Preparing for College—10 Steps

 Habits for Happy Kids, Homeschool Habits  2 Responses »
Mar 122013
 

Preparing for College - 10 Steps at habitsforahappyhome.comHelping a child apply to college and all that goes along with it can seem overwhelming to any parent, but the homeschool parent has the added responsibility of being the educator as well. You can do it, and without much stress, if you take it one step at a time. I’ve outlined below what I did to give my girls a college preparatory education and help them apply to and choose a college.

Grades 9-12

1. Teach college-preparatory courses. Use curriculum designed for the high school level. At this point, you may need to separate older students if you usually teach unit studies involving the whole group. Their material should be meatier and require more study and testing, papers, and projects. Most colleges require a number of years of English and math, two years of foreign language study (the same language both years), and science and history. Electives are also usually required, and at the very least an asset on your child’s transcript.

2. Keep a record of your child’s grades for each subject each year. This will later be the child’s transcript. There are many sample transcripts on the internet that you can pattern yours after. The college my daughter applied to had its own sample on the website. I made mine exactly like theirs and just typed in my daughter’s classes and grades. You can also find a G.P.A. (grade-point average) calculator on the internet. It is important to know your child’s G.P.A., as this affects academic scholarships. The higher the G.P.A., combined with SAT or ACT score, the more scholarship money the college will offer. If your child’s grade are not top-notch, don’t despair… colleges are looking for average students with other abilities as well.

3. Along with the record of grades, I also keep a portfolio of my student’s work. It’s simple: a three-ring binder is divided into sections—one section for each class. After a math test, the student places the graded test into the math section. English papers are put into the English section, and so on. I do not save everything… mostly just tests, quizzes, and papers, and maybe a few pages of daily work. The rest goes into the trash at the end of the school year (but that’s for another post on avoiding clutter).

At the end of the year, the portfolio is finished, except for two tasks:

  • I have each child design a cover for the year, including pictures of them throughout, and
  • I print a copy of their grades (their “report card”) and put that into the binder as well.

I have never had to show this to a potential college, but we have these to look back over in future years, and they are available just in case.

4. Look for scholarships, as early as ninth grade. Colleges usually offer their own internal scholarships, but there are many more. Websites such as Fastweb customize your scholarship search for you after you fill out a questionnaire. They email scholarship matches, which prevents much wasted time. You can also do a Google search for “scholarships for _____________ “ and fill in the blank with whatever makes you unique. I kid you not, there is actually a scholarship for people who speak Klingon!  Also check your local paper. Businesses often provide scholarships for students in the community, and more are becoming open to homeschooled students. Some scholarships require that you give household income, some do not. Apply to as many as you can, but avoid the ones you know you would most likely not win. Also, never apply to scholarships that require money up front. This is usually a scam. Who handles the scholarships? In our house, I find them, and my highschoolers apply.

Grades 11-12

5. Have your child take the SAT or ACT test. I recommend once during the junior year, and once or twice more during the senior year (unless the first score is phenomenal!). Have the scores sent to any college he is interested in (you can send scores to up to four colleges for free). This, combined with the G.P.A., is important in getting into college and getting scholarships both inside and outside the college. I’d have them take one of each, then take the one they scored higher on a second or even third time. Prep classes for these tests can be beneficial as well. These classes are usually geared toward how to take the test rather than a review of the information on the test.

  • Collegeboard.com has all the information on the SAT
  • actstudent.org has the information for the ACT

6. Have your child choose colleges he’s interested in, and apply to the ones he is really serious about. Check out the college’s website. A visit to campus helps, if that is possible. Talking with current students and alumni is extremely beneficial.

Questions to ask:

  • Does this college fit your student?
  • Will he feel comfortable there?
  • If he will be living away from home, do you feel comfortable with the environment?
  • What is the teaching philosophy?

Everyone has their own opinion about choosing a college, but realize that most young people form their life-long friendships and philosophies during college. After homeschooling them with a certain worldview for 12 years, are you comfortable with a philosophy that is diametrically opposed to that? A good school in my opinion will present a number of ideas and opinions but hold to the same worldview my student has been brought up with. Our children made their own decisions, but we guided them toward colleges in this realm. We also made sure the college was accredited, which could be necessary in the future for a graduate to be considered for certain jobs.

