On the way, Chenchen asked his mother nervously: "Mom, what are we going to talk to the dean of academic affairs?" ”

"Your dad and I have evaluated your strength in all aspects, and we don't think that the classes assigned to you by the school are not enough to completely challenge your limits. We've decided to adjust your course selection so that you're going to be able to take a more difficult course. ”

Chenchen smiled bitterly and said: "Mom, I have already taken AP calculus in mathematics, which is at the university level, and you know that my English cannot be compared with American children, even if I only take the regular courses of the 9th grade in liberal arts, you ask me to get all A's, I dare not guarantee ......"

Xia Xiaoyan interrupted her son's words and said, "Don't tell your mother that you can't guarantee anything like that in the future, for students who want to go to Ivy League schools, even a B in four years of high school is a disaster!" So, it is necessary to guarantee a full A, there is nothing negotiable! Your dad proposed to take two science courses in the ninth grade by using your strong science strengths, so that you can directly take two AP science courses in the tenth grade? ”

Chenchen grabbed the corner of his mother's clothes with a sad face and said, "Mom, you don't mean it seriously, do you?" I've got 7 classes now, and there's only one free block this semester, so it's definitely not going to be easy. Did you know? Most American kids take a full class less than I do, and they will have at least one watery course in their curriculum that is specifically designed to decompress. ”

Xia Xiaoyan said with a sullen face: "Mom didn't expect you to say such a thing. Lowering your requirements for yourself before school starts, right? Ten years of hard study, it was not easy to play, when we went to school, who didn't come over like this? Grit your teeth and add another class, and you'll definitely be able to do it! ”

Chenchen dared to be angry and didn't dare to speak, but whispered: "Am I your own son?" You don't really feel sorry for me......"

Xia Xiaoyan softened her tone and said, "Son, remember: strict is love, loose is harm!" If your parents feel sorry for you now, relax their requirements for you, and cause your studies to be not as good as others, who will feel sorry for you when you go to society in the future?! She continued: "In addition, Mom saw that there was an art class on your schedule, so don't study art, you don't have any art cells anyway, besides, the sub-subject is of no practical use, so it's better to change it to AP statistics." If you want to major in finance in college, the Statistical Society is helpful. Your dad said that this course is a little easier than AP calculus, and it is easier to get a high score. After all, our Chinese children are strong in science, and it is not a burden to learn more mathematics, physics and chemistry. ”

Chenchen knew his mother's temper, he had to sigh and compromise: "If you must insist, I will listen to you." ”

The two walked around the arched stone corridor connecting the main building and the annex building, and walked to the other building, and when my mother saw that Chenchen still had an awkward expression, she said: "Chenchen, think about it, what did we come to the United States to attend high school for?" It's just to get into a good university, that's our only purpose, right? Therefore, we must learn more dry goods, only in this way, can you fully demonstrate the academic advantages of our Chinese students in the future university application, what do you say? ”

Chenchen silently followed his mother and did not make a sound.

The two soon arrived at the dean's office, and Thomas invited them in, and then prepared coffee for them on the coffee machine.

Xia Xiaoyan spoke first and said, "Mr. Thomas, we came here to discuss with you about Charlie's ninth grade class arrangement. ”

Mr. Thomas nodded seriously and said, "If there is anything you don't understand, just ask me, and I will do my best to help you." ”

"Charlie's father and I studied the children's curriculum," Xia Xiaoyan said, "We believe that the ninth grade school year is more crucial, and the matter of course selection should not be taken lightly, so I would like to discuss our opinions with you." ”

Mr. Thomas said happily, "Oh, you and Charlie's dad have seen Charlie's schedule, and that's great." As he spoke, he picked up a folder from his desk, opened it, flipped through Chenchen's lesson plan, and said, "Charlie's placement test results are very good, and it can be seen that he is extremely talented in mathematics, after all, there are not many children in the ninth grade who choose such a challenging course as AP calculus." Rest assured, I know this course is really difficult, and if he feels that he can't adapt to this course within two weeks of school, he can come to me and change to a lower level of prep calculus. ”

Xia Xiaoyan hurriedly waved her hand and said, "No, no, Mr. Thomas, you misunderstood." Charlie will definitely not give up on this course. We're here to discuss with you if we can add another class to Charlie. ”

Mr. Thomas, thinking that he had misheard, asked, "Excuse me, what did you say?" ”

Xia Xiaoyan repeated what she had just said.

Mr. Thomas had a look of disbelief on his face, and as he shook his head, he said, "Oh, you're not kidding, are you? How is this possible? We can't afford to put such a heavy academic load on a ninth-grader. ”

"Mr. Thomas, we disagree with you. You know, Chinese children have a tradition of hard-working in learning, we compared the timetable that our school has laid out for Chenchen with the domestic high school schedule, we don't feel that there is too much learning burden, but feel that Chenchen may not be able to eat enough......" Xia Xiaoyan argued with reason.

Mr. Thomas's expression suddenly became serious, and he asked, "Have you consulted the children about the arrangement of the curriculum?" As a parent, you cannot make decisions for your child. ”

"Children are obedient from an early age and will not have any opinions." Xia Xiaoyan said very firmly.