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9 EASY and Fun Hands-on Ancient Greece Kids Activities

November 19, 2017 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I rounded up 9 easy hands-on Ancient Greece kids activities because I know the value of hands-on when it comes to learning.

You know my obsession with easy hands-on activities. I’m not the bomb mom for easy hands-on activities, but I try.

Because I never felt like the bomb mom I pushed myself out of my comfortable worksheet approach and never regretted one moment of it.

9 Easy and Fun Hands On Ancient Greece Kids Activities. Click here to grab them!

Sure, some kids activities I planned were complicated, but I learned from that.

I don’t always have to have over the top, knock your socks off, time sucking kids activities. Easy is perfect for us.

Too, most kids learn best from hands-on activities.

Yes even the ones who claim they’d rather read it in the book. And no, it’s not a waste of time.

I have a few kids that tried to tell me that.

9 Easy and Fun Hands On Ancient Greece Kids Activities. Click here to grab them!

Instead of forcing complicated hands-on ideas or projects, I created many easy ones to add just a sprinkle of fun to our unit studies.

Reading is an additional activity for learning and although it’s probably the one we use the most, it’s not the one my kids remember the most.

Yep, it’s the easy hands-on activities my kids do that brings us together and helps them to remember significant points about different civilizations.

Most of the Ancient Greece kids activities I rounded up today require very little supplies and most can be found in your house.

First, look at these fun books about Ancient Civiliztions to add to your study about Ancient Greece.

13 Ancient Civilization Hands-on Resources and Books

Add some of these fun resources to your unit study or study for the day of Ancient Civilizations.

Image for The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

Tarquin Popups are a special kind of do it yourself activity book. Not only is there the fun of making the scenes and seeing them popup but they are full of interesting information and ideas. This book contains six main scenes to make: Knossos, the Palace of Minos, the Lion Gate at Mycenae, the Battle of Salamis, the Golden Age of Athens, the Theatre, Alexander the Great and King Porus.

Image for The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

A magnificently illustrated, interactive pop-up book chronicles the history of ancient Egypt and its diverse cultural innovations, covering everything to the construction of the Egyptian pyramids and the elaborate mummification process, to the mysterious rites performed at an Egyptian god's temple and the ancient hieroglyphic writings.

Image for Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Children can try their hand at re-creating ancient Israelite culture—along with the cultures of their neighbors, the Philistines and Phoenicians—in a way that will provide perspective on current events. The book covers a key period from the Israelites’ settlement in Canaan in 1200 B.C.E. to their return from exile in Babylonia in 538 B.C.E. This part of the Middle East—no larger than modern-day Michigan—was the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. More than 35 projects include stomping grapes into juice, building a model Phoenician trading ship, making a Philistine headdress, and writing on a broken clay pot. Israelites', Phoenicians', and Philistines' writing and languages, the way they built their homes, the food they ate, the clothes they wore, and the work they did, and of course, their many interesting stories.

Image for Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

The new National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology offers timeless stories of Greek myths in a beautiful new volume. Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations.

Image for Activity Study: Great Empires
Photo Credit: store.homeschoolinthewoods.com

Activity Study: Great Empires

Included in this study are over 35 projects, games, recipes, links, and the history of fourteen empires! Generally, each empire's materials can be covered in 1-3 days

Image for Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Image for Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Is your child fascinated by Ancient Egypt? if so then this Ancient Egypt themed activity book is just for them. This is a great book for boys and girls who have an interest in Ancient Egypt. This Ancient Egypt themed activity book will keep them entertained and happy for hours.

Image for Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the incredible ingenuity and history of ancient China with 25 hands-on projects for readers ages 9 and up. Great Ancient China Projects covers topics from porcelain pottery, paper, gunpowder, and dynasties, to martial arts, medicinal healers, jade carvers, and terracotta warriors.

Image for Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Image for Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

What humans call “civilization” didn’t always exist. We didn’t always live in big cities, have roads to get places easier, or grow food on farms. For a long time, humans were hunter-gatherers. Hunter-gatherers wandered from place to place looking for food. They didn’t build homes or stay in one place. The Sumerians, as far as we know, were the first people to start a civilization.

