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Relax! How to Easily Add Art and Music to Your Homeschool Day

May 24, 2015 | 9 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

How to easily add art and music to your homeschool day is well – so not easy. Also, look at Fun Facts About the Phantom of the Opera & Styles of Music Unit Study.

They tend to be subjects that can be left out.

Although we have good intentions, it just doesn’t happen.

Besides art and music are really what stirs the imagination and are creative outlets.

Relax! How to Easily Add Art and Music to Your Homeschool Day

I’m sharing tips on how to easily add them to your day without a lot of planning.

One secret tip to easily add art and music to your day is to not schedule them.

As fixated as I am on schedules, I am equally fixated with homeschooling simply.

6 Ways to Add Art and Music to Your Homeschool

Look at these easy ways to fold in art and music to your day simply without adding one more subject to your day.

1. Add Art to Writing or Composition

With the growing list of homeschool subjects that comes with each grade, it is easy to run out of homeschool day before you do subjects.

Relax! How to Easily Add Art and Music to Your Homeschool Day @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I learned this double duty tip when Mr. Senior 2013 was first beginning to write.

Kindergarten Art @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I learned he was very much more interested in writing when he could express his words through pictures.

Instead of scheduling a formal time for art, he just folded it in when he was writing.

Because I was developing his imagination and love for creativity, having a story to go along with his picture gave him the spark he needed to create.

When I started, I used the whole series of Draw Write Now. 

These books allowed a small part of writing and then drawing to strengthen fine motor skills. 

And these books are absolute keepers in my homeschool world.

2. Music or Art can be added to your current study of history.

As Mr. Senior 2013 grew and had a similar love of history, I allowed drawing of history scenes or battles as a way for him to express himself.

Again without having to add in drawing, we just covered history along with drawing.

Then the love of simple drawing morphed into a full art study in high school.

We loved the series Draw and Write Through History in the early years.

Additionally, looking up what is the music during a history period is a perfect introduction to the history period.

For example, we’ve also used Music in our Homeschool Courses.

For example, look at the list of music courses below which you can teach in your homeschool.

  • World Music for Elementary
  • 15-Minute Music Lessons
  • 20th Century Music Appreciation for High School (36 Lessons to Earn a 1/2 Credit in High School Fine Arts)
  • State Songs of the 50 U.S. States
  • A Year of Charlotte Mason Music Lessons

Too, with science there is no need to make a choice between science and art. 

3. Add Art to Science.

Find creative opportunities to add in art.

Science and Art @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus(Draw a cell and label it.)

If there is a way to illustrate a science concept, let your child do it.

He will remember projects and the content too for many years after he is older and especially when he can add in an artful element.

4. Add Music to every day learning.

Music was no different. We folded it into our day naturally too.

Music can be done while exercising and too some children learn better while listening to music.

  • Add music to every day learning.
Early Learning Music Resources @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I rounded up the DVDs I created way back (I’m not that old but in this day and age with technology you feel that way) when I had “opening” in Preschool and Kindergarten with all of my boys.

I rounded up learning songs and arranged them in the way I wanted to so that my learning day could last longer with music.

We sung these songs every day as a way to learn our ABCs, days of the weeks, continents and even math.

I used resources like Sing to Learn and Rock ‘N Learn:Addition & Subtraction Rap.

Too, though I had no musical background when I first began to homeschool, it was up to me teach them how to read music in between their music lessons.

5. Music can be added to phonics.

  • Do music instead of phonics one day.

Right away, I learned that music is like learning another language.

Many days we simply sat together in the living room and did music theory.

Not only did we learn about  the musical notes but the rhythm helped my boys to learn about the “beats” or syllables when reading.

I never felt like I was skipping on their reading for the day but giving them another way to feel the beat or syllables within each sentence.

All of my boys not only managed to read above grade level, but learned music theory in the process.

6. Fold art & music together for the subject.

  • Focus on a musical composer.

We did lapbooks using Zeezok to study a composer, some language arts, geography and hands-on activities.

Instead of feeling like I was only covering music for the day, we added in writing about the composer, the history of the time period they lived in and geography when studying about the country the composer lived in.

