YA Book Reviews: The Inheritance Games, The Stolen Kingdom, The Ivies

We review three action-packed YA novels: The Inheritance Games, The Stolen Kingdom, and The Ivies.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

★ ★ ★ ½ ☆

Several people recommended The Inheritance Games to me, and I totally see why: It’s a fun, fast-paced read full of puzzles and surprises. Is it the best book I ever read? No. Did it make the perfect poolside reading pleasure? Totally.

Avery has no idea why she’s named in the will of billionaire Tobias Hawthorne — or why her inheritance depends on her making his enormous Texas estate her home for one year. (This is complicated by the fact that Hawthorne’s family, who have been disinherited by the same will, will be living in the house with Avery.)

Still, after being broke since her mom died a few years ago, Avery is up for the challenge. This inheritance could be her ticket to college and a life where she doesn’t have to wait tables to keep the lights on. But it quickly becomes obvious that Tobias Hawthorne is up to something, and his will is just the beginning of a long game. With help and hinderance from Hawthorne’s four grandsons, the media stalking her every move, and an estate full of secrets, Avery is going to have do some quick thinking and careful strategizing to figure out why a wealthy stranger made her his heir and what secret the Hawthorne estate is hiding. Luckily, Hawthorne picked the right girl for the job. Avery was born for this challenge.

There’s a big mysterious house full of hidden passages and secret codes. There’s a complicated family that is full of people who are Up To Something. There are Mysteries From the Past coming to light in the present. And there’s a reasonably satisfying conclusion. I’ll forgive it the love triangle and occasional plot hole for the sheer fun it was to read. This is a perfect summer book.

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The Stolen Kingdom by Jillian Boehme

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Stolen Kingdom has a lot going on, and that may have been its downfall. The action happens from two perspectives: Maralyth, a winemaker’s daughter, discovers that she has magical powers and a claim to the throne of the kingdom; and Alac, the kingdom’s spare heir, is beginning to suspect that his father’s rule may be based on some shady sorcery. When their paths cross in an attempted coup, political and romantic sparks fly.

I love a stand-alone fantasy — you all know how I feel about cliffhanger endings! — but this one may have tried to do too much. The seeds of this book are good: There’s a complicated political/magical system, and I learned a lot about winemaking, which was cool (if possibly off-topic?). I think this wanted to be a feminist fantasy, but it fell into so many misogynist fantasy tropes: Maralyth is different from all those other girls, you guys, the ones who are happy to just get married and have babies. (Because of course they have so many choices about their lives in this fantasy world.) She is Special. She is so Special that the moment Alac sees her, he falls in insta-love and sees everything in his world in a whole new way. (Their “romance” is the second-flattest part of the book; the flattest is Maralyth’s relationship with her brother.) This is a real peeve of mine in fantasy literature, the One Special Girl trope, and so I know that people without this peeve might see the book very differently. If there had been a strong sense of world building, if there had been interesting political relationships, if the magic system had been developed, if the characters had more depth — maybe if any of these things had been the case, I could have gotten over my bias, but they didn’t, and I couldn’t. I didn't love this one.

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The Ivies by Alexa Donne

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Ivies has so many things I love: Boarding school hijinks! Academic rivalries! Murder and mayhem! So it’s fair to say that I was prepared to be obsessed with this book — and that I was a little bummed that it didn’t quite live up to its promise.

First, the good: At super-competitive Claflin Academy, the Ivies are the ultra-elite, the five girls who have their Ivy League futures mapped out for them. Scholarship student Olivia knows she’s lucky to be included in this hotshot group — and she knows she's risking her luck when she applies early admission to Harvard, which is queen bee Avery’s exclusive domain. Avery doesn’t get in, Olivia does — and so does fellow Ivy Emma, who also went behind Avery’s back to apply. When Emma turns up dead, everyone’s a suspect and all kinds of hidden secrets are revealed.

It’s a good set-up! But the bad part is that it doesn’t quite work. Olivia herself is a big problem: A lot happens around her, but she never becomes a fully realized character, and the more the plot hinges on her, the more obvious that flatness becomes. The plot is full of twists and turns, but they feel predictable — though once you’ve read a bunch of YA thrillers, this is maybe inevitable, so it could be a Me Problem not a Book Problem. And the end — well, I didn’t like how things resolved, and I’m not sure what the ending says about all the different narrative threads the book was tugging along. It definitely seemed to contradict itself.

Still, boarding school murders are summer reading classics for a reason! I don’t think you’ll regret picking this one up if that’s your jam, but don’t expect any profundities or surprises.

(We’re Amazon affiliates, so if you purchase something through an Amazon link, we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Obviously this doesn’t influence what we recommend, and we link to places other than Amazon.)

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We the People: A Community Model for Exploring the U.S. Constitution

“A Community Conversation to Understand the U.S. Constitution” was a profound and powerful experience for Carrie’s homeschool.

One of the more rewarding learning experiences I’ve had with my 14-year-old son this year has been participating in We the People MN, a series of community teach-ins about the Constitution held at Solomon’s Porch, a Minneapolis gathering space housed in a former church. Run completely by volunteers, We the People MN bills itself as “A Community Conversation to Understand the U.S. Constitution.” I wanted to share a little about our family’s experience with the series in the hope of inspiring other programs like it across the country.

The idea for the series came from Cara Letofsky, a South Minneapolis resident who posted on her neighborhood Facebook group that the 2016 election made her want to learn more about the Constitution. About 60 people responded that they shared that desire to come together as a community to educate themselves politically. A small group of about ten volunteers followed up to plan the series, deciding what amendments they especially wanted to learn about and collaborating to identify community experts who might be willing to tackle leading a discussion of particular amendments. Working their community connections, they lined up a group of highly qualified presenters willing to volunteer their time, including a law professor from a local university, a Minneapolis city council member, attorneys, law students, and organizers from groups that are deeply involved in such contentious Constitutional issues as gun control laws, the right to vote, and reproductive rights.

The organizing committee decided on a format of 10 two-hour presentations, spaced out every two weeks from mid-January 2017 to late April 2017. The first program was a kick-off potluck (because everything always goes better with good food) and a public reading of the entire Constitution, with participants taking turns reading sections aloud at the mic. The organizers also distributed free pocket copies of the Constitution, donated by one of the organizers, Constitutional law professor Matt Filner. Finding free or cheap pocket Constitutions isn’t difficult, luckily. The National Center for Constitutional Studies, for instance, offers a bulk purchase of 100 pocket Constitutions for $40 on their website.

Cara Letofksy, the woman who’d sparked the idea, expected perhaps 20 people to show up to the first presentation. To her surprise, over 80 people attended that first event, and attendance has usually averaged between 100 to 150 participants at subsequent events.

In their initial planning discussions, the organizers knew they couldn’t cover the entire Constitution, so they decided to focus on Constitutional rights that might be most directly challenged under a Trump administration. Other communities might want to choose a different focus, such as looking at ways the Constitution directly impacts local issues and controversies.

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The We the People MN series has covered such issues as the branches of government and separation of powers, as well as the First Amendment’s guarantees of freedom of expression and assembly and the Second Amendment’s guarantee of the right to bear arms (as well as the limitations implied by the wording of the amendment). One program was devoted to the right to privacy (and the limits on our privacy). Another event focused on the Fifth, Sixth, and Thirteenth Amendments and their relevance to criminal justice today. The series’ last presentation on the amendments will look at the right to vote guaranteed by the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-Fourth Amendments—and how that right to vote is being steadily eroded today. The series’ last gathering, planned for the 100th day of the Trump administration, will feature a community potluck and “next steps” discussion.

Each event has included a “TED”-style talk by an expert to set the stage for further discussion, followed by time for participants to talk in small groups and share their thoughts and bring up questions for the expert presenter. Almost every presentation has also included brief talks by local activists working in some way on problems raised by ongoing Constitutional debates. Often, these activists have given participants in the programs concrete ideas about how to get involved. For instance, at the event devoted to Second Amendment issues, a presenter from the group Protect Minnesota passed out factsheets about upcoming gun legislation and tips for creating effective talking points. The group highlighted that the most effective advocates usually find a way articulate their personal connections to proposed legislation.

