high school literature

How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

May 31, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

How to add language arts to homeschool unit studies is one hurdle for delight directed learning. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more tips and resources.

The fear of missing something huge can keep some tied to a boxed curriculum. The beauty of unit studies is being able to study topics which ignite your child’s interests.

How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

With that being said, language art skills need to be applied to bodies of knowledge instead of learning language arts skills in isolation. This approach to learning the components of language arts makes it meaningful.

5 WAYS TO ADD LANGUAGE ARTS TO UNIT STUDIES

Look at these 5 ways to easily add language arts to homeschool unit studies.

1. Pair a living book with your unit study.

Although you want to include plenty of living books, depending on the unit study topic you may be using more reference type books.

So if you want to include many elements of language arts, choose one well-written living book to accompany your unit study.

Choose the living book with these things in mind:

Aim for the middle to highest reading level of all your children.
Keep in mind that it’s easier to scale down for language art components than it is to scale up for your highest level reader. Choose a higher reading level if in doubt.
In addition, make sure you understand not only the literary elements like plot, setting, and characters, but the theme too. It’s important for a smooth transition for the theme of the one main living book to connect with the unit study topic. The easiest themes for us in the beginning were ones like good v. evil, courage, and persistence. For example, I chose Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss for our ocean unit study. Surviving on an island as a family if you got shipwrecked appealed as a theme to my kids and is a smooth tie-in to the ocean theme.
You can search for booklist ideas here on my site, but here are some to get you started.

Choosing the right living book means the difference with themes which ignite expressive conversations in your house about your unit study theme and your unit study falling flat and being shallow.

LANGUAGE ARTS FOR UNIT STUDIES

In addition, look at these other components of language arts which can naturally be pulled from a living book:

defining vocabulary words;
dictation;
narration;
copywork;
outlining;
reciting an oral speech;
reading; and
topics for writing or essays.

The bottom line is that a well-written living book can equal a powerful inclusive language arts component.

When the living book is tied to the unit study topic which has already piqued your child’s interest, you’ve set yourself up for success from the start.

That is why I also love using Literary Adventures for Kids.

You choose a book and your kids can do a self-paced online language art course. Doing an online self-paced course where your child chooses the book is a great tie-in for the language arts component.

Look at my post Online Homeschool High School Poetry (No Teaching Involved).

Next, I use quick study guides. Realizing how beautifully I could zero in on the exact skill my kids needed to work on, I use them frequently.

2. Use Quick Reference Materials Like BarCharts.

Because Quick Study Guides can put information in a nutshell and organize skill by grade level, I use them as general guides.

Look at a few tips on how to use these quick guides:

Keep language arts concise and straightforward by learning fewer elements.
With my guide in hand, I can pair the objectives on the quick study guide with our main living book to shore up my kids weak areas in language arts.
My kids put the guides in their notebooks to use as reference for their writing or grammar. I made copies and we used a single hole punch to add them to their notebook.
Also, I could use the guides as a way to orally test my kids or if I wanted to create written quizzes I had a guide.
Likewise as my children grew, they can independently review the guides as memorization tools.

Because quick study guides focus on fewer elements of language arts, our language arts focus could be as complicated or as gentle as we need.

Besides, I’m not paying for a full language arts curriculum, but choosing exactly what my kids need to focus on. Did I mention they last years?

Also, look at this How to Put Together a Homeschooled High School Writer’s Notebook & Free Resources because we added them there. Along with adding free resources online creating a language arts notebooks works.

Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies

Too, if you live near a Barnes and Noble, I’ve collected several of their guides which are called Quamut. They seem to have more guides about hobbies, but I’ve been able to cull through the quamuts for help in language arts.

However, the SparkCharts are another line of handy references which I love also.

Don’t underestimate the power of the simple and uncomplicated to teach straightforward grammar, punctuation, and types of writing.

You’ll love filling up your bookshelves and notebooks with quick and handy references to get to the point while teaching language arts.

3. Use an Ungraded, Multi-Level Resource.

Then, one of my earliest purchases was one of my best purchases which has stood the test of time.

Kathryn Stout created a series of how-to or reference books for subjects which are basically guides for grades K to 12.

My first purchase was Comprehensive Composition and I used it extensively in my unit studies.

