1 Ohio school, 4 bullied teens dead at own hand

1 Ohio school, 4 bullied teens dead at own hand - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com

Barbara Coloroso, a national anti-bullying expert, says the school is allowing a "culture of mean" to thrive, and school officials should be held responsible for the suicides - along with the bullies.

Tom Stein ask What do we do with home-schoolers?

I question why Tom Stein thinks we need a nanny state in order to educate our children. Does he also think the state should regulate what we feed our families. I mean obesity is a real problem especially in the South. It leads to all sorts of medical consequences that impact society but do we really want the government telling us what to eat? The government with all it's public school regulations hasn't done a bang up job of educating the children entrusted to their care, so why would anyone think it would be a good idea for them to regulate homeschoolers

And why is Tom Stein suddenly concerned about homeschoolers, because public schools have increased their graduation rates.

The subject of the week is home-schooling. More and more people in Richmond are doing this -- or claiming to do this. One result? Our graduation rate is improving, for when a student leaves the district for home-schooling, the departure does not count against the rate. Does this explain the whole increase? Maybe not. But it sure helps.

Plenty of Textbooks for Secular Homeschoolers

It was with dismay I read Homeschool Textbooks aren’t Designed for Secular Families, did Keith bother looking for secular textbooks or did he just read that poorly written AP article and decide that he wouldn't be able to find any secular textbooks so why bother?  

I don’t have a problem with what public schools teach, just how they teach it.  But, it’s frustrating that I can find quality instruction in every subject except science.

As a secular homeschooler I had no trouble finding secular textbooks.

Amsco School Publications, they do sell directly to homeschoolers.
We used
High School
The Living Environment Biology by Rick Hallman review here
Marine Science by Thomas F. Greene review here

Pearson
Conceptual Physical Science -Hewitt

For Elementary and Junior High I used
Prentice Hall

If you do not wish to buy directly from the publisher these textbooks can also be found at The HomeSchool SuperCenter , Amazon.com and various other bookstores.

And Keith preputates the same old HSLDA lie

Most people who homeschool do it for religious reasons.  And most of those people want their kids to have a Christian based curriculum.

This simply isn't TRUE! The Tapestry of Homeschool Survey Report paints a far different picture of homeschoolers.

• 90% of the respondents were married, 4% were single, a little over 3% were in domestic partnerships.
• 80% were homeschooling for non-religious reasons.

The Tapestry of Homeschooling Survey Report was conducted by Learning is for Everyone.

Book Review & CoH

The Male Brain by Louann Brizendine, M.D. ~ A very interesting read that explains why boys and men behave the way they do. There is actually a hormone that promotes monogamy.

I have an entry in this weeks CoH. Look under Miscellaneous and you'll find it at the very end of the CoH, if you drop by Home Grown Mommy. The author welcomed her fifth child into the family through a peaceful and perfect home birth September 27th and still made the time to host this weeks carnival.

Book Review ~ Lost Christianities by Bart D. Ehrman

Lost Christianities

by Bart D. Ehrman

I feel I have learned a lot from this book. You hear the term heresy and heretic thrown around frequently, but do you actually know what it means? heresy literally means choice and a heretic is someone who willfully chooses not to believe the right things, as defined by those with the power to decide what is right and wrong. Orthodox means those who hold the right beliefs.

For years Eusebius' history of the early Christian Church went unquestioned. Then discoveries of additional ancient books, uncovered by trained archaeologist looking for them and by Bedouins who came across them by chance prompted a re-evaluation of his work. The old saw about the victor writing history proved true. Of course at this point many people who can't stand for their long cherished beliefs to be challenged start screaming that they are forgeries, what they are less willing to admit is that some of the books that made it into the Bible were also forgeries.

Docetism - denied the reality of Christ's suffering and death. There were two camps of docetics. One camp held that Jesus was never flesh, therefore could not feel pain. The other camp believed that Jesus (who was human) was possessed by Christ (who was the son of God), and that Christ left Jesus on the cross.

Evidence suggest that forged passages were inserted into Corinthians, diminishing the role of women in the early Christian church. The lost scriptures of Paul gave women freedom to decide what to do with their own bodies. Paul's main convert Thecla committed herself to his gospel of abstinence and followed him around preaching the gospel.

Some early Christian churches even believed that Thomas was Jesus' identical twin brother.

• Jesus
• Who were the Disciples of Jesus?
• From Jesus to Christ
• The Gospel of Thomas

Another valid point Ehrman makes is that mistakes were often made by the scribes copying the original text. Then the text with the mistakes was copied and the scribes copying it made their own mistakes, and so on and so forth. If you have ever played the game telephone you know exactly what he is talking about. So new discoveries have allowed scholars to compare text and identify some of the changes that were made to our scriptures.

Ebionites-believed you had to keep the Jewish laws to be saved. They did not belief in the Virgin birth and were vegetarians.

Marcionites- were named after a second century evangelist/theologian, Marcion. They rejected the Jewish God, scriptures and customs. They believed the God of the Jews made the world, then the God of Jesus came into it when Jesus himself appeared, to save people from the vengeful God of the Jews.

Gnois is the Greek word for knowledge. Gnostics are the ones who know, some Gnostics believed the human body should be denied all pleasure. John Calvin anyone?

Montanist believed a Christian should not remarry after the death of a spouse and they were very fond of martyr's. Hmmmmmmmmm jihad anyone???

Origen believed that God created Christ and that Christ was equal with God by the transference of God's being; ultimately Christ is subordinate to God

Serious concerns about the historical accuracy of the Bible began to appear during the Enlightenment. Discrepancies between the Gospels were studied. The Christian community in Rome was large and affluent allowing them to exert influence over other Christian communities; thus Roman Christianity became the dominant form of Christianity and all other Christians were labeled heretics.

In the modern world most non-fundamentalist Christian Churches agree that Genesis contains mythical and legendary accounts. Gnostic Christians evidently took a similar approach to their own myths. The proto-orthodox Christians insisted on a literal interpretation of the text while applying figurative interpretations when it suited their own purposes. Proto-orthodox Christians lied about other Christian sects in order to advance their beliefs.

Marcion claimed that the writings of Paul and the gospel of Luke had been altered by Jewish sympathizers. As we do not have the "originals" of any of the books that came to be included in the New Testament or indeed of any Christian book from antiquity we can not truly say what the original scriptures had to say. What we have are copies of copies hundreds of years removed from the originals.

Therefore we can not know that the text was not changed significantly before the New Testament came to be reproduced in large quantities. Most surviving copies were made during the Middle Ages, many of them thousand of years after Paul and his companions had died. Bible scholars know that no two copies agree in all their wording. There can be only one reason for this, the scribes that copied the text changed them. There are more differences among the manuscripts that we have then there are words in the New Testament.

Scriptures referring to Joseph as Jesus' Father were altered. For example in the oldest surviving witnesses to Luke's Gospel Luke 3:22 should read "You are my son, today I have begotten you". Lending support to those who believed Jesus was the biological son of Joseph and Mary adopted by God.

