Check-in was very easy and the main speaker tried to say Hello to everyone including me. I was given a packet upon arrival.
The Packet included:
The State Homeschooling Laws for your state. There were about 6 states represented. Each package was tailored to your area/breakout classes.
5 booklets
you can homeschool your preschooler
reasons to join HSLDA
membership application
a guide for homeschooling through high school
you can homeschool through high school
you can homeschool your struggling learner
Common Core Frequently Asked Questions
Homeschool Progress Reports
Samples of Transcripts
4 packets of the Power Point Presentations for 4 sessions
High School at home for All Teens: Discover the Possibilities!
(A lot of resources for kids with Learning Disabilities)
NOTES FROM REGULAR SESSIONS
If your teen is not sure what they want to be have them take a Career Evaluation Course
This will help them understand what their good at and give them a direction
1 Year Long Course = 1 Credit
Dual Enrollment means that your enrolled in a community college course and receiving college credit and high school credit
Grades are subjective
Penalize their late work to help them understand deadlines for the real world
Homework is practice
Don't inflate grades
You can purchase a diploma through HSLDA
Their diploma is recognized by the military, colleges and so forth
They (military and colleges) are looking at the transcripts rather than the diploma
Do not have your homeschooler take the GED test!!!
You do not have to take the AP class to take the AP test. Although it is highly recommended.
Keep weekly records over monthly/yearly
Use pencil only when writing on your transcript because your going to be editing a lot!!!
Consumer Math is considered an elective
The more you keep for your records the better.
Colleges, employers and scholarship, and organizations look at records over transcripts
Every class you teach requires a:
Course Title
Course Description
Textbook
Literature
Supplemental Materials
Grading Percentages
Final Grade
Number of credits
A 4 Year Transcript includes:
Report Cards
Test Scores
Evaluations
School District
Medical Records
Learning Disabilities
Volunteering
Long Term Volunteering looks impressive
Leadership Positions under volunteering looks great as well
If you compete in sports this far outweighs PE
*writing too many notes at once. I think that she was referring to putting it under extra curricular instead of PE.
Travel/Mission Trips you want to list under extra-curricular
When people ask for paperwork do not make a copy, print out a fresh copy to make it look professional and clean
When you use a pass/fail grade some colleges and the NCAA will see the pass grade as a D
10th Grade
PSAT score is not shared with colleges
This is simply for practice
HSLDA has the test codes on their website
The PSAT is only offered once a year in October
The SAT is offered throughout the year
Take the SAT/ACT twice. Usually the scores are higher the second time around.
SAT scores can be used as validation or placement.
Letters of Recommendation
They are looking for academics. HSLDA encourages takeing a few classes outside the home for this reason.
Colleges with Rolling Admission means they look at applications as they come in.
Some colleges ask for a list of books they read while in high school
You need to teach your child about vocation
Most colleges require you to fill out a FAFSA form (If Brian chooses to go to college go to ACCESS Foundation like you did with Kelsey)
The military loves homeschoolers.
Do not have your child take a GED test it will really complicate things
AFQT must perform well (Part of test to get in military)
Show leadership skills when applying for military
One of the speakers said she really wished she kept taking her teens to the museums once they were in high school.
NOTES FROM BREAK OUT SESSIONS (LEARNING DISABILITIES)
Document what your doing
Create a 4 to 5 year plan
Take into consideration your teens strengths and weaknesses
Aim high and don't rule out college
All colleges have resources for people who have learning disabilities
LDadvisory.com
fairtest.org - colleges who don't require an ACT/SAT test
Sonlight Curriculum - Great for gamers
HSLDA can help you pick out curriculum that will fit your child
Foreign Language
if your homeschooler is working at a place where they are speaking a second language fluently it can count to to a point as a second language (you may want to talk to the stuggling learner dept at HSLDA to understand this better) (I was not able to finish the sentence here because they were saying alot of great advise but she was saying that can be used as a half credit or credit based on what all your teen is learning)
Give them credit for the class (1 credit = 120-180 hours)
Create a transcript by subject rather than a regular transcript (one of many examples)
Consumer Math can be used as a regular math course
You can purchase Certificates of Achievement through HSLDA. Use them for milestones!! Great way to encourage your teen!!