Like the author, Kathryn Stout stated on her site she wrote the Design-A-Study guides to provide both a framework of objectives and detailed methods for teaching basic subjects effectively.

Homeschool Language Arts

For example, having a scope and sequence for composition which can be applied to any unit study for all your kids at one time is sanity-saving.

Equally, despite the age differences between your kids reference guides which lays out objectives and goals keeps composition related to the topic.

What I learned from teaching my kids about composition until high school is that boredom springs from writing about meaningless topics.

An ungraded, multi-level resource gives you freedom to learn how to write well on topics which are meaningful to your family.

However, another useful feature of filling your shelves with resources like these is that you’re using them for years. Unlike curriculum where you’re constantly switching out, a multi-age resource is timeless.

Look at few more resources for multiple grades:

The Art of Poetry is another HUGELY successful multi-level tool with great background information for you the teacher and great details. I REALLY love this resource. Look at my post How to Easily Add Poetry to Your Homeschool Subjects where we used it and continue to refer to it.
How to Teach Children Shakespeare is another keeper because teaching Shakespeare doesn’t have to wait for high school. Look at my post How To Teach Your Homeschooled Children Shakespeare.

Also, another long time keeper in the homeschool world is the book If You’re Trying to Teach Kids How to Write . . . Revised Edition: You’ve Gotta Have This Book! which is from Preschool to 12.

Having books to give you the big picture along with details of how to implement language arts daily keeps unit studies fun. Plus you know you’re not really missing any big language arts gap.

Then, other newer versions of helps for multiple levels have come along like Everything You Need to Ace English Language Arts in One Big Fat Notebook.

4. Play games.

Also, playing games is another fun and easy way to add language arts to unit studies.

While playing games is a fun way to learn language arts, it’s not always a smooth tie-in to a unit study topic. However, I love having options.

I use games sometimes to keep language arts front and center if I don’t have an exact language art tie-in to our current unit study.

You’ll love Sheppard Software online language arts game.
Look at Listography. Preserve your story through your lists and stay inspired.
Rory’s Story Cubes is a great ways to learn about stories hands-on. Whether you bring a fun element to your homeschool or have a special needs child, rolling the cubes are fun.

Another favorite is Scrabble. Attempt to think of words used in your unit study and spell them. It helps with vocabulary too.
Mad Libs are timeless and fun play.

Don’t forget that I have the Ultimate Unit Study Planner. Having an eye for detail and creating many unit studies with multiple levels of kids, I know you’ll love it.

2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner
$5.99 Add to cart

5. Free Curriculum Online.

Then of course nothing beats free – ever. However, I didn’t list free resources first because sometimes it’s harder to use free resources.

Not always related to your unit study curriculum, free curriculum can be hard to tie to your subject.

So what I’ve learned through the years is to cover the parts of language art which naturally fit into my current unit study.

Then, I can add in supplementary or free resources.

Here is my post Free Middle and High School Homeschool Language Arts.
Here is a fun way to cover grammar for the littles. It’s a grammar living book, Grammar Land from 1878. It’s in the public domain.

Holt Elements of Language. Here is an entire student handbook broken down into separate .pdfs. It looks high school level.
Free Daily Grammar online.

Do not let fear of missing something make you miss out on delight-directed learning.

Fill your shelves with more how-to books so that you truly enjoy the freedom of homeschooling in the way that best fits your children.

Do you have any favorite multi-level teaching resources or ways you add language arts to your unit studies?

You’ll love some of these other helps:

Hugs and love ya,

How To Combine High School Homeschool Marine Biology Curriculum & Notebooking

October 16, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re combining homeschool marine biology curriculum spine like MasterBooks’ “Oceans: Wonders of the Earth’s Waters” with the flexible, creative method of notebooking. And look at my page How to Choose the Right Homeschool High School Science for more fun teen ideas. Too, my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook has more marine animal life ideas.

This method of pairing homeschool marine biology curriculum with notebooking encourages a deeper understanding of the topic.

Also it helps your student create a personalized record of their learning journey.

How To Combine High School Homeschool Marine Biology Curriculum & Notebooking

Whether your teen is a budding marine biologist or just fascinated by ocean life, this approach works beautifully for both science credit and long-term retention.

We are going to “dive” into Masterbooks Oceans, why notebooking works so well alongside of it, and look into some great hands-on activities to use as well.