7. The FAFSA…. Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This must be filled out each calendar year of college beginning Jan. 1 of the student’s senior year of high school. It’s a good idea for the person who does the taxes in your family to be the one who fills out the FAFSA. My husband does one right after the other (taxes first). Submit the FAFSA to the schools you are applying to as early as possible.  We do this for our kids, as they do not handle the family finances, but it’s a good idea to get them involved, at least let them see what you’re doing.

8. Once you’ve received an “award letter” (telling your student how much money he will be awarded in federal aid, scholarships, and student loans), make a decision. Ultimately, our daughter had her heart set on a certain school since age 16, and chose it. Your student may have a more difficult time choosing. This is where the most important aspect comes in … prayer!

9. Apply for special programs – honors, musical ensembles, athletic clubs. Many of these offer extra scholarship money, reducing the student and parent load. Some schools also allow students to register for classes and apply for on-campus jobs online, ahead of time.

10. It’s a good idea to make sure your student has a personal computer before sending him off to college. Sure, the school will have a computer lab, but a PC is almost a must these days. We made our daughter’s her graduation present.

~Written by Kim, The Daisy Muse
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Do you have any questions or concerns about getting your child into college?  If you’ve already been through this, what tips do you have for the rest of us?

Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett: Your Passport to Learning Adventures!

I Finally Did it – Start the Day Outside

 Habits for a Happy Dad, Habits for a Happy Mom, Habits for Happy Kids, Habits for life, Homeschool Habits  11 Responses »
Dec 112012
 

Yes, I finally did what I should have done years ago.

I am a homeschooling mom of two wild but wonderful boys. One is “wilder” than the other one. I believe the LORD has been telling me for a very, very long time to start our day by sending my boys outside. I kept resisting this idea, because it just didn’t seem right or at all productive. I told myself we can’t do that, they need to do morning chores, and we need to get going with school.

Well, I finally did it! I finally listened and obeyed the Holy Spirit and I am so glad I did. Since I finally did it, I have a praise report! The last couple of weeks have been some of the best since we started home schooling. After breakfast if it isn’t raining, my boys must go outside. They must play, and exercise. Almost half of these days I went out after they played a while and we went on at least a short walk. Then we would come back in complete morning duties, and other morning activities (ex. piano lesson), then we would have bible time and start school.

We also have a longer lunch break and they go back out and play. Yes, some the school days do seem longer because of this new plan, but when we aren’t leaving the house it doesn’t matter. Since I submitted to this plan our days have been more peaceful and productive. Thank You Father!

My advice to you would be abide with the Father through His Son Jesus and listen and submit to the Holy Spirit, in every area of your life!! You will be so blessed when you do!

~ by Angie, The One Thing

Days in the Lives of Habits for a Happy Home Authors

 Habits for life, Homeschool Habits  1 Response »
Aug 252012
 

We each have different days based on the type of family we have, the make up of that family, our responses to situations and more. Are they all happy homes? We hope that these glimpses into our authors’ homes will encourage you on your road.

 

This the the day the Lord has made… Psalm 118:24

A Day in the Life of Our Mostly-Traditional, All-Girl Home School

 Homeschool Habits  3 Responses »
Aug 162012
 

Home schooling…. the very term strikes terror in people’s hearts.

“I could never do that!” exclaims one woman.  

“You must have so much patience!” cries another.  

“How DO you do it?” asks a third.  

So, from this very normal, not necessarily patient person, comes a description of my home school day…

My day begins with my coffee.  Usually, my telecommuter husband brings it to me in bed.  (If you don’t have a telecommuter husband, you could bring your own cup back to your bed.  It’s a wonderful habit.)  This is my time of reflection. I drink, look out the window, talk to the Lord, and read my Bible and/or my home decorating magazines (no computer). Basically, it’s the only time of day I’m alone and relaxed.  The important thing is, I get that time.  When I don’t, things don’t go as smoothly or as peacefully.

I rise, and hopefully, the girls are up!  This year, I am determined not to wake anyone. Each girl will use her own cell phone or alarm clock and wake up on her own.  One of our family’s main issues is being late, and this is the year we will change that!  My girls are old enough to remember to get dressed and brush their teeth.  Somehow, certain ones still need to be reminded to make their bed and pick up their clothes from the bathroom floor.  Reasonable neatness is our morning goal, not perfection.

