Homeschool Quote Collections

While going through my massive Homeschool Quotes board, I decided to make Top 5 lists of my favorite quotes!

"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." -Albert Einstein

Enjoy and be sure to share! What are your favorite homeschool quotes?

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What About Socialization?

What about socialization?

All those who have been home educating their children
for any length of time, know that this is 
THE all-time most popular, always-asked question.

I cannot tell you how many times it's been posed to us.

Many.  Over and over.  Again.
And Again!  :)

~ Emma (centre) with two friends at 
our weekly skating outing ~

Rather than re-invent the wheel,

I am going to share with you a well-rounded,

thorough, and well-thought-through answer via a link.

My friend Heather, who blogs at Cultivated Lives, nailed it.  

Find her wonderful post by clicking here.

I am sure you will be encouraged by her words.
Just as I have been.

~ Fraser and Emma playing Skip-Bo ~

Thank you, Heather, for writing such a
well rounded, well thought through article on this
topic that we all must wrestle with.
Not just those of us who home educate.
All of us.

Many Blessings,
Camille

Am I doing enough in my homeschool?

This is not your average pro-homeschool post.

I do believe in tests once in a while. I do believe in textbooks, if only for foundations, for about 50% of the subjects.

I believe in balance.

When homeschooling, the question of "Am I doing enough?" always seems to plague our minds. Trust me, it plagues mine on a daily basis.

I was in public school for four years, and in that time, it was all review review review. We were still spelling "a" and "I" in third grade. The class goes as fast as the slowest student.

On a teacher's board on Pinterest, it was an advertisement for a free printable. It said "Common Core states by third grade students should know the three branches of government." Funny, I don't remember learning anything outside my state let alone government. If I had never gone to public school, I would almost become paranoid at that. According to this article, third graders should know state locations and capitals. HAHA!! The only reason I knew all of my states and capitals (I don't know all of them now - I lost it over the years. Now I know all of the little European and Asian countries.) was because another student and I taught ourselves from a dictionary and a large blank map of the US at recess!

At the same time, I read another story of a homeschooler who was 16...and still hadn't started high school yet. Yikes.

Firstly, YOU know your child best. You know what his strengths and weaknesses are. YOU know what he loves and what he doesn't.

Sometimes, we homeschoolers, (me included) tend to lose touch with reality. Like, we feel we have to do three maths a day to catch up with those in public school. We feel we have to cram vocabulary words and fractions down our kids' throats and read endless works of classic literature. We feel we have to do school 7 days a week to match the high-homeschooler statistics. And, if our child can't read the whole Narnia series by age ten, we're complete failures compared to those public school kids. 

This just isn't true. In public school third grade, the average child's reading level is a Cam Jansen or Magic Tree House book. If your third grader can read a Cam Jansen book, then you're OK. No matter what website you're on, if it says "XXX graders should know XXX," know that many students above that grade do not know the material. I've read stories of people who think their high schoolers are way behind because they can't complete a certain Algebra textbook. When really, after taking college-level tests, their student is years ahead.

~

Am I doing too little or enough?

Some people will disagree on this subject. I believe the key here is balance.
Although I believe every child is different, I do not believe it would be OK for your average 13 year-old to just begin addition. Although I don't believe in testing to death, I believe an end of the year assessment test - verbally, regularly, whatever - for reading and math is necessary to see where your child excels and where they need to improve. Until the high school years, I don't believe any other test (except maybe spelling) is necessary as long as you know the student knows the material.

For college-bound homeschoolers in 6th grade and up, I would recommend curriculum for all subjects, except (if you want) science, history and maybe spelling. Even then, I still think a history timeline or science textbook or some type of structure would be good to make sure you're covering everything.


Am I doing too much?

If you're stressed trying to double up or be a year advanced, then yes, you are doing too much. If your child is a grade ahead and you're still pushing, you're doing too much. If you've worked more than an hour on decimals and fractions with your fifth grader, it's too much. Also, note in public school, we only finished about 75% of the textbook. If it's June and you've finished 80% of the textbook, you're OK. Remember, many homeschool-textbooks are advanced (A Beka, Saxon) anyway.

Remember, you don't need to do all those crafts and supplements you see your home schooled neighbor do.

