FINE ARTS CREDIT SOLUTION FOR
HOMESCHOOLERS WHO LOVE TO SING
Plus A Breakdown Of U.S. State Requirements For Fine Arts
While it is not required in all 50 U.S. states, pursuing a Fine Arts Credit in music and singing is a fun and fantastic way for homeschooled high schoolers to enhance their education and personal development. It provides opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents while helping to make their college admissions stand out by showing that they are well-rounded and prepared for future career opportunities!
In this blog, we will explore how singing and music will enrich your homeschooler’s life, how many credits are needed for fine arts or extracurriculars to graduate in your home state, how the Carnegie credit system works, and how your child can get a fine arts credit by learning how to sing!
“As a vocal coach and father of two homeschooled daughters that love to sing,
I saw firsthand that there was a need for quality programs that allow students
to learn at their own pace and wouldn’t cost their parents a fortune!”
– Richard Fink IV (founder of Throga)
Benefits of Singing and Music for Homeschoolers
Homeschool fine arts programs for high school students (9th-12th grade) are an excellent opportunity for students to explore their artistic talents and interests while preparing for college and beyond. One of the most beneficial fine arts programs that students can participate in is singing and music. Singing and music education not only help to develop a student’s voice, but also enhances their mind, confidence, and communication skills, which can be applied throughout their life.
One of the key benefits of singing is its ability to develop a student’s mind. Singing and music education require students to use their memory, focus, and problem-solving skills. Singing requires a student to be able to remember lyrics, melody, and harmonies, which improves their memory skills. Additionally, singing requires students to focus on their breathing and pitch, which helps them to concentrate and improve their focus. Lastly, singing also requires students to be able to resolve any vocal or musical issues they may face, which helps them to develop their overall sense of physical coordination and ability to solve unexpected challenges.
Another key benefit of singing is developing a more enriched voice. Through singing, students learn to control their breath, improve their pitch, and develop a clear and powerful voice. This not only helps students to become better singers but also improves their overall public speaking skills, as singing requires the use of clear and confident speaking. In addition, studying singing helps to build a student’s confidence, as they learn to express themselves through music and perform in front of others.
Homeschool Community for Singers
Whenever possible, it is highly recommended that you connect your child with a local theater group, community choir, or church group. This is a great way for them to earn hours towards a homeschool credit while they collaborate with their peers and create music together. Working with other singers and musicians to produce a cohesive performance is a great way to deepen their communication skills and foster a sense of community in a positive learning environment.
However, in most cases, choir practice, private singing lessons, and a few performances or recitals throughout the year won’t be enough for the number of hours required to achieve a full Fine Arts Credit. Or perhaps your child isn’t interested in group singing and just wants to focus on developing their voice independently. As you may have already discovered, finding the right tools and guidance to fulfill a homeschool credit for music and vocal education is extremely challenging. But don’t worry, we have an excellent solution for high schoolers who love to sing or want to learn how!
First, it’s important you understand how many Carnegie credit hours your child needs to earn a fine arts or extracurricular credit based on your location.
How Carnegie Credits are Used for Homeschoolers
Carnegie credit is a unit of measurement used by schools and colleges to quantify the amount of time a student spends on a particular subject. It is named after Andrew Carnegie, who believed in the importance of education and was a major philanthropist in the field. By most standards, one Carnegie credit is equivalent to approximately 120 hours of study time, usually spread out over 30+ weeks per year. However, many schools have adopted an increase of hours to be logged for core subjects such as math, language arts, and science.
For high school homeschoolers, it’s essential to know how many credits one needs to graduate, and in what fields of study. The number of Carnegie credits a student is required to complete varies depending on their state and the curriculum they are following, but typically students are required to complete between 22-26 credits to earn a diploma. Using this standard of measurement provides a clear target for the amount of learning needed for each subject and can help homeschoolers to pace their learning while ensuring that they complete the required number of credits in a timely manner.
The Best Fine Arts Credit for Singing Online
Whether a student’s motive is to fulfill a fine arts credit in a fun and informative way through singing or is pursuing a career in the performing arts, homeschool fine arts programs can help them to accomplish their goals. Every experienced parent knows it can be tedious having to plan appropriately challenged activities, organize a paper trail, and log hours can become overwhelming for EVERY subject throughout high school.
As a vocal coach and father of two homeschooled daughters that love to sing, I saw firsthand that there was a need for quality programs that allow students to learn at their own pace and wouldn’t cost their parents a fortune. This brings us to Throga’s very own Homeschool Vocal Gym.
Of course, we here at Throoga are entirely biased in suggesting that this is the BEST Fine Arts Credit program out there for singers! But we urge you to take some time and research for yourself. The Homeschool Vocal Gym is a very unique and exciting program that goes well above and beyond your typical educational course, which offers a comprehensive curriculum, regular progress assessments, and a supportive community of music experts.
And unlike most other fine arts-related courses online, the Homeschool Vocal Gym provides 150+ hours of learning, assignments, activities, and practice routines per school year, creating a flexible solution for your child to meet your state’s requirements. This means you can use the Homeschool Vocal Gym exclusively to earn enough Carnegie credit hours, or you can use it in conjunction with other learning activities such as private instrument lessons (voice, piano, guitar, etc), participating in local theater groups, or taking a music appreciation course online.
