Early high school credit in middle school? Are you kidding? How does that happen?
You mentioned (The Best Time to Start Your Homeschool Transcript) about middle school students taking high school courses and not realizing it. How is that done? Wouldn’t a person know what grade level book they are using, typically. My twins are going into 8th grade next year. Are there any courses that we could do to help us get a step ahead in high school? Thank you for your help.
~ Sharon
Not all homeschoolers use graded textbooks, so it can be difficult to tell when your homeschool student is doing high school work. The most common early high school credits are algebra and foreign language. However, math textbooks rarely say “High School Algebra” it usually says “Algebra.” And a foreign language curriculum may say “French” and a parent using it in middle school may not realize they mean high school level French.
If you are using a graded curriculum that is clearly labeled “WARNING: HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL” then it’s pretty easy, but it’s usually not that clear. As long as parents know that it can happen, that some junior high classes really are high school level, then they can keep their eyes open.
The best classes to prepare for high school are reading, writing, and math. Reading and writing are fundamental skills that everything else will hinge upon. Math is a skill that builds incrementally, so you have to be consistent in order to become successful.
Middle school is a time to focus on fundamental skills in some things, and work ahead at a high school level for other things. That’s the great thing about middle school – you really can’t be behind. Since the purpose is EITHER remedial OR advanced, and each subject can be taught separately, you can provide exactly what your child needs and still be at just the right level in everything.
The HomeScholar Gold Care Club will give you the comprehensive help you need tohomeschool high school.
I’m a huge fan of Apologia sciences! I believe it’s wonderful college preparation, and that their Biology, Chemistry, and Physics can provide the highest quality college prep education.
On the other hand, I have heard mixed results from their General Science and Physical Science curriculum. These are recent additions to Apologia, actually. Years ago, they only provided Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Prior to that, the author Jay Wile recommended using unit studies to encourage the love of science in middle school. He suggested saving textbooks for high school.
Home school lab sciences can mean almost anything. There is no true definition of what a lab science is. You can read more about the definition of a lab science in this blog post
Lab science equipment can be purchased from many sources. Most often I recommend purchasing the Sonlight science kits; Apologia Biology with everything you need for experiments Or www.hometrainingtools.com
We did our labs at home, using materials from Sonlight, HomeTrainingTools, and Apologia. My children were well prepared for college, and both earned “As” in their first year of college sciences. I really do think that homeschooling science labs can give a great foundation!
Although you can use General Science and Physical Science for high school credit when taken at high school age, I do not recommend giving high school credit when the courses are done during middle school.
Click here to read more about why teaching your high schooler is highly overrated.
When is the best time to start YOUR homeschool transcript?
I was wondering I have been told that middle school is the right time to start putting together a transcript. She is now in 8th grade and I have not officially started. How do I get started and is there a good software out there that is worth getting.
Thank you
~ Antonia on Facebook
Middle school is the BEST time to start putting together a homeschool transcript for two reasons! First, it will give you the practice you need to feel comfortable and confident in your new homeschool role as high school counselor . Because transcripts are so critical in high school, learning that skill a little early can help you become more knowledgeable and do a better job. Record keeping, particularly in some states, can come as a big surprise to homeschool parents. Although it isn’t difficult to learn, it does take a little bit of effort. Homeschooling will give you the edge in confidence and ability.
Second, learning how to make a transcript in middle school can be very important because some courses you are teaching may actually be high school classes that should be on a high school transcript. Because some middle school students take high school classes without realizing it, these courses may be mistakenly left off the transcript. By learning about the homeschool transcript now, you can be SURE whether classes should be on the high school transcript or not. Beyond just “for practice,” this kind of learning ahead of time is critical to making sure your child gets the credit they deserve, particularly if they are ahead of grade level in any course or standardized test.
Transcript software is about all the same. They all give you nice forms and templates to type on. When I tried transcript software, I quickly became frustrated that there was no template that I preferred – I had to fit my homeschool into their charts and graphs, and my homeschool didn’t fit!
I also found that while software is “nice” it actually requires some brain-ware to back it up. That’s what was missing! I didn’t actually know what to type – regardless of where I would type it. That’s why I worked to make my Total Transcript Solution . I wanted to teach parents WHAT to type. Then I give them 10 templates in a variety of looks and formats so they could choose to make it look any way they want it to look.
I will say that high school record keeping is really not that hard. There are easy strategies that can save you a ton of time so that you don’t have to tediously count hours, so don’t worry about that part. I hope that helps!
Shannon wrote to thank me, and she gave me permission to share her feelings…
Lee,
I just had to write and thank you for everything! Well, for the everything consuming my life right now! LOL!
