When my son was little, he would often get frustrated because his artwork didn’t look like that of the masters we studied. He figured that if his work couldn’t measure up to theirs, then what was the point of doing it?
Eventually, he got past this, but I can remember telling him: “That’s ok. Michelangelo couldn’t do that when he was little, either. You’re doing great!”
The area I live in has many, many homeschool families, as well as a lot of great support groups and co ops. For the past several years, I have had the pleasure of teaching subjects like foreign languages, literature, writing, and worldview to all ages of students.
Add that to the fact that my gifted kiddo goes through curriculum like it’s candy, and it’s safe to say that I’ve either tried or reviewed just about everything out there. And I’ve put my favorites all in one place, just for you. That way, you don’t have to dig through all the options to try to figure out what might work!
High school. In the early years, it’s the time we homeschool parents look forward to: a time when our kids will be able to learn independently, when they’ll be able to get jobs and start making their own way. A time when they’ll have their driver’s license and we won’t have to drive them all over creation; instead, we’ll be able to hand them the keys. A time when they’ll be able to dig deep and start to really figure out ideas.
That all tends to change when the high school years loom close.
All though elementary and middle school, I was a pretty easy-going homeschool mama. I learned to be flexible in my planning and scheduling, and I put together really fun units and courses for my kiddo. I thought I had it all down.
And then high school came near, like a dark cloud looming on the horizon.
Insecurities hit hard and fast. We can’t keep going like we are! It’s fine for middle school to be fun, but high school? That’s when it all gets real, right?
When you were a child, did you ever decide to try to run away and have an adventure? Did you dream of making it on your own, hitting it big, or living off the land?
Those of us who tried it were generally back by the time we got hungry, but there always remains just that little bit of “what if?” What would that adventure be like? My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics) fulfills that urge, and more. This classic story has it all: beautiful writing, a main character you can grow to love, an engaging plot, and tons of learning opportunities!
I once spoke with a high school teacher who asked me how she could make the Renaissance interesting for her kids. I totally understand this, especially since so many teachers are assigned to teach subjects that are outside their wheelhouse. I know how hard that is!
At the time though, the only thought that went through my head was, “How do you make it boring? It’s the Renaissance!” This is the world that Raphael was born into: a world of cities just starting to really grow, of political intrigue and theological awakening.
