Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Honest. Quirky. Real. Practical tips, candid reviews, and stereotype-smashing humor for homeschooling families.

Honest. Quirky. Real. Practical tips, candid reviews, and stereotype-smashing humor for homeschooling families.

How to Crush Homeschool High School Science (Even If Your Kid Hates Chemistry)

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You know that scene in Indiana Jones when he looks into the pit where the ark is hidden and groans, “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?”

That’s kind of how my kid felt about chemistry, complete with groaning, sweating, and that glassy-eyed stare. Okay, maybe not the sweating.

And, that low, guttural moan? That might have been me as the vision of playing nagging schoolmarm for another year flitted through my head.

How to Crush Homeschool High School Science (Even If Your Kid Hates Chemistry)

But, y’all, I’ve been doing this homeschooling thing since before Facebook hit the Internet. Yeah, let that sink in a minute. Suffice it to say that I’m over doing what we’re “supposed” to do just because we’re “supposed” to do it. So, I went looking for a high school level science class that would capture my teen’s attention.

I found Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Marine Biology. Winner, winner, chicken dinner, y’all!

What Is Exploring Creation with Marine Biology?

Exploring Creation with Marine Biology is a high school level, college-prep, lab science. It checks all the boxes to make umbrella schools, portfolio reviewers, and college admissions folks happy while still being a captivating course that excites my teen. (Just like the health course, which is, hands-down, Megan’s favorite subject this year.)

Its sixteen modules cover topics such as:

  • Ocean geography
  • Sea life processes (such as nutrition, respiration, and reproduction)
  • Marine vertebrates and invertebrates
  • Ecology
  • The ocean’s zones (which provides an excuse to watch Finding Nemo and listen to Mr. Ray sing the zones of the oceans song)
  • Ocean resources
  • Human impact on the sea

Each module contains at least one experiment, including dissection labs later in the course.

Marine Biology presents a complex topic in an engaging, conversational manner using a hardback textbook with colorful, informative illustrations and an optional spiral-bound student notebook.

Marine Biology Review

We chose the Superset, which also comes with the solutions and test manual,  an audio CD, and a DVD. I love that Apologia offers so many options for all learning types! I got the audio CD for Megan because I thought she might prefer listening and following along in the text. However, we’ve found that the student book is engaging enough to keep her interest without the CD.

The DVD was totally and completely for me. I need to see how those labs are supposed to go, y’all. And, both the CD and DVD are excellent for learning correct pronunciations of technical terms. {ahem}

Here’s a sample from the DVD:

How to Use Marine Biology

Exploring Creation with Marine Biology was designed for high school students who have completed a biology course. It’s written to the student so it can easily be completed independently, which is what we do.

The student book is technically optional, but I think it’s a must-have addition to the course. First, it contains a daily lesson schedule with the whole school year planned out for you.

See? Buy the student notebook! That’s all the reason you need.

Marine Biology Review

But, if you really need to know more about the student notebook, it contains:

  • Lots of space for taking notes and tips for how to take them
  • Grading charts and a rubric for grading experiments
  • All the On Your Own questions and space to answer them
  • Study Guide questions
  • Optional summary reviews
  • Lab reports section for all labs
  • Tips for presenting a research poster

The student textbook also contains the details for accessing the “book extras” site where students will find links to helpful websites and videos for each module and a video by Marine Biology author, Sherri Seligson, on how to write a lab report.

Thanks to the daily lesson schedule in the student notebook, planning is easy-peasy. I just plug the assignments into Megan’s assignment sheet, and she completes the lessons on her own. I watch the DVD if I need to catch up.

How to Crush Homeschool High School Science (Even If Your Kid Hates Chemistry)

More Reasons to Love Exploring Creation with Marine Biology

I really only need one or two reasons to love Exploring Creation with Marine Biology. First, my teen loves it. Second, it meets our needs for a high school level lab science.

