Search Results for: unit studies

The Art of Collaboration: AI-Driven Unit Studies

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

AI Driven Unit Studies

236: The Art of Collaboration: AI-Driven Unit Studies

Randi Smith from Peanut Butter Fish Lessons is my guest again and in this episode wee demonstrate how you can collaborate with AI to create AI-driven unit studies.

Randi is using Khanmigo and Meryl is using ChatGPT. Be sure to listen to our 3-part series on ChatGPT we recorded a few months ago for more ideas on how to use AI in your homeschool

Also see Randi’s post on Creating a Unit Study with AI for another example of AI-Driven Unit Studies.

Here are some screen shots of the responses we each got as we prompted the AI

Randi’s from Khanmigo

Meryl’s from ChatGPT

Please note: sometimes ChatGPT’s responses were longer than one screen so I just showed you a partial answer.

You can find Randi at

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Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

AI Driven Unit Studies

Fall Unit Studies

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Fall Unit Studies

Fall Unit Studies – Episode 87

 

In this episode, we discuss Fall Unit Studies. Fall is the perfect time to take a look at Unit Studies.  Fall provides so many opportunities to take advantage of Unit Studies.

Mentioned on the Show

  • How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World
  • Amelia Bedelia’s First Apple Pie
  • Johnny Appleseed

Things to Do:

Pumpkins

  • Pumpkin Patches
  • Baking and Cooking with Pumpkins and Pumpkin Seeds

Leaves

  • Nature studies
  • Drawing leaves
  • Cutting Leaves
  • Crafts with leaves
  • Science projects with Leaves

Hurricanes

  • Tracking
  • Study the Science behind
  • Home preparedness projects

 

Find us on FacebookInstagramPinterest and Twitter

Please visit www.fpea.com to learn more about who we are!

Web-based Unit Studies

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Web-based unit studies

Episode 48: Web-based Unit Studies

Web-based unit studies are NOT simply pdfs instead of physical books, but rather interactive and accessed through an online classroom.

What are web-based unit studies?

  • mini online self-paced classes
  • make use of online resources eg videos, interactive websites, online games, audio, infographics
  • have online projects where the students use digital tools to show what they have learned

Why include web-based unit studies in your homeschool?

  • unique nature of the resources which can bring subjects alive
  • engaging
  • kids learn techie skills
  • prepares students for online classes at high school and college<

How can you make your own web-based unit studies?

1. You can set everything up on Trello or Google Docs and get your kids to check off assignments as they complete them.

2. Pick a topic (eg.baseball) and search for resources using phrases like “baseball for kids”, “online baseball game”, “baseball infographic”, “baseball interactive”.

3. Search on Youtube and Vimeo for videos. Also, look at Edpuzzle as they have videos with embedded quizzes.

4. Search for “digital breakout baseball”. Learn more about digital breakouts on this episode.

5. Create online games using something like Classtools.

Visit this blog post to see a short video of the “inside” of a web-based unit study.

Use coupon code HWT50 – for 50% off any one full-priced web-based unit study from FundaFunda Academy.

And look at the online unit studies offered by Beth Napoli at Techie Homeschool Mom.

Be sure to join our Facebook group where we carry on the discussion about Homeschooling with Technology.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review!

Contact Meryl via email on meryl@mediaangels.com or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

Web-based Unit Studies #unitstudy #onlinehomeschool #podcast


Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Overcomer Movie

Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.
Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson.

Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

Click here to learn more!


Education Methods: Unit Studies, Charlotte Mason and Learning Lifestyle

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Unit Studies, Charlotte Mason and Learning Lifestyle

Education Methods: Unit Studies, Charlotte Mason and Learning Lifestyle

Podcast #8

In this episode,  Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) Chairwoman, Suzanne Nunn discusses the Unit Studies, Charlotte Mason and Learning Lifestyle education approaches.

Please join us as we travel along this journey on our podcast adventure. Let’s get connected! Learn more about the Florida Parent Educator’s Association and homeschooling in the beautiful state of Florida. If you are interested in homeschooling our convention is every year in May during Memorial Day weekend.

