No More Fun Allowed!!

Homeschooling Highschool
Presented by Suzanne Ellis, Jan. '04
With Notes by E P

B. Credits Needed, A student is required to attain a grade of C or higher (as defined in below) to receive credit for the course. (Other than 'Bible', these are the standard courses required for a HS degree.  We may self-certify a HS degree in Maryland.)
Minimum course Requirements
Class                                                          Non-college                    College

(Bible                                                               2                      2 )
English                                                              4                      4
Social studies                                                    3                      3
(1 Course on Govt. with emphasis in US Democracy)
Math                                                                 3                      3
Science (requires 1 course in biology)                  2                      3
PE                                                                     1                       1
Fine Arts (music, art, drama, …)                          1                       1
Technical/Vocational                                          1                       1
Foreign Language                                                0                      2
Electives                                                            2                      4
_________________________________________________________

 Total                                                               19               24

Academic Achievement
The grades A through F are defined as follows:
A: 90%-100%
B: 80%-89%
C: 70%-79%
D: 65%-69%
E: 0%-64%

Every one can benefit from a foreign language, especially beginning with Latin.  (EP recommends English from the Roots Up (which is Greek and Latin), and Latina Christiana.  For the upper grades with a basis in Latin Henle is excellent.)

 C. What is a Credit,
It is 120 hours a year on a course, 45 min.5X / week,
Or ¾ of a standard text book
Or an outside class
And the grade must be a C or higher

  Or you can CLEP out with a CLEP test, contact MC or U of Md.  It is a credit.

  D. Transcripts, Give a grade each semester for courses, each semester equals ½ credit.

 E. Testing, Standardized ones in different settings are good practice.
Useful for colleges > SAT> logic based
         Ø      ACT> knowledge based

  Take the SAT in the jr. year with an option to do it again in the sr. year.  It will be needed by the fall of the jr. year.

SAT prep books, Tooth and Nail novel, Hot Words> make this prep part of your curriculum.

F. Portfolio, (these are some of the possibilities)

    1. Transcript - traditional areas
    2. Home Designed Academic Courses - what do your courses fit under? Eng., math, ...
    3. Apprenticeships and Internships - volunteer jobs, see Dept. of Labor list of job titles
    4. Co-curricular Activities - i.e. in-depth 4H study - Botany Notebook, working at the nature center
    5. Extracurricular Activities - quilting, landscaping, thespians, ... whatever isn't needed as a credit is put as extra curricula
    6. Projects, Performances, Exhibitions, and Demos - showing work at the county fair, ...
    7. Employment - babysitting, etc.
    8. Volunteerism and Service Projects - scouts, caroling in a nursing home ...
    9. Travel - keep a souvenir notebook
    10. Fieldtrips - keep a record
    11. Health, Sports, and Physical Fitness
    12. Writing Samples - pick the best, collect applications at fairs, consider sending in from there for free (if offered), see EssayEdge.com
    13. Books Read - keep a list, PerfectionLearning.com sells tests on books, see also ProgenyPress, and VeritasPress
    14. Performances Attended - include ethnic celebrations
    15. Films Viewed - see movie, read the book, then compare. view documentaries, historical epics, then journal perceptions
    16. Leadership - take opportunities, i.e. organize a food drive

G. Graduation, Go ahead and join a group to mark the line of "Taa Daaa!!!"