Even though I only need the two reasons to love it, there are many more. For one, the student textbook is packed with useful, easily-accessible information for students and their homeschooling mamas (and dads).

Vocabulary words are defined in bold, off-set text. There are insets throughout the book with additional facts and points to ponder. My favorites are the Creation Connection sections that look at how scientific facts relate to scripture and creation.

You’ll also find:

  • Answers to the On Your Own questions
  • Glossary (Tell me I’m not the only one who loves a glossary, so you know exactly which definition your student needs to know.)
  • An appendix with reference figures and tables that is as interesting as it is helpful
  • Module summaries
  • A complete list of lab supplies you’ll need

If you’re looking for a high school level science lab that’s a little different from the biology/chemistry/physics routine, but still meets the need for a college-prep lab science, check out Exploring Creation with Marine Biology. Even my probably-not-college-bound teen loves and recommends it.

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Homeschooling High School on a Budget

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Homeschooling high school can be expensive. There are textbooks the size (and price) of college books and pricey lab equipment. Add to that elective courses and extracurricular activities, and homeschooling high school on a budget can be tricky at best.

There are ways to homeschool high school without breaking the bank. It just takes a bit of flexibility and a moderate amount of planning to ensure that you’re covering everything your teen needs to be successful after graduation. That could mean the right courses and credit hours for college admission or the right knowledge skill set for a college alternative.

While there is nothing wrong with seeking inexpensive or free options for homeschooling high school, do make sure that you have a plan. Don’t use resources just because they are cheap. Be sure that all resources you choose are thorough, appropriate for a high school student, and taught in a logical order with the necessary foundations in place.

Try these tips for successfully homeschooling high school on a budget.

Pool Your Resources

Partnering with other families is a budget-friendly approach to homeschooling high school that also provides accountability. You may be able to get away with only one teacher’s text or DVD set and workbooks for each student. Or, each family can pitch in to purchase big-ticket items. High school science classes are well-suited to combining with other families. The kids get lab partners and families can share expenses on lab equipment.

Try Buying Used

Purchasing used curriculum or renting curriculum are practical options for saving money. Yellow House Book Rental rents homeschool textbooks, and there are many Facebook groups for buying and selling used curriculum.

If you’re part of a local homeschool group, keep an eye out for used book sales in the spring and early summer.

One caveat: When you purchase (or sell) used, make sure that you’re obeying the copyright laws governing used products. Consumables, such as student workbooks, are designed to be used by only one student, so they can’t be resold. Textbooks and teacher’s manuals are usually okay to resell.

It is a violation of copyright to sell some computer-based curriculum. Check the license agreement before selling or purchasing. Most digital (downloadable) products are intended for use by a single family and shouldn’t be shared without permission.

Use the Library

Use your library – and not just for borrowing books. Many libraries offer resources such as online classes or access to computer-based courses such as foreign languages. They may have electives or enrichment courses for homeschoolers or community classes that your homeschooler can take.

Many libraries have resource rooms that you may be able to use to study local history or family genealogy. Almost all libraries now offer computers with internet access so your students can do research or take online classes if you don’t have internet access at home.

And, while you’re there, do borrow books. Hands-down, kids can learn history as well if not better through non-fiction books, biographies, historical fiction, and period literature than they can with any textbook. A spine book can be helpful to make sure you’re following a fairly consistent, chronological order of events.

You can also check out movies and documentaries to help with history, science, and more.

Try a Tablet

A tablet may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of homeschooling high school on a budget. However, you can often buy a used tablet (or e-Reader) at a reasonable price. After the initial investment, it can be a cost-saving option.

Many books are available to download free. Some libraries offer e-books for borrowing just like print books. If you have Amazon Prime, many books are available free, and you can stream videos.

There are also free or inexpensive educational apps.

Check Online Options

There are many free or inexpensive online options for homeschooling high school. Check out sites such as:

Consider College Courses

Check community colleges online. Many have adult education courses that could be suitable for homeschooled teens. Check local colleges for lectures that the community is invited to attend. Ask about auditing a course. Some colleges will allow non-enrolled students to do so.