What can you do about it? Just relax. Have a movie-pajama day, go to the park and just play, bake some chocolate chip cookies, do what the kids want to do, just have fun for a while! There is nothing wrong with taking a break - a few days or a week - in your homeschool.

Basic run-down of what your child needs to know

Check your state requirements for more in-depth information. This is a very basic idea of what your child should know and when.

Math

I would recommend a math curriculum for all ages, except maybe kindergarten. 

Kindergarten: Typically, you learn addition, counting, numbers, and colors in kindergarten. Easy? 

First grade: Addition, tally marks

Second grade: Subtraction, basic fractions

Third grade: Multiplication and decimals

Fourth grade: Division

If your second grader can't divide, don't worry. If your fifth grader can't really divide that well, you are not behind. It is not a big deal. Many public school children cannot divide in seventh grade - which is an obvious problem in algebra.

Reading

The best tip I can give you for K-6 grade, is just read. Read and write every day. The more you read, the better your writing will be. Read whatever interests the child. With my little sisters, we have started read alouds. So far, we've read Ramona and Beezus and we are now reading The Tale of Despereaux, which they love. For read alouds, I would recommend fast-paced and fun novels about something they're interested in. My little sisters like read-alouds that have movies to go with them. (Veggietales, Charlotte's Web, Because of Winn Dixie, etc.)

By third grade, students are introduced to nouns, verbs, and adjectives. By at least sixth grade, they should be aware of the rest of the parts of speech (adverb, pronoun, preposition, conjunction). More advanced learners can learn indirect objects, direct objects, object of prepositions, noun of direct adjectives, and others. (Note: Many public-schooled seventh graders don't know many parts of speech beyond nouns, verbs, and adjectives.)

As for actual reading level, I can't really tell you, because I never did any grade-level reading. (In public school, another student and I were about 5 years ahead in reading comprehension...lol)

Social studies (history, science)

Nothing but a few fun science projects here and there is really necessary until 4th grade.

I never did history or science (OK, one science project and a little animal-research) until my homeschool years, but, as a history nerd, I think history is very important for all ages!!

Catch up Days / 4 Days a Week Homeschool
I don't think year-round 4-days-a-week homeschooling "textbook-free" is the brightest idea, especially for college-bound students.  Being the way I am, I enjoy structure and organization and I do not want to do any schoolwork other than reading history over the summer.
I do, however, believe in setting 4 days a week aside for your core subjects, and then using Friday (or bi-weekly Friday) as a test/review/learn-what-your-child-wants-to-learn day. Not only is this reviewing what needs to be reviewed, but kids can work on what they want to learn. If your child likes trains, then check out a bunch of books from the library and research trains for the day! If you need a break after going hard (going hard is NOT synonymous with "doubling up") in school for 4 days, just use this day to pin and watch movies and eat popcorn.

Agree? Disagree? Have anything to add? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

11 WWI and Great Depression Novels

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Most people know War Horse from the Steven Spielberg movie. (I loved the movie!) Albert and his colt Joey have been inseparable ever since Albert's father bought Joey at an auction. When Albert goes to fight (in WWI), Joey is right alongside him. I didn't find the book is graphic (nor as interesting) as the PG-13 movie, but still great book and movie.

My Brother's Shadow by Monika Schröder
Told from the perspective of a German youth towards the end of WWI, My Brother's Shadow tells the fictional story of 16 year old Moritz. With a disabled brother who just got back from war, a Jewish (girl)friend, and a fanatic-socialist mother, Moritz's life is chaos.

Sergeant York: An American Hero by David Lee
This is a biography of a great Christian WWI hero, Alvin York. York was the most decorated soldier during WWI. He received the Medal of Honor for a certain heroic feat, including capturing 132 Germans and 32 machine guns.

The Night Flyers by Elizabeth McDavid Jones
Pam is a twelve year-old girl growing up in North Carolina with her mother during World War I. Before her father went off to war, he gave her a loft of homing pigeons. When a man with a foreign accent comes to town, everyone in the town fears the worst. Is he a foreign spy? Fast paced and filled with adventure, I enjoyed this book simply because of the writing, it was interesting, and it had a little known plot. Homing pigeons were one of the most valuable animals during both WWI and WWII.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Told in first-person free verse poetry, this Newbery winner is told from the view of a young girl in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. When her mother dies, Billie Jo is stuck with her ill-tempered father just trying to make ends meet. I'm not a big poetry person and this didn't take me long to read, but it truly wasn't bad.

