Carnival of Homeschooling ~ Alasandra's Garden

Gardening and homeschooling have a lot in common. Most gardeners research what grows well in their area, have a plan for their garden, purchase plants, then water, fertilize and prune their plants as needed. Flower beds are weeded as needed.

Homeschoolers often research homeschooling, homeschooling methods and learning styles before embarking on their homeschooling journey. Plans are made for the school year, books and supplies are purchased, lessons are taught, school work is assigned and reviewed (graded) and plans revised as needed.



What's in a name? Well a lot of people consider Goldenrod (aka Solidago) to be a weed, I consider it to be a beautiful wildflower, and count myself lucky to have it growing in my yard. The great thing about wildflowers is they require little care on my part. Here is some Goldenrod mixed in with Statice (aka Sea Lavender and Marsh Rosemary). Statice symbolizes remembrance. C h r y s a l i s ღ presents Bible Names and Why They Matter and 3 Miracle Parenting Tools .

Columbine

Rational Jenn presents Peopleguy Tours posted at Rational Jenn.

Heliotrope

Cherish presents My beef with public education as well as Dial it in! posted at FCIWYPSC.

Columbine

Columbines are found in many parts of North America in different colors and shapes. Look for them beside rivers, in the woods, in the rough terrain of the Rocky Mountains and in many home gardens. They are extremely easy to grow and reproduce by scattering their own seeds. Amy @ Hope Is the Word presents Read Aloud Thursday?Snow! posted at Hope Is the Word.

Encore Azalea

Encore® Azaleas are the only patented brand of azaleas to bloom in spring,summer and fall. I expected them to do well as we live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast but they proved not to be as hardy as the regular Azaleas we have. We planted three and this is the only one that survived. It's beautiful blooms make it a joy to behold throughout the year.

Arby presents Mr. Arby, Meet Your Son posted at The Homeschool Apologist.

Bottlebrush (Callistemon)

Bottlebrush is native to Australia mostly growing in moist soil in open or woodland sites. Every country has something to offer, Successful Homeschooling describes methods traditional Chinese mothers use to create math whizzes and music prodigies in her post What Homeschoolers Can Learn from Chinese Mothers.

Cactus

Cristina presents Home Spun comic strip #565 posted at Home Spun Juggling.

Buttercup

The Buttercup is a terrific plant it reseeds itself every year and blooms all season.

Jessica presents Labels posted at Teachable Moments.

Many of you have snow where you live. We are having colder then average temperatures here in South Mississippi. So far the garden has survived but I will have some major pruning and weeding to do once the weather is warm enough. Sweet Diva offers her thoughts on Homeschooling While Fighting the Desire to Hibernate....

Butterfly with Lantana

Chris McGinn presents My new homeschooling friend--Google eBooks posted at Mothers of Boys.

And Speaking of books if you are interested in gardening or flowers I recommend these books:

1. Wildflowers of Mississippi by Stephen L. Timme
2. Complete Guide to Flower Gardening by Better Homes and Gardens
3. Alabama & Mississippi Gardener's Guide by By Felder Rushing and Jennifer Greer
4. The Complete Container Garden by David Joyce

Angel Trumpet

I have a purple and white Devil's Trumpet that I grew from seeds. The Angel Trumpets haven't produced seeds so far, but I have managed to root them from cuttings. I have both pink and yellow and hope to purchase a white one this year.

ChristineMM presents A Story About 1:1 Homeschool Teaching posted at The Thinking Mother.

Mexican Petunia

The Mexican Petunia's die back in the winter, but so far they have returned every year. I have the purple and am considering purchasing some pink this year.

Pamela presents Teasing posted at Blah, Blah, Blog.

Zinnia

I started the Zinnias from seeds. They were easy to cultivate. I'll probably get some more seeds in a different color this year. I am hoping the pink reseeded themselves.

Cindy presents Gifted Kids and Standardized Testing posted at love2learn2day.

Foxglove

The foxgloves reseeded themselves last year. I have my fingers crossed they do so again this year.

Katherine presents playing school? posted at No Fighting, No Biting!.

Stokes Aster (not a real Aster)

My Stokes Aster pretty much thrives all year, if we have a really hard frost it will die back but as soon as the temperatures warm up it will start to come out again. Produces lovely blooms from mid spring into the summer for me.

No snow here in South Mississippi but at Delightful Learning you can read all about Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening.

Foxglove

Laura presents Labelling Our Children posted at Practical Homeschooling.