Homeschooling high school can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. What cost-saving tips would you add?

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How to Be Your Teen’s High School Guidance Counselor

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Homeschooling parents wear many hats. Primarily, we are our students’ teacher and facilitator. We may also play roles such as cafeteria lady, school janitor, or bus driver. One position we may not think of is a guidance counselor.

It is particularly important that we understand how to fill the role of guidance counselor once our teens reach high school.

How to Be Your Teen's High School Guidance Counselor

Understanding Your Role as High School Guidance Counselor

A high school guidance counselor has many jobs, but the four primary ones are guiding and helping students:

  • choose their high school courses and electives
  • develop strong study and time management skills
  • plan for college or a career after graduation
  • prepare for a smooth transition into college or the workforce

As a homeschooling parent, you’ll perform many of the duties of a guidance counselor naturally and without much extra planning or research. Others – particularly the college application process – can seem more daunting.

Choosing Courses

In the early years of high school, a guidance counselor may help teens choose a vocational or college prep track and select the courses needed for graduation or determine if AP courses are a good option.

As students reach their junior and senior years, a guidance counselor can offer more focused assistance depending on the student’s interests and aptitudes.

Helping teens choose their high school courses is one job of a guidance counselor that most homeschooling parents fill with ease. Because we know our kids so well, it’s easy to help them capitalize on their interests and talents.

Developing Study and Time Management Skills

Guidance counselors may also work with teens to help them develop strong study skills – or allow them to learn and develop the skills on their own through trial and error and natural consequences.

As homeschooling parents, we can help our teens prepare for college and the workforce by allowing them the freedom to set their own schedules with accountability guides in place and by enforcing deadlines.

Planning for College and Career

A guidance counselor also helps students prepare for life after graduation. For students who are on a college prep track, a guidance counselor assists with making sure teens know which tests they need to take and when to take them. She can offer guidance on test prep options and help a student with the college application process.

A guidance counselor can advise students and their parents on financial aid and scholarship options and guide them through the application process.

For students on a vocational track, guidance counselors can help with career planning options. They can direct students to career aptitude and personality assessments, offer guidance on military possibilities or suggest volunteer or internship opportunities.

College and career planning is an area where things can get dicey for homeschooling parents.

How to Be Your Teen's High School Guidance Counselor

Preparing for Life After High School

Finally, a high school guidance counselor’s role is to help students successfully navigate high school and develop the skills needed to transition successfully to college and the workforce.

As homeschooling parents, this can involve teaching our teens the life skills they will need no matter what they do after high school, choosing the right college, or looking at alternatives to college.

Outsourcing the Role of Guidance Counselor

As I said, homeschooling parents will fill some of the guidance counselor roles naturally and without much further planning. However, sometimes all of the things we need to do to help our students prepare for college or career can be overwhelming.

That’s when you might consider outsourcing.

Earlier this summer, Matthew Bullington, President, and CEO of UniversityReady contacted me. Matthew and I worked on a project together a few years ago, and I’m so happy he thought of me when he wanted help getting the word out about UniversityReady because it’s perfect for where we are as a homeschooling family.

What Is UniversityReady?

UniversityReady is basically like having your own high school guidance counselor online. Matthew is a professional college consultant who has worked in the homeschooling community for the last decade or so.

He offers private guidance counseling services, but that can be cost-prohibitive for many single-income homeschooling families. So, Matthew culled the information that he shares with his private clients down to what can be applied to most students and created UniversityReady.

UniversityReady offers:

  • Live, weekly, online classes which teach students how to study for exams, how to choose a college or career, how to prepare for college or trade school, and how to finance college
  • Access to class recordings if you miss a live event
  • Downloadable resources
  • Weekly Q&A sessions
  • Monthly planning meetings with checklists of what students should be doing when

There are also additional offerings such as:

  • Online ACT and SAT prep courses
  • Private planning session

Private Planning Session

Megan and I did the private planning session. It’s a one-hour, live, online meeting with Matthew to help with college or career planning. UniversityReady isn’t just for teens who plan to attend college.

