10 Ways to Help Teens Develop Their Interests

 One of the joys of homeschooling high school is helping teens invest in their interests.

One of the most important gifts we can give our teens in their high school years is to lean into discovering their interests, to explore ideas that are important to them, or simply to find out that they have interests, and to try on hats and to see which ones are the best fits for them.

Out of these interests, teens may turn them into hobbies or avocations that will follow them for the rest of their lives, or just for the high school years.

However, often these interests will become the first steps towards a career.

We, parents, want to know that we have done our part in helping our teens be ready for the next phase of life. We want to invest in them,  to know whether they really are interested in something enough to make it a career.

Whether an interest will become a hobby or a career, an important part of high school is investing in interests.

Let’s talk about 10 ways to help teens develop their interests

Remember, discovering and developing interests is an adventure, so try not to get stressed about it! Here are ten ways to have an interesting adventure!

1. Start get-togethers or a club

If you find your teen has an interest they would like to explore, see if they’ve got some friends who have the same interests. Let them have get-togethers and participate in the activity together, or make a club.

One of Vicki’s sons and his friends were interested in doing film. The movie The Lord of the Rings was popular in those days. My son and his friends watched the extra material on the videos. This inspired them to make their own videos.

Soon, they wanted a Cinematography Club. The teens had so much fun. They made short movies from start to finish: scripting, filming, acting, and making props. We were able to include this as an extracurricular on their transcripts.

That son went to community college and got his AA degree in video production. By that time, he had said, “You know what? This is not what I want to do for a career, but it’s going to be a good tool.” He has used filmmaking throughout college to do his presentations.

He is a teacher now, and he has sponsored a Cinematography Club at his school.

Remember: You are never wasting time when investing in your teen’s interests.

2. Join a local group that’s already there

In some areas, there are lots of opportunities for teens to explore different interests. For instance:

• Local libraries often have programs for teens

Your co-op, local homeschool support groups, or umbrella schools often have some kind of interest groups for teens. Our homeschool high schoolers have participated in public speaking groups, choirs, bands, service groups, and sports teams through our umbrella school or homeschool support group.

3. Sometimes churches will have things that our teens find interesting

Teens who are ministry-oriented, mission-oriented, and/or enjoy church youth groups can join groups that help them explore these interests. A number of our teens have been in the church youth group and have joined missions trips overseas or here in the States.

4. Opportunities in the community

Look for interesting opportunities in the community: ranger-led walks in state parks, organizations that do river cleanup days, birdwatching groups, etc.

5. Take an online or a local course

There are endless opportunities for our teens:

• Local guitar, piano, or voice lessons at studios or private homes
• Community-oriented or for-credit courses at local community colleges or online colleges
• Asynchronous courses are offered online, such as 7Sisters Psychology or Early Childhood Education, or platforms like EdX classes or Udemy.
• Online, live courses at homeschool schools like the ones offered by our friends at Funda Funda Academy or Dreaming Spires Home Learning.

6. Log hours for an elective credit

If your teen wants to spend some time exploring a subject, let them do it. Have them log the hours. One of our top articles at 7SistersHomeschool is from the Freedom Homeschool mom. Her name is Sarah, and her teens have been exploring gardening. They have done gardening for an elective credit. They log those hours and get elective credit.

7. If they are interested in something that can build core credits, let’s let them lean into it

Some of our teens who have been into sciences have done extra sciences like marine biology or an extra chemistry course. If they are into it, let them explore.

We have had teens get a textbook on astronomy and take courses in that.

7. Have them write a research paper for their ELA credit or towards some elective hours

Teens can turn interests into electives! One of my teens was born a musician and has enjoyed singing, playing guitar, and being part of a church worship band. When he was in high school, he developed an interest in the history of church music. So, one year, he did a deep dive into this topic, writing a research paper on the topic. He spent enough time on the topic that he logged an elective credit in Church Music History.

(BTW- this is a true “sparkle credit” on the transcript!)

