Textbook Done Already? What to Do Next

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Curt_Bumcrot]Curt Bumcrot
The typical textbook is designed to be completed in nine months. Even if you follow the traditional school calendar, schooling from September through May, what do you do if your student finishes a text book early? Consider the following question that was asked recently:
"My son just finished his 6th grade speller. I'm wondering if I should move him into the next book or just end spelling now for the year, which for us ends in May."
--J.M.
My answer: I have a few thoughts as I respond to this question. First, it's unusual to complete a book after just two months of school. Are you sure your student is in the correct grade placement? It may have been too easy in the first place which is why your student flew through it, assuming he pre-tested and knew most of the words without studying. Secondly, and this information wasn't supplied in the question, I'm wondering if this book was used last year but, not completed. The mother was simply finishing up the last few lessons in the book.
If you were asking me this question in April, I would be inclined to say sure, take a break from spelling. But at this time of year, I'd say begin the next book in the series. In other words, keep in mind that your goal is to build a strong set of memorized spelling words your son can draw from, not just complete a textbook.
Let me change the question slightly and apply it to a different subject, asked at a different time of year. Let's say it is March and your student has just completed his math book. In this case he finished pre-algebra. While there is always some review built into all math series (publishers assume students are coming back from a three-month summer break from school and need to review), the higher the level of math, the less of the beginning of the book is dedicated to this. If your son has completed a quarter of the next book in the series, algebra 1 in this case, when you quit in May, you can be sure he'll need to back track in September, maybe even to the beginning of the book to review what he "learned" but was forgotten.
So in this situation, I would say don't start the next book in the series. Instead, pick up an enrichment text (story problems, math brain teasers, etc.) at a local teacher or home school supply store. Do math two or three times a week. Another option would be to start the next book in the series, but plan to work through it most of the summer so the time spent in the spring isn't seen as a waste. Most students won't like this idea, but others will embrace it and see it as a chance to get ahead.
Thanks for reading!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE
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Curt Bumcrot is founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools. He and his wife, Jenny, homeschooled their children, and currently reside in Oregon City.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Textbook-Done-Already?-What-to-Do-Next&id=6661478] Textbook Done Already? What to Do Next