Blog

Science classes don't have to be restricted to biology, chemistry, and physics. Does your child have a fascination with the creatures of the sea? Why not let them study Marine Biology in your homeschool? This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy I may make a few pennies, but not enough for a latte. Science is definitely important in high school. Let me teach you the 9 other critical courses to study before graduation in...

Apologia Science is Great College Preparation This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy I may make a few pennies, but not enough for a latte.img class="aligncenter wp-image-14863" alt="Apologia Science" src="https://hhhblogs.s3.amazonaws.com/2012/08/apologia.png" width="553" height="414" Apologia Science is a very rigorous college preparation series. I don't usually recommend specific curriculum because I know it's more about how it fits your child than the textbook or curriculum itself. When it comes to science, though, we had such...

What do you do if your student needs to take a class that is way out of your comfort zone. We all have that subject, don't we? This video shares how I "taught" physics.Whether you teach the classes or not, learn how to translate all those great homeschool high school classes into the words and numbers that colleges will understand.  Get the Total Transcript Solution.

Colleges want to see three sciences and at least one science lab, but you still have a lot of freedom within those requirements.My daughter has expressed interest in studying Botany for this year (she's a freshman) instead of studying a traditional Biology course.  I have found a great course for her as well as additional supplemental materials.  I want to make sure before I purchase the materials that our course will be accepted by colleges/universities as...

Are Apologia science textbooks rigorous enough for college-bound students?  Sure, they are popular with homeschoolers, but how GOOD are they as science books? Are Apologia science textbooks fairly rigorous, for college-bound students?  I've heard a few conflicting reports...~Jill in SeattleApologia is a very rigorous college prep series.  I don't usually recommend specific curriculum, because I know it's all about "fit" more than a textbook.  When it comes to science, though, I had such success with the...

Strategies for teaching your geeky homeschool student. Subscribe to my YouTube channel. You will be notified when I create new videos on homeschool high school topics!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy I make a few pennies, but not enough for a latte. Your child has already taken biology and chemistry classes in your homeschool. What kind of science options outside the box can you come up with next? Unless your child has excelled in math, physics may not be a good option. High school physics is very math-based, and unless your child has completed pre-calculus, I don't recommend...

The Road to Independent Learning: Homeschool Science Independent learning is a process, and being able to work independently on biology usually comes along early in that process. I've seen children successfully learn biology on their own, my own two sons included. I am happy to share how we did it - just remember that every child and family is unique.We used Apologia Biology. I had a list of assignments that told my children what pages to read...

Do the kids have to have Physics or could they take Advanced Chemistry instead? My daughter doesn't have any desire at all to take  Physics and would rather take Advanced Chemistry instead. She is planning on going to college for Pre-Law so I didn't see any problem with that, but wasn't sure what colleges expect. Should I call her top 4 choices for school before getting her book to get her going on it?~ Anita in...

Homeschool parents of budding engineers, listen up! Engineering is a LOT of fun, but a future in engineering requires some math and science.My 14 year old will be participating in the First Lego League in which he will 1) Build and program a small robot to accomplish challenges and 2) investigate a research topic then prepare a presentation. Both activities culminate in a competition with other teams at a regional tournament. This is to build science,...

Why would anyone skip Biology Lab? What could possibly be more fun than dissecting critters and peeping through a microscope, and what is a lab science anyway?Biology lab can be a lot of fun, but it's also fairly expensive, which is something I discuss in my Special Report, 7 Secrets to Homeschooling Though a Financial Storm. Holly read the report and had a follow up question.Dear Lee,I just read your special report and think it was...

What is honors?  When do you put honors on a title?  Is Apologia Science an honors curriculum?Is Apologia Science courses, plus labs considered honors on a high school transcript. (Biology, Chemistry, etc.) - SallyDear Sally,If the authors/publishers of your curriculum, Apologia Science, say it is a honors course, then you can call it honors.If your child passes a honors level test after taking taking the course, then you might call it honors. (AP or CLEP exam...

Homeschoolers tend to think that there are actually 13 commandments, and that biology, chemistry, and physics are the extra three.  It’s not true! You can branch out when you teach science!  There is astronomy, geology, botany, robotics, astronomy, ornithology… you name it!  Now probably colleges would like to see at least one of the standard sciences. If your child wants to go into a scientific profession then biology, chemistry, and physics might be important.  But for...

I saw an article in the newspaper about a spectacular summer camp for computer-loving techie kids. Summer camps have long been part of the American experience for children and teenagers, and for the last 30 years or so, computers and technology have added to the equation. "What we're trying to do is to take a child's hobby and show how to turn it into a potential career," Safran said. "This summer, Karen Katzenberger, 13, of Fall...

A simple comment from a well-meaning friend can make you question your own judgment.  With science curriculum, as with all curriculum, it's more about what fits your child that what others are using or recommend. Mary wrote on Facebook:"I am struggling with choosing a high school science curriculum.  My problem is that I hear things from just a few people that make me doubt my choices. Is there some source that homeschoolers can check out that...