Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Educator, Coach, Life Strategist

When to take the SAT or ACT (specific advice from the parent of high scorers)

Many people think taking the SAT/ACT is a 12th grade thing. I remember that was my mindset when I was a high school senior, too.

If you get anything out of this article, it should be that waiting until 12th grade to take the SAT or ACT is a bad idea. In fact, since scores take a while to process, it can cause your student to miss an application deadline and ruin his/her chance of getting into the college. No joke.

If you get anything else out of this article, it should be that SATs and ACTs are not the kind of tests you wait until 12th grade to think about. Students who take these tests without practice and without experience may not do well. They might, but taking the tests multiple times often results in higher scores. Why take that chance?

It’s so much better to start planning early.

Success on the SAT / ACT means planning early…9th grade isn’t too soon.

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Time and Preparation

In my professional opinion, which matches the opinions of many other experts in this field, SAT and ACT test taking requires time and preparation. Preparation, when done right, that spans all four years of a high school education; and preparation, that if ignored, can harm a student’s chances of getting into college and receiving scholarships.

The purpose of this article is to give you a workable plan, one you can use to plan your student’s high school testing experience. It is based on my research, what I learned thru my own childrens’ successes, and what I’ve seen via the families I work with (comparing those who listened to this advice, and those who didn’t).

Are there other ways to plan SAT and ACT testing? Of course. But, if you’re looking for advice from a the parent of high scoring students (we’ve even had a “perfect” here and there), read on.

SAT/ACT planning. Advice from a parent of high scorers.

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The Plan:

Grade by Grade Recommendations

for SAT and/or ACT Testing

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9th Grade

Research and preparedness 

  • Begin conversations about college.
  • When in doubt if a student is college-bound, assume yes.
  • Learn the names of each test, the cost, the registration process, and browse test schedules.
  • Offer high school courses that target the specific subject areas covered on each test.
  • Begin researching colleges and universities, programs and careers, and requirements.
  • Involve student in every step (in later grades, this should be student-led).

10th Grade

PSAT in the fall

Actual test in the spring (optional)

  • Continue all 9th grade activities.
  • Register for fall PSAT at your local high school. Take it for learning and practice.
  • Target which test(s) to study for. Purchase study workbooks. Find sample tests online.
  • Start studying in the spring, a little every day or week throughout the rest of the school year.
  • Register for an actual test in the spring. Don’t send scores; use for learning and practice.
  • Plan for intense study over the summer.

11th Grade

PSAT in the fall

Test in the fall

Test in the spring

Test in late summer (optional)

  • Continue all 9th grade activities, paying special attention to strengthening areas of weakness.
  • Take PSAT in October (for National Merit eligibility and additional practice)
  • Purchase updated materials for newest test(s) as needed. Use only reputable materials.
  • Continue regular studying. Take practice tests (actual previous tests).
  • Use classes, workshops, tutors, or other help if necessary.
  • Decide which test (SAT or ACT or both) seems most appropriate for the student.
  • When looking at test-optional colleges, discuss the possible impact of skipping tests altogether.
  • Create online account with test provider(s). Explore college planning tools available there, too.
  • Decide if writing portion of test is necessary (check with colleges).
  • Decide if subject tests are needed (check with colleges).
  • Test in fall
  • Unless a perfect score in fall, test again in spring.
  • Plan summer test if necessary.
  • Send best spring (or summer) scores to colleges of choice.
  • Continue intense studying if needed.

12th Grade

Early fall testing (optional)

  • Continue all 9th grade activities.
  • Test again if scores will process in time for college deadlines.
  • Make sure best and highest scores are sent to colleges of choice (or all if super-scored).

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As you can see, it’s all about 11th grade. That’s why it’s so important to use grades 9 and 10 wisely for preparation and practice. This is exactly what I recommend, and almost exactly the schedule my children followed before each received lots of acceptance letters, lots of free tuition and lots of great scholarships. If you need help with this, I’ve linked some articles, below. If you still need help, I’m available.

