Guest | Heart of the Matter

August 31, 2010 By Guest 5 Comments

Creative writing is definitely one of those areas with which parents struggle teaching. I can see why. There is a plethora of dull, lifeless material out there in Curriculum World. Kids are cross-eyed with frustration after spending 30 minutes staring at a candle, struggling to find creative ways to describe it. (Yes, this was an actual creative writing assignment in a popular curriculum.)

Candles schmandels. Kids deserve to love words, and describing a stick of wax does not promote a love of words!

Because I teach creative writing classes for our local support group, I am often asked by parents for my thoughts on a particular writing curriculum. I’ve perused about a dozen of the myriad creative writing options out there. I can say that most of these are very similar in approach, so you could probably go with any of them and provide an adequate creative writing foundation.

However, I’m all for moving beyond adequate, so I’ll give some suggestions as to how to make creative writing a more exciting experience. Warning: some teacher preparation will be required for this!

First of all, this is a good time to reiterate that nothing will prepare your children to be good writers better than to fill their hands and heads with good books. Read to them every day. We have literally been reading to our children from the day we brought them home from the hospital. I’m sure our firstborn didn’t understand much of Western Civilization or The Journal of Systematic Botany when he was 48-hours old, but he did hear words and language and the cadence of our voices. I can’t imagine a day going by when we don’t read at the very least a chapter of a current book to the kids. [Note: We don’t read aloud to our teenager anymore in the evenings, but I do read-alouds every day as part of our curriculum. The younger one gets a full dose of read-alouds during the day and his own chapter book at bedtime.]

So, first of all, don’t expect your kids to understand how to write creatively if you aren’t reading aloud to them—or if they aren’t reading books themselves.

Next, a problem that I have found across the board with creative writing guides is that they try to put writing into a box: here’s how we write a story, here’s how we write a form poem, here’s how we write about ourselves. Now while these are the three basic genres of creative writing (fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction), a whole lot of other good stuff is waiting anxiously just between the lines.

The best book I’ve found so far is a little gem called If You’re Trying to Teach Kids to Write, You’ve Gotta Have This Book! by Marjorie Frank. This book is absolutely packed with fun writing exercises. It will take you some time to go through the book yourself and pick exercises, but it is well worth it. Two other books I like are WordPlay Café by Michael Kline and Kids Write by Rebecca Olien.

Drawing from ideas in the books above, you can then create your own creative writing curriculum. You can take a page or idea each week and easily have a year’s worth of really stimulating creative writing exercises. I’m not talking about sentence structure, paragraphs and essays. I’m talking about letting your kids explore creatively with words and language. I know that may sound daunting, so let me give you some specifics. You can also visit my blog, where I offer free creative writing lessons. I call this the WordSmithery, and I am always in the process of adding more lessons.

One day a week, have an actual lesson in creative writing. Start at the beginning—with words. Explain that all writing is made up of words. Make a list of words that sound really interesting: sassafras, oozing, buttery. Be word collectors. Try putting words together in odd ways, such as “The oozing sassafras sleeked and slithered onto the buttery Birkenstock.” Read “Jabberwocky.” Encourage your kids to collect words that they like throughout the week. (You might post this in a central location, like the refrigerator.) Your kids will start thinking about words. That is step one. They need to learn to appreciate and really get to know words intimately.

The next week, talk about synonyms and adjectives. Give them a list of “bad words” that they absolutely cannot use: big, good, nice, pretty, small, very, cool, went, said. Have them make posters OUTLAWING those words (like a “no smoking” sign with the word crossed out). Encourage them to think of more descriptive words, and fill those in around the poster. For example, instead of “said,” they can write, “chattered,” “shrieked,” “whispered,” etc. This is a good time to introduce them to the thesaurus.

The next week, talk about strong verbs. Have them come up with exciting words for everyday words, such as eat (e.g., gobble), walk (e.g., lumber), and talk (e.g., chatter). Try to get them to outdo each other (and you) by coming up with outrageous words for simple actions. Look for poems with strong verbs, or find examples in stories where the author chose to use a word like “tiptoe” instead of “walk.”

The next week, teach them how to turn boring sentences into exciting ones using adjectives and strong verbs. This has been a favorite exercise for all my writing classes: take a sentence like “She ate dinner” and turn it into “The headstrong acrobat insisted upon slurping her spaghetti upside down.” Make up lots of sentences and expand them together. (Did I mention yet that Mom or Dad should be doing this with the kids?) In class recently we turned “The man went to the city” into “The aging rock star rode his psychedelic tour bus into Chicago for his final performance.” Come back to this exercise again and again. They love this.

So there are just a few sample lessons, but add this to the above:

1. In addition to your one-day-a-week short lesson, let your child pick out a writing journal. Then get your kids to write in it at least 3 days a week by giving short writing prompts. Start small. Let’s say that you are beginning with adjectives (and this is a very good place to begin). Give an assignment Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, such as: On Tuesday, write three words to describe your brother, three words to describe the smell of your dirty laundry, and three words to describe the taste of the color orange. Follow a pattern like this for those three days. (If your kids are older than 3rd grade, increase the number of required adjectives if necessary.)

The options for writing prompts are limitless. Your writing prompts could be lists: List 10 ways to catch an armadillo; list the top ten things you’d like to do on a rainy day; list 10 ingredients in elephant pie. Here are just a few sites for writing prompts. I’d recommend wading through and finding the most exciting prompts—and some I would avoid completely (such as, “what do you dislike about yourself?”):

2. Share your work. This is a very important part of the process. Mom (or Dad) needs to do this, too. Sit down with your kids and do the assignment, too. Then share your work! There is something immensely gratifying to a child to get to share his writing in this way. I can’t explain it, but I have seen it work again and again. Even if you decide to stick with a traditional writing program, YOU should do the work, too, and share your writing with your child.

3. Consider a traveling mascot. In my creative writing classes, we have a special friend who goes home with a different child each week. One session it was Philip the Frog, a plastic tree frog. The lucky student got to take home Philip and the notebook, and their job was to record Philip’s adventures at their house. I’ve had students take photos of Philip’s week, and I even had a girl send Philip to Chicago with her father on a business trip! You can easily translate this into your own family. Find a special critter. Encourage your child to take the Critter with him to various activities and to write from that Critter’s perspective. Parents should do this, too. So, one week can be the child’s week (rotate through the kids if you have more than one), the next week mom, then dad, etc. You could even send the critter to grandparents and ask them to write about the critter’s week with them.

4. Don’t worry about grammar and spelling. Please, please don’t stifle their creativity for a misspelled word! There are plenty of other opportunities for correction.

There isn’t anything inherently wrong with books that teach creative writing. It’s just that most of them are dull and much too often kids begin to dread writing because of boring assignments. Kids are sometimes terribly upset with their moms for signing them up for my creative writing class. Their mothers tell me that they hate writing. Usually by the second week of classes, these kids are practically jumping out of their seats to get to read their journal writings and assignments aloud in class. My main point in all of this is that you can make creative writing more exciting by venturing outside the traditional books.

Creative writers must first learn to love language, and that first step is too frequently neglected in guidebooks.

As the poet William Cowper once penned, “Variety’s the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor.” If your kids are struggling with creative writing, check out the books I listed above. Search the Internet for “how to teach creative writing.” Don’t rely on some “approved” curriculum provider’s crummy guide. If you take the time to give them just one fun lesson a week, you’ll change their view on writing creatively—and you’ll get your own creative juices flowing as well.

Sarah Small, who holds a Master’s degree in English/creative writing, has been homeschooling for over a decade. Her oldest son, homeschooled from second grade all the way through, just graduated from high school and is headed to college. She is happy to still have two more at home. She and her husband, a professor at the University of Tennessee, and their family live near the Smoky Mountains outside of Knoxville. She blogs at SmallWorld at Home, where you can find her WordSmithery lessons.

