How to Create Titles for Elective Courses

"What are some common titles for elective credit in high school?"

Before titling a course, one must understand the difference between core and elective courses and how these terms are used in the educational world—the "education-eze". Colleges use “education-eze”.

Parents must also understand what is and isn't required by their state school law statutes. Though some colleges and universities hire home education admission personnel versed with knowledge to help homeschooled applicants, other advisors are not always familiar with state statutes, requirements, or procedures. Knowledgeable parents have the means to empower student applicants who may face questions.

Core courses are offerings in the major discipline areas of English, math, social sciences, and natural sciences. Some districts (and colleges) include foreign or world languages in core courses. All other courses are considered electives.

For this post, I am revising an elective list I created in 2015. The list does not include courses most often considered core academics--for example, Calculus or British Literature--though those core courses could also be used as electives if the core course requirements have been meet.

English Electives (when not considered part of the core content English I, English II, English III, and English IV)

Shakespearean Theater

Greco-Roman Theater

Short Stories

Poetry (perhaps of a specific historical era or demographic)

Writing for Print and Publication

Creative Writing

Yearbook

Digital Publishing

Ancient Languages

Biblical Studies: Old Testament

Biblical Studies: New Testament

Communication Electives

Speech (this course may considered a core by some schools)

Competitive Speech

Impromptu Speech

Expository Speech

Policy Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Media Productions

Mathematics Electives

Business Mathematics (some schools no longer consider this a high school level course)

Personal Finance (this course is often considered a required course for some schools but an elective for others)

Social Science Electives

Comparative Government

Global Studies

International Relations

Introduction to Law

Mock Trial

Constitutional Law

Independent Study: Foreign Policy

Introduction to Criminal Justice

Psychology (this course may be considered a core course for some schools and an elective for others)

Sociology

Anthropology

Archaeology

Family and Consumer Science 

Contemporary World Issues

Ancient Civilizations

Independent Study: The Korean War

Medieval History

Introduction to Social Work

Child and Adolescent Psychology

Philosophy

World Religions

Theology

Church History

Internship: Youth Ministry

Natural Science Electives

Environmental Science

Animal and Agricultural Sciences

Introduction to Agriscience

Equine Science

Equine Medicine

Introduction to Veterinary Science

Introduction to Forestry

Botany

Entomology

Zoology

Astronomy

Introduction Aerospace Science

Forensics

Introduction to Health Sciences

Performing/Fine Arts Electives

Introduction to Drama

Musical Theater

Art History (perhaps add a historical era, for example Asian Art History)

Art Appreciation

Choreography

Dance Technique (consecutive years add beginning, intermediate and advanced)

Competitive Dance

Introduction to Ball Room Dance

Stagecraft

Set Design

Theater Production

Two-Dimensional Art

Three-Dimensional Art

Sculpture

Ceramics

Drawing and Painting

Cartooning and Caricature

Printmaking

Pottery

Creative Photography

Digital Photography

Band

Orchestra

Symphonic Band

Wind Ensemble

Jazz Ensemble

Keyboard

Piano

Music Theory (consecutive years add beginning, intermediate and advanced)

Music History (perhaps add a historical era or genre, for example, History of Jazz)

Music Appreciation

Physical Education Electives

Personal Fitness (this course is sometimes considered a required course for some schools but an elective for others)

Nutrition and Wellness

Aerobics

Tennis

Golf

Volleyball

Competitive Swimming

Water Polo

Lifesaving

Advanced Lifesaving

Team Sports

Recreational Sports

Beginning Weights (consecutive years add intermediate and advanced)

Weight Training (often accompanies sports training and play) 

Sports Psychology

Introduction to Sports Medicine

Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries

Sports Rehabilitation

Business Education Electives

Accounting

Marketing 

Copyright Law

Advertising and Sales

Principles of Entrepreneurship

Banking and Finance

Business Principles

Foundational Principles of Small Business

Business Technology

International Business

Global Business Studies

Computer Science Electives

Computer Fundamentals and Programming

Introduction to Computer Systems

Computer Design and Repair

Keyboarding

Word Processing

Graphic Design

Digital Design

Web Design

Digital Arts

Computer Gaming 

Home Economics Electives

Fashion Design

Textiles and Fabrics

Clothing Construction and Textiles

Machine Sewing

Quilting and Applique

Interior Design

Introduction to Early Childhood Education

Nutrition

Principles in Food Preparation

Principles in Food Preparation: Pastry

Principles in Food Preparation: Desserts

Principles in Food Preparation: Main Courses

Principles in Food Preparation: Appetizers

Introduction to Culinary Arts

Introduction to Pastry

Cake Decorating

Home and Automotive Repair

First Aid and CPR

Emergency Preparedness

Vocational Electives

Cosmetology

Cabinet Making

Carpentry

Trim and Finish Carpentry

Masonry

Landscaping

Horticulture

Floral Design

Landscape Architecture

Building Design and Architecture

Drafting

Technical Drawing

Plumbing

Welding

Auto Mechanics

Diesel Mechanics

Small Engine Repair

Electronics and Circuitry 

When our young adults are reading, working on research, studying content, or participating in an experiential opportunity, I search for potential titles. If I can't find a title or course content close to what our learners are studying, I search for high school courses (and in some cases college courses) offered at other high schools across the nation. Those resources usually allow me to find a title--or at least give me a springboard--which accurately describes the content being learned. 

If you want to learn more about documentation of elective credits and how to create college admission paperwork, check out this post.

This blog post is intended to offer an example of personal experience. It is in no way intended to be legal advice and should not be taken as such. Parents own the sole responsibility for the training and education of their children. 

How to Use What You Have: Homeschooling High School Nutrition and Wellness

We’ve adopted a phrase.

Use what we have to boost what we know.

In this season of pandemic shelter-at-home orders—with libraries closed and resources narrowed—we are pushed to look for alternatives. Hence, the above phrase could mean several things.

Use the resources, items, and interests we have to learn something new.

Or

Use the resources, items, and interests we have to deepen, reinforce, and apply knowledge we learned previously.

Today, my mind is on high school, specifically nutrition and wellness!

Parks and gyms are closed. For some, stress eating is a challenge. For others, needed food sources are difficult to find. How do we practice healthy habits in the areas of nutrition and wellness with the parameters under which we are living?

This is where life meets learning!

The conversations about boosting the immune system. The trials and errors of building a personal fitness plan without a gym. The recipe substitutions and related research. The online stretching or aerobic classes.

Learning is taking place.

If your high schooler is engaged in this type of learning, it matters and it’s valuable.

In my book More than Credits: Skills High Schoolers Need for Life, I include practical, applicable, real-life activities to give parents and high school learners a jumpstart toward thinking outside-the-box in the areas of nutrition, wellness, and personal fitness. Ideas include

• Adjust a recipe, considering personal health and dietary needs.

• Utilize an online aerobic workout tutorial to build cardiovascular health.

• Learn how to take, record, interpret, and monitor vital signs (pulse, respiration, and blood pressure).

• Compare standing blood pressure to lying down.