To your success,

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

You might like:

SAT, ACT and the new CLT exam

Core 16 and other high school information

Can you homeschool high school after a student was in public school K-8?

Maybe you’ve met parents who homeschooled all the way through 8th grade, then enrolled their children in school for 9th-12th. Years ago, before the homeschool market expanded and learning options became so plentiful, it wasn’t uncommon to hear about teens going to public high school for those last 4 years.

Fast forward to today, when some families are doing the exact opposite.

I’m meeting more and more parents turning to homeschooling for high school after using schools for K-8.

Whether it’s about safety, learning goals, or logistical matters like travel or distance, homeschooling high school is an increasingly popular path to graduation today. What’s new is that there are now families who’ve used the system straight thru middle school, but then decided high school isn’t the right way to get their students to the finish line.

Just last week, I spoke to a mom about homeschooling high school after her daughter completes middle school in the spring. Surprisingly (to me), that was my third request for that specific information this year.

Parents ask, “Can I homeschool high school if my child was in public school for K-8?”

The answer is yes. Homeschooling can start at any time — even in high school. There are no laws, no procedures, or no rules preventing home education from starting at any time that is necessary or practical. The only dates that really matter are when you’re able to get started, and remembering to file paperwork on time, if any is required where you live.

Public schooled K-8th can still be homeschooled 9-12th.

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Parents also want to know, “Will it work out okay if my teenager has never been homeschooled before?”

Again I respond, yes. In fact, I tell them, it will probably work very well if they have a student where great work habits, independence, and maturity are involved. Even if not, with a little direction (and especially if they’re given choices), all kinds of teens can be highly successful in homeschool, no matter their experiences so far. All teens, I add, seem to appreciate the added freedom, not to mention sleeping in a little later, too!

Will there be challenges? I’d be lying if I told you homeschooling teens is always easy, particularly if teens have never done it before. Missing friends, missing activities, and feeling stuck at home all day are common complaints for many a newly-homeschooled teen. Adjusting to changing roles once they realize you’re in charge can be an issue (if authoritarian is your style). True or not, wondering why they have to do all that work when things were easier in public school is another common narrative I hear.

Bottom line, homeschooling is an adjustment period. Like with anything, learning new things take time and patience, while dust settles and teens get used to the new routine. I could share all the tricks and tips I know, but in the end, you’ll figure out what works in your unique situation, given your unique student and the reasons why you’ve ultimately chosen homeschooling for the high school years.

The great news, is that homeschoolers are very appealing to today’s college undergraduate admissions departments, and to potential employers who like what they’ve heard about homeschooled grads. That news makes it easier for today’s families to make high school decisions based on needs and goals, rather than worrying about the validity of homeschooling itself.

If you have the time and can make the commitment, and if homeschooling is on your heart or has become a necessity for other reasons, welcome it in, and give it a try. But, if you’re still on the fence about homeschooling a teen for the first time, let me summarize my very best advice:

If you have a rising 9th or 10th grader, just go for it. There is little to lose and so much to gain. Public schools are always there if you change your mind, but early high school is the perfect time to explore all that is possible when leveraging the power of a home education. Barring anything truly unusual, within a few months, I think you’ll understand what I mean and decide to go the distance.

If you have an 11th or 12th grader, tread a little more lightly, but go for it too. College-bound students in particular want to be careful about meeting requirements and moving from traditional to non-traditional programs during those last 2 years of high school. If college admission is the goal, do some research and talk to a homeschool high school counselor if you can, then be prepared to stick it out for the long haul — no dropping in an out of school during 11th and 12th grades. If college isn’t an immediate option and the “perfect” college-ready transcript doesn’t happen, you’ve served your child well anyway.