Each presenter also typically sends out readings ahead of time through the We the People MN Facebook page for participants who want to take a deeper dive into topics, though the readings aren’t required to understand the presentations. The readings have ranged from excerpts from the Federalist Papers to summaries of key Supreme Court cases to up-to-the-minute news articles about contemporary Constitutional controversies.

For my son and me, attending these events has been a bonding, highly relevant way to study civics together. Throughout our week, we often find ourselves still talking about what we learned at the most recent We the People presentation. The series has given us new tools for understanding how the Constitution relates to our everyday lives and the lives of those around us.

I’ve also found the series personally helpful as I’ve stepped up my own game as a citizen this year. I’m calling my legislators and attending more public hearings, meetings, and protests than ever (and when I can, hauling my son along with me). Studying the Constitution in this way has given my son and me a clearer sense of what people fighting for change are up against and how we as citizens can make the best use of our time and people power.

Above all, I love that my son has seen people of all ages and backgrounds getting together every other Sunday afternoon to educate ourselves about our Constitution. To me, that’s been such a powerful example of lifelong learning and civic engagement, one I hope will stick with him the rest of his life. I think another crucial piece of the whole experience has been learning from people who are actively involved in the conversation about how to define our Constitutional rights and who are fighting to preserve those rights.

The volunteers who set up We the People MN are hoping to export the model elsewhere. They have plans to create a curriculum to help other people set up their own series, ones that will be relevant to their local communities. If you’d like to learn more, see videos of the presentations, and keep apprised of curriculum developments, you can visit the group’s public Facebook page.

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Book Review: We Can Be Heroes

We Can Be Heroes is absolutely not a perfect book, and if you have problems with it, I get it, but it was the book I needed right now, and I kind of loved it. It tackles unabashedly hard topics: gun control, abusive relationships, post-traumatic recovery, so trigger warnings left and right. But it uses these topics to construct a story about resilience, friendship, and social change that feels really important. (It’s definitely more appropriate for older/YA readers.)

Beck and Vivan lost their best friend in a school shooting that also permanently injured Vivian: Cassie’s ex-boyfriend, the son of the Bell Firearms CEO, shoots Cassie and then himself in the school cafeteria. Cassie had filed police reports on her ex’s escalating violence, but the police didn’t see the son of the town’s most important man as a real threat. Even now, people talk about “one bad decision” as though murdering your girlfriend is like deciding to drive your car downtown instead of taking the subway.

But Beck and Vivian — with the help of Cassie’s ghost — team up to create a series of public art pieces, highlighting maligned women from mythology, to keep Cassie at the front of people’s minds. A podcaster focused on women’s issues also comes to down to dig into the story behind the killing and the institutions and people who failed Cassie. I don’t know how we get from where we are to where we want to be, but art and asking hard questions is not a bad start.

(We’re Amazon affiliates, so if you purchase something through an Amazon link, we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Obviously this doesn’t influence what we recommend, and we link to places other than Amazon.)

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Getting Ready to Homeschool High School

The secret to transitioning to high school isn't so secret: Just keep doing what you've been doing, and trust that you've gotten to know your kid's academic abilities.

Really, high school is the easy part. By now, you’ve found your homeschooling groove. You know your child’s interests and her strengths. You probably even have a pretty good idea of what she’d like her post-high school life to look like. All you have to do now is help her get there.

The key to homeschooling high school is to trust your teenager and to trust the homeschool rhythms that have worked for your family. “Someone says ‘high school,’ and you feel like, ‘oh, I have to get serious and start doing really serious things with my kid,’” says Lisa Millan, who has sent two homeschool grads off to college. “But shifting away from the homeschool patterns you’ve spent years finding is a big mistake.”

In fact, these are the years when all that work you’ve been doing will really start to pay off. By ninth grade, your child should be ready to take the reins of his education and tell you where he wants to go — whether that means college, preparing to launch a business, taking an apprenticeship, or becoming an artist. Keep these things in mind as you’re making your high school plans:

Invest in your child’s passion. By high school, your student knows what he likes — and those interests are where the bulk of your homeschool budget should go. If he’s Broadway-bound, spend on acting and voice lessons and find cheaper alternatives for math and language arts. If she’s planning to study astrophysics, invest in a high-quality telescope and community college astronomy classes. Take these passions into account when you’re blocking out schedules, too — your child’s interests should dictate how his time gets allocated.

Be a planner. Some of the things your high schooler will want to do — take the SAT, get a driver’s license, apply to an internship program — can feel like bureaucratic nightmares to freewheeling homeschoolers. Do yourself a favor and start prepping for these kinds of things well in advance of their deadlines. Often forms and requirements assume a very traditional school experience, and trying to figure out how to fit your homeschool experiences into these kinds of narrow boxes can be stressful and frustrating. It’s definitely not something you want to try to do with the pressure of a deadline breathing down your neck.

Don’t freak out over gaps. During your child’s high school experience, you’ll run into topics that your education hasn’t covered. Don’t let this convince you that your education has somehow short-changed your kids. All educations have gaps. If you feel that a missing component is genuinely worth covering, by all means, go ahead and cover it — but know that however much you manage to cover in your high school, there will be things your teen graduates from high school not knowing. There will be things your child will celebrate his 50th birthday not knowing, too — that’s how learning works. It’s more important to teach your high schooler how to learn something when he needs or wants to know it than it is to teach him every fact in the world.

Get organized. Your child’s post-high school plans may require you to have a transcript ready to go, and your life will be much simpler if you start high school with this in mind. Perhaps the easiest transcript-making method is to borrow an idea from traditional schools and keep a quarterly update of classes, grades (if relevant), and books. Have a safe place to store papers, projects, and other work in case your child needs samples or a portfolio down the road. Do this, and whether you’re making a transcript, a resume, or notes for your child’s biographer, you’ll be in good shape.

Course of Study

If elementary school is about absorbing information and middle school is about analyzing it, high school is a time for playing with information — thinking abstractly, expressing new ideas, and communicating effectively. As you’re planning what to cover, look to the most rigorous college on your child’s list, even if he’s not sure whether he wants to go to college or follow a different path. Laying out an academic plan that meets the admission guidelines of that institution will give your high schooler maximum post-graduation options (and a well-rounded high school education, too).

Language arts: Students should dig deeper into literature, tackling heavy-hitting classics as well as works from other cultures. The Norton Anthologies are great resources here, offering biographical information, historical context, and discussion starters for a wide range of literary works. Get a taste of American, British, and World literature. For kids who love literature, consider some of the free MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) available from websites like Coursera. These classes can be a great way to dig deeper into an author or period your student finds fascinating.

It’s writing, though, that really matters for high school language arts — and we’re not talking about the dreaded five-paragraph essay. What high schoolers need to master here is the ability to make and support an argument, to write persuasively and effectively, and to use vocabulary and literary techniques to enhance their work. A book like the Brief Bedford Reader can be a great resource for this, with a nice selection of essays and lots of practical guidance for better writing.

Math and science: Most colleges will look for at least three laboratory science classes on your high school transcript, but that’s a good thing — every teenager should get to sample a couple of proper lab classes. Skip the curriculum for these: It tends to be pricey, and a home set-up just isn’t the same. Instead, look for college or homeschool lab classes where your teen can get a real lab experience. 

High school math usually includes algebra and geometry — mathy kids will want to add trigonometry and calculus to the list. Teaching Textbooks has a user-friendly, self-paced program if you want to do math at home, or consider making math one of your student’s outside classes during high school. 

History and social studies: Most colleges will want to see U.S. and World History on your transcript, as well as government and geography. Ways of the World by Robert Strayer for world history is a smart, critical study of the events and people that shaped the past and a good choice if you want to use a fairly traditional curriculum, or you might like The American Pageant for U.S. History, which does much the same thing. If you're willing to venture beyond tradition (and not counting on AP credits for college), consider alternatives like Stanford's Reading Like a Historian curriculum (I love this one!) or the Big History Project, which starts at the Big Bang. Also consider free online lectures from schools like Stanford or MIT, which can add nuance and interest to sometimes dry historical facts.

Other stuff: If you haven’t started a foreign language yet, high school is a good time to start. (Most colleges will want to see at least two years of foreign language on your transcript.) Latin — with a beginner-friendly curriculum like Ecce Romani — is a good choice for classicists or people who don’t want to fuss with accents; if you want to learn to speak a modern foreign language like Japanese or Spanish, Rosetta Stone’s homeschool programs are a solid if not particularly inspired choice.