I have had an epiphany lately. Why it took so long I’m not sure. I have been so focused on my 16 year old and making sure he was ready for graduating high school and set up well to go to the college he wants to go to that I’m ashamed to say I wasn’t putting as much focus on my 13 year old. I think I’ve finally discovered why I’ve had such frustration with my 13 year old and schooling. We decided to go back to homeschooling because of issues with him in Middle School and have experienced a lot of those issues since bringing him home. It is getting him to do the daily work. He fights me tooth and nail! He doesn’t want to sit and do any of the assignments I give, yet he can spout off information about so many things. I’m always asking him where he heard that or read that piece of knowledge. I’m now starting to get a clue!
When he was in school the teachers commented on how he passes the tests with A’s and sometimes B’s but his grades were not as good because he wouldn’t do the daily work. I’ve had those same issues as well. *I knew he was very intelligent I just never put the pieces together * to see he was gifted!! How can one be so blind? I realize now, it isn’t necessary to do busy work if you already know it!! I’m not challenging him enough because I’m not giving him material more to his level. Ughhh! All this time I’ve been wasting. Thank you for showing me the light. I kept thinking that your gifted information really didn’t apply to us because I kept focusing on my oldest. But it does apply to us! So, I have ordered your CD about teaching gifted children and look forward to receiving it soon.
By the way, thank you for your assistance with my college fair questions. Anything you could suggest so I could put the word out about you at the college fair would be good. I definitely want other homeschoolers here in South Carolina to find out about your services!!
Thanks Again!
Shannon in South Carolina
Later, after listening to the Gifted Education at Home audio course…..
I received your gifted CD. I am working on my second listen through. I’m trying to wrap my head around how best to school him now. I’m going to look into the Sonlight Curriculum you talk so highly about. I feel a little lost in this unfamiliar territory. I made the mistake of trying to teach him the way my oldest son and I learn best and that’s by being interactive with projects and worksheets with the material. I realize that is misery for Patrick. No wonder why he dreads schoolwork. I’m going to have to look at things in a whole different way!! I’m trying to learn, though. Thank you for all your wonderful help and advice.
~ Shannon in South Carolina
Remember, God made each of your children unique and what works on one may not work with the other. Be open to trying new strategies for each child.
The HomeScholar Gold Care Club will give you the comprehensive help you need tohomeschool high school. Remember, the price is increasing on April 4 to $47/month. You can lock in now at the current price of $27/month. Don’t delay!
Foreign language is difficult. Trouble. Hard. From my perspective as a math/science gal, I can also say it’s yucky. Not my cup of tea. It’s also possible. Doable. Not insurmountable, even for homeschool parents who
don’t know a second language.
In Europe, many countries teach a variety of languages to school children. I have heard that in Germany, kids learn one language in early elementary, another in middle school, and another in high school. I guess that means German kids know four languages by the time they graduate from high school. I’m pretty sure that demonstrates foreign language is possible for everyone.
There are some great reasons to study a foreign language. Like math and science, the study of foreign language has value. Even though it isn’t MY preference, and I would rather work on math, I can still see benefits.
Learning a foreign language can help you learn English, learn vocabulary, learn critical thinking. It can teach kids to be less ethnocentric. It’s critical as a Christian, to help fulfill the great commission. It’s also not easy, so it can teach hard work and study skills.
Health requirements vary by state. Check your state homeschool law, and see what they may require for health.
Unless your state requires it, you don’t have to teach Health every year of high school. Some states want Health to be a requirement for graduation, but colleges generally don’t care about it much. Some colleges want to see students who take health as a separate course, while others assume it is included in Physical Education (PE) classes. More often, colleges don’t mention it as a requirement at all.
In Washington State, we are required to teach Health at some point during K-12, but it isn’t specified which year, or how much health is necessary. I included some health studies along with PE in Middle School, and again in High School.
We really liked the books by Susan Boe. Written for Christian Schools, it’s assumes the student lives in a reasonably healthy environment, without sex or drugs. It covers physical, spiritual, and social health.
There was an article this morning in our paper about the new math curriculum being used in our area. I can’t believe they are choosing a single math curriculum that is supposed to fit an entire region. How many teachers are involved? How many different students? All those different individuals, and there will be only ONE BOOK??? Here is the article, if you want to read it.
I started getting concerned when they mentioned the book “Discovering” for algebra and geometry, and said “It’s also the series the Highline district has chosen.” First of all, any time the Highline district chooses anything, run the other way. They have a 46% graduation rate. That’s our local high school
“Some of the highest-paying and most competitive careers are in science, technology and medicine — all math-intensive fields. Meanwhile, more colleges and universities are requiring applicants to take up to four years of math in high school.”
That’s a very good reason to teach math, and a very good reason to be conscientious about it. I would also like to point out that it’s not all about PAY either. Nursing, for example, is a math-based careers that is more about mission than money.
