A couple weeks ago I was given the forms to select classes for 9th grade (next year).  The process isn’t hard but can be a little tricky and requires you to juggle classes and make decisions, so I thought I’d provide some guidance.

• First of all, course selection does not mean you get to pick fun classes only.  You have to balance classes, as you still have to take classes like English and art.  There is no option of skipping a class or two.  At the same time, you do get some fun classes to select, especially later on (junior and senior years).
• You should start taking care of classes as soon  as possible.  For example, I hate art and music, but I have to finish at least one credit to graduate, so I chose my classes so I will finish one half credit of it this year.  Getting it out of the way gives you more options for your later years.
• If they are at all available, and you are capable, take honors courses.  They may be a bit faster paced and trickier, but they put you on a better track.  One honors class tends to lead to another, provided you pass.  These classes look better to colleges and on resumes, too.
• Don’t pick your your classes too ambitiously, as they can overwhelm you.  For example, I could have chosen Algebra II instead of my study, but I chose to keep my study so I wouldn’t be flooded with homework.  This is very true for freshmen, as we are new to the whole high school thing and are less prepared.  Later on, if you want to, feel free, but at first, I would avoid it.  Also, don’t focus too much on stuff like being valedictorian, as that will overwhelm you also.  Classes shouldn’t be rushed or overdone.

Now that you have my tips, do what you think is best, but keep these in mind…

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So, this is part two of my discussion of whether school projects are good or bad for students.  For those of you who haven’t read the first part, here is a brief summary: projects are very good for students, although they do have some negative aspects.  If you want to read it, here is the link.

Now, this part focuses on a specific aspect of projects: large portions of parental help and whether it is right or wrong. Based on my past experiences, I feel it is far more wrong than right.  But, I shall try not to be biased and list the pros and cons. (more…)

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Mary Pope Osborn has made quite a name and a fortune for herself with her series of Magic Tree House books. There are already over 40 books in the series, not including the occasional reference guide. The series follow young Jack and Annie on their adventures through time and space courtesy of, well, a magic tree house.

The gist of it is that the tree house appears… magically… in the woods near Jack and Annie’s house whenever the magical Morgan needs their help on a kooky mission through time. Jack and Annie have traveled to deserts, jungles, and islands, among many other locales. They’ve worked with William Shakespeare. They’ve escaped a volcano. (more…)

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This year in physics class, I have had a plethora of projects to do.  I made an egg-safety chamber, a catapult, a propeller powered car, a mousetrap powered car, and a bottle rocket.  So, I figured, “Why not write an article on the pros and cons of school projects?”  And guess what?  I wrote one!

First of all, I am going to list the pros, just to build up your little spirits and then crush them with the cons. (more…)

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Instilling the love of reading into a child is one of the greatest lifetime gifts any parent can give his child.  People who read are more engaging, make better money, and live fuller lives. (There are countless studies that back up those facts.)  But getting a child something that is engaging for them to read is a tough challenge.  It is with this in mind that we asked the question over on our sister site, Idea Offer, “What do you think is the best chapter books for a child who likes to read?” (more…)

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