(We’re Amazon affiliates, so if you purchase something through an Amazon link, we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Obviously this doesn’t influence what we recommend, and we link to places other than Amazon.) This was originally published in the summer 2015 issue of HSL.

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Homeschooling High School: Alternatives to the Traditional College Path

College isn't the only post-high school option for homeschooled teens. Whether you're in search of an alternate path or a great gap year, here are some options for what's next.

College can be a wonderful thing. For many, it's a place to meet lifelong friends, open your mind to new ideas, and earn a degree that can lead to a career that you love. And, fortunately for college-bound students, higher education has never been more popular. A Harvard University study from 2011 reported that 70 percent of high school seniors now go on to college, post-graduation.

That’s the good news. The not so good news is that of all the students who start college, only about 56 percent will graduate within six years. And two-year programs post even worse numbers—only 29 percent of those students graduate within three years.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“Education at a Glance 2010”), the United States ranked last among the 18 tracked countries in the number of students who completed college once they started, with just 46 percent. That’s way less than countries like Japan (89 percent), and even less than Slovakia, where 63 percent of college students graduate.Why is that? It would be easy to blame college dropout rates on the rising cost of a college education, which has nearly sextupled since 1985. Or the fear of taking on more debt—the average student now graduates with $27,000 in debt from student loans, and total student debt in this country passed $1 trillion in 2011. Those are scary numbers. And, in fact, 48 percent of people who never went to college or who dropped out of college say that cost was the deciding factor.

“ High school students are pushed to take the hardest classes, fill their transcripts with extracurricular activities and multiple attempts at the SAT, and over- schedule their free time—until there’s no free time left— just to try to get into a four-year university.”

But maybe money isn’t the only reason. Perhaps part of the problem is that we’re pushing kids into college who would be better served by following a different path.

There’s been a concerted effort over the last 20 years to convince every student that they must to go on to college. Families start planning for it when their children are still in preschool. High school students are pushed to take the hardest classes, fill their transcripts with extracurricular activities and multiple attempts at the SAT, and over- schedule their free time—until there’s no free time left— just to try to get into a four-year university.

It doesn’t matter whether or not the student has any idea of what she wants to do with her life. Or that not everyone is interested in a four-year degree—or even needs a four-year degree to do the work they want to do. The message has been “college is the only path to success,” and anyone who doesn’t get a degree will either be unemployed or flipping burgers the rest of her life.

The intention behind the “college for everyone” mindset is certainly good. Everyone should have access to a college education. Young adults who are excited to immerse themselves in the learning opportunities available through universities should pursue a college degree. Many careers do require four or six or eight years of higher education. This is not a bad thing. The problem arises when we see this as the only option, and when we tell teens it’s the only option.

In a 60 Minutes interview, Peter Thiel, founder of Paypal and the Thiel Foundation, compared today’s college experience to the housing bubble of a decade ago: “Everyone believed they needed to have a house and would pay whatever it took. Now everyone believes they need to go to college and will pay whatever it takes”—even if college doesn’t give them the skills they need and leaves them with more debt than their post-college careers will be able to afford.

Fortunately, there’s a growing backlash against this idea that the only path to a successful and happy adulthood is through college. Many families, and homeschooling families in particular, are finding that there are alternatives to the “one-size-fits-all, assembly-line, straight out of high school, right into college, and then into debt and an uncertain job market” path that we’ve been fed.

Maybe it’s because we’re so used to bucking the norm, and doing things our own way, but the idea of skipping the four-year degree isn’t so out of the ordinary for many homeschooling families.

“I’m running into people doing community college from home or working to save money. I’m seeing homeschool graduates who want to keep homeschooling, taking classes they want to take as they want to take them, or doing apprenticeships.”

“Going away to college is not the typical route for the homeschoolers I know,” says Andrea, a mom of two homeschool graduates who counsels families new to homeschooling.

In fact, Andrea’s son, who moved into a college dormitory the fall after his homeschool graduation, is an anomaly in their active homeschool community.

“I’m running into people doing community college from home or working to save money. I’m seeing homeschool graduates who want to keep homeschooling, taking classes they want to take as they want to take them, or doing apprenticeships,” Andrea says.

What Andrea describes is certainly true for my own family.

When my always-homeschooled son graduated two years ago, he took the ACT, got accepted to college, and then decided not to go. He's currently living at home, taking local classes, and picking up freelance writing jobs as he figures out what he wants to do next. He could be figuring it out at Washington State, where he was accepted, while taking out loans and going into debt. Instead, he's taking his time, trying new things, and figuring out a life path that’s right for him.

It isn’t always easy to give him this time. I still have moments of worry about where he’s heading. Giving your child the space and freedom to make his own way can be a very scary thing, especially when so many people are happy to tell you how crazy you are to not force them into college. But keep this statistic in mind: in 2014, a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that 46 percent of college graduates were working jobs that did not even require a college degree.

Knowing this, and recognizing that there are many valid options and alternatives to the college path may help alleviate some of the fear that can pop up from time to time. And, if you’re a family with a homeschool grad who is less than thrilled with the idea of going to college, the following list may spark some ideas.

VOLUNTEERING

Sometimes, when you’re not sure what direction you want to go in life, shifting your focus to helping others can help you figure it out. When you’re young and not yet supporting a family, gaining experience through volunteer service can be a wonderful alternative to college or working for money.

Today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 18.7 percent of 20- to 24-year-olds in the U.S. volunteer on a regular basis, which is unfortunate, because, not only can volunteer work be a satisfying way to give back to the community, it also provides a wonderful opportunity for young adults to develop skills, learn responsibility, build a professional network, and grow their resumes.

Everyone has valuable skills to offer. The links below can help you figure out how best to use them, but remember:

• Do your research before volunteering to make sure you’re giving time and energy to an organizationthat you truly support.

• If you can’t find a volunteer project that inspires you, consider starting your own, like cleaning up a nearby park or creating a newsletter for local indie band action.

• If you do approach an organization about volunteer opportunities, be prepared to do an interview, just like you would for a “real” job.

Corporation for National and Community Service : Here, you can find service opportunities in your area, or register for national programs such as AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA, FEMA Corps, or Senior Corps. 

Global Volunteer Network : This established organization, matches volunteers with service opportunities around the world.

Peace Corps : Though most of their volunteer projects require a bachelor’s degree, the Peace Corps also con- siders work experience, hobbies, and interests that align with their needs when screening applicants.

Volunteer.gov : A federal government website that lists volunteer opportunities on public lands in the United States.

Volunteer Match : Here you can register and search for volunteer opportunities that match your interests.

Other places to look for volunteer opportunities: nursing homes, local schools, daycare centers, community theaters, museums, community centers, homeschool groups, Meals on Wheels, animal shelters, neighborhood parks, shelters for families and children 

TRAVEL

The German word Wanderjahr means both “hiking” and “wandering,” suggesting a combination of strategic planning and serendipitous adventure. It was originally used to describe the journey of a young apprentice: after his training with his master ended, he would set off with a letter of introduction and a pack on his back to find other masters in other towns who could teach him new ways to do familiar things.

“The German word Wanderjahr means both “hiking” and “wandering,” suggesting a combination of strategic planning and serendipitous adventure. ”

Today, this word could easily be applied to young adults who choose to travel after high school rather than going into college. After all, what better education is there than getting out into the world, navigating unknown places, and learning from people of various cultures?

For graduates who feel passionate about wanting to leave home and see the world, taking some of the money that would have been spent on college and using it to travel instead may not be a bad idea. Choose your destination, create a budget, and then use a travel agent or online guide to help you plan your journey:

Discover America : If international travel is not for you, this site can help you plan your trip across North America, learn more about the United States, and hit the road.

Lost World Adventures : Run by a former homeschooling family, this company has specialized in personalized travel packages to Central and South America and Antarctica for over 20 years.

European Destinations : This site offers a wide variety of travel packages and itineraries throughout Europe.

Cross Cultural Solutions : Here you can find opportunities to combine international travel with volunteer service in nine countries, if that’s something that interests you.

Gap Year Travel : This online portal can help you research and plan your travel adventure, and connect you with others who are doing the same.

