Category: middle school

Planning for a New School Year

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Summertime has typically been my favorite time for planning my homeschooling for the upcoming year. Overtime, you will find what works for you, but here are some suggestions that have helped me and my family over the years.

A great place to start is considering the past year regardless of where your student(s) attended school: public, private or homeschool. For my first step, I spent some time evaluating where each of my kids were socially, academically, spiritually, and physically. Then, I would prayerfully determine where we needed to make changes or stay the course from the previous year. This process would enable me to set new goals and plan opportunities that would meet their needs or our families’ needs for the new school year.

My next step would be to purchase a desk calendar (or use a digital version), typically August-July, and map out our vacations, holidays, and special trips to visit family. Then, I would block out 36 weeks for school. Most curriculum and schools use a 36 week calendar (or 180 days).

Next, I would consider co-ops, sports, music or art lessons, college calendars, clubs or groups that take into account each child’s unique bent and needs. If I knew when lessons, teams, co-ops, or classes met for the year (or when the season began and ended), then I would add those to the annual calendar.

Finally, the most practical step for me each year was using the Weekly Planner worksheet (included here for your use). First, I would block out family commitments, chores, church, and family time. In order to stay organized with 4 kids, each one would have their own color. I would color code blocks with each of their lessons, practices, youth groups or clubs, and classes. At last, I mapped out when we would home school during each day. If we didn’t have enough time to get our school work done, then back to the drawing board I would go.

With high schoolers, we became a little more structured with the core subjects (math, science, history, English and foreign languages) and needed electives that take more time. By considering each student’s graduation plan (those requirements needed by colleges and those required by our family’s goals), I could make a schedule that included driver’s education, community service, dual credit and jobs, as well.

Just remember, this is just a blue print, and every year, we encountered changes to our plans. “Best laid plans of mice and men . . .” always comes to my mind with a little chuckle.

It is important, and sometimes difficult, to remember to include the LORD in the process. He can bring direction, wisdom, and insight. Throughout the years, God has been my constant adviser. Only He knows what the year will hold and will faithfully prepare you for it.

If you would like more ideas, tips and tricks on planning, and even organization, plan on attending any of my upcoming seminars and workshops. Need more one-on-one help, see my Academic Advising link in the menu or email me at sharianne@ccctoolbox.com to discuss the different options.

Dyslexia, learning challenges, and a few helpful resources

As my children faced different challenges in their learning, I began doing research to find ways where I could assist them to be more successful.

I began by exploring the role of learning styles for the reception, the retention, and the recall of information. The goal was to integrate the different learning styles into my daily routine to facilitate optimal learning for all my children. Along the way, I became more attuned to the individual strengths and challenges of my children as they progressed, and how I could effectively involve them in all lessons, leveraging their strengths in particular. If you want to delve deeper, you can find a comprehensive overview here.

Once I discovered that there were more complicated challenges at play, I began to ask more experienced teachers and home educators for help. One resource that helped me the most was LittleGiantSteps.com/BrainSprints.com. I learned a lot from them and used their tools to help my daughter learn to read. The individualized services are worth every penny, and their advice and tools for learning are priceless.

Another one of my children struggled with dysgraphia, and my search began again. I ran across Dianne Craft and was so very grateful for her videos, advice, tools, and helpful information for right brain learning and dysgraphia. I’ve used her materials to help lots of students in tutoring math and students in overcoming dysgraphia. Again, so priceless!

Following the advice of one of my kids’ co-op teachers, I also looked into eye therapy and prisms for glasses to help with learning challenges. Both made a dramatic and immediate difference with my children – jumping their reading levels by 2-3 years in 3 months. Our therapeutic eye doctor retired, but I believe you can still find others. They work on strengthening the eye muscles to control the moving of letters when they read. Very effective! See https://eyecanlearn.com/ for more info.

Lastly, reach out to resources I can personally recommend like UnitedWerks.org or RevolutionPrep.com for one-on-one assistance, tutoring, and personal training with dyslexia and other learning challenges you might encounter.

I hope this is helpful on your homeschooling journey. Children love to learn and love to please. We can help develop these loves and find ways to help every child learn. Need more information? Feel to reach out to me: sharianne@ccctoolbox.com.

High School Resume

Building the high school resume begins during the middle school years. Students can begin to look into ways to serve the community, play sports, get involved in their church youth group, serve in missions, look for leadership opportunities, and eventually seek internship and job opportunities. Colleges are also looking for students who take more challenging coursework to add to their resume.

Throughout the high school years, keep records, awards, emails, grade reports, and team rosters. As a student is completing their junior year, it is important to prepare the resume for college and scholarship applications.

Here are a few categories to consider: Volunteer Experiences, Work or Job Experiences, Extracurricular Activities, Athletic Experiences, Awards and Recognition, Honors Education/Coursework, Leadership Positions, Internships, Organizations

Here are a few sample resumes:

Click to access resume-sample-updated.pdf

Click to access sample_resume_3.pdf

In the Building the High School Transcript Workshops, we will work together to plan, organize and create the high school resume for your student. This workshop is now available ON-DEMAND.

If you are looking for more ideas or would like me to work with your student personally on building their resume, feel free to contact me: sharianne@ccctoolbox.com

Community Service: A Priceless Endeavor

Now is the time to sign-up for summer community service opportunities. Application deadlines usually come due around April/May. Check with your city departments, as well as, local events that you and your students may already participate in regularly or have a passion for supporting.

Ideas include City Zoos or City Museums, City Libraries, City Animal Shelters, City Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Churches’ Vacation Bible Schools, Summer Camps, Sport Events (like 5K/10K/Marathons), After-school Childcare Facilities, Local Homeless Shelters, Local Food Pantries, Veteran Affairs Events, Clubs and/or Ministries that care for others less fortunate, Homeschool Convention and Events, Long Term Care and Rehabilitation Facilities, or assisting elderly neighbors with yardwork, cooking or cleaning.

It is never to early to have your children serving their community. Whether the neighbor next door or joining an organized effort with your church or a program that supports and serves a particular people group.

As middle school students, you and your children can serve at the zoo, church, boys and girls clubs, libraries, food pantries, and pet adoption centers.

The benefits are endless: character growth being the most important. Students learn compassion, patience, submission, work ethic, interests and aptitudes, leadership, kindness, responsibility, problem solving, and faith. Being organized and learning time management comes in a close second.

By the time your child is in high school, they should begin pursuing opportunities that interest him/her. With homeschooling, the possibilities are endless! You have the time and the flexibility to be creative in your service to others. As they progress through high school, they need to look for opportunities to grow in leadership and character.

We are called to follow Jesus’ example in this, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 Serving others, in any capacity, is a priceless endeavor and worthy of our time.

If you are looking for more ideas or need help adding their community service to their high school resume, feel free to contact me: sharianne@ccctoolbox.com