How to Work and Homeschool with Film School
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Film School for Teens My kids watched Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and it was an actual school requirement from Film School For Teens. This year we added a few online homeschool classes to our school day because I am working outside of the house a few days a week. Obviously, I am not alone in my search for how to work and homeschool.
I am seeing a huge uptick in questions and searches on my blog asking how to homeschool as a working parent. Film School for Teens is one of the ways I am making sure the kids have online lessons lined up for the homeschool day for the hours that I am away.
Why Are Parents Looking to Online Teaching for Their Homeschool?
A huge number of parents invoulintarily “homeschooled” their students last year when the pandemic forced their children out of schools. It wasn’t the worst thing ever for them. They discovered that they liked having their kids around. The numbers show that a large number of those parents are now choosing to homeschool.
No matter what the reasons for continuing, these parents are newer to homeschooling and in need of curriculum support. Online christian homeschool classes are a great way to bridge the teaching gap this year while they find the homeschool style and the curriculum that fits their family. Online art classes for homeschoolers like Film School for Teens can help fill times when parents are working online from home.
Most homeschool days can be split into independent work and work where the parent is needed to give direction or guidance. I assign FS4T and several other online courses and resources that can be done independently, on the days I work outside of the home.
Maybe you are not working. Even traditional homeschoolers are looking to more online homeschool classes. The top reasons I am hearing in groups I am involved in are; the desire to familiarize their kids with tech in a safe and controlled way and so parents can prepare their students for upper level learning under another instructor.
Knowing What to Do Each Day
I like assigning Film School for Teens on my work days. One is that the kids know exactly what to do. The lesson begins with a Q&A reading selection. This tells them what to expect this week, as well as a place to take notes during the video lesson. Lessons are accessed online through Film School’s site. The site is well constructed with easy access to the selected course you purchased. Access is given by creating an individual account for each student with an email and username.
Made for Discerning Teens and Critics
The setting of the video lessons is well constructed. The teens involved in the production are warm, friendly and sincere. This is a plus because my teens can sniff out a fake production. Often teens will tune out if they know they are being SOLD something. Damon Evans does a great job with his course. Not only in its creation but also in the high level of production quality. My homeschool curriculum reviewing teens gave it a thumbs up and enjoyed the interview style lessons.
We call it our weekly online art classes for homeschoolers. The focus is on the visual arts. I created a plan with working outside of the home In mind. I knew that we have had great success with a four-day work week in the past. Day five is used for electives, science experiments, online art class and any make-up work that needs to be done.
Make Creative Work; Creditable Work
Film School has eighteen lessons designed to be done over two weeks. It can be a 1 credit, 36 week elective course. We are using it once a week, in the first semester of our school year. I have found that a week is adequate for our kids to watch and follow up on the lessons. We have a shortened schedule with less work on Monday. This leaves time to complete the creative Assignment (Film Making) portion of the lesson as well.
This is a full scale online homeschool course. This course would be a great class to do with some friends to get really creative. If you have a student who is attached to their phone, invest in them. Instead of making money for apps like Tik-Tok or Snapchat, give them skills for the real world with this course. We plan to use YouTube for Teens in the second half of the year with our older teens.
Keeping Your Student’s Paper Trail Neat
The lessons are neatly arranged in the accompanying workbook. The full set is part of Timberdoodle’s 7th grade curriculum kit. I love that it is included in their easy to use printable schedule. The design is well done and created to be appealing to teens. Black and white screams cheap to our kids and they know it. The workbook is colorful, cleanly designed and easy to follow. Everything your teen needs is available at the turn of a page.
This means no lost pages, misplaced assignments or questions about “What’s Next!” It is open and go, every time. This is one of the reasons I chose Film School for my non-teaching day. If it is complicated, it isn’t going to work for us. I could not answer questions while I am working.
Each Lesson Has An Assigned Film to Watch
There is a film assigned in each lesson, to view and critique. Many of the films are easy to access by your commonly used digital movie providers. You can save money and use interlibrary loans, search online or borrow these as they are scheduled. I have chosen to purchase any films we didn’t have access to from Amazon. This is the easiest way for us to save time and energy. Each film is under $4 and can be accessed immediately. They are all great movies that we can watch as a family. This is also a great way to connect with your teens as they take the course.
You can bypass any assigned movie and use the blank Film Report. It is provided in the back of the workbook. This allows you to choose to use film school with a younger child. Do you have a child who is interested in the history and creation of movies? They can still use Film School and bypass a particular movie for personal reasons. The Life of Pi, The Outsiders, Les Mis, E.T. and the Wizard of Oz are a few of the movies assigned over the course work. Though the movies are diverse this is an option for parents searching for online Christian homeschool classes.
Let’s Get Down to Application
Students are assigned to get creative with what they are learning each week in Film School. Damon helps the students get creative by giving a clear assignment each week. These build technical and creative storytelling skills over the course.
When they reach the end of the course your student will turn in a short film they created. In It they will use all the skills from the lessons in the course. This is an opportunity for real visual storytellers to shine. Teens who are challenged are given a chance to shine.
Tech often gets a bad wrap from parents. Today, it is the voice by which we communicate with the world. We need creative visual communicators. We also need to develop shrewd watchers in our teens. Ones who can look at a media with a critical eye. Together we can ask deeper questions about what the creators are trying to say. Because of this course, our teens can discern both in the live action part of film and in the more subtle visual cues.
Unleash Creative Film Makers and Critical Thinkers
If I have one wish, it is that critical thinking skills be on the curriculum list of every homeschooling parent. There should be more online christian homeschool classes like this. Teens are taught about the power of visual media and how to be discerning about the messages they are receiving.
Film School for Teens does a great job of helping teens look at media. It is a great choice for those looking at online art classes. Homeschoolers can develop a critical eye, turning from passive to active watchers. This is a life skill we can all use.