Carolina Yellow Jasmine

This is rather bizarre, my Carolina Yellow Jasmine is blooming in January. We are having really strange weather here, colder then average temperatures, less rain then usual and the plants are behaving oddly.

Bore Me to Tears points out that Scientists know more science.

Buttercup with Moth

Rebecca Zook presents Need to remember something important? Breaking news! posted at Triangle Suitcase - Rebecca Zook's Blog About Learning.

Does anyone know what this is? I grew it from a bulb.

Heather Laurie presents Teaching Silence posted at Special Needs Homeschooling.

Foxglove

Kelly Elmore presents My Worries and Balloon Animals posted at Reepicheep's Coracle.

Marigold

Annual Marigolds can be used anywhere to deter Mexican bean beetles, squash bugs, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies. They are also known to repel harmful root knot nematodes (soil dwelling microscopic white worms) that attack tomatoes, potatoes, roses, and strawberries. The root of the Marigold produces a chemical that kills nematodes as they enter the soil. If a whole area is infested, at the end of the season, turn the Marigolds under so the roots will decay in the soil. You can safely plant there again the following spring.

Deb @ Not Inadequate tells why she decided to teach Latin to her kids in the post Ut Docui necne ut Docui?

Gardenia

It’s quite an honor to have a plant named after you. It’s an even bigger honor when that plant sports a flower with the most intoxicating fragrance in the world.

Dr. Alexander Garden, a Scottish physician and naturalist, moved to Charleston in 1752. He corresponded with English merchant John Ellis, who just happened to be a good friend of Carolus Linnaeus, the famous Swedish botanist. Linnaeus had developed the genus-and-species system for scientifically naming and classifying plants.

In 1758, Ellis visited a garden outside London to inspect an evergreen shrub thought to be a jasmine and blessed with powerfully scented double white flowers. Ellis doubted it was a true jasmine, and Linnaeus agreed. Ellis convinced Linnaeus to name the new find for his pen pal in Charleston, Alexander Garden. Enter the gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides). Fittingly, in 1762, the New World’s first gardenia was planted in Dr. Garden’s garden.

A Brief History of the Gardenia

Why Homeschool presents a Great arguement for Unschooling: Ted Talk on Child-driven education.

Cactus

Majellamom (Lori) presents A Blast from the Past...with Blue posted at Waiting for Charlie....

Gladiolas

Check out the The Lemonade Geography Tour @ Farm School.

Roses

Nak presents A Living Book for St. Valentine's Day posted at Sage Parnassus.

Confederate Rose (a type of Hibiscus)

The Legend of the Confederate Rose

Once the Confederate Rose was pure white. During the Civil War, a soldier was fatally wounded in battle. He fell upon the rose as he lay dying. During the course of the two days he took to die, he bled more and more on the flower, till at last bloom was covered with his blood. When he died, the flower died with him. Thereafter, the Confederate Rose (or Cotton Rose), opens white, and over the course of the two days the bloom lasts, they turn gradually from white to pink to almost red, when the flower finally falls from the bush.

The Confederate Rose or hibiscus mutablis is actually a Chinese import. Brought into English gardens in the 1600's, it is said to have gained favor in the South due to its ease of cultivation during the hard financial times after the Civil War.

Barbara Frank Online presents Black Home Educators Embrace Their Cultural Heritage. This post seems particular timely as yesterday we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Day (Federal Holiday) as well as Robert E. Lee Day (State Holiday) in South Mississippi. By homeschooling I was able to embrace our Confederate Heritage which is pretty much ignored in the public schools. History buffs might be interested in reading Robert E. Lee's biography online as well as A Taste of Freedom by Tommie Thompson about the forgotten slave soldiers who fought in the Civil War for the South.

Zinnias with Butterfly

History is Elementary offers a history lesson on the Spanish American War in her post Be a Hero: Sink a U.S. Ship.

Red Rose

Shannon @ Mom Improvement post on Teaching Writing.

Rooster Violet

This trooper has been blooming all winter, it is actually a type of pansy. It really seems to enjoy the cold weather.

Denise presents Babymath: Story Problem Challenge III posted at Let's Play Math!.

Butterfly with Pineapple Sage

Susan Ryan presents Daytime Curfews Persist in Illinois posted at Corn and Oil.

Zinnia

Zinnias are another member of the large Aster family of plants and originate in Mexico and the Southwest United States. They come in a form suitable for every garden situation, including single, double, cactus, dahlia, ruffles, and pompon. Colors include every shade except blue, and many are multicolored. Most are prolific bloomers that add beautiful color to the landscape, and many have growth habits that make wonderful additions to container plantings. The uses for Zinnias in the home garden are almost endless. Use them as border plants, fillers for bare spots in perennial gardens, or massed in a garden all their own.

