Letter from HSLDA: Waiting

We love February. Being the shortest and often coldest month, we don’t regret that it flies by if it brings us closer to warmer weather. February does not make you wait ... but as you homeschool your teens there may be circumstances and people that cause you to wait. What are you waiting for?

• A chance to read the last chapter of a book you began over a year ago?
• An end to your homeschooling days? (On some days it gives new meaning to “come quickly, Lord Jesus,” doesn’t it? )
• A wandering teen to get on the right path or simply to show some motivation?
• A spouse to be more involved in what goes on at home?
• A result from a medical test?
• An answer to a “stale” prayer that your heart thinks has gone unnoticed?

Our goal this month is to help you gain a new perspective on waiting that will bless your homeschooling days. With help from Andrew Murray’s classic book, Waiting on God, let’s peer into the waiting room.

Reasons for Waiting

Most of us don’t wait by choice—it’s usually forced upon us. No one picks the longest line to stand in. When waiting, we may be frustrated by our lack of control in the situation. But waiting does have a purpose. It shifts the focus off of us and places it on the Lord. Whether you are waiting for the finances to improve, the volunteer to step up to coordinate the science fair this year, or your teen to stop resisting your every request, concentrating on the Lord and not on the situation will re-center your focus.
There are reasons for waiting that you may not initially notice. Can it be you need to hear from the Lord first about the wisdom of taking on a new responsibility? It could be that by waiting, you’ll be led to see that your proposed plan doesn’t mesh well with your current energy level, your family’s needs, or your teen’s best interests.
But maybe it’s the timing that’s not right. Perhaps the delay in enrolling your teen in a dual enrollment math course will give you a chance to better equip him in the skills he’ll need when he eventually can register for the class. Instead of fretting about waiting for your teen to excel in math, see this as direction from the Lord that a math-related field may not be in your child’s future! Waiting can be used to redefine goals and to realign your plans with God’s plans.
When you wait, concentrate on Who God is and what He can do. God is faithful, He is powerful, He is never late, He knows all, and most of all, He loves both you and your teen.

“Bow quietly before God, just to remember and realize who He is, how near He is, how certainly He can and will help. Just be still before Him, and allow His Holy Spirit to waken and stir in your soul the childlike disposition of absolute dependence and confident expectation.”

(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 24)

It will be worth the wait!

Responses to Waiting

What is your usual response to waiting? Is it anger, impatience, worry, wailing, or bitterness?

“If we truly set ourselves to wait upon God, we will find that it is with Him we are impatient, because He does not at once, or as soon as would wish, do our bidding.”

(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 51)

Yikes! In black and white, our sinful responses to waiting are pretty ugly, aren’t they? But, with the Lord’s grace, we can put off these discouraging reactions, and learn instead to reflect, pause, and take a breather while asking the Lord to show us what we need to understand or appreciate about our present circumstances.
When we do this, we grow, mature, and change. In the process, we model a humble example for our teens. We show them that waiting for the college admissions letter to arrive, the job interview to be scheduled, or the right time for a relationship to blossom can be marked by hope and calm expectation rather than by dread, disappointment, or annoyance. Seeing the wait as an opportunity to fine tune your teen’s and your character may redirect you to wait peacefully while trusting in the sovereignty and perfect ways of the Lord.

Benefits of Waiting

What can we gain by learning how to wait? Here are some gems that will be ours:
Patience: We’ll have a new ability to endure delays without becoming provoked or upset, but by staying calm. A patient parent reflects a patient Lord Who is at work behind the scenes.

“Give God His glory by resting in Him, by trusting Him fully, by waiting patiently for Him. This patience honors Him greatly. It leaves Him, as God on the throne, to do His work. It yields self wholly into His hands. It lets God be God.”

(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 53)

Endurance: We’ll have staying power to bear pain, hardship, or heartache for the long haul. Endurance forges strong fortitude and resilience that will be noticed by your teens.

“Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father ... who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

Colossians 1:11,12

Readiness: We’ll be better prepared to face circumstances in the future that cause us to wait. The next time you must wait, be reminded of the past mercies of the Lord and how He equipped you. Hopefully, in upcoming circumstances you'll hold your fire and hold your horses!
And,
Hope: A confident expectation and trust in the Lord. Our circumstances and other people may not be trustworthy, but our Lord is!

“Let every exercise of waiting, let our whole habit of waiting on God, be pervaded by abounding hope—a hope as bright and boundless as God’s mercy.”

(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 49)

How Long Will You Wait?

Based on the phone calls we receive from HSLDA members, we know that some of you are experiencing great trial and hardship. You’ve been waiting a long time and there’s no end in sight. How long will you wait?

“What the heart is full of, occupies it, even when the thoughts are otherwise engaged. ... When the heart has learned how entirely powerless it is for one moment to keep itself or bring forth any good, when it has learned how surely and truly God will keep it, when it has, in despair of itself, accepted God’s promise to do for it the impossible, it learns to rest in God. In the midst of occupations and temptations, it can wait continually.”

(Waiting on God by Andrew Murray, page 128)

Continually ... that’s a long time! God will give you the power to wait continually. Check it out—just when the waiting is over in one area, another area of waiting will creep up on you. Until eternity, there will always be something or someone that keeps you waiting. View the wait as purposeful, positive, and planned by the Almighty who orders all things to be. Remember that your wait is never in vain.
One last word from Murray:

“He stirs up your nest. He disappoints your hopes. He brings down your confidence. He makes you fear and tremble, as all your strength fails, and you feel utterly weary and helpless. And all the while He’s spreading His strong wings for you to rest your weakness on, and offering His everlasting Creator-strength to work in you. And all He asks is that you sink down in your weariness and wait on Him.”

(Waiting on God by Andrew Murray, page 93)

Jacob waited and worked the first seven years for Rachel, “but they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her” (Genesis 29:20). You can express your love for the Lord by worshipping and praising Him while you wait.

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation.”