Instead of scheduling separate assignments for art and music, let those areas embellish the every day things that your child needs to learn.

More Homeschool Music Curriculum Resources

  • Relax! How to Easily Add Art and Music to Your Homeschool Day
  • Homeschool Music Curriculum on the Beat
  • Fun & Easy Hands-on Ideas with Zeezok Music Appreciation
  • Fun Facts About the Phantom of the Opera & Styles of Music Unit Study
  • Music Appreciation – Beethoven Chiming Bells Minibook

Art and music have a way of presenting up learning in an alternative way and of finding a way into your child’s heart that makes learning fun.

9 CommentsFiled Under: Teach Music Tagged With: art, high school, middleschool, music

Should I Let My Homeschooled Teen Graduate Early?

March 2, 2015 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The question should I let my homeschooled teen graduate early crossed my mind a few years before high school.

My oldest son was the kind of teen that never needed to be reminded of deadlines and pretty well knew that he wanted to do some missionary type of work after graduation and before he pursued a career.

Too, even before taking his high school courses, he would work into the afternoon without my prodding him to do so. 

In ninth grade, I could have noted the 8 credits he had because we schooled year around and because he didn’t mind working long hours on his curriculum.

If he kept up that schedule and pace, he could easily have graduated in about 3 years depending on the number of high school credits I had planned.

In other words, I just knew he was on the path to early graduation.  Do you know that my plan was for him to graduate early? 

If you have been following me for a while, you know however, that our lives took a significant change when the Mr. had his heart attack during the 10th grade year of Mr. Senior 2013.

Mr. Senior 2013 stepped up and helped me run our business while my husband recuperated and of course, my son’s schooling suffered.

Instead of focusing on the sad time then though, I always like to focus on the good that came out of that for all of my boys. 

Should I Let My Homeschooled Teen Graduate Early @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Though, Mr. Senior 2013 did not graduate early as planned, I realized that he didn’t mind at all because he learned more about our family owned business then he ever knew before.

He has learned valuable skills in customer service because he was the one that had to go with our installation guys to our customer’s homes.

I was very nervous, but like a lot of our mature homeschooling teens he was equal to the task.

Though things don’t always happened as planned, I still see many positives for allowing a mature teen to graduate early.

If a teen knows what they want to pursue, then they have extra time to pursue what interests them.

There are many teens who are mature and already know that they want to pursue a career that requires minimal college time. 

I knew one teen boy in our homeschool group that knew he was going to be a chef and wanted to start pursuing culinary classes.

In his early high school years, he was hosting food parties in his home cooking for people.

He had a true gift for the culinary arts and his parents recognized the need to allow him to pursue his dream.

Many schools encourage a gap year and see the benefit of it.

Does it really matter if your teen takes a “gap” year earlier? 

Only you as the homeschool parent knows if your teen is mature enough to take a gap year and pursue what interests them.

High achieving and mature teens are ready to get on with their life.

Some teens are high achievers and are ready to get on with their life.

On the flip side, homeschooling is about recognizing the different personalities of our teens and some want to be done with the “book learning” part of school so they can get on with doing activities they know will help them be independent adults.

They may never be the bookish type of person but our teen may still be mature enough to have already decided what course he or she will pursue.

Too, teens feel the same satisfaction that we do as adults when it comes to knowing that they can finish early if they have fulfilled the number of high school credits we require.

If a teen is on the college track, then wouldn’t a year head start help him or her to add a internship to the mix, pursue some other goals or just get them ahead in college?

Homeschooling highschoolers can be complicated, but you don’t have to worry about ALL the choices, just concentrate on what your teen needs.

There is nothing wrong with a teen not being ready to finish high school earlier because teens all mature at different rates and there is no rush – really. 

They only have one time in their life to be carefree, independent, yet totally needing your guidance.

There are so many things that affect whether or not it’s beneficial for a homeschooled teen to graduate early, but in the end all that matters is the decision that allows your teen to pursue his or her chosen course when they are ready.

What about you? Do you have a teen you feel may graduate early?

