Blog — Highschool

It can be frustrating as all get-out to edit a paper that’s riddled with errors.

So how can we put a positive spin on editing and grading when we’re feeling peevish?

Here are three heartfelt tips for how to love your kids’ writing, especially when you’d rather wad it into a ball and toss it across the room..... continue reading

We've heard all the obstacles. And we know they are real! 

• I'm a math and science person. Writing doesn't come easily to me. So we skip it.
• My kids hate writing. It's like pulling teeth! I avoid the battle altogether.
• I have no idea how to grade my children's writing. So I don't.
• We do a little creative writing and report writing here and there. I know it's not enough, but I don't really know how to teach writing in a comprehensive way.
• I have great plans, but they never seem to come to fruition. I'm not good at spontaneously adding writing to our other lessons like history and science.

We've heard all of your guilt-filled shoulds:

• I know I should teach more writing. My kids are now in middle school, and they still can't write a decent essay!
• We should spend more time on writing. I just don't know where to start. I get overwhelmed.

Now, here's the solution: continue reading

Homeschooling can be tough, but homeschooling the teen rebel is even tougher. I wish I had read the Homeschooling the Teen Rebel a couple of years ago. The homeschool mom failure award was mine, I was sure of it. I felt all alone. But I was not alone. I had believed the lie that if I homeschooled 

The pessimist would say, "The summer is already half gone." The optimist would say, "We still have half the summer to enjoy!" Which are you?

I usually wait until mid summer to finalize what I am doing for the coming school year. Because I have been homeschooling for 20 years and we have graduated 3 children from homeschool and only have one left, I usually have a pretty good idea of where I am going for the next school year, so I take my time. But, all children are different. My "baby" is no exception. I realized this week that I needed to start making some real decisions. So I talked with her about her options and we came up with a plan.

Summer is an excellent time for start gazing. Intoxicated on Life has written up a simple guide for viewing the night sky this summer with your family.

As you and your family lay outside on a warm summer night, you might spark an interest in learning more about God, His creation, and the stars.

Check out Apologia's Exploring Creation with Astronomy

Apologia also offers a free e-book of 7 Science Activities from their award-winning, creation-based science curriculum, the Young Explorer Series. We have used this series, as well as the high school Apologia science books here at our Yellow School House and love it.

How do you are your family spend summer nights?