One of the challenges I have in homeschooling, is coming up with tests and quizzes to evaluate Zack's work. Most of the time, I'm able to use the tests and quizzes that come with the textbooks and teacher materials. However, there are times when I modify the work, or I use a video to teach the lesson instead of using the textbook. For these situations, I came across a free website that allows me to create my own crossword puzzles, match up quizzes and fill-in-the-blank worksheets. The link for this website is: http://www.theteacherscorner.net/. Under the category "Printable Worksheets," you will find "Puzzle Worksheets." From there, you can choose several options including "Crossword Maker," "Word Search Maker," "Word Scramble Maker," "Fill in the Blank," and "Match Up Maker." I found "Crossword Maker" to be great as a study aid, and "Fill in the Blank," and "Match Up Maker" good for testing.
After completing the required Health course during the first semester of 11th grade, Zack chose Geography to fulfill his social studies requirement during the second semester. I used a Pearson Education middle school textbook entitled My World Geography. Although it was below his grade level, it covered everything he needed to learn for Geography. I chose this textbook for him because the lay-out of the book was more exciting and colorful than the recommended high school textbook. And, because it was at a lower level, it was easy for him to read by himself. Furthermore, it had all the on-line support that has made learning interactive for him such as reading of the text (he listened once, then read it himself once), videos of teens from around the world, maps and quizzes. He also continued to use www.learn360.com for videos of the land and resources that he was studying.
At the end of April, Zack decided to discontinue his drama class. The noise of the teenagers was beginning to grate on his nerves and he decided he needed a break. To continue lessons at home, he read No Fear Shakespeare Hamlet. We read the play out loud together, assigning ourselves different characters. Www.sparknotes.com had the entire book on line as well as a video summary of the play and a quiz for assessment. PBS also had a nice program called Shakespeare Uncovered: Hamlet with David Tennant that was interesting and informative. I also found a wonderful book called Magnificent Monologues for Teens by Chanbers Stevens. Each learning period, Zack's assignment was to choose a monologue and memorize it for recital in front of either his speech therapist or his certified teacher. Practicing monologues was a great way for him to apply the techniques he learned from his speech therapist, such as modulation and intonation. It is my belief that the memorization and chacterization of the monologues gave Zack skills that have helped him speak more fluently in his every day language.
Zack was enrolled in a cartoon class the first semester, but didn't re-enroll for the second semester. The class consisted mostly of 4th through 8th grade students. As the oldest in the class, Zack enjoyed being a role model and loved the positve feedback he received from the teacher and other students, but he just couldn't handle the boisterousness of the class. At home, we found a couple of great websites for him to explore on-line cartooning. One was www.pixton.com and the other was www.toondoo.com. He continued to work with Bruce Blitz's book The Big Book of Cartooning and www.youtube.com videos. For his final project, Zack created his own comic strip. University Art and Michaels has comic book art board "paper" that really helped Zack keep the panels of his comic strip organized and well spaced.
The highlight of this semester for me was watching Zack at the Spring Dance! He asked a good friend of his to accompany him and they danced the entire evening (3 hours) only stopping for water and snack breaks. Our charter school does not have a Junior Prom or a Senior Ball, but this was a wonderful event that gave Zack the chance to practice his social skills. It was truly endearing for me to see him doing so well at a "normal" social function.
