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Homeschooling High School - Which is Best the ACT or SAT? By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling Your transcript is tremendously essential. It’s the one page summary of your student so the university can give them a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” quickly. It’s a great plan to have some outside records in addition to your transcript. Ordinarily that’s the SAT or ACT test. Homeschool High School - Naming Your Classes By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling Many people tend to be intimidated by grading. Quite a few parents tend to be afraid of high school credits. Then you will find some unschool or delight-directed homeschools that definitely stress out regarding naming homeschool courses. It is often relatively uncomplicated whenever you use textbooks (look at the title of the textbook!), however in different occasions it’s not as straightforward. Scholarships for homeschoolers: Deadlines, FAFSA, taxes and critical tips By : Hollycraw It is almost the end of January. That means that homeschool seniors need to be on the ball with their college applications and the search for scholarships. Many schools and corporations have deadlines in the early months of the year, and if the deadline is missed, there is no grace period. Arizona schools typically start making financial aid decisions in March. The homeschool specific scholarship from Arizona Families for Home Education deadline is Janaury 31, 2012. 2012 College Goal Sunday locations: Free help with the FAFSA for financial aid By : Hollycraw Every year, thousands of committed professional and college admissions officers help students complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) during College Goal Sunday (& Saturday, too!) events. This form is the cornerstone for most of the student financial aid that will be awarded, both from the government and from the individual colleges. Homeschooling in Phoenix: January 27-29 By : Hollycraw The last weekend of January promises a full schedule of events for homeschool parents and the kids. Time for great encouragement, new ideas and meeting some new friends . Finding the Perfect Method of Learning for your Homeschooler By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling Make an attempt to discover the ideal method of learning for your child. Perhaps they learn best by doing. It's possible that they learn best when they listen to something. Maybe they can replicate anything as soon as they see it done first. It doesn’t need to be about books – simply find the way they learn best. Government leader advocates for homeschool students to be taken from parents By : Hollycraw Do parents have a right to homeschool their children? Not if they live in Sweden according to Lotta Edholm, a leader of the liberal party of Sweden. In a blog article on January 16, she upholds the value of compulsory education in the public schools, and seems to view those using different approaches as deliberately keeping their children "away from school". Homeschooling is not considered actual education and is keeping children back from having a good life, and thus government powers should be increased to "help these children" (i.e. demand that they be in public school): Phoenix homeschooling events and opportunities for 2012 By : Hollycraw Homeschoolers in Arizona have a vast array of events and opportunities they can choose for enrichment to the curriculum or just for fun. Some of the festivities and dates are created by homeschoolers to address the unique needs of homeschooling families. Others are community happenings that are open to homeschooling students. Homeschooling High School - Understanding Credits for Mix-and-Match Curriculum By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling Progeny Press, Easy Grammar, Strunk and White – when you mix and match within a subject area, how many credits should it be? Chess in the homeschool curriculum raises math, science skills by 15% By : Hollycraw Game playing, especially chess, could be included in the curriculum for every homeschooler as a legitimate skill building activity. Chess Champion, Jeffrey Flynn has been working with homeschool students in the Phoenix area for several years to impart the wisdom of the game. He cites incredible benefits for children who learn to play chess: Ariz Science Center free event, memberships for homeschool teachers in January By : Hollycraw Being a homeschool teacher can bring some great benefits and opportunities that are reserved for educators. Many museums or educational venues have special teacher programs that include homeschoolers, and the Arizona Science Center is no exception. Homeschool Helps - Ideas for Enjoyable Foreign Language Supplements By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling Learning a new language is work. You can’t just plop kids face-to-face with a video screen and let them take pleasure in the ambiance of French. They really need to work at it. Success with foreign language requires remaining consistent day after day. The trouble with foreign language is the same trouble I have with Weight Watchers. It only works when you actually DO the program! So sad… but so true. Year in Review: Phoenix homeschooling heroes By : Hollycraw Sharing good news is a great way to end the year. Four Phoenix area homeschoolers have been nominated to the America Inspired contest that is sponsored by Examiner.com. The goal of the contest is to find people who have done amazing things in these five categories: 2011 Year in Review: Phoenix homeschooling By : Hollycraw Arizona homeschoolers are a diverse lot, but during 2011 a number of items caught the attention of the local folks. Presidential elections are great ways to catalyze the community into conversations and actions. Ron Paul appealed to homeschoolers to join