Well, yesterday was the last day of my third week of English Composition 1, my first-ever College class. It's only a 6 week long course, so it's now half over. Wow.
So far I've turned in two essays, each worth 20% of my final grade, and there will be a total of four, with the remaining 20% made up of daily assignments. The first one was an essay summarizing an article in a recent Time article, and the second was to write a profile on someone I didn't know very well. I chose to interview and write about my neighbor across the street.
When I took my rough draft for my first essay in, things got a bit rough. The teacher took one look at it and said, "Why didn't you do the assignment I gave you?" The problem was I didn't realize he had given us a outline of exactly what he wanted and I hadn't read it. He gave me feedback on what I had done wrong-- quite a bit, it would seem --and with one day left until the essay was due, it was tough. I rewrote most of the essay, keeping only small things, and finally the next day I turned it in to be told that I had "achieved perfection". Needless to say, I got an A. I haven't received my grade for the second essay yet, but I'm hopeful.
The teacher is nice. I like him. I think I'm the only one in my class who does, however. He's tough, he's certainly not an easy teacher, but he's fair. I hear the other people in the class complain about him daily, but I really do think he's a good teacher. I've learned a lot from him. Personally, I'd rather have a tough teacher and learn a lot, than have an easy teacher and just skate by.
What really surprises me is the lack of ambition toward actually succeeding in the class some of the students have. One guy came in the first day and said, "I'm going to be a basketball player, I'm just doing school to pass the time, and I'm shooting for a D in this class." It just blows my mind that anyone would ever act like that.
For the most part though, the people in the class have been very nice, although I don't think some of them know quite what to make of having a yet-to-graduate homeschooler in their college class. There's one guy in the class from Turkey who said, upon finding out I was homeschooled, that he didn't understand homeschooling, since in his country it was illegal.
With three weeks left and, so far, an A in the class, I've been enjoying it a lot. I'm excited to continue.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Half Way Through His First College Class!
Whew! As of today my son is half way through his first College class! I have been bugging him to write something for our blog. But, he's been really busy with the class...So I am posting for us!
Today my son came home and told me that the teacher asked him if his mom taught him how to write. (At the 1/2 way point of the class he is pulling a strong A! YAY!) When he answered "Yes." the teacher replied "My mom taught me to write too. We would write together and that's how I learned." I thought it was SO awesome that he would tell my son this! I thought it was really kind of him. The class has been going really, really well! Not just the assignments and the fact that he's acing it. But, the whole experience.
I really didn't know how he would be accepted as a 16 year old in a College class. What would they think? Would they even know he was homeschooled? So the very first day the teacher had them go around with a list of questions to ask each other as a mixer. One to the questions was "How many kids were in your High School?" LOL So when my sons answer was ONE it quickly became a topic of conversation! The teacher got wind of his answer and asked (in front of the whole class) how he had only one kid in his high school? He responded with "I'm homeschooled." The teacher replied that he use to not be sure about homeschooling. But, now as a College teacher he found that the best students in his classes usually turned out to be homeschooled. Then a student from Turkey chimed in that he didn't understand homeschooling. He said "In my country the government says everyone must go to school. American and Canada is the only place people don't have to go to school." I told my son that he should have said "Well, in American we have a thing called FREEDOM!" Then my son said he was glad at the moment that I wasn't there! LOL Ironically a few days later my son got matched up with the guy from Turkey for a project and they got along just fine. (Although the project was very, very hard because of the language barrier.)
All in all everyone has been great to him. I know it may not be this way in every class. But, I am glad his first experience is a good one. He is learning a lot of "other" interesting things too. He's surprised by how nonchalant many (most) of the other students are. The amount of drops and absences. (They were told that NO absences would be allowed because this is a 9 week class in 6 weeks already. So you just can't miss.) The fact that he LOVES the teacher and everyone else seems to think he's mean and too tough. ("If they think he's tough they should meet my moms!" LOL) There is one student in particular that is keeping my son entertained and shaking his head. On the first day of class he introduced himself and announced that he was just there until his basketball career took off. He also informed everyone, including the teacher, that he was just "shooting for a D in the class." Then for one of their assignments they had to interview someone and write a profile on them. So this character did his profile on a drug dealer! For his "research" he rode along on drug deals. Wow! Of course as a homeschooled student my son has never met a person with an attitude or lifestyle like this! Needless to say he's learning a lot more than how to write!
