help! I have a high schooler!!

I’d honestly use this:

http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/scmguide/

I understand your concern but take a deep breath and enjoy.  I have my 1st oldest entering 9th this year also.  Don’t panic.  A couple things I would say are this: continue with what ever math you are doing – that seems easy enough.  And the subjects that can just continue to flow – science, grammar, history etc.  Then add in some more geared above the norm studies.  For us this year it will be economics, Fine arts, and 3 CLEP tests.  We also consulted a woman in our area who helps families make the most of the 4 years based on what their child’s interests are.  This was so worth the money.

Following the SCM guide is a very easy and doable way to continue.  I hope just some random thoughts helps you get started.  If you have more specific questions ask, as others might be able to offer more suggestions.

I don’t know of any “as is” curriculum I would buy except Math and even that we’ll probably have to supplement in some way (khan academy, outside help when mom can’t help anymore!).  Maybe our grammar and logic material will be “as is” but everything else will CM in approach, which may mean tweaking it some.  We have always done some type of Picture study, but like Misty, I plan to make it more, much more, than we have done.  I think it has been fine the way it has for his interest level, but not credit worthy, that’s for sure.  It’s should be fun and worth the effort.  Eventually, foreign lang. needs to be a bit more to be credit worthy but we’ll get it there. 

I’m feeling a bit out of my league also as we have started CM a bit late (w/ him anyway). We have so many great books to cover and CM suggested subjects that I feel we’ve only scratched the surface on and only 4 years to get in what I’d like, plus spend good quality time w/ him.  

So, yes, I know how you feel.  But, it has been a great experience with my oldest; he’s turning into a fine young man and I’m excited to see who he’s going to become in the next 4 years.  With specifically chosen material, great discussions, hands-on projects (hopefully), a higher level of maturity (hopefully), the Lord’s leading, we should have a great high school experience.  That’s my hope, anyway.

HTH

I have more time to explain my one liner today. ;0)

The only times we’ve purchased open & go curriculum, I’ve ended up having to alter it for one reason or another. 

For highschool math we’ve used either Saxon with DIVE DVDs, or Harold Jacob’s courses with Dr. Callahan’s DVDs. And, we use IEW for writing curriculum at this level until they have the hang of it and go it alone. 

The rest of their “curriculum” has been mostly books and/or lectures and research based on outlines for “courses of study.”

Our youngest two have the benefit of all the trial and error I went through with their older siblings. The best thing I’ve done in terms of planning for the highschool years was to glean all the excellent planning information from SCM resources and this forum. The Modules are quite open & go when you gather the books needed. But, the best part of the planning was to get the 12 year plan written down for our youngest and 6 year plan for the one above her. 

I don’t stress over missing things as I took the time to write it all out down to field trips I don’t want them to miss, movies that are musts for history/science, and tickets to the symphony during their “junior” year. I just look at what’s coming down the road for the next year and gather the books. Takes the pressure off. Eliminates the constant planning searching mode. Okay, yes, I still follow rabbit trails, but that’s a hobby, not a need to do kind of thing. ;0)

I do feel that the suggestions on the Free Curriculum page are solid. To me, it’s an open & go curriculum. It may not all come from one source, but it’s a great “gather these and go” list. 

Highschool does have its own set of challenges, but it’s fun to watch the kids begin to take ownership and become the person He intends them to become. Don’t be afraid. Think back to when they were younger. There were all sorts of challenges that could be intimidating. You’ve made it through those. You’ll make it through this, too. 

Have fun while it lasts,

Becca<><

High schoolers are really just like your primary schoolers, except they get taller, eat a LOT more  and want to have deep meaningful discussions at 11pm.  They do often become resistant to making macaroni collages and singing kids songs, giving narrations with puppets or re-enacting a Pilgrim dinner.  BUT they make up for it by asking challenging questions, really, really needing you to talk to as they make sense of the world, and becoming amazing people. You start to see some of the fruits of all that work you’ve put in.  Don’t be afraid of these years; embrace them.    You can still read to them (I am reading the Three Musketeers to my teen bunch right now.)  And you can still do nature walks.  But you don’t have to worry about your teen walking off into traffic or falling into the pond.  🙂  

One BIG benefit–your teen is becoming old enough to have some input.  What does SHE want to do?  What does she want to learn?  Soon she’ll be the driver of her own life’s car—time to let her get some practice driving in.  

Oh, one more thing…. in my experience the falling into the pond thing can still be an issue. 😀

I need to move tour time zone! “Mom,” in a whisper, “Are you asleep?” Mom looks at the clock….it’s after Midnight……