Hugs and love ya,

 

Check out these other posts to help with homeschooled high school teens:

Homeschool High School Readiness?

Homeschool High School How To Prepare THE Transcript

Homeschoolers Who Want More Than College

Homeschool High School–How to Log Hours for High School?

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Graduate a Homeschooler, Homeschool Teens _ From Teen to Graduation Tagged With: high school, homeschoolhighschool, teens

Free Middle and High School Homeschool Language Arts

January 30, 2015 | 27 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I am sharing free middle and high school homeschool language arts resources. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school and how to homeschool high school page for more fun tips

Update: You know I love ya so when I round up freebies, I round up everything I can find.

I do not have the answer keys to these free resources below. 

Free Middle and High School Homeschool Language Arts

Kindly said: Please do not email me asking about the answer sheets, other teacher guides or tests.  If and when I find them, I will post them for you and me.

These workbooks are ones that I have kept up with and used through the years with my sons as enrichment.

The links have changed and as I have found them, I have updated my links. 

Too, I have found new resources to add, but never had them in one place.

Middle and High School Homeschool Language Arts

After using some of the books, they are pretty nifty enough to almost be used as stand alone curriculum.

Too, kazillion (new invented word alert) resources exist for helping you out in preschool, kindergarten and early elementary and after that, free resources seem to thin out.

Determined to have plenty of free homeschool language arts program through middle and high school, I hope you can use a few of these with your kids.

Language Arts Reference

Free one reference of The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.  Great tool to also teach middle and high school students research.

Multi-grade Language Arts Resources

Free Guide to Grammar and Writing and Principles of Composition and a Search Engine will also help you find help on grammatical issues, tips on composition, and advice on English usage.

6th grade Printable Resources

Glencoe Language Arts Spelling Power 88 pages.

6spw2.pdf (19647 downloads )

MacMillan Treasures Practice Book O 230 pages.

Free-MacMillan-Treasures-Practice-Book-O-6th-grade-230-pages..pdf (21707 downloads )

Glencoe Language Arts Vocabulary Power 98 pages.

Glencoe-Language-Arts-Vocabulary-Power-98-pages.pdf (20346 downloads )

MacMillan Treasures Spelling Practice 200 pages.

94274741.pdf (19955 downloads )

MacMillan Treasures Grammar Practice 200 pages.

MacMillan-Treasures-Grammar-Practice-200-pages.pdf (21708 downloads )

Free Glencoe Grammar and Language Workbook 150 pages.

7th grade Printable Resources

Writers Choice Grammar and Composition – Grammar ENRICHMENT 56 pages.

Free-Writers-Choice-Grammar-and-Composition-–-Grammar-Enrichment-7th-grade-56-pages.pdf (20312 downloads )

Glencoe Language Arts Spelling Power 88 pages.

7th-grade-Glencoe-Language-Arts-Spelling-Power-88-pages.pdf (20693 downloads )

Glencoe Grammar and Language Workbook – 172 pages.

7th-grade-Glencoe-Grammar-and-Language-Workbook-–-172-pages.pdf (21314 downloads )

Writer’s Choice Grammar and Composition –  Grammar RETEACHING 56 pages.

Free-Writers-Choice-Grammar-and-Composition-–-Grammar-Reteaching-56-pages.7th-grade.pdf (20851 downloads )

Free Glencoe Language Arts Vocabulary Power – 100 pages

7th-grade-Glencoe-Language-Arts-Vocabulary-Power-–-100-pages.pdf (21007 downloads )

8th grade Printable Resources

Glencoe Grammar and Language Workbook 352 pages.

Grade-8-Grammar-Complete.pdf (20251 downloads )

8th grade Glencoe Language Arts Spelling Power 88 pages

8th-grade-Glencoe-Language-Arts-Spelling-Power-88-pages.pdf (19751 downloads )

Writer’s Choice Grammar and Composition Grammar Enrichment 56 pages.

Free-Writers-Choice-Grammar-and-Composition-Grammar-Enrichment-8th-grade-56-pages.pdf (23440 downloads )

9th grade Printable Resources

Glencoe Language Arts – Vocabulary Power 131 pages.

