The HomeScholar Helper» Keeping Records

Too Many or Too Few Fine Arts Credits

Lee — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:27:07 +0000

Are you an art person? Most people tend to either love the arts, or if you are like me you struggle with them. Even if you or your student struggle with the fine arts, colleges still want to see some on a high school transcript.

Learn more about high school credits and grades with my webinar.

Course Description Help

Lee — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:02:28 +0000

What if you don’t read the WHOLE book – what do you do with that? How does it fit into your course description when you didn’t finish every word of it? Julie asked some questions about her course descriptions…

Hello Lee.

I’m finding your book Setting the Records Straight quite helpful as I learn to write course descriptions. That’s triggered three hopefully simple questions though.

May I use the course descriptions from the book, both the page layout and the actual sentences describing the course, as a starting point for my own?
If only part of a book is read, do I indicate that with something like Title (Partially read)?
Are supplemental texts assumed to have been read in entirety unless noted?

I want to be honest in reporting what texts we used, but it seems we should not have to finish the whole thing to make it count. For example, we used the sourcebook of primary texts from The History of US for American history, but we certainly did not read the entire thing. Thanks for your advice!

Julie

Dear Julie,

Thanks for writing! Yes, the purpose of the book is for you to imitate it, and even your course descriptions word for word – that’s perfectly fine! For the reading list, author and title is enough. You can say “Excerpts” by books that were not completed. I was JUST speaking to another mom about this a few minutes ago, too. Remember those English Textbooks in high school? They NEVER have whole books, they are ALL excerpts. Even in college the books were that way – drove my kids crazy in college when they were supposed to read just 5 chapters or whatever. So the word you want to use is “excerpts.” Supplemental texts are not necessarily used in their entirety. But if you used them at all, you put it on there. For example, some moms use a history textbook more as a timeline guide, and don’t refer to it much at all, relying on hands-on or literature for history. But you still put it on the supplemental text list.

Homeschool records that open doors! Learn how to create records of your homeschool that will attract the attention of your dream college.

High School Reading Lists & Reading Comprehension

Lee — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:44:17 +0000

Are you confused about reading lists? Those lists are not just for “school” books, they are for ALL books.

When we were homeschooling, my children would occasionally write a brief essay about a book they read, but only once in a while. I can’t even remember if we did one a year… perhaps less! An essay or even reading comprehension questions are not required for a book to be included on a reading list. A reading list is for all books that kids read, whether they are for school or for fun. Public school kids also have a reading list. That includes their reading for pleasure - books that don’t have any essays or assignments that are just reading for fun.

Isn’t that what books are all about anyway? Fun?

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What Colleges Need

Lee — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:55:43 +0000

Different colleges ask for different information from homeschoolers. It can be difficult to determine what extra information they may require from you.

The only way to find out is to check their website and also speak to them in person. Some colleges will have one policy posted, but admission personnel require more or less than the posted policy. Other colleges won’t have a policy posted on their website, but the admission personnel will know the details (or know that nothing specific is required.)

The easiest way to get your answer is to go to a college fair where multiple colleges are located. Have your child speak to each college first, and be forthright about the information they need as a student. Let them finish speaking, and getting all of their questions answered, while you stay in the background. Once the child is done talking, then it’s your turn. Ask an open-ended question, “We are a homeschool family. What information would you like from your homeschooled applicants?”

You can also call and speak to them directly, by telephone. Remember, your job as the school administrator is to talk about high school records, so this is a normal, natural function of your job. Try to avoid the topics that are your child’s responsibility. You want to demonstrate that your child is an independent young adult that doesn’t require a parent in order to communicate clearly.

See those cute buttons at the bottom of these blog posts? Those are there to help you share helpful posts with others who might need encouragement. Go ahead and give it a try. I promise that nothing will blow up!

Look Inside – Check Out the Comprehensive Record Solution

Lee — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:36:20 +0000

About a year ago we launched our Comprehensive Record Solution. Since then, we have had some fantastic feedback from some very happy customers. You can read some of these testimonials on our offer page here,
www.ComprehensiveRecordSolution.com.

If you are like me though, you really like to look under the hood and see how a product works. That’s why I’m excited to draw the curtain back on the Comprehensive Record Solution and let you see exactly what is inside! The three videos below will show you all about the 4 BIG modules of the Comprehensive Record Solution, as well as the 6 amazing bonuses (Sorry, the surprise bonuses are all gone.) You’re going to love what you see.