Gap360 : This site is designed to help you research and plan your adventure, whether you’re looking for a short trip, an international volunteer experience, work abroad, or a longer excursion.

APPRENTICESHIPS

Apprenticeships are common practice in countries like Germany and Switzerland, but they haven’t made it into mainstream U.S. culture—which is too bad because apprenticeships, which are essentially paid, on-the-job career training, can be a great way to break into a field. People often associate apprenticeships with blue-collar jobs, like plumbing or car repair, but apprenticeships can also be valid paths to creative fields like video game design, photography, or journalism.

“You may ask yourself what kind of jobs are there for writers, or people who are passionate about the environment, or whatever it is you’re interested in. Then track down people who are doing those jobs and politely ask them for informational interviews.”

Finding apprenticeships can be intimidating because you must put yourself out there—whether you’re competing for an apprenticeship program or approaching a local business, you’ll have to convince the decision-makers that you are a worthwhile investment. One way to take the edge off this process is to spend some of your high school or post-high school time connecting jobs to interests. You may ask yourself what kind of jobs are there for writers, or people who are passionate about the environment, or whatever it is you’re interested in. Then track down people who are doing those jobs and politely ask them for informational interviews, where you can get a clear idea of the kind of work they actually do every day.

Fortunately, internet access now makes it easier than ever to find apprenticeship opportunities, fellowships, and mentors in your area and beyond.

The following are three state-specific apprentice programs. To see if there’s a similar program in your state, search “apprentice programs” + the name of your state:

Apprentice Programs of Georgia (APOGA) : This program is specific to Georgia but could be useful to graduates in that state, or those considering relocating to the state.

Massachusetts Apprenticeship Program : Specific to Massachusetts and full of information on pro- grams, laws, and opportunities specific to that state.

Texas Apprenticeship Program : This online resource, published by the Texas Workforce Commission, provides information on apprenticeship opportunities, laws, and tips specific to Texas.

It’s also a good idea to check with businesses in your area to see if they would consider offering apprenticeship opportunities. Artists, landscapers, butchers, woodworkers, contractors, designers, and other skilled workers may be interested in sharing their knowledge by taking on an apprentice, depending on the laws in your state.

For national listings of registered apprenticeship programs and opportunities, check out the following:

American Culinary Federation Apprenticeship Program : This site is full of information on culinary-based apprenticeship opportunities across the country.

Apprenticeship USA : A website from the United States Department of Labor, full of information on apprenticeships, grants, and more.

Additionally, it’s possible to find companies and organizations offering funding and mentorship for young adults seeking an alternative to college. Two well-known programs worth considering are:

Echoing Green : This 27-year-old program provides seed-stage funding for young leaders from around the world who are working to bring about positive social change.

Thiel Foundation : Chooses 20 young people under the age of 20 each year to pursue their passions. In addition to $100,000 to use working toward their goals, participants in this two-year program are mentored by some of the country’s best scientists, entrepreneurs, researchers, and business leaders. Most former fellows have gone on to invent something or start their own companies.

STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

According to a 2014 report by Freelancers Union (a non-profit organization) and Elance-oDesk (a company that connects freelancers and potential projects), 34 percent of the U.S. workforce (or approximately 53 million people) now work as freelancers, independent contractors, or as home-based business owners. (That number includes both the author of this story and the editor of this magazine.) And some experts project that the number will jump to a whopping 50 percent by 2020.

These days, it’s easier than ever to become your own boss. Technology has significantly lowered the barriers to starting a business, and there are many free and cheap resources available to aid just-starting-out business owners. And while it’s true that many businesses fail, the lessons learned from a failed business can prove invaluable to entrepreneurs in their next venture.

“I think homeschoolers may also be a little less afraid of trying and failing and then trying again than the general population.”

Homeschooling, in particular, lends itself well to entrepreneurship because our kids are used to working independently, and they often have the extra time necessary to come up with and implement business ideas. I think homeschoolers may also be a little less afraid of trying and failing and then trying again than the general population—due, perhaps to all of the various classes and curricula we try and then drop along our homeschooling journey, and the fact that we’re used to working outside the mainstream.

If your homeschool graduate isn’t interested in going right to work for someone else and has an idea or two for work they would like to do, post-high school is a great time to try. some entrepreneurial possibilities include writing, graphic design, baking, website creation, teaching classes (at a local homeschool group or in the community), pet sitting, personal shopping, landscaping, handyman, childcare, and more. Really, the possibilities are nearly endless.

It can be good idea to test the waters first by starting tiny and building up your business slowly through people that you know. But when you’re ready for the next step, and need help with the logistics of starting, or growing, your small business, you may want to check out the following sites:

The Small Business Administration has tons of information on starting your own small business, including finding funding, filing taxes, structuring your business and more.

Techstars provides funding and guidance for entrepreneurs of any age in technology-based businesses.

TECHNICAL AND TRADE CERTIFICATION

Just because the four-year college path isn’t for you, doesn’t mean you have to forego school altogether. In some fields, a technical or vocational degree is all that’s required to find a career that interests you.

In fact, several of the fastest growing jobs in the United States don’t require a bachelor’s degree at all but do require some kind of specialized training or certification. Engineering technicians, aerospace operations, web developers, MRI technologists, nuclear technicians, and air traffic controllers, for example, are just some of the jobs that are expected to show continued growth over the next ten years, and none of them requires four years of college.

Unfortunately, according to Anthony Carnavale, Ph.D and Director of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, there is often still a stigma attached to the trade school path. Vocational programs haven’t been very successful in the U.S. because “the idea of sorting kids into different tracks, with some going to college and others going to vocational programs, is [deemed] unacceptable.”

While this may be true, our perception of vocational training in this country could be changing, as more and more people become aware of the job openings available to them and of the fact that there’s a serious shortage of qualified workers for many of those positions.

“A trade school graduate typically finds a job faster than a college graduate—in fact, many trade school grads finish their programs with job offers in hand. ”

Actor and TV personality, Mike Rowe, in particular, is a vocal advocate for closing the Skills Gap and learning skilled trades. Through his mikeroweWORKS Foundation and the Profoundly Disconnected website, graduates interested in pursuing a trade can get information, search for training and job opportunities, and learn more about why increasing the ranks of skilled workers in this country is so important.

If you’re concerned about the income potential for skilled trades, here are some numbers that may put your worries to rest: The average starting salary for a four-year college graduate is $45,000. For a trade school graduate, it’s $43,000. And, because of the labor shortages in both technical and blue-collar fields, a trade school graduate typically finds a job faster than a college graduate—in fact, many trade school grads finish their programs with job offers in hand. And, as economists point out, as demand for these skilled positions continues to increase, wages will, too.

A comprehensive, and alphabetized, listing of two-year colleges and trade schools from across the country can be found online at College Tidbits.

Two other sites that may help you in your search:

Career Colleges : This online portal offers listings for various trade schools and valuable information on technical careers.

EducationGuys : An online guide to technical schools, trade schools, and related information.

One thing to be aware of, though, is that a number of for-profit colleges and trade schools may promise more than they deliver. Be sure to thoroughly research any program or school you sign up with before committing your time and money. Ask people in the fields you’re considering going into for their recommendations of trade schools and programs. And don’t be afraid to look up schools with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against them.

HIGH TECH IMMERSION

One of the newest options in the post-high school educational landscape is the high-tech immersion program. Several tech schools have popped up across the country over the last few years, offering 8-week and 12-week, full-time certified immersion courses in coding, web design, game development, and more.

Aimed at graduates with a passion for computer technology or adults looking to change careers, these schools provide class time, mentors, and hands-on projects to prepare their students for careers in high-tech fields. And they couldn’t have come along at a better time.

According to the U.s. Bureau of Labor Statistics, IT jobs in the United States will grow 22 percent through 2020. Areas of highest growth include software developers (28 to 32 percent), database administrators (31 percent), and IT managers (18 percent).

Programmers skilled in Perl, Ruby, Ruby on Rails, Python, Java and Javascript, as well as those comfortable with a API development and a DevOps environment, will also be in high demand, because cloud technology depends heavily on those disciplines. And the new tech schools offer courses in all of these languages, skills, and more.

The main benefit of one of the shorter tech programs versus a traditional four-year computer science college degree is that the technology and information in immersion programs are both current and relevant in today’s job market.

