Middle school absences for illness WWYD? (sorry, long)

[bumbershoot]

But the teacher as a professional does not see it as busy work, so is aggravated about him not completing it. In the future, jobs have busy work too, it is part of life.

While it's true that *some* jobs have busy-work, it's not true that the teacher necessarily sees value in the busy-work she's giving.

And when you're an advanced student, busy-work can be torture. Here's the trick I did when made to do repetitive work that other students needed but was just extra to me...I just wanted to get as many 100% scores as possible, and do it quickly. I liked seeing the stack of papers grow as I did each page. So if he can see it as just racking up the excellent scores, it might give him a new perspective. I mean, he knows the work...he might as well get lots of great little grades on it!

I just spoke with the guidance counselor and she said as long as his grades were okay he would not be held back for missing so many days so that's a relief.

He's not falling behind in the material in his classroom, alot of what he's learning is either very easy for him or repitition. That's why I get so upset with him about his grades falling when he doesn't turn in homework, he doesn't need a tutor, he needs to do the work even though he doesn't like the class/teacher.

Glad he's not being held back.

Is he actually ahead of the class? Any consideration for bumping him up? It was at that age that my best friend skipped a grade...since your son is one of the oldest in the class, being bumped up would make him even. My friend was one of the youngers so being bumped up made it harder, socially, but since he's starting out older it might be nice.

That's a good point and something else to think about in the decision to homeschool. I don't want him to think that every time you encounter someone you don't want to work with you can just leave. At this point I think the only way I would homeschool him is if he's going to be held back on the basis of his absences.

I really really don't think that at this age, he's going to have that as his take-home message.

Since you want to homeschool, and your kids like it...it just pains me that you're not doing it. I get that your husband is against it, but gosh, can't he see that your son is doing great even without doing/turning in the homework, and this grief is happening for reasons that have nothing to do with his actual *learning* of the subjects? That maybe being taught at home would be *better* for him learning-wise? I can't even comment on what his family thinks, as that would be so not on my radar (and it isn't something we think about, what our families think)...

My mom actually kept the fact that homeschooling was a thing that exists from me, because she knew I would beg every day to do that. I *hated* school. Hated the teachers (most of whom were incompetent), hated the social aspect of class (all the way through high school I came home with hives from the nervousness, and every single day I was nauseated and scared of the social aspect the day was going to bring), hated the busy-work that I had to do even though I knew the stuff, etc etc. When I found out about homeschooling in my 20s, I talked to my mom, and she confessed that she'd known about it, but since she worked and was made to feel stupid in her last 2 years of HS (all honors classes, then transferred for a year, transferred back and the classes didn't "count" and was put in remedial classes), she didn't feel it was possible for us. I would have given anything for her to teach me at home, instead of the junk in school (my 5th grade teacher had a full blown nervous breakdown in class...then came back to teach the SAME group 6th grade, what a joy! and that's just one aspect of the "fun" teachers I had).

I'd really really consider it, and not worry so much about his social life. And don't worry about him going from job to job when he decides he doesn't like a co-worker or boss...he sounds like a smart kid, and I highly doubt that this year is going to set up horrid work habits for his lifetime.

 

[RMulieri]

I know this is going to sound way harsh...But OP he is 12 YEARS old.It is not your responsibility to stay on top of him about his homework.It is HIS. At his age, I was pretty much expected to do certain things on my own. I would never expect my Mom and Dad to have to police my homework.If I didn't turn in an assignment, or received a failing grade it was on me to handle it.I had teachers FLAT OUT DISLIKE me for my abscences( My parents pulled us out of school for 10 days every year) and made no attempt to hide it.That is life I managed to get thru it and so will he.I would simply ask what he has due and give him gentle reminders to get it done, let him know that these are the expectations for him and regardless of how he or you feel about the teacher, it is something he will need to accept and deal with.