Psalm 62:5,6

Next month, join us as we change gears and discuss incorporating job shadowing into your high school at home plans.
Trusting that the Lord blesses you with a new outlook on waiting as you homeschool your teens,
Becky Cooke and Diane Kummer
HSLDA High School Coordinators

HSLDA: January 2011

Happy New Year! We pray that the Lord brings you refreshment to begin 2011. If when flipping your calendars you find a month already filled with activities, events, deadlines, doctor appointments, and more, we understand. We flipped our calendar page too.
As we present possibilities for your teens’ involvement, we encourage you to remember that no one is expected to try out all of the suggestions. In fact, you may want to file this newsletter away for another day (or another year!) and concentrate instead on the full plate in front of you. On the other hand, if your energy allows and your teens are gung ho, then read on.
There are many potential avenues to involve your children in competitions and organizations that provide opportunities to recognize, reward, and promote their achievements. Each of your teens has been gifted in a unique way. Not all of them will excel in the same way, so seek out areas where your teens’ traits and qualities can shine.

Calling All Homeschoolers

Did we catch your attention? We hope so; because as homeschoolers, you have unlimited flexibility to dream up occasions to showcase your teens’ strengths.
Let’s say that your teen is gifted with a merciful heart. Put that trait to the Lord’s use by encouraging her to set up a tutoring service for needy youngsters whose parents can’t afford private tutors. These young people may be found in your church, your neighborhood, or at the local homeless shelter. Although your teen’s motivation should not be reward, nonetheless, her efforts will attract recognition from others and may one day result in a letter of recommendation, a note from a thankful child, or a skill that will serve her well after high school graduation.
Your son’s passion for sports could lead to his coaching a community, church, or homeschool team while exhibiting a godly role model to the youth. Perhaps your son could further use his leadership skills to coordinate the team to collect food for the food pantry in your town, or to donate gently worn clothing to disadvantaged youths. Your son will gain valuable experience in managing people, converting idle time into productive time, and helping to mentor children into responsible young adults.
Don’t feel as if you must send your teens to public or private schools to participate in school clubs to gain activities for post high school applications. In a homeschool environment, teens can achieve leadership positions by forming a club, electing officers, assigning tasks, motivating others to join, and coordinating events that the group finds worthwhile. Homeschool parents can act as advisors for the club, encouraging the teens to shoulder the majority of the responsibilities. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how conscientious and reliable your teens can be when provided the chance to be in charge.
If you would rather not start from scratch, search out opportunities such as Generation Joshua’s student action teams and clubs. GenJ will help your teen form a club in his area to pray for our nation, carry out civic and community duties, communicate truth (spiritual and political), and be ready on short notice to help campaigns of pro-family, conservative candidates. Teens can also step it up a notch and participate in the Benjamin Rush Awards program that offers many exciting prizes and scholarships to participants!

Contests and Competitions

It is amazing the number of contests and competitions that your homeschooled teen can enter. We’ve collected a sampling of them on the HSLDA High School website to give you a starting point for your own exploration. A new contest we added recently, Doodle 4 Google, especially mentions “including homeschoolers.”
Be sure to take into consideration the eligibility requirements and deadlines associated with each opportunity. Many times, the essay or project required may take much time to prepare, so don’t wait until the last minute to decide.
In the event that you run into a situation where a competition, contest, or scholarship excludes homeschoolers from participating, here are some suggestions. Contact the sponsor to inquire about the reason homeschoolers are excluded, and then graciously offer a rationale for changing the policy. This gives you an opportunity to promote and inform others about the benefits of homeschooling.
In many cases, sponsors do not deliberately exclude homeschoolers but simply haven’t given them a thought. For example, a sponsor may list the criteria that an entrant must currently be attending public or private school without thinking to include the “homeschooled” category.
In other instances, a scholarship committee may be unfamiliar with homeschooling, and not realize that it is legal in all 50 states, or that the federal government recognizes homeschooled diplomas when considering federal financial need, or that the military accepts homeschooled diplomas. In these circumstances, the majority of homeschoolers can present objective evaluation of their academic level with test scores, grades from outside classes, and letters of recommendation from others who can attest to their academic abilities. Most sponsors, when offered this information, have no problem allowing homeschoolers to apply for an award or scholarship.

Organizations to Check Out

Organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, 4-H, Toastmasters International, and others welcome participation by homeschoolers. Your teens may distinguish themselves by winning awards, ribbons, and medals for their involvement individually or through group projects.
The Congressional Award is another option open to all students ages 14–23 years. Your teens are honored for “achieving their own challenging goals.” Adjustments are also made to include those with physical or mental difficulties.

Honor Societies for Homeschoolers

Even though the National Honor Society does not accept homeschoolers, there are societies that provide an alternative for your teens. These organizations are recognized by colleges and others so participation is considered an honor. You may find Erin McRee’s article helpful as she highlights the advantages of investigating and joining honor societies.

Bright Spots

HSLDA’s Bright Spots may remind you of ways your teens can distinguish themselves or stir up your creative juices to think of other areas for them to excel. We hope that you are encouraged by the breadth of opportunities available to your homeschooler.

The Final Reward

Although it’s nice for your teen to have awards and honors to list on college applications and job resumes, remember that in the big scheme of things, the only recognition that counts for eternity is a life spent glorifying the Lord with the talents and gifts that He has bestowed. Be sure to keep this thought in mind when the award or honor comes and give thanks to the Giver of all good gifts.

A Letter from HSLDA: Ideas for High School Field Trips

Planning a Field Trip

Organizing a field trip does not have to be time-consuming. First, keep them to a manageable number. Then ask your teens to suggest ideas for areas/interests that they are curious about and assign them some of the responsibility for nailing down the details. Much of the planning may be done online which will save you time. Some field trips require very little planning. For example, one phone call to a local author setting up a day, time, and location to meet may be all it takes to arrange a great field trip that will give your teens insight into the writing process.

Perhaps you’ll want to team up with two or three other families, with each family taking responsibility to plan just one field trip for everyone. These jaunts will also provide opportunities to enjoy camaraderie and friendship with other teens.

Don’t reject out-of-hand spontaneous opportunities. These can be some of the most productive and fun times. For example, a trip to the local arts and crafts fair may spark an impromptu conversation with a glass blower who is willing to give an in-depth explanation and history of his craft. Voila! No planning necessary, but a most informative and engaging field trip nonetheless.