Vocabulary-Power-Workbook-9th-grade.pdf (19520 downloads )

Writer’s Choice Grammar and Composition – Grammar Practice Workbook 56 pages.

[ 9th-grade-Glencoe-Language-Arts-–-Spelling-Power-104-pages..pdf (19840 downloads )

Grammar and Language Workbook  352 pages.

grammar_workbook_honors-9th.pdf (21756 downloads )

Glencoe Language Arts – Spelling Power 104 pages.

9th-grade-Writers-Choice-Grammar-and-Composition-–-Grammar-Practice-Workbook-56-pages.pdf (20106 downloads )

10th grade Printable Resources

Glencoe Language Arts – Spelling Power 88 pages.

10spw2.pdf (20922 downloads )

Writer’s Choice Grammar and Composition – Grammar Practice Workbook 56 pages.

10th-grade-Writers-Choice-Grammar-and-Composition-–-Grammar-Practice-Workbook-56-pages..pdf (21428 downloads )

Glencoe Language Arts – Vocabulary Power 131 pages..

10th-grade-Glencoe-Language-Arts-–-Vocabulary-Power-131-pages-2.pdf (21139 downloads )

11th grade Printable Resources

11th grade Glencoe Grammar and Language Workbook 170 pages.

11th-grade-Glencoe-Grammar-and-Language-Workbook-170-pages.pdf (20258 downloads )

Glencoe Language Arts – Spelling Power 88 pages.

11th-grade-Glencoe-Language-Arts-–-Spelling-Power-88-pages.pdf (19465 downloads )

Glencoe Language Arts – Vocabulary Power 131 pages.

11th-grade-Glencoe-Language-Arts-–-Vocabulary-Power-131-pages..pdf (19745 downloads )

12th grade Printable Resources

Glencoe Language Arts – Spelling Power 88 pages.

12spw2.pdf (22617 downloads )

Glencoe Language Arts – Vocabulary 131 pages.

12th-grade-Glencoe-Language-Arts-–-Vocabulary-131-pages..pdf (21591 downloads )

Glencoe Language Arts Grammar and Language Workbook 352 pages.

12th-grade-Glencoe-Language-Arts-Grammar-and-Language-Workbook-352-pages..pdf (20232 downloads )

 Check out these other resources.

  • How to Choose the BEST Homeschool Middle and High School Language Arts Curriculum & Options
  • 5 Creative Ways to Boost Handwriting in Older Kids
  • Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazine
  • Toddler to Teen 100 Free Unit Study Resources
  • 7 Budget-Friendly Language Arts Curriculum to Pair with Unit Studies (with printable)
  • 3 Beginner’s Tips: Homeschool High School Literature
  • 24 Borderline Genius Ways To Relieve Language Arts Boredom

Hope you enjoy them.

Hugs and love ya,

27 CommentsFiled Under: Free Homeschool Resources, Homeschool Teens _ From Teen to Graduation, Middle School Homeschool Tagged With: composition, grammar, high school, high school literature, homeschool, homeschoolanguagearts, language arts, languagearts, middleschool, reading, readingcomprehension

How to Catch Up When Your Homeschooled Teen Tests Below Grade Level

October 7, 2014 | 4 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You have had some great questions lately and I can’t help but to ask you if I can share them with my other readers.  Today the dynamic reader question: when your high schooler tests below grade level is one I feel some of you may also be wondering about. 

Homeschool High School Teens

This is one of those questions that you may think that you are alone in asking, but you are not.

Check out Suzanne’s question:

Hi Tina. I just started this homeschooling adventure with my 16 yo/10th grade son…this week! My question is, his assessment says he’s at a 7/8th grade level in Language Arts! He’s feeling kind of bummed out about it. How do I get across to him that this is just the beginning, and he may breeze through this 8th grade work quickly as well as the next couple of levels to get him caught up with actual 10th grade work? I hate to say it, but I didn’t realize it was this bad and he had been “pushed through” these last few years! I’m very upset with our public school system here, and so glad to have this chance to help him. I just want to help him anyway I can.
Thanks for your advise!

