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Lee Binz - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
My name is Lee Binz. I independently homeschooled my two boys for eight years, from third grade through high school graduation. Now both boys are off to college, having both earned four year, full-tuition scholarships, and I have started my new career as a "veteran" homeschool consultant!
Upon my "graduation" I started my homeschool consulting business, The HomeScholar. My mission is "helping parents homeschool high school."
I have a three core beliefs about homeschooling that drive ... [More]
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- Homeschool High School Mistakes - Failing to Plan High School Courses
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] When you are homeschooling high school, you need to aim for college. There are two reasons for this. Either your kids will go to college and need the college preparation, or they WON'T go to college, and their homeschool becomes perhaps the only formal education they receive. College preparation is truly LIFE preparation, especially since you don't know what the future holds. You want to homeschool like the Boy Scouts, and always be prepared!
- Homeschooling High School - Preparation is Better Than Remediation!
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] I read a statistic recently that 1/3 of high school graduates require remedial help in college. One third of them aren't really ready for college! You can do MUCH BETTER than public schools, just by making sure your kids are ready for college. Aiming for college early can improve their chances of getting into college AND their chances at significant financial aid.
- Homeschool High School Mistakes - Not Preparing For College
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] We've been taught to assume that a college prep education is only for college-bound kids. But college preparation is GREAT life preparation. The first big mistake that parents make in their homeschool is failing to aim for college!
- Homeschool Records - When is the Best Time to Start Keeping Track?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] When I was homeschooling 6th and 8th grades (my two boys are two years apart,) I began by keeping a daily schedule of their lesson plans. Having this check list for their lesson plans gave me a record of everything they did. I figured I was training myself for the next year - when it really mattered. So if your kids are about that age, one thing that you can do now is keep some sort of records, and using a schedule can provide those records for you.
- Homeschool High School - Should We Ask the Colleges Questions?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Some parents are a bit shy when it comes to communicating to the colleges about their homeschool student. Don't be! Find out in this article by The HomeScholar why asking questions of the colleges is an important part of the admissions process.
- Homeschooling High School - Is Memorization Important?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] One staple of public schools is the memorization of dates, places and names. While this sort of memorization does not yield much long term benefit, there is a type of memorization that does. Find out more in this article from The HomeScholar.
- Can Homeschoolers Get Into Military Academies?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Parents who are homeschooling a high schooler who is aiming for a military academy are often unsure if homeschooling is the best approach. In this article, The HomeScholar addresses this concern and tells you what military academies need from homeschoolers.
- Home School High School - What About Taking a Gap Year?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] It seems like the idea of "taking a gap year" is growing in popularity among homeschoolers. A "gap year" is a period of time (usually between 6 months and a year in length) where the high school graduate takes a job or does some volunteer work to gain experience before beginning their college career.
- Why Homeschooling Works Better Than Government Schooling
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] After years of trying and failing to raise the educational performance of our students, our state has finally decided to develop stricter criteria for graduation. They are thinking about increasing the graduation requirements to match college admission requirements, so that more kids can go to college. The high schools are hearing from businesses and colleges that their students are not prepared for college OR for the work force.
- Home School High School Latin- Can Parents Teach What They Don't Know?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Many home school moms express disbelief when I tell them we taught Latin in our homeschooling. It is possible if you do it one step at a time. Even if you don't speak Latin casually around the dinner table, you are capable of doing this! Teaching Latin is like following complicated directions in a recipe.
- Homeschool High School - A Tidy Mom's Guide to Art
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Art was a REALLY weak area in my homeschool. It was one subject that I actually set aside time for art study, otherwise we would never have done it! We never had a problem getting math or science done, just art! I scheduled it for 2-3 times a week, 1-1/2 or 2 hours at a time, depending on the year. Even so, it was something that we sometimes just didn't do.
- Help! How Can I Pay For College?
