I asked this on anothe forum and wanted to ask here too...

[AnitaMcC]

Okay, so I have been reading the posts on the accelerated foruam board about long term plans...

What does one look like?

I think I have one for the twins (starting at 9th grade)... I have a list of what many colleges look for and what courses the kids must complete.

For example:
3 yrs/cr of math (algebra 2, geometry, precalc or statistics). Algebra 1 was done in 8th grade accelerated class.
4 yrs/cr of English (English 10, English 11, CC dual credit for Rhetoric 1, 2, & Speech). They did English 9 in 8th grade accelerated class.
3 yrs/cr of Science (CC dual credit based upon their college major...Ds majoring in physics/astronomy, Dd majoring in music).
3 yrs/cr of Social Studies (World History, US History, Government, Consumer Education/Economics).
3 yrs/cr of a foreign language
7 more credits as electives (1/2 credit of health required).
Total of 23 credits.

But I don't have any other "details" in it.

[mbeaser]

A lot is going to vary based on the parent, the child and the goal(s). For my DS, I pretty much listed out where he needed to be for science, math and LA (since those are the ones with the longest timelines/hardest to cram extras in) and worked backwards from there. So, for math, we want to complete Calculus in high school. So, we need to make sure that we get Calc, Pre-Calc, Geometry, AlgII/Trig done in high school. To be there, we need to complete Algebra in middle school (keep in mind, I'm working with a 4th grader here). And, so on down the line. DD is a lot more difficult, because she doesn't know what she wants to do when she grows up (not that he *really* does either, but everything he's ever focused on has been math/science heavy) and I haven't really tested the bounds of just *how* gifted she is, so I don't know exactly what we've got ahead of us. Since she's so young (just turned 7), I haven't pushed her *at all* and she's already jumping ahead of big brother in areas. Sigh. And, that's why no one on the accelerated learner board was posting anything but vagueness. It can seem so far out, and it really depends on goals, styles, etc. I tend to plan more in the line of "I think I want to use XYZ until it runs out. When we get close to that happening, we'll figure something else out." Not sure that helped, sorry!

[Jane in NC]

Hi Anita,

While one can certainly fill in more details, be aware that flexibility is key as you navigate through high school since 1) your child's interests may change, 2) your options may broaden (or lessen) and 3) you may find what looks terrific on paper does not necessarily coincide with real life.

I think that having general goals in subjects and content is a good starting point. For example, we had determined early on that we would follow the WTM history/Great Books cycle for high school. My son loves history and adored many of the ancient and medieval texts in 9th and 10th. When he was permitted to register in the dual enrollment program at the local CC in 11th grade (after he turned 16), he gravitated to Western Civ. This was not my plan but I went along with it since history is his passion. I continued to assign Great Books at home but not as many as initially considered, particularly in light of the fact that he also began taking writing courses at the CC.

Another thing to remember is that the rules of the game are subject to change. Many of us in NC found that the state had literally pulled the rug out beneath us last summer when the budget crisis hit. Some CCs were no longer permitting concurrent enrollment. There was a lack of consistency in the policy from school to school. In our case, my son was able to take Chemistry II as planned with the state picking up the tab; we had to pay nominal tuition for American History and English 112. But what I considered "nominal" was not for friends who are limited not only by finances but also by the fact that more traditional students and adults are registering at the CC. Basic courses were full early and not available to homeschoolers. Don't forget to develop Plan B.

Keep your options open for opportunities! When my son learned that a college archaeological field school was going to be in the area last May/June, he found a way to volunteer. There is no way I could predicted this and put it into a long term plan.

Foreign language is a sticky wicket, in my opinion. Some students excel, some weep over the pages of their text. Put some thought into how to make foreign language work for your students. Some people have access to co-ops; we did not. One thing that has become apparent is that colleges want to see three or four years of the same language. Some students begin in one, mastering basic vocabulary, but when the grammar gets tough, they jump ship to another language, only to find themselves in the same position a semester or two later. I had studied Latin in high school, German in college. My husband was a German minor. My son had no interest in German. Sigh... Latin was the obvious choice with studies beginning before high school. We tried to add in French which I learned along with my son. The best laid plans fell apart--we made it through what is the equivalent of two and a half years of high school French. Given that he will have four years of high school Latin on his transcript, I treat French as an elective. But if this had been his sole language, the issue would have been problematic.

One of the wonderful things about homeschooling high school is seeing one's student develop the most incredible interests and then pursue them with a depth that a traditional classroom would not allow. My son came home from the library yesterday with a massive bag full of history books. He requested an esoteric volume on Carthaginian pottery for Christmas. He inspires me! (Last summer he insisted that I read Moby Dick because it was such a good book. I have to agree with his assessment.)

Happy New Year!
Jane

[Nan in Mass]

I have a long-term plan, but I've set it up so it is easy to change. I also set it up to be resource-based rather than subject-based. This makes it very, very flexible. Don't forget that what high schools require for graduation is different from what colleges require for entrance, and that colleges vary enormously in their entrance requirements. If you have an academic-minded child who doesn't know whether he wants to go into science/math/technology or language arts/history/social studies, and is bright enough that scholarships to prestigeous colleges are a possibility, then your list should probably include 4 years each of math, science, language arts, social studies, and foreign language, a year of technology (computer competency), and some fine arts. If the child is interested in art or music, they might be able to get away with less science and math, but if they are interested in science or math, they may need more than 4 years of those subjects. Give some thought to outsourcing classes, how you are going to verify your mummy transcript, special projects, state requirements (which might include things like heath or phys ed), your child's interests, travel, and what you would like your child to know before he leaves your household.

