You’ve mastered elementary and middle school science with your students. Now it’s time to tackle the high school years. (And you’re more prepared than you think.)
Exploring science in the early grades is fun and exciting, but the prospect of introducing biology, chemistry, and physics to your high schoolers can feel daunting. The good news? With the right approach and resources, high school science at home is not only possible but can be one of the most rewarding parts of your homeschool journey.
Let’s explore how to transition from middle school to high school science and keep your momentum going.
Getting Ready For High School Science
If you’ve been homeschooling a while, you’re familiar with the laws in your state. You can find more information Review the requirements for high school graduation in your state to help you set educational goals.
In most states, homeschoolers are not regulated in terms of what their children must learn in order to graduate high school. However, it is best to check your state’s homeschooling laws here in order to make sure that you are in compliance. The important thing to realize is that once you meet any requirements your state has, the rest of the high school experience should be tailored to each of your children, based on their goals.
High school is considered the last “push” in preparing your child to be an adult. For some children, being an adult means going off to college to pursue a degree that will help them realize their future goals. For other students, it means going into the workforce to start building a career. For others, it means getting married and having children. Your child’s high school experience should reflect his or her future plans, but it must be flexible enough to prepare them even if those plans change.
Make your high school plan based on your research. Here at Berean Builders, we suggest teaching high school science in a specific order since math knowledge and science course progression go hand in hand.
Using a Curriculum for High School Science
Maybe you’ve enjoyed a child-led exploration of early grades using an eclectic mix of learning opportunities. You can still do that in high school, but to assure a more thorough science education, consider adding a curriculum designed to cover what your student will need after graduation.
A prepared curriculum offers lessons in a logical order that allows students to build on previous knowledge when presented with more complex concepts. If you do not feel equipped to provide a solid science curriculum for your student, coops and online classes can be utilized as a way to aid independent study at home.
With high school science, your student may complete much of their work on their own. Sit down with them to determine a schedule of study so they can stay on track and understand what is expected of them by certain dates. Set aside days to review their work and take regular assessments as the year progresses.
You don’t have to know high school science to facilitate your student’s education in the subjects. Be creative, be resourceful, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Transitioning from Middle School to High School Science for Homeschoolers
Early years of homeschool consist of plenty of guided lessons. Once your student is ready for high school, you can begin to guide less and encourage more independent study. This not only takes some of the pressure off you to actually teach science but sets up your student for self-guided learning that will serve them well in college and life beyond.
Middle school science covers general ideas through life, earth, and physical science courses. This builds a framework for your high schooler to expand upon as they cover deeper concepts through biology, chemistry, and physics.
Your student will spend longer on specific topics than they did in middle school. And while you may have presented engaging experiments to bring ideas to life before, in high school your student will approach lab work more methodically by forming hypotheses, following procedures carefully, and documenting results.
Notebooks remain a valuable study tool, however, some students prefer notecards, some use highlighting and margin notes, and some prefer making outlines. As your high schooler investigates a topic, have them write or draw their understanding of the idea. This serves as a study guide later and gives you insight into how well they’re grasping the material.
High School Science Labs at Home
Most universities want to see at least three high school science courses. At least one should come from the life sciences (biology, ecology, anatomy, zoology, etc.), and at least one should come from the physical sciences (earth science, chemistry, physics, astronomy, etc.). The third can be from any field of science. Two of those courses should have a laboratory component.
At Berean Builders, we understand how important hands-on learning is for science. Which is why we provide appropriate labs and experiments with clear instructions to immerse your student in the current topic of study.
Put lab time on your student’s schedule and make it a priority to fulfill those lab credit requirements.
Join Homeschool Science Groups
Clubs and co-ops can make high school science even more exciting for your high schooler. Not only will your student be introduced to new friends, but they will get a feel for working with a group of like-minded individuals. This may help them at university, or even set them up for success in a scientific field after graduation.
Seek out science groups in your area or find an online group if that better suits your situation. Your student can discuss concepts, participate in experiments, play games, and compete in challenges all while expanding their circle of friends and acquaintances along with their scientific knowledge.
High School Science as Part of Everyday Life
Homeschool parents know it’s impossible to compartmentalize individual subjects. Science connects naturally to history, math, art, and daily activities like cooking or gardening. You can use science as a springboard into historical events or explore the chemistry behind a recipe.
Science is woven into every aspect of our days and nights, and you can create plenty of opportunities for observation and wonder. By applying lessons to real life, your student won’t have to ask, “When will I ever use this?” They’ll see the significance immediately.
Let Your High Schooler Lead Within a Framework
A well-planned curriculum makes your high school science year easier, but what happens when your student becomes deeply interested in a particular topic? In elementary and middle school, you could follow tangents and then swing back to the main plan. Can you still do that in high school?
Absolutely. The beauty of homeschool is that your student can explore one idea in depth without falling too far behind schedule. All that interest-driven learning still satisfies high school requirements, especially when hands-on experiments are included. The curriculum will be waiting when they return.
They’re Never Too Old for Field Trips
Your younger students probably spent many happy hours on field trips for science. Do they have to give up that experience in high school? Not at all.
High school science actually opens up more opportunities to learn away from home. Older students are often welcome to tour places younger kids can’t access. Take advantage of factory tours, career days, and industry events so your students can meet experts and ask questions. They might even discover a passion for their future career.
You can also arrange visits to science departments at nearby colleges and universities. What better way to get a taste of campus science than to see it in person?
High School Science Does Not Have to Be Boring
Remember that fresh feeling of discovery when your students were in earlier grades. Bring that same sense of wonder along for the high school years.
Forget the sleep-inducing textbooks of your high school science experience. Today you have many more resources at hand to make high school science fun.
- Work with a textbook that is conversational, not dry.
- Present in-home lab experiments that are engaging.
- Incorporate videos and nonfiction books into your plan for the year.
- Allow your student to follow their interests.
- Join high school science groups.
- Make plenty of field trip memories.
- Experiment with online classes if your student enjoys lecture-style learning.
- Seek support from educators and scientists to deepen your student’s understanding.
Your student can genuinely enjoy high school science, and you can rest assured you’ve given them an excellent foundation.
High School Science at Home
With all the resources available to you, high school science at home is not only possible, but also a smart choice! You homeschooled through the lower grades, and you know your student better than anyone.
You don’t have to love or even be good at science to offer your student the very best high school science education that will take them right into college or the trade of their dreams. Plus, a solid science base can help your homeschool student be at the top of the list for STEM scholarships at their preferred college or university.
Remember, Berean Builders is here to help you with science, and we have even more resources for you.
How to Choose the Ideal Homeschool Curriculum
Find out why we teach the sciences in a specific order: biology, chemistry, physics
Science Courses Online? Here are the benefits!
Preparing Your Student for College Science
Looking For Specific High School Level Science Resources?
Berean Builders offers a variety of excellent courses for your high school level learner as well. We have all of your high school science needs covered with our comprehensive approach.
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