Our 13-year-old son has almost finished his first year of high school—with no previous formal education. For 12 years he had time to be a kid—to explore, to think, to play. But now he is embracing this academic work just like chopping wood or baling hay. He seems nurtured, refreshed…and prepared.
When it comes to education styles, my first inspiration was Chris Davis of Elijah Company with his concept of “resourcing” our children’s talents, interests, and strengths with excellent books, tools, and opportunities. Then I read the book Better Late than Early by Dr. Raymond Moore, who actually proposed delaying formal education, even until the age of 12. Thus the journey of homeschooling our sons began with a relaxed, unschooling approach.
Another influence in choosing this natural approach to education was a growing awareness of “living” books: books written by an author who is not only passionate about a subject, but one who utilizes and engaging style. We found we were reading biographies of many famous people who had been educated primarily at home—with only real books!
Our home library began to grow. Ben, our oldest of 5 boys, began to read at age 8. He read books he loved, mostly history and historical fiction. Add Bible quizzing, wrestling, outdoor play, a spattering of math, and you have a good picture of Ben’s early education.
Like many parents, we got a little nervous about high school years. But by the grace of God we kept moving forward. Then two years ago I met David and Laurie Callihan, authors of The Guidance Manual for the Christian Home School. Listening to David, my excitement grew. HE discussed radical ideas like double crediting with CLEP tests and diving right into high school level work, skipping the junior high “prep” years.
Loosely following the Calllihans’ concept of a “Grand Plan”, we viewed sample transcripts to see which subjects were typically included. WE then shared our own goals with Ben and listened to his. From our three lists we put together a backbone of 4 or 5 years of study. And we’ve kept that original list open to changes.
Last year I learned about the Civil Air Patrol opportunity for ages 12-20. Ben was hooked from the start. Physical training, military drills, search and rescue, CPR/First Aid, survival skills, leadership, aeronautics…even rocket science! We worked some of these subjects into the transcript draft.
When the Callihans came to Michigan recently, Ben wanted to take the CLEP preparation class for American History that David was scheduled to teach afternoons in the Detroit area. Laurie taught biology for college students in Flint each morning. Since Flint was closer for us, I brought Ben early to the college so he could ride with the Callihans later to the history class. Ben ended up attending the biology class, too! The first day he was a bit bewildered, but took notes frantically. The second day he announced with a grin that he LOVES biology and now he’s also preparing for the Biology CLEP.
When it came to a foreign language, Ben wanted German. Shortly after expressing his interest, we found out his new Bible quiz coach teaches German to a group of homeschoolers in her home. God is our provider!
Ben plans to earn simultaneous high school and college credit fro other subjects including American government, chemistry, natural sciences, and composition. He is also gaining practical work experience managing our family’s local bookstore a few days a week.
I’m confident that Ben will—academically and otherwise—be prepared for life.
Tips for Parents of Teens: Ronda Barfield
Author of Real-Life Homeschooling, Lilac Publishing
As the mother of three teens and a pre-teen, I think what teens need most is love and empowerment. My advice to parents of teens is: Show them you love them. In our home, this means: Really good meals with PLENTY of food—especially important to active young men. A drive together to a favorite music store. Afternoon backrubs. Special snacks in the lunchboxes when they go to work or out for the day. Monday night football-watching for the boys with Dad.
Monday night slumber party time for the girls with Mom. A basement rec room where friends can congregate. Late night conversations, even when Mom or Dad can hardly hold a thought. Laughing together as we share favorite family movies.
Reward responsibility with empowerment.
As our teens have shown they can handle responsibility, we’ve tried to: Help them learn to work hard and well. Provide paying chores. Teach good money management, then let them pay for things themselves. Help them get solid, interesting, first “real” jobs. Encourage them to make choices regarding their academic courses—methods, materials, time allotted, and overall planning for high school and beyond. Transition them into making all major decisions by giving them more and more choice in smaller ones.
