This is it, our twins are in 12th grade and our oldest is a College Senior looking into Graduate School and I am planning for our 16th and final year of homeschooling. It has been the very best of years, not the easiest of years, but so very rewarding. It has and continues to be my favorite job. I can’t stay too sad though, as we are in the midst of transcript writing, college visits and penciled in timeline for application deadlines.
12th Grade
Combined Subjects
Bible –
Sonlight’s Advanced Apologetics (.5)- Last year, we did What Good is Christianity? and it was really fantastic, so this year we are completing the subject by doing Advanced Apologetics. Collin won’t be going to a Christian University as there are none that have Aerospace Engineering (on a side note – we need more Christian Colleges with decent Engineering Programs), and it’s doubtful that Caileigh will either as she is looking into BioMechanical Engineering, Aerospace Physiology or Technology, Arts, and Media Engineering. Since we are looking at secular schools, it is vitally important to us that they are very prepared to stand firm in their faith and Sonlight’s new Apologetics electives are some of the strongest I have seen.
AP Computer Science A (1) – Sonlight has found another great new AP prep elective and we have found that having previous Comp Science credits and knowing Java really helps anyone going into a STEM field.
Sonlight’s Modern History (1)- As I drastically rearranged MFW’s 9th, 10th and 11th grade History programs to fit into 9th and 10th with Government and Economics in 11th, we have the time to do a full Modern History year. I might even do some modifying of this program to allow us to have some fun and watch many of the great historical movies that I have been holding onto.
Homeschool Spanish Academy (1) for Spanish 4 – This will be our 8th year with HSA and we continue to be impressed with the Spanish education our kids receive.
Health – Nutrition 101 (.5) We did this book in a Co-Op several years ago and I really liked it. It teaches what each part of the body needs for nutrition, fats, and vitamins and what foods supply them. We have done a lot of Biology, Dating, and other topics found in traditional Health curriculum, so I really wanted to just focus on nutrition and the huge part it plays in how we feel, the decisions we make and how healthy we are.
Personal Finance (.5) – My kids have already read Money, Possessions and Eternity so we are focusing on Money Matters for Teens and putting together actual budgets as they both have had summer internships. We are doing more practical application than curriculum. We want them to actually manage their own budgets and spending instead of just having the head knowledge. This worked really well for Connor and he has carefully managed his money throughout College.
Caileigh
AP Art History (1)- My girl loves Art so she asked to do AP Art History this year. We will be using a combination of Khan Academy’s AP Art History and Gardner’s Art Through the Ages. If it seems too much then we will just have her not take the AP Exam and use it as an Art History Credit.
AP Physics 1 (1)- Caileigh has done A LOT of Biology and hasn’t had Physics so she is doing Apologia Physics combined with Khan Academy AP Physics 1 so that she has a foundation for Engineering Physics. She will be taking PreCalculus this year so isn’t ready for AP Physics C but AP Physics 1 is Algebra based.
Trigonometry and Pre- Calculus (1) – Caileigh and I will be going through Life of Fred Trig and PreCalculus and thank goodness, it will be my last year of High School math. Learning besides my kids is one of the things I love the most about homeschooling except in math, but Caileigh does much better if there is someone there to talk through the steps. Actually, she usually ends up explaining it to me.
Collin
AP Calculus AB (1) – Collin does really well with Thinkwell so we are using Thinkwell Ap Calculus AB for him this year. It’s independent, self grading and super rigorous, so it’s perfect for his Engineering mind.
AP Physics C – Although Thinkwell doesn’t have a AP Physics course, we are going to use their college Physics 1 with test prep from Khan Academy or Varsity Tutors. Again, Thinkwell just works for him and it prepares him well for his college courses. I also have Apologia’s Advanced Physics to give him the Christian point of view and help solidify anything he might need help in.
Previous Blogs on High School
Advanced Placement Courses at Home
Picking the Best Curricula for Your Student – our 11th grade plans
Our High School Homeschool Plan
Musings on Homeschooling in High School
Once again looks like a really good curriculum for the kids in prep for their vocations. You’re amazing D.I.L.!
Thanks, Grammy! Our babies are growing up!