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Creating these homeschool high school literature suggestions for teens is more satisfying now that my teens graduated. Looking back, I know their love of reading came from being exposed to a variety of genre. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool High School.
Having a variety of genre to choose from is just one element of keeping teens reading into adulthood.
Beyond reading to fill a high school credit, use your time with your homeschooled teens to shape and develop their thinking.
Contrary to what some educators think, teens are still questioning beliefs. Their thinking is not fully matured. Issues raised in literature gives you the opportunity to analyze beliefs.
Too, high school and college courses require your teens to interpret literary terms and techniques.
I found this was best done by classic literature.
The point is whether your teen is reading American, British, or World literature he is gaining a greater understanding of the world.
That is something which will stick with him well into adulthood.
This high school literature list will give you a starting point in choosing the best literature for your family.
Moreover, don’t fret if your teen is still not loving to read.
Some of these books will ignite a fire and did I mention some are short?
Whether you have a teen who is a voracious reader or who is an unenthusiastic reader, I have some high school literature suggestions for all.
See, I had to learn the hard way that a teen should have a choice in what he reads.
I remember being in English class in middle school and reading about boring topics.
I was a good reader, but not an enthusiastic reader until I read The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe. He’s not an author I thought I would be drawn to as a teen.
However, his stories and poems invoked a love for reading detective stories along with his great storytelling. I loved everything about that poem, the figurative language, the dynamics, and the theme.
Homeschool High School Reading
The point is I would have never picked up his book on my own when evaluating my choices.
So your teen needs your help. It literally takes one book your teen can’t put down for your teen to look at reading differently.
Now as a parent, it is a learned balancing act when each teen got to the high school level.
I tried to find their interests and themes they loved to weave that with other genre they weren’t interested in or thought so at the time.
Also, another way to engage your high school kids is to learn through a theme.
We love history in our house and learning history through living literature has been one of our very favorite ways to learn history.
Why Some Homeschoolers Choose to Read Banned Literature
Next, I also had to decide how I wanted to talk to my teens about sensitive subjects.
A lot of homeschoolers, including myself, reject some modern reading lists.
However, the similarity stops there when choosing literature. Families and teens differ in how they want to handle sensitive topic.
When you research about banned books, the Washington Post stated, “The American Library Association launched Banned Books Week in 1982 to celebrate the freedom to read.”
However, every since then, the topic of banned books sparks controversy for any education.
You too have to decide if you’ll present these banned books to your teen.
It’s been my experience that the sensitive subjects in books allows me the chance to direct my children about mistakes of the past.
I didn’t want to cover up mistakes in history, but to expose them so we learn from them. Most important that we don’t repeat them in the future.
Children relate to everyday things and some kids lives have had painful turns they couldn’t control. Although my kids didn’t experience the sadness of divorce and death at the time, they had friends who did.
Homeschool High School Books
It helped my sons to form a compassion for their friends. Every child has a different maturing rate and I was sensitive to each teen’s emotions.
The point is that you are the only one to know whether you want your children to read banned books or not. Me? I will do the choosing for my family and determine the values; you probably feel the same way.
As you see from this quick list that the books reflect personal tastes of each teen. In the end, you want your child to enjoy reading.
I stressed way too much about balancing the genre when my focus should have been on the short time I had with each teen.
Besides being forced-fed never worked for any reader. So use this list to begin your list for your unique teen.
Lastly, this is by no stretch all that each kid read in high school.
As I pore over my huge amount of books, I’ll update this post for you.
The point today was to get this quick glance to you.
In the end what matters is creating a lifelong reader.
Remember what Francis Bacon said “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few are to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.”
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Today, I’ve rounded up 35+ simple, but powerful US history homeschool curriculum and resources for kindergarten to high school.
Whether you’re trying to fill a state requirement, or you want your child to have a well-rounded view of U.S. history, I know you’ll love these resources.
First, because I have homeschooled for over 20+ years, I have some great tips for you.
Look at these 10 ways to teach U.S. history out of the box. Besides, not every kid responds to an all-in-one i.e. boxed curriculum.