Please visit www.fpea.com to learn more about who we are!

FPEA Logo

Creating Your Own Unit Study: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Personalized Learning

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

creating unit study
Homeschooling offers a unique opportunity for parents to tailor their child’s education to suit their individual needs and interests. One effective approach to achieve this is through unit studies. A unit study is an in-depth exploration of a particular topic, encompassing various subjects like history, science, literature, and art. By designing your own unit study, you can foster a love for learning, encourage critical thinking, and create a more engaging educational experience for your homeschooled child. In this blog post, we’ll explore the step-by-step process of creating your own unit study.

1. Identify Your Child’s Interests:

The key to a successful unit study is to select a topic that sparks your child’s curiosity and passion.

Take the time to discuss their interests and listen to what excites them. It could be dinosaurs, space exploration, ancient civilizations, or even a favorite book series. For teens, even an AI unit study theme!

By choosing a theme that captivates your child, you lay the foundation for an enthusiastic and motivated learner.

2. Define Learning Objectives:

Once you’ve settled on a topic, outline the learning objectives you want to achieve through the unit study. Consider the core subjects you wish to incorporate and set specific goals for each subject.

For instance, if your chosen theme is “Oceans,” your learning objectives might include understanding marine ecosystems, exploring famous ocean expeditions in history, studying ocean currents in science, and creating ocean-inspired art projects.

3. Gather Resources:

Now it’s time to gather resources to support your unit study. Utilize books, documentaries, websites, educational apps, and even field trips to provide a well-rounded learning experience.

Libraries, online databases, and educational platforms are excellent sources for finding relevant and age-appropriate materials. Don’t forget to involve your child in the research process to encourage their independence and curiosity.

4. Create a Study Plan:

Organize the unit study by creating a study plan. Break the theme into smaller subtopics or units, and allocate time for each one. Determine how much time you’ll dedicate to the unit study each day or week and create a flexible schedule that accommodates your child’s learning pace and interests.

5. Integrate Subjects:

The beauty of a unit study lies in its ability to incorporate multiple subjects seamlessly. Look for opportunities to connect different disciplines within the chosen theme. For example, if the unit study revolves around “Inventors and Inventions,” you can explore the history of inventions, the science behind them, the art of innovation, and even the societal impact.

6. Hands-On Activities:

Enhance the learning experience with hands-on activities that bring the subject to life. Conduct science experiments, embark on nature walks, cook traditional meals from different cultures, or engage in artistic projects related to the theme. These activities not only reinforce learning but also make the unit study more enjoyable and memorable.

7. Encourage Independent Research:

Encourage your child to pursue independent research on specific aspects of the unit study that interest them the most.

Provide guidance and resources, but let them take the lead in exploring their curiosity. This autonomy fosters a sense of ownership over their learning and nurtures critical thinking skills.

Creating Your Own Study

Creating your own unit study for your homeschooled child is a rewarding way to personalize their education while fostering a lifelong love for learning.

By identifying their interests, defining clear learning objectives, gathering resources, integrating subjects, and incorporating hands-on activities, you can create a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. Remember that flexibility is key, allowing your child to explore and delve deeper into areas that intrigue them the most. Embrace the journey of learning together, and watch as your child’s passion for knowledge blooms in the comfort of your homeschool environment. Happy homeschooling!


Check Out These Podcasts from Vintage Homeschool Moms, Felice Gerwitz for more Unit Study inspiration …


And for a Done-For-You Unit Study, check out this resource from Media Angels!

Integrating technology in literature studies

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Integrating Technology in Literature Studies

224: Integrating Technology in Literature Studies

This episode discusses integrating technology in literature studies to help provide students with a richer experience as they read novels.

