People who don’t homeschool have always assumed that I wouldn’t dare homeschool for highschool. Surely not!?
I dare.
What’s more, for those of you not there yet, be assured it is a very natural extension of schooling the primary grades, and my excess of panic about covering everything was all for nought.
My conflict has always been how to do all the things we had to do, yet still have time for the things that first influenced me to choose homeschooling - abundant time for music, art, reading, and a long list of things I consider no childhood is complete without.
It is ridiculously easy to make up the amount of credits required to complete senior, if that is your goal. So ridiculously easy, in fact, that if I gave the Chicklette the same workload she has had for the previous three years of highschool, she would have nothing to do next year.
Joy! We have time in the next two years to do some of the delicious, “not required by the education board” type things.
The year 11 schedule (unless I change my mind again!) includes…
Economics in One Lesson, by Henry Hazlitt.
(Read a chapter per sitting, take note of important points, attend weekly meeting with local businessman {her Da!} to discuss how world view and political persuasion effect our view of economic policy.)
With follow-up resources from Homeschool Economics if there is further interest in the subject.
Subscription to the following:
(Read, summarise, narrate!)
Salt Shakers newsletter – A little introduction to political activism.
SAT question a day: This is just plain fun. (Honest! You should try it. There is even an iPhone app 
)
Maths – Algebra II, using ACE paces.
Science – Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Physics. We haven’t used this curriculum before, but if it proves worthy, will follow it with the Chemistry book next year. If it is not clear and well written, there is a wealth of teaching available at Khan Academy that we may use as a back up.
English – Participation in nanowrimo; regular, on-demand, timed essays using SAT prompts (available prolifically online); our general reading schedule continued, peppered with some thought-provoking novels introduced for discussion.
Latin – Henle. After Prima Latina, Latina Christian I, and Latina Christiana II, it’s on to Henle. She didn’t look excited. It’s only a year. She’ll live.
Logic – After Traditional Logic I with Martin Cothran, it surely makes sense to do Traditional Logic II, Advanced Formal Logic? This elicited nothing but groans from the Chicklette. Sigh. No sense of adventure! (Perhaps I will soften on that one.. have to wait and see… )
Music – Aim to finish AMEB grade six exams by the end of next year.
Art – Continuing our Art in the Park activities, with the difference that I will be requiring the Chicklette to complete the lesson before hand and facilitate the class on a regular basis, thus providing her with opportunity to hone her public speaking skills, her time management skills, and her confidence leading a group.
Once a week she’s off to work in the office with her Da. It’s been a practice for her to tag along for a couple of years now and make herself useful after she’s finished her school work. Somehow, though, now that she looks old enough to go, it’s hard to watch her leave. Childhood is fleeting!
And that’s it, folks.
Unless I change my mind.
Again.
Hope your year is off to a great start. If you’re feeling that you haven’t quite recovered from last year and the holiday festivities, and if school looks overwhelming and undo-able, and the thought of another year of it makes you shudder…. read! Start school a few days late and read a stirring read aloud to the children (one you like, or you’ll never see it through!), or read a bunch of inspiring homeschool articles on-line, or dust off those Above Rubies mags…
Anything to remind yourself why you are sitting home chanting the times tables with your dear children while your peers are out sipping lattes and taking yoga classes.
You can do it! ♥
p.s. If none of that helps, and you still feel like hiding in bed with a bit of fluffy chick lit and a bag of baci kisses, then take heart: homeschooling can’t last forever. xx
Jan 29, 2012 @ 19:14:40
I hope that you like the Physics, our son enjoyed that and the Chemistry course. The cdroms are a great addition. Year 11, wow!! Time flies!
Jan 29, 2012 @ 19:23:08
Hello Lisa!
Thanks for popping in. I’m glad to hear something good about the Science books – I’ve read on line reviews, but.. I always value it more if it’s from someone I know to be a thinker!
