“I love all of the examples.  It helps to broaden my thinking to hear the wide variety of things that other families are doing.  In addition, you talk with so many people that every time someone has a question, you can say, “Oh yes, I’ve worked with families that have done that and here’s what they did on the transcript….”

Delight-Directed Learning: Colleges may call it “passion” and homeschoolers may call it “specialization.” Whatever the name, delight directed learning can help you homeschool now and help your teenager with choosing a college major and making career plans for the future. This class will discuss how to identify delight in your children, and fan the flames of their passion to increase the intensity of their college preparation.

“Thanks Lee. This will help me schedule this summer first and then keep only the necessary! Summer is not a good time to feel overwhelmed… that’s what I need a break from! Nice webinar.”

Getting the Most Out of Your Homeschool This Summer: Do you homeschool during the summer? Our family always tried to take a “serious break” during the summer months. Still, there was educational stuff we did. This course will give you ideas on homeschool options you have available this summer. Learn how a small investment of time each day this summer can pay big rewards next year!

Have you ever wondered what’s inside a Parent Training A la Carte class?

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!

God created man to work (Genesis 2:15).
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

God works (John 5:17) and we are created in His image.
Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

Work is hard (Genesis 3:19).
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground

Work is satisfying (Ecclesiastes 5:12).
The sleep of a laborer is sweet

Work hard for the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters

Work is a key to a full life (Proverbs 13:4).
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

We are also given warnings and examples (2 Thessalonians 3.6-15).
6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and
does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”  11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.  14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.

Set clear expectations for work during the summer months.  What are your expectations and requirements?

Our monthly newsletter comes out on the first of every month.  Sign up for your free monthly newsletter here.

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.

For encouragement, listen to this encouraging song by TobyMac Lyrics
Music: “Get Back Up” Lyrics by TobyMac

You turned away when I looked you in the eye
And hesitated when I asked if you were alright
Seems like you’re fightin’ for your life
But why, oh, why

Wide awake in the middle of your nightmare
You saw it comin’ but it hit you out of nowhere
And there’s always scars when you fall that far

We lose our way, we get back up again
It’s never too late to get back up again
And one day you gonna’ shine again
You may be knocked down, but not out forever

We lose our way, we get back up again
So get up, get up, you gonna’ shine again
It’s never too late to get back up again
You may be knocked down, but not out forever

You rolled out of the dawning of the day
Heart racin’ as you made your little get away
It feels like you been runnin’ all your life
But why, oh, why

So you pull away from the love that would’ve been there
And start believin’ that your situation’s unfair
But there’s always scars when you fall that far

This is love callin,’ love callin,’
Out to the broken this is love callin’
This is love callin,’ love callin,’
I am so broken
This is love callin,’ love callin’

If you don’t like contemporary Christian music, then think about the song “Tomorrow” from Annie.  You know, the little red-haired girl who sings, “The sun will come out tomorrow!”  It will get better!

It’s never too late to get back up again.  You may be knocked down, but it’s not forever.  You can start again!  Next year will be better.  Take a summer break, then hit reset in the fall.

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If you need to finish up quickly then consider the “Popcorn Party Plan.” Instead of working through a textbook, or completing every assignment, go the “quick and easy” route instead. Not every class in high school has to be hard.  I remember that I had some high school classes that were significantly easier than others!  So for a break, and a way to quickly finish a unit study or course, consider educational videos as a way to catch up.

For example, I have a child that LOVES economics.  He studied economics all the time, and we talked about it constantly as a family.  But suddenly my oldest son was a junior in high school, and I realized that he was the one that DIDN’T love economics – and I had forgotten to teach it!  I needed a way to  quickly teach that class in a painless way, because my oldest was already bogged down with heavy academics in math and science, and he really didn’t have the energy needed for a big beefy economics course.  Just living in our home meant that he had been exposed to more than his fair share of economics.  I needed to find a way to be sure it was enough, there were no gaps, and I could call it a 1/2 credit class. That’s when I stumbled on the “Popcorn Party Plan.”  I chose a challenging series of educational videos, and we watched a movie about it.

For economics, I used the Teaching Company Basic Economics course. With my clients, I have sometimes suggested The Standard Deviants – American
Government 2-pack.

For American History, consider Joy Hakim’s History of US on PBS.

You can also just scour the video section of your library, to see what supplemental videos they might have to help you finish up the details.  For example, one client was working on American History.  The problem was she was doing it TOO thoroughly.  It took her a lot longer to cover the American Revolution, because they were enjoying it so much. They had covered a lot of current events as well.  She didn’t want to skip the post-civil war era, but she didn’t have time to work it too thoroughly.  We decided that she could compromise and cover the middle period of American History lightly, by  using the Popcorn Party Plan.  Watching videos on the missing topics in American History, and just enjoying it together with a bowl of popcorn.  It  was better than a gap, and more realistic that a summer tests-and-worksheets class.  It was a great way to finish up the year!

When you think your children know something, or you need to create a quick and painless class to fill in a perceived gap, consider trying the Popcorn Party Plan yourself!

You can get the Total Transcript Solution here. Then all you have to do is implement!