MORE HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE

MARINE BIOLOGY BOOKS FOR TEENS

Next, here are a few books your teen will love.

8 Marine Biology Books for Teens

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

New Ocean Book, the (Wonders of Creation)

For Grade Level 7-12. The oceans may well be Earth’s final frontier. These dark and sometimes mysterious waters cover 71 percent of the surface area of the globe and have yet to be fully explored. Under the waves, a watery world of frail splendor, foreboding creatures, vast mountains, and sights beyond imagination awaits. Now this powerful resource has been developed for three educational levels!

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness

In pursuit of the wild, solitary, predatory octopus, popular naturalist Sy Montgomery has practiced true immersion journalism. From New England aquarium tanks to the reefs of French Polynesia and the Gulf of Mexico, she has befriended octopuses with strikingly different personalities—gentle Athena, assertive Octavia, curious Kali, and joyful Karma. Each creature shows her cleverness in myriad ways: escaping enclosures like an orangutan; jetting water to bounce balls; and endlessly tricking companions with multiple “sleights of hand” to get food.Scientists have only recently accepted the intelligence of dogs, birds, and chimpanzees but now are watching octopuses solve problems and are trying to decipher the meaning of the animal’s color-changing techniques. With her “joyful passion for these intelligent and fascinating creatures” (Library Journal Editors’ Spring Pick), Montgomery chronicles the growing appreciation of this mollusk as she tells a unique love story. By turns funny, entertaining, touching, and profound, The Soul of an Octopus reveals what octopuses can teach us about the meeting of two very different minds.

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages.

Life Between the Tides

In Life Between the Tides, Adam Nicolson investigates one of the most revelatory habitats on earth. Under his microscope, we see a prawn’s head become a medieval helmet and a group of “winkles” transform into a Dickensian social scene, with mollusks munching on Stilton and glancing at their pocket watches. Or, rather, is a winkle more like Achilles, an ancient hero, throwing himself toward death for the sake of glory? For Nicolson, who writes “with scientific rigor and a poet’s sense of wonder” (The American Scholar), the world of the rock pools is infinite and as intricate as our own.As Nicolson journeys between the tides, both in the pools he builds along the coast of Scotland and through the timeline of scientific discovery, he is accompanied by great thinkers―no one can escape the pull of the sea. We meet Virginia Woolf and her Waves; a young T. S. Eliot peering into his own rock pool in Massachusetts; even Nicolson’s father-in-law, a classical scholar who would hunt for amethysts along the shoreline, his mind on Heraclitus and the other philosophers of ancient Greece. And, of course, scientists populate the pages; not only their discoveries, but also their doubts and errors, their moments of quiet observation and their thrilling realizations.Everything is within the rock pools, where you can look beyond your own reflection and find the miraculous an inch beneath your nose. “The soul wants to be wet,” Heraclitus said in Ephesus twenty-five hundred years ago. This marvelous book demonstrates why it is so.

The Sea Around Us

The Sea Around Us remains as fresh today as when it first appeared over six decades ago. Carson's genius for evoking the power and primacy of the world's bodies of water, combining the cosmic and the intimate, remains almost unmatched: the newly formed Earth cooling beneath an endlessly overcast sky; the centuries of nonstop rain that created the oceans; giant squids battling sperm whales hundreds of fathoms below the surface; the power of the tides moving 100 billion tons of water daily in one bay alone; the seismic waves known as tsunamis that periodically remind us of the oceans' overwhelmingly destructive power. The seas sustain human life and imperil it. Today, with the oceans endangered by the dumping of medical waste and ecological disasters such as the Exxon oil spill in Alaska, the gradual death of the Great Barrier Reef, and the melting of the polar ice caps, Carson's book provides a timely reminder of both the fragility and the centrality of the ocean and the life that abounds within it. Anyone who loves the sea, or who is concerned about our natural environment, will want to read, or re-read, this classic work.

Next, look at a few facts about our marine biology spine.

WHY CHOOSE OCEANS BY MASTERBOOKS

First, a bit about MasterBooks’ Oceans, it is a beautifully designed, marine biology course suitable for high school students.