As a bonus, I have an entire how-to webinar on homeschool comprehensive records. You will be amazed at how easy it can be to create delicious records that colleges will love! Check it out here:
http://www.thehomescholar.com/homeschool-records-webinar.php

If you are excited with what’s inside and what a huge difference it will make to fulfilling your student’s college dreams, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear your feedback.

While working on your homeschool records you may want to do some extra reading. I am now a featured expert on Bizymoms.com! You can read my articles here.

Hit the Ground Running

Lee — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:02:53 +0000

The best success comes to parents who plan ahead. What does that mean exactly? It means parents with elementary students who “listen in” when others talk about high school. It means middle school parents who learn how to homeschool high school BEFORE panic starts. It means taking challenging classes each year, just in case one year you can’t get everything done. It means seizing junior year tasks with gusto. But you know what? Everything can still be OK even if you haven’t done those things in the past. All you need to do is hit the ground running on the first day of senior year.

On the HomeschoolThruHighSchool.com website, you will find two classes that can help a lot. Look for “Find the Perfect College,” “College Application Essays.” Each one can help you become successful and plan ahead.

Remember the Boy Scout Motto? Always be prepared! Be prepared because teenagers do change their minds. They may go back and forth between, “I’m going to college,” and “I’m never going to college. What a stupid idea!” Plan ahead as much as possible. If your situation changes (either for better or for worse) you’ll be prepared! Avoid fear that immobilizes you. Spend some time learning about homeschooling high school so you can feel confident in your abilities.

When you are applying for colleges, you will need a great homeschool transcript. The good news is you can “do-it-yourself” and save thousands. Discover the Total Transcript Solution.

Homeschooling High School: Calendar Reminders for October

Lee — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:10 +0000

Homeschooling high school and applying to college isn’t hard when you focus on small tasks one at a time. Here are some reminders for you for the month of October:

Seniors
If you have not already taken the SAT, register today: www.collegeboard.com. Start your college applications. Admission and scholarships may be first-come, first-served, so be one of the first!

Juniors
Make sure the PSAT is on your calendar. Find a college fair, and put that on your calendar too! Study for the PSAT and SAT or ACT.

Sophomores
Are you planning to take the PSAT for fun? Be sure you have registered, and that it is on the calendar. Have you started your foreign language?

Freshmen
Count hours so you can determine high school credits in non-textbook classes. Keep a reading list.

Middle School
Practice counting hours for credits, and practice keeping a reading list. Keep records on classes that are high school level.

12th = Senior = 17-18 years old in the fall
11th = Junior = 16-17 years old in the fall
10th = Sophomore = 15-16 years old in the fall
9th = Freshman = 14-15 years old in the fall
7-8th = Middle School or Junior High, also known as “Training Time” for mom and dad

Are these calendar reminders helpful for you? I share them each month in my newsletter, The HomeScholar Record. Sign up to receive it today!

New Bonus Feature on the Total Transcript Solution

Lee — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:12:57 +0000

Have you ever bought the Total Transcript Solution or The Easy Truth About Homeschool Transcripts? Each time we make improvements, the new and improved version is available to you, no matter how long ago you made your purchase.

Recently we added a new bonus to the Total Transcript Solution: Surprise Bonus # 1 is the Emergency Transcript Solution. Designed to help the most-panicked parents, this is a quick, “just the basics” class that can give you a transcript in the least amount of time. If you need a transcript in a mega-hurry, this is the answer.

If you have already purchased it, it’s available here: The Total Transcript Solution Downloads Page.

Here is the information you will get, with all the information and handouts that will be available to you.

Surprise Bonus # 1!
Emergency Transcript Solution

Sometimes life sneaks up on you and you realize you need your transcript NOW! Here is your checklist for making your “good enough” transcript in case of emergency.

1) Prioritize your transcript above all else

Don’t do anything until it’s done. Don’t do yard work, laundry, or even wash dishes. Order pizza for dinner until it’s done. The pizza-only diet and ordering-out expense can be VERY motivating!

2) Get a quick overview

Print these class handouts and then watch the “Making a Transcript” class

3) Print handouts for your rough draft

The HomeScholar Planning Guide and The HomeScholar Transcript Template are all you need.