• Calculate personal Body Mass Index (BMI) for each family member.

• Compare heat exhaustion to heat stroke, including prevention, symptoms, and treatment.

• Determine how social, cultural, and emotional influences impact nutrition and health choices.

• Study the effects of stress on physical and mental well-being.

• Research how to keep the body hydrated, determine ounces required, and implement a hydration plan.

• FInd three types of online calorie calculators and compare site features.

• Explain the difference between whole foods and processed foods.

• Research the growing seasons in your area.

• Plant a vegetable or herb garden.

• Enroll in an online culinary course or tutorial series for a specific area of interest: pastry, main dish, gluten-free, keto.

• Clean and restock a freezer or refrigerator.

• Learn how to wash hands properly for food preparation.

• Learn first aid for common kitchen accidents: burns, scalds, cuts, puncture wounds, allergic reactions, and choking.

• Learn how to properly and safely use a gas grill.

• Research and list ways to reduce the severity and exacerbations of autoimmune disease.

This is a sampling of ideas from More than Credits. And, given our current situation and the needs and interests of your learner, you will discover others opportunities which are individually applicable to your family or teen. The outcomes may not be a percentage correct on a test or page filled with fill in the blank questions. Instead, it may be a casual conversation or a task completed together (like cleaning the fridge properly or doing a workout together. The end result will be your teen learning and applying self-care. This is worth more than the credits. It is life-impacting and it matters.

More than Credits includes frameworks, resources, and living book and biographical suggestions for five elective credits: personal fitness, nutrition and wellness, personal development and career exploration, philosophy, and personal finance.

Learning from Interviews

If your learner had the opportunity to interview a professional, would he or she be prepared?

We can’t possibly know everything about every profession. No one can. However, parents do have the ability to coach middle and high schoolers through the process of being prepared to ask questions, should they find themselves in a situation where they can ask questions.

This is an important step in empowering teens to learn from people in professions of interest.

Let’s say your high schooler is interested in veterinary medicine. Your background is in business and finance.

How do you help your young adult learn more about vet medicine?

Find a trusted professional who is willing to share his or her passion, and then ask. Most people are eager to talk about what they love. In the process, your young adult is afforded a chance to learn about the education requirements, niche areas of the profession, and perhaps the career outlook at the time when you learner will be trying to land a job. Should an ongoing mentor relationship form, there may be a potential connections made for future employment.

Identifying a person who could be interviewed is the first step. The second step, preparation, is key. Intentionality often reaps the greatest reward (another one of those life lessons our high schoolers learn from experience.

Preparing for an interview is essential. If someone carves out time from his or her busy schedule to meet with a high schooler, preparation is a form of respect. The meeting not only allows the learner to glean the most helpful information possible, but also shows gratitude for the professional’s time. Some high schoolers will decide they need help brainstorming a list of questions to be asked. Others may determine there is a need to role play a mock interview. And, there will be some who prefer to work more independently, creating a list and seeking input or feedback once their preparation is complete. This process is another step on the path to discovering how one learns best through the unique benefit of experiential opportunities.

When our high schoolers showed interest in an area and wanted to talk to professionals or tradespeople, we developed a list of questions. Here is a list to jump start the thinking process. I offer a full list in the appendices of my book, More than Credits.

• How did your high school experiences benefit your career?

• Where did you attend college?

• How or why did you decide to choose this college?

• How did your post-secondary studies influence your career?

• Which post-secondary courses were particularly beneficial in your career preparation?

• Is there something you feel would have been helpful—maybe even a different major—than what you pursued?

• How do you see your career field changing in the next five years?

When preparing to interview someone in a trade or technical field, we adjusted our list of questions to address trade-specific aspects of a field. The complete list is also included in the book, but these samples provide a place to start as you and your learner develop a list of questions.

• Did you earn industry certifications and if so, which were helpful to you?

• What should I consider as I research post-secondary education options?

• What skills do you use every day?

• What types of writing do you do in your field?

The high school journey is more than taking tests and finishing study guides.

There is a place for these in education, but it is important to remember these aspects of learning should not overshadow and crowd out some of the most beneficial ways our young adults gain knowledge—through experiential learning opportunities like interviewing professionals.

More than Credits is available on this site or through Amazon.

Planning 9th Grade with YOUR Freshman in Mind

Four home graduates. One current high schooler.

Five unique ninth grade years.

As I finished adding the grades for the ninth-grade year of the transcript for our fifth high schooler, the proverbial light bulb illuminated my thinking.

I double-checked, looked over each transcript of our five learners.

Indeed, EACH of our high schoolers had a unique and individualized ninth grade year—distinctive of their gifts and strengths. I knew each of our children were different, yet I hadn’t set out their transcripts side-by-side to compare the courses they had completed in the freshman year. Yes, some had earned credit in the same course, but even the content of those courses varied according to the bents and interests of the learner. Same title, different content. Each learner had individualized educational paths, courses tweaked by interests and strengths, goals and aspirations.

As it should be with homeschooling.

Every learner—gifted—different.

None better than the other.

What were the ninth grade courses on our five high schooler’s transcripts?

One of our learners dug into a variety of interests, from academics to sports to music. This learner also extroverted high schooler wanted to take Spanish earlier in the high school plan so that it could be completed with an older sibling. Further observation lead me to realize this learner was the only one who completed two years of foreign language by the end of ninth grade—making time for other studies; a big WIN as far as she was concerned. These ninth grade course choices were right for this learner and provided distinctive advantages in regards to having time for opportunities which were still to come in the later high school years.

One of our other learners enrolled in high school level courses prior to ninth grade, hence completing Algebra 1 and moving to Algebra 2 in ninth. The same was true for science which paved the way for chemistry to be the logical next step for the freshman year. No other learner took Algebra 2 or chemistry in the freshman year.

This learner was also the only one who completed world history in ninth grade due in most part from having studied history independently—and passionately with much depth—in previous years. We didn’t want freshman year to be a repeat of past content so we allowed this student to continue to study history through travel, historical documents, biographies and other non-fiction resources. This high schooler was also the only sibling who completed economics in the freshman year—again due to personal interest and independent study. This course provided additional fuel business-minded young adult.

This learner was a mover, a kinesthetic.Learning was experiential and hands-on, even through high school. Athletics played a major role in this learner’s life, hence all the PE credits in the freshman year (as well as years to follow). For this learner we chose to split American history into two years—Early American (up to the Civil War) and Modern American (after Civil War) allowing time to add experiential learning to a text and provide extended time to other subjects of interest.

This introverted learner loved people—understanding how they thought and were motivated—and was eager to have people live their best lives—hence the bent toward sign language. Interestingly, this young adult’s ninth grade year was also the year our sweet great-grandmother was very ill and in and out of facilities (which the learner requested to tour and research because of the love for Grammy). This learner asked to be a part of the process and dialogued (summarization, recall, and interpersonal communication) with me (and her grandmother) about what was being learned through this heartbreaking journey. This high schooler was also an entrepreneur and a creative—owned a small business—hence the business and creative arts electives. Different learner. Different interests. Different courses.

