeans (2); jean jumpsuit (1); black pants (1) = 4 pants
 Shorts; (1) skort; (1) biker shorts; (2) jumpsuits; (1) capris; (2) jeans = 6 (outer) shorts
 Sweatshirt (1)
 T-shirts; (10) T-shirts; (4) college shirts; (2) sleep T-shirts; (1) under cami = 16 outer shirts
 Sweat pant (2) for sleeping
 Pajamas (use T-shirt and sweats)
 Terry-cloth bathrobe
 Flip flops (2) pair
 Shoes (tennis shoes)
 Socks (13 pair)
 House-shoes/socks (4 pair)
 Shower shoes
 Dresses (2)
 Warm jacket
 light weight jacket

Extras
 Glasses
 ID
 Stationary/stamps (email)
 belt
 dressier shoes (dressy shoes = sparkly flip-flops)
 Umbrella
 Camera (with charger)
 Flashlight
 Laundry bag
 Reusable water bottle or canteen
 School supplies (pens/paper/pencils/scissors/color pencils)
 Calculator
 Spending money (cash and gift-cards; $200)
 stuffed animal
 Entertainment (computer and Nintendo DS)
 Small purse
 Garbage bags for storage
 Ziplock bags (big and small)
 Fan
 Little rug
 Cell Phone and Charger
 Books and/or magazines (Divergent, Dork Diaries)
 Backpack
 Dishes (paper/plastic)
 This list
 Gifts/notes
 Hangers
 Paper towels
 Lysol
 Tide
 Snacks (gummies and protein bars)

*Label Everything, including luggage

UPDATED:  6/8/15
What we DIDN'T have but ran to the store and got after we checked her into the dorm:

- night-light
- hand soap
- adhesive wall hooks
- private stash of toilet paper
- keychain
- insurance card/paperwork


Updated:  6/15/15
Additional items she asked us to bring during our visit:

- more detergent 
- headphones
- more hangers
- piano music

And we took her a couple of small gifts (bracelet, journal, card, pin). 

Central Park Zoo

Who doesn't LOVE the zoo?  And this zoo was the PERFECT size to squeeze in prior to a dinner meeting.  Also, the weather was (albeit a tiny bit wet) great because the temperature was ideal for walking and reading at the zoo.   Ian is re-inspired to work with animals after this visit.  

Empire State Building

Can't visit New York and NOT see the Empire State Building. 

College Visits - New York

This is Juilliard.  

Haley liked Juilliard because she loves music.  It's hard not to love the place with all that creative energy swirling around.  The campus is beautiful, and the students seemed happy.  

However...

The drawbacks were, Haley loves math and science.  She wants to be a physician, afterall.  Since there are no science or math classes on campus, she would have to take those classes on another campus.  That is a drawback.  Also, she didn't get to see the student living quarters, nor could she take photographs to really reflect on the experience of touring.  Finally, as the "City is their campus," Haley feels like she'd prefer a distinct college campus that isn't "mixed in" with the City.  

This is Columbia.

This school impressed Haley.  The campus is distinct, and self-contained - but there's still the City as the "playground."  100% of pre-med students that applied to medical school were accepted (of course, that doesn't reveal the entire picture necessarily, but it is impressive to a tween aspiring towards that goal).  The students were enthusiastic and engaging.  She got to see the housing, and get a "feel" for what it might be like to be a student there.  Overall, it is a top 10 school for her (right now).