HIGH SCHOOL EDITION #7
By Heather Idoni
Added Monday, July 27, 2009
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The Homeschooler's Notebook
***SPECIAL SERIES - High School Homeschooling***
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Vol. 10 No 54 July 27, 2009
ISSN: 1536-2035
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Copyright (c) 2009 - Heather Idoni, FamilyClassroom.net
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Welcome to the Homeschooler's Notebook!
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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Notes from Heather
-- Hearing from Homeschool Alumni
Feature Article
-- College for Struggling Learners (Pt. 2)
Helpful Tip
-- Relating to Our Teen Sons
Resource Review
-- The Complete Guide
Answers to Reader Question
-- High School Art Recommendations
Additional Notes
-- Newsletter Archives
-- Sponsorship Information
-- Reprint Information
-- Subscriber Information
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Notes from Heather
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Thank you to everyone who has written to express your appreciation
for these special high school issues! Here is one email I recently
received from a reader --
"My son will be entering High School in the fall. Reading the words
of other students who have graduated really struck a chord with him.
It was as helpful (if not more) than anything I could say, or words
of advice from other adults.
Please continue to encourage students who have graduated to speak
of their homeschooling and college experiences.
Thanks again for you continued encouragement!" -- Tina B.
---
Do you have a grown and graduated adult child who would be willing
to share with our readers about his/her homeschool high school
and/or post high school experiences?
Please send your emails to: mailto:heather@familyclassroom.net
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Feature Article
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College for Struggling Learner -- Part 2: JoAnn and Jill
by Lee Binz
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JoAnn -- Learning to Teach
JoAnn homeschooled her two daughters, feeling extremely unsure of
her abilities – until her girls were officially diagnosed with
learning disabilities. Once she had the diagnosis, she realized
that homeschooling was the best option. She didn't want her girls
ostracized and placed in a "special" group that would have a
negative effect on their socialization skills. Even her mother
became increasingly supportive of homeschooling after the diagnosis
was made.
Her two girls could not read until half-way through 5th grade.
They struggled in reading, writing, and spelling. Joann took her
children to The Slingerland Institute. She recommends two pamphlets
that really helped her cope. One is "Why Wait for a Criterion of
Failure". The other is "An Adaptation of the Orton-Gillingham
Approach for Classroom Teaching of Reading", both by Beth Slingerland.
JoAnn's advice is "Never despair! The timing of brain growth is on
your CHILD'S timetable, not yours. Accept it, because you certainly
can't change it!" She wishes she would have dropped more academic
subjects when they were in elementary school. Still, she is so glad
she homeschooled. "Homeschooling is better for dyslexic kids for
the positive encouragement and socialization."
She taught with multi-sensory input and multi-sensory output. In
every subject she worked to provide lessons with audio, visual, AND
tactile input. She would supplement courses with drama, hands on
projects, and verbal assessments all the way through school. Her
daughters were especially helped by the use of color. One daughter
still color codes her college lecture notes to improve her retention.
JoAnn's older daughter went directly into the University and majored
in biology with a minor in chemistry. She has recently graduated with
an advanced degree as a Veterinarian Technician. Her younger daughter
also went directly into the University. She will graduate with a
degree in interior design, and has already done some design work for
Bill Gates as a college intern. Both girls were very successful in
college.
Jill -- Learning to Cope
Jill is hesitant about labeling her daughter in any way, but knew
she faced some unique challenges even though she wasn't formally
diagnosed. Her daughter recently became a National Merit Scholarship
Semi-Finalist. Here is what Jill says about her daughter's struggles:
"She worked hard and I'm very proud of her. She is the daughter that
would fit into the statement 'I could never homeschool my child
because...' She is very active, intense, dramatic and a joy to be
around. I am convinced that if she were in the public school we would
have been 'encouraged' to put her on medications (the standard line
around here -- when she is getting jumpy -- is 'run up to the mailbox
and get the mail', which is a mile round trip). She has forced me to
think outside of the box and, well, it is an adventure I'm sorry to
see come to a close."
Like the other mothers, Jill was able to find a way to harness
strengths and weaknesses, and teach her child to compensate for
difficulties. With a parent's close attention, unique coping
mechanisms can develop. A homeschooling parent can see small
successes, and learn to shape and mold new ways of coping with
each challenge.
---
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!
Lee's website also has lots more information on how to homeschool high school.
