Selecting Journals and Assigning Credits

Most required subjects are covered using Fun-Schooling journals. You will need a math curriculum; math notes, problem-solving, etc. are documented in core journals. Journals are used alongside books, documentaries, podcasts, in-field studies, etc. Each year, students can use a 10 or 12 subject Portfolio, High School Handbook, or Core Journal. These cover all the main school subjects. Photos of your student’s work can also be added to the journals

(For those wishing to do so, suggested credits are listed in the examples below. These may vary depending on how much time your student spends on a journal.)

OPTION 1- Choose a Major
Students select a major based on their calling in life and/ or desired career path. In most cases, their major will stay the same all four years of high school. Though, like a college major, they may change it.
Single-subject journals or core journals based on their major are used. If a journal on their major doesn’t exist, any core journal can be chosen. Each required subject is studied in line with their major.

Example for Students Majoring in Fashion

● Core journal or 10-Subject or 12-Subject Portfolio– 3 credits
● Fashion Dreams Time Travel History– 1 credit
● Fashion School– ½ credit
● Book of Dance – ½ credit
● Design A Dress – ½ credit
● Foreign Language– ½-1 credit
● Pondering the Past– 1 credit
● World Timeline (your student will add to this every year)
● Science Handbook– ¼ credit per hour a week use (this can be completed once a week and used multiple years)
● Chosen math curriculum- ½ to 1 credit

Example for Students Majoring in Zoology or another Animal-Based Field

● Core journal or 10-Subject or 12-Subject Portfolio– 3 credits
● 12 Months in the Forest– ½ credit
● Endangered Species – 1 credit
● DIY Book of Animals– ½ credit
● 50 Creative Writing Prompts- ½ credit
● Four of the single-country Travel Dreams journals of your student’s choice- ¼ credit per journal
● American History Timeline – 1 credit
● Chosen math curriculum – 1 credit
● Science Handbook ¼ credit per hour a week use (this can be completed once a week and used multiple years)
The student can alternate using their core one day and single-subject journals the next.

OPTION 2- Subject-Based School Years

Earn multiple credits in one year for the same subjects. Example- Focus one year on History and Language Arts. Another on Science and Math, a third on Social Studies and Language, and a fourth on Humanities and the Arts.

Fun-Schooling journals naturally combine multiple subjects in each journal. You’ll be able to earn partial credit in other subjects as well as full credits in the “theme” for the year. The student can alternate using their core one day and single-subject journals the next.

Example for a Social Studies and Language Year

● Core journal or 10-Subject or 12-Subject Portfolio– 3 credits
● Travel Dreams 30 Fascinating Cities — 1 credit
● Transportation History– 1 credit
● Inventions & Inventors – 1/2 credit
● Foreign Language Journal ½-1 credit
● Picturing the Past – 1 credit
● Writer’s Journal – 2 credits
● Chosen math curriculum- 1 credit

Example for a History and Language Arts Year

● Core journal or 10-Subject or 12-Subject Portfolio– 3 credits
● American History Timeline – 1 credit
● Heroes & Villains of History– ½ credit
● Past Times Newspaper– ½ credit
● Pondering the Past– 1 credit
● Viking Vocabulary– 1 credit
● Classical Poetry– ½ credit
● Chosen math curriculum – 1 credit

KEEP IN MIND

• Credits do not have to come through book work. We created Fun-Schooling journals to document what our children are learning in all of life. Learning happens everywhere. Some universities allow students to skip certain courses if they have enough real-life experience.
• It’s okay if your teen doesn’t complete every page. Public school students don’t finish all pages in books either!
• Keep a log of books your teen has read and/or listened to.
• Teens can document volunteer hours and write about the experience in journals. This information can be used on resumes, job and college applications, and applied as credit in some places.
• Did your teen plan and make dinner? Write it down in a journal! Students will enjoy having their favorite recipes when they move out and will learn important skills. Some states will allow this time to be applied as credit. Students majoring in cooking can show these pages to prospective employers.
• Life experience should be documented in a journal whenever possible. Such as when your student helps you with the household budget (or sets one of their own), helps with car repairs, or participates in community engagement. As with volunteer experience, this can often be used on resumes, applications, and may be applied as school credit.
• If your student has a paying job, most states allow this experience to be added as high school credit as well!

OTHER JOURNAL SUGGESTIONS

Suggestions for One-Time Buys:
These journals can be purchased at the beginning of High School (or continued if already started younger) and spread out to be used all four years-
● World History Timeline
● Pondering the Past
● Picturing the Past
● Science Handbook and/or DIY Scientific Discoveries
● Reading Time

EXTRAS

• DIY journals- topics include Science, Math, History, Home Economics, Language Arts, Social Studies, Fashion, and more. These are blank templates your child can in with notes. Easily allowing your student to study anything. Here is a link to all the DIY Journals.
• Master Class lets teens build a portfolio. These are great to show to prospective employers, clients, or college admissions counselors.
• All About Money teaches teens essential money skills and How to Make Money lets them learn about different careers and callings.
• Life Skills will equip your student with all they need to thrive after they are living on their own.
• Top 30 Grammar Mistakes and Spelling Time- Master the Top 150 Misspelled Words will help solidify your teen’s writing skills.