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Thoughts on a high school education at home.

We now have two children who have graduated from home education and are in college.  We also have two at home who are just starting their high school years.  It is interesting to see what I have learned from others and from experience over the last few years.  Here are some of my thoughts in no particular order.


1.  If God has called you to educate at home, He will guide you and empower you.

2.  ALWAYS do math.  Whether your child is a superstar in math or struggles.  Keep continuing on in the learning process.  I also highly recommend doing math in the summer.  When your child finishes one book allow them to start on the tests in their next book.  When they score below a 90% on a test begin studying that chapter.  Continue from that point as normal.  More than likely they will be able to skip a good number of lessons because of the review at the beginning of the typical math text.  You will not regret it!


3.  Know your child's interests.  Let this impact your choice of electives.

Here are some of the different classes that have been studied based on our kids' interests.

Martial Arts

Nutrition and Muscle-Building

Russian History

Early Child Development

Meal Planning and Preparation

Drama (by way of local drama camps)

Cinematography

Weight Lifting

Horticulture

4.  Try various methods of learning.  Does your child thrive with traditional study methods?  Here are some other options.

History by way of research

YouTube videos  (There are A LOT of educational videos!)

Online Classes

Co-op Classes

Hands On Experience

Mentoring

Apprenticeship

Have a retired teacher teach your student a class

Study Science with a friend studying the same subject

Plan and landscape a yard

Research the care of a pet and implement it

Participate in acting/filming a movie

5.  Branch out into unique grading styles.  I am sure some of you can share ways that your child demonstrated his knowledge.  These are some different ways we have graded courses in our home.

Writing a research paper demonstrating their knowledge

Making a comic book that patterns after great literature

Create activities to complete with children and journal about the experience

Compile a cookbook of recipes

Test for a Tae Kwon Do belt

Teach others a class

Develop a blog with posts that teach others

Grocery shop and fix meals for the week

Participate in a dramatic production
Competing in a Bible Memory competition or on a team

6.  Don't be afraid to plan and implement a new class that goes with your child's interests.  We did not have the money for my son's Russian program one year.  While we were waiting for God to provide the money, my son borrowed several books on Russian History from  the library.  (This greatly increased his understanding of Socialism and Communism, and it ended up being one of the classes I am most thankful for!)  He studied independently, and then the next semester he began studying the Russian language.  Now in college, he converses with students who speak Russian and is planning to spend a summer in Russia before joining the military.

7.  Define what determines a high school credit.  

120-180 hours of instruction/research

3/4 of a textbook completed (I go for completing the textbook)

1 semester college level course

8.  ALWAYS include reading time in their day.

These are some ideas that have worked for us.  I would love to hear some of your ideas and experiences from homeschooling high school.

2014-15 First day of school

Well, tomorrow is the start of our 2014-15 school year.  This is our plan for the year....

Super Boy (3) will be doing Easy Peasy Getting Ready 1 for Kindergarten.  He will be 4 near the end of September.  Super Boy wants to do school, so I believe this along with Mr. Rogers Neighborhood is a good fit.  I am not one for high pressure elementary school....especially preschool.  Last year he sat in on our study of the continent of Africa, and he LOVES Africa. Of course, he and Drama Queen will do a lot of work together, and he will be pulled ahead as is appropriate.  I can already see that Super Boy has an aptitude for learning and hope this will continue!

Drama Queen (6) will be doing Easy Peasy Getting Ready 1 and Getting Ready 2 also.  I want to make sure she is all ready to go into reading.  She is ahead in Math, so she will be doing the Horizons First Grade Math book 2 along with time on Khan Academy and ABCya.com

Gentleman (8) will be doing Easy Peasy Third Grade for Reading and English.  For Math, he will use Horizons Third Grade Math book 2.  He will give EP Math a try but more as extra practice and to show me he can work ahead if he desires. (He has expressed a desire to attend West Point.)

Spunky (10) will be using Easy Peasy Fifth Grade for Reading and English.  Spunky will be in the same math book as Gentleman AND working on Easy Peasy Fifth Grade Math.  The EP math uses Khan Academy and will allow her to work on a skill until it is mastered.  As she is able, she can speed up or slow down her progress to complete this level.  (There will be one more level before PreAlgebra.)