So overall it's been a great experience. It's weird not having him home as much and it's weird when he has assignments that conflict with things I have planned. But, he's learning, growing and fitting in just fine. Just like I always knew he would!
Happy Homeschooling,
Mom
Today my son came home and told me that the teacher asked him if his mom taught him how to write. (At the 1/2 way point of the class he is pulling a strong A! YAY!) When he answered "Yes." the teacher replied "My mom taught me to write too. We would write together and that's how I learned." I thought it was SO awesome that he would tell my son this! I thought it was really kind of him. The class has been going really, really well! Not just the assignments and the fact that he's acing it. But, the whole experience.
I really didn't know how he would be accepted as a 16 year old in a College class. What would they think? Would they even know he was homeschooled? So the very first day the teacher had them go around with a list of questions to ask each other as a mixer. One to the questions was "How many kids were in your High School?" LOL So when my sons answer was ONE it quickly became a topic of conversation! The teacher got wind of his answer and asked (in front of the whole class) how he had only one kid in his high school? He responded with "I'm homeschooled." The teacher replied that he use to not be sure about homeschooling. But, now as a College teacher he found that the best students in his classes usually turned out to be homeschooled. Then a student from Turkey chimed in that he didn't understand homeschooling. He said "In my country the government says everyone must go to school. American and Canada is the only place people don't have to go to school." I told my son that he should have said "Well, in American we have a thing called FREEDOM!" Then my son said he was glad at the moment that I wasn't there! LOL Ironically a few days later my son got matched up with the guy from Turkey for a project and they got along just fine. (Although the project was very, very hard because of the language barrier.)
All in all everyone has been great to him. I know it may not be this way in every class. But, I am glad his first experience is a good one. He is learning a lot of "other" interesting things too. He's surprised by how nonchalant many (most) of the other students are. The amount of drops and absences. (They were told that NO absences would be allowed because this is a 9 week class in 6 weeks already. So you just can't miss.) The fact that he LOVES the teacher and everyone else seems to think he's mean and too tough. ("If they think he's tough they should meet my moms!" LOL) There is one student in particular that is keeping my son entertained and shaking his head. On the first day of class he introduced himself and announced that he was just there until his basketball career took off. He also informed everyone, including the teacher, that he was just "shooting for a D in the class." Then for one of their assignments they had to interview someone and write a profile on them. So this character did his profile on a drug dealer! For his "research" he rode along on drug deals. Wow! Of course as a homeschooled student my son has never met a person with an attitude or lifestyle like this! Needless to say he's learning a lot more than how to write!
So overall it's been a great experience. It's weird not having him home as much and it's weird when he has assignments that conflict with things I have planned. But, he's learning, growing and fitting in just fine. Just like I always knew he would!
Happy Homeschooling,
Mom
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
First Day of College
My sons first day of College is some ways was much like what most mom's experience on the day they send their oldest child off to Kindergarten! It was a BIG day at our house! My husband went in late to work so he could drive my son to his first class. We had already been out to the College the day before to find his classroom. His backpack filled with paper, pens, pencils, granola bars and 2 of the most expensive books I have ever purchased was by the door. He was ready to go! But, here is where the similarities to Kindergarten end. As I stood and watch the car disappear down the street, I was thinking about how grateful I am that I have had him home for the last 16 year. That I never had to watch him disappear on a bus when he was 5 years old. At that moment I believed my son was ready! He was truly going off into the real world, on his own. And I was excited for him!
Of course I did have to take a picture of him on his first "real" day of school!
The 2 hours actually passed really fast! I was very excited that I got to go pick him up! So excited in fact that I had to snap this picture! LOL
Okay, I know I probably shouldn't have taken a pic through the door! But, he knows me, and if he really didn't want his picture taken he shouldn't have sat in such a perfect spot! (Right? LOL)
I will never forget the BIG smile on his face when he saw me! He had a great first day and he told me all about it as we went out to lunch and drove home. He even let me take one more picture outside the College.