his specially-designed homeschool coalition to work his campaign. Homeschool friendly Mitt Romney began an early campaign in Phoenix. What Does Your Homeschooler Do for Fun? By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling What does your homeschooler do for enjoyment? Any time I’m helping parents with a transcript, this one question can open up the floodgates! How exactly does your child use unstructured time? When they are supposed to be focusing on school, or even emptying the dishwasher, what are they working at in its place? That is often an excellent indicator of their Fun Factor. Extreme volunteer: Patty Sepp leads homeschool Youth & Government team to honors By : Hollycraw Patty Sepp has a very full life in the homeschooling community, even three years after her youngest graduated from high school. In addition to numerous geography related classes and offerings, she specifically targets teen leadership development as an advisor for the Glendale, Arizona YMCA Youth in Government program. Students in each chapter spend several weeks learning about the governmental and legislative process. Then, all the chapters in Arizona have a Model Legislature weekend at the state capitol. It is a very in-depth program with weekly assignments, and is time-intensive for the advisors. Passion for geography fuels homeschool mom’s award winning classes By : Hollycraw Passionate is a word that describes Patty Sepp in a number of areas. As a homeschool mom and community leader in Phoenix for 24 years, Patty definitely has a passion for education and homeschooling in particular. She also has a zealous fire for developing teen leadership and for the often-maligned subject of geography. Debate champion uses homeschool debate as tool for strengthening academic skills By : Hollycraw Matthew du Mée understands the values and character qualities that one learns through debate team. Participants must learn to think clearly and present arguments concisely. They must be able to quickly assess the other person's perspective and formulate a response that follows proper logic, and they must be attentive to the interaction on many different levels. All of these are superb attributes needed by lawyers. These skills and more were mastered by du Mée when on debate teams at Patrick Henry College and Harvard Law School, evidenced by his many wins in competitions for debate and moot court. From homeschooler to attorney: Homeschool success story for Matthew du Mee By : Hollycraw Homeschooling can be a lifelong adventure for those who choose to give back to the homeschool community once they have graduated from high school and college. For homeschooler, Matthew du Mée, returning to his roots in Phoenix gave him opportunities to be involved as a mentor and coach for homeschool students. Not yet 30, he has a large array of accolades and honors from his schooling years, and he has a heart to see others succeed. Challenges of providing homeschool services with a non-profit resource center By : Hollycraw At the turn of the 21st century, homeschool materials and resources were starting to have a significant place in the educational marketplace, but there were very few places, and none in Arizona, for a homeschooler to find information in one place. Karen Borg and a small handful of others dreamed of a one-stop location that would be a hub for the most important things homeschool families needed: Encouragement and knowledge, access to curriculum, classes to aid parents in subjects they couldn’t handle, student testing, and a place to network with other like-minded folks. Covenant Home School Resource Center in Phoenix became the fulfillment of that dream in 2001. (Read Part 1 and Part 2) Covenant Home School Resource Center: Measuring Karen Borg’s leadership impact By : Hollycraw As a principal of a tiny Christian school in Phoenix, Arizona, Karen Borg personally knew the needs of families wanting a quality education for their children. Many families were homeschoolers and embraced the freedom of home education. When the school closed in 2001, Karen became the foundress of Covenant Home School Resource Center, a fitting next step in her passion for teaching and nurturing a generation of students who have the drive to succeed. (Read Part 1) Karen Borg: Ignited by love of teaching and passion for homeschooling families By : Hollycraw A homeschool connection has been part of Karen Borg’s DNA since before her children were born. Her church, Reformed Presbyterian in Phoenix, decided to start a small Christian school for their members in the late 70s. She began volunteering with the school right after her first child was born for the 1979-1980 school year. Even though he was a long way from being school age, she wanted to see it succeed so it would be there when her children were ready. Colleges Are Looking For Independent Students By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling Stanford University Magazine had an write-up on the subject of a gifted homeschool student. I love this quotation: “It’s the spark, the passion, that sets the truly exceptional student-the one driven to pursue independent research and explore difficult concepts from a very early age-apart from your typical bright kid." The impact of ocean rescue on the personal level for homeschooler Gavin Lewis By : Hollycraw With any calling and passion, there is a great deal of one's self that must be put into the effort for the long-term. With the determination and tenacity of a seasoned cause champion, Phoenix homeschooler Gavin Lewis is willing to put forth his time, energy, and resources to persuade others to take care of our planet, especially the oceans. Beginning at age six, he has found creative ways to work and raise funds for ocean rescue. The epitome of "one person can make a difference" is 8-year-old Gavin Lewis By : Hollycraw Most six to eight year olds are busy learning