Most of the books of the New Testament were written in the first century of the common era.

The first four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) were all written anonymously, by well educated Greek speaking, Christians during the second half of the first century. In the second century proto-orthodox Christians attributed these books to apostles. Today bible scholars believe that Luke was written by one of Paul's companions.

The attitude of tolerance (for others religions) was not shared by the proto-orthodox Christians.

Brief Review of God's Problem by Bart D. Ehrman
God's Problem by Bart D. Ehrman - intellectually challenging and an enjoyable read. Final message " We need to live life to its fullest and help others as well to enjoy the fruits of the land."

Warnings for Homeschoolers Does Not Apply to All Homeschoolers

Ken over at Bible, Math, Politics and More! is writing a group of post on Warnings for Homeschoolers he starts with Warnings for Homeschoolers: Introduction. A better title would have been WARNINGS FOR FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOLERS as this is the Homeschool Group he is addressing. When these Fundamentalist Christian Bloggers write post like this they give non-homeschoolers the impression that we are ALL LIKE THIS. Nothing could be further from the truth. The introduction isn't to bad actually as he does encourage parents to research homeschooling before embarking on it.

On the other hand Warnings for Homeschoolers: Making the Decision is dreadful.

Here is what I believe is the key question around which the decision to homeschool centers:

• What is, in the will of God, the best option for providing quality Christian education to my children?

"Quality," in line with a post I wrote several weeks ago, implies that the education is both thoroughly Christian (i.e., from a Christian, Bible-based worldview) and academically challenging.

Personally I think a lot more should factor into your decision.

• Can your family afford to homeschool.
• Do you enjoy learning and can you convey that enthusiasm to your children/students.
• Are you willing to research and teach new scientific evidence and new historical evidence that overturns your cherished beliefs.
• Do you embrace learning about new cultures and beliefs and exploring the world.

And how anyone can provide a decent education while insisting that everything be taught from a thoroughly Christian Bible-based worldview is beyond me.

• Only 8 of the 27 books of the New Testament were actually written by the authors to whom they're attributed. Others are likely forgeries.
  
• The gospels provide remarkably divergent portrayals of Jesus.
  
• The message of the Apostle Paul and the message of gospel writer Matthew are completely at odds over the question of whether a follower of Jesus also had to observe the Jewish law.
  
• The Nicene Creed and the Trinity were constructs of the later church and are not found in the pages of the Bible.
  
• Traditional doctrines such as the suffering Messiah, the divinity of Christ, and the notion of heaven and hell are not based on the teachings of the historical Jesus.
  
• The commonly told story of Jesus -- his birth, death, and resurrection is actually a composite of four vastly different gospel narratives.

  ~Professor Bart D. Ehrman

Basing the education of your children and your world view on a book that is riddled with inconsistencies and outright forgeries seems extremely foolish.

Many Homeschoolers use secular materials to educate their children, and are NOT interested in indoctrinating their children with a thoroughly Christian Bible-based worldview. Most homeschoolers make it a point to educate themselves on the newest scientific and historical findings. Ken does not speak for all homeschoolers and he should not pretend to do so.

Help Fight Cancer Support LIVESTRONG DAY

Vist WE LIVESTRONG TODAY Blog to view more bloggers who are participating in LIVESTRONG Day.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Visit this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling. I hate to admit it but we never had one room dedicated to schooling. We just worked it whatever room of the house best suited the lesson and wherever we were comfortable. This time of year the schoolroom was often outdoors so we could enjoy the fall weather.

Let's go Shopping

Where do your kids do their school work?

CSN Stores has unique coffee tables that would be perfect in your schoolroom. With over 200 online stores CSN Stores is sure to have something you are looking for. So what are you waiting for head on over to CSN Stores to indulge in some back to school shopping.

Useful Links for Homeschoolers

Bachelor of Science has collected some links that homeschoolers should find useful.

Less families homeschooling primarily for religious reasons

Somebody finally gets it Less families homeschooling primarily for religious reasons

It's Up

The Carnival of Homeschooling is up.

Homeschoolers in the news

Consent Of The Governed: CT Homeschool Mother Takes Children To Hayes Trial

Help Fight Cancer Support LIVESTRONG DAY

Alasandra's Homeschool Blog is going YELLOW for LIVESTRONG Day. I hope you will join me in wearing YELLOW October 2nd, 2010.

Another bigoted view of homeschooling

Homeschool isn’t the same as school according to Jacqueline Espinoza @ Daily Sundial.

According to Jacqueline Espinoza.

In today’s society there are two major types of education, public schooling and homeschooling. I believe that public schools provide a student with better education than homeschooling ever could.

Actually there are a plethora of educational choices available today. There are private secular schools, private church schools, on-line schools,  public schools and homeschools.

Then Jacqueline Espinoza blathers on about the credentials public school teachers have and questions if homeschool parents have the knowledge to educate their children. Apparently she failed to do any research before writing her ignorant diatribe on homeschooling as she fails to acknowledge the numerous studies that have been done showing that homeschoolers tend to score above the national average on both the SAT and ACT, the primary tests used by colleges in evaluating college applicants.

Jacqueline Espinoza goes on to say

Homeschooled students only interact with their parents and/or siblings that they see on a day to day basis. This does not allow a child to learn and practice social behaviors and cope outside of the home with others their age.

Apparently Jacqueline Espinoza has no clue that homeschoolers belong to homeschool groups,  join recreational sports teams, boy/girl scouts, theater groups and other organizations where they interact with their peers on a regular basis. Nope according to Jacqueline Espinoza we just sit home all day & night never laying eyes on anyone outside our immediate family.

I am really tired of bigots like Jacqueline Espinoza who write opinionated claptrap about a subject they know nothing about. She claims she knows ONE homeschool girl who felt very overwhelmed by all the new experiences in college, and whom nobody liked because she was quiet.  Ms. Espinoza I have news for you there are plenty of public school students who feel overwhelmed by all the new experiences in college. There are also numerous public school students who are shy and quiet and socially awkward. The vast majority of Homeschoolers are successful in college and have no problems transitioning from homeschooling to college.

I wonder if she claims her kids attend private school too?

Patricia Baker said...

Sorry, but I find you to be a little self-righteous. I send my kids to public school and I homeschool.

I may choose to take advantage of the wonderful teachers and staff at my local (and, by the way, quite wonderful) public school. I may choose to allow the boys to experience the opportunities our public school offers.

But, make no mistake about it ... around here the responsibility for my children's education starts and ends at home. That makes me a homeschooler.

They continue to learn as much (or more) from me in our every day activities and in our excursions as they do at school. That makes me a homeschooler.

I take sole responsibility for their school successes and failures. That makes me a homeschooler.

I sometimes question the motives or methods of those of you who choose to un-school. I would never say you aren't a homeschooler.

