HIGH SCHOOL EDITION #5
By Heather Idoni
Added Monday, June 22, 2009
==========================================================
The Homeschooler's Notebook
***SPECIAL SERIES - High School Homeschooling***
==========================================================
Vol. 10 No 46 June 22, 2009
ISSN: 1536-2035
==========================================================
Copyright (c) 2009 - Heather Idoni, FamilyClassroom.net
==========================================================
Welcome to the Homeschooler's Notebook!
If you like this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend!
And please visit our sponsors! They make it possible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attention Catholic Homeschooling Families...
Do you have a teen who loves Tolkien's Lord of the Rings? Or
just loves exciting historical fiction/fantasy? Then they
will love the CROWN OF THE WORLD trilogy from Nathan Sadasivan!
"Masterful swordplay, powerfully intense battles, deceit and
treachery, and the emergence of the saintly Baldwin IV, young
Mr. Sadasivan has woven a vivid and enthralling tale of a
forgotten Catholic kingdom... and has this reader awaiting
Book Two of the Trilogy with great anticipation." -- Scott Jones,
Our Lady of Victory Traditional Catholic Homeschooling
"Nathan Sadasivan has a rare, raw talent and Crown of the World
is a rip-roaring success. A saga of Christendom told with a
breadth of historical knowledge and a depth of empathy and
understanding, this novel transports us to a time of turbulence
and faith. A work of such accomplishment from a writer of such
youth is simply astonishing. I hope and pray that this is the
first of many more to follow." -- Professor Joseph Pearce, Ave
Maria University, author of 'The Quest for Shakespeare'
BOOK ONE has just gone on sale at Amazon! Read all about this
fantastic novel from a homeschool prodigy who began writing
CROWN OF THE WORLD at age 15!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=================
IN THIS ISSUE:
=================
Notes from Heather
-- A Homeschool Mom's Experience
Feature Article
-- College for Struggling Learners?
Helpful Tip for High School
-- World Geography in 7 Months!
Answers to Reader Question
-- Thinkwell and CLE Electives
Additional Notes
-- Newsletter Archives
-- Sponsorship Information
-- Reprint Information
-- Subscriber Information
=======================
Notes from Heather
=======================
I've been asking our readers who have graduated one or more children
to share with us about what they wish they had known before they began
their journey and what they have learned that might benefit the rest
of us. Here is one more email I have received in response to that
request. It is particularly directed toward Christian parents, but
there is good advice here for everyone!
---
"I have graduated two of my children and have five to go. First
off, relax in the Lord. He is the master of your child's future
and will direct it in ways you can't imagine. For instance, we
could not afford books for several years. During that time I taught
them using my old college books and library books; their assignments
were research and write -- and then research and write some more.
I felt awful and was convinced that my children would be crippled
academically for not having all of those wonderful programs I drooled
over in the catalogs. When I finally had a dime to my name, I signed
on as a consultant for a book company that specialized in critical
thinking materials. I was hoping to earn some of those really cool
programs. By that time though, my oldest son was a sophomore in high
school. HOWEVER, when I asked him recently what prepared him the
most for his college success, he responded that it was those years
when we didn't have books and I taught him to research and write
papers and essays coupled with the critical thinking materials I
earned for him the final two years of high school! Though I didn't
know it, the Lord was preparing my son, and He was doing it in a way
that I would not have thought to choose. He is currently at a private
university attending on hefty and prestigous scholarships.
A practical tip would be to document everything beginning in the 9th
grade. I was really not prepared for the transcript and course content
documentation that was requested by the schools. I found it difficult
to sort through old papers and determine what to name the classes
(especially considering that we had not used a definitive program),
and assign a grade for each class for each semester of high school.
All of a sudden I had to add up grades for four years and come up with
his averages! It was daunting simply because I had not been record
keeping all along.
I would also encourage extracurricular activities to match the child's
anticipated major. My oldest is a political science major with a minor
in economics. During high school he did things like volunteer on a
gubanatorial campaign and set up a political education table at our
local community college. To demonstrate leadership skills, he
organized a speech class through Toastmasters for homeschoolers. My
7th grader wants to be a doctor, and we have already contacted a
naturopath who teaches homeopathic medicine classes as a community
service. We are anticipating and preparing for his entry into high
school now. Classes should also be specialized with a student's goals
in mind. My 7th grader knows that he must reach a certain level in
math and science before graduation and is focusing special attention
on those areas now in order to be at the appropriate college prep
levels his senior year.