The Kit Series by American Girl
Welcome to Kit's World
Not only is there the six standard Kit Kittredge books, Kit has a few mysteries, and a "Welcome to Kit's World", which includes more about the Great Depression.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
This Newbery winner tells the adventures of a ten year-old orphan with nothing more than an old suitcase and some flyers.
have not read yet!

Christmas After All by Kathryn Lasky (A Dear America book)
During the Depression in Indiana, 12 year-old Minnie Swift's family has been hit as hard as everyone else. Told over the span of one month (December). A young girl comes and stays with the Swift's, helping them with their struggles, highs, and lows as they help her with hers.
have not read yet!

Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
Grandma Dowdel's back! She's just as feisty and terrifying and goodhearted as she was in Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago, and every bit as funny. In the first book, a Newbery Honor winner, Grandma's rampages were seen through the eyes of her grandson Joey, who, with his sister, Mary Alice, was sent down from Chicago for a week every summer to visit. But now it's 1937 and Joey has gone off to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps, while 15-year-old Mary Alice has to go stay with Grandma alone--for a whole year, maybe longer. From the very first moment when she arrives at the
depot clutching her Philco portable radio and her cat, Bootsie, Mary Alice knows it won't be easy. And it's not. She has to sleep alone in the attic, attend a hick town school where in spite of her worn-out coat she's "the rich girl from Chicago," and be an accomplice in Grandma's outrageous schemes to run the town her own way--and do good while nobody's looking. But being Grandma's sidekick is always interesting, and by the end of the year, Mary Alice has grown to see the formidable love in the heart of her formidable Grandma. --Patty Campbell from Amazon --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
have not read yet!

When Christmas Comes Again: The WWI Diary of Simone Spencer by Beth Seidel Levine (A Dear America Book)
It's April 1917, and Simone's brother just got shipped off to war. Like most books in the Dear America series, this one explores a little known aspect of WWI - the American French-speaking Hello Girls.
have not read yet!

For a list of more juvenile WWI, see this list with age ranges and short summaries.

What are some of your favorite juvenile novels about WWI and the Great Depression?

11 Little-Known Event Books

This is part of a series called 11 Lists of 11 Books. I have read all books unless otherwise noted.

Coal mines and the Lattimer Massacre - September 1897

A Coal Miner's Bride by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Until reading this book, I had never heard of the Lattimer Massacre. On September 10, 1897, about 300-400 coal miners (mostly immigrants) protested against unfair wages and treatment. 19 miners died, and several other were injured.

This book, A Coal Miner's Bride, tells the story of the fictional Anetka, a young Polish teenager who moves to America after her father arranges a marriage to a widower with three girls. A Coal Miner's Bride is a great story about immigration, coal mines, strikes, and true love.

The Ireland Potato Famine - 1845-1852

Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff

Approximately one million Irishmen died of starvation after a potato disease killed Ireland's large potato crop. Another million immigrated to America, and this is one of those stories.

The fictional Nory Ryan and her family have lived in Ireland for decades, but life is not easy. The story of this young girl's resilience is amazing!

To top it off, Patricia Reilly Giff is a very talent writer. Nory Ryan's Song's sequel is Maggie's Door. Both novels are great and an excellent look at historical fiction.

Anti-Semitism in America - 1862

The War Within by Carol Matas

In 1862, Ulysses Grant issued General Order #11, expelling all Jews from Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The Jews in these areas had 24 hours to pack their stuff and move.
Growing up proper Southern in Mississippi, 13 year-old Hannah's life is changed from these events and more. As she moves up north with her family, her views began to slowly change as she matures over the course of the American Civil War.

The Newsie Strike - July-August 1899
The Journal of Finn Reardon: a Newsie by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

OK, you may have heard of the Newsie strike thanks to the Christian Bale movie. Ironically, a few of the characters in the Disney movie were real; except the main characters. Kid Blink (with the eyepatch) and Racetrack (who sang "King of New York" were two real people.
In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, newspaper costs increased. The newsies had to buy the papers for 60 cents instead of 50 cents. They would sell the newspapers for one cent each, originally making 50 cents. After the war, all the newspapers lowered their prices; except the New York World and the New York Morning Journal.
The REAL Newsie strike was from July 20th to August 2 and the leader was Kid Blink. Although the movie shows the strike as a huge success, it actually was a partial failure. The only thing that changed was both papers agreed to buy back any unsold papers the newsies had.
The Journal of Finn Reardon is part of the series My Name is America. My Name is America is the "boy" version of the "girl" series Dear America. Although Finn Reardon is fictional, many characters in the book are real.