To get everyone going, I might prop their bedroom doors open and turn on some peppy music.  I either put out cereal or make a hot breakfast, depending on how busy our day is.

I put on an outfit I like (even if it’s a workout outfit), and fix my hair and makeup.  None of that takes a long time, but if I feel I look good, I will be in a better mood, and we all know our moods are passed on to our families! I put on a squirt of perfume or body spray, too.  Now I feel like a together mom, and can face the day!

We eat breakfast together and then begin story time.  I have done story time on and off through the years, and I find that as long as you read from an exciting, age-appropriate book, the children do not tire of it. One way I plan to get the girls downstairs on time this year is to begin reading exactly at 9:00. If one is late, she misses that day’s installment in the story (and yes, I will be hiding the book in-between so no one can peek!)  Some of our favorites have been Farmer Boy, Hitty:  Her First Hundred Years, and Mama’s Bank Account.

My husband has “gone to the office” (at the front of our house). Depending on our level of noise, has inserted headphones into his ears and turned up his music volume, and sat down to work.  We will be in and out of the office all day, and he is very patient.  The desktop computer is right next to Dad’s, so he can monitor whether teenagers are checking their advanced math problems or peeking at Facebook. (He’s not that great at noticing… after all, he is concentrating on his own work!)  Still, it’s nice to have him there.  Life with all girls can get dramatic at times, and he is the voice of calm.

We do any subjects that we have to do together first. We really don’t have that many, but this year, my senior and my freshman are doing Bible together.  We will be going through the Epistles, with assignments given by my husband.  All three girls are attending or plan to attend Christian colleges, so we try to do structured Bible courses that also count as high school credit.  Hubby helps with Bible and art.  We use our children’s interests for electives… eldest (now in college) counted her piano and guitar lessons as high school credit. Middle girl spends as many hours at the ballet studio as she does in school, so ballet will be on her high school transcript.  Youngest girl is an aspiring artist as well as horseback rider.  More electives, plus P.E.  We also plan to do a course I’m calling “Appreciation of Fine Arts” this year, using Harmony Fine Arts as a starting point, and adding art and drama for the youngest and ballet for the middle, along with field trips to a play, art museum, and/or professional ballet.

Next, the girls work independently.  Each has a list. I use the inexpensive “Cat in the Hat” lesson plan book from Michael’s.  With my 40% off coupon, it’s about $6.00.  Middle girls’ lessons are at the top, and youngest at the bottom.  (When I had three in school, I divided it into three sections).  There is a grade book in the back, too.

This is for week one, where we’ll be starting “slow and steady.”

I have tried having set times for each subject.  With older girls working mostly independently, this simply does not work and ends with frustration.  Better to let them work at their own pace, especially when we add in activities for each child.  This year will be a challenge, as middle girl’s ballet lessons will be M-Th at 2:00.  If she gets a job as planned, that will also complicate our day (see why I can’t have a set hourly schedule?).  While they work, I am doing housework, checking e-mail, or exercising… returning often to the school room to check progress and be available for questions.

We have done school at the kitchen or dining room table, but I love the set up we have now.  My husband made the girls each a beautiful desk from plywood.  These desks can be set up in our guest room (which is a school room when we have no guests).  As you can see, the different personalities of my two school-age children are reflected in their desk organization!

He painted the desks to match our living room as well as our dining room, so in the summer or when Grandma comes to visit, we simply move the desks around.  

When school work is finished, the girls check the day’s chore list. I have the days’ chores written out, such as “vacuum downstairs… unload dishwasher… empty wastebaskets” etc.  The girls divide the chore list by two or three (depending on whether eldest is home from college) and choose the chores they want.  Eldest usually helps on her own, without being told.  (Ah, the blessings of adult children!)  The chore list is such a habit that the girls hardly even think about it.  I put it in the same place each day, with a pen to check off jobs once they are finished.

When we have something to do during school hours, such as drama club or ballet class, things are changed up a bit.  Youngest may bring her math in the car and do it on the half-hour drive to drama.  Or she may do all her work when she gets home.  Middle girl may accompany me and, after we drop youngest off at drama, we may drink coffee at Barnes and Noble while she does her work.  I look for little ways such as this that I can “treat” my children and give them a break from the daily routine.

