Homeschooling through High School – to – Graduation!

So if you have a high school homeschooler, you probably have asked your self one or more of these questions.

  1. My high school student is nearing graduation. What will he/she need to do to receive a diploma? 
  2. Is a home school diploma accepted for college?
  3. Should my student just test for a GED? Why or Why not?

The truth is, your answer will probably vary by state, but mostly the answers should be pretty close or the same as the ones in this post. With homeschool on the rise I am not sure how many of the 50 states have their own graduation ceremony. So this is the best of my knowledge and based off of what I have found out for our state.

Question ONE Answer
Most if not all states probably do have a grad ceremony for your homeschooler. My first suggestion to you is to contact your state Homeschool Organization to find out what you will need to do to prepare.
  • If your state offers a graduation ceremony, you will need to get with your homeschool organization and provide them with all of the necessary documents needed for graduation.
TIP: IF your student graduates this year, I recommend getting with your organization now and find out what all you will need for graduation. This a way you are preparing a head of time and eliminating some of the stress for later. Remember you will have to have all of your information submitted in with your registration by the deadline or your student won’t make ceremony. 
 
(Keep in mind the closer you get to graduation, the more overwhelmed you will be preparing and planning for this wonderful celebration. It is always best to plan ahead.)
 
 
Question TWO Answer
Best of my knowledge from many veteran homeschool parents, our state organization and articles that I have read this answer is yes. Most colleges do recognize and prefer a homeschool diploma over a GED. So best of my knowledge YES, their homeschool diploma from your state organization will be accepted for their college and employment. From what I have learned in my research, it will not matter if your student has a accredited or non-accredited diploma. Since homeschool is on the rise, most colleges are accepting the homeschool diploma from the state organizations.
Although most colleges will accept the homeschool diploma, your student will need to test for the SAT and ACT. The scores from their test will be a bigger impact with the college vs the diploma. You will probably need to check with your local high school to see if they are testing. Most high schools will let homeschool students test with the public school students.
Questions THREE Answer
From everything I have read and what I am hearing, NO. No it is not a good idea for your homeschooler to get a GED. However, this is soley your decision. From what I am hearing and reading, if your student gets a GED – it implies that your student is a drop out. That may or may not stay on their record. Again this is probably going to be different by state. Now it is also important to note that not all states are offering GED testing. Some states have discontinued GED testing and infact have replaced it with a new High School Equivalency Examination or TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Skills). To find out what your state offers you will need to check with your states education guidelines or your state homeschool organization.
Should you have any further concerns or questions as always I recommend you speak with your state homeschool organization and ask the HSLDA.
What about the military?
Now should your student want to enlist in the military, I recommend you contact a recruit officer and discuss your questions and concerns to see what options you will have. However, I also recommend that you call your state homeschool organization and or the HSLDA and discuss your options to see what you may or may not have to do. Remember not everything you are told is true, same goes for what you read. LOL. It is always best to go back and verify the information you were given – with the organizations that will know the truth. Even in this post, because state guidelines vary and things change daily.
Again best of my knowledge, information in this post will help steer you in the right direction to help you plan and prepare. However again I note, please get with your local homeschool organization and ensure that these are the steps you will need to take and if there is or is not any other step to take.
It is my hope that this post will at least help you head in the right direction.
Happy Schooling.
 

Heirloom Audio Production Review

 
We recently had a review for the audio drama, Under Drake’s Flag, which was sent out to members of our review crew from Heirloom Audio Productions. We received the physical audio drama which included 2 cd’s that filled 2 hours worth of adventure, as well as the free study guide to go along with audio.
 
Analytical Grammar Review

Under Drake’s Flag This is a family friendly  audio adventure that is based on the novel from G. A Henty, Under Drakes Flag. The adventure about Ned Hawkshaw and his friend Gerald sailing under one of history’s greatest heroes, Sir Francis Drake. Ned faced being adrift at sea, fierce battles on land and sea, being shipwrecked. Through all the battles he faced during his adventures, he grew up developing faith and character while serving under Sir Francis Drake. 
 
Along with this drama you will receive a FREE Study Guide that goes right along with your listening. The study guide will cover the 19 sections of the audio drama, some sections including: The Opening, The Otter, The Invitation, In Plymouth Harbor, In The Carpentr’s Boat and others. Each section will cover the following: 
  • Listening Well – asks your child questions about what they heard from the audio.
  • Thinking Further – asks your child questions that go deeper, requires more investigating and draws conclusions about the actions or speculate intentions of the characters from the audio.
  • Defining word – inlcudes a small list of vocabulary words that were used through out the audio drama, that your child can look up and define and build their vocabulary.   