August 31, 2010 By Guest 1 Comment

When I was 12, my mother asked me as we drove home what I wanted to be when I grew up. Without hesitation, I replied “a starving artist!” She gave me a rather odd look and asked me if I realized that would entail starvation. “Doesn’t matter,” I said, “not if I get do what I love.” It’s been a few years since then, but I still hold on to the importance of doing what you love. I happen to love the arts, and I’ve been richly blessed to have been able to participate in them for as long as I can remember.

In my area there was a dearth of theatre. There was a local children’s theatre program, and while we were able to see several wonderful shows, we never had time to be in any of their productions. The lady who taught the drama co-op moved away, and I was too old to be in the kids’ musicals at church.

So I did what any red-blooded, homeschooled overachiever would do:
I started something myself.

That year we were blessed to have Action Impact Missions (AIM), a wonderful Christian drama/discipleship group, come tour through our area and put on a workshop. They were the ones who first introduced me to mime and showed me how to produce theatre as ministry. It wasn’t long afterwards that I began a mime team at my church. It was just three of us for starters, and I was only 14. We had a three minute routine that we took to churches, youth groups, and talent shows. Within a few months we had 6 other families involved and I was in way over my head trying to handle rehearsals, bookings, team Bible study, props, costumes, etc. Fortunately, AIM came back every year, giving us training and even taking some of us on their mission trips. Those experiences on the road were life-changing for me and richly deepened my relationship with Christ. In the meantime I was learning sign-language, playing clarinet with my church orchestra, and singing in the choir and youth ensemble.

My parents were amazing, letting me grow at my own pace, pursue my interests, and supporting me however they could. They gave advice (but not too much) and stepped in only when I really needed it. After graduation I went to Belhaven University in Jackson, MS to get my B.A. in Theatre, with an emphasis in Ministry. During that time I was involved in dozens of productions, toured internationally (Italy, Switzerland, and India), acted, directed, and generally had way too much fun. Now I’m working on graduate school and have hopes of eventually opening a Christian performing arts center in my hometown.

Through my involvement in the arts, I have learned more than any textbook could teach me. Leading peers, setting up performances and contacting people for bookings, juggling people’s schedules, teaching what I’ve learned, working with people, and handling administrative task were a huge part of my education, and provided me with very valuable skills. Plus, I’ve been blessed to meet hundreds of amazing individuals the world over and to see sights on tour through America and beyond. In all that, I was able to serve the Lord through fostering evangelism and discipleship. In high school I started to discover my passion and my ministry.

“That’s great Tyler,” you may say, “but I don’t have a theatre degree, mime isn’t really my thing, and we don’t have the funds to go tour Italy. What can my kids actually do?” Glad you asked. There are many possible ways to get your family involved in drama.

Here are seven steps to add a little drama to your life:

1) Go see plays.

It amazes me how many people forget this one. Few things can stimulate or inspire you like watching a good performance. Get a feel for the kinds of plays your students might like, that have impact, and that coincide with your worldview. Meet new people, go with groups, and talk about the show afterwards. Discuss things like: “What was the playwright trying to communicate?” “How were different characters and ideas portrayed?” “How did the stage, acting, costumes, lights, and words all contribute to the show?” Just like the movies, some plays are family friendly, but some are not, so do your homework and make sure you know what you’re going to be seeing. Call ahead to find out if the theatre offers a free preview night, student, family, or group discounts, and if they have study guides available for the production.

2) Go audition.

There’s no better way to learn about something than by doing it. Community and Children’s Theatres are always looking for fresh faces. Often, especially for bigger productions, everyone who auditions gets cast, so there’s no need to be nervous about an audition. Nothing builds a healthy kind of confidence in a child then getting an important role, or nailing their lines or solo. Work on their parts with them at home, especially if they have much dialogue or a singing role. Make sure your family has enough time to commit and that you’re close enough to the rehearsal space or can carpool with someone.

3) Go to church.

Many churches have drama teams that assist in worship and teaching. Often they serve Sunday morning services, the youth group, or participate in mission trips. If your church has one of those, plug in. There’s nothing like serving the Lord with your skills. Make sure you give your best to whatever you do, and don’t fall into the twin traps of Christian Drama: cheesiness and preachiness. Good church drama programs (sadly) are often hard to find. If there’s nothing available where you worship…

4) Go start something.

Even if it’s small and simple, the energy you bring to something you start yourself can make it spread like wildfire. You don’t have to be an expert—just come willing to learn. The team I started when I was 14 is still around now (eight years later), making disciples, building community, and sharing the gospel. I had no idea what I was doing, but it met a need, and so it grew. Be aware that sometimes theatre can be an intense activity, and when things go wrong it’s easy for our sinful natures to rear their ugly heads. But it’s important, especially in a ministry context, that we make participation a positive experience, and not let pride, impatience, or perfectionism get in the way.

5) Go write a play.

Playwriting is hard work. However, whether it’s for English class or your drama group, there’s something special about performing something you wrote yourself. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, just make it something you can be proud. An added bonus is that you can write specifically for the number of people you have, and capitalize on certain people’s talents and personalities.

6) Go read a book.

If building a set, scrounging for costumes, and figuring out light cues just aren’t for you, Reader’s Theatre may be just what you’re looking for. With text-in-hand (no memorization necessary!), you can easily bring your favorite stories to life. Sit your readers down at a table with cards indicating the characters that they’re reading, have a narrator (or two, if necessary), and let them have at it. If you really want to get fancy: include sound effects with household items, or even background music. Record it onto a CD and have your own “Family Radio Theatre”!

7) Go have coffee.

For a more relaxed event, try putting on a coffeehouse. This takes some coordination, but they can be great fun. You might even do it as a fundraiser for a church project or missionary family. Have a sign-up for people to perform (talent show style). Get mugs and coffee/tea/deserts donated. Enlist the youth group as waiters. Set up the sanctuary or gym for music and drama. Use card tables with tablecloths and simple centerpieces. Then get the word out! It takes a lot of people and hard work, but the rewards can be wonderful. Our church has done this many times and it has always been a great success.

Drama is an amazing thing. God uses it over and over again in scripture, even giving the prophet Ezekiel a props list, script, set design, and stage directions! (See Ezk. 4) It can send messages, build community, and even draw people toward God. The whole family or the whole church can be a part of it. It integrates with history, literature, and art studies beautifully. It’s fun! It has enriched my life tremendously (I even met my wife in a mime class!) and I’m sure it can enrich your family’s lives too.

Tyler Hogan is the Vice-President of Development for Bright Ideas Press. He lives in Dover, Delaware with his very patient wife, Helen, and their adorable baby, Kaylee. He and his wife are both Homeschool Graduates. He has spoken, performed, and taught classes around the world on homeschooling, the arts, and worldview issues. In his “spare time” he teaches classes for homeschoolers, performs street mime, reads good books, drinks tea, and over-analyses movies. He has a BA in Theatre from Belhaven University, and is currently working on his MA from Covenant Theological Seminary. You can email him at Tyler@BrightIdeasPress.com.

August 31, 2010 By Guest 1 Comment

I am a former elementary public school teacher who now homeschools. In the classroom, I began every year with a read-aloud from the children’s book, Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus. Then we’d start a big discussion with me asking the question, “Tell me some of the fun and interesting things you’ve already ‘bloomed’ into? What are some of the things you already do really well?”

The children’s responses would include, “I can tie my shoes. I can count to 100. I can read. I can run really fast! I know how to tell time. My Mom taught me how to bake a cake . . . .” Next, I would bring the conversation back to Leo the Late Bloomer prompting, “Just like Leo we all bloom at different times. Some of us can run really fast and some of us already know how to read. We are all different. What are some of the things you’d like to ‘bloom into’ or learn how to do this year?” The children were never at a loss for the things they wanted to learn during the year. “I want to read a great big thick book. I want to learn how to multiply. I want to learn how to make a goal in soccer. . . .” From here the lesson would continue with a lesson on how to make an appropriate book selection for independent reading time.