Another introverted creative, this learner set up a work studio where endless handmade cards were made with numerous types of media and by various techniques. Hours were spent learning technique, researching skills, and experimenting creatively. Hence, this high schooler earned credit in courses not considered by our others—Foundations in Interior Design, Stamp and Stationary Art Design, and Survey of American Musicals. This learner, like several siblings, earned credit for personal fitness, yet her content was very different from the content of athletes who spent hours on the field or in the weight room. This high schooler chose her own relaxing, peaceful blend of aerobics, stretching, and strengthening—using personally-selected workout videos.

Five freshman years each with unique content and character—personalized to the interests of the learner earning the credit.

Personalization doesn’t have to end in ninth grade! In fact, it can continue throughout the high school years in order to help our young adults learn who they are, what they were created for, and how they can bring value to the community in their spheres of influence—at home, across the nation, and throughout the world.

Need guidance in the journey to make high school matter beyond the turning of the tassel?

My NEW BOOK, More than Credits: Life Skills High Schoolers Need for Life, offers frameworks (think practical skill acquisition from real-life, project-based learning, experiential opportunities, related literature and writing assignments, and meaningful decision topics and questions) for FIVE elective courses:

• Nutrition and Wellness

• Personal Fitness

• Personal Awareness and Career Exploration

• Philosophy, and

• Personal Finance

The contents of each class are not just boxes to check, but ideas meant to be tweaked and adjusted for each learner based on what they may already be doing.

Earn credit for what matters…not just today, but beyond.

https://www.cherylbastian.com/resources/f5cnoa7h3nts5vyk8eeqex359nqenw

The Possibilities of Elective Credits: Part I

What about elective credits?

Mike and I field this question often. 

The short response?  

There are endless possibilities to potential elective credits. 

If your high school student is enrolled in a public or private school, be sure to check the school's offerings. Choices vary for each school. 

If you are home educating the high school journey, know your state statute and graduation requirements as well as how they apply to home educated students. Find out if your state allows parents the freedom and responsibility to create core or elective courses. This is important because some states require home educated students to take only courses offered in the state. Other states give parents the ability to oversee the child's education, hence the creation and oversight of classes, should the family choose that path. Your state statute requirements will provide what is required of the parent and student and therefore shed light upon the possibilities available to the family.

For those who are home educating and have the ability to choose elective credits, consider:

The life-goals (if known) of your learner. For some high schoolers, they will have a clear understanding and direction for what they will pursue after high school graduation. Other young adults will be exploring their interests and therefore, getting a better idea of what they might do after they turn the tassel. The good news is there is no right time for a learner to decide next steps after graduation.

If there isn't a clear path, prepare for the broadest possibilities.  Be careful not to short change the young adult. 

For learners who have an inkling of what they want to do post high school, they will move forward in that direction. As you help process their ideas, keep an open perspective. Be ready for change. An interest one semester may transform into a niche the following semester.  

One of our high school learners became interested in veterinarian medicine. She even considered this as a possible career path for a few months. We felt our next right step was talking with professionals in the field and preparing for a job shadowing experience or volunteer opportunity should either become available to her. In our brainstorming process, we considered several venues: a vet's office, a local clinic, and the county animal shelter. As part of our conversations, we came up with what questions which would be helpful should an opportunity to talk with a veterinarian present itself. Our questions included:

• What universities are considered optimal for this profession?
• What are the potential degree and career paths for this profession?
• What classes or experiences were most helpful in the education process? 
• What are the specialty ares of this field of study?
• What would you, as a professional, recommend for a young adult pursuing this career?

While present at on-site opportunities—job shadowing, volunteering, or internships—our high schoolers are encouraged to be mindful and open to how they can bring value to the host while present. This might include offering to fold clean towels or empty trash cans. We also encourage our young adults to observe office etiquette and practices (real-life learning at its best). Along these lines, we suggest visiting several venues within the same niche as well as any which are closely related or dependent upon the specialty. In the case of veterinary medicine, specialties may include veterinary oncology or ophthalmology. From the varied experiences, the learner is able to compare office practices and evaluate care from a broader perspective. Ultimately, these experiences may allow the learner to narrow his or her potential field of study while earning high school electives.

Experiential learning in high school is as valuable as in the elementary and middle school years. 

When thinking about elective credits, parents and learners can take into account the acquisition of life skills while also considering the academic admission requirements of the learner’s top choice universities. This consideration is—from our experience—extremely important and often overlooked. Colleges of interest frequently get deleted from the list of potentials for many reasons. Sometimes it’s the test scores which make the choice seem out of reach. Other times it’s the foreign language requirement. There are a plethora of other reasons, too. However, perhaps the most common reason parents tell us they eliminated a university from the list of possibilities is the belief that the cost of the education is beyond the financial reach of the family. Mike and I encourage parents and young adults to keep every potential school on the list of consideration, even if attendance seems out of reach for some reason. In doing so, students will be prepared academically for admission to all their choice colleges come application season. We know learners who desired to attend private, out-of-state schools who eventually were awarded full room and board for four years based on academic merit, community service, or in one situation, a drawing at a college fair! 

The interests of your learner. I find it ironic that elementary-aged children are often encouraged to explore their interests, yet as the middle and high school years loom on the horizon, the tune changes. When it does, students, parents, and educators tend to concentrate on core courses (with good reason) while pushing strengths and giftings to the side. Yet, often those strengths and giftings are the very elements which learners need to be successful adults--not to mention reduce the stress of some tougher core courses. Wouldn't it be wonderful if--during the middle and high school years--students, parents, and teachers could find ways for learners to complete required courses while also engaging in and exploring interests and strengths? 

As home education evaluators and consultants, Mike and I have seen AMAZING outcomes for young adults who have had opportunities to complete required core courses (and therefore be eligible for college admission at schools of their choice) while also delving into areas of interest.

While studying algebra, history, and biology, our third high schooler continued to build the business she started in middle school. In doing so, she was able to complete core courses while also learning important small business skills: purchasing and crafting inventory, budgeting and filing taxes, investigating advertising, setting up a website, and showcasing inventory at craft shows and expos. Her income allowed her to purchase her own clothing, save money, and tithe to church. To manage her income and expenses, she created a spreadsheet where she recorded her finances. Personal Finance found its way on the transcript that year, right under the algebra, American history, and biology.

The current life season of your family. When my grandmother was terminally ill, we spent four months visiting and researching facilities--navigating pros and cons of each--as Gram's needs changed. In addition, we visited Grammy three times a week, caring for her and connecting with her "friends" in each facility. We talked with care workers about what they did and how they obtained their education and professional licensing. As evaluation time rolled around, I couldn't even begin to remember all we did. But, my high schooler did! In fact, she asked whether all she had taken part in and learned could be used for credit. GREAT question! And after discussing all she learned and researching high school and college course equivalent to what she completed, I titled the course Cares and Concerns of the Elderly. Definitely an eye-catcher on her transcript. You can read more about how this course came about in this blog post. 