Nurse (13) will be using Easy Peasy Eighth Grade Language Arts.  Nurse loves Saxon Math and does well with it, and she will be starting Saxon 7/6 soon.  She was behind and has been working hard to catch up.  I suggested that she test out of the next book because I believe she can, but she wants to work through the whole book at an accelerated speed to make sure she has it all down well.  Her goal is to finish Saxon Algebra 1/2 this year.

Horse Girl (14) will be taking Literature and Composition through Easy Peasy.  She also plans to read the majority of Charles Dickens' books this year.  Horse Girl has had some math struggles, but I think the Easy Peasy Middle school math will work for her.  She seems to be looking forward to that setup. Because she can move on based on mastery, she can fly through the skills she already has and slow down to work on any weaknesses.  I believe over the next two years we will see GREAT progress with her math.  :-)  I am excited, because this looks like such a good match for her!  We also have several different Math-U-See dvds for her to use if something does not make sense.

NFL (18) is finishing up Algebra 2 and Chemistry from last year, and then he will get started on the credits he needs to graduate.  He will be moving onto Saxon Advanced Math, Apologia Marine Biology, Grammar Research and American Literature, World Geography, US History, Leadership Practicum, and Spanish 2.  NFL is playing on our local public school football team - starting as linebacker.  He is planning to go to USC and hopes to make it on their football team as a walk on.

Everyone will be studying World Geography this year.  Nurse and NFL will be doing their work independently using Around the World in 180 Days from Apologia.  Horse Girl enjoyed the group work we did on Africa last year, so she would like to continue working with us.  This year we will use Easy Peasy and continue to work through the 180 Days book also.

The elementary students will be doing Earth Science together, and I am really excited about how this fits so well with our geography studies.  We are looking forward to the edible map project.

Nurse and Horse Girl are taking General Science through a co-op at our church.  They will use the Apologia textbook.  Neither one of them were looking forward to this setting; however, after their first class they came home and asked if Mr. Beck would teach Physical Science also.  :-)

In addition, Nurse and Horse Girl will be taking Easy Peasy Foundations.  You really need to check this out! It covers character traits, Internet Safety, study methods, time management, critical thinking, as well as manners and etiquette.  I am praying that God will use this to help my girls grow in their character development.

What are your plans for curricula this year?

NFL went to Drama Camp - what a different thought!

One of NFL's closest friends has been involved with many productions at the Academy of Arts in Taylors, SC.  NFL decided he wanted to go to their two week drama camp this summer, and earned $500 to pay for it too!  Tonight was the first of three performances of "God Meant It for Good" - the Biblical story of Joseph.  NFL  (and everyone else)  did a really fantastic job tonight.  It is definitely a different aspect of NFL's life, but he played the part very well.  We are proud of him!

Noah Stratton (Joseph) and NFL (Potiphar)

NFL as Potiphar with Spunky and a little boy from the AOA.

Noah, NFL, and Nicole Chavers Stratton (Asenath)

Full view of NFL in character

Mom , NFL, and Dad

Enjoying learning literature?

Wow!  I am enjoying (!) studying literature as I work on "World Literature I" (World Literature with a focus on Character Development) for my kids and whoever wants to use it.

Why?

1. Using the Book of Virtues as a textbook has helped me to see more of a purpose in studying literature.  Some of the literature that was in our previous text while not bad (as in wicked) was not necessarily something that would help my kids either.  NOW I am confident I am putting literature in front of my child that I know will help them to develop good character if they choose to implement what they read.  (And I am using some of the questions to require them to think about developing the ten virtues studied in the text.)

2. I am refreshing my ability to analyze literature.  (Not that I was ever a master!)  Last night and this morning I went through the Book of Virtues identifying literary devices that were used in stories and poems.  As I progressed through the book it became more clear and simple to pick them out.  What was the result?  I have a list of literary devices used in the first eight virtues. I will use these specifics to help me teach the literary terms and write questions for each unit.  And....I decided to let the kids search for them independently in the last two virtues' stories and poems. 


