meganrussell
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Posts posted by meganrussell
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Welcome to planning for high school!
To start, you may want to look at some of the threads of "making a high school plan" or "planning" in the big pinned thread on "Starting High School..." at the top of the high school board. I posted a "quick start" to making a high school plan in post #2 of "High school curriculum: where do I start?"
In planning each year of your high school, it's very helpful to think in "big picture" terms of keeping as many doors open for your student's future as possible -- and that is usually best done by completing certain credits (coursework) in order to meet high school graduation requirements, and to meet the list of credits needed for college admission. (Even if you don't think your student will go to a university, if at all possible, it's really helpful to have a "college prep" set of credits -- just in case! SOOO many students change their minds in 12th grade -- or within a year or two of graduating high school, and if they have college prep credits, they don't have to waste any time in changing their minds. ;) )
That usually looks something like this:
4 credits = English (usually 1/2 Literature and 1/2 Writing, but there are other options, too)
3-4 credits = Math (usually Alg. 1, Geometry, and Alg. 2, and some colleges want a 4th math above Alg. 2)
3-4 credits = Science, with labs (some colleges want Biology and Chemistry, but most don't stipulate)
3-4 credits = Social Studies (most colleges want 1 credit = Amer. Hist., and some want 0.5 credit each = Econ & Gov't, or 1 credit = World History or Geography)
2-4 credits = Foreign Language (same language)
1 credit = Fine Arts
4-8+ credits = Electives (examples: Logic, Computer, Health, PE, Home Ec, Bible/Religious Studies, Vocational-Tech courses, Academic Electives (additional credits in first 5 subjects above that are beyond the required credits), additional Fine Arts, credits in personal interest areas, etc.)
22-28+ credits* = total (about 5-7 credits per year)
* = 1 credit is a course that typically takes 1 year of high school to complete, at the rate of about 1 hour/day for 4-5 days/week for a 36-week school year
HOW you accomplish these credits is totally up to you and your DD, which allows you LOTS of freedom in choosing curricula that best fits her learning style, and also meets her interests. :)
From your description of DD, it sounds like she may be a visual-spatial learner, with an interest in Fine Arts/Literature, rather than a STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) interest. You've listed some of her interests. What are some of her goals? Any thoughts about particular occupations, or colleges, of interest? Any extracurriculars she is interested in? What goals do YOU want to see accomplished in this rapidly-shrinking window of opportunity before she graduates?
Based on your post, it looks to me that a very do-able 9th grade would be:
1 credit = English
1 credit = Math
1 credit = Science
1 credit = Social Studies
1 credit = Fine Arts
1 credit = Elective
6 credits = total (so, about 5-6 hours of work a day, 4-5 days a week)
Getting more specific:
English
Since DD loves to read, it will probably be pretty easy to find a Lit (or Lit + Writing) program that she would like. :) Can you share more about what kind of literature she likes or would like to study? How much formal analysis has she done in middle school? Where is she in her writing? Does she need work on essay writing? You mentioned she enjoys writing -- would she enjoy a credit in creative writing or journalism? Lots of options, so we need to know more to know how to suggest here. :)
Math
What level did DD complete in 8th grade (middle school math? pre-algebra? algebra?) -- And do you feel she needs to repeat that level to lay a good foundation, or is she ready to move to the next level of math? Some math programs that often "click" for visual-spatial learners:
- Teaching Textbooks
- Math-U-See
- Kinetic Textbooks
- Life of Fred
- Lial's Basic College Mathematics (don't be put off by the title)
Science
What science did DD complete in 8th grade? (General Science? Physical Science? Biology? a subject of personal interest?) For example, if wanting to do a gentle science in 9th grade, what about something like Rainbow Science -- do both year 1 AND year 2 in 9th for a credit of Physical Science.
If she's not planning on a STEM-based occupation that would need the traditional Biology, Chemistry, Physics courses, she can look in to alternative sciences that are of interest, and you can choose materials for labs to fulfill credit requirements -- other science topics include things like Astronomy, Earth Science, Horticulture or Botany, Environmental Science, Ecology, Marine Biology, Meteorology, etc.
Social Studies
Knowing that you'll likely need to do 1 year of American History somewhere in high school, think about what History/Geography you've done most recently, or haven't yet gotten to and pick a time period that DD would enjoy that isn't repeating what you just did. Or, go for another Social Studies topic entirely that she would enjoy: Archeology, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Philosophy, Geography, Economics, Government... Once you and DD settle on an area of study for Social Studies, we can help you come up with video-based lectures or more visual options for study.