Performing Arts

There are many prospects for your teens to experience the performing arts through community theaters, symphonies, and concerts in the park. If you have budget constraints, look for low-cost and even free performances. Some communities offer inexpensive student tickets, so be sure to take advantage of these. If a “school” discount price is available, try using your HSLDA member ID card to take advantage of the lower costs.

Living near community or four-year colleges will afford you opportunities to attend student recitals, poetry readings, or other presentations. Ask about dress rehearsals that may be open to the public. Around the holidays, many churches offer free musical concerts and drama productions.

Election/Campaign/Civics

Volunteering to work on a political campaign is a great educational experience. Seek out politicians whose views you support, and have your teen volunteer to help the candidate or current office holder. Your teen will learn new skills, become an informed citizen, and hopefully help to put good people into office. Generation Joshua provides many opportunities for teens to become involved in the political process.

To gain a better understanding of civics, your teen may want to spend a day in court taking in a public sentencing hearing, attend a traffic court session, stop by your state capitol for a tour, or sit in the gallery and watch a legislative session.

Sports/Recreation

As part of your teen’s physical education course, why not include family outings to a couple of sports events? Looking for ways for your teens to become better acquainted with a sport? One suggestion is to have them research a particular sport such as lacrosse, write a paper on its history, learn the rules, and then root for your local team at a high school or college game.

Many major league sports teams offer tours of the stadium/arena while giving great info regarding the team’s history. For example, Camden Yards in Baltimore couples a wonderful tour of the ballpark with historical information regarding the surrounding area. Who would have thought that a tour of the ball park would include a history lesson!

Make writing a composition a painless activity by encouraging your teen to personify a reporter and write up an article covering a game or event. Assignments like these are not only fun but also serve as a reminder to your teens that both announcers and reporters need good writing and communication skills.

If your teen isn’t into sports, then your family may wish to identify another activity you can do together such as hiking and picnicking, whitewater rafting, or biking. It may foster an enjoyment in keeping fit in the company of others.

Job Shadowing

Did you ever think of combining a career development elective with a field trip? Does he have an interest in becoming a radio producer, plumber, network engineer, or firefighter? Over the course of the high school years, your teen could choose one occupation/career per year to investigate. Use your connections in the church and community to introduce him to a person in the field of interest. Encourage your teen to line up several days to job shadow this person and receive a firsthand, behind-the-scenes look at the profession. What are the typical hours, the necessary skills and education, the working conditions, and advancement opportunities? There’s nothing as effective as seeing a job up close and personal to help steer your teen towards or away from various careers.

Historical Places

Scout out field trips on the local, state, and national levels. Don’t overlook your local historical society which can be a starting place for your own exploration. Does your town have a unique story? How has it changed through the years? Is there a town historian who would love to chat with your teen? Have there been any famous historical people who have hailed from your locale?

There may be re-enactments of events from the past that are scheduled. These may be as exciting as a battle fought in your vicinity or more serene such as the operation of an old mill or farm. Some will even provide hands-on activities for people of all ages to enjoy. You'll likely come away thankful for the modern conveniences we often take for granted.

On a grander scale, your family may wish to save towards a trip to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, or Boston to see where our nation was birthed. Or if geography seems a bit dry, consider visiting some of the national parks, each with its unique beauty.

Factories, Libraries, and Community Interests

Every town is known for something. In Diane’s hometown, the steel mills provided most peoples’ livelihoods. Have you ever taken a tour of a steel mill? Factories and other production plants are usually proud to show off their manufacturing capabilities with tours on specific days or by appointment. Newspaper factories (especially in small towns) make fascinating field trips and many include a full day of watching a newspaper come about from the collection of news stories to assigning the stories to reporters and photographers. TV and radio broadcast stations are typically friendly to student field trips. Some of these venues have minimum age requirements so be sure to ask if your children can be accommodated.

Don’t forget the public library when thinking about possible outings. A reference room contains many different resources that teens will find useful when those first few college assignments are given. Atlases, indices, reference materials, historical documents, and much more can be explained by a librarian so that your teen is familiar with these items and can put them to good use.

We know that it will take some effort to plan a few field trips for your teen this school year. But your efforts will pay off in the long run as your teen is exposed to a hands-on, real world education. Plan just a few trips each year and by the end of high school, you and your teen will have many memories stored away long after the final textbook is sold at a used curriculum sale!

Next month, join us as Elizabeth Smith writes about how she prayed her way through the homeschooling years and the help the Lord provided.

Message from HSLDA: History

History—A Grand Narrative

Dear Friends,
Greetings from one of the history making capitals of the world!
October means that most of you are back in the saddle of homeschooling yet another year. Last year is history! Each year we receive phone calls from parents who are making decisions concerning what history to teach, what order to teach the courses, how to teach history in an interesting way, and more.

Necessity of History Studies

History influences our lives from beginning to end. No one can escape it. Just looking at the calendar each month reminds us of some historical fact. We probably all remember the axioms that “history repeats itself” and “we should learn from history.” If these are true, then it’s important to take the study of history seriously whether we love it or not. In both of our families, there are some who are history buffs and others who tolerate the subject. Nevertheless, all were taught to respect the events and attempt to learn from them.
We recommend that all teens take courses in world history, U.S. history and American government. No matter what a teen’s future plans may hold, these courses form a foundation for good citizenry. In addition, most colleges will expect to see such courses on the transcript.
There is no set schedule or pattern to follow as to what year to teach which course. We will leave that up to you. Because similar history courses are taught in middle school, you may decide to teach a high school level course which hasn't recently been studied.
Approaches Used Thankfully, there are many avenues through which to approach history, even in the high school years. The only requirement necessary when deciding on your approach is that the material you use must be high school level. If you are in doubt, don’t hesitate to check with the curriculum provider or a respected curriculum reviewer such as Cathy Duffy and others.
The textbook approach is traditionally the method used by many families. It allows a systematic study through the periods of history. Parents are assured they will cover the typically required course material in that particular school year.
Another popular way to study history is by integrating history with literature and Bible. The student will earn a year’s credit for each of these disciplines upon completion of the curriculum for that year. In this manner, students are shown how historical events played a role in shaping the culture through religion and literary means. The facts then take on a life of their own, and teens may remember the material longer.
Some families will choose a literature-based history course. The study of history is tied to reading literature from specific time periods rather than using a textbook. The emotional tie to the events taking place will bond the material to memory. Students may find themselves climbing into that era and beginning to relate to the prevailing views and attitudes being adopted. Good discussions can develop regarding how such beliefs have affected the thoughts and mores of our day.
For students who are not gung ho about history, studying the subject as a grand narrative may entice them into enjoying it. Everyone loves a good story, and that is exactly what history is. Interweaving biblical history from the beginning of time to the present day will show the significance of our existence and where we are headed. It will demonstrate God’s fingerprints through the ages.