Is it just me, or does he look a little older in this picture?
Happy Homeschooling,
Mom
Of course I did have to take a picture of him on his first "real" day of school!
The 2 hours actually passed really fast! I was very excited that I got to go pick him up! So excited in fact that I had to snap this picture! LOL
Okay, I know I probably shouldn't have taken a pic through the door! But, he knows me, and if he really didn't want his picture taken he shouldn't have sat in such a perfect spot! (Right? LOL)
I will never forget the BIG smile on his face when he saw me! He had a great first day and he told me all about it as we went out to lunch and drove home. He even let me take one more picture outside the College.
Is it just me, or does he look a little older in this picture?
Happy Homeschooling,
Mom
Monday, May 9, 2011
Getting A Student ID
Today my mother and I went to get a student ID at the nearby college which I am now enrolled in. To get the ID we required two things, my Student ID number, which I had, and a photo ID, which I was lacking.
You see, I don't drive, so I don't have a Driver's License yet, and obviously since I'm Homeschooled, I don't really use a student ID. So, first, my mom had to make me a Homeschool ID. And so she did. We took a picture of me, and made an ID. We went to get it laminated, and then went to the campus.
Once we got to the campus, we looked up where exactly we needed to go, and we... Well, went there. Once we got there we gave the woman working there my ID number and my ID, and she told me to go stand on an X. I did so, got my picture taken, and just seconds later I had a real student ID.
It's really cool having my ID now, it makes it feel much more real. Before, though I was enrolled, it didn't feel all that real, but now that I've actually got a student ID just sitting in my wallet, I really feel like a college student.
After getting my ID, we looked around the campus for a while. It's a very nice campus, with a large library, and it seemed pretty easy to get around in. I'm very excited to start my class at the end of this month!
We also had to get a parking pass, since in order to park at the college, you need one. So we got that too, while we were there. Unfortunately, the one we got only covers this summer, so once it's fall, I'll need to go get another one. I'm probably going to take driver's ed over the summer, so instead of them needing my mother's license, they'll be using mine next summer!
It's getting pretty close, my first college class. I'm excited!
You see, I don't drive, so I don't have a Driver's License yet, and obviously since I'm Homeschooled, I don't really use a student ID. So, first, my mom had to make me a Homeschool ID. And so she did. We took a picture of me, and made an ID. We went to get it laminated, and then went to the campus.
Once we got to the campus, we looked up where exactly we needed to go, and we... Well, went there. Once we got there we gave the woman working there my ID number and my ID, and she told me to go stand on an X. I did so, got my picture taken, and just seconds later I had a real student ID.
It's really cool having my ID now, it makes it feel much more real. Before, though I was enrolled, it didn't feel all that real, but now that I've actually got a student ID just sitting in my wallet, I really feel like a college student.
After getting my ID, we looked around the campus for a while. It's a very nice campus, with a large library, and it seemed pretty easy to get around in. I'm very excited to start my class at the end of this month!
We also had to get a parking pass, since in order to park at the college, you need one. So we got that too, while we were there. Unfortunately, the one we got only covers this summer, so once it's fall, I'll need to go get another one. I'm probably going to take driver's ed over the summer, so instead of them needing my mother's license, they'll be using mine next summer!
It's getting pretty close, my first college class. I'm excited!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
In A Blur...
I took this picture of my oldest son a few weeks ago quite by accident. It was one of those "almost dropped the camera" moments and when I regained control of the camera the picture above was on the screen. For a moment it almost took my breath away! Immediately it reminded me of how our homeschool days have passed in a blur. No, it's not like I don't remember any of it. I remember a lot. But in my mind, when I think back, there are many memories I remember just like this picture. It went too fast!
