My 17 year old son has had some issues in his teenage years, to be short and to the point when he was 16 he dropped out of our homeschool. He also failed several of his electives in his freshman and sophomore year. Sense his son was born he's had a totally different attitude and has asked me to homeschool him again, So he can go to CC. We had discussions about him getting his GED but he said he doesn't want to. So to start him out I got ACE American History, American Lit., Chemistry, Speech & Music and Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2 & Geometry. He's finished with ALL of the ACE and is studying for the last test of TT Algebra 2 and he's getting B's and higher! I bought him some more ACE- U.S Civics, Economics & Physics and Lightning Lit. Shakespeare. Once he finishes all of these materials + the 9 credits from his freshman & sophomore year he'll have 18 Credits: Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, World History, World Geography, American History, U.S Civics, Economics, Shakespeare Study, American Lit, World Lit, English 9, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Spanish 1, Health, P.E, Speech & Music. I would like him to have at least 20 credits, but I don't know what electives/curricula and I'm not sure how many he can finish by June. What are some quick, easy electives and what curricula do you use for them? Thanks!
I would suggest a typing course or a computer lit type of course (that would teach the basics of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc) -- It could be that they may be required for entrance into the community college? I don't have any suggestions for actual curriculum for either of those, as I have stuff I've created on my own. Maybe some others will have some tried and true ideas. I do have a list of free online typing resources that I used in my ps classroom, once upon a time. I'll dig up the thread I posted it in. I'd also recommend Mavis Beacon. and kudos to your son! That's awesome that he's diving back in to get his diploma. ETA: Here's the link to the list of resources I shared awhile back: http://www.homeschoolspot.com/showpost.php?p=380606&postcount=6
For the computer lit courses, when I was teaching I really liked BE Publishing's texts. I'm not sure that you can buy them separately, I think you have to have buy a minimum of 5. You can also request free exam copies of the texts in their entirety. Probably won't work on an individual homeschooler level for most of us in this forum, but thought I'd throw it out there, anyway.
We used Proffessor Teaches for our computer lit class. Sd learned alot and was able to do it on her own. What about a money management program or an art program? If he is interested in politics you could do a unit on the election and have him volunteer working for his favorite candidate, he could learn alot about politics doing that.
Oh, the money managment is a good idea -- I'm thinking of doing Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University that is designed for homeschoolers. ETA: I had the wrong title for my Dave Ramsey suggestion -- it's actually Foundations in Personal Finance. Of course, I've heard great things about FPU, but this is the actual homeschool curriculum. I think you could use any of his products and count it for some type of Finance or Money course.
Larry Burkett has one too. They are doing it at our co-op this spring so I would think it should be do able to get done in one semester.
What about Life Skills, Digital Photography, or Multimedia Productions. I'm sure you could find some books at the library on any of these subjects.
My daughter did digital photography using an online textbook. There a few options. We paid only to use the online textbook for a school year. Here is the URL: http://www.scphoto.com/sgtest/course/category.php?id=2 She really like it. Blessings, Susan
I'm also thinking you could create some credits for "family life" if he is caring for his son. We have taken things the kids do on their own (computers and sound board at church, instrument lessons, teaching SS and childcare, etc.) and found a way to give credits for what they have learned.
Thanks for the idea's I think I'm going to have him write a paper about parenting and then give him .5 credit for it. He takes care of his son all day.
I'd consider Personal Finances (I see someone mentioned Larry Burkett and Dave Ramsey!), or Child Development (since he's already a dad!). Sometimes it takes a child to settle one down. My cousin also made a big change once she became pregnant, and is a lovely, responsible woman today with a super dh, and two very pleasant children.
I had the wrong title for my Dave Ramsey suggestion -- it's actually Foundations in Personal Finance. Of course, I've heard great things about FPU, but this is the actual homeschool curriculum. I think you could use any of his products and count it for some type of Finance or Money course.
The computer science classes are a great idea. I would also look at his talents and interests. I think that high school is a perfect time for kids to start studying classes related to their possible future careers.