By comparison, many university computer science programs are oriented to training undergraduates to become either systems programmers or academic computer scientists, not software developers. And they are taught by professors who generally got their degrees anywhere from five to ten years ago, at minimum, when the tools and tactics for software engineering were very different. Additionally, it’s difficult for most universities to keep up with the changing pace of technology. The industry simply changes faster than academia. Other benefits of tech immersion schools over traditional CS programs include: the cost of immersion programs is a fraction of what you’d pay for a university degree; you jump right into learning what you are there to learn, rather than having to take classes in subjects unrelated to your field; students work directly with business owners and tech employers; and the tech schools will help you land a job, internship, or freelance projects after the immersion is over.

Currently, one of the best-known high-tech immersion programs is Tech Talent South. Tech Talent South has locations in Asheville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Jacksonville, New Orleans, and Raleigh. 

DIY COLLEGE

In 2010, Bill Gates said, “Five years from now, on the web, for free, you’ll be able to find the best lectures in the world. It will be better than any single university.” And he was right. There are now thousands of free online classes available from colleges like Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“As homeschoolers, many of us are used to creating our own curriculum and lesson plans, and finding opportunities for learning outside of the home. So, why stop once high school is over? ”

As homeschoolers, many of us are used to creating our own curriculum and lesson plans, and finding opportunities for learning outside of the home. So, why stop once high school is over? With all the options at our fingertips today, it’s possible to create your own four-year college program for next to nothing, without even leaving home.

To come up with your own DIY College plan, ask yourself the following:

• What are the things I’m most interested in studying?

• How do I learn best (independently, in a class, one-on-one, online)?

• How much money can I afford to spend?

• How much time can I devote to my studies each week?

Then, look around online and in the community to come up with options that best fit your needs. Some to consider are:

Homeschool Classes : Some homeschool groups offer classes for all ages. Just because you’re finished with high school doesn’t mean you can’t continue to take a class in a subject you’re interested in. Check with your local groups to see what’s available.

Community Classes : Depending on where you live,you may be able to find a number of classes offered by local businesses. In our town, art studios, glass blowing shops, the local community garden, and the local butcher shop all offer classes for teens and adults on an ongoing basis. Our city government even offers a free 8-week course on working in city government twice a year.

College Classes : Some colleges will allow non-enrolled students to audit classes, particularly in the summer when classes aren’t as full. They may also offer “open” or “extension” classes in a variety of subjects. There is a fee involved, and grades are typically not given. But it’s a great way to learn more about a subject that you may be interested in.If a school does not offer auditing options to non-enrolled students, it may still be possible to contact the professor of a course directly and ask if you can sit in on the classes. Sometimes this will be allowed if the class isn’t full. It will all depend on the school’s and professor’s personal policies, of course, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Books : Even in the age of technology, books are an important resource when crafting your own college experience. Whether you want to work your way through a textbook or just read everything you can find on the subjects you’re interested in, having access to good books is key to higher education. Search online, check to see what texts are being used in college courses that sound interesting to you, ask for recommendations, and then create your reading list.

Online Courses : As Bill Gates predicted, the Internet has opened up a world of quality educational opportunities that simply didn’t exist prior to the technology boom. Today it’s possible to take free, college-level courses in just about any subject imaginable without leaving your house. Called Massive Online Open Courses (or MOOCs), these courses are created and taught by college professors, and can usually be done independently, at your own pace. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. Some of the best online courses can be found through Coursera, edX, iTunes University, and Stanford Online.

Finally, if all of the paths above sound equally wonderful to your grad, there’s always UnCollege Gap Year. This program combines many of the elements we’ve shared here—independent study, mentorship, volunteering, travel, and entrepreneurship—into one program that guides students through self-directed learning and growth. It does have a tuition cost of about $16,000, but the idea is that you’ll get a hands-on, real-life education, and perhaps discover a different route for your career than you might find from a traditional college degree.

This article was originally published in the fall 2015 issue of HSL. Subscribe, and you'll always be the first to read great articles like this.

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The Easiest Way to Get Organized for Homeschooling High School

This easy organization method won’t stress you out and will make your life a whole lot easier when you start working on transcripts and other official paperwork for high school graduation.

Homeschooling high school doesn’t have to mean acquiring organizational super skills. This easy organization method won’t stress you out and will make your life a whole lot easier when you start working on transcripts and other official paperwork for high school graduation. (This is our most-requested reprint from the magazine.) The envelope solution is elegant, effective, and so simple you can’t screw it up. Start it in ninth grade — eighth if you’re feeling particularly ambitious — and when it’s time to start the college application process, you’ll be all set. Here's how it works.

Label a large envelope for each class with the full name of the course and grade number (such as 9-Honors English 1 or 11-AP U.S. History). Add a separate envelope for extracurricular activities — if your child is serious about an activity, like soccer or theater, you may want to create a separate envelope for that particular activity as well as one for general extracurricular activities.

Label another envelope with your teen’s grade level and Honors — you’ll use this envelope to stash certificates of achievement, pictures of science fair experiments, and other awards and recognitions. Add one last envelope for community service — again, be sure to label it with your student’s grade level.

Make a basic information sheet for each class your child is taking. Include:

• the textbook(s) used, with ISBN number

• a copy of the textbook’s table of contents (Do this now. The last thing you want to do is end up rooting through boxes in the garage in a couple of years to figure out if your son’s freshman biology class included a section on genetics.)

• the course description and syllabus

• the name of the teacher (yes, even if it’s you!)

• the number of credit hours the course entails

Tuck this information sheet securely in the envelope. Add items to envelope as the year progresses. Things you’ll want to include:

• graded papers and tests

• samples of presentations, lab reports, or other work done in the class

• a running reading list (Add titles of books and essays to the list as you read them so you don’t have to try to remember everything at the end of the year. Even better, have your student keep an annotated reading list — with notes about each book.)

• notes about associated activities — visits to museums, lectures, theaters, etc. — that relate to the class

At the end of the class, write the final grade and total credit hours on the front of the envelope. Inside the envelope, add:

• official grades — community college report cards, printouts from an online class, or your evaluations

• Ask any outside teacher to write a recommendation letter or evaluation for your student. Do it now while your student’s work is still fresh in their minds, and add the recommendation to your envelope. If you decide to ask this teacher for a recommendation when you’re working on college applications, you can give him his original recommendation to refresh his memory.

• If your student ends up taking an AP or CLEP exam in a subject, add the exam results to your envelope. Similarly, if your student publishes or wins an award for work she started in the class, add those credits to your envelope.

Use a binder clip to group your envelopes — depending on how your brain works, you may want them grouped by grade level, by subject matter, or by some other criteria. However you group them, they’ll make writing that final transcript a lot easier since all your information will be organized in one place.

Reprinted from the winter 2015 issue’s Problem: Solved feature, which also tackled writing your own curriculum, keeping up with library books, getting over bad days, how to tell the difference between a homeschool slump and when you’re ready to stop homeschooling, and lots more

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3 Alternative Spines for High School World History

World history is fascinating — so why aren’t world history textbooks?

World history is fascinating — so why aren’t world history textbooks? If you’re aiming to ace the AP World History exam or cover a specific range of history, you may find a textbook helps you get where you need to go, but if your prospects are wide open, so are your book options. These not-your-standard spines will inspire your world history studies in brave new directions.

How We Got to Now By Steven Johnson

In significant ways—some profound and some problematic — human history is the history of invention and innovation. In this book, Johnson traces the impact of six different scientific break- throughs over time: glass, cold, sound, clean, time, and light. Glass, for instance, began a part of fancy Egyptian jewelry and evolved to modern fiber optics; the evolution and increasing precision of train schedules is a fascinating look at how sophisticated our methods of time measurement have become.

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A History of the World in 100 Objects By Neil MacGregor

From the earliest surviving object made by human hands — a chopping tool from Africa’s Olduvai gorge — to a solar-powered lamp and charger, MacGregor explores the world through the objects used by ordinary people. It’s these very people whose stories often get left out of history books, though — as MacGregor demonstrates—their experiences are often the ones with lasting impact on history.

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A History of the World in 12 Maps By Jerry Brotton

Cartography historian Jerry Brotton considers how maps have shaped our understanding of the world around us, from ancient Greece to Google Earth. Perhaps nothing reveals more clearly how we see t he world than our attempts to trace its limits, and maps — part science, part subjectivity — reflect the imperial, religious, and economic agendas that shaped history.