8. Teens can take a dual enrollment course

Teens can take dual enrollment courses at their local community college or online courses through a college. If these courses help them explore an interest, they earn a triple blessing: early college credit, high school credit, and another way to explore interests.

9. Find an apprenticeship

Finding an apprenticeship for your teen is a good idea. Years ago, one of our teens wanted to explore becoming a farrier. She found a local farrier and worked with them, and began learning those skills. This was a first step in a career that was meaningful to her.

Another one of our teens was interested in becoming a large animal vet. She did an apprenticeship for a vet. This was a valuable experience for her because she found that she did NOT like the on-call lifestyle of a veterinarian.

10. Find a service or volunteer opportunity

Is there something related to your interest that the teen can do to serve the community? For instance, in our area near the Chesapeake Bay, some organizations take families kayaking and participate in a river cleanup.  This gives teens service hours, as well as understanding the local waterway, using a kayak, and enjoying nature.

Bonus: 11.  Allow your teen time each day for fun exploring their interest!

Don’t forget to join the 7SistersHomeschool Facebook Group. It’s a great place to ask questions and share your own ideas with others.

For more on helping your teens explore interests, check out these:

• Helping Teens Explore Interests, with Samantha Shank
• Our friend, Natalie Mack, shares how she helped her teens develop their interests in How I Homeschooled

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER

1. Follow this link to our iTunes page.
2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes
3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page.
4. Click SUBSCRIBE.
5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!)
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The post 10 Ways to Help Teens Develop Their Interests appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

       

20+ Credits Needed for Graduation

Lots of homeschooling parents feel intimidated by transcripts. They worry if they will include the correct courses and credits for a successful launch for their homeschool high schoolers into the next phase of life.

That’s why I (7Sister Vicki) am excited to talk about homeschool transcripts! I know this can be a stressful topic for new homeschooling parents, but once you get used to it, it’s a fun game!

Start with: This is a game to learn to play!

Creating your teen’s homeschool transcript is a game. It can be fun!

So, let’s all take a deep breath and say to ourselves, “This is a game. I can play the game, and it can be fun.”

So we practice a positive attitude, and it won’t be so bad! (Believe me, it is true. We have successfully helped our teens and hundreds of our local advisees create a successful transcript.)

There’s not ONE right way

Anyway, let me remind you that there’s not one right way to homeschool high school. (We say that all the time!) And it is especially true about transcripts.

There’s not one right way to do transcripts. Even if you had a teen in a public school, every school’s transcript looks different. Thus, you get to adapt anything I share to meet your teens’ needs.

BTW- at 7SistersHomeschool, when you download our transcript package, you will find a transcript in an editable format that we have used with all our teens. You, too, can use it to make your own transcript. The how-tos are all included! It has been useful for homeschool graduates for admission into college, the military, trade schools, or whatever their next steps are.

Just like there’s not one right way to create a transcript, there’s not one right way to decide how many credits to put on the transcript. Every state has a different set of requirements for what kinds and number of credits are needed for graduation.

In our umbrella school, we had kids from Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Thus, we had to require the highest number of credits from each state’s graduation requirements. Our teens needed twenty-six credits on their transcripts.

With this in mind, adjust these tips for your teens’ needs and your state’s requirements.

Courses your teens need on their transcripts

Homeschool high schoolers need several kinds of courses on their homeschool transcripts:

Core courses

The core courses are the basic academics that teens need for graduation. Most states require the same core subjects, but may vary in the number of credits for each category.

Core courses for the homeschool transcript include:

• English/Language Arts (ELA)– usually four credits
  • ELA usually includes literature and literature analysis, writing, vocabulary, grammar/editing, and public speaking
    • Literature can be a mix of genres or include an emphasis on one topic, such as American Literature, Cinema Studies for Literature Learning, British Literature, or other specialty topics such as C.S. Lewis Studies.
• Maths- usually three or four credits
  • These credits usually include Algebra and Geometry; many states also require Algebra II. College-bound teens may need Pre-Calculus or Calculus, according to their major. Some states add Financial Literacy or Consumer Math to these requirements.
• Social Studies/History- usually three or four credits
  • Many states require American History, World History, some Civics, some Economics, some Geography, and some Social Sciences like Psychology or Human Development.
• Science- usually three or four credits
  • Many states require Biology and Chemistry credits. Some also include Health, Physical Science, or Physics.
• World Languages- usually two to three credits
  • Usually, states will require that two of the credits be in the same World Language. (Teens love our Cousin Karim Morato’s Homeschool Spanish Courses.)

