Can you recommend some interesting curriculums for a high-schooler?

Question

I will be homeschooling my younger sister, my daughter, and my son.

I was primarily looking for some interesting curriculums, tips on projects, links, programs my sister can do online, things like that, from people who are experienced with homeschooling particularly in high school. My sister's in 11th grade.

Thanks a bunch!

Answer 1

My son is using Teaching Textbooks for Algebra and loves it.

http://www.teachingtextbooks.com

We have a Cosmeo subscription and LOVE it.  Included is Nutshell Math, which makes the subscription price worth it.  They have a 30 day free trial, and you have have four students on one account, plus the parent account.  It's $9.95/mo or $99/year.  In some states, it's free, along with, or in place of, United Streaming (the teacher-directed site).

http://www.cosmeo.com

There's also Brain Pop.  Some public libraries have free access during school hours.

http://www.brainpop.com

As far as "programs" online, there are online virtual public schools.  If your state allows them, she could enroll in one.  It's not "true" homeschooling, but as close as you can get and it's free, or minimal cost.

http://www.k12.com (we've used K12 for over 5 yrs as HS'ers and love it)

http://www.connectionsacademy.com/

There are many online high schools where you can take one course, or a full load for a diploma from them.  They will cost tuition - $350/course/semester and up.

Apex:

http://www.apexlearning.com/

K12 (as independent HS'ers)

http://www.k12.com/hsc/flash/

Florida Virtual School:

http://www.flvs.net/

NorthStar Academy:

http://www.northstar-academy.org/......

UNL Independent Study High School:

http://nebraskahs.unl.edu/index.shtml......

Center for Distance and Independent Study:

http://cdis.missouri.edu/

I would also see what your local HS'ing community has for educational co-ops, volunteer opportunities, museum programs, sports programs, etc.

Answer 2

The curriculum at a school is way more than you can provide at home!!  For example, you can't teach them most of the science requirements unless if for some strange reason you have a lab in your home.

Answer 3

The most interesting curriculum has got to be the one she/you put together for herself/yourself. That's what we do. We don't use anything 'bought in'. If you put together your own curriculum, you could base it entirely around the things that most interest your sister.

Answer 4

I love the http://www.sonlight.com catalogue for ideas on curriculum choices. Other than that, it might be really good to join a Yahoo group for high school homeschooling so you can find out even more.

Answer 5

I am not sure what you mean by interesting curriculum's.

Any book can be interesting if it is a subject the students would like to learn about.

Basic subjects that need to be learned, like math reading, and writing can indeed be made interesting depending on how you approach these.

There are many math programs available, although this will be a bit of trail, and error.

We use Saxon, but have used others along with it from time to time.

I hear that Teaching Textbooks is very popular, bu I have never used it.

http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/

For writing we use Write Shop, and that I can highly recommend, since it is individually paced, fun, and covers just about everything.

http://www.writeshop.com/

We use several, but Christian Liberty Press is our foundation.

They got our vote for both solid academics, and price.

http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/...

We use Sonlight, and Bethlehem readers, Saxon math, Key books for additional math practice in concepts that need it, Write Shop for writing, Wordly Wise 3000 for vocabulary/reading comprehension/spelling, Memoria Press for Latin, Apologia, and CLP for science, and Bible, later for Bible we also include some books from Positive Action for Christ; as you see over the years you will pick what works best for the children; it is on hand when they want it, and when they are ready for it.

For the ones that prefer to do the piano on their own, although they do enjoy their lessons, I have Piano for Life on the book shelf; this is a self taught video/DVD series that is really good.

For many on line sources; this list may be a bit long, but does have some great resources.

You may also look at the Book Samaritan for curriculum.

http://www.booksamaritan.com/

Multiple resources can be found with these links, and links on their sites.

Good Luck.

This site does require a $20.00 yearly fee to have full use of all their printable materials, but it is well worth it.

You can check them out for free, but it is a lot of curriculum in one place.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/



Free computer software; just pay a nominal fee for shipping.

http://www.planetcdrom.com/free-homescho...



Educational games.

http://www.educationallearninggames.com/...



Bible.

http://www.bibletopics.com/index.htm

http://www.nestlearning.com/Coloring-Pag...

http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0.htm



Book lists.

http://nancykeane.com/rl/

http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/c...