Topics Include:

Ocean currents and tides
Marine ecosystems
Marine animal classifications
Coral reefs
Deep sea exploration

It’s a full-credit science course with a built-in schedule, comprehension questions, and quizzes.

It is ideal for homeschoolers who appreciate structure but still want the freedom to go deeper.

The teacher’s manual includes premade worksheets that cover questions, vocabulary, and more.

Then look at why we paired this spine with notebooking.

WHY USE NOTEBOOKING WITH MARINE BIOLOGY CURRICULUM

Notebooking is an open-ended, student-created method of recording learning through written narration.

But also it can include illustrations, diagrams, maps, charts, and more.

It encourages critical thinking, research, and creative expression.

While it is a great curriculum, it did not delve as in-depth into marine animals as I had hoped.

To round out this study, I assigned twice-a-week notebooking pages on the animal of their choice in addition to their suggested format.

This could include printed photos from the internet, drawings, watercolors and information like food sources, fun facts, and more.

Grab a 3-ring binder and assign categories for the dividers to keep throughout your study to expand on Masterbooks Oceans.

Let your student design a cover for it by hand or by creating one online and printing it out.

Next, look at these marine biology homeschool resources.

HOMESCHOOL MARINE BIOLOGY CURRICULUM RESOURCES

Include some marine biology dissection specimens into the mix to expand and dig even deeper into ocean creatures.
Assign a few videos such as Marine Environmental Science on YouTube to see it from a different perspective.
3 ring binder and Dividers for your 3 ring binder.
Beautiful marine artwork to put in your space blends in while providing a visual resource for studies.

While you may think its just for younger kids, Ocean Anatomy is a wonderful resource for images and information all through the school years.

It is the perfect inspiration for ocean animal drawings.

HOW A TEEN SETS UP A MARINE BIOLOGY NOTEBOOK

Combining Oceans by MasterBooks with notebooking brings depth, creativity, and flexibility to your homeschool marine biology study.

You’ll cover all the necessary science content while also encouraging independent thinking, artistic expression, and faith integration.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to merge the MasterBooks curriculum with notebooking for a rich, meaningful study of marine biology…

1. Set Up a Marine Biology Notebook

Start with a 3-ring binder, disc-bound notebook, or composition book.

Divide it into sections such as:

Vocabulary & Terminology
Marine Creatures
Ecosystems & Habitats
Experiments & Observations
Maps & Diagrams
Extra Research

You can also use printable notebooking pages, blank paper, or graphic organizers, depending on your student’s learning style.

There are plenty of great add-on activities, worksheets, and more for this topic on the web.

We included the worksheets that came with the teacher’s manual as one of our notebook sections.

2. Follow the Schedule in the Spine then expand on it.

Each week, follow the MasterBooks schedule for reading and assignments. After your student completes the reading:

MARINE BIOLOGY NOTEBOOKING WITH A TEEN

Have them narrate or summarize what they learned in their own words.
Encourage illustrations (like labeling parts of a jellyfish or drawing the ocean zones).
Use diagrams, charts, or even infographics to represent data.

3. Add Research-Based Notebooking Projects

Let your teen dive deeper into topics of interest through independent research. Encourage them to create full notebooking pages on:

A specific marine animal (e.g., cuttlefish, humpback whale)

Bioluminescence in deep-sea creatures
Coral bleaching and conservation
The physics of sonar and whale communication
Biblical references to oceans (like Genesis, Job 38, or Psalm 104)

These can be added weekly or monthly, and you can turn one of them into a final presentation or project.

4. Include Hands-On Learning & Fieldwork

Virtual field trips (Monterey Bay Aquarium, NOAA deep sea dives)
Local aquarium visits or tide pool exploration
Ocean-themed experiments (density layering, salinity tests, ocean current models)
Journaling observations from a trip to the beach or a documentary viewing
All of this can be recorded in the notebook with photos, drawings, and written reflections.

5. Use the Notebook for Review and Assessment

Notebooking pages make a great informal review tool. Before a quiz or test, have your student do one or more of the following…

Flip through their notebook
Highlight key terms
Create a “review summary” page with bullet points or diagrams

This reinforces memory and builds study skills without requiring rereading the entire text.

How to Use Hamilton: An American Musical Literature Guide

October 9, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Wait until you see all the amazing features of a literature guide, though we are using a unique one that covers a musical rather than a book this time. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool High School.