 

[princessmom29]

While it's true that *some* jobs have busy-work, it's not true that the teacher necessarily sees value in the busy-work she's giving.

And when you're an advanced student, busy-work can be torture. Here's the trick I did when made to do repetitive work that other students needed but was just extra to me...I just wanted to get as many 100% scores as possible, and do it quickly. I liked seeing the stack of papers grow as I did each page. So if he can see it as just racking up the excellent scores, it might give him a new perspective. I mean, he knows the work...he might as well get lots of great little grades on it!




Glad he's not being held back.

Is he actually ahead of the class? Any consideration for bumping him up? It was at that age that my best friend skipped a grade...since your son is one of the oldest in the class, being bumped up would make him even. My friend was one of the youngers so being bumped up made it harder, socially, but since he's starting out older it might be nice.



I really really don't think that at this age, he's going to have that as his take-home message.

Since you want to homeschool, and your kids like it...it just pains me that you're not doing it. I get that your husband is against it, but gosh, can't he see that your son is doing great even without doing/turning in the homework, and this grief is happening for reasons that have nothing to do with his actual *learning* of the subjects? That maybe being taught at home would be *better* for him learning-wise? I can't even comment on what his family thinks, as that would be so not on my radar (and it isn't something we think about, what our families think)...

My mom actually kept the fact that homeschooling was a thing that exists from me, because she knew I would beg every day to do that. I *hated* school. Hated the teachers (most of whom were incompetent), hated the social aspect of class (all the way through high school I came home with hives from the nervousness, and every single day I was nauseated and scared of the social aspect the day was going to bring), hated the busy-work that I had to do even though I knew the stuff, etc etc. When I found out about homeschooling in my 20s, I talked to my mom, and she confessed that she'd known about it, but since she worked and was made to feel stupid in her last 2 years of HS (all honors classes, then transferred for a year, transferred back and the classes didn't "count" and was put in remedial classes), she didn't feel it was possible for us. I would have given anything for her to teach me at home, instead of the junk in school (my 5th grade teacher had a full blown nervous breakdown in class...then came back to teach the SAME group 6th grade, what a joy! and that's just one aspect of the "fun" teachers I had).

I'd really really consider it, and not worry so much about his social life. And don't worry about him going from job to job when he decides he doesn't like a co-worker or boss...he sounds like a smart kid, and I highly doubt that this year is going to set up horrid work habits for his lifetime.

If he is an advanced 12 year old I think he would absolutely get that he is running away from his problems by having Mommy homeschool him to get out of having to do his homework??? Really, my 6 year old is capable of getting that. I am with the op on this one and think that she shouldn't let him run away from the problem. If it were my kid he oould finish out the year and them we would address his desire to homeschool. Not every teacher is abad one, and not every school it torture. Some are equipped nicely to deal with G&T kids. We are. The elementary school DD attends it as well. Perhaps if the school won't work with the OP she could consider finding a scholl with a thriving G&T program? My parents were NOT capable of providing and adequate homeschool education for me, and even with 2 masters degrees between us (Biochem and History) I don't think that DH and I are adequately qualified to homeschool a G&T highschooler, which is what it sounds like the OP's son will shortly be. There are simply not enough resources in our area to fill in the gaps for what we don't know/ aren't qualified to teach. Unless you live in a major metro area that can often be the case with high school. Access to equipment for science classes ect is a real issue for high school homeschoolers here. I came through a wonderful school with fabulous advanced programs and I would not trade that for anything in the world. There is no way I would have gotten the quality education I did if I had been in a homeschool. That is the reality in the area where we live.

 

[jensen]

A totally different situation was going on with us, but I sent an email to the teacher, Principal and school counselor asking for a meeting. I got them all in the room together and we talked for about an hour regarding my son's issue. That's all it took... things were much better after that. I would suggest getting everyone together at once versus talking to the teacher and then escalating to the Principal because that can waste precious time if you don't get the response you need/expect from the teacher.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

In our school we are given a week in which we need to put them out, and we are "on time" if they are out by friday of that week. Teahers are not perfect. No one is. Have you ever been late with anything?? Sorry, but these kind of statements about teachers really bother me. I get tired of hearing parents bash us for the smallest things constantly. I care about my students, thier education, and their well being and it is really discouraging to see how little parents think of their children's teachers over and over.

