Graduation Ceremonies and Homeschooling - It's Not Oil and Water! By Camille Rodriquez

You can read the article here.

Scitable

This is a great Science Resource and best of all it is totally FREE.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Our Curious Home is hosting this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling.

Homeschoolers Leery of Bill White

With a strong homeschool supporter like Bill White running for governor, why are homeschoolers less then enthusiastic about him?

Recent comments about the dropout rate and Bill White's position on homeschooling have been dramatically distorted for political purposes.

Bill White is on the record as a strong supporter of homeschooling, and as governor he will protect the rights of parents to make educational choices for their children.

Well first he wanted  homeschoolers counted as dropouts.  Then  fearing he would lose the VOTES of homeschoolers and homeschool supporters  he came out saying he is a strong supporter of homeschooling.

In recent months, a number of reports have exposed public schools that falsify records in order present a lower than actual dropout rate. In many cases, students who have dropped out are falsely declared transfers or homeschooled students. When a public school falsely declares a child who has dropped out as a homeschool student, it hurts the credibility of all parents who choose homeschooling.

Let me get this straight. The public schools are the ones falsifying data but Bill White blames homeschoolers and says  it's their credibility that is at stake. Mr. White if you truly supported homeschooling you would place the blame where it belongs on the public schools that are falsifying data and would acknowledge that it is the public schools credibility that is hurt. After all the public schools are the ones who are lying falsifying data.

Bill White believes in accountability and results. If you care about a result, you measure and test it. Many homeschooled children in Texas are held to rigorous standards by their parents and teachers who share this belief.

The public schools are suppose to be accountable to the taxpayers who support them therefore they are measured and tested. Homeschool parents on the other hand (who do not receive tax money to support their homeschool endeavors) are not accountable to the state but it sure sounds as if Bill White wants homeschoolers TESTED, and that he wants homescoolers to be accountable to the state.

I can see why homeschooler in Texas are leery of Bill White. He certainly doesn't sound like a homeschool supporter to me.

Homeschool and Etc.: Bill White for Texas Governor!

Read Mrs. C's delightfully snarky post.
Homeschool and Etc.: Bill White for Texas Governor!

Chanel Volpel column: Homeschoolers don't match stereotypes

Read the article here.

W&L Professor's Memoir Offers Insight into Short-Term Homeschooling

Read W&L Professor's Memoir Offers Insight into Short-Term Homeschooling. I will have a chance to review her book soon.

223rd Carnival of Homeschooling: Open House

The Nerd Family is hosting the 223rd Carnival of Homeschooling: Open House. I can't wait to drop by for a nice long visit.

Alasandra's Place: Books I Read in March

Alasandra's Place: Books I Read in March

52 Totally Awesome Science Experiments You Can Do At Home

Are you looking for Science experiments you can do at home? check this site @ Phlebotomy Technician Schools out.

If you ask stupid & insulting questions don't expect to be treated with kid gloves

A rather immature blogger posted a list of homeschool questions some offensive, some plain stupid and some seemed to be serious questions. Then she got in a huff when homeschoolers didn't answer them the way she wished them to be answered. What is the point of asking questions about a topic if you aren't willing to listen to all the answers?

1. Why do homeschoolers choose homeschooling? Do the kids get a say in this choice?

This question was fine and seemed to be motivated by a legitimate desire to learn more about homeschooling. But why don't we ever ask public school parents why they choose to send their children to public school and if their kids get a say in the choice.

2. How do HSers (homeschoolers) know they will be good at homeschooling?

Again this question is fine, but why don't we ask public school teachers how they know they will be good teachers, or public school parents how they know they will be good parents? 

3. What are the benefits of homeschooling?

Good question but again why don't these bloggers ever question the benefits of public schools or private schools for that matter.

4. Okay. Seriously. If parents are stupid — as in, not all that bright from an academic perspective – should they homeschool? 

OK, this question is insulting. Why not ask if a couple isn't all that bright should they have kids? And if she means that they weren't top of their class straight A students, has she talked to any public school teachers. Most of them were average students who made B's & C's especially those who teach the elementary grades.

