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HIGH SCHOOL EDITION #13

By Heather Idoni

Added Monday, October 26, 2009


 ==========================================================
                The Homeschooler's Notebook
       ***SPECIAL SERIES - High School Homeschooling***
 ==========================================================
   Vol. 10 No 79                         October 26, 2009
                      ISSN: 1536-2035                              
 ==========================================================
   Copyright (c) 2009 - Heather Idoni, FamilyClassroom.net
 ==========================================================

  Welcome to The Homeschooler's Notebook!

  If you like this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend!
  And please visit our sponsors!  They make it possible.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


  DO YOU WANT TO HOMESCHOOL YOUR HIGH SCHOOLER WITH CONFIDENCE?

  Get Your FREE "Yes, You Can Homeschool High School" lesson today!

  5 critical concepts that you must know before you get started:

  http://www.FamilyClassroom.net/UpperLevelHomeschool.htm


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    =================
      IN THIS ISSUE:
    =================

  Notes from Heather
  -- Music Lessons at Home
  Feature Article
  -- Homeschool Apprenticeships
  Helpful Tip for High School
  -- High School Lapbooking
  Answers to Reader Question
  -- Equine Science Resources?
  Additional Notes
  -- Newsletter Archives
  -- Sponsorship Information
  -- Reprint Information
  -- Subscriber Information


    =======================
       Notes from Heather
    =======================

  Apprenticeships for Teens

  ---

  In our featured article this issue, Maggie Hogan shares the stories
  of 2 homeschooled teens who were blessed with career training through
  apprenticeship opportunities.  She also tells us how parents can be
  proactive in procuring situations that provide for a student to learn
  while volunteering (or in some cases even working for pay) in areas
  that fit their individualized interests.

  I'd love to read more REAL LIFE stories from those of you who know
  homeschooled students in unique apprenticeship-style arrangements!
  True accounts like these educate and inspire all of us. :-)

  Please write!  Send your email to: heather@familyclassroom.net
  with "Apprenticeship Story" in the subject line.

  ---

  Considering Music Lessons?

  ---

  My friend Mary Ann, from www.TheHomeschoolMom.com, recently received
  an email from a reader who was very pleased to be introduced to one
  of our mutual sponsors, Legacy Learning Systems.

  Tina writes...

  "Thank you so much for recommending the Legacy Homeschool Curriculum.
  I rarely if ever buy any curriculum, but I recently purchased the
  'Learn and Master Guitar' for me to teach my nine year old son.  I am
  so impressed with the integrity of the program.  Not to mention it
  arrived via USPS only a few short days after I ordered it.  We have
  already begun the first session and I know enough about the guitar
  to at least feel like I'm playing.  I can tell this is going to be a
  very productive year.  Thanks for help finding the good stuff that's
  out there.  It's nice to know that I can trust your judgment."

  P.S. -- Mary Ann also wanted me to let our readers know that her
  husband has just started the guitar program and he LOVES it so far!
  She said he is impressed with how much material it includes and he's
  been practicing every day. :-)

  If you are interested in music lessons for your children but know
  that you can't afford a private teacher (or your schedule just won't
  accommodate it), I would really encourage you to take the time to
  read and research at our sponsor's site in the ad section below.

  -- Heather

  ---

  Do you have comments to share?  Please do!
  Send your emails to:  mailto:heather@familyclassroom.net


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    =======================
       Feature Article
    =======================

  High School Apprenticeship at Home
    by Maggie S. Hogan

  There are a great number of ways to creatively gain high school
  credit at home besides using a curriculum bought from a publisher.
  At this age, volunteer work, as well as paid employment, can be
  counted as a work experience elective.  For example, a student
  with an interest in nursing can volunteer at a local hospital,
  nursing home, crisis pregnancy center, or other health care
  facility.  A student interested in wildlife management may
  want to volunteer at a state park, nature center, or wildlife
  preserve.  Even just a "plain old job" has much value in teaching
  responsibility, time management, work ethics, accountability,
  and much more.  It is perfectly reasonable to award a credit for
  a part-time job held throughout the school year.