Year to year, I never considered that God may give me a Leo the Late Bloomer.

When my son was born, we received a very special gift. A friend and her teenage son went to the bookstore. The teenage son selected three of his favorite childhood books for our new baby: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Good Night Moon and Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel. Upon opening the package, I cuddled on the bed with my 6 week old son and began reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear. His face lit up and I could see his little baby brain thinking, thinking, thinking. We read it 6 times! He was in love. Since that day, our children have been read to EVERY day of their lives. I read to them each day and their Daddy reads to them EVERY night. And since Daddy’s a sucker, they usually get 5 or 6 good books out of him!

As a toddler, my son showed-up one night with the children’s classic Are You My Mother? He proceeded to “read” the book cover to cover, page by page, word for word. He “read” with fluency, with excitement and with voices for all of the characters. He had memorized the entire book. This reading teacher and mother beamed! Our rich early literacy environment was producing an early reader!

Homeschool kindergarten rolled around and I was surprised that my “early reader” wasn’t reading. He didn’t even know his letters or numbers consistently. So we got busy learning our letters and letter sounds. And just like in the story Leo the Late Bloomer, my son didn’t bloom.

We read and read and read and read! I made dozens of early little readers to create easy, familiar reading material for my son. My son still wasn’t blooming.

We learned a core of easy familiar, high frequency words. My son still wasn’t blooming.

We wrote and wrote and wrote. We wrote in journals. We did interactive writing together. We used sound boxes to help us hear our letter sounds. We did cut-apart sentences. My son still didn’t bloom. However, since he has a summer birthday I really wasn’t too concerned with his progress.

During his kindergarten year, my son bloomed into airplane construction. This was cut free hand from an index card and assembled with tape.

Next, my son bloomed into dinosaur construction. He began free hand drawing the different parts of a dinosaur, cutting them out and then assembling them into 3D creations.

Then my son bloomed into producing precise drawings of things like the parts of an insect.

He bloomed into a LOVE for nonfiction books and then creating art based on the knowledge he’d gained. He bloomed into studying, measuring and creating a life sized dinosaur. My son bloomed into an artistic view of the world, seeing an opportunity to create everywhere.

We’ve just finished-up first grade and my son still has not bloomed on the traditional, public school time line. But anyone who spends time with him is amazed at his artistic gift of design and construction. His artistic ideas come from him. I have nothing to do with 99.9% of his projects.

Long before I became a homeschooling Mommy, The Agony and the Ecstasy became one of my favorite books. It is a biographical novel about Michelangelo. When I saw Michelangelo’s David in person, I was mesmerized by the genius mind of this man. Now, I’m not saying my little late bloomer will bloom into Michelangelo, but what if I don’t give him the freedom to develop the artistic seed that God planted inside of him?

So for now we will plunge full speed ahead with our reading, writing and arithmetic. But my son will also be given time each day to explore the world and nurture the special artistic seed that was planted inside of him! If I could recommend one book for every parent and teacher to read it would be Your Child’s Strengths: A Guide for Parents and Teachers by Jenifer Fox, M. Ed. Jenifer Fox challenges us to look at our children’s potential through their unique strengths.

Jeannine Aristeguieta is a homeschooling Mom who is passionate about creating vibrant souls in her children, ages 7 and 3. Her educational philosophy is to keep it simple, keep it uncomplicated and spontaneous, and keep it engaging and hands-on. Jeannine is a former public school teacher, with a specialization in reading, and an educational consultant. She is blessed to live in Texas with her husband, of 22 years, and their two children. Jeannine and her sister Joyce blog at waddleeahchaa.com.

July 22, 2010 By Guest 6 Comments

Here it is again…Back-to-School time! As usual, teachers and students alike begin thinking of the new school year. Parents make trips to the store to purchase the items on school supply lists. Teachers begin thinking about ways to give their classrooms a welcoming appearance. Students begin thinking about things like new clothes, and backpacks, lunch boxes and shoes. And retailers…well, they just want to sell it all to us!

Even though my husband is a public school teacher, we have decided to school our children at home during their formative years. We are a homeschool family, and while we are not obligated to purchase items from a school supply list, we still must make preparations for the school year. What better time to purchase supplies than during the “Back-to-School” discount days when many items are cheaper than at any other time during the year?

Here are a few things to consider when making Back-to-School purchases:

Clean House!

Have your children sort the school materials that they already have. Our children have a big drawer that is home for their school supplies. Over the course of the school year, the drawer becomes a jumbled neverland of crayons, bits of paper, broken pencils, dried out glue sticks, paintbrushes, and mix-matched markers. Have the children make a “Fling Box” and a “Keepsies Box.” Everything that is obviously garbage goes into the throw-away category, and can be tossed into the Fling Box. The Keepsies Box is exactly what it sounds like…a receptacle for things that should be kept for use again. Keeping the choices simple…“keep” or “throw away”…makes it easy for kids and speeds up the initial process of cleaning up. Make a rule of thumb that no new supplies are purchased until there is a clean and organized place for them to live.

Inventory What Is Useable

The next course of action will be to see what exactly can be used again. Not everything in the “Keepsies” box will actually be useable. Take the lids off the markers and test them out. Some of them will be dried out, and some will be getting tired. Glue sticks may be used up or dried hard. Paint bottles may be almost empty, and paintbrushes may have ruined bristles. It may be helpful to make a list of things that are still good enough for use. Reorganize that cluttered mess by putting like items together in containers. Often the old cardboard boxes that these items came in are long gone or they have been tossed during the “Clean House” phase.

Make a List of Needed Items

The next step in the school preparation process is to make a LIST of items that you will need for the new school year. This is an important step! Going shopping without a list is a great way to spend more money that you really intend to spend. It’s easy to fall victim to clever marketing on the part of retailers. Plus, by planning ahead and making your list ahead of time at home, you will be less likely to forget something when you are in the store surrounded by a busy throng of shoppers.

Also, things change from year to year with a family that schools at home. The supplies that worked one year, may not really be suitable for the next grade level.

Look for Great Deals

While you are out shopping, keep your eyes open for discounts that will truly be worth your while to take advantage of. Many times, retail stores offer school supplies at a significant discount during back-to-school sales, and then mark them back up 3 to 4 times during the rest of the year. A box of markers may be $1.00 during back-to-school days, but as much as $3.00 during the winter months. The same goes for many other items.

Last year, I found 70-page spiral bound notebooks for a nickel a piece! At 5 cents, I decided to buy 40, because I knew that I might not run across such a great deal again. And, even buying 40 at one time…I still only spent $2.00! We have used these notebooks for all kinds of things, not just school work. I keep a few extra for the girls to take notes during church services. I put one on a key-ring with a metal snap clip and took it to the ballfield to keep records during T-ball season. I gave one to my middle daughter to draw pictures in. The possibilities are endless, and I still have a bunch on hand.

Also, in our state of Tennessee, we often have a “tax-free” school supply weekend in August. On this weekend, shoppers are not required to pay sales tax on certain items. While shopping may be more crowded during this time, you may be able to save as much as an extra 10%.

Be Aware of Marketing Tactics

Just because some items are bargain priced, doesn’t mean that ALL things are on sale! Be aware of retailers’ tactics to try to get you to spend as much money as they possibly can. Shop with your list, and only take advantage of deals that are really great bargains. Take a calculator with you if necessary to determine whether or not that advertized special is really a great buy. Personally, I try to limit my spending during back-to-school days to actual school supplies. I try to make purchases of clothing, jewelry, shoes, etc. at other times of the year, like during end-of season clearance sales, because I think the deals are better on these items then.

