Spreading Her Wings
When Colby was in 6th grade I decided to homeschool. Several reasons factored into my decision:
- She was reading on a 1st year college level but was restricted to completing class assignments using only books that were on a 9th grade level.
- She scored 99.9% higher than any other student in the US on every nationwide skills test she was required to take in public school, yet the school saw no need to challenge her in any way shape or form beyond her current grade level.
- The girls in her peer group were sexually advanced -in 6th grade!!! I overheard them talking one night at a sleep over and was so shocked I began looking for a way to get her out of that peer group completely.
So, I got on the net researched homeschooling ordered the books I wanted her to learn from. We took the plunge head first into a world in which neither of us had any idea of what we were doing. The mail order structured classes did not appeal to me. We began to pick and choose text books from different areas. Most of the books we used came from Bob Jones University (excellent books) and I bought them used.
Homeschooling is unconventional education and few colleges recognize it without a diploma from some mail order school program. Moving to Virginia every school here requires a GED if no diploma from said mail order school, regardless of testing scores.
Colby took the GED two weeks ago. She recieved her diploma/certificate from the Commonwealth of Virginia today.
When she took the test, in a VERY old, stuffy, out-in-the-woods tech school classroom there were several people taking the test also. Most much older people. One woman, bless her for trying, proudly told the entire testing group she had taken the test every month for the past two years and not yet passed. The snickery side of me says, OMG who is this person so dumb that the GED hasn't been passed in 2 years? The other side of me says, keep trying till you succeed.
Anyway, Colby is filling out her college applications. Yayyyyyyy, Colby!!!
I haven't shown you my garden in a while. This photo is what we are getting about every 2 - 3 days.
For me? I just finished your last post and was looking around and here are the tomatoes of my dreams! I'm in Michigan and mine are not red yet. :-( But there are many...and this recipe sounds like a delicious variation on a good idea- thanks.
Kudos to you and Colby. Homeschooling is an ambitious and incredibly rewarding undertaking.
Yay Colby! I can't wait to hear more about her journey. I bet she will write a kick-ass college essay.
You make me so jealous with all of those yummy looking tomatoes. I have a father from the South and I have to make fried green tomatoes for him every summer! Our farmers market always sells out of green tomatoes so fast!! Enjoy!
No fair flashing maters all over the screen that-a way! (all mine are still a ways from being red yet!)
I didn't know you had homeschooled Colby! We've homeschooled for almost 10 yrs now. & love it! We're also a pick-n-choose 'school'. Hate the "boxed classroom" type stuff.
I'll be creating Corey's diploma next year (providing he does go ahead with his decision to graduate a year early) That doesn't mean someone SOMEwhere won't want that GED, but still...there are many colleges that recruit homeschoolers. You just have to be able to create a public-school-like transcript so the admissions folks will be able to read it. I'm told that is the main gripe with homeschoolers...not being able to wade through all the stuff they submit in lieu of a traditional transcript.
Best wishes w/the college apps! :) & think fondly of us less fortunates whilst eatin' them gorgeous veggies tonight! :)
CONGRATULATIONS COLBY!! You have PSP make her a beautiful diploma. I'm curious did that woman pass the GED?
The tomatoes look so delicious. We didn't grow any this year, so I'm not showing him your pictures. Don't want to hear him boo hooing about homegrown. Glad the tomatoes aren't making you sick.
Hi..I am here via Ole Hoss...I love your site...Best wishes on the new bundle coming..A long way off..but still exciting...I was born and rasided in michigan..Not there anymore..well I was for vaction last week,lol
Congrats to Colby! I am going to try that recipe soon; sounds heavenly!
Just found your site today, at Hoss's suggestion. I'm so glad he did! Absolutely loved the tomato colored background and the tomato picts as well! My own tomato crop is spent... it's succumbed to the heat this season. Congrats to your daughter as well, she sounds like a wonderful kid. :)
Hey lady...I'm here via Hoss today. Just because it was easier than going all the way back home then to your house ;0) So where is Mensa Child going to go to school? There are so many qualities I admire you for Ang. When I grow up I want to be just like you! Thanks for the recipe! My book is growing!
MMM, tomatoes are the best. They are my fav. I also love fried green tomatoes. My mom made them for us growing up. I havent had them in years I will have to make them this summer.
Fried Green Tomatoes are one of my favorite treats! My husband makes them for me on special days....so yummy! The pictures are great Angie:-)
Congrats to Colby!!
I'll bet Colby could have aced the GED when she was a 6th grader. She's "smart as a whip," as we would say in the olden days.
P.S. Forget the tomatoes. What will you take for that beautiful green bowl?
Congrats to Colby for her milestone. And to you for having the guts to home school, I'm a big believer in the concept.
Congratulations to Colby!
Wow you have red tomoatoes already! We do not. We have very small bout the size of an oreo cookie green tomatoes. We do have green onions though that have been delicious in our salad. Green beans too.
Those fried green tomatoes sound yummy. I may just try it.
I love your site! I can taste those fried green tomatoes now. Being a girl from the South, that is a staple in our home. I wish we had a garden so we could have them every night. I get very frustrated when life gets busy and my green tomatoes turn red before I can fry them up. Of course, red ones are good on a nice cheese sandwich, so either way you can't lose!
Hi Angie- I've been gone for a week- just sitting here catching up- congrats to Colby-She sounds like a remarkable young woman- loved the post to the little pigglet- i too relished in all the signs of a healthy boy-I ment baby!- ahh- put the boy's name at the top of list, ok- I just have a feeling!- hope all is well with all-Jakapk
i think that home studing is better in one way but a child need to communicate with his peers to be aware of what is going on in life and not to be shocked when it faces this life.