[Reference-and-Education:Financial-Aid] I get this desperate plea a lot! I want to tell you that the "desperate mom" feeling is completely normal when you are homeschooling high school! Winter and Spring is the absolute WORST time of year for that feeling. Most students have already chosen a college, and have already applied and are eager to leave home. Yet most parents are looking at the sticker price of the college and feel completely overwhelmed because they haven't received any financial aid yet.
- Choosing a Homeschool Health Curriculum
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] How do you go about choosing an appropriate and engaging health curriculum for your homeschool students. In this article, The Homeschooler suggests a great resource and then tells you how you can go about making it a full high school credit for your transcript.
- Do Community Colleges Accept CLEP Exams From Homeschoolers?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Sometimes community colleges are more restrictive about allowing CLEP exams than 4-year colleges. Learn more about how this might affect your homeschooler in this article from The HomeScholar.
- Help With Homeschool Transcripts
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Creating homeschool transcripts is one of the scariest tasks that parents undertake when homeschooling high school. In this article, The HomeScholar tells you the resources she used to create her own homeschool transcripts and reveals a new resource as well.
- Homeschooling High School - What If Math Isn't Working?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] For homeschooling parents, the fear of failing at high school math is probably right up there with the fear of death or public speaking. In this article from The HomeScholar, find out why you don't need to fear math at all and you can still provide a great college prep education.
- Curriculum Help For Beginning Homeschoolers
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] In the first year of homeschooling, all the choices can seem so overwhelming! Today, more the ever before, there are wonderful options for your family as you consider homeschool curriculum. Because so many of the choices are wonderful, it can be very hard to decide!
- When Should I Begin Keeping Track of Homeschool Grades?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] At a minimum, keeping track of grades and credits can start in 9th grade. Grades 9-12 are considered high school, and those are the only grades and credits that colleges want to see.
- Is the AP Or CLEP Exams Better For Homeschoolers?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Sometimes parents will ask me to compare AP vs. CLEP tests and wonder why we chose to use CLEPs. The answer to the second question is a big part of the answer to the first. AP tests are much longer, more expensive, and have ambiguous essay questions that irritated me. We chose to use CLEP exams because they took MUCH less time per test, were a little less expensive, and they were all multiple choice. (My kids also inherited my love for "right and wrong" answers.)
- What If Homeschooling High School Isn't Working?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] One of the advantages of homeschooling is the freedom to make changes when things aren't working. With high school, remember that if it works you use it. If it doesn't work, then stop using it and try something else.
- Homeschool Math - Choose Mastery Over Perfection
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Does your homeschool student make careless errors when doing their math work? Does this drive you crazy as a parent? Learn some effective strategies for dealing with this common homeschool issue in this article by The HomeScholar.
- Homeschooling High School - Is Online Learning Leading Your Student Astray?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Does your homeschool student struggle with being on-line when they should be doing school? Sometimes the temptations of online learning can be too much.
- A Homeschool Parent's Role in the College Application Process
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Do you wonder who does the applying for college these days - the parent, or the child? When we were kids, it seemed like mom and dad were out of the college application loop. Their role was to write the check. Today, parents are becoming more and more involved in assisting their children find and gain admission to college. But what is the proper role for parents to take in helping their homeschool student find a college?
- The Real Reason Homeschooling Works!
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Do you know the REAL reason homeschooling works? It is because parents are love-givers, rather than just care-givers. Find out why this is so important in this article from The HomeScholar.
- Is Homeschool PE Important?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] My homeschooled son went out for a "Roomies" activity at college. I'm not completely sure, but I think a boys dorm room and a girls dorm room go out together for an organized activity. Alex group went ice skating, out to "bubble tea" (think college-age version of Starbuck's) and then (as a group) to the park to look at the city lights.
- Where Do I Put CLEP Exams on My Homeschool Transcript?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] CLEP exams are very popular among homeschooling students. It is not unusual to see students as young as 14 or 15 taking and passing CLEP exams for college credit.
- Home School - How Can I Fit More Hours in My Day?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Life is hectic, and running a household full of kids can be a real challenge. Add the responsibilities of educating your children at home and you might feel overwhelmed. To some extent, homeschoolers will ALWAYS feel like there aren't enough hours in the day!
