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Dixie wrote to me and suggested these three fun contests for homeschoolers. She said that homeschoolers are welcome to enter. Let me know if these look like fun for your family!
Art Contest Students submit a digital photo of any art (other than photography) and submit it online at www.celebratingart.com. Two contests each year — Next deadline is April 3rd. There are 10 winners in each grade division of K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 who will receive $25 and a full color book that includes their art. Other artists of merit will be invited to be published. There are no costs to enter or to be published. Open to all students in the US and Canada. Each year we have several home schoolers who are among our national winners.
Poetry Contest
Students submit one poem 21 lines on any topic and submit it online at www.poeticpower.com or mail it to Creative Communication, 159 North Main Street, Smithfield, UT 84335. Three contests each year with upcoming deadlines of April 12 and August 15. There are 10 winners in each grade division of K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 who will receive $25 and a book that includes their poem. Other writers of merit will be invited to be published. There are no costs to enter or to be published.
Our website at www.poeticpower.com also includes a database that is divided by grade and subject and contains over 1000 lesson plans on how to teach poetry. You can also subscribe to our newsletter with tips on teaching poetry.
Essay Contest
Students submit one non-fiction essay, 250 words or less on any topic and submit it online at www.poeticpower.com or mail it to Creative Communication, 159 North Main Street, Smithfield, UT 84335. Three contests each year with upcoming deadlines of Feb 15 and July 18. There are 10 winners in each grade division of 3-6, 7-9, 10-12 who will receive $25 and a book that includes their essay. Other writers of merit will be invited to be published. There are no costs to enter or to be published.
Homeschooling is NOT the same as doing schoolwork at home. There is LOTS of freedom! My Gold Care Club will give you all the help you need to succeed!
Our family LOVES board games! Every year we would get one big game for our family. We played them on Christmas morning – and then the boys would play them again while I did some after-Christmas shopping at the sales with my mom!
It seems like our MOST favorite games come with variations that are just awesome! Here are some game suggestions!
“Ticket to Ride” games – great for geography, by the way. It comes in a variety of versions that are ALL fun!
The Play’s the Thing Board Game teaches Shakespeare plays. I loved it, but the kids couldn’t rule the world with this game, so it wasn’t their favorite.
Take some time off to focus on holiday planning and cooking. That doesn’t mean your kids are running wild today, though. How about giving them an essay contest while you are preoccupied? These are some scholarship opportunities that are coming up quickly. While the kids are busy writing, maybe you can get some baking and shopping done?
Love science? Write 700 to 1,000-word essay on a science-related topic.
Multiple winners are chosen. Deadline for essay submission is January 31, 2011 http://thechallenge.dupont.com/
Jane Austen Essay Contest on the novel “Emma”
Love romance? Writers in grades 11 and 12 (or homeschooled students ages 16-18) are asked to write an essay related to the book Emma, by Jane Austen. Entries must be postmarked by April 13, 2012
I am sure you understand how this would be an important thing to me. I really enjoy sharing my experience of successfully homeschooling my two boys through high school. I love being able to help other moms and dads who are going through the same things I did. Many parents have questions, fears and concerns about the steps of homeschooling and I am blessed to be able to guide them through.
This nomination shows me that people are truly being encouraged by my advice and services. That’s exciting.
I would love if you would vote for me for the Best Encourager Blog. Scroll down until you see my name, “The HomeScholar” and click in the circle next to my name to place your vote.
If you have already voted – THANK YOU! Would you ask your friends to do the same? Sharing the information with others who may not have heard about this will help me greatly.
After you vote for me, would you consider putting it on Facebook or Twitter to encourage and remind others to do the same? My homeschool friends are the best!
Homeschool blogs are helpful to moms in numerous ways. They motive us, cause us to laugh, bring out the tissues, inspire us, show us what we want to avoid, as well as give us tips on wonderful resources to use with our children. Do you have a favorite homeschool blog that inspires you? The Homeschool Blog Awards are now accepting nominations. Make sure to nominate your favorite homeschool blogs at the 7th Annual Homeschool Blog Awards!!!
Of course, if you find http://www.thehomescholar.com/blog/ to be one of those blogs we would love a nomination from you. Even better, many votes as of November 7th. Please spread the word!
What are the voting categories? There are 20 to choose from. Check them out here.
A while ago, a segment of one of my newsletters was plagiarized. I consulted my in-house “lawyer in training” – my son Alex.
Whenever I think of our discussion that day, it really warms my heart. On one Sunday, in our “Love and Respect” Sunday School class, I think I finally recognized why Alex’s assistance had been so important to me that day. He was defending me – which was showing that he loved me.
In the book, it tells a good deal about cycles, and ways love LEADS TO respect, and respect LEADS TO love. Therefore I started contemplating what I did to show my son respect that day. I think that the moment when I wanted to know his view of the issue, adult to adult, was the moment that he knew I respected him. We won’t even look at all the times I completely *fail* at the love and respect cycle, but I did think it was interesting to look at a situation in which it worked. I hope it will encourage you.
As homeschool parents, our plan is NOT to teach something. Our goal is for the kids to LEARN. I could have taught my kids “at grade level” and they might have not learned a thing. Instead, I offered them curriculum at their ability level, and then they had to learn something that they didn’t already know.
I believe that older teens MUST learn how to teach themselves. If they go to college, they will be expected to learn all the textbook material by themselves. College lectures are most often supplemental to the textbook – not the same. If perhaps they don’t go to college, they will certainly still need to teach themselves some computer skills, or perhaps online banking, or how to buy a car – whatever.