Our afternoons consist of free time if there are no scheduled lessons.  I do have one that will stretch to fill the time she is given.  Sometimes her school work is not finished until dinner time, or even later.  However, if she has an activity to look forward to, such as ballet class, she gets it done sooner.   Can you tell our day often revolves around ballet?  Middle girl has a goal to be accepted into a dance ministry.   This requires much sacrifice of her time and ours, but we do the best we can to encourage our girls in their God-given dreams.  All of them want to go into fine arts… one into music, one into dance, one into art.  I wonder why we do geometry and pre-calculus when the only math they’ll need as musician or dancer is to count to 8!

In the afternoon, I catch up on phone calls or housework, take a shower if I have exercised that morning, and once in a while take a blessed nap or just rest on my bed with those home decorating magazines and a glass of iced coffee.  I may plan my lessons out further (never more than 2 weeks at a time).  One of us starts dinner.   My husband and I (and that wonderful eldest, when she’s home) take turns driving middle girl to ballet until she gets her license, and with this year’s schedule, the parent staying home will cook dinner.  I don’t know if I’d rather stay home and cook, or make the eighty-minute round trip drive and be cooked for.  Both sound good!  When it’s my turn to drive, I use the time middle girl is in ballet class to grocery shop, since we live so far out of town.  Almost all my errands are done while carting the girls around and waiting for them.  This gives me more time to stay in my favorite place… home.

Evenings this year will be different, as we’ll commute to ballet before dinner, not after.  We may have some more leisure time on our hands!  We have a couple of tv shows our family likes to watch on one of those channels that shows pre-recorded episodes.  My favorites are the “fifties tv” shows.   (Hubby is often still in his office, working on grad school or his second job, a personal web design business… but sometimes he will bring his laptop into the living room while he works on homework.  After all, it is art school! =).  Youngest and I also like to read together.  Right now we’re reading Millie’s Reluctant Sacrifice from the character-building Life of Faith Series.  We get into our pajamas and cuddle up and get into the story.  Since our girls are older, they usually go to bed around the same time we do.  Our goal is to have youngest in bed by 9:30 (she’s 13), and the rest of us by 10.  Rarely do we make it… but we try.  Since we avoid the school bus and morning commute, we usually get a good night’s sleep anyway.

As you can see, most often, we school at home with books to read, papers to write, and math problems to compute.  I keep a traditional grade book and our girls get report cards at the end of the year.  We take just a couple field trips a year, and they consist mostly of an art museum or a performance.  Sometimes we do something just for fun, like the zoo.  I keep it simple and low maintenance as much as I can, and it suits our family just right.

~Written by Kim A., The Daisy Muse

Flexible Homeschool Planner

 Homeschool Habits  4 Responses »
Jul 192012
 

When it comes to planning for the school year, I have tried just about everything. There are so many different options, I was bound to find one that works for my family. I have spent hours printing, writing lesson plans, printing, entering lesson plans on the computer, printing, researching products, did I mention printing? While each system, product and printable planner has great features and may be the best choice for another family, they did not work for my family.

After years of looking and trying out new products, last year I decided to pick up a school planner from the local office supply store and it has been a perfect fit for my family! Here is how it works for me…

The planner has a three year reference calendar in the front to help with long-term planning. It is dated from July to June, perfect for our school year which begins in late July and ends in June. Each month has tabs and a monthly calendar at the beginning. This is where I pencil in our events, field trips, sports practice, classes, lessons, etc.

After the monthly calendar is a two page per week calendar. It is dated and lined, but there are no times listed (you can purchase one with times). This is where I pencil in lesson plans, one month at a time. Each day is broken into 13 sections, I have a different child/subject on each one. I use a highlighter to separate each of the boys. If you click on the image to the right, you can view a larger image and see the details.

Notice I said “pencil in”…I am what most like to call a “free spirit”, so I like to be able to change things up a bit as we go. This planner is flexible enough for me and keeps me in line with our planning at the same time! And the best part…I get a planner for the entire year for about 20 bucks, even less if you have a coupon!

~By Heidi, Heidi’s Miscellany

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