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Meaningful Co-op Activities for World Poetry: Reading & Writing

Here are some meaningful co-op activities for World Poetry: Reading & Writing.

Meaningful Co-op Activities for World Poetry: Reading & Writing #HomeschoolEnglishCurriculum #HomeschoolWorldPoetry #HomeschoolHighSchool 7SistersHomeschool.com This photo shows globe, small chalkboard, books and jar with pens and pencils.

Meaningful Co-op Activities for World Poetry: Reading & Writing

World Poetry can be an eye opening subject to teach to your homeschool high schoolers in co-op. You’ll be delighted to see how they grow as they have small experiences with other people’s cultures.

Want some tips for teaching World Poetry to your teen group?

*Choose a good curriculum. For many homeschool high schoolers, they will get the most out of a curriculum that allows them to

  • not be intimidated, but have a little fun with World Poetry
  • feel they can understand the poetry selections
  • gain some skills for reading World Poetry
  • feel they can be successful at writing basic poetry
  • not be overwhelmed or feel the course is too intense

That’s exactly what 7Sisters’ World Poetry: Reading and Writing is about. The lessons are short, accessible, fun and engaging. There’s an answer key to help co-op teachers grade assignments.

World Poetry Reading and Writing 7SistersHomeschool.com #WorldPoetryCurriculum #HomeschoolHighSchoolWriting #HomeschoolHighSchoolPoetry #7SistersHomeschool This etext cover shows a jpg of a globe, scroll, graduation cap, books, quill pen and inkwell.

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*Create a syllabus for the course. World Poetry: Reading and Writing is a quick, 5-week course. This is perfect for introducing American Poetry in a homeschool co-op setting. Click here for a simple how-to on writing a syllabus for your course.

*Start with interest-building. This is probably the most important thing you will do to win your homeschool high schoolers’ attention. Show them a video (or several videos) of famous people reading American poems. There are some links in World Poetry: Reading and Writing. Here are a few more:

*Share a quote about poetry at the beginning of class each week. Here are a few from BrainyQuote.com:

  • I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better. -Abraham Lincoln
  • We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in light of what they suffer. -Deitrich Bonhoeffer
  • When it comes to understanding others, we rarely tax our imaginations. -Lawrence Hill
  • Poetry is the truth in Sunday clothes. -Joseph Roux
  • Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. -Paul Engle

*Read a poem in person each week. Choose a favorite poem to read as a group, you read or a student reads.

*Build vocabulary. Create a word wall. Have students bring an interesting word that they have found this week and write it on a group poster board. Then have each student share their word and what it means. Over the unit they will have enriched their vocabulary in a fun way.

*Group writing each week. Introduce each topic and then write a poem of that style as a group (you lead the activity). Allow this to be fun, silly and no-fail.

*Team writing each week. Break into teams. Have them write a quick, fun version of the topic then share with the group.

*Sharing poems. Each week have students share their homework poem with the group. This can be done by passing around.

Remember to keep the atmosphere relaxed. Your teens will be deeper, more understanding people when they’ve interacted with some World Poetry.

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Meaningful Co-op Activities for World Poetry: Reading & Writing

Help Teens Understand the World through World Poetry

Here is one way to help teens understand the world through World Poetry.

Help Teens Understand the World through World Poetry: Reading and Writing 7SistersHomeschool.com #WorldPoetryForHomeschool #WorldPoetryForTeens #PoetryForHomeschoolHighSchool #7SistersHomeschool.com This illustration show a globe, scroll, graduation cap, quill pen, inkwell and books.

Help Teens Understand the World through World Poetry

Current events and news in social media connect our homeschool high schoolers to the world in ways that are different than the old days when all we parents had were newspapers and the evening news. This quick and sometimes overwhelming connectedness may make teens feel curious or critical.

We can help them understand some of the cultures in the news (while enhancing a powerful Language Arts credit) by teaching our teens about cultures in the WORDS of that culture. When young people read the actual writings (translated into English, of course) AND try their hands at writing some of those styles, they have a little better view of those people groups.

That’s why we’ve introduced World Poetry: Reading and Writing to our local homeschool high schoolers, who have genuinely appreciated the experience. Now we are offering it to all our homeschool friends.

World Poetry Reading and Writing 7SistersHomeschool.com #WorldPoetryCurriculum #HomeschoolHighSchoolWriting #HomeschoolHighSchoolPoetry #7SistersHomeschool This etext cover shows a jpg of a globe, scroll, graduation cap, books, quill pen and inkwell.

