Getting started
- NHEN's New Homeschooler's area
This is a "mini-website" designed to include material for new homeschoolers of all ages. Included are such topics as: reasons to homeschool, how to get started, deschooling, scheduling, dealing with criticism, learning about learning, homeschooling methods, legal information, socialization, support, conferences, resources, financial considerations, and looking beyond homeschooling.
- Cafi Cohen's 10 reasons to homeschool through high school
Cafi discusses each of these reasons, in detail, on her website: efficiency, head start on college, self-directed learning, travel, work experience, time, family closeness, reduce peer pressure, save money, and FUN.
Homeschooling methods
- Learning high school subjects
by Lenore Hayes
From the opening paragraph, "One of the key concerns for new homeschooling families is how to approach high school course work. regardless of your child's age, the mere thought of having to 'teach,' at some future point, those dreaded classes that we may have had difficulty mastering years ago, can be reason enough for many parents to conclude that homeschooling is something that is only an option prior to the high school years. Not so." The author goes on to describe a variety of ways to approach such subjects. The advice is both practical and inspiring.
- Weaving a life
by Luz Shosie
One family's very interesting story of unschooling through their son's teen years.
- Exploring Options
by Cindie Edmunds
This author writes about how her family's homeschooling journey is changing as her son goes through his teen years. In her words, "The time seems to pass so quickly, it seems that just the other day I was meticulously recording his first words, first steps, first hair cut. Now, I find myself utterly fascinated by the man he is becoming."
- Homeschooling teens
by Sandra Hurst
The author of this article addresses basic questions that most parents of teens worry about, such as the very fundamental concern that our teens "...will not learn enough about the important skills for living a prosperous and fulfilled life." She also quotes Paul Tillich, "The fatal pedagogical error is to throw answers, like stones, at the heads of those who have not yet asked the questions," and goes
on to discuss some answers to parental concerns about whether or not their teen will ever get around to asking the questions the parent thinks are important. A thought-provoking article.
- Preparing a Homeschool Portfolio
by Shirley M. R. Minster
A portfolio is a viable method to assess, both continually and
annually, a student's academic progress. This approach helps both parent and student compare work objectively during the school year. The suggestions in this article will help parents prepare a portfolio.
- Homeschooling a High School Athlete
by Cindie Edmunds
One homeschooler's positive experiences playing on a public high school athletic team.
Learning resources
Online support
Let's hear from the teens
Zoo Days!
by Caitlin Letts
Caitlin is a 16-year-old homeschooler from Oregon. She is an accomplished pianist, a Tae Kwon Do student, and a member of a world champion Destination Imagination team. In this article, she describes her experiences doing volunteer work with the Oregon Zoo and with the Birds of Prey program.
Changes
by Keegan O'Connor
Keegan examines the changes he underwent, both outwardly and inwardly, when moving from a school environment to homeschooling. It is especially interesting to notice what great insight he has into his own behavior and motivations.
The reason I began homeschooling
Roman's reasons to homeschool had to do with the negative social experiences he experienced in school. This article may be especially encouraging to teens who are also unhappy with the school "social scene" or who are worried about what their social life might be like as a homeschooler.
Home-School + High School = Self-School
Sonya Dave' is a college student who homeschooled high school. She writes: "My word of advice: To succeed with home-education in the higher grades you have to not only want to do it, but be able to be independent and take charge of your education. Take a look back at the page title: home-schooling in high school is self schooling. At this stage of your education your parents can't continue to teach you everything, but it doesn't mean you have to turn to the school systems, it means you need to be a little more active and seek out what you need. The most important thing your parent can do is 'teach you to teach yourself.'" Sonya's website has discussion boards, resource links, a "roster" of homeschoolers, polls, and college information.
College information
Information on preparing for college, finding the right college, getting accepted, test preparation, financial issues, and college athletics.
- Choosing and applying to four-year colleges
by Wes Beach
Wes Beach directs Beach High School, which offers teenagers the freedom to pursue their authentic interests and develop their natural talents outside of a traditional high school. Wes has been doing this kind of work in one form or another for over 20 years. Prior to working independently, he had 32 years' experience in grades K-14 in public and private schools as a teacher and alternative education program director. In this article, Wes talks about the wide variety of colleges that exist. He also talks about the possible benefits of taking some time off before college, where to get college advice and information, using college guidebooks, how many schools to consider, how to sort through all the college information and make a decision, and gives concrete help in the application process.