So teachers aren't perfect and don't do everything on time, as most adults don't, but our children are expected to? I'm not "bashing" teachers, I do admire the job they all do. But since I have 5 children I am constantly being nagged to comply to their deadlines such as "this permission slip must be turned in by...", "this supply must be sent in by...", "Friday is the last day for...".

So children and their parents aren't teaching responsibility if they are late with the least little thing, but I'm bashing teachers when I expect the same???

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

While it's true that *some* jobs have busy-work, it's not true that the teacher necessarily sees value in the busy-work she's giving.

And when you're an advanced student, busy-work can be torture. Here's the trick I did when made to do repetitive work that other students needed but was just extra to me...I just wanted to get as many 100% scores as possible, and do it quickly. I liked seeing the stack of papers grow as I did each page. So if he can see it as just racking up the excellent scores, it might give him a new perspective. I mean, he knows the work...he might as well get lots of great little grades on it!




Glad he's not being held back.

Is he actually ahead of the class? Any consideration for bumping him up? It was at that age that my best friend skipped a grade...since your son is one of the oldest in the class, being bumped up would make him even. My friend was one of the youngers so being bumped up made it harder, socially, but since he's starting out older it might be nice.


I really really don't think that at this age, he's going to have that as his take-home message.

Since you want to homeschool, and your kids like it...it just pains me that you're not doing it. I get that your husband is against it, but gosh, can't he see that your son is doing great even without doing/turning in the homework, and this grief is happening for reasons that have nothing to do with his actual *learning* of the subjects? That maybe being taught at home would be *better* for him learning-wise? I can't even comment on what his family thinks, as that would be so not on my radar (and it isn't something we think about, what our families think)...

My mom actually kept the fact that homeschooling was a thing that exists from me, because she knew I would beg every day to do that. I *hated* school. Hated the teachers (most of whom were incompetent), hated the social aspect of class (all the way through high school I came home with hives from the nervousness, and every single day I was nauseated and scared of the social aspect the day was going to bring), hated the busy-work that I had to do even though I knew the stuff, etc etc. When I found out about homeschooling in my 20s, I talked to my mom, and she confessed that she'd known about it, but since she worked and was made to feel stupid in her last 2 years of HS (all honors classes, then transferred for a year, transferred back and the classes didn't "count" and was put in remedial classes), she didn't feel it was possible for us. I would have given anything for her to teach me at home, instead of the junk in school (my 5th grade teacher had a full blown nervous breakdown in class...then came back to teach the SAME group 6th grade, what a joy! and that's just one aspect of the "fun" teachers I had).

I'd really really consider it, and not worry so much about his social life. And don't worry about him going from job to job when he decides he doesn't like a co-worker or boss...he sounds like a smart kid, and I highly doubt that this year is going to set up horrid work habits for his lifetime.

(bolding mine) He is very much ahead of the class, he has been for years, but when I asked the school to move him up at the suggestion of his teacher I was told no because they need him in that grade to keep their WASL scores up . He spent the year at the table with the kids who were struggling so he could help them. It was after that year that I homeschooled him, then we changed districts (moved) and at his new school he had an awesome 5th grade teacher that challenged him. That was at the elementary school.

So now he's moved up to middle school and I'm not thrilled with the gifted program at this school because they mix the gifted students in with the regular classes so basically they just get a few different worksheets here and there while still learning the same material.


I still have not arranged a conference with his teacher, I haven't had time and right now I'm exhausted (BTW, if my posts sound crabby this is why). Besides DS being sick my 5yo has also been sick this week so he's been keeping me up all night. I am in desperate need of a nap, I'm running on empty. But I agree that a conference is the way to go.