Image for History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

The book includes the following pockets:

  • What Is History?
  • Ancient Mesopotamia
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Greece
  • Ancient Rome
  • Ancient China
  • Ancient Aztec World

This resource contains teacher support pages, reproducible student pages, and an answer key.

Image for Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69)

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69)

Cleopatra has been called intelligent and scheming, ambitious and ruthless, sensual and indulgent. This unique biography captures the excitement of her life story, including portions that have been largely neglected, such as her interest in literature and science and her role as a mother, and allows readers to draw their own conclusions. Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids also includes maps, time lines, online resources, a glossary, and 21 engaging hands-on activities to help readers better appreciate the ancient culture.

Image for DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

HANDS ON LEARNING: Supernow educational boxes includes an adventure box with 4 hands-on projects and interactive digital content to bring the projects to life!

INTERACTIVE PLAY: Kids get a monthly adventure box that serves as a portal to an immersive adventure. Participate in an unfolding mission by attending live, interactive classes and solving fun clues.

Also, I have this cursive and free Greece copywork poetry.

EASY HANDS-ON ANCIENT GREECE KIDS ACTIVITIES

And you can’t get any easier that coloring pages for studying history.

Check out these fun coloring pages! There are some for Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece too.

Look at this list.

Page 3: Ancient Egypt Court,
Page 4: Ancient Egypt Spinning,
Page 5: Ancient Egypt Life of the Royals,
Page 6: Ancient Egypt Battles,
Page 7: Ancient Egypt The Nile,
Page 8: Life Along the River – The Nile,
Page 9: Metal Workers & Crafts of Ancient Egypt,
Page 10: Egyptian Hieroglyphics,
Page 11: Egyptian Queen Cleopatra,
Page 12: Aztecs Floating Gardens,
Page 13: Aztecs,
Page 14: Aztec Life,
Page 15: Mayans,
Page 16: Ancient Greece Wedding,
Page 17: Ancient Greek Galley,
Page 18: Ancient Greece Crafts,
Page 19: Ancient Greece Bank,
Page 20: Athens,
Page 21: Spartan Warrior and
Page 22: The Vikings.

Grab your fun copy below!

  • 00. Ancient Civilization History 20 Coloring Pages

    00. Ancient Civilization History 20 Coloring Pages

    $3.50
    Add to cart

9 EASY and Fun Hands-on Ancient Greece Kids Activities

Finally, look at these 9 hands-on Ancient Greece kid’s activities.

Ancient Greece Kids Activities

1. Play Stomachion Like Archimedes {Explore Geometry}

It just requires a few things and instead of printing off the puzzle pieces.

Go here to Ancient Greece Unit Study.Play Stomachion Like Archimedes {Explore Geometry}.

2. Create An Ancient Greek Theatre Mask 

Drama included performances of tragedies, which often told stories of the mythical past, and comedies, in which performers poked fun at politicians, famous people, and even the gods.

Go here to Ancient Greek Theatre Mask – Easy Hands-on History.

3. Do Surface Tension Science

These activities are geared for middle school, but a high school student that has a science aversion would be engaged too. While studying the ancient civilizations, grab these ideas for an Ancient Greece hands-on science unit study.

Go here to (Hands-on Science) 3 EASY Activities.

4. Ancient Greece Go Fish Game

There’s not a better way to start back to our Ancient Greece unit study than playing a game.

Go here to Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game.

5. Make An Ancient Greece Chariot

Craft this easy chariot from things you have around the house already. Go here to Make An Ancient Greece Chariot.

6. Craft this Fun Ancient Greece Pottery Piece

An ostracon is a piece of pottery, usually broken off from a vase or some other container.

Go here to Hands-On Ancient Greece Study: Politics and Pottery.

7. Grab this Free Ancient Greece Lapbook

History lapbooks can make history come to life because they’re interactive.

Go here to download this Free Ancient Greece Lapbook.

8. Snack Like They Did In Ancient Greece – Make Baklava

Learning that the Ancient Greeks rolled out pastry real thin and made Spanakopita (spinach pie) or Baklava, we decided to try out a new recipe.

Go here to Snack Like They Did In Ancient Greece – Make Baklava (Delicious).

9. Do a Refraction Science Experiment

We were reading about Ancient Greeks studying refraction and did this fun activity.