to read and write and do simple math. Phoenix homeschooler Gavin Lewis is now just eight, but two years ago, he launched a personal campaign to do beach clean-ups and challenge people in environmentally friendly ways to treat garbage that ends up in the oceans. He has raised over $6300 to donate to Oceana and Surfrider Foundation for ocean rescue work. He has been featured on Entertainment Tonight and has become the poster child for Dawn Dish Soap in conjunction with the BP oil spill wildlife clean-up efforts. What is influence of Gavin Lewis, eight-year-old homeschooler who saves oceans? By : Hollycraw Never doubt that even very young people can have an amazing influence on the world and people around them. Saving the oceans from pollution and trash is a passion for Phoenix homeschooler, Gavin Lewis. Even though he was only six when he started acting on his calling to inform people about how grabage dumped into the oceans is killing the wildlife, he has already received national recognition from Nick Jonas and Bayer Corporation, Surfrider Foundation, Dawn Dish Soap, Arizona State University Science is Fun Program and Entertainment Tonight. He is now eight, and his influence continues to expand to the wider community. Eight year old is saving oceans by networking with corporations and celebrities By : Hollycraw For the past two years, eight-year-old homeschooler Gavin Lewis from Phoenix has been working hard to raise awareness and money to help restore the oceans. He has a home business selling refrigerator magnets with sea animals, and has donated over $6300 to Surfrider and Oceana for ocean rescue work. He participates in beach clean-ups, has an informative website, and has been asked to be a spokesman for several environmental agencies, all while dealing with Type I diabetes. Gavin Lewis: 8 year old homeschool entrepreneur helps fund ocean restorations By : Hollycraw Gavin Lewis is a remarkable young student with a vision as big as the oceans. As a homeschooler who has lived in Phoenix until recently, he has had time to explore his passion for restoring the oceans and educating people about the impact of trash. He has gotten national recognitions for his work over the past two years. Currently only eight years old, Gavin has been diagnosed with Type I diabetes. His story shows the outstanding accomplishments an ordinary person, even a child, can make with encouragement and support from his family and friends. Homeschool Transcripts- Outside Documentation By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling Ordinarily the transcript is highly significant. It’s the one page synopsis of your student so the college or university can give them a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” quickly. It’s a great strategy to have some outside paperwork other than your transcript. Picture = 1000 words but Tweetpic @KFC may be worth $20,000 scholarship By : Hollycraw What if obtaining a college scholarship could be as easy as sending a Twitter picture? Kentucky Fried Chicken corporation announced on December 1 from Louisville that they are continuing the Twitter Scholarship contest that began last year. Grammar Bowl: Online competition builds skills, offers college scholarships By : Hollycraw Homeschool students who are 13-15 years old by September 1, 2011 are specifically included as contestants in the 2012 Arizona Grammar Bowl. This gives a great chance for students to shine, since Language Arts is usually the subject of excelling for most homeschoolers. A press release sent out on Wednesday from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix gives details for this unique contest. Deadline to enter is January 7, 2012. Great Homeschool Work Samples Can Make All the Difference By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling While supplying universities with the information they require, going further than a transcript will be able to better your likelihood of scholarships. A transcript may be the building block of admission, however colleges require more than that if you expect them to offer you scholarship money. They ordinarily want to see further comprehensive homeschool records. What Information Do Colleges Need from your Homeschooler? By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling Different colleges ask for different information from homeschoolers. It can be difficult to determine what additional information they may require from you. Hefty graduate school scholarships open to science majors at ASU-video By : Hollycraw Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers are getting a big push from several sectors. President Barack Obama is leading the charge by calling for federal funding to help increase the number of qualified college grads in these fields. Arizona State University is helping fund qualified students to get Master's degrees and teach in the sciences. Homeschooled students are encouraged to apply for these scholarships. Deo Volente gives Latin practice in context of 1st century Roman culture By : Hollycraw Latin is a favorite foreign language for many homeschool families, and is often accompanied with studies of early Roman culture. There are a number support groups or co-ops in the Phoenix area, such as TGIF which provide Latin classes for homeschool students. Deo Volente is a novel by Giselle Aguiar that provides some language practice with a peak into Roman life, centered around an actual historic event in the first century AD. Homeschool Transcripts - Determining Credits By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling Awana is a terrific program, and also a wonderful way to get a Bible credit naturally in a fun activity. I know it takes quite a lot of work. Because it takes so much time and effort, I frequently suggest including it on your high school transcripts. Phoenix Children's Chorus posts audition times, seeks homeschool students