What situations are upon your family? How can those normal, every day opportunities become credit? For example, if you're painting your house, your learners are learning how to calculate the amount of paint needed, research paint types, buy good tools (good quality tools make the job go well), use and care for tools properly, run a pressure washer, trim paint small areas, roll on paint, clean rollers and brushes, and store tools so they can be in good condition for the next project. The list is endless. As we tackle painting the outside of our home this week, I stepped up our ladder thinking, this is real-life home economics (though in the past I titled the course home maintenance and repair). If you need to tackle a home project and don't know where to begin, model for your children how to find an expert in the field (read more about this here) or search for an online tutorial. These are important research skills your learners will need in life. 

What are the elective possibilities for your young adult? Begin observing what the learner is already doing? Where are the areas to which he or she gravitates? Are there real-life activities and opportunities in which he or she is participating? Considering interests, strengths, and aspirations as well as the admission requirements of the high schooler’s top college choices will return great rewards as the high school years come to a close.

A last note for consideration...

What about excessive credits? 

As Mike and I have worked with families over the past twenty-three years, there have been a few cases in which a student has earned excessive credits--more than 35 credits! In other words, the reader of the transcript would wonder if the learner ever slept. However, this has been only a few scenarios. In those situations, parents were able to include content from one course into another already existing course without being accused of credit inflation. It is possible for homeschooled students to earn more credits than the average student. This is acceptable if indeed the credit is not inflated. 

For more information on documenting elective course work, check out part 3.

Needing ideas for elective course titles? Click on over to Part 2. 

This blog post is intended to offer an example of personal experience. It is in no way intended to be legal advice and should not be taken as such. Parents own the sole responsibility for the training and education of their children. 

This refreshed post was originally published December 2016.

When Curriculum Looks Different

People often ask what we use for curriculum.

The short answer? We use anything which will help our children learn what it is they are trying to learn. And, if it involves real life, even better.

Sometimes our curriculum looks traditional, like a math textbook.

Other times our curriculum is a stack of Living Books.

A few months ago, my middle schooler initiated a flower bed renovation project. She wanted a flower garden to call her own, a place she could eventually grow cut flowers. A few visits to the clearance section of the local garden shop and she had rescued several very nice—but wilting—flowers (aka curriculum). With a little research in a field guide and a how-to online tutorial (more curriculum), the plants were thriving.

Today we added a few more resources to the curriculum—a collection of solar garden lights. Before placing them in the bed, we experimented with them in a dark room. So fun! The littlest learners were enthralled!

“Flashlights without batteries!” one shouted.

Curriculum incorporates all that a learner uses to learn the content of a specific subject. Though we are often tempted to stay within the means of what we know or have experienced as curriculum, in real-life the definition of curriculum broadens to include any materials used to foster a student’s understanding.

The possibilities are endless.

Consider broadening your sense of what curriculum includes. Maybe it’s

• Front porch wonders
• Stickers, a Scrabble board, and some acorns
• An ant farm
• An Olympic runner and her friend
• DYI projects and a grandfather
• 4-H studies
• Field trips
• A stack of Living Books
• Owl pellets and a Magiscope

When learning is real, relational and intentional it's remembered! 

Every. Moment. Matters.

High School Credit for Work Experience

“Can I count my high schooler’s work experience for credit?”

In the course of a week, three parents asked me this question. One in particular came through the Celebrate High School Facebook community.

The answer is multi-faceted, unique to state requirements and learner’s educational and career path.

First, parents must know and understand their responsibilities and freedoms under their state home education statute.

Find out

• Are home educated students in your state required to meet state graduation requirements?
• Does your state statute allow parents to oversee coursework and determine course credit?
• Are parents given the freedom to create titles for courses or must the state DOE titles be used (as is the case with some private schools)?

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The answers to those questions will contribute to your decision making process.

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The second step in the process of deciding whether or not to award credit for work experience is to determine what the high schooler gained from his or her employment. Life skills? Knowledge? Personal development? The gains vary greatly dependent upon the high schooler's motivation, work ethic, job title, and employment requirements. Again, this is highly individual. 

Determine Gains

Conversation with your high schooler is essential in the process of determining the gains. Why? Likely, as with most parents, you are not on the job with your learner to see and hear what he or she encounters or discovers. Engage in discussion. Ask questions. Listen for the young adult's passions, likes, and dislikes without condemnation. Often as young adults process, they need someone to mirror back or clarify what they expressed. I find it helpful to remind myself that when my middle and high schoolers share feelings, they are processing, perhaps sharing thoughts for the first time. The thoughts and feelings shared matter to them and when I ask clarifying questions, they often come to a better understanding of the situation. As you walk the journey with your middle or high schooler, not only will the gains of the current job become known, but the relationship between you and your teen will have great potential for growth as well. 

To help determine what skills and knowledge were acquired by the employment--the experiential learning opportunity--consider asking your high schooler:

What skills he or she feels were learned as a result of the work experience?

This is one of those occasions when I encourage parents to make a bullet-point list of skills and content the high schooler learned. Seeing the visual list often clarifies gains and aids in determining a course title which is specific and accurate to the experience. Examples may include Equine Science (barn assistant who interacts with equine professionals, observes or oversees equine care and nutrition), Nutrition and Wellness (assistant to a personal trainer), or String Ensemble (member of string quartet playing for weddings and special events).

Are the skills focused on a specific content area or are the skills broad, focused toward soft skill and personal growth development?

Looking over the content acquired, determine whether the skills were specific to an area of study (paid position at a zoological park) or broad, general and related to successful movement to adulthood (time management, personal growth, and communication skills). The difference may be titling the course Zoological Studies or Personal and Career Development.

Did the high schooler earn accolades, awards, or hold specific leadership roles (positional or managerial titles) associated with the experience? 

For example, if your young adult is a shift manager there are likely managerial and leadership skills involved in what he or she does while on site. Perhaps a course title like Managerial Leadership, Leadership Strategies and Techniques, or Exploration in Culinary Management might be suitable. 

Our daughter became a self-employed, small business owner in middle school. She continued to build her business through the high school years. Not only did she create and keep track of inventory, she registered her business with the state, filed quarterly sales tax, figured profit and loss statements, kept a running log of sales and inventory, opened a checking account, built a website, handled emails, filled orders, and participated in craft venues. She earned money, but she also gained knowledge and work experience. With integrity, I awarded her one credit in Business and Entrepreneurial Principles.

Our journey of awarding credit for paid work experience hasn’t come without criticism. Yours won’t either. In fact, you may have been told you can’t double dip —count paid work experience as high school credit. 

"You can't double dip!"

This happened to me. A well-meaning veteran homeschool mom informed me I couldn’t use work experience for credit. I listened. Yet, as a Mom who has the freedom to oversee our children’s education, knowing the life lessons and knowledge my young adults were gaining in their paid employment opportunities, I set out to research. It just didn't seem right not to be able to obtain credit from such rich, valuable life experience. 