Yes… year 11. Hard to believe!
Jan 29, 2012 @ 19:38:11
BBS,
I applaud you! The official curriculum is still aimed at maintaining the status quo which sadly most often = MEDIOCRITY. As an early victim of ‘the system’ I was denounced a failure. You are way ahead in your thinking and actions !!!!!
Mr Richards BA, M Leis Mgt. (Griffith University).
Jan 29, 2012 @ 20:18:45
Mr Richards, I am pleased to note how far from the mark the school was in its assessment of your potential!
Thanks for your encouragement, it’s appreciated. : )
Jan 29, 2012 @ 21:06:17
Sounds like a good plan, BB. A full on plan, but a good plan, especially as she has been working toward it.
Jan 29, 2012 @ 21:16:18
Oh! Do you think it sounds full on?
I don’t want to push her hard this year – but my dilemma is that Mr BB is wanting her to go to uni, and although I don’t, obviously I have to prepare her. Next year she will only have one science subject to complete, so could do one uni subject, which will give her automatic entry if she decides to go that way.
Of course, in my dream life, she actually takes that last year to learn to manage the house, learn to sew, and maybe begin to take a few little music students.
Sigh.
It’s hard being someone’s Mama.
(Where are those baci kisses…?!)
Jan 30, 2012 @ 18:57:20
Re Uni, does TAFE assist with that goal?
Miss Hannah is doing a Diploma while completing Years 11 and 12 which following a further 6 months in 2013 will give her entry into Uni….not that I see H doing that but it’s nice to know that she could seeing as though she isn’t going for an OP/TER/or whatever it is in your state!
We’re in our final year ever of schooling after 18 years of education the end is coming!!!!
And thanks for the compliment regarding being a thinker! I appreciate it greatly!
xxx
Jan 31, 2012 @ 08:36:44
We are very up in the air, as yet. I have checked out some of the uni requirements, and if she pays to do one subject during year 12, and completes it successfully, it gives her automatic acceptance to the uni the next year. There has been some furore from the “it’s not fair” leftist camp over this new “loophole” for the rich elite to bag uni places, but… not having the slightest concern for leftist socialist’s tender feelings, I’m quite happy to exploit it if that seems the best way to go.
There is also a one year “prep” course that can get them in, and a host of different places have different criteria. Some I approached returned the email equivalent of a blank stare when I asked about entry for homeschooled students. But because I don’t know what course she would be going into, I didn’t pursue it further with those who didn’t have much clue – no point trying while I am still at a loss to know what she wants to do. Mr BB wants her in the sciences. I would rather her pursue history. The Chicklette wants something to do with languages.
So.. it’s in the too hard basket just now, and I’ll deal with that … later… (grimace!)
18 years… Lisa, you’re a champion. I take a great deal of encouragement from the knowledge that you are still sane. xxx
Jan 30, 2012 @ 06:47:28
Hi BB,
I think it’s only full on IF she hadn’t worked her way into it. It’s a very liberal arts curriculum, which most students wouldn’t be able to manage. However, I know that her mama has taught her to walk before she can run, which leads me to believe that it is a natural progression for her.
I love looking over people’s schedules and seeing the diversity, the variety and individuality of their student’s courses of study.
Manage the home? Sew? Oh dear, I’m 40 something and still never quite managed that
Jan 30, 2012 @ 12:16:06
lol!
We would be (ahem!!) outsourcing for sewing tuition. (It’s not my forte
)
Jan 30, 2012 @ 07:14:47
Hi BB
Phew!
of agonizing over homeschool plans. Truely I am blessed to have you so close (and so are my children!) xx
I had a heart-stopping, plan destroying moment yesterday when I received an email from DS’s Online Math Program Provider. Suffice to say, he can no longer use that Math Program (which I – and my two smaller ones – loved *sob*). I was then faced with “what am I going to do for math!!” No a question I had wanted to be faced with so early in the piece. I HAD IT ALL WORKED OUT!! Grrr.