Course SupplementsHistory—A Grand Narrative

Dear Friends,
Greetings from one of the history making capitals of the world!
October means that most of you are back in the saddle of homeschooling yet another year. Last year is history! Each year we receive phone calls from parents who are making decisions concerning what history to teach, what order to teach the courses, how to teach history in an interesting way, and more.

Necessity of History Studies

History influences our lives from beginning to end. No one can escape it. Just looking at the calendar each month reminds us of some historical fact. We probably all remember the axioms that “history repeats itself” and “we should learn from history.” If these are true, then it’s important to take the study of history seriously whether we love it or not. In both of our families, there are some who are history buffs and others who tolerate the subject. Nevertheless, all were taught to respect the events and attempt to learn from them.
We recommend that all teens take courses in world history, U.S. history and American government. No matter what a teen’s future plans may hold, these courses form a foundation for good citizenry. In addition, most colleges will expect to see such courses on the transcript.
There is no set schedule or pattern to follow as to what year to teach which course. We will leave that up to you. Because similar history courses are taught in middle school, you may decide to teach a high school level course which hasn't recently been studied.
Approaches Used Thankfully, there are many avenues through which to approach history, even in the high school years. The only requirement necessary when deciding on your approach is that the material you use must be high school level. If you are in doubt, don’t hesitate to check with the curriculum provider or a respected curriculum reviewer such as Cathy Duffy and others.
The textbook approach is traditionally the method used by many families. It allows a systematic study through the periods of history. Parents are assured they will cover the typically required course material in that particular school year.
Another popular way to study history is by integrating history with literature and Bible. The student will earn a year’s credit for each of these disciplines upon completion of the curriculum for that year. In this manner, students are shown how historical events played a role in shaping the culture through religion and literary means. The facts then take on a life of their own, and teens may remember the material longer.
Some families will choose a literature-based history course. The study of history is tied to reading literature from specific time periods rather than using a textbook. The emotional tie to the events taking place will bond the material to memory. Students may find themselves climbing into that era and beginning to relate to the prevailing views and attitudes being adopted. Good discussions can develop regarding how such beliefs have affected the thoughts and mores of our day.
For students who are not gung ho about history, studying the subject as a grand narrative may entice them into enjoying it. Everyone loves a good story, and that is exactly what history is. Interweaving biblical history from the beginning of time to the present day will show the significance of our existence and where we are headed. It will demonstrate God’s fingerprints through the ages.

Course Supplements

No matter what direction you take to teach history, you can supplement your course with field trips to historical places. Seeing what is studied will bring it alive in your teens’ imaginations. Many historical sites offer tours and re-enactments. Contacting your local historical society by phone or internet may provide you with educational opportunities in your local vicinity. Another idea is listening to stories by relatives, veterans, and others to make the material “real” and personal.
Your teens may not realize it, but they are intimately involved in making their own history! One assignment could be to have your teens interview people for their stories—most people have at least one to share. Or, you may ask your teens to write their autobiographies. Some teens are very interested in their ancestry, so researching and constructing a family tree may be used to study the places and times that those members lived. Journaling may be an interesting way to pass on recollections of daily life and current events for future generations to read and enjoy.
Any or all of these suggestions will take a dry, musty subject and add life and vigor to the course. After all, history really is His-story!
Come back next month and join us as we offer ideas for field trips for high schoolers.
Watching time fly,
Becky Cooke and Diane Kummer

Message From HSLDA: Kicking Off Another Year

Dear Friends, 

This edition of the high school newsletter is most likely reaching your inbox during your first or second week of school. For some of you…so far so good. For others, you may be thinking that it is going to be a very long year! Regardless of how your school year has begun, we’d like to share some tips that hopefully will keep you going strong throughout the year.

Practice Flexibility

We encourage taking time to plan everything from lessons, to field trips, to science experiments, and more! But, we caution you against rigidly adhering to those plans if circumstances suggest that something should be changed.
For example, although most students will include physical education (PE) during the early years of high school, you may elect to delay adding PE to your teen’s high school plan until the later years if time is short due to the arrival of a new baby in the family or an unexpected illness. Or, it may prove helpful to delay teaching a co-op class right now because extra time must be taken to teach younger children. Your participation in the co-op may come in later years.
If you view situations such as these as simply temporary detours and not as dead end roadblocks, you won’t fret about the changes in plans. Flexibility is key—be careful that you don’t try to replicate someone else’s schedule or high school plan. Your teen, your situation, and your family’s best interests may be better served by following a unique high school plan.

Check Your Fears at the Door

Are you afraid of teaching high school? Do you doubt your ability to provide your teen a quality education? Have your friends put their children in school this year? Is your teen making it known that homeschooling would not be his choice? Any of these questions may stir up fears that one day or another may get the best of you.
We want to let you in on a secret. You are not alone in this respect; many moms are anxious about the same things you are. (Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe by Todd Wilson is a light hearted, helpful resource in this regard). Acknowledging your fears is often the first step in diminishing their power. Yes, you may doubt your ability to homeschool high school, but you can take the teeth out of fear by remembering that the Lord has provided a multitude of resources that will prepare you to do your best. If you are an HSLDA member, call us (540-338-5600) or send us an email at highschool@hslda.org. We are here to answer your questions or provide a recommendation. Many times parents tell us that receiving a suggestion from a knowledgeable source gives them confidence and reassurance that they are on the right path. If you are new to teaching high school, any of the following reference books would be great to have on hand as you journey through these years.

