Back to School 2015

Public and Private Schools

Hybrid/Homeschool

End of summer horseback riding

Summer in review - collage

The summer before 8th grade in pictorial review.

Haley had a very full and productive summer. She attended Awesome Math Camp which is a big deal.  There she took algebra 1.5 and geometry.  She *continued* geometry over the summer, completing 110 lessons in Teaching Textbooks with the assistance of her tutor after the camp.  Now she is ready for Algebra 2 this year!!  (She insisted *she* wanted to do it, and she did it!!).

Haley also participated in the 1st fencing camp; but the 2nd fencing camp she signed on as a "coach in training" and lead the younger children in exercises and drills.  We had the opportunity to visit New York City (and peek at Columbia and Julliard).

We had a few out of town guests (Great Grandma Nellie, Grandpa Harry, and Uncle Marquis), and bonding with family is always educational. Of course there was some time to hang out with friends and family.

Haley did extemporaneous speaking camp (in preparation for a switch to extemp this academic year). She spent some time shadowing a prominent elected official.  She continued her piano and harp studies.  And she enjoyed waterpark fun and horseback riding.  We already "met the teacher" and Haley jumped right into reading her biology and watching videos on Cornell note-taking.

All we have left to do is a tiny bit of organizing, and we'll be all ready!!  #ExcitedForHer

School year in pictorial review (collage)

There are plenty of post about each of these activities so we won't go into that here.  But noteworthy to point out:  7th Grade Talent Search John Hopkins CTY and Duke TiP.  Awards in piano and music theory.  Cotillion.  North Texas Children's Choir.  Change in studios to very prestigious music instructors.  Artemis conference and great debate year.  Fencing greatness.  And great academic success (including an A in algebra).  She joined a math club, and participates in Jack and Jill.

While Haley is busy, because she is homeschooled, there is plenty of TIME for her to spend her time doing each of these things without the "distraction" of public school and all the time "wasted" there for 40 hours/week or more.

Preview:

Nonetheless, this upcoming year Haley wants to try Student Council, Journalism (so yearbook and/or photography) in addition to orchestra/harp, piano, Extemp, and math club.  She has Spanish, Algebra 2, Biology (pre-AP), Earth and Space Science, and AP World History (with writing, speech and logic).  She is enrolled in two AoPS online math course to prepare for the AMC 8.  And we are looking for a research mentor for science.  We are considering English online via Duke Tip, but that may not be necessary if AP History offers enough writing and research opportunities for this EIGHT grader!!  Finally, she will have a writing class with an English instructor.

Wedding harpist

Girls day out

 Shopping and lunch makes for a perfect girls day out.  

Career: Elected Official?

Haley spent the day with Commissioner Roy Brooks who showed her the ropes of elected office in our county.  She met judges, and other board members; was able to vote on policy and spend time in their administrative offices.  A great exposure opportunity for Haley!!

Duke TiP - talent search medal and certificate arrive

Congratulations to Haley for a job very well done!!!

School ready - meet the teacher and back to school

Fabulous time meeting the teachers, getting the curriculum, and shopping for school clothes!!  The local PD has a program offering city identification for the children which we participated in. 

8th grade Curriculum acquired

All of the requisite books have been purchased.

The only outstanding issue is whether we give English credit for the writing component in the honors history track, or do we do CTY or Duke Tip online options for writing an essay?

Decisions.  Decisions.  But leaning towards (since she IS in 8th grade) to combining writing with history this year, and then maybe next year do Duke Tip online (much cheaper than CTY).

Haley has a difficult/full schedule this year:

Astronomy - Earth Science
honors biology
Algebra 2
Honors World History
Logic
Speech
Spanish
English

Plus she's doing:
Extemporaneous debate
Fencing
Harp
Orchestra
Piano
Journalism
Student Council

Totally manageable (as she has been doing quite a bit for awhile now). But as the stakes get higher, it is more important to focus and consolidate when possible.  Also, these classes are high-school level instruction.  Credit can be given for Extemp (as a political science), student council can be an elective, and Journalism can be a Language Arts/writing course.  However, if the load gets too heavy, we can back off some of the line-items, extend them into next year, or drop them altogether (and pick them back up for a summer course).

Lots of options and flexibility with homeschool.

Open fence day - for family

Its fun to have your family come and try to do what you do - Haley