Poetry.

http://www.poetry4kids.com/modules.php?n...

http://www.poetry4kids.com/index.php



Weather/Meteorology (the weather dude).

http://www.wxdude.com

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/matrix...

Astronomy

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/star...

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/

Mr. Donn's history site - unit studies.

http://members.aol.com/donnandlee/



Free Audio Books.

http://www.free-books.org/



On-Line e-mail and communication etiquette.

http://www.onlinenetiquette.com/

http://www.emailreplies.com/



Natural Living, and Environment.

http://www.eartheasy.com/article_enviro_...

http://www.nrdc.org/reference/kids.asp

http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/9489...



Health and Science.

http://kidshealth.org/kid/

http://www.exploratorium.edu/imaging_sta...

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/c...





Dewey Decimal System.

http://www.tnrdlib.bc.ca/dewey.html

Free weekly tips, worksheets,lesson plans, resources , and curriculum.

http://www.homeschoolfreestuff...

http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/FreeEdMai...

http://about.com/education/

http://www.freeworksheets.com/

http://teacher.scholastic.com/

http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/ets/Wwwsites....

http://www.lethsd.ab.ca/mmh/games/top100...

http://www.ala.org/gwstemplate.cfm?secti...

http://www.starfall.com/

http://www.homeschoolblessings.com/

http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/

Math:

http://www.tlsbooks.com/mathworksheets.h...

http://www.mathsisfun.com/worksheets/ind...

http://www.algebra.com

http://www.coolmath.com/

http://www.coolmathalgebra.com/......

http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/creekvalley/s...

http://www.rainforestmaths.com/

http://www.clc.mnscu.edu/kschulte/mathwo...

http://www.totallyfreemath.com/toc.html

http://www.aaamath.com/

http://www.mathsisfun.com/

http://www.purplemath.com/

http://www.multiplication.com/interactiv...

http://www.learningplanet.com/sam/ff/ind...

Geography

http://www.dltk-kids.com/world

http://www.dltk-kids.com

http://www.dltk-kids.com/color.........

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geograph...

http://members.aol.com/bowermanb/games.h...

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/g...

http://www.weeklyreader.com/kids/games/g...

http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/u...

http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/



History.

http://www.touregypt.net/KIDS/monuments....

http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/resources...

http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/decades.html

http://www.foundationsmag.com/civility.h...

http://www.brainyhistory.com/

http://history-world.org/



Library learning.

http://www.lists.webjunction.org/libweb/

http://www.loc.gov/index.html/

http://www.libraryspot.com/

http://www.lii.org/

http://www.demo.openlibrary.org/

Typing-keyboarding

http://www.auntlee.com/easytyp.........

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/



Grammar-writing.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/i...

http://www.zozanga.com/



Grade Level Core Knowledge site.

http://www.coreknowledge.org/CK/resrcs/l...



Other:

http://www.funbrain.com/

http://www.brainpopjr.com/

http://www.iknowthat.com/

http://www.kidzone.ws/

http://kidsites.com/

http://www.spellingtime.com/

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/...

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/month...

http://www.extremescience.com/

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids...

http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/menu_...

http://parenting.leehansen.com/kids/kids...

http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/ind...

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/index....

http://www.lethsd.ab.ca/mmh/games/top100...

http://www.nsa.gov/kids/

http://www.surfnetkids.com/

http://4kids.org/games/

Answer 6

One great science curriculum is Apologia. It is a textbook written by a professor aimed towards homeschoolers. When you read the textbook you feel almost like you are having a conversation with him, and he makes everything so clear, yet fun!

Answer 7

I think something great to do in high school if you are going to go to collage is to study really hard on ap, sat, clep, ect tests. They will help you with school and getting into a good collage.

Answer 8

Movies as Literature is a great curriculum for English.   Very unique and fun.  It is a complete one year high school english course.

Classic movies like Arsenic and Old Lace and fun movies like Indiana Jones are used to teach kids.  It's a great program.

http://www.designastudy.com/products/189...

Answer 9

I have a friend who did www.ConnectionsAcademy.com, it was public school at home and still let her do a lot of things that she wanted to do, maybe it's something you should look into!

Answer 10

The regular school system have wonderful programs why not enroll them?