Other required courses

Many states have additional required credits, such as:

• Physical Education- usually one or two credits
  • This can include sports leagues, lessons, or fitness courses such as 7Sisters Foundations of Physical Fitness and Framework for Physical Fitness.   (7Sisters’ Fitness Courses include how-to videos by personal trainers.)
• Fine Arts- usually one credit
  • This can include drama, art, music, and sometimes dance, if it’s not counted as Phys Ed.
• Technology- usually one credit
• Career Pathways- usually one to four credits
  • A few states require Career Exploration, followed by courses that build experience in a possible career choice.
    • For instance, teens interested in a Science major, all of their sciences count as Career Pathways
    • Teens interested in non-college or trade schools. For instance, if  Early Childhood Eduation is a teen’s Career Pathway, shadowing, volunteering or working at a daycare or preschool, as well as 7Sisters Early Childhood Education textbook.

Elective courses

Most states require some elective credits (usually one to four credits). Many homeschool high schoolers have more than the minimum elective requirement. That’s because we can include ALL of their educational experiences on the transcript to highlight the richness of learning.

Electives are topics that interest your teens, they want to explore for fun, or are extra courses related to a favorite core course.

So, let’s say your teen had all the fine arts they needed, but they enjoyed being in a choir. They can count those choir hours as a Choir Elective.

One of my teens was interested in the History of Church Music. He created his own credit in that topic.

Elective credits add sparkle to the transcript. It also shows that your teen is self-motivated and can explore an interest.

Don’t be intimidated. Transcripts are a game.

There you have it! Since transcripts are a game, you may as well show off your teen’s excellent high school experiences! Never exaggerate or fib, but do show off your teens’ educational strengths!

Keep your attitude positive! You can do this!

Stay in touch!

• Share your questions on our fun, encouraging 7SistersHomeschool Facebook Group.
• Encourage your homeschool at 7SistersHomeschool’s Instagram and TikTok.
• Get helpful ideas on 7Sisters Homeschool’s Pinterest.
• Relax and learn together on 7 Sisters Homeschool’s YouTube channel.

Join Vicki for encouragement as you plan your teens’ credits for the homeschool transcript.

For more on transcripts, check out:

• An Authoritative Guide to the Homeschool Transcript
• GPA on the Homeschool Transcript
• College Attractive Transcripts for Homeschool High Schoolers
• How to Get Homeschool Transcripts Exactly Right

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing today.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER

1. Follow this link to our iTunes page.
2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes
3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page.
4. Click SUBSCRIBE.
5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!)
6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE

1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone
2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen
3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast
4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon
5. Tap *Subscribe*
6. Please tap *Ratings and Review*

The post 20+ Credits Needed for Graduation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

       

How I Homeschooled with Natalie Mack

Our listeners tell us that one of their favorite podcast episode topics is when fellow homeschool parents tell how they homeschool!

That’s because there’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school. It is encouraging and fun to hear how other parents are handling their educational adventures.

One of our favorite people to have on the podcast is our friend and 7Sisters Cousin, Natalie Mack! Natalie is a force in the homeschool community! She has done TEDx Talks, is active in the military homeschool community, has helped with HSLDA’s work, and more.

Every time Natalie Mack has been on Homeschool Highschool Podcast, listeners ask for more.

Natalie’s story

Natalie and her family are now a retired Navy chaplain’s family. Natalie’s husband was military active duty, along with a little bit of reserve time in two branches. He started out after college in the Army as an intel officer.

Natalie married him a few years after college. They moved around the world as an Army couple with one child at the time, their oldest daughter.