Go here to Ancient Greece Unit Study. Hands-on Activity 1. Refraction.

Learning sticks when you’re able to include even one or two easy hands-on history activities to any topic you study. I hope you try one or two!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Ancient Civilizations, Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient civilizations, Ancient Greece, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling

10 Westward Expansion History Fun Coloring Pages

November 16, 2017 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have 10 Westward Expansion coloring pages that enhance all the free unit studies here or ones that you’re planning. Also, you love my page BEST Westward Ho Unit Study and Lapbook!

Sometimes the boys want to create their own covers for the lapbooks or notebooks from coloring pages.

10 Westward Expansion History Fun Coloring Pages. If you're studying about The Oregon Trail, Lewis and Clark or Westward Ho, your kids will love these pages. Click here to grab them!

I know with younger children, it can be hard to find history coloring pages based on everyday life.

But these coloring pages work well with middle and high school too if your kid still loves to color.

WESTWARD HO HISTORY FUN COLORING PAGES

I made sure they have no baby-ish looking clip art.

I have always tried to use museum quality coloring pages when the coloring mood did strike with my boys.

Also, instead of me adding titles on pages or naming the pages, this allows you to use the clip art/coloring pages any way you want to.

Whether it is a cover page, notebooking page, journal page or just to enrich a topic. You have the flexibility.

HOW TO EASILY BRING HISTORY ALIVE

Here is what the 10 page download contains. I put a few key words to explain each picture on the page. This way you can use the coloring pages as title pages too.

Page 3:  Native American on horseback,
Page 4: Lewis and Clark Trek,
Page 5: Lewis and Clark and The Piegan,
Page 6: Lewis and Clark Exploring Rivers,
Page 7: The Plains Indians,
Page 8: Pioneer Life,
Page 9: Moving West,
Page 10: Westward Ho,
Page 11: Settlers, and
Page 12: Fur Trappers and Mountainmen

Grab your fun copy below!

  • 0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

    0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

    $1.75
    Add to cart
10 Westward Expansion History Fun Coloring Pages. If you're studying about The Oregon Trail, Lewis and Clark or Westward Ho, your kids will love these pages. Click here to grab them!

Also, these coloring pages go well with these free unit studies and lapbooks:

  • Lewis and Clark Unit Study & Lapbook
  • Plains Indians Unit Study & Lapbook
  • Westward Ho Unit Study & Lapbook

Hugs and love ya,

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Geography Based, Hands-On Activities, History Based, History Resources, Middle School Homeschool Tagged With: coloringpages, explorers, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, lewis and clark, lewisandclark, Native Americans, nativeamerican, nativeamericans, westward expansion, westwardho

Texas Native American History Quick Unit Study (Middle School)

November 15, 2017 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m sharing a few links for a Texas Native American history unit study. Also, look at my page Homeschool Middle School for more fun tips. Also, look at my Native American Unit Study to learn about other Native Americans.

Since the time my kids were little we’ve always incorporated some of our Texas heritage and history.

Studying Texas history has so many topics to choose from.

Texas Native American History Quick Unit Study (Middle School)

However, studying about Native Americans will help to keep Texas history in a manageable chunk.

First, look at ten of the tribes native to Texas.

I’ve tried to hone in on these in this roundup so this topic doesn’t become overwhelming.

10 Tribes Native to Texas.

  • Apache
  • Atakapa
  • Caddo
  • Coahuiltecan Region
  • Comanche
  • Jumano
  • Karankawa
  • Kiowa
  • Tonkawa
  • Wichita

Glancing at the geography of Texas will help your kids to understand how each group adjusted to their surroundings.

Geography of Texas

The Geography of Texas.
Learn about the plant and animal life.

Texas Native American History Lesson Plans/Guides/Resources/

Download these lesson plans for activities and background information.
Download this 17 page free guide for background information about Texas Native Americans: The Texas Revolution: Exactly Who Where the Texans.
Brief overview of the major tribes that existed at the time of the first European exploration.

Fascinating background information about the Karankawa. A free 10 page download.

Heads up: You’ll want to look this over and glean the points you want to teach your child because it addresses all issues the Karankawa faced including very intimate ones.

