Recommendations

Free Resources

LDS Copywork

Choosing Curriculum

Curriculum By Subject

Learning by Listening

Virtual Field Trips

Great Brain Projects

Homeschooling Teens

Homeschooling high schoolers strikes fear into even the most dedicated homeschoolers! They worry, "What about physics?" "How can I teach economics?" "I don’t know calculus! How can I teach something I don’t know myself?" And besides, "How can they miss the prom?" and "What about team sports?" The biggest concern may be, “Will my children be able to get into college?”

There are answers to all these questions and they are not as difficult as it might seem.

Of all people, Latter-day Saints should be the least concerned about teaching subjects they know next to nothing about. When we are called to teach church classes we are not expected to be experts in every lesson we teach. We learn right along with the students. One of the best things about homeschooling, I have heard many moms proclaim, is that we get to actually learn all the stuff we forgot (or never learned) from our own school days. And if a subject really is over your head or you don't have the time or desire to learn it, there are always alternatives. Many high school textbooks are self-directed and there are online courses, tutors, DVD and TV courses, and city and community college classes available. Some support groups have classes for teens where the parents take turns teaching so moms and dads with particular expertise can teach the teens of those who aren’t as adept in that particular area. You don't have to know everything to homeschool your teens!

First you need to find out the requirements in your state. Some states require specific subjects for high schoolers. For instance, the following subjects are required to be offered in high school in my state: English, math, social sciences, science, fine arts, health and physical education, foreign language, applied arts, vocational education, and driver education. To find out the requirements in your state, look online for a state homeschool group or the Department of Education.

Even if your state doesn’t require them, you may have certain subjects that you feel are important or topics that your child is particularly interested in. Discuss with your teens the plans they have for the future and decide together what they will need to do to accomplish those desires. In our family it is important to study economics and the United States Constitution in high school so I have included those subjects as our social science/math courses. We read the text together and have discussions about the principles we learn and how they are working today. There is a complementary test booklet, videos, and activities available also. We try to incorporate field trips when possible.

One of the biggest worries that parents have about homeschooling teenagers is whether they will learn enough to qualify for the university they desire. There was a time when universities were reluctant to accept homeschoolers, but that memory is fading fast. Some universities actively recruit homeschoolers now. It is still important to find out the admissions policies for the universities your child is interested in though because not all of the universities have caught on. However, a common solution to this problem is for teens to attend a local community college first and then transfer to a university later. This alternative keeps youth home longer, is cheaper, and works well for most families.

My youngest child started college at age 16 as concurrent student at the local community college. In California, high school students are permitted to take college classes for free tuition. Each college has different rules about accepting high schoolers. If you are interested in this route, you will have to do the research for your college. Many times information is available online.

While parents are worried about college, the youth are worried about socialization. Teenagers do seem to have a higher need for social functions. That need can be met within a homeschool framework with just a little effort. There are many homeschool support groups available, and more and more communities are starting homeschool sports teams and organizing homeschool proms. If yours isn't, don’t be afraid to do it yourself! Let the youth themselves do most of the work. Advertise for help online or in homeschool publications. There are also opportunities for teens to get involved in other outside activities such as community service, city teams and classes, church activities, 4-H, Scouting, and Community Theater to name a few. Many homeschool groups offer special activities for teenagers. You may have to go out of your way a little to find wholesome activities for your teenagers, but it is well worth it. Be willing to make sacrifices to make it happen.

Despite the fact that there are many resources available, it is not always easy to homeschool teenagers. It can be quite challenging and draining for parents whose teenagers are not cooperative or motivated. In the end, it is up to the youth themselves whether or not they will succeed. You can only do your best and pray that they will have the desire to follow you. Don’t panic if your child doesn’t learn everything you had in mind. We are all continually learning and your children will be no different. If they don’t learn something they need in high school, they can still learn it afterwards. There is no end to learning.

