My parents are usually busy, what suggestions do you have for just teaching myself?

Question

My Mom is usually eating, watcing TV, or taking a nap, or something, and my Dad is almost always working. What are some suggestions I could use to teach myself stuff while my parents are busy? I mean, my Mom teaches me alot of stuff, I just feel that when she's not, that I'm being lazy, and I feel kinda stupid...

I'm smarter than most of the public school kids I know, but I still FEEL dumb.

I'm grade 7, going to 8th, I'm going to do highschool when I turn 14, 12 currently, turning 13 in the summer. I personally don't have many normal jobs in mind, my aspirations are sports, and or a fine art, such as acting, or doing an instrument in a band. I guess though that I would be interested in computer like things, always have been interested in making my own video game, or something...

Answer 1

Ask your parents to check out www.compuhigh.com

It's costs money, but it may be worth it in your situation. You can study on your own time, with a licenced teacher, and you can actually recieve a diploma, instead of having to get your GED. You are only one year away from highschool, so it's something to check out. Plus, you can always skip a grade! That's what my sister did!

If you don't want to skip a grade and you aren't old enough for highschool yet, you might want to look at taking a class at a local community college. At ours, we have ten year olds taking classes! Check out what your local college has available for younger students.

Answer 2

I would definitely encourage you to read as much as you can, and write some if you enjoy that. My public school high school was not very good and I read a lot in my off time, and that was how I learned mostly throughout those years. Even if you don't have a lot of money, the public library is free which is what I used every week.

Most states now have cyberschools online that are free for state residents, you should just go online and see if your state has one (If you do an update and post your state I or someone else can probably tell you if your state has one and give you more info.) My state, Florida has one starting for 6th graders, and my 7th grader going into 8th grade son is starting next year. I didn't think he was ready until this year because of his writing skills, but I think it will be a good experience. Not only do they have all the regular classes you expect, but they also have some elective classes like art and computer and about a dozen others and way more than my son could ever fit in to his already full home school schedule. They have a certified teacher that you email and talk on the phone with sometimes and you might enjoy that occasional feedback.

Some computer links that you might want to use to teach yourself 7th and 8th grade that I use with my son and my daughter are:
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_7th_original.htm

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_8th_original.htm

You might want to talk to your mom and dad about signing you up for a sport or two so that you are getting enough P.E.

I wouldn't feel too bad about your mom not teaching you every minute. I think as an 8th grader you really don't need constant guidance and supervision if you are a good kid & it sounds like you are very motivated as well. If you educate yourself a bit, you can be well prepared for high school, college, and any job!

Answer 3

Hey there.....get the word "stupid" out of your vocab, okay? You're a lot better than that! If you want to learn something on your own though, it may be God's way of providing "inspiration" to learn something specific. Have you considered praying about this? One of the best things you can do for yourself is discover where your interests lay. Do you like to learn about horses? Do you like to draw? Read? Cook? Can you check out some topics of interest in the library and teach yourself just be absorbing information that you love? I'll give you an example. I am a 36 year old mother of seven. I was a TERRIBLE student in public school and never really learned anything beyond the basics. Public school failed me. So now, I'm on a learning streak! I had this tiny interest in Queen Elizabeth--the first! She was Queen in the late 1500's to 1600's. My interest sparked because I read one of her quotes that basically expressed her thoughts on the difficulty doing a "man's job." I bought a book about her at a second hand book store...then I checked out some books at the library. I read very slow and this proved to my advantage because I simply soaked in all of the details and character traits of this amazing woman in history. So think of what you have an interest in----no matter how tiny it is....and go for it! Begin to read, to think about and to share all that you learn. This will encourage your mom, as your instructor too!

God bless you!
Feel free to leave me a message on the subject you have an interest in. I might have a link for you that you can begin your quest with!

Answer 4

I've been homeschooling myself as an adult in earnst since 1996. When I didn't have internet access I went to the library and used their resources.

I did tons of research as well as learned HTML and JavaScript on my own to put it online.

My stuff is meant to be educational, and others seem to really like it as I have liked so many other sources of information.

It may not be primary school course work, but I wish I had known the material before high school.

Answer 5

I was home schooled up until last year, and when I was home schooled I was almost exactly what you just described about yourself. The best way I discovered to teach myself was as I read a text book, I would pretend it was a teacher talking. I know it sounds really dumb, but that did help me out. I always felt sooooo dumb also, I thought there was no way I would even graduate, or pass classes in public school. But when I went I was equal to public school kids and even made honor roll. I was shocked. But just pretend someone is there teaching you, It made it easier for me to concentrate.

Answer 6

wow I'm in the same position...my moms on bedrest though.....i can't believe you are actually worried about being lazy! I mean that's totally good... but that's so the opposite of me. You know, in my spare time I look up career fields and stuff I'm interested in I try to do stuff to work towards that as much as I can. I personally want to go into computer science, computer animation, or computer security, or a fine art, or maybe even fashion. So, I have been teaching myself about computers, and learning css, html, and xhtml. I've built tons of websites. And you could always research colleges, scholarships, or just try to strengthen your knowledge by taking online quizzes, brainteasers, and IQ tests. That way the ones you get wrong you'll learn the answers to. BTW what grade ar eyou in and whats your IQ?? Just Wondering, cuz I want to see if I'm up to par with other homeschoolers

I no im not much of a help, but i tried :) Good luck with learning, i think you've inspired me, thanx

Answer 7

I can't believe someone thinks that you can't learn yourself?! That is how the greatest thinkers of all time learned. When you are intereseted in something, you have a greater desire to go in-depth and then to retain what you learn.
My 15 year old son, stopped being taught by me several years ago. HE decides what he wants to learn. All I do is direct him towards the best resources; make myself available when he wants to discuss anything with me, or he has questions; and evaluate his finished work. Right now, he is working on a collections of essays on Economics. He has read all the Great Books - of his own free will (I have not been able to keep up with him).
I also have a 14 year old daughter. She is not quite as academic as my son. She is more into science, and the fine arts. She is very talented and knows more about anything to do with science than most adults I know. She has taught herself. She chooses a topic with me, and then takes off. She decides what type of "product" she is going to make as a final for her topic. She has done websites, books, photo journals, posters, and had some of her work published in magazines.
You absolutely can learn by yourself...and you will learn better than if you expect someone else to spoon feed you your lessons!!!! Plus, you will find that you will love to learn for the rest of your life!
Find something you love, learn all you can about it, and present your parents with something you learned as a result. You will enjoy your education much more!
Good luck.

Answer 8

I'm in the 7th grade too and currently homeschooling also.

I think that you could do it but I wouldn't advise it. Teaching yourself -no matter how smart you are- won't really help you learn anything. I would ask my parents if I could take local group classes or study groups with other homeschool friends.

Really, I think your mom needs to help you out a bit. Instead of watching TV, she could be helping you with math or something. I know that everyone needs a little downtime to theirselves but not ALL DAY!! (I'm not trying to be mean or anything, just trying to be helpful.)

Good Luck!! ;)

Answer 9

Start with the things that interest you and find books at your library on the subject. From there you'll get interested in the other things you need to learn.

Answer 10

Read, read, read, write, write, write. Also, if there are subject areas your mom doesn't cover with you, see if you can find some textbooks or study guides at the library that you could use on your own.

"Teaching ourselves" really just means finding materials we can use to learn. Your local library should have plenty of materials you can use.