It’s funny that you mentioned Kahn Academy as DS will be using this for his math lessons from now on. I must say, it looks fantastic and DS is excited to get started too!
I’m impressed with what you have accomplished in your homeschool, you have unlimited bragging rights – your children are a credit to you and your hours…no, months…no, years?
Jan 30, 2012 @ 09:29:05
Hello Mrs 5P’s
It is a bit of a blow to have your maths provider bail at this time of the year! Although I haven’t used the maths from Khan Ac., I’ve watched some of the science vids, and scrolled through whats available for higher level maths – don’t you love the generosity of people to share resources?!
Thanks for your kind words: it’s having the best bunch of friends in the world that has made our homeschooling such a rich journey! xx
Jan 30, 2012 @ 09:05:26
Morning Mrs BB xo
Sounds like a fabulous plan. And of course, as usual, you put me to shame. But that’s ok – I still love you.
I asked my Miss Meggie if she would like to join in with Traditional Logic and Henle Latin ……… the response was not positive! Even though extra time with your Chicklette was enticing. The horrors were too much for her. I have been puzzling myself over what to do about politics and civics and current events – so I will be exploring your links, thankyou. xo
Happy Homeschooling to you! xo
Jan 30, 2012 @ 09:48:46
Morning Amy friend! ♥
Put you to shame? Ha! It’s too, too early in the day to be indulging in hyperbole!
(I bet you have had Meggie’s schedule set out, with all the books ready, since half way through last year!)
Hehehe… tell the Meggie girl that Latin is .. um.. good for her soul. Or something. lol!
If the Chicklette truly, ruly, doesn’t think she can discover in herself a burning desire to do the Advanced Logic, then I will let her off. But this year of Henle is insurance to cover a two year language course requirement. Maybe the Latin we have done already would be sufficient to meet that, but I thought one extra year won’t hurt too badly.
On the politics and current events, I plan to have her subscribe to Andrew Bolt’s blog as well, just haven’t been successful in doing that yet! (Shhh, don’t tell anyone how technically challenged I am, but the reason I can’t manage it is that the RSS automatically goes to my POP mail account, and I can’t find where the option to put in whatever email address you want, is. Sigh. One day I will figure it out.) Here’s the link if your interested, plenty of fodder for discussion on current events and bias in media reporting.
http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/
Thanks for coming to chat! ox
Jan 30, 2012 @ 15:20:18
Well, I may have had Miss Meggie’s schedule ready to go last year, complete with books (the book part is easy, as I just love them) and the schedule part – well I love the planning, the implementation of all my grand plans is what continually lets me down. But, on the upside, we are into our second week, and have now stuck to our new schedule almost perfectly! We have amazed ourselves! Now, how to manage the next 40 odd weeks of our year?
Last year when I gave Miss M the option to stop Latin, her gratitude was expressed in floods of tears (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration – but it was close).
Off now to explore that link – you are not helping my internet addiction Mrs BB!
Jan 30, 2012 @ 16:41:20
Last year when I gave Miss M the option to stop Latin, her gratitude was expressed in floods of tears (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration – but it was close).
Too funny! If it weren’t dramatic, it just wouldn’t be Meggie!
As for that internet exploring… all part of the job as a homeschool mama. It’s tough, but someone’s got to do it.
Jan 30, 2012 @ 11:49:46
In short, they don’t seem to offer an email service to receive updates. How inconsiderate! If every day bloggers can manage then surely these big corporations/papers can.
However, if you are a member of the evil google, then you already have a google reader. A reader is used to read rss feeds. So you’re nearly there!
Copy the link feed: http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/xml/rss_2.0/
Go to http://www.google.com.au/reader/
Just under the heading, find the big red button that says Subscribe. Click it.
Paste in the rss feed url and click ‘add’.
You have subscribed to that particular RSS feed.