To your success,

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago.  A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast.  Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever.  A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide.  Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Healthy Posture For You and Your People

I’m going to wager most people don’t think about posture today. Though our grandparents reminded us to “sit up straight”, modern parents don’t seem to do much reminding at all.

If you’re in a public place right now, stop for a second and look around you. Notice how people stand and sit, and watch how they walk down the street or stand in line at the checkout.

Do people look “normal” to you?

I assert most people don’t know what good alignment looks like. Slouching, sway back, head forward and rounded shoulders are just a few of the ways people look, yet most of us don’t notice how wrong that really is. The problem with everyone doing the same thing, is that most don’t realize there’s something to correct.

In a world of online schooling, working from home and using devices for most everything, I say it’s time people pay attention to how they walk, sit, stand and sleep. More importantly, parents need to teach this to their children. For if they don’t, the natural alignment children are born with can quickly be lost. And proper alignment takes time to (sometimes painfully) restore, if it can be restored at all.

Why not prevent distortion and teach our kids to move and and behave in ways that keep alignment intact throughout their lives?

Teach your kids to move and behave to keep proper spinal alignment.

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I am not a medical doctor, but being out of alignment has affected me personally, forcing me to study it. I tried to pass what I learned on to my kids, who were homeschooled and with me 24/7. But, I feel this should also be taught in schools, since it’s something that should be modeled and taught. Our natural-born structures have been distorted to the point that many people find this distortion quite normal today. By adults putting attention on the matter both in schools and at home, our children can turn this around, benefiting themselves and future generations.

What I recommend, and has worked in our family, is paying attention to things like:

  • Computers: Type (PC versus laptop or tablet) and placement, including where to put the keyboard, the height of the screen, using an extra screen, and where to put the mouse
  • Desks: Choosing the right one, whether standing or sitting or both, and making sure the desk works for the height of the person using it…small children should not be using adult furniture
  • Chairs: Type and height, including whether chairs have arms, are adjustable, have upper back support, lean backwards or lock, and offer lumbar support
  • Schedules: Like sitting for long periods of time without breaks or without moving around in ones chair
  • Stretching and Exercise: Particularly muscle groups affected by computer use, looking down at devices, and using laptops in the funny places our kids sometimes like to study
  • Pillows: Watching how many are used, their size, material, and firmness
  • Mattresses: Making sure they’re the right size, even if extra-long, and they work for the person’s body types or medical need
  • Shoes: Footwear, like arch support or orthodic inserts, and avoiding flip flops or other harmful styles
  • Walking: Noticing where the weight goes and how the foot strikes the pavement, and especially paying attention to kids who walk on their toes or otherwise differently

I also monitor the posture of my children by having them stand back against a wall, shoulders squared, with chins tucked in. I show them exercises to release tightness in certain areas and explain things they can do to remain properly aligned. I also believe in chiropractic adjustments for periodic monitoring or correction. And while I advise using Youtube with discretion (and at your own risk), there are hundreds of videos to help in this area, too.

Books can explain this much better than I can. I love and highly recommend this book by Esther Gokhale (aff):

And this pillow which is referenced in the book, and which I use myself (aff):

As for desks and computer placement, start looking for information about health and ergonomics. You can start with the OSHA recommendations which are very easy to follow:

OSHA Computer Workstation Recommendations (new window)

Lastly, when shopping for products, don’t shop for comfort, but for products that maintain good spinal alignment. Start with your health first, then find ways to be comfortable using furniture that is kind to your body.

There is much more to this topic, but I just wanted to raise awareness. If you have specific tips or products you’d care to share with readers, I’d love for you to put them in the COMMENTS so we can all learn from one another.

To your health,

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago.  A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast.  Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever.  A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide.  Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

What if I forget something really important?

