PDF We’ve been homeschooling for a long time. Long enough that I no longer wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, frantic with worry that I’m ruining my childrens’ lives. Well at least not very often. This year, my oldest starts his “High School Years”, you know the ones that have “official transcripts” and “permanent records” and while I believe completely in homeschooling, I don’t think it would be a bad thing for this child to take a couple of courses that will expose him to the process of a structured, accredited school. College is in his extended plan and part of my responsibility is to prepare him for any and all opportunities. I can’t send him to public, or private school part time, but I can avail myself of the virtual school that Florida offers. We can pick and choose his courses and in addition to exposing him to deadlines and projects that aren’t graded by his mother, it would also lighten my load a bit.
I’ve really been on the fence about this, wondering if it will be a good fit. We have a lot of things going on right now and I only see it getting busier as fall approaches. I think, though, that it’s time for him to spread his wings a little; choose some courses for himself and be responsible for his own progress, his own education. Eventually it will only be up to him and I think he’s at a good age for this. After all, that’s the primary goal of our homeschool adventure, to teach the children how to find the information they need, for the things that they’re interested in, or the goals they set for themselves. The key is autonomy.
I think I’m going to sign him up for Spanish. Most universities require two years of a foreign language and I don’t think “Pig Latin” counts.
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My daughter is in public school, junior year, but is also taking some classes online at the virtual school. She signed up to take a class over the summer in order to be able to continue in Agriculture classes when school started in the fall. We are really liking it. She works at her pace, the teacher help is great and I love the parent/teacher monthly check in’s.
Now I’m going to check out your local happenings blog..
People are always asking me if I’ve heard/telling me about the virtual schools that (I think) all the states are offering now. I’m always amused at how they seem to need more assurance than I do that my kids are getting a “decent education”.
I only know one other mom who used the virtual program (is yours the K12 I keep hearing about?) and she loved almost every aspect of it, the kids liked it, really, but she has very young kids, and felt like it was taking away from her joy in teaching them because she couldn’t relax, as there was always something else they *could* be doing, so she felt constantly driven to do those things.
I’m curious to hear how your oldest does with the program he’s working with – it does sound like a great way to start giving older kids more freedom and responsibility!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Amusing Way To Start My Day =-.
lol! That’s pretty funny. Maybe that’s where my lashes went. Congratulations on the graduation!
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You are so brave to homeschool! I think about it now and then and realise that in the end I would rather pull my eye lashes out!! My oldest just graduated last night..she’s off to high school next year!! OMG!!
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