Jewish persecution in Russia - late 1800s and early 1900s

Sworn Enemies by Carol Matas

I had heard of Jewish persecution in Russia, but I never really realized how bad it was until I read Sworn Enemies. The Russian government was kidnapping young Jewish boys (as young as age 8) for the Russian army. Ultimately, the goal was forced conversion to Christianity.

This book is told from the views of two Jewish teens who have both been spared from the czars army for different reasons; Zev who is spared from because of his job as a chapter (he is the one who actually does the kidnapping) and the scholarly Aaron, whose father is paying the government not to arrest him. 

In a twist of fate, both Zev and Aaron are both arrested and soon meet up with each other. Will they set their differences aside to work together? {A twist ending!}

SPOILER: I found this ending really incomplete, as Aaron and Zev still hate each other as the final pages close.

Armenian Genocide - 1915

Not Even My Name by Thea Halo

During and after WWI, 1.5 million Armenians and Greeks were senselessly murdered. In this memoir told by her daughter Thea, Sano describes life as a little girl growing up in Turkey and facing horrible persecution. At age fifteen, Sano is brought to America and continues her everyday struggles, including marrying a 40-something year-old man. I really enjoyed this memoir, but it was very heart-breaking to read at times. It was well-written and kept me intrigued.

Hello Girls - WWI

When Christmas Comes Again: The WWI Diary of Simone Spencer by Beth Seidel Levine (A Dear America Book)

In 1917, over 7,000 French-speaking American girls signed up for the job as a "hello girl" - a switchboard operator. Only 450 were chosen. General John Pershing "created" this job to improve communication on the Western Front.

Although this is a fictional story, like most books in the Dear America series, it stays close to real-life.

168 Allied airmen in Buchenwald - October 1944

Behind Enemy Lines by Carol Matas

This is probably the least-known event I'm featuring. The stories that came out of WWII never cease to amaze me. Some stories are bizarre beyond bizarre (like the cat who survived the sinking of three different ships) and some just show everyday men with an insane amount of courage (The Great Escape, Escape From Sobibor). This is one of those stories.

For two months, 168 Allied (82 Americans, 48 Brits, 26 Canadians, 9 Australians, 2 New Zealanders and a Jamaican) airmen were held prisoner in Buchenwald concentration camp after crashing in France.

This story, although fictional, is about a young Canadian pilot who goes through this.

If you are interested, there is an amazing documentary (I was one of the lucky few who watched it on the Military Channel in November!) called The Lost Airmen of Buchenwald.


The biggest medical relief in history - April 1945
Remembering Belsen by Ben Flanagan

The liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp is known as the biggest medical relief in history. Being said, all material on this subject is VERY graphic, but the liberation of Belsen is an AMAZING story. Out of all of the resources, I am featuring Remembering Belsen because it is written primarily through stories of survivors and liberators; the entire book is filled with testimonies, not words from the author.

Recommended for ages 13+. 
Other great books about the subject include: (I have read all)
Letters From Belsen 1945 by Muriel Knox Doherty
The Survivors: The Story of the Belsen Remnant by Leslie Hardman
After Daybreak by Ben Shepherd
Straight On by Robert Collis 

The Minnesota Starvation Experiment - WWII

The Great Starvation Experiment by Todd Tucker

I have not read this book, but it looks very interesting. During WWII, (all?) young men were drafted. This was a problem for young pacifists, who didn't want to fight but wanted to do something important for the war effort.
The pacifists had the bizarre jobs (like working in asylums - a whole other story) of the war that nobody really wanted. Voluntarily starving yourself to death for an experiment was one of those bizarre jobs.
This tells the bizarre/fascinating WWII story of 36 pacifist men who volunteered for a starvation experiment. The experiment tested refeeding, the effects of starvation, and rehabilitating starvation victims in war-torn Europe.

Anyone who's read this or knows more about it: Let me know what you think.

