Our Adventures in Homeschool Testing - 2e Style




Summary: This article shares our experiences with annual homeschool achievement testing with our gifted/twice exceptional daughter.  With mention of CAT testing at home, and how we found out that our daughter struggled with auditory processing, and how that impacted her testing. Please see my disclosure policy.



We found out that our daughter was gifted and 2e when she was quite young.  Since I had a background in preschool teaching, we just decided to give that a try, and began homeschooling when she was about 4 years old.

12 Frugal ONLINE Programs for Homeschooling High School



In this article we are sharing favorite frugal online homeschoolcurriculum for high school. #frugalonlinehomeschoolcurriculum #homeschoolhighschoolcurriculum This post may included affiliate links to products that we love and have used or would use in our  own homeschool. Please see my disclosure policy.


Are you looking for an online course or two for your high schooler for next year?  

There are now so many options out there, that it can be overwhelming when you go online and search for these computer based courses yourself.

Frugal Christmas Gift Ideas for Hands-on Learning Fun




Summary: Unique and frugal hands-on educational gift ideas for your kids, and some of us moms, too.  Fun #handsonlearning gifts for kids and middle schoolers. This post may included affiliate links to products that we love and have used or would use in our  own homeschool. Please see my disclosure policy. #homeschoolgifts



Do you love hands-on learning for your kids?  I gathered together my favorites for hands-on frugal gift ideas for your kiddos.  And they are educational, too.





1.  Hands-on Frugal Fun Art and Crafts Gifts




For your kids who love art, above are a bunch of ideas for all kinds of art activities, great for those on school break during December.

These ideas are not just for littles.  There are many for older kids and middle schoolers, too.



2.  Hands-on Frugal Science Fun/Gifts




Hands-on Learning is the best way for kids to learn scientific concepts. 

Included in this list are lots of science kits, box subscriptions and more that will teach your kids about the scientific method and more. 

These are such fun for any of your kids who love to experiment and try hands-on fun science activities. Plus they can serve as part of their science curriculum easily.

Would you like more fun ideas for homeschooling through the holidays?  My friend, Vicki has a lot them right here - Homeschooling Through the Holidays.



3.  Encouragement for Moms


Are you thinking about homeschooling your teen through high school?  How about some encouragement for that.

I wrote this book to support and help other high school moms who come after me, which is on SALE for the Kindle version at only $3.99 for Black Friday, Cyper Monday, etc.



Read for FREE on Amazon Prime


"Betsy has a wealth of understanding and knowledge to share with the parents of college bound homeschoolers.  She provides support, encouragement and step-by-step advice on all aspects of the homeschool high school and college application process. This book is a must-read for parents considering homeschooling high school and for parents in the thick of the application process."

....From a certified college counselor and mom to 3 homeschooled grads, Lessa Scherrer


Whether your teens are in public school or not, my book on college is full of tips for getting your teen into the college of their choice.

I helped our homeschooled daughter get into each of the colleges she applied to, with scholarship offers.

Included are 17 chapters, written in an approachable tone, to make the whole college admissions process easier.

My book includes 12 high school planning printables, to make your record keeping easy.  For more information, click here - Frugal College Prep for Homeschoolers or to buy it here - my book on Amazon .


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.      



Published copyright 2022

All rights reserved.      

2019 Stocking Stuffer Blog Hop



Summary:  Sharing our best fun and educational homeschool related products with you for your stocking stuffers. Each of these was crafted with love to bless your homeschool! All virtual products will supply a beautiful gift certificate for you to gift or stuff into a stocking. Happy Shopping! #homeschoolelectives #stockingstuffers This post may included affiliate links to products that we love and have used or would use in our  own homeschool. Please see my disclosure policy.


Give a gift that keeps on giving this year! Twelve bloggers have come together to share their best products with you. Each of these was crafted with love to bless your homeschool! CLOSED NOW

I am honored to be included in this great blog hop, full of homemade fun and educational stocking stuffers for your family.

Are you looking for stocking stuffers for your kids or teens?

We have the best list right here!  For all of the kids in your family.

Would you like stocking stuffers for:

--- Your teen who likes video games or wants to start a podcast?
--- Or your kids who want to do cooking activities, art, card making. music? or want to learn some easy Spanish, or even do piano lessons?
--- Or even 4 weeks of holiday homeschool activities already planned out for you? AND there are also helps for homeschool moms on this list, too! Give a gift that gives on giving!

 All virtual products will supply a beautiful gift certificate for you to gift or stuff into a stocking.

So let's get started SHOPPING!



Homeschool Record Keeping is NOT That Hard! - with these Ideas from 5 Veteran Homeschool Mamas



This article is about recording keeping for high school at home, as many families fear doing high school because of the record keeping involved.  Sharing today easy ways to do record keeping from 4 veteran homeschool mamas. Please see my disclosure policy on affiliate links. #homeschoolrecordkeeping #homeschoolhighschool



Keeping records in the early years was very simple in our homeschool.  I just used my homeschool planner to add the notes on what we did each week.  

