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…

Tweet This Post

One of the challenges that we, the parents, must face at some point in our journey is the PTO meeting. I’m not a big proponent of homeschooling, but I give it some thought twice a year at the Parent Teacher Organization meetings. As a helpful service to those who have yet to venture into the realm of the PTO, here are some tricks and tools to help you survive relatively unscathed.

#1 – Decide how involved you want to be. Most of us have jobs. Many have more than one child to keep track of. You may have commitments at your church or civic organization. There are only a handful of parents who are going to make PTO their main thing. If you’re one of them, go for it. If not, back off and let the diehards run the show.

#2 – Pick your battles. Some things are worth fighting for, some aren’t. If the PTO elite want to do a rainbows and unicorns float in the local parade, remember rule #1. If you aren’t willing or able to step up and be one of the chief architects, then sit back and go with the flow.

#3 – Do your homework before the meeting. The PTO meetings are not meant for discussion. This is where the PTO brain trust lets you in on their plans for the future of the school and offers you a chance to get on board with specific projects. Don’t think that this is the time or place to ask a lot of detailed questions or to try to change the collective mind of the board.

#4 – Remember that this is all about the children. Your preferences don’t matter. Your ego doesn’t matter. You had your chance to have your say back at point #1. It isn’t too late, if you want to go all in and join the board, do so right after the meeting. At any point in time, there is some overcommitted parent who wants nothing more than to give you some of their responsibilities.

So that’s it. The PTO meetings aren’t fun, but they’re only a couple of times a year. You can do it.

Tweet This Post

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…)

Tweet This Post

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…)

Tweet This Post

Every year, after Christmas, families rush to the mall to return unwanted, unloved, or duplicate gifts.  Now, this seems normal, but many kids don’t tell you what they really dislike, and others are just rude when they tell you this.

Many kids don’t tell anyone if they received an item they did not like, had another of, or find goofy.  Now, kids do this for a variety of reasons.  Some kids are afraid they’ll hurt the gift giver’s feelings for telling anyone this, and they don’t want to do that to anyone, especially family.  My younger brother, for example, didn’t tell my parents he didn’t want Tony Hawk Ride because he thought he would hurt their feelings. (more…)

Tweet This Post