I've just spend literally HOURS in the computer looking at schooling options for next year. Jonathan will be a high schooler! This is a little daunting. Not so much the work as the idea of high school and the transcripts etc that go with it (not to mention the fact that college will be right around the corner). The thing is, he's definitely ready, but I'm not! How can my first baby (the teeny-est one) be in high school?! Not a week goes by that someone doesn't ask me the typical "do you plan to homeschool high school" question. For years this was theoretical, now it's really coming up. The thing is, I'm starting to realize that I'm not very good with change. Well, maybe I should back up a minute here. I mean nothing is REALLY changing, we will still be homeschooling next year. We're just going to need to document more and have a more school-y course of study mindset. It's not even like I'm starting from square one. We know what he's doing for math (Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2) and science (Apologia Physical Science), so there are two big subjects down. I'm pretty sure we will be looking at a Foreign Language next year (and thinking it will most likely be Spanish from Rosetta Stone). I'm pretty sure with all he does at Theatre, both on and off the stage, it won't be hard to document a high school credit there. Where I'm getting confused is in the History/Faith/Literature area. Are these three courses or one? What makes it high school credit worthy? {if you're getting bored with this, go ahead and stop reading...I'll never know...I'm doing this for my own sanity anyway}. Somethings I might consider are the history from here and the grammar/composition and morality/faith from here. I'm linking to these so that I will be able to find them when the time comes. I also liked the looks of this booklist. The planning for Jonathan's year then gets wrapped up in the planning for Madi's. The thing is they are sort of like two peas in a pod and I'm not sure that I'm ready for them to do everything separate. They are doing more separately this year than they have in the past as it is. Not to mention I'm spending an awful lot of time on this, but ultimatley whatever we decide will be decided as a family. I had been planning all along that the two of them would use Story of the World vol 1 for History, but now I'm having second thoughts. For one thing in all my searching I can't find any recommendations on how to beef SOTW up for high school. Another possibility is that Madi may do this next year. Just to shake things up even more, I'm about 85% certain that Jake will go off the board entirely and do this next year. So basically, I've spend countless hours thinking about this and some more in front of the computer, and I don't really know what next year will look like. Another fly in the ointment is that it is possible Jonathan may actually take a class or two at the local high school. There is also the option of taking online classes. Soo much to think about!!
While I've been researching and contemplating. The kids have been playing with W and D from the other side of the fence. From my place at the computer I can hear some very funny conversations (not to mention the rockband songs!). Jonathan explained to W that we are in the 21st century, not the 19th. Jake and D were playing some form of house and part of the dialog went like this...A and S are here with us now, but we only have one bed so you and A will sleep on one side and S and I will sleep on the other. D was also very impressed thinking that Jake is a wiz at making up songs, but Jake admitted he didn't actually make up the Jedi song or the Alice in Wonderland song. Just another day at Winchester Academy!
7 comments:
Why do I have NO idea who A and S are? Am I that dense???
I need to do the same thing, but I am afraid to approach it. I think that I will be wrapped up in it for weeks and spend way to much time researching.
I LOVE posts like this!! I clicked on every link. Talking homeschooling and curriculum is just so fun.
I love the Anne study. Hannah just read Anne of Green Gables and loved it.
And, I'm with Amy--who are A and S?? I can sort of guess S but A??
It was DANIEL...do you still not know who A is?!
I am interested in what you are deciding. I know we are still a few years away from high school, but I'm afraid of it sneaking up on me. As we are approaching the middle school years, I feel like I need to have some idea about what we'll be doing in high school for planning purposes.
Good post! Some things I learned at the Finish Well seminar last week...colleges aren't that impressed with mom teaching foreign language, even with Rosetta Stone. She recommended taking it at a high school, community college through dual enrollment or on-line at the Florida Virtual School. You can go to any of our local high school websites to get an idea of what is required credit wise for the 4 years and reading lists, I think. I haven't done this yet, so am a little fuzzy about how to go about it and what you can access.
I have to figure out how to make an egg business into a credit - I know it can be done.
I know who A and S are! :)
We have Rosetta Stone, and you are welcome to come check it out. One of David's best friends from college is a university science professor. I can ask her any questions about preparing him for college in science, if you want.
I wonder if a college would take the foreign language credit better if the Mom minored in Spanish in college?
I get a little freaked when I think about high school. I think my kids will just come live with you when its time. You'll be an expert by then! :)
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