Above all, seek Christ in all things!" -- Lisa in Oregon
---
Do you have comments to share? Please do!
Send your emails to: mailto:heather@familyclassroom.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OUR SPONSOR
DO YOU WANT TO HOMESCHOOL YOUR HIGH SCHOOLER WITH CONFIDENCE?
Get Your Free "Yes, You Can Homeschool High School" lesson today
5 critical concepts that you must know before you get started!
http://www.FamilyClassroom.net/UpperLevelHomeschool.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=======================
Feature Article
=======================
College for Struggling Learners (Part One)
by Lee Binz
Dealing with learning challenges is difficult, but in high school
it can become seriously concerning. You don't have to be afraid!
With the great student to teacher ratio of homeschooling, and the
love for your child, you have what it takes!
Debbie was at her lowest point when she realized her 12 year old
son, Dan, could not read or write in his Sunday school classes.
She had to carefully shield him from the judgment of others. Her
homeschool friends were very understanding, but she worked hard to
keep him away from situations where he would have to read aloud.
She was distraught. Again and again they changed curriculum,
hoping each time that a new curriculum would change everything. It
seemed like nothing would ever work. He struggled with learning all
the way through high school. She never had him officially tested,
because she didn't want him to be labeled as an adult. Dan has
achieved wonderful things since graduating homeschool!
When Dan turned 18, he started working at Starbucks. An excellent
worker, he received nothing but positive feedback which motivated
him to continue his education. He decided to attend college. He
didn't score well on the SAT, so they did not report his scores to
colleges. He entered college 'through the back door' his mother
said, by attending community college first. His excellent work
ethic and love of learning helped him thrive where others felt
adrift. Dan transferred from community college to the university
with a 3.89 grade point average. There were 300 applicants to the
business school this year, and Dan was one of only 100 admitted.
Debbie says, "He finally realizes he can do it!"
Debbie has some great advice for parents. Don't push them before
they are ready. She was glad she kept him home, so that he could
avoid the negative feedback from a public school setting. She
read aloud to Dan constantly – even his high school textbooks,
when necessary. She used verbal assessments in all his classes,
and didn't introduce essay writing until much later.
She recommends books by Dr. Raymond Moore, including Better Late
Than Early: A New Approach to Your Child's Education, The Teenage
Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and
Education by Grace Llewellyn, and The Way They Learn by Cynthia
Tobias.
Debbie says, "You feel like you're failing – like you didn't do
something right." Don't be deterred, though. It takes a lot of
one-on-one time, but that's the benefit of homeschooling. Read to
them their textbooks -- and the classics. Even in college they can
be allowed help with reading.
In her lowest moments, Debbie would remember her grandfather. He
also could not read. His wife would read blueprints to him each
night so he would be prepared for work the next day. Still, her
grandfather was a successful businessman. He was able to compensate.
Her son Dan is able to compensate now.
Her biggest surprise was realizing that Dan wanted a college degree.
She had never thought he would go to college, and only vaguely
considered a technical school. But when he worked at Starbucks, he
identified his gift in business. So her additional advice is the
same as mine. She says, "Even if you think they won't go to college,
they may – so always be prepared!"
Dan is so thankful he was homeschooled. He has said he would never
put his own children in public school. He knows that if he had been
in public school, he wouldn't be where he is today. Nurturing is
critical, and homeschooling can provide that best. Debbie says, "I
remember the hopelessness; they CAN succeed and excel – just give
them the tools."
---
(Stay tuned for more 'real life' stories -- in Part 2 of this
series -- coming in our July 13th High School edition! -- Heather)
---
Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, is an expert in helping parents homeschool
high school. Both her two boys earned full-tuition scholarships at
their first choice university.
Her e-book, "The Easy Truth About Homeschool Transcripts" will show
you how to how to package that great education into an AMAZING
transcript that will impress the colleges!
Visit Lee's website for more information on how to homeschool high school.
================
Helpful Tip
================
Here is a FREE resource to teach World Geography --
Globalmania -- Master World Geography in just 7 months!
(Note: This free e-book and bonuses will only be available
for a few weeks, so hurry and sign-up for yours!)
Click here for more info:
http://www.knowledgequestmaps.com/globalmaniaBLB.htm
---
Do you have an idea, experience, or tip to share? Please write!
