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Do you know my Office Manager Stephanie?  She’s a TON of fun!  Well, Stephanie and I were talking about the kind of sales WE like to see when we shop the day after Thanksgiving.  We decided our Black Friday Sale needed to have some CRAZY LOW PRICES to make it really fun for everyone!  So we decide that we would celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season with a big sale!

FIVE DOLLAR FRIDAY sale!

Just use coupon code 5Friday today!*

All of my Parent Training A la Carte classes are just $5. You can even try one class, “Giving Gifts That Pay for College,” for only $1 with the coupon code!  (Regular price $15 and $3, but just $5 and $1 when you use the coupon code 5Friday.)

I wanted this to be a HUGE sale for everyone!  For today only, pay just 1/3 on any product on my website!* Simply use the coupon code 5Friday and you will receive 2/3 off any product you choose!  The HomeScholar Store.

*Not available on membership products: The Total Transcript Solution, Comprehensive Record Solution, or The Gold Care Club.  Not available on the Convention at Home Kit.  I’m just not technical enough to figure out how to make it work with those products.  Sorry!

PS.  If you haven’t checked out my parent training page in a while, please do.  We added four new classes, just for this sale!

• Christmas Goals and New Year’s Resolutions,
• The BEST High School Guidance Counselor,
• Giving Gifts that Pay for College (only $1), and
• Options After High School.

If you have friends who love a great sale, please send them this post.  Check back on that page often because I add classes often (Hint – the latest ones are always on sale!)

Dear Lee,
“Did you schedule the art studies or simply allow them do it as they wanted? I debate a lot about whether its worth setting aside the time for art study.”

Art is really, TRULY my weak area, for that reason I basically reserved time for art study, or else we would most likely never do it! We never had a challenge getting math or science finished, only art, LOL! I planned it for 2-3 times a week, 1-1/2 or 2 hours at a time, depending on the year. Never the less, it was one thing that we from time to time simply didn’t do. (Art is so messy, you understand.)

We did the book “Art Fun” the first year, the Feed My Sheep for two years, then Draw Today. We even did a few pottery classes, and that was enjoyable. I own a few art games that they played, not to mention there were a number of books on artists that I had them read over the years. When your kids just “do” art, then it’s possible that you don’t really have to have art study. We NEEDED art study, as my kids didn’t ever Get it done otherwise.

In high school I taught them art primarily from an art history point of view, and also art appreciation. I believe in high school, it’s good to have some art appreciation course, yet might be other kids just naturally find themselves learning art free of any kind of help whatsoever. Hey, Alex studied economics without having any help! Kevin studied Russian History, of all things, without having any encouragement! Simply not art…

I have created a series of videos on creating great homeschool records for college.  You can find them here.

Some questions are easy to answer.

But other questions are very big, and very complicated.  Sandi asked a big and complicated question on my blog the other day.

Hi Lee. I have 5 kids, 3 remain to be homeschooled. All high school age. My 17 yo has had some issues with seizures since Spring. As a result he has fallen behind somewhat in his work. He will be 18 in Oct and should graduate in June of 2012. How do I catch him up this year? He has fallen behind in math and Eng comp. He has so many credits in all the other subjects. Should I just focus on these 2 subjects this coming year? Also, he wants to go to art school. He has been taking art lessons at a studio who will also help him with a portfolio. He just loves it. Any suggestions you have i would appreciate. ~ Sandi

I would LOVE to help, but each issue is not a simple yes/no question or quick fact.  Instead, each of these issues is complicated.  Here is what I was able to give Sandi.

Dear Sandi,

I have quite a few Gold Care Club members that just need support for handling homeschool while facing unusual issues just like this.   These are complicated issues that can’t be answered by a quick email, I’m afraid.  Briefly, here are some options to consider:

Evaluate to see if he is truly behind in those areas, or if you just *think* he is behind;
Find an art school by going to a college fair as a first contact;
Learn about junior year and senior year tasks.

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

Some homeschool products are great, some are good, and some are only useful in certain situations.

I finally got around to asking the library to purchase a Standard Deviants DVD. Have you ever seen the Chemistry one? I wasn’t impressed with it at all and am wondering if they are all similar to that one or not. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this isn’t what I was expecting….

Thanks, Cindy in Montana

I have purchased Standard Deviants French and American Government. When I watch the Standard Deviants French DVD, I noticed it had GLARING errors. I believe it was something quite simple, like it got the words “hot” and “cold” completely backward – not good. The American Government DVD seemed equally unhelpful.  And yet many of my friends had used Standard Deviants products.

It can be shocking when you find huge errors in homeschool curriculum. I remember one time I purchased a writing program, and within the first two minutes it reviewed their “PHOLOSOPHY of education” – they spelled philosophy wrong.  I simply couldn’t get past that typo. Particularly for a college prep writing and study skills program. I asked for my money back.