Cambodian Genocide - 1975

First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

The Cambodian Genocide lasted from 1975-1979 and resulted in the death of two million Cambodian citizens. The genocide was after the Cambodia Civil War. The perpetrators were the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia's Communist party.

This is the story of a young girl who survives against all odds. Despite the majority of her family not surviving, Loung does survive. I haven't read this yet, but it has pretty great reviews. Due to the nature, I would imagine this is best for grades 9+.

What are some books that are part of the little-known and obscure events in history? I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations!I love learning about history!!

11 American Civil War Books

This is part of a series called 11 Lists of 11 Books. I have read all books unless otherwise noted.

Civil War on Sunday (Magic Tree House Series) by Mary Pope Osborne - fiction 

In this well-known series, Jack and Annie travel back in time - this time to the American Civil War! There, they meet famed nurse Clara Barton and help wounded stories!

Who was Harriet Tubman? - biography 

About the level of the Magic Tree House, "Who was" is a series of biographies of notable people in history. This one profiles Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who travels back into the Southern states helping many slaves reach freedom.

Meet Addy (American Girl Series) - fiction

This six-book series follows young Addy Walker and her family from their journey from slavery to freedom. Each book explores a new aspect of life as a newly freed slave. Addy also has a mystery, called Shadows on Society Hill: An Addy Mystery and a large picture book called Welcome to Addy's World: 1864.

Escape to Freedom by Barbara Brook Simon - fiction
I haven't read this yet, but it seems to be very popular. This National Geographic book is about the Underground Railroad.

Watcher in the Piney Woods - fiction 

The American Girl History Mysteries is for girls who have slightly grown out of American Girl series, but still love the adventure and female protagonists.
It's nearly the end of the Civil War, and Cassie and her family are struggling on their Virginia farm. After news of her brothers death, Cassie soon discovers odd things missing around the house. Who is stealing from them, and why?

The Riverboat Adventures Series by Lois Walfrid Johnson - Christian fiction 

Libby Norstad is a spoiled 12 year-old girl growing up with her wealthy aunt. However, her father, who is captain of the boat Christina, wants to spend more time with her. Libby soon runs into the mysterious cabin boy Caleb, and the two do not begin well. She longs to get the better of him, but her search leads her tangled in the Underground Railroad and helping a young fugitive and his family escape.

The Boy's War by Jim Murphy - biography 

The Boys War is a large coffee-table style picture book that explores the soldiers - 16 and under - who fought during the American Civil War. Both Union and Confederate stories are present, and no story is presented as "on the right side" or "on the wrong side". It's simply about a bunch of kids who grew up way to fast. Told through diaries, letters, journals, and photos, this book provides a wealth of information while being interesting at the same time.

North Star to Freedom - Information

As of currently, you can get this hardcover book on Amazon for a cent. I read this book in third or fourth grade and I loved it. It is a great book about American Civil War slavery in America.



Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green - Christian Fiction
I have not read this novel by Jocelyn Green. Twenty-eight year old Charlotte leaves her luxurious life behind to become one of the first female nurses on the Union side of the war. Another book be Green on the American Civil War is Widow of Gettysburg.


Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly - biography
This bestselling biography of Bill O'Reilly tells the story of Lincoln. I haven't read the book, but I watched the National Geographic docudrama. I loved it, but it replayed a stabbing scene about five times. (which was really unnecessary)
NOTE: A reader informed me there was a children's adaption, called "Lincoln's Last Days" from this, aimed at readers 8-12 years old.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - Classic fiction

I recently read this for school, and loved it! It is the classic story of young Huckleberry Finn. The story is hard to read at times (it were riten liyke this sumtimes) but overall a great book! Another great Civil War classic is Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Stowe.

What are your favorite American Civil War Books?

Year Eight Begins

Year eight begins ~ how time has flown!

We began our home education journey when the boys

were beginning grades six, four, and two.

Emma was four years old at the time.

It felt as though I had been thrown into the deep end.

Sometimes it still does.  :)
But, I am so thankful that we have been called
to this path ~ SO thankful!

After morning devotions and breakfast,

we went on our beach walk.

It's good to get back into these routines of life.

They do, however, produce bittersweet memories of days gone by.

It's a path we must tread.  The Lord is Faithful.

He is with us each moment of each day.