A new issue has been brought up, again it's heresay, but it does concern me. DS has a girlfriend in his class and he was two people back from her in line and overheard the teacher tell her "You should break up with DS Name and go out with Andrew." The girl was in shock and didn't say anything. Then when DS was absent Tuesday getting a CT scan the girl told DS that the teacher mentioned it to her again. IMO, if that's true, it's crossing the line and if she truely dislikes DS this much he needs moved to a new class.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

You and your kid need to be careful about trying to get excused from turning in homework assignments. The other kids in class could well react adversely if they find out about what they superficially think is "preferential" treatment.

I don't want him excused from turning in homework, we're trying to catch him up and turn it in.

I mentioned my personal feelings about homework because I would NEVER share them with DS, but he is doing the work. I guess I'm the only one that feels this way, but hey, I'm entitled to my opinion.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

As you said yourself, you are only getting half of the story. I'd also point out that even the half you are getting is partially second-hand. Trying to rely on what your son's friends said that the teacher said is not a good indicator of her real disposition or concerns. Until you speak with her personally you really don't know what the real story is. She may be worried that he isn't going to be able to keep up, and that concern is being interpreted by the kids as something else. Talk to her.

As for the homework, he should be completing his assignments. It doesn't matter if you or he feels it is unimportant. It's part of his grade and therefore needs to be completed. If he doesn't, then there will be consequences (such as lower grades).

Good post.
A good quote teachers often use is "We will believe half of what your kids tell us happens at home if you believe half of what your child tells you happens at school!". I don't know how much of the second hand story from the friends I would believe.
She may be contacting you about the homework not to pester to you anything, but to do her job of letting you know he owes a number of assignments. At my middle school, we are held VERY responsible for parents being aware of everything....no responsibility on the kids.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

As a teacher we are not encouraged to ask children about medical issues for privacy reasons. If they volunteer information it is ok to allow the child to talk about it but we are told not to pry for information or to ask a child about a medical issue unprompted. If we need to know about something for whatever reason we can go to a parent and ask if they are willing to share the info, but that is it. It may be that the teacher is boud by rules or doesn't feel that it is her place. Her comments could have also been easily misinterpreted by other students who knew how your DS felt about the situation. A simple "oh, he's out again" that was meant as nothing more than an experssion of concern about the child in question could be seen in an entirely different light by a child that knows your DS thinks the teacher is giving him a hard time. I would sit down with the teacher and clear the air in a calm manner. Tell her what your concerns are and get her perspective on what happening here. It is amazing to me how many people here have just assumed that the teacher is a jerk, because that really may not be the case as we only have one side of the story. As ateacher I would hope that no parent would make that assumption before speaking to me about the issue. I would also hope never to make the same judgment about a parent without getting their perspective on things.

Exactly.

 

[princessmom29]

So teachers aren't perfect and don't do everything on time, as most adults don't, but our children are expected to? I'm not "bashing" teachers, I do admire the job they all do. But since I have 5 children I am constantly being nagged to comply to their deadlines such as "this permission slip must be turned in by...", "this supply must be sent in by...", "Friday is the last day for...".

So children and their parents aren't teaching responsibility if they are late with the least little thing, but I'm bashing teachers when I expect the same???

When did I say that parents have to be on time with absolutley eveything and that they weren't teaching responsibility if they or their children are ever late??? I don't recall doing that, and would hope those words would never escape my lips or fingers. I never send a letter home with "must" attached when requesting something from a parent. I say something to the effect that I would like to have this returned by X date, but I do not make demands. Assignment deadlines are firm and I deduct 10% per day unless there are unusual circumstances such as an illness, emergency, or other circumstance perventing a child from getting it done on time. I can and do make exceptions and extend deadlines. I would only ask for the same consideration from my parents when circumstances prevent me from getting something to them on time.