Credit Worthy

I discovered my state provides the right for me--as a registered home educator--to oversee the education of my children. In that freedom, I am able to decide what can be deemed credit worthy and I can title mastered content accordingly. I could not ignore the fact that my high schoolers were engaged in learning while on the job. And, with the valuable conversations Mike and I were having with our high schoolers, we knew they were learning content not taught in a traditional textbooks or acquired through lecture. The skills and content they were learning required experience--opportunity to do, decide, make mistakes, and to try again--often under the guidance of a mentor or the supervision of a professional in a career area. In addition, I observed our high schoolers applying what they learned in the work setting to other areas of their lives. They would summarize what they learned on any given day, share their thoughts about what they experienced, and ask questions about things that intrigued them. Our discussions led to discovering deeper life truths as well the building of grit, growth mindset, and personal emotional intelligence—some of the most valuable assets to adulthood and future employment.

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What our learners were gaining on the job was credit worthy. 

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In my mind, the experiences—the content learned while on the job interfacing with professionals—was credit worthy, regardless of whether or not the high schooler was paid. Essentially, the learner was paid to learn!

If life is learning and learning is life-long, it made sense to me that I could confer credit.

Our second son was invited to apply for a summer job as a teacher’s assistant at a preschool. I knew the Director and many of the teachers who worked at the school. In fact, I had worked there as a high schooler and my experience became a catalyst for my choice to pursue early childhood education. Knowing the value of my personal experience, I encouraged our son to apply for the position. Yes, he would earn a paycheck, but he would be mentored by knowledgeable staff who knew the developmental needs of young children.

Art camp began and indeed our son came home each day recounting his experiences. He commented on the conversations teachers had with students, how they listened and responded with open ended questions. He observed as teachers fostered curiosity and intentionally planned activities to promote wonder. His understandings of the developmental stages of art came from comparing preschooler's line drawings and seeing beaming smiles of accomplishment. Learning was experiences, not just memorized facts. In addition, he was learned about classroom management, developmentally appropriate art experiences, and the profession of early childhood education.

The summer came to a close and he was invited to remain on staff for the next school year. He would be the outside assistant--the preschool physical education overseer. He accepted. This change in position brought opportunities to observe the stages of motor development in real life. He watched children progress from running to galloping, from climbing stairs one foot at a time to alternating feet. He knelt down beside children who poured sand in funnels and floated boats in water tables. We talked about discoveries he watched children make and asked me about my experiences with children on the spectrum. The knowledge he gained through his experiences at the preschool were some of the very same things I studied in my college early childhood college courses.

At that moment, I realized the fifteen hours a week he was working at the preschool was preparing him with life skills of time management, communication skills, and workplace etiquette, but it was also equipping him with a foundation of knowledge in the area of early childhood development. In his junior year, I awarded him one credit in Introduction to Early Childhood Education.

Where is your learner employed? Maybe it is the local hardware store where knowledge of tools and home repair are prerequisite for employment. Maybe your high schooler was hired as a shift manager at a local eatery, managing and overseeing a team of co-workers. No matter where your young adult is employed, consider the skills being acquired, the career-related vocabulary being obtained, the decision making involved as part of the job, the conversations being had between coworkers and employers, and subject content being mastered through the opportunity. No doubt much more is being learned than you or your student imagined! 

Titles Speak Volumes

Generally high schools title work experience Executive Internship or Work Study. These are broad brush titles which say nothing about the student or content. However, if the home educating parent has the freedom to title courses, course titling can be strategic, mirroring the student’s interest and the content knowledge gained. Here is a small sampling of title examples. 

Arts

Creative Photography

Studio Arts

Printmaking

Dance Technique

Dance Performance

Dance Kinesiology

Choreography

Eurhythmics

Music Performance (use specific instrument in titles if appropriate)

Music Ensemble 

Jazz Ensemble

Chamber Orchestra

Music Internship

Music Composition and Arrangement

Musical Theater and Production

Music Technology and Sound Engineering

Theater Production

Cinematography

Technical Theater

Set Production

Acting

Theater Management

Print and Broadcast Media

Library Media Services

Journalism

Digital Art Imaging

Digital Media Design

Video Production

Visual Technology

Computer Sciences

Applied Computer and Information Technology

Information Technology

Business and Entrepreneurial

Business Principles

Marketing Strategies

Marketing Principles

Managerial Principles

Health Sciences

Nutrition and Wellness

Food Service

Human Growth and Development

Introduction to Early Childhood Education

Personal and Career Development

Capstone or Cornerstone Projects

Capstone Seminar

Capstone Research

Consider the course titles provided in this blog post about electives. 

This blog post is intended to offer an example of personal experience. It is in no way intended to be legal advice and should not be taken as such. Parents own the sole responsibility for the training and education of their children. 

Citizen Science: Get Real with Learning

We like real learning. Learning which is practical, hands-on, experiential, with purpose. 

Becoming a Citizen Scientist is one way children and young adults can immerse their studies in real science for real purposes. And, the projects integrate into almost every curriculum or can be used to create an independent study. Budding scientists dive in and dig as deep as their interest takes them. 

One of my high schooler learners participated in a local bird banding experience with an ornithologist who worked in a local park area. This particular learner is not a science guy. However, when he arrived home he couldn't stop talking about the experience. The opportunity brought his biology unit about birds, alive; and my son took part in real scientific research. 

Citizen Science projects can be found online. Simply type "citizen science projects" in a search engine. Here are a few to get started and jump start creative ways to integrate real science into the day. 

Citizen Science- Cornell Ornithology 

Science Buddies

National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Watch

10 Popular Citizen Science Projects

PBS Kids- Citizen Science

National Geographic

To enhance the study, think outside the box. 

• Interview a scientist in the field of study.
• Visit an aviary, aquarium, or arboretum and talk to the caretakers about what their work entails and what education was needed to work in the field.
• Start a collection--rocks are a favorite--label and categorize.  
• Start some porch science.
• Talk with scientists at a local Audubon facility. 

And, as always, read a few good books! You never know when a little learner will grab ahold of an older learner's current study. Some of our elementary and middle learners love these hard-to-find science readers. 

Over the years, we have enjoyed: 

Are You A Grasshopper?, Judy Allen

All about Sharks, Jim Arnosky

Look Out for Turtles, Melvin Burger

Ant Cities, Arthur Dorros

Frogs, Gail Gibbons

Owls, Gail Gibbons

The Honey Makers, Gail Gibbons

Frogs and Polliwogs, Dorothy Childs Hogner

The Life and Times of the Bee, Charles Micucci

The Bird Alphabet Book, Jerry Pallotta

The Frog Alphabet Book, Jerry Pallotta

From Tadpole to Frog, Wendy Pfeffer

The Ant and the Grasshopper, Amy Lowry Poole

Cricketology, Michael Elsohn Ross

One Small Square: Backyard, Donald Silver

Sea Shells, Crabs, and Sea Stars, Christiane Kump Tibbitts

What Lives in A Shell?, Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld

Middle and high school learners may want to read a Living Book or biography to bring a personal connection to their Citizen Scientist project. Some of our favorites have been: 

Luther Burbank, Plant Magician, John Y Batey

Louis Pasteur: Founder of Microbiology, Mary June Burton

Ernest Thompson Seton, Naturalist, Shannon Garst

The Story of Louis Pasteur, Alida Sims Malkus

The Story of Marie Curie, Alice Thorne

High School Photography Elective

Several years ago, our daughter began researching camera and announced her interest in photography.