I might wonder why you participate in co-op if you are "home"schooling your children. But I would never stoop so low as to question what you call yourself.

If you want those of us who choose to send our children down a different path to respect your choice, maybe you should start respecting ours.

My Response ................

Patricia Baker, I respect your choice to send your child to PUBLIC SCHOOL and applaud you for being an involved parent.But you are not a homeschooler. You have no say in what textbooks your child uses, you do not grade his/her school papers, come up with lesson plans, keep transcripts, and meet the legal requirements for homeschooling in your state.

Frankly I am perplexed by PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS who insist they are homeschoolers. Ms Baker, do you claim you send your child to private school too?

Wanting to be clear on what homeschooling is in order to safe guard our freedom to homeschool from government intervention is in no way disrespecting your decision to send your child to PUBLIC SCHOOL. Homeschooling is an educational choice, just like sending your child to private or public school.  You choose the public school option which is fine, but you are NOT A HOMESCHOOL PARENT or a PRIVATE SCHOOL PARENT.

Public School students shown X-rated photos in assembly

More than 400 seniors at Norwin High School, about 25 miles east of Pittsburgh, were watching a presentation Friday on the importance of donating blood. School officials say "a few pornographic pictures" on a personal flash drive of a Central Blood Bank representative appeared on the screen.

Pa. students shown X-rated photos in assembly - Weird News - SunHerald.com

Ohio school tells wrong parents kids are absent

Parents of students at Waggoner Road Middle School received an automated call around noon that their children were missing. The school's phone lines became overwhelmed with calls, and some frantic parents showed up at school.

Ohio school tells wrong parents kids are absent - Weird News - SunHerald.com

The Road Less Traveled ~ CoH

Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy The Road Less Traveled CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling

This weeks CoH is up.

Book Review ~ History

America's Hidden History by Kenneth C. Davis - Learn about Fort Caroline built by the French in the 1560s. Phillip II of Spain sent Admiral Pedro Menendez to remove the French from Fort Caroline (Florida) in 1565. Find out more about Hannah Emerson Dustin (Haverhill, Massachusetts - March 1697), Thomas Morton (School of Atheism), John Endecott, King Philip aka Metacom, Mary Rowlandson, Anne Hutchinson, Eunice Williams and Mary Dyer.

Highly entertaining and educational as well as extremely readable.

$5,000,000 donated to university for homeshooler scholarship

It is believed to be the largest donation for homeschool scholarships ever.


Wednesday, LeTourneau University received a $5,000,000 gift to establish the scholarships.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Drop by Home School Dad to read The panorama of homeschooling CoH

Carnival of Homeschooling

Notes From a Homeschooling Mom is hosting this weeks CoH, Back 2 Home 2010.

Homeschoolers Count -- National Math Competition Bans Homeschoolers

Penny Nance, CEO for Concerned Women for America, said, "It appears that the objectionable behavior was committed mostly, if not wholly, by non-homeschool kids, yet the Math Counts board chose to punish homeschoolers.  Homeschoolers have excelled in the competition.  Is this another example of punishing those who excel so that others can feel good about themselves?  These students should not be punished for the misdeeds of a few cheaters.  Homeschoolers may still be permitted to compete as individuals, but the reality is that far fewer students will be able to participate if homeschool teams are banned from involvement."

You Are NOT a Homeschooler If You Send Your Child to Public or Private School

I am so tired of public or private school parents claiming to be homeschoolers.

All parents are "home school parents". Some choose to share that educational mission with others outside of the home as their children mature. When they do, those partners in the educational mission should look first to the parents, not to a bloated federal bureaucracy.

If you "share the educational mission" by sending your child off to pubic or private school you are not a homeschooler.

A homeschool parent chooses the curriculum for their children, chooses the textbooks, creates lesson plans, grades papers, gives test, organizes field trips, and MEETS all the legal requirements the state they live in has for homeschoolers.

If you merely help your child with homework and "supplement" what they learn in public or private school you are NOT a homeschooler and it is insulting to homeschoolers to imply you are. It also gives ANTI-homeschoolers ammunition to use against homeschoolers. After all if Keith Public School Parent is a homeschooler and sends his child off to PUBLIC SCHOOL why can't all homeschool parents send their kids to public school and just homeschool after school like  Keith Public School Parent? We then have to waste time explaining to these imbeciles that know nothing about homeschooling that  Keith Public School Parent isn't a homeschooler even though he is stupidly insisting on calling himself one, because his God says something about parents teaching their kids in the Bible.

And yes, to some extent all parents teach their children. We teach them how to do many things before they are school age and we hopefully continue to influence them throughout their lives regardless of the educational choices we make for them. And yes, no matter what educational choice we make for our children we as parents should be involved in their education.  But if you send your children to public or private school you are not a homeschooler.

Imagine teaching your kids at home

A lovely post from a teacher who recognizes the benefits of homeschooling.

The Great Flip-Flop

Nicholas Byron Hall while all too eager to criticize homeschooling in his post What are the disadvantages of homeschooling? can't seem to get around all the MANY advantages homeschooling offers.

While homeschooling may come with advantages, it's questionable as to whether it's worthwhile in the majority of cases.

This of course is nothing more then his uninformed opinion.

What's known as "opportunity cost" is a type of cost that occurs when someone could be using their time more beneficially. In other words, parents homeschooling their children are costing themselves an income. This income could be used in a variety of ways, including funding a private school education for the child. In many ways, it's rather suspect why parents choose homeschooling when they could work.  

There are more important things in life then money, apparently this Philosophy and Political Science major has yet to learn that. He also assumes that a private school would be available for the child to attend if the parents only had the money for tuition. In my area the only private schools are Catholic, not being Catholic I had no wish for my children to receive a Catholic education. In other areas private schools have long waiting list.

Parents are rarely qualified to teach their children; sorry, it's true. 

Nonetheless, some evidence suggests homeschooling provides a better education - with students learning at home scoring higher on standardized tests. In fact, some studies even report higher happiness in life amongst. This is arguably because the public school system fails students, but the private school system is not scoring above homeschooling either. This makes it appear that perhaps homeschooling is the best option.

Looks like he is trying to have it both ways first we aren't qualified to teach our own children, but he then fails to explain how us unqualified parents provide our children with a better education then either public or private schools.

He then goes on to blame homeschoolers for the problems in the public schools.

The problem is that people don't put the effort into their public school system. When the system fails them, they give up and take their children out of it. It's hard to blame them, but some would argue that citizens have an obligation to work together against corruption and irresponsible behavior.

For some reason these same do gooders that think homeschoolers should keep their children in public schools and waste their time and energy trying to fix them have no problem with parents sending their children to private schools. And for someone who was so concerned about the opportunity cost of homeschooling he fails to mention the "opportunity cost" to parents of spending their time trying to fix "public schools". We tried to fix our public schools and discovered there was no way to fix them for our children.  The decisions are made by our school board and not only do they serve long terms, we were only eligible to vote for one of the board members. The one board member who agreed with our position. Leaving our children in a mediocre academic environment helps no one. On the other hand giving our children the best education possible so they will be productive members of society helps everyone.

