Homeschool Methods: Traditional Homeschooling

If you are new to homeschooling, some the terms other homeschoolers use and the different homeschool methods they refer to may leave you with even more questions; but no worries. I will help you navigate through the different methods of homeschooling so you can choose the method best for your family.

Traditional Homeschooling is the method most often portrayed in the media and the default homeschooling method for many new homeschoolers to align their approach with that of the traditional classroom. The traditional homeschooling method uses grade-level curriculum which can range from textbook kits to online options offering a detailed scope and sequence for parents to follow.

Here are some curriculum considerations for traditional homeschooling:

Abeka https://www.abeka.com/homeschool/

Alpha Omega Publications https://www.aop.com/

BJU Press https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/content/home

Christian Liberty Press https://www.shopchristianliberty.com/

Today’s focus is on Traditional Homeschooling; but be sure to follow my blog by email for more posts on the different methods of homeschooling.

Happy Homeschooling!

Our 50 States

 

Our 50 States takes elementary students on a journey across our country, introducing them to the natural wonders, the fascinating places, the factories, the farms, and the people that make America. Students learn poems and songs that reflect the history and culture of each state. They learn the stories of real, everyday Americans – from historic figures to modern-day farmers. Our 50 States offers ideas for simple recipes, crafts, and activities your family will love.

The Curriculum Package includes Our 50 States, one Atlas Workbook, one Lesson Review, and the Answer Key and Literature Guide. You also get access to stream or download the songs. This package gives you all of the lessons and assignments you need to complete the course.

Illustrated with stunning photographs, Our 50 States helps your family appreciate the geographic and cultural variety within our country.

Using Literature to Teach About World War One in Middle School

 

Many of us use a curriculum to teach history; but using literature to teach history can be a great teaching tool. I am continuing this history literature series with some of the best books to teach about World War One. Using literature to teach history illuminates the time period, helps integrate the history curriculum, and enriches social studies. With my love for literature and history, it only makes sense to combine the two, so I have gathered some of my favorite books that teach about World War One in middle school.

Great Battles for Boys: World War I by Joe Giorello is written for boys but girls can learn just as much as young readers experience an unforgettable journey into World War I. They learn about the major battles, leaders, tactics, and strategies that helped the Allies topple the Axis powers. They’ll also learn about new inventions, such as airplanes and tanks, which proved to be crucial to World War I.

World War I for Kids: A History with 21 Activities by R. Kent Rasmussen provides an intriguing and comprehensive look at this defining conflict that involved all of the world’s superpowers. Why and how did the war come about? What was life like for soldiers in the trenches? What roles did zeppelins, barbed war, and the passenger ship Lusitania play in the war? Young history buffs will learn the answer to these questions and many others. This book goes in depth into the war with hands-on activities for kids to make a periscope, make a parachute, cook Maconochie stew, and much more.

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo is a family favorite. In 1914, Joey, a farm horse, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of World War I on the Western Front. When Joey is dragged away, his heart aches for Albert, the farmer’s son he is forced to leave behind. In the army the beautiful red-bay horse is trained to charge the enemy, drag heavy artillery, and carry wounded soldiers not much older than Albert off the battlefields. Amongst the clamoring of guns, and while plodding through the cold mud, Joey wonders if the war will ever end. Be sure to read the book (before watching the movie) to see if he ever finds Albert again.

Soldier Dog by Sam Angus is about a 14-year-old boy named Stanley who takes care of the family’s greyhound and puppies after his brother has gone to fight in the way. Until the morning Stanley wakes to find the puppies gone. Determined to find his brother, he runs away to join an increasingly desperate army. Assigned to the experimental War Dog School, Stanley is given a problematic Great Dane named Bones to train. Against all odds, the pair excels, and Stanley is sent to France. But the war in France is larger and more brutal than Stanley ever imagined. Readers will see how one young boy can survive war and find his brother with only a dog to help.

These are only a few of my favorite books that teach about World War One, there are so many more out there! Feel free to share in the comments what you consider the best book to teach about World War One in middle school.

Happy Homeschooling!

Preparing for College Applications

 

Gone are the days of questioning whether or not homeschool students can make it into college. Today homeschool students are not only getting into colleges but also being actively recruited by many schools. However, the college bound student must have an academic plan which is recorded on their high school transcript and they must complete the required testing before they can submit college applications.

Academics

The college bound student should have a specific list of academic goals. The place to begin making this list is the admissions office of the college in which the student is interested. Make an appointment to visit with an academic counselor or check the college admissions website to see what the admission requirements are for high school academics. Based upon this information, work with your student to create a plan that will enable him to meet the school’s requirements.

Typically, most college admissions require: 4 years of English, 3 years of Mathematics, 3 years of History, ½ year of Government, ½ year of Economics, 3 years of Science, 2 years of Foreign Language, and 3-4 years of Electives. I currently have two students in college and their academic goals exceeded this list. Both graduated with 4 years of English, 4 years of Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Consumer Math), 3 years of History (Cultural Geography, World History, and US History), ½ year of Government, ½ year of Economics, 4 years of Science (Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Advanced Biology), 2 years of Spanish, 2 years of French, ½ year of Driver’s Education, 4 years of Physical Education, 4 years of Piano, ½ year of Speech, ½ year of Test Prep, and ½ year of Computer Science. These planned high school courses prepared them for college courses.

