High School Homeschool
I understand the high school homeschool experience first hand. My oldest son, Sean, homeschooled all the way through high school. At the time, we identified (and YES survived) several of the major themes that naturally accompany the high school experience. Our hope is to help you weather the potentially stormy high school homeschool years as well:
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1. Dating
During those high school years, Sean was maturing and becoming a man in many ways. I still saw glimpses of my little boy occasionally that reminded me he was not an adult yet. We had lots of conversations about dating and girls. It can be embarrasing to talk to your teens about these issues but it certainly doesn't have to be.
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I found that getting a book for my teens on a difficult subject often opened the door to deeper communication. The following books are written from a Christian worldview and are targeted to today's teens. My boys found them informative easy reading. (Note: All my book recommendations are just that. Use your own judgement when it comes to sensitive issues.)
2. Keeping A Trascript
Transcript Boot Camp
comes to you in the form of a video that covers all the basics of transcript keeping. Check it today!
3. Driver’s Education
When the kids were taking Driver’s Education, We weren't sure whether they were driving us around -- or crazy! Without a doubt, having a teenager in the family learning to drive can be nerve wracking. Here are some terrific books that really helped us.
4. PSAT/SAT Prep(essay/math/graphing calculators)
Sean took some courses at a local Bible College during his junior and senior years of high school. That means he had to take the SAT earlier than expected. He prepared for the test using the following books.
The College Board has the official SAT preparation materials as they are the makers of the test. Their book is the one Sean used to prepare for the test. It has lots of practice tests and helps.
When Sean began to prepare for the SAT test, I was surprised to find that most high school math classes teach students to become proficient in the use of the graphing calculator. And, this calculator is allowed, even encouraged, for use with the SAT. Abeka DVD (the program we had been using) does nothing with the graphing calculator. So, we bought one and are quickly getting up to speed in its use.
At the
College Board
web site you can register for an upcoming test, get study strategies, or further prepare your high school homeschool student for the SAT.
www.number2.com
offers FREE SAT, ACT, and GRE test preparation.
Kaplan is a little pricey but they have test centers in most cities in the country if your student needs one-on-one tutoring or prefers a classroom setting. Go to
www.kaptest.com
to find a center near you.
The PA HOMESCHOOLERS® offers an online SAT essay preparation class for your high school homeschool student.
Sign up here!
5. AP classes
To fully comprehend what an advanced placement class is, check out the explanation the College Board gives
here
and
here.
PA HOMESCHOOLERS® is the family business of the Richman family of Kittanning Pennsylvania. On their
web site
you can find a variety of online AP classes exclusively for your high school homeschool student.
The following explanation for why at least one AP course for your high school homeschool student is a good idea: “PA Homeschoolers has long been encouraging college-bound homeschooled students to take at least one AP exam before 12th grade, say in 11th grade. Good scores show colleges that the homeschooler was able to do college-level work at home. (The senior year is not too late for getting college credit but is too late for impressing colleges since the scores do not come in until after the colleges have made their offers.) For example, after passing the AP US History exam in his junior year, our always-homeschooled son Jesse was offered a complete academic scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh."
"Similarly, after passing the AP Computer Programming Exam in his junior year always-homeschooled Matthew Formica was offered a complete academic scholarship to St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia.”
AP classes are offered in the following subject areas: Art History, Biology, Comparative Politics, Computer Science, Economics, English Language, English Literature, European History, World History, U.S. History, Music Theory, Psychology, and U.S. Government.
6. Paying for College
Here is a great book on preparing now so you can afford college later.
Click Here!
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