TOP

Recommendations

TOP

We Must Raise our Sights by Henry B. Eyring
What It Takes to Be Happy and Successful by Joe J. Christensen
The Fine Art of Raising Teenagers by C. Richard Chidester
Raising the Greatest Generation of Missionaries by M. Russell Ballard
Agency—A Blessing and a Burden by Sharon G. Larsen
Agency and Control by Boyd K. Packer
Helping Teens Stay Strong by Brent L. Top and Bruce A. Chadwick
A Prophet's Counsel and Prayer for Youth by Gordon B. Hinckley
Living Worthy of the Girl you will Someday Marry by Gordon B. Hinckley
Letters from Home by Ardeth G. Kapp
A Message to the Rising Generation by Ezra Taft Benson
What Every Freshman Should Know by Boyd K. Packer
Patriarchal Blessings by James E. Faust
Chart Your Course by It by Richard P. Lindsay
Have You Found Out Yet What Heavenly Father Has to Say to You? by Elaine Cannon
You Are Different by David B. Haight
Is it Worth It? by M. Russell Ballard
The Gospel and Romantic Love by Bruce C. Hafen
They've Turned Sixteen—Now What?
Protecting Purity by Brent L. Top, Bruce A. Chadwick, and Maxhew T. Evans
Spirituality and Self-Esteem by Brent L. Top and Bruce A. Chadwick
Unto the Rising Generation by Neal A. Maxwell
A Life Founded in Light and Truth by Henry B. Eyring
Why Bother with Seminary? by Darrin Lythgoe
Seminary—Must We? by Cherie Logan
Winning the Battle of the Mattress by Marji Meyer
About Seminary from CES
What a Way to Grow! by L. Tom Perry
Why Bother with Seminary? by Darrin Lythgoe
How can parents help make seminary attendance a rewarding experience for their children?
Scripture Lifeline:The 5:30 Alarm by Danika Nielsen
Squeezing Milk from an Orange by Kenneth L. Higbee
Especially for Seminary Students
Seminary Reading Charts
Scripture Mastery
Old Testament Scripture Mastery game
New Testament Scripture Mastery game
Book of Mormon Scripture Mastery game
Doctrine & Covenants Scripture Mastery game
For the Strength of Youth
Especially For Youth Programs
CES Firesides for Young Adults
Battlefront or Homefront? by Barbara B. Smith
If You Had to Eat Your Words, Would they Make you Sick? by John Bytheway
I Have No Friends by John Bytheway
Some Friendly Advice by Chris Crowe
Friendship Rules by Janet Thomas
Your Clothing: Friend or Foe? by Judith Rasband
Ten Steps for Easier Studying by Agnes Kempton
Don't Waste Your Money on an Expensive College By Dennis Prager
Life Planning by A. Roger Merrill
If Not a University, Then What?
Seven Myths about Careers by Paul H. Thompson
Be Smart
Test Prep Question of the Day
Research and the Internet
The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing
High School Hub
Free BYU Classes Online
BYU Best Value Courses
BYU Chemistry Tutor
MIT Open Course Ware
College Board SAT information
Sample High School Transcripts
Driver's Education Information
Driver License Information
Samples of Driving Tests
LDS Copywork
FAQ for High School Homeschoolers
Why Football is Better than High School by Herb Childress
Stanford Magazine: In a Class by Themselves by Christine Foster
Homeschooling Teenagers by Lisa Beamer
Homeschooling Teens by Sandra M. Hurst
Do-It-Yourself Group Activities for Teenagers by Cafi Cohen
Self-Directed Learning by Cafi Cohen
Can a Homeschooler Make it to College? by Cafi Cohen
Transcripts and Portfolios by Cafi Cohen
Charlotte Mason High School Study Notes
Be Your Homeschool Teen's Career Coach by Jim Davis
California High School Proficiency Exam
CHSPE Practice Tests
BYU Independent Study
Information on the California High School Proficiency Exam
Frontline: Adolescents and Sleep
Teens: Primed for Sleep?
Teens and Sleep
Sleepy Teens