• Homeschooling High School: Planning Ahead for College Admission by Jeanne Gowan Dennis
• Senior High: A Home Designed Form+U+La by Barbara Edtl Shelton
• The High School Handbook: For Junior High, Too by Mary Schofield
• Homeschooled and Headed for College by Denise Boiko
• 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child’s Learning Style by Cathy Duffy

Another antidote to fear is to take your worries to the Lord in prayer. Do you fear that your child won’t be able to find a job, get admitted to the college or trade school of his or her choice, and that it will be your fault? If you do, ask the Lord’s direction in preparing your child. When you are weak, He will prove Himself to be strong. Also, remember that no one (not even you) can thwart the Lord’s plans for your child. He is sovereign over all of the details of your child’s life, and He (not the admissions officer!) is at work in your teen’s life and future plans.
If you find yourself worrying constantly, then perhaps you are trying to shoulder too much of the responsibility. Ruth Bell Graham, in her poem, “In His Hands,” reminds us that the Lord’s shoulders are wider than ours:

Listen, Lord,
a mother’s praying
low and quiet;
listen, please.
Listen what her tears
are saying,
see her heart upon its knees;
Lift the load
from her bowed shoulders
till she sees
and understands,
You, who hold the worlds together;
hold her problems in Your hands.

Banish Annoying Feelings

Emotions are a natural part of who we are. But when feelings go unchecked, they are not productive and can cause havoc in our homeschools during the high school years. Are you feeling envious? Remember that the Lord is your portion and He has given you an inheritance.
Are you feeling powerless? The Lord promises to be your strength.
Are you feeling hopeless? The Lord provides you with a hope and a future.
Are you feeling weary? Wait on the Lord and He will give you wings to soar.
Replacing feelings with truths from the Word of God will refocus your thoughts and actions.

Love Them to the End

Some of your teens may struggle during the high school years as you train them academically and spiritually. They may strain your patience, question your authority, or express doubts about the faith and values that you wish to impart to them. Prepare in advance for situations in which you will be tempted to react negatively or not in accordance to Scripture. Maintain a humble spirit towards your teen and don’t give in to feelings of superiority.
It sometimes helps to remember that the Lord didn’t give up on you when you were running your own life. He did not abandon you when you ignored Him. He didn’t cast you out when you turned to your own way. Although the Lord was betrayed, deserted, disappointed, and questioned by his disciples, this verse (John 13:1) reminds us that He “loved them to the end.” And, He loves you—all the way to Calvary. No one is perfect in the Lord’s sight apart from the righteousness of Christ. Your teens’ sins may be different than yours, but all of us are debtors to mercy and grace. The Lord will give you the strength to keep going, keep loving, and keep entrusting your teen to Him.
We encourage you to spend time daily in the Word of God—there’s no substitute for that! You’ll be in a better position to see things from the Lord’s perspective when relating to your teens. Choose verses from Scripture to pray for your teen. Here are some to consider:
Create clean hearts in our children and renew within them a steadfast spirit (Psalm 51:10).
Give them wisdom to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing good fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).
Pray that they would pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness (I Timothy 6:11).

Look Ahead, not through the Rearview Mirror

You may be encouraged to know that the HSLDA staff regularly prays for our member families (another good reason to join HSLDA if you haven’t already!). We count it a privilege to lift you up before the throne of the Lord.
We look forward with you to a new school year. It’s a time of fresh beginnings and an opportunity for the Lord to do a new work in your teen and in you!

A Note from HSLDA: College!

Post-High School Selection Process

Dear Friends,
For many families, August is the time to put those finishing touches on plans for a new school year. If your teens are entering the junior or senior years, be sure to schedule time to research the myriad of schools and training options available after high school graduation.
It can be a daunting task to narrow down the possible institutions to which your teen will apply. So to help you select a school that will fit your teen, we would like to offer some suggestions.

General Parameters

The selection process becomes less intimidating if you take time to list some major factors in priority order that are important to your family. Your list of factors may differ, but as a possible starting point, here are some items to think about.
Location

• How far from home do you want your teen to be?
• What type of transportation will be involved in getting your teen back and forth from school (car, bus, train, plane, subway)?
• Is your teen best suited to a small town, urban area, inner city, or rural area?
• If your teen intends to work part time while going to school, what location provides for the best job opportunities?

On campus or online?
A major decision in choosing post-high school training will be whether your teen will complete coursework in a classroom setting or through a distance learning program. There are pros and cons to both approaches. Taking courses online affords the opportunity to save money in room and board. Some schools may have a policy that a certain number of credits must be earned on campus in order to be awarded a certificate or license from the school, so be sure to check this out with the school.
Size of school
Each size of school has its advantages and disadvantages. Large schools generally have a wide variety of training opportunities while small schools tend to have smaller classes with teachers who are more accessible. If your teen tends to gravitate to smaller settings, then career training schools or community college classes would be a better environment than large institutions.
Cost
For many parents, the cost of a school will be a determining factor. However, financial aid is available for most post-high school education and may be in the form of scholarships or grants, loans, or work study programs. Aid can come from federal, state, local or school sources as well as private organizations such as banks and credit unions. Also look for scholarships through the organizations your teen participated in during high school (4-H, Scouts, and more).
The most important financial aid form is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and priority should be given to completing this form. In addition, contact your individual state’s department of education financial aid office to inquire about sources of state aid.
Also, be sure to contact your school’s financial aid office to ask about any other financial aid forms specific to the school that are required for institutional money.
More information on financial aid may be found on the HSLDA high school wesbsite.

• Newsletter Archives: “College Financial Aid”
• More Financial Aid Information
• Competition and Scholarship Awards

Career Testing
During the high school years, you may want to have your teen take a career test to determine his strengths and weaknesses. The test feedback may also suggest occupations that lend themselves to your teen’s interests and abilities. Some resources to help you get started are listed on our high school website.