US History Homeschool Curriculum Tips
Howto Teach U.S. History Out of the Box
Instead of trying to learn about all American History in one year, focus on one period through the eyes of a founding father or another historical colorful character. We did this when we examined the life of Wyatt Earp. Look atFree American History Lapbook – The Old West Through the Life of Wyatt Earp. This idea works for multiple ages because you can bring out much about the time period in American history and add fun hands-on activities too.
In addition, when my first son reached high school, we learned about the FBI. It was a fun way to focus on learning about American government based on a topic he was interested in. So, take a topic or key event which piques your teen’s interest and build a study around it. Look at my FBI unit study.
An especially fun way to bring meaning to history is to use a living book as a spine. A living book is a term used by Charlotte Mason to mean a book written in a story form which engages a reader as opposed to a boring textbook. Use a living book as a spine or the main book and add activities based on the reading. Toward the bottom of the article, I listed some living books which could work as a history spine.
Another engaging and fun way to learn about history is through cooking recipes from the different states. Kids of any age love learning what other kids’ eat and how they live. Look at my post makechili when doing a state study on Texas.
This last slant is to learn U.S. history through creating a timeline. Whether you want to focus on events or people, a timeline is a great visual of American history. Look at my post How to Teach With an Easy DIY American History Timeline.
Resources K to 12US History Homeschool Curriculum
Next, I’ve rounded up tons of resources to give you a variety of options.
For me every year was different when I taught American history. Some years we dived deeper, other years not so much.
There are a variety of resources below from audio to living books to lapbooks.
Also, the resources and books or literature are listed from easiest or for the youngest learner up to high school.
Of course, grade level is subjective. You’ll want to mix and match history resources to make learning American history meaningful.
Further, readers mature at different rates. What is sensitive to one family or reader you and I know will be different for another.
So be sure you check out the readers because where possible and best I can remember, I give you a heads up if something may be sensitive.
As always, you’re responsible for previewing resources beforehand. I know you will.
Kindergarten to Sixth Grade American History Resources
Beginning with kindergarten to sixth grade U.S. history resources, variety is key.
Especially for young kids like prek and kindergarten, reading aloud, coloring, creating crafts, and activities helps to lay a foundation for what is American history.
Do not forget that even older kids whose introduction to history has been boring could still benefit from activities, reading aloud, and games.
Look below for kindergarten to sixth grade American history resources roundup.
1. American History Dover Books for Coloring and Paper Crafts
Whether you have a younger or older child, Dover coloring pages have been a staple in our homeschool for years.
They’re not just ordinary coloring books, but coloring books that teach facts while having some creative fun.
This next series is a fun slant on American history.
American Kids in History series is a series that just doesn’t use text but games, activities, and recipes to learn about Americans.
One or two of these books would make for a great mini unit study.
3. Early American History by Beautiful Feet
This next curriculum which I loved and used when my kids were younger and all the way through high school is by Beautiful Feet Literature.
The Early American History Jumbo Primary pack for first to third grade introduced my kids to American history makers through beautiful literature as opposed to a boring text book.
4. Stories of Great Americans For Little Americans
Additionally, American Storyis a beautiful series which has been around for a long time and for reason. The literature and illustrations are beautiful.
It is a secular approach to history, but not anything you can’t tweak one way or the other to your worldview.
You’ll love all the titles in the series. Here are a few below.
But don’t let that stop you if you have kids a bit younger or older.
It’s a much loved series with so many topics and titles which makes it a great multiple age series of books to teach about important American history events and persons.
9. America First: One Hundred Stories From Our Own History by Lawton B. Evans
I haven’t put my hands on the series in a while, but from best I remember the older versions of the books have a non-fiction section at the back.
There are period crafts and recipes you can add for each theme.
12. Childhood of Famous Americans Series
Then,Childhood of Famous Americans Series was also another life saver for me when the kids were young. It’s a biography series that was originally written in the 1940s.
The series has grown and expanded through the years and reprinted.
Look at the resources which can be used for older kids.
14. Paradigm Accelerate Curriculum Worktexts
When I first looked at Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum, I wasn’t sure it would work for us. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it helped my kids to cover some topics we were lacking.