  What about apprenticeship?  Apprenticeship by definition is
  "training in an art, trade, or craft, under a legal agreement
  defining the relationship between master and learner and the
  duration and conditions of their relationship".  This kind of
  mentoring goes a step further than just a job.  It's a well-
  thought-out plan of action.  The key to successful apprenticeship
  is a blend of instruction and "hands-on" experience supervised
  by an expert in the field.  This has gained much popularity among
  homeschoolers for several reasons:

  -- It's practical.  What better way to learn a business than under
  the tutelage of a "master" in the field?

  -- It's do-able.  Within our circle of family, church, and friends,
  it is quite likely we could find the right match for our student.

  -- It's good preparation.  Wouldn't we all like our young people
  prepared for "real life"?

  Two True Tales

  "Is it my imagination, or is Flossie standing exactly where and how
  she was last night?" Janice asked her family aloud.  Her 11 year
  old daughter, Lauren, assured her that it was not her imagination
  and that she had been trying to tell her mom that Flossie looked
  sick!  Their two acres out in the country filled with all description
  of animals was exactly to this middle child's liking.  She willingly
  worked hard on the property and had earned the title, "Farm Manager".

  They called the vet, who came out and examined the pregnant cow,
  Flossie.  It was a good thing they called her when they had, because
  it turned out that Flossie was in pretty bad shape.

  Thus began their relationship with a large animal vet.  Being the
  child who always loved animals, Lauren was extremely interested in
  all the procedures that this doctor performed on her many visits.
  One visit prompted the inevitable "Why are your children home during
  the day?" question and the answer, question, answer, question, answer
  type conversation that inevitably follows that particular inquiry.
  (The doctor was intrigued enough by homeschooling that she attended
  our state conference that year.)

  Lauren was so very interested in learning more about how people
  help sick animals that eventually the vet was asked if Lauren
  could possibly accompany her on her rounds one day.  The answer
  was positive, and sure enough, the day came when Lauren was invited
  to go along.  She loved it.  Then, unexpectedly, she was invited to
  go again, and again, and again!  Lauren treasured those experiences
  and longed for more.

  A friend suggested that Janice should try to establish a relationship
  with the vet where Lauren could accompany her once each week in
  exchange for Lauren volunteering her labor once each week.  The
  labor would be the "dirty work" that needs to be done but that no
  one relishes.  The doctor instantly agreed to the arrangement, and
  the following year was a very happy one for the "Farm Manager".

  During this time she learned all kinds of things and was functioning
  as a nurse-assistant.  Her expertise grew to where she could anticipate
  what tool was needed during surgery and was invited to tag along
  whenever there was something particularly interesting happening.
  She even looked forward to doing the work on her volunteer evening.
  Sometimes she washed the trucks, sometimes she did paper work,
  sometimes she filled pill bottles, and sometimes she cleaned the
  office.  She worked hard and enthusiastically.  The arrangement
  worked out great for everyone involved and was continued into the
  next year.  This shy, middle child grew into a self-confident,
  knowledgeable young lady.

  The following year it became apparent to the veterinarian that the
  business had grown to the point where she needed to hire part-time
  help.  To whom do you suppose she offered the position?  Of course,
  Lauren was exceedingly pleased.  It not only was her first paying
  job; it was a job at which she was skilled and one she dearly loved.

  When it came time to figure out her high school science requirements,
  it was easy assigning her a credit for science after the many hours
  of labor and incredible knowledge she had gained during those years.
  Now, ten years later, we find Lauren has earned her nursing degree!

  BJ was a quiet kid like his dad.  He enjoyed playing the piano and
  messing around with his friends.  There was one thing that really
  got him excited, though, and that was computers.  As soon as he
  finished his studies each day, he would spend whatever time he could
  on the computer.  His mom got him books on programming, and he pored
  over them.  What he read, he put into action on their Mac.  Over the
  years, his interest grew.  He really wasn't sure he was interested in
  going to college; he really *was* sure he was interested in computers!
 
