8 Tips For Homeschooling High School

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1. Give them a voice in their curriculum.

An important part of homeschooling is knowing what curriculum works best for each of your students. Once your student gets to be high school age they probably have a pretty good idea of how they learn best. When you are planning out the new school year get their input on what they think works best for each subject. Show them some options, then help pick what they want to learn about and what type of curriculum.

Student-Led Curriculum

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2. Let them choose their own learning environment.

Along the same lines, there are more places to learn than just sitting at a table or desk. Get their input on where they are able to focus and do their school work best. Some might need that table with no distractions and complete silence. Others might do best on the couch with music playing. If it is nice outside sitting outside while studying or reading a book might be the perfect spot. Giving them a choice in where they study could make all the difference in the world. 

3. Help them find ways to volunteer in the community. 

Not only is this beneficial to your community and people (or even animals) in need, this can help your students explore their interests and possibly learn new skills. Keep track of those hours on a community service log because these hours would be a good thing to add to your homeschool transcripts. Looking for volunteer opportunities or community service options for your homeschooled teen? Here are 15 ideas.

4. Do not overschedule

This is a tough one, especially depending on how active your teen is or wants to be. Between schoolwork, family, church, sports, music lessons, cultivating friendships, co-op classes…the list goes on and time can be limited. How do you help your teen balance it all out? Prioritize what is important of course starting with the classes they are taking toward graduation. Help your teen figure out what extra events are important to them but try not to cram too much in. Everyone, including your teens, needs some downtime to prevent stress overload.  Six Symptoms Of The Stressed Out Homeschool High Schooler

5. Embrace their passions

This is such an exciting time in your teen’s life! What are they passionate about? This may hold the key into what they decide to do in the future. Do they love photography? There are so many online classes for photography and also most likely there are some even where you live. What about art or even mechanics? The opportunities abound for them to look around and find a way to pursue subjects that truly excite them enough to want to learn more and possibly pursue them for a career. 

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6. Hold them accountable for finishing tasks

This can be a hard one once your teen starts becoming more independent but, it is essential to make sure they are staying on track. Once they hit the teen years life can get even busier with more difficult classes, relationships, sports, driving, church, and more. What can you do as a parent to make sure they stay on task plus teach them the skills needed to take on some of this themselves? Helping them identify their goals and formulate a plan, putting it all down on paper, can be very beneficial. This may require you to initially sit down with them and help them draw up the plan. Even as teens it is also important to check up on their schoolwork, chores, and commitments until you can see they are able to handle it more independently. Below are some tools to help you to help your student with this.

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Study Resources

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Focus Tips By Grade For The High School Homeschooler

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7. Spend quality time with them

I know it sounds cliché but time really does fly, especially once you get to the teenage years. Oftentimes days can be comprised of instruction, guidance, and everyday tasks so it is important to make time to spend with your teen. Not only does it strengthen family bonds but it can benefit their self-esteem by making them feel valued by their parents. 

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8. Listen to what your teen is really saying to you

This is one I have definitely had to work on. Talking with your child is a lot different than listening to your child. What do I mean by this? Sometimes your teen may need someone to talk to but not necessarily want or need your input from what they have to say. Of course, there will be times that they want or need your input but be aware that often they just want a trusted ear to vent or even express their dreams to.  As a homeschool parent, you are blessed with often being just the person to fill that position! 

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College Alternatives

 

 

 

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• Community Service
• Curriculum
• Encouragement
• Free Resources
• Parenting Teens
• Planning Tools

July 24, 2020