The websites and ideas mentioned are:

  1. Book Adventure: book quizzes, reading logs, graphic organizers etc
  2. Vocabulary.com: vocabulary lists for specific books.
  3. Crashcourse Literature
  4. Virtual museum tours
  5. Google Streetview
  6. Apps and websites relating to content eg Skyview app when studying Greek Mythology
  7. Litcharts: Mentioned on the episode Apps for High School Sttudents
  8. Digital Projects: websites mentioned Powtoon and Canva
  9. ChatGPT
  10. FundaFunda Academy’s English 1, English Honors and Jane Austen classes

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Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

Integrating Technology in Literature Studies

Military Families: Include International Holiday Studies in Your Homeschool

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week Crystal Niehoff shares how you can learn about International Holidays In Your HomeschoolingEpisode #29- Some military families may find themselves spending the Christmas season in a community or country than their home of origin. This is an exciting opportunity for homeschoolers to explore how other cultures observe the holidays. But, even if you’re not living overseas, you can still learn how others worldwide celebrate the season as part of your homeschool studies!

As the holiday season quickly gets into full swing, many homeschooling families are considering how they will include holiday lessons into their curriculum. From holiday-themed worksheets to art projects, gratefully, there are so many FUN options! However, for some families, especially military families living abroad, the typical approach to teaching about the holidays can seem lackluster, or miss out on opportunities to understand more about the way the local culture celebrates the season.

One fantastic aspect of being a military family and PCSing to different areas, at home and overseas, is the opportunity to experience other cultures. And, while holiday-themed worksheets bring a sense of festivity, kids don’t always learn why they celebrate a specific holiday or how their celebrations may differ from those of others.

So, listen to this episode for tips on how to incorporate holiday teaching into your homeschool program that will help your children truly learn the meaning of the season while also learning about international celebrations held worldwide.

Sources:

First Thanksgiving (nationalgeographic.com)

8 Thanksgiving Celebrations Around the World – HISTORY

Facts about Christmas! – National Geographic Kids (natgeokids.com)

New Year’s Day – Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help

Christmas Traditions Around the World Lesson for Kids | Study.com

International Holiday Desserts around the World (delish.com)

5 Ways Americans Can Deliver a Piece of Home to Troops During the Holidays · United Service Organizations (uso.org)

101 Hanukkah activities for kids (care.com)

How to teach kids about the diverse winter holidays – Care.com Resources

 Sponsor:

Upper Iowa University is committed to providing quality, affordable education to service members and their families. Service members, spouses and dependents qualify for tuition savings with their Military Family Grant on undergraduate and graduate degrees.

UIU programs are available online, on campus and at one of their learning centers across the country. Work one-on-one with an advisor to reach your educational goals. Learn more at UIU.EDU/MilitaryHomeSchool

Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone, tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast, and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

  1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
  2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
  3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or have show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

 Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

 

Create Treasured Memories with a Christmas Unit Study

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #124, Create Treasured Memories with a Christmas Unit Study, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Create Treasured Memories with a Christmas Unit Study

In “Create Treasured Memories with a Christmas Unit Study,” Episode, #124, Meredith Curtis gives you step-by-step instructions to create your own unit study after she shares how unit studies refresh your family for the month of December. Breakaway from the routine with a unit study so you can celebrate Christmas all month long, create memories, make gifts, decorate, and prepare for the holidays while you learn! If you want a Christmas educational and wonder-filled adventure for your family, you will love this podcast!

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Rejoice! for unto to us a child is born! - with Powerline Productions, Inc.

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 


Show Notes

Christmas is a busy time for the homeschool Mom. May I suggest a lighter schedule or even a complete change of pace?

There are two different tracks you can take.

  1. Count Christmas activities and preparations as school.
  2. Do a Christmas Unit Study

 

Count Christmas Activities as school

  • Handwriting (address or sign Christmas cards)
  • Home Ec (bake Christmas cookies)
  • Art (make Christmas presents)
  • Music (go Christmas caroling)
  • Geography (celebrate traditions from other countries)
  • History (listen to older family members tell stories)
  • Writing (write the family Christmas letter)

 

Do a Christmas Unit Study

  • Subject of unit study focuses on Christmas
  • The Christmas hustle/bustle is part of school

 

Our Favorite Christmas Unit Studies

  • Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America
  • Celebrate Christmas with Anne of Green Gables
  • Celebrate Christmas around the World
  • Celebrate Christmas in Victorian England (except we couldn’t find a goose)
  • Celebrate the First Christmas
  • Celebrate Christmas in Florida
  • Celebrate Christmas in Mexico

 

So many treasured memories of crafting, cooking, decorating, shopping, wrapping presents, and throwing parties.