First, PAC booklets are a worktext. A worktext is different from a workbook.
Unlike a workbook, worktext does some teaching right in the workbook. Worktext are great for teaching kids to be independent. You don’t have to do all the teaching.
Usually, some background information along with activities are all built into the lesson plan. It’s like having the textbook and workbook in one spot.
What kid or adult (me) wouldn’t love to read about traveling back in time? Historical fiction is a way to also revive a love of history by talking about time travel through history.
The Dear America series is for girls. The books are written like diaries looking at events in American history.
Although the book touts for a younger reader closer to a 10 year old girl, I find a few of the elements in some of the books are more suited for an older reader like 14 or 15 years old.
One book mentions something mysterious about a wedding night implying a sexual nature which is not necessary for a young reader.
You’ll have to purchase the books and the lesson plans are .pdf, but you can certainly combine kids with this unit study approach
.Also, if you’re trying to build a library this a great way to do it. Build your library is good if you’re trying to teach multiple children and want more of a general guide.
23. Notgrass History Christian Based
If you want a unabashedly Christian curriculum, then you’ll love Notgrass History.
Their history is told in a story form and you’ll love all the options for each grade.
24. U.S. History Secular Based By Blossom and Root
Blossom and Root has U.S. history for elementary and middle school kids. It is a complete secular history unit.
25. Memoria Press Uses a Classical Approach
Memoria Press has guides for first grade to high school and uses a classical approach to teaching U.S. history.
Using great books of the past they paired them with history guides to teach different topics of American history at each level.
Hillsdale offers courses from a faith-based approach. As stated on their website: “These free, not-for-credit courses are taught by Hillsdale College faculty and are patterned after the education offered on the Hillsdale College campus.”
27. Truthquest History Christian Based
Truthquest history is a literature-based curriculum which can be used for multiple ages.
Instead of having day to day lesson plans, you’re giving guides for each topic. Using real books, this history is more of a unit study approach. If you want to have a guide, but go down bunny trails this curriculum may work for you.
28. All American History Christian Based by Bright Ideas Press
From the site, it says American History is a complete year’s curriculum when combined with the Student Activity Book PDF and Teacher’s Guide. The first volume covers Exploration through 1840.
American History Spines
Living Books, Audio, Video, CD, Online Courses for American History Resources
Last, I’m sharing some other wonderful resources which helps kids with different learning styles and needs. Too, sometimes you need to mix and match as I talked about earlier.
Too, I want you to understand what is a history spine because it’s a fun, but very practical way to teach a content subject like U.S. History.
A spine is a resource you use as your main reference to teach a subject. A spine refers to a backbone. So it’s a resource which can be a living book or reference book which is the backbone of your course of study.
A spine has many advantages and is different than an all-in-one in many ways.
5 Advantages Of Using a History Spine
When you choose a history spine, you can narrow your focus. Instead of teaching all of American history in broad strokes, sometimes you need a few key events or people for a deeper study.
In addition, you may want to move quicker on topics if your goal is broad strokes. A general history spine instead of day to day laborious lesson plans may fit your needs this year.
A spine like a living book written in story format helps kids young kids to associate what could be abstract to concrete people and events.
In addition, a history spine can be tweaked to fit exactly the needs of your kids, i.e. rabbit trails.
There is no feeling of being behind when studying American history. You’re just at where you’re kids are at. Then you move on when you’re done.
With that being said, in this section, I have included
history living books;
audio books for those who want to listen and not so much read;
online free courses in video form;
and videos using public domain books.
Many years I preferred to use books that were classic and written pre politically correct.
History has the good, the bad, and the really ugly and I wanted to convey all those parts to my kids as I felt they could understand it.
I’d love to rewrite history in some places, but I can’t. So I explained to my kids how some people in the past and why some in the present may still feel one way.
Explaining point of views becomes important while using any history resource.
29. The Rainbow Book of American History by Earl Schenck Miers
Remember that vocabulary and terminology are different for that time; keep that in mind if you use a classic book.