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World Poetry: Reading and Writing gives teens a glimpse of various world cultures BUT not in a stuffy, overly-serious format.

In this 5-week (4 days per week) guide teens will learn about several poetic styles from various world regions that they find in the news: Korean, Japan, Arab countries, Ireland, Israel. They read selections (your teen will need the internet for this). Then they are guided through writing their own poem in all they styles. (They can skip writing ghazals, which may be too complicated for teens to write.)

Homeschoolers will read famous examples of each type of poetry, then write their own poems in each style.

  • Week 1: Poetry of Korea: Sijo
  • Week 2: Poetry of Japan: Haiku, Senryu, and Tanka
  • Week 3: Poetry of Persia, Middle East, and Northern Africa: Ghazal
  • Week 4: Fun Poetry of Europe: Limericks
  • Week 5: Poetry of Israel: Psalms

As always, 7Sisters’ motto is: “Don’t kill the topic by busywork”.

This is a downloadable 32-page workbook includes an answer key to help parents with grading.

Click here for a free excerpt of World Poetry: Reading and Writing.

Your homeschool high schoolers will enjoy World Poetry: Reading and Writing. Download a copy today.

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Help Teens Understand the World through World Poetry

What Kind of Writing Should Teens Do With CS Lewis Literature?

Are your teens reading Lewis this year? What kind of writing should teens do with CS Lewis Literature?

What Kind of Writing Should Teens Do With CS Lewis Literature? 7SisterHomeschool.com #WritingWithCSLewisFiction #WritingAndReadingChroniclesOfNarnia #7SistersHomeschool #HomeschoolHighSchoolWritingAndLiterature This photo shows a glowing lamp post in a fir forest on a snowy day.

What Kind of Writing Should Teens Do With CS Lewis Literature?

One of my homeschool high schoolers’ favorite Literature-topic years was the year we spent studying the fiction of CS Lewis. We not only studied his fiction but we extended their learning by including Lewis-type themes in their writing. Here’s how we did it:

First off, here’s what we read.

In the fall semester, we read:

  • The Chronicles of Narnia (This is only a high school literature if you include a high-school level study guide for each book in the series). Of course, our favorite study guides are 7Sisters Chronicles of Narnia guides because they develop great Language Arts skills and thinking skills without killing the book.)
  • Screwtape Letters
  • If we had time, we’d add another Lewis favorite (each of my teens has been different). We’ve included one of the following (none of which are fiction, but did enrich that teen’s Lewis experience).
    • Mere Christianity
    • Surprised by Joy

In the spring semester, we read:

  • The Space Trilogy
  • Poems by CS Lewis

Now for the writing that can go along with the fiction your teens are reading.

In the fall, we began the work on a myth-fantasy short story.

Do create a good myth-fantasy, your teen needs an excellent backstory (or what Lewis would call a *subcreation*). We would use 7Sisters APA Research Paper Writing Guide and 7Sisters Myth-Fantasy Short Story Guide.

APA Style Research Paper Introductory Writing Guide from 7SistersHomeschool.com

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The Myth-Fantasy Short Story Writing Guide guides your teen through the same writing process that CS Lewis used to write The Chronicles of Narnia. There’s a format to these myth-fantasy stories, so once teens learn the format, they can truly write that genre. These really are delightful writing assignments!

Myth-fantasy Writing Guide 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Here’s the fun:

We combined the 2 writing projects into one by making the APA Research Paper a totally fictional paper about the subcreation my teens were creating for week 1 of the Short Story guide.

Using the APA format, my homeschool high schoolers created:

  • A world with map and written geographic descriptions
  • *People* groups  with descriptions
  • A history of that world
  • Famous *people* of that world’s history
  • *Current events* in that world
  • A fictional reference list and in-text *citations*

Of course, we did not finish this in one week. To complete the entire project (APA Research Paper and Myth-Fantasy Short Story) took the entire fall semester.

After they finished their full research paper, my homeschool high schoolers completed their Myth-Fantasy Short Story Guide by writing a 5 (or more) page story based on that subcreation.

My teens have been so proud of both projects! They had great APA experience and Myth-Fantasy experience and they had fun. (Note: We also did real, non-fiction APA papers other years. AND my teens who were aiming for honors credits wrote a second APA-style paper: a biography of Lewis or history of England during his life.)

In the spring semester, we wrote:

C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy Study Guide

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In this way, we covered the requirements for Language Arts (both reading, writing, vocabulary, editing). If we were covering Lewis for the year in co-op, a public speaking experience would be included also.

