8 Tips for Buying Homeschool Curriculum

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...

  It can be challenging to help your child become a ballerina. It can be challenging to help your child get into college with scholarships . When you are trying to do both at the same time, though - wow! That's a tough one! Read on and find out ...

  You may be wondering how anyone can take mommy grades seriously. I know you are worried, but your home-made grades really do matter when homeschooling high school! Yes, you are biased in grades , as all teachers are biased based on how much th...

Learning outside the box can maximize college admission and scholarships! Find out how in my annual yearbook!  Grab this free book and you will learn tips for earning scholarships, test preparation, college planning, and homeschool success. Leav...

Your child has a bright future ahead! This book was compiled to help you homeschool through the coming year with the best possible success.  Start strong by finding the faith to homeschool high school, with a four week devotional to encourage yo...

When I was in school, we learned about the world in seemingly unrelated snippets. My teachers called the subject Social Studies . We might start the year studying Chinese culture. Then we'd study the Pilgrims because it was getting close to Thanksgiv...

Do you need to do summer school in your homeschool? How do you know? Take this quick quiz to find out if you need to do summer school this summer.

 1. Are you done with curriculum? 

One way to measure a high school credit is when you finish the curriculum.  You only need to be 75-80% finished to be "done" so there is some flexibility. While it's true that most homeschoolers finish curriculum in order to save money (you know who you are!) it's also true that if you are pulling your hair out, it's perfectly fine to be DONE when you are 3/4 finished with the curriculum.

2. Has your student put in the time? 

Another way to measure high school curriculum is when you put in the number of hours required for a credit. If you have worked for 1 hour or more per day, or if you have 120-180 hours of work in the subject, you can say that your child has earned the credit, and you can be DONE for the year. Often this will happen if the curriculum is so full of books, worksheets and information, that most children won't finish in a year. This can also happen when parents supplement or add to the curriculum.  If you are ready to be done for the year, and you have put in the time, you don't need to continue working until you have finished every assignment or book, you can just be done for the year.

3. Is it a core subject? 

For core subjects like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, you really do need to finish 3/4 of the curriculum to be done. But some core subjects are easy to finish, and others, like math and science, really take daily effort. When you fall behind in those subjects, it's hard to catch up.  You can let non-core subject drop when you are done for the year.  In high school, instead of granting a whole credit, you might give your child 1/2 credit for foreign language instead, and just stop for the year.  Math is unique, though, and I encourage you to work through summer if necessary to finish at least 80% of the math book.  Colleges want 4 credits of math, so it's important to teach a whole class each year, and without finishing the book, it will be even harder to understand math the following year.

4. Do you need natural consequences? 

Sometimes kids just don't do the work they need to do during the year.  They didn't work enough, they didn't put in the hours, and they NEED to get that core class done. When that happens, summer school is a natural consequence of not getting their work done. Have them work on their core subjects during the summer until they are done.  As the kids are working on those areas, make a plan to prevent the problem from happening again next year. Remember my big two tips for making sure you are consistent with school for next year. First, have a meeting with your child every day to check in on each subject and make sure they stay on task. Second, put weak areas first, so the subjects they are most likely to "forget" are done first thing each day.

Taking a break in summer is important. Even if your child must take some summer school classes at home, that doesn't mean mom or dad needs to work too. Try to get them to work independently so you can get a break from the normal rigors of homeschooling. Breaks are a breath of fresh air that can rejuvenate your homeschool next fall!

If you are thinking about summer school, you might like one of these short books for encouragement.

Creating Homeschool Balance: Find Harmony Between Type A and Type Zzz.....
Getting the Most Out of Your Homeschool This Summer: Learning Just for the Fun of it!

Do you do school in the summer?
 

 

You can afford college! I want to show you how to earn BIG merit based scholarships! You will even learn how to earn scholarships for kids that are academically or athletically dis-inclined. In this class you'll learn why merit scholarships provide t...

Let me explain how cookies improve test scores! To choose the best high school  test for your child in just 3 easy steps, begin with the time-honored cookie strategy. It's important that you do one step a day - do not double-up. These steps...

 I'm having a FABULOUS  four day sale with my best prices and added perks with every purchase! Now is the perfect time to pick your own deal! But hurry! The sale prices are only good June 23 - June 26! I know it's hard to wait around f...

How do you compare the Comprehensive Record Solution and the Total Transcript Solution? The key is in the name!  Do you need Comprehensive Records?  Or do you need help with a Transcript?

Most parents appreciate a little help and encouragement on their homeschooling journey. My free newsletter delivers this fresh each month. Click to get some yourself: The HomeScholar Record Newsletter

The Total Transcript Solution is geared for parents who need to make a transcript. It is intended to break the process down into small, easy to manage elements.

The Comprehensive Record Solution is geared for parents who know they need to do more than “just a transcript.” It will enable you to create the transcript, but also the course descriptions, reading list, activities and award list and work samples that go into a “comprehensive” record.

The Comprehensive Record Solution includes just a brief overview of making a transcript, and provides a simple transcript template.  It's possible to get your transcript done if all you order is the Comprehensive Record Solution. If you need more help with your transcripts, or want more templates, more training, and personalized help, then you will want to get the Total Transcript Solution as well.

If you haven’t purchased anything yet,  I recommend you get the Comprehensive Record Solution first.  The two packages don't really overlap much at all. The Total Transcript Solution is ALL about transcripts, The Comprehensive Record Solution is ALL about course descriptions with some basic training on transcripts. Read what happy customers say about the Comprehensive Record Solution and how it helped their family.

If you have already purchased the Total Transcript Solution, then I know you will REALLY benefit from the content of the Comprehensive Record Solution. You area already familiar with me, you know my position on many high school topics, and you must already like my writing style.   Since there isn't much overlap between the Total Transcript Solution and the Comprehensive Record Solution, if you have enjoyed the fist one, this will also be a GREAT fit for you.





The Comprehensive Record Solution provides the training and templates and real life examples of successful high school records.

This blog post originally ran in December 2010. We've revamped it with new and current information for you!

You made it to June! It's time to lay back, relax your homeschool life, and enjoy the summer! Don't completely check out though, or you'll miss out on these calendar reminders!  Middle School: Learn how to homeschool high school so you don'...