Homeschooling High School ~ Creating Accountability

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In the past, I have shared about how I prefer to track assignments and grades for the boys.  If you want to see Homeschool Tracker Plus in action, then definitely read the following posts:

 

Lesson Planning

Scheduling and Tracking Schoolwork

 

In this post, though, I want to talk about creating accountability in your homeschool. 

 

 

 

This is something that I will admit we struggle with a lot.  I use HST+ to generate to do lists for the boys.  They are detailed and break it down over the week.  

 

But, they are quite prone to being distracted (as am I) or ‘losing’ their lists which means things are not done in a timely fashion.   Their lack of timeliness means I spend a fair proportion of my ‘homeschool time’ sitting alongside them to get work done or chasing them down and trying to come up with more creative consequences for not turning in their work.

 

All the resulting frustration from that approach means I have spent a fair bit of time considering whether homeschooling high school is the right decision for me.  Not only does the frustration of boys not meeting my expectations come into the picture, but there’s also my failure to meet theirs.  My second born son vocalized this one day saying that at least the teachers in school teach rather than just pass out work.  Boy did that sting!

 

 

So, after much prayer and consideration I have decided to become a bit less flexible when it comes to turning in work.  How well this will work in the long haul is yet to be seen.  But, it is a conviction placed upon me.  I am hoping that less time spent chasing down work will mean more time to help when needed.  And, a student – teacher conference at the start of each day might help as well.

 

While some homeschoolers I know think setting fixed deadlines for the kids is the antithesis of homeschooling, I want the boys to recognize that following your whims is not how most adults can approach their work.  Well, not if they want to still have a job at the end of the day.

 

 

What are some ways that you create accountability in your teens for their school work?

 

 

 

Please consider visiting other bloggers sharing during this blog hop.  Below are just a few of those participating.

 

Nikki @ Angels of Heart
Tauna @ Proverbial Homemaker
Melanie @ finchnwren
Sarah @ Delivering Grace
Joelle @ Homeschooling for His Glory
Linda @ Linda’s Lunacy
Leah @ As We Walk Along the Road