If you’re homeschooling middle or high school students, chances are you’ve heard of Hamilton: An American Musical.

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway phenomenon has stolen the hearts and minds of history buffs, theater lovers, and teenagers.

How to Use Hamilton: An American Musical Literature Guide

But did you know that you can turn the excitement of Hamilton into a rich literature and history study for your homeschooler?

The Hamilton Literature Guide is designed specifically for this purpose; it blends history, music, and language arts into one engaging curriculum.

With its detailed lesson prompts, creative projects, and cross-curricular ideas, the guide transforms a popular Broadway musical into a rich and memorable educational experience.

HAMILTON LITERATURE GUIDE

Hamilton: An American Musical - An Instructional Guide for Literature

Novel Study Guide for 6th-12th Grade Literature with Close Reading and Writing Activities

Hamilton: An American Musical - An Instructional Guide for Literature - Novel Study Guide

Excite and engage your students with this instructional guide for Hamilton: An American Musical. This classroom resource provides rigorous activities and questions for students studying Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit Broadway musical. Students will develop critical literacy and comprehension skills, learn how to analyze story elements, develop vocabulary, and integrate higher-order thinking skills as they practice close reading and text-dependent questions. A rubric and cross-curricular questions are included to assess student comprehension in the classroom. The questions in the comprehension assessment section are modeled after standardized tests to help students analyze what they've read, and prepare for tests they may see in their classrooms. Strengthen your students' critical literacy skills by implementing this resource in your classroom.

What I really loved about this guide is that it weaves in many of the assignments in the form of tweets, comics, text messages, and writing your own rap to make them relatable and relevant to our teenagers today.

*I do want to note if you have not already seen this play, it does contain mature content and profanity throughout the songs, so you may want to preview them before beginning.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR HAMILTON

Of course, you will want to watch the Hamilton Musical on Disney+.
Grab a copy of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow which was the inspiration for the Broadway musical.
Here is the literature guide I am referencing throughout the study- The Hamilton: An American Musical Literature Guide.
Younger independent readers might enjoy reading Who Was Alexander Hamilton?
A fun, almost caricature-like version of Hamilton, this step-by-step tutorial on How to Draw Alexander Hamilton.
Alexander Hamilton: The Fighting Founding Father! (Show Me History!)
This DIY Alexander Hamilton Costume can be used for elementary through high school students.
Grab these free printable Hamilton coloring pages.

Then, look at more literature guides.

LITERATURE GUIDES FOR TEENS

Now, let’s take a look at how you can use the guide step by step in your homeschool…

HOW TO USE HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL LITERATURE GUIDE

1. SET THE STAGE: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The guide begins with an overview of the Author Lin-Manuel Miranda, other plays and texts for comparison, and a summary of the musical itself. The guide breaks down the musical into 4 sections based on the songs.

Before diving into the lessons, review the background notes and recommended readings included in the guide. These provide you and your child with a clear foundation for understanding the story as they listen to the songs and work through activities.

Create a timeline of Hamilton’s life and the major events featured in the musical.

2. STUDY THE LYRICS AS LITERATURE

One of the unique strengths of this guide is its focus on the musical’s lyrics as literature. Students are invited to treat the songs like poetry, analyzing wordplay, rhythm, and metaphor. The guide includes questions that point out literary devices and challenge students to interpret meaning.

Ask your learner to identify foreshadowing in Burr’s opening number, “Wait for It” or analyze how repetition adds intensity in “Non-Stop.”

3. COMPARE STORYTELLING WITH HISTORY

Discussion questions help students think critically about historical accuracy and artistic license. Have your child compare and contrast where the musical aligns with or differs from historical fact.

Compare how Thomas Jefferson is portrayed in Hamilton with his actual role in shaping American politics.
What events from Hamilton’s life were left out, and why might Miranda have chosen to omit them?

4. CREATIVE CONNECTIONS AND PROJECTS

The guide itself includes project-based assignments that allow students to make personal and creative connections with the material.

Write an original rap or spoken-word poem about a Founding Father.
The guide encourages you to create a staging and lighting plan for the scene “Burn” if you were to recreate it yourself.
There are creative prompts for creating with the story elements-characters, setting, music, and plot.

