A Stable Beginning: high school

Showing posts with label high school. Show all posts

Friday, August 15, 2025

Weekly Wrap Up ~ Week #1: The Start of Year 17

We started back to school this week for year 17! I am going to try incredibly hard to come and pen a post each Friday night this year. I have missed being able to look back on how far the kids have come each week and throughout the year. I am still wrapping my head around the fact that I just have my two youngest learning at home.

It's always a bit of a challenge starting the year off mid-August because McKenzie's gymnastics summer schedule is still in full swing, but we make it work with the slow start. Fall practice starts at the end of the month and Micah also starts his Fall baseball training the first week of September. I love and crave routine! The kids thrive on it as well so I look forward to everything falling into place to give us a daily rhythm in the next few weeks.

This year we have added back in our Morning Time Recitations, that we refer to as MTR. If you want to know what we're using and how we do it let me know and I'll write up a post. For this school year we are focusing on the Catechism, Proverbs, and Manners. The Catechism is a review for McKenzie and an introduction for Micah. It will take us two years to get through all of the questions as we go week by week. Micah will get it again fully when he reaches Sonlight Core 200 as it is apart of the Bible portion of the HBL. We also incorporated World Watch News this year during our MTR and it has been really great!

McKenzie started her two week "Are you Ready for Algebra 2" prep course. The teacher is super and I am proud that McKenzie is in fact ready for Algebra 2 to start at the end of the month. Since the majority of Micah's courses are online he only has to complete MTR, Bible, Cursive Handwriting, free reading for 45 minutes, and History until the end of the month. He also does a lesson of German on DuoLingo each day.

*please excuse her table...it has since been cleared off and the books/supplies put away*

Speaking of German...we (Mikayla, McKenzie, Micah, and I) are learning German on DuoLingo. German is so foreign to me...Spanish is so much easier to speak and comprehend but my brain is finally starting to get the hang of it. Hopefully by December we can bring back our Foreign Language day where we only speak German as much as possible. I did this when the older girls were doing Spanish lessons.

I think we have come up with a solution for McKenzie to continue driving. Her being petite in stature initially caused an issue because she could not safely see the road. With a little bit of finagling we have come up with a plan and she is back on the road.

Our Micah man has been in weekly swimming lessons for the last 5 weeks with The British Swim Club. His Boy Scout Troop does a lot of water adventures and I want him to be comfortable in the water as well as knowing how to swim and save himself. In fact, he needs to know how to swim to rank up for his next rank as well as being classified as a "Swimmer" for summer camp. His goal is to get that classification next May. I like that this is a year-round indoor program and the classes are limited to 4 students. For the first 4 weeks it was just him and a little girl so he has gotten focused attention. So proud of the progress he has made and looking forward to him moving up through the levels to reach his goal.

Next week we take Montana to University! Wow...I can't believe we are dropping off another child to University! My dining room has been taken over with all things dorm room. Thankfully we have items that Mikayla has been able to pass down to minimize costs...except the dorm fridge. I am still a bit salty about that (IYKYK) so just know we have secured a new refrigerator that will be saved for McKenzie in 3 short years. Montana has had her last pre-University meeting with the USDA. We need to knock out a headshot photo this weekend or early next week and then she will be all set for move in day. That's it for now. I will do my best to showcase what we have accomplished each week, even if it is just posting a few pictures.

Until next time friends!

Monday, August 12, 2024

Here we go with year 16!

Can you believe it? We started year 16 of homeschooling today! Wow, never in a million years did I think we would be in this spot doing life, living and learning under our roof. You want to know what's equally impressive? We have lived in this same house for 15 years! What was once just supposed to be a quick tour on the east coast has turned into an extended stay with two children added to our family. And you know what...I am so glad that God has placed us just where we needed to be.

Montana started her last first day of high school this morning! So bittersweet. I can't believe we have another hgh school senior. She will be our 4th graduate from ASBCA in May and our first graduate to be fully home educated. That alone is a huge accomplishment in my book.