Hall also doesn't seem to realize that today many minorities and low income families choose to homeschool.

Lastly, some objections are made on the basis of religious ideology. Other arguments can be made with respect to morals, political values, etc. Parents are teaching children false things about science within the context of homeschooling, and parents have only one perspective.

First off parents are TWO separate people with their own unique views, secondly homeschoolers interact with more people then their parents. Hall also fails to realize that many homeschooling parents believe in evolution and teach it to their children.

Tiresomely Hall seems to believe all the old homeschool stereotypes.

Ex- PUBLIC SCHOOL educator gets 6 years for statutory rape - Regional Wire - SunHerald.com

Former part-time PUBLIC SCHOOL educator Sheral Smith, already in prison for statutory rape in Rankin County, will serve six years for committing the same crime in Hinds County involving a 14-year-old boy.

Ex-educator gets 6 years for statutory rape - Regional Wire - SunHerald.com

Carnival of Homeschooling: Remembering Summer

I am looking forward to reading The Remembering Summer edition of the CoH.

Another Imbecile

Do these self appointed experts ever bother to do anything resembling RESEARCH, apparently NOT. Parents and Homeschooling Disadvantages Article by justkat73 Edited & published by Laurie Patsalides

• Lack of free time.  And public school parents have loads of free time right? My friends whose children attend public school are always complaining about how their child's  HOMEWORK takes up all their time. Because homeschool students aren't loaded down with "busywork", and homeschoolers don't have the discipline problems and time wasters (changing classrooms etc.)  that public schools do homeschooling actually takes less time then public school.
• Cost - OK, this is a bona fide disadvantage, but it is the same disadvantage parents who send their children to private school face and you don't see busybodies writing about the disadvantages of private school do you?
• Lost time from work- Ah, one of those women who don't think being a homemaker is worthwhile. 
• Lack of peer interaction and resources - And this is where IF she had made the slightest attempt to research HOMESCHOOLING she would have discovered the plethora of resources and homeschool groups available.
• Need for continued education.- And this is a disadvantage how? Many jobs require you to continue your education. Learning new things should never be seen as a disadvantage.

The Oh So Self Rightous Intolerant Jerks

Not that these intolerant jerks will listen, but homeschoolers are a DIVERSE GROUP. Homeschoolers come from many different ethnic, cultural and social-economic backgrounds. And guess what you morons, we interact with each other in INCLUSIVE HOMESCHOOL GROUPS. But then what can you expect from a bunch of overpaid actors and actresses who haven't got a clue about life in the REAL WORLD.

Alasandra's Place: Book Review ~ Earth is Not Alone by John Knapp II

Alasandra's Place: Book Review ~ Earth is Not Alone by John Knapp II

Consent Of The Governed: Summer Get-Together Edition: Carnival Of Homeschooling

Consent Of The Governed: Summer Get-Together Edition: Carnival Of Homeschooling

The Cretins are posting again PARTII

A look at the negative effects of homeschooling by Teresa Aira who obviously thinks her training at the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon and her 20 years of experience as a former chef and  in the hospitality business make her an authority on homeschooling.

Many children lose the valuable socialization atmosphere that traditional schools provide.

Like the traditional public school Columbine?

No separation between parent and child. The bond that forms when homeschooling is invaluable; however, it does not provide for a break between the parent and child.

Does the dimwit really think we spend 24 hours a day 7 days a week with our kids?

Re-integration - Many states do not provide for a high school diploma for homeschooled children.

And this is a problem why? Parents can issue their OWN DIPLOMAS. And BTW you don't need a diploma to get into college. I homeschooled both of my children until they started college. My eldest is currently working on his masters in Computer Science  and my youngest is a college sophomore.


I sincerely hope Teresa Aira knows more about cooking then she does about homeschooling.

The Cretins are posting again

With it being summer I was hoping the cretins had taken a break until I read this A look at the negative effects of homeschooling by Grace Angel

There are many negative effects to the home schooling process. Many children struggle with social development issues because they are home schooled.

Obviously this is Ms Angel's OPINION and she has NOTHING to support it. And who is Ms. Angel, apparently a nobody who likes spouting ludicrous opinions,  there is no biographical information available for Ms. Angel on the Helium site.

It is also well documented that the home school environment does not allow for extracurricular activities.

Really!!!!! apparently Ms Angel is unaware that homeschoolers are part of recreational sports teams, join boy/girl Scouts, 4-H, Theater groups, attend Art History Classes at local museums, sing in choirs, take music lessons and are involved in a host of other extracurricular activities. I would love to see Ms Angel's so called documentation, I wonder if she can produce it?

Many students become bored with the educational process in home schooling. This is because they do not change environments enough to remain interested

This is apparently her OPINION again and is not backed up by any documentation. And of course public school students never get bored.

The intensity with which a student must study for their exams is very emotionally draining. Sometimes students will actually perform to a lower level than they're capable of because they must go through such a difficult exam process.

I haven't got a clue what she is talking about here, more proof that this cretin hasn't got a clue about anything related to homeschooling.

Tomorrow I'll take a look at A look at the negative effects of homeschooling by Teresa Aira

Things to see in Washington D.C.

Shadow House Gazebo and Bishops Garden

Washington National Cathedral

National Gallery of Art (Albrecht Durer)

George Washington in Art

To commemorate the centennial of Washington's birth in 1832, Congress commissioned Greenough to create a statue to be displayed in the Capitol Rotunda. As soon as the marble statue arrived in the capital city in 1841, however, it attracted controversy and criticism.
Smithsonian Press

The Apotheosis of Washington in the eye of the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol was painted in the true fresco technique by Constantino Brumidi in 1865.

Should Homeschooling Parents Have College Degrees? Round Two.

I missed her first article but Round Two caught my eye by Laura Brodie Should Homeschooling Parents Have College Degrees? Round Two.

I don't think college degrees should be required of parents who choose to homeschool, after all there is nothing stopping parents from learning subjects along with their children. What did Laura Brodie have to say on the matter?

But once I stopped to consider the subject, I thought: of course a college degree could not be required for homeschooling. First of all, there’s the matter of economic fairness. We don’t have an educational system in which college is open to all citizens. Even at public institutions offering substantial financial aid, a bachelor’s degree has been priced out of many Americans’ reach.

Secondly, we all know brilliant members of American society who never earned college degrees. Bill Gates is the example most often cited.  F. Scott Fitzgerald and Robert Frost are two illustrious college dropouts dear to my English-teacher heart. I always tell my students that self-education, through constant reading and engagement in the world,  is the most important part of their learning—classroom experience is a small piece of the puzzle.

The Professional Tutor Says Learning is Fun

Check out her website here.