{This post is one in a series called, “Top 10 Fears”, in which I speak to the most common fears parents express about homeschooling the high school years.  To see all the topics, or start at the beginning, click HERE.}

Fear #9

The fear of forgetting something really important

The biggest problem with homeschooling a teenager is never getting a second chance. What that means is, grades K-8 notwithstanding, you’d better not mess things up in high school. If you do, your child will have a perfectly miserable life. Oh, and, because everything’s your fault, you’ll be miserable forever, too.

Just kidding.

If high schooling were so high risk, why would so many of us be doing it? Did you realize there are as many homeschoolers in high school as in the lower grades?  Contrary to what many people think, you don’t have to put your kids back in school when they reach high school age.

So, the proof is in. People do it. And it works.

Better yet, homeschooling high school works despite the mistakes we make. And we do make mistakes. We’re mere mortals taking on a gargantuan task, right?

The good news is that high schooling errors aren’t the end of the world. Not by a mile. I know there’s a bit of a learning curve, and you’re doing the best you can to prepare, but, there’s no way to predict every possible thing that can happen. It’s safe to assume you’ll probably goof up every now and again.

But, you can recover from making mistakes in high school, and your student will continue making strides anyway. Success in high school isn’t dependent on doing things perfectly. It’s dependent on your caring and doing the best job you can. And you’re already doing that or you wouldn’t be here, amiright?

Recovering from High Schooling Mistakes

Though it’s impossible to list all the dreadful scenarios and major foibles you might make when high schooling your kid, let’s take some common situations so I can show you things aren’t hopeless. Meet me again at the end of this article, so I can share some final thoughts and we can recap this whole thing together.

Common homeschool high school mistakes and how to fix them:

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What if…you forget to schedule/teach a class, or your student fails one miserably?

Recovery strategies might include: Having the student take/retake the entire class or a similar one (time permitting); have the student take an intense or abbreviated version of the class; the student may choose to learn the material independently, then “test” for course credit; you could extend the graduation date, allowing time to take the class; you could also research the importance of the class after all, judging whether it was really that important; or, you could just move on without it.

What if…you lose important paperwork, or forget to write down things your student did several years ago?

Recovery strategies might include: Trying to obtain copies of important paperwork if they exist somewhere else (your district, a homeschool group, copies loaned to friends, etc.); recreating documents from memory, with help from your student or others; looking for similar materials and seeing if they resemble what you might have done in the past; explaining in an honest written statement what happened, highlighting those parts of the experience you do recall, plus samples of any evidence you’re able to find; or, omitting the course/experience on the transcript altogether, substituting something else worthwhile in its place.

What if…you miss a deadline, and now it’s too late for your student to do something he/she wanted to do?

Recovery strategies might include: Petitioning for a deadline extension, or applying at the next and earliest available time; applying for something similar but different, and making the best of the change; looking for a similar opportunity out of town or possibly online; designing/creating a similar opportunity on your own; using it as a learning opportunity to highlight the importance of planning and responsibility; or, emphasizing the need (for you and your student) to stay on track for the future.

What if…you’ve been busy preparing your student for a job/other opportunity after graduation, then you find out your student wants to go to college after all?

Recovery strategies might include: Using the remaining time in high school (if any) to prepare; extending the graduation date, if possible, for college prep activities; using independent learning to hone skills in crucial areas that matter; taking college prep study courses and webinars, or purchasing study guides and focusing extensively on those; taking a gap year (or more) until college preparedness is complete; or, knowing there’s a college for most everyone, finding a college match based on what the student has completed, not what he has not.

As you can see, there are many ways to circumvent so-called high schooling errors or make the best of changing situations. With the help and guidance of friends who’ve been there, of reading articles like these, or maybe even bending the ear of a high school counselor like me, I promise homeschooling high school can still be successful.

There are lots of ways to get around the errors we sometimes create on behalf of our students. In my mind, the best way to handle things is to assume they’ll happen because we’re human, and figure out how to make lemonade and keeping going.

Messing up is just life. When you think about it, you’ll probably be better people for figuring out how to recover from these errors anyway. Bouncing back from the unexpected is just one more way to learn. You can bet your student will notice.