DIY American History Resources
30. America: The Last Best Hope
America: The Last Best Hope is another series loved by homeschoolers for a spine, but I haven’t used it. But you recognize the name William J. Bennett for his book The Book of Virtues which is a compilation of moral stories.
31. My America Story Book Audio Using Public Domain Books
Well-educated heart has audio of stories from pre-1924 books in the public domain. Your child can listen or read, It’s free.
32. Drive Thru History Adventure Video/DVD Series
This is a fun twist on history. It’s a 12 part video series on history by “visiting” places. Too, it’s offered in DVD form because not everyone has a great internet connection.
He has different time periods, but the American: Columbus to the Constitution is for American history and the whole family can watch and learn.
33. This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall
This Country of Ours is another timeless history keeper. We loved the story format of this book and this is one that you could use for multiple ages too. I feel it’s geared more toward elementary to middle school.
It’s a story format and I would use it for younger kids.
I do think an older kid would benefit from it if they haven’t had a good introduction to history.
Big List of U.S. History Curriculum
35. Jim Hodges American History Audio
This next resource is such a fun one.
Whether you want some help for all the reading aloud you’ve been doing or your child learns better by listening and loves stories, you’ll love Jim Hodges Audio Books.
When Khan Academy entered the homeschool world it was popular and have gained even more popularity through the years.
Although some teachers used Khan Academy as a stand alone curriculum a lot of homeschoolers supplement with it. Either way you have another option for your learners.
37. Crash Course Online Free Videos
Crash Courses are another favorite of homeschoolers. They too have been around for years with educational videos on many different subjects.
Crash Course has many different history topics you’ll love including the American history section.
This list is by no means the total list of all the resources I’ve been exposed to, but it’s a comprehensive list of homeschool favorites. Pssst! They work.
What US history homeschool curriculum do you like to use for teaching American history to your kids?
How to choose the besthomeschool middle and high school language arts curriculum can be intimidating unless you have a road map. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school and how to homeschool high school page for more fun tips
Knowing the elements of language arts is important; knowing that not every teen needs the same amount of instruction for each component is equally important.
Using free language arts curriculum before you make a purchase can be especially helpfulfor many reasons:
Budget friendly curriculum allows you to assess problem areas in greater detail without busting the budget;
A free curriculum can be used as a reference alongside a purchased curriculum;
Your teen may need review in just a couple of areas and you can save your hard earned dollars to buy language arts where he requires in-depth focus or help;
Returning to free curriculum resources throughout the middle and high school years helps your teen review quickly; and
Let’s face it. Teen curriculum resources can be pricey, so having many options at your fingertips helps.
Homeschool Middle and High School Language Arts
Let’s start with a language arts road map.
Step one is knowing the language arts components.
Step 1. Identify the Language Arts Components.
The easiest, but most useful definition is that English language arts is any subject to do with written or oral communication, including listening.
Right away you can see that some things are not formally taught or don’t have to be taught in isolation.
For example, from the time your teen was a toddler, you started speaking to him in full sentences.
He learned your language through the art of conversation and discussion. That part still continues in the teen years.
Too, especially at the middle and high school years, teens need to make sense out of what they have been learning.
Combining language arts elements makes language arts practical and gives teens a reason to understand it.
For example, grammar can be revised or used while a teen writes an essay.
Next, let’s dive into the subject breakdown of what is language arts so you know that you’re covering it and that you choose the subjects your teen needs.
Language arts includes all facets of English: phonics, reading/literature, spelling/vocabulary, grammar, composition, and penmanship. In addition, it includes oral speech.
By this age your child has probably learned to read and write.
So penmanship turns to composition and reading becomes literature. Phonics is now spelling.
Step 2. Isolate the Language Arts Components Needed for Middle and High School Teens.
To help clarify this even further, here are the language art subjects for middle and high school grades.
Literature which is reading and could include literary analysis
Grammar
Spelling (if still needed)
Vocabulary
Composition
These subjects are the ones that most language arts all-in-one programs cover.
Next, now that you know the subjects that fall under the language arts umbrella, look at some of these homeschool language arts curriculum for middle and high school kids.
