So many experts tell you that you have to do all. the. things. Dual enrollment. Honors classes. Volunteering. AP tests. Extra-curriculars. Guess what? You don’t have to do ANY of those things. We didn’t, and all of our kids got into college and received scholarships without them. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do them if they are a good fit. How can you tell when it’s wise to take on something extra? Ann gives several criteria to consider in this episode. SHOW NOTES

It's Not That Hard to Homeschool High School

How to Decide about Extras for Homeschooling High School

It helps to have a plan, doesn't it? To know ALL the things you need to do, so you don't miss anything. Ann's Timeline for Homeschool High School Success alerts you to everything that needs to happen during the high school years, so that you don't forget or miss anything. This podcast episode discusses all the items in the timeline with Ann's own commentary and insight, so that you are fully prepared for what you need to do. DOWNLOAD THE TIMELINE HERE -- so you can follow along! SHOW NOTES

Ann's Timeline for Homeschool High School Success

Some days we feel GREAT! Other days, not so much, LOL. On those bad days -- or weeks, or months, sometimes -- how do you keep confident that this homeschool high school thing is going well, that you are being successful? The answer is in this podcast episode. There are some things to consider -- some obvious, others less so -- to help you maintain equilibrium and keep pressing on without feelings of failure or disappointment. Remember, Ann believes you can CONFIDENTLY, COMPETENTLY, and CONTENTEDLY homeschool high school. So listen up to find out how! SHOW NOTES

How to Tell if You are Successfully Homeschooling High School

Dual Enrollment is a big buzzword these days. It may seem like the best thing since sliced bread -- my teen can get high school and college credit at the same time? Sign me up! But there are many things to consider when making the decision to do dual enrollment with your homeschooled teen. Here are several aspects you may not have considered. Spoiler: NONE of my kids had dual enrollment, and they all got into colleges with scholarships just fine. But listen for more things to think through before you jump on the dual enrollment bandwagon. SHOW NOTES  

Dual Enrollment for Homeschoolers - is it right for YOU?

As we begin the new school year, you have been busy planning, scheduling, and creating -- for your kids. What about you, homeschool mom? Have you been planning or scheduling or creating for yourself? Do you have ideas for how to take care of your heart while you take care of those in your homeschool? In this episode we discuss self-care. Not selfishness, but caring for ourselves so that we may better take care of those around us. Sometimes it's actually wiser to say no to them and say yes to ourselves. Sound crazy? Listen up for some deep thoughts and some tips and ideas to make caring for your heart part of your day. SHOW NOTES

The Care and Feeding of Homeschool Moms

As we get ready to start another homeschool year, we get caught up in all the minutiae of planning all the things -- curriculum planning, lesson planning, schedule planning -- and we can lose sight of the bigger picture. Yet the bigger picture is vitally important when it comes to our motivation from day-to-day and also for helping us determine whether we are being successful or not. Don't forget these big picture perspectives! SHOW NOTES

Big Picture Perspectives about the New Homeschool Year

As they get older, it is wise to include our teens in the homeschool high school planning process. They deserve a say in what they do, especially since we want them to become more independent in preparation for college. In this episode we discuss all the areas that the teen can give input, as well as what to do when they're not giving you much of anything. LOL. Always remember the bigger picture, which is that the relationship trumps all. Involving them in planning is a great way to keep things going smoothly. But for the specifics of how to make that happen when planning high school, listen to the episode! SHOW NOTES

Episode 61: How to Involve Your Teen in the High School Planning Process

You can be swimming along and then things aren't going so well anymore. Homeschooling high school is all about adapting, and so you may realize that it's time for something to change. Often this involves a change in the overall homeschool high school plan, not just tweak like a new curriculum choice. But no fear; this does not have to be a big deal! In fact, if there's one constant when homeschooling high school, it's that change WILL happen, LOL! In this episode we discuss reasons why you might want to change the overall plan, how to change the plan, and what the key factors are to keep in mind as you do so. Be encouraged! SHOW NOTES

