college Archives - Page 8 of 11 - Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Dec 28 2013

FREE homeschool curriculum for high school

Homeschooling high school can be expensive.

But, it doesn’t have to be.

Many quality materials are available inexpensively ~ even free. Taking advantage of freebies is just one way families can save money to buy other, more expensive high school materials.

Here, I have prepared a list of just some of the high school courses, lessons, videos and materials that are FREE for the taking. Browse my list and see if anything here might fit into your curriculum plan this year!

Internet Archive of Open Educational Resources and university lectures

National Repository of Online Courses

Coursera

Learn Free

All-in-One High School from Easy Peasy

Khan Academy

ASL University

Academic Earth (includes links to MIT Open Courseware, Open Yale courses, and more)

Hippo Campus

Homeschool College USA

Microsoft Office Training Modules

Stanford Engineering Everywhere

Notes:

Sometimes a 30-day free trial is all it takes to complete a unit in a subject or two; plus, it helps students decide if it’s the right course for them. Consider using free trials as part of your curriculum strategy.

Many states offer free online high school and/or free part-time attendance at local high schools. Check if your state offers these options for homeschooled students.

Need a high school planner? Download one HERE!

Need help planning a full curriculum year? Check out MY BOOKS and E-BOOKS.

Follow the high school tag at the end of this post to learn more about homeschooling the high school years.

Know of any free options I missed? Please add them as a COMMENT!

Dec 07 2013

Are you good enough?

This morning, it happened again. I dropped another one of my babies at the local high school to take the SAT. This wasn’t the first time for this child. It won’t be his last attempt either.

Pencils sharpened, calculator in hand, my child enters through the double doors. I watch wistfully as dozens of other young men and women enter, too — so much like him, but nothing like him at all. I remind myself his behavior this morning had only to do with getting up so early on a Saturday, and nothing to do with the test at all. I know I have prepared him for the what-ifs, given him the homeschool “code” to bubble in and reminded him the penalty of guessing versus leaving items blank.

“I got it, mom. I’m going in.” he says as he opens the car door.

This isn’t the first time for me, either. Our family has performed this drill many times before. No matter the number of times I do it, however, I always leave feeling the same way.

Have I been good enough?

I drive home deep in thought. Have I been a good enough teacher? Has he been a good enough student? Have our lessons been good enough to prepare him for the test? Will his experiences be good enough to earn a decent score?

I remember the courses he completed, and those yet to finish. I imagine the areas where he’ll score high, and those I expect slightly lower scores {he hasn’t quite finished key courses that might have helped}.

I remember his heart. How hard he works. How many hours he puts in. How much he tries.

I remember his remarks. The ones about having to study things he doesn’t like nor will ever need, just to get into college to study the things he does like and will always need.

Have I been good enough?

I know the answer to this question.

I am raising my children well. They are smart. They have goals. They are happy.

Our family is thriving. We support one another. We value our bond.

My children are winners. They win science fairs. They win scholarships. They win compliments from friends and neighbors.

Still, I can’t help but wonder.

Have I been good enough?

Is there more I should have done? Another prep course? Another study guide?

Is there more I should have done? A bigger breakfast? Extra batteries for the calculator?

Is there more I should have done?

What more could I have done?

Have I failed this child in a way I do not know?

Have I been good enough?

I know my children. I know who they are and what they’re capable of. I know what they’re learning and I know I’ll know it when they’re ready to enter the world follow their own individual paths to their futures.

In fact, I think I already know this child’s SAT score without even seeing it.

So why am I so thoughtful this morning?

Have I been good enough?

I know I have. My children know I have.

But even after years and years of doing this thing, it’s still hard not to worry, at least a tiny little bit.

I know the value of my child. But I also understand the value of this test.

I write about letting children go, measuring their successes (and ours) and about wondering if we aren’t good enough at homeschooling.

Perhaps I’ll go back and read those blogs again myself.

Want to add your ‘good enough’ story? Please leave a COMMENT to encourage others.

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May 01 2013

Thinking of putting your homeschooler in high school? Not so fast.

Millions of children are homeschooled — a large proportion are in high school right now. Thousands have already graduated, too. Yet, despite the numbers and the testimonials to success, sometimes, parents still feel their teens would be better off in high school.