Step 3. Choose the EXACT Components Your Teen Needs OR Choose an All-in-One Curriculum.
Before you choose language arts, pay attention to the details to see if it’s an all-in-one program which covers most of the subjects for language arts OR if it’s just one component.
I have organized the elements for you so you can quickly see the choices for your child.
Grammar Homeschool Curriculum For Teens
Too, some of the resources can be used as a guidebook to assist your teen in his writing.
The first one I’m diving into is grammar. Grammar is the rules of a language.
Your teen has learned some of the rules naturally, so some of these resources can be used as a reference.
Other resources can be used as separate curriculum to shore up any weakness
Look at this list of homeschool grammar curriculum.
Rod and Staff English. Solid no fluff worktext for doing grammar stand alone or use for a reference. The books in the high school years made great reference books for us. It’s a faith-based curriculum, but I found it easily tweaked for faith-neutral approach.
Easy Grammar. This goes all the way to high school. It’s a secular view and a traditional approach.
Although I feel grammar is best covered in conjunction with writing so a teen sees the value, there are some teens who need grammar in isolation.
Before looking next at the composition options, keep a few key points in mind. If a teen is struggling with penmanship remember that he can type his essays.
Try to not make composition always about penmanship. Yes, it’s about doing neat work, but that is for the final draft.
Composition is about learning how to compose his thoughts. So if you have a teen struggling in both penmanship and composition, focus on one or the other until he gets more practice.
Go gentle in what you require of him if he is struggling.
You would think it would be easier to choose an all in one program which covered a bit of most of the components of language arts. It may or may not be.
The problem at this level is that most providers are assuming that your teen has had a fair amount of each component of language arts.
If you’ve switched homeschool approaches or resources, like most of us have, then you want to be sure you’re clear on what is the focus of the all-in-one language arts curriculum.
For example, it’s been my experience that curriculum may focus more on composition, while another one covers more literary analysis.
While yet another resource may focus heavily on grammar.
All-In-One Language Arts Homeschool Curriculum for Teens
So the important point I’m making is look over the scope and sequence so that you make a good fit for your teen.
Next, look at the options for all-in-one language arts programs.
Powerhouse or Acellus Academy.. They are both by same company. However, Acellus academy is accredited and more expensive, but Powerhouse isn’t accredited. Both are online and offer everything.
Step 4. Combine Many Components of Language Arts for Lasting Benefits.
Finally, the most important benefit of teaching language arts to our teens is so that it sticks with them. Understanding the mechanics of the English languages connects our teens to great minds of the past.
In addition, teaching valuable thinking skills is an important part of communication whether verbal or written.
For language arts to have lasting benefit and to teach thinking skills, combining the components of language arts is a superior way to teach.
When a teen works with a piece of literature, he focuses on grammar, writing, vocabulary, and spelling to name a few.
We want our teens to have a solid foundation for language arts whether he chooses a career track or college track.
More Homeschool Middle and High School Language Arts
Whether your kids have been in public school where handwriting or cursive was not a priority or your kids are humdrum about the whole penmanship process, I have some tips to help with handwriting in older kids.
First, there are three things you need to decide as you go through your homeschool journey which would have helped me keep things clear as I taught each kid cursive.
If you think there is a learning disability, go slower or cut lessons to half, or switch to typing. Also, check out the checklist below for dyslexia.
It can be a game changer to learn to type when penmanship holds a kid back from essays or composing.
Next, you need to decide what is your standard for what is acceptable penmanship.
My standard was at least one well-written assignment each day. I didn’t exact it on every assignment.
Penmanship for Older Kids
I encouraged a neat standard or my kids best every day, but accepted close enough many times when there was more of a struggle on a particular day.
What I learned was that although I preferred neat on every assignment, my kids set a bar of excellence for themselves once they mastered the neatness of handwriting.
Third, adding to the cloud of confusion, some educators today want to tout that cursive will be a thing of the pas. And it will be replaced by tablets.
That mindset wasn’t the majority when I first started homeschooling, but changing times in education doesn’t always equate with better or an upgrade.