Considering Your High Schooler’s Individuality: Maribeth Spangenberg
Quakertown, PA
There are so many opportunities available to high school homeschoolers today than there were in the beginning of the homeschooling movement. For my older children I often had to write my own curriculum. Now there are many homeschool support groups who offer enrichment classes taught by fellow homeschooling moms. Some local colleges also offer high school honors programs which are open to homeschoolers, also, affording opportunities for “free tuition classes” if accepted. Community colleges often accept homeschoolers in junior and senior high to take introductory courses and advanced subjects, when proven capable. CLEP tests are becoming increasingly popular for “double crediting.” Having had experience with all of the above, I’ve found each to be a blessing, but only when considered in light of each of my children’s needs individually.
A "Senior" Moment: Tyler H. Hogan
What is it like to be homeschooling high schooler? In short, I have to say it’s rewarding. The fun and excitement mingle with the stress of being a young person in a world gone crazy, but in between the challenges there’s often a moment when you pause and think “I wouldn’t trade this for anything.”
I haven’t been a part of any other educational system since I was five years old, so it’s a little difficult for me to make comparisons. However, I can say that homeschooling has given me opportunities that I could never have received just “learning with the herd.”
My parents, through homeschooling, have given me a love of learning. As William Butler Yates said “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Learning can be truly exciting, especially when you get to study what you already love. My schooling has allowed me to pursue my passions and to learn without using just textbooks. I get to travel with national theater ministry teams for months at a time, play and sing for my church’s corporate worship, direct a local mime ministry team, attend, work at, or run various conferences, work for my parent’s publishing company, write for whoever wants to read me, and still manage to fit in tutoring, physics and household chores. If that isn’t fun, exciting, and educational, I don’t know what is!
Of course, with all that comes a certain amount of challenge and stress. Homeschooling isn’t all that fun at crunch time when you scholarship essays are due, your mime troupe has a performance in two days, you need to practice your clarinet before Sunday, you haven’t seen your youth group or buddies in a month, the leaves need raking before the rain comes and it had better all be done before you leave for Pennsylvania on Tuesday! Combine that with a high-strung personality, everyday interruptions, and trying to remember devotions—it can be downright overwhelming. I have my moments (more frequently than I’d like to admit) where I’m a total basket case trying to manage everything that I’ve gotten myself into.
But I’m a senior this year, and as such, I’m supposed to wax nostalgic about all the wonderful memories of my educational endeavors. Life is good, homeschooling is great, and having the opportunity to learn about God from my home and church is fabulous.
My Five Tips for Teens
1. Cultivate great relationships with your parents and siblings. Be a mentor and role-model for your younger siblings. If you’re fresh out little brothers and sisters, find some. I seem to have a plethora of younger guys ages 2 to 13 who tag along after me. Younger kids look up to older kids, whether they admit it or not.
2. Discover your gifts, talents, and interests and then throw yourself into them. Put some effort into your hobbies. Extra-curricular activities, clubs, and ministry teams are great ways to develop and use your gifts. Ministry teams can be especially rewarding.
3.Don’t neglect your time with God. Take every opportunity to grow spiritually—don’t shy away from challenges. Get a devotional program and use it.
4. Don’t stress out over little things. This is one of my biggest failures. Instead, take your time, enjoy yourself, and focus on the important things. Along that line, don’t obsess over your GPA. Learning is more than knowing all the answers. For a long time my identity was wrapped up I being a walking encyclopedia. Certainly, schoolwork is important, and there’s nothing wrong with me trying to shine academically, but I have to remember I’m not defined by my test scores.
5. Get a God-sized vision for your life. Education isn’t an end in and of itself; it’s the means to fulfilling your life’s purpose. Talk to God, your parents, and your mentors about where you’re going.
Homeschooling is great—especially if you maximize its potential. You only have so many years at home. (There I go sounding old again…) Savor them. Enjoy them. Use them.
Thanks Mom and Dad. –Tyler
Have some experience in home educating high schoolers? We want to hear from you. Email us at HighSchool@TOSMag.com and post your story. We may publish it!—TOS Mag
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