As a Christian homeschool mom, teaching high school language arts may feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! With the right tools and strategies, you can confidently guide your teens to success. Recently, Master Books hosted a special webinar, Mastering High School Language Arts: Insights and Strategies, featuring Language Lessons for a Living Education authors Kristen Pratt and Sarah Gabel. This wisdom-packed event provided actionable tips and detailed insights that are sure to equip you on this journey.
Whether you're new to homeschooling high school or looking to improve your approach, this blog will walk you through key takeaways from the webinar, with two featured videos so you can access the full content at your convenience.
How to Properly Use the Program
One of the most critical aspects of successfully teaching high school language arts is understanding how to use the curriculum effectively. Kristen Pratt and Sarah Gabel unpacked the practical side of the Language Lessons for a Living Education series (levels 9-12), guiding you on how to utilize the program for maximum impact.
When you watch the video below, Mastering High School Language Arts with Authors Kristen Pratt and Sarah Gabel, you'll get an in-depth walk-through of the Language Lessons for a Living Education high school curriculum. The authors guide you through how to effectively use the program, breaking down each day’s lessons and features. From practical approaches to teaching grammar, communication, and worldview analysis, to understanding how the curriculum integrates SAT/ACT-level vocabulary and essay writing using Chicago, MLA, and APA citation formats, this webinar offers step-by-step clarity. The ladies also highlight how the curriculum promotes critical thinking, literary analysis, and persuasive communication, all rooted in a biblical worldview.
Additionally, Pratt and Gabel provide valuable insights into grading methods, explaining rubrics and offering adaptable strategies to tailor the program to your homeschool needs. Whether it's selecting additional literature to enhance your student’s learning or preparing them for high school success with skills that go beyond language arts, this video is packed with expert advice to help you confidently guide your teens through these critical years.
Grading, Rubrics, and Required Books: Simplified
Grading in high school language arts can be tricky, especially when it comes to subjective areas like essays and creative writing. Sarah Gabel offers a clear, easy-to-understand breakdown of grading methods, ensuring you feel confident in assessing your student’s work. In addition to grading, she walks you through the rubrics provided in the curriculum, explaining how they are designed to promote growth in both writing and critical thinking skills.
Grading in high school language arts can be tricky, especially when it comes to subjective areas like essays and creative writing. Sarah Gabel offers a clear, easy-to-understand breakdown of grading methods, ensuring you feel confident in assessing your student’s work. In addition to grading, she walks you through the rubrics provided in the curriculum, explaining how they are designed to promote growth in both writing and critical thinking skills.
Practical Grammar and Choosing Additional Literature
While the Language Lessons for a Living Education curriculum includes a well-rounded approach to grammar, Kristen and Sarah emphasize that high school language arts should also involve meaningful communication skills. In the webinar, they discuss how to take a practical approach to grammar—teaching it in a way that equips students to communicate clearly and effectively. Additionally, they provide guidance on choosing additional literature that will complement your student’s learning journey.
Preparing High School Students for Success
One of the primary goals of high school language arts is to prepare your students for life beyond homeschooling. Kristen and Sarah offer practical insights into how Language Lessons for a Living Education prepares students not only for college and the workforce but also to communicate God’s truth with confidence in today’s culture. From essay writing to oral communication, the high school levels help students develop the skills they need to succeed academically and spiritually.
Q&A with Kristen Pratt and Sarah Gabel
The webinar concluded with a live Q&A session, where Kristen and Sarah answered real questions from homeschooling parents. They covered topics such as adapting the curriculum for different learning styles, balancing language arts with other high school subjects, and how to encourage reluctant writers. Their wisdom and personal experience make this Q&A session a must-watch for any Christian homeschool mom seeking to enhance her high school language arts instruction.
In case you missed the live event, the full Q&A session is available in the webinar replay below.
Take the Next Step
Mastering high school language arts doesn't have to be overwhelming. With the right guidance, tools, and encouragement, you can provide your teens with a solid language arts education that honors God and equips them for the future. Be sure to watch the videos from the webinar for even more insights and strategies that will help you lead your homeschool students to success!