That came in handy when we did informal annual assessments at the end of the year.  For that, I needed to summarize what we had done to share that with our assessment teacher.

When we hit the high school years, things got a lot more formal...

Frugal High School Art and How to Make it into a High School Credit




Summary:  Are you looking for a frugal way to help them do a fine arts elective?  Is your teen artistic?  Or college bound?  College bound teens usually are required to take FINE ARTS as part of their college entrance requirements. This may include affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy #homeschoolhighschool #highschoolelectives #highschoolart #frugalhighschoolcurriculum


Do you have a homeschooled teen who is interested in exploring art?  

Or is your teen looking to fulfull their fine arts elective for college admission?  How about doing a video based Art course, taught by a master artist?   

You ARE An Artist, a small homeschool company owned by a veteran homeschooling mom who offers many video art courses in tons of topics and more.  You should see all the choices!!

Reference Articles for the Common Application



Summary:  References for the Common Application, plus where to find my guide to the Common Application for homeschoolers.  #homeschooltocollege #getintocollege


Related Articles on the Common Application:

Sample School Report and Transcripts - Khan Academy - Not the up to date form, but this has some good ideas for the School Report

Applying to College - Homeschoolers by Shmoop

Tips for Homeschooled Students Princeton University re Reference Letters

Where is the Homeschool Supplement on the Common Application?
  The Well Trained Mind Community


Do you want a step by step guide to the Common Application for homeschoolers?  It is the top feature in my new book!

I have gathered together all my best tips for high school and college and put it into my new book, Homeschooling High School with College in Mind, 2nd Edition

It gives you everything that you need to plan your high school homeschool for your college bound teen.  Plus how to help them get into the college of their choice.

Amazon for only $11.99
Paperback is on Amazon for only $11.99
This book is an easy-to-read guide to college for homeschoolers, recently updated with 7 NEW chapters, including:

- My own homeschoolers guide to the Common Application
- How to write the Counselor Recommendation Letter

- Where to find college scholarships
- SAT/ACT Prep
- How to make your own homemade courses
 Included are also 12 homeschool high school planning printables to make your record-keeping easier.

10 easy to do steps to homeschool high school with college in mind. And it really is NOT that hard!!  

This book does not tell you how to homeschool high school.  Instead it gives you guidance for doing it your way!  

Keep your nurturing homeschool style and showcase their accomplishments to the colleges!

Recommended by: 
Lessa Scherrer, Certified College Counselor
                               from College Inside Track

"Betsy has a wealth of understanding and knowledge to share with the parents of college bound homeschoolers.  She provides support, encouragement and step-by-step advice on all aspects of the homeschool high school and college application process. This book is a must-read for parents considering homeschooling high school and for parents in the thick of the application process."

And help for record keeping!  With my exclusive high school and college planning printables.



For more information, click here - Frugal College Prep for Homeschoolers or to buy it here - my book on Amazon for only $11.99.  

And don't worry about forgetting things!



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 @ BJ's Homeschool 2019

All rights reserved.

How to Homeschool High School with Frugal Curriculum




Summary:  Are you looking for just one more resource for your high schooler?  Sharing our favorites, why we liked them, with a focus on frugal options.  #homeschoolhighschool #homeschoolhighschoolcurriculum  We may use affiliate links to products that we use or would have used in our homeschool.  Please see our disclosure policy.



Homeschooling has been such a big part of my life.  We are so glad that we homeschooled all the way.  Of course it had it's ups and downs.  But we found it to be rich in benefits for our daughter and for our family.  Especially during the teen years.

BJ's Homeschool Disclosure Policy



We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program, which is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means where by we can earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliate sites.

We also share other homeschooling resources and curriculum that we used in our homeschool, or would have used in it over the years, as we found it to be of high quality and helpful for educating children or teens at home.

I am not a certified educator.  I do not offer educational assessments.  I also am not a certified college counselor.  I share educational and college prep and admissions information, based on my own experience as a homeschool mom.

I want to be an encouragement to you, the homeschool mama, doing the most important job in the world, raising our next generation. Our kids.

Frugal Homeschool High School Social Psychology Elective



Affiliate links are sometimes used on my blog, for resources that we have used or would use in our homeschool.  Please see my disclosure policy.



Are you looking for something different for your teen's high school elective this fall?  

We were lucky.  All of the colleges on my daughter's list let us choose what courses we wanted for her Social Studies requirements.  

So for our daughter, a course in psychology, sociology, and the like would count towards her college entrance requirements in social studies.

As my daughter was interested in psychology, she wanted to include that in her high school studies.  It not only gave her a social studies credit, but it also helped to build her an interesting college-attractive transcript.

If your college requires specific history courses and does not include psych as an option, no problem.  (Not all colleges give you that much leeway.)  It can add a lot to your teen's transcripts as an elective as well.