By : Hollycraw Homeschool parents! Are your kids begging to be in a choral program? The fine arts usually have a big draw for homeschoolers, and involvement is a great way to develop and fine tune your talent. The Phoenix Children's Chorus has been welcoming of homeschool students over the years, and they are recruiting now for the spring program. Auditions are coming up very soon, so mark your calendar. Excerpts from their letter to parents follows: Can I Change My Homeschool Transcript? By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling Have you ever changed your mind? What happens when you change your mind about a transcript? Homeschool co-ops: Pros and cons of group classes for the homeschool family By : Hollycraw Is a homeschool co-op a good fit for your family? There are lots of creative homeschoolers who decide to do one or more classes together, and the homeschool co-op can take many different forms. Some families are very involved in this sort of venue, and others may choose not to participate at all. The homeschool community offers enough resources and variety that either choice can be fulfilling and fit the needs of some families. Homeschool co-ops: Foundational questions to ask when starting or joining one By : Hollycraw Homeschool co-ops have become very popular over the last dozen years or so. During the 1990s, very few people in the Phoenix, Arizona area had heard of the concept, and some were rather skeptical. Now, it seems the nearly every family is involved in some sort of co-operative teaching with others besides the primary family members. Currently, there are over 100 homeschool support groups in Maricopa County, and most have some sort of formal or informal classes together. NCLB education vote Nov 8: Concerned parents need to call to request No vote By : Hollycraw The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), also known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), is up for reauthorization, and will have a Senate Education Committee vote on November 8. Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) sent out an urgent call today to parents and homeschoolers to persuade their senators to oppose this bill. Homeschooling is promoted as a human right at international conference By : Hollycraw In most states in America, parents have the freedom to homeschool, albeit with varying degrees of regulation imposed by state legislatures. There are a few states such as Arizona which have almost no requirements other than official notification that homeschooling is taking place. However, that is not the case in many countries around the world, where homeschooling is often illegal, with parents being jailed and/or children being taken away from the family. Homeschooling High School - Always Be Prepared By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling The best success comes to parents who plan ahead. What does that mean exactly? Find out in this article from The HomeScholar. Money for college: 529 savings account equals big tax breaks By : Hollycraw Does the idea of finding funding for college for your homeschoolers give you nightmares? With state schools like ASU, U of A and NAU costing more now than some private schools a decade ago, a university education may seem to be out of reach for those of modest means. Even with access to large scholarships, parents or students themselves will need to pick up some of the tab. Fortunately, there are still some tax breaks for tuition expenses and tax incentives for creating your own savings fund through instruments like a 529 college account. Students for Liberty free conference at Ariz State U invites homeschoolers By : Hollycraw Homeschool families are generally more politically involved than their public school counterparts. They may volunteer for a candidate, participate in community forums with prospective legislators, or encourage voter registration. With local and national election campaigns gearing up, there are ample opportunities for homeschool students to find hands-on ways to learn about the political process. Homeschool college scholarships, Arizona State U merit scholarships, President's Award ASU, college By : Hollycraw Derek Davis is a homeschool dad who worked diligently behind the scenes to navigate obstacles and red tape in the process of helping his daughter, Mareike, and son, Severin, to get the scholarships for which they were well qualified. The problems came in unclear policies, administrative gaffes which went against state law, and perhaps traditional biases against homeschooling. Safe Driving : Good news for parents - Phoenix is rated in top safe driving cities-no joke By : Hollycraw Safe Driving :Homeschool curriculum may include Drivers' Education. However, parents can breathe a sigh of relief, since, Phoenix ranked 55th out of 200 safest cities. Iowa Test : Iowa testing opportunity for Phoenix homeschoolers: What grade level do we use? By : Hollycraw Iowa Test : I want to test my students with the Iowa test in September. The scores are based on the time of year the tests are taken and the grade level that you indicate. Phoenix Events: A great lineup of homeschool events in Phoenix By : Hollycraw Phoenix Events:It is still hot in Phoenix, but the school year has begun, which means there are lots of great homeschool events around the valley. The Secondhand Wardrobe gives money-saving and environment-saving tips By : Hollycraw Book title: TheSecondhand Wardrobe: Have Fun Finding Stylish, Earth-Friendly Used Clothing Deals Author: Cheryl Gorn Publication date: January, 2011 Publisher: Larmint Press, New York Where to purchase in Phoenix: Barnes and Noble, Metro Center, Phoenix, Arizona Plan a free outing on desert plants at Deer Valley Rock Art Center in October By : Hollycraw The thought of learning about desert plants when the temperature in Phoenix is still over 110 degrees probably makes some people feel faint. However, Deer Valley Rock Art Center (DVRAC) is hosting a free class about the uses of desert plants in October, when it will hopefully be quite a bit cooler. This is a perfect opportunity for a homeschool family or support group outing. AZMNH offers Homeschool Day with discounts for Hubble Telescope photo display By : Hollycraw Homeschoolers tend to love museums, and often can visit during the school day when there are fewer crowds. Even better is to have a day that is set aside for the homeschooling community with special exhibits and discount prices. Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa is getting attention early in the school year with a Homeschool Day. The Hubble Telescope pictures will be on display, prices are great, and even better if you take advantage of the educator guest pass. Seven important things to consider when selecting a homeschool support group By : Hollycraw With over 100 homeschool support groups in the Phoenix area, there is likely a group to fit nearly every need. It is not uncommon to see several new groups start up each year in Maricopa County. The big question is how to go about finding a group that will be a good fit for you and your family. Phoenix homeschoolers have wide variety of support groups to meet social needs By : Hollycraw Leaders in the homeschooling community highly recommend that homeschoolers find ways to connect with other like-minded families for a system of encouragement, new ideas, and friendships. Homeschool support groups are designed to meet those needs, and the groups in the Phoenix area present a vast array of styles and purposes for the gatherings. Free bowling party kicks off homeschool bowling program in Scottsdale By : Hollycraw If you are a homeschool family looking for some good clean fun, fellowship with other homeschoolers, AND a PE credit, you may want to check out the Brunswick Home School Bowling Program in Scottsdale, Arizona. Tim Brenden, General Manager of Via Linda Lanes in Scottsdale has designed a physical education program specifically for homeschoolers. He is offering a package deal for 14 weeks at a highly discounted price. Cultivating creativity for homeschoolers could lead to unexpected blessings By : Hollycraw An academic assignment with a challenge to have the project benefit someone else could bring surprising results. The concept is a perfect fit for homeschoolers, who often are encouraged to aim high and think outside the box, and to purposely give back to the community. Sebastian Gupta, although not a homeschooler, had parents who were involved in his educational pursuits and held him to a high standard. Grand Canyon Diploma: Comparing homeschooling with new public school program By : Hollycraw The Grand Canyon Diploma is being touted as an innovative educational experiment that was put in place for some Arizona schools yesterday as the fall session begins in many districts. Incoming ninth graders in 17 schools will be placed into a new program geared to helping students move quickly through high school to graduate in two years. Phoenix area events for homeschoolers: Updated August 12, 2011 By : Hollycraw The long days of summer are almost over, but there is a great lineup of homeschool events for the fall. In addition to these listed, homeschool groups will be starting up again with co-op classes, field trips and enrichment activities for the families in the Phoenix area. Upcoming Summer and Fall Homeschool Events in Phoenix There is still time to get involved in a few great events and activities before the schools begin again for the fall. Homeschoolers mark your calendars for fall college fairs around Phoenix By : Hollycraw A college fair is a wonderful place for homeschoolers to get some face to face contacts with college admissions and financial aid personnel. Most fairs are in September or early October, and different schools may be represented at each one. The Phoenix area has several events scheduled. Prospective students can get direct information about: Admission requirements Financial aid Testing College majors All events are free to the public. Homeschool alum provides tips for finding college scholarships By : Hollycraw David Craft is the originator of the Homeschool Scholarships website which is a list of college funding awards strictly for homeschoolers. This is a great place for the homeschool students in the Phoenix area to start their scholarship search. Another local place for getting information on all aspects of the college application process, including college funding is the workshops offered through College Depot at the Burton Barr Library in Phoenix. Ron Paul for President: Energizing homeschoolers to be part of his campaign By : Hollycraw For the third time, Ron Paul, US representative from Texas, is running for President. Yesterday, he kicked off a national "Homeschoolers for Ron Paul" coalition from Lake Jackson, Texas. With estimates of 2.5 million homeschooled students in the United States, representing close to one million parents who collectively have a voting record double the national average, this could catalyze a huge segment of the potential voters. Exclusive scholarships for homeschoolers is focus of homeschool alum By : Hollycraw Imagine having a website that was devoted to scholarships designed exclusively for homeschoolers! Imagine applying for college funding with far less competition than the typical corporate scholarships which are open to all students across the country! Imagine getting some great tips for the scholarship search which can help you avoid some of the pitfalls you might face if you don't have access to all the information that you might need to be most successful in getting adequate financial. August is free teacher admission month to Deer Valley Rock Art Center By : Hollycraw Homeschooling parents! Be on the lookout for free teacher events