Skills for Literary Analysis

Cole and Chloe's literature course uses the text Skills for Literary Analysis by Joseph Stobaugh. It is a much higher level literature course than anything we have done before, requiring at least one 1-2 page essay every week, as well as an essay used as a test at the end of each week.

Our first week, I met with great resistance from Chloe, who has previously not been required to write much and does not even know what an essay is. Cole, who doesn't mind writing, plodded along without much comment. After Craig assisted Chloe with structure and ideas for her writing, Chloe produced her first real essay. Understandably, it shows an immaturity in her writing, but a good first effort.

This week (#2) Cole and Chloe were given several quotes from varying literary pieces and asked to identify the worldviews demonstrated in the quotes and back up their opinions. I just read Chloe's essay, which she typed and formatted quite nicely on the computer. I was blown away. Her answers seemed like ones found as examples in the book, but they are her original thoughts. She never ceases to amaze me. It is incredible what Chloe can do when she puts her mind to it!

Debate over Latin Words

It was fun to observe a lively discussion between Cole and Chloe on the correct interpretation of a Latin word. They really seem to enjoy this course.

Cole and Math

The mathematics curriculum we have been using for Cole and Chloe is Saxon Math. It is designed to be self-paced with the student completing one lesson per day followed by a set of thirty problems which cover the new lesson and also provide review of previous lessons. When needed, the student can seek assistance with subject matter that is difficult to grasp immediately. I have been generally impressed with this program.

However, there is one disadvantage that I perceive wirth regard to this type of program. When a teacher provides instruction directly, the student benefits by being able to observe problems being solved as a "slow reveal." This allows the student to follow the problem solving process more organically. I have observed that, while Cole is able to solve the problems in the book, he does not always select the most efficient approach. This may be due to the lack of direct instruction provided by a self-directed study.

In response to this, I am working more closely with Cole on his problems to guide him toward thinking about how to solve the problem before blindly attacking it.

Start of 2007-2008 School Year

School has been back in session now for nearly 3 weeks. Cole is now studying at the 9th grade level and Chloe is studying at the 8th grade level. Topics being covered this year will include:

• Algebra 2 for Cole
• Algebra 1 for Chloe
• Latin
• Basic Physics
• Literature
• Composition
• Spanish I
• Science
• History
• Home Economics
• Ballroom Dance
• Ice Skating

In addition, Cole will be taking Driver's Education through and extension offered by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to area homeschoolers.

So far this year, both Cole and Chloe have shown an increased dedication to their work. They both recognize and understand that high school coursework forms the foundation for college preparation.