Testing

Colleges rely more on test scores than the transcript for homeschool students. When you check the college admissions website for admission requirements, be sure to find out which test(s) and what scores are required for admission to the college. Both, the ACT and SAT, tests are multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper tests used by most colleges to make admission decisions. The purpose of the ACT and SAT test is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admission officers will review test scores along with student’s GPA, courses taken in high school, letters of recommendation, extra-curricular activities, admission interviews, and personal essays.

The ACT is 2 hours, 55 minutes in length. There are four ACT sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science. The ACT also includes an optional 40-minute Writing test. The max score is 36 and the average score is 21. The ACT is offered nationally every year in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. Visit www.act.org for test dates, test locations, and to register for the ACT.

The SAT is 3 hours in length. There are two SAT sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. The SAT also includes an optional 50-minute Essay section. Some colleges require the SAT Essay, simply check the college admissions website to see if it is required. The highest SAT score is 1600 and the average SAT score is 1060. The SAT is offered nationally every year in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. Visit www.sat.collegeboard.org for test dates, test locations, and to register for the SAT.

Most high school students take the ACT or SAT during the spring of their Junior year or during the fall of their Senior year. It is important to leave time to re-take the test if you need to raise your score before you apply to college.

While the ACT and SAT are very different tests, they fulfill the same role in the admission process. The ACT and SAT tests are designed to provide college admissions officers with two things: a predictor of the first-year academic achievement in college, and a common yardstick to use in comparing students from a wide range of educational backgrounds.

Do you have a student preparing for college applications? The college bound student will need required academic courses and required test scores before they can submit college applications, be sure to check college admissions websites to prepare your high school student for college applications.

Happy Homeschooling!

Triad Math - Crew Review

 

Disclaimer: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

Triad Math, Inc. makes using the scientific calculator easy with Mastering the TI-30Xa Scientific Calculator: Augmented Intelligence for all 21^st Century Students. This worktext was not intended to be a stand-alone learning tool. Students need to login to Moodle (the online learning management system) to get the video lessons that accompany the worktext. Each online lesson includes pre-test, notes from the worktext, video lesson, exercises from the worktext, exercises-answers, post-test, and forum.

My daughter was already familiar with using the scientific calculator so I especially liked how she was able to pick and choose lessons as a refresher to her. However, if you have a student progressing from one lesson to the next, I like how the online program reflects what has been completed.

Throughout the course, students learn how to use the scientific calculator to complete Algebra lessons in real numbers, negative numbers, multiplication, division, percentage, memory, exponent, square root, fractions, reciprocal, and fraction to decimal conversion. My daughter is about to finish Algebra 1 so you see why this course was very basic for her. The course is easy to follow, and would have been very beneficial to her prior to taking Pre-Algebra. For students taking advanced mathematics, this course also provides five lessons for Trigonometry students and five lessons for STEM students. A great teaching tool that we may be coming back to later in high school.

No matter what math curriculum your high school student is using, this worktext along with its video lessons is a great resource for any homeschool. Visit the Crew Blog to read more reviews from the Homeschool Review Crew.

 

Leaving a Godly Legacy

 

What legacy will you leave? If you died today, how would you be remembered? Lord, willing, your legacy will start a godly lineage that will reach across the future generations to come.

My grandma, Mary E. Carroll, passed away on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. I recall waking up very early the morning before meeting with the funeral director, writing these words for her obituary –

Mary was a virtuous woman who looked well to the ways of her household. It truly was a joy for her to care for her family through cooking, baking, sewing, gardening, or whatever else needed to be done. She worked willingly with her hands, breeding rat terriers, painting, creating VBS backdrops, and preserving food for family and friends. She opened her mouth with wisdom. She was a warrior for Christ using Biblical truths to encourage her children and grandchildren to love Him, know Him, and follow Him. Mary also loved to sing songs of praise and worship to her Lord, and she is now singing in heavens choir.

Most people associate a legacy with material possessions; however, a godly legacy is the imprint you leave on the future. Because of my grandma, my family came to know Christ. She was able to leave a godly legacy because she had a personal relationship with Christ and I have learned…

1.       To leave a godly legacy to the next generation we must teach them. God’s Word instructs us to diligently teach our children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) and share the wonderful works He has done (Psalm 78:4).

2.       To leave a godly legacy to the next generation we must set an example. God’s Word tells us that Christ is our example and we should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).

Throughout her days, my grandma was intentional to create a home that honored God. She taught me how to live my life according to Scripture and she was an example of Christ. If she were here today, she would say, “I’d rather have Jesus than anything, this world affords today.” She has anchored her soul in the “Haven of Rest” and she will sail the wide seas no more because in Jesus, she’s safe evermore.

Grandma selected the following poem to be used in the stationary, and I want to close with these words –

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free

I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard Him call

I turned my back, and left it all.

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way

I found that peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss

Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life has been full, I’ve savored much

Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me

God wanted me now, He set me FREE!