If extensive data-collection and research, honest discussions as a family, and your gut and intuition, have all led to the decision that attending high school is best for a particular child; and, if the decision is based on a combination of facts and logic (not emotions or responses to events and circumstances), the best thing to do may be to give high school a try.

You may be surprised to read that. But, you see, I already know attending high school is not best. You may not. For some families, going through the process is what it takes to see for themselves.

If enrolling a homeschooler in high school is a thought in your mind, it may be helpful to hear from other parents who have already graduated high schoolers from homeschool. Hearing how they did it and hearing from the students themselves is proof the process really works.

I have also found it tremendously helpful to recommend that families speak to other teens presently attending the local high school. Conversations with students who go there are often very honest and revealing.

Consider these additional points as a part of your thorough research:

Without exception, ANY subject or skill taught in a high school can be taught via homeschooling. People, books, videos, employers, classes, colleges, tutors, videos, games, software, and mentors exist to teach any subject or skill there is. Period.
Homeschoolers may specialize in areas, learn technical skills, and work on specific “major” areas of study in high school if they wish. The flexibility and customization of homeschooling makes this extraordinarily easy. Advanced placement, International Bauccelaureate, and other similar programs can be duplicated at home, too. High schoolers can participate in fairs, odysseys, competitions, bees, travel programs, and everything else, too.
Homeschoolers in high school can learn to drive, hold part-time jobs, and earn volunteer and community service credit. Often, the efficiency of homeschooling allows homeschoolers to squeeze in more of these activities than other students who attend high school from 7-2 and have homework to complete every evening.
Parents DO NOT need to be skilled in subjects themselves to supervise a child’s learning of those skills. Guidebooks and answer keys exists specifically for this purpose. Besides, by high school, most homeschool students are self-motivated and independent, needing little or no supervision at all.
Homeschooled students who complete a high school program have indeed “graduated” from high school. Graduation status is the same for homeschoolers as for all other high school graduates around the country, and may be used on job applications, college applications, and more. Families who feel they want to mark this milestone with an actual printed diploma can obtain one, issue one or buy one. Graduation ceremonies are available, as well.
In most states (check your laws), homeschooled teens can join in high school activities without ever having to enroll at all. If wanting to be a part of the high school community or attending social functions is what a family seeks, many states allow homeschoolers to do any or all of the following: go to proms, take classes part-time, attend dances, play sports, be in marching bands, join football teams, buy class rings, go to concerts, take state exams, and lots more. Schools also allow homeschoolers to “shadow” other students at the high school for a day or two before actually enrolling. (Oftentimes, this is enough to satisfy the urge to see what it’s like there.)
Homeschool graduates are easily accepted into college. By and large, admissions procedures are exactly the same for homeschoolers as for anyone else. Admissions offices thoroughly understand homeschooling and have no difficulty processing homeschooled applicants. Homeschooled graduates are often sought-after in the applications and favored other others by scholarship committees, too. More homeschoolers graduate from colleges, too, but that is a subject for another post.

If, after 8 or 10 years of homeschooling, careful research, soul-searching and extended discussions, sending a teen to high school is what a family decides is best — the only thing to do, is to try it.

However, basing an important decision like this on myths about high school or lies about what most families do is foolish and irresponsible.

Listing concerns and addressing each one individually is a successful way to alleviate fears and make solid decisions about the high school years. Studying the homeschool research, and understanding that most families today DO homeschool all the way through high school is helpful, as well. Links to the research and to other traditional high school concerns have been provided, below.

Still have fears and questions about high school? Post in the COMMENT area and I’ll reply.

Here are some other posts you might like:

Homechooling the high school years

Helping teens plan: The Morning Meeting

Parents don’t need all the answers

A 4-year plan for high school

Earning credit for life skills

What if I stink at homeschooling?

Free online courses for teens

Video: homeschool transcripts

A traditional high school sequence

Calculating a GPA

High school math

Where’s the proof (a/k/a/ does homeschooling really work?)

Mar 16 2013

High School Math: Learning and earning credit with greater ease

In a previous post, you read how success in high school math plays into the process of college admissions. The facts were pretty clear: high schoolers need math to get into college, and high school math includes algebra and beyond. Most high schoolers, that is, meaning those following a traditional curriculum path, who are seeking traditional college admissions. Case closed.