5. If parents are stupid, do they know they’re stupid and perhaps shouldn’t homeschool?

Another insulting question.

6. Or are the available curricula (check me OUT) so amazing that they render anyone a teaching genius, so it’s okay if you start out dumb — or dumber?

OK, this could be a legitimate question about curricula, but it is worded to insult. Why not just ask if the available curricula makes it easy for anyone to teach it?

7. What does a HSing parent do if they don’t understand something they’re supposed to teach? I’m serious here. I could never teach, oh, calculus, for instance.
Legitimate question and she managed not to be insulting.

8. Why does it seem a disproportionate number of homeschooled kids become obsessed with Ren Faires and crossbows and Celtic music and pan flutes and penny whistles, etc.?

OK, this question was insulting and STUPID and apparently no one ever taught her that if you ask a stupid question you are bound to get some stupid answers.

9. Uhm, is there a pan flute and penny whistle curriculum? 

Again STUPID AND INSULTING.

10. Do many homeschooled kids think TV is the devil and therefore don’t watch it?

Another slightly insulting question and apparently she is assuming that all homeschoolers are Fundamentalist. Why not ask why some public school kids aren't allowed to watch TV?

11. Where/how/in what ways do homeschooled kids hang out with kids other than their siblings? 

A rather stupid question, but giving the blogger the benefit of the doubt perhaps she was clueless and really did want to know.

12. Do most homeschoolers belong to a network of homeschoolers who share their “worldview”?

Again she seems to be making assumptions and unaware how diverse the homeschooling community is.

13. If so, how do homeschooled kids get exposed to other worldviews and learn independent thinking skills?

Again another stupid question.

14. I mean this question quite sincerely because I don’t know the answer, but is there such a thing as a secular homeschooling curriculum or does most HS curriculum contain religious elements?

This was a legitimate question and is worded fine. But if she was really interested why did she delete many of the comments that answered her question. I gave specific examples of secular boxed curriculum in my response.

15. Is homeschooling an anti-culture choice or a hope for a better educational choice or both?

Legitimate question.

16. Does a HSing parent really have to come up with 5 or so hours of lessons every day? How do you handle the disparity of ages in children?

Another good question.

17. Do homeschools offer Christmas, Valentine’s, or Sadie Hawkins dances? What about senior proms?

This question was fine.

18. So how do boys and girls learn to interact with each other?

Another stupid question.

19. What about sports teams, drama clubs, etc.?

Some people do seem clueless about all the many opportunities homeschoolers have so I consider it a legitimate question.

20. If you homeschool, would you do it again or recommend it to a friend? Please explain your yes or no.
Great question.

My answers to her questions can be found here. At one point they were approved and showed up in her comments and then the next day they were gone. Not sure what she found insulting about them.

It is too bad she got in a huff and deleted comments. There was a chance for a honest and open dialog between homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers. Unfortunately since the blogger was too immature to handle answers that didn't pander to her prejudices that chance it gone. And bloggers if you genuinely want to learn more about homeschooling homeschoolers will be glad to answer your questions but don't ask insulting questions and expect to be treated with kid gloves.

Questions for Homeschoolers

 Tracy at beyond the pale has some questions for homeschoolers. Go to her blog and answer them by posting a comment to her post.

Obviously I can only answer these questions as they pertain to my family. Homeschoolers are a diverse bunch.

1. Why do homeschoolers choose homeschooling? Do the kids get a say in this choice?

We choose to homeschool for several different reasons. First my eldest son was way ahead of his class. His fourth grade public school teacher suggested I homeschool after she had spoken to the principal about promoting him a grade level and was told the School Board wouldn't sign off on it as they had a vested interest in keeping children in school for as long as possible for the "funding". We also did not agree with the Mandatory Public School UNIFORM policy the School Board implemented. And yes, my kids did get a say when we decided to homeschool.

