Tag: middle school

College Readiness Tests and Test Prep

In gearing up for college applications, students need to begin preparing for college readiness tests no later than their freshman year.

In middle school, you can assist your students by teaching study skills and test taking skills. Taking timed tests, working with and without a calculator, completing bubble sheets and personal information on the test key, eliminating wrong answers, drawing illustrations for word problems, being familiar with common root words and grammar rules, and discerning main ideas from large reading passages are a few of the skills your student will need to experience prior to high school.

Several publishers offer standardized testing for homeschoolers:

hewittlearning.org

www.setontesting.com

www.depts.ttu.edu/k12

www.bjupresshomeschool.com/content/testing-support

Each test option offers different support and scope of testing depending on age and need. The practice in middle school is worth the money and test experience, as well as, the knowledge of possible gaps that you can add to the following year’s plan.

In high school, it is important to begin preparing your student for the SAT, ACT, CLT, and/or TSIA2 (accuplacer). All four tests are to determine college readiness for your student. One or more of these tests are required for college admission, core scheduling, and/or dual credit for 2yr and 4yr schools.

For Test Prep, I can recommend the following free opportunities for each:

Official SAT Prep: www.khanacademy.org/DigitalSAT

Bluebook Digital SAT Format: Bluebook Download and Practice

ACT Prep: www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html

CLT Prep: www.cltexam.com/tests/test-prep/

TSIA2 Prep (specifically for dual credit and 2yr colleges):

www.tsipracticetest.com/

practice.accuplacer.org/login

(create account separate from your collegeboard account

For paid course and classes, I can recommend the following:

www.collegeprepgenius.com

www.kaptest.com/

www.princetonreview.com/

To create a baseline and to minimize anxiety, you can begin to sign up by taking any of the tests at the following sites. Your high school student needs create their OWN account at their OWN email. You can set up a dedicated email address for all things college and share that information in order to assist your student. Most of the sites listed allow you to create a parent account to mirror your students’ account. Also, encourage your student to share the login info with you so you may help them in times of deadlines, etc.

SAT: www.collegeboard.org/

ACT: www.act.org/content/act/en.html

CLT: www.cltexam.com/

TSIA2: sign up with your local community college’s testing department

UPDATE: Does your student need accommodations? You can request those by completing the forms and providing documentation at the links below:

SAT: https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/request-accommodations/request/forms 

ACT: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/accommodations/homeschooled-or-non-enrolled.html

Have questions about test-optional and setting up a high school plan for test prep? Reach out to me by email: sharianne@ccctoolbox.com or schedule one-one-one advising for all your high school and college prep needs.

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.

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