• Personality/Aptitude/Career Tests
• Career Resources

Prerequisites
If your teens know what career they wish to pursue, it will give them time to investigate the training that will be necessary following high school graduation. This will be advantageous to you in planning the necessary course work they will need to complete in high school to be ready for their next steps.
Accreditation
Some professions will require training from an accredited program or school. If this is the case, you will want to investigate the credibility of the school or training program and its accreditation status. An accredited program will often lead to a certificate or diploma and may be required for employment.
Certification or Licensing
For some careers, the employee will need to be certified or licensed before being able to procure a job in a particular field. Evaluate the process and requirements with your teen so she will be prepared to complete them successfully.
On-the-Job Training or Classroom Setting
Will the training program include both of these ingredients? If not, is one better suited to your teen than the other? Another aspect to investigate is the length of training time required.
Gathering information on schools
With your parameters in hand, you are now ready to begin gathering information about a potential school. One of the best ways to search for colleges is to use general search engines such as Trade-School.net.
The internet is also a valuable tool to use. Your community college may be another source since many provide vo-tech and career training programs. They may have knowledge of other schools in your area.
Once you’ve narrowed down the list of schools, visit each school’s website. Most websites provide the email addresses of various departments/personnel that you may contact with questions.
Onsite school visits (if applicable) are highly recommended. Visiting a school lets your teens envision themselves there, gives them a “feel” for the place, and allows all of you to talk to current students. Be sure to take notes after each visit so that you’ll be able to distinguish the schools from one another.
Looking ahead to the next season in your teens’ lives is an exciting venture. With some prior discussions with your teens and a plan of action, narrowing down the school and program will turn a daunting task into a satisfying one.

A Special Message from HSLDA

Colorado--Districts Send "Homeless Form" to Homeschooling Families

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

Several school districts in Colorado recently sent a Student Residency
Questionnaire to homeschooling families in their jurisdictions.
Included was a letter from the homeless education liaison stating that
all families are required to complete and submit the form. Several
member families contacted HSLDA with concerns about disclosing the
information requested.

HSLDA wrote to the school districts clarifying that while federal law
(the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act) requires local
educational agencies to identify homeless children to receive certain
grant money, the law does not require families to fill out the form.

If you received a Student Residency Questionnaire or similar form and
are uncomfortable with returning it, you may simply ignore the form.
If your local school district contacts you to insist that you complete
it, please contact HSLDA for assistance.

Thank you for supporting homeschooling freedom in Colorado!

Sincerely,

Mike Donnelly
Staff Attorney 

Summer Camp

During the school year, you may find it difficult to teach all of the courses that you would like. If you have been meaning to include a worldviews/apologetics course, a summer camp could lessen your course load during the school year while providing your teen with the information he needs to be knowledgeable and confident when communicating his beliefs and values to others.

Summit Ministries offers young adults (ages 16–24) a two week camp preparing them for college or the workforce where they’ll face many different ideas that are in conflict to a biblical worldview. They will receive instruction in worldview analysis, apologetics and leadership. Summit Ministries’ camps are held in Colorado, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Similarly, Worldview Academy Leadership Camp is for teens ages 13 and up. Students learn about servant leadership, apologetics/evangelism, and comparative worldviews. The six-day camp includes creative activities, worship, and thought provoking seminars. 

A message from HSLDA: Transcripts?

If your child has never attended a public or a private school, then it’s likely you’ve not seen a high school transcript in a while. To most homeschool parents, the word “transcript” elicits almost as much fear as the word “fire” in a crowded room! Some parents think that they cannot create such a document. We hope that reading this newsletter will allay your fears and give you confidence that you are capable of issuing a professional-looking document on your teen’s behalf.

Transcripts: What and Why?

Two questions we frequently encounter are: What is a transcript and why do I need one, especially if my teen is not pursuing college? Simply stated, a transcript is a concise and accurate record of your teen’s academic courses taken during the high school years. A transcript is not only necessary for college admission, but may be required for scholarships, Vo-tech and other post-high schools, apprenticeships, entry level employment to evidence completion of high school, and will definitely be required if enlisting in the military.
Now that we’ve established the necessity of a transcript, let’s look at the different sections of such a document. (It may be helpful for you to print off one or more of the sample transcripts, including a blank form, that are found on our website and refer to them as you read through the rest of the newsletter.)

Transcript Heading

You will want to begin by placing a title at the top of the document such as “Official High School Transcript.” Or, you may choose to use your school name, “Smith High School.” If you belong to an umbrella or oversight group, then that may be the school name you’ll use (please ask the group for permission to do so).
Following the title, provide the student’s personal information on one side and the school information on the opposite side (even though much of this information is identical). The student should list his full given name, address (including email address), phone number, birth date, and parents’ full names.
A Social Security number is not required on a transcript. It will be requested by the schools in the application in order to match up any financial aid or scholarship money that is received for your student. Once in the school’s database, most colleges issue a student ID number to the applicant, and that is the number to use for future correspondence with the school.

Transcript Academic Record

The major section of the transcript is the academic record (or body) section which is usually divided into four parts or years. Some families, however, create a transcript by semesters rather than years. This is strictly a personal choice, but listing courses by semester may make it more difficult to keep the transcript short and concise.
Each year will be labeled by grade such as “Grade 9,” and so forth. Under this heading, all the courses taken in the 9th grade will be listed followed by the credit earned and the grade awarded. When titling a course on the transcript, use a brief and clear title so that others will have an accurate idea of the course content.
College courses taken as dual enrollment should be starred and a note included at the bottom of the transcript that these are college-level courses, or simply list the name of the college. (Generally speaking, a one-semester college-level course is equivalent to one year of high school credit.)
Transcripts submitted with a college application should list the 12th grade courses even though these courses are not yet completed. Place an “IP” (in progress) in the grade column of the transcript until a grade is awarded at the end of the senior year.
Along with the course title and grade earned, also indicate the credit each course is awarded. There are several ways to evaluate credit. For additional information see “Evaluating Credits” on our high school website.
At the bottom of each year, total up all the credits and compute that year’s grade point average (GPA). More detailed instructions on how to calculate yearly and cumulative GPAs can be found in our October 2009 newsletter, “Computing a GPA—Yikes!”

Transcript Academic Summary

At the bottom of the transcript, the total number of credits and the cumulative GPA will be listed. Be sure to also include the date of graduation and that a diploma was issued.
Some transcripts will include a grading scale or table. Providing such information can be helpful to someone reading your transcript in understanding your grades. However, if your teen has taken courses from other teachers or from outside sources, it will not be possible for you to provide a uniform grading scale. If this is the case, then it’s wise not to include the scale or table.