Episode 60 - When the Homeschool High School Plan Needs to Change

In this episode, Ann gives you the real facts about types of financial aid for college as they apply to homeschoolers. She shares stories from her personal experience getting ready to send five kids off to college over the last 10 years. As always, she is transparent and honest about what to expect, because it doesn't help you to be thinking one thing and find out very late that there is another thing altogether going on! Discussion topics: Merit Scholarships Athletic Scholarships Scholarships for other activities Researching for random scholarships Grants, work/study, the FAFSA How to pay the difference SHOW NOTES

Episode 59: The Truth about Financial Aid for College

This question gets asked all the time: can we use the teen’s job outside the home for homeschool credit? In this podcast episode, I answer that one and many more about getting a job for your homeschool student. Two of our kids had formal jobs, two others had less formal ones — and one didn’t get one at all. So all of my information is based on this varied experience! As always, there is no right or wrong answer here. After listening to the episode, do what you think is best for YOUR teen, YOUR family, and YOU! Topics discussed: When getting a job for a homeschool student is a good idea vs. not so good What type of job to get How to get the job Paperwork needed How to handle the job itself Giving homeschool credit for the job — yay or nay SHOW NOTES

Getting a job for your Homeschooled Teen

 Math struggles are no fun at any age, but in high school they can seem quite dire. It can be scary to think about how not getting the right high school math credits might affect your kid. There is good news, and that is that there is almost always a path to take that will improve the situation.   Listen as Ann gives tips and advice about how to handle this issue. Grab your favorite warm beverage and be prepared to feel your burden lightened!   SHOW NOTES

What to do about High School Math Struggles

 Math is one of the most intimidating high school subjects for many homeschool moms. In this episode you'll hear all of Ann's best tips for reducing the stress and getting your kid all the way through.   Ann talks about: Math sequencing Pre-Algebra Algebra Geometry vs. Algebra 2 How to grade math assignments/tests And more!   SHOW NOTES

How to Homeschool High School Math with Less Stress

Knowing how to prepare for college academics may seem easy compared to whether your homeschooled teen will be ready socially and emotionally. Ann has sent four kids off to college and has learned a bit about what they will need to be ready for in the realms of relationships, expectations, etc. In this episode Ann shares several character qualities that will help your teen succeed. SHOW NOTES

How to Prepare for College Socially and Emotionally

I've sent four kids off to college. Two graduated -- one of those went on to get her Master's degree, and the other is studying for CPA exams right now. One of the kids decided college wasn't for her; not because of grades but because of inclination. She came home and decided to work full time instead (and is now out on her own). The fourth will graduate junior college with his associates degree soon. We're pleased with these results! We didn't do anything super-duper magical to get them ready. Preparing for college academically entails a few common-sense tasks that will help grow your teen to handle the independence of college courses and the level of the work. You might discover it's easier than you think. As always, don't listen to the voices saying you have to do all. the. things. Wait for the third item I mention for more understanding about that. :-) SHOW NOTES

Preparing for College Academically

During the high school years, our teens are getting more independent. How does that work for high school writing? How involved does Mom need to be? What about planning, editing, grading, oh my?  Misti Lacy, the Curriculum Consultant for WriteShop, is a veteran homeschool mom with oodles of years teaching high school writing both at home and in a co-op setting. She offers much insight into how we can help our teens through the writing process without being too helicopter-y.  Plus, Misti and I just had fun conversing with one another, which I think you can hear on this episode. Join us for our chat! SHOW NOTES

Homeschool High School Writing: Mom's Involvement

Homeschooling high school can be scary and overwhelming to think about, but it doesn't have to be that hard! Ann has 20+ years of homeschooling experience, including graduating four kids (one more to go!). In this podcast she will reassure you, inspire you, and empower you with the information you need to feel confident and successful as you homeschool your teen.

hubhopper

It's Not That Hard to Homeschool High School

hubhopper