Underwater Basket Weaving: Sometimes Easy is OK

Relax!  Some classes will be easier than others!

Our homeschool group wants to have a choir/drama class this semester but they want it to count for 1/2 a credit for the high schoolers. We only meet nine times with three extra rehearsals/practices and the final performance is a short play that is to be memorized. There is singing, dancing, and acting in the play. They are also required to write a 3-5 page character study as well as an 8-10 page paper on the history of theater, etc. Is that enough to count it for 1/2 a credit? Some of the parents are balking at the paper but still want to count it for credit. If you wouldn’t mind giving me your opinion, I would so appreciate it.
~ Renita

This sounds like a 1/2 credit to me. But remember, I’m not a “CERTIFIED TEACHER”  (Insert scary noise for effect, using this DRAMA BUTTON!)

Do you remember what it was like in high school? We used to joke about classes being “Underwater Basket Weaving.” My friends took some easy classes. I took a class called “Polynesian History.” My niece took a class called “Sports Communication” and listened to baseball play-by-play. In our local high school, a DECA class student had one job all semester long; she baked pre-made cookie dough every day of the semester. Someone else was in charge of buying, cooling, wrapping, and selling. All she did was bake cookies out of pre-made dough. Scoop, plop, 10 minutes, repeat … and she received high school credit for it.

I think that as homeschoolers, we are pretty tough on ourselves and our children. It’s OK to include lighter classes along with heavier, more academic classes. To be honest, I don’t even think you would “need” to write a paper in that class. You can make the paper an optional essay that parents supervise and grade. That way you CAN please everyone.  I suggest that you be sure to make it the PARENTS’ option, though, not the kids’ option!

Please note: This post was originally published in August 2011 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Homeschooling is NOT the same as doing schoolwork at home. There is LOTS of freedom! My Gold Care Club will give you all the help you need to succeed!