Videos are such a fun way to introduce or explore new topics.  For visual learners videos can be the key to understanding complex concepts.  With the freedom that homeschool gives us we can explore any topic that our kids find interesting instead of having to stick to a rigid set of standards.  That way our kids are happy to learn and we're happy to discuss complex topics with our soon-to-be-adults!  Jen and I have discussed some of our favorite videos from Amazon Prime that we use to teach social history.  Here they are in no particular order!  Hope you find a new teaching tool your teen loves!

We hope you found a new must-watch video among our favorites!  We have used these videos for homeschool kids in grades 8-12, it really depends on what the teen is interested in and their learning style.  Follow our blog for more teaching tools and lessons that we use this year with our homeschoolers! 

Have an opinion about one of these videos? Teaching tips for other homeschool parents? Comment or share and we'll add them to the post!

Choosing a school for your child can be a daunting task, especially when you consider the influence that choice will have on your child's future.  Most parents think they have to choose either public, private, or online education.  However there is an alternative to these choices that could lead to your child growing by leaps and bounds this year.  One teaching method that is extremely beneficial for many children is one-on-one in-person teaching.  Why is one-on-one education so important to some children?  Read on to find out:

Reason 2:  Adaptive to learning style and special needs

One-on-one in-person education allows your child's teacher to tailor lessons to fit any learning style or special needs.  In traditional public and private schools most teaching is geared toward students who learn either through listening, reading, or writing.  This leaves many children behind not because they can't do the work but because they can't learn the way they're being taught.  With one-on-one education provided by experienced professionals all student needs can be addressed so no child gets left behind.  There are many theories of learning styles that teachers know about but are often unable to apply in a classroom setting.  When a teacher only has one student then suddenly there are many choices for how a lesson can be taught, especially if that teacher has experience working with other children who have had the same experiences.  Additionally, when students have special needs, either EBD or LD, there are limited interventions that traditional schools can offer.  With one-on-one education the teacher has time to learn about special needs in general and your child's needs specifically and adapt lessons to best benefit your child.

Reason 3: Personalized curriculum

When your child is taught one-on-one and in-person then every piece of curriculum is chosen specifically for him or her.  Every assignment can be tailored to your child's needs, interests, and abilities.  No child can fall behind in a one-on-one environment because the teacher won't move on unless their student fully understands a concept.  If your child is having a difficult day in a one-on-one school environment then the teacher can easily improvise a new lesson with ease, unlike at a traditional school where teachers have one lesson that must be followed for the day.  With the ability to work with your child's interests, teachers are able to show more real-world application activities for their students and introduce critical thinking skills that turn struggling students into life-long learners.  Because of these unique teaching techniques PHC's teachers can use we rarely hear the question, "When am I ever going to use this?"

​Home-based private tutors for full-time education are within your grasp at Premier Homeschool Consultants (PHC).  We will create a program specifically for your child that constantly adapts to meet his or her needs while also meeting the educational standards for the state of Minnesota. 

The main benefit of choosing PHC for your child's schooling this year is the consistent one-on-one in-person teaching.  This is a need for many children, and unfortunately there are few school systems in Minnesota that can provide this for your family.  PHC, however, is fully prepared to work with your family to design a program that is tailored to your child's learning style, special needs, personality, and even specific interests.  Call us today at 612.643.1132 or email us at PremierHSC@charter.net to learn more about how Premier Homeschool Consultants can help your child experience educational success!
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Last spring Premier Homeschool Consultants' elementary-aged students conducted an extensive project to learn about plants.   Through hands-on activities, observations, and journaling, these youngsters were able to learn while having lots of fun!
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This project began with students learning about seeds and their parts.  Instead of just doing worksheets, though, we had the children explore the magic of how nature works!  The students began with measuring and noting the sizes of seeds and then wrapping the seeds in wet paper towels.  Every day the boys took the seeds out of the paper towels and made observations and measurements...just like the scientists that all kids are!
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After the seeds were big enough the students planted them and learned about the nutrients plants get from the soil.  The great thing about doing this project with homeschoolers is that they learn as much as they want to and aren't limited by textbooks or supposed grade level material.  These boys can now use words like "cotyledon" and know what they're talking about.  They noted the same information every day so they could see the need for consistent observations and the pace of growth in their plants.
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At the end of the project the boys made graphs of the data they collected, allowing them to learn more about computer programs in addition to their science lessons.  They also gave speeches to explain the process, highlights of their observations, and to show their completed journals.  The boys were excited to be able to show what they had learned!