 

Also included in the back of the study guide is a list of resources to learn more about Sir Francis Drake and three Bible Study sections that cover Godly Character, True Manhood and Confessing Christ
 
This audio drama can be used with children 6 years and older. You can purchase this 2 cd audio physical set for $29.95, also included with your order will be four FREE Bonuses, or you can purchase the audio download for $20.00. Included with your downloaded order you will recieve two FREE Bonuses. (The noted prices are the prices at the time of this review and does not include S/H totals.) To order yours please click here.



When we first recieved the audio, we listened to it several different times. We love audios for homeschool, but we especially love that we can be on the go and have some stories to listen to while we are out on the go. Helps time pass, keeps some learning in our day and preoccupies the kiddo’s.  The audio story is full of adventure and held my kiddo’s attention, even sparked their own adventures to act out in their fun time. (Which was sort of amusing, I must admit.)  



After listening two the audio a couple of times, merely just trying to enjoy the adventure, I would toss out a few questions covering portions of the study guide. I didnt want to over do any questions like I was drilling them, but merely wanted them to stop and think about what I was asking and how it related to the audio. We did not use all of the study guide but we did hit and miss through out the study guide. All in all this is a great audio, even if you do not use the study guide I would definitely recommend the audio adventure. 


Other members on our crew are reviewing Under Drake’s Flag. Find out what they are saying by clicking the below attached review crew link.
 
 
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Crew Disclaimer

Under Drake's Flag Reviews

 

Free Stossel in Classroom DVD’s

Site was temporarily down and should be fixed..
Get your FREE 2014 & 2015 Dvd by clicking the attached link below

40 Days of Praise Challenge for Parents

Have you download your FREE 30 Days of Praise. This is a resource post for parents.Get your copy by clicking the attached link, Then click on download.

30 Day Praise Challenge — for parents

FREE Bible Writer CopyWork Curric — LIMITED TIME

Get this while it is still FREE – 9/10/14
BIBLE WRITER VOL 1 & 2
 

We started this great writing copy book that I ran across over at Kirsten Joy Awake. Super awesome and my kiddos love it. I love that she offers the dotted letter tracing writing that shows children who are learning to write, plus she includes print and cursive all together with each verse. Easy use! I have one who is begging to learn cursive and another eager to learn but not in a hurry. 🙂

Right now we are doing the ABC’s Scripture Verses. Plain and simple if you are looking for copy work whether your kiddos are just learning to write, writing in print or learning cursive, this is a great FREEBIE you want to check out. I do not know how long this offer will be good for. So get it while you can now. You can save it for later and print when you are ready to use it.

Volume ONE has 90 pages and Volume TWO has 103 pages, and best of all again she is offering her BIBLE WRITER Copywork pdf’s FREE.

To get your FREE copies, click the attached links below:

Then scroll down and click BUY NOW — (they are FREE)
Then download your copy and print off.
Find out more about Kristen by clicking here.

 

Free 2nd Grade Math – Limited Time

Limited Time Offer – Hurry before this expiresGrade 2  Math offer from A+Tutor @ Curriclick site

2nd Grade Place Values & Number Combinations

Free Gov. eBooks

While they are still FREE, Hurry over and grab your copy of the following Government Related eBooks.

History Resource

Grades 3 – 12 History Resource7 Wonders of Ancient World

Native American Languages

This is a great resource for the Fall learning time. Why Fall?  Fall is when all of the Native Festivities are happening. Not only only will there be Native Festivities, lets not leave out that Thanksgiving is around the corner. Natives are a great part of our past and should be a part of our future.In your learning about our Natives, why not learn some of their language. Check out this great resource on Native American Languages.

For grades 3 to adults.

FREE Chemistry Resource

Check out this FREE Chemistry Resource.
For grades 8 – 12.

  • Free Chemistry Worksheets – Practice balancing equations, name chemical compounds, and learn about acids, bases, atomic structure, gas laws, thermodynamics and more.
  • Free Chemistry Labs – Download pdf and/or MS Word docs with instructions on lab activities that include experiments with gum, balloons, snow globes, paper planes, onion DNA, pennies, and more.
  • Free Curriculum Books – Mr. Guch has written lab manuals and other useful books that he makes available for free. 

 

 

  • They include:

 

 

    • 24 Lessons That Rocked the World – Get complete labs with instructions, safety information, a lab worksheet, a homework sheet, and solutions.
    • 17 Effective Activities For New Chemistry Teachers – This focuses on basic and introductory Lab activities.
    • The Complete Book of Chemistry Quizzes and Practice Problems – Covers the first semester of high school chemistry.