Building Up Our Teens




This week was all about my teen's activities and end of the year events.  

Our Youth and Government group had their annual picnic, and our church had a youth service to honor our seniors.  It was a full week, and especially so, as we also adopted an 8 week old kitten! 

Amidst getting to know our new kitten, we prepared for my teen's end of the year events.

Tuesday, there was a youth group meeting, about the upcoming  youth service  church.  All of the seniors were asked to speak there.
My daughter was excited to be speaking on Sunday! 

Here are two of our  favorite homeschool high school leadership activities.


1,  Youth and Government was where my teen learned public speaking.  She started out as a quiet group member.  Yet soon she began joining in some in the speech and debate activities in her small group meetings. 

 She was encouraged to go at her own speed, and join in when she was ready.

Then later, that led to her acting out the role of mock state legislator at their statewide conference.  Then, the next year, she proposed a mock bill in front of tons of teens, at their large, statewide youth legislature  

This program teaches about our state government as well, and is sponsored by the YMCA, and is available in 34 states around the US.  It is not public school based.  Read more about this great YMCA program here

Later, my daughter ran for office, as one of the mock justices...and loved it, as she learned about leadership.







Another great option for public speaking is the NFSCA Speech and Debate Program.  The NFSCA Speech and Debate Progam offers a nationwide  program in public speaking, specifically for homeschoolers.  They offer training, qualifying tournaments, and a national championship.  Many of the families in our area have participated in this activity. 



What are your favorite activities to build up your teen?  I love getting your comments, and hearing about your teen's interests....





Thanks for stopping by BJ's Homeschool,

Betsy

Betsy is mom to her now college grad, whom she homeschooled through high school.  She blogs at BJ's Homeschool, about the early yearshighschool
collegegifted/2e and wrote -Homeschooling High School with College in Mind, 2nd Edition,   She offers homeschool help through messages at BJ's Consulting and has had some of her articles picked up by the Huffington Post.


Want to stay in touch?

Subscribe, Pinterest, Facebook 

No spam ever.  
Just encouragement for your homeschool in your inbox.



Copyright, 2019 
All Rights Reserved

10 comments:

  1. I love following along on your journey! You're an inspiration. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is so kind of you to say, Eva Varga, of Academica Celestia and your blog at http://evavarga.net/blog/. I wish I had found your science resources in time to use them with my daughter! I enjoy following your world travels with your family and highly recommend your Homeschool Science Curriculum.

      Delete
  2. Love all the tips and things you share about this adventure. I am visiting from weekly wrapup.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Nita, fhat was so nice of you to say! It is fun to share some of what we did, and to find links for other faimilies, who might want to try something new. Thanks for stopping by from Weekly WrapUp, and wishing you a lovely Mom's Day! We will be heading out soon, to a favorite restaurant with my family. Enjoy your day!!

      Delete
  3. What wonderful experiences for your daughter! Saying hello from the Weekly Wrap Up :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kyle, and thanks for stoppinb by! I love connecting to the Weekly WrapUp, and visiting other famiies that way....Then it feels like we are a community together, supporting each other. We are so glad that we continued homeschooling thru high school. So many great times as a family!

      Delete
  4. Your new kitty is just adorable!!! We have 2 cats in our homeschool - they like to "help" too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks, Sherry Jolly! Our kitten is 9 months old now, and loves to be picked up! He waits by the door, ahen we return home, and he follows my daughter everywhere, kind of like he was a dog. My family is so glad that we adopted him. How cute that your cats "help", too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love hearing about your journey through the high school years! It's very inspiring for me as my eldest daughter is approaching high school next year. We look forward to homeschooling through this next phase! Thanks for linking up at The Homeschool Mother's Journal each week.
    Renée @ NextGen Homeschool, co-host of HMJ

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for stopping by from NextGen Homeschool, and thanks for hosting the Homeschool Mother;s Journal! So happy to hear that my post was an encouragement to you, and wishing you joy in homeschooling high school. We are SO glad that we did!

    ReplyDelete

Get more Updates

* indicates required
First Name
Email Address *