As of now, college isn’t part of Megan’s plans, so Matthew sent her three personality assessments to take. I love stuff like that! The assessments identified her strengths and weaknesses, and she and Matthew discussed those in light of her interests. He told her that our strengths aren’t always our passions, so we need to look at both.

Matthew then gave Megan some actionable steps to help guide her in investigating possible career paths. It was really cool because one of the things Matthew suggested was talking to people who work in the areas Megan is interested in pursuing. She would love to run an animal rescue. (And, Matthew and I both advised her that a business degree would be a tremendous asset.)

We don’t know anyone who does that kind of work, but just a day or two later talked to someone who has a friend who runs a pit bull rescue! He gladly gave Megan the lady’s contact information. I don’t think that would have even been on our radar at that time if we hadn’t just had a private planning session.

UniversityReady is your homeschool high school guidance counselor, available to help teens navigate all the big decisions about college prep and career planning, test prep, financial aid, and more.

What guidance counselor roles make you feel stressed?

Is the stress of homeschooling high school getting to you? Join us for a free, live, online webinar, Monday, September 24, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. (ET)! It’s free, but you need to register to attend.

University Ready

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When Your Struggling Learner Refuses to Try

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Written by Shawna Wingert of Not the Former Things.

If I had saved all the pencils my sons have snapped in half over the past nine years of homeschooling, I am certain I could build a small cabin in woods with them.

(Both of my boys have a habit of blaming the pencil for their learning struggles.)

Although they are very different learners, both struggle with coping, staying calm and remaining engaged when our schooling gets tough. The truth is, much of the time, and for a variety of reasons, they simply refuse to try.

Nothing makes me more frustrated as a homeschooling mom than when my struggling learner refuses to try.

When Your Struggling Learner Refuses to Try

This year, I am committed to easing the stress of this resistance. For all of us!

When my oldest son was in public school, much of our life revolved around him refusing to leave the house or get out of the car in the morning to even go to school. And then there was the repeated refusal to complete homework at night.

The seemingly constant resistance was a nightmare and one of the main reasons we decided to homeschool in the first place. But as time has gone on, some of the same issues have resurfaced.

The balking when the books come out.

The shrug when asked by his doctor if he likes being homeschooled.

The pile of broken pencils.

Because I want our learning to be as joyful as possible, and because we typically follow a more interest-led, project-based style of schooling, decreasing this resistance has become a top priority – especially as my boys head into middle school and high school this year.

struggling learners

When Your Struggling Learner Refuses To Try

The best way to address a refusal to try and to engage in learning is to try to understand what is causing it. In my experience, there are five key reasons my sons might resist learning.

1. It’s Boring

How many times have I heard this? If what I am hoping we will study is too easy or just plain dull, it will almost always cause a bit of resistance. I am not sure I blame them.

2. It’s Difficult

If the information is way beyond their grasp and understanding, or if they forgot some of the foundational pieces necessary for learning a new concept (this is an issue particularly with math), my boys will more than likely just refuse to try. It’s not an ideal response, but it is the reality.

3. Rigid Thinking

Rigid thinking is a substantial factor in my oldest son’s success or refusal when it comes to learning. If he perceives something as unnecessary and/or idiotic (his word), he will flat out refuse to spend his time on it. This rigid thinking is part of his learning differences. It is also part of his teenager-ness.

4. Anxiety and/or Fear of Failure

If my youngest is feeling anxious about the learning (or anything else), lessons quickly become strenuous. Sometimes, this is only because he is afraid he will fail and feel discouraged about his learning struggles. Sometimes, the anxiety comes up independent of what we are learning and derails him. Either way, anxiety is a powerful factor in a child’s refusal to learn and try.

