The key to teaching high school students is trying to show them how things will apply later in life. We all remember being in high school and wondering how we would ever use our grammar lessons when we grew up. We scoffed at the required classes like Western Civ.

In order to work with high school students try using a little bit more flexibility in their lessons. I’m not suggesting that you throw away the required classes but let the student pursue their passions. If they know they want to major in engineering then let the write a paper on a major innovation in engineering and architecture as part of their English class. For western civ they could look at the technological rise and fall of the Romans and Greeks.

Don’t slavishly follow a lesson plan; let the students begin to see how various subjects interconnect. Allow them to use technology as a tool. When my grandparents were young knowing how to use a card catalog was important, so was knowing their multiplication tables.

My children still know multiplication problems but they also know how to find a calculator if the problem is 127 x 173. For me it is more important that they know how to research the availability of resources at the library than it is they know who Dewey is and what his Decimal system does.

Finally, let a high schooler’s passions have time to grow. The years of 9^th-12^th grade are a time of progressive revelation of who they are becoming. If they are passionate about art take them to a museum to explore the career opportunities offered there. Don’t take a “one size fits all” approach to teaching each child, but strike a balance between what is required for graduation and what is required to pursue their vocation.

And finally, model respect. You have an emerging adult. By respecting their individuality, while still maintaining your place as head of the household, you can plant the seeds of strong self identity, confidence, and manners.

Additional Resources we found for you.
Seven Star Academy  was created to deliver Christian education to schools and families. They have more than 60 courses available for grades 4-12. In addition, they offer over 60 dual credit courses. Sevenstar desires to glorify Christ, serving students and adults around the world.
Thinking Edge  is the website devoted to Thinking.  Learn powerful lessons from people like Edison, and Einstein. Listen to what they have told us about using the brain. Put it into practice and have your own great ideas. Get this information right here, right now - all free.
Virtual High School Online is an Internet High School making learning easier and more efficient then ever before.
John Saxon's Legacy covers everything!  From Grading Tests and Daily Assignments, Use of Calculators, Graphing, all  Math's 54, 65, 76, 87, Algebra 1+2, Advanced Mathematics, Geometry, Calculus, Physics, Transcription of Math Credits, ACT and SAT Exams and too much more to list here.
Good News Notebook (GNN) is an online magazine for teens. GNN provides positive personal, educational and socially conscious information geared toward teenagers however it doubles as an open forum for parents as well.
Bright Lights is a discipleship group that was established in May of 1996 to bring together young ladies who are firm in their Christian faith and encourage them to stand strong and not falter during these difficult years. Young ladies are encouraged to pursue godliness, provide positive peer influence and accountability and have a group that works as a team to minister to other.
Positive Action for Christ specializes in developing youth curriculums that focus around fundamental Christian beliefs. It began in Rocky Mount North Carolina in 1969 as a ProTeam club and has since developed far beyond its original expectations. Positive Action for Christ is now a publishing house that supplies Christian, public and homeschools around the world with a Bible curriculum. The entire curriculum provided by Positive Action for Christ is based on the biblical scriptures and the divine sovereignty of God.
Summit Ministries is a non-profit Christian organization that emphasizes on teaching and providing students as well as homeschool-teens and adults with information that will assist them in leading a Christian life in today’s world. Summit Ministries offers a curriculum that can be used in a homeschool environment for students in Elementary, Middle and High School that brings a mountain of Christian information directly into the home. Christian conferences are also given by Summit Ministries.
Teen Missions International provides teens the opportunity to experience the mission experience first-hand. The hopes of Teen Missions International is to give students the chance to see the needs of people in the world outside their comfort zone in hopes they will choose to do what they can to spread Christianity. Young people come together in groups referred to as “The Lords Boot Camp”. During these small missions teens learn skills necessary to continue to perform the Lord’s work throughout life.
Teen Pact is an organization whose purpose is to turn students into future statesman. It teaches teens how to become better leaders and what they can do to impact the future of their state. Teen Pact brings teens closer to Christ and introduces them to government officials as well as brings students together with other students that have the same mind set.
Financial Accounting by Michael P. Licata, Ph.D. is a first accounting course for homeschool high school students. Many high schools offer an accounting course as an elective for students interested in pursuing a career in business. Now homeschool high school students have such an elective available to them. This is a college level course similar in content to the first accounting course taken by all students in university and college schools of business across the country.
Thinking Storm is Educational Software with a Study Coach and Skill builders. You schedule regular online tutoring sessions with your favorite tutor and pay as you go.
Economic Thinking  has a mission is to inspire students to explore the dynamics of a market economy through understanding the central role of economic freedom, property rights, and the rule of law in promoting progress and prosperity in America and around the world. To connect intellectually hungry speech and debate students with the already well-established world of free-market scholarship. High school and homeschool students deserve an opportunity to learn how free societies work and why they are just.
The Speech Master is a site where you will find information on the new Speech and Communication class series being offered by David Williams to students and their families all over the country.  It equips young people to communicate their gifts effectively in their lives.

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