My kids taught themselves Advanced Math (pre-Calculus) and Calculus. They taught themselves physics. I know they understood the material due to the fact I gave them the tests. I didn’t know what the calculus symbols meant, however I knew that my kids answers matched the answers on the key! I could have taught them Biology and Chemistry (because I’m an RN and I understand that stuff) but they actually taught themselves in that also. It just worked out better for us when they were teaching themselves, while I simply checked up on them now and again. Alex taught himself economics, and is now performing graduate level work in economic thought (we’ve been told by his professor. ) He even taught himself psychology and business law, since he got fabulous grades on the college level CLEP exams in those subjects.
Here’s my point: kids will teach themselves something when they are interested in it. It’s fine for kids to do that, plus it works out great with regard to kids that are working on an intensely academic, college-prep curriculum as well as for kids that are in a laid back homeschool environment.
I have viewed SO many notes regarding “getting it all done” that I just desire to put in a plug for mom having prayer and quiet time. I discovered that when I was consistent with those things I could “get it all done” and when I wasn’t consistent with those things I got discouraged. Either I was expecting too much, or was frustrated too easily. When I spent time with God, then things went much more effortlessly in our homeschooling.
I remember when I was homeschooling high school. Sometimes I’d get hung up on ONE small issue that would drive me completely BATTY! I remember wishing for ANYONE to give me one clear, concise, yes-or-no answer. One issue I seemed to stress about was driver education. Wendy asked a question I asked myself years ago!
Hi Lee,
I’m putting together my first transcript and I’ve seen differing credits (.25/.50)/grades for Drivers Education on samples. I have to be honest, I guess I hadn’t thought of putting it on her transcript and I don’t know, it feels like a gimme or fluff to put it on there. So I thought I would get your thoughts. She did complete 24 hours of classroom instruction through a training school. I signed an affidavit verifying that she drove 50 hours as required by law, but I didn’t keep all the dates and minutes she drove before going for her driver’s test and she passed her driver’s test the first time. Your thoughts? Being driven crazy in Ohio ~ Wendy
Dear Wendy,
I felt EXACTLY the same way!!!
This is what I did: I put it on the transcript, gave it 0.5 credits, and put “Pass” as a grade.
Now I’m older and wiser. This is what I suggest: Put it on the transcript, give 0.5 credits, and put “A” on the grade.
This is my rationale:
I don’t think putting “Pass” on the transcript is ever a good idea.
I think some high schools include it on the transcript (mine did.)
I think colleges may just leave it off if they think it’s a fluff class, others may keep it.
It partially answers the “socialization” and “life skills” question, demonstrating our kids do in fact leave the house.
Another similar question that drove me crazy was the class title. Is it “Driver Education” or “Drivers Education” or “Driver’s Education”? To be honest, I have seen class titles using all three variations! Does it even matter?
When you get consumed by things like this (as I did!) then at some point you have to remember the key. Do your best and be honest. That’s all. Just do your best and be honest. Then let it go. Watch the pretty bubbles float in the sky, and don’t stress anymore about it.
I was totally driven crazy by that exact question myself. I hope I’ve given you some peace!
Learn how to translate all those great homeschool high school classes into the words and numbers that colleges will understand. Get the Total Transcript Solution http://www.thehomescholar.com/easy-truth.php
If you don’t know, NCAA means National Collegiate Athletic Association. If you don’t know what it is, you probably aren’t worried about it at all. But if you DO know what it means, then as a homeschool parent you may feel stressed or insecure. Let me help!
First, it’s important to remember that parenting is never easy, and each parent has their own issues and struggles. I didn’t have to work with the NCAA, but I’ve had friends who have done it. I know that homeschoolers can work within their system. I also know it’s not a walk in the park! I would love to hear from veteran homeschool moms who have been successful with the NCAA system – especially from parents who have homeschooled independently! IF that is you, can you please leave a comment to encourage other parents on that path?
Here are a few starting points and resources to get you on your way, as you begin to think about NCAA eligibility and requirements. If you have a gifted athlete, start your research early, so you are well prepared before junior year of high school.
NCAA College-Bound Student-Athletes Initial-Eligibility Resource Center
Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center during Junior year. The NCAA Eligibility Center will determine whether home schooled college-bound student-athletes will be eligible. www.eligibilitycenter.org.
You can see their transcript example. Their instructions say “If a course has more than one textbook, please attach an additional textbook list” which looks like my expanded transcript example which I demonstrate in the Comprehensive Record Solution. They do use the A = 90-100 scale, which is the same scale that I usually recommend. It appears they only accept (or strongly prefer) textbooks. Even then, they recommend only textbooks that are college preparatory. For that reason, be sure to include the publisher information as they require, not just title and author.
Jumping through hoops is one of the things ALL parents have to do in order to participate with the NCAA. It’s not unique for homeschoolers, it’s for ALL students. Granted, it doesn’t look easy, but it does look possible. If it’s worth it to your student, you should be successful handling this as an independent homeschooler.
Meanwhile, online schools state that new guidelines means they WILL NOT be approved for NCAA eligibility. Keystone Online High School states “Online courses are defined by NCAA as being “non-traditional” and fall under these revised guidelines. Keystone print (correspondence) courses will not be approved for eligibility….. We cannot guarantee that every Keystone online course will be accepted for initial eligibility. ”
If NCAA eligibility is the next step for your child, don’t be afraid. Be assertive! Your efforts can be successful!
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