Tap into Technology (writing tools)
Dragon Naturally Speak
Smart Pulse Pen
Co-writer
Ginger Spell
Kurzwek 3000
learningalley.org/book share program
Accomodations vs. Modifications
Accomodations
1. Don't change level of difficulty
2. They should help a student demonstrate what he/she knows
3. They could also be an adjustment of how material is presented.
Modifications
1. A change in the level of difficulty
2. A change in the problems required to complete
3. You will modify for students....(again to much good advise)
The HSLDA has a database for you to help find a therapist/doctor for struggling learners
hslda.org/strugglinglearners
Many suggested websites to help with Learning Disabilities
hslda.org/strugglinglearners
lonestarlearning.com
acadamiacs.com
learningally.org
hslda.org/consultants
equippingminds.com
learndifferently.com
hishelpinschool.com
headsupnow.com
learningablekids.com
and many more websites
MY THOUGHTS/REMINDERS
I really liked how they talked about common problems they help homeschoolers with and how they really touched on those
I liked how they were talking about homeschoolers who were calling them even for the smallest thing like curriculum or paperwork
I liked how they kept reminding us to remember that God is in charge and to rely on him and pray alot
I like how they gave you a copy of each presentation (except for breakout sessions) so you can go back and look at them as need be. They really spelt each session out for you so your not spending your whole time trying to catch everything in your notes.
I loved how they tried to be funny and encourage everyone
The speakers all homeschooled their kids and were even talking about how they were always learning and growing as they were teaching their kids. Don't sell yourself short and remember that you have support whether it's other homeschool families you know or the HSLDA.
Call April and make time for her. Big guilt trip for not contacting her. Miss that girl!!
Go back again if offered next year just to make it stick more.
HSLDA has a store on their website you can purchase from
See if I can find someone to go with next year if they offer this again. Would love to hear what they get from it.
Some of the topics they were covering were discussed in the Yahoo Group hs2coll and were saying the same thing. (not ran by the hslda)
The Packet included:
The State Homeschooling Laws for your state. There were about 6 states represented. Each package was tailored to your area/breakout classes.
5 booklets
you can homeschool your preschooler
reasons to join HSLDA
membership application
a guide for homeschooling through high school
you can homeschool through high school
you can homeschool your struggling learner
Common Core Frequently Asked Questions
Homeschool Progress Reports
Samples of Transcripts
4 packets of the Power Point Presentations for 4 sessions
High School at home for All Teens: Discover the Possibilities!
(A lot of resources for kids with Learning Disabilities)
NOTES FROM REGULAR SESSIONS
If your teen is not sure what they want to be have them take a Career Evaluation Course
This will help them understand what their good at and give them a direction
1 Year Long Course = 1 Credit
Dual Enrollment means that your enrolled in a community college course and receiving college credit and high school credit
Grades are subjective
Penalize their late work to help them understand deadlines for the real world
Homework is practice
Don't inflate grades
You can purchase a diploma through HSLDA
Their diploma is recognized by the military, colleges and so forth
They (military and colleges) are looking at the transcripts rather than the diploma
Do not have your homeschooler take the GED test!!!
You do not have to take the AP class to take the AP test. Although it is highly recommended.
Keep weekly records over monthly/yearly
Use pencil only when writing on your transcript because your going to be editing a lot!!!
Consumer Math is considered an elective
The more you keep for your records the better.
Colleges, employers and scholarship, and organizations look at records over transcripts
Every class you teach requires a:
Course Title
Course Description
Textbook
Literature
Supplemental Materials
Grading Percentages
Final Grade
Number of credits
A 4 Year Transcript includes:
Report Cards
Test Scores
Evaluations
School District
Medical Records
Learning Disabilities
Volunteering
Long Term Volunteering looks impressive
Leadership Positions under volunteering looks great as well
If you compete in sports this far outweighs PE
*writing too many notes at once. I think that she was referring to putting it under extra curricular instead of PE.