Your teens will have fun, gain great Literature experience and lots of powerful thinking and writing skills when you do a year of CS Lewis with them!

 

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What Kind of Writing Should Teens Do With CS Lewis Literature?

What’s the Difference Between 7Sisters Lit & Comp vs Our Other Guides?

We sometimes get the question: What’s the Difference Between 7Sisters Lit & Comp vs Our Other Guides?
What's the Difference Between 7Sisters Lit & Comp vs Our Other Guides? 7SistersHomeschool.com #HomeschoolLanguageArts The photo shows a teen getting ready to start her reading with her computer ready for her to type in answers from her Study Guide.

What’s the Difference Between 7Sisters Lit & Comp vs Our Other Guides?

There are 2 different kinds of English Language Arts curriculum here at 7SistersHomeschool.com. It can get confusing! We’d like to clear up the difference between our:
  • Literature & Composition courses
  • Literature Study Guides
  • Writing Guides

So here’s the difference between 7Sisters Lit & Comp vs Our Other Guides!

First off, you need to know that English/Language Arts should include a

  • Reading and some literature analysis
  • Vocabulary 
  • Writing (with editing or grammar)
  • Public Speaking (not always included in English/Language Arts but recommended by some colleges)

Now that we’ve got that straight, let’s move on.

Here’s how 7Sisters English/Language Arts works for Literature and Writing Guides:

If your homeschool high schoolers use ONLY 7Sisters Literature Study Guides, they will cover vocabulary and reading/literature analysis. (You get some optional suggested writing prompts but no instruction in HOW to write- that’s for the Writing Guides to do.)

So, your homeschool high schoolers can specialize in a literature topic of their own interest for the year with 7Sisters’ individual Literature Study Guides OR purchase a full year’s Literature Study Guides on one topic such as:

American Literature 7SistersHomeschool.com

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British Literature - One Year of Reading and Thining

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Great Christian Writers Literature Course 7SistersHomeschool.com

World Literature BUNDLE 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Literature Analysis, Literal Thinkers and Movies

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If your homeschool high schoolers use ONLY 7Sisters Writing Guides, you get writing instruction of 4 different types, but no reading/literature analysis or vocabulary (along with rubrics for editing). The 4 types of writing include:

Introductory Guide to High School Writing including essays, short stories, research and poetry with no busywork.

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APA Style Research Paper Introductory Writing Guide from 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Introductory Story Writing: Family Narrative 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Introductory Poetry Writing from 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Writing Guides may be purchased by topic or bundled to include all the writing homeschool high schoolers need for each year.

Here’s how 7Sisters English/Language Arts works for Literature & Composition Bundles:

The idea behind the Literature & Composition bundles is to meet both of the reading/literature analysis and vocabulary and writing/editing needs  for the English/Language Arts credit, one semester at a time. You will need Literature & Composition Part A (fall semester) and Part B (winter/spring semester) to get the full credit.

Introductory Literature and Composition Part A from 7SistersHomeschool.com

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We offer these in all of these different options because there’s not ONE right way to homeschool:

  • Some homeschool families have really strong readers who LOVE literature analysis but  need some concrete writing instruction; they are great at talking about books, but not so great at writing. So they buy a Literature Study Guide bundle of their choice and a Writing Guide bundle that fits their skill level.
  • Other families are tackling reading and literature analysis in a co-op or book club that chose a list of titles and those don’t fit with any of our guides. So they just purchase a Writing Bundle for their teens.
  • Some families have teens who is use a different curriculum for writing, so they don’t need writing instruction, but they DO need literature analysis. So they order a Literature bundle. 
  • Some families want the English/Language Arts to be *boxed* in one place, so that all they need to do is move right through the curriculum with no extra work or planning. They order Literature & Composition.

There’s note ONE right way to homeschool high school! 7SistersHomeschool.com has lots of options for English/Language Arts. Your teens will develop strong skills as they use our curriculum. Download yours!

What’s the Difference Between 7Sisters Lit & Comp vs Our Other Guides?

Talent-Developing Ways to Create Honors Level Creative Writing Credit

Here are talent-developing ways to create Honors Level Creative Writing credit.

3 Talent-Developing Ways to Create Honors Level Creative Writing Credit 7SistersHomeschool.com

Talent-Developing Ways to Create Honors Level Creative Writing Credit

One of my teens was a born author. He created short stories and poems before he could write (which meant dictation with illustrations when he was very young). At high school level, his love of writing was still there. He needed to write. When God gives a gift to a young person, it should be developed- so we did LOTS of writing in homeschool high school.