You can also challenge your learner to…

Create a costume sketch for one of the characters.
Design a modern poster advertising Hamilton as if it were a new Broadway release.

These assignments keep the lessons fun and interactive, especially for our creative learners.

5. STRENGTHEN WRITING SKILLS

The Hamilton Literature Guide provides essay prompts and writing activities for both formal and creative writing. Students can practice persuasive writing, analysis, and reflection while also exploring Hamilton’s life. The deeper dives into vocabulary and figurative language also helps develop writing skills.

6. EXPAND ACROSS SUBJECTS

The guide doesn’t stop at literature. It offers cross-curricular connections that tie the musical into multiple subjects.

In addition to the ideas in the guide, have your child…

Study excerpts from the Federalist Papers.
Discuss Hamilton’s financial system and national debt plan.
Explore how hip-hop, rap, and Broadway traditions influenced the show.

7. END WITH REFLECTION

By the end of the study, students not only gain knowledge of history but also learn how storytelling and art shape our understanding of the past.

One of the features I really liked from this literature guide was the final activity called ”Who Tells Their Story?” where students are encouraged to choose another founding person from early American history and research them.

Then, a challenge to pick a major event and write a song or scene from their life.

Host a family or homeschool group showcase where students share their essays, art projects, or performances inspired by the guide. Of course, you will want to encourage them to create a costume for a character from the musical.

The Best 12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

July 13, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have recommendations for 12th grade homeschool curriculum. Also, you’ll love my page Homeschool Curriculum for more ideas and grade level curriculum and my page How to Homeschool High School.

Take a deep breath mom this year is going to fly by.

You are in the final leg of your homeschool career (at least with this kid) at this point.

Your child likely has a career or college track picked out.

They might have already been taking classes to support.

And get a head start for trade school or college applications that have been sent. Too, SATs have been taken.

Next, it’s time to start planning the most special day and that is a homeschool graduation.

The Best 12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

I have planned three and each teen is different.

Begin with my 10 day series of planning a homeschool graduation and Start the Planning Day 1 post.

We are going to finish the high school years off strong. That being said that does not mean that it has to be a rigorous curriculum at all.

Your child may already have all their required classes for college done, or they may be headed for trade school and even doing on the job training for their career.

The primary academic goal for senior year is to finish up any requirements your child might need in any of the subjects, get volunteer hours, and get more extracurricular requirements in.

What an exciting time for you both as you prepare for and enjoy this final year together, choose well but also soak it in as much as you can.

Tips and Recommendations for 12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum

Math is generally a course in Calculus at this point but if they have not completed Algebra I, Algebra II, and geometry they should use this final year to finish.
For science they have probably moved on to physics, but they could be doing anatomy, physiology, advanced courses (biology, chemistry, physics), zoology, botany, geology and might be dual enrolled in higher college level classes too.
In 12th grade students have most likely already completed all the required history and geography courses, even for college. You can opt to include some things like psychology, sociology, anthropology, geography, world religions, or theology for classes that are more elective but are under the social studies umbrella.
Language arts senior year focuses on word study/vocabulary and of course good literature and composition. This is a good time to do even more in depth research papers in preparation for college.
If your child is college bound, they might want to take additional electives, most colleges expect to see at least six elective credits. College-bound students should consider courses such as foreign language, at least two years of the same language, and at least one year of visual and performing arts.

More High School Homeschool Curriculum Tips

Finally, look at curriculum traditionally used in the senior year of homeschooling.

Best Homeschool Curriculum For All Grades

12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum

The Best 12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum.

Math-U-See PreCalculus Universal Set

Focuses on classic trigonometry with advanced algebra to prepare students for calculus and other upper level courses. Topics include trig ratios, trigonometric identities, laws of trigonometry, radian measure, polar equations, functions and their graphs, sequences and series, and limits. The PreCalculus Universal Set includes everything you need for a successful experience with Instruction Manual with complete solutions, Instruction DVD, Student Workbook, Tests booklet, and lifetime access to the PreCalculus Digital Pack.

Math-U-See Algebra 2 Student Pack

A more rigorous course that builds on Algebra 1 and Geometry. Reviews and expands content from Algebra 1. The course also covers advanced factoring, imaginary and complex numbers, conjugate numbers, the binomial theorem, quadratic formula, motion problems, along with other application problems. Graphing includes extensive practice with conic sections, and solving systems of equations. Vectors are introduced. At the completion of Algebra 2, students should be able to move onto PreCalculus. The Algebra 2 Student Pack includes the consumable Student Worktext and Test Booklet.