Back-to-School Supply Shopping is a Great Tradition

My daughters love going shopping during back-to-school days. They look forward to being able to pick new colors of scissors, pencil sharpeners, etc. They enjoy purchasing things to make the new school year fun. This ritual builds excitement and anticipation for the new grade level, and provides them with an opportunity to feel like they are not missing out on the things that their peers who are enrolled in public school get to do. And, it instills responsibility in them to know that the supplies they purchase have to last all year!

It’s a great family activity that kids will look forward to, and it will kick off the year with a great start!

Visit Elizabeth Davis at Life Worth the Living, where she is living life and loving it! You can also check out her husband’s Bible website The Bible Lamp Stand.

July 4, 2010 By Guest Leave a Comment

Dare to Compare High School Diploma Programs from Excellent Colleges and Universities Nationwide

Students can broaden their prospects of acceptance into college after graduation from high school through support available from the National College Counseling Center and earn their high school diploma from a regionally accredited college or university, while accelerating their progress to a degree.

Home schooling of children has occurred since this nation first began, yet has become a growing practice over the past few years to levels never before seen in America. Societal acceptance of home schooling has also increased, as it has become more common for people with children in public or private school settings to have friends, co-workers, or others in their congregation in church that home school their children.

There are many reasons why parents choose to home school their children: For some, it is because of their remote location, especially in remote farm areas. Others who live in heavily populated areas realize that their children are not getting the attention that they need in overcrowded classrooms where the student-to-teacher ratios essentially eliminate any possibility of individual support to students. In other cases, it is to provide a safer environment for their children. Regardless of the reasons, students typically do quite well in academic achievement when taught in a home school environment. Most states require that students take standardized academic achievement tests to ensure they are meeting or exceeding the expectations for the grade levels completed.

Research in the past[1] revealed that home school students scored exceptionally high (in the 70^th to 80^th percentile) on standardized academic achievement testing and that 25% of home school students were enrolled in courses one or more grades above their age-associated public and private school peers.

What an excellent testimony to the success of home schooling in this nation. However, some high school graduates who were home schooled face obstacles in entering into the college or university of their choice – barriers that can be easily overcome, as will be described in this article.

Let’s face it … the entire nation is currently facing economically difficult times, which is impacting both large and small businesses, as well as government agencies. Anyone who has watched the news this past year has seen the reverberations of the economic downturn; however, what many do not realize is how this is impacting higher education across this nation. Education and employment are intrinsically related – the more education one has attained, the better the prospects of employment, retention, and promotion in the workplace. Enrollment at degree-granting institutions has actually increased over the past few years, even in these tough times. For example, the State of Tennessee reports that they have experienced a 6 percent increase in enrollments at State Colleges and a 15 percent increase at Community Colleges for Fall Semester of 2009.

Although it may at first seem illogical, when the economy turns downward, enrollment in degree granting institutions turns upward. Similar results to this example evident across the nation. When economic downturns occur, as we have experienced over the past year, many organizations downsize and those employees remaining may need to sharpen their skills academically to carry the additional workload. Many are seeking to earn a degree when they are away from work in case they do later become a casualty of the downsizing and closures that have been all too common in America this past year or more. Take a look at the nationwide results that are reflected on this graph:

Notice the sharp upward red line that presents the unprecedented growth in attendance at degree-granting institutions that has occurred over the past five years. As you can see by the lower green line, when the Department of Education projected growth over a ten-year period from 2002-2012, they expected an additional 900,000 to 1 million students to be attending college at the half-way point. When they received the statistics from the mid-point, the 2007-2008 academic year, they discovered a growth rate 5 times that which they had previously forecast. We now have more than 18.2 million students pursuing degrees in America.

What does this have to do with high school students? It means that the competition is tougher than ever to get into the college or university of their choice, as institutions of higher learning are being stretched to the limits with the new students seeking enrollment.

How can high school students, particularly those that are home schooled, sharpen their competitive edge to help them get into the college or university of their choice after graduation? By not getting a home school high school diploma.

Whoa, now! Don’t stop reading. We’re not saying high school students should stop being home schooled. On the contrary, the superior academic achievement of home schooled students testifies to the effectiveness of the process, as we stated in the beginning of this article. What we are saying is that high school students may be better served when they have their high school diploma conferred from a regionally accredited college or university, rather than through their home school program of study, if they intend to compete for acceptance in top ranked colleges and universities across the nation. Read on to find out how easy this can be.

Although research has shown that home school students typically outperform students at public and private schools across the nation, many colleges and universities are hesitant to accept a home schooled high school graduate into their student body, even though academic achievement tests are required by most states throughout their secondary education. Some institutions of higher learning even require home schooled high school graduates to pass a GED for admission into their college. This can be very discouraging to students and can place students at a competitive disadvantage when seeking admission into a very selective college or university. There are numerous regionally accredited high school programs offered at a distance from higher education institutions across the nation. These include the University of Nebraska, the University of Alabama, Indiana University at Bloomington, the University of Missouri, and many more. Students are typically required to complete just a few courses from the institution online to meet their academic residency requirement. The remaining credit may be completed through the student’s home school program of study, as long as it aligns with the curriculum requirements of their high school diploma program.

The National College Counseling Center has created the most technologically advanced degree exploration program in the nation, Degree Quest, which, in addition to thousands of degrees from hundreds of colleges, also includes the curricula of high school programs of study from regionally accredited institutions of higher learning. They are able to empower students and their parents to compare where the student should stand toward these programs of study and provide them with a detailed plan to take them from where they currently are to the finish line – graduation and conferral of the high school diploma from one of the participating colleges or universities.

Take for example, Anna R. – a high school student in Central Georgia who aspired to attend the university in another state that her father graduated from many years ago: After reviewing several high school plans created in Degree Quest by the National College Counseling Center, Anna selected the University of Oklahoma through which to earn her high school diploma. The university required her to complete five courses through them online, allowing the rest to be completed through the home school program taught by her mother using A Beka courses that aligned with their curriculum requirements. When she graduated from high school, she actually received her high school diploma from the University of Oklahoma, which helped fast-track her into the university she desired to enter to pursue her degree.

Parents of home schooled high school students are encouraged to check into these excellent opportunities for their children to earn a high school diploma from regionally accredited colleges and universities nationwide, especially with the support of the National College Counseling Center serving as advocates for their students. These opportunities also can serve as a means of having experts provide instruction in those subjects in which the parent feels least prepared to teach their high school student, while allowing them the liberty of teaching the other subjects they enjoy sharing with their children as they follow their trek to high school completion. In addition, the National College Counseling Center provides students with access to their student support website, HERC – the Higher Education Resource Connection. On HERC, students will be able to access hundreds and hundreds of resources to help them succeed in their educational endeavors, including more than 320 semester hours of tuition-free college courses that may be used to prepare them for national college examinations. These may not only be used to help students complete requirements for their high school diploma, but can also give them a jump-start on earning a college degree.

The national college examinations mentioned above are also an inexpensive way to help students earn college credit while completing their high school diploma requirements, as the cost of the exams is typically a fraction of the cost of a college course in the same subject.

The tuition-free college courses that are linked to the student support site of the National College Counseling Center address multiple methods of instructional delivery. Many of the courses are online classes in which the students may download the syllabus, professor’s lectures, and student discussions on the subjects. Others are virtual classroom session, in which cameras are positioned in the back of classes conducted at many of the nation’s best universities. Others are Hollywood-style video courses which are as entertaining as they are educational. In fact, more than $2 billion has been spent by PBS over recent years to create these incredible video courses, many of which have won national and international acclaim, including the Emmy. What better way for a student who is a visual learner to acquire the knowledge they need in the subject to do well on a national college exam than to capture their interest in an awesome video series on the subject.