Do you have a teen who loves to write? Teens who have a love of creative writing and want to build their skills and power-up their transcripts can create an Honors Level Creative Writing Credit. Here’s how to create an Honors-level Creative Writing credit.

Honors-level Creative Writing credits are Language Arts electives. These should be above and beyond the writing required for Language Arts. Language Arts electives are useful for any teen heading to college and planning on a major in:

  • English
  • Humanities
  • Writing
  • Communications
  • History

If you are not familiar with levels (Honors level of this elective) for the homeschool transcript, this post will help. Also, listen to this episode of the Homeschool Highschool Podcast.

HSHSP Ep 116: What Are Levels in Homeschool High School?

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While there’s not ONE right way to create an Honors-level Creative Writing credit, here are some suggestions. Mix and match projects that catch your homeschool high schooler’s interests. Work on this together. Develop a syllabus with due dates so that your teen doesn’t flounder. (A syllabus is always adjustable if a teen finds a project they love so much that they are producing LOTS of material.)

Aim for a Carnegie Unit credit (240-360 hours, according to your state requirements). That’s a lot of hours, but not too much for Honors-level work.

A Creative Writing elective can be broken into units. Here are 5 units we suggest.

Unit #1: Myth-Fantasy

Use 7Sisters Myth-Fantasy short-story writing curriculum for this project. This is a fun project teens. Even if your teen has written one myth-fantasy, allow them to write another. Log those hours (on all the projects). You might want to assign page minimums and maximums (for a Creative Writing elective, you’d expect more of your homeschool high schooler if this is a second story: maybe 10-50 pages). Depending on the number of extra assignments, this unit might last a full semester.

Myth-Fantasy Short Story Writing 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Other creative assignments based on their Myth-Fantasy short story:

  • Create an APA-style *research paper* based on their subcreation. They get to make up the whole totally fiction, research paper (even the *resources*)!
  • Write a *biography* of one of the characters in their story.
  • Write a collection of 5-10 poems/songs that their characters might have written.

Unit #2: Creative Chronicling

Now try something completely different: a personal chronicle. This is a creative project that is easy, meaningful and fun! Use 7Sisters’ Creative Chronicling Writing Guide for a great project. 

High School Guide to Creative Chronicling 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Depending on the interest-level of your homeschool high schooler, this project could last 1 week to 1 month.

Unit #3: Family Narrative (Holiday version)

A family narrative story is a meaningful and quick creative writing exercise for the holiday season. Allow 1 week for this quick project using 7Sisters’ Family Narrative Holiday Story.

Holiday Family Narrative Writing Guide 7SistersHomeschool.com

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If interest is greater, this exercise can include:

  • A personal or family biography 5-10 pages.
  • A family tree (do some family/ancestor research).
  • A tall-tale version of the story. (If you need help, use 7Sisters’ Tall Tale Writing Guide.)

Unit #4: Poetry

Creative Writing electives should include a unit of poetry. Poetry is important for the development of creative word-usage and vocabulary. This unit could last 5 weeks- a full semester according to the interest of your teen.

If your teen has no experience with poetry, start with 7Sisters’ Introduction to Poetry. If your teen has a little experience with poetry, start with 7Sisters’ Intermediate Guide to Poetry.

If your homeschool high schooler has some experience hop to Advanced Guide to Poetry and add 7Sisters’ American Poetry Reading and Writing.

American Poetry: Reading and Writing 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Unit #5: Tall Tale

By the end of the year, your teen may be ready for a simple, easy project. Tall-tale writing is a great choice. Use 7Sisters’ Tall Tale Writing Guide. Give this project 1 week-5 weeks, according to the interest and experience of your teen.

Tall Tale Short Story Writing Guide 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Because Creative Writing Elective is an elective, you and your homeschool high schooler have choice on which projects to include and the time frame to assign for each project. At the end of the year, you may want to write a course description, in case you need that for a college application portfolio or other opportunity.

Teens who love writing will love a Creative Writing elective. It is worth the investment!

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Talent-Developing Ways to Create Honors Level Creative Writing Credit

Suggested Syllabus for Introduction to Literature & Composition Part A

Here is a suggested syllabus for Introduction to Literature & Composition Part A.

Suggested Syllabus for Introduction to Literature & Composition Part A 7SistersHomeschool.com

Suggested Syllabus for Introduction to Literature & Composition Part A

Okay! We did it! 🙂

We frequently get requests for *schedules* or *syllabi* for our courses. We don’t usually give a syllabus for courses because we so firmly believe that there’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school, thus what works for one family won’t be a best-fit for another family.