Mama Squirrel presents Once Upon a Company (review) posted at Dewey's Treehouse.

Candlebush

My neighbor gave me the seeds to this wonderful plant. And I completely agree with this statement by Lady Bird Johnson, "Where flowers bloom, so does hope".

Jimmie presents Book Report Notebooking Page posted at The Notebooking Fairy.

John Laugherton presents Top 50 Social Sites for Educators and Academics posted at Learn-O-Rama.

Rona Burstein presents 19 Educational Open Courseware Classes About Social Work posted at Online MSW Program.

Audrey Christopher presents 19 Educational Open Courseware Classes About Sociology posted at Master of Sociology.


Elizabeth Wright presents Educating Children with Mood Disorders posted at Education Degrees.

Princess Feather

For those of you interested in gardening or wildflowers I do a gardening post on Thursdays at Alasandra, The Cats & A Dog entitled Thursday in the Garden.

Thanks for visiting the Carnival of Homeschooling. Homeschool Bytes will be hosting the Carnival next week.

Robert E. Lee Day

We are celebrating General Robert E. Lee's birthday today. Robert E. Lee’s birthday is officially recognized in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi on the third Monday of January as a State Holiday. We are also celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Day, which is a Federal Holiday.

The Rights of the Child - Part I

Still trying to figure out why some homeschoolers are horrified at the idea of Children's Rights.

Article 1
For the purposes of the present Convention, a child means every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.

Nothing to object to here we already consider those below the age of 18 to be children in the United States.

Article 2
1. States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child's parents, legal guardians, or family members.

So it would be unlawful to discriminate against a child. What is wrong with this?

Article 3

1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

2. States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well-being, taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally responsible for him or her, and, to this end, shall take all appropriate legislative and administrative measures.

3. States Parties shall ensure that the institutions, services and facilities responsible for the care or protection of children shall conform with the standards established by competent authorities, particularly in the areas of safety, health, in the number and suitability of their staff, as well as competent supervision.

So daycares, schools and other institutions that serve children would have to conform to certain standards. Wouldn't this be a good thing? Isn't this what most parents in the United States want?

Moreover, the majority of parents logically assume that standards are in place in child care programs to ensure that children are safe. Parents overwhelmingly think that caregivers are trained in child development and safety and undergo a background check, and that child care programs are inspected. This is simply not true in too many states.

Parents' Perceptions of Child Care in the United States: NACCRRA's National Parent Poll

Article 4

States Parties shall undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention. With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, States Parties shall undertake such measures to the maximum extent of their available resources and, where needed, within the framework of international co-operation.

Article 5

States Parties shall respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents or, where applicable, the members of the extended family or community as provided for by local custom, legal guardians or other persons legally responsible for the child, to provide, in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child, appropriate direction and guidance in the exercise by the child of the rights recognized in the present Convention.

Parentental Rights are RESPECTED!!!!! Isn't this what the homeschoolers who are objecting to the treaty want?

Article 6

1. States Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life.

2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.

Now why would HSLDA be objecting to children having the right to life?

Article 7

1. The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and. as far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents.

2. States Parties shall ensure the implementation of these rights in accordance with their national law and their obligations under the relevant international instruments in this field, in particular where the child would otherwise be stateless.

We are already required to get birth certificates and social security cards for our children at birth. This is not a new requirement. It also states that children have the right to be raised by their birth parents when possible. What is wrong with this?

Article 8

1. States Parties undertake to respect the right of the child to preserve his or her identity, including nationality, name and family relations as recognized by law without unlawful interference.

2. Where a child is illegally deprived of some or all of the elements of his or her identity, States Parties shall provide appropriate assistance and protection, with a view to re-establishing speedily his or her identity.

Why would HSLDA object to this?

Article 9

1. States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. Such determination may be necessary in a particular case such as one involving abuse or neglect of the child by the parents, or one where the parents are living separately and a decision must be made as to the child's place of residence.

2. In any proceedings pursuant to paragraph 1 of the present article, all interested parties shall be given an opportunity to participate in the proceedings and make their views known.

3. States Parties shall respect the right of the child who is separated from one or both parents to maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis, except if it is contrary to the child's best interests.