Fine Arts Requirements by U.S. State
Pursuing a Fine Arts Credit, even if the state does not require it, can still count towards an extracurricular activity requirement for graduation. The Carnegie credit system provides flexibility in how a student acquires the hours needed and allows them to log their time outside of typical school hours, including over summer break. This gives homeschoolers the opportunity to continue exploring their interests and developing their skills in music, or any other fine arts subject while fulfilling their graduation requirements. Depending on your child’s aspirations, a credit for fine arts can also demonstrate to colleges and universities the student’s commitment and passion for the arts, which can be a valuable asset in their college application.
Below is a list of U.S. States, the number of credits required in the Fine Arts (or Extracurricular), the estimated number of hours required to complete credit, and a direct link to the state Homeschool laws for further details. Generally speaking, 120 logged hours will suffice for a Fine Arts Credit (such as art, music, and dance) or extracurricular activities (such as sports and computer sciences) as described by the Evaluating Credits By Logging Hours section on HSLDA’s website. Whereas other core subjects such as Language, Math, and Science may require 135-180 hours, depending on the state and local laws.
* Always double-check how many hours are required for both core and non-core subjects with your local school district, county, or state before planning your year’s curriculum.
Conclusion
Homeschool fine arts programs, specifically singing and music education, provide students with numerous benefits, including the development of their mind, voice, confidence, and communication skills, as well as a sense of community. For students who are interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts or just want to learn about singing in a fun and informative way, gaining a Fine Arts Credit will help your child succeed in whatever career path they choose!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What counts as a “fine art” for homeschool credit?
Fine arts credit generally refers to the performing arts, visual arts, and music. Performing arts include most things directly related to the theater, including singing, acting/drama, dancing, and stagecraft. Visual arts include a variety of mediums under the umbrella of painting or drawing. Although photography and design may qualify as visual arts in some territories, it is not universally accepted as such and are sometimes categorized as extracurricular. Music includes learning, practicing, and performing any musical instrument, including but limited to the voice, piano, guitar, violin, drums, and brass instruments.
How many fine arts credits do you need to graduate high school?
Fine Arts Credit varies from state to state, typically ranging from 0.5 to 2 credits (60-240 Carnegie credit hours). However, a fine arts credit can count towards an extracurricular activity, but not all extracurricular activities can count towards the Fine Arts.
Are 2 or 3 hours of homeschooling per day enough?
Many parents discover that their child’s core subjects can be achieved in as little as 2-3 hours per school day. However, if you are following the Carnegie credit system, your child may need to spend 3-5 hours per week, for 30 weeks, to cover core subjects like math and language arts. Extracurricular and fine arts hours tend to be more flexible and can be logged year-round outside of planned “school hours”. Be sure to check your specific state education laws to verify what your child will need in order to graduate.
How do I incorporate music into my homeschool curriculum?
Incorporating music into your homeschool curriculum can be a fun and educational experience. If you’re planning your own curriculum and logging the hours yourself, here are five popular ways of including music for fine art and/or extracurricular credit:
- Study Music History: Find textbooks and online resources that teach the history of music and how it has evolved over time. This can include learning about different musical genres, composers, and musicians, as well as the cultural and historical context in which music was created.
- Introduce Music Theory: Find an independent music teacher or online course that teaches the basics of music theory, including elements such as rhythm, melody, harmony, and form.
- Encourage Practice and Performance: Encourage your child to practice and perform music, either through playing an instrument or singing. This can help build their musical skills and confidence and can be a fun way to showcase their achievements.
- Visit Concerts and Performances: Take field trips with your child to concerts and performances to expose them to different types of music and to give them an appreciation for live performances or perhaps write a short essay on what they’ve learned.
- Listen to Different Types of Music: Encourage your child to listen to different types of music, from classical to pop, to broaden their musical horizons.
If you prefer to have someone else do the curriculum planning, log the practice hours, and a paper trail showing your child’s progress, find an online course that includes those features.
Do colleges prefer homeschooled students?
Fortunately, colleges and universities generally do not have a preference for homeschooled students over students who have attended traditional schools. Admission decisions are based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement, extracurricular activities, personal characteristics, and if a student is a good fit with the school’s values and mission. In some cases, colleges may actively seek homeschoolers. Either way, it’s important to provide clear and thorough documentation of their educational background and achievements.
What counts as an extracurricular activity?
Extracurricular activities are activities that are done outside of the regular school curriculum, such as clubs, sports, volunteering, and hobbies. These activities provide students with the opportunity to explore their interests, develop new skills, and engage in their communities. Some common examples include:
- Sports: Participating in organized sports teams, such as football, basketball, or soccer.
- Clubs: Joining school-sponsored clubs, such as a robotics club, a debate club, or a drama club.
- Volunteering: Participating in community services, such as volunteering at a local food bank or animal shelter.
- Hobbies: Pursuing personal interests, such as photography, drawing, singing, or playing an instrument.
- Leadership roles: Holding leadership positions in a club or organization, such as serving as the president of a student council.
- Internships: Participating in internships, such as working in a local business or laboratory.
- Competitive events: Participating in competitive events, such as science fairs, speech, and debate competitions, or mathematics contests.
AUTHOR: RICHARD FINK IV