Not only do high school home school students do well with these courses, but many of their relatives often use these resources to help them earn a college degree. It only makes sense for high school home schooled students to take advantage of these opportunities, especially with the support of the experts at the National College Counseling Center (NC3) guiding them — not only in the completion of their high school diploma but from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. When the student completes the requirements for high school diploma conferral, the NC3 counseling staff can then take them to the next level and show them how the college credit earned by challenging national college examinations can be applied to degrees at hundreds of colleges across the nation. In fact, there are thousands of degrees available that can be completed at home, from Associate’s to Ph.D. from accredited colleges and universities nationwide.

Many home school graduates desire to transition to a campus to pursue a college degree. The upward trend in college enrollments is not expected to subside, so the time to sharpen the competitive edge of your high school student is now. As we pointed out above, the surge in attendance that occurred between 2002 and 2008 is continuing, as evidenced in the 6 to 15 percent increase in enrollments that occurred in this 2009-2010 academic year. The National College Counseling Center can provide assistance to home schooled high school students across the nation and offers a significant discount on their one-time administrative fee to home school families. (Visit www.NC3degrees.info or call 850-819-3891 or 850-478-3662/3663.)

[1] Educational Policy Analysis Archives, ISSN 1068-2341, Volume 7, No. 8

Tim N. Scoggins is a retired Lieutenant Commander and former head of the US Coast Guard Voluntary Education Programs from 1994 to 1998, and the founder and CEO of the National College Counseling Center.

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July 1, 2010 By Guest 1 Comment

The first and most obvious advantage is the time and opportunities available in which you can demonstrate and attempt to pass on your spiritual heritage, your morals, and your work ethic. Much has been written about these already. I’m going to write about other advantages, as well as provide practical suggestions to make homeschooling your teen easier.

Students who home school through the teenage years tend to be more focused on what they want to accomplish with their lives. Those with artistic natures find they have ample time to immerse themselves more fully in their respective talents: writing, art, music, etc. Those who have an academic passion will find they have more time to read, work on the computer, study foreign languages, chart the stars, and follow their interests at a deeper level. Students who are planning a vocational or technical career can begin an apprenticeship or a work-study in their chosen field. Unlike public schools, there is no waiting on the rest of the class, unnecessary seat-work, study halls, disruptive behavior, or threats to their personal safety to take students’ minds off what they really want to learn and accomplish.

With the proper guidance from their parents, these young people will enter adulthood poised, confident, and with a solid academic and work ethic background. These responsible and independent problem-solvers will be gladly welcomed into colleges and the work place!

Choose Great Goals

World Knowledge – history and geography are cornerstones to understanding current events, political and socio-economic information.

Ability to Communicate Effectively – write, write, and write some more. A person who writes and communicates well is a valuable asset to any college or employer. (Being well read is part of the package. Develop and use a good book list.) Computer communication is becoming an absolute necessity.

Problem Solving – raise independent learners who are able to organize, research, and solve problems.

Time Management and Self-Discipline - these skills are invaluable for every adult.

Self-Sufficiency – train your young adults in Biblical stewardship and other practical skills such as auto and household maintenance.

Integrity - don’t leave home without it!

Help! Can I Really Do This!?

There are many “ideals” in planning for high school, just as there are for most facets of our lives. With high school, as with the rest of your homeschooling, do your very best and don’t get caught up in feelings of inadequacy just because Mrs. B is teaching her three teens Latin, Physics, and Trig! Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. If one year is less than banner, strive to do better the next.

The Key

Love your teens and give them as many opportunities to learn as you can. Help them to learn study skills, life skills, and give them the chance to stretch and grow, and even sometimes fail. Spend time in the Word and help them to see the practical applications of your faith so that they will want to emulate you. At no other age is the “Do as I say, not as I do” adage less likely to work. Remember, whether or not your student has a chemistry lab or AP level courses is not nearly as important as having their faith and beliefs firmly in place!

Now, having said all that, here are some of the “ideals” in preparing for high school and college.

How Do I Know Which Classes My Student Needs?

First, begin with your state requirements. Some states may have specific course work that is required of everyone, including homeschoolers. Other states allow flexibility and leave the final decision with the principal (or parent). Your homeschool organization may have its own set of requirements. Ask. Typically, graduation requirements range from 19 to 22 credits. Below is a list of generally required courses. Second, take your student’s interest into account. A student with strong aptitude and interest in one area should be encouraged to pursue that area of interest.

If a student is probably college bound, it is wise to structure their course work accordingly. Check with your state university’s requirements for entrance. This will give you a good idea of subjects your child should be taking. If you’re not sure about college, it’s better to prepare them should they decide to go, rather than have them attempt to go unprepared.

What Exactly is a High School Credit?

It’s useful to understand what a “credit” actually is. A credit is technically a “Carnegie Unit.” According to the Carnegie Foundation this unit was developed as a measure of the number of hours a student has studied discrete (separate/distinct) subjects. For example, a total of 120 hours in one subject earns the student one “unit” of high school credit.

A great guide to appropriate homeschool high school credits is the one below from www.pahomeschoolers.com. According to it, homeschoolers in Pennsylvania may receive credit if they do any ONE of the following, per course:

Complete two-thirds of a textbook
Have 120 daily logged entries
Have 120 hours of logged study
Complete a 10 page research paper
Complete a college course
Pass an AP exam

I would add to their list these possibilities:

Documented Work Study
Documented Apprenticeship
Community Service/Volunteer Work
Long-term participation on a sports team
Long-term participation in community arts programs
Other creative ways in which you can demonstrate that a reasonable amount of learning has taken place.

Strategy

Using your state’s guidelines, college admissions, and any other resources, make a list of the minimum required courses your student should complete. Then, with your student, discuss options for electives. Keep their interests and abilities in mind as you plan. Electives don’t have to be planned out all at once. Be flexible and allow room for your student to grow and mature.

Now make a plan of attack: which courses will be completed which year? Is your student capable of or interested in early graduation? Check to see if it’s legal and acceptable in your situation to accelerate and do high school in three years. For many homeschool students, this allows them to spend what would be their senior year pursuing community college courses and/or work options.

What Are Some Options for Teaching High School Courses?

This is a great time to be homeschooling! The options are many and diverse. Besides the traditional student book/teacher book method here are other ideas. (Of course, good record keeping is a must no matter which option(s) you pursue.)

Barter - you teach my student spanish and I’ll teach yours algebra.

Be a Student - learning right alongside your child can be a fantastic experience. Whether you sign up together for a local Spanish course or just dig into the books together, show your kids that learning is a lifelong process!

Community Colleges – many homeschoolers take college level courses during high school. This serves two purposes: first, it is a practical way to take a class the parent prefers not to teach or for which the equipment may not be readily available, like Chemistry. Secondly, a job well done offers “proof” of the student’s ability.

Computer Courses – there are many programs available now. Ask friends for recommendations.

Co-ops and hybrid co-ops - We were involved in a wonderful co-op we started with two other families to teach our kids once a week in a classroom-like setting. For example, one year in high school we offered: Literature, AP U.S. History, Biology, and Spanish II. Each year we decided which classes we want based on our families’ needs. We opened this up to other students on a paying basis. Each teacher was paid, along with the co-op administrator. The kids loved it and so did the parents!

Correspondence Courses – there are a number of different correspondence schools. Choose one course or take the whole program. Depending on the school, it may offer support, record keeping, testing, transcripts, report cards, and accountability. Many are accredited. There are both secular and Christian schools. This might be good for a course you don’t prefer to teach.

Hire a Tutor – if you can afford it and your local homeschooling laws permit, this is a great way to cover that one class you’d just as soon not teach. We do it for piano lessons, why not Latin?

