FREE Advice Thread for new high school homeschooling families

[74Heaven]

I remember being quite fearful starting to homeschool high school and so I thought I'd start a thread of ''help'' for the moms just starting high school this year.
Here are some of my ''tips''. I got so much help from the hive....

---If you have a weak subject [mine is science], get every help available for the teacher and the student [i.e. for Apologia, get the companion CD, donnayoung.org or Sonlight schedules, Audio CD of the book, consider DIVE CDs, library videos, Teaching Company videos, picture books, etc.
---if you plan to do microscope labs in more then 1 subjects [i.e. 2 yrs or more] and don't have access to a nearby m/scope, by all means consider getting a good microscope - I didn't - and ended up driving 40miles RT for labs and paying a tow truck one muddy spring day [i.e. 100 bucks] and gas for 10trips, etc. [it would have been -cheaper- in time, money and stress - to buy a microscope]
---Find time to read and discuss as much literature as you can [if that is only 3 good classics a year, that's better than 0.... We read a lot but didn't discuss enough - the car can be a good place for discussion]
---Budget generous time for the hard subjects
---Go deeper rather than faster in your top priority subjects [how I wish I'd heeded this advice]
---Make organization -part- of each subject; iow have some requirements for neatness, presentation, organization of materials and work schedule [remember this may be zero in gr 9 and fully independent in gr 12 - so don't expect miracles here for many students]

I have hsed a now 12th grader and a 10th grader since birth. The older is a fair student who is not self-motivated; the 10th grader is the opposite [minus puberty, lol]. I am STILL learning myself.

Let's hear from other veterans...

lisaj, hsing 5

[Kareni]

Here are a few that occur to me:

Keep good records of classes taken. (It's no fun trying to recreate a transcript from memory three years after the classes were taken!)

Keep a reading list. (And take a look at it towards the end of ninth grade. Make a book basket each summer and have your child read half a dozen books from it. If your child reads mostly fiction, fill it with non-fiction titles. It's a nice way to add variety to their list.)

Keep a list of volunteer time spent (where and when).

If your child works, keep track of hours spent working.

Have your child do The Official SAT Question of the Day™ (http://apps.collegeboard.com/qotd/question.do)

Regards,
Kareni

[Nan in Mass]

And my main advice is: think big and take advantage of the flexibility and freedom that homeschooling gives.

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3487&highlight=high+school

-Nan

[Jane in NC]

Work on writing--even if this is done under protest. Students need to learn to write a "tight" essay with a clock ticking. Everyone should learn how to write a decent thank you note. Oral communication skills could also be developed via 4-H, Toastmasters, debate teams, etc.

I would also encourage parents to help their students cultivate an interest in science outside of textbooks. This is best done in early grades with nature walks and discussions on how things work, but older students can be excited by science news. Programs like Nova on PBS, Science Friday on NPR and Discover magazine (in most libraries) will keep teens abreast on new developments.

Jane

ETA: Don't forget to allow students the space and time to follow passions! Students whose parents post on this board have done all sorts of interesting things involving music, science, history, sewing. Homeschooled kids have more going for them than test scores and transcripts--they are people you want to talk to!

[Gwen in VA]

Remember that your child will need recommendations -- for college admissions, for that job application, whatever. Your child needs to have someone who knows him well enough that he can write a strong rec -- whether it be an online teacher, a mentor at a volunteer workplace, or a music teacher.

Try to get your ducks in a row. If you are planning on having your child take Latin 3 online, talk to the teacher EARLY and find out if she often/rarely/never has outside students pass the placement exam. Find out if the AP Lit teacher allows students who have never taken a class with him to jump in at that level, or in order to take AP Lit with him do you need to do a year or two of literature with him first?

Try to get your child engaged with the outside world and other adults -- whether through community theater or volunteer work or whatever. Some of the most important educational moments are NOT academic!

Try to remember that college admissions is NOT a time for parents to prove what wonderful parents they have been. High school is about preparing your child to follow HIS path -- even if it is bizarre, unusual, and makes the in-laws really unhappy!

Enjoy the journey. Homeschooling high school is both the most frustrating and also the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

[Imprimis]

Thank you so very much for this thread! Although I have been homeschooling for 9 years, I just started homeschooling high school yesterday, and truly appreciate any tips, suggestions, etc., from those of you who have done this before.

[Janice in NJ]

...which would probably get long-winded anyway.

Do what you need to do so that you can layout a high-school education that will take your child where they need to be in four years. Do your homework early. Procrastination will get ya. Then execute the plan.

Plan.
Work the plan.
Tweak the plan as needed.
Work the plan.
Worker harder if necessary.
Smile lots even though you're sweating. This is tough stuff. But worth it.
Re-plan if necessary.
Then work some more.

All the while enjoying and loving the not-so-little people in your midst.... even when you are yelling at them.
And admit when you are wrong. And ask them to forgive you. :001_smile:

It really is a grand, grand ride.

Peace,
Janice

Enjoy your little people
Enjoy your journey

[homescool]

We have one Jr in college and one freshman. My biggest piece of advice - START EARLY like first grade :) looking for colleges, working on academics or extra curricular activities that can lead to scholarships!
Keep GREAT records - we use Inge Cannon's - TranscriptPro- it is so easy to use and looks professional when you put it with your transcripts and other college info.
Also - the hardest thing I have had to do so far is send my first born off to college. She was 17 as a college freshman and went over 3 hours away - I was devastated for the entire year!