Send to: mailto:HN-ideas@familyclassroom.net
=========================
High School Question
=========================
"I would like to know if anyone has used Thinkwell's programs. We
are looking at American Government and would like some input. I
am also looking at Thinkwell's Chemistry to enhance Apologia with
lectures. Also -- has anyone used or seen Christian Light Education's
'Small Gas Engine Repair'. Any info would be great." -- Terri
=====================
Reader Responses
=====================
"I am currently working torwards a Masters Degree in Secondary
Math Education. I can't answer to Thinkwell History, but I have
now used Thinkwell Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus.
I can honestly say that I learned more math from those courses than
any I took in high school or in my undergraduate courses! The math
teacher is very engaging, and the course moves as quickly as you want
-- often I did the sample problems in the lesson and moved on. When
I needed to, I supplemented with the extra exercises on the CDs. The
website also had a Powerpoint of the graphics used in that lesson
along with the notes from that lesson. Because I was uncertain what
I would need extra practice with, I purchased the companion workbooks,
which usually had the charts and graphs from the lessons, along with
HUNDREDS of pages of extra problems. However, I rarely needed to use
them. In six months I earned 16 graduate credit hours in math content
and passed my secondary math content licensing exam -- and that was
21 years after my last math course in college! (For the record, I
was a business major -- I took one statistics course, that was all.)"
-- Cyndi
---
"The CLE Small Gas Engine course is great. My two youngest sons just
did it this year together -- I don't understand much of any of it.
They had go-carts and now have four wheelers and the info they gained
from the course has helped them tremendously. They have tackled many
self repairs because of the knowledge they gained. Know that the
course was not written by CLE, but rather a man that had many years
experience working and teaching the material. You can't beat the
price... about $80 for all the books -- student's and teacher's. My
sons did not do all the 'lab' work as we didn't have all the equipment
that a classroom would have, but they still learned a lot. CLE's
other high school electives are great also." -- Bobbi in NC
---
Editor's Note: Here is a link to CLE's Small Gas Engine course... and
you can see the left hand side of the site for more elective courses they
offer! http://www.clp.org/store/by_course/102
=============================================
New Reader Question for Next Regular Issue
=============================================
"You all are such a valuable source of information and I really
appreciate all of you and the time you so generously give in sharing
information. I am searching for a first grade program to use with my
nine year old twins. My daughter is reading and my son is not. I would
like something with videos or some sort of viewing. I use A Beka with
my older children but it is too advanced for my younger ones. We have
made it half way through the first grade and it is far too complicated
for my son at this time. We need something that does not progress so
quickly. A more gentle approach maybe. Any information or suggestions
you can offer would be so greatly appreciated as I am at a loss as to
what would work for them. Thank you so very much for all the wisdom
represented here and your willingness to share it with the rest of us!"
-- Linda
---
Do you have some ideas, experience or practical advice for Linda?
Please send your answer to: mailto:HN-answers@familyclassroom.net
=====================
Ask YOUR Question
=====================
Do you have a question about homeschooling high school?
Send it to mailto:HN-questions@familyclassroom.net and we'll see
if we can help you out in a future issue!
=======================
Need Immediate Help?
=======================
Visit our Homeschool Encouragement Center! This is a live 24/7
'chat' area where you can talk live to our homeschool counselors
by typing in a box. When you get there, just introduce yourself
and let them know that Heather sent you!
This ultra-safe chat is supervised by experienced moms who are
there to serve and share their wisdom... or just offer a listening
ear and encouragement.
===========================
SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
===========================
There are opportunities for you to be a sponsor of this
newsletter. If you are interested, drop an e-mail to
heather@familyclassroom.net with "Notebook Sponsorship"
as the subject. We'll send you some information on how to
reach our audience of over 15,000 homeschooling parents!
=====================
ADDITIONAL NOTES
=====================
All contributed articles are printed with the author's prior
consent. It is assumed that any questions, tips or replies to
questions may be reprinted. All letters become the property of
the "Homeschooler's Notebook". [Occasionally your contribution
may have to be edited for space.]
Again, I welcome you to the group! Feel free to send any
contributions to mailto:HN-articles@familyclassroom.net or
mailto:HN-ideas@familyclassroom.net.
We also sponsor an incredible site with over 1,500 pages of helps!
http://www.easyfunschool.com
===========================
REPRINT INFORMATION
===========================
No part of this newsletter (except subscription information
below) may be copied and/or displayed in digital format online
(for instance, on a website or blog) without EXPRESS permission
from the editor. Individuals may, however, forward the newsletter
IN ITS ENTIRETY to *individual* friends (not email groups). For
reprints in paper publications (homeschool support group newsletters,
etc.) please send your request to: mailto:Heather@FamilyClassroom.net