But, wait a minute. Do kids without math ever get into college? Aren’t there colleges that don’t care about math? And what about unschoolers — don’t they attend college, too?

In this post, you’ll hear about exceptions. You’ll learn 2 different ways to receive credit for math experience — not the number of math courses completed — practices which may appeal to readers taking a different path toward achieving math understanding. Links are also included at the end of this post; these may be of particular interest to unschooled students and others looking for a non-traditional way to learn math in high school.

Demonstrating competency using examinations

While it is true that most colleges require 3 or 4 credits of high school math, students may attempt to demonstrate competency without having credits on the transcript. Subject examinations offered through The College Board are one way to demonstrate math competency in college with or without ever taking a formal math class in high school. Students should begin by inquiring at the college of their choice as to whether subject exams can be used to document math proficiency. Sometimes, taking one or both math exams provides all the evidence a college needs to insure the student understands algebra through precalculus or trigonometry and the student may be considered on that basis alone. Note that not every college accepts subject exams, and even those that do may not consent to using results in this way. It is up to students to find out, or find other colleges that will.

Students without traditional math preparation may also inquire as to whether the colleges of their choice accept CLEP examinations through The College Board. Though not all colleges accept the CLEP either, those that do may allow credit for tests passed in one or both of the math exams presently available through CLEP. In some cases, these tests provide a way for self-taught math students to demonstrate what they already know. Even better, students who pass CLEP exams earn college credits, too, and never have to take the class in college, either.

Find a college that de-emphasizes math

Choosing a college is hard enough. Finding a college willing to accept a student with little or no math experience can be even harder. But colleges like these do exist, assuming students find one they like. A thorough college search may uncover colleges that do not require the SAT and schools that admit anyone who applies. There are tuition-free colleges and colleges that aren’t really colleges at all. Students may also search for colleges that emphasize math scores less than others, admitting students who score in the lowest percentile on math exams. These searches can be performed using college guides available in most bookstores and using free online search engines, too. The best insurance, however, comes from speaking directly to college admissions officers and staff who are familiar with non-traditional and/or homeschool applicants to see if the student stands any chance of gaining entrance.

Demonstrating competency using portfolios

What if a graduate “gets” math, but just demonstrates it differently than other high school graduates? That is where a student portfolio comes in. Just like a resume or a biography, a student portfolio reflects the unique experiences and characteristics of the student it represents. If a student can demonstrate an understanding of mathematical ideas, whether practically or conceptually, colleges may be persuaded to take a look. Careful portfolio preparation could make the difference between a student who lands a personal interview at a college and one who does not. Portfolios may include anything that paints a complete picture of the student and his or her understanding of the mathematical world, up to and including the level expected by college admissions departments. With alternatives to traditional classroom schooling growing in number every year, many colleges are becoming more able and willing to discern information and evaluate students based on mastery and not just coursework alone.

Just learn the math!

With all that said, there is still so much to be said for just learning the math. Today’s high schoolers have so many options for learning math with ease that it seems silly to deny a student the chance at success if they want it.

Courses on computer, video and DVD are plentiful and may be just the ticket for students who are unable to learn from books alone. Courses like Math U See and Teaching Textbooks are just two examples of products that many families have found extraordinarily helpful for teaching math at home.

Math tutors are found in every community and the good ones have no difficulty teaching high school math and preparing students for college admissions exams. Parents who feel they lack the ability to teach math themselves or help with student homework may hire a tutor for sessions once or twice each week until the student feels comfortable completing the work alone.

Test centers and online seminars all over the country offer math practice and test preparatory courses. Study materials are available online and at bookstores all across the country, too. Many students successfully study for the SAT and other exams simply by taking practice exams from previous years. Others use test materials to key in on the kinds of questions they need to study, or hone in on subjects they need to study a little bit more.

Adult education programs are well-known for offering remedial math courses and math for those who have been out of school for a while. These courses may sometimes be used for high school credit and often provide transcript documentation, too.

Don’t forget the many private schools and curriculum suppliers who offer free homework help and online tools, either. Homeschoolers may join these programs in 9th grade and stick with them, or can jump in during 11th or 12th when studying for math exams becomes more of a focus.

Not every student may be a math whiz or enjoy math, either. But no student needs to fail with the number of resources available today. Changing ones attitude about math and finding just the right combination of tools can prepare a student just enough to gain admission and pursue a dream. Leave no stone unturned when it comes to finding what works best.

