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11/8/2021 2 Comments

Wait...Electives Too?

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As parents of homeschoolers, we want to give our students the best education while preparing them for life.  We often have a fear of leaving “gaps” in their education.  I noticed myself being so focused on the “core” subjects, that I almost forgot about elective credits. Sometimes it felt like we were barely surviving Math, Science, English, and History!

When my kids were in high school, I read somewhere that even if a student is smart, has a great GPA and test scores, they may not do well in college or the job market.  I remember thinking, “Wait, you mean we have to do more?!?!”  
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Elective courses develop well rounded students who can think for themselves, make decisions and work well in groups.  I realized the things they learn in these “fun” classes will spill over into the core classes and everyday life.  While they may struggle in a core subject, elective courses can build their confidence by helping them find their passions. 

Be sure to look at your state’s requirements for graduation.  Even if you are in a state that doesn’t require certain courses, colleges are accustomed to seeing those courses on transcripts.  Electives on a transcript can help your student stand out (in a good way) on college apps and in the job market.  
Here’s a quick list of random elective ideas to get your wheels spinning.  

  • Business Management
  • Mock Trial
  • Photography
  • Culinary arts
  • Fashion design
  • Leadership
  • Public speaking
  • Engineering
  • Veterinary Science
  • Our family found 4-H to be a great resource for exploring many career paths. 

What electives have you had your students involved in?  Give our readers more ideas of what has worked for your family.
2 Comments
Amy
11/10/2021 08:19:50 am

Mock Trial was a game changer for my child! She learned confidence, public speaking, critical thinking and so much more. She is currently applying to law schools across the country, thanks in great part to Mock Trial.

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Tina
1/6/2022 09:43:24 pm

In addition to several electives which were mentioned, our kids also incorporated learning to work with different textiles - woodworking, metal works, painting, digital art and even sewing. This allowed them to explore their creative side and even became a means for them to create goods to sell for earning extra money. This opened up entrepreneurship opportunities for them to learn even more about business.

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