I went through "The Plan" I had made up for my sons high school years last night and realized that he only needs 1 1/2 credits to be DONE with highschool! Considering he has 2 years left to take Dual Enrollment and CLEP College classes he will easily get those 1 1/2 credits (Health 1/2, Speech 1/2, PE 1/2) in the next 2 years. So for all intents and purposes he is "done" with homeschooling! I mean, he's not going anywhere! He will still be home when he's not at the College taking classes. And of course my husband and I will be guiding him though choosing classes and working with him on studying for the CLEP tests. But, that is pretty much it. It's weird!
One thing I am very grateful for is when we went to the dual enrollment meeting a few weeks ago the Dean in charge of the dual enrollment program took a lot of time telling this kids that College is THEIR responsibility! I think this was important for both my son and I to hear. I am sure it's not always going to be easy for me to step back and let him be in charge of his own education. We have tried really hard to make his high school years practice for College by giving him the work and expecting him to do it. Although I am now realizing that while it was good practice, it's really not the same at all! You see with his High Schooling we really have just taught him until he got to an A level. There was no cut off period where we said "If you don't understand this info by XYZ date you will fail!" Of course that would be ridiculous and counterproductive. Don't get me wrong. He has never been at any risk of failing anything. He has poured through the materials we have given him to the point that after 2 1/2 years of high school he is pretty much done! But, there was just never the pressure of failure being a possibility. That will be different with College. (Not that I expect him to be at any risk of failing!) For the first time in his life his needs and learning style will NOT be taken into consideration. It's not the professors job to keep going until he's "A"ish! LOL
So while we have done what we can to prepare him, we also need to brace ourselves that it's going to be different. I believe he is ready! As much as he has loved being homeschooled, (And I have loved homeschooling him.) he is ready to be out in the world. To interact with other students and teachers. It's exciting and I am sure at times it will also be challenging.
I am so grateful as I write this that we have had the opportunity to homeschool. I am so grateful for all the hours we have had together. The deep conversations. They control over choosing curriculum. The time to get him "A"ish at his own pace.
So this post isn't at all what I sat down to write. I was going to tell about moments that stand out in my mind so vividly. But, I guess that will now be a post for another day.......
:^)
Mom
Saturday, April 30, 2011
I Want To Remember...
These are the things I want to remember from the day my oldest son took his early enrollment test for college...
I want to remember how I came downstairs in the morning and he was already dressed and ready. He said "Mom, I put on a dress shirt. Because I thought I should." It was the first time in his life he had put on a dress shirt without me asking him to. It made me realize, he is growing up and making good decisions!
Then he was walking around eating a bowl of HOT Oatmeal while wearing the Ove-Glove on his hand! He was too excited to sit still and eat breakfast! Seeing him with that Ove-Glove on made me laugh and I had to take his picture. This made me realize he is doing a good job taking care of himself!
We left plenty early, which was a good thing! We were surprised how quickly we found a place to park...until we got inside and realized we were parked in the faculty parking! Ooooops! We laughed our heads off! Then we stopped by security and they said we could leave the car there until I dropped him off to take his test. And if we got a ticket in the meanwhile to come back and they would excuse it. It made me feel good that they were kind to us and didn't laugh at the 16 with his mommy trying to figure out College!
Next we got lost inside the building. The floor plan and the number system was bizarre! I had NO idea where we were suppose to go. But, thankfully once my son stopped listening/following me we found the place we were suppose to go with no trouble. This made me feel relieved and happy to know he will be fine getting around campus and certainly doesn't need me to guide him!
I wasn't at all nervous while I waited for him to take the test. I knew he would pass it! But, I prayed for him. Especially that he would relax ans just do his best. This reminded me that God is always with him even when I cannot be!
He did the whole test in 1 hour and 8 minutes! When I saw him coming down the hall walking towards where I was waiting I wondered, for just s second, if they had told him he had failed! He didn't look happy! But, he told me they said to wait with me....so we waited....for nearly 30 minutes...it seemed like forever! Finally she came out to tell us the results. She wasn't smiling. She wasn't frowning. She looked just like this was no big deal and she does it every day! LOL (Which she does!) She sat down, flipped open the file and said. "He passed." (very non-chalant.) Then she looked at his numbers and said..."He did VERY well!" (And smiled!) I just LOVED that word VERY! We chatted a few minutes and then she left. My son and I high fived each other until our hands hurt! I never want to forget that moment! It was a true celebration of the work we have done together for the last 16 years!