or promotions during the month of August. Sometimes, field trip destinations such as museums or the Science Center will have preview opportunities for teachers in hopes of booking a group outing. What a great way to have a chance to scope out the exhibits to be better prepared when you bring the family. Homeschool parents: Prepare your child to be a true leader-free webinar By : Hollycraw CollegePlus! is a cutting edge organization which is helping homeschoolers move through college classes by getting credit by examination, thus slashing college costs and time investment. Besides a mentoring program to guide students through the CLEP tests, CollegePlus! also offers online workshops to hone skills and equip families for the steps needed in college admissions. Comparing Calif. public school and Ariz. homeschool credits for college entrance By : Hollycraw In reference to the article on homeschool coursework needed for graduation and college entrance, a reader asked this question: If I went to public school in California and now am homeschooling in Arizona, how do I compare the high school credits to know if I am on track for admission to Arizona State University? Coursework credit is figured in two different ways in the public schools, and homeschoolers can add in a couple more. High school graduation: What courses are needed for homeschoolers By : Hollycraw Beginning with the class of 2012, or those who began high school in the fall of 2008, Arizona's minimum high school graduation requirements have been increased. For the class of 2013 (those who began 9th grade in the fall of 2009), the requirements are going up even more. Current credits needed for graduation up to the end of 2011: English: 4 credits Mathematics: 2 credits Science: 2 credits Social Studies/History: 2.5 credits CTE (Computer Technology) or Fine Arts: 1 credit Willy Wonka auditions call for children, teens, adults: Homeschoolers invited By : Hollycraw Starlight Community Theater in Anthem, Arizona has announced audition dates for Willy Wonka. Characters of all ages are needed, beginning with seven-year-olds, and including teens, adults and seniors. Willy Wonka is a timeless musical favorite which highlights an imaginative journey into the workings of a chocolate factory. The chocolatier, Willy Wonka, is looking for a child to be his heir. Homeschool testing: Materials and tips for preparing for standardized tests By : Hollycraw Arizona does not require standardized testing for homeschool students, yet many parents choose to have an assessment to see how the learning is progressing or to qualify for the homeschool honor society, Eta Sigma Alpha. The most common test instruments are the Iowa and Stanford tests. Homeschool transcripts: How to include life experience, literature-based courses By : Hollycraw Creating a homeschool transcript is a daunting task for some parents. The transcript document itself is not that difficult, if you know the standard components of a high school transcript. The parts that can get more confusing are those that are a little outside the standard framework of high school classes. In the Phoenix area, workshops can be set up to provide guidance on transcript preparation and key steps needed for getting ready for college. More great summer homeschooling events: Updated July 16, 2011 By : Hollycraw Upcoming Summer and Fall Homeschool Events in Phoenix There is still time to get involved in a few great events and activities before the schools begin again for the fall. Ongoing Family fun for (mostly) free in Phoenix during the long hot summer: FREE Museum entrance July 19-22 College prep camp for 8th graders (Free) July 21 "Considering Homeschooling" Free Pre-convention mini-conference Stanford Test for homeschoolers July 22-23 New Iowa Test date for Phoenix homeschoolers affords honor society eligibility By : Hollycraw There is one additional opportunity for Phoenix area homeschoolers to get standardized test scores to qualify for fall membership in Eta Sigma Alpha, the homeschool honor society. Students need to be in 7th-12th grades and score in the 90th percentile or higher on a standardized test (Iowa, Stanford, CAT or specified scores on college entrance tests). Family fun for (mostly) free in Phoenix during the long hot summer: Museums By : Hollycraw Now that Fourth of July has passed, summer vacation is officially half over. Even though some homeschoolers continue with lessons throughout the hot months, there is probably always a need for some fun, cool, and inexpensive activities that the whole family can enjoy. The DEALS section of azcentral.com list dozens of bargains and About.com lists the free museums in Phoenix, so be sure to check there for more information. A calendar of the free offers will be enough to whet your appetite. Free college prep summer camp: Key tools for college admissions for 6-12 graders By : Hollycraw Where can homeschoolers go to find the best college information? How soon should families begin preparing for college? Is there an easy way to get the most crucial information for the whole college process? Nearly every homeschool parent or student has asked these questions. Although there is a wealth of information on the internet, soritng through all of that to find the pieces that you need can be daunting. Last call for registration for summer homeschool standardized testing By : Hollycraw June has flown by, seemingly in the blink of an eye, and the rest of the summer will have wings of its own. For those wanting to have their students assessed on standardized tests before the new school year begins, three more opportunities are available for you. Holly Craw Home Education Services provides test proctoring for reasonable rates for homeschool groups or indivduals. Dates have been set for three sessions, and parents are encouraged to sign up right away to reserve the spots. Homeschooling novels: