Secular Homeschool Textbooks Not That Hard to Find

According to Dianna Narciso

Atheist, secular, and religious homeschoolers who have no argument with evolution, struggle to find homeschooling books that accurately present science. Unfortunately, they often have trouble finding textbooks in all subjects that aren't saturated with Christian doctrine.

Well at least she realizes all homeschoolers aren't Christian Fundamentalist (sigh). But no, we don't have trouble finding secular textbooks just do a Google search for Secular Homeschool Textbooks and voila.

I have to agree that I did generally wind up using the same textbooks public schools used or at least the same publishers. But ..................it really wasn't a problem, and yes the books were pricey. But I am perplexed by the people who seem to think it is nearly impossible to find secular textbooks to use for homeschooling. I do agree that there is a market for secular homeschoolers and it is growing every day, perhaps some bright young homeschool entrepreneur will fill the niche.

The Raw Story Gives Homeschoolers A Raw Deal

According to The Raw Story Top US home-school texts dismiss evolution. REALLY!!! What is the top homeschool text?  Homeschoolers are a diverse bunch and I assure you we do not all use the same textbooks. Far from it, the beauty of homeschooling is we can search out the best text to fit our children's needs.

Home-school mom Susan Mule wishes she hadn't taken a friend's advice and tried a textbook from a popular Christian publisher for her 10-year-old's biology lessons.

Mule's precocious daughter Elizabeth excels at science and has been studying tarantulas since she was 5. But she watched Elizabeth's excitement turn to confusion when they reached the evolution section of the book from Apologia Educational Ministries, which disputed Charles Darwin's theory.

As a Homeschool Mother I reviewed each textbook I choose for my children, I didn't just blindly buy a book because so and so said I should. When I asked for advice concerning textbooks I asked people whose educational philosophy was similar to my own. There is no way I would have used Apologia Educational Ministries for anything. And how could Susan Mule not know what was in the book if she was preparing lesson plans for Elizabeth. You don't blindly stumble into a chapter, when you homeschool you prepare for the chapter in advance.

Christian-based materials dominate a growing home-school education market that encompasses more than 1.5 million students in the U.S. And for most home-school parents, a Bible-based version of the Earth's creation is exactly what they want. Federal statistics from 2007 show 83 percent of home-schooling parents want to give their children "religious or moral instruction."

Christian based materials do not dominate the growing home-school market contrary to what  is stated at The Raw Storey. Many homeschoolers choose to buy textbooks from mainstream publishers. The same publishers that furnish textbooks to public schools. Also while 83% of homeschoolers my want to give their children "religious or moral instruction" the 83% are not necessarily Christians; Muslims, Pagans, Buddhist and those of other religions also homeschool and wish to pass their "beliefs" on to their children. Also MANY Christians Homeschoolers do believe in evolution and teach evolution to their children.

"The majority of home-schoolers self-identify as evangelical Christians," said Ian Slatter, a spokesman for the Home School Legal Defense Association. "Most home-schoolers will definitely have a sort of creationist component to their home-school program."

Those who don't, however, often feel isolated and frustrated from trying to find a textbook that fits their beliefs.

First off I doubt the majority of home-schoolers self identify as evangelical Christians. H$LDA has a vested interest in promoting this fallacy. I also fail to see why any homeschool parent should feel isolated or frustrated while looking for a textbook.

Secular Homeschool Curriculum
Saxon Math
I was very happy with Amsco School Publications, Inc. for Science and EMC Publishing for Literature and Language Arts. For those publishers who do not sell directly to homeschoolers most textbooks can be found at the Homeschool Supercenter or Amazon.com.

What another Homeschooling Mom has to say on the subject Homeschooling and Evolution.

NH PUBLIC SCHOOL teacher accused of sending nude photo to teen

NH teacher accused of sending nude photo to teen - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com

Book Review: the Raindrop by Brian D. McClure

the Raindrop by Brian D. McClure Illustrated by Buddy Plumlee

The Illustrations by Buddy Plumlee are great. I loved just looking at the pictures. It is really nice when children's books have lovely illustrations so the children can enjoy looking at the book when the adults don't have time to read to them.

I loved the way Brain D. McClure explained the water system in a way a small child could understand. I also appreciated the underlying message that no matter how small we are, we are part of a greater whole and can accomplish great things together.

Lovely Book, I highly recommend it if you have small children.

A list of books by Brian D. McClure can be found here. To learn more about Brain and the Universal Flag click here.

Fired Public School teacher charged with enticing student

Fired PUBLIC SCHOOL teacher charged with enticing student - Local - SunHerald.com

Political Asylum for Homeschooling?

Ronda Kaysen  @ Momlogic doesn't think being forced to send your child to a government school amounts to persecution Political Asylum for Homeschooling?

Her post of course brought out the anti-homeschool BIGOTS in full force one commenter had this to say.

Why would any parent confine their children’s knowledge only to that which the parent knows, robbing those children of the diverse and expansive knowledge of professional educators? Furthermore, why should any society be forced to harbor such? Homeschooled children are denied the opportunity to learn incredibly valuable lessons about navigating social groups, working alongside those different from themselves, and being both a contributor to and participant in a larger community. To those who would argue that it’s a parent’s right to confine their children’s experience to that which the parents deign appropriate, I say that is neglect, abuse, and excessive control of precisely the wrong things. All the world needs is more religious wingnuts with zero knowledge of history, psychology, sociology, science. (eyeroll)

- Libby

What an ignorant and offensive statement. Homeschooling doesn't confine a child's knowledge, in fact homeschooling opens more doors then most public schools do as homeschooled children are treated like individuals instead of clones. Also homeschooled children have more opportunities to engage in their communities then most public school students who are stuck inside a classroom are offered.

Most homeschool parents seek out resources; including the Internet that allow themselves and their children to explore the world. They are actively involved in their communities and interact with a far wider range of people then public school students will ever encounter in their classrooms.

I am really tired of bigots  like Libby who know nothing about homeschooling harassing, bashing and insulting homeschoolers.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Homeschool Buzz is hosting the Oddities Edition of the CoH.