We headed to the elevator. I was still on cloud nine! In my excitement I repeatedly started pushing 2. We were on the 2nd floor so nothing happened. Eventually my son said "Mom, push the 1." I laughed and said in a winey voice..."College is hard!" We laughed some more. I never want to forget how happy we both were at that moment!
When we got outside the College was having a sidewalk chalk festival. We walked around and looked at the cool art. The weather was perfect! My son told me "I think God made this perfect weather day just for me so I wouldn't have to worry about the weather while I was taking my test." This made me smile and reminded me that he loves the Lord and trusts in Him! What more can a mother want for her son?
We sent a text to his dad that said "he passed!" A few minutes later my husband replied "I knew he would!" It was great moment! This reminded me of all the trust and faith my husband has put in me over the years as I have homeschooled our kids!
Of course we had to have a victory lunch! It was an awesome day!
These are the things I want to remember....
I want to remember how I came downstairs in the morning and he was already dressed and ready. He said "Mom, I put on a dress shirt. Because I thought I should." It was the first time in his life he had put on a dress shirt without me asking him to. It made me realize, he is growing up and making good decisions!
Then he was walking around eating a bowl of HOT Oatmeal while wearing the Ove-Glove on his hand! He was too excited to sit still and eat breakfast! Seeing him with that Ove-Glove on made me laugh and I had to take his picture. This made me realize he is doing a good job taking care of himself!
We left plenty early, which was a good thing! We were surprised how quickly we found a place to park...until we got inside and realized we were parked in the faculty parking! Ooooops! We laughed our heads off! Then we stopped by security and they said we could leave the car there until I dropped him off to take his test. And if we got a ticket in the meanwhile to come back and they would excuse it. It made me feel good that they were kind to us and didn't laugh at the 16 with his mommy trying to figure out College!
Next we got lost inside the building. The floor plan and the number system was bizarre! I had NO idea where we were suppose to go. But, thankfully once my son stopped listening/following me we found the place we were suppose to go with no trouble. This made me feel relieved and happy to know he will be fine getting around campus and certainly doesn't need me to guide him!
I wasn't at all nervous while I waited for him to take the test. I knew he would pass it! But, I prayed for him. Especially that he would relax ans just do his best. This reminded me that God is always with him even when I cannot be!
He did the whole test in 1 hour and 8 minutes! When I saw him coming down the hall walking towards where I was waiting I wondered, for just s second, if they had told him he had failed! He didn't look happy! But, he told me they said to wait with me....so we waited....for nearly 30 minutes...it seemed like forever! Finally she came out to tell us the results. She wasn't smiling. She wasn't frowning. She looked just like this was no big deal and she does it every day! LOL (Which she does!) She sat down, flipped open the file and said. "He passed." (very non-chalant.) Then she looked at his numbers and said..."He did VERY well!" (And smiled!) I just LOVED that word VERY! We chatted a few minutes and then she left. My son and I high fived each other until our hands hurt! I never want to forget that moment! It was a true celebration of the work we have done together for the last 16 years!
We headed to the elevator. I was still on cloud nine! In my excitement I repeatedly started pushing 2. We were on the 2nd floor so nothing happened. Eventually my son said "Mom, push the 1." I laughed and said in a winey voice..."College is hard!" We laughed some more. I never want to forget how happy we both were at that moment!
When we got outside the College was having a sidewalk chalk festival. We walked around and looked at the cool art. The weather was perfect! My son told me "I think God made this perfect weather day just for me so I wouldn't have to worry about the weather while I was taking my test." This made me smile and reminded me that he loves the Lord and trusts in Him! What more can a mother want for her son?
We sent a text to his dad that said "he passed!" A few minutes later my husband replied "I knew he would!" It was great moment! This reminded me of all the trust and faith my husband has put in me over the years as I have homeschooled our kids!
Of course we had to have a victory lunch! It was an awesome day!
These are the things I want to remember....
Friday, April 29, 2011
I Have A College Student!