Choose a Topic

  • What sounds fun?
  • Age and interest level of children?
  • Ability to read, write, and research
  • What sounds Christmasy?
  • What are some things that we’ve always wanted to do at Christmas?
  • What are some things we just have to do at Christmas?
  • What are some things we’d like to learn about Christmas (or another topic)?
  • What makes everyone say, “WOW! That sounds fun!”

 

Center Unit Studies on Good Books that you Read Aloud

Nothing is more Christmasy than snuggling up together and listening to a good book.  There are many good Christmas read alouds, but it doesn’t have to be a Christmas book.

NO ONE is TOO old for a beautifully illustrated well-written picture book.

 

Example of Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study

Picture Book each day

Singing Christmas carols each day

Devotion, cookie baking, and activities match up!

  Celebrate Christmas with Unit Studies at Powerline Productions

 

End Unit Study with a Party & Giving Gifts to Family & Friends

  • Caroling Party for C C w C
  • Tea for C C in C A
  • Wreathes and Booklets were our family Christmas gifts that year of the CCinCA unit

 

What makes a Christmas Unit Study Different?

  • Don’t straight-jacket yourself, be creative
  • Think about what you need to accomplish for the holidays
  • Think about what you and the children…..and your husband….would really enjoy
  • Think about any baking, cooking, gift wrapping, shopping, or crafting that needs to be done.

 

Don’t Forget Field Trips

Almost every store, museum, bank, business, and church decorates for Christmas.  Just going on your weekly errands, you can discuss Christmas decorations.  You can observe whether these places are saying, “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.”  You could even collect data and make a bar graph!

“Tour of Homes” where you get to visit lovely homes decorated for Christmas.  Often they serve hot drinks.  Going at night is usually the best because of all the candlelight and twinkle lights.  There is so much history to learn on these tours, as well as information on architecture and remodeling.

Holiday concerts, plays, and productions are annual events in your city that you and your children may have not yet enjoyed.  Our local community college, Seminole Community College, offers free holiday concerts that are wonderful!

Free Messiah sing-a-long that we have enjoyed participating in.

Free church performances in our area.  The talent in the Body of Christ never ceases to amaze me.  We have enjoyed concerts and plays that were excellent for free or a nominal fee.

“Walk Through Bethlehem”

 

Don’t Limit Yourself!

Even Christmas shopping can be educational if you start with a budget.  Your children can make a list and check it twice, comparing sales, and sticking to the money allotted.  They can do the same with holiday grocery shopping!

 

How to Plan a Unit Study

  • List books you want to read aloud
  • List all the activities you would like to do
  • Lay out paper or computer file with topics for each day (you won’t use up all the topics each day, but you can use this to evaluate balance of for time and mess!)
  • Divide them by categories and days

 

Topics to Fill for Record Keeping & Variety’s sake!

  • Bible
  • Information
  • Read Aloud
  • Handwriting
  • Homemaking
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Music
  • Science
  • History/Geography
  • Math
  • Service/Hospitality
  • Field Trips
  • More Fun

 

Resources

We have 4 amazing Christmas unit studies that you will love! Visit PowerlineProd.com to explore our easy-to-use unit studies and start making memories with your family right away!