First, thank you for asking me!  I know this can be a sensitive subject because as the parent, we may have a tinge of guilt feelings. 

But I am here to tell you that even if you rocked along happily homeschooling on grade level that life could throw you an unwelcoming event.  When the Mr. had his heart attack, I found it more helpful to focus on what I could do to help Mr. Senior 2013 get caught up in high school and not focus on what we had lost.

Help Your Child to See Not All Goes As Planned.  Your attitude in helping him to see that this was not all his fault will help him to not only cover language arts with more focus, but it teaches him that we have to roll with life’s punches. 

View this as an opportunity to turn this into a lesson about more than language arts.  How he deals with this set back is preparation for adulthood and high school. 

He is old enough to appreciate that sometimes because of no fault of our own, we can get behind.  This helps him to focus on a “fix” for the solution and keeps it positive.

Maintain Your Balance In Test Results.  Without knowing what type of test he took, it is hard to assess it (no pun intended).  Though a lot of research goes into standardized testing, there are some tests that are not worth taking.  Remember to not be so quick to assign them validity.

Too, curriculum providers vary from grade level to grade level when it comes to language arts. For example, Rod and Staff, which is one of the most rigorous grammar programs that I have used has a student completing grammar by eighth grade. 

It wasn’t until recently (say within the last 5 to 7 years) that they came out with a high school program. 

Other providers, like Bob Jones High School prefer to use a spiral method of teaching some of the same concepts taught since 4th grade all the way to high school.  Does he really need that much review?

Testing your son using various resources like both the online tests (free or otherwise) provided by language arts provider as well as standardized testing gives you a much more broader view of his capabilities and skills.

Dynamic Reader Question When Your High Schooler Tests Below Grade Level

Language Arts Consist of 4 Skills.  Then after having received a much more clear picture, it is important for you to understand that language arts consists of basically 4 different skills.  This will help you to hone in on the one or two skills that need immediate help. 

The 4 basic skills of language arts are Grammar, Reading, Writing(Composing), Spelling.

Others come into use too like vocabulary, which generally is best learned within a literature or reading program.  Sharpen the skills that are more vital now.

For example, though grammar is important, it is a tool that helps us to navigate while composing thoughts.  If a highschooler is behind in knowing how to master the basics of composition or how to communicate his thoughts effectively, then he will be hampered life-long.  So what I am saying is that not all skills, even under language arts deserve the same amount of time at this age.

It does not mean that he should not work on them, but give the best or earliest part of his day to the most critical skills that he needs so that he is able to master them quicker.  Spelling too can be learned right alongside what he is writing.  For example, hold him accountable to spell each word correctly that he uses in his essays. 

If you do this, (hold him accountable for each language art skills), you will see that on one essay, he will work on all 4 basic language arts skills more effectively. This is a feat to cover each week and he will make rapid progress.

In addition, an online course where a child can go his pace AND get credit is sometimes the solution. Look at this Online Homeschool High School Poetry (No Teaching Involved) course that one of my teens did.

Set A Limit.  I found too in working with highschoolers that having clear cut guidelines as to when something needs to be completed by gives him the encouragement and hope to know that it’s not always going to be like this. 

Most teens like to know clear cut guidelines and a stopping point.  When a teen works with no clear cut goal, though we think we have a goal of catching them up, it’s not a finite goal to them.  Most teens will work harder knowing that they will accomplish their first goal.  Anybody works better knowing they have accomplishments.

If need be, cut the assignments in half and especially if he his quickly catching up.

Highschool Graduation “On Time” is VERY Possible.  I learned a very valuable lesson with my first son that I am now practicing with my second highschooler and that is to have a backup plan. 

With Mr. Senior 2013, I had planned all of his high school courses.  Then when we got side swiped, I didn’t have a back up plan.  We had to step rapidly to finish our set course by high school graduation.

With Mr. Awesome, I felt like I have had the best of both worlds,  which is where I lesson planned 2 years of his high school and used part planned for the other 2 years. 

Using an online school, I didn’t want Mr. Awesome to have the unnecessary stress that Mr. Senior 2013 did in that all his course planning came to a halt when I was at the ICU and taking care of the Mr. during Mr. Senior 2013’s high school years.

