High School in lower grades

[reedross]

Are there any 'rules' in SC about giving high school credits in lower grades? Someone told me something once that I can't find ANY written information on to prove what they said was accurate.

But........... for example, if I want to start my 8th grader on a foreign language - can I do so and then count it toward his high school credits?

- April c

[Dianna]

Are there any 'rules' in SC about giving high school credits in lower grades? Someone told me something once that I can't find ANY written information on to prove what they said was accurate.

But........... for example, if I want to start my 8th grader on a foreign language - can I do so and then count it toward his high school credits?

- April c

April, there aren't any rules for homeschoolers about awarding credit in lower grades. Many schools award credits for Algebra and foreign languages in 8th grade, so there wouldn't be any problem with you awarding your 8th grader a foreign language credit in a homeschool setting, in my opinion.

Dianna

[reedross]

How would you put that on a transcript? Would you state that it was completed in 8th grade - or would you just put it with the 9th grade work?

thanks

- April

[Dianna]

How would you put that on a transcript? Would you state that it was completed in 8th grade - or would you just put it with the 9th grade work?

thanks

- April

April, I just added it in with my son's 9th-12th grade work. Others list it separately as 8th grade work, and others don't list it all. Instead, they'll list Spanish II or Algebra II as 9th grade credits, and college admission folks will know that they've completed Spanish I and Algebra I.

If you have plenty of credits (at least 24, no more than 32), then I'd recommend not listing them. Otherwise, it's up to you how to document them. I think there was a thread about this a couple of weeks ago that may be of help to you. I'm going to search for it now and link it here if I find it. :smile2:

Edited to add: I found these two links. I hope they're helpful to you:

http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124

http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/forums/showthread.php?t=753
(http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/forums/showthread.php?t=753)
Dianna

[SChomemomof3]

What ideas do you have for the electives students need in high school for credits?

[reedross]

These are a few of the electives my oldest will be working on:

Logic
Keyboarding
Computer Science
Small Engine Repair
Bible
Health/PE

- April C

[Dianna]

What ideas do you have for the electives students need in high school for credits?

Here are some common courses, and some that my son took. I'll try to post more as I think of them. :smile2:

Art
Music
Drama
Mythology
Dance
Theater
Contemporary Studies
Current Events
Psychology
Sociology
Criminialistics
Criminal Justice
Philosophy
Driver’s Education
Photography
Home Economics
SAT Prep
Volunteerism
Automotive
Business Law
Small Business
Poetry
Business Writing
Writing Short Stories
Horticulture

[Dianna]

These are a few of the electives my oldest will be working on:

Logic
Keyboarding
Computer Science
Small Engine Repair
Bible
Health/PE

- April C

Just wanted to comment that Keyboarding and Computer Science are typically combined as one course and is considered a required course in SC (not an elective). Health and PE is also typically combined and considered a required course.

You aren't required to use the SC graduation requirements as your requirements, but just wanted to let you know in case it's helpful to you in your planning. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[Dianna]

What ideas do you have for the electives students need in high school for credits?

I also want to encourage mothers of high school homeschoolers to let their children choose their electives as much as possible. Let them really explore their interests during their high school years so they'll have an idea of what they'd like to do after high school/college (plus have some wonderful experience under their belt).

My son's interest in computer science led to a lot of extra computer science-related electives. When he entered college, he was hired to help his college instructor teach Comp Sci classes and labs due to his advanced knowledge and abilities. Plus he got a brand new, top-of-line laptop to boot (paid for by the college). :smile2: He plans to work with computers once he graduates and already has the experience that companies require from graduates.

Encourage them to master the core subjects that every student needs to know before entering college, but don't neglect their interests - that's just as important (if not more important).

Dianna

[MamaSweetie2]

I found a lot of used elective textbooks at www.thebackpack.com, in all different subjects.

[reedross]

Just wanted to comment that Keyboarding and Computer Science are typically combined as one course and is considered a required course in SC (not an elective). Health and PE is also typically combined and considered a required course.

You aren't required to use the SC graduation requirements as your requirements, but just wanted to let you know in case it's helpful to you in your planning. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

Thanks Dianna............ couple questions:

If I give a 1/2 credit on year in PE for say, sports participation....... then two years later we complete a 1/2 credit Health course - wouldn't those be separate classes?

Also - I'll be using a computer science course next year (which covers all types of software applications etc.) but this year he learned how to type.......... those aren't the same thing to me and I'm confused as to why they would be combine. In public schools do they teach the kids to type in the same class as they teach how to use spread sheets, word processing and html?????

Thanks for any info!
- April C

[Dianna]

If I give a 1/2 credit on year in PE for say, sports participation....... then two years later we complete a 1/2 credit Health course - wouldn't those be separate classes?

You can list them as separate courses, if you want. Or could list them as PE/Health and give 1 full credit. From the high school requirements I've read (in different states), health is either mixed in with PE, or it's a middle school or elementary school subject. I think I've seen it on some high school syllabi, though, so it's probably just a matter of preference. If your children are going to college, see if the college they're interested in requires a full year of PE. If it does, consider just listing it as a one-year PE credit. Otherwise, just list it however you want.

Also - I'll be using a computer science course next year (which covers all types of software applications etc.) but this year he learned how to type.......... those aren't the same thing to me and I'm confused as to why they would be combine. In public schools do they teach the kids to type in the same class as they teach how to use spread sheets, word processing and html?

If you'd like to list keyboarding as a high school elective, it may be fine. I don't remember seeing it listed on any of the syllabi I've seen - it's usually either mixed in with Computer Science, or it's a semester middle school course. In SC, one credit of Computer Science is required, and they list it as "Computer Science (including keyboarding)". However, the wonderful thing about homeschooling is you can develop transcripts to your own specifications, not what someone else says. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[reedross]

However, the wonderful thing about homeschooling is you can develop transcripts to your own specifications, not what someone else says. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

Dianna - thanks! and yes! that is one of the wonderful things about homeschooling! But sometimes it helps just to know what others are doing or have done just as a reference point! (KWIM?) :biggrin2:

Another quicky question............ I haven't decided how to do the transcript but do most people divide their transcripts by years or just list all the courses and not list years?
- April C

[Dianna]

Dianna - thanks! and yes! that is one of the wonderful things about homeschooling! But sometimes it helps just to know what others are doing or have done just as a reference point! (KWIM?) :biggrin2:

Yes, and I agree - It's nice to have a reference point to get us started. A lot of times, a starting point will help free me to go in directions I never thought of before.

Another quicky question............ I haven't decided how to do the transcript but do most people divide their transcripts by years or just list all the courses and not list years?
- April C

Most public and private schools divide it by years, but you can do it by subject area, if you prefer. The college your children will attend may have a preference, so check with them if your children are college-bound.

Dianna