But we understand that having a sample syllabus gives a homeschool mom a starting place. Our course Introduction to Literature & Composition is the course we receive the most requests for a syllabus, so I chose this course to give homeschool families a sample. Adapt at will (AND insert dates).

Introduction to High School Literature and Composition

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Syllabus for Introduction to Literature & Composition Part A

Text:

Introduction to Literature & Composition Part A, Published by 7SistersHomeschool.com

This is the first semester of a two-semester course.

Writing course includes short story (family narrative) writing and essay writing.

Literature course based on books with study guides including:

  • Background information
  • Vocabulary
  • Literary themes
  • Comprehension questions
  • Inferential questions

Literature Books Included:

  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis
  • Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery
  • God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew
  • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
  • Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton

The goals of the course:

The goals of the course are to develop:

  • introductory high-school writing skills in short story and essay methods
  • high-school level skills in comprehension and inferential thinking
  • understanding of key literary themes
  • build strong vocabulary skills

Grading scale:

Grading scale will be:

  • A 92-100
  • B 83-91
  • C 74-82
  • Lower than C needs to be repeated

Grades will be based on:

  • rubrics for the writing project
  • grades for literature guides

Due Dates for Key Projects:

Family Narrative Short Story Due Date: Friday of 5th week of classes

Essays:
First Essay: Day 5 of Week 3

Persuasive Essay: Day 5 of Week 5

Compare/Contrast Essay: Day 5 of Week 6

Literary Analysis Essay: Day 5 of Week 7

Letter to the Editor Essay: Day 5 of Week 8

Timed Essay: Day 2 of Week 9

Timed Essay: Day 1 of Week 10 OR SAT Essay

Short Story:

Day 5 of Week 5

Literature Study Guides:

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Day 5 of Week 2

Anne of Green Gables: Day 5 of Week 4

God’s Smuggler: Day 5 of Week 6

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Day 5 of Week 8

Cry, the Beloved Country: Day 5 of Week 10

Other projects, to be determined

 

Weekly Writing Assignments:

Short Story Writing: Family Narrative

Short Story Writing: Family Narrative Week One: Family Narrative Short Story

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Short Story Writing: Family Narrative Week Two: Developing Your Family Narrative Short Story

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Short Story Writing: Family Narrative Week Three: Conversations

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Short Story Writing: Family Narrative Week Four: Storyline

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Short Story Writing: Family Narrative Week Five: Revising and Sharing

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Day 5: Final draft due

Essay Writing Week One: Essay Format and Introduction

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Essay Writing Week Two: The Body of the Essay

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Day 5: Essay due

Essay Writing Week Three: The Conclusion, Editing and Revising

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Day 5: Essay due

Essay Writing Week Four: Persuasive Essay

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Day 5: Essay due

Essay Writing Week Five: Persuasive Essay continued

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Day 5: Essay due

Essay Writing Week 6: Compare/Contrast Essay

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Day 5: Essay due

Essay Writing Week 7: Literary Analysis Essay

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Day 5: Essay due

Essay Writing Week 8: Writing an Letter to the Editor

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Day 5: Essay due

Essay Writing Week 9: Timed Essay

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Essay Writing Week 10: Timed Essays OR SAT Essay

Day 1: Lesson 1

Day 2: Lesson 2

Day 3: Lesson 3

Day 4: Lesson 4

Weekly Literature Assignments

Weeks 1 and 2 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Student should read 1/2 of the book the first week and 1/2 of the book the second week. Read the book and answer the study guide questions at the same time.

Define and daily review 1/2 of the vocabulary word the first week and 1/2 of the vocabulary words the second week.

Weeks 3 and 4 Anne of Green Gables

Student should read 1/2 of the book the first week and 1/2 of the book the second week. Read the book and answer the study guide questions at the same time.

Define and daily review 1/2 of the vocabulary word the first week and 1/2 of the vocabulary words the second week.

Weeks 5 and 6 God’s Smuggler

Student should read 1/2 of the book the first week and 1/2 of the book the second week. Read the book and answer the study guide questions at the same time.

Define and daily review 1/2 of the vocabulary word the first week and 1/2 of the vocabulary words the second week.

Weeks 7 and 8 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Student should read 1/2 of the book the first week and 1/2 of the book the second week. Read the book and answer the study guide questions at the same time.

Define and daily review 1/2 of the vocabulary word the first week and 1/2 of the vocabulary words the second week.