But do you have to choose between math “investigations” vs. extensive explanations and practice? I love the fact that homeschoolers can have it both ways. You can take a traditional textbook and add supplements that encourage understanding. But you know, some kids need more practice, and some kids need more explanations. Some kids just flat out need more hands on activities! I’m not sure how one math book can serve the needs of every student. If you are looking into some supplements, here are some things we used:
I love the paragraph that describes how one reviewer says a book “helps students see” and the other calls the book “mathematically unsound.” I’m thinking “mathematically unsound” may be a bad thing, and something to stay away from.
This quote almost made me laugh: “The importance of the textbook can’t be discounted. It shores up a weak teacher’s instruction, he says, and assists parents helping their kids with homework because they can find explanations in the book for how the math should be done.”
I know that homeschoolers feel very concerned about upper level math. How much harder would it be if you were a NON homeschooling parent? Imagine trying to help your child with homework when you didn’t choose the book, haven’t seen it all year, don’t have a video or an 800 number to call. What a nightmare! My friend had a child who used the Discovery book in public school. The schools weren’t able to help her and so they hired a tutor. Even the tutor who had a math degree couldn’t figure out the Discovery book!
It was interesting to see them comparing these math books to the whole language vs. phonics debate. I remember thinking that different children learn to read in different ways, and that a mixture of the two can help. Math may be the same way.
No quagmire or restrictive bureaucracy in your homeschool! We have the advantage! For help with choosing math, you may want to see my previous blog post here.
Someone asked me this week for some tips for beginners. “What will help?” is such a broad question! Here are my suggestions.
First, you can work together with your kids, either by grouping them together in close age groups, or by studying the same content but at different levels. In other words, you can use Sonlight Curriculum and group them together, younger kids doing world history for elementary school, and older kids doing world history for junior high and high school. Although some curricula say they are multi-age, there are no LAWS about age and curriculum, so really ANY curricula is multi-age. The only things you really need to keep separate are:
math
spelling, vocabulary, etc.
expectations.
You can give your kids the same assignment and expect your older child to produce a 1 page paper, your elementary student a paragraph, and your youngest may copy a sentence about the topic. See how that works?
My second tip is my most favorite. I love to recommend the book “Managers of Their Homes” by Teri Maxwell. It made a HUGE difference in my life and homeschool. In fact, that book is the reason why I have been (mostly) consistent with my quiet time, because she really focuses on putting God first and everything else will fall into place. She is not as academic as I am, but I found that to be a nice balance, because I tend to do too much at time.
Finally, for beginners I often recommend Sonlight curriculum. Check it out, and see if it would be a good fit for your children. Because it comes with a nice schedule, it’s perfect for beginners who don’t have a real sense of “how much and how”. The easiest starting place might be Sonlight Core 100.
Have fun learning how to love learning!
Check out my profile on The Old Schoolhouse’s Speakers Bureau, and then ask you conference coordinator to invite me to come speak to your conference in 2010!
In the 9 years I have lived in the city, this is the first year I have seen bunny in the neighborhood. Until this year. In the spring I saw my first. Then another about a week later. Now I see a several a day, sometimes needing to avoid hitting them when I back the car out of the garage. In fact, did you know that a group of rabbits is called a herd? I have noticed something about bunnies. They reproduce like rabbits! And that reminds me…. Have you taught your children the Facts of Life?
I asked my sons what was their favorite books that taught them “do not reproduce like rabbits.” The both had the same feedback. They both enjoyed the book “Preparing for Adolescence” by James Dobson. My husband would take one child each week to ice cream. They would discuss a small section of the book while having ice cream together. These “dad dates” became a very big deal in our family, and over the years really helped us communicate.
But teaching your children not to reproduce like rabbits is not something you teach just once. The concept of respect and marriage is something that we returned to often. Here are some of the other things we used.
Passport to Purity
Originally intended to be a weekend away with a pre-teen, we had to adjust it to fit our family. We would have liked to do this curriculum the “right” way, but it just didn’t fit in our schedule. Instead, my husband taught this curriculum to my boys when I was away for a homeschool convention. I prepared all the crafts and activities in advance, so he didn’t have to do any of the planning. While I was gone, he read the workbook and did all the learning activities with my boys together. It was very effective!
These are important discussions to have with your teenagers. Don’t let these things go unsaid! Be proactive and talk with them. If you don’t talk to your teens they will assume a lot of things, but they won’t really know how you feel about the issues they face. Using a book can help you to guide your discussions. As a nurse I know there are few things more important than these discussions about reproduction. This is an important subject, and you don’t want your kids doing what the rest of the herd is doing!
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Christianbook.com Curriculum Page