Once you are accustomed to using Google Reader, you can simply click the orange rss feed image and a new page will open up, you can select to receive updates via Google reader and Bob’s your uncle!
Check your feed as often as you like.
Rss. It’s the new email, only better. I like feeds because the content that I want to subscribe to comes to me but doesn’t clutter my email inbox. It just waits patiently until I am ready.
P.S. Did my other comment, earlier this morning, get sucked into the cyberspace Bermuda triangle?
Jan 30, 2012 @ 12:23:45
I’m sorry that you seem to get caught in my spam filter, and after such a helpful, detailed reply! Thanks for trying again, I do appreciate your efforts and particularly when it is to help me understand something that I have gone back and puzzled over
I thought I must just be missing the email subscription option (rolls eyes!)
I’ll have a go, but if I have to open something besides my mail, it almost seems just as easy to go to the site. I mean, I could bookmark it and read it at my leisure.. I did achieve the RSS to my pop account (didn’t really want it there!!) but I wanted to subscribe for the Chicklette to her own email address.
I guess the google reader thing won’t bother her. The internet is still a novelty for her, so I can’t see her grumbling like her Ma..
Thanks for your help – sweet you! x
Jan 30, 2012 @ 15:11:19
Susan, you are a gem. We would be utterly lost without you …… lost in space that is!
xo
Jan 30, 2012 @ 14:16:47
I agree, Mrs BB, highschool is a breeze for homeschool. I’ve sent two of mine off to TAFE for a year of cooking fun since one of them is finished year 12 stuff and not ready for uni yet (only 16). Tis so nice for our dc to have such choices.
Another goodie to add to the annual reading lists!
Thanks for the link to the Economics book – just bought it! I lurve economics and business
Your plan sounds very good; diverse, interesting and relevant.
Jan 30, 2012 @ 16:36:40
Elle, it is great to have choices! I bet your two are having a ball in the TAFE cooking class.
While homeschooling may have disadvantages (anyone else not had a private phone conversation in the last 10 years?!?) I am so pleased to be able offer my dc an opportunity to learn at home. Of course, by the time wee Blossy is done (she’s four), I may have to ship the Baci kisses in by the container load.
Jan 30, 2012 @ 14:21:59
Simple…this my dear friend does nothing to allay my fears!
Heidi
Jan 30, 2012 @ 16:38:43
Oh, GET OUT!!! LOL!!
You could do it in your sleep.
You know you could!
Feb 02, 2012 @ 09:24:19
Look’s good and thank you for your honest encouragement! (-:
Feb 02, 2012 @ 10:46:50
Thank you, Sarah, for stopping to join the conversation. You’re always welcome.
Feb 02, 2012 @ 13:47:20
Enjoyed reading your blog very much. You are an amazingly organized and clever girl, I don’t know that I could ever have done what you have with your girls. Congratulations!!
Feb 02, 2012 @ 19:48:50
Mr/Ms Anonymous, thanks for your kind words. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.
Feb 02, 2012 @ 22:55:34
Wow Mrs BB, looks like the Chicklette is in for a very interesting year! I love reading about your homeschooling adventures and curriculum, even though it’s not something I’ll likely be doing myself (again) any time soon. Instead I now have TWO High Schoolers … gulp … one of which heads off on camp for a week tomorrow to the big smoke. My, how quickly the years fly by. Fee x
Feb 04, 2012 @ 22:09:45
Fee, even with two in highschool, you’ve a ways to go yet with your Miss B. But yes.. I remember when I stood in awe of people who had children in highschool, and I automatically thought they must know what they are doing as parents. (Shhh…. don’t tell anyone… but I haven’t found that two children clocking over into high school age has made much difference to my parenting guru status
)
But one day we will have your wee Bella, and my wee Blossy all educated, and we’ll be off on all manner of new adventures for that next stage of life. Just now, I can only dream about possibilities!! (I think for one, a “graduated mothers” week away – kind of the Mama equivalent of “schoolies week” will be in order. Anyone else in..?