Then he was called to the ministry and left the military. They did some (“what we call ‘civilian time’”) for about seven years. They were living back in Maryland, their home. Her husband became a licensed minister after completing his Master’s in Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary. They had had three more children by that time.

Then they looked at each other and said, “We miss military life!”

So, they returned to military life as a Navy family, her husband as a Navy chaplain soon after 9/11 in 2001.

Natalie had just started homeschooling that September, as well. Her husband was assigned to Camp Pendleton in California. The family accompanied him to several locations. The last assignment was in Naples, Italy.

Back in the States in 2020, Natalie started working with HSLDA as a high school educational consultant. She also created their military outreach program.

Next, Natalie started an LLC to consult with homeschooling parents.

She did the TEDx Talk: The Impact of Homeschooling.

She also started a nonprofit, Military Homeschoolers Association. Natalie, as you can see, stays busy.

These days, Natalie spends part of her time helping recruiters and military education service specialists in the different branches of the military, training them on homeschooling, helping them understand what homeschoolers bring to the table.

How Natalie’s family homeschools

Every family homeschools in their own unique way according to their unique goals and priorities.

Here are some of Natalie’s family’s goals/priorities.

Focus on homeschooling geared to passions and interests

A focus on passions and interests includes parents, too! As you can see from Natalie’s story, she was faithful to explore the interests God gave her, and he opened doors for her. Also, following passions and interests is good role modeling.

Natalie intentionally worked with each of her homeschool high schoolers to have coursework, volunteer work, and other experiences that helped them explore their interests.

For instance, one daughter loved languages and studied them enthusiastically. This helped her with missions trips and college major choices.

Another of Natalie’s high schoolers was interested in international politics. Natalie made sure that some of their experiences included courses in these areas. This led to his college studies at American University in that field.

One of the things that Natalie has used and recommends is the ASVAB Career Exploration Program. It is provided by the military, but there is no commitment to enlist.

Academics

Academics were always important to  Natalie and her husband. They are first-generation college graduates, both with Master’s Degrees.  They saw college as the next destination for all five of their children. All five also wanted to go to college, as well.

That goal has held, as all five of Natalie’s kids have now been to college. The youngest has finished his freshman year of college, and the other four have graduated from college, and two completed Master’s degree programs, and one is in his second year of a Master’s in Urban Planning with Virginia Tech.

Note: Natalie’s youngest was on the podcast during his high school senior year. It was a great episode where he shared about the senior project he was doing for the conservation district.

Have conversations

Natalie’s family prioritized conversations. A lot of them happened late at night. “And, and I tell you what. That is when the most fruitful conversations have been.”

God is Guide

Through all the homeschooling years, Natalie and her husband trusted God as their Guide. The wisdom He gave them helped them:

• Survive on a single income
• Find meaningful resources and opportunities on a budget (for instance, libraries, community centers, local bulletin boards)
• Enjoy opportunities as they came, for instance, it was a blessing to Natalie and her family when she started helping HSLDA as an advisor for military families

Model values

Natalie and her husband modeled family values like:

• Hard work
• Volunteering
• Investing in homeschool causes like Military Homeschool Association
• Being an ambassador for resources like Council for Foreign Relations and Retro Report

Note: Natalie’s youngest was on the podcast during his high school senior year. It was a great episode where he shared about the senior project he was doing for the conservation district.

And check out Natalie’s contributions to the homeschool community at:

• NatalieMack.com
• Natalie Mack’s YouTube Channel
• Facebook: Homeschool Natalie Mack

Continue listening to encouraging interviews with Natalie Mack on Homeschool Highschool Podcast:

• Emotionally Preparing Teens for College 
• ASVAB and Homeschool High Schoolers
• Model Diplomacy and Homeschool High Schoolers
• Stress Management for the Holidays
• Handling Depression in Teens

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER

1. Follow this link to our iTunes page.
2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes
3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page.
4. Click SUBSCRIBE.
5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!)
6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE

1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone
2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen
3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast
4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon
5. Tap *Subscribe*
6. Please tap *Ratings and Review*

The post How I Homeschooled with Natalie Mack appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.