Weeks 9 and 10 Cry, the Beloved Country

Student should read 1/2 of the book the first week and 1/2 of the book the second week. Read the book and answer the study guide questions at the same time.

Define and daily review 1/2 of the vocabulary word the first week and 1/2 of the vocabulary words the second week.

Weeks 11-15 Special Projects for Leveling Up

Choose special projects from the study guide if your student is leveling up and complete these during the last weeks of the semester.

Download Introduction to Literature & Composition Part A to get your homeschool high schoolers started on a great year!

Suggested Syllabus for Introduction to Literature & Composition Part A

How to do High School Language Arts with a General-Interest Teen

Here’s how to do high school Language Arts with a General-Interest Teen.

How to do High School Language Arts with a General-Interest Teen 7SistersHomeschool.com

 

How to do High School Language Arts with a General-Interest Teen

Some teens love reading and love to delve deeply into a literature topic. Some teens don’t give a flip. They have other interests and giftings that don’t have anything to do with literature and writing. That’s okay. God made ALL kinds of teens.

However, all teens need 4 legitimate Language Arts credits on their homeschool transcripts.  So, here are some ideas for handling the general-interest teens:

How-to #1: Don’t go for Honors level in Language Arts.

If your teens are gifted and interested in Home Maintenance, put your efforts there. If they love Science, put your efforts there. Do the minimum requirement for graduation that your teen will need.

  • In many cases, college-bound teens will need a minimum of College Prep credits for Language Arts, even if they will have a Math or Science major.
  • In most cases, a career-bound teen only needs an Average level course for Language Arts. Why do more than that?

Not sure how what levels are? Don’t worry! Here are a couple of posts that will help:

Also, check out this episode of Homeschool Highschool Podcast for an explanation of how levels work.

HSHSP Ep 116: What Are Levels in Homeschool High School?

Click image for link to podcast.

One of 7Sisters’ curriculum is that we include instructions on how to simplify or enrich our texts so that teens can adapt the text to the level they want. Listen in on this Homeschool Highschool Podcast episode for ideas of leveling 7Sisters texts.

How-to #2: Use a *boxed* curriculum with a mix of topics

Keep your general-interest teens engaged with a curriculum that is:

  • Easy to use
  • Uncomplicated
  • Has a variety of literature and writing topics

Requests for parents of general-interest teens is exactly why 7Sisters developed (and vetted on homeschool high schoolers) our Literature & Composition series. The curriculum is presented by semester with a mix of different literature topics and writing assignments that span the requirements for a Language Arts credit in an interesting way.

Here is a link to Introductory Literature & Composition, first semester. Our teens who are general-interest types have really appreciated it.

Introductory Literature and Composition Part A from 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Your general-interest teens can earn a meaningful and interesting Language Arts credit when you gear their curriculum to their needs. Our Literature & Composition series is a great way to accomplish this! Download your first semester.

Here’s a Facebook live from Sabrina explaining more about levels and Language Arts.

How to do High School Language Arts with a General-Interest Teen

How Many Papers Should MY Homeschool High Schooler Write?

We have been asked: How many papers should MY homeschool high schooler write?

How Many Papers Should MY Homeschool High Schooler Write? 7SistersHomeschool.com

How Many Papers Should MY Homeschool High Schooler Write?

All homeschool high schoolers need to write.

  • College-bound teens need to be prepared with the writing and thinking skills they will use to succeed in higher education.
  • Career-bound teens need to be able to train and capture their thoughts so that they can be the culture-changing citizens we are raising them to be.

Often, though, homeschool parents are not sure how many books their teens should read each year. Here is what we advise them:

  • There’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school! All teens are different in their abilities, interests and needs.
  • However, there are some tried-and-true guidelines that you can follow or adapt to your teens’ needs.

Here are the guidelines we use.

First, you need to determine your homeschool high schoolers’ level. While there’s not a standardized definition of levels, these are the levels that our homeschool community uses. (Here is a post that explains levels.)

Next, adjust expectations by the year your homeschool high schoolers are in? Over the grades 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades there are increasing expectations.

You will find that writing guides are enormously helpful. 7Sisters Writing Guides coach homeschool high schoolers step-by-step through the writing process, helping learn to distill ideas and express them well. The most important aspect of 7Sisters’ Writing Guides is that they are not intense and contain NO busywork! They are not going to waste your teens’ valuable time. The guides also includes rubrics for grading.

7SistersHomeschool.com Writing Guides

Click image to peruse 7Sisters’ many Writing Guides.

How many papers should MY homeschool high schooler write? Here’s the breakdown by grade and level with then numbers of each kind of paper.