Signature and Date

The transcript should be typed and professional in appearance. Every time it is requested, provide an original, signed, and dated document. It is a good idea to have someone proofread your transcript for spelling and calculation errors before issuing it.

The Finished Product

The samples on our website will give you the type of information that any transcript should include, but don’t think that you must duplicate the formats. You have the freedom to design your own transcript to fit your teen’s specific needs. Your transcript will be fine as long as it is clear and accurately reflects your teen’s high school academic courses.
Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Hopefully this information will give you the confidence that you, too, can produce a professional-looking transcript for your teen—one that you will look forward to providing to anyone who asks. 

HSLDA: 2010 Spring Constitutional Law Online

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

Registration is still open for the 2010 spring semester of
Constitutional Law Online! This course is taught by Michael Farris,
Chairman of Home School Legal Defense Association and Chancellor of
Patrick Henry College.

The class began January 4, 2010, and concludes June 7, 2010. But it is
not too late to sign up! If you've always wanted to learn more about
the history and background of our legal system, from a biblical
perspective, or if you're looking for a good U.S. government class for
your homeschooled students, then this class is for you!

This 18-week Internet-based course follows Michael Farris' textbook,
"Constitutional Law for Enlightened Citizens," and uses a
computer-based audio CD to deliver the "classroom" lectures. The
syllabus lists the reading and listening assignments for each week and
offers a flexible schedule for homework. Every two weeks, students can
participate in a live chat-room discussion--hosted by Michael
Farris--to pose their questions and discuss the material. Twice during
the class, students will submit essay exams for grading. A certificate
of participation will be awarded to all students at the end of the
class.

Tuition is $250 for HSLDA members and $275 for non-HSLDA members,
which includes the required textbook and CD-ROM. There is also a
sibling discount as well! For more information, or to register, visit
the class website here. 

A Letter from HSLDA: Raising Teens

Happy New Year! We pray the Lord’s blessings on your family as we head into 2010. Fresh beginnings always offer new inspiration and motivation. We hope you are in that frame of mind.

If we asked you to evaluate your relationship with your homeschooled teen, would you smile or frown? Regardless of your reaction to that question, the majority of parents are very interested in improving their relationships with their teens. Homeschool parents in particular know that the close encounters homeschooling provides on a daily basis can either be a source of encouragement or cause for prayers of supplication. If you would like to take some time at the beginning of this year to equip yourselves as parents to better train and interact with your teen, we’d like to offer some suggestions for parenting resources.

Please know that we do not intend to be a substitute for your individual pastor’s oversight or instruction. The titles mentioned below are merely recommendations—your pastor will undoubtedly be able to suggest additional good selections.

Parenting with a Purpose

No matter your current interaction with your teens, parents can always grow in parenting skills. Understanding the changes in your teens’ physical, mental, and emotional areas will enable you to direct, train, and equip them for life. When both parents are on board and there is unity of spirit regarding training and disciplining issues, your teen will be less desirous of trying to divide and conquer your authority. If this is not the case, pray for harmony and peace in the home and a coming together of the minds. Homeschooling can place strains on a marriage. Michael Farris and Reed Elam in their book, A Sacred Foundation, give helpful insights on alleviating these strains.

Additional helpful parenting resources listed on our website (www.hslda.org/highschool) include:

Farris, Michael. The Home Schooling Father: How You Can Play a Decisive Role in Your Child’s Success
MacArthur, John. What the Bible Says About Parenting
Priolo, Lou. Teach them Diligently: How to Use the Scriptures in Child Training
Tripp, Paul David. Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens with Study Guide
Tripp, Paul David. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Changing Helping People in Need of Changing
Tripp, Ted. Shepherding a Child’s Heart (for younger children but still applicable to teens)
Communication is Key

Have you realized that conflict will be inevitable? Conflict is usually seen as negative, but when it is worked out in a biblical way, it leads to change and growth. Don’t ever lose hope or give up on your teens. Tell them time and time again that you love them, you are for them, and that with the Lord’s help you desire to raise them to the glory of God.

Communication by its very definition is a two-way process. If your teen refuses to communicate despite your many repeated attempts, please don’t despair! The Lord can open doors that you cannot. Cry out to the Lord for His help in this area and trust in the comfort of Psalm 40:1: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Continue to earnestly seek an interactive relationship with your teen and leave the results in the Lord’s hands. If you are brokenhearted, the Lord is near to you. If your teen is running in the opposite direction from you and the Lord, the Lord is a great pursuer and the Hound of Heaven (according to C.S. Lewis)!

Some suggested resources for building relationships with teens:

Mahaney, Carolyn. “Building a Strong Mother-Daughter Friendship”
Mahaney, Carolyn and Nicole Mahaney Whitacre. Girl Talk: Mother-daughter Conversations On Biblical Womanhood
Priolo, Lou. The Heart of Anger
Sande, Ken. Peacemaking for Families: A Biblical Guide to Managing Conflict in Your Home
Tripp, Paul David. War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles
Questions are good!

The teen years are exciting times as your child matures and grows. You’ll be amazed at the questions that will come up in the midst of teaching academics that provide a platform for helping your teen sort out his or her values. You may have already encountered some of these questions: How do I know that God really exists when plenty of people don’t believe that He does? What’s embryonic cell research and is it a good idea? What’s the theme of The Scarlet Letter and what personal relevance does it have?

It is of the utmost importance that your teens understand that your home provides a safe place to wrestle with and sort out their questions—especially those of a spiritual dimension. Many times parents are thrown off guard when teens struggle with certain aspects of the faith; and some parents may respond with anger, fear, or remorse. Be encouraged that your calm and reasoned responses to your teens’ questions will have the most likely chance of being received with respect. Don’t panic when questions come up—but seek the Lord’s wisdom and pray for your teens to be open to the Holy Spirit’s involvement as they think about their personal convictions.