Internet Classes – we’ve participated in Escondido Tutorial Services. Fritz Hinrichs (and others) teach a number of classical courses through live, interactive weekly meetings. We were very pleased with this service. There are other many others now doing similar things. The site we used is www.gbt.org.

Video Courses – lacking in interactivity but excelling in material covered. Some of the courses we’ve used have been very well done.

Stay the Course!

As you can see, there are a plethora of possibilities available to you, including articles from homeschool magazines and many, many great homeschooling sites online. Be of good cheer! These are your teens and with the help of our Lord, Jesus Christ, you can do this!

Maggie Hogan is an author, publisher and nationally–recognized speaker who is easily distracted by all things geography, history and science–related. She lives in Dover, DE with her husband, Bob and two spoiled cats. Maggie is the co-author of The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide, Gifted Children at Home, Young Scholar’s Guide to Classical Composers and other resource books. She has transformed the barn on her property into an office which houses Bright Ideas Press, publishers of the all new Illuminations curriculum as well as award winning: The Mystery of History series, Christian Kids Explore series and All American History series. When not reading, writing, or playing with her grandbaby, you can find her drooling over travel magazines. You can find her at www.BrightIdeasPress.com, or on Facebook.

May 31, 2010 By Guest 1 Comment

I don’t think I have met a homeschool family who takes the education of their children lightly. I was no different. As a new homeschool parent I read countless books on homeschooling. I sought advice from other homeschooling parents, joined support groups, and scanned the Internet for information. I researched curriculum, found activities, and filled my home with an abundance of educational books and games. When my kids transitioned to their middle school years, my husband and I started looking into the college admission process. I spent sleepless nights wondering how to keep the best records so our kids would have the best chance of success in life.

I can’t imagine I’m the only sleepless, information-seeking homeschool mom. Why? Because I know as parents we want to raise our children to become happy and successful adults. The problem we sometimes struggle against is the idea that happy and successful doesn’t always mean academic, straight A’s, Harvard-bound. Don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that goal. What is wrong is when our plans and goals for our kids become the only way.

Homeschooling is all about tailoring education to fit YOUR child and YOUR life, not squeezing your child into someone else’s mold of happy and successful.

So what do you do when you have a teen who has felt the Lord leading them in a specific direction and who feels compelled to train for their career while in high school? Do we simply fill their days with school work and tell them they must wait until they are 18 years old to begin that journey, or do we take advantage of the unique opportunity homeschooling brings and allow them to train now? What reasons should we look for when deciding to allow our teens to begin their training in high school? How do we even begin to format that training alongside a typical high school course of study? Further, what are the disadvantages?

Reasons for allowing your teenager to train for their career now?

Your child has been passionate about an area and has been working/training for a period of time long enough to show you that they truly are serious about their desire.
Their area of interest has a need for intense training at a younger age.
There are compelling reasons for letting them explore their interest while still at home and under your shelter. Sometimes this is because the industry they are entering will be harsh and it is better to enter younger with guidance than young with no guidance.

Disadvantages of allowing your teenager to begin training for their career now?

The dreaded “S” word: socialization. Typically this type of training combined with a normal high school course of study is a heavy load. This means your student has a full schedule and less time for co-ops and outings with friends.
Their schedule won’t look like other kids’ their age. Friends will notice. We had well-meaning friends question us about our daughter’s schedule. Be gracious in your response, but don’t apologize for the path God has for your child.
Slowly transitioning control over to your teenager can be hard. Natural consequences are some of life’s biggest lessons, yet as a parent it is so hard to stand back and allow those to happen. Let them! Then, learn to step in and show your teen how to get back on track. We all make mistakes. Your teenager will too. Let them know when they make a mistake that you are still their biggest fan!

What does this look like at a practical level?

The beauty of homeschooling is flexibility. However, high school graduation comes with some requirements. I began my daughter’s high school plan by listing out the basic graduation requirements for our state. Because we also wanted to keep the possibility of college open, I looked at the college admission requirements for the colleges she had expressed an interest in attending. Next, I reviewed a typical course study for some Performing Arts High Schools since that is her area of interest. My goal was to get an idea of the number of training and performance hours she would have received if she had attended. I used this information as the building blocks for her high school course of study.

This information gives me a solid framework. It also alleviates any guilt I feel when a well-meaning friend mentions the hours a week my daughter spends at dance, vocal, and acting classes. I simply say that these are the hours my daughter would be spending if she were attending a Performing Arts High School. The same idea would hold true if you used this formula for a teen who is training privately in a sport or in a specific area of music. Be sure to keep track of the hours spent and keep a record of the training received. Now that our framework is in place, how does our weekly schedule work?

We work my daughter’s high school coursework around her training schedule with the understanding that she needs to be from point A to point B in her coursework by a certain time period. I allow her to make decisions regarding when she gets her schoolwork done. We have a system where she is accountable to me in the same way an employee would be accountable to their boss for a job. We meet on Monday mornings to assign schoolwork for the week. She lets me know how last week went and we go over any assignments if needed and she turns in any assignments that were due. If assignments are not completed, we discuss why. We try to look for things we can adjust in her schedule and go on from there. The most important thing is that you go with the needs of your teenager. My daughter needs creative freedom and tends to work better with a flexible schedule. I have another teen who is quite the opposite so I can say with confidence this schedule would be adapted for him.

The end goal is that your teenager (and mine) graduates ready to move forward into the world knowing the ins and outs of the career they wish to follow. Hopefully they have made progress because of the skills they were able to develop during their high school years. Wherever the road leads, they will have skills that will help them through their adult life.

Leah Nieman is traveling the wild and wacky journey of parenting with her best friend and husband, Joel. They have 2 great teenagers who teach them daily that children truly are a blessing. On top of homeschooling, Leah is grateful to work with her friend Staley at CurrClick.com. CurrClick has been a tremendously rewarding endeavor for both Moms. It is especially rewarding to know that CurrClick has made homeschooling easier and more affordable for tens of thousands of parents all around the world.

May 31, 2010 By Guest 1 Comment

When I was in grade school, homeschooling seemed “normal” enough. Sure I didn’t go to school, but all my peers thought it was cool. They loved the idea of homeschooling and a lot of my friends who went to school actually would ask their parents to homeschool them as well. Then along came the high school years. Many of my friends suddenly thought homeschooling wasn’t “cool.” To make matters worse, I began getting questions from adults about homeschooling through high school. Why would anyone homeschool through high school? What about Prom, homecoming, and football games? How can a homeschooled high school student have a social life? These are just a few of the questions I get. Surprisingly, I have found that the answers give me “normal” experiences while allowing me to experience all the advantages homeschooling offers.

If you know what you want to do after graduation, homeschooling can be the best option. Many careers require some early training. In these cases, homeschooling allows flexibility and time for that training. For example, I decided early on that I wanted to go into the arts, mainly theater. Homeschooling allows time for me to train more than the average teen in school would have. I am able to adjust my school schedule so I have time to take dance classes in the morning, have voice lessons, choreograph shows, and prepare for auditions. I am also able to integrate my school and my training. For example, if I have to write a report for English, I will often pick a topic related to the performing arts. I also am able to adjust my school schedule to work with my training. In school, for me there is a point A and a point B. The goal is to get to point B in a timely manner and to do well.

When you make the decision to homeschool in high school, it’s natural to wonder about stuff like Prom, Homecoming and football games. I have found I have still been able to do all these things. I went to a high school homecoming my freshman year with some friends who attend a local high school. I go to football games with friends. Our local homeschool group hosts a Prom each spring. So be at ease, future homeschooled high school student. Opportunities to share in these high school activities do exist!