 

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100 Homeschool Hacks by Meredith CurtisSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

Celebrate Christmas with Anne of Green Gables Unit Study by Meredith Curtis and Powerline Productions Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America by Meredith Curtis
Let's Have Our Own Victorian Tea by Meredith Curtis Welcome Inn: The Art of Hospitality in Jesus' Name by Meredith Curtis Jesus Fill My Heart and Home by Meredith Curtis Quick & EZ Unit Study Fun by Meredith Curtis
Christmas Thoughts & Prayers Journal by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with a traveling dinner by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Christmas Counting Worksheets by Meredith Curtis Maggie King Mysteries: Legend of the Candy Cane Murder by Meredith Curtis

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

Finish Well Radio Podcast #016, Jerusalem News with the Finish Well Team, on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network Christmas Traditions Teens Love, Finish Well Radio Show Podcast #028 on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network FW Radio - Podcast #54 - The Birthday That Cut History In Two FW Radio - Podcast #55 - Start Strong and Finish Well With Christmas Traditions

How to Use Movies as Literature Studies

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How to Use Movies as Literature Studies.

How to Use Movies as Literature Studies. Cinema studies as literature studies is a solid part of Language Arts credit for high school. Here is how to make it work. #HomeschoolHighSchoolPodcast #HomeschoolHighSchool #MoviesForLearningLiterature #CinemaStudiesForLiteratureLearning #MoviesForLanguageArts

How to Use Movies as Literature Studies

Teens love movies and there are so many excellent movies out there. Why not make movies part of your homeschool high schoolers’ Language Arts credits?

Join Sabrina and Vicki for a lively discussion about one of Sabrina’s favorite topics. Sabrina is a movie buff from way back and is 7SistersHomeschool.com’s expert in turning good movies into good literature studies.

How can that be legit?

First off, teens can’t just watch movies and count then as books. BUT they can count them as some of their books, IF they interact with the movies in a Language Arts way.

Many states and even countries, like Canada, include studying movies as part of Literature. They do this by including literature themes into the study of the movies.

How can you use movies as literature studies?

*One way is to: Read the book, then watch the movie, then compare and contrast. (Or listen to an audiobook, then watch the movie.)

Sabrina and Vicki point out they like Benedict Cumberbatch reading Kafka’s Metamorphosis or poetry of all kinds. (Check out Vicki’s Poetry Pinterest Board.)

You can use a movie along with literature analysis of the movie because:

  • Movies are stories.
  • Just like books are stories.
  • Stories are stories.

Whether it is a movie or a book, there is a story being told.

Just listening to an audiobook is not cheating, watching a story being told in movie form isn’t cheating. As Sabrina says: If you use literary analysis skills to study the movie, it works just as well as studying a book.

This is a benefit for students who read slowly or have dyslexia. Sometimes reading a book takes all their energy and they have little left for literary analysis. In watching movies to practice literary analysis, they have more energy to learn these skills.

You can’t just do this willy-nilly and expect it to be a learning experience. Literary analysis is more than *what you liked about this movie*.

How can you turn a good movie into a good literary analysis experience?

Well, you could start with 7SistersHomeschool.com’s Cinema Studies for Literature Learning (since Sabrina created them and did the work for you).

Like all 7Sisters’ Literature Study Guides, Sabrina chooses one or two literary themes per movie and really delves into them. This gives homeschool high schoolers an wonderful opportunity to gain skill and comprehension about those themes. (This method differs from many programs that will try to pull all the literary themes out of a book or movie and totally overwhelm many high schoolers. Then, they hate the experience, rather than having learned from it.)

7Sisters’ Cinema Studies Guides never try to kill the movie!

How to use 7Sisters’ Cinema Studies for Literature Learning Guides:

  • Before watching the movie, read the introduction to the study guide. It will:
    • Give an overview of the movie
    • Give some background information about the author or story
    • Explain the one or two themes to watch for in the movie
  • As they watch the movie:
    • They watch for the literature themes that they learned about in the introduction to the guide.
    • Take some notes as you watch
  • Wait a few days, watch the movies again
  • After the movie:
    • They answer questions or writing prompts that help them learn the literature analysis topics that are important to that story
    • Be sure on writing prompts to follow good writing skills:
      • First draft
      • Rewrites
  • For students who struggle with writing, this can be done in a discussion format

Movies as  literature studies are not only good for students with learning struggles. Average teens and gifted teens pick up skills for making inferences and connections, as well as reenforcing literature themes when they learn from movies with a good study guide.