Grammar and Punctuation Made Easy

Description:  Ever wondered just where that comma needs to go? Don't quite know when to use to or too? You need this ebook. Fun and easy. For students of all ages (8 and up ).
Ebook includes:
* Six distinct comma usage lessons
* Nine grammar usage lessons
* Examples for correct usage
* Exercises for each lesson
* 22 pages total

The Story Behind the Story

This ebook presents proven methods and successful strategies for turning reluctant writers into reveling writers.  For students age 8 and up.

Conquer the SAT Essay (SAT Prep Made Easy)

         

The Common Room: Carnival of Homeschooling #239

Explore the History of Homeschooling with The Common Room: Carnival of Homeschooling #239

SPAM Comments

Due to SPAM comments by a blogger named DiSCo comment moderation has been enabled.

Archaeologists make new find near Stonehenge

Scientists from Britain as well as teams from Austria, Germany, Norway and Sweden made the new discovery at the start of a new project to map the site.

They found a second henge-like structure - a circular area thought to have once held a wooden structure.

Archaeologists make new find near Stonehenge - World Wire - SunHerald.com

Carnival of Homeschooling ~ Wildflowers

Stroll through the wildflowers at the CoH today.

Fines, jail time for enrolling students in wrong district

School Districts should be done away with and parents should be free to send their child to any public school of their choice. If the public schools were forced to compete with each other for students they would be motivated to be more responsive to parents wishes and would provide better educations for their students. As it is each school district has a monopoly and parents who can't afford to homeschool or send their children to private school are forced to utilize them.

Fines, jail time for enrolling students in wrong district - Featured Story - SunHerald.com

50 Fun Field Trip Ideas for Homeschoolers

Summer is a great time to go on field trips, here are 50 Fun Field Trip Ideas for Homeschoolers.

He-She-They

In today's politically correct world what's correct?  Read All-Purpose Pronoun for an interesting look at they.

Should it be Everyone thinks he's hot  or Everyone thinks they are hot?

Learn History Through Cooking

Great new blog discovery The History Chef.

The Language of God by Francis S. Collins ~ Book Review

Part one deals with how he went from atheism to belief. He was homeschooled by his free-thinking parents until the age of 10 in a rural community. When he was 10 his family moved to town to care for an ailing Grandmother and he entered the public school system. For many years he was agnostic and drifted toward atheism until a patient asked him what he believed. This question started him on an odyssey where he sat out to prove or disprove God's existence. He references C.S. Lewis a lot at this point. Eventually he came to the conclusion that there is a God and that God and Science can peacefully coexist.

Part two deals with the great questions of human existence.

Science is progressive and self-correcting; no significantly erroneous conclusions or false hypothesis can be sustained for long, as newer observations will ultimately knock down incorrect constructs. But over a long period of time, a consistent set of observations sometimes emerge that leads to a new framework of understanding. That framework is then given a much more substantive description and is called a "theory" - the theory of gravitation, the theory of relativity, or the germ theory, for instance. (page 58)

Many Christians today demonize Darwin, but this is unfair.

Far from being ostracized by the religious community Darwin was buried in Westminster Abby.  Darwin himself was deeply concerned about his theory on religious belief, though in The Origin of Species he took pains to point out a possible harmonious interpretation. (page 98)

I have always wondered how many of Darwin's detractors have actually read The Origin of Species?

No serious biologist today doubts the theory of evolution to explain the marvelous complexity and diversity of life. In fact the relatedness of all species through the mechanism of evolution is such a profound foundation for the understanding of all biology that it is difficult to imagine how one would study life without it. (page 99)
The examples reported here from the study of genomes, plus others that could fill hundreds of books of this length, provide the kind of molecular support for the theory of evolution that has convinced virtually all working biologist that Darwin's framework of variation and natural selection is unquestionably correct..... As Theodosius Dobzhansky a leading biologist of the twentieth century (and a devout Eastern Orthodox Christian), has said, "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." (page 141)

Part three deals with Faith in Science, Faith in God

If God created the universe, and the laws that govern it, and if He endowed human beings with intellectual abilities to discern its working would He want us to disregard those abilities? Would He be diminished or threatened by what we are discovering about His creation? (page 153)

Following is a discussion on how the CHURCH was threatened by Galileo's claim that the earth revolves around the sun.

But along the way (to accepting Galileo's conclusion), considerable damage was done-and more to faith than to science. In his commentary on Genesis, Augustine provides an exhortation that might well have been heeded by the seventeenth century church "The shame is not so much that an ignorant individual is derided, but the people outside the household of the faith think our sacred writers held such opinions, and, to the great loss of those for whose salvation we toil, the writers of our Scripture are criticized and rejected as unlearned men." (pages 156-157)

Augustine sounds like a pretty intelligent guy.
How did Atheism gain such a foot hold, consider the following.

Both the French royal family and the church leadership were seen as harsh, self promoting, hypocritical, and insensitive to the needs of the common man. Equating the organized church with God Himself, revolutionaries decided it was better to throw off both. (page 162)

But Collins argues against using science to promote atheism.

Science cannot be used to justify discounting the great monotheistic religions of the world, which rest upon centuries of history, moral philosophy and the powerful evidence provided by human altruism. (page 169)

Creationism especially Young Earth Creationism (YEC) has it's own problems.

Young Earth Creationist argue that accepting anything other then the acts of special divine creation during the six twenty-four-hour days of Genesis 1 would put the believer on a slippery slope toward a counterfeit faith. (page 174)

Recognizing the overwhelming body of scientific evidence, some YEC advocates have more recently taken the tack of arguing that all of this evidence has been designed by God to to mislead us. (page 176)

This image of Gad as a cosmic trickster seems to be the ultimate admission of defeat for the Creationist perspective. Would God as the great deceiver be an entity on would want to worship? (page 177)

It seems they equate God with the trickster Q of Star Trek fame.
Intelligent Design has it's own flaws.

So, scientifically, ID fails to hold up, providing neither an opportunity for experimental validation nor a robust foundation for its primary claim of irreducible complexity. More than that, however, ID also fails in a way that should be more of a concern to the believer than to the hard nosed scientist. ID is a "God of the gaps" theory, inserting a supposition of the need for supernatural intervention in places that its proponents claim science can not explain. (page 193)

What's the answer according to Collins Biologos otherwise known as Theistic Evolution.

Theistic evolution is the dominant position of serious biologist who are also serious believers. That includes Asa Gray, Darwin's chief advocate in the United States and Theodosius Dobzhansky, the twentieth-century architect of evolutionary thinking. (page 199)

Unfortunately many people have never heard of Theistic Evolution, I did a Google search, below you will find a list of websites I found.

• Perspective on Theistic Evolution
• Origins of Theistic Evolution
• Theistic Evolution an Essay
• God and Evolution

To conclude Collins points out.

Science in not threatened by God; it is enhanced. God is most certainly not threatened by science; He made it all possible.

The appendix deals with bioethics.
I encourage you to read this book for yourselves, it is very thought provoking.