His ways are perfect and He lead us so gently along.

How precious it is to belong to Him!

The day began with rain.

We got soaked, so the clothes required drying time.

I *love* my mud room!

Calvin got Emma set up with some things she

needed online for school.

It warmed my heart to see and hear

them interacting at the kitchen table.

Fraser was so happy to crack open the computer

and begin his studies this year ~ 

doesn't he look excited about it all?  

(He really is excited...I'm not joking).

I've mentioned before how much I *love* these books ~

It's a blessing to have access to such wonderful resources!

Who can complain when roses are still in bloom and

making their way indoors?  So fragrant and lovely.
These blooms are from our hybrid tea rose tree ~ 
a gift from our neighbours in memory of Austin...
wasn't that just the sweetest thing to do?

See Emma in the background of this photo?  :)

At this moment, the children are out getting the papers

sorted and delivered ~ It's a blessing, too.

When they come indoors, it will nearly be time for dinner,

and then our night-time routine will be underway.

The first day of year eight is coming to a close.

Thankful this day that the Lord's promises

are sure and that He will keep us until the day 

we are taken Home to be with Him.

May we be found to be faithful to follow wherever He may lead.

May each of you find that His loving Hand is upon you as well.

He is Good.  He is Faithful.  His ways are always best.

Many Blessings,
Camille

Creating a biography or book trailer with iMovie

Getting Your iMovie Started

1. Open up iMovie. Up top, you will see "File", and underneath that "New Project". Click that.
2. Choose your theme. This is optional. I sometimes click "no theme".

Putting Pictures On

1. Find pictures on Google, or take pictures outside. (www.freerangestock.com, www.morguefile.com and www.sxc.hu are great free places to look). Right click and click "Add image to iPhoto library".
2. On the right side of iMovie, you will see a camera beside a music note and T. Click the camera. Find your picture, and drag it to the left side of the screen. 

Adding Text

1. To add text, click T and have fun from there!
2. You can either drag the text to a picture from iPhoto or you can use one of the preset iMovie backgrounds.

Adding Music

1. To make your iMovie better, add some music from your iTunes library! Click the music note, and drag the song you want.
2. You can start and stop the music wherever you want (if the chorus is the part you want, use that) Click the settings button and then "Clip Trimmer"

Upload on YouTube

1. Click "share" up top.
2. Click "YouTube".

YOU CAN SEE MY BOOK TRAILER HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX0yXqR16V0

Rules: HAVE FUN!!! Just play with it - iMovie gives you SO many options! Create a book trailer, a movie trailer, or a biography. Whatever you do, have fun with it!

Did you do a book review or biography?

Have you ever done one?

Be sure to comment below! I would love to check it out!

Beginning Your Homeschool Journey in High School

**This post was written for a friend who lives in Indiana. Requirements and resources vary by state.**

Homeschooling is no easy task, and beginning your homeschool journey in high school is especially difficult. BUT it is not impossible.

This post will take you through transcripts, curriculum, and SATs.

Getting Started

• Find out how many credits you have and get a recent transcript. Find out how many you need to graduate.
• Know your learning style.
• Create a 4 year plan. This is crucial. 
• Research high school requirements in your state. If you live in Indiana, you're in luck.

This is a basic idea of what you will be doing:

3-4 credits mathematics (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus)

4 credits language arts (literature, English, writing)

3 credits social studies (World History, American History, Geography, Government)

2 credits health and P.E. 

2 credits foreign language

3 or 4 credits science (physical science, biology, chemistry)

Google up "YOUR STATE high school requirements".

Credits, Grades, and Credit Hours

In Indiana, you get 1 credit per semester. Therefore, Algebra would be 2 credits. In all the other states, (or most of them) you get 1/2 credit per semester. Therefore, Algebra would be 1 credit. I didn't get this at the beginning, and therefore in Indiana terms, I had like 80 credits at the beginning of my 4-year plan. Well, got this straightened out and am down to a normal 50. :)

Determine how many credit hours will equal each semester and full course in your high school. For example, I am doing 80 hours in a half-year course and 120 hours in a full year course.

• One semester course is half a year.
• A one semester course is 1/2 credit. (one credit in Indiana) 
• Two semesters, a full year course, is 1 credit. (two credits in Indiana)
• A one semester course is approximately 70-90 hours of study.
• A full-year course equals about 120-180 hours.

