How to Write Professional Course Descriptions in Yoga Pants

Course descriptions require a professional demeanor on paper. Your words should sound "business casual" not " yoga pants " even if you are writing professional course descriptions while actually wearing yoga pants .   Why? Read on and let me tel...

 Parents worry about socialization , neighbors wonder if homeschoolers are weird, and kids just want to find friends. Here is what you need to know about homeschool  socialization. True socialization Socialization is an activity you do - mi...

Many parents sail through homeschooling in the early years, but when faced with the prospect of homeschooling high school, they get ready to bail, for all the wrong reasons! If you're concerned about homeschooling high school, Keys to High School Suc...

Joshua Harris is no longer a Christian. Sad news for the homeschool community. Joshua Harris is the author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye and is the adult child of well known homeschool speaker. His father, Gregg Harris, is often considered one of the fo...

I tried to incorporate games into our homeschool whenever possible, in order to make school fun. We played math games, art games, and economics games. They would giggle when I wrote on the assignment sheet "Play 30 minutes of Masterpiece" or "Pl...

What is a good score on the SAT? Everybody asks me that!

There is no formula or calculation for what makes a good score.  A good SAT score is the best score that YOUR child can earn. But to guesstimate how your child is doing, I can suggest a scale based on the general population of the US. It doesn't fit every family, and it may not fit your child, but it can help you begin to think about test scores and what they might mean.

  Don't get caught up in the AP hype. You don't need a million APs in high school . In fact, you really shouldn't have too many  APs . All tests and no fun make a dull teen. A recent study of 400,000 entrants to about 100 colleges...

Every once in a while, I'll run across a parent that says "My child is struggling with a gaming addiction" or other tech-related addiction. Often, these parents will say, "She's very bright, but cannot apply herself because of this issue" or "his beh...

You're likely familiar with the SAT and ACT tests, but are you familiar with the CLT? I'm not always able to spend as much time as I would like discussing the CLT Test, but I want to be sure parents are aware of this new test. As more ...

Do you get cold sweats just thinking about teaching your teen high school math? Did your last exposure to trigonometry leave you covered in hives? If so, you are not alone! Every homeschool parent "loses it" at some point during high school math.&nbs...

New for this month in the Gold Care Club.  How To Training Courses Quick Start : Planning High School Courses Beginner : Preparing to Homeschool High School - Live Convention Part 3/3 Intermediate : Senior Year Step-by-Step Advanced : College Ap...

I know it's time to buy your curriculum, so let me give you a few quick pointers, for buying homeschool curriculum.  { This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I make a few pennies, but sadly, not enough for a latte.} Shop wisel...

You know you want to include fabulous fun electives on your homeschool transcript. But how? How do you put crocheting and other delight directed learning on a high school transcript!?

You know you want to include fabulous fun electives on your homeschool transcript. But how? How do you put crocheting and other handcrafts on a high school transcript!?

Mandi asked, "My daughter has taught herself to crochet and makes bags, headbands, coasters and whatever else pops into her head. Can count that as an elective art credit?

Yes! Art can be taught intentionally with books, or learned naturally and for fun like Mandi's daughter. School districts across the country include these kinds of classes, and we can do it too. Let me show you just a few examples.

Wallingford Public Schools in Connecticut offers a class called "Contemporary Crafts". Their online description suggests a variety of crafts, but of course you have unlimited options as a homeschooler. They call it "Career and Technical Education" instead of fine art, but high school kids can earn 1/2 credit each year.  Here is their course description:

Course Description for Contemporary Crafts

"Contemporary Crafts is a hands-on course designed to give students opportunities to develop skills in a variety of craft techniques. The course delves into the history of each craft and its application to today’s society. There are numerous connections to the core academic areas. Each student will create an individual information based portfolio. The class will design a business based on a craft and market their product. Examples of the skills that may be developed include macramé, decoupage, charted designs, basketry, weaving, quilting, knitting, crocheting, paper craft, bookbinding, and stamping."

Bloomer High School Wisconsin simply calls it: "Crafts 1". It's available every semester for students in grades 10-12, but we have the freedom to provide the same thing in grade 9, of course. Their online description says "Some projects covered are: paper arts, cement casting, stamping, card making, clay, handmade books, fiber arts, and decorative painting."


Northland Pines School District is also in Wisconsin, but it uses a really fancy class title, calling it "Textiles, Arts and Crafts". Their online description says "Students will learn a number of handicrafts by taking this class. Students will work with the following areas in this class: crocheting, latch hooking, cross stitching, bracelet making, scrap-booking, cake decorating, beading, and glass decorating."


Wayne Westland Community Schools in Michigan calls it "Creative Stitchery" for Grade 9-12 and allows their students to take this class all year. Although each semester class earns 1/2 credit, the course can be taken more than once for credit throughout high school, so students can earn up to one credit per year of high school. The school provides this description:

Course Description for Creative Stitchery

"This course explores hand sewing and craft techniques. The student will make a sample project supplied by the teacher. This allows the student to learn a hand craft such as knitting, crocheting, counted cross stitch, and/or embroidery. Students will be required to purchase some additional materials. As the student’s ability increases, each project will become more challenging. Because this class is taught according to each individual student’s skill level, this course may be repeated to increase skill level."

It's time to enjoy the summer while doing a bit of planning for the homeschool year ahead. Here are some July homeschool calendar reminders to make the most of your free time!  It's time to enjoy the summer while doing a bit of planning for the ...

I was thinking about socialization because of a conversation I recently had with a non- homeschooler . It is unbelievable that this is still as big a topic as it is surrounding homeschooled children, considering that socialization affects all childre...