If you suspect that your child may have a learning disability, try the free, online learning disabilities test from Lexercise.

5. Physical Concerns

If my children are hungry, sleep deprived or haven’t been outside for fresh air in a while, learning becomes so much more difficult. I understand. When I have had four cups of coffee but forgot to eat breakfast, I start to give up on our learning too.

struggling learners

How To Respond When Your Child Refuses To Try

Now that we have discussed some key factors as to why our children refuse to try, I want to share a little bit about what helps my family get back on track when one more of my kiddos is resistant to learning.

Start Small

Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to take a few steps back. When I notice increased refusals, meltdowns, and overall negativity associated with our learning, my first response is to slow things down. Reviewing past topics to ensure retention serves to increase my children’s confidence in their own abilities. It also lessens the fear of failure and subsequent anxiety.

In the same way, I also shorten lessons, keeping them to about 15-20 minutes max. I try to make it feel as effortless as possible initially until my sons show signs of feeling more equipped to move forward.

Discuss The Value

For my oldest, this is essential. Because he will absolutely refuse to learn something he does not see as valuable, I find the best way to get him back on track is to help him understand why we are studying a particular topic. For example, he struggles to see how he will ever need math in life. He has a calculator on his phone and that is quite enough as far as he is concerned. Once we looked at the requirements for high school graduation in our state, however, he saw the value in his continued practice and learning. He may not enjoy it all the time, but he doesn’t totally refuse either.

Ask For Input

This is one of the best suggestions I have for helping the child who is refusing to learn. I ask him either what he would like to learn (if the current topic is one I am willing to let go) or how he would like to learn it. For example, my youngest struggles with writing but loves creating stories. He suggested that he make up stories and tell me what to write for our creative writing program. I happily accepted the position of scribe.

Take A Break

There are days when it just isn’t working. Rather than force it, sometimes the best response to my sons’ resistance is to take a break. Depending on the day, this might mean a quick trip to grab lunch outside the house, listening to an audiobook in the car, and calling it a day. Other days, it might mean going for a swim in our pool and then getting back to work. It’s effective, and I find that my children are less likely to resist when they have had a chance to breathe and refuel a bit.

When Your Struggling Learner Refuses to Try

All children will, at one point or another, for one reason or another, refuse to try. It is a part of learning their own capabilities and the march towards independence and adulthood. While it can be difficult in the moment, please, let me encourage you, one day, week, or even month does not define an entire homeschool education.

When our children refuse to try, what better place to learn how to manage and cope than at home, with a teacher who loves them!

What works for you when your child refuses to try?

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Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition: A Homeschool Health Course for High School

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I was having such a hard time finding a good homeschool health curriculum that it was actually on my to-do list to either write or piece together my own this year.

I’m so glad Apologia beat me to it! I’m pretty sure my teenager is, too.

Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition: A Health Course for Homeschooling High School

I was ecstatic to discover Apologia’s new health course, Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition. Megan and I agreed that not only did it look like it’d meet our needs for high school health credit, but it also seemed interesting.

Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition is not only teen-approved, but it’s also my teen’s favorite subject. And, not just this year. It’s her all-time favorite in her entire homeschooled existence. It isn’t the lesser of the evils. She enjoys it! That probably tells you all you need to know and I could end my review right there.

But I won’t. Because, you know, I like to gush about the curriculum we love. Let the gushing begin.

Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition is not only teen-approved, but it’s also my teen’s favorite subject. And, not just this year. It’s her all-time favorite in her entire homeschooled existence.
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What Is Apologia’s Homeschool Health Course?

Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition is complete one- to two-semester high school level health course written from a Christian worldview. A beautifully-illustrated (except for the frostbitten toe – that’s kind of gross) hardback book and spiral-bound student notebook guide students through the course.

