online homeschool

As homeschool parents, our goal is NOT to teach; our goal is for the kids to LEARN. I could have taught my kids "at grade level" and they wouldn't have learned a thing. Instead, I gave them curriculum at their ability level, and then they had to learn what they didn't already know. I believe that older teens MUST learn how to teach themselves. If our children go to college, they will be expected to learn...

Kim wrote to suggest some math resources.  You may want to look at PLATO and MyMathLab to see if they will fit your children. Hi, Lee.  I read your article on math choices for high school students (and parents) and I would like to add another option which isn't well-known amongst homeschooling circles (yet) but is highly touted and becoming increasingly used by public high schools and many colleges (all levels). Both are available to homeschoolers;...

How do you keep up with grading when you have four, five or more kids? When my kids were younger, I never really graded at all. Our state (WA) does not require parents to grade, so I didn't. I would grade math tests, just to make sure they knew the stuff, but I didn't KEEP those grades anywhere. Once they started high school, I didn't change my way of doing things with homeschool. I just started...

How is Latin even possible? I printed samples from Latina Christiana, and I'm feeling overwhelmed. Declensions? Conjugations? Possum? Sum? Help! Be brave, little Piglet! (Quote from Winnie the Pooh, from all who are wondering - my brain also stuffed with fluff!) I remember having those EXACT same fears when we started Latin! I would look at the book and, well, it was all Greek to me! As you take it one step at a time, it...

>>>>Can you compare AP and CLEP exams? Why did you choose CLEP?<<<< AP tests are much longer, more expensive, and have ambiguous essay questions that irritated me. I chose to use CLEP exams because they took MUCH less time per test, were a little less expensive, and they were all multiple choice. You know "math & science Lee", always looking for those right-or-wrong answers! AP tests are longer, so they have lots more questions. Since the...

>>>>A client writes: I want to give my kids credit for Bible...but I haven't asked them to write a single thing down this year. What do I do?<<<< When we did Bible, I just had them read books, mostly. No tests. Rare papers. Sometimes one of them would teach Sunday School classes, or read scripture at church. May I suggest that Bible may be one good area to count hours? Just estimate how many hours per...

>>>>A mom asked if she should send an email or snail mail thank you note after visiting a college....<<<< I think that the answer is BOTH. If you don't intend to go to the school, then sending them an email thank you note is fine. But if you DO intend to apply to the school, then I would send both an email and a snail mail thank you note. Some colleges keep a record of how...

>>>>A friend had a question about homeschool grades.<<<< I have a page on my blog about grades and credits that might help: http://thehomescholar.blogspot.com/search/label/Grades%20and%20Credits Keeping track of grades and credits can start in 9th grade. Grades 9-12 are considered high school, and those are the only grades and credits that colleges want to see. Most (but not all) colleges will accept homeschool grades and credits, given by a parent, typed on their home computer using nothing fancier...

>>>Did you plan the art studies or let them do it as they wanted? I debate a lot about whether its worth setting aside the time for art study.<<< Bridget, Art was really, REALLY my weak area, so I actually set aside time for art study, otherwise we would never do it! We never had a problem getting math or science done, just art, LOL! I scheduled it for 2-3 times a week, 1-1/2 or 2...

>>>This is my first yr to hs. I think I get a handle on what needs to be done for a 4th grader and then I find something else out. On top of trying to weed through all the curriculum choices. I am about to give up. I am so frustrated and overwhelmed. I just want it spelled out for me.<<< All the choices are so overwhelming! And many of the choices are wonderful, which makes...

>>>>Dorette asked a questions about our Sample Comprehensive Record. " Did you ever do any "intensive" grammar course with your boys? I see that you did a Latin course that includes grammar. Was that enough? " <<<< Dorette, Before beginning Latin, we did a one-time through course called "Winston Grammar" that I just loved! It's a hands-on, no-writing grammar program that was perfect for my boys. It does not teach writing, it only covers parts of...

>>>>How do I incorporate current events into our homeschool?<<<< Hi Michele, In 7th grade we were doing Apologia Biology, Sonlight 100, French, Algebra, SAT prep, and piano. For current events, I bought World Magazine, but that's because my kids are very *into* current events. I think the easiest and most fun way is just to get the newspaper daily. The last two years, I have used a yellow highlighter to circle any articles that they are...

>>>>A mother wanted feedback on the classes she was choosing for high school. Here is what she had planned:<<<< Bible- Sonlight Core 200-Sonlight History Literature-Sonlight Science-Apologia Biology Writeshop-English Photography class at co-op once a week Smart Money class at co-op once a week Algebra 1- Teaching Textbooks She worried that it would be too much - too little! She asked if she should add Spanish, and what to name her Bible class. Shawn, Every student is...

>>>>One woman was expressing frustration with community college, and said that he son asked if it would be possible to "Homeschool college." <<<< Hi Debra, Ironically, one of my squidoo lenses is "How to Homeschool College" http://www.squidoo.com/How_2_Homeschool_College/ I would encourage you to buy the book "Accelerated Distance Learning." Another good one is Bear's Guide to Earning College Degrees Non-traditionally" by John Bear. Both books are available on my Squidoo website for purchase. Check this you-tube to...

Sometimes it is hard to figure out how to give homeschool grades if you don't always give tests. This article suggests an approach. read more | digg story