So what I am saying is that using a very basic high school program like Penn Foster or American School, where they review remedial skills can be a life saver when needed.  Most easy high school programs like that take only two years to do. 

Again, by using part of my courses I selected along with the ones the online school offered, I feel like Mr. Awesome still has a unique high school experience.  It was the perfect compromise for my situation.

Finite goals by both the online school and your courses gives your teen a goal to look forward to and can help close any gaps in his learning.

Being behind is a very grown up and adult issue.  It does not have to be a negative experience, but can be an experience for rapid growth and maturity in how to deal with what comes at us as adults.

Too, don’t forget learning doesn’t stop at high school graduation.

It has been my experience in helping hundreds and hundreds of homeschoolers that these kids are bright, caring and motivated when giving the right reason to be. 

He is not studying language arts just for the sake of catching up, but he is studying language arts because he needs those coping skills as an adult. 

And oh good grief, if I could only answer your questions without writing an online book then I would be happy.  I hope this helps you. 

Give your son a lot of praise, a great big hug and working hard never hurt anybody, but builds strength, character and determination.

You’ll love some of these other tips:

  • A to Z List: Middle and High School Homeschool Electives
  • Get It Over and Done: How Do Homeschoolers Graduate Early 
  • Homeschooling High School: Curriculum, Credits, and Courses
  • 3 Beginner’s Tips: Homeschool High School Literature

Hugs and love ya,

4 CommentsFiled Under: Dynamic Reader Question, Homeschool Teens _ From Teen to Graduation Tagged With: high school, high school literature, homeschool highschool, teens

Homeschool Writing Program For Middle and High School Students

August 8, 2014 | 8 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I often hear that the fun in school stops at the middle and high school grades, but I have not found that to be true. Being selective in our choices for homeschool writing programs has been one way that we have avoided middle and high school monotony.  Also, look at my page homeschool middle school and how to homeschool high school page for more fun tips.

So when I heard about Fortuigence, which is an online writing course, I was thrilled to try it.

However, knowing that I will be moving in just a few weeks though, I invited Jasmine as a guest blogger from Ponder the Path to review Fortuigence/Writing Rock Star for us, because I just didn’t want to pass up the opportunity for you to know about this wonderful homeschool writing program. 

Before you read her helpful review below though, I wanted to let you know what makes a curriculum wonderful to me.

Homeschool Writing Program

(Jasmine was given a free copy of Essay Rock Star.  She was compensated for her time.  Her opinions and my opinions are our own and for sure I will always tell you what is on my mind, because it does not mean any company will get a rave review.  However, if I accept a review it’s because I am excited to tell you about the curriculum.  This post also contains affiliate links.  Read my full disclosures here.)

As I homeschool longer I get more vocal about avoiding companies that invade the homeschooling market because we are a large educational niche for some companies

 Not all, but a lot of companies are not really bringing any real value or help to our children or to us as the teachers. 

Neither do they understand the paramount role parents have as teachers.  So I try to actively seek out companies like Writing Rockstars whose students are mostly all homeschoolers, value our role as educator and create their products specifically to suit our needs.

I think you’ll see what I mean when you read Jasmine’s review.

Homeschool Writing Program For Middle and High School Students

What do GMO’s, (genetically modified organisms) rock stars, and mind maps have in common?

All three were part of a recent homeschool writing curriculum my daughter worked on this summer!  Maddie will be entering the 7th grade this fall and had never done any formal writing before. 

When the opportunity came up for her to try Essay Rock Star she was excited to take her first online course.

Choosing an Online Writing Course

After choosing one of the four Essay Rock Star classes, Maddie was signed up with her own account.

This may not seem like a big deal to most, but to a 12 year old girl this was a big deal. 

She was able to log in to her class on her own and receive emails directly from Ms. I, as her teacher is affectionately called.

I decided it would be best if Maddie took the Essay Rock Star: Expository Essay class. 

In this class, Maddie learned to write an essay that explained a specific subject or topic. 