So my teen and I did an internet search, and we came up with a number of frugal options for her homeschool high school studies in psychology.  

Here are a few:

1.  Chegg Books offers Cognitive Psychology 


Cognitive Psychology 7th edition 9781305644656 1305644654

This book covers the basics of cognitive psychology, including neuroscience, attention, perception, memory, language, decision making and more.  This book is offered for rent for $35.99.

2.  Psychology and You, Student Version



This book sells for around $26.00 and is a comprehensive high school level introduction to psychology.  It is written in a style that talks to students using examples and language relevant to their lives.  

That includes a focus on everyday issues and concerns, with historical facts and mention of unusual events, too.





This college level course is priced at $85.00 for the new version, but has used book prices as well.  It is a good thorough introduction to psychology.  The new 6th edition includes CD-ROM resources, too.  That includes interactive learning activities.


4.  AP Psychology Cognition and Language


There is a review of this AP course here at Lesson Planet   It offers a lesson plan for teaching Cognitive Psych to high schoolers.  

Hands-on activities, memory exercises and research come together to teach your high schooler about the brain.

We did not go the dual credit route as I wanted my daughter to be able to stay at the high school level in her studies, to let her be a teen for awhile.  

And do college courses in college.  

But many families are looking for dual credit, and doing a course like this, then doing an AP Psychology test can be just the ticket for them.


5.  Introduction to Psychology from a Christian Perspective



What I liked about this psychology course was that it was written not only by homeschoolers, but for homeschoolers.  We found it to be different from the other options we discussed above.  

While still providing good solid content in the principles of psychology for homeschoolers, it avoided the kind of wordy, serious text focus that often turns off high schoolers to the subject.

We found this course to be interesting and meaningful, yet not dry at all.  My teen liked the short lessons with many individualized activities to choose from.  

And I liked that it was written by a practicing coach and counselor, Vicki Tillman, MA, from 7 Sisters Homeschool and it sold for under $30.00 for the complete course. 

Vicki has more info on how to use their Christian based course here: An Authoritative Guide to Psychology Study

I also liked that it included a test bank with an answer key.  And the best part about it was that it led to many fulfilling dinner conversations! 

For more information on this course, I invite you to click Introduction to Psychology Course Description, by my friend, Vicki.

Benefits of Adding Psychology to your Homeschool


If your college requires specific history courses and does not include psych as an option, no problem.  (Not all colleges give you that much leeway.)  

It can add a lot to your teen's transcripts as an elective as well.

Plus learning more about how our minds work and how the personality is developed could only help our daughter in her college and later in the world of work. too.  

In fact, being able to work well with others is now very high on the list of what employers are looking for, in their prospective applicants.

Whatever you and your teen decide to do for psychology or other interesting high school social studies credits or high school electives, we at BJ's Homeschool, hope that it helps to add the fun into your teen's high school years at home.  




FREE TO READ WITH PRIME!

Create your own unique and nurturing high school program for your teen and showcase their accomplishments to the colleges. 

There are 12 downloadable high school homeschool planning printables plus a transcript form for you to just fill in.

The kind of transcript form that the colleges are used to seeing.





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 yearshigh school
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 Revised 2023
All Rights Reserved


Homeschool High School English - Make Your Course YOUR OWN




High School Homeschool English does not have to follow a traditional pattern or require the cost of a complicated English course.  Here's how we made our own.

Do you have a teen who doesn't want to do the traditional high school English course?  

Why not make one yourself, using the books that they want to read.  
Most colleges tend to look for literature and composition in an applicant's high school English courses, but don't specify what type of literature to include.  

That gives us homeschoolers lots of leeway. The best part about it was that my daughter loved her homemade course!  

And it helped her develop a love for reading. Our homemade English course was accepted by each of the colleges that our daughter had on her list. 
To read more and to reach our favorite frugal resources for lit guides, etc, please just click here:  How to Make Your OWN FRUGAL English Course.

Do you want a step by step guide to the Common Application for homeschoolers?  It is the top feature in my new book!

I have gathered together all my best tips for high school and college and put it into my new book, Homeschooling High School with College in Mind, 2nd Edition

Amazon 


This book is an easy-to-read guide to high school, recently updated with 7 NEW chapters, including:
  • My own homeschoolers guide to the Common Application
  • How to write the Counselor Recommendation Letter
  • Where to find college scholarships
  • SAT/ACT Prep
  • How to make your own homemade courses
  • Included are also 12 homeschool high school planning printables to make your record-keeping easier.

This book does not tell you how to homeschool high school.  Instead it gives you guide to give you the details so that you can focus on your teen's needs. 

And help for record keeping!  With my exclusive high school and college planning printables.



For more information, click here - Frugal College Prep for Homeschoolers or to buy it here - on Amazon  

Have you seen the facebook group that I administer on high school?  You are invited to join us there, to get answers to your questions, and join in our supportive community.



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.

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