Decide how many hours you want to use for a full credit and half credit at the beginning of your homeschool.

Transcripts

Transcripts are a major part of high school, and you need full transcripts to get into college. Firstly, and this is important, KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING YOU DO. Buy a planner. 

Your daily planner should look like this:

Algebra 2 - 90 minutes

Language - 60 minutes

Spelling - 30 minutes

Foreign Language - 50 minutes

Creating a transcript: http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2013/01/how-to-prepare-an-official-high-school-transcript-for-your-homeschool-graduate.html

Creating course descriptions for transcripts: http://hopehomeschoolconsulting.com/blog/homeschool-course-descriptions/

Building a high school portfolio: http://hopehomeschoolconsulting.com/blog/high-school-portfolio/

Building a Book List

Keep track of all books you read, both for leisure and for school. Reading a lot of classics looks GREAT on a resume, and most are free on iBooks, Kindle, etc.

Your book list should include: month/year read, title, author, and maybe number of pages and published date. (for lesser known books)

A list of classics include: (I have not read most of these, but there is a lot of content-issues)

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• The Chosen - Chaim Potok (my favorite novel ever!)
• A Farewell to Arms
• One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
• To Kill A Mockingbird
• Old Man and the Sea
• Animal Farm
• 1984
• War and Peace
• Uncle Tom's Cabin
• Catcher in the Rye
• Pride and Prejudice
• The Count of Monte Cristo
• The Three Musketeers
• Les Miserables
• A Tale of Two Cities (and any other Charles Dickens)
• Scarlet Letter
• Pictures of Dorian Gray
• Catch-22
• Treasure Island
• The Great Gatsby

Choosing Curriculum

Some use the "Charlotte Mason living book approach" with high school. I believe high school especially, should have some sort of textbook backbone, with supplements and changes as needed.
Curriculum is one of the most important aspects of homeschooling high school. Here is a list of curriculums I have HEARD positive feedback from but have not used.

A note: A BEKA is a very rigorous Protestant curriculum. It is great college prep, but note their history is extremely biased to a point where it almost gets false. They treat all Protestants like they're perfect and all non-Protestants (Catholics included) as tyrants and dictators. Their history books are half fact and half opinion. This really bugs me. Their spelling and science curriculums are great though! The math K-8 is also a recommendation for gifted students. One thing though; it is said every textbook has some type of spelling/grammatical/factual error. I have used this curriculum for 4 years and I have never found a error. A Beka truly is a great high-quality curriculum.

Math
Most states require 3-4 years of math. I would HIGHLY recommend using some type of DVD with math. Otherwise, you will be sunk. I would not recommend Teaching Textbooks because I have heard it is very basic and will not get you through the SATs, ACTs, etc.

• A Beka - This year will be my first without A Beka math. A Beka elementary math is challenging, but high school A Beka (they're reprints of a 1910's curriculum) and they are WAY too hard without explanation. A friend used A Beka throughout high school and her kids learned no math in college - A Beka taught them everything. A Beka is extremely advanced and no doubt anyone who does it will succeed greatly.
• Math-U-See - MUS has Honors pages for more advanced work. My sister is using this curriculum this year, and Cassondra from Beyond the Cover blog used it through high school and loved it. 
• VideoText - advanced and on DVD.
• Saxon - I am trying Saxon for the first time this year! I am using the DIVE CD's. If you get this, I have heard positive things about edition 3, but very negative reviews on edition 4.

Language Arts

Indiana requires 8 credits in language arts including literature, writing, and speech.

• A Beka
• Stobaugh - Stobaugh's American Literature, British Literature, and World Literature count for two credits each - one in writing and one in literature. These college-prep analytical programs are very intense, with daily warm-ups and concept builders, and weekly tests and essays. I am using American Literature this year.

History

History is my all-time favorite subject!! BUT, a lot of textbooks, Christian included, are extremely biased and almost try to rewrite history by cherry picking the "bad" parts out. To prevent biased sources/textbook, I recommend using a textbook as a guide, not the full curriculum. No history curriculum is complete without movies, documentaries, and books. 

List of Historical Movies and Documentaries on YouTube 

Most states require government, geometry, world history, and American history.