Foreign Language
At some point, you'll need to get at least 2 credits of a foreign language in there. Has DD been studying a language (Latin, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, etc.) in middle school? Then maybe this would be a good year to keep going with the momentum and complete a year of that foreign language at a high school level. If she has not been doing a language, or is not interested at this time, then you can put off starting this for a year or two. One option for getting 2 credits in one year would be dual enrollment/dual credit at your local community college or university (1 semester college course = 1 YEAR high school).
Fine Arts
Sounds like that will be pretty easy to cover with a curriculum, series of lessons, a local teacher, or other more formal option, as she enjoys drawing.
Electives
What about a credit in Horse (Equine) Studies?
One last thought:
If your DD likes the Anne of Green Gables books, you might want to look into using the unit study of Where the Brook and River Meet. I can't get a good handle on how you would assign credit(s) for it, but it would likely cover your English credit, and possible a partial credit in each of Social Studies: History, Elective: Bible Study, and/or Fine Arts. See past posts by 8FillTheHeart ("x-post: Beautiful Autumn metaphor/personification example" and "Anne of Green Gables Study Guide") for a little more on what the program is like -- she adapted it for use with a middle school DD however, and did not assign high school credit, but is very savvy about what makes a high school credit.
Again, welcome to planning for high school! Warmest regards, Lori D.
Thank you! This was very helpful. To answer some questions, no, she is not college bound. She plans to go to beauty school, which is perfectly fine with me. She completed pre-algebra, and has done a little of algebra 1, but it's a struggle. We are currently doing American history, so I'm happy to be able to count that as a credit. She loves horses, so maybe something horse related for science? She does pretty well in grammar and has done some lit analysis, but not much. I would like her to do an art course, not sure which one. I was thinking a consumer math would be a good option for her?
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My 14 year old daughter will be starting 9th grade soon. I am lost at which curriculum to use for her. Here is some info:
-not very motivated to learn new things
-lazy when it comes to critical thinking and math
-loves to read
-loves horses
-writes and draws well
-easily distracted
-has a hard time understanding new concepts like math, visual learner, must see it and do it to learn it
Any suggestions? We tried BJU and hated it. So please don't suggestions that!! :-)
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Meatball subs - frozen meatballs, can of sloppy joe sauce and a bag of hot dog buns
Crockpot chicken - throw in boneless chicken breasts with a few cans of cream of mushroom, cream of chicken or cream of celery. Serve with rice.
Beef enchiladas- ground beef, a can of chili beans, a can of cream of chicken, sour cream and cheese - mix and wrap in tortillas. Bake.
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I always skipped the literature chapters. The kids read the books but didn't do the literature links (or whatever it's called lol!)
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I was raised by very conservative southern Baptist parents. My dad was a preacher, now he and my mom are missionaries. I've never known anyone IRL to wear a head covering. However, lately when I read about women should have their head covered when praying in the Bible, it makes me wonder....should I wear a covering when praying?
If you wear a covering, when do you wear it? Why? What kind of covering do you wear? If you don't, again, why not? I'm trying to sort through this.
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I think he just wants to talk to you and doesn't know what to say. My 14 year old daughter does this. She wants to talk, communicate, visit, but doesn't think she has anything important to say. She basically wants me to get the conversation rolling.
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I have never had Facebook before. This is why!
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I Definitely would not do this for higher grades. I really feel like we are filling in gaps, too. I did print out a scope and sequence from another math book on her grade level, just to be sure I'm not skipping something. And I do print out worksheets to go along with it from super teacher worksheets.com and such.
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I have a 9 year old daughter, and we have tried several math programs for her but haven't found a good fit. What is working now is me writing her worksheets. I use lined paper and a pen and write problems for her to solve. We are working on multiplication and division facts right now, along with some fractions and reviewing addition and money etc. It seems to be working well, she loves to do then, and it only takes me twenty minutes or so to make her worksheets for the week. I also print out fun things for her to do, like color by number using multiplication and division facts, multiplication wheels to fill in, that sort of thing. Anyone else do this? I have two older and two younger kids, and she is the first child I've done this for (besides kindergarten and preschoolers).
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She did take CLEPs and is entering with sophomore standing. The 300 and 400 level courses were based on placement tests. (She placed into 400 level Russian but opted for a 300 level lit class.)
:) Do you have a lot of other homeschooling friends following a similar path or you pretty much on your own?
I have very few homeschooling friends, but they all do the same thing I do. Different curriculum of course, but all at home.
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Yvonne, I don't know that I have met anyone IRL in the past 4 yrs who has homeschooled completely at home. We just moved again, so it will be interesting to see the dynamic here.
We have always homeschooled at home. We have never been part of a co-op or CC or anything like it. We have never been close to anything like that. I've been homeschooling for 10 years.
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I love love LOVE this idea and am totally copying it!
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I am so happy to hear this. So many of my kids friends don't play with toys anymore. It's all video games, iPods, cell phones, tv, and computers. All the time. I want my kids to be kids as long as they can!