What about friends and socializing? It turns out that all is not lost at all. If you are part of a homeschool co-op or group you will probably have lots of opportunities. If not, you can still have plenty of opportunities. You might just need to put in some extra effort to make new friends. If you are involved a church youth group or any kind of class, you will have tons of socialization time. This is not to say that you won’t struggle at all. All high school students struggle with friends from time to time. The important thing is to make sure you make time for friends. Try to do something with at least one friend every weekend. Meet at Starbucks for coffee, go to see a movie, or maybe even go out to eat with a group. Don’t forget to connect with the people you are around all week. For instance, I have dance classes which keep me busy as well as musicals in my community. I am also currently choreographing a show for a local high school. It’s true; some of us aren’t surrounded by teens all the time like students who attend a formal high school.

However, if you think about it, not everyone who attends high school has friends. Some teenagers suffer with loneliness even though they are surrounded by people eight hours a day, five days a week! You can be surrounded by people and not be connected to anyone. You have to be willing to put time and effort into a friendship. I promise if you try, you will find friends.

Homeschooling through high school is a big decision for anyone to make. Don’t let questions from others influence your decision. They can be annoying and even hurtful at times, but can also help confirm to you that homeschooling is the right choice. The important thing to remember is that you are doing what is best for YOU. There will be ups and downs along the way, but you can be sure that if you choose to homeschool though high school, you won’t have to miss out on a thing.

Taylor Nieman is a 16 year old, homeschooled High School Sophomore. She is heavily involved in the arts, specifically in dance, music, and theater, and is training with the hopes this will open the door for future career opportunities. Between balancing school, lessons, and rehearsals, Taylor loves working with underprivileged children and hopes to further continue that specific area of ministry.

May 31, 2010 By Guest Leave a Comment

Sonlight didn’t offer high school programs at the time I raised my four children. My goal at the time was to homeschool through junior high. After seeing the success of homeschooled high schoolers like the Sonlight scholarship winners, I heartily and confidently support homeschooling through the teen years.

Teenagers often earn a bad rap. If you picture all teens as flirting, gossiping, self-centered bundles of raging hormones, it’s no wonder homeschooling high school can be intimidating! I’d like to argue against that false generalization and suggest that homeschooling your high schoolers might be the best thing you could do for their teen years.

These last four years at home can be an unparalleled opportunity to reap the academic, spiritual, and relational rewards you’ve been praying for since your children were born. Yes, teenagers can be challenging, but I’d like you to think of “challenging teenagers” as something you do, not something they are. Set the bar high and enjoy the chance to challenge your teenagers.

That’s one of the best reasons to homeschool them, actually. You can help them rise above society’s expectations as they mature in godliness, serve others, refine critical thinking skills, and hone unique gifts and talents at new levels.

What else might motivate you to homeschool during these years?

High school could be your last opportunity to spend significant time with your children. Once children go off to college or career, you have less time to interact with them. As young adults they’ll become more and more independent. Enjoy them while you can! Though you should still “be the parent,” who says you can’t laugh or cry with your teenager and actually develop a friendship? Authentic intimacy (instead of distant authority) can go a long way toward a strong lifelong relationship.

I kept waiting for the “terrible teens” with my own children, and that time never came. (Of course, every child is different—and just because a child does rebel doesn’t necessarily mean the parents are to blame.) When you homeschool your high schoolers, they’ll be able to engage in deeper conversation than ever before. Chances are, they’ll stimulate you to learn and grow. This can be such a fruitful season to see God work out His plans in your children’s lives as they gain independence and grow their abilities.

You serve as the primary role model for your teens. As you spend more time together, you are constantly reinforcing positive lessons. You also spend less time deprogramming your students from values and attitudes that don’t match your own. If your students spend eight hours a day in a typical classroom—even a good classroom environment—you’ll surely have to process unhelpful messages and ideas with them. But with the typical high schooler’s packed schedule, you’ll have far less time to talk through these harmful messages.

Homeschooling enables you to squeeze the best out of life together, and leaves you more time to be a spiritual and moral influence on your students.

You can provide your children a higher quality program that matches their interests and strengths. You know your children best. If you see your daughter blossom as a writer, you’ll surely work harder than any teacher could to offer resources and help her improve. If your son isn’t a strong reader but demonstrates amazing technical abilities and a scientific mind, you can highlight his strengths with opportunities that allow him to shine. You can also tailor his education to help him improve his weaker areas without negative labels (like “remedial”) that could last a lifetime.

As a homeschooling parent, you can set the bar higher. As schools wrestle with tighter budgets, AP courses and higher-level programs may become less available. We can expect our children to do more— read more, take higher-level classes, achieve. You don’t have to “teach to the middle” or spend the majority of your day dealing with discipline problems. Talented students can push forward out of their comfort zones and focus on all that’s still out there to learn. Students who struggle academically often amaze their parents by what they can achieve when given a few good resources to help them learn. You and your students set the expectations. At home, you’ll find no boundaries to what your children can study and learn.

You can spark a natural motivation to learn. Your children will gain the valuable skill of independent study and an affinity for great books. During the high school years, when my children’s friends would come over, I’d ask them what books they were reading. They would scrunch up their faces in concentration and list one or two titles that they were (obviously) reading for school. When pressed, they would list the few books required of them. How I love the contrast of students who can’t get enough good books and who relish the opportunity to discuss them.

As your students read, you encourage a love of learning that will last their whole lives—something infinitely more valuable than high school credits.

The local high school is a somewhat artificial world. In many ways, a homeschooler has more opportunities to experience “real life” than classroom peers. Homeschoolers have the opportunity to interact with people of different age levels, not just those within a year of their own birthdays. With a flexible schedule and the inspiration to think outside the box, homeschoolers can take advantage of a realm of learning opportunities outside the classroom.

Imagine the chance to job shadow a successful graphic designer in the middle of the day, take that part-time job in a photography studio, volunteer on a traveling political campaign, or spend time recording stories about World War II as told from a veteran. These are opportunities the homeschooled student doesn’t have to pass up. The flexibility of homeschooling allows teenagers the chance to be at the right place at the right time to get invaluable experience and relationships.

Homeschooling encourages a strategic focus, even in extracurricular activities. Pep rallies, prom, and powder puff football may be fun, but are they strategic in preparing your teenager for life after school? Think how the world has changed in 60 years. Should our educational system remain locked in old patterns? Encourage your teenagers to join a debate club, take a missions trip, join a worship team, or excel on a club sports team.

The key is to engage in activities that are relevant to develop vital skills and deep relationships, rather than just a standard list of forgettable activities. Employers and universities often look at students’ extracurricular activities and life experiences just as much as their grades. Wow those future gatekeepers by taking advantage of the world within your reach. Encourage your high schoolers to think big!

At home, we have a chance to train up leaders, not followers. In 1810, four students of Williams College in Massachusetts decided to meet in a field to pray for missions around the world. In 1810, much of America hadn’t been explored by Europeans, yet alone settled (remember: Lewis and Clark set out from 1804-1806). Since Americans had not yet sent out a single foreign missionary, these students prayed for missionaries from other parts of the world—like William Carey of England, a pioneer missionary to India.

These four students claimed the following lofty goal: “The evangelism of the world in this generation.” They agreed to write letters of encouragement to missionaries, give funds to missions, pray for missions, prepare for going overseas, and to go overseas as missionaries themselves.

Due in part to these four students’ determination, the United States became a missionary-sending nation. By 1948, the nation had sent over 20,500 missionaries overseas. What a legacy!

May we raise up young people who don’t just try to “get through” this stage of life. May we help them make the most of high school as a preparation for the future and a chance to impact the world even now. Blessings to your family as you challenge your high schoolers to invest their youth wisely.

Keep it up—you just might have every reason in the world to homeschool your high schoolers.

Sarita Holzmann is the co-founder and president of Sonlight Curriculum. She is a speaker, writer, curriculum developer, missions advocate, beloved wife, former homeschool mom, and grandmother five times over.

