A lot of the coursework as a sophomore was similar to what we did during freshman year…including English, Literature, History, Spanish , and Health. We continued through the same English book and Literature book. History was focused on the Medieval time period. Spanish included interpreting spoken dialogue. And Health continued to dig into nutrional choices and the effecs on the body (especially as an athlete).
Sophomore math was Geometry and we chose to use Khan Academy. After looking at all the ways a geometry course can be taught and all the focuses that can be emphasized, we (again) felt that a video style of teaching on a daily basis would be more helpful. Due to the high school course requirements for the engineering course he would be taking at the high school his sophomore year, our older son ended up taking Geometry in the summer between Freshman and Sophomore year in order to be able to take the engineering class at the high school during his sophomore year.
Chemistry was the science choice for sophomore year and we used the same curriculum/author as in our other years of homeschooling. Again, the author, Dr. Jay Wile, does an excellent job taking complex topics and simplifying them while using everyday/familiar examples for ensuring complete understanding . Even our son commented on Dr. Wile’s ability to simplify complex ideas in real ways.
We also chose to study the Constitution throughout the year in addition to the Medeival history covered in our history course. We used a book written by a homeschooled student called Our Constitution Rocks. It is a great resource for breaking down the constitution for an upper elementary through adult aged individual. The author also gives examples from recent years where a decision was recently made using each specific part of the constitution in a government decision. We also benefitted from seeing the date/time periods that various parts were incorporated/implemented. I would highly recommend some type of specific study of the Constitution during high school.
With interest in guitar, our oldest also chose 2nd semester to offset his first semester Health course with a Music Theory class during 2nd semester. In addition to his continued interest in the violin and the piano, he learned quite a bit on both the acoustic and electric guitar.
Some reading assignments through the year incorporated current event articles coupled with specified writing assignments in response. Other reading (in addition to the Literature book readings) included…some re-reading of the American Adventure and Hardy Boy books, a couple books by Stephen Mansfield, and the Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis.
Somehow he also managed to find time for quite a few other personal interests and crafts that I won’t bore you with (but would gladly share upon request). Needless to say, there was quite the balance between work, study, craft, and athletics.