What about the Prom? What about it?!

I spent the morning searching for a dress for my daughter to go to the spring formal.  It is open to all of the high school homeschoolers that attend 2 local Arts and /or Academic programs, so there will be plenty of kids she knows there.  She just finishing her freshman years so she is not worried about a date, nor did she get a typical full length prom dress, but the dress certainly is pretty.  Maybe I will post a picture later. 

My son is passing on the event ... we may have to FORCE him to go next year when he is a Junior.

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Homeschool Graduations are cool.

Today was graduation day for Artios Academies. 

4 of my children's classmates graduated and all are heading to college. 

It was an excellent program and ceremony (although I missed a bit)
Each of the 4 students of the Arts conservatory, performed a 15 minute set (the art student did a short film) and had an art gallery. 

Then there was the reception, and awards.

Then there was the cap and gown diploma portion.

As the parent of underclassmen, I worked on setting up and breaking down the reception hall... it took much of the entire week, mentally, and in time as well. 

Here is a glipse of the reception hall where hordevours were served and awards (for high school student in general) were given.
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Tentative plan for my rising sophomore

 If you read my last post, you will know that my son is a rising Jr.  My 13 year old daughter is only 1 year behind him.  Her plan for finishing high school is a little less clear.  I do know that while he is taking the calculus  and physics route with plans to study computer science and graphics, she is a much more a practical thinking person (versus theoretical) who wants to be an actor and costume designer.  Plus she is already frustrated with Algebra, so I am worried about Algebra 2 and Calculus.  After a conversation with her and my husband, here is how I think it will go:

Grade 10:
~*Continue Algebra 1, then study for Algebra Clep Test.  This will equate to Algebra 1 plus College level Algebra 1
~Biology (non majors biology hippocampus)
~Spanish 2
~Intro to Chinese
~Modern Literature
~Study for US History 1 Clep Exam & then do US History 2
~Artios Academies for chorus, Christian World View, Musical Theater, Musical Theater Dance, Voice Lessons

Grade 11
~*Geometry?  Teaching Textbooks?
~Chemistry
~Chinese 2
~Grammar/ Lit: Analyzing and Interpreting Lit CLEP
~US History 2
~Artios Academies electives in Theater and Music

Grade 12
~ *Maybe Personal Finance or perhaps Algebra 2
~American or English Literature
~Artios Academies electives in Theater and Music and a Senior Project

I would love some input in the flexibility of homeschool math and College admissions!

*This is a work in progress... I have already several things since I have posted this.

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Preparing for my son's Junior and Senior Year

AHHHHHHHH! I just sat down with my son to talk about his classes for the next two years.... his last 2 years homeschooling.

I feel faint. 

Anyway, we have decided that he would spend the next two years tackling physics and calculus. And of course there would be more grammar, literature, history, and Spanish.

Tentatively, the next two years will look like this.



*This summer: 
~"Trigonometry in 20 minutes a Day" as a prerequisite for Calculus.  (Trig is the only thing from a pre-calc book that he did not understand)
~Computer Science CLEP Exam

Next year, Grade ll:
~*Calculus 1part and part 2 (Hippocampus)
~Non majors biology (hippocampus)
~US History 2 (Hippocampus) (He will attempt the US History 2 CLEP next summer for college credit)
~Spanish 2 (Rosetta Stone) (he will attempt the Spanish CLEP next summer)
~English/Grammar:  I am designing a literature/wiritng course... he hasn't read as much as I would have liked the last 2 years, so I have picked 7 books to read and write about. (Because he passed the Analyzing Lit Clep, he has already reached his requirements for this subject)


(The good news Is I won't be spending much money this year as Hippocampus is free and we own Rosetta Stone) 
His electives will include Film Photography, Graphic Design, , History of Film, Chorus, Christian Worldview, and Piano (ArtiosAcademies, a local homeschool program)  This is where the bulk of my homeschooling money will go.  Free homeschool sites have made paying for this program possible.

His FINAL (SENIOR) YEAR:

~*Physics part 1 &2 and CLEP Exam
~US Government (if he wants another history at that point)
~Classes at Artios Academies will include more music and film related classes and a SENIOR project!

(note*  with the Hippocampus program, the Calculus 1 and 2 and physics 1 and 2 is the same as precalc and calc, and intro to physics and physics.)

My daughter and I are still mulling over the next 3 years for her.  I will sit down and compile that information soon.  (If I don't put these things in writing, I fear I may forget something)


READ: Home School, High School, & Beyond: A Time Management, Career Exploration, Organizational & Study Skills Course

*This post has been updated... after getting a better understanding of calculus and physics and prerequisites, we thought it might make better sense to do a year of calculus, then a year of physics.  It also cuts his classes next year from 5 to 4.... I added back another science (biology) after going on a couple of college tours. 
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