Homeschooling Middle School and High School
Ever feel like you have just got this homeschooling thing on a roll and then all of a sudden it is time to change things up again?
You have finally found your rhythm and groove with your toddlers, 1st grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade, and 8th grade kiddos; then spring comes, homeschool conferences start up and you realize something.
It suddenly hits you that you are a mom/dad to kids who will be entering the Middle School and/or High School years!
Whoa! How did that happen?
You also find all your friends and family are throwing a whole new set of questions at you.
Questions like: “How will you homeschool high school…especially Math and Science”?
My basic answer: One lesson at a time!
How do any of us teach anything?
We do our homework and then we make a plan.
Yes, high school can be more complex, but we live in a time where we have more information at our finger tips than ever before!
We are able to be in the comfort of our own homes and use the internet to research v.s. the going to the library and looking books up in the old card catalogue system. (Remember that?)
As well, we are able to make some amazing connections with others via social media and on-line community forums.
Curriculum companies know this too!
I often see them offering webinars, on-line co-op classes as well as keeping in touch with and encouraging homeschoolers via social media channels like Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
We don’t need to be the experts to teach a subject, we just need to know how to find the experts.
My Plan
- Lay the foundation to help my kids become independent learners
- Research different curriculum along side of my children; find something we both feel confident in
- Look for on-line classes, co-ops, webinars, and possibly tutors to fill any gaps and to assist us
- Be involved with other homeschoolers, both in real life and on-line
- Form study groups
- Explore the multitude of free on-line academies like Khan Academy, Coursera, Google Science Fair, Discovery Education, etc.
- Always be willing to ask for help
- Take the time to recall why you started homeschooling in the first place (See my reasons: 23 Reasons Why We Homeschool)
- Be brave enough to continue the journey
We are very lucky to have friends who are engineers – mechanical – civil and aeronautical, some who are lab technicians, medical doctors/nurses; as well as highly trained, talented and successful musicians, artists, writers and dancers.
Everyone has someone in their life who can be a helpful resource when exploring new subjects and projects.
Reach out to them and add a dose of some real life, hands on learning to your day!
As for being brave enough? Sometimes we can let fear sneak in when we are faced with the next new step.
Rather than letting that happen to you, stop and take a look at where you have been, then look at where you can go!
Where can your homeschool story end up?
Picture it, write it down then go back and start to make your plan for the highschool years.
I bet you will find the next few chapters really aren’t that scary at all; in fact, I bet they will be full of excitement!
My plan is far from complete, it is just a start.
What are some of your ideas and goals as you plan to take on the high school years?
You’re so right. Tackling high school really is just one step at a time. We started this year (our first in high school) with a bit of nervousness. Now that over half of it is behind us, it wasn’t as hard as I expected in some areas, and harder in other areas. Overall, it’s been more straightforward than I thought. It’s just a matter of finding out what your goals are! Great post.
Thank you Shannen!
We are starting next academic year with a middle school in our third year of homeschooling. I am really happy to read your tips in planning, especially how to involve them to plan. Thanks a lot for sharing. it means a lot to me.
Our kids can be of great value as we plan the upcoming homeschool schedules.
Wishing you great success as you take on the middle school years!
Great post Angela, I just started a series on Homeschooling High School. Love your plan, very realistic and doable! Aren’t we lucky to be doing this with our kids 🙂 Wishing you many good years of Homeschooling for High school with yours! God Bless You!
Hi Meredith,
Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words of support!
Homeschooling High School is full of exciting opportunities for our children and it is going to be a great new chapter!
It totally is, and it’s nice to know I am finding more people that are embarking on it too 🙂