To help with this, 7Sisters’ Cinema Studies for Literature Learning includes special activities especially for interested or gifted teens to earn an Honors credit. (This looks good on a homeschool transcript, BTW.)

When you set the goal for your homeschool high schoolers to gain some skills to understand good stories and why, they can apply these skills in other settings and make connections for further learning on their own. That’s what good literary analysis is about. That is why it is good to learn that skill in small chunks like we do with 7Sisters Cinema Studies for Literature Learning Guides.

Your homeschool high schoolers are going to have a wonderful time when you learn how to use movies as literature studies. For more information on using movies as literature studies check out this HSHSP Episode.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER

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How to Use Movies as Literature Studies

How to Help Teens Manage Their Studies

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Teens are on their way to independence and need to practice self-management skills that will pave the way to success for the rest of life. Managing time, energy and relationships are three skills that teens need to cultivate.How to help teens manage their studies with Homeschool Highschool

Managing Time

Teens rarely think about the scope of a big project. Parents are wise to involve their students as they plan each year of homeschool high school. Setting goals together and agreeing upon reasonable expectations BEFORE the year begins leads to success instead of frustration. Try an approach like Scheduling Backwards (a FREE download from 7SistersHomeschool.comhttp://7sistershomeschool.com/products-page/freebies/scheduling-backwards-5/ ) to get you thinking about the projects in the upcoming year, then plan for them with your teen in advance. Practicing time management together is one way to help teens manage their studies. It makes for less arguing over reminders about deadlines and stops the “crunchtime craziness” before it begins!

Managing Energy

Helping teens learn to set healthy boundaries (protecting sleep time, leaving space for exercise, creativity, friends and fun) while still working hard to reach goals is worth the effort it takes from a homeschool mom. Teens often vacillate between feeling unstoppable and feeling exhausted. While this is a pitfall many of us experience, it is made worse for teens because of fluctuating hormones and a lack of experience in maintaining balance.

Talk to your teens about the cost of an opportunity before they commit to their involvement in it, weighing the pros and cons of the choice to participate or pass. This type of conversation requires some gentleness and good listening on both parts, but it can yield great results in helping teens manage their studies. Discuss the potential impact of time elsewhere on their regular academic work, their special projects like research papers and science lab hours, and their reading list.

Managing Relationships

Teens have more diversity in their relationships than young kids do. There are teachers (mom and dad at home, co-op teachers, online instructors, even professors at the local college), bosses at part-time jobs, mentors (older and wiser, but not in direct authority over them), co-laborers (in a volunteer or church group, where people of many ages may be working side by side), peers (similar age with similar lifestyles), younger folks (siblings, babysitting charges) and more!

Helping teens manage their studies well means helping them learn to manage their varied relationships. What’s the best way to approach a co-op teacher for extra help on a project? How do you respectfully tell a volunteer coordinator that you will be unavailable for a meeting because of school responsibilities? What’s a good way to demonstrate a good work ethic at a part-time job while still keeping your priorities in place regarding your high school education? It helps teens manage their studies when parents help them learn to manage the conflicting demands of different relationships they value.

While it’s helpful to find a good planner to write in, a calendar reminder system that doesn’t irritate parent or teen, and a system of check-ins throughout the year to stay on top of the goals for the year, even more important may be the consideration of time, energy and relationships as you discern how to help teens manage their studies in homeschool high school.

 


If you enjoyed this blog, please check out The Homeschool High School podcast on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network!

Sabrina and Vicki are your Big Sisters as they share the experience they’ve gained in over 20 years of homeschooling. They are the talky-2 of the 6 Sisters at 7SistersHomeschool.com. They are often joined by their other sisters, Kym and Marilyn OR other 7th Sisters! When YOU join us at The Homeschool Highschool Podcast, YOU will be our 7th Sister, too! Hooray!!

Come be our 7th Sister each week for The Homeschool Highschool Podcast, Tuesday mornings at 9:00 am EST!

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