I am sorry if you didn't mean it that way, but your post came across to me as very critical of teachers.

 

[Leajess99]

(bolding mine) He is very much ahead of the class, he has been for years, but when I asked the school to move him up at the suggestion of his teacher I was told no because they need him in that grade to keep their WASL scores up . He spent the year at the table with the kids who were struggling so he could help them. It was after that year that I homeschooled him, then we changed districts (moved) and at his new school he had an awesome 5th grade teacher that challenged him. That was at the elementary school.

So now he's moved up to middle school and I'm not thrilled with the gifted program at this school because they mix the gifted students in with the regular classes so basically they just get a few different worksheets here and there while still learning the same material.

I'm just curious but didn't you say your child was held from starting on time?? So had he started on time, do you think he would still be ahead of his 6th grade peers who are mostly a year younger than him?? I am just curious here as I have an 11 year old in 6th grade who is ahead of her peers but the difference seems is that my 11 year old started school on time and by holding your child back an injustice was done to him. Sorry but that is just the way I see it. Your son is acting like a preteen in regards to irresponsibility (not that all preteens act irresponsible but a lot do) and if you and he can't get it fixed now than you are in for a long road ahead of you.

 

[dismom2]

If it was me, I would make him do his homework (all of it, whether he wanted to or not), or send him to school. I can understand when you have the flu or other serious illness that literally prevents you from doing anything, but otherwise, if they can get out of bed, play on the computer, read, or other everyday things, he can do his homework.

I can understand to a point letting him face his own consequences, but for me (and this is only me), having my childs grades plummet as part of that 'lesson' isn't a good choice. For me, part of preparing my child for the real world includes teaching them that they have to live up to their responsibilities. We've pulled our kids out of school for vacations in the past, but they did all their homework either before they returned, or within a couple days, depending on what the teachers request.

I hope your son feels better soon.

 

[dis-happy]

Well, if you decide that homeschooling is a better option at some point, don't let fear of high school science hold your back. My dd was homeschooled K-12 and is in her junior year of college with a pre-med biology major, and she was invited into the honor society for biology majors to boot. The science courses available to homeschoolers prepared her adequately.

My ds (15) did the self-study homeschool biology course last year as a freshman, then took the SAT subject test in the spring and rec'd a 680 score. Really, it's not impossible to homeschool science courses.

Good luck with everything.

 

[princessmom29]

Well, if you decide that homeschooling is a better option at some point, don't let fear of high school science hold your back. My dd was homeschooled K-12 and is in her junior year of college with a pre-med biology major, and she was invited into the honor society for biology majors to boot. The science courses available to homeschoolers prepared her adequately.

My ds (15) did the self-study homeschool biology course last year as a freshman, then took the SAT subject test in the spring and rec'd a 680 score. Really, it's not impossible to homeschool science courses.

Good luck with everything.

I am truly interested now. How did you do homeschool chemistry and physics?? I have a friend who is struggling with this. The only option she has found thus far is dual enrollment at the university and her DD is too young for this as a 15 year old. She cannot find any other way to gain access to a real chemistry lab with all the equipment needed to really teach the labs. I can totally see how biology could be done without a lab, but she is having real problems finding lab facilities for chemistry and physics, and you just cannot do AP level chemistry labs without access to a fume hood at the very least.

 

[happymommy]

I am truly interested now. How did you do homeschool chemistry and physics?? I have a friend who is struggling with this. The only option she has found thus far is dual enrollment at the university and her DD is too young for this as a 15 year old. She cannot find any other way to gain access to a real chemistry lab with all the equipment needed to really teach the labs. I can totally see how biology could be done without a lab, but she is having real problems finding lab facilities for chemistry and physics, and you just cannot do AP level chemistry labs without access to a fume hood at the very least.