4. Where such separation results from any action initiated by a State Party, such as the detention, imprisonment, exile, deportation or death (including death arising from any cause while the person is in the custody of the State) of one or both parents or of the child, that State Party shall, upon request, provide the parents, the child or, if appropriate, another member of the family with the essential information concerning the whereabouts of the absent member(s) of the family unless the provision of the information would be detrimental to the well-being of the child. States Parties shall further ensure that the submission of such a request shall of itself entail no adverse consequences for the person(s) concerned.

Again this is nothing new. Children are granted the right to be raised by their birth parents unless their parents are abusing or neglecting them. We already have these laws. This isn't something new.

And in the case of divorce the child has the right to maintain a relationship with both parents. Isn't this a good thing?

Article 10

1. In accordance with the obligation of States Parties under article 9, paragraph 1, applications by a child or his or her parents to enter or leave a State Party for the purpose of family reunification shall be dealt with by States Parties in a positive, humane and expeditious manner. States Parties shall further ensure that the submission of such a request shall entail no adverse consequences for the applicants and for the members of their family.

2. A child whose parents reside in different States shall have the right to maintain on a regular basis, save in exceptional circumstances personal relations and direct contacts with both parents. Towards that end and in accordance with the obligation of States Parties under article 9, paragraph 1, States Parties shall respect the right of the child and his or her parents to leave any country, including their own, and to enter their own country. The right to leave any country shall be subject only to such restrictions as are prescribed by law and which are necessary to protect the national security, public order (ordre public), public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of others and are consistent with the other rights recognized in the present Convention

And article 10 is about reuniting families and keeping them together. What does HSLDA find objectionable about this. Children belong with their parents. We should encourage laws that promote the reuniting of families.

I'll pick up with article 11 in my next post.

Carnival of Homeschooling

I will be hosting the Carnival of Homeschooling  January 18th and would love for my readers to submit  a post. Thank you in advance, ~Alasandra

Fables Versus Reality

Why Dave, Andy and Georgia aren't real scientist?

Why Do Some Homeschoolers Object to Children's Rights?

For some reason many homeschoolers (both the HSLDA & NHELD) appear to be opposed to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of The Child.  I took the time to read the treaty for myself and fail to see why they are opposed to it. Nothing in the treaty is hostile to homeschooling and the treaty is very respectful of the bond between parents and their children. You can read the treaty for yourself  here.

HSLDA is using the fact that Sweden has banned homeschooling to denounce the UN Rights of the Child.  But even a lawyer with HSLDA admits it is Swedish law that is at fault.

Sweden's laws, according to Mike Donnelly, a lawyer with the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, are even contrary to the European Convention, which states that families have the right to school within their own religious and philosophical convictions.

The Washington Times - Home-school ban in Sweden forces families to mull leaving

Many homeschoolers apparently fear that if the United States ratifies the treaty homeschooling will be abolished. But since homeschooling is legal in the United States in all 50 states this is nonsense.

"No U.N. treaty will ever usurp the national sovereignty of this country," said Meg Gardinier, chair of a national coalition backing the treaty. "Ratification would boost our credibility globally."

According to Jonathan Todres "The reality is that no country that is a party to the convention has seen parental rights encroached," said Jonathan Todres, a law professor at Georgia State University who has worked with Gardinier's coalition.

Todres also noted that while U.N.'s expert committee monitoring the treaty can make recommendations to governments that have ratified the pact, there are no enforcement mechanisms or penalties. 

Clash brewing over global Rights of Child pact

So why does HSLDA & NHELD object to children's basic rights — including education, health care and protection from abuse —? Why in a country that was founded on the ideal of individual rights do they wish to deny that children have rights.

From The Declaration of Independence ~ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. —

The only other country that hasn't ratified the treaty is Somalia.

National Home Education Legal Defense Opposed to Parental Rights Amendment

NHELD is opposed to the Parental Rights Amendment HSLDA is pushing, you can read why here.

Warning to parents:  A Constitutional amendment purporting to protect the rights of parents actually could erode the rights of parents even further.

At the behest of another homeschool organization (HSLDA), Congressman Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, once again, has introduced a bill that would amend the United States Constitution, ostensibly to protect the right of parents.

Why are Fundamentalist Christians Opposed to Children Having Rights?

A Fundamentalist Homeschooling Mom who believes those evil secular humanist are out to take her children away from her used these court cases to try to prove that Christians are being persecuted.

Home-schooler ordered to attend public school
In this instance the girls FATHER had requested that she be sent to public school. Unfortunately when parents disagree about the best educational choice for their child a Judge gets to choose. I do find this troubling

In the New Hampshire case, the court ruled that extreme religiosity by itself constitutes grounds on which to rule against a parent's wishes.