A real interest—one she thought about every day and one that did not go away!

She spent time studying and talking through her ideas; about what she wanted to learn. Being part of a homeschooling family gave her freedom to explore her interest as part of her day—every day—if she desired to do so.

Though I enjoy photography and have a "creative" bent, I admit I had no idea what concepts and skills would be included in a high school level photography course. But she did! Therefore, when she asked me what areas I thought would be included in a photography course, I knew I would have to join in the learning. 

First, I searched the Internet for syllabi of high school level photography courses. Reading, I discovered common threads. This was a starting point.

Second, my daughter and I brainstormed additional content she wanted to learn. For example, she wanted to upgrade her camera. Researching the pros and cons of brands and features was definitely something she could include in her course.

Third, we talked about what real-life experiences could be added: job shadowing, taking pictures of family members, learning and using editing programs, and shooting seconds for a professional photographer.

Clearly, my daughter’s interest drove the learning. I simply had to be open to the ideas and be ready to encourage her progress.

Before we knew it we had accumulated not only content but resources.

Here is a snapshot of the content we developed. 

Course Content

I. History of photography

• the pinhole camera, daguerreotype, Kodak Brownie camera, film development, darkrooms, Polaroid cameras, flash cubes, and flash bars

II. People of Influence

• Joseph Nicephore Niepce, Loius Daguerre, R.L. Maddox, George Eastman

III. Types of Photography

• portrait, children, pets, landscapes, macro, food, nature, architectural, forensic, sport, science,

IV. Parts of a Camera

• parts and components

V. How Cameras Work

VI. Lighting, Shutter Speed, Aperture, Depth of field

• filters

VII. Composition, Color, Contrast, Brightness, Sharpness, and Special Techniques

VIII. Photo Editing

• Photo Shop, Paint Shop Pro, Photo Plus, Pixlr

IX. Analyzing and Critiquing Photography

X. Documentary and Photojournalism 

XI. Famous Photographers and Photojournalists 

• Ansel Adams (another link), Dorothea Lange (another link), Alfred Eisenstaedt

XII. Mounting and Displaying Photography 

• enter photography in contests or county fairs

XIII. Digital Photography

• Using digital photography as graphics

XIV. Photography Careers

• portrait photography, commercial photography, fine art photography, wedding photography, scientific photography, sports photography, medical photography, forensic photography, nature photography, aerial photography, photojournalism

XV. Photography Licenses

• royalty free, rights managed, stock photography

XVI. Legal, Ethical and Copyright

• fair use, buildings protected by copyright, difference between photography for personal use or commercial use, model/copyright releases, editorial photography as a profession in regards to rights and fair use

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The outline above was the jumping off point. Once we had the major areas of study--at least a plan--we could adjust as we went along. YOU can to! Create your own course; your learner’s interest will be the springboard.

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We added experiential learning. Our list of considerations were

• Job shadowing a photographer or interning as a photographer's assistant

• Working in a camera store

• Setting up a darkroom

• Creating a yearbook for a school or co-op

• Working with a blogger to communicate content visually

• Learning mounting techniques.

YOU can come up with a list of your own…with your high schooler’s help!

For learners who appreciate the power of a story, these Living Books may be just the ingredient to bring additional life to the course. 

• Cameras and Courage, Margaret Bourke-White by Iris Noble, Julian Messner biography

• Joseph Pulitzer, Front Page Pioneer by Iris Noble, Julian Messner biography

Likely your learner will have suggestions and ideas.

My daughter's interest led to elective credits, not one but TWO! When she finished these studies, she decided to take an online course. 

Once the interest is sparked, there is no limit to where the learning path may lead. Sometimes it is an elective. Other times the study leads to employment. The possibilities of high school electives is endless! 

If you will be attending Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) conference May 25-27, you may be interested in the two high school workshops I have been invited to share: Keeping High School ALIVE with Living Books and High School: Mission Possible. In addition, my husband Mike will join me at the podium to share The Real-Life Influence of Family Conversation and my oldest son and I will present an encouraging session, Thank You, Mom!

FPEA is always a highlight of our speaking calendar. Can't wait to see you there! 

 This blog post is not intended as legal or educational advice. It is our experience and the author recognizes parents have the sole responsibility for the education of their children. Check your state statutes to learn more.

Living Books in High School

When we started our homeschooling high school journey in 2003, I was determined not to leave the learning power of Living Books behind in the elementary and middle school years. 

Living Books belong in high school!

While preparing a workshop I will present at the 2017 FPEA Convention, May 25-27, I decided to give Celebrate Simple readers some quick ideas we used as we incorporated Living Books into high school course content. Our high school learners were greatly impacted by the Living Books they chose. In fact, several titles greatly impacted career choices and life goals.

When we began our high school journey, the first content area in which we incorporated Living Books was history. This seemed a natural choice since we had been using Living Books--biographies, autobiographies, and historical fiction--to accent our history studies in the elementary and middle school years. 

Adding Living Books to our science studies was also a natural fit, especially for learners who had interest in specialty areas or who wanted to dig deeper to learn more about scientists and inventors. As our young adults advanced through the high school years, we branched out into adult and college level materials. 

Reaching our creatives with written materials was a challenge at times, unless the reading was related their artistic gifting or interest. If you find yourself in that quandary, know that you are not alone and that your efforts are worth the time spent trying to find them great, applicable reads.

And, I had to let go of my more rigid definition of what a Living Book was in order to be open to the plethora of possibilities I would  have otherwise discounted.

The power of the story--not my definition of Living Book--impacted the life of the reader. 

What about an athlete who loves to read? How can Living Books be interwoven in a personal fitness or weight training course? And, what about an athlete who would rather play ball than read?

Living Books have the power to pull in even the most reluctant reader! 

Living Books can give life to any subject, if we allow them the opportunity to do so. Recently, one daughter began to lean toward personal growth and leadership materials, while another continued on her pursuit of all things medical. Why not include Living Books in that area, too!

If you are in Orlando over Memorial Day weekend, I would love for you to join me in my workshop, Keeping High School Alive with Living Books, at the FPEA Convention. This workshop will offer insight as to how Living Books bring high school studies to life and influence choices learners make beyond the tassel turning. The workshop will be packed with specific ideas in regards course content, book titles, and life-learning experiences. Hope to see you there! 

The Many Possibilities of High School Success

Tis'  the season for future thinking and college applications.

This season can also be a season of disappointment and frustration.

Seeing Facebook posts of acceptance letters and appointments, I can’t help but think of the high school young adults pondering a future which doesn’t include dorm room decorating and walk-on athletics. These young adults--though they may have worked very hard--may feel unsuccessful, even second-class due to the individuality of their next steps toward the future. Hence this season—a season most people associate with celebrations—can be time of awkwardness and discouragement.