  His parents took the money they had saved up for his college
  education and bought him a state-of-the-art computer, printer, and
  many peripherals.  He had learned so much about computers and
  programming over the years, they believed he would learn what he
  needed to know to be a valuable employee or entrepreneur if just
  given exposure to the right equipment.

  At about this time, BJ began volunteering in the TV studio at their
  church.  He started out sweeping the floors and emptying wastecans.
  Just by being there, he was learning much.  Folks began to notice
  that he had an incredible amount of interest and aptitude in the
  use of computers in television and movie production and was even
  able to help them through various difficulties which arose.  Soon a
  paying position opened up and BJ applied for and got the job.  Then
  the homeschool graduate was making good money doing what he loved.

  Now, several years later, his reputation in his city for being the
  fellow who knows how to handle problems that arise in computer and
  film production is well established.  BJ is in demand for this type
  of consulting and is happily occupied in his life's work.

  Experience is the best teacher... so the saying goes.  Many young
  people are taking advantage of the enormous opportunities available
  to them as home educated students.  The flexible schedules they
  usually possess, as well as the ability to take the time to really
  focus on an area of interest, are very valuable and envied by many
  of their non-homeschooled peers.

  However, these opportunities don't usually just jump into your lap. It
  takes an alert, caring, tuned-in adult to search out the possibilities,
  to turn occurrences into opportunities, and then to encourage the
  student to actively participate in them.  There are many adults who
  would be pleased and honored to share their vocation with an interested
  young person.  Pray, look, and be prepared for amazing opportunities!

  ---

  Maggie and Bob Hogan live in Dover, DE where they began homeschooling
  their two (now grown) sons in 1991.  Maggie is a nationally known
  speaker and co-author of The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide,
  Gifted Children at Home, Young Scholar's Guide to Classical Composers
  and other resource books.  She and Bob are also owners of Bright Ideas
  Press, publishers of the all new Illuminations curriculum as well as
  the award winning:  Mystery of History series, Christian Kids Explore
  series and All American History series.  When not reading or writing,
  Maggie can be found playing with her granddaughter and drooling over
  travel brochures.

  Copyright, 2009. All rights reserved by author.


    ================
      Helpful Tip
    ================

  Lap Books for High School Level Science

  "Live and Learn Press offers some AWESOME lap books.  I had
  previously tried some from another source and was overwhelmed.
  These lap books are complete except for the paper!  My 13 year
  old has used the ones for Apologia Science and I give the lap
  book half the credit for her 'A'.  It broke down the information
  in smaller pieces and she has done so well in General and Physical
  Science." -- Jackie, member of the Homeschool Share Yahoo Group

  Homeschool Share is an amazing website with free resources for
  unit studies, lap books and more -- all shared freely by its
  members.  While most of the units and helps are for children
  younger than high school level, take a look around and I'm sure
  you will find lots of ideas you can use for high school, too!

  ---

  Do you have an idea, experience, or tip to share?  Please write!
  Send to:  mailto:HN-ideas@familyclassroom.net


    =========================
      High School Question
    =========================

  "Hi -- I enjoyed the issue I read today about the stages of
  homeschooling.  My daughter will be a senior next year and would
  like her last year of science to be equine studies.  Our cover school
  said it would be okay if we focus on anatomical studies.  She needs a
  fourth science for her advanced diploma -- she has taken physical
  science, biology and now chemistry.  We need help locating resources
  to meet this level of course material.  We actually raise horses; she
  already has 8 on the farm.  Please -- any suggestions?" -- Pam


    =====================
      Reader Responses
    =====================

  "Many of our large animal vets welcome youth to ride with them.
  The youth learns and the vet has an extra pair of hands!  If I
  were you, I would be asking the local large animal vets about
  letting her assist them.  Then you could also cover anatomical
  studies and give her a great foundation, plus it would be a hands-on
  experience she could not duplicate in the classroom." -- Debbie

  [Editor's note:  I found it to be an interesting coincidence that
  our featured article was planned well before the question from Pam
  -- and Debbie's answer!  I, too, would recommend the apprenticeship
  idea for your daughter, Pam.  Also -- has she ever watched the old
  BBC series 'All Creatures Great and Small'?  Some of the episodes
  involve horses, but I think she'd really enjoy the whole idea of
  watching country vets in action.  Great material for discussion!]

