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I spoke at a co-op and posted a snippet on YouTube.  I thought you might enjoy seeing it.

Make sure to subscribe to my video clips on YouTube.  I will continue to place more out there.  Comment, rate or otherwise let me know if you enjoy them!  Thanks!

Please come to the WATCH convention this Friday and Saturday.  Last night I wrapped my give-away basket.  This time I’m calling it “A Moment of Peace at the Beach” because it includes a beach bag, flip flops, beach towel, bamboo mat, journal, bottle cooler, and lemonade.  It’s really neat looking!  I would love for you to come and see me at my booth!   To register to win, I only need your name, email, and cell phone number (so I can call and tell you when you’ve won!)  All entries will be automatically subscribed to my email newsletter, but you can enter if you’re already a subscriber.

I’m also speaking on “Affording Christian College” and “Making a Transcript.”  This will be the third time in one week I have given the talk on “Making a Transcript!”  It was really well received at both the Heart of the Matter virtual conference last weekend and the HIS Homeschool Group earlier today.  I am excited to share with you on both of these important topics!

I’m getting excited about WATCH!

Hey, I just joined Facebook!  Please send me a friend request!

I’m so excited!  The conference starts tomorrow! Please click here to read all the details.  I will be speaking on Making a Transcript on Friday from 1:45 – 2:45 (PST) and College Preparation on Saturday from 10 – 11 (PST).  The speaker schedule noted on the website is all in Eastern Standard Time so be careful!  I wouldn’t want you to miss these important talks.  This is my first online homeschool conference.   I hope I am “tech-savvy” enough to handle it!  I think my husband will be able to stay home and help me with the difficult technical issues (like pushing the “talk now” button!)

If you sign up for the conference, please add my name to the comments section!  I’d love for them to know that there is a large community out there interested in homeschooling high school.  If so, we might be able to get more conferences!

Not only can any high school level work be put on a transcript, but any work that is done by a high school age student can also be put on a transcript.  What that means is that if your student is of “high school age” (typically, 14 – 18) then any work they do as part of their homeschool can be put on their high school transcript.  I understand that some students might be behind on a particular subject (math, English, etc.)  The good news is that regardless of the level they are currently performing at, that subject can be put on their high school transcript.  So relax.  Label the class accurately (“basic math” or “consumer math”) but make sure you put it on a transcript.  Public schools put remedial classes on a transcript too.  If you do that class at high school age, write it down!

It is only 11 days until the Heart of the Matter Virtual Conference. There are three ways to win a free ticket to the conference: add a comment to one of my blog posts, get a friend to sign up for my free monthly e-newsletter and put you as a referral, or link my blog to your blog using my button in the right column.  All three will enter you into the drawing to win!

Any high school level work can be put on a transcript.  If your Junior High student is using a high school textbook, then consider beginning their high school transcript.  Frequently a foreign language or math course will be given high school credits.  Algebra 1 or French 1 would be a perfect addition to a high school transcript, as long as you used a high school level textbook.  Any curriculum that says “for grades 9 through 12″ means it’s a high school course.  In my business, I see public school transcripts regularly and I can tell you that public schools do that too!  If it’s high school level, write it down!

It is only 12 days until the Heart of the Matter Virtual Conference.  Here are two more ways to win a free ticket to the conference. Between now and next Friday, 7/25 at 5 PM, just get a friend to sign up for my free monthly e-newsletter and put you as a referral.  Another way is to link my blog to your blog using my button in the right column.  Both of these will get you entered into the drawing to win!

When I do a transcript, it’s more than just inserting numbers on a form.  I work with you to develop class titles, grades and criteria and then develop the complete transcript (by subject and by year) that will look like the samples I show on my website. The finished Word document becomes yours to edit as you please. In addition, when you get the Full Transcript Service, I provide you a detailed letter including hints, tips and recommendations you can use in your homeschool. Look at this example of the type of feedback you will receive when we work together on your student’s transcript.  This sample is a little longer than usual, because I’m a nurse and had lots to add about a degree in nursing, but you can see what it’s like.

When I talk to parents about their transcript, it’s often the only time they will share the nitty-gritty details of their homeschool with anyone.  Because of that, I’m in a unique position to bring feedback from an unbiased outsider’s perspective.  I try to think about what you may not realize about your homeschool.  Often it’s very GOOD news, because people tend to only see the negative about their children, and rarely see how wonderful they are compared to the majority of the population.  Other times it’s very HELPFUL news, pulling out tidbits of information that they can proudly display to colleges. Sometimes it’s even CLARIFYING news, when I will count the number of hours your child spends in schoolwork, or point out overlapping coursework.  I don’t judge or evaluate, and I always remember that the parents know best. I’m not threatening nor am I a “certified teacher” in authority over you.  I’m just here to help!

It is only 13 days until the Heart of the Matter Virtual Conference where I am speaking on “College Preparation” and “Making a Transcript”.  I want to give away a FREE TICKET to the conference.  Here’s how it works.  Between now and next Friday, 7/25 at 5 PM, just comment on one of my Blog posts and you will be entered into a drawing for a ticket to the conference.  That is a $29.95 value!  Every time you leave me a comment you will get another chance to win!  With over 260 posts on my blog, you will have plenty of things to comment on so GET BUSY!!!

The Washington State Governor has declared June 8-14 to be “Washington Homeschool Week.” Regardless of which state you live in, why don’t you celebrate by going to a convention near you! I will be speaking at the Washington Homeschool Organization this weekend on “How to Make a Transcript” and “Gifted Education.” Please stop by if you are at the convention and say “hi!”

I would love to hear from you!

I’ll be at the Christian Heritage Convention in Redmond this weekend! I hope I’ll see some of you there! I apologize if we don’t get our regular blog articles posted while we are working the convention.

Remember to invest in yourself as a home educator. Conventions can be your “continuing education” as your further your vocation as a homeschooler. Invest in a convention this year, take the classes, buy yourself a book about homeschooling high school, invest in training videos or tapes! Invest in yourself, so you can be more knowledgeable about the path ahead of you!

If you can’t make it to a convention this year, consider an online virtual conference! I’ll be at the Heart of the Matter Virtual Conference. Join me there! (If you sign up, please mention my name!)

I was recently interviewed by Thor Tolo on KGNW 820 AM in Seattle. I spoke about the importance of independent homeschooling. My son was interviewed with me, and it’s fun to hear the perspective of a homeschool graduate. You can hear the interview here.

The HomeScholar on the Radio