Language Arts 9

Language Arts 9 Level 2

  • 4 short papers – whatever the parent feels the student needs
  • 2 essays
  • 4-page research paper (3 pages + references); must cite sources

Language Arts 9 Level 3

  • 4 short – at least 2 creative
  • 4 essays
  • 5-page paper (4 pages + references); must cite sources

Language Arts 9 Level 4

  • 5 short – at least 2 creative
  • 5 essays
  • 7-page paper (6 pages + references); must cite sources

Language Arts 9 Level 5

  • 6 short – at least 3 creative
  • 6 essays
  • 8-page paper (7 pages + references) or 2 5-page papers; must cite sources
Introductory Writing BUNDLE 7SistersHomeschool.com

Click image to discover this user-friendly curriculum.

Language Arts 10

Language Arts 10 Level 2

  • 4 short papers – whatever the parent feels the student needs
  • 2 essays
  • 5-page research paper (4 pages + references); must cite sources

Language Arts 10 Level 3

  • 4 short -at least 2 creative
  • 4 essays
  • 6-page paper (5 pages + references); must cite sources

Language Arts 10 Level 4

  • 6 short – at least 3 creative
  • 5 essays
  • 8-page paper (7 pages + references) or 4-page and 5-page; must cite sources
Intermediate Guide to High School Writing 7SistersHomeschool.com

Click image for info and excerpts.

Language Arts 11

Language Arts 11 Level 2

  • 4 short papers – whatever the parent feels the student needs
  • 3 essays
  • 7-page research paper (6 pages + references); must cite sources

Language Arts 11 Level 3

  • 4 short – at least 2 creative
  • 4 essays
  • 8-page paper (7 pages + references) or 4-page and 5-page; must cite sources

Language Arts 11 Level 4

  • 6 short – at least 3 creative
  • 6 essays
  • 10-page paper (9 pages + references); or 6-page and 5 page; must cite sources

Language Arts 11 Level 5

  • 8 short – at least 4 creative
  • 8 essays
  • 2 8-page papers (7 pages + references) or 1 8-page and a 4-page & 5-page paper
Advanced Writing Guide 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Language Arts 12

Language Arts 12 Level 2

  • 4 short papers – whatever the parent feels the student needs
  • 3 essays
  • 10-page research paper (9 pages + references) or 2 6-page papers; must cite sources

Language Arts 12 Level 3

  • 4 short – at least 2 creative
  • 5 essays
  • 10-page paper (9 pages + references) or 2 6-page papers; must cite sources

Language Arts 12 Level 4

  • 6 short – at least 3 creative
  • 6 essays
  • 10-page paper (9 pages + references) and 4-page paper; must cite sources

Language Arts 12 Level 5

  • 8 short – 3 creative and 3 response papers
  • 8 essays
  • 2 10-page papers (9 pages + references) or 1 10-page and a 6-page & 5-page paper; must cite sources
Senior Year Writing 7SistersHomeschool.com

Click image for full course description.

Download 7Sisters Writing Guides to help your homeschool high schoolers have fun and successful experiences with writing.

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How Many Papers Should MY Homeschool High Schooler Write?

Homeschool Highschool Podcast Ep 115: How to Plan Highschool Language Arts

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast Ep 115: How to Plan Highschool Language Arts. This post is running concurrently on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network.

HSHSP Ep 115: How to Plan Language Arts for Homeschool Highschool

Homeschool Highschool Podcast Ep 115: How to Plan Highschool Language Arts

How can you know what to plan for when organizing your materials for your teens’ homeschool highschool Language Arts credits.

  • Reading (Literature)
  • Writing
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Public Speaking

Reading

There’s not one right way to choose books for homeschool highschool. For students with learning disabilities or career-bound teens they may need more practical reading and/or audiobooks. Think at least one book per month with a literature study guide (follow guidelines for ability level usage in each 7SistersHomeschool.com’s Literature Study Guides). Then fill out the list with Bible reading, magazines, poetry, etc that interests them. Discuss this with you supervisory advisor for exactly what can be counted.

Writing

Writing is as important as reading. Everyone needs to be able to write efficiently.

Grammar

Grammar is necessary for homeschool highschool. However, teens who have a practical mastery of grammar rules may find that editing their papers is enough grammar (proof that they understand grammar usage).

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is part of being well prepared for life. All homeschool highschoolers need some vocabulary study each year. However, teens who are headed to college need to lean heavily into vocabulary. 7Sisters literature study guides include vocabulary but more can be added with specific courses or online games like FreeRice.com.