We are suppose to enjoy religious freedom in America. But considering the child said this.

The ruling also said Amanda told a counselor she was distressed by her father's refusal to accept her religious beliefs and that "his choice to spend eternity away from her proves that he does not love her as much as he says he does."

I totally understand the ruling. It seems that in Amanda's view accepting her religious beliefs doesn't mean accepting her right to believe them but forcing the Father to believe them too.Certainly the Mother needs to be prevented from brainwashing the child into believing her Father doesn't love her just because his religious views differ from the Mothers. And keep in mind the court was INVITED to intervene by the parents in the custody dispute.

Judge Grants Asylum to German Home Schoolers
Homeschooling is ILLEGAL in Germany.

The reasoning behind the German law, cited by officials and in court cases, is to foster social integration, ensure exposure to people from different backgrounds and prevent what some call “parallel societies.”

“We have had this legal basis ever since the state was founded,” said Thomas Hilsenbeck, a spokesman for the Ministry for Culture, Youth and Sport in the Romeikes’ state, Baden-Württemberg. “This is broadly accepted among the general public.”

The family was breaking the laws of Germany. This does not show that Christians are being persecuted. It also shows that our homeschool freedoms are safe in America where homeschooling is legal in all 50 states.

In a harshly worded decision, the judge, Lawrence O. Burman, denounced the German policy, calling it “utterly repellent to everything we believe as Americans,” and expressed shock at the heavy fines and other penalties the government has levied on home-schooling parents, including taking custody of their children.

As for the The United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child one can only wonder what Fundamentalist Christians find objectionable.

Article 6

1. States Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life.

2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.

Article 7

1. The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and. as far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents.

Article 9

1. States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. Such determination may be necessary in a particular case such as one involving abuse or neglect of the child by the parents, or one where the parents are living separately and a decision must be made as to the child's place of residence.

2. In any proceedings pursuant to paragraph 1 of the present article, all interested parties shall be given an opportunity to participate in the proceedings and make their views known.

3. States Parties shall respect the right of the child who is separated from one or both parents to maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis, except if it is contrary to the child's best interests.

Article 12

1. States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.

2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.

Article 13

1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice.

2. The exercise of this right may be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:

(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; or

(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.

Article 14

1. States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

2. States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.

3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

Religious Right Screaming Persecution Again

The Religious Right are screaming persecution again The Third Wave of Homeschool Persecution. Please people get a grip. There are secular humanist that homeschool, they treasure their homeschool freedoms as much as you do. Accusing a group of people of persecuting you because your religious views differ is idiotic and counter productive.

Homeschool Groups & Resources for Secular, Agnostic, Secular Humanist, & Atheist
Homeschooling Freethinkers! 
Atheist Homeschool
Freethinking Unschoolers
Homeschool Atheist
Global Village School

Roll On Mississippi: Tullis-Toledano Manor 2002

Roll On Mississippi: Tullis-Toledano Manor 2002

Could Ken Ham and the Religious Right be WRONG?

Ken Ham takes umbrage at the Catholic Church championing Science.

The Catholic Church no longer teaches creationism -- the belief that God created the world in six days as described in the Bible -- and says that the account in the book of Genesis is an allegory for the way God created the world.

But it objects to using evolution to back an atheist philosophy that denies God's existence or any divine role in creation. It also objects to using Genesis as a scientific text.

According to Ken Ham.

Now, if the book of Genesis is an allegory, then sin is an allegory, the Fall is an allegory, the need for a Savior is an allegory, and Adam is an allegory—but if we are all descendants of an allegory, where does that leave us? It destroys the foundation of all Christian doctrine—it destroys the foundation of the gospel.

If Genesis is an allegory then the first marriage is just an allegory, so marriage can be anything one wants to define it as!

Which would mean the Religious Right who insist the Bible is the LITERAL word of God and that Genesis is correct in every way would be WRONG (Gasp)!

HT: Pharyngula

My Response to a comment on my post Secular doesn't mean Anti-Christian

This was left as a comment on my post Secular doesn't mean Anti-Christian

boremetotears.com said...

With all due respect, "you keep using that word (secular). I do not think it means what you think it means." ;)

As CW said, using secular curriculum doesn't make a Christian homeschooler "secular" because, as "anonymous" added, "faith is implictly and explicitly taught." Just because you're using a non-religious curriculum doesn't mean you're not imparting a religious education.