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My 12 year old son loves Legos. He collects them - he builds them and displays them, occasionally plays with the built sets, but is very careful because, like I said, he collects them. He also collects baseball cards, and often organizes and looks though them. He builds forts and weapons outside and often lets his younger brothers play war or such with him. He will also play whiffle ball or kickball with them.
My 9 year old daughter plays with Shopkins, baby dolls, Legos, barbies and her little brothers trucks and cars. She also plays pretend stuff, usually outside. She loves board games and puzzles.
My 7 year old son loves trucks and cars, transformers, Lego, and playing anything pretend - cowboys, soldiers, house with his sister... Big imagination.
My almost 5 year old plays the same as his 7 year old brother, but his pretend play is taken to a whole new level. He has the biggest imagination I've ever seen. When he plays pretend, he really means it. He loves Bonanza and thinks he is Little Joe. He will reenact the scenes from the show, using my armchair as a horse, wearing his chaps and cowboy hat, and shooting a pretend gun. I love it. He is also ADHD and never stops moving or talking. He is always playing something, always.
Just curious about how old your kids are what they play. We have no video games or computer games, so my kids are usually outside or in the basement playing.
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Clean. My carpets could be shampooed, but I keep it vacuumed out and wiped down about once weekly. I get trash, books, shoes, etc out everytime we go somewhere. There are pool floaties in the back and a case of water, but that's intentionally left in there.
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My 12 year old son has and loves this book:
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You could always volunteer to help in the back, with the nursery or a Sunday school class.
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I definitely think she should be in jail for a long time so she cannot do it to anyone else. People want to feel better about evil by calling all evil "mental illness." But often, evil is just evil. People like to say "that person is just mentally ill and just needs help" because it denies real evil. Accepting that there is evil in this world is a scary thing. But evil is real and this girl is evil and she needs to be locked away for life.
This.
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I do wake up around 5 every morning, but I'm in bed by 9, 9:30 each night. So I'm getting at least 8 hours of sleep.
Some days are worse than others, but by nighttime, I'm so ready for bed it's not funny!
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I just want confirmation that this is normal for a homeschooling mom. My kids are 14, 12, 9, 7 and almost 5. We start school at 8 am every morning. After doing the morning work with everyone, doing Kindergarten, 1st grade and helping the 4th grader, I'm exhausted. Mentally and physically. I have to sit down and zone out for a while, eating lunch or reading. By about 2:00 I'm pooped! I get my energy back about 4-5 ish. Is this normal?
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My boys were 8 and 3. No bullseye rash, no tick found on them. We were in NJ. My oldest son was having trouble sleeping, no appetite, and was extremely tired. He didn't want to walk and complained his legs were hurting. My youngest had a high fever and was lethargic. Also, no appetite and trouble sleeping. The doctor took one look at Eli, my oldest, and said "we are doing a Lyme test right now. His joints are so swollen." To my youngest, Silas, he said "just a virus". Well Elis Lyme test came back positive in three days, and Silas was still sick. I INSISTED on testing all of my children, and they obliged. Silas was the only one of the other three to have Lyme.
4 weeks of amoxicillin.
No doxycycline because my oldest was underweight and had lost more weight with the Lyme.
It was a nightmare. Oldest still has trouble sleeping. Youngest developed speech problems soon after diagnosis.
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Yes
I meant there are deadly tick born diseases more so than I meant Lymes was a cake walk. For many it is not. My uncle had it and it ruined his life for a very long time.
I'm sorry for jumping on you. I am just very passionate about Lyme, because so many people down play it and I see firsthand the effects it has had on my sons. Please forgive me.
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Lymes isn't even the biggest worry at the moment because at least there is treatment and if you treat right away you'll usually be fine.
It's ruined outdoor anything for me to be honest.
I disagree. My two sons were diagnosed with lyme disease in 2013. They have both had trouble off and on since. Lyme does not leave your body with treatment. It can stay dormant in your blood, but can become active again at any time. It's a serious disease that is often misdiagnosed and it is a major concern.
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Math: right now, we are working on multiplication and division facts, we will move on when she gets these down pat.
Grammar: grammar minutes
Harcourt language arts
Writing: Harcourt writing
Reading: readers in residence
Lots of library books, 30 minutes daily
Science: lapbook from a journey through learning, currently mammals
History: mystery of history, volume 1
Weekly Bible verses and readings
Daily devotional from her brave girls devotion
Art projects twice weekly
Exercises daily
Daily Bible copywork (4 verses daily)
Health count as a science credit?
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
The title pretty much says it all, if we do an intensive health/nutrition study with some anatomy, could that be a science credit? What would you call it? I'm talking at least an hour daily, five days a week, for 180 days.