Resources for your teen to read that will encourage his personal faith include:

Brooks, Ron & Norman Geisler. When Skeptics Ask—A Handbook of Christian Evidence
Karl, Graustein and Mark Jacobsen. Growing Up Christian: Have You Taken Ownership of Your Relationship With God?
Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity
Little, Paul. Know What You Believe and Know Why You Believe
Mahaney, CJ. The Cross-Centered Life
Stott, John. Basic Christianity
Stott, John. You Can Trust the Bible
Whitney, Donald. Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life
Preparation for Life

As homeschooling parents, you have a tremendous opportunity to use your homeschooling days to prepare your teen for his future endeavors. As part of that preparation, think about incorporating a worldview or apologetics course into his high school plan. These courses and resources give your teen opportunities for practical application of the truths that you are teaching. Being prepared is half the battle when your teen encounters those in the workplace or college that adhere to different values.

Worldview and apologetics resources:

Noebel, David. Understanding the Times
Noebel, David & Chuck Edwards. Thinking Like a Christian: Worldviews in Focus Series
Sire, James. Universe Next Door
Wile, Jay. Reasonable Faith: The Scientific Case for Christianity
Good reading for teens heading off to college:

Budziszewski, J. How to Stay Christian in College (An Interactive Guide to Keeping the Faith)
McFarland, Alex. Stand Strong in College
Relationships with the Opposite Sex

One of the aspects of training that you probably encountered even before your children reached the teen years was the topic of how to relate to the opposite sex. Although there are different thoughts on what is or is not appropriate in terms of relationships during the teen years, it is beneficial as parents to stay directly involved in the friendships that your teens are forming. The majority of the resources listed below focus on a courtship style of relating to the opposite sex. Other resources may be found, however, that provide alternative or additional ways to view teen relationships. Ask the Lord for His insight and leadership as you tackle this area. The Word of God is a great place to begin to develop your family’s parameters regarding relationships.

Elliot, Elisabeth. Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ’s Control
Farris, Michael. What A Daughter Needs From Her Dad: How a Man Prepares His Daughter for Life
Harris, Joshua. I Kissed Dating Goodbye, A New Attitude Towards Romance and Relationships
Harris, Joshua. Boy Meets Girl
Jones, Debby and Jackie Kendall. Lady in Waiting: Becoming God’s Best While Waiting for Mr. Right, Expanded Edition
Paulsen, Heather. Emotional Purity: An Affair of the Heart
Rainey, Dennis. Interviewing Your Daughter’s Date
Generation of Virtue (resources for teaching purity)
A Final Word

During the teen years, you may find that the old adage, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink,” takes on a new perspective. Parents can train, discipline, encourage, and reason with teens, but each individual teen will make choices that reflect his or her heart attitude. For those of you with spiritually mature teens who are eager to continue growing, parenting may be a sweet endeavor. But for those of you with children who you lead to water and yet they refuse to drink, please take heart. Pray with a heart that believes in a God who is able to change hearts. If you need encouragement in this area, see “Homeschooling to Prevent Rebellion” by Barbara Frank. Don’t be fooled by the title. The article acknowledges that homeschooling is not a foolproof way to prevent teen rebellion, but it can be used by the Lord as a means of grace to steer your teen in the right direction while leaving the results to Him.

If your teen is currently not interested or is hostile to following the Lord, another resource to encourage you is Carol Barnier’s recent HSLDA webinar, “A Prodigal Speaks.” Carol is currently a homeschool mom and speaker; but she, too, was a prodigal who lived as an atheist for a number of years. She shares helpful insights that include loving and interacting with a prodigal child of her own. Carol discusses the false myths of parenting including: perfect parenting produces perfect children, children raised in a church will never depart, your child is deliberately trying to hurt you, and if you make parenting mistakes your child is doomed. You’ll find hope and help—not condemnation—from the wisdom that she shares.

From our personal experience, parenting teens was both a joy and a trial that kept us on our knees! Each day is a new opportunity for you to trust in the Lord’s help as you grow in your parenting skills. God promises that “when you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on Him, He will lift you up and give you honor.” James 4:10 (NLT) 

Spring Constitutional Law Online

Students are now able to register for the spring semester of Constitutional Law Online, taught by Michael Farris, Chairman of Home School Legal Defense Association and Chancellor of Patrick Henry College. Registration ends the first day of class, January 4, 2010. The course concludes June 7, 2010.

If you’ve always wanted to learn more about the history and background of our legal system, from a biblical perspective, or if you’re looking for a good U.S. government class for your homeschooled students, then this class is for you! This internet-based course follows Michael Farris’ textbook, Constitutional Law for Enlightened Citizens, and uses a computer-based audio CD to deliver the “classroom” lectures. Live chat-room discussions held every two weeks allow students to pose questions to Dr. Farris.

Do you want to not only interpret Supreme Court cases but also build a foundation for evaluating future judicial decisions? Learn constitutional law with Michael Farris! Dr. Farris is offering his high school-level Constitutional Law course to help you:

• Understand our nation’s founding documents
• Explore precedent-setting Supreme Court cases
• Master tough legal terms and complex judicial and legislative concepts
• Tackle tough questions about what the Founders really intended and what you can do to uphold their vision
• Broaden your understanding of and appreciation for the Constitution of the United States

Students may enroll in either the spring semester (January—June) or fall semester (September—February) and receive a copy of Dr. Farris’ textbook Constitutional Law for Enlightened Citizens, along with an audio CD-ROM containing his recorded lectures (supplemented by the discussions of a live class). These lectures are provided in MP3 format for easy playback on multiple audio devices.
Students participate in secure Internet chat sessions hosted by Dr. Farris every other week for “live,” text-based discussion. They may also post questions to Dr. Farris at any time using our secure Internet forum, which allows all students to see and learn from Dr. Farris’ answers.
Dr. Farris, a former bar examiner, presents both a mid-term and final bar-style exam question for students to research and answer. The exams are intended to test the student’s ability to apply the course material to a fictitious legal scenario. Answers are written in essay format and sent to Dr. Farris to be reviewed, critiqued, and graded. Students who successfully complete the course receive a certificate of completion.

Tuition is $250 for HSLDA members and $275 for non-HSLDA members and is due in full upon registration. Late enrollments may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Questions?  Check out here.