(Aren't there a lot of people like "anon" who fall between the two categories? I've always had that impression.)

Btw, I would guess that to the extent that some secular homeschoolers are "anti-Christian," most don't start out that way. For many of us, the Christian homeschooling movement is our first introduction to the Religious Right's FIERCELY anti-secular, social/political agenda (it's Reason #1 why many homeschool, after all). And, could they be any more candid in championing homeschools as a training grounds for future Joshuas who will "Take Back the Land" --- from the "godless," also known as our children? Of course, it makes secular parents defensive and even combative.

Since my response is going to be rather long I thought I would answer in a post rather then a comment. I am well aware what secular means. I was a SECULAR HOMESHOOLER, and would still be a secular homeschooler but my children are in college now.

From the Meirriam-Webster Online Dictionary SECULAR

a : of or relating to the worldly or temporal <secular concerns> b : not overtly or specifically religious <secular music> c : not ecclesiastical or clerical <secular courts> <secular landowners>

Christians can choose to listen to secular music, watch secular television shows, read secular books and they can choose to provide their children with a secular education instead of an education based on their religious beliefs. Just like many Christians send their children to secular public schools. It doesn't make those Christian families less Christian just because they choose to provide their children with a secular public school education. Christians who wish to put the emphasis on education rather then religion can choose to be SECULAR HOMESCHOOLERS.

As Secular Homeschooling Magazine puts it

Secular Homeschooling is a non-religious bimonthly magazine that reflects the diversity of the homeschooling community. Its readers and writers are committed to the idea that religious belief is a personal matter rather than a prerequisite of homeschooling.

This magazine is for any homeschooler, religious or not, who is interested in good solid writing about homeschooling and homeschoolers.

Secular homeschoolers are not against religion they merely do not make everything about religion. This allows them to interact and discuss homeschooling matters with other homeschoolers of differing beliefs. Their focus is on EDUCATION not religion.

I have to admit that I am confused by the last bit of Boremetotears comment. Not all Christians are members of the Religious Right. Many Christians find the Religious Right's intolerant beliefs and social/political agenda abhorrent. The Religious Right does not speak for all Christians.

5 Years of The Carnival of Homeschooling

Why Homeschool: Carnival of Homeschool: Week 262 - The 5th Anniversary

Home school robotics team earns another trip to nationals

Excelling in science Home school robotics team earns another trip to nationals.

Stylish Blogger Award

The Stylish Blogger Award is both an honor from a fellow blogger and a way of networking with other bloggers. Thank you so much to PinonKnitter from Knitted Thoughts for including me in her award recipients.  Be sure to check out her blog. I just love the red coat and green lace scarf she knitted as Christmas gifts.

Here is a little explanation of the tasks you need to do should you choose to accept the award.

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

Seven things about Alasandra

1. I love animals
2. I love flowers
3. I love to read
4. I have a wonderful husband and two terrific boys.
5. I miss having a horse and going riding.
6. I enjoy the Spring when the temperatures are in the 80's. I wish it would stay that way all year.
7. I have visited Oahu, Hawaii; British Columbia & Alberta Canada; San Diego, California; Little Rock Arkansas; Macon & Atlanta Georgia; Washington D.C.;  Florida; New Orleans, Louisianan, Mobile, Alabama and Kansas City, Kansas.

15 Recently Discovered Bloggers ................. I promise to get back to this. I want to give it some thought.

Jamestown unearths 400-year-old pipes for patrons

Jamestown unearths 400-year-old pipes for patrons - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com

Secular doesn't mean Anti-Christian

A lot of the Fundamentalist Christian bloggers jump to the conclusion that secular homeschoolers are ANTI-Christian. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many secular homeschoolers are Christians but they choose to make EDUCATION not RELIGION the focus of their homeschooling.

What is a secular homeschooler? A secular homeschooler chooses to focus on education rather then religion. Many secular homeschoolers are Christians but they may find the  Fundamentalist Christians' intolerant views offensive. They choose to associate with people who have different religious and political beliefs and display tolerance of those whose beliefs are different then their own. Often they believe and teach EVOLUTION and find it tiresome that the Fundamentalist Christians label anyone who doesn't share their CREATIONIST beliefs anti-Christian.

Why Homeschool: Reminder - send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling

 The Cates are hosting the 5th Anniversary Edition and would like everyone to submit a post. Learn more at Why Homeschool: Reminder - send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling

Making Time for Things That Matter- 2011 Planning ~ CoH

Check out the Carnival of Homeschooling.