But it doesn't have to be!

When we open our eyes and hearts to other possibilities--alternative, but no less significantly successful high school journeys and culminating celebrations--young adults have innumerable opportunities which may be better suited to their strengths and giftings.

Acceptance letters are not the sole means of successful transition to a young adult's future. 

Just as there are many potential pathways to successfully completing high school--the end result of helping a young adult develop his or her divinely-created strengths and giftings--there are also many different avenues to the young adult's future; the years beyond the turning of the tassel.

The Scholar. Scholars are not just learners; they are specialists--continually seeking to dig deeper in a specific area of interest. There is an aptitude for learning and time is made for accelerated or advanced degrees. In addition to researching and fulfilling the college entrance requirements for the young adult's top university choices, honors courses, dual enrollment, CLEP/DANTE/AP testing, and discussions or networking with professionals in the field of interests may also be helpful. 

The Entrepreneur. Ideas. Strategy. Product analysis. These young adults grew up dreaming of starting a business and in fact may have started one or several during the middle or high school years. Young entrepreneurs may benefit from connecting with successful entrepreneurs as well as with other entrepreneurial-minded peers. In addition, these young adults may spend time at the library or online reading current issues of business magazines-- Inc., Entrepreneur, or Fast Company--or reading small business blogs. Consider looking for local opportunities where the entrepreneur might be able to attend small business seminars or entrepreneurial events.  Job shadowing a business owner or two might be another consideration as well as offering time in the day for the young adult to research successful business practices, managerial/leadership qualities, and marketing or growth strategies. Some high school learners find having a mentor helpful. Having had two entrepreneurial/business-minded young adults, these were helpful resources for our learners. Entrepreneurs may or may not decide to pursue post-secondary education. 

The Athlete. Most little leaguers dream of the big leagues--the pinnacle of achievement for athletes. In fact, we've known athletes who played through elementary and travel sports to high school athletics hoping to fulfill this dream. Some athletes indeed did move on to more competitive collegiate play. Others decided to hang up the cleats after their senior year. For young adults who desire to pursue sports after high school graduation, special attention to the new NCAA requirements is a must. Though an athlete may choose a college outside the NCAA, staying up-to-date is wise. Plans change, sometimes last minute and eligibility is dependent on completion of specific courses. Having had three athletes, we never wanted to short change a student-athlete. In fact, all three took different paths; none ended up playing collegiate sports.  In addition to action on the field, we have known learners who read autobiogrpaphies and biographies of athletes they admire for high school credit. Possibilities include A Life Well-Played (Arnold Palmer), Through My Eyes (Tim Tebow), Out of the Blue (Orel Hershiser). One of our athletes enjoyed Between the Lines: Nine Principles to Live By and The Mental Game of Baseball.

The Creative. Creatives see the world differently--in words, colors, graphics, texture, line, or shapes. These young adults think outside the box and craft from incredible minds. Hence, their paths through high school might include preparing a portfolio, building a client list, visiting studios and exhibitions, experimenting with media, shooting thirds for a photographer, writing copy for publication, working at a hobby shop, creating art for a gallery, volunteering time to create graphics for church media or publication, or selling stock photography. All of these experiences may become part of their high school course work, and the contacts them make along the journey may provide avenues for employment after graduation. The Creative may decide to attend an art or music school, open a studio, spend time with a master artisan, or start a business. Many of these experiences make great activities for elective credits. Post-secondary educational experience may or may not be part of the Creative's future. 

The Apprentice. Apprenticeships offer hands-on, experiential options to young adults who need to learn from masters or professionals in a field of interest. Though apprenticeships are not as popular as they were years ago, apprenticeships offer on-the-job training--and often some classroom instruction--for young adults interested in highly skilled work in healthcare professions, engineering, manufacturing, culinary arts, telecommunications, trades (welding, electrical, carpentry, plumbing), and service careers. The apprentice may train under a skilled craftsman, trained healthcare worker, or licensed professional to learn essential skills important to a particular job. Time devoted to apprenticing can vary to up to four years. Some apprenticeships may require certain math and science high school course work or required scores on HSPE (High School Proficiency Exams). 

The Intern. Internships are an excellent means by which young adults can investigate career fields of interest and learn new skills. Internships can be formal or informal, part-time or full time, paid or unpaid, but are generally offered by an employer or institution for a specific amount of time. Most are considered entry level. Although university internships were traditionally offered to undergrad or grad students, there are colleges who open internships to high school students. Research the availability at local universities, as this is a growing trend. For a hands-on, experiential learner, an internship might be an excellent next step. If interning seems like a good fit for your young adult, consider the points made in this US News and World Report article. 

There is great possibility several paths and means will overlap. For example, the Creative may also be the Intern, learning alongside or assisting a concert musician, graphic artist, or professional photographer. And, the Intern may also be the Scholar, gaining cutting-edge skill in a science or engineering field. 

Remember, these are not the only possibilities for today's young adults. Just as all young adults are unique, so will be their high school paths and future plans. Not every high schooler will follow the same learning route, nor will they have the same next right steps. With a changing economy, growing knowledge base, and evolving ability for satellite employment, there are ever-growing career opportunities. 

I wonder what those will be for our young adults?  

This blog post is intended to offer an example of personal experience. It is in no way intended to be legal advice and should not be taken as such. Parents own the sole responsibility for the training and education of their children. 

The Possibilities of Elective Credits: Part III

How are elective credits documented?

The answer to this question depends on your state's home education law as well as what college or university choices find their way on your learner's "top ten" list. Your family's record keeping methods will also factor into answering this question. This was definitely the case for our family.

For our family, if a learner has a distinctive interest or an extraordinary gifting--something they naturally spend a good amount of time researching and learning (for us 75 hours for a half credit and 120+ hours for a full credit)--we count if for credit. I personally do not label or flag courses as core or elective on our transcripts (I do however flag dual enrollment, CLEP, or courses taken at other accredited entities). Too many colleges access transcripts differently to flag core and elective courses. What one considers a core course, an academic elective, or an elective another will classify differently. 

As a learner is actively involved in the the learning process, I keep a bullet point list of the concepts learned or experiences completed on a digital document. From that bullet list, I can write an accurate title and course description should we need it for university admission or scholarship applications. Once the course is complete, I add the title, grades, and credit to the transcript--a one-page snapshot of the young adults academic record.

Elective courses often set one young adult learner apart from another, especially if potential applicants have similar, cookie-cutter type elective credits. 

What strengths, interests, or giftings do your learners have which might equate to credit. Some of the courses our learners have completed include Care and Concerns of the Elderly; Drafting and Drawing; Competitive Gaming; Business and Entrepreneurial Principles; Introduction to Early Childhood Education; Nutrition and Health for Disease Prevention; and Interpersonal Relationships. These off-the-beaten-path have proven to give our now adult children life skills they may not have received otherwise. 