)
Try not to worry while you’re missing one at camp. He will no doubt come home hale and hearty with loads of great stories to share with you. xxxx
Feb 07, 2012 @ 00:25:28
Oooh yes, pick me for the “Graduated Mothers” week. So the year will be 2021 for me … how about you?! Crikey … doesn’t that make you feel old/er!!! It has been such a peaceful week with only 2 children bickering instead of 3
Fee x
Feb 11, 2012 @ 20:02:02
Oh, Fee. It will be 2023 for me. Doesn’t that sound like forever away!
That will give you a couple of years to plan our week’s activities!
Feb 12, 2012 @ 13:51:23
Hi,
Can I come along too? I’ll be the “control” group. I can be the mother that didn’t homeschool her four children, and you can see that I’m just as old, stressed, and tired as those the “test” group that did homeschool! Although 2025 for me (I think).
Just to put something else in your minds…its entirely likely that by the time you have finished homeschooling your youngest child, your oldest child(ren) may have made you grandmothers by then…
Heidi
Feb 12, 2012 @ 22:40:50
Heidi, Of Course! The more the merrier. We owe it to the integrity of education planning to do the science on this one. Being self-sacrificing by nature, we mothers can make this final contribution to the education sector by getting together and comparing notes.
What I’m seeing, though, is that this clearly is not going to be an event, so much as a sequential research journey. There is a two year pattern developing, and it will allow for those of us (Fee, clearly you first out of those of us who’ve put our hands up, though if we get Lisa, Susan and Elle in, I think they’ll be done well before us, and Amy will be squished in between!
) those girls can … gently re-inititiate us back into the world of, well, whatever it is you do when your children are 
finally off your handsum.. I mean, ah.. finished their formal education.Yes.. I think it has potential.
As for grandchildren – hey! All good. I’m sure being a granny won’t preclude our commitment to the project. (You know, all for the good of science and such. Honest.)
Feb 14, 2012 @ 22:20:44
Well technically Heidi I’m a half/half … having homeschooled one child for nearly half of his education – however my smallest person constantly lets me know that I ripped her off by only allowing her to homeschool for one measly year!
Ooh, I think this could be a VERY fun week!!!
I’m off to Vietnam TOMORROW! Never fear Mrs BB, lots of tissues packed.
Fee x
Feb 14, 2012 @ 22:50:56
Tomorrow!! Oh, Fee!
I know you will have an amazing time. Please, lots of photos, and I KNOW that I am totally in a glass house with any mention of slack blogging… but if you can be such a dear to NOT be slack about posting after your trip, lol!!! I’d love to hear all about it.
Stay safe, beautiful girl!
xxxx
Feb 25, 2012 @ 03:47:35
You got me. Nerd that I am, I am getting that SAT app for my phone. Now I’ll be ready if I ever have to take that test again.
Feb 26, 2012 @ 17:44:54
Ha! Glad to hear it, Yousei!
I think you’ll have a lot of fun with it, and I like how they show you the percentage of people who scored correctly on that question.
Feb 27, 2012 @ 02:09:17
It’s been fun. Today I had my first “guess all until the end” question. I was a bit surprised, but it made sense when I thought more about it. One of my guesses was a twitchy finger response–I thought, “Crap, that’s wrong and I knew it!” Then when I looked at the percentages you mentioned, I felt a whole lot better. Only 25% got it right. Phew.
Hope you all are staying dry.
Feb 27, 2012 @ 05:44:14
Yousei! I got that one wrong too!!
I was *mortified*. It was the first writing question I’d blown and I was feeling pretty low about it…until I saw that 25%. That soothed the sting.
Then when I saw a certain clever writer I know got it wrong, too, I thought perhaps I can still hold my head up after all
Thanks for playing with me!