- Will Colleges Accept Homeschool Science?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Is it possible for a homeschool to provide high school science that will be acceptable to the colleges? My boys had biology, chemistry and physics at home, all with science labs, without any outside help from schools or co-ops. Not only did the colleges accept our science records, they also offered us great scholarships, including two full-tuition scholarships at my son's first choice university!
- Homeschool High School - Will a Perfectionist Do Well in Community College?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Dual enrollment (that is, enrollment in high school and college at the same time,) may not be the best option for homeschoolers, especially if your child has perfectionist tendencies. A common pattern works something like the following.
- Homeschooling High School - What Do Kids Need to Know to Get Into College?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] So what is a college prep education? What do homeschool kids who want to go to college need to know. These weighty questions have been the subject of full length books. In this article, I will give you a simple, "no fear" approach to educating your homeschool high school student. Just some basic guidelines to encourage you to do what you probably already know is right for your student.
- Homeschooling High School -The Downside of Accreditation Programs
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] One of the downsides of accreditation programs is that their "official" grades, are "official." In this article by the home scholar, learn how independent homeschooling provides you the flexibility you need to help your child succeed in in high school and give them the best shot at college.
- Homeschooling High School - What Type of Curriculum Should I Choose?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Is there a right and wrong answer to choosing home school curriculum in high school? Many parents feel that way and it causes them a lot of anxiety and fear. In this article, The Home Scholar helps you understand that there are no right and wrong answers to this question, but there are some guidelines that will help you make the best choices for your family.
- Is Homeschool Accreditation Worth the Trouble?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] A homeschool mom in Georgia asked me whether she needed to have an "accreditation counselor" or whether she could do it all herself. The answer depends a lot on individual state law. From a "national" perspective; however, colleges get applicants from everywhere - from schools they know and a lot of schools they don't know.
- Will Homeschooling High School Limit Opportunities For My Child?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Parents are sometimes afraid that homeschooling high school will limit the opportunities that their child might experience in high school. They might ask "how can two parents know all of the wonderful opportunities that are available for intelligent teens.
- Homeschooling High School - Is There Any Time For Fun?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] As I work with homeschooling parents, I'm often asked questions on preparing students for college. The answer generally involves some work that needs to be done, either by the student or the parent. When taken all together, the amount of work needed to prepare for college can sometimes seem overwhelming. Parents may question whether their students will have time for fun activities in high school, or if it's all just "nose to the grindstone" work.
- Home School - High School - Am I Forgetting Anything?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] When it comes to home schooling, the question "Am I forgetting anything?" reminds me of the old joke, "Anyone who's not here please raise your hand." Homeschooling high school can be complex. Can anyone really know everything that needs to be done and feel confident nothing is forgotten?
- Can Home-Schoolers Get Into College?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] One of the most frequent questions parents ask is whether homeschooling high school can provide college preparation. This question is asked because parents realize that if they fail to educate their children, they won't be able to blame it on "the system." Parents want some assurance that this path can lead them to the promised land of college admissions and scholarships.
- How to Achieve Homeschool English Success
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] How do you know when you have succeeded in teaching your child English? When I was homeschooling, I was SO stressed out about literature analysis. It seemed like we always failed at reading comprehension and the review questions that were provided. I knew that I wanted my kids to LOVE reading, but I was still stressed about literature analysis.
- Homeschool English - How Important is Literary Analysis?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Is it possible to give your homeschool high school children a college prep education and NOT do literary analysis? Yes! In this article from the HomeScholar learn how to instill a love of reading that will serve your children well in college and beyond.
- Can Home School Math Be More Than One Credit Per Year?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] How many high school credits should you award for a challenging home school class that takes an extra long time to complete? The temptation is to give more than a credit. This article from The HomeScholar explains why this might be a bad idea.