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Life skills + high school electives = WIN! for preparation beyond the turning of the tassel

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This blog post is intended to offer an example of personal experience. It is in no way intended to be legal advice and should not be taken as such. Parents own the sole responsibility for the training and education of their children. 

The Possibilities of Elective Credits: Part II

In Part 1, I offered helpful tips about finding and recording elective credits. 

Perhaps that post prompted another question,

"What are some common titles for elective credit in high school?"

Before considering titling, one must understand the difference between core and elective courses. In addition, understand that these are terms used in the educational world. As home educators, it has helpful for us to understand "education-eze" as well as what is and isn't required by our state statutes. It has been equally helpful to know that colleges use "education-eze". Though some colleges and universities are hiring home education admission personnel, some admission advisers at other institutions are not always versed in the statute requirements.

Common terminology includes:

Core courses are courses which must be taken or are required for graduation. Typically, core courses are English, math, social science, and natural sciences. In addition, some schools will require additional credit--in addition to the core content areas--to be taken in world languages, the arts, computer science, and physical education. 

Electives are courses students chose to take. Electives allow a learner to customize his or her education, to build on a strength or interest, or to investigate content not yet studied in other courses. It is the elective courses which often strengthen the high school transcript and round out the student while also telling employers and admissions about the interests and strengths of the learners.

Some educational entities use the term academic electives for admissions. An academic elective is a core course taken above and beyond the required academic courses in that discipline. For example, if a leaner completes the three math courses required for graduation (or admission) in the mathematics core academic area--let's say Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II--but decides to take another academic math course from the core choices--Trigonometry--the fourth course could be considered an academic elective, if the educational venue recognizes academic electives. 

When I wrote the first edition (who remembers that first spiral-bound resource?) Celebrate High School I included a sample list of potential course titles--both core and elective. When I published my extensive revision in 2015, I expanded my list based on our experience and the experience of those with whom we work. For this post, I am pulling potential elective course titles from that 2015 revised list. I am NOT including courses most often considered core academics--for example, Calculus or British Literature--though those core courses could be used as electives--and often are by home educating families. 

English electives (when not considered part of the core content English I, English II, English III, and English IV)

• Shakespearean Theater
• Greco-Roman Theater
• Short Stories
• Poetry (perhaps of a specific historical era)
• Writing for Print and Publication
• Creative Writing
• Yearbook
• Digital Publishing
• Ancient Languages
• Biblical Studies: Old Testament
• Biblical Studies: New Testament

Communication electives

• Speech (this course is often considered a core course for some schools but an elective for others)
• Competitive Speech
• Impromptu Speech
• Expository Speech
• Policy Debate
• Lincoln Douglas Debate
• Media Productions

Mathematics electives

• Personal Finance (this course is often considered a required course for some schools but an elective for others)

Social Science electives

• Comparative Government
• Introduction to Law
• Mock Trial
• Constitutional Law
• Independent Study: Foreign Policy
• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Psychology (this course is often considered a core course for some schools but an elective for others)
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Family and Consumer Science 
• Contemporary World Issues
• Ancient Civilizations
• Independent Study: The Korean War
• Medieval History
• Introduction to Social Work
• Child and Adolescent Psychology
• Philosophy
• World Religions
• Theology
• Church History
• Internship: Youth Ministry

Natural Science electives

• Environmental Science
• Animal and Agricultural Sciences
• Introduction to Agriscience
• Equine Science
• Equine Medicine
• Introduction to Veterinary Science
• Introduction to Forestry
• Botany
• Entomology
• Zoology
• Astronomy
• Introduction Aerospace Science
• Forensics
• Introduction to Health Sciences

Performing/Fine Arts electives

• Introduction to Drama
• Musical Theater
• Art History (perhaps add a historical era)
• Art Appreciation
• Choreography
• Dance Technique (consecutive years: Intermediate and Advanced)
• Competitive Dance
• Introduction to Ball Room Dance
• Stagecraft
• Set Design
• Theater Production
• Two-Dimensional Art
• Three-Dimensional Art
• Sculpture
• Ceramics
• Drawing and Painting
• Cartooning and Caricature
• Printmaking
• Pottery
• Creative Photography
• Digital Photography
• Band
• Orchestra
• Symphonic Band
•  Wind Ensemble
• Jazz Ensemble
• Keyboard
• Piano
• Music Theory (consecutive years: Intermediate and Advanced)
• Music History (perhaps add a historical era)
• Music Appreciation

Physical Education electives

• Personal Fitness (this course is often considered a required course for some schools but an elective for others)
• Nutrition and Wellness
• Physical Education  (this course is often considered a required course for some schools but an elective for others)
• Aerobics (consecutive years: Intermediate and Advanced)
• Tennis
• Golf
• Volleyball
• Competitive Swimming
• Water Polo
• Lifesaving
• Advanced Lifesaving
• Team Sports
• Recreational Sports
• Beginning Weights (consecutive years: Intermediate and Advanced)
• Weight Training (often accompanies sports training) 
• Sports Psychology
• Introduction to Sports Medicine
• Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
• Sports Rehabilitation

Business Education electives

• Accounting
• Marketing 
• Advertising and Sales
• Principles of Entrepreneurship
• Banking and Finance
• Business Principles
• Foundational Principles of Small Business
• Business Technology

Computer Science electives

• Computer Fundamentals
• Programming (consecutive courses: Programming I, Programming II)
• Introduction to Computer Systems
• Computer Construction and Repair
• Keyboarding
• Word Processing
• Graphic Design
• Digital Design
• Web Design
• Digital Arts
• Computer Gaming 

Home Economics electives

• Fashion Design
• Textiles and Fabrics
• Clothing Construction and Textiles
• Machine Sewing
• Quilting and Applique
• Interior Design
• Introduction to Early Childhood Education
• Nutrition
• Principles in Food Preparation
• Principles in Food Preparation: Pastry
• Principles in Food Preparation: Desserts
• Principles in Food Preparation: Main Courses
• Principles in Food Preparation: Appetizers
• Introduction to Culinary Arts
• Introduction to Pastry
• Cake Decorating
• Home and Automotive Repair
• First Aid and CPR
• Emergency Preparedness

Vocational electives

• Cosmetology
• Cabinet Making
• Carpentry
• Trim and Finish Carpentry
• Masonry
• Landscaping
• Horticulture
• Floral Design
• Landscape Architecture
• Building Design and Architecture
• Drafting
• Technical Drawing
• Plumbing
• Welding
• Auto Mechanics
• Diesel Mechanics
• Small Engine Repair
• Electronics and Circuitry 

When our young adults are reading, working on research, studying content, or participating in an experiential opportunity, I search for potential titles in the course codes for our state. If I can't find a title or course content in that resource which is close to what our learners are studying, I search for high school courses (or in some cases college courses) from across the nation. Those resources usually allow me to find a title--or at least give me a springboard--which accurately describes the content being learned. 

Needing to know more about documenting elective credit work for college admission paperwork? Check out part 3. 

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This blog post is intended to offer an example of personal experience. It is in no way intended to be legal advice and should not be taken as such. Parents own the sole responsibility for the training and education of their children.