  ---

  "Ask your vet to recommend books or resources that might be helpful.
  Visit a local veterinary college and ask for suggestions.  You might
  search the web and see what you find.

  A quick search on the web found these resources below." -- Liz

  Equine Anatomy Website (might be a good supplement to a curriculum)
  http://www.eec-equine-therapy.com/Equine-Anatomy.html

  Essential Equine Studies - Anatomy and Physiology:
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0851318932?ie=UTF8&tag=hsaudio-20


  [Editor's note: I found a great horse anatomy coloring book, too!]
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1577790219?ie=UTF8&tag=hsaudio-20

  ---

  "In Olds, Alberta, Canada (population 7200), Olds College offers
  an equine science class by video conferencing.

  http://www.oldscollege.ca/programs/Equine/index.htm

  Not sure if it would be accepted for credit in the U.S. or not, but
  you could contact Olds College." -- G.G.

  [Editor's note:  One of our readers, a homeschool dad, does equine
  massage for a living, which is a specialty offered by the college
  above!  You could also go into equine dentistry!  Dig deeper and
  you may find an opportunity in one of these specialty fields.  The
  dad I know does quite well and is in high demand. -- Heather]

  ---

  "You may have to compile multiple smaller units to make up her year
  of equine studies.  Amanda Bennett has a great unit study on horses
  that would make a wonderful introduction to a full year course. 

  You may also want to check around your area for trainers/breeders...
  they can be a wealth of information.  There is actually one near
  us who offers an equine anatomy course for a full semester for
  homeschoolers.  Also, my daughter (15) does volunteer work with a
  therapeutic stable that offers hippo-therapy for disabled children.
  Organizations like that are always looking for volunteers.  Perhaps
  that, as well as caring for your own horses, could count as 'lab
  work' for a course that you create yourself, or that she creates!
  You could check with your local universities that offer equine
  studies to see what their courses look like and use that as a guide.
  Good luck!" -- Bonnie


    =============================================
     New Reader Question for Next Regular Issue
    =============================================

  "I have been home educating my son (14) and daughter (12) for 2
  years now and I enjoy it.  I'm not sure where to start, so I'll
  just begin.  My son becomes easily frustrated while trying to read.
  He mis-pronounces or puts letters that don't belong in the word
  while he reads.  He doesn't comprehend what we he reads unless I
  read it -- and then he understands it.  He speeds through reading
  without realizing that he is missing 1 or 2 words in each sentence.
  My question is, is this a type of reading disorder that I need to
  be concerned about or is it that he's just not into reading?  Or
  maybe I'm being too picky about it?  This has been a concern since
  he could independently read.  Do you have any advice/suggestions
  to help us get through this?  Thanks in advance." -- Hawaiian Mom

  ---

  Would you like to respond to this plea for help?

  Please send your email to:  mailto:HN-answers@familyclassroom.net


    =====================
     Ask YOUR Question
    =====================

  Do you have a question about homeschooling high school?

  Send it to mailto:HN-questions@familyclassroom.net and we'll see
  if we can help you out in a future issue!


    =======================
     Need Immediate Help?
    =======================

  Visit our Homeschool Encouragement Center!  This is a live 24/7
  'chat' area where you can talk live to our homeschool counselors
  by typing in a box.  When you get there, just introduce yourself
  and let them know that Heather sent you!

  This ultra-safe chat is supervised by experienced moms who are
  there to serve and share their wisdom... or just offer a listening
  ear and encouragement.

  http://www.HomeschoolChat.us


    ===========================
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    =====================
     ADDITIONAL NOTES
    =====================

  All contributed articles are printed with the author's prior
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  the "Homeschooler's Notebook". [Occasionally your contribution
  may have to be edited for space.]

  Again, I welcome you to the group!  Feel free to send any
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    ===========================
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    ===========================

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