No, you cannot do chemistry without a hood (of course mine at home works), but she didn't say she did that. Mine that I have is totally adequate. There are also many options. My kids go to an accelerated program at a private school. There are schools that can provide access to labs. Not just colleges. My kids' middle school has lab equipment with hoods and gas.

dis-happy said biology. Not chem.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

But the teacher as a professional does not see it as busy work, so is aggravated about him not completing it. In the future, jobs have busy work too, it is part of life.

Sick or not there would be consqences about the homework not being completed.

I would talk to her in person and hear her side of the story, and then if you still feel she is not a good fit for your child and is being incredibly harsh regarding the abscenses then I would go to the principal.

I am not condoning her comments (if she is really making them) but not doing homework around here, I dont care what it is is a big no no.

I have to agree with this.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I'm just curious but didn't you say your child was held from starting on time?? So had he started on time, do you think he would still be ahead of his 6th grade peers who are mostly a year younger than him?? I am just curious here as I have an 11 year old in 6th grade who is ahead of her peers but the difference seems is that my 11 year old started school on time and by holding your child back an injustice was done to him. Sorry but that is just the way I see it. Your son is acting like a preteen in regards to irresponsibility (not that all preteens act irresponsible but a lot do) and if you and he can't get it fixed now than you are in for a long road ahead of you.

I really think he would be ahead no matter what. He is exceptionally bright and picks right up on almost everything that is taught to him right off the bat. He also tested into a gifted program by taking a test that was meant for children a grade ahead of where he was at the time because the school he was in at the time was trying to find something to challenge him. He ended up in a gifted class that took him out of his class for a short period of time a day that his sister, who is two grades ahead of him, was also in. He needs work that makes him think or he gets bored.

If it was me, I would make him do his homework (all of it, whether he wanted to or not), or send him to school. I can understand when you have the flu or other serious illness that literally prevents you from doing anything, but otherwise, if they can get out of bed, play on the computer, read, or other everyday things, he can do his homework.

I can understand to a point letting him face his own consequences, but for me (and this is only me), having my childs grades plummet as part of that 'lesson' isn't a good choice. For me, part of preparing my child for the real world includes teaching them that they have to live up to their responsibilities. We've pulled our kids out of school for vacations in the past, but they did all their homework either before they returned, or within a couple days, depending on what the teachers request.

I hope your son feels better soon.

I am making him do his homework, when he and I know what it is, he brings home the material (books, worksheets, whatever) to do them, and is capable. There have been a couple absences where he was too sick to do them, but otherwise he does, he just got somewhat lazy and irresponsible.

Also with some of the assignments we found that he had already done and just not turned in he didn't turn in because his teacher was out that day so he "planned" on turning them in on her return, but by that time, being a 12year old, he forgot. So they sat in his backpack, binder or locker until I got the progress report and started going through assignments. He'd say "but I did that!" and lo and behold, we'd find it. Very frustrating for me since I'm super orgnized, but a lesson in responsibility for him.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I am making him do his homework, when he and I know what it is, he brings home the material (books, worksheets, whatever) to do them, and is capable. There have been a couple absences where he was too sick to do them, but otherwise he does, he just got somewhat lazy and irresponsible.

Also with some of the assignments we found that he had already done and just not turned in he didn't turn in because his teacher was out that day so he "planned" on turning them in on her return, but by that time, being a 12year old, he forgot. So they sat in his backpack, binder or locker until I got the progress report and started going through assignments. He'd say "but I did that!" and lo and behold, we'd find it. Very frustrating for me since I'm super orgnized, but a lesson in responsibility for him.

Oh, I SOOO feel your pain on this one! My DS12 is much better about it this year, writing stuff down and putting it in his binder to hand in. 6th grade was a nightmare, though. It finally sunk in with my child--it will with yours, too.

I also noticed that your oldest is a girl--I have a DD14, too. Organization was never really an issue with her (forgetting running shoes, yes, handing in homework, no). So it kind of "hit me double" that #2 had an issue where #1 had been fine. But, DD14 cares about grades, and neatness, and pleasing the teacher. DS12, not so much--he cares about food, electronics, and Magic cards.