Here is a sample of what I have planned for the first unit.  Please remember that I have not completed this course yet.  I would love to have you leave a comment sharing ideas of what you would include in this course. 

Self-Discipline (3 weeks) - 
All stories from this Unit must be read by test day

 

Day One:

Read pgs 21 – 25

Begin memorizing Proverbs 25:28 and Proverbs 16:32. (One or both of these will need to be written on your test.)

Memorize this definition of self-discipline for your test.

Self-Discipline is instant obedience to the initial promptings of the Holy Spirit in my life.

Study these terms and become familiar with their meaning and use.

            Alliteration, allusion, irony, and metaphor

            Rhyme Patterns - we will talk about this

Choose an author on which to write a biographical sketch.

1 typed page.  Use 3 or more sources. 

Continue working on this so that it is completed by Test Day.

Day Two:

Read pgs 26 – 35

Complete Poetry Worksheet #1

Day Three:

Read “The Duel” and “Let Dogs Delight”

Complete Poetry Worksheet #2

Read pgs 40-48.

Day Four:

Read "the King and His Hawk"

Complete Short Story Worksheet #1

Read pgs 48-52

Day Five:

Read pgs 53-63

Note irony in “the Magic Thread”

Day Six:

Read pgs 64-74

Continue working on your biographical sketch.

Day Seven:

Read pgs 74-81

Complete short story worksheet #2

Day Eight:

Read pgs 81-94

Observe Tolstoy’s use of metaphor.

Day Nine:

Read pgs 95-104

Identify use of irony in today's reading.

Day Ten:

Write Comparison Paper (see Handout).

Day Eleven:

Verify completion of all assignments:

o      Complete Reading of Unit

o      Poetry Worksheet #1

o      Poetry Worksheet #2

o      Short Story Worksheet #1

o      Short Story Worksheet #2

o      Comparison Paper

o      Biographical Sketch

Day Twelve:

Test Day –

• Memory verses
• Virtue definition
• Literary terms and their use in this unit
• Basic knowledge of literature in this unit
• Understanding of rhyme patterns

 
 

Self Discipline

Poetry Worksheet #1

Read “Rebecca” and “Jim”.

Answer these questions –

1. What Biblical character is alluded to in “Rebecca”?

2. After reading these poems what kind of a person do you picture Mr. Belloc to be?

3. What kind of a family do you think he was raised in?

4. What do you feel about his view of children and self discipline?

Read a biographical sketch of Mr. Belloc.  Was there any information about his life that surprised you?

5. In the poem on pg. 27, cite an example of alliteration.

Self Discipline

Poetry Worksheet #2

Read “The Duel”.

1. Identify the rhyme pattern of this poem.  (aabb or ababcc or…..)

2. What were the dog and the cat?

3. Who do you think told this story?

4. What is supposed to have happened?

Self Discipline

Short Story Worksheet #1

Read “The King and His Hawk’.

Answer the following questions.

1. You can see the hawk was loyal, how did the hawk demonstrate self discipline?

2. Ghengis Khan showed a lack of self discipline, but in what way did he show himself to be a wise man?

3. Quote 3 different descriptive words or phrases from this story that show you something about Ghengis Khan and his character in this story.

4.  Can you think of something that you did in anger that showed a lack of self discipline?  Did you learn from that experience?  Did you react differently the next time or do you still need to change?

 

Self Discipline

Short Story Worksheet #2

Read George Washington’s Rules of Civility.

Label two lists with the heading of “Current” or “Obsolete”.  Reword 10 of these rules in modern day English and write each under the heading that you best think describes the rule.

Self Discipline

Comparison Paper

Compare Plato’s view of self discipline to Aristotle’s view of self discipline. 