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Helpful Tip
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Dancing with the Boy-Man
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I am getting to be an expert dancer! Not ballet, jazz or tap, but
the "dance" of a mother who is walking the line of raising young
roosters. Being a mom of boys is a challenge and a joy -- but it
can also be bewildering as they reach up into adulthood and begin
to cut the apron strings. I'm becoming an expert at dancing this
special dance -- stepping in sync both backward, forward and side-
ways to get out of the way of those big feet which almost seem to
TRY to step on my own, although not willingly. Moms of boy-men unite!
We *can* learn to dance with these boys as they stretch out into full
grown men -- or at least learn to get out of the way. ;-)
Recently on our HomeschoolingBOYS.com email group, a mom wrote in
for help with this "dance". Here is an excerpt from her question:
"I have known and thought I was ready for the day when my son would
start pulling away from me and more toward his father and manhood.
However, it is tougher than I expected... it seems as though I am
always the bad guy now. No matter what happens, it is me that is
getting pushed aside. Will our closeness resume one day or have we
passed that stage?"
One of our long-time readers and contributors, Mary Beth Akers, is
a member of our HomeschoolingBOYS.com group, as well. I LOVED the
advice she shared and thought it would be great to share. -- Heather
---
Mary Beth writes...
"As your son becomes a man and identifies more with other men, your
relationship with him will change, but it should not weaken. In
fact, it should become stronger. My son is 15, and the transition
is still in progress, so I'm not an expert, but I will share with
you some things that might help.
First of all, try to speak to him and treat him as you would a man.
That's tough to do when his behavior is still childish. Think of
the tone of voice, the attitude, the approach you would use if you
were speaking to your brother or a grown nephew. Show your son the
same respect and allow him to retain his dignity. If you need to
correct him, try to help him see the consequences of his actions
rather than making it sound critical. Sometimes I remind my son to
consider how his father would act if he were in the same situation.
Does he have younger brothers? Help him to see the importance of
setting an example for them and for other younger boys. Ask for
his manly opinion. Ask him to help you choose which dress to wear,
or whether your shoes look okay with the outfit you're wearing. You
could even let him help you make spending decisions such as which
one is the best value, or whether you should even buy it at all. Ask
him to help you clarify a scripture passage that you're trying to
understand. Give him specific prayer requests and ask him to pray
for you.
Give him some masculine responsibilities. Ask him to open tight jar
lids, change light bulbs, make repairs in the house, carry something
heavy for you, etc. Look for ways to acknowledge and affirm his
manliness.
Search diligently for something you can enjoy doing together, and
make the time to do it. I have difficulty watching bull riding
videos with my son, but I can play chess with him. He has started
working out, and sometimes I help him count push-ups or run the stop
watch. Occasionally I will admire his muscles. He loves jokes, so
I secretly bought a book of clean jokes. I keep a few ready all the
time, and right in the middle of a math lesson, or when we're working
together, I'll spontaneously tell him a joke. I recently asked my
son to help me catch up putting his baby pictures in a scrapbook.
His heart softened when he saw the pictures of us together when he
was an infant."
---
Do you have tips on growing boys into men, or daughters into young
women? Share them! Send to mailto:hn-ideas@familyclassroom.net
====================
Resource Review
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The Complete Career, College and High School Guide for Homeschoolers
Author: Jill Dixon
For more information or to order: www.edudps.com
Homeschoolers are growing up! More and more families are looking
for guidance as they walk through the high school years. Author
Jill Dixon has written a thorough guide for both students and
their parents as they navigate the many paths of planning for
future careers and college.
Packed with information and practical advice, the Guide begins
with a few words from the author explaining how to use the material
provided. The bulk of the book is divided into three sections:
assessments, lists of college majors and careers, and high school
planning.
Through the 4 different assessments, your child will identify
their learning style, work/service preference, personality type,
and also complete a work environment questionnaire. After each
assessment there is a list of possible careers that fit each
style/preference. The assessments and the author's comments point
students not only toward academic or financial goals, but also
outline the importance of their walk with the Lord - depending
on Him for guidance for the future.
The next section starts with a thorough, alphabetical list of
occupations followed by lots of ideas and advice for students to
consider regarding possible college majors, and high school subjects
to study to prepare for college or technical school. In addition to
giving suggestions for possible courses, Mrs. Dixon also encourages
students to consider taking part in various activities that corres-
pond with their area of interest while in high school. Students
are also encouraged to interview people who work in a field they
are considering. This section is very well written and really helps
young people to see the many career possibilities within a field of
study. For instance, someone studying computer science might end
up working as a computer animator, engineer, programmer, service
technician, software engineer, or webmaster. Each of these careers
is quite different, but all involve computer science.
