I have a child entering 8th grade this year.  Not a problem, I had better get thinking right quick about how we are going to proceed with high school requirements, dipolma programs, and college (or trade school or none).  I want to be prepared for next year.  Okay, things are not too bad at this point we can go slow with math and get reading comprehension to a better level and while we are at it lets try getting the retention there.  Well, the 8th grader comes to me after we have started school (working on 21/2 week) and anounces the desire to be a science teacher .  I smile and as "are you sure?"  We have a small discussion on this possibility and I wait a couple days and ask again.  Why did this cause a "WHAT!" reaction ~ this student has not shown the least interest in learning at all.  We have spent countless hours reteaching and relearning the same math concepts.  Reading subject information just to immediately forget it, let alone try passing a test.  Missed problem after missed problem in math and English.  History, science, reading, etc. not paying attention so answering questions is Out of the Question and not really caring to learn the stuff.  Never having the desire to read a book...until...younger sibling learns to read and likes to read just for fun.  Math has actually been going well and English is not going too bad either.  We did have a bit of trouble with history for the first couple days so the jury is still out on this subject.  But the questions at the end of the section for science have gone well too.  So maybe this child is doing some maturing and is serious about being a science teacher. Maybe we had a break through of sorts and school will go well this year.  Younger sibling has been a strong academic student while this particular one has always been the sensitive-take-care-of-people one, very good at helping out.... Hmmm... Okay, now we rethink what we are doing and plan for college and be strong in math and science.  No problem.  I sorta feel like someone from Mission Impossible ~get this child ready for college as a science major, this is your mission if you chose to accept it~dum da da dum.  Okay, I will accept it, happily.  Maybe next month we will be preparing to be an accountant, one never knows where childhood fantasies may lead.