1. How are their views similar?

2. How are their views different?

3. With which view do you identify more easily?

4. Is there anything from either view that bothers you?  Why? Or why not?

World Literature Test #1

Virtue: Self Discipline

Bible Memory / Virtue Definition (20 points)

Write (verse I choose) from memory.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Define self discipline - ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Literary Terms (20 points)

Define these terms –

1. Irony -

2. Metaphor -

3. Alliteration-

4. Allusion-

5. Write a name for our family using alliteration.

Short Story Questions (20 points)

1. What is the moral of the story “the Fox and the Crow”?

2. In which story (ies) do you find the use of irony?  (Extra points if you can cite more than one example.)

3. What literary device is used in the Magic Thread?

4. Describe the character of the Fisherman’s wife on pgs 53-57.

5. What is the moral of the story “The Frogs and the Well”?

Poetry (20 points)

1.  Identify the rhyme pattern in the poem “Dirty Jim” on pgs. 40 & 41.

2.  You studied the term allusion.  What poem used this device?  To what did the author allude?

3. What literary term is used in the title of this poem…. Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore?

4.  Although having self discipline is hard at first, the benefits are enjoyed by those around us.  In “Little Fred” what use of self discipline made him a pleasure to be around?

5.  What is the rhyme pattern in Ozymandias?

Essay (20 points)

In the poem “Jim” by Hilaire Belloc, what happened to Jim when he went to the zoo?  For what age do you think this poem is appropriate?  Support your answer with a logical argument.

In the private journal pages in the back of your notebook, write a few sentences evaluating your life in the area of self discipline.  Set a goal for yourself in this area.

For Honors Credit -

Write an essay thinking of what you have learned from this unit on self discipline.  Offer suggestions of how to help children grow in self discipline and more specifically how I as a parent can grow and demonstrate self discipline.  Give at least 7 examples.

There will be ten tests - one over each of the virtues in the text.  I am not sure if I will have a cumulative exam over the entire course.  As a homeschool parent, what is your opinion of cumulative final exams?

I look forward to your input. 

What are your expectations for your children after high school?

Several friends of mine have been discussing what they expect from their children after high school and why.  I have always had the mindset that all of my children will finish college (traditionally).  However, I am considering other options and really thinking about them.

What options have I considered so far?

1. College at home (either part or in full) through online classes or College Plus.

2. Staying at home while pursuing more education/training.  Perhaps taking a Bible course, Science course, Math course, researching areas of interest independently, volunteering time/ ministering, helping our family (teaching a class to a sibling or helping with the running of the household).

3. Traditional College


I haven't put a huge amount of time into thinking about this at this point, but I would love to learn from you some of the options that you are considering.  Please help me in this growth process by sharing what your graduates are doing or what you are considering.  Thanks!

Our Basic High School Educational Plan - Gratia Dei Academy

This is our basic educational plan for high school. Of course, we will adapt this plan for each student based on strengths, weaknesses, and interests.

Freshman Year (6.5)
   Introduction to Literary Analysis (1)
   Grammar & Composition (1)
   World Geography (1)
   Biology (1)
   Algebra 2 (1)
   History & Culture of ______ (Country of foreign language study) (.5)
   Typing (.5)
   Martial Arts I (.5)

Sophomore Year (6.5)
   Honors Grammar, Composition , & World Literature I (The Book of Virtues) (1)
   Honors World History I (1)
   Chemistry (1)
   Geometry w/Pre-Trigonometry (Saxon Advanced Math first 1/2) (1)
   Foreign Language 1 (1)
   Leadership Reading/Practicum(1)
   Martial Arts II (.5)

Junior Year (5.5)
   Honors Grammar, Composition, & World Literature II (The Moral Compass) (1)
   Honors World History II (1)
   Physics (1)
   Trigonometry w/Pre-Calculus (Saxon Math Advanced Math second 1/2) (1)
   Foreign Language 2 (1)
   Martial Arts III (.5)

Senior Year (6)
   US History (1)
   Honors Grammar, Composition, & American Literature (1)
   Apologia - Marine Biology, Human Body, Adv Chemistry, or Adv Physics (1)
   Saxon Calculus (1)
   European Culture Immersion (Trip to Germany) (1)
   Public Speaking (.5)
   Martial Arts IV (.5)

Extra Electives can be studied - Cinematography, Drama, Music, Art, Home Ec, etc...
Bible/Apologetics will be studied each year also.