Home Field Advantage

September 2015
By Lee Binz
The HomeScholar

Professional football players know their game is a metaphor for life. As we embark on the new football season, some of us die-hard fans might become engrossed by what’s happening on the field and miss some valuable lessons we can apply to our homeschooling. Let’s look at homeschooling through a gridiron lens, so you can become a professional success in your career as a homeschool parent. Each stage of the game yields valuable insights you can use. Check out this play-by-play to learn what you can about each stage of homeschooling high school.

Tailgate Party: Elementary School
Before the game even begins, fans start celebrating a win. The homeschool tailgate party is elementary school, when education is all about food, folks, and fun. Feed the love of learning, share true socialization with parents and friends, and add joy by making subjects more fun to learn. These lessons can be integrated into daily life, nurturing the budding intellect.

Pre-Game Warm-Up: Middle School
Before play begins, team members stretch their muscles. The warm-up for high school is middle school. Parents stretch themselves by learning about high school, and children stretch their academic ability. It’s the time to identify strengths and shore up weaknesses. Communication is key to ensure all participants are on the same page. Parents must review the game plan to understand what is coming, so the team can play as if each game is a step toward the Super Bowl. Team players must know their opponents, such as chemistry, calculus, and economics. These opponents can be defeated with a solid game plan and plenty of practice, so the pre-game warm-up is essential for success.

First Quarter: Freshman Year
Kickoff is game time; it’s no time to panic. For homeschool parents, freshman year is a time to calm nerves. You have practiced and prepared, and had a successful pre-season. Now is not the time to be freaked out or terrified. Someone has to score first, and sadly, it may not be you. If you give up a touchdown or two, don’t give up! Stick to your game plan, and cover the core classes. You’ll be prepared for anything, no matter the score at the end of the first quarter.

Second Quarter: Sophomore Year
Coaches know getting on the scoreboard during the first half is critical. Homeschool parents should get a good start with their sophomore. Add foreign language, fine art, P.E., and electives, so you can score early with high school credits. Have your child take the PSAT/NMSQT® for fun and enroll in college prep classes to earn more points toward college admission and scholarships. Pro teams adapt, and make substitutions during the game. Great homeschool parents do the same, changing curriculum and scheduling substitutions to adapt when challenges occur. It’s important to outscore your opponent this quarter, so you can start the second half with a lead.

Half Time: Summer before Junior Year
During half time, football coaches continue to work. They have learned new information about their opponent, and can regroup to make adjustments for the second half. Without looking back, they keep their eyes forward to see how they can win. Homeschool parents are their children’s best coach when they look ahead to junior year to develop a plan. Talk about the coming second half, make a plan, and make course corrections. Parents can get new information about their opponents by learning more about college admission and scholarships.

Third Quarter: Junior Year
To win a football game, it helps to gain or keep the lead in the third quarter. It’s difficult to come from behind in the fourth, and impossible to win if you’re not on the scoreboard! For homeschoolers, the third quarter is junior year – the key to success. Run up the score during 11th grade in five big ways. Take the PSAT/NMSQT®, attend a college fair, take the SAT® or ACT®, visit college campuses, and make some college choices. Each score gets you one step closer to victory.

Fourth Quarter: Senior Year
Keep the score in your favor. Avoid a last minute Hail Mary play; it rarely works, and it gives control to your opponent. Homeschoolers should start senior year strong, and not let go of their lead. This quarter, get on the scoreboard in three big ways. Apply to at least four colleges early in the fall, personalize college applications with self-reflective essays, and complete the FAFSA® for maximum scholarships. Glide through the quarter, maintaining your lead so you can win the college admission game.

Super Celebration: Spring of Senior Year
From the first Sunday game to the Super Bowl, every win is a celebration. Homeschoolers celebrate by having a unique graduation for their senior. Choose your MVP - the best college for your child. Plan a celebration – a graduation party, ticker-tape parade optional. Give a meaningful trophy – the high school diploma and transcript.

It’s All about Teamwork
A win worth celebrating comes from teamwork. For homeschool parents and students, that means true education represented by comprehensive homeschool records combined with helpful test scores. Winning teams value the fundamentals of a college prep education. Super Bowl teams maximize the special abilities of their franchise players. In the same way, homeschool parents can maximize the fun factor in education, embracing their children’s passions with delight directed learning on the homeschool transcript.

Winning throughout an entire football season takes skill but also luck, because of challenging schedules and possible injuries. But good teams plan ahead for those problems. As the great Vince Lombardi said, “Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.” Great homeschool parents plan ahead for problems, too. Be consistent from the beginning, so you never fall behind. Be prepared for anything by planning a college prep education that maximizes learning, because teenagers change their minds. Your star player will be prepared for anything that way – from college to career!

Game plan below!

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Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, specializes in helping parents homeschool high school. Get Lee's FREE Resource Guide "The 5 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make Homeschooling High School" and more freebies at www.HomeHighSchoolHelp.com.

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