Life of Fred Calculus: Expanded Edition (Textbook + Answer Key)

All of Calculus! Sixteen college semester units Multi-variable Calculus Analytic Geometry Vector Calculus Differential Equations All fun! Just open & enjoy. Functions, Limits, Speed, Slope, Derivatives, Concavity, Trig, Related Rates, Curvature, Integrals, Area, Work, Centroids, Logs, Conics, Infinite Series, Solids of Revolution, Polar Coordinates, Hyperbolic Trig, Vectors, Partial Derivatives, Double
Integrals, Vector Calculus, Differential Equations. This expanded edition includes all answers!

General Chemistry

General Chemistry is a chemistry curriculum for high school exhibiting Novare’s signature principles of Mastery, Integration and Kingdom Perspective. This fresh, lucid text brings students into the real world of chemistry and laboratory experiments.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Modern U.S. & World Sr High Pack

Jump into the adventure and drama of 1850 to 2000 with this in-depth and literature-rich study for 11-12th grade students. This one-year study will take your student from Antebellum to modern day while covering the American Civil War, Reconstruction, Industrial Revolution, Turn of the Century, WWI, Communism, Socialism, Nazism, WWII, Korean War, Cold War, China's Cultural Revolution, Vietnam War, Civil Rights Movement, modern technology, and the War on Terror. Students will read some of the best literature available on this incredible and dynamic time period by renowned authors Harper Lee, Albert Marrin, Paul Johnson, Martin Gilbert, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Stephen Crane, Richard E. Kim, and more.

Music In Our Homeschool

Online and self-paced music courses. All from the comfort of your home by another homeschool mom who is also a music teacher.

Fast Track: U.S. History: Essential Review for AP, Honors, and Other Advanced Study (High School Subject Review)

Inside this book, you'll find:• Clear, concise summaries of the most important events, people, and concepts in United States history• Maps, timelines, and charts for quick visual reference• Easy-to-follow content organization and illustrations with its friendly, straightforward approach and a clean, modern design crafted to appeal to visual learners, this guidebook is perfect for catching up in class or getting ahead on exam review.

The Power in Your Hands: Writing Nonfiction in High School

Finding pleasure and delight in penning thoughts is my premier goal for my sons in a writing curriculum. So during the last few weeks, I have been absolutely thrilled that The Power in Your Hands: Writing Nonfiction in High School by Writing with Sharon Watson has been our writing mentor because it has surpassed my expectations

The Gold Book: British Literature (Learning Language Arts Through Literature)

The Gold Book - British Literature includes 36 weekly lessons similar in format to the other editions of the Learning Language Arts Through Literature series. Written in conversational form, with story summaries and complete answers provided for the discussion questions, this book is easy for any teacher to use. Information has been interwoven into the lessons so that the student becomes familiar with famous British authors.

The book is designed for teacher directed use, or the student can use it on his own. Answers are found at the end of each lesson. We recommend the student keep a four-section notebook for assigned writings.

The Gold Book - British Literature contains a section on the history of poetry, and a selection of famous British novels and poetry throughout the Romantic,
Victorian, and Modern Eras. The student analyzes selections of literature.

Lightning Lit & Comp: World Lit I Africa and Asia 2nd Edition (Lightning Lit & Comp)

New Second Edition, Perfect Bound— Hewitt's Lightning Literature and Composition guides use full-length novels, autobiographies, plays, essays, short stories, and poems to teach deep reading and composition skills. Unlike some literature programs that take a scatter-shot approach (where none of the literature seems connected) or that try to dump too much into one book, Lightning Literature guides focus on a few classics in depth, in a systematic manner. These guides are available for junior high and high school. Students read in the following ; Chinua Achebe ( Things Fall Apart) ; African poetry (poems selected from This Same Sky) ; Kazuo Ishiguro ( An Artist of the Floating World) ; Poetry of the Far East (poems selected from This Same Sky) ; Naguib Mahfouz ( Fountain and Tomb) ; Middle Eastern poetry (poems selected from This Same Sky) ; An autobiography of a Third-World national, to be chosen and obtained by the student, from a list of recommendations in the Guide ; Poetry as Life Stories (poems selected from This Same Sky) Free Teacher's Guide is included with answers and schedules.