The Carnival of Homeschooling - The Punctuation Edition

 

Henry @ Why Homeschool brings us The Carnival of Homeschooling - The Punctuation Edition.

Balderdash

This idiot seems to think that only Fundamentalist Christians who believe in Creationism homeschool, he is bewailing the fact that REAL SCIENCE books were being sold at a homeschool convention.

I must admit, my heart sinks as I walk around many of the exhibit halls as these conventions and look at the mixed/compromise messages (and the outright pagan literature) being made readily available to the thousands of parents who are seeking help on how to educate the next generation to stand on the authority of God’s Word!  This is a serious problem I want to bring to the attention of the homeschool movement in an effort to at least get organizers discussing the issues and being aware of this compromising situation.

Problems in the Homeschool Movement 

I for one think it is GREAT that publishers have realized that there is a DEMAND for secular textbooks amongst homeschoolers. Homeschoolers are a diverse bunch,  many of us use REAL SCIENCE books and believe in Evolution. A Homeschool Convention is the perfect place to showcase all textbooks. It should be up to the parents to review the textbooks and decide which textbooks to purchase  for their family not some self appointed "homeschool textbook censor".

Carnival of Homeschooling

Roscommon Acres is hosting this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling.

Troubling case against homeschool group

Homeschool case sees unwanted intervention by the Indiana Court

The mother of one of the children filed a complaint with the Commission, accusing the other mothers of dismissing her child from the group because of a disability.  The Thomas More Society is representing the group and claims the accusations are false. But what is most troubling, according to attorney Peter Breen, is that the Indiana Civil Rights Commission is overstepping its boundaries.

As the former Moderator of a homeschool group I know first hand that sometimes it is necessary to dismiss a family who refuses to follow the groups rules. For the courts to impose themselves and tell homeschoolers who they MUST associate with is outrageous.

 Who Could Eat What’ at the Group’s Banquet.

FACES’ litigation arose when one mother whose daughter allegedly suffered from a serious food allergy insisted that her child have a special diet at the group’s banquet. FACES’ leaders believed in good faith that a different home-prepared meal would pose less risk to the girl’s health. But the mother circumvented the leaders’ decision, then filed a civil rights charge, claiming “disability discrimination” by reason of FACES’ alleged failure to “accommodate” her daughter’s allergy problem, and then she filed another charge of “retaliation.”

Food allergies are a real problem, but often the parents of children with food allergies make outrageous demands. The courts should not be able to dictate what other children can or cannot eat due to another child's food allergies.  We had one member whose child was allergic to peanuts. She DEMANDED that we prohibit other children from bringing any peanut products or anything (including drinks) from Chick-fil-A  (supposedly they use peanut oil to fry stuff) to park days and threw a hissy fit when we refused to capitulate to her demands. And keep in mind we were meeting at a PUBLIC PARK where anyone would be free to come, not just members of "our group". We did offer to have a "peanut free table" where her child could sit at park days and as we are member led we pointed out that she was FREE to arrange her own "peanut free" activities. I guess I should be thankful she didn't sue us. 

In the Indiana case the girl was supposedly allergic to chicken The homeschool group said the mother could bring a home-prepared meal for her but the Mother went behind the groups back and arranged for the banquet hall staff to prepare a steak dinner for her daughter (I am assuming that this led to additional cost to the group as steak is more expensive then chicken). Judge rules against home-school group on discrimination claim

Frankly I fail to see why The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) is involved in this dispute. This case could have an impact on ALL HOMESCHOOL  GROUPS, especially those of us who are INCLUSIVE and meet solely for educational purposes.

All Things Jane Austen ~ Carnival of Homeschooling

The theme for this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling is centered around Jane Austen.

Mass. school district under fire for condom policy

A new policy in a Massachusetts public school district that makes condoms available to all students, even those in elementary school, is drawing criticism from some who say it goes too far.

Mass. school district under fire for condom policy - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com

Carnival of Homeschooling: The Beach Reading Edition

What could be better then a day spent reading at the beach the Carnival of Homeschooling: The Beach Reading Edition

In Defense of Unschooling

Sara Schmidt is a writer, progressive activist, artist, and mother to a tenacious four-year-old. A graduate of Southeast Missouri State, she has taught students in the United States and Spain, and has homeschooled her younger sister. Recently Sara and her husband made the decision to homeschool their own daughter and are eagerly exploring their options.Check out her thoughtful article In Defense of Unschooling.

Homeschooling perks include easy college acceptance

More and more college are actively recruiting homeschoolers. Read  Homeschooling perks include easy college acceptance for more info.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Check out this weeks CoH.

Police: Ex- PUBLIC SCHOOL teacher went to meet child for sex

A former teacher, indicted on child sex-crime charges, tried to run over police Thursday night to avoid arrest while she was on her way to meet a girl for sex, authorities said.

Police: Ex-Public School teacher went to meet child for sex - Crime & Courts - SunHerald.com

Former Public School teacher gets 15 years in prison

Former music teacher Joseph Eugene Council will spend 15 years in prison for sex and computer crimes against two female students from different Coast schools.

A state prosecutor said Council was the choir teacher of one student, a 14-year-old at (Public School) Pass Christian Middle School. Council was school band director of the other student, a 16-year-old, while he taught at (Private Catholic Schools) St. Stanislaus and Our Lady Academy in Bay St. Louis.

Former teacher gets 15 years in prison - Pass Christian - SunHerald.com

Homeschooled twins: The Carnival of Homeschooling

In the midst of remodeling Shez recaps the school year in Homeschooled twins: The Carnival of Homeschooling

The Sparkling Martins: Nightline Truth

Read about what really went on in the Nightline interview with the Martin Family The Sparkling Martins: Nightline Truth

Public Schools Offer - Death By Bullying: Another Teenage Suicide

According to Judy Molland

As someone who has been teaching teenagers for over twenty years, I know that someone, if not several people, at that high school had to know what was going on, but chose not to see. It's easy to do, since teachers are all so overworked and pressured these days. But that's no excuse. Teenagers can be a tough bunch, but it's also pretty easy to read them.

Bullying is a serious social problem. According to the National School Safety Center, one in seven children becomes a victim of bullying at school. Wake up, schools! Getting good test scores is nice; saving lives is crucial.

And they wonder why so many parents choose not to entrust their children to these uncaring public schools.

No Fighting, No Biting!: The 331st edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling

What better way to spend a rainy afternoon then reading the No Fighting, No Biting!: The 331st edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.

Alasandra's Place: Alasandra's Reading list ~ May

Alasandra's Place: Alasandra's Reading list ~ May

Book Review ~ Love in a Time of Homeschooling ~ The rest of the book

Her experience with homeschooling seems very different then mine. Maybe it was because they knew it was only for one year. Also because she still had two children in public school her family didn't enjoy the same amount of flexibility that most homeschool families enjoy. At first it seemed as if what they were really doing was "school at home" although toward the end they did seem to grasp the freedom homeschooling allows and the creativity that can spring from it. I actually found the rest of the book slow going and didn't enjoy it as much as the first few chapters.