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May 31, 2010 By Guest 1 Comment

“Hurry up, amigo! Run for your life! The patrol is coming, and we must make it over the border before they catch us.” Meredith and I sat engrossed as young Alejandro, animated and agitated, recounted the terrifying night that his family crossed the Mexican border into Texas. Fascinated yet grieved, I could hardly imagine the life that this little boy and his family lived. A constant search for food, shelter, and employment are daily details of Alejandro’s life that are so foreign to the life of comfort and security that my family takes for granted. And yet, we both breathe the same Indianapolis air and have the same need for relationship with the Living God and with others. How had I crossed this bridge into Alejandro’s world?

A few years ago, I heard about an exciting opportunity for the high school transcript called the Congressional Award. Little did I know how the pursuit of this monumental goal would change my heart toward illegal immigrants. If you are like me, you usually begin a ministry thinking that you will help the people that you are ministering to, right? In this case, nine little boys who emigrated from Mexico used their stories of bravery when crossing the Texas border to put a human face on the U. S. Federal policy on immigration, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to serve these 9-11 year old boys and their families. But how did my desire for an impressive homeschool transcript translate into a life-changing encounter with suffering and courage as manifested in nine little Hispanic boys?

Initiative, Achievement, and Service

Established by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, the Congressional Award recognizes initiative, achievement, and service in American youth ages 14 to 23 years. The award is non-competitive; however, don’t let that phrase lull you into thinking that this is an easy award to achieve! Depending on how far your teen wants to go, this award can be extremely difficult to win, especially in the area of voluntary community service. There is no requirement for a minimum grade point average, and the terms of the award accommodate youth with special needs or disabilities.

There are six levels of achievement: three certificates and three medals (bronze, silver, and gold). Each level has a minimum hour requirement that must be met before you can submit your documentation for approval. The hour requirement ranges from 60 minimum hours and one day trip for the bronze certificate to 800 hours and a four consecutive day trip for the gold medal. If you are going for the gold, it is best to start early because it takes a significant amount of time to accumulate that many purposeful hours! The hours are cumulative, so approved hours at easier levels count toward the harder levels of achievement.

Each teen who participates will need to find an adult to serve as the advisor for the award, and this advisor cannot be the parent. The advisor should be a visionary who can look at the teen’s proposal with a long view of how the objectives meet the criteria of Congress as well as how the objectives meet the needs of the student. Additionally, each particular achievement requires another adult to validate the activity. For example, your teen might ask his pastor to be his advisor who will sign off on the entire submission for the gold medal, but within the submission, your teen will have multiple validators who sign off on the unique projects that went into the comprehensive effort.

A member of Congress personally presents the medals in a public ceremony that is attended by the press. At the bronze level, your U. S. Representative from the House might present your medal in your home town, while your U. S. Senator might present the gold medal on Capitol Hill during the week-long program for gold medal winners in Washington, D. C. which is held each June. A full week of organized activities, including meetings with influential national leaders and tours of national landmarks, caps off a fulfilling journey of achievement, initiative, and community service.

The Congressional Award challenges young Americans to stretch themselves in four areas: (1) volunteer public service, (2) personal development, (3) physical fitness, and (4) an exploration or expedition.

Volunteer Public Service

Community service is probably something that your family is already doing; however, I would encourage you to take a look at your teen’s unique interests and abilities and find something meaningful that she can directly contribute to the community. Four hundred hours are required at the gold medal level. I once heard someone say that the best place to serve is at the “intersection of your greatest passion and the world’s greatest need.” In Meredith’s case, proficiency at public speaking is a strength that she has developed through competitive speech and debate. She also adores children, so we began searching for a need in the community where she could use her public speaking skills to help others.

Initially, we created an after-school program for underprivileged, inner-city African American kids involving messy, gooey, hands-on science labs. We teamed up with another young man in the home schooling community who was also working on the Congressional Award, and he and Meredith alternated teaching the labs. But, science is not Meredith’s passion, so we then discovered another inner city opportunity which involved the Hispanic kids, and it was there that we heard Alejandro’s thrilling story. Meredith teaches a beginning public speaking class to these little guys, and she is demonstrating simple skills like how to make meaningful eye contact when giving a speech and how to introduce yourself when shaking hands. She has taught them how to give an impromptu speech as well as how to organize their thoughts with a clear intro, body, and conclusion. Their favorite time with Meredith, though, is when she lets them pretend to be a poor audience, and they giggle uncontrollably whenever she lets them break the rules of proper speaking. Standing up there in front of their snickering, wiggly peers has taught them how not to act!

Over time, though, her initial goal of achieving the Congressional Award began to fade as she began to love Alejandro, Cristobel, and Brian more fully. In addition to her regular speech class, she collected Christmas gifts and funds for food baskets over the holiday. She might serve there as a camp counselor this summer, too. One caveat – even though you consider your public service ministry, you cannot classify it as religious. Meredith had one project bumped back from the Congressional office for “proselytizing” since she mentioned the name of Jesus in her Record Book!

Personal Development

This category is by far the easiest goal to reach since most of us have lots of interest in improving ourselves! In Meredith’s case, she learned basic sewing skills so that she is now able to create more complex period costumes like her Pride and Prejudice gowns. I know of others who have learned the art of photography, movie production, blacksmithing, a foreign language, and scrapbooking. Each goal should be concrete with specific measurable milestones. To receive the Congressional Gold Award, 200 hours of personal development are required.

Physical Fitness

Again, 200 hours of physical activity are required at the gold medal level, and the goals must be measurable and not easily attained. Whether your teen decides he wants to earn his martial arts black belt or compete in the Junior Olympics in archery, there are tons of opportunities for improving physical fitness. Meredith joined a local fitness club and took a strength-training class to reach her bronze medal goal, and now she is training for the “Muddy Buddy” which is a regional bike competition where teams of two traverse a 7 mile off-road course and 5 obstacles.

Exploration or Expedition

For the gold medal, four consecutive days of cross-cultural exploration or an outdoor expedition are required. Expeditions are typically outdoor excursions like camping, hiking, and other wilderness activities which force the teen to live without the comforts of home. The teen on an expedition learns how to survive with a campfire and basic backpacking items. Ideas include white-water rafting, hiking the Appalachian Trail, or backpacking in the Grand Canyon. Explorations introduce the teen to a new cultural experience like a city kid living on a working farm in the country for a week or living with an Hispanic family in your city or even in a foreign country. Both exploration and expedition involve extensive planning and preparation on the part of the teen; preplanned trips like sports camps or competitions are not allowed. Congressional staff looks for evidence of self-reliance as well as ways that you took initiative when approving your project.

Easy Application

So what started out for our family as a quality addition to the transcript morphed into a valuable, cross-cultural learning experience as well as an appreciation for other people and the enormous amount of hours it requires to be a servant leader. I highly recommend the process even if you never achieve the gold medal. All you have to do is send your $10 application fee to:

The Congressional Award
PO Box 77440
Washington, D. C. 20013

In a few weeks, you’ll receive your Record Book, and you can begin the process of setting goals. You can read more about the Congressional Award at http://www.congressionalaward.org. Who knows? You may think you are starting this process for the high school transcript, but you may find out later on down the road that you have been transformed by a little kid like Alejandro as you cross into his world. Best wishes, amigo!

Diane Lockman is a CPA turned classical Christian educating mom to her two teenage children. In her compelling new book, Trivium Mastery: The Intersection of Three Roads, Diane redefines classical home schooling. Additionally, her website, The Classical Scholar, provides a wealth of ideas for transitioning to an authentic classical education from birth to high school. When she’s not writing, managing the kids’ education, or teaching live classes, Diane enjoys sewing period costumes like her recent My Fair Lady and Lord of the Rings designs.

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