Teaching Tips

Teacher Mode | May 20, 2013 by Krisa Winn

My oldest child is becoming very interested in learning how to spell and write words. The other day, she wanted to write her little sister’s name which begins with the letter K. Like most children her age, that letter ‘K’ was a booga bear! I made a mental note that we’d work on forming that letter correctly the next time we practiced handwriting. When that glorious teaching moment occurred (keep reading- it didn’t start off too gloriously), I found myself moving very quickly from mommy mode to teacher mode. In reflection, I realized that there were certain things I did that helped keep us from getting derailed. I thought I’d share these ideas and tips with you today.

Elective or Extracurricular? | May 16, 2013 by Becky Cooke

The terms “elective” and “extracurricular” are often confused, so let me define what I mean when using these words.

An elective is a course that is considered part of the academic course load that makes up your teen’s high school program.

Extracurricular, on the other hand, is a term to denote activities outside the academic program.

The College Admissions Officer: A Wealth of Information | May 9, 2013 by Diane Kummer

If your teen is college bound, the 11^th and 12^th grade years will be consumed with researching colleges, narrowing down the list of colleges to which your teen will apply, and then completing college applications . You may even be considering an alternative college route. Along the way, questions are sure to come up. Who can you turn to for answers? The College Admissions Officer!

Time to Travel | May 2, 2013 by Becky Cooke

The finish line is in sight for the end of the school year! Are you busy planning summer vacations? Travel can broaden your teen’s horizons better than many other ways. Whether you are planning trips to local sites and events or going further afield, they will be times your teen will remember for years to come. Travel allows your teens to see up close places they’ve studied or will be studying. They will appreciate their families and homes when they see the demands facing others here and abroad.

A Tool for Managing Challenging Behavior | May 1, 2013 by Krisa Winn

During my years as a classroom teacher, I often had students who had been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Usually, they were very caring little boys who were easily distractED and often demonstrated behavior that was highly distractING.

There was only so much that I could do as a classroom teacher to get to the root of these problems. One day, however, a co-worker shared a tool that was quite useful in helping these very loving, intelligent, but challenging children become more cognizant of their actions. She called it the ‘Rocket Race’.

College Financial Aid: Who’s Got the Money? | Apr 29, 2013 by Diane Kummer

The shock of college costs has sent many parents scurrying to find possible sources of financial aid for their college bound teens. Let me help you as you try to sort out the various ways to pay for your teens’ college expenses.

Financial aid falls into three main categories: scholarships (grants), loans, and work study programs. Many families find they need to make use of all three in order to pay for tuition, room, and board fees.

Credit by Examination | Apr 20, 2013 by Becky Cooke

A question I am frequently asked by homeschool groups I speak to is, “How can students acquire college credit while in high school other than by taking college courses?” One answer is through credit by examination. The term basically means credit that a college awards based on the score that students receive on a national standardized test. The major tests that fall into this category include AP (Advanced Placement), CLEP, and DSST tests. Each college has its own policy as to which tests will be accepted and what score is required to receive credit.

Can My Teen Earn High School Credit Prior to 9th Grade? | Apr 11, 2013 by Diane Kummer

It is possible for students to earn high school credit prior to the 9th grade. However, certain items need to be taken into consideration.

Check your state’s legal analysis to find out if your state requires a specific number of credits be taken during the 9^th – 12^th grade years. A couple of states are very specific about the years during which credits must be accrued. Most states, however, do not specify when credits must be earned.

Testing: Scores and S'Mores | Apr 10, 2013 by Krisa Winn

I can’t believe how quickly the weeks and months are flying by. My family and I actually have an invitation to a home school graduation ceremony this Month! Apparently, the 2012-13 school year is rapidly coming to a close. For many of you, standardized testing will be a part of your end of the year activities, and realizing how stressful the idea of testing can be; I thought I would direct you to a great article that Betty Statnick wrote a few years ago. It’s called, Testing: Scores and S’Mores.

Conference Season | Apr 4, 2013 by Becky Cooke

Spring and summer are the seasons for state homeschool conventions. Are you planning to attend one? It will be well worth your time and money. How?

The vendor halls are chocked full of wonderful resources for you to see and handle. You’ll have opportunity to talk with the publishers or their representatives about their materials. Many times you’ll be able to see portions of the curriculum demonstrated or sit in on a short session that explains how to use it to its fullest advantage. If you have questions, they can be easily answered here. You’ll also be able to ask other parents for recommendations and reviews.

Honor Societies and Awards for Homeschoolers | Apr 1, 2013 by Diane Kummer

Homeschool students have the opportunity to showcase their excellence in academics and extracurricular activities in many ways. College, job, and scholarship applications may all ask for a list of awards and honors that your teen has received. What are some ways that homeschooled teens can gain recognition for their achievements?

Easter Joy! Activities and Traditions | Mar 27, 2013 by Faith Berens

Happy Easter, my friends. I just love Easter—it is absolutely my favorite holiday! The beauty of spring, new life, and most importantly, the message of this season and rock solid foundation of the Christian faith-- Christ crucified, risen from the dead, and coming again- are all reasons I enjoy celebrating this special, holy time with my family.

Enriching Your Teens' Summer | Mar 21, 2013 by Becky Cooke

What better way to keep boredom at bay than to provide enrichment opportunities to your teens during the summer time. It’s not too early to plan how your teen spends his or her summer. There is something to be said about a break from a schedule, academics, and assignments, so don’t let these precious months pass without thinking about ways to add enthusiasm to the high school years.

The Accessibility Summit | Mar 21, 2013 by Krisa Winn

I’m excited to tell you about an upcoming conference being held in the Washington D.C. area on April 19^th-20^th, 2013. The 13^th annual, ACCESSIBILITY SUMMIT is a conference designed for families/caregivers, churches, teachers, and other professionals connected to the special needs community.

This is a very organized and informative conference. I attended last year, and came away with resources and knowledge that I have referred to throughout the year. I am really looking forward to hearing this year’s keynote speakers. They are...

Grade Point Average Calculations - You Can Do It! | Mar 14, 2013 by Diane Kummer

Grade point averages provide a quick way to compare a teen’s academic record in relation to others. They are shown on high school transcripts and may be used as a factor for college admission decisions and eligibility for scholarships. Calculating a GPA is not difficult – let me show you how!

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