The final section focuses on planning the high school years and
includes a possible course of study, lists of high school subjects
(including many "outside the box" courses), tracking credits, SAT/ACT
test advice, and more. Also included in this section is an excellent
essay for parents titled, "Twelve Principles for Raising Godly
Teenagers".
If you are ready to embark on the journey through the high school
years, Mrs. Dixon has proven herself a trustworthy guide. With so
much practical information for both parents and their teens, this
is one of those books you'll find yourself referring to again and
again!
-- Cindy Prechtel, http://www.HomeschoolingFromTheHeart.com
---
Cindy offers more great high school resources at her website!
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High School Question
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"I am homeschooling my soon-to-be 17 year old and he will be in
the 11th grade this year. I am looking for some art for him and
I don't know where to start online. A DVD would be fine, too.
I would be most thankful for any help with this!" -- Mary H.
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Reader Responses
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"My daughter has used the following videos/DVDs by Sandra Angelo:
-Watercolor pencils
-Creating dynamic compositions
-Drawing your loved ones: Pets
-Building a nature sketchbook
-The easy way to draw landscapes, flowers and water
-Drawing your loved ones: People
-Easy pen and ink techniques for artists, crafters, and quilters
-Time saving colored pencil techniques
-7 common drawing mistakes and how to correct them
-Draw and paint like an impressionist in just one day with oil pastels
-Special effects with colored pencils
-Drawing basics: how to shade and more
-Getting started with colored pencil
-How to draw wild animals: how to draw cats and dogs
She most enjoys the colored pencil ones and the ones with animals.
My daughter's drawing skills have improved dramatically and she
enjoys Sandra's comments and humor.
We borrowed the above videos/DVDs from our local library. Her
videos/DVDs are sometimes available on eBay, Amazon, etc.
You can also see what she offers on her website." -- Jennifer R.
http://www.discoverartwithsandra.com/
---
"Hi Mary -- We have a woman in town who does a lot of different
subjects through art. Sharon does workshops in different parts
of the country, but she also does online things, and has DVDs.
Her business is Visual Manna -- www.VisualManna.com -- Send her
your questions, and you'll get answers. I think she's pretty
reasonable with her costs. She has a great book on drawing and
sculpting horses, and much, much more. History through art is
one of my favorites." -- Jan in MO
---
"I recommend the following site for art ideas:
http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/
The lessons only go up to grade 5, but there are many lessons
that are associated with famous artists that could certainly be
of interest to older children (and adults)."
---
"I have looked into all sorts of Art curriculum for our now 18 year
old who will be graduating in the spring of 2010. What we decided to
do was to read a biography about an artist and look at 6 different
paintings over a six to eight week period. We started with the French
Impressionists. We are blessed to live about two hours' drive from
Washington D.C. and have taken several trips to the National Art
Museum. I am amazed how many artists our daughter can identify. She
is not gifted in drawing and was frustrated with programs that focused
on using mainly this skill." -- Jodi-Marie in MD
---
Editor's note:
How many of you remember playing the game Masterpiece when you were
young? I'll bet many of you still play it! :-)
This is a great way to do an art appreciation credit, supplemented
with great art books from the library. However, you can go through
a TON of books and many repeat the same images over and over.
How would you like to enhance your Masterpiece game with 250 more
cards of the most cited famous paintings? You can! Check out this
link:
http://www.themasterpiececards.com/famous-painters/
I got a few of these cards as samples in the mail and they are
beautifully done.
Just thought I'd throw this idea out there for art curriculum at the
high school level! My boys LOVE to play Masterpiece and I'm getting
this "supplement" for them for Christmas. :-)
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New Reader Question for Next Regular Issue
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"Hi! I have a question that others might be asking, too:
My 7-year-old son is very bright but has difficulty listening to
others. When it comes to school time, he often misses key words
in questions. Once he understands the pattern of what I'm asking
him to do (or a book's instructions) he can do any task, but he is
not learning the key words which would help him clue in to what he's
being asked to do. For example, after using math terms carefully
for months he knows 'ones place', 'tens place', etc., but doesn't
clue in when I talk about 'place value'; he still doesn't recognize
the word 'digit' in a question, etc. I've tried using a 'Jeopardy'
approach but he doesn't understand the answer-question concept.
Unfortunately, he's quite a perfectionist and will avoid work
rather than learn a key word.
I think he has problems both with observing patterns and with hearing
key words. I've got some good materials for discerning patterns now
(still open for more advice), but wonder if someone can recommend
listening comprehension exercises I can get easily from the internet,
etc. Thanks!" -- Brenda, homeschooling in Thailand
---
Do you have some suggestions for Brenda?
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!
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