And no, there are no pictures, just text. But I’ve listed it because it is so comprehensive in helping us to understand their every day life and one of the better resources I found.

Even though it’s says it’s a fourth grade lesson plan, it really is helpful for comparing tribes.

Texas Native American History Quick Unit Study (Middle School). Click here to grab it!

Understand the importance of the buffalo to the Comanche. Grab this free curriculum guide.
Learn about smoke signals like the Karankawa used.

Free Native Tribes of Texas 26 page download with facts and pictures.
Texas Indians: Southeastern and Gulf Cultures.
Background information on Jumano, Caddo, Karankawa, and Comanche.

Texas Native American Hands-on Ideas

Make a grinding tool from a flat rock.
Cook corn soup like the Caddo.
Make teepee cupcakes like the Comanche and Apache (okay maybe not cupcakes)
If you’re real adventurous make this wiki-up like the semi-permanent homes of the Coahuiltecans and Karankawa.
Paint on pebbles.
Make a Caddo circle book.
Make a pipecleaner wigwam.
Eat prickly pear like the Coahuiltecans.
The Comanche dominated the Plains of Texas and were great warriors and horsemen. Grab this free horse lapbook.

Also, grab my free Plains Indians unit study and lapbook.

▼ Exploring to Revolution - Plains Indians lapbook and HUGE homeschool unit study.

Karankawa YouTube
Comanche YouTube
Apache YouTube

Texas Beyond History – Virtual Museum of Texas’ Cultural Heritage. From an interactive map, to games to lesson plans to history, this site is one of the ones we have enjoyed most and spent hours on. Prepare to stay here on this site for days.

From the website: Texas Beyond History covers not only the prehistory and history of Texas’ true native peoples, but also much of the early history of the Spanish, French, Mexican, and Anglo explorers, missionaries, soldiers, miners, traders, and settlers who lived and often died in Texas. And later history, too—that of German farmers, Black freedmen, and Mexican-American laborers among many others.

Caddo. Be sure to click through to learn their history and how they live today. Also, click on the games page and download this printable free board game.

Language Arts

Plains Indians Free Writing Prompts. For Elementary, Middle and High School Homeschooled Kids

Books

  • Indians Who Lived in Texas – A beautiful story of the 10 native tribes of Texas.
  • A History of Texas and the Texans – An outstanding history of Texas for a serious budding Texas history buff.
  • Legend of the Bluebonnet.

Texas Field Trips

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.
San Jacinto Museum. Also grab the HUGE 449 page free Educator’s Guide with lesson plans, pictures, and activity ideas.
Washington on the Brazos Historic Site. We’ve been many times because it’s a great place to visit. It is the final home of the last president of the Republic of Texas along with a hands on history room and museum. Be sure to download the educator’s guides at the bottom of the page.

Also, you may love to use my 10 Westward Expansion History Fun Coloring Pages! You know the quality of my work here and I don’t use baby-ish clip art. The coloring pages are suitable for middle school even in high school.

Here is what the 10 page download contains. I put a few key words to explain each picture on the page. This way you can use the coloring pages as title pages too.

Page 3:  Native American on horseback,
4: Lewis and Clark Trek,
5: Lewis and Clark and The Piegan,
6: Lewis and Clark Exploring Rivers,
7: The Plains Indians,
8: Pioneer Life,
9: Moving West,
10: Westward Ho,
11: Settlers, and
12: Fur Trappers and Mountainmen

You can grab them below!

  • 0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

    0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

    $1.75
    Add to cart
Texas Native American History Quick Unit Study (Middle School). Your middle school kids will love this free AWESOME unit study to learn about the first Native Americans of Texas. Click here to grab it!

You may also love these hands-on ideas that can bring this unit study alive!

  • How to Build the Alamo: Day 5 Hands-on Learning (Free Texas Unit Study)
  • Exploring Edible Cactus: Day 4 Hands-on Learning (The Desert) – Eat cactus like the Coahuiltecan
  • Pioneer Living and Cloth Dyeing (Hands-on History)

This is suppose to be a quick unit study but we love studying about Texas history. So I hope you’ll find a few of these resources inspiring and helpful.