I have recommended Standard Deviants from time to time.  Recently, when I wrote End of School Year Popcorn Party Plan, I mentioned using The Standard Deviants – American Government 2-pack as a way to complete a course quickly with minimal effort.

Standard Deviants videos have been described as Sesame Street for Teenagers. Short messages, just a few seconds long, presented in a goofy way, for an hour. That seems like a good description, according to what I have seen.

Sometimes something that is “just fine” will work in a pinch. And sometimes things that are highly rated and quite popular aren’t necessarily high quality.  They may still be useful in certain situations.  Like eating candy – once in a while it’s fine, but it’s not a nutritious diet.  That’s how I view Standard Deviants.

Check out my husband’s latest video creation, “The Cure for Homeschool CRS.“   As my older son says “ALWP” (Actual Laughter Was Produced)

It’s my great pleasure to introduce you to my NEW resource for homeschooling high school – Parent Training A La Carte! To start your summer right, we’re introducing this great resource at sale prices!

Home High School Parent Training A la Carte – Introductory Sale

Grab These Sale Prices!

• June 4 – 5  is  50% Off
• June 6 – 7  is  40% Off
• June 8 – 9  is  30% Off
• June 10 – 11 is 20% Off
• June 12 – 13 is 10% Off

Sale Ends June 14!

To get your discount, today on checkout use coupon code -  empower50

Read on to learn how this new resource can give you confidence to take the next step in your homeschooling journey!

Do you have a friend who is thinking about homeschooling high school?  Send them some encouragement!  Please share this with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

The HomeScholar Gold Care Club is my exclusive homeschool membership site that provides training, tools and one-on-one coaching to help you homeschool high school with excellence.  Why do you need to be a member?  The answer is easy – because what you need is an experienced expert who can bring perspective to your problems; save you time, money and mistakes; and help you do things you might not accomplish in a million years on your own.  The benefit I bring to my clients is less a function of what I know than it is a function of how I apply this knowledge to your particular situation.

That’s it in a nutshell.

Read what others are saying about the benefits of being a “Gold Care Gal.”

I saw an article in the newspaper about a spectacular summer camp for computer-loving techie kids.

Summer camps have long been part of the American experience for children and teenagers, and for the last 30 years or so, computers and technology have added to the equation. “What we’re trying to do is to take a child’s hobby and show how to turn it into a potential career,” Safran said. “This summer, Karen Katzenberger, 13, of Fall City, plans to take her love of drawing to a new level at DigiPen ProjectFUN with a 3-D animation workshop.”

Read the Seattle Times Article

Learning 3-D animation?  Getting experience at DigiPen?  What an amazing opportunity!

Most summer camps can fill up early, so now is the best time to start looking for something if your child is interested.  It would be impossible for me to list summer camps here, because families have different criteria, and children have different interested. I could point you to some great summer camps for chess in the Seattle Area (Chess4Life.com) but I don’t think that will be a good fit for every student!  Instead, a quick google search will help  you find the information you need!  Now is the time to seek a summer camp if you are interested.

I’ve recently been connecting with homeschooling businesses on LinkedIn.  I invite you to send me an invitation if you want to connect with my business.

Here are two notes I received this last week that I thought were so encouraging.  I hope you will take their advice and discover how I can help you homeschool high school.

Lee,
Thank you so much for taking the time to compile these resources for me. They are, alternatively, eye-opening, encouraging, and down right exciting. I am seeing a lot of potential avenues to prepare my son for a positive college experience. I’m so glad I followed my instincts and decided to contact you now, while we are in the early stages of our high school years. Your resources have given me a lot more confidence to homeschool a gifted high schooler.

Thank you, too, for your time today, it was a pleasure to speak with you.

~ Sue in Massachusetts

Dear Lee,

So far, Hannah has been accepted to George Fox University with a $10,000 a year scholarship, and we just received news that she’s been accepted to Seattle Pacific University with the Trustees’ Award scholarship for $14,000 a year! We are so excited.  Many years ago we committed our little school to God, and look what He has done. A big thank you to you for being used by Him to help enable this to happen, and to many others who have been there along the way.

- Molly on Whidbey Island, Washington

I am now the Seattle Homeschool Examiner.  You can read my homeschool articles here.

Ticket Giveaway to Heart of the Matter Online Conference!

The HOTM Online Conference is Feb. 21-23, 2011. You can register here at the price of $14. 95 per ticket.

Go over to the Conference page to see details about the speakers.  Click on each speaker’s name to see specifics about the seminars offered.

To enter to win the free ticket, simply leave a comment telling me at least one session you would be interested in.  I will use a random number generator to pick a winner on Thursday, Jan. 27th.

Check out my special “Deal of the Day” running on the HomeScholar Fan Page.  I’d love to connect with you on Facebook.