When Sparrows Fall shows downside of Quiverfull movement By : Hollycraw When Sparrows Fall is a moving story on several levels. Feeling trapped by a restrictive and rule-filled church, and by extension, her homeschool environment, Miranda Hanford lives a bit of a double life. She dutifully homeschools her children and keeps them from the public library where they may encounter fiction works and novels with ideas contrary to the church's mandates. However, she keeps the latest woman's magazine stashed under her bed to read in moments of solitude and yearning. Homeschoolers and dual-credit classes: Easy steps for getting a jump on college By : Hollycraw My homeschooler wants to take dual-credit community college classes. What are the steps needed to get set up with this? It is becoming quite popular for homeschoolers to get high school and college credit by enrolling in community college classes while in high school. Arizona law allows twelve-year-olds and older to enroll, and even as young as eight if parents take the class with them. Standardized testing for homeschoolers: Comparison of Iowa and Stanford tests By : Hollycraw This is an excellent question. Since testing is not required in Arizona, parents who choose to test are free to use whatever assessment tools they wish. The Iowa and Stanford tests are two of the most common, and they are easily accessible to homeschoolers through group settings such as support groups, or individually with tests ordered through Bob Jones University Press (BJUP). Covenant Home School Resource Center (CHSRC) in Phoenix offers the Iowa test in March and June annually. What is the best time for a homeschooler to take the PSAT test? By : Hollycraw The PSAT (Preliminary or Practice Scholastic Aptitude Test) is offered annually in October. It is official when the student lists the grade level as 11th grade. Younger students who wish to try out their skills may take it in earlier grades for practice and skill building. PSAT test is a key tool in getting college scholarships for homeschooler By : Hollycraw In the Phoenix area, homeschoolers can take the PSAT at the public high schools, or in a homeschool environment at Covenant Home School Resource Center. It is offered only once each year, the second week in October, and participating venues can choose to offer it during the week or on a Saturday. Contact the administering school by September 1 to be included. The test is only official during the 11th grade (or final year of high school in some circumstances). Stanford test offered for homeschool 5th through 8th graders in July By : Hollycraw How often do you hear your children say they like taking tests? Of course, some students thrive on taking exams and could do it all day. Homeschoolers may or may not enjoy the process of taking a test, but it is often reported that a group testing session is almost like a field trip. Students get to meet new people, or see friends they don't meet very often, and the exam itself becomes a little less intimidating. NCAA 101 for Homeschoolers By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling If you don't know, NCAA means National Collegiate Athletic Association. If you don't know what it is, you probably aren't worried about it at all. But if you DO know what it means, then as a homeschool parent you may feel stressed or insecure. Let me help! Summer reading: Getting rewards for what many homeschoolers best love to do By : Hollycraw Homeschool families typically have dozens of bookshelves in their homes. Often, the children (and parents) are voracious readers and don't need any coaxing. Of course, there are some students who either don't like to read, or struggle with reading for a variety of reasons, and these may need some incentives to pick up a book when not required. Fortunately, there are several great summer reading programs in the Phoenix area with prizes to keep everyone motivated and happy. Virtual classes: Popular "homeschool" method for troubled kids By : Hollycraw We're seeing a growing number of kids (specifically troubled boys and younger girls who end up pregnant) who are finishing high school via homeschooling through online classes. Do you have any input on the value or problems associated with online classes? According to the Maricopa County (Arizona) Homeschool Specialist, there is a growing number of people who are homeschooling students who no longer are able, due to behavior problems, to attend the public schools. Best places in Phoenix to buy and sell used homeschool curriculum By : Hollycraw The end of May is the time homeschoolers think about selling completed curriculum to make room (or money) to get the materials for the coming school year. There are currently several local venues for moving your books on and finding great deals on items that you need. Can you say $50K? Unique scholarship available for Hispanic homeschoolers By : Hollycraw The award is sponsored by Univision, the Premios Juventud program, and JCPenney. With a short deadline of May 27, 2011 to have all the information submitted, interested students need to take quick action. Phoenix area students can turn in their applications at the local address below. The scholarship winner, selected on academic achievement and financial need, will receive $50,000 to the college of his or her choice. Two additional winners will each receive a $2000 JC Penny Gift Card. Homeschoolers can take advantage of free museums on Wednesday, May 18 By : Hollycraw The international celebration has the 2011 theme, "Museum and memory" and is sponsored by the International Council of Museums. The Museum Day has beencelebrated for over 30 years as a way to introduce the local communities around the world to the treasures that have been archived for them. Over 30,000 historical and cultural groups plan to participate this year in more than 100 countries. Can a homeschool mom test