I sat outside the violin lesson that afternoon while I graded math papers and wondered, "Is this worth it?" I taxied the twins to lessons once a week, encouraged them to practice every morning, and sat through many long recitals and rehearsals ...
Our family found that studying music is about so much more than simply learning songs. It takes a big commitment from the parents and the students!
He positioned the guitar to the left side of his body and held its long neck like a hunter with his prized goose. He looked straight ahead, his new dress shoes creaking as he ascended the three steps to the vast stage which consisted of one lone chair. The audience was oddly silent except for one lady who coughed. I sat there in the second row and wondered if my nine-year-old son had practiced enough. This was his first recital....
Heart racing, your pulse beats in your ears. Taking a deep breath, you sigh and let it out again. Scanning over the papers in your hands, you check them just to make sure you’ve got everything. To your left paces your teammate, reciting out loud important facts about the case. A door opens behind you and your mentor walks in. It’s time! You take a couple deep breaths, straighten your suit, and walk confidently into the court room.
If your teen is college bound, the 11th and 12th 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!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to teach at home? Are you new to the whole idea of homeschooling? Maybe you're in the information-gathering stage, or perhaps you're already planning to begin homeschooling after summer.
Maybe you and your husband are ready to start teaching your kindergartner, or maybe you're just curious about the whole idea. Perhaps you're taking your kids out of the public school system. If so -- fantastic! You won't regret it.
The ability to believe in the face of fierce adversity can only be described as a life-sustaining gift of God. His overflowing lovingkindness toward me was, and has always been so very great. In His perfect wisdom, He kept the storm raging all around me, and in His mercy He calmed the heart of His child.
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.
One of the greatest privileges we have is to pray -- to bring our praises and petitions before our loving and merciful God. And when we homeschool, we have many opportunities throughout the day to teach our children what it means to pray.
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.
Let's say that your teen took the PSAT's, the SAT (maybe several times!), and feels that college is the next step. But what if they're still unsure about which college to attend?
At exactly this time last year, that was our scenario. The twins took all the necessary college prep classes during the high school years, took the SAT twice, visited seven different schools --- and still had no clear idea of exactly what to do!
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.
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 9th – 12th 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.
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.
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?
I sat outside the violin lesson that afternoon while I graded math papers and wondered, "Is this worth it?" I taxied the twins to lessons once a week, encouraged them to practice every morning, and sat through many long recitals and rehearsals ... 
The terms “elective” and “extracurricular” are often confused, so let me define what I mean when using these words.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to teach at home? Are you new to the whole idea of homeschooling? Maybe you're in the information-gathering stage, or perhaps you're already planning to begin homeschooling after summer.
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..jpg)
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.
Let's say that your teen took the PSAT's, the SAT (maybe several times!), and feels that college is the next step. But what if they're still unsure about which college to attend?
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.
It is possible for students to earn high school credit prior to the 9th grade. However, certain items need to be taken into consideration.
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?.jpg)