To your success,

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago.  A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast.  Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever.  A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide.  Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Florida field trips your homeschoolers will love!

Ready to hit the road? Remember you were saying you wanted to do more field trips this year?

When it comes to Florida field trips, I’ve got you covered. You’ll definitely want to hold on to this list…maybe print it and store it in the car?

The more I search, the more incredible Florida field trips I stumble upon every year. With a day off and a tank full of gas, there are literally thousands of destinations in the Sunshine State you can share with your family, too!

What I love about field trips is you can correlate them with your studies. But, what I love even more is that it’s okay to just drop everything and have fun on field trips, too! You don’t have to prepare or do follow-up learning unless you want to. For the best experience, just let field trips stand alone, allowing yourselves the pleasure of days off from lessons without the pressure to do anything more.

The List

It wasn’t easy, but I’ve identified some of the best field trips in the state. These are those can’t-miss destinations you’ll definitely want to mark on your calendar!

My criteria was simple — these field trips check all the boxes. But, if these choices aren’t your cup of tea, I’ve got an entire 40-page directory of Florida field trips  you can check out instead!

The Florida Museum of Natural History (Gainesville) is an incredible field trip for every member of the family. You can learn about the flora, fauna, fossils, history and people of native Florida, while enjoying amazing displays and interactive exhibits. My favorite exhibit at the museum is the Butterfly Rainforest, where hundreds of butterflies fly free as you walk along a winding path, thru lush landscaping, enjoying waterfalls, flowers and other small animals who call the rainforest home. With Gainesville also the home of the University of Florida, there are lots of great eateries and other fun places to explore in this area, too. Make a day of it, and explore everything Gainesville has to offer.

A visit to WonderWorks (Panama City Beach or Orlando) is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before.  Think of WonderWorks as an amusement park slash arcade slash science center, where people of all ages spend hours creating, imagining, and simulating using hundreds of hands-on interactive exhibits organized in zones throughout the facility.  From the moment you walk through the inversion tunnel, you’ll know you’re in for something truly different. Experience natural disasters firsthand, perform physical challenges, feel what it’s like in outer space, and much more. Hundreds of centers make this a full day activity. Schedule larger groups in advance if you want to explore it with friends.

The Cummer Museum (Jacksonville) is another of my favorite places to visit in the Sunshine State. The Cummer appeals to art enthusiasts, obviously, with its world-class display of over 5,000 pieces dating from 2100 B.C. to the present day. But, the Cummer also has several outdoor acres of stunning historic gardens for strolling, gazing and contemplation. If that isn’t enough, there’s also a large interactive center for creating, touching and listening. If membership interests you, joining the Cummer will also get you in to another 150 other museums throughout the country. Bring a camera and plan to spend at least half the day at this destination. Remember to budget time to visit the trendy cafe and check out the curiosities in gift shop, too.

If you think Disney Springs (Orlando) is nothing more than trendy restaurants and overpriced shopping, think again. While there is no shortage of expensive eateries and designer brand names, the real surprise of Disney Springs comes from discovering all the family-friendly areas and attractions peppered throughout this expansive, newly renovated mall. As a portal to all things Disney Orlando, Disney Springs is a great way to sample Disney and get introduced to Disney on your own terms, with or without passes to the theme parks. At Disney Springs, you can visit family friendly spaces like the carousel, the LEGO store, the splash pad, and enjoy outdoor entertainment pretty much all day, too. Because transportation from all the resorts converge at Disney Springs, if you happen to be staying anywhere at Disney, you’ll avoid navigating the parking facilities and save a whole lot of walking that way, too.