In homeschool, you set your standard for excellence in education.
Me? Because reading and writing have always been connected and I see that connection in my own 20 years of experience, I will continue to advocate penmanship.
I also set standards for legible handwriting. Cursive as the hallmarks of a well-educated man.
In addition, I will support creative ways for kids to express their thoughts who have disabilities.
We don’t have to make a choice of either or in homeschool; we homeschool so we can have the best of both worlds.
Look at these 5 (okay I have a bit more) creative ways to encourage and boost the penmanship in your older kids.
1. Short cards and writing letters still work! It’s not an art of the past.
The excitement of receiving a card or short letter from a friend can still get an older kid giddy.
My teen sons was delighted to get a card from his best friend.
I was shocked.
I thought he had outgrown letter writing, but receiving a card was personal. It works.
Too, because a greeting card can be short, it’s not overwhelming for a kid who struggles with writing to pen a few thoughts.
Knowing that receiving a card was an object of affection I used that short card for easy handwriting lessons.
It was different too when he received that versus a card from grandparents. I think it was because it was his peer. Whatever the case, it worked.
2. Use a fun subject with a skill subject like combining art or science with writing.
Art uses a lot of fine motor skills in a natural way.
Don’t underestimate the value of drawing or studying art while a kid improves his cursive or print.
Art gives a fun slant to what may otherwise be considered a boring skill to master.
Also, look at the series Pictures in Cursive which is a cursive writing program based on picture study of classic works of art.
It’s a useful way to reinforce cursive while not doing baby-ish work.
The different levels of the program correspond to letters and not grades so you can decide the placement for your struggling writer.
If you have a science lover, labeling and working on a science journal gives value to the need to write legibly.
3. Quotes, knock-knock jokes, journaling, and poetry work are all still writing.
A few more things I pulled out of my arsenal are inspirational quotes, knock- knock jokes, and journaling.
If you’re a Bible reader, the Proverbs are filled with words of wisdom and are great for small passages of copywork.
Also, motivational quotes can be powerful for kids who want to succeed, but may feel defeated because of their lack of penmanship.
Tips to Improve Handwriting in Older Kids
This site Everyday Powerhas 300 inspirational quotes for kids to reinforce a positive mindset each day while brushing up on their penmanship.
Like us, kids want to empower themselves instead of always being told.
Then, I had another son who struggled at one time with his penmanship. He is our fun loving kid.
Instead of taking a serious note, I turned to a knock-knock joke book.
They’re short, pretty corny, and just what a kid who is taking himself too serious needs.
Laughing the whole time while writing was worth every bit of him telling me the jokes, over, over, over, and….okay.
Most kids love journaling when they know it’s not going to be criticized. Journaling was one way I could tell how my kids’ penmanship was naturally developing or not.
My kids never knew why I insisted on journaling because I never insisted on grading it.
If I saw a weakness like a letter sloppy or not formed correctly, I could work on direct instruction with them or work on another daily assignment showing correct letter formation and not grade or criticize the journaling which was from their heart.
Journaling stayed fun while giving me a glimpse each year of how their penmanship was truly developing.
Another son of mine loved poetry. Poetry is supposed to be read aloud and it’s meant to be enjoyed.
My suggestion is when you’re not studying poetry formally, then copying favorite passages not only strengthens fine motor skills, but feeds creativity.
The Charlotte Mason approach encourages focusing on a single poet for a year or term.
If your older kid found one particular poet fascinating like mine did with Edgar Allen Poe, then copy the famous works of that one poet.
Handwriting Tips for Older Students
It not only feeds an older’s child’s desire to learn what he wants, but it associates enjoyment with the art of writing.
4. Direct and simplified handwriting instruction is superior..
Coming in sideways is one way to teach, but some kids need direct instruction too. I liked this next resource because it does teach cursive in a more simplified format.
Unlike teaching a child cursive from the beginning, most older kids like adults have already established some form of writing that is normally a combination of print and cursive.
So, teaching traditional cursive to an older child can backfire. A simplified version of cursive can be a better fit for an older child.