her own kids at home with IOWA or Stanford test? By : Hollycraw The most common tests that homeschoolers take are the IOWA and the Stanford. Both assess the students knowledge in the language arts array, math skills, science, social studies and reference materials such as maps, charts, dictionaries and encyclopedia use. Other tests, such as college entrance or placement instruments, may be required with the college application. Homeschool student starts a Physics-Science Circle to create passion for science By : Hollycraw During the 2010-2011 school year, Gabe became part of the inaugural Math Circle program at Arizona State University. With the close interaction with math professors and real-life math scientists, researchers and career mathematicians, Gabe found his own interest in math blossoming. Many people find studying numbers and their relationships to be hard or boring, but the discussion and project approach made math fun and stimulating for the ninth grader from Scottsdale. Homeschoolers are invited to join ASU math circle for fall 2011 By : Hollycraw Gabe Salmon is a homeschool high schooler who has been involved with the debut of a Math Circle at Arizona State University this past year. It was a great experience to be able to interact with some of the cutting edge thinkers and ideas in the mathematics field, and to have a peer group for exploration and discussion of the topics. Students and research faculty met together weekly to hear lectures and problem solve on issues such as soap bubbles, number theory, crytography and jugglematics. College Values and Big Scholarships By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling The results are out. We now know the colleges that are a good buy. "Consumers Digest Names Top 100 College Values" Imperfect Foreign Language Curriculum By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling Just do your best with foreign language. I'm afraid there is no silver bullet or perfect curriculum. The standard homeschool choices are Rosetta Stone, Tell Me More, and Power Glide. I just received some feedback from a client. Can a homeschool transcript really get a student into college with scholarships? By : Hollycraw If you are planning to homeschool high school students, you have probably encountered these questions. You may even know someone who is pretty intimidated with these thoughts. Join a veteran homeschool mom to get answers to these and other important homeschool questions in a series of four homeschool workshops in one day designed to provide answers and equip you to have the best tools for providing a stellar education for your students. Homeschool workshop gives key secrets to setting up lesson plans By : Hollycraw Did you know that the textbook's Table of Contents is a great tool for creating lesson plans for the year? Workshop topics: Is a lesson plan needed for every student, every day in every subject? Now that I have curriculum, what do I do with it? How to break the year's material into manageable pieces Creating a time schedule that works with all the family activities When to break from the schedule (without guilt!) How standardized test scores can help you set up lesson plans Advertisement How to set homeschool goals and what records to keep By : Hollycraw Goal Setting and Record Keeping is especially designed for the new homeschooler or one who needs more structure to stay on track. There is a lot to consider and keep track of, especially for those parents with numerous children, and it can be overwhelming. You will come away with practical guidelines and easy-to-use forms that can be customized for your family's needs. Homeschool workshop series equips parents on lesson plans, records, college prep By : Hollycraw Homeschooling is a big task, filled with lots of questions and roles for the parents. Take advantage of the expertise of a veteran homeschool mom who taught her daughters K-12, and spent the next decade as a homeschool service provider. Four stand-alone workshops can also be combined for greater impact and equipping. Attend one or several, and get discounts when you pre-register for more than one. Homeschoolers fill 12 of 41 roles in CYT's Cinderella musical for May shows By : Hollycraw Homeschoolers and drama productions seem made for each other. You can find homeschool students in most of the community theater groups in the Phoenix metro area, plus there are a number of homeschool theater organizations in the valley. Christian Youth Theater is one venue that seems to attract a lot of homeschool families, and the upcoming performance of Cinderella the Musical is no exception. Disadvantages of Home Schooling By : Heidi Johnson Find out the main home schooling disadvantages and what you can do about them. Looking at both the pros and cons can help parents make an informed decision. What Supplies Do You Need to Homeschool By : Heidi Johnson Get all your questions answered about what do you need to homeschool. Find out the simple steps you need to take to have everything you need to have a successful homeschool year. Homeschool High School Credit for Latin By : Lee Binz Expert in Home-Schooling How much is a credit of Latin and when do you stop? Answers vary depending on the situation, but here is the advice I gave Rebecca. Arizona redefines homeschool: A brief history leading up to SB 1152 By : Hollycraw On Apri 6,2011, SB 1152 was signed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Although no new law was created, important distinctions were made in the definition of homeschooling. First, the word "homeschool" is used instead of previous variations in usage: home school, home-school or instruction at home. Secondly, the definition now specifies that homeschooling consists of non-public forms of education (not funded by the local public schools or other government agencies).
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