No Opinion Required

Exploring Early American history, DrS was given a lecture on the life and work of Alexander Hamilton. I give open forum lectures, allowing interruption with questions and comments, especially jokes. This encourages an engaged dialogue which fosters learning and sparks an interest in the subject matter beyond the lecture and documenting test.

This lesson continues for a couple hours while we explore the complexity and humanity of Alexander Hamilton's life, accomplishments, and mistakes. He was not the villaneous schemer portrayed in HBO's mini-series, John Adams, nor was he any kind of angel. Like any individual, Alexander Hamilton was affected by life experience and the people around him.

As we conclude, DrS says, "I don't know what the message is here. Am I supposed to like him or not like him?"

Personally, I like Alexander Hamilton. Not everyone has the same opinion as me. So, I teach facts, not opinions. There are more than enough facts about Hamilton's life and work that my opinion is entirely irrelevant to the lesson. DrS has to form his own opinion.

The following hour was a discussion about his opinion on various aspects of Hamilton's triumphs and failures. DrS will only be tested on the facts.

Insomnia. I have a cure for that!

The fourteen year-old homeschooler, who shall be known as DrS, has been suffering from Summer Vacation-itis since homeschooling began. His schedule has crept into nightowl territory. The Facebook status updates noted at 3am were a big tip-off that he was headed in the wrong direction. This is something I do not want happening, but insomnia can't be turned off like a switch.

When Reo has difficulty sleeping, I take away the laptop and restrict the use of his Kindle Fire to just reading books. No videos, no games. While he enjoys reading, there's something about reading in bed at the end of the day that really puts him out for the night.

It's not that simple for DrS, who can be kept awake all night with a good book.

So, I gave him one of my favorite books from one of my favorite authors:

Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo
[Buy it here]

Who is the monster and who is the man?

Notre-Dame de Paris, or The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, by Victor Hugo is one of my favorite novels. I have been in awe of the dynamics, the moral and ethic challenges that he posits for people in positions of power versus those who are in a less privileged circumstance, and the way Hugo unfurls the heavy curtain that covers the corruption, greed, and base gutteral humanity of those who present themselves as most pious. You are meant to read his words about his beloved France and then apply them to your own world, then challenge it. Disney's talking gargoyles nowhere to be found.

So, to make sure DrS reads it, I've assigned it. He must read the novel and write a full book review by the end of the second quarter.

In the meanwhile, I think Hugo's knack for sharing the detail of every inch of architecture present in the buildings of his beautiful city will really help DrS out with that insomnia and get his circandian rhythm back on track.

New Student

After reviewing my posts, I am surprised that I have not mentioned this, yet. My fourteen year old has decided to homeschool. He is my child with high-functioning autism and there were a few aspects of this school year that were very difficult for him to connect and make work. Since I could see the pattern emerging where this turns into a downward spiral, I decided to allow him to remain home for his education and we'll see if we can work him ahead for the next school year.

To avoid the mess with a portfolio and remain in compliance with Florida's homeschooling laws, he is going to continue taking the FCAT. These scores will suffice for his academic achievement for the school year.

I have not consulted him for a blog pseudonym at this time so he will remain nameless until I do.

I've picked up a reputable Algebra I textbook and keep him working on Khan Academy for his mathematics. It is important to me that he completes and excels at both Algebra I and Geometry before the next school year begins.

He remains ahead in both history and science so I'm finding it difficult to challenge him. I have finally decided on an assignment for this quarter.

First Quarter Essay Assignment

Compare and Contrast two Nations geographically located on two different continents. These nations can be from different eras and do not need to exist during the same period of time. They should be superficially distinct from each other.

• Include a general review of history, culture, religion, political climate, and governments, then choose a specific aspect to compare/contrast for these nations, explain why your chosen aspect is significant for each nation.

• Cover the ways in which these nations are similar to and are different from each other in the chosen aspect.

• Include 3 graphic aids that are relevant and help illustrate the information of the essay.

• Minimum 4,000 words, Maximum 6,000 words.

• Spelling, grammar, and vocabulary will impact your grade. To get more information on how to write at a 10th grade level, use:

http://www.azed.gov/standards-practices/files/2011/09/grade10.pdf

• Cite sources using CMS. To reference how to use this citation style properly, use:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20110928111055_949.pdf

http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html

* access this assignment sheet through Google Docs to easily follow links.

To Build Your Essay Properly

Contributing work should include*:

• Notes of material to use with citations
• Outline with revisions through writing drafts
• First Draft
• Second Draft

* does not need to be included with essay assignment

Completed Essay Due: November 21.

Subject Credits:

History

Social Studies

Political Science

Geography

I was impressed with his interest and eagerness to begin. He was impatient while I typed out the requirements and details of the assignment for him. Giving a young teen with HFA so much freedom to learn and write will yield positive results. And, just to make sure he doesn't slack, I reminded him that I will fail him and he will end up repeating the nineth grade, if he does not do his assignments on time and as expected. That is a choice he makes, not me. HFA kids are not lazy. Sometimes they feel overwhelmed or exhausted by a project and will become slap-dash to be done with it. While this essay is not easy, he's well within his realm of ability. By providing him the ability to choose his own elements and focus for this essay, I've empowered him the ability to write well over 6,000 words. I know he will learn editing skills with this assignment.

Overall, I'm pleased with my new student. He's getting along with his little brother very well and is assisting in Reo's lessons, as well as taking a positive energy with his own education and work. This is becoming a tremendous homeschooling year!