Successful Homeschooling: Middle School Edition

How to Homeschool MIDDLE SCHOOL

By Lisa Nehring of True North Homeschool Acadamy and It’s Not that Hard to Homeschool

What is the point of Middle School?

• Transition- Developmentally, Emotionally, Physically, Socially
• Academics
• Life skills
• Soft Skills (interpersonal Skills – 4 Cs)
• Develop Executive Functioning skills
• Develop Skills and Talents = Lead to passions
• Community Service

What is going on with the attitude??? Major things!

• Brain Pruining (aka Synaptic Pruning)
  • Synapses allow neurons to transmit signals to other neurons
  • Synapses are responsible for movement, thinking, memorizing
  • They are VERY IMPORTANT
• Hormones
  • Growth spurts- hormones
  • Need adequate sleep and good food, vitamins, and good water
  • Healthy physical movement and green therapy
  • Help with understanding, managing, and regulating emotions
  • Moving from concrete to abstract – important to shelter from an ideology that states they can be anything they want to be or any ideology during this time
• Handling Teen Issues in Homeschooling

What’s a Parent to Do??? 

1. Lend them your brain
2. Pick your battles
3. Allow for some self-expression
4. Give choices
5. Listen and Talk
6. Firm, consistent, logical boundaries
7. Travel and do fun things together
8. Create connection and family belonging

The Nitty Gritty

Academics

• To explore areas of interest
• Continued skills development
• Shore up areas of weakness
• To develop Study Skills
  • Notetaking
  • Online management
  • Memorization
  • Read for understanding
  • Time Management
  • Ask good questions
  • Test yourself

Math

• Math functions:
• Addition *
• Subtraction *
• Multiplication *
• Division *
• Fractions
• Decimals
• Percents

*Should be memorized, or Algebra will be unbearable.

English

• Communicate well- verbally and in writing
• Write a complete sentence with ease and coherency
• Write a paragraph with ease and coherency
• Understand some basic tropes like alliteration & puns
• Note-taking
• Legible handwriting
• Basic spelling
• Short stories
• Read with ease- both out loud and to themselves
• Be able to listen to a story and narrate it back

Science

• Able to understand and apply the Scientific Method
• Appreciation for nature
• Sense of wonder and discovery
• General overview of
• Earth & Space
  • Natural/ World
  • Physical Science
  • Awakening appreciation for distinct fields in Science

History

• Geography
• Current Events/ Politics
• People, Places & Events of the World. All time leads to or
• away from the Cross.
  • Ancient
  • Medieval
  • Renaissance
  • Modern World

Life Skills

• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Hygiene
• Self Defense
• First Aid
• Budgeting $, Taxes

Soft Skills

• Communication
• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Integrity
• Flexibility and Adaptability
• Time and Distraction management
• Work ethic

Executive Functioning Skills

Frontal Lobe (executive functioning)

Mid-Brain –reactivity- fight or flight

Lower Brain- instincts

1. Flexible Thinking
2. Self Monitoring
3. Working Memory
4. Emotional Control channels feelings appropriately.
5. Impulse Control
6. Organization
7. Task initiation
8. Planning and Prioritizing

Develop Your Kids “STAND OUT” Factor

Interests → Skills → Expertise → Passions

• H.S credits in Jr. High
• Start with the END in MIND
• Where do YOU see your kids after high school?
• Career Exploration MUST HAVE
• “I paid my way; my kids can pay theirs- old thinking.
• Begin strategizing post-high school sooner than later.

HOW?

• A clear assessment of where the kids are academically and
• Plan from there- are they at grade level, behind, or ahead?
• Include the Core 4, Foreign Language, Electives
• Do they have special interests or abilities?
• Field trips and travel
• Nature studies and green therapy
• Connectedness
  • Daily gathering
  • Weekly planning
• Great Books
• Faith Formation

The Beauty of Middle School–

The transition between child and young adult- Rapid growth and Development- FREEBIE YEARS