- Can I Put Community College Credits on a High School Transcript?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] When you homeschool high school, three months can equal one year - when your kids are doing dual enrollment at a local community college. Dual enrollment is offered to students in many states. It provides high school and university credit at the same time. Homeschoolers take advantage of dual enrollment to help defray higher education expenses by allowing students the opportunity to earn university credit while still homeschooling.
- Homeschooling High School - How Much Math For College Admission?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] How important is Algebra 2 for college admissions. Can a student skip this step and still attract the attention of colleges for favorable admission decisions. Find the answers in this article by The HomeScholar.
- Home School High School Courses - When Will We Ever Use This Stuff?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] How many times do parents hear "When will we ever use this stuff?" from their teenagers? Watching the news recently, I was struck by how difficult it is to understand our current economic crisis. I found myself wishing that I had paid more attention when my son Alex rambled on and on about economics.
- Homeschooling High School - Keep Your College Options Open
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] When homeschooling high school, why should you keep your college options open? Because teenagers are notorious for changing their minds. You need to aim for college in order to cover your bases for you homeschool student, in case they finally decide that college is right for them.
- Homeschooling - Understanding Your Child's Gifts
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Do you struggle understanding the gifts God has given your children? Do you wonder how to identify those gifts? In this article from The HomeScholar, you will learn one fool-proof way to find the gifts God has bestowed on your kids.
- Homeschooling High School - An Xbox Education
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Are your kids hooked on video games? Learn how to convert this passion into a learning opportunity in this new article from The HomeScholar.
- How Independent Homeschooling Can Make You Competent
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] The problem with school in a classroom setting is that you end up feeling incompetent. You don't know what your child is doing, how they are performing, or how well they are learning. You may end up knowing that they are NOT getting something critical to you (world view, penmanship, or manners.) But you may NOT know what else they are missing.
- Home School High School - Will Everything Be OK?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] You don't need to be afraid of homeschooling high school. You can succeed and it can work for your children and family. Discover why homeschooling high school is the best preparation for college and for life in this new article from The HomeScholar.
- Homeschool High School - What If Science Isn't Working?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] If you have decided on science for this year and it's just not working out, what should you do? It's always hard to decide when to stick with a subject and when to stop and try something else. Jay Wile of Apologia says that since biology, chemistry, and physics are such different sciences, it's possible for a kid to like one and hate the other two.
- Homeschooling - Is 4-Days-a-Week Homeschool Possible?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Have you ever wondered if it would be possible to homeschool your children for 4 days a week and still "do it all"? Once you read and act on this information, you may discover that "4 is better than 5"!
- Homeschool High School - How Do You Get Public Schools to Accept Homeschool Credits?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Have you ever wondered whether public high schools will accept homeschool credits? Do you worry that you might need to move your child back into public high school and will need to convince them of the worth of your homeschool? In this article from The HomeScholar, you will learn why you don't need to worry about public schools if you are committed to homeschooling through high school.
- Homeschool Spelling - A Reality Check
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Spelling is a subject that many homeschool families stress about. If you are one of these you will want to check out this article from The HomeScholar. In it she will help you relax about teaching spelling in light of the many successful adults who are able to operate in society will only a casual understanding of spelling!
- Homeschooling Or Not - There Are No Perfect Schools!
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Do you sometimes feel discouraged when you compare your homeschool against other schools? At other times, do you feel prideful? In this article, The HomeScholar talks about why both of these extremes are wrong. In it, she describes the proper way to view your homeschool and why homeschooling high school provides the best possible education for your children.
- Homeschool Transcripts - Creative Course Descriptions
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] When you are making a homeschool transcript, do you ever feel like you are cheating when you create a high school course based on your child's special interest? In this article from The HomeScholar, you will discover why it is OK to capture your child's areas of passion onto their high school transcript.
- Homeschool - Is Your Student Bright But Bored?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Is your student bright but bored in your homeschool? Perhaps the problem is that you are not teaching them at their level. Learn the importance of finding out the level of your student in every subject so that they can be challenged but not overwhelmed. Discover the secrets of finding this educational "sweet spot" for your children.