2. How do HSers (homeschoolers) know they will be good at homeschooling?

How do you know you will be good at anything? Parents of preschoolers probably have some idea if they would be good at homeschooling. Have they successfully taught their children how to behave? Do they enjoy spending time with their children doing educational things?  If so they will probably be successful homeschoolers. For those with children already in school they can ask themselves how they fare with homework? Do they enjoy helping their children with their homework? Do they enjoy spending time with their children? While homeschooling isn't like "doing homework" some of the same personality conflicts and frustrations would occur in both activities. 

 

3. What are the benefits of homeschooling?

OK, This one has LOTS of answers and I am sure to leave some out. But a few of the benefits. My eldest son was able to start college at 16, since homeschooling allows you to move at your own pace. Homeschooling allowed us to take several fabulous vacations as we weren't tied to the public school calendar and could travel when the opportunity arose. We were able to spend more time together as a family. The kids were able to pursue subjects they were interested in that were not offered at the public schools in our school district.

 

4. Okay. Seriously. If parents are stupid — as in, not all that bright from an academic perspective — should they homeschool? 

Talk to some public school teachers most of them will tell you they didn't do that well in school. In fact a majority will tell you they were B & C students, not the high achieving A students.

 

5. If parents are stupid, do they know they’re stupid and shouldn’t homeschool?

You don't seriously expect an answer to this question do you? 

 

6. Or are the available curricula (check me OUT) so amazing that they render anyone a teaching genius, so it’s okay if you start out dumb — or dumber?

I am choosing to assume you mean a parent may not have knowledge pertaining to a certain subject.  I think it is perfectly permissible for Homeschooling parents to learn along with their kids. For example I learned Japanese along with my children by using Power Glide.

 

7. What does a HSing parent do if they don’t understand something they’re supposed to teach? I’m serious here. I could never teach, oh, calculus, for instance.

• There are homeschool co-ops where parents who do understand calculus will teach your child calculus while you teach something that you are proficient in. 
• If you have the money you can hire a personal tutor for your child. 
• There are online courses your child can take. 

8. Why does it seem a disproportionate number of homeschooled kids become obsessed with Ren Faires and crossbows and Celtic music and pan flutes and penny whistles, etc.? 

Wouldn't know as none of the homeschoolers I  know are interested in these things. My kids obsessions are Digimon and Halo.

9. Uhm, is there a pan flute and penny whistle curriculum? 

Not that I know of.

 

10. Do many homeschooled kids think TV is the devil and therefore don’t watch it?

NO!!!!!! Since we don't have Cable TV (a decision based on finances) my kids usually prefer spending time on the Internet to TV viewing though. We also have a large selection of DVD's.

11. Where/how/in what ways do homeschooled kids hang out with kids other than their siblings?
For younger kids homeschool groups usually get together for park days and field trips. Older kids hang out with their friends at the same places public school kids do; the mall, Internet cafes, sporting events, the movies., each others homes, etc.

12. Do most homeschoolers belong to a network of homeschoolers who share their “worldview”?

No, We belong to an inclusive homeschool group, Parent Educators and Kids (PEAK).

13. If so, how do homeschooled kids get exposed to other worldviews and learn independent thinking skills?

Even the homeschoolers who belong to exclusive homeschool groups are out in their communities.  They use public libraries, they shop at local stores, they eat out.

 

14. I mean this question quite sincerely because I don’t know the answer, but is there such a thing as a secular homeschooling curriculum or does most HS curriculum contain religious elements?

Yes, there is secular homeschooling curriculum available. If you want a boxed set you can use Oak Meadow, Calvert, K12, etc. I personally loved creating a personalized study program and picking out textbooks in which case you can select from a wide array of textbook publishers including the same ones the public schools use.

15. Is homeschooling an anti-culture choice or a hope for a better educational choice or both?

In our case it was a better educational choice.

16. Does a HSing parent really have to come up with 5 or so hours of lessons every day? How do you handle the disparity of ages in children?

Honestly there is so much to learn, and when you are really enjoying the experience 5 hours flies by. My children are pretty close together age wise (22 months) so it wasn't really a problem. I did some classes with both children, in subjects where their abilities were further apart I worked with the eldest in the morning and the youngest in the afternoon.

