I think he could get an ok SAT score now. However, I have explained to him
that he can get scholarships if he gets a high score, and yes, this is
motivating him.
All the rest of your suggestions are very well taken. I was considering
some real investment in the stock market myself (I think Genentech may have
good long-term value) and it might be fun. If you have any more thoughts
let me know.
As for his taste in music -- I am convinced he listens to Eminem to annoy
me but as rebellions go I will take it any day over something like smoking.
I just retaliate with a few reiterations of "Turn On Your Lovelight,"
especially the version with Janis Joplin :) We have had some interesting
discussions about music. ("Mom, who is Ringo Starr? OK...who are the
Beatles?") He also thinks Bob Dylan can't sing. What can I say, I love him
anyway :)
Dana
Ben Doom writes:
> <snip content="standardized testing">
>
> If he's like I was, he'll breeze through the ACT and SAT. The stuff is
> generally pretty basic. If you've got some basic trig, geometry, and a
> reasonable grasp of algebra, the math is no problem. I gather from the rest
> of what you've said, I'd guess his vocabulary and reading comprehension are
> good enough to float him through the rest.
>
> : Been there. He retired as the SimCity equivalent of Bill Gates.
> : Said it was
> : too easy to make money and uninstalled it, much to the fury of his sister
> : :) He likes Roller Coaster and Zoo Tycoon, Starsiege, and emulators of all
> : types. Age of Empires, Age of Conquest, Worms in all flavors. Also mp3s,
> : mostly rap.
>
> Well, firstly, his taste in music sucks. :-)
>
> Secondly, if SimCity and the like were too simple for his tastes, you might
> want to try him out on things like CivIII. If that's too simple (and it
> might be), I'm currently playing Master of Orion 3 and it's about as complex
> as any game I've ever seen. You must get the v1.2 patch, though -- it
> improves the game dramatically.
>
> If things like money are big motivators, here's a plan that got me
> interested in the stock market, etc.
> Give him a "pretend" amount of money -- say $5000, and have him "invest" it
> in the stock market. Race the S&P (or a given mutual fund, whatever). If
> he does well, consider giving him a slice of whatever you're putting away
> for his college or whatnot to invest himself. Of course, you shouldn't
> necessarily tell him about part 2 until you see if it can keep his interest
> over, say, 6 months. :-)
>
> Another thought about math: one of the most compelling ways I've ever seen
> to teach statistics was a casino model -- your grade was dependent on how
> well you learned to count cards! That was fun. I won an A at the blackjack
> table. :-)
>
> I'll talk to my parents about what worked when I was that age, and see if
> anything else good comes up.
>
> HTH.
>
> --BenD
>
>
>
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