The St. Augustine Visitor’s Center (St. Augustine) is both the launching pad to the rest of the Old City, and a a destination in it’s own right. As the hub of activity in the center of historic St. Augustine, and the area’s largest parking garage, the Visitor’s Center itself also houses varied exhibits of local and historical importance throughout the year. Located just across the famous Castillo de San Marcos (a standing masonry fort), next to a huge public playground (SWING Park) and surrounded by hundreds of attractions of historic and educational significance, the Visitor’s Center is the best place for homeschoolers to start their visit of historic St. Augustine. Check the docket of daily activities, collect as many maps and brochures as you need, and speak to one of the knowledgeable representatives at the Visitor’s Center before setting off for an exciting day of fun and learning around the Old City.

One of Florida’s best kept secrets yet most phenomenal experiences is the guided tour of the robot factory at Sally Corporation (Jacksonville). Sally Corp is a 40,000 sq. ft. facility dedicated to designing, engineering and manufacturing “animatronic” figures for theme parks and attractions like Six Flags and Nickelodeon. Tours take audiences through real life ride simulations and explain the inner workings of their real-life humans, animals and fictional characters. Small groups (reserve in advance) are able to view projects currently in progress as well as participate in interactive games and programs on the factory floor. There is something for everyone at Sally Corporation, and best yet, tours are absolutely free.

A visit to Everglades National Park (Homestead) should be on every Florida family’s list of destinations, perhaps every few years for how much this park has to offer. A visit to the Everglades allows exploring a vast diversity of flora and fauna in many different eco-systems, including freshwater sloughs, wet prairies, tropical hammocks (habitats), coastal lowlands, marine, estuarine, and more. Visitors are exposed to the history of the peoples, conservation, scientific research, and more. It’s important to plan this visit wisely, as it changes with the seasons and covers so much ground. The web site is a great source to start planning, and it contains lesson plans to help explain and/or extend the learning, too.

Driving down the coast toward the Marine Science Center (Ponce Inlet) is a treat in itself. Upon arriving at the Marine Science Center, you’ll be able to choose from different several areas to begin your tour of the area. The turtle rehabilitation area is where sea turtles are cared for to be later released back to the ocean. In the sea bird area, you can view previously injured birds as they recover before being set free, or meet some of the permanent ambassadors who call the center home. The indoor area consists of viewing exhibits, touch and feel centers like a 14,000 gallon stingray pool, other specimens, and a gift shop with someone for everyone.  Nature trails surround the park plus the Center is also within walking distance of Lighthouse Park where your family can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lighthouse while sampling the sand and views along the shoreline.

It’s hard to beat a day at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Clearwater). With so much to see and do, you’ll want to plan a full day to take in all the activities and exhibits, including otters, nurse sharks, sea turtles, and any temporary residents who live there while awaiting new homes. The aquarium also houses a surgical center, where visitors may get the chance to witness life saving procedures being performed on injured animals. Can’t-miss exhibits at the aquarium include the homes of Winter, the Dolphin from the film “Dolphin Tale”, and Hope, a rescued dolphin who was unfit to return to the wild, but is now flourishing at the center. Boat adventures, close up encounters and behind-the-scenes tours are also available.

Nothing says ‘Florida’ like the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Titusville). You’ll learn the history of space exploration and hear of modern-day expeditions up close and personal. With so much to do at Kennedy Space Center, I recommend looking at the sample itineraries before deciding how to plan your day. From guided tours to bus tours to personal experiences and even an IMAX, there’s a lot to take in on this field trip. If traveling in the summer, keep an eye on the weather, too, because exhibits may close when skies are particularly stormy.

Check out this awesome list of Florida field trips!

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What I love about this list

What I love about this list is these destinations are great for the whole family. You’ll never have to worry about boredom (yours) or eye-rolling (your teens), since these are great for all ages.

 

For the largest state-wide field trip directory in Florida, check out my latest book, The Ultimate Guide to Florida Homeschooling. It contains another 40 pages of Florida field trips just waiting for you and your family to discover.

 

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Happy travels!

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago.  A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast.  Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever.  A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide.  Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.