Hugs and love ya,

1 CommentFiled Under: Geography Based, History Based, My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: american history, early American history, hands on history, hands-on activities, Native Americans, nativeamerican, Plains Indians, Texas, texasunit

Free 2018-2019 Year Round Homeschool Planning Form (Sunset Color)

November 13, 2017 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have the second color choice for the 2018 to 2019 Year Round Homeschool Planning form and I named this color scheme Sunset.

Remember that I create both academic and planing calendars. Though they may seem similar they are not.

When you take a closer look, you’ll see that each calendar has a different purpose. The form today is for you to PLAN your school year and track the number of days and weeks your kids are doing school.

Free 2018 to 2019 Homeschool Planning Form. Grab this beautiful and free planning form. Click here to download it.

I have all 12 months on one page which means you can start on any month that you begin homeschooling and move forward to plan your year.

Plain calendars (okay, they are not so plain) are just for noting dates and for your reference. I don’t create them to write appointments on them OR to track your school.

Free Curriculum Planner Pages

Plain calendars are always on Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers. The 2 page spread appointment keepers are for appointments and have more room for writing.

The form today is to plan your homeschool year with days off, teacher planning days and holidays to take off. It gives you a glimpse of your homeschool year. Plan and track your school year on it.

Because this form is not a calendar but more of a planning tool, I keep it each year at Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You!

If you need to see how to use it go to that step Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You! to look at my sample copy.

This form today is NOT the 2 page spread calendar. You can grab that too.

Look at a picture below of a 2 page spread calendar, which gives you room to write appointments.

step-2-of-the-7-step-free-homeschool-planner-tinas-dynamic-homeschool-plus

If you’re looking for the 2 page per month calendars to write down your appointment, then grab this smokin’ hot color choice of tide pool.

Download here free (Sunset Option) 2018 to 2019 Year Round Homeschool Planning Form.

Grab the other color choice too here at Free 2018-2019 Year Round Homeschool Planning Form (Tropical Breeze Color).

7 Easy Steps – “Tons of Options & Pretty Color” Begin building your planner

Step 1. Choose a Pretty Front/Back Cover

Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers

Step 3. Choose Goals/Objectivesur

Step 4. Choose Lesson Planning Pages Right For You!

Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You! Not a kazillion other people

Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You!

Step 5c. Choose MORE MORE Unique Forms Just for You!

Step 6. Personalize It

Step 7. Bind it! Love it!

Hugs and love ya,

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 2. My FREE Organizing Printables {Any topic}, Curriculum Planner, Homeschool Planner Tagged With: curriculum pages, curriculum planner, homeschool, homeschool curriculum planner, homeschool planner, homeschoolplanning, lesson planner, planner, planning

Homeschooling High School: Curriculum, Credits, and Courses

November 12, 2017 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

By the time you reach the high school years, you have some general ideas of how to plan them. Check out my how to homeschool high school page for awesome tips.

Today, in sharing homeschooling high school, I’m giving you a few detailed pointers for curriculum, credits, and courses to steer you in the right direction.

Homeschooling High School: Curriculum, Credits, and Courses

First, look at 3 things I wished I would’ve known before I started.

ONE/ In the beginning, it’s not necessary to plan all four years.

It’s just not necessary because a lot will change. Your teen will mature and may change the direction of his education or career as he approaches adulthood. Give him some wiggle room.

Have a plan so you can give your teen goals, but analyze each year. Having a framework of courses is much better.

HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND COURSES

I appreciated reading How to Homeschool 9th and 10th Grades: Simple Steps for Starting Strong to help me stay focused on the start of high school.

Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School was a book I read early on.

After reading it, I designed a framework and understood that the three Rs are the foundation of any well-laid out high school course.

Look where I share the nitty gritty of that here in my post Homeschool High School The Must Cover Subjects Part 1 and Homeschool High School The Must Cover Subjects Part 2.

Two/ Also, I wished I would have used middle school to help my first high school teen explore more subjects he wanted to.

With my second high school son, I was prepared to let him explore more elective type courses in middle school and getting some of the basic math out of the way.

Middle school gives a budding teen time to explore subjects he is interested in. Take advantage of this time to have some fun.

THREE/ Additionally, I didn’t learn until later was to explore more career options and not just focus on academics. After all, your kid is not attending college for life. It’s preparation for life and a career. (well hopefully).