(We’re Amazon affiliates, so if you purchase something through an Amazon link, we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Obviously this doesn’t influence what we recommend, and we link to places other than Amazon.)

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How Can I Help My High School Procrastinator?

When procrastination is starting to get in the way of a student’s academic success, your support can make a big difference.

You asked: My 15-year-old has always been a procrastinator — he claims he needs the pressure of a deadline to inspire him. I’m sympathetic to that, but now that he’s in high school, waiting until the last minute means he’s turning in sloppy, unfinished work and projects. This is also the first year he’s taken an outside class for grades that “count” on his transcript, and it’s frustrating to see his work not reflecting his abilities. How can I help him stop putting work off until the last possible minute?

When it comes to procrastination, there are basically two kinds: functional and dysfunctional. It sounds like for a lot of his life your son has engaged in functional procrastination — he might put his work off until the last minute, but he’d get it done in the end by putting in a last-minute push. Now, though, he’s hitting high school, where longer —term planning is often required to get work done, and his procrastination has become dysfunctional. He might get the work done on time, but he’s not getting it done well. He knows what he needs to do, but he’s not able to push himself to do it. The work he’s doing has changed, but his method for dealing with it hasn’t—and if his procrastination goes unchecked, you’re right that he’s looking at a lower GPA than his intelligence level might indicate, not to mention increased stress levels and academic anxiety.

The great thing is that you’re recognizing that procrastination is a problem now, while the stakes are fairly low. In a few years, a procrastination habit could mean failing out of college, losing a job or blowing an internship, but right now you have a window when the cost of procrastination is high enough to motivate your student to make some changes but still low enough that he doesn’t have to shoulder major consequences.

The root of procrastination lies in our brain chemistry. People who procrastinate tend to believe that they must be in a good mood to tackle a task they consider uninteresting; when given a choice between two options, who wouldn’t choose the one that seems more fun? Most people will sigh, buckle down, and get to work anyway, but chronic procrastinators keep choosing Option B. For chronic procrastinators, short-term mood repair takes precedence: Chronic procrastinators want to eliminate the negative mood or emotions now, so they give in to feel good. They give in to the impulse to put off the task until another time, explains Tim Pychyl, procrastination researcher at Carleton University and the author of Solving the Procrastination Puzzle. The problem, says Pychyl, is that teens who procrastinate vastly overestimate how much motivation they actually need to do something. It may be hard to work up the motivation to write an entire essay, but you don’t need a lot of motivation to make a list of sources for an essay.

In other words, the key to beating procrastination is to break tasks down into parts so small and specific that your student can feel totally confident he’ll be able to succeed in them. The easiest way to do this is to help him figure out how to focus on time — say “let’s set the timer and work on this for just five minutes” — or task —“let’s do just this first math problem right now.”

So say your son has a biology quiz coming up on Friday. Usually, he’d wait until Thursday night and cram, but that’s not been working out so well for him. So instead, encourage him to try to do something small—review five biology terms or recopy his notes from chapter one. Or perhaps he has an essay due—he has a great idea but can’t seem to get motivated to start working until it’s late at night and he’s got to finish the whole thing in one big rush. Instead of trying to get him to sit down to finish the whole thing, encourage him to spend just 15 minutes writing the first body paragraph before dinner. Sometimes, he may be inspired to keep going once he’s started—sometimes just getting started lowers the bar enough for a procrastinator to complete a task. Sometimes, he may just do the discrete task he’s outlined. Either way, making the task specific, small, and concrete is the most effective way to help your son rewire his thinking about big projects.

Don’t expect long-term habits to change quickly. Your son may be totally committed to changing his habits and still need a lot of consistent help and support from you to make it happen. Procrastination can be hardest to combat in kids who have executive function or attention deficit issues, but patient persistence can make a big difference for all kids.

This Q&A was originally published in the fall 2018 issue of HSL.

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5 Ways to Read Robinson Crusoe

It’s been 300 years since Daniel Defoe introduced the world to the globe-trotting adventures of an Englishman with serious wanderlust. We keep reading his story because there are so many different ways to read it.

It’s been 300 years since Daniel Defoe introduced the world to the globe-trotting adventures of an Englishman with serious wanderlust. We keep reading his story because there are so many different ways to read it.

... as an adventure story

Robinson Crusoe kicked off an entire literary genre that’s still very much alive and kicking today. (It’s no coincidence that the Lost in Space family has the surname Robinson.) Note the tropes Defoe introduces: The headstrong young man in search of adventure, the shipwreck/crash that only our narrator survives, his struggle to make a life in an alien place with limited tools and lots of ingenuity. These tropes defined a new genre, whose modern-day descendants include works like The Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Martian, Hatchet, and Gilligan’s Island.

... as a proto-novel

Robinson Crusoe is almost-but-not-quite a novel, and this can make it a fascinating read. The 18th century was a bubbly cauldron of literary possibility, and many of the seeds of the novel appear in Crusoe’s adventures — perhaps most notably the idea that the life of an ordinary person could be a story worth telling. Defoe takes several kinds of literature from his time — travel narratives, journalism, historical accounts — and mashes them up to create an early novel. Defoe experimented with all kinds of literary forms, but it’s his early novels that have had the biggest influence on the world of literature.

... as a discussion of 18th century morality

During times of hardship, Crusoe is drawn to his Protestant roots, seeking comfort and forgiveness in religion — but when the storm (literal or figurative) ends, he’s back to making his own decisions without much fuss about their morality. The 18th century, coming on the heels of the Scientific Revolution, marks an interesting period in the history of religion, and Crusoe is an apt representative of its shifting status from central guide to moral suggestion.

... as a colonialist narrative

James Joyce saw Defoe’s Crusoe as a representative of the British Empire as a whole (and Joyce didn’t mean that as a compliment to the adventurer): “The whole Anglo-Saxon spirit in Crusoe: the manly independence, the unconscious cruelty, the persistence, the slow yet efficient intelligence, the sexual apathy, the calculating taciturnity” gave Joyce, writing in the early 20th century, pause, and reading about Crusoe’s role in the slave trade and his relationship with his indigenous companion should give us pause today, too.

... as an assertion of individuality

Perhaps Crusoe’s greatest contribution to literature is that bold first-person “I:” Crusoe tells his own story, in his own words, and he does — sometimes to his detriment — his own thing, based on his own urges and desires. It’s because of Crusoe’s individuality that he’s able to survive on a lonely island for so long, recreating a form of English civilization in the wilderness, and it’s because of his individuality that he’s not content to sit at home and reap the rewards of his adventures when he’s finally returned to civilization.

(We’re Amazon affiliates, so if you purchase something through an Amazon link, we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Obviously this doesn’t influence what we recommend, and we link to places other than Amazon.) This was originally published in the spring 2019 issue of HSL. (And if you use the High School at the Academy curriculum, you know that Amy is kinda obsessed with all the ways you can read Robinson Crusoe!)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Benefits of the Narrative Bibliography

When it comes to bibliographies, it’s not about the formatting — it’s about learning how to use and evaluate sources in your academic writing.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have strong feelings about formatting bibliographies. (I may have gone a little nuts texting people in 2016 when the MLA 8th edition was introduced — but only because that kind of simplification was LONG OVERDUE!) So it may surprise you that the first thing I teach my kids about writing bibliographies is not correct formatting but critical thinking. I grade bibliographies based on how well they explain what information they got from different sources and why they used those sources, and I wait until well into high school to fuss with proper citation punctuation.

That’s because the point of a bibliography isn’t to format a list to attach to the end of a paper. Emphasizing formatting over content here can make it seem like the point of research is to make a “works cited” page, not to use books, websites, and other materials to actually learn more about the topic you’re exploring. A narrative, bibliography, on the other hand, asks your student to make the research their priority.

What does that look like? For starters, a narrative bibliography is in chronological order — the order in which the student accessed information — instead of alphabetical order. In a few sentences, students explain where they started their research — “I went to the librarian and asked the librarian to help me find books on Harriet Tubman” or “I Google-searched the keywords ‘Puritans’ and ‘alchemy.’” They walk me through how they found that very first source, and then, they explain how they used it in their research: “This biography was pretty general, but it included basic dates and a timeline of Tubman’s life — some of which my other sources would actually contradict because the records aren't totally clear.” The information about how they used the source is important because it means your works cited list is more than just a list — it’s a vital, living part of the work they did for their paper.