- Questions and answers about getting started in college
by Wes Beach
In this question and answer article, Wes responds to the following: What classes should I take? What requirements do I need to meet? How many classes should I take? What if I don't know what I want to study? Will I be OK?
- Cafi Cohen's homeschool teens and college
This site is devoted entirely to homeschooling teens who plan to go to college. Cafi Cohen is the author of, "And What About College," as well as "Homeschooling: the Teen Years." Lots of information and practical advice and help.
- Getting ready for college early
A Handbook for Parents of Students in the Middle and
Junior High School Years U.S. Department of Education
This is an online book with the following topics of discussion: A Note to Parents of Middle and Junior High School-Age Youth Making the Decision: Why Going to College Is Important?, What kinds of jobs can you get with a college education? Examples of Jobs Requiring College Preparation, Getting Ready: Taking the Right Courses for College Starts in Middle School, Challenging courses help kids get into college, High School Recommended Courses for College, Get a
"Leg Up" on College Preparation and Save on Tuition, Don't go it alone: Help for parents, Planning Ahead: What Does College Cost? Paying for College: The Aid Is Available, but Save, Too?
- Sign up for a high school and college planning newsletter
Help your teen prepare for life after high school -- from test-driving a college to choosing a career. Get financial aid advice, SAT tips, application timelines, and the scoop on where the jobs are. Sample newsletter available online.
- When mom is your teacher
This article from US News and World Report gives tips to homeschoolers who may want to seek admission to college. It also has links to college-related websites including college rankings and comparisons, scholarship search, other financial aid information, and more.
- Unschooling into college
Can unschooled teens go to college? Yes. Can they be successful? Yes. Here is a brief description of one unschooling young man's college start.
- College information websites
These are websites which will help you find: the right college, financial aid and scholarships, information and help with college entrance exams, online college courses, and eligibility requirements for college athletics.
Alternatives to college
- Uncollege
by Wes Beach
As Wes says, "There are so many ways to make your way in the world....". Many possibilities are discussed in this article and Wes provides practical ideas for teens and young adults to get started on their own particular paths.
- But what if I don't want to go to college?
By Harlow Giles Unger
ISBN: 0816038619
Not all young people want to go to college, but they can still have a fulfilling and successful career in any of the hundreds of opportunities available through alternative education programs. This print guide shows exactly what kinds of alternative education is available, where to get it for every type of career, the minimum education required to land the first entry-level job and much more. Featured careers include detailed, real-world accounts of people who have occupied that position, with starting salaries, estimated increments over the years, and lots of insider's tips. "An excellent guide..." -School Library Journal
- Alternatives to college
A list of links to the major resources on the internet that will assist you in finding some alternatives to careers and colleges. Also included are texts which might assist you in your search. Eclectic.
- Alternatives to four-year college
Thinking about taking a year off before college to find yourself? Wondering what the alternatives are to four years' worth of college tuition? Here are some sites that will help you explore your options.
Career planning
- Cynthia Good's college and career planning homepage
This is an awesome site - filled to overflowing with links to what must be just about every career-planning or college related site on the internet. Includes everything from choosing the right college, to testing, to financial aid, to exploring careers, to developing study skills. Don't miss this one.
- Occupational outlook handbook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics updates this handbook every two years. It provides information about just about every occupation imaginable, from "Able Seaman" to "Zoologist." Information includes: Nature of the Work, Working Conditions, Employment, Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement, Job Outlook, Earning, Related Occupations, Sources of Additional Information, Significant Points.
- Internships 101: mission possible
Help from the Washington Post in finding an internship to suit your talents, interests and career goals.
Joining the military
-
Military information websites
Websites for the army, marine corps, air force, and navy including general overviews, information about qualifications, occupations, money for education, career paths, and current events.
Teens and sleep
This subject is included here because it seems to so very often result in conflict between parents and teens and because lack of sleep due to early school schedules is, in fact, a good reason to consider homeschooling teens.
|
