Monday, May 06, 2013

Homeschooling is a valid educational choice

Contrary to what PAUL KURIAN states Homeschooling is not lacking in any areas. Secular and inclusive homeschoolers teach their children “real” math and science. Our children socialize with other children their age in Recreational Sports Leagues (comprised of homeschoolers, publicly schooled children and privately schooled children), Boy/Girl Scouts and other community organizations.

Homeschooling offers many benefits. It allows families to spend more time together, travel when it is convenient for them (not when the public school calendar permits), and allows the children to move at their own pace and explore their interest in depth.

Homeschoolers can create an individualized curriculum for each student. Homeschooling provides an environment free of bullying, encourages individuality, and a more well-rounded personalized education.

The majority of homeschoolers are well prepared for college and enjoy successful careers upon graduating from college. The Homeschool population is comprised of families from different religious groups, ethnic groups, and social economic groups just like public school students are. Kurian’s assumption that we are "birds of same feather" couldn’t be more wrong.

Homeschooling is a valid educational choice just like public and private schools are. While homeschooling is not for every family those families who do embrace it reap many benefits.

Sunday, May 05, 2013

Book Review - Oddkins

Oddkins: A Fable for All AgesOddkins: A Fable for All Ages by Dean R. Koontz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very cute. It looks like a children's book but it doesn't have as many pictures as your typical children's book and has many more words.

When Issac Bodkins passes away before he can recruit a new "magic" toymaker his toys must make a dangerous journey across town to recruit Colleen Shannon themselves. Lead by Amos the bear, Burl the elephant, Skippy the rabbit, Butterscotch the dog, Patch the cat and Gibbons bravely set out. But not only do they have to overcome the weather, mean dogs and ally cats they also have to fight against the evil toys made by the previous toymaker.

Victor Bodkins never cared about anything but money, but when he sees the toys are alive a new world opens to him and he sets out to follow them. When Nick Jagg (who hopes to buy the toy shop and make evil toys) offers him a lot of money he turns him down and throws in his lot with the good toys, who have been grievously harmed by the evil toys.

When they finally reach Mrs Shannon's shop she is able to patch all the toys up except Amos who appears to be dead, but Butterscotch with her loving heart and wisdom hits upon using stuffing from herself and the other friends (like a transfusion) to bring him back to life.

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