Discovering the passion in your teenagers is like trying to nail jello to a wall! Kids change their minds like crazy about the things that interest them. That’s one of the reasons why I encourage math for students. One day they want to be a musician or park ranger – but the next they want to be an engineer! I think it’s a good idea to encourage passion in teens even while recognizing that it might be different tomorrow. Their interests WILL change over time, and each thing you encourage will help shape their future life and career. You have to experience some false starts to know what you REALLY want to do in life.
Teens are just plain hard to parent! When I was in the midst of it, I often felt like I was riding an untamed horse. Hang on as best you can, and follow where they take you.
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J W says:
HA! You’ve armed me with another “mommyism” to say to my kids: “Yes, you have to do your math because you never know when you might need it.”
If one is creative, one can find all sorts of math related to vocations, and make up story problems accordingly.
Wrangler at a summer camp: Scheduling, grain ratios in feed, routine medication dosages, overhead costs, and budgeting.
Acting: What percentage of your money does your agent get? How much is left over for you? Will you have enough money to live on when you’re no longer a fad? What are some wise investment choices?
Marine biologist: Statistics, probability, ratios, geometry – the works.
Artist: How much income can you count on from sales? How much money should you set aside each month for tough times? What are your costs for materials? What ratio should you use to make a scale model of your sculpture for presentation to the city’s arts committee? Will the medium you choose for your sculpture collapse under its own weight (yes, that involves math – ask any architect)? If your contract calls for specific dimensions, you’d better know geometry.
Fashion designer: Overhead and materials costs, pricing, geometry, ratios, profit and loss, budgeting
November 1st, 2008 at 9:51 am
J W says:
P.S. – I second Lee in encouraging kids to pursue something they love. Every single one of the passions I was allowed to pursue in the limited time I had after (public) school and on weekends – it all came in handy during my college years, or it’s coming in handy now as I homeschool. Even the oddball classes I took in school just because they sounded interesting have come in handy.
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:00 am