Public Speaking

Public Speaking needs to be part of your homeschool highschooler’s yearly experience. It can be as simply as prayer at a large family gathering. However, for teens who are willing to stretch, they can do a full-year course or a speech team or any variant of that. 7SistersHomeschool.com has a curriculum that is popular with speech teams, co-ops and group classes.

Join Sabrina and Kym for fun and encouragement about planning high school Language Arts!

Also, enjoy these encouraging posts:

Why is Language Arts Such a HUGE Credit?

An Authoritative Guide to Literature for Homeschool High School

 

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Homeschool Highschool Podcast Ep 115: How to Plan Highschool Language Arts

Earn a Practical Language Arts Credit Based on Career Exploration

Here’s how to earn a practical Language Arts credit based on Career Exploration.
Earn a Practical Language Arts Credit Based on Career Exploration

Earn a Practical Language Arts Credit Based on Career Exploration

Career Exploration is an elective credit that is absolutely necessary for homeschool high schoolers. Why?
  • Teens need to have SOME idea of what they want to do with their adulthood
  • If they are headed for college, they need to develop a transcript that builds toward their major
  • If they are NOT headed for college, they need to decide what kind of training or apprenticeships to invest in
  • Teens who have no idea what they want to do often experience anxiety
The problem is: How do you fit Career Exploration in an already busy schedule. (We’ve already addressed why spend time on it in this post.)

Here’s one solution: Make Language Arts the base for Career Exploration!

Here is a way to build a Career Exploration credit into Language Arts.

Literature: Read biographies. Whether teens choose a career after being inspired by a biography or not, they will have the vicarious experience of learning about a career through the book. This is important. The more different kinds of careers teens are exposed to, the better their brains are at honing in on one. 7Sisters has some favorite Literature Study Guides based on biographies: Joni, God’s Smuggler, Something Beautiful for God, Born Again.
Literature Study Guide for Something Beautiful for God. 7 Sisters Homeschool

Click image for a full product description: $4.99

It’s kind of like fitness: the more overall fitness teens have, the better their bodies are at honing skills in a specific sport. Give your teens *career fitness*!
Literature: Read self-awareness books. Help teens get to know themselves. According to teens interests, they might come to know themselves better if they read a book like: What Color is My Parachute for Teens, The Road Back to You, Emotional Intelligence 2.0.
How many books should your teen read? It depends on their goals. Here’s a post that explains how to decide. 
How Many Books Should My Teen Read?

Click image to read post.

Writing: Research Paper on Career Exploration. Teens need to write a research paper each year. Why not make it actually useful? Teens can use Career Exploration as their topic and write a page or two on 4 or 5 careers.
I would suggest an APA-style paper, as it is information-based rather than thesis based. (MLA papers are thesis-based papers- trying to prove a point but APA papers are attempting to share unbiased information. This is a good choice for an information-gathering paper like Career Exploration.)
APA Style Research Paper Introductory Writing Guide from 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Writing: Essays. For a good Career Exploration credit, teens should also do some shadowing and/or volunteer work: whether they are interested or not in a job, they can get the feel for different work atmospheres, which may help them clarify their goals. Then they can write a 5- paragraph essay on each of their shadowing experiences and several volunteer events. It could be a compare/contrast essay about what they like and don’t like about each.

Be sure to log hours on shadowing and volunteer work and count it toward your teens’ Career Exploration credit.

If teens are feeling rusty about compare/contrast essays, there are good step-by-step instructions in 7Sisters’ Introductory Guide to High School Essay Writing.
Introductory Guide to High School Essay Writing 7SistersHomeschool.com

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Writing: End of the year essay. Also, teens should definitely be working through the Career Exploration Bundle. At the end of the year, have your teens write a personal essay about what they know about their gifts, talents, experiences, interests, values and goals.
Career Exploration: A Comprehensive Curriculum from 7 Sisters Homeschool

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Bonus: At the Homeschool Highschool Podcast’s Facebook page, we often share videos and posts about different careers. Like and follow the page and share with your teens!

Your homschool high schoolers can record a Career Exploration elective credit when they have:

  • logged 120-180 hours (the number varies by state) or
  • read 8 books and logged 60-90 hours
  • read 8 books, logged 30-45 hours AND completed Career Exploration Bundle
Congratulations! Your homeschool high schoolers have earned a Career Exploration credit AND all those books and writing also count for their Language Arts! And the best thing is: They feel better about themselves.

Earn a Practical Language Arts Credit Based on Career Exploration