10th Grade 2010

My 16yo son asked to study 20th century/modern history this year. He read a small amount of the SL 300 (Modern History) Core's main spines and also one of the spines suggested by Ambleside Online's Year 11, which is their modern history year. He chose the main book that AO suggests for a spine, which is 20th Century History by Gilbert. Modern history is NOT for the faint of heart. He's enjoying history and literature this year, but has found that some of his modern history readings are best done at any time other than right at bedtime.

Before I share what he's been learning this year, I want to mention that this is my son who has Asperger Syndrome and many of the learning differences that come along with AS, like dysgraphia, dyscalculia (not an official dx, but very obvious), focusing issues and auditory processing issues (dxed and recieved therapy...not very helpful therapy). Joyously I can share that he has NO trouble with reading or comprehension. What a wonderful blessing that has been for him (and me:). Also, he doesn't have trouble putting words on paper if he's allowed to type those words. He's been typing many years now.

Here's what he's used and learned up to the mid-year point:

Bible: NIV Student Bible: following AO's year 11 reading plan
Math: Sigh...the thorn in his side...After completing TT Pre-Alg. last year, he came to me asking to please review fractions, percents and decimals before moving on in math. This summer he started working through the Key To...books for review with great success. By the early spring he will be ready to begin the Key To Algebra (his choice). He's using the Key To Tracker program that this company offers for a minimal yearly fee of $5.95 . This online program does pre-testing for each Key To book, periodical spot check quizzes, which then tell you which page the concept is on in the book that you need to go back and review. It also has end of book tests. We highly recommend this for anyone using the Key To books.
History: We are following AO's year 11 reading schedule for Gilbert's 20th Century History. At this point, he's mostly just read and orally narrated. He's a wonderful narrator. One of my favorite things in the world is to listen to him talk about something he's read. He ties in things he's learned from the bible, what he's read in literature and even current events. It just comes naturally to him.
Literature: Mostly tied with the modern history readings. So far this year he's read, All Quiet on the Western Front, Lord of the Flies, Call of the Wild, The Chosen, Metamorphosis and is currently reading Black Boy (not listed in the order he's read them).
Writing: He's had end of book writting assignments for almost all of the literature selections and also completed most of the assignments in the first half of Writing Strands level 5 (we've dropped that now). Since the first week of November until now, he's had  free writing time each day. He is working on a novel and some short stories. I think he's also got some story lines going that he would like to see turned into a video game one day. This is one of his passions, as you can tell.
Driver's Ed: He's been studying the drivers ed handbook, taking online quizes a few times a week and playing some simulated driving game online. He's not spent much time actually driving, but will after Christmas.
Current Events: He reads from World Magazine instead of regular history readings each Friday. Also on Friday, instead of regular bible readings, he reads from Voice of the Martyrs.
Biology: Some readings from Abeka Biology and also Rainbow Science biology section. Is currently reading Microbe Hunters. Usually for science, he reads, then orally narrates. Although he doesn't love science, he still has some excellent science narrations.

Exercise is a also a huge part of his weekly activities. He doesn't need a much exercise as my 13yo does to help him stay focused. He particiapted in homeschool PE classes at a local gym from September until November. When the classes were over, he began to do some workouts at home or at the gym about every other day.

He has had a passion for inner city/urban ministries for the past couple of years after participating in a local one week program for area youth groups called Project Acts. This fall, he began helping with the after school tutoring program that the church we are attending has had going there for 11 years! Although it's been a challenge for him, he's enjoyed it and grown a lot while serving with this ministry.

Like his younger brother, he also volunteers with the lower elementary aged Awana group on Wednesday evenings. This is the highlight of his week! He loves kids and serving.

I think I lied in the previous paragraph when I said that volunteering with Awana is the highlight of his week. No, I must admit that watching professional wrestling is the highlight of his week! This is his current obsession (obsessions are a key part of the AS dx). If there was only a way to give highschool credit for all the watching and READING (He has *2* pro-wrestling encyclopedia type books) about pro-wrestling!

There you have it...a Beechick and CM imspired highschool education that my son actually ENJOYS.