Internet articles for continued reading:

Math (a collection of articles compiled by HEM Magazine)

Zen & the art of unschooling math (Life Learning Magazine)

Unschooling and math (Sandra Dodd)

Unschooling Math (from Growing Without Schooling)

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Mar 16 2013

High School Math: What is really needed for college admissions — and why?

Do college-bound homeschoolers really need algebra in high school? And if they do, can anyone explain why? Parents and students ask this all the time. Humorous infographics have even begun circulating suggesting that many years may pass before most people ever need to use algebra at all.

To parents who worry about teaching algebra and calculus at home, and to students who don’t like the subject at all, these are critical questions. What if high schoolers cannot succeed in the high school math courses that everyone says they’re supposed to take? What really happens to high schoolers who don’t have the math skills required for college admissions? Can they still get in? Or, should these students seek certificate options and hope to land careers in areas that do not involve math at all?

This is a touchy subject for some people, but an important one. Those who understand algebra sometimes dismiss it as whining or laziness on the part of the students who struggle. Those who are the ones struggling wonder whey they must demonstrate proficiency in something they’ll probably never be able to understand at all. Though future STEM careers necessarily require math, surely there are many career paths that require little or no math at all — ever. So, why is is fair to require the same courses of all students, even those who plan to pursue non-math options in college anyhow?

These are all good points. But, alas, they make little difference when it comes to taking high school math.

The truth is, college-bound students need the math. Public, private, charter schooled students need it. Homeschoolers need it, too. There’s no way around it.

Below is a list of facts about high school mathematics and college admissions. Like them or not, these represent the status of college admissions today. And while homeschooled graduates are easily accepted into colleges, and though colleges occasionally revise their admissions requirements, these math requirements are not likely to change any time soon.

Fact: Most American colleges require applicants to demonstrate success in high school math from algebra on up. These courses include algebra, geometry, precalculus, calculus, and higher.

Fact: Colleges do not make substitutions (for homeschoolers or any other applicants) when it comes to math requirements. Classes like remedial mathematics, consumer math, business math, Accounting, and Finance may be taken in high school as desired and may offer valuable preparation for life. However, mastery in these practical areas — even with extensive documentation to justify transcript credits – will not result in a waiver or substitution for algebra or other higher level math.

Fact: Admissions officers at traditional colleges seeking traditional applicants assume 3-4 years of high school mathematics completion for basic consideration. Different schools have different eligibility requirements for math — for some, it may be a 2.0 or ‘C’ average in math; for others, it may be an ‘A’ or ‘B’. This is one of many requirements that helps determine which student applications make the first cut and which do not. Students who do not present with the number of required classes and the minimum scores are not considered for admission.

Fact: Most colleges today require students to take college entrance exams (SAT, one or more subject exams, or some combination thereof) as part of the application process. What’s more, some colleges (just one of several examples of colleges that do this HERE) may even require more validation of high school math credits from homeschooled applicants.

Fact: The SAT requires a knowledge of algebra and geometry to pass. Even students with superior scores on the english and writing portions will receive lower overall scores once math scores have been added in to the combined total.

Fact: While there are exceptions (a handful of colleges that do not require test scores) colleges have a minimum passing score for the SAT exams. Students who do not take the exams, or who do not present with the minimum passing scores are not considered for admission.

Fact: Though several new college/un-college experiences are being introduced, these are either relatively new or not yet available for widespread use. They have neither gained acceptance by graduate schools nor the confidence of potential employers, either. It will be many years before students graduating from these programs have proven themselves and the public recognizes alternative college experiences as options to traditional college degrees.

Like it or not, for college-bound homeschoolers, high school math is here to stay. Homeschoolers must find ways to prepare themselves for college admissions by taking the required number of math courses in grades 9-12 and succeeding the very best they can.

Chin up, though. An upcoming article will cover ways to prepare homeschoolers for high school math complete with product solutions for teaching it when other methods have failed. Subscribe to the feed and it’ll arrive directly to your Inbox.

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Internet articles for continued reading:

Is Algebra Necessary? (NY Times)

Why learn math? (Scott H. Young)

Examining how mathematics is used in the workplace (Mathematics Association of America)

Photo: Moreau