Montana has a pretty loaded plan of study this year and I am really excited that she has the opportunity to knock out some of her general education requirements by doing dual enrollment. The local community college has lowered the tuition to just $25.00 per credit! Currently she is set up to take three dual enrollment classes in the fall semester. She will also start her college applications process in September. As of right now, she is qualified for the full tuition/fees scholarship at her first choice school. She doesn't want to go too far and she is familiar with the campus as she did a summer intensive last year so she may only apply to this one school. In my mind that is scary for some reason. But, the school has the major she wants to study and it's close so maybe we will just sit back and see how it plans out.

McKenzie is officially a high schooler! I don't know if I am ready. The high school years fly by so fast. I know she will be prepared to fly the nest when it is her turn, but man, my baby girl is a freshman!

She too has a jam packed schedule, but I do think it will be manageable even with her busy training schedule. She is set to compete Level 9 again and she is hyper focused to stay healthy so she can qualify for Eastern's next May. McKenzie is taking three courses online with Veritas Press and she is looking forward to them. She was wanting to start her modern foreign language this year but we held off to finish the Latin series with Latin II. I know it will pay dividends down the road and at most schools it is now an accepted foreign language. She is hoping to start Russian but we may settle for German because it is offered more widely online and she would have the option to do dual enrollment German in 12th grade. Thus earning 5 foreign language credits for high school, 2 Latin and 3 German. I know that will make her stand out come her university application season as she has her heart set on a highly selective school.

Our Micah is in 5th grade! If you are a long term reader you're probably thinking that that went by super fast...because it did! He's 10 years old now and knows it all and can already argue his point about all things. Which honestly sometimes all I need to hear is "Yes, Ma'am". But in all seriousness, he's a good boy and we are super proud of the young man he is becoming.

Micah has spent the summer playing baseball on All * Stars and his travel team. The boys had a good run even after all the adult stuff that interfered with them playing. When I tell you it was H-O-T, I definitely mean it was HOT on the fields. Some had trees to shade the grounds but many did not. Fall ball is starting up in a few weeks and Micah has invited to a new training program just across state lines. It's only 45 minutes and he is looking forward to the training to improve his batting and overall game play. He took lessons this summer and we have already seen huge improvement so we think it is worth the time and drive commitment.

I know I have been absent from this blog for awhile...I do hope to get better at that this year. Like I really want to try and write something weekly. I don't even know if anyone but my Grandma will read it, but it's okay! {Hi, Grandma!} So, stick around and see what is happening in our neck of the woods.

Until next time friends!

http://astablebeginning.com

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Success Skills for Christian Students Video Course and Book Bundle ~ a TOS review

Disclaimer: I received a Complimentary copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations.

Good morning, friends! Today I am excited to share a book geared towards your high school student. Do you have a high schooler who is looking to be college ready? The Skills 4 Students, LLC offers a course just for high schoolers to help them prepare for the world of college. It’s called the Success Skills for Christian Students Video Course and Book Bundle. I am on my fourth rotation of high school, with two more rounds to go, but I am always eager to learn something new that I didn’t know before. This program offers a physical book for your student as well as an online video component to help them develop the soft skills that will help them be successful in college as well as what future employers will be looking for. Let me tell you a little more about it.

This course is written and developed by Mr. Cary Green, PhD, who after teaching and advising university students for twenty years started his own business to help young adults be successful by equipping them with skills for academic success and employability. His course will help your high school or college student deepen their Christian faith, develop leadership and academic skills, as well as build the soft skills that employers are seeking.

We received the physical paperback book plus the complete online course which is geared to the student. The online component includes video lessons, an eBook download, a download to the application workbook, a Bible study guide download, audio MP3 downloads of the videos, course slides, and a quick start guide student portfolio. As you can see it is a full course to get your students college and career ready. Students are able to work independently through the program and you the parent are just there to office support and guidance as needed. Since there is a lot of meaningful work put into this course a full high school credit can be given on the high school transcript for students who complete the course.

