He Can Do Things and Learn at the Same Time.
Dylan’s schedule is a bit light this year. He loaded up on graduation requirements during his first two years of high school, and finished nearly everything in 11th grade. When he dropped out of the IBCP program, his schedule opened wide.
First and foremost, he wanted to take AP Psychology. He had been asking to take a psych class since 7th grade, when he started reading books on neurology and the brain.
But the first time he mentioned that he wanted to be a psychologist, I literally laughed out loud. He was maybe 13.
“Dylan, you can’t sit still for ten minutes! You don’t know how to listen! How are you going to sit still all day long, eight hours a day, and listen to people talk about their problems?”
“I listen to my friends,” he said. “And I help them.”
Ah, I thought. “Okay,” I said. “You should take psychology in high school then, and see if you like it.”
So – finally – he is in AP Psychology. And he loves it.
Otherwise, though, he has selected a number of hands-on classes that will keep him actively engaged throughout the day. It’s the schedule of his dreams – the one he had in preschool and kindergarten. He will be moving around, working hard, concentrating on creating. He can do things and learn at the same time.
Dylan is taking Digital Art, where he’ll be creating a variety of marketing and artwork on the computer. He is taking Guitar 2, since he took Guitar 1 in 8th grade and will thrive in any music class. And he’s taking both an internship to help a P.E. teacher and Radio Production which means he will be helping (again this year) with the school’s video announcements.
He is thrilled with his schedule and hasn’t even asked for coffee drinks which, last year, were his key to staying interested. Maybe his brain is maturing and he’s able to function better without stimulants. But mostly I think he just likes what he’s doing.
Why all classes can’t be engaging, I do not know.