4) Create your rough draft

Grab a pencil and a cup of tea with those printed forms, and then watch the “One Hour Transcript” webinar. Follow along and take notes as directed. Don’t allow anything to distract you, just work for that one hour on your transcript.

5) Type it up

The class should guide you through the transcript rough draft. All that is left is typing. You will have something that is “good enough.” Open The HomeScholar Transcript Template again, and type your rough draft into the template. :

6) Edit, if time allows

If you have time, you can work on the nuances of your grades later, but this is a great start. You will feel much better when you see it in print.

7) Submit your transcript

Give the transcript to the people who need it. Print it or create a PDF to send it to them electronically.

Take a deep breath…. in… and out…. You’re done!!

After you get it mailed off, please write me an note to let me know how this worked for you!

I hope this new feature will help! I know that some parents do thorough research and plan years ahead, and other parents are flying by the seat of their pants, creating last minute transcripts during moments of panic. I’m trying to help both kinds of parents I don’t judge parents or evaluate your students, I’m just trying to come alongside and help as best I can.

Transcripts the “Love Language” of Colleges

Lee — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:50:18 +0000

Catherine asks: How important is it to have a typical looking transcript with grades and a GPA vs a more narrative type of transcript or even one with courses listed but no grades, since our goal is mastery and so they’d all just be A’s anyway?

Hi Catherine,

Perhaps you might attempt to think about this a little differently. Imagine yourself being a foreign language translator. Your job is to translate what you have completed in your homeschool, into words and numbers that colleges understand. Your job isn’t to alter your homeschool – simply do what gets results for you. Your job is only to translate your activities (whatever they are) into the “love language” of colleges.

I know that many colleges don’t mind a narrative description of a homeschool. I went to a Christian college fair last Monday, and there were a variety of colleges in which 15-20% of their student body were homeschooled. Those admissions people discussed narrative records in a very nice and receptive way. This weekend I’m going to a Homeschool College Fair, and I’m certain it is going to be equally welcoming to many types of homeschool records (or else they probably wouldn’t be at a fair just for homeschoolers, right? ) However I think the vast majority of colleges might not appreciate anything besides a transcript due to the fact it will look like a foreign language to them.

You may desire to simply cluster your student’s learning experiences together into groupings that are about 1 credit worth. Name it something that seems similar to a class title. Once he has put in a year’s worth of math work, for instance, you may name it “discrete math” or “concepts in math” or something. You might look at CLEP exams, and see which ones seem similar to academic content that your student has mastered, and record those subject details on your transcript. Have you looked at Barb Shelton’s Homeschool Form-U-La book? Her book isn’t for everyone, but she gives you a good description of the best way to take what you have done and describing it in college-friendly language.

I hope that helps.

I am now a featured expert on Bizymoms.com! You can read my articles here.

What Work Samples Should I Keep for Colleges?

Lee — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:05:30 +0000

While supplying universities with the information they require, going beyond a transcript may better your chances of scholarships. A transcript may be the cornerstone of admission, however colleges would like more than that if you expect them to give you scholarship money. They ordinarily like to see more comprehensive homeschool records.

Examples of student work are the icing on the cake, the yummy dessert of comprehensive homeschool records.

In our homeschool records, I provided three writing samples with out comprehensive records. I made an effort to choose a range of writing styles; research, fiction, and poetry. I tried to use writing samples that I knew were very good. We had submitted a few writings to essay competitions to win scholarship money. When my children won scholarship money, I assumed the essay must have been good, so I tried to incorporate that piece of work.

Additionally, I saved a sample of work for each class on the transcript. I didn’t send those to colleges (I figured maybe they didn’t actually prefer documentation of four years of PE, you know? That could get lengthy! ) Instead, I made a note on each course description about how “written work is available upon request. ” I actually did keep something from each class. In the event that they asked me for something, I ended up being able to give it to them.

I did end up being asked for some additional work samples. I was asked for a “graded” English paper (presumably along with a few red marks on it) and math work in the student’s handwriting. A different college needed to see a lab report from science. My suggestion is to be well prepared. It’s not possible to estimate exactly what information they may ask for. Instead of being concerned about it, simply try to maintain a couple of representative samples from each course. Then you’ll be all set for anything!

Do you have a homeschooling high school question? Send me an email!