But don’t stop there — students should also explain why they’ve decided to base part of their work on this particular source. What makes it credible and significant? The answer may be simple — “I wanted a basic resource that would give me the basic facts of Tubman's life, and this timeline provided that”— or more complex — “This is the only book-length biography of Tubman’s life available, so even though it seems like it leaves a lot of holes in her story, those holes seem to be an inevitable part of studying the lives of enslaved people in the 19th century.” This is especially important with online resources, since students have to really dig into the credibility of websites to do this in a way that a more traditional biography doesn’t always inspire them to do.

Finally, students wrap up their bibliographies by considering the reasearch they didn’t do — if they’d had more time, what additional information would they want to consider, and how would they go about looking for it? (“I was interested in the connections between Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman, and I would like to read more about the free Black people who worked against slavery in the mid-1800s. I’d start by seeing if I could find any primary source reports of events Truth and Tubman both attended.”) This is important because it reminds students that their research is part of an ongoing conversation — this particular paper may be done, but no research project is ever finished with all its ends tied up. There are always more places to explore, more ideas to consider, more research to be done.

Typically, a narrative bibliography includes a few sources that the student consulted even though if they didn’t end up contributing to their actual work. This, too, is part of research: Sometimes, works you consult don’t directly contribute to your final product, but they're still an important part of the process. (“I was excited to find a primary source interview with Tubman in an 1872 newspaper, but it didn’t include any new information.”) These go into their chronological order, too, so students can explain where they ran into dead ends, what led them to different sources, and why they ended up consulting more works than they’ll officially cite.

A three- to four-source narrative bibliography — which is usually the number of sources I ask students to include (not counting consulted sources that didn’t contribute to the final work) — typically runs three to four pages. It’s more work than a standard bibliography, but it's more rewarding, too, because it pushes students to think about the purpose and results of their research. Often, we jump right to bibliographies without helping students understand why they even matter — no wonder kids have a tendency to scribble down the required number of sources, worrying more about their formatting than whether they actually contributed to their work, By the time my kids get around to worrying about formatting, they’re already in the habit of choosing sources carefully, vetting them thoroughly, and using them thoughtfully. The commas and colons are the least important part of the equation — and, ultimately, the much easier part to teach in high school.

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Our High School Curriculum: Year Two Is Available to Pre-Order Now (And Year One Is Back in Stock!)

Year Two is here!

And if you pre-order it, you can save about 20%: Through August, the print cost for Year Two is $775 (regularly $995) and the digital cost for Year Two is $350 (regularly $450). You don’t need a coupon — the discount will be automatically applied.

And I think it’s even better than Year One, thanks in no small part to the fabulous team of students who test-drove Year One this past year. I have loved hearing from folks every week about how things are going, nerding out about books together, and getting to read some of their awesome work. It has been a real pleasure! And as a bonus, they’ve given me tons of feedback about how the curriculum plays out in a real-life homeschool, so I’ve been able to make some tweaks to make Year Two even better.

One of the tweaks is maybe more of a big change than a little tweak: As you can see from the lovely picture above, for Year Two I’ve written several books to go along with the Year Two curriculum. I struggled to find the right spines for classes like history and science — so, in classic homeschooler fashion, I ended up writing them myself. I’ve also edited separate readers for literature, philosophy, and government (in Year One, readings are included in the lesson guides) so that you can more comfortably read them in bed or the hammock.

Another tweak is that we’ve upgraded from audio to video lectures for Year Two. One of the nicest pieces of feedback I got from the folks who used Year One was that they loved the lectures that came with each class, so I’ve been making videos for Year Two. (Don’t worry, you hardly have to look at me at all! But I still make random Buffy references and default to feminine pronouns.) I think for things like Latin and chemistry, you’ll really love the visual component — but you can download just the audio if you prefer your lectures podcast-style.

Just like last year, you can choose between the print edition and a digital edition. The curriculum ships in August, and both curricula will be on sale until shipments start.

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So what’s actually in our Year Two curriculum? I’m so glad you asked! Year Two is our U.S. history year, which means we’re focusing on the United States — history, literature, and government.

What’s included:

This 28-week curriculum contains everything but math. 

Philosophy

After a year of grounding ourselves in critical thinking, we’re ready to tackle some real philosophy! We’ll start easy with Transcendentalism, arguably the most American philosophy and one that’s very accessible. In the second half of the year, we’ll turn to ethics, considering Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and care ethics.

• Philosophy primary source reader (edited by HSL)

• Philosophy student guide (with weekly lessons and assignments)

• Philosophy lectures channel (this year with video!)

U.S. History

I feel like by high school most of us know the basics of U.S. history, so I’ve chosen to focus on the lives that often get left out of history books: immigrants, women, people of color, LGBTQ people. I’ve tried to tell the story of the United States through their stories, and I hope I’ve done them justice. And, of course, we continue to emphasize primary sources.

• The Colorful, Queer, Feminist, Immigrant Lives That Helped Shape the United States by Amy Sharony

• History student guide (with weekly lessons, assignments, and primary source readings — see a sample)

• History lectures channel (this year with video!)
  

Literature and Composition

We’ll explore “American literature” through a series of focused studies, including American Gothic literature, The Awakening, the Harlem Renaissance, American poetry, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle. We’ll be writing a mix of critical and personal essays about literature.

• Literature reader (edited by HSL)

• Literature student guide (with weekly lessons, assignments, and critical considerations — see a sample)

• Composition student guide (with assignments and rubrics)

• Literature lectures channel (this year with video!)
  

Chemistry

Our textbook-based biology last year was fine, but I think we can do better. Chemistry is fascinating, full of compelling people and wacky elements (there’s a Poisoner’s Corridor in the periodic table!), and there wasn’t really a book that managed to cover the basics of chemistry while also giving plenty of room to the stories that make it interesting. I hope this book fills the gap — I certainly had a great time writing it and working with a couple of super-smart chemists on balancing information and fun and making sure we had really good labs.

• Chemistry for People Who Would Rather Be Reading by Amy Sharony

• Chemistry Lab Manual

• Chemistry student guide (with weekly lessons and assignments — see a sample)

• Chemistry lessons channel (this year with video!)

U.S. Government and Politics

It only makes sense to cover U.S. government and politics during our U.S. history year. We’ll spend about half this class taking a close look at the Constitution, including elections and the branches of government, and the other half exploring some of the most significant U.S. Supreme Court cases.

• The Annotated Constitution of the United States (edited by HSL)

• Major Supreme Court Cases (edited by HSL)

• U.S. Government and Politics student guide (with weekly lessons, assignments, and primary source readings)

• Government lectures channel (this year with video!)

Latin IB

We’ll continue with Ecce Romani, learning more vocabulary and more complex grammar. I’ve also added more individual grammar lessons with videos because I hear you: You want more grammar!

• Latin student guide (with weekly lessons and assignments — see a sample)

• Latin lessons channel (this year with video!)

Student Guide

The student guide is part inspirational manual, part goal-setting tool, and part weekly planner. (See a sample.)

• Contracts, annual goals, and semester goals

• Grade matrix options and tracking for each subject

• Annual, monthly, and weekly schedule suggestions

Parents Guide

• Midterm and final exams with answer keys

• Suggestions for counting units and course descriptions
  

Online Support

• I am available online for a live chat every week in our curriculum Facebook group to answer questions and offer whatever other support you need.

You will need: (This is the stuff you’ll need that is NOT included in the curriculum.)

• The Awakening

• We Have Always Lived in the Castle

• Ecce Romani 1 and 2 (if you don’t already have it from last year)

• Supplies for chemistry labs (listed in lab manual)

• whatever you’re doing for math

Questions You Might Have

If I don’t tackle your question here, please feel free to ask!

What if we want to jump right into Year Two without doing Year One?

You can, of course — I am not the boss of you! The challenge you might run into is that some of the critical reading and writing you’ll be doing in Year Two builds on skills you learned in Year One, like annotating as you read, self-editing your essays, using the toolkit, etc. You could certainly learn these things as you go, but you’ll miss out on the structured development of these skills. 