 

[princessmom29]

No, you cannot do chemistry without a hood (of course mine at home works), but she didn't say she did that. Mine that I have is totally adequate. There are also many options. My kids go to an accelerated program at a private school. There are schools that can provide access to labs. Not just colleges. My kids' middle school has lab equipment with hoods and gas.

dis-happy said biology. Not chem.

She said that she did bio, but to get into any accredited premed perogam you must have chem in high school as well, so I assumed that she did that as well if her daughter is pre-med. Many, many colleges are now requiring a minimum of 1 year of high school chemistry for full admission into any science related major. You can get conditional admission without chemistry, but are required to take a noncredit course in your first year to catch up on missed material. If you are talking about an over the stove hood at home i would be super careful using that for anything over a 2-3 M acid or any type of volatile as it is NOT adequate ventilation for any type of concetrated acid or volatile. I know that we use 6M HCL quite frequently in AP and a stove hood does not provide enough air exchange for that, especially if you are heating it. You really need a low hanging sash any time you are pouring or heating concentrated acid. The stove hood is too far above the work area to work properly. All volatiles (acetone, phenols, methanol ect) need to be used in a static free, high air volume hood. We use all of these in Chem 2 and AP chem. Public schools in our area will not allow access by home schoolers because it is a liability issue, and there are only 2-3 private schools I know of with adequate facilities, neither of which will allow it. That is where the question came from. I was hoping mabye she knew something we haven't figured out yet. Some kind of resource to gain access to proper equipment to do the labs she needs to be ready for college.

 

[dis-happy]

She said that she did bio, but to get into any accredited premed perogam you must have chem in high school as well, so I assumed that she did that as well if her daughter is pre-med. Many, many colleges are now requiring a minimum of 1 year of high school chemistry for full admission into any science related major. You can get conditional admission without chemistry, but are required to take a noncredit course in your first year to catch up on missed material. If you are talking about an over the stove hood at home i would be super careful using that for anything over a 2-3 M acid or any type of volatile as it is NOT adequate ventilation for any type of concetrated acid or volatile. I know that we use 6M HCL quite frequently in AP and a stove hood does not provide enough air exchange for that, especially if you are heating it. You really need a low hanging sash any time you are pouring or heating concentrated acid. The stove hood is too far above the work area to work properly. All volatiles (acetone, phenols, methanol ect) need to be used in a static free, high air volume hood. We use all of these in Chem 2 and AP chem. Public schools in our area will not allow access by home schoolers because it is a liability issue, and there are only 2-3 private schools I know of with adequate facilities, neither of which will allow it. That is where the question came from. I was hoping mabye she knew something we haven't figured out yet. Some kind of resource to gain access to proper equipment to do the labs she needs to be ready for college.

Don't want to go too far off topic, but yes, my dd did a year of high school chemistry. All I said was that her high school science classes via homeschooling adequately prepared her for college. The courses for homeschoolers also include lab kits you can buy to do the experiments, no hood required. She did biology, chemistry, adv. biology (ie. anatomy---no cadaver needed for this course either, lol) and physics. She was qualified to take the AP exam for biology after the second course but chose not to (IIRC the test dates were a conflict).

Lots of ways to do this via homeschooling and I know people that have used all of these different methods:

self study courses, with optional teaching cd's (ie. Apologia, Saxon)
on-line accredited courses
dual-enrollment with community college
private schools that open individual classes to homeschoolers
co-op classes with other homeschoolers that usually meet once a week


While she doesn't plan to apply to med school, her degree will be the pre-med biology BS curriculum, as opposed to the biology BA degree that is available for those who plan to go into teaching (which is a bit easier, especially in the o-chem requirements). Her goals are to direct research projects (genetics and microbiology are her passion) and she'll need a phD for that.

Back to your regularly scheduled thread.....