I really love that this course puts Christ at the front and center even before they start to learn the “soft skills” the book talks about. What exactly are “soft skills” that will be taught? The book identifies 5 of them as being skills that will enhance academic performance and transfer the skills to any future career. They include:

1. Critical thinking and problem-solving

2. Written and oral communication

3. Ability to work effectively on a team

4. Time management

5. Professionalism

My highschooler, Montana (10th), and my middle schooler, McKenzie (7th) both took a look at this course. While it is intended for high schoolers, I think it has important points for my middle schooler to get a head start on as she prepares for high school, especially since she is gearing up to take high school level courses next school year. We have spent quite a deal of time in Chapter 3 which deals with learning to “Balance Your Life and Keep Learning”. We just finished our first busy season of fall softball for Montana and are gearing up for McKenzie’s travel season with gymnastics. This chapter has helped us remember to return our focus to Christ even as we manage the daily requirements of school and life. I especially like that at the end of each chapter it summarizes key take away points.

There is so much to this course, and we have only brushed the surface. Over the course of this school year, we will continue plugging away with the course and learning new things to help us be successful. These are valuable skills to be learning and I am glad to have them laid out for us to follow as a guidebook as we prepare to launch them into adulthood. Skills 4 Students, LLC offers homeschool students career readiness with their Success Skills for Christian Students Video Course and Book Bundle. Be sure to click the banner below to see what my CrewMates thought of this program. I highly recommend checking out this course!

Company ~ Skills 4 Students, LLC

Product ~ Success Skills for Christian Students Video Course and Book Bundle

Format ~ paperback book

Ages ~ high school through college student

Find Skills 4 Students, LLC on these Social Media Links:

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http://astablebeginning.com

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Wordless Wednesday ~ Back to school, Our 14th year of Homeschooling!

https://astablebeginning.com

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Homeschool Art lessons with ARTistic Pursuits ~ a TOS review

Disclaimer: I received a Complimentary copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family and I pray you, the reader, find them helpful on your homeschooling journey. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations.

Morning friends! It’s a busy week in our house as we have jumped back into our school year. It’s our 14th year, wowzers! We are taking a slow start by just doing a few subjects at a time to ease us back into our full time learning by the end of the month. So far, it’s been good, and I know I have enjoyed getting back into routine.

Today I am pleased to share with you another review from our favorite art education program, ARTistic Pursuits, who offers homeschooling families fabulous art curriculum materials such as their ART Core Series. We received the Drawing with Water-soluble and Graded Graphite Pencils, Art Core 5 for this review and my 10th grader Montana worked through the book.

The Drawing with Water-soluble and Graded Graphite Pencils, Art Core 5 is an advanced high school level art course that teaches students to discover their creative strengths with water-soluble pencils and graphite. The course is available with the standard DVD/Blueray CDs to view the nine video lessons of the program. Or you can choose the new Online Streaming option that gives you two years of unlimited access to the complete program through a flip able online book that is identical to the hardcover book. This is an awesome option for those who are on the go. Or if you don’t have a DVD/CD drive on your newer computer, the streaming option works great.

A list of materials needed can be found in the front of the book so you can be prepared come art day. Many of the art supplies needed can be found at your local stores or you can opt to purchase a supply kit directly from ARTistic Pursuit. For this course your student will need:

~ graded drawing pencil, set of 12

~ Ebony drawing pencils

~ water-soluble pencils

~ #8 round watercolor brush

~ plastic eraser

~ kneaded eraser

~ metal pencil sharpener

~ sandpaper block

~ drawing pad 9x12

~ Bristol pad (vellum surface)

This course is worth ½ credit and can be scheduled out twice a week over the course of one semester for those looking to give credit for or in preparation for college level courses. The textbook is a hardcover book with 64 pages inside and it also includes art history within the 36 lessons. This course also includes an art history portion where you will study and become familiar with nine artists such as, da Vinci, van Gogh, Buonarroti, and van Rijn. Brenda Ellis, the author, has made this program so simple to get started with there is no excuse to why your student can’t have a world class art education right from home!

Each of my children have been blessed with artistic talents and Montana is no exception. She is a natural artist who has loved to draw since was a little girl and she was excited to review this new course to use over the last few weeks. She has learned her skills from several of the books from Artistic Pursuits as well as just through exploring techniques on her own. Montana recently bought herself a drawing tablet for an upcoming animation course she is taking in the school year to push her drawing to the next level using all the techniques she has learned from ARTistic Pursuits over the years.