Can I buy Year One?

Yes! It’s on sale again now, too. (It will ship in August, too, so I can do all my box-packing / emailing in one big push.)

Can I buy just one piece of the curriculum?
Not yet — sorry! It is a goal for down the road, but right now, it makes sense for us to keep the curriculum as a bundle. (I am teaching a couple of online classes this fall at the Academy based on this curriculum, including history and literature, so keep an eye out for those if you’re looking for just one class.)

How does this translate to credits on our transcript?

As a general guide, I recommend:

• 1.0 History

• 1.0 Literature: Main Literature (0.75) + Composition (0.25)

• 1.0 Latin

• 1.0 Philosophy

• 1.5 Chemistry (with Lab)

• 0.5 U.S. Government and Politics

But I’m happy to chat specifics with you if you run into questions!

How much parent support is required?

The curriculum is written for the student, so it’s designed for students to work through on their own. I’ve included step-by-step strategies for close reading, critical thinking, making connections, and analyzing information as well as tools for self-evaluation with the idea that students will get better at these things over the course of the year — there’s a lot of skill-building integrated into the program. You know best what your student needs, but an on-level high school student should be able to use this curriculum largely independently.

How do I grade this?

For each subject, I’ve included a grade matrix, which students can use to plot their own version of academic success. Each grade matrix includes a recommended number of points to indicate a level of academic success: students can opt to pass the class, work to earn an A, or aspire to an honors-level A based on their own goals for that particular subject. The grade matrix includes a broad range of output activities, from taking notes and completing annotated readings to writing papers and projects with lots of different options in each category. Aside from a few required items, students can combine projects and activities to create their own assessment framework. Output options include midterm and final exams for each subject.

What do the rest of the years look like?

We’re building this curriculum as we go, so some of the specifics might change as our weekly plans actually start to come together. But the broad outline for the next three years is set as follows and will remain the same, even if specific readings change:

• Year Three: Asian and African History includes:

  • Humanities: History, literature, and philosophy of China, Japan, India, and non-Egypt Africa

  • Composition: Synthesis essays (explanatory and argumentative); creative writing

  • Philosophy: Confucius/Daoism/Chuang-Tzu

  • Science: Physics (with Labs), includes history-related primary source readings

  • Latin 2

• Year Four: The Classical World includes:

  • Humanities: History, literature, and philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome

  • Composition: Scientific writing; persuasive essays

  • Philosophy: Plato/Lucretius

  • Science: Astronomy (with Labs), includes history-related primary source readings

  • Latin 3

  • Supplements: World Religions; The Epic of Gilgamesh

Other things you might want to note:

• This curriculum was designed to cover two 14-week semesters, for a total of 28 weeks of structured academic time. Because of the short time span, it’s a very focused, rigorous curriculum — you could definitely slow down and spread it across more time if you wanted to.

• This is a reading- and writing-intensive curriculum. While you could definitely modify it to make it less so, critical reading and writing are such essential parts of it that if you hate those things, this curriculum might not be the best fit for you.

• All of the information in this curriculum was reviewed by and created by or in close collaboration with people with advanced degrees in the subject area.

• This is a secular curriculum.

• This sample does not include complete lessons and is only a sample — the completed curriculum may differ from what you see here. 

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Philosophy at the Movies

You can always start with the collected works of Plato, but these movies help introduce big philosophical ideas that may feel more accessible on the screen than on the page.

RASHOMON

The Big Idea: Reality—and truth—is subjective

Four people tell the story of a rape and murder, with conflicting and contradictory memories of the same event. The point isn’t that someone is lying but that everyone is telling the truth — it’s just that their truths don’t match, suggesting that truth isn’t the objective reality we think it is.

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THE TRUMAN SHOW

The Big Idea: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave

This movie, about a lovable guy who has no idea his entire life is a television series that runs 24/7, is a modern take on Plato: We can never really be sure at any time that we’re living in the real world because there’s always the possibility that we’re not seeing what’s really here.

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PI

The Big Idea: The ontology of numbers 

When we talk about numbers, we’re actually talking about number values and relations based on a well-articulated body of philosophical principles that reflect our best attempt to maintain balance and harmony in the material, social, and ethical worlds. In other words, numbers have a kind of being — a fact this film illuminates.

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THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY

The Big Idea: Objects ready-at-hand vs objects present-at-hand 

Objects, like the Coke bottle in this movie, are ready-at-hand— their meaning is in their use, and in using them, we cease to notice them. Even unfamiliar objects, like the Coke bottle, may start out as objects present-at-hand, things to be considered for their qualities rather than their use, quickly become useful rather than contemplative objects.

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GROUNDHOG DAY

The Big Idea: The Myth Of Sisyphus

Camus’s idea — that if we embrace the futility and unalterability of our fates, we recognize the absurdity of existence and can peacefully accept it — plays out when a weatherman finds himself stuck in a loop, living the same Groundhog Day over and over again.

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I ♥ HUCKABEES

The Big Idea: The history of philosophy in a nutshell 

Existentialism and Asian philosophy fight for dominance in this delightfully weird movie which operates as a loose, narrative exploration of the history of philosophy masquerading as a film about a popular department store.

This was originally published in the fall 2017 issue of HSL.

(We’re Amazon affiliates, so if you purchase something through an Amazon link, we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Obviously this doesn’t influence what we recommend, and we link to places other than Amazon.)

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Free Secular Science for Homeschool: Forensics Illustrated: Step Under the Tape

Many of you have asked for a high school level science curriculum that is fun, challenging, and inexpensive. This complete curriculum is free. The only charges you will incur will depend on the lab supplies you purchase. If you are looking for something completely out of the box then this is the course for you and your teens.

THE FACTS

Developed and utilized by Brennon Sapp during his nine years teaching forensics to high school students, this complete curriculum in its entirety has been published on-line at www.bsapp.com free of charge. If you are so moved, he lists a PayPal address for donations.

The curriculum includes:

• Student Text

• Presentations

• Photos and Sketches

• Worksheets

• Posters

• Labs

• Tests

• Answer Keys

• Additional Web Resources

The curriculum begins with a short introduction of the origins of forensic science and quickly moves to the collection of various types of evidence and the manners by which they are processed. It is important to note up front that the curriculum includes some information of a more graphic nature-- in-depth discussions of drug use/paraphernalia and autopsies, for example-- and may not be suitable for younger students.

OUR EXPERIENCE

I decided to teach forensic science in order to tie together the information gathered in our previous science studies. I wanted to show my son how biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and astronomy all came together in a real life application. To that end, I found Forensics Illustrated fit the bill perfectly. I was able to gloss over or skip altogether the information that I considered too graphic for his age. I loved the worksheets and the review sheets that are provided for each chapter, and the tests were certainly challenging.

We were not able to use the majority of the labs because unless you have access to a complete science lab, it’s just not realistic. Now, I know this is going to sound nitpicky, but when I use a curriculum, I expect the spelling and grammar to be perfect and that was not always the case with this curriculum. I also found that the answers to test questions did not always properly correlate to the text; this is particularly evident in chapters eight and nine. It was not difficult to make these few changes myself, and when a curriculum this complete is free, who am I to complain? Although there were obstacles to overcome with this curriculum, both my son and I enjoyed it a great deal. It really was a perfect way to tie together all of our previous science classes and jump-start the high school science experience.

ADAPTING THE CURRICULUM TO MEET SPECIFIC NEEDS

This curriculum does not allow for a great deal if wiggle room. It cannot be used without a great deal of alteration for kids below the eighth grade as the subject matter is mature and sometimes graphic. As a homeschooler, I found that I needed to make sweeping changes to the lab work. Obviously, I do not have access to the plethora of materials available in a high school lab. This made conducting some of the experiments impossible. It is also evident by the content that Mr. Sapp used slides to supplement this course that are not available on the website. I got creative and found my own solution to the lab problem. Home Science Tools is a phenomenal company that specializes in providing homeschoolers with science supplies. I was able to find a crime scene science kit and a blood typing kit at a very reasonable price. This meant I was able to tie in my own experiments to the chapters in the text. To deal with the lack of slides, I simply eliminated those questions from the tests and inserted photos from the text for identification.

Content Rating: 5/5

Adaptability Rating: 2/5

Ease of Use Rating: 4/5

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