• Sonlight - I have heard many wonderful things about Sonlight, and I HIGHLY approve of their book lists. Since they have books from a variety of authors, this prevents the bias of one person. It is a Christian curriculum, but Sonlight isn't afraid of truth. I LOVE their book lists! Sonlight incorporates language arts and history together. It is also multi-age, which means a tenth grader and eleventh grader can use it together.
• Stobaugh - to go with Stobaugh's language arts series, I am using Stobaugh American History this year.

For a list of history curriculums, see Cathy Duffy's reviews. If you're looking for book recommendations for 20th century and some 19th century, comment below! :) 

I have also noticed books about lesser-known events in history through books/movies, (i.e. the escape from Sobibor, instead of the Holocaust) you happen to learn MORE. You not only know something most people don't, most lesser-known stories revolve around something "bigger". Living books also make history more memorable, because it is much easier to remember people or fictional characters than boring dates.

Spelling and Vocabulary

Any spelling/vocabulary curriculum will do. 

• A Beka - You will need a dictionary with pronunciation for this.
• Marie's Words - I'm doing Marie's Words this year because it is SAT prep and it is all visual - and I am a visual learner.
• Big IQ Kids - For a FREE SAT-prep list of spelling words, use this list! Just print off the desired list and study each list for twenty days.

Science

• Apologia - rigorous and great college-prep. Students have been known to pass CLEP and AP exams with Apologia.
• A Beka
• The 101 Series - less rigorous, and on DVD. I am using this for Biology 101.

Foreign Language

Check out my post on free and cheap foreign language resources.

I don't recommend Rosetta Stone. For why, read this and this review. Type up "why rosetta stone doesn't work" on Google and you have great resources.

For a list of the best/worse courses and tips on learning a language, read this great course.

P.E.

Get off your couch and do something. Ha! P.E. would be a one semester course. Basically, any type of physical exercise counts. Again, time yourself on everything. Not to the last second, but just enough to know you met your credit hour goal.

Including but not limited too: bike riding, swimming, volleyball, gymnastics, football, baseball, trampoline, jump roping, efc.

Electives

You will need a few electives. Journalism (Look if your local 4-H has a Media Club, this will equal enough hours for half a credit.) and a Business class with personal finance are two examples of electives I take outside of "school".

You can even make up your own curriculum. But, make sure it has adequate credit hours. See more information on this in the Following Passions section below.

Make a list of your desired curriculum choices. Up top, write online store names like eBay, Amazon, Hearts at Home curriculum store, and the product's website. List prices and compare. Amazon has saved us hundreds of dollars.


Free apps for high school students: http://christmasssssa.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-apps-for-middle-and-high-school.html

AP: Advanced Placement and CLEP

Many thanks to Angie from HOPE Homeschool Consulting for providing this information!

AP1. For information on AP and other tests, visit this link.
2. Home Education Council of America online course.
3. Use an AP or College prep curriculum. Do some research if others have passed AP/CLEP exams with that curriculum and how well they did. 
4. Do some AP prep.
5. Take the test at a local high school.
6. List course as Honor on your high school transcript if you pass. Do not list it as AP since it is not taken with a certified teacher.

Following Passion

Follow your passions in high school. It may save you tons of money during college.

This article from the Home Scholar talks about how investing money into delight-directed (passion) learning can really make your homeschool, and set your student apart from others during college. You don't need a curriculum, you (the parent) doesn't have to know what they're doing, all you need is passion.

Your passion could be specific (Russian history, WWII, animal science, guitar) or as the Home Scholar figures out, it could be chess.

Delight Directed Learning in High School
Putting Delight Directed Learning on a Transcript

College

Pick a few colleges you are interested in and study their admission requirements. It's best to be prepared and keep detailed records in high school. Visit colleges during high school. Get to know people. Look into scholarships.

Normal Family, Big Scholarships

For Additional Information

I would highly recommend Angie from HOPE Homeschool Consulting. I met Angie in 4-H Media Club and she has helped me quite a bit :) 

Lee Binz, The Home Scholar, also has great information specifically on homeschooling high school. She has a number of mini-eBooks and has freebies all the time. Sign up for these here.
For more information on homeschooling high school, check out my homeschooling high school Pinterest board.

Homeschooling High School by Jeanne Davis is a great book.



Drop a comment by if you have anything to add or have any questions. I will do my best to reply!