Maddie had heard me talk about GMO’s before and knew basically what they were. She wanted to find out more about them and thought that they would make an interesting topic for her essay.

Other Essay Rock Star classes include: The Personal Statement, The Persuasive Essay and The Textual Analysis.

Working Through the Essay Rock Star Writing Lessons

When Maddie first started the course, I sat down with her and walked her through the “classroom”. We went over how to work through the class, where to turn in assignments, and how to complete the lessons.

Each of the 7 lessons has a video for the student to watch. 

In the video, Ms. I walks the student through each step in the writing process. After watching the video, the student then reads through the lesson or can choose to listen to the audio version (great for different types of learners!).

There are several learning aids included in each lesson that the student can either save or print out and put in a notebook. These items are great to keep on hand for future student writing assignments. 

Some of the ones that we thought were particularly helpful were: “How to Write a Strong Introduction and Conclusion” and the “Revision Checklist”.

organizing writing content

After watching the video, reading the lesson, and printing or saving any of the extra learning tools, Maddie would work through each step of the writing process. 

For instance, one of the first steps is the brainstorming process. 

Ms. I shared a great tool for brainstorming called mind mapping.  She shared a link to Bubbl.us which is an online software tool that allows you to create pictorial mind maps and save them as images.

This was one of the funnest parts for Maddie, as she could visually see how her ideas fit together.

And the software allows you to move ideas around and create or delete ideas as needed. 

You can get very detailed with your mind map, or just create the main points for your essay. We will definitely continue to use this tool in our writing assignments.

Personalized Writing Lessons

One thing that stuck out to me as Maddie went through the writing process, was the willingness of Ms. I to work with her students right where they were and teach them in a personalized way. 

For instance, Maddie had decided to write her paper on GMO’s. 

She did some research for her essay.  Because she had outside sources she had used for the information in her essay, Ms. I showed her how to cite her sources at the end of the paper.

This was not in the original lesson, but was taught when it was needed.

Maddie learned so much in the process of the course and it offered me a break in teaching. 

It also gave Maddie a different learning perspective.  

She enjoyed the independence of learning on her own and receiving feedback for each lesson. 

Writing Program for Middle and High School

She now has the knowledge to work through each step and complete an expository essay on her own.

I look forward to seeing her build on the foundational skills she learned in this writing class. This has been a rewarding experience and has helped her enjoy learning to write!

You’ll also love these other tips:

  • 3 Ways to Choose the BEST Writing Curriculum (for a Growing Homeschool Family)
  • Online Homeschool High School Poetry (No Teaching Involved)
  • How to Rock Creative Writing When Homeschooling (when you don’t feel like THAT creative mom)
  • Modern U.S. and World History High School Literature
  • A to Z List: Middle and High School Homeschool Electives
  • Cursive Matters; Handwriting Style Doesn’t + Free Resources
  • Should I be Teaching Spelling to my Homeschooled High Schooler?
  • 5 Creative Ways to Boost Handwriting in Older Kids
Product Facts At A Glance

Product Name: Essay Rock Star: Expository Essay. In this course, students learn to write an expository essay. The expository essay is the most common essay form that is often assigned in high school, college, and in the workplace. The purpose of an expository essay is to explain or inform an audience objectively about a specific subject.

Website: Fortuigence.Com

Type of Product:  Individual essay courses and a longer course with multiple essays.  Each essay takes approximately 4 weeks to complete.  The courses are a combination of pdf and video content.  Ms. I provides personalized feedback throughout the process!  I like the fact too that your child can receive high school credit even during the middle grades.

Age: Middle School to High School, but can be used by an advanced writer.  The 1:1 tips also makes it a great curriculum for writers who dread the process.

Jasmine

  Air Force wife, homeschooling mom, herbalist in training, quilter, soapmaker, all around homesteader…yup, that about sums it up!  You can find Jasmine at Ponder the Path.

Homeschool Writing Program

8 CommentsFiled Under: Homeschool Curriculum Review Tagged With: composition, high school, high school literature, homeschool highschool, homeschoolhighschool, language arts, languagearts, middleschool, onlinewriting, product review, review, teachingwriting, writing

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