We highly recommend you take a look at this course, Drawing with Water-soluble and Graded Graphite Pencils, Art Core 5, or get started with any of the other courses ARTistic Pursuits offers including these that were reviewed,

Grade K through 3 Art Program

Art for Children, Building a Visual Vocabulary, Vol. 1

Art of the Ancients, Vol. 2

Art of the Middle Ages, Vol. 3

Art That Shaped the Italian Renaissance,

Art of the Northern Countries, Vol. 5, Grades

K-3

Art of the Impressionists, Vol. 6

Art of the Modern Age, Vol.

Art in America, Vol. 8

https://artisticpursuits.com/k-3rd-vol-8

ART Core Series

Drawing with Graphite Pencils, Art Core 1

Painting with Watercolor Pencils, Art Core 2

Drawing with Graded Graphite Pencils, Art Core 3

Click the banner below and read the thoughts of my 32 CrewMates and find the perfect homeschool art curriculum for your budding artist!

Company ~ ARTistic Pursuits

Product ~ Drawing with Water-soluble and Graded Graphite Pencils, Art Core 5

Format ~ hardcover book, DVD or Streaming

Price ~ $69.99

Ages ~ high school aged 14 and up, ½ credit

Find ARTistic Pursuits on these Social Media sites:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

https://astablebeginning.com

Friday, July 22, 2022

Mastering Essential Math Skills, Book Two ~ a TOS review

Disclaimer: I received a Complimentary copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family and I pray you, the reader, find them helpful on your homeschooling journey. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations.

Morning friends! Whew, it’s been a week to say the least but I am so glad that it is Friday! We don’t have any big plans but to finish preparing for our fast approaching school year. However, today I am excited to bring you another great review of a homeschool math program called Mastering Essential Math Skills Book 2 from Math Essentials.

The Mastering Essential Math Skills book 2 is written by veteran 6th grade math teacher Richard W. Fisher, also known as “America’s Math Teacher” for his dedication of over 31 years of teaching math. He is also the winner of the Intel Innovations in Teaching Award as well as the Glenn W. Hoffmann Exemplary Awards Program.

We received the 158 page paperback workbook that is geared towards middle grades/High School. Each lesson in this program has a corresponding video lesson that’s available on the Math Essentials website. The eight key area topics covered in this homeschooling math program include :

~ Whole Numbers

~ Fractions

~ Decimals

~Percent’s

~Geometry

~Integers

~Charts & Graphs

~Word Problems

There is also a Final Review Section in the back along with the Answer Key, useful math charts, as well as a Glossary of math terms.

Each page is a complete lesson and it is laid out the same way throughout the book. First your student will complete the Speed Drill which tests their knowledge in quick math facts. You choose the number that your child needs to focus on.

A Review section, does just that by reviewing previously worked on concepts. I really like this spiral approach. In the middle of the page a Helpful Hints portion gives hints for the next concept that will be taught. The lesson includes ten problems to complete and includes an area to record answers on the right hand side. At the bottom of the page a Problem Solving question is given. It is essentially a word problem for the lesson to provide a different way to state the problem and to get they student thinking.

I used this book with McKenzie, my rising 7th grader. She has been able to use this book three days a week to keep fresh on her math work over our summer break. Once we start school back up in August, she will continue to use this book on the days that she has a double day at gym. I am confident that this workbook can stand in the place of her normal math program on the days she is at the gym all day.

I am excited for McKenzie to continue working through this book to solidfy the math skills in this book. They are essential to success in upper level math. Math Essentials is offering their online program math and algebra for free for 3 months. Check them out and use the code CREW2022 to sign up. And be sure to check out what my CrewMates think of this curriculum as well as the Mastering Essential Math Skills, Pre-Algebra Concepts that was also reviewed by clicking the banner below.