The Best 11th Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

July 12, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

All the choices for 11th grade homeschool curriculum can be more than overwhelming, let me help you make it a little bit easier. Also, you’ll love my page Homeschool Curriculum for more ideas and grade level curriculum and my page How to Homeschool High School.

There are just two precious years left of schooling your child at home and these final years go by so fast.

And they can come with a lot of stress and worry but they don’t have to.

With planning and preparation, they can still be an enjoyable experience for you both.

The Best 11th Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

Algebra, chemistry, world history, civics, and literature are the important themes of the junior year.

This may differ depending on your high school teen’s interests, future career choices, and of course ability.

If you have more than one high school teen in the house you might combine as many subjects as possible to make it easier on you.

In addition, use a partner for study sessions.

Reduce the need for more materials as many things can be shared.

This year might find you with a classical curriculum or it may be a year of unschooling or unit studies.

Whatever method you are using, enjoy your time and squeeze them tightly as often as they will let you.

Homeschool 11th Grade Tips and Recommendations

Because of the heavy load from jobs and extracurricular activities, fitting all their schooling into a Monday through Friday schedule might not work. Think about spreading it out a bit more even over the weekend, you will find it probably won’t always be a 10-2 type schedule either.
Make sure that they are being masters of their time and are mostly doing their own planning and scheduling with some assistance from you.
Consider dual enrollment which lets the student take postsecondary coursework and also earn credit toward a high school diploma, a career certificate, an associate or baccalaureate degree at a public or an eligible private institution.
This is a great time for college visits to get an idea of where they are headed as you will be applying next fall.
Trade minded students should begin looking for internships and part time jobs in their desired field to get plenty of hands-on experience.
Most Juniors opt to take the SATs in the fall of this, their Jr year, look around your area for testing sights before summer is over.
Home Learning Year by Year, Revised and Updated: How to Design a Creative and Comprehensive Homeschool Curriculum

Next, look at curriculum tips.

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11th Grade Homeschool Curriculum

The Best 11th Grade Homeschool Curriculum.

Math-U-See Algebra 2 Student Pack

Key to Algebra Books 1-10 plus Answers and Notes

In the Key to Algebra series, new algebra concepts are explained in simple language, and examples are easy to follow. Word problems relate algebra to familiar situations, helping students understand abstract concepts. Students develop understanding by solving equations and inequalities intuitively before formal solutions are introduced. Students begin their study of algebra in Books 1-4 using only integers Books 5-7 introduce rational numbers and expressions. Books 8-10 extend coverage to the real number system. Books 1-10 and all answer keys

high school literature

5 WAYS TO ADD LANGUAGE ARTS TO UNIT STUDIES

1. Pair a living book with your unit study.

LANGUAGE ARTS FOR UNIT STUDIES

2. Use Quick Reference Materials Like BarCharts.

Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies

3. Use an Ungraded, Multi-Level Resource.

Homeschool Language Arts

4. Play games.

2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner

5. Free Curriculum Online.

MORE HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE

MARINE BIOLOGY BOOKS FOR TEENS

WHY CHOOSE OCEANS BY MASTERBOOKS

WHY USE NOTEBOOKING WITH MARINE BIOLOGY CURRICULUM

HOMESCHOOL MARINE BIOLOGY CURRICULUM RESOURCES

HOW A TEEN SETS UP A MARINE BIOLOGY NOTEBOOK

MARINE BIOLOGY NOTEBOOKING WITH A TEEN

HAMILTON LITERATURE GUIDE

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR HAMILTON

LITERATURE GUIDES FOR TEENS

HOW TO USE HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL LITERATURE GUIDE

1. SET THE STAGE: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

2. STUDY THE LYRICS AS LITERATURE

3. COMPARE STORYTELLING WITH HISTORY

4. CREATIVE CONNECTIONS AND PROJECTS

5. STRENGTHEN WRITING SKILLS

6. EXPAND ACROSS SUBJECTS

7. END WITH REFLECTION

Tips and Recommendations for 12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum

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Homeschool 11th Grade Tips and Recommendations

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