What are your biggest worries when considering homeschooling through high school? I know I focused a lot of attention on making sure we were doing enough, and that Kira was getting everything she needed to make a smooth transition to college.
The main lesson I’ve learned over these last few years is use your resources. Don’t go at it alone.
For most of us, we’re at the end of the school year, starting to mentally prepare for next year. Use this time to really consider what you want high school to be like for your child (ehem, teen. Don’t let them hear you call them a child!). Give yourself a full weekend, if you can, and dig into some resources to build your confidence in this stage of homeschooling.
Homeschooling high school is usually just a mental shift in your goals, but your ability to homeschool doesn’t change!
So, I’d like to introduce to you some awesome resources to build that confidence!
The core
Two books I love because they really get into the meat and potatoes of homeschooling, and how to get ‘er done from Kindergarten to high school. Start with these two, especially for high school where we worry about specifics we have to cover for college and state laws.
Big Book of Homeschool Ideas – This is exactly what it says: a BIG compilation of ideas of how to homeschool. Whether that’s unschooling, using the Charlotte Mason method, classical schooling, how to work with toddlers or reluctant big kids, there are ideas that cover the gamet of homeschooling. Think of it as your homeschooling encyclopedia.
How We Teach – The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas gets you thinking, and brainstorming ideas. How We Teach gets into the nitty gritty of how to cover your academic bases. Know your resources and how to use them with this book!
Teaching
This is a big worry, right? And all the naysayers will ask, “What if your child wants to take calculus and you never got past algebra?” Well, I can safely tell you that teaching becomes the least of your worries once you realize how many resources are available. From online classes, textbooks, prepackaged curriculum, and local classes, trust me, you’ll find what you need.
Since there are so many ways to teach, and many of them are covered in your core books, I suggest these mp3s to get the wheels turning in finding out which road you want to take in the high school years – how you want to teach. Really, figuring how what you want to teach is the easy part.
- Homeschooling Your Teen the Charlotte Mason Way
- Unschooling for High School
- Upper Level Math – Why Kids Needs It and How You Can Facilitate It
- Developing Passions in Teens
- Project Based Learning in the Middle and High School Years
Planning
Planning is another hurdle many families face. Many worry that they are too disorganized to plan out high school and stick with it, but I have to tell you, when there’s a will, there’s a way. I am not the queen of organization, and I definitely lack in the follow-through department, but I did manage to get my reluctant teen through enough of high school so she could start at the community college to finish her last two years of high school.
There are LOTS of planners out there, and Homeschool Planet is by far my favorite one, but beyond your day to day lesson planner, do you have an idea of the big picture?
High school should, ideally, be planned as a 4 year chunk rather than year by year as many do in elementary. To get your mind around what your goals really are (beyond just checking the boxes of science, social studies and math), I recommend giving these mp3s your time and attention.
- Facing the Giant – Homeschooling Through High School
- Putting Together a Four-Year Plan for High School
- College Prep – Is Writing on Track?
- Creating a Terrific High School Transcript
College
Sometimes it’s hard to focus just on high school because college is looming at the end of that road. I do suggest to focus on high school concepts and study skills while in high school, and don’t let college be the only reason you do what you do each year. But to make sure your student doesn’t have closed doors ahead of them because of their high school experience, I encourage you to give these a listen.
Trust me, they’ll help you think outside the box when it comes to college. Not everyone has to take the same path!
- College Admissions for the Homeschooler
- College Alternatives for the Homeschool Graduates (this is a MUST listen!)
- The Homeschool Advantage in College Admissions and Scholarships
- Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment
You can find all the MP3s in this bundle, add to your phone or iPod, and be on your way!
What resources have helped you feel confident in your high school journey?
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