As you continue to work this week on making your choices regarding schedule, curriculum and activities for this upcoming school year, I wanted to share an article with you that I rec'd via email this week from Janice Campbell.  It was such a reminder for me of why I choose to continue to homeschool through high school.  I hope it blesses you and encourages you as it did me.  I think it will also help you remember things that you have "discovered" during our journey over the past few weeks of this column.

Faith and Courage,

Lori Lane

Lori is married to the love of her life John and together they have four sons ranging in age from 22 down to 10.  The two oldest boys have graduated from home school and successfully entered college and/or internship positions!  (YEAH!) She is the author of “Beginning With The End In Mind”, a frequent speaker on home education, family and the arts, as well as the founder and Executive Director of Artios Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts where she has worked with hundreds of homeschooled high school students.  You can see some of the pictures of their home in the central Colorado Rockies by visiting Lori’s website at www.theendinmind.net where you will receive encouragement for the journey.  You can also hear Lori on “The End In Mind” broadcast on www.blogtalkradio.com/theendinmind

From Janice:

I thought I'd share with you some of the most interesting things you can do if you choose to homeschool through high school. If you have any other good ideas, I'd love to hear them! You can write to me at jceved@comcast.net.

Enjoy! 

Janice Campbell
www.Everyday-Education.com

Build Strong Relationships
As my boys have grown through their teen years and into adulthood, it's been a joy watch our relationship develop and change. Without negative peer influences teaching them that they shouldn't like or respect their parents, the boys have remained a delightful part of the family. It's fun to have real conversations with your young people, and to see them bring their own insights, knowledge, and understanding to the discussion.

Get a Jump Start on College
Why spend four years just doing high school, when you could exert a little extra effort and earn college credit at the same time? By taking advantage of college-level exams, community college and online classes, and other opportunities, it's possible to graduate from college when most teens are graduating from high school.

Serve Others Through Volunteering
I've heard it said that teenagers are old enough to be useful, but young enough to be dangerous. One thing that can help a teen through this awkward stage of life is serving others. There are countless volunteer opportunities, formal and informal, within the church and community. Homeschooled teens have the opportunity to learn while meeting real needs for real people.

Start a Microbusiness
What could be better than a summer job flipping burgers? Entrepreneurship, for one thing. Just think—instead of spending time in a mindless entry-level job, teens can start and run small businesses, and not only earn money for the future, but also learn about planning, budgeting, organization, marketing, and customer service, and perhaps even gain experience for a future career.

Do Career Sampling or an Apprenticeship
In traditional school, you’re lucky to get one day off each year to shadow a worker at his or her job. Homeschooled teens can try different careers through informal mentoring relationships, formal apprenticeships, or volunteering opportunities.
 
Develop Special Talents
Have you noticed who is winning spelling and geography bees, music competitions and chess tournaments, debates and robotics competitions? Homeschooled students are often at the very top of these contests. Why? It’s because they have time to pursue special interests. If they want to spend three hours a day practicing violin, there are no deadlines. They don’t have to put down their instrument after 45 minutes and go rushing off to algebra or soccer. A homeschooler’s world lacks arbitrary deadlines, which means they can spend time on things that really matter.

Learn Through Travel
Just over a century ago, well-educated students were expected to complete their schooling with a Grand Tour of the world. While you may not have the resources for a Grand Tour, you can probably travel to nearby historic sites, visit other states, or yes, even travel around the world. By preparing wisely and choosing to travel when rates are low, you can experience different cultures and make unique memories without breaking your budget. Travel can be an education all by itself!

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Janice Campbell, author of Get a Jump Start on College! , Transcripts Made Easy , and the Excellence in Literature series, has been writing and speaking on non-traditional education since the late 1980's. She and her husband, Donald, homeschooled their four sons from kindergarten into college, using the principles she now shares in her books and workshops. Visit her blog at www.Janice-Campbell.com   or her website at www.Everyday-Education.com for articles, resources, and a free e-zine.