I put all the resources I want to cover on index cards, one colour per subject, and then put each colour in order (algebra 1 book before algebra 2, lit according to time and priority, science according to interest, etc.). This makes it easy for me to rearrange the piles, spread them out and look at them all, add cards as new things come out or I have new idea. When I want to do some planning, I play with the cards, decide what I want to do, and figure out how to fit it into the school day. I also have a notebook for each child, divided into subjects (roughly), and every time we do anything, a field trip, a book, a project, watch a video, or whatever, I record it under the subject. Then, at the end of high school, when I need to make a transcript, I divide the subjects into courses. This lets us do some courses in fits and starts, some a tiny bit each week for years, some intensively until they are done, or whatever. We do/did community college classes to verify my ungraded, undated transcript. I found that this system allows me to homeschool in a very, very flexible, unschoolish manner, and yet at the end produce a transcript that looks conventional enough that colleges have some idea what we did and are able compare my child to their other applicants. It also lets me keep track and make sure that we've fulfilled college entrance requirements and the requirements of our local school system.

If you are looking for a long-term plan, read TWTM. It makes a great starting point.

HTH
-Nan

[Susan C.]

3 yrs/cr of Science (CC dual credit based upon their college major...Ds majoring in physics/astronomy, Dd majoring in music).

3 yrs/cr of a foreign language
7 more credits as electives (1/2 credit of health required).
Total of 23 credits.

But I don't have any other "details" in it.

Anita,
A few things that I have found out with one graduated.

-A lot of colleges like to see a full year of art.
-Our state still only requires 2 years of foreign language. A college nearby that requires 3 years personally told me 2 was ok for a homeschooler because it is hard to tackle the third year at home.
-Good grades and a strong SAT score are very important. Since my son had that, I think that is why the college above didn't mind only 2 years of foreign language.
-One to two years of computer applications (I only did keyboarding, the college my son chose-local-conceded that they had the class that he could take as a freshman).
-Science isn't just 3 years, no one counted Physical Science in 9th. It has to be biology, and two more with a biology prerequisite. The college my son is at said earth science would have been acceptable as well. (We had 5 science credits including earth science and physical science).
-A good mix of upper level classes (for us it was physics, precalculus, honors English)

I was so worried about getting my son into college from home. Since he chose a local, state college, it wasn't difficult. I think the good grades and high SAT were the most important to the college, then they worked with us. We visited the college when he was in 11th grade, then I called with our 12th grade class list, and they told me we weren't missing anything. They accepted him at the beginning of his senior year, so only one college application, no essays, nothing! I know, I got off easy!

Again, I worried a lot during the years.... and Jane is right, you do what you can, and what the kids can, and you can plan, but in reality, what happens is what happens. I about killed my son with math, tried to get him that year ahead, and it was a disaster. So, you have to keep your kids abilities in mind and not push too hard. Knowing where he was going early and being able to call the college that last year and a half was great. Also, I homeschool under an association (SC law) and had help from them too.

(I hope this makes sense, I have a terrible cold!)

Susan

[Jane in NC]

Susan's post reminded me of something else. She mentioned things that she discovered along the way with her now graduated son. Bear in mind that what colleges expect today are not necessarily what they will expect tomorrow. One example that immediately comes to mind is the math requirement in NC. Only a few years ago, NC public universities required three years of math. It is now four. Requirements (or expectations) do not change overnight, but be aware that what worked for a member of your cooperative a few years ago might not work for your student in a few years. I suggest erring on the side of caution.

Jane

[AnitaMcC]

Thank you everyone for your help.

The plan is for our twins to complete their associates degree when they graduate high school. If this works then I figure they will be covered for high school credits. We just aren't sure this will happen and I need to be prepared for if they don't finish their associates by age 18.

Ds is taking college courses now as a 9th grader. He starts January 11th. He is taking a computer applications class for sure. We are hoping he gets into a chemistry class (he is approved by instructor, dept chair, administration, but all the courses are full so we are waiting to see if he gets squeezed in). Ds is approved to take any college course (with prerequisites met). He is advanced in math/science and that is his interest areas so those are the courses he wants to start early.

Dd is waiting to start CC next fall. She wants to spend more time on getting ready for music audition first. She is taking private music lessons for drums, guitar, piano. She is thinking of joining the CC community band for large band experience.

[Susan C.]

Susan's post reminded me of something else. She mentioned things that she discovered along the way with her now graduated son. Bear in mind that what colleges expect today are not necessarily what they will expect tomorrow. One example that immediately comes to mind is the math requirement in NC. Only a few years ago, NC public universities required three years of math. It is now four. Requirements (or expectations) do not change overnight, but be aware that what worked for a member of your cooperative a few years ago might not work for your student in a few years. I suggest erring on the side of caution.

Jane
:iagree:

The requirements also vary by state, by college even. There are so many ways to do this. Some even take college classes while in high school, and then transfer into college with one credit of each of social studies, English, math, and science. But then you may have troubles with scholarships. We were so careful to take everything suggested, only to find out that the harder things we took (and didn't outsource and it was pretty awful) weren't all necessary. For instance, chemistry and physics class descriptions at my son's college state they assume that the courses have never been taken!! But I thought you had to have both for high school graduation.... And, the college allows remedial math for credit for non-math/science majors....

So with that knowledge now, I will relax a tiny bit, but will still probably overdo with our next one!