Company ~ Math Essentials

Product ~ Mastering Essential Math Skills Book Two

Format ~ paperback workbook

Price ~ $23.55

Ages ~ Middle – High School

https://astablebeginning.com

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Homeschool history timeline with the Printable "Essential Timeline Library" ~ a TOS review

Disclaimer: I received a Complimentary copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family and I pray you, the reader, find them helpful on your homeschooling journey. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations.

Morning friends! I don’t know about you, but this summer has flown by for us! We start back to school in just 12 days! Today, however, I am excited to tell you {one more time} how much I love the products from Home School in the Woods! So much so, that when the vendor interest form was posted for the Printable "Essential Timeline Library" review, I jumped at the chance to review it.

If you are looking for a history timeline that your children can use from Kindergarten through twelfth grade then the Printable “Essential Timeline Library” is the ultimate timeline package for you. With 1,444 historical timeline figures spanning from Ancients to Modern times this package has everything you need. The bundle gets even better because it also includes the “Record of Time” Printable Timeline Notebook as well as the Printable Suggested Placement Guide to help you lay down your timeline just right. All of these items come bundled just so in a PDF file once you purchase.

History has always been a favorite subject of mine to teach and re-learn with my girls. I grew up learning history from a boring textbook so I am so happy that now I can teach the girls, and soon to be my son, history with awesome hands-on learning. Amy Pak, the talented graphic designer and experienced homeschooler, is the mastermind to everything that Homeschool in the Woods creates. This company has helped transform the way we tackle hands-on history learning ever since.

The Printable “Essential Timeline Library” includes:

~ History Through the Ages Collection of Historical Timeline Figures

~ Add-on Pak 1

~ Add-on Pak 2

~ Add-on Pak 3

~ “Record of Time” Printable Timeline Notebook

~ Printable Suggested Placement Guide

This timeline collection is absolutely amazing with over 1444 black and white figures! Getting started was as easy as downloading the files to my computer. I like to print ours on full sheet sticker paper so we can just cut them out and stick on the page. Inside the download you will find the figures divided into five different subsections:

~ America’s History (Explores to 21 Century AD)

~ Creation to Christ (Beginning to 1st Century AD)

~ Resurrect to Revolution ()-1799AD)

~ Napoleon to Now (1750 AD to Modern Day)

~ Bonus Figures in the add-on paks

Each timeline figure is available in two sizes as well, wall or a smaller notebook size. You also have the option of having a description or no description printed under the figure.

I love that I now have a printable timeline option without having to purchase a new notebook. I was able to find a hardcopy of the History Through Ages, Record of Time at our local homeschool bookstore that I will use with Micah this year. My girls in 7th and 10th will use a printable notebook in a binder.

Overall, I have nothing but good things to say about Home School in the Woods. I sing their praises to everyone who wants to talk about History or timelines. We love using the Printable “Essential Timeline Library” from Home School in the Woods for more than just our history timeline! During the course of our school year my last three children at home, Montana (10th), McKenzie (7th), and Micah (3rd) will keep their book of time in their printable notebooks. It will be great to see how they have added to their notebooks when they reach Senior year.

You can also read this great article about how to get started keeping your own timeline. But don’t just take my word for it! Be sure to click the banner below to check out what 35 of my CrewMates thought of this product as well as the other curricula that was offered for review, including:

Maps Combo-Pak (US & World Maps)

Project Passport World History Studies

• Ancient Egypt • Ancient Greece • Ancient Rome • The Middle Ages • Renaissance & Reformation Time

Travelers U.S. History Studies

• New World Explorers • Colonial Life • The American Revolution • The Early 19th Century • The Civil War • The Industrial Revolution through the Great Depression • World War II

Hands-on History Lap-Paks

• Lap-Pak: Wonders of the World • Lap-Pak: The 20th Century in America • Lap-Pak: U.S. Elections • Lap-Pak: Benjamin Franklin • Lap-Pak: Knights

Hands-on History Activity-Paks

• Activity-Pak: The Old Testament • Activity-Pak: The New Testament • Activity-Pak: Make-A-State • Activity-Pak: Artists • Activity-Pak: Composers

Company ~ Home School in the Woods

Product ~ Printable "Essential Timeline Library"

Format ~ PDF download

Price ~ $109.95

Ages ~ K-12