It’s made up of 15 modules with a suggested schedule of three days each week for a total of 34 weeks.

homeschool high school health curriculum

Topics covered include:

  • Genetics and temperament (This one fascinated both of us!)
  • Physical influences on thoughts and feeling
  • Mental health
  • Interpersonal relationships
  • Nutrition and hydration
  • Diet and exercise
  • How the body fights infection
  • Sexual reproduction

I love the topics covered in this course! It focuses not just on physical health, but also on emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

Due to several mental health issues we face in our family, I am passionate about removing the stigma associated with mental illness so that people treat them with the same dignity and respect afforded physical illnesses. Apologia’s health course tackles mental health issues openly, honestly, and respectfully.

If you’re a little hesitant about covering the topic of sexual reproduction, don’t worry. Apologia saved it for last. That allows you to skip it if you don’t feel that your student is mature enough for it, or work up your personal fortitude to cover the topic.

Health and nutrition high school

I’ll just butt in here and say that they’re learning it somewhere. It might as well be from you with accurate information. They always know more than we think they know. My son may or may not have had to educate a male friend or two on the female menstrual cycle because with two sisters who have no filter he knows way more than he ever wanted to on the subject. {ahem}

Moving along.

What’s So Great About the Homeschool Health and Nutrition Student Notebook?

I’m not sure who loves the student notebook more – Megan or I. Why would I, the parent, care about the student notebook, you ask. Three words: suggested daily schedule.

Yes, the entire schedule for the year is written out for me.

Apologia's Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition is the perfect high school level homeschool health course for Christian families. It's engaging, beautifully-illustrated, and well-written. It's my teen's favorite homeschooling course - ever!

No guessing. No counting pages. Just, “Hey, Megan, it’s Week 4. Pick three days this week to work on the Week 4 activities.” Boom. Lesson planning is complete.

As if the schedule weren’t enough, there is a section for grading that includes:

  • A grading rubric for projects
  • Samples for figuring grades
  • A chart for recording grades (including suggested weights for each grade)
  • A spot to figure and record the student’s final grade

Then, there is the rest of the notebook, which is just for students. The section for each module includes:

  • Space for taking notes
  • The On Your Own questions with room for students to record their answers
  • Student projects
  • Study guide for the module assessment

Apologia includes the module exams in the back of the student workbook. The answer key for the student workbook is available online, along with other course extras, with the details for accessing located in the textbook.

You can visit Homeschooling 101 to download a free health activity book that contains samples from Health and Nutrition if you want to check it out and get a feel for what the course is like.

Would We Recommend Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition?

Without a doubt. Well, unless you’re a secular family. If you are, this course probably isn’t for you, but if you’re a Christian family with students in 8th-12th grades, Megan and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this homeschool health course.

Homeschool health and nutrition

Megan says it’s interesting and fun. She said the questions in the student notebook are great for making sure that you read and comprehended the material without being so rigorous that they make you feel stupid.

The projects are thorough and engaging without being time intensive and mentally exhausting. They encourage students to get to know themselves through activities such as food and sleep logs, learning to set boundaries, and beginning an exercise routine. They even encourage teens to do something they’ve never done before such as minor car maintenance or learning to play an instrument.

Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition: A Health Course for Homeschooling High School

I like Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition because it meets our needs for a high school level health class and I didn’t have to write it myself. I love Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition because Megan loves it. She is engaged and excited. What more could you ask for from homeschool curriculum?

I like Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition because it meets our needs for a high school level health class and I didn’t have to write it myself. I love Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition because Megan loves it. She is engaged and excited.
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If you’ve got high school students, I encourage you to add this high school health course to your curriculum this year. You can purchase it from Apologia’s website or other homeschool curriculum vendors who carry Apologia products.

Win Apologia’s Health and Nutrition Course

You can also enter to be one of two winners who will receive the Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition basic set. Follow the directions on the RaffleCopter widget below to enter. This giveaway is administered by Apologia and hosted on multiple blogs.

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