I signed my nine year old, Max, up for a one day program in Tallahassee to learn about the processes of government and how laws are made. Having read that, you probably have one of two questions.

If you’re from one of the other 49, less sunshiny states, you may be wondering why I’d send him to Tallahassee. That’s our state capitol. That’s where you go if you want to learn about Florida’s government.  If you’re from Florida, you still may wonder why I’d send him to Tallahassee, but for different reasons.

The other question you may be asking is: why would you subject your son to see how our government works.  Two things you do not want to know how they’re made: laws and sausage (Mmmmmm…. sausage).

The program is called TeenPact, and it is all about teaching the next generation of leaders to view public policy from a Biblical world view.  The teen program is a four-day intensive deal in the capitol.  The junior version for 8-12 year olds is just one day.  There’s only so much law making a young mind can stand, I guess.

Kids should know more about their government than I did when I was a lad.  I want my children to be aware and well-rounded.  The more options they are exposed to, the better suited they’ll be to choose the right career when the time comes (and it comes sooner than you think).

So off to Tally we go, to check out a career in public policy.  Love it or hate it, at least he’ll have a story to tell and a new breadth of experience.  That alone is worth the trip.

Tweet This Post

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

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

One of the many joys and responsibilities of parenting is that we get to be there to  help guide our children as they learn and develop.  At two and three years old, they start to wonder about the mysteries of the world.  As parents, we have the immense privilege of answering some of the big, eternal questions that children pose.

Just for fun, I present here an unembellished transcript of a real conversation that took place between my lovely wife and my recently-potty trained son in a Wal-Mart ladies’ room. For some of you, this might bring back memories of a similar conversation. For others, this is a glimpse into your future. (more…)

Tweet This Post