Hi, I've been lurking around for quite awhile and finally decided to post. My 15 year old DD and I have been trying to work on next year's schedule. We need some input from veteran homeschool moms. We need some ideas please. She is very strong in language arts, but finds the maths and sciences more work. Thanks for the help!!
Welcome!! I don't know what state you are in, if you have certain laws you have to recognize or how long you have been homeschooling. My children are young still, however they are several options for high school. At this point, most parents need to decide whether they want their children college bound. If you and she hasn't decided, you can still earn credits to *store* if she decides later.One conference I went to said that some credits can be stored for like 20 years. There are services, provided by homeschoolers (most of them Christian) who can assist you in laying our the high school years. She can receive dual credit for high school and college.The services for like 800.00 to 900.00 walk you from high school to earning a Bachelors degree. You may take courses from different universities, then transfer them to a long distance accelerated college that actually issues the Bachelors. These are accelerated distance learning colleges where a degree can be earned in the comfort of your home and under your supervision.Its not easy, but IMHO these *service type companies* are worth it. They save parents a lot of grief in figuring out the *how to and why* One college here in Texas, Texas Tech, even has a public graduation commencement for high schoole complete with cap, gowns and invitations. So their future is kind of intertwined with what type of high school curriculum you want. Some high schools are American School, Keystone, SeaScape (one in California), Texas Tech, I believe Indiana University (both of these you earn dual credits). Some of the other ladies, doesn't Rod and Staff go to high school? You can do all mix and match. The most important thing is to be keeping a portfolio as to what type of credits she has for the subjects she has been doing,unless you have an accredited school that is keeping such a transcript for you. Of course, all this may not apply if she will not be going to college I don't know if this is the direction you were looking for I couldn't tell from your post if thats what you needed. Does this help any? Do you want names of books on how to for college prepatation, curriculums for high school w/college or w/out college,etc Mmmmm.. I think I ask too many questions!!! LOL Again, welcome here! No need lurking, unless of course you want to. Just jump right in TinaTx
Thanks Tina for the input--she is planning on going to college. Our problem is what classes are needed.I was wanting some fresh ideas. We live in WV; not the most homeschool friendly state around...The Board of Ed gave me a list of the needed credits, and the local high school gave me another list; there was a HUGE difference in the lists. They like to play mind games with us homeschoolers. Being new to this I just want to make sure that her "bases" are covered, and that she can get into college. Right now she is working on a novel, and wants to major in English in college. My fear is that I'll goof it all up and she won't get into college! I know that homeschooling her is the right thing to do but I want to get some idea of what other 10th graders are doing out there in the big homeschool world. Thanks for your help.
Welcome Have you decided to put together your own curriculum or are you planning to go with a boxed curriculum? You might try calling and ordering all the catalogs. A book called "The Well Trained Mind" would help you find direction. They show you what is needed and how to put things together yourself or who has what you need. Their resource lists are worth the price. Most local libraries also carry the book. They also show sample schedules and explain how to teach each of the subjects. The book is huge but you can go to the high school section and skip the elementary parts. Homeschooling is WV does have regulations but you can do. Have you found a local support group? They have lots of experience and are a wonderful resource. Many have info on-line. Check out the HSLDA web site too. Best of wishes Tammy
The reason for the difference as brought out in a workshop that my girlfriend and I sat in on this weekend is because the information passed onto you may be for an average college from one source and/or a very competitive college from another or visa versa. BTW (my girlfriend's oldest is 7yo and mine is 9yo....hee hee We figured if we started now, we MIGHT be pros by the time our kids were that age, or at least thats what we hope ) One of the best books I have read is a book by Katherine Cohen, and has been a big help for other homeschooling high school parents. Dr. Cohen is an idependent college counselor. The name of the book is *If you're Getting Ready for the College Admissions Process, Get the Facts:The Truth About Getting In*.What I appreciated most about her book was the planning table. She divided the College Planning Table into 3 parts, so you have the option. The three parts are *Average College, Competitive College and Very Competitive College.* The information for the very competitive college started in 8th grade with Algebra the first year and a foreign language(first year). The average and competive college both started in 9th grade with planning. Also remember, most homeschool conferences are going on right now. I would bet that almost every conference across the states is going to have at least one if not more workshops on the college admissions process. We actually sat in on two of the *high school/college ready* programs. Thats where I found out that there are groups, at least here in Texas that will guide you through the process if you do not necessarily want her to be on campus.The dual credit sounded appealing to me. Some even got credit by what was called portfolio method. I had never heard of that before. YOu basically submit a portfolio, say on basket weaving (once you check to see if its accredited). The parts to the portfolio were listed. Like sources, videos, documentation, presentations,etc. Then you submitted that to a university for review by a professor. The professor decided if your portfolio and what you learned is equal to what he taught in his course,etc. If it is then you receive credits for your work. Also HSLDA website is very informative. It ranks colleges in each state according to *ease of getting in*. Last time I checked for a small fee, they have forms set up to use to track your credits,etc. However, Dr. Cohen's books gives you *myths* versus truth type of information. She goes over everything from what to put in her portfolio to how to get teachers' recommendations. I think you will find it a good read and very helpful if you want to do this on your own. Yes, I too agree to get with the local group to find fresh ideas and to be sure your information is correct. As they told us at the workshop, there have been so many that have gone ahead of you...learn from them I too do not like someone making me feel like I don't know what I'm not talking about or play mind games.. Even though I MAY NOT know what I'm doing..hee hee LOL Tina