Careers matter and high school is the time to explore careers.

Reading Career Exploration: for homeschool high school students and What Color Is Your Parachute? for Teens, Third Edition: Discover Yourself, Design Your Future, and Plan for Your Dream Job are two books that are real helpful for your teen.

EXPLORING HIGH SCHOOL COURSES

Something else I didn’t appreciate with my first high school teen is the power to be flexible with courses and course descriptions.

I couldn’t think past simply putting English, Math or Science on my first transcript.

Looking back, I know when preparing transcripts that you want to follow some traditional guidelines and keep general course names on the transcript. So those general descriptions were correct.

However, I need to describe the courses specifically.

Just to illustrate, I put Performing Arts on my first two boys’ transcript.

My older two boys took ballroom dancing, but Performing Arts is the general description to put on the transcript.

I had to come up with a description of ballroom dancing and I started by looking first at the website where my boys took lessons to give me an idea of how to word what they learned.

I put this:

This beginner course is an introduction to the fundamentals of basic dance. In each dance class, students will be expected to participate in warm-ups and learn the techniques of the Waltz and other traditional dances like the Mambo, Salsa and Swing. Along with learning choreography and dance history, this course culminates in a Spring concert performance.

It wasn’t bad for my first description, but like anything that is a first, it wasn’t exactly comprehensive or correct in a sense.

Since then, I learned that I needed to add my grading scale, what books we used, and how I was going to assign credit.

It’s harder to go back and add these things later, but not impossible.

The bottom line is to keep the course name on the transcript general and make your course descriptive detailed on a separate page to produce it if needed.

EASILY WRITING COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Arranging wording to describe your teen course takes practice, but look at these places to help you.

  • An obvious place to is the website where you purchased the curriculum and I find the descriptions super helpful in my course descriptions.
  • In addition, also look at high school course names and descriptions on public school websites. I look for course descriptions similar to the courses that my sons will be doing. This usually gives me some wording
  • Another place I’ve found descriptions in a nutshell is on Amazon. Amazon is great for giving book descriptions and with a few tweaks of adding how I assign credits and grades, a book description can easily turn course description.
  • Too, when I didn’t feel like I got a good overview of a course because some descriptions lacked, I would glance at the table of contents to help me word the description of the course.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT CONUNDRUM

It can be overwhelming for even the most organized teen and parent when understanding credits, but I like to keep things simple.

It’s been my experience that some families assign a 30 minute class the equal of a 45 minute class because of the intensity of homeschooling and give the student one credit for a rigorous course like literature or math.

You decide how to gauge your credits and the work ethic of your student.

In addition, you decide to give credit if a curriculum is 70% or 80% complete. Some homeschoolers give credit if it’s 80% complete, others less.

Look at my detailed post here for Homeschool High School–How to Log Hours for High School. It gives a detailed explanation for credits.

Also, I have free forms and show you how to expand the use of a transcript here at my detailed post Homeschool High School Transcripts – Anything But Typical.

Homeschooling High School: Curriculum, Credits, and Courses

You and I know that there is no one right to plan high school. But breaking high school down into manageable chunks keeps the process from being overwhelming.

Begin with a framework of the three Rs in high school, fold in accurate course descriptions as you can, be flexible, keep reading about how to grade and assign credit.

Before you know it, you’ll be a pro for your child – which is what really matters.

You will also love my other tips I have for homeschooling high school below:

  • When Your High Schooler Tests Below Grade Level 
  • Homeschoolers Who Want More Than College
  •  9th Grade Homeschool High School – Avoid the Sock It to Them Attitude
Homeschooling High School Curriculum, Credits, and Courses @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus. In sharing homeschooling high school, I'm giving you a few detailed pointers for curriculum, credits, and courses to steer you in the right direction. Click here to grab these super detailed helpful pointers!
Homeschooling High School Curriculum, Credits, and Courses @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Hugs and love ya. You got this!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Graduate a Homeschooler, Homeschool Teens _ From Teen to Graduation, Homeschooling, Middle School Homeschool Tagged With: accreditation, high school, high school electives, homeschool highschool, homeschoolhighschool, teens

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