WOW! I just paid for my first College class for my 16 year old son! Yesterday he took his Accuplacer test and passed with flying colors! So today we signed him up for his first class, which he will take over the Summer. It is an exciting time at our house!
Getting him into College at the age of 16 is something we have always worked towards. When he was in grade school we knew several homeschoolers who were going to College at 16 and we thought that would be a great advantage for our son. He is a very cerebral kid! We have always had to stay on our toes to keep up with him educationally! The last couple years he has worked VERY hard to get the bulk of his high school requirements completed. At this point we could probably graduate him if we wanted to. But at 16 that isn't something I am ready for! So having him dual enrolled is perfect for us. He can get the last few credits he needs for high school as he is getting College credit too!
Since the dual enrollment only allows him to take 2 classes at a time we are planning on having him work on "clepping" classes at the same time he is taking the dual enrollment classes. I haven't figured out all the details on clepping yet. But, I do know that there are books we can buy for him to study for the tests and then for $75.00 he can go take the test and when he passes it he gets full credit for the class. This will not only be a huge time saver, but a BIG money saver too! So if all goes according to plan when he graduates from homeschool at 18 he will have enough credits to begin his Junior year of College! The next 2 years he can basically devote to working on College credits.
So yesterday was an exciting day! I couldn't help but think of all the "naysayers" over the years who have sternly warned me that my poor children would never get into College because we homeschooled them! I never believed that for a moment! But, those nagging words were always in the back of my mind. (What is they were right?) But, in my heart I have always known we are following God's plan for our family. It was good to put any nagging thoughts to rest! I must add here that for the most part we have been really blessed with very supportive people around us for our homeschool journey. But, it still felt really amazing to have accomplished a goal we have worked towards for SO long! (My son and I had to do a little victory dance!) Truly it was an awesome day that we will all remember forever!
Of course we can also see God's hand all over this! One of the things that is not lost on me is that our unexpected move a year and a half ago put us in the right County for the College he will be attending. We only moved ONE MILE! But, if we were still at the old address we would have had to pay quite a bit more for him to go to this same school! God is in the details!
Praise God!
Mom
For more info on clepping click HERE.
Getting him into College at the age of 16 is something we have always worked towards. When he was in grade school we knew several homeschoolers who were going to College at 16 and we thought that would be a great advantage for our son. He is a very cerebral kid! We have always had to stay on our toes to keep up with him educationally! The last couple years he has worked VERY hard to get the bulk of his high school requirements completed. At this point we could probably graduate him if we wanted to. But at 16 that isn't something I am ready for! So having him dual enrolled is perfect for us. He can get the last few credits he needs for high school as he is getting College credit too!
Since the dual enrollment only allows him to take 2 classes at a time we are planning on having him work on "clepping" classes at the same time he is taking the dual enrollment classes. I haven't figured out all the details on clepping yet. But, I do know that there are books we can buy for him to study for the tests and then for $75.00 he can go take the test and when he passes it he gets full credit for the class. This will not only be a huge time saver, but a BIG money saver too! So if all goes according to plan when he graduates from homeschool at 18 he will have enough credits to begin his Junior year of College! The next 2 years he can basically devote to working on College credits.
So yesterday was an exciting day! I couldn't help but think of all the "naysayers" over the years who have sternly warned me that my poor children would never get into College because we homeschooled them! I never believed that for a moment! But, those nagging words were always in the back of my mind. (What is they were right?) But, in my heart I have always known we are following God's plan for our family. It was good to put any nagging thoughts to rest! I must add here that for the most part we have been really blessed with very supportive people around us for our homeschool journey. But, it still felt really amazing to have accomplished a goal we have worked towards for SO long! (My son and I had to do a little victory dance!) Truly it was an awesome day that we will all remember forever!
Of course we can also see God's hand all over this! One of the things that is not lost on me is that our unexpected move a year and a half ago put us in the right County for the College he will be attending. We only moved ONE MILE! But, if we were still at the old address we would have had to pay quite a bit more for him to go to this same school! God is in the details!
Praise God!
Mom
For more info on clepping click HERE.
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