What should you teach in high school?
When I was getting my degree in education I took
all the courses to "prepare" me to teach high school English, history and math.
I was NOT prepared when I did my first stint at student teaching four classes a day for an entire semester.
What IF you aren't all that GOOD in math or physics? How does your child
get an adequate education? The answer is one about attitude. I'll tell you a secret shame I carried for a while.
I was CERTIFIED to teach
high school math... even geometry but I got a D in geometry in the 10th grade and my college geometry course
was called "Abstract Geometry" and NOTHING like what a high school geometry course was like!
Teaching high school requires a special knack when you are faced with more
than 35 kids. At home, you'll be faced with entirely different challenges than a high school teacher faces. Your ENTHUSIASM and WILLINGNESS to learn
will determine how successful you are!
Our plan for the four high school years.
Well, I got a call one day from a desperate parent hiring me to tutor geometry. Being a one income family we needed the money so I accepted and then cried for a couple of days while I thought about what I had done. I didn't know the first thing about high school geometry except that
I couldn't do it the first time around! Well I learned... fast. I stayed ahead of my student, brought his grade up from a 30 (no kidding) to a 75 in a few weeks and pleased both myself
and his parents greatly. Guess what? I ADORE GEOMETRY NOW! My boys have made fun of how excited I get when I'm in the middle of teaching it.
Are you willing to learn? You'll certainly be setting a good example for you child. As she watches
you braving new material and being steadfast in your willingness to learn, she will find a wonderful role model.
If you still don't think you could handle high school geometry, be sure to hire a tutor if
you want to continue to homeschool. Don't let your math anxiety be passed on to your child. You might want to sit in on those math tutoring sessions if you
have time! Math is (really!!!) fun. I promise!
I picked math to preach on but the same thoughts would apply to any topic you might have to tackle.
I would suggest you purchase the book "Homeschooling the High Schooler" if you are new to the topic. Its a handy book! For a kick start in math try the KEYS to.... math series available at Timberdoodle.