Navigating New Waters (Homeschooling High School!)
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It’s time to set sail again on the TOS Crew Blog Cruise! I am so excited as I love to not only have topics for posts already suggested, but also to read what other homeschoolers have to say on those topics! Ready to join me on the cruise this year?
This inaugural week had the question “What are your homeschool related goals for the year?”
Well, aside from helping the boys grow into the men God wants them to become, I have the goal of navigating the uncharted (to us) territory of high school.
And, let me say that it weighs heavy on my shoulders the responsibility that comes with helping guide a teen through these years. Maybe if I had a real motivated learner it would be easier. But, as I don’t, I have to balance my need to see work ‘done’ and the desire to be overprotective mama so said child doesn’t feel trampled upon.
It is NOT an easy road to walk!
So far, though, it is going okay. More days than not, P is trying to do his work. He just hasn’t quite gotten to the point where this recovering perfectionist envisions him needing to be. Maybe my goal of surviving high school as a homeschool mother will be met after all.
What are we doing?
Well, being part of a charter school situation up in Alaska means having to meet their minimum standards for graduation. Selection of courses followed those requirements. His individual learning plan looks a bit heavy for credits in the Spring. But that’s in part to needing some half-credit classes (Alaska history, Physical Education, and Music) to finish then even though he’s doing work towards them now.
His official workload has only four year long courses: Composition (English class), Algebra I (finishing up pre-algebra from Math U See and going straight into their Algebra I), Physical Science, and Integrated Social Studies (using the Academic Decathalon materials for the course backbone.) His half credit classes will bring him up to just 5.5 credits this year.
I really wanted to have Spanish be a year long course, but opted to not put a foreign language on the ILP quite yet. I’ll admit to be the nervous mama worried that her child will cave under the pressure. However, we are doing some Latin at the moment (compliments of the Visual Latin review for TOS Crew) and will probably finish up the Latin for Children book begun in the spring. If he fairs well for his regular work and the ‘extra’ stuff from review products, then Spanish might go onto his ILP officially.
Alongside my fears over P’s high school years, I have been a bit fearful of short changing my younger boys. All of the older boys had Mommy only time as toddlers, something J is not getting often. But, he has the benefit of three older brothers around the house and seems no worse for wear.
As for R and D go, their studies are slowly getting into place. We are doing a bit of schoolwork on the computer (Time 4 Learning, Spelling City, and ALEKS) to ease any guilt I might feel over not spending enough time with them on their studies.
So, rather than ramble on more about this year…I’d love to hear from my wonderful readers who homeschool. What are your goals for the year and how are you progressing towards them?
Don’t forget to click visit the TOS Homeschool Crew post for this blog cruise to read more great posts from other TOS Crew mates. I know that I am looking forward to reading their thoughts as well.
I have two in high school this year! My oldest will graduate in the Spring, and my middle child is in the 9th grade. The best advice I can give anyone is to PLAN AHEAD. My oldest daughter has been my guinea pig. I’ve changed her high school plan each year, so you should also be flexible. You may find out that a certain curriculum will work one year, but not the next. We used Saxon Math for middle school, but discovered that Teaching Textbooks was better for Algebra and Geometry.
If you have a college-bound student, Apologia science curricula is excellent. I would also suggest SAT and ACT test prep materials. I feel that I waited too late with my oldest, although she did very well on her second ACT attempt this fall. Daughter number two took her first ACT last Spring, and will take it each year so she’ll be more familiar with the test and more relaxed when the score really counts. Right now I’m searching for scholarships and scheduling college tours to help my senior make a final decision. Wish us luck!
Denise,
Thank you so much for the comment about homeschooling in high school. We have an overall map, but I plan to be flexible on things each year. Hubby has issues with Apologia’s books, but I’ve managed to find some mainstream texts that are quite good. They just aren’t written with homeschoolers in mind.
Good luck with the college hunt. I know we’ll be there soon enough.
I start high school with my oldest next year and I’m nervous already!
I spent all of last year a nervous wreck as well. I’m still a bit tied up inside thinking about how vital his performance is now, especially when he wants to shirk responsibility. I just keep reminding myself that I can’t hold his hand through life and he’ll have to live with the consequences.
Most of my grandchildren are being homeschooled and they are doing very well. The oldest is nine but it is very interesting to see how well they are doing. I wish we had had the support back when my kids were young because I would have loved to have homeschooled.
I am your newest follower from the bloghop and would really appreciate a follow back. I will also go and like your Facebook page and hope you do the same for me. Thanks!
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My son is only 2 so we technically really homeschool yet, but I’m always interested in hearing other people’s stories. Thanks for sharing 🙂