This cursive workbook uses a form of cursive that is more free of the extra loops found in most traditional cursive. It’s less intimidating when teaching teens.
5. Lists, copywork, short stories, and topics kids love no matter how silly give value to learning how to write well.
Teaching kids life skills rates high for most of us as homeschoolers. And making lists can be taught as a life skill.
This was one area hard for me because I tend to organize everything in our school and home including the grocery lists or any other lists. I’m a list maker.
I used to create food lists on the refrigerator then that morphed into using lists on my phone. For a while I went back to paper lists so my son could use his writing for a useful purpose.
In addition, we made lists of adjective and verbs to keep in his writer’s notebook as reference pages for his composition.
It was a great way to sneak in more handwriting and way my son felt was useful to him instead of just being assigned some tracing work.
Copywork for Teens
One of the best ways that worked hands down for all my writers no matter what age is copywork.
Modeling is a great teacher. The beauty of copywork is that if your child is not minding the details of handwriting like commas or capitalization, then copywork helps him to look at the details.
Copying beautiful passages or from sources that a kid loves whether it’s history, poetry, science, or even jokes, boosts his spelling, grammar, and the mechanics of punctuation.
When he models the writing of great writers of the past or present, he sees a pattern to follow and can set a standard for himself.
Don’t give up on your older kids or make each day about head-butting.
His lack of skill is apparent each day to him. He needs creative ways to strengthen his fine motor skills and need to pay attention to the details of letter formation while enjoying his everyday work.
Let me know what other creative ways have worked for you!
Whether your teen is behind because of unplanned happenings in life, sickness, motivation, or natural struggles, I have four solid tips to give you an easy starting point.
One/Why your teen is lagging behind is key to where to begin.
When my husband had a massive heart attack, my first son had just started homeschooling high school. He was going to be behind for a while because our family life mattered more.
Homeschooled Teens Behind
Identifying why your teen is behind will give both of you the right mindset for a starting point. Although my teen didn’t want to be in that situation (who does), he knew that it was going to take him longer to finish than we planned.
Family situations like extended sicknesses can’t be helped and a positive attitude is needed first before moving on.
Practical Tip One: Don’t bring more stress than you have now by setting unrealistic expectations for catching up.
Put aside the regular public school schedule and be determined to school year round to catch him up. Even in states where you have to keep the 180 lesson planning days it doesn’t mean you can’t have make up days.
In homeschool we learn 24/7/365. Think outside of the box as to when your teen can learn and then create a doable schedule.
Practical Tip Two: Is he lacking in motivation? There is a reason for that. Success is tied to motivation and motivation is key to success.
The approach used in public school for teens is completely different than the independent model used in the homeschool approach.
You’ll not gain traction by bringing your teen home and duplicating the same process at home. It won’t work. You’ll get the same results you’re getting now in public school.
Motivation can stem from boredom, lack of freedom, continually focusing on what your teen is not good at instead of his passions and strengths.
What is needed first is dialog with your teen to help him understand why he is lacking in motivation.
Getting a Homeschooled Teen on Track
Instead of telling him what needs to do to succeed, you need to draw him out with questions.
Asking him questions about his future stirs his emotion and feeds his motivation to see that his success is dependent on him.
Benefits spark motivation. You need to draw him out to list how your new homeschooling lifestyle will benefit him.
I always encourage you to have him take notes and write it down. That way it’s not so easy to forget.
Your list of positives for homeschooling your teen can include these:
No forced schedule. A teen needs lots of sleep and learning can take place around the need for rest and good healthy food.
No constant pressure to take drugs or have sex.
A teen can pursue his passions and take alternate courses for subjects he will actually use in life. For example, some kids will not ever be math minded. Having a solid foundation for basic math with two years of math in high school may be good enough. You decide now as a family what will be your course.
A teen can take jobs that work around his school schedule.
Bullying and labeling are not part of everyday homeschooling.
Practical Tip Three: Make a list of the benefits of homeschooling. This is very important whether your teen agreed with the choice to homeschool or not. Benefits and payoffs for a homeschooled teen are huge.