Travel/Mission Trips you want to list under extra-curricular
When people ask for paperwork do not make a copy, print out a fresh copy to make it look professional and clean
When you use a pass/fail grade some colleges and the NCAA will see the pass grade as a D
10th Grade
PSAT score is not shared with colleges
This is simply for practice
HSLDA has the test codes on their website
The PSAT is only offered once a year in October
The SAT is offered throughout the year
Take the SAT/ACT twice. Usually the scores are higher the second time around.
SAT scores can be used as validation or placement.
Letters of Recommendation
They are looking for academics. HSLDA encourages takeing a few classes outside the home for this reason.
Colleges with Rolling Admission means they look at applications as they come in.
Some colleges ask for a list of books they read while in high school
You need to teach your child about vocation
Most colleges require you to fill out a FAFSA form (If Brian chooses to go to college go to ACCESS Foundation like you did with Kelsey)
The military loves homeschoolers.
Do not have your child take a GED test it will really complicate things
AFQT must perform well (Part of test to get in military)
Show leadership skills when applying for military
One of the speakers said she really wished she kept taking her teens to the museums once they were in high school.
NOTES FROM BREAK OUT SESSIONS (LEARNING DISABILITIES)
Document what your doing
Create a 4 to 5 year plan
Take into consideration your teens strengths and weaknesses
Aim high and don't rule out college
All colleges have resources for people who have learning disabilities
LDadvisory.com
fairtest.org - colleges who don't require an ACT/SAT test
Sonlight Curriculum - Great for gamers
HSLDA can help you pick out curriculum that will fit your child
Foreign Language
if your homeschooler is working at a place where they are speaking a second language fluently it can count to to a point as a second language (you may want to talk to the stuggling learner dept at HSLDA to understand this better) (I was not able to finish the sentence here because they were saying alot of great advise but she was saying that can be used as a half credit or credit based on what all your teen is learning)
Give them credit for the class (1 credit = 120-180 hours)
Create a transcript by subject rather than a regular transcript (one of many examples)
Consumer Math can be used as a regular math course
You can purchase Certificates of Achievement through HSLDA. Use them for milestones!! Great way to encourage your teen!!
Tap into Technology (writing tools)
Dragon Naturally Speak
Smart Pulse Pen
Co-writer
Ginger Spell
Kurzwek 3000
learningalley.org/book share program
Accomodations vs. Modifications
Accomodations
1. Don't change level of difficulty
2. They should help a student demonstrate what he/she knows
3. They could also be an adjustment of how material is presented.
Modifications
1. A change in the level of difficulty
2. A change in the problems required to complete
3. You will modify for students....(again to much good advise)
The HSLDA has a database for you to help find a therapist/doctor for struggling learners
hslda.org/strugglinglearners
Many suggested websites to help with Learning Disabilities
hslda.org/strugglinglearners
lonestarlearning.com
acadamiacs.com
learningally.org
hslda.org/consultants
equippingminds.com
learndifferently.com
hishelpinschool.com
headsupnow.com
learningablekids.com
and many more websites
MY THOUGHTS/REMINDERS
I really liked how they talked about common problems they help homeschoolers with and how they really touched on those
I liked how they were talking about homeschoolers who were calling them even for the smallest thing like curriculum or paperwork
I liked how they kept reminding us to remember that God is in charge and to rely on him and pray alot
I like how they gave you a copy of each presentation (except for breakout sessions) so you can go back and look at them as need be. They really spelt each session out for you so your not spending your whole time trying to catch everything in your notes.
I loved how they tried to be funny and encourage everyone
The speakers all homeschooled their kids and were even talking about how they were always learning and growing as they were teaching their kids. Don't sell yourself short and remember that you have support whether it's other homeschool families you know or the HSLDA.
Call April and make time for her. Big guilt trip for not contacting her. Miss that girl!!
Go back again if offered next year just to make it stick more.
HSLDA has a store on their website you can purchase from
See if I can find someone to go with next year if they offer this again. Would love to hear what they get from it.
Some of the topics they were covering were discussed in the Yahoo Group hs2coll and were saying the same thing. (not ran by the hslda)