In the last few weeks I've been planning our first year of high school, (gulp, so soon!) We're in the last term of eighth grade and tensions and distractions have been running high. I'm frustrated about some things and Z is too. We're pressing forward because that date in August when high school begins is looming.
I enjoy homeschooling, the conversations with Z, the planning, the research, the planning even more, and my planning always takes me back to the why. Why? Z, that's why. I have goals for him, potential I see that I've spent years pulling to the surface. But this job is over in four years, gone, I will no longer be homeschooling. I'll be the parent of a college student (so not going there emotionally right now). My classroom will become my getaway. The stacks of curricula won't be as important. The Einstein poster will probably go to college and his half of the room will be empty, and quiet.
So in all this experience I've wandered a bit in the last few weeks. I can read Z, he's steady and somewhat stoic. But I've neglected to ask him about the experience. So last night while lying in bed thinking about this via a comment he made yesterday during math (why is it always during math). I wrote out a seven page survey, don't worry I was writing in marker so the font was big. I wanted his honest opinion on these matters. Here's part of the survey. Some of the questions that were specific to his situation I left off.
Boxes beside statements, I feel I am good at, I feel I am not good at:
Understanding what I read
Understanding what is read to me
Making a guess about what will or may happen in a story
Working through a mental block
Figuring things out on my own
Figuring out how to solve something by reading/learning more about it
Yes or No questions:
I prefer to feel challenged when I work
I feel like I've improved in my ability to do hard things
I prefer to learn by doing
I prefer to read about something before doing it
I feel agitated when I don't understand something
If I don't understand the importance of a task, I am less motivated to complete it
I feel I may never really learn some subjects
My perfect school day would involve learning these five subjects (does not have to be subjects currently studying):
One time period I would like to learn more about is:
One science thing (it was late, thing was the appropriate word) I would like to learn more about is:
Name two areas of study or skills I wish I was better in:
On most days I feel like I'm a good/bad student. (circle one)
One thing I'd like to learn, but you'd never let me is:
Name two areas of study where I think I am good:
These issues distract me from my schoolwork circle all that apply. My list included: dog, cat, hunger, my desk, my chair, not having pencils, Mom's silly songs, feeling unprepared, lack of organization, thinking about video games, things not feeling perfect, being hot, not feeling good about my work, being cold, being tired.
My favorite book so far this year is:
Write down three things outside of school that you feel you're good at:
One place in the United States I would love to visit:
One movie (new or old) that I'd like to see:
If I could invent something it would be:
One thing I like about myself:
One thing about myself I'd like to change:
At the end I wrote Thanks, Love you, Mom.
His answers were interesting. A few surprised me, a few made me realize that he's been maturing, a few made me understand his point of view better. We discussed them this morning during our Gi Suilon time (Elvish for I greet thee). I didn't berate him for his answers, I encouraged him to be open with me in the future. None of them were dramatic answers, not the I hate everything about school vibe I've gotten before. Today felt different at school, less harried. He worked through math and writing back-to-back without complaint. I felt like we connected more, which is weird because were have a close relationship. The kid finishes my sentences sometimes, He's great to have around during the pre-menopausal brain fog.
I would encourage you to do your own student survey. Ask questions pertinent to your situations, ask questions you might think you already know the answer. Z climbed another step of this hill today, it's a great journey to be on together.