One of her comments that did resonant with me.

Parenthood always involves an awareness of judgment; when children misbehave or don't do their schoolwork, all eyes fall upon the parents especially the mother. And if that mother is a homeschooler, she is doubly accountable for her children's success or failure.

One of the hardest things about homeschooling is the constant criticism from non-homeschoolers who know nothing about homeschooling, your family or what is involved in homeschooling but take great delight in telling you, you are destroying your child. Then get all "put upon" if you dare to mention some of the problems in the public schools their children attend, assuming they even have kids.

I also agree that children need to spend more times outdoors and that nature is calming. I tried to incorporate as much outside time as possible into our homeschooling. For further reading on this subject Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. She also brings up how public schools have lowered their standards to allow more time for test preparation.

She acknowledges the diversity of homeschool families, and admits that some children even ASK to be homeschooled. One of the things she seems to have enjoyed the most was how homeschooling allowed her to fill in the gaps of her own education. A shortcoming she found with short term homeschooling was that it didn't give them enough time to decide what they truly valued in education.

A comment by Julia that hit home

"Homeschooling is better, because you get to feel that you are remotely in control of your own education. And the the scenery changes: in school, I'm stuck in the same building for seven hours every day."

Letter to the Editor Defending Homeschooling

Way to go Missy.

Wherever education occurs, parental involvement is key

Your editorial on “unschooling” was unfairly critical of homeschooling. You helped propagate a negative stereotype of homeschooling that should have died years ago. Let the facts speak for themselves: homeschooled students routinely score higher on standardized tests than public-schooled students. A higher percentage also go on to college.

My first child, who was homeschooled, attends the University of Southern Mississippi. He scored 26 on the ACT, received the Luckyday Scholarship, and was accepted into Honors College. He has a GPA of 3.95.

We tried “unschooling” one year when we were experiencing some burnout from traditional curriculum. We returned to the traditional curriculum from 8th through 12th grade.

The failures of the public school systems have more to do with a lack of family involvement in children’s education and the inability of teachers to give individual help to those who fall through the cracks than anything else. This cannot be solved by throwing money at the problem.

Homeschoolers, by nature, solve those problems by taking complete responsibility for their children’s education. They do this at a great sacrifice most of the time, giving up additional income and taking on greater expense. They should be encouraged, not criticized.

MISSY CHAMPINE

The Sun Herald is a very slow learner

 From HSLDA

Where’s the Evidence Concerning Unschooling?

May 27, 2010

Note: The following letter was sent in response to the Biloxi, Miss., Sun-Herald’s editorial of May 21, “We Support Homeschooling but not Unschooling.” HSLDA had replied to an earlier editorial on the same issue with the letter, “Critique of Unschooling Misses Point.”
 

Dear Editor:

Over the past weekend the Sun-Herald published a follow-up editorial which voiced support for homeschoolers but continued to express disdain for unschoolers.

Our question is: What evidence does the Sun-Herald provide to back up its claims? The answer is none. Instead—the editorial board simply offered an assertion about unschooling. 

At HSLDA, in our response to the first Sun-Herald editorial, we did provide evidence that both unschoolers and homeschoolers are succeeding.

Over and over again, the facts show the success of parent-directed education. Parents, who spend time tutoring their children one-on-one do have an advantage over an institutional school. Children can proceed at their own pace and do not have to worry about the distractions and time wasted in a traditional school environment, whether the source is classroom discipline problems, travel to and from school, or changing classrooms. Consequently, the majority of home educators find that their instructional time with their children is relatively short because so much can be accomplished in a short span of time.

While unschooling parents do not work from a pre-packaged curriculum, they are deeply involved in guiding their children in the areas where they show interest. 

Again, before the Sun-Herald decides to shoot from the hip, they should have some facts before they condemn a style of education that has been very successful despite being unconventional.

Peanuts are EVIL ....: Secular Thursday - Just because I homeschool..

Great new blog find Peanuts are EVIL ....: Secular Thursday - Just because I homeschool..

Another Moron Writes About Homeschooling

Is it to much to ask that these morons that feel compelled to write about homeschooling actually do some research first.

According to the moron "One of the greatest challenges of home schooling is the social factor." What total BS. I know this is apparently hard for public school advocates to believe but there is LIFE outside the walls of a public school building. There is a whole world full of people for you and your children to socialize with A world where you aren't restricted to socializing with someone just because they happen to live in your school district and be the same approximate age as you.

The moron adds that homeschoolers need " the ability to keep the children as busy as they would be if they were in a regular school." More BS, the goal isn't to keep your children busy. Busy work is something most public schools excel at. The goal should be to educate your child. I want my children to be learning something, not just doing something to be "busy".

The moron also believes "Most parents attempt home schooling as a temporary step, but find that, once  the children are home schooled, they do so well that it “doesn’t make sense” to send them back." What utter nonsense. I know very few people who attempt home schooling as a temporary step. Yes, there are some parents who view homeschooling as a temporary solution but they are in the minority. And finding out that homeschooling works so well for your family that you wish to continue with it hardly seems like a problem.

He then goes into a long rant about medicating your children and blah, blah, blah. Apparently the guy works with some very troubled people. I just hope they aren't depending on him for advice.
 

New Blog Discovery

I discovered Boarding in Bedlam written by a homeschool Dad.  I particularly enjoyed these three post.

1.  The Carnival of Anti-homeschooling
2. The Carnival of Anti-Homeschooling Part II: One Dad’s Cheeky Response to a Warning about Homeschooling
3. Educating Our Children: A Question for All Parents

The Thinking Mother: Teaching Our Kids About Politics and Government

With all the anti-homeschoolers ranting about how homeschooling should be regulated because of that stupid GMA show on "Unschooling" it is very important that homeschoolers pay attention to politics especially at the local level. All American citizens need to know how the government works, Christinemm has some tips for teaching your kids about politics and government in her post The Thinking Mother: Teaching Our Kids About Politics and Government

Homeschoolers Respond to The Sun Herald Editorial

May 22 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - Letters - SunHerald.com

Uneducated in Texas Public Schools

"Parents should be very wary of politicians designing curriculum," Duncan said in a statement.

But Republican board member David Bradley said the curriculum revision process has always been political but the ruling faction had changed since the last time social studies standards were adopted.

Texas board adopts new social studies curriculum - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com

The Sun Herald Still Doesn't Get It

Because so long as the education of minors is a matter of public policy, its regulation is a proper function of state government, whether in a classroom or at a kitchen table.

SUN HERALD | Editorial We support HOMEschooling, but not UNschooling - Editorial - SunHerald.com

Homeschoolers, like private schools do not receive state funds and therefore should NOT be regulated by the state. I wonder who The Sun Herald thinks will pay for the unnecessary testing they wish to impose.

