Graduated ... now what?

This is a topic that comes up periodically when I chat with parents of high school homeschoolers. I was encouraged to see an article in the May/June issue of HSLDA's Court Report dealing with this very topic! I think that Becky Cooke and Diane Kummer have provided some excellent ideas in their suggestions for that first post-high school year.

In case you haven't had time to read the article, please allow me to summarize here and offer some thoughts of my own ...

• Take time to mature ... a very valid point which discusses the differences between those kids who are "born old" and those who may be "late bloomers" when it comes to deciding what to do in life after high school is ended.
  
• Gain a year's job experience ... another good option for kids whose financial status requires them to bulk up their bank account a bit before heading off to college or pursuing a different life's goal. College debt can be a huge burden, so this may be a valid choice for kids seeking increased financial stability from the very beginning.
• Explore the globe - this is one I wish I had thought of as a high school senior! Let's face it, most of us won't have this kind of opportunity again once we are married, or begin a full-time job. So if your student has dreamed of travel and is financially able to swing it, this may be a great time to fulfill that dream.
• Find ministry opportunities - short-term missions is a wonderful avenue for gaining personal experience and exploring possibilities for future ministry. Our daughter took part in a 6 week ministry opportunity the summer between graduation and college. It was a tremendous experience that gained her valuable people skills and increased maturity.
  
• Pursue special interests - perhaps you have a student who excels in music, or a specialized trade or even a foreign language. A year of additional exposure may give them a leg-up when applying to college or seeking a job in their field of interest.
  

But are there any downsides to taking a year off between high school and college? A couple come to mind. Having spoken to some who have done so, it can be difficult to get back into the "swing" of academia once you've experienced a year away from the demands of a schedule. There may also be some scholarship opportunities that are only available if you are entering college immediately following high school.

Ultimately, it will depend entirely on your student's circumstances and goals, but it is nice to know that there are a world of options available to choose from!

Blessings ...
~Judy

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How do I plan for high school?!

Homeschooling elementary age children is a huge decision. Many of us couldn't imagine teaching someone to read when we started out. But homeschool a high schooler?! No way I'm up to that task!!

When I talk with folks about homeschooling a teenager, two concerns seem to rise to the surface. The first is a perceived inability to teach such hefty subjects as Chemistry and Geometry. The second is a fear of planning and keeping records that will satisfy a future college.

While the first may be "easily" satisfied with all the on-line and computer-based science and math products available, the second seems to be more intimidating. I'd like to offer a couple of thoughts that might make it less so.

For any high school course of study, it is very helpful to create a syllabus. This is as simple as establishing your expectations for your student. Here are a couple of examples ...

AMERICAN HISTORY (Junior Year)

• Read daily assignments from Core text
• Maintain a Word document of answers to all questions based on reading assignments
• Complete one research paper on an individual of your choosing from your American History studies (Length = 2-5 pages dbl spaced, complete bibliography with no fewer than three sources)

Satisfactory completion of these requirements will result in a passing grade.

AMERICAN LITERATURE (Junior Year)

• Choose 10 titles from the provided book list
• Complete the associated writing assignment for each literature piece

Satisfactory completion of these requirements will result in a passing grade.

Much like a college course, a syllabus provides a clear understanding between instructor and student as to what is needed to receive a passing grade. Creating a written copy of a syllabus for each course for your student's high school folder/portfolio presents a clear picture of your child's education. It also becomes easy source material for creating your high school transcript.

My final thought is simply this ... yes, *you* are qualified to create the syllabus for each high school course your student undertakes. You are the teacher ... you know your student's abilities ... and you are best able to set reasonable goals for your child's education. A syllabus goes a long way toward removing any subjectivity in the high school record keeping process. If your student completes the expectations outlined in the syllabus to *your* satisfaction, then a 4.0 or A or A+ is automatically entered on their transcript.

Trust your instincts ... just as you were the best one to teach your child to read, you are also the best one to guide that child through the high school process!

~Judy

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You want me to teach Algebra?!!

I believe I've blogged about my inbred lack of any semblance of math skills ... so when my oldest reached high school age, you can imagine my fear and trembling! No way was I going to be able to teach her Algebra ... let alone all those other high school courses. I was recalling those fears today as I had the opportunity to respond to a mom who is considering homeschooling her up and coming high school freshman.

One of the first things that I did in preparation for homeschooling a high schooler was to read an excellent (IMHO) book recommended by a friend. The Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook by Cafi Cohen is an excellent resource that covers doing high school at home, creating credits and granting a diploma, writing a transcript, application essays, and much, much more. Her book is full of wonderful testimonies and practical suggestions from other homeschool moms. I spent many hours poring over the book and highlighting sections that were especially helpful.

Another thing I would highly recommend is to find someone that has already begun, or even completed, the high school portion of their homeschool journey. There is great value in taking the time to "sit at the feet" of someone who can share first-hand what worked for them and what did not. If you lack this kind of "skin-on" resource ... find your local homeschool support group or get in touch with your state support group to find out what regulations apply for educating a student in high school.

Get your student involved! Talk with your high schooler about where their interests lay and what types of things they might wish to study. One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling a teen is the chance to provide them with opportunities to learn and grow in their area(s) of interest. Beginning with excellent curriculum material is only part of the equation ... there are all sorts of opportunities for internships, job-shadowing, field trips, and other hands-on experiences that will greatly enrich your student's high school years.

More on homeschooling through high school in another post. For now ... order the book I recommended and begin talking with your student about the possibilities of a high school career at home!

~Judy

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