Mississippi Schools to teach civil rights history in all grades

Schools to teach civil rights history in all grades - Featured Story - SunHerald.com

No Fighting, No Biting!: The Homeschoolers 12 days of Christmas

No Fighting, No Biting!: The Homeschoolers 12 days of Christmas

HOMESCHOOLING IS NOT A RELIGIOUS UNDERTAKING IT IS AN EDUCATIONAL CHOICE.

I am sick and tired of people thinking Christians are the only families who homeschool.  People of many different beliefs also homeschool.

I have read any number of articles by those who choose to homeschool who believe that homeschooling is the only biblical option for educating children. While these people may make some valid arguments, I am not convicted by Scripture or by plain reason that we must avoid public schools.

PLEASE HOMESCHOOLING IS NOT A RELIGIOUS UNDERTAKING IT IS AN EDUCATIONAL CHOICE.

Tim Challies seems to believe all homeschoolers  are Christians who are easily offended, won't allow their children to participate in Halloween and won't let them participate in sports leagues.

I don't think homeschoolers are easily offended. I do think we get tired of being lumped together as if we are all identical. Homeschool families are just as diverse as public school families. There are Wiccan, Pagan, Atheist and Christian Homeschoolers. There are rich, middle class and poor homeschoolers. There are White, Black, Hispanic, Indian, and Native American homeschoolers. Also our reasons for homeschooling are as varied as we are.

My family did not pray about homeschooling and religion played no part in our decision. We choose to homeschool because we did not agree with mandatory school uniforms in public school. I see no reason children should have to dress like clones in order to get an education.

Unlike Challies I do not believe children should be sent to public school in order to witness to other children. I find it revolting that Challies seems to think his religious beliefs should be forced on others.

I did not choose to homeschool to avoid worldliness. My children continued to play with the same kids they played with when they attended public school, they continued to participate in recreational sports leagues and boy scouts. Homeschooling is an educational choice not a religious undertaking and I am sick and tired of people like Challies assuming that all homeschoolers are Christians and share the same ideology he does.

Home Spun Juggling: Carnival of Homeschooling: 42 edition

Home Spun Juggling: Carnival of Homeschooling: 42 edition

The Common Room: When Family Members and Friends Seem Hostile to Homeschooling

The Common Room: When Family Members and Friends Seem Hostile to Homeschooling

The Devil in The White City by Erik Larson

(Non-Fiction) I highly recommend this book, it would make a wonderful gift for any History Buff in your family. Larson explores Chicago in the Gilded Age, beginning with Daniel Hudson Burnham's miraculous design for the Chicago World's Fair (properly known as the World's Columbian Exposition ) held in 1893. The book starts in 1890 with Chicago seeking to have the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. It covers the life of architect  Daniel Hudson Burnham as well as engineer George Ferris who came up with a way to out Eiffel, Eiffel. Olmsted the famous landscape architect figures prominently in the book as well as Buffalo Bill. On a darker note Patrick Eugene Joseph Prendergast's murder of the mayor of Chicago is covered as well as the life of serial killer H. H. Holmes (born Herman Webster Mudgett). The book ends with Millet's death on the Titanic in 1912 and Burnhams's death shortly thereafter.

Carnival of Homeschooling

The Carnival of Homeschooling: the Gingerbread Can Cure Poison Hour Edition.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Merry Christmas
& Happy New Year!

Carnival of Homeschooling

Apollos Academy is hosting this weeks CoH.

MrsMamaHen.com: The Carnival of Homeschooling: Our Great Nation

MrsMamaHen.com: The Carnival of Homeschooling: Our Great Nation

Christmas Shopping @ CSN Stores

With over 200 online stores CSN Stores is the perfect place to do you Christmas shopping. They have everything; pet supplies, backpacks, china.  I wonder if Hubby would like a leather briefcase for Christmas. Youngest Son needs a new backpack to take to college so I am headed over to look at their large selection of backpacks.

I wonder if Youngest Son would like this one? 

Now to look for a leather briefcase for Hubby.

Teacher injured in student brawl - Education - SunHerald.com

A Moss Point PUBLIC High School teacher was injured Monday trying to break up a fight involving three students.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Enjoy a visit with the Nerd Family while enjoying Carnival of Homeschooling Open House.