17. Do homeschools offer Christmas, Valentine’s, or Sadie Hawkins dances? What about senior proms?

Some homeschool groups do. It all depends on what is important to the members of the group.

18. How do boys and girls learn to interact with each other?

You have to be kidding! The same way public school students do.

19. What about sports teams, drama clubs, etc.?

My children took part in recreational soccer, there are various other recreational sports children can participate in. Some of the larger homeschool groups have their own sports teams and drama clubs. There are also community theater groups homeschoolers can join. Many museums offer educational opportunities which homeschoolers are able to utilize. My children took an Art History Class for Homeschoolers at the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art.

20. If you homeschool, would you do it again or recommend it to a friend? Please explain your yes or no.

Having successfully completed our homeschooling journey, both my children are in college, (My eldest son is working on his Masters and my youngest is a college freshman) I certainly recommend homeschooling as a valid educational choice. My only regret is that I didn't homeschool from the beginning. If I could go back we would have been a homeschooling family from Kindergarten.

Why Homeschool: Homeschoolers in the News

This was one of the interesting submissions to this weeks CoH Why Homeschool: Homeschoolers in the News. Drop by The Homespun Life to read more Carnival of Homeschooling Submissions.

I agree with Janine here I doubt if Jarred Mitchell Harrell had attended public school or private school it would have been mentioned in this article. I would also like to know who did the so called homeschooling and when.

You would have thought his bizarre upbringing mentioned in this article would have been of more interest.

Mississippi court records describe a bizarre series of events that found Jarred and his sister bounced between their mother and Harrell (their father) for parts of their young lives.

Annis got custody of the children. Harrell got them back three years later following the events outlined in a judge’s 1990 order in the case.

Shortly before the Harrells separated, she was working as a secretary for Joe Newman, a married, eccentric local inventor. The two became lovers with the knowledge of Newman’s wife, while Annis still had custody of the children, the judge’s order states.

In February 1989, Newman publicized what the order states is a 17-page “news release” in which he announced he was married not only to his wife, but to Annis Harrell and her 8-year-old daughter. The order does not indicate why the release was issued or how, but the order says Newman described himself as a prophet of God and that his wife believed him, among other things.

 Alerted to the public statements, state child welfare officials sought to take the children from their mother, who officially married Newman in September 1989. During a court hearing in the custody matter, Newman said his marriage to the daughter was spiritual, not sexual, and that he would debate with God whether to consummate the marriage, the order states.

Annis divorced Newman and tried to get her children back, though a judge called her attempts manipulative and refused. But in 1993 about five years after Harrell got the children, he gave them back.

Announcement

Figures in Motion will be giving away two copies of Dinosaurs on the Move - by Cathy Diez-Luckie just leave your information on the contact page to enter.

Recommended Geek Dad's How to Teach Physics to Your Kids

Worried about teaching Physics to your kids?

However, as luck would have it, I recently got the chance to interview Union College physics professor Chad Orzel. Orzel is a blogger, a dad, husband of fellow sci-fi/fantasy fan Kate Nepveu and owner of a very intelligent German Shepherd mix named Emmy. And thanks to a couple of entertaining dialogues with Emmy about the mysteries of quantum physics, Orzel is also author of a new book called How to Teach Physics to Your Dog.wired.com, How to Teach Physics to Your Kids, Mar 2010

You should read the whole article.

Secular Homeschoolers Don't Owe the Fundies Anything

Could the author of  Darwin Has a Pity Party (and I about have an aneurysm) at least read Charles Darwin's The Orgin of Species before she starts bashing him and if Creationist actually understood the meaning of a SCIENTIFIC THEORY,  it would be nice.

Here are some terms used in Science and their definitions.

1. A hypothesis is an educated guess, based on observation. Usually, a hypothesis can be supported or refuted through experimentation or more observation. A hypothesis can be disproven, but not proven to be true. 
2. A scientific theory summarizes a hypothesis or group of hypotheses that have been supported with repeated testing. A theory is valid as long as there is no evidence to dispute it.
3. A law generalizes a body of observations. At the time it is made, no exceptions have been found to a law. Scientific laws explain things, but they do not describe them.