No, he won’t have all the answers to your questions, but you’re giving him control over his future. You want him to learn how to have internal dialog.
You’re changing his future by changing the way both of you tackle this struggle.
Teaching Gaps in Homeschooled Teens
And yes, I know you want academic pointers and they’re coming, but this fine point is the difference between a homeschooled teen who tackles a set back successfully and one who stays crippled into adulthood.
Control over his future doesn’t mean he has to do it with no guidance from you. That would not be responsible for a child at any age. A teen especially benefits from your guidance – NOW. He needs you more than ever.
TWO/ Core or skill subjects are the framework of all successful education. Trim the fat by focusing ONLY on them.
Simplicity is the key to catching up and that means an easy workload each day is absolutely necessary.
Public school would have you think that 10 or more subjects is normal; it absolutely is not normal. More does not equal more better.
There is a difference between an easy workload and easy courses. I’ll mention some resources in a minute that will help your teen to sharpen his skills.
Core subjects (no this isn’t common core) are the framework or building elements your teen needs to succeed. We normally call this the Three Rs – reading, writing, and arithmetic.
The homeschool law in your state is your FIRST starting point because they will state which subjects are core.
That is ALL that matters right now. As you have time to catch up after the setback, you can add in other subjects.
More Transition from Public School To Homeschool Resources
In addition, as you can see two of the Three Rs are language arts related. So it’s possible to use one resource to cover two of the basics of any well-rounded education. It’s that easy to catch up.
If you’re looking to begin homeschooling, my online self-paced boot camp may be for you. It will benefit the 1st and 2nd year homeschooler the most.
Practical Tip Four: The easy starting point for the basic subjects is your state law. Start with the required subjects.
Do not saddle your teen right now with everything to catch him up. He will not quickly progress and it can backfire because it will strip his confidence even more.
Bottom line is that the content information that teens need to learn vary from state to state, but the core or skills subjects are needed for him to succeed across the board.
Three/ Use homeschool resources that are not baby-ish and that equally speed up the body of knowledge needed.
The last thing a homeschooled teen needs is to be reminded daily of his struggle.
I have found some resources that not only shore up weak areas in the skill subjects, but that are not baby-ish. We have used these when life happens and when we needed to catch up quickly.
The best part is that there are examples that illustrate the humor in using English incorrectly.
Your teens will love the witty examples.
As you can see below in one page of the table of contents there are a variety of basic skills reviewed and it’s a multiple grade resource.
Another resource that works well for teens who may have gaps in their learning are the Quick Study Guides.
Organizing your teen so that he can quickly find the skills he needs without tons of time is how to keep the stress level minimal and encourage independence.
How to Fill In Learning Holes
Add these quick study guides to a notebook and your teen can use them as a reference or basic outline for a subject. Look at how to put together a homeschooled high school writer’s notebook.
Writing tips, English Fundamentals, English Grammar and Punctuation, Chemistry, Research Papers, Math Fundamentals and the list just goes on of these wonderful tiny power packs of information.
Another quick and no fuss no frills resource to bring up math skills is the Key to series.
Each packet of 10 booklets or so is designated with a specific math topic/skill so that you can zero in on the math skill your teen needs to review or learn.
Four/Use Out of the Box Options – Accelerated high School, dual credit, Online Tutors and Online Videos are otherv options.
Bright teens may be lacking motivation because they may want to get on with their goals.
Dual credit at a community college where a teen earns high school and college credit simultaneously can be a great way to capture any time lost learning.
The student simply moves forward where he is at, but now has greater motivation for learning when he meeting his future goals. Check with your local community college for the criteria for dual credit.
Four/Relationship is more important than academics.
Hear my heart when I tell you that when your kids are grown and gone, they’ll never fondly remember the academics. They will remember how you made them feel when you’re going through stressful times.
Whether you’re determining if your teen’s lagging behind is aptitude or attitude or he got behind because of sicknesses or general boredom in public school, your relationship with him matters the most.
Be patient to find the solution and quick to help him gain traction again.
And of course, if you have any questions drop them below or hit REPLY!
Look at these other ways or tips to help you fill the academic holes: