2011-2012 Curriculum Choices

 I just updated our curriculum choices page. 

As I see it, homeschooling will be pretty laid back and also pretty hands off next year.

My daughter will be a Jr.  She will squeezing Geometry in over the Summer and into the fall, in time to take the PSAT, which she will also put some speficic effort into studying for it over the summer. She may take the College Math CLEP at the end of the school year, as it seems easy to pass after taking the SAT.

For language arts, I will count the work she does towards her PSAT & SAT studies and she will also take a fiction writing course at her homeschool program.

For science, she will take the online MIT course Kitchen Chemistry.

We are skipping history this year opting to study government during her Sr. year, an election year.

She will continue to work on Spanish (2a) and Mandarin (1b).

Then there's a slew of arts electives such as voice, drama, instruments, art...

*If she starts at a decent hour she will be done with her work by lunch and can work on her electives and independent stuff... not holding my breath.  I am considering not regulating her sleep patterns next year to see what happens.


My son will be a SR.  ACK!!

He has few requirements and has opted to take them as a dual enrollment student at the local college.  We are working on his applications now, but it looks good.  The dual enrolled classes will probably be:

• Intro to Physics (Fall)
• Personal Finance (Fall)
• Spanish 101 (Spring)

In addition to that, he is taking a Journalism class at the homeschool program, and a few arts related electives.

*My job with my son is to ask questions and perhaps guide organization.  Oh, and to make sure he gets his drivers license. 







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We need a one-room schoolhouse mentality

 In speaking to a homeschooling mom whose 18 year old homeschooler could really use one more year to be ready for college, but because of his age and the fact that he has done 4+ years at highschool level, he is determined to graduate and head to college, it dawned on my that we need a one-room school house mentality.

If you ever read Little House on the Prairie, you might remember that grade levels were not so cut and dry.  The child finished school when they had completed the required work.  It was not unusual to graduate young.  It was not unusual to graduate at an older age.

You'd think that as homeschoolers, we'd have a little more flexibility where grade levels were concerned, but ...not so much if the goal is college.  It is not possible to put a six year span on a transcript and call it high school.  The goal college would call that a less-than-rigorous program and put them out of the running for competitive colleges.

To counter this problem, we can do this for younger grades up to grade 8.  We can set a bar of where we want the child to be before they start high school level.  For instance, they may need to be through Algebra in math, and their reading and writing would have to be at a certain level, as well as geography and basic science knowledge.  Once they have reached those guidelines, the child is ready for a high school curriculum, which you can do in the traditional 4 years.  If they are above average advanced, they can dual enroll in their senior year or use CLEP exams to accelerate their education.


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Ready for Calculus, Part 2

I can't believe I spent the night fretting over this.  I was up from 1 till 4 doing research on whether or not he really needs to take calculus. 

I asked the question to one of my homeschooling groups and heard back from the wife of a school counselor... he suggested pre-calculus. (even though he took trig?)... I guess Pre-calculus will be easy for him. 

Free Sample Transcript

 I have viewed alot of homeschool transcripts, and a couple of public school transcripts too.  I don't pretend to be an expert on transcripts, but I am a quick study.  I came up with my own one page form that I plan to use.

Update:  This transcript was used to get my son accepted in multiple colleges with scholarship offers.

It is easy to scan, makes room for all the electives homeschoolers participate in.  It also takes into account the possibility of weighted grades due to AP classes and CLEP exams.

I have already customized one for each of my kids even filling in classes that I plan for them to take in the future... it really helped this visual person to see it laid out like that. 

Click here to view the transcript sample with notes:  
Feel free to use it as your own sample.

I've discontinued selling the template for this.  I feel it needs updating.  Thanks for your patronage. 

This years Academic Plan for Sophomore Daughter Grade 10

Update on this Years Curriculum for Jr. Daughter


Grade 10:

• Hippocampus Algebra part 2 (equivalent to Algebra 2) with Critical Thinking Algebra Word Problems workbook
• Biology (non majors biology hippocampus) with Inquiry into life textbook
• Virtual Biology Lab
• Spanish 2: Learner.org, Destinos with Destinos listening CDs and Workbook
• Intro to Chinese @ BYKI.com with Learning Chinese the Easy Way
• Skills for Literary Analysis by James P Stobaugh  (taking Analyzing Literature CLEP)
• Review History 1 for CLEP, then US History 2 (Hippocampus) w/ A History of US books
• Electives at Artios Academies for chorus, Christian World View, Musical Theater, Musical Theater Dance (PE), Voice Lessons, Drama Club

Like my son's schedule in the previous post, this looks overwhelming at first glance... but she's had busier years. 

Her work schedule will be 4 days a week for core lessons  and music practice 6-8 hours and all day Tuesday at Artios Academies.

I am also planning monthly Science and Evironmental Museum field trips.

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Update on this years curriculum for Jr. Son

 I gave a preview of this school year two months ago.  I think we have the final schedule down now:

Grade ll:

• Calculus AB1 for AP (Hippocampus.com free online video based program) w/Textbook Calculus,  Early Transcendental Functions
• Non majors biology (Hippocampus) w/Textbook Inquiry Into Life
• Biology Lab: Biology Labs Online
• US History 2 for AP(Hippocampus) with A History of US by Hakim books.(He will attempt the US History 2 CLEP  or AP exam next summer) 
• Spanish 2 (Rosetta Stone) w/ **Rosetta Stone Workbook  (he will attempt the Spanish CLEP next summer)
• American Literature: Encouraging Thoughtful Christians to be World Changers
• Electives at: Artios Conservatory of fine Arts (Tuesday program includes Chorus, Graphic Design, History of Film, Technical Theater and Film Photography)
• Phys Ed:  Keeping and exercise Journal.

oh my... that's alot.   His work schedule is 6-7 hours a day 4 days a week, plus 10 hours on Tuesdays for the Fine Arts Program.

** edit... changed BJ Spanish 2 Book to Rosetta Stone Workbook for continuity.
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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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Always Adjusting

I woke up this morning feeling overwhelmed.

Yesterday I mapped out the last 3 months of the school year on a calendar and realized that for my daughter who is in a play, has a year end performance coming up, and an arts competition, we are close to overbooked for the month of March.  The more this fact sank in, the more frantic I became.

Today at a play rehearsal it hit my.  We are homeschoolers.  I can back off during the month of March and everything would come out fine.

When I say back off, I mean take time off from the classes she does at home.  As of next week when she takes the History 1 CLEP exam, all that will be left for the year is math, science, and a little Spanish.

Well, I already planned for math to go through the whole summer.  Spanish is no bother for her she enjoys it,  but why not back off of math and science until he schedule lightens up.

Yes... that's what we'll do.  What a wonderful idea.

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Preparing to take the CLEP History 1 Exam

You may remember that we are planning to take a CLEP approach to homeschool high school.   Originally, I started working with my 15 year old son, who passed the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature Exam, and before long my 13 year old wanted in on the fun. 

We are now getting ready to take the History 1 Exam because my kids have a great grasp on history thanks to their Fine Arts and History program at Artios Academies. 

I had them use Hippocampus.com to watch the history videos and take the quizzes.  My daughter finished ahead of schedule so I had her take the short (65) question exam from the large blue College Board CLEP book.  She did exceedingly well, answering 2/3 of the questions right when you need to answer 50% right to pass the test. Her unofficial score was equivalent to a B in a college level class!  She hasn't even started using the recommended REA test prep book yet.  My kids will take the test in about 2 weeks, giving them time for more review and practice tests.
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Son Passed First CLEP Exam!

My son took the Analyzing and Interpreting Lit Clep this morning and scored a 52. You need 50 to pass. His score counts as a C (unofficially) for a college course, and since he is only 15 and in the 10th grade, I assigned him a B for his grade portfolio. He did do additional work for me while studying for the test... We will call it extra credit.

This was supposed to be the easiest of all CLEPs, but I disagree. It is only easy if your child or student is an avid reader of literature. While my son IS an avid reader, he does not do poetry, or "literature". He mostly sticks to big, honkin' manuals. I think it might be easy for my daughter who does like novels with flowery language, so I will plan for her to take it in the spring.

He is going to spend the next 6 weeks working towards the SAT with math review and working on his essay skills. After that we will tackle the History 1 CLEP.



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Great Deals on School & Homeschool Curriculum

Curriculum plan 2009-2010

Woke up 3 hours late today... too late to go to church. Still on LA Time.
Spent the rest of the day working on curriculum plan for the year and then for the next week.
Can't believe it is almost 1am and I am not sleepy. Still on LA time!

What are we using this year? Most of our curriculum this year is free with the homeschool budget going into their Fine Arts Program and testing fees. (I paid for Rosetta Stone last year and am enjoying the perks of that expense this year. We are a test family for lifetime learning as they perfect their online curriculum that used to be available by CDrom)

Daughter:

• Lifetime Library for language, science, and history
• Khan Academy for math (Algebra 1)
  
• Rosetta Stone for Spanish (taking up most of the budget)
• Thinking about supplementing Spanish with Byki.com
• Artios Conservatory for Fine Arts (Theater /Music Concentration)

This is a take-it-easy year with lots of classical reading to get her accustomed to high school level work

Son:

• Khan Academy for Math (Algebra 2)
• Rosetta Stone for Spanish
• CLEP exams W/ REA guides for Language, Science, History, and Math by year's End will be using lifetime library and Learner.org as base curriculum.
  
• May use InstantCert website for help with CLEP Exams
• Artios Conservatory for Fine Arts (Film/Art Concentration)
  

Plan is to do Math and Spanish Daily and begin with Language Arts Clep, Science CLEP in 2nd Quarter, History CLEP in 3rd Quarter, Finish the year with Math and possibly Spanish Clep




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It's a new school year!

We are home from California and ready to start the new school year.

The kids are going to Artios Conservatory on Tuesdays (High school fine arts, drama, chorus, etc).

My son is studying for Clep Exams this year.

My daughter is doing online curriculum programs.

I am also pledging to travel more and do more field trips.

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Attempting Spanish on our own

My son, and his friend took Spanish last year in a local classroom setting.  Not getting the results they hoped for we are going it on our own.  

The action plan: 

Review Spanish 1 and tackle Spanish 2 over the summer.  Then take the Clep Exam at the end of September.

We are using:

Learner.org free tutorial, Destinos (A telanovella that teaches spanish), plus the accompanying book that we ordered used from Amazon.com.

Rosetta Stone to teach pronunciation.

If they need more help, we will hire a Spanish tutor for the last month of study before taking the Spanish Clep Exam.

My daughter who has not taken Spanish 1 will follow the same program, but at a slower pace, hopefully taking the test next summer. 

Wish us luck, and if you have any experience preparing for the Spanish Clep exam, please leave a comment with tips and suggestions.

Video courses for clep exams

This site tells you which Anneberg media video courses to use when studying for CLEP exams

http://www.freeuniv.com/outside/annenres.html

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Assigning Letter grades from CLEP Scores (updates)

I was curious so I googled.

Someone on my CLEP email list mentioned that their sons took the CLEP today and one got an 80 a perfect score and the other got a 66.
I wondered how that translated into letter grades, and here is was I found:

**update:

I just got an email that lists (unnoficial) A and B grades for all cleps

Click Here! to increase your chances of passing.

This is straight from the College Board

Business
Financial Accounting	65	50
Introductory Business Law	60	50
Information Systems and Computer Applications	59	50
Principles of Accounting2	53	50
Principles of Marketing	65	50
Principles of Management	63	50
Composition and Literature
Analyzing & Interpreting Literature	60	50
American Literature	58	50
English Composition with Essay	63	50
English Composition without Essay	59	50
English Literature	62	50
Freshman College Composition	59	50
Humanities	56	50
Foreign Languages
French Language, Level 1	64	50
French Language, Level 2	69	59
German Language, Level 1	59	50
German Language, Level 2	67	60
Spanish Language, Level 1	56	50
Spanish Language, Level 2	68	63
History and Social Sciences
American Government	63	50
History of the United States I	56	50
History of the United States II	57	50
Human Growth and Development	63	50
Introduction to Educational Psychology	62	50
Introductory Psychology	59	50
Introductory Sociology	59	50
Principles of Macroeconomics	62	50
Principles of Microeconomics	64	50
Social Sciences and History	62	50
Western Civilization I	57	50
Western Civilization II	56	50
Science and Mathematics
Biology	57	50
Calculus	64	50
Chemistry	65	50
College Algebra	63	50
College Algebra-Trigonometry2	58	50
College Mathematics	62	50
Natural Sciences	62	50
Precalculus	61	50
Trigonometry2	58	50

¹The American Council on Education (ACE) granting of credit at the C-level.

²These examinations are no longer available to students.

previous findings:

http://www.back2college.com/clepgrades.htm

CLEP Exam	'A' Score	'B' Score	'C' Score
American Government	71	65	50
American Literature	64	55	50
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature	60	53	50
College Algebra	60	54	50
English Literature	67	55	50
Freshman College Composition	59	54	50
History of the United States I	59	54	50
History of the United States II	59	55	50
Principles of Macroeconomics	61	54	50
Principles of Management	60	56	50
Principles of Microeconomics	60	54	50
Psychology (Introductory)	58	54	50

This does not include all of the CLEP exams but you can reason that a 50 is a C and a 70 is an a+ at least

Examination PC Courses Credit Minimum Required Scores for:

A-Level B-Level C-Level

Biology (general) BIOL 1408 4 64 57 50

Business Law, Introductory BUSI 2301 3 70 60 50

Macroeconomics, Principles of ECON 2301 3 74 62 50

Microeconomics, Principles of ECON 2302 3 78 64 50

College Composition ENGL 1301 3 68 59 50

English Literature ENGL 2322 3 60 55 50

General Chemistry CHEM 1411 4 76 63 50

American History I* HIST 1301 3 62 56 50

American History II* HIST 1302 3 64 57 50

American Government (federal) GOVT 2305 3 76 63 50

College Algebra MATH 1314 3 76 63 50

Trigonometry MATH 1316 3 66 58 50

Calculus/Elem. Functions MATH 2413 4 72 61 50

General Psychology PSYC 2301 3 68 59 50

Human Growth & Development PSYC 2314 3 76 63 50

Sociology, Introductory SOCI 1301 3 68 59 50

College Spanish SPAN 1411 & 1412 8 60 55 50

This one is from panola college

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