Taking The Sun Herald to Task

I wonder if The Sun Herald will have the guts to print HSLDA's letter Critique of “Unschooling” Misses Point.

Milton Hershey School for disadvantaged children has paid $3 million to compensate five former students

A Pennsylvania newspaper says the Milton Hershey School for disadvantaged children has paid $3 million to compensate five former students who claimed they were sexually abused.

Paper: Pa. school pays alleged abuse victims $3M - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com

Carnival of Homeschooling

Check out this weeks CoH.

Unschooling : How Good Morning America Got It All Wrong

Read more here.

Public School is a lazy parent’s idea of education

Public School  is a lazy parent’s idea of education could have just as justifiably  been the title of the prejudicial and biased editorial The Sun Herald Board wrote May 12th (‘Unschooling’ is a lazy parent’s idea of education). Homeschoolers are a diverse group and use many different methods to homeschool . Unschooling is ONE of the methods that some homeschoolers use.

The various homeschool methods:

• Charlotte Mason Method - The Charlotte Mason method doesn't require much formal "seat work" for children under about 6 or 7. Instead it mostly requires reading aloud for short periods of time, music, nature, and much play outdoors.
• Classic Education Method - The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home (first published 1999 by W.W. Norton and now in its third edition) offers a step-by-step, grade-by-grade, subject-by-subject guide to the classical pattern of education called the trivium.
• Eclectic Homeschooling Method - An Eclectic Homeschooler is one who looks at the different approaches and methods of homeschooling and takes from each forming his own unique philosophy, this is the one I used.
• Montessori Homeschooling Method - According to Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952), learning is a natural, self-directed process which follows certain fundamental laws of nature.
• Unschooling - or Natural Learning Method - Unschooling or Natural Learning is a philosophy of child-led learning. IT DOES NOT MEAN NO SCHOOL.
• Waldorf Education Method of Homeschooling - Waldorf education is based on the spiritual-scientific research of the Austrian scientist and thinker Rudolf Steiner. Waldorf education balances artistic, academic and practical work educating the whole child, hand and heart as well as mind.
• Traditional Homeschool Method aka School at Home 
• Unit Studies - Unit studies or thematic units take a topic and "lives" with it for a period of time, integrating science, social studies, language arts, math and fine arts as they apply.

Homeschooling, no matter which method you choose to use is hard work. It requires the parent to put forth time preparing the lessons, working with their child and then grading or evaluating the work. Homeschool parents even in states with 'no regulations' must maintain transcripts or portfolios once their children reach the high school years in order for them to get into college.

Having successfully homeschooled my two sons I can say that homeschooling is well worth the effort. My eldest son started college at 16 and received a full ACT scholarship. He has completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and is currently working on his Masters while working part time. My youngest son has just completed his Freshman year at the Community College and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, he too works part time.

It is a pity that before doing a hatchet job on homeschoolers the Editors of The Sun Herald didn't engage in a little old fashion research instead of basing their 'opinion' on a TV Show.  

Public School Teacher apologizes for recorded beating of student

A teacher who was recorded on cell phone video beating a student apologized Friday, saying she was "without excuse" for the attack on the 13-year-old.

Science teacher Sheri Lynn Davis, who was fired by the charter school this week over the attack, said she regrets what happened and would act much differently if given the opportunity.

Public School Teacher apologizes for recorded beating of student - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com

Why do...........................

public school parents insist they homeschool?

☆ home schooling
noun, adjective

1. the fact or process of teaching one's children in the home instead of sending them to a public or private school.

Public School Parent Hostile to Homeschoolers

One public school parent is OURTRAGED that homeschoolers might want to play on the sports teams their tax dollars go to fund. Personally I think all sports should be taken out of the public schools allowing them to concentrate on ACADEMICS. Cities and Counties could then form recreational sports teams allowing all kids public schooled, private schooled and homeschooled to play.

Making my Blood Boil

The Good Morning America show on "Unschoolers" is fueling a campaign for tougher homeschool regulations by the editorial board of The Sun Herald. ‘Unschooling’ is a lazy parent’s idea of education - Editorial - SunHerald.com

Why Does Mr. Sharp Expect Homescoolers to Sacrifice Their Children to The Public Schools

Alex Sharp maintains that public schools lose when gifted kids are homeschooled, what about all those gifted kids that attend PRIVATE SCHOOLS???????

Apparently Mr. Sharp visited Facebooks Gifted Homeschoolers Forum and came away with this nugget of information.

One theme through out the site is that disappointment in public schools propels the desire to homeschool.

I think this is true for most homeschoolers, even those who don't have gifted children. He then goes on to state that "Gifted Education Needs Homeschool Parents to Become Public School Parents".

Baloney!!! Our children do not have to be enrolled in public schools in order for us to voice our concerns to the school board. Any taxpaying citizen can voice their concerns to the school board. And no parent should be asked to sacrifice their child's future for the sake of  the public schools. Far better to pull your child out and homeschool them so they can reach their full potential then leave them stagnating in the public schools while you work to fix them.

Homeschool parents may not realize what their children would have added to the classroom.

Why should any child  be expected to stick around and enrich the public school classrooms, when they receive nothing in return. Far better that their parents homeschool them and enrich their lives so that they can reach their full potential and enrich lives as adults.

And note that Mr Sharp only criticizes homeschool parents for not sticking around and shoring up the public schools not those who send their children to private schools, WHY? Why do private school parents get to make the best educational choice for their child while homeschool parents are expected to sacrifice their children to the public schools?

May Flowers ~ Carnival of Homeschooling

Drop by and learn more about the language of flowers in this weeks CoH.

Calif. teacher gets 2 years for sex with teenager

A middle school teacher who stunned authorities and colleagues when she walked into a police station earlier this year and acknowledged having sex with a 14-year-old former student for six months was sentenced Friday to two years in prison. Read more @ Calif. teacher gets 2 years for sex with teenager - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com

Autistic girl wins Calif. suit over lunch thefts

A Southern California jury has awarded $5,700 to the family of an autistic girl whose lunch money was stolen for nearly two months by a teacher's aide. Read more @ Autistic girl wins Calif. suit over lunch thefts - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com

Carnival Of Homeschooling

This weeks Carnival of Homeschooling is up.

Homeschoolers Rock ~ 2010 VEX Robotics World Championship Results

The tournament champions were an alliance of two New Zealand teams and one Chinese team. 2921 Free Range Robotics, 2919 K-Force from Kristin School, and 8192A Shanghai Luwan Teenagers Activity Center. The finalists were an alliance of three U.S. teams,  21C Champs Charter High School from California, 44 Green Egg Robotics (defending champions) from Massachusetts and 575 Exothermic Robotics from Washington. Both Free Range and Green Egg are homeschool teams.

Read more about the 2010 VEX Robotics World Championship Results here.

Dewey's Treehouse: Carnival of Homeschooling: Wrinkly Superhero Edition

Dewey's Treehouse: Carnival of Homeschooling: Wrinkly Superhero Edition