Let’s talk about electives!

Once your kiddo is in high school, you want to consider electives.  Our Co-op offers a few electives based on family interest.  Absolutely continue to focus on core subjects: History, English, Science, and Math.  Try to achieve a balance between your teen’s interests and ways to challenge your kiddo a bit.  Electives can take many forms.  Does your daughter want to shadow a vet?  Does the local museum accept historic reenactors?  (Think of all the research!  The costume, period details—even grammar!  Earlier eras avoid contractions and slang.)  Does your kiddo like robotic competitions?  Acting in local theatre?  Joining Civil Air Patrol?  Doing debate?  (Formal debate—not the on-going argument over wi-fi and cell phones..)  Play an instrument?  Volunteer at a Discovery Museum?  These types of electives are based on your teen’s interests.  

There are lessons which are just generally valuable, such as Google Education Tools.  Learn tips to make slide decks and spreadsheets. Can your kiddo code?  Khan Academy has an Hour of Code —along with a host of free courses. Easy Peasy All-In-One High School has some solid electives: Consumer Math, Computer, Art Appreciation, and several Parent Submitted Courses, such as Film Making.  What about Hillsdale College courses? (These courses are consistently excellent!)  I think every teen should have a class in personal finance,  Consider a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University course.  (Ramsey’s course can dovetail well with a Consumer Math program.)  Path to Honor has free citizenship lessons from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.  Look for a free Civics class.  Civics is another elective most families want for their children.

Hillsdale College Online Courses are structured lessons with videos, study guides, and quizzes; the classes are easy to track.  Easy Peasy’s Consumer Math course uses a Glencoe Study Guide; the worksheets are easy to grade and correct.  Put the two courses together!  Buy a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace kit online.  Watch the videos, read the book, and complete the workbook.  Select a structured elective which is easy to document.  Instruct your teen to document his or her work and to maintain records.  Electives can be fun!  Just strive for a balance and include a few subjects which are useful.