 Evolution is not "just a theory". Any scientific theory must be based on a careful and rational examination of the facts. Creationist look really stupid learning impaired when they use the "just a theory" argument.  Newton's theory of "Universal Gravitation", is "just a theory" too but you don't hear Creationist demeaning it by saying "it's just a theory".

Scientist are not afraid of textbooks like those from Apologia, they just think they are full of lies false information. Let's put it this way so hopefully everyone can follow along. If some Christian Publisher choose to publish a science textbook claiming the Earth was flat and that the Sun revolved around the Earth and peddled it to homeschooers wouldn't we all agree that the book was worthless and full of lies?

And the arrogance of  this Fundamentalist Christian is astounding.

I have a message for secular homeschoolers. We welcome you into our ranks. We're glad you're here. Nobody is happier than I am that you have decided that the government run school system is broken and you want your kids out of it. But please remember, your freedom to homeschool was earned on the back of fundamentalist Christians.

Homeschooling was not started by Fundamentalist Christians and my freedom to homeschool wasn't earned on your back. Fundamentalist Christians stole co-opted the homeschooling movement in the 80's.

From Homeschooling: Growing and Thriving in the 21st Century

 Many people who are just now beginning to homeschool are not aware that the modern homeschool movement began as something of a cultural phenomenon. In the late 1960s, researchers estimate that the number of homeschoolers in the U.S. was between 10,000 and 15,000.² These early homeschoolers were often considered the rebels. In Home Schooling: From the Extreme to the Mainstream, a paper published by the Fraser Institute, the authors state, "Although the contemporary image of homeschooling parents depicts a homogeneous, deeply religious, socially conservative sub-group of the population, back in the 1960s and 1970s, most homeschooling parents were members of the counter-cultural left, principally advocates of New Age philosophies, hippies, and homesteaders."³

So maybe you should take your own advice honey and remember homeschoolings roots. Modern Day Homeschooling was started by a bunch of SECULAR hippies and homesteaders. Why don't you try showing us a some RESPECT.

Carnival of Homeschooling

This weeks CoH is hosted by Home Grown Mommy.

I wish Elijah Friedeman was kidding

I don’t understand the shock that is expressed when homeschoolers teach that God created the earth. It would be one thing if public schools offered a perfectly fair and balanced view of science, but as it is a public school education will teach you that evolution is the only acceptable explanation for our existence. So why is it suddenly outrageous that homeschoolers teach creationism?  I recognize that the criticism for all things homeschool won’t go away for a while, if ever, but the continued misrepresentation of the facts and the double standards are completely unacceptable and should disturb even those who don’t homeschool.

I don't think the problem is that parents are teaching their children that God created the earth, the problem is they are teaching it as Science. Creationism/Intelligent Design DOES NOT stand up to the scientific method, and has no place in a science classroom. Although IF Fundamentalist want to teach it to their kids I support their right to do so.

I don't support Fundamentalist acting like they are the only homeschoolers. There are plenty of  homeschoolers that TEACH EVOLUTION!  My ire is raised when Elijah Friedeman and others lump all homeschoolers together as anti-science buffons.

FYI: HOMESCHOOLERS TEACH EVOLUTION!!!!!!!

Highly Recommended

I highly recommend The Starbuck Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell if you are looking for historical fiction on The War Between the States aka The Civil War. He treats both sides fairly and does a wonderful job explaining the motivations that lead to the war. The only problem with the chronicles is HE HASN'T FINISHED THEM.

Texas church bans child's photograph of Passion

Jackson was assigned to portray the seventh Station of the Cross, where Jesus fell for a second time while carrying the cross to the site of his crucifixion. The home-schooled fifth-grader, who is taking a class on religious symbols in art at a Catholic church, decided to do a modern depiction of Christ being beaten by a Roman soldier.

Read more: Texas church bans child's photograph of Passion - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com