My 11 year old dd is indeed a year behind than our local school, but we found that we focused on what is useable to her in all areas of her life. While she may not divide as quickly as others because we've chosen to go in depth on budgeting, cooking, science, studying the classics that pertain to literature she is excited about. As a public school teacher I can tell you what is chosen for each grade i no more "the" rule of what should be than a favorite color being picked to suit every child at a different age. Each state's goals are different and defined differently. What causes the fear for her? Is it that she'll be ignorant of what others know....at 11, she can control what she wishes to learn through reading and learing herself....if it is that upsetting then she may wish to cover two levels this year, as Madison did by doing both books and workbooks until she could do what her neighbor could do from p.s. Or it may be, that it is not as important what the English book looks like to her, because she knows she can correspond and search for information efficiently and that diagramming a sentence is just that, defining what each part is. Not as essential as communicating clearly if you ask me. I feel your pain for your daughter, we have this discussion at least once a quarter when the next door child comes to share just how far she's gone....but Madison knows that its not proof, more talk, as Madison knows she can menu plan, budget plan and actually cook, sew, plan her garden and do things that in life will get her much further than the extra workbook or additional problem.
hugs
Sweetie

I don't have any suggestions but my 10 year old is going through the same thing. We're only half way through some of his books this year and he feels that he is "behind" as well. I just keep reassuring him it will all work out as well.

My 11 year old dd is indeed a year behind than our local school in math, but we found that we focused on what is useable to her in all areas of her life. While she may not divide as quickly as others because we've chosen to go in depth on budgeting, cooking, science, studying the classics that pertain to literature she is excited about. As a 17 year former public school teacher I can tell you what is chosen for each grade is no more "the" rule of what should be than a favorite color being picked to suit every child at a different age. Each state's goals are different and defined differently.Most states have No Child Left Behind practice tests on their state education sites if she truly wants to see if she could "keep up" What causes the fear for her? Is it that she'll be ignorant of what others know....at 11, she can control what she wishes to learn through reading and learing herself....if it is that upsetting then she may wish to cover two levels this year, as Madison did by doing both books and workbooks until she could do what her neighbor could do from p.s. Or it may be, that it is not as important what the English book looks like to her, because she knows she can correspond and search for information efficiently and that diagramming a sentence is just that, defining what each part is. Not as essential as communicating clearly if you ask me. I feel your pain for your daughter, we have this discussion at least once a quarter when the next door child comes to share just how far she's gone....but Madison knows that its not proof, more talk, as Madison knows she can menu plan, budget plan and actually cook, sew, plan her garden and do things that in life will get her much further than the extra workbook or additional problem. We didn't come home to school to emulate what public school does, but to choose for ourselves what we felt is important for her life in the future and at present.
hugs
Sweetie

Edited by sweetie on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 02:46

We all are weak in some subjects. Some people do good in math and not so good in science. Some love history but do not good in math. Remind your daughter what she is good in and work on her math skills. Good luck. God Bless. mj

We went through something similar when our oldest (now 20 and a homeschool grad!) was in grade school. My hubby and I were friends w/a nice couple but their daughter was jealous that J homeschooled and, at times, would be down-right MEAN to her. Anyway, after one visit, when they left J became really upset and said that E had called her stupid because she didn't know what 'nostrils' were. She had told J that homeschooling was making her stupid. I just explained to her that that word is simply not a word that we use everyday...E says nostril, we say nose! By the same token, we study things that public school kids will never study, or if it interets us, we get to study something longer and more in-depth than they do. There are things that we have studied and we know that they will never know! That helped some.

About the math issue...EVERYONE...no matter who they are or where they go to school has strong subjects and weak subjects!! If you or your hubby could find any of your old report cards, I'll bet you could show her that probably YOU were good in language arts and not-so-good in math and HE was just the opposite. EVERYONE has strengths and weaknesses...plus...girls seem to be better in language arts-type of subjects and boys seem to be better in math/science-type subjects.

One of the MANY blessings of homeschooling is that WE can work on a weakness until we get it...in a public or private school, if you don't get something 'in time' and the teacher's planner says it's time to go on to the next concept, you get left behind and that puts you behind in nearly everything else. WE get to work on it until they get it. Also...on the other hand, WE get to move ahead on the subjects that come more naturally...THEY have to stay on what the class and teacher are working on. Many times being bored is what causes classroom disruptions and those kids get into trouble.

So be assurred, wherever she is, is just where she's supposed to be!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><
{Finishing up our 15th year of homeschooling!}
also see: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Buckeyeblog

I'm sorry things came about this way but it's good in the way that you can now meet the math issue head-on.
I was raised by teachers, and was never good at math- in 7th grade I got a C- in pre-algebra and my mom decided that wasn't good enough and pushed me every night of 2nd semester until we were both in tears! I got a D. She made me take the class again in summer school, and I completely failed it. She finally quit trying to 'make me learn' it.
I therefore strongly advise you to find a tutor- perhaps a high-schooler who is both kind and focused. I doubt it will go far to 'assure' your daughter that she's proficient enough - her doubts will stick with her until she feels confident by evidence of her own ability.

(Today, I run the office for our business and I have such an aversion to numbers that I get nauseous when I have to LOOK at numbers just to pay bills! I know I can use a calculator or go online for help...or hand it over to my husband, but I also know that I do have a hangup with numbers).

Good luck with finding a workable solution!

Psalm 139

She is wonderfully, uniquely made.
She's a one of a kind!
It's so hard, kids compare themselves to other 'humans'.
They see us (the adults do it) they see other kids do it and they see it everywhere in the media!!

Reassure her that Jesus loves her, and has a plan for her, and it's not like anyone else's plan.

It's so hard to homeschool when they are exposed to kids that are not. Especially if they are not confident of who they are in Christ. Build up her worth in Christ through Scripture and you will see amazing results!!
Laura

I love the music choice on your blog. It's so pretty and comforting.

www.rebeccaswalk.blogspot.com

Maybe just explain to her that even though one person can be smart in a whole lot of things, it doesnt make them a better person in Character . Just like the pharisees and their "educational knowledge of GOD" they still didnt know JESUS. I am sure and believe your dd has come such a long way that even her past PS teachers could attest to that.