Other
First Year Homeschooling Stress
The first year is the hardest. Or so I have heard. And I have experienced. That first year after leaving the brick and mortar school is often plagued with comparison. Am I doing enough? Are my children advancing enough? My students are missing out on ___ , ___, and ___(whatever you can think of). I saw this myself and recognized it in others as I met moms new to homeschooling. BUT, what did we gain?! The gains and benefits to homeschooling far outweighed anything we did not do or no longer did. And the children had so many more friends! Homeschooling kids came by the family, often big families. So everyone in our family made friends at the same time, within the same families. So, when meeting new homeschool moms I try to calm with comparison fears. | | cmassoth |
Other
Dual Credit
Dual credit was a great boost to our high school and college programs. Many of the upper level high school classes are similar and sometimes harder than freshman college courses. A student can earn a full year of high school credit in one semester. US Government was a flex class lasting half a semester for 3 college credit hours. It was a full year of high school government credit. In addition, a student who does not test well can enter college as a transfer student without submitting SAT or ACT scores. A big bonus is the cost. Dual credit may be free or cost much less than even community college courses. Dual credit is certainly something to consider. | | cmassoth |
Science: general
Science for Younger Students
Science developed through observation of this fantastic world God created for us and homeschool science can start the same way. Observe our creation and all that is in it. Biology - while hiking, sprouting seeds, petting zoo, hatching eggs. Marine biology with fish, aquariums or even going fishing. Cooking is chemistry. Who doesn't like playing with water? Or looking up at the sky - day and night? Fun! With questions. With discussion. Even the toddler book The Very Hungry Caterpillar has simple science. Pulling apart flowers is simple dissection. Observe all our creation! | | cmassoth |
| | Math: fundamentals
Math Facts Will Come
Having the math facts well memorized is important but concepts can be taught without them. If your student is having difficulty memorizing the math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) that does not mean to need to stop with other math concepts. A lot of the middle grade concepts can be taught with a chart or list of the math facts in hand. For some the facts memorization comes slower. You can keep working on those facts while continuing with other math concepts. | | cmassoth |
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