- Home-School High School - How Much is Too Much Writing?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] One common variation on the "how much is too much" question for homeschooling involves high school writing. Specifically, what is a normal, acceptable level of writing to ask your high school students to do?
- Homeschooling at Christmas
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Unsure what to do with your homeschool students at Christmas time? Read this article and get some wonderful suggestions on how to turn Christmas into a relaxing and valuable time for you, your children and your family. Christmas can be relaxing, fun and educational with very little work!
- DON'T Teach Your Homeschool Students!
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Do you know why teaching homeschool high school students isn't that important? You will be much better off if your high school students learn how to teach themselves! Find out why in this important article from The HomeScholar.
- Homeschool Transcripts - The Difference Between "Accredited" and "Official"
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Do you know the difference between "accredited" and "official" homeschool transcripts? Is an accredited transcript worth the trouble and expense? You will learn about these differences when you read and take action on this article.
- Homeschooling High School on the Road!
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Is it possible for homeschool families to take some "time off" education and do some serious traveling? Is it wise? Find the answers in this article from The HomeScholar.
- Is Dual Enrollment Good For Homeschoolers?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Do you know the pluses and minuses of "dual enrollment?" Dual enrollment is a very popular option among homeschoolers and grants college credit during high school. It can save families a lot of money on college but it is not without risks.
- Homeschooling College - Are CLEP Exams Graded?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] CLEP exams are a popular way for homeschoolers to get some early college credits. Not everyone knows, however, how colleges view these exams and whether they will affect your student's college GPA. Find out the answer in this article.
- How to Find a College For Your Homeschooler
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] As a homeschool parent, do you know how to help your student select a college that is the right fit? You will when you read and apply the information presented in this article.
- Homeschooling High School - What to Do With a Voracious Reader
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Do you know effective strategies to deal with a voracious reader in your homeschool. How about strategies to turn this "singleminded-ness" into a competitive advantage when it comes to college applications? You will when you read and take action on this article.
- ACT Or SAT - Which is Better For Homeschoolers?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Are you confused about whether your homeschool student should take the ACT or SAT test during high school. You won't be after you read and act on the information provided in this article.
- After Homeschool Graduation - Give Yourself Away
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Do you know what your are going to do with yourself after your children graduate from homeschool? You will once you read and apply the lessons in this article.
- Homeschooling - What If Your Husband Has Concerns?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Do you know what to do if your husband is expressing concerns about your homeschooling efforts? You will when you read and act on the information provided in this article.
- Home School High School Math - Hitting the Wall
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] What do you do when you hit the wall teaching your children high school math? Read this article and learn about one mother's struggle and how I helped her.
- Homeschool Transcripts - Are Narrative Transcripts OK?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Have you ever wondered whether your homeschool transcript needs to look like a typical transcript (with grades, credits and a GPA) or whether a more narrative transcript would be acceptable to colleges. You will learn the answer to this question when you read and take action on my article.
- Homeschoolers Question - What is Your Favorite Math Game?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Are you looking for a great math supplement for your homeschool children? Learn about the math book that helped my kids become math whizzes!
- Homeschool Science - How Can Normal Parents Teach Higher Level Science?
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Have you wondered how homeschool parents can teach a subject they don't know? How will you teach high school sciences without having a background in science? A friend asked me about physics, and was resigned to studying physics herself over summer, so that she could teach it to her student.
- Homeschool High School - A Socialization Story
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] Do you know the best way to position your high school homeschooler for great college scholarships? It all boils down to "socialization!" Learn the secrets about how one ordinary homeschool family received two full-tuition scholarships to their first-choice university just by homeschooling independently though high school!
- The 5-Corners of Homeschooling
[Reference-and-Education:Home-Schooling] In our neighborhood is a quaint relic of a bygone era known as 5-Corners. Sure 5-Corners is an intersection, but it is also much more. In reality, it is a silent monument to the greater Seattle area's proud history of alcoholic traffic planners.
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