Book Review ~ Jesus, Interrupted by Bart D. Ehrman

Scholars have made significant progress in understanding the Bible over the past two hundred years and the results of their study are regularly and routinely taught both to graduate students in universities and to prospective pastors attending seminaries in preparation for the ministry. Yest such views of the Bible are virtually unknown among the population at large. As a result, not only are most Americans ignorant of the contents of the Bible, but they are also almost completely in the dark about what scholars have been saying about the Bible for the past two centuries.

A Historical Assault on Faith
Because of the influence the Bible has had on Western Civilization we should all use the historical-critical approach in order to understand it better. There are serious discrepancies in the Bible that can not be explained away, unless we acknowledge that each author of the Bible lived in his own time and place, had a set of cultural and religious assumptions that we do not necessarily share and has their own story to tell that doesn't always match the stories the other authors of the Bible choose to tell. The big question is why do pastors who have learned the historical-critical method seem to forget about it once they reach the pulpit. I know in my pastors case he was afraid the information might cause the congregation to question their faith.

A World of Contradictions
Ehrman shows the contradiction between when Mark said Jesus died (Friday morning) and when John said Jesus died (Thursday afternoon). And reasons that John changed a historical datum in order to make a theological point: Jesus is the sacrificial lamb.


Discrepancies in the Accounts of Jesus' Birth and Life
Ehrman goes on to show the discrepancies in the stories of Jesus' birth as well as in the family tree of Jesus. He also mentions the fact the Bible makes TWO contradictory claims the Mary was a VIRGIN and that Jesus was descended from David through JOSEPH. Other contradictions are discussed but the key points are; the discrepancies prove the Bible is not 100% correct, it is important to let each author speak for himself, and the discrepancies that involve historical narratives make it difficult to establish what really happened.



Ehrman discusses the various views that were popular at the time. Points out that the earliest followers of Jesus did NOT consider him divine and produces scholarly evidence to back up his claims. All in all I found this to be a very interesting book although some of the material covered was also discussed in his earlier books. I encourage anyone interested in theology to read this book.

fondling of a first-grade girl by a first-grade boy classmate causes legal problems for principal

New Hope assistant principal cleared - Regional Wire - SunHerald.com

Carnival of Homeschooling

The CoH is up.

Carnival of Homeschooling #253: Singing a Happy Song Edition

Drop by Dewey's Treehouse: Carnival of Homeschooling #253: Singing a Happy Song Edition to enjoy this weeks CoH.

Dona Nobis Pacem

View more Peace Globes here.

Public School investigates coach whipping allegations

Public School investigates coach whipping allegations

Jason Hubbard Sr., whose son is on the basketball team, told The Clarion-Ledger newspaper that he saw Dorsey whip players with a weightlifting belt for not performing plays properly.

We Are Clark Kent Carnival of Homeschooling

Fly on over to Corn & Oil to read the We Are Clark Kent Carnival of Homeschooling

The Question To Ask About Art Robinson's Love of Racist Novels

Read the article in the Huffington Post.

In short the piece is about novels Art Robinson used in his homeschool curriculum, a curriculum he made available to the public, for a price.

Now I was expecting a classic such as Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. But discovered it was a book and author I had never heard of.

A PBS bio of G. A. Henty states that his books "are notable for their hearty imperialism, undisguised racism, and jingoistic patriotism," indicating that they they went out of print for a reason: such attitudes fell out of fashion decades ago.

I certainly wouldn't have chosen to use Henty's work, certainly not all 99 of them. But that is the beauty of homeschooling one doesn't have to use books one finds distasteful or poorly written. If we had read one of his works, it would have been used as an example of the popular assumptions held by the majority of the British people in Henty's own time. And that the British used these views to justify colonizing what they considered to be inferior races.

Divisive Issues & Homeschool Forums

Sixathome took offense when an inclusive homeschool group locked Lioness' problems with DHS on their forum, Sixathome outlined her complaint in her post Responsibility and a Home School Forum.

I want to offer these thoughts. A Homeschool Groups first responsibility is to the Group. Topics that become divisive can destroy a group. This was such a topic and Natalie acted responsibly when she locked the topic. This in no way prevents members from visiting Lioness' blog to offer support and sympathy, or sharing Lioness' story on their own blog.

Secondly as horrific as what Lioness' family is going through, it isn't really a homeschooling issue. Lioness herself said that she was reported for neglect. That is what DHS is investigating. Lioness would be facing the same nightmare even if her children attended public school.  

Thirdly this is a legal issue and is beyond the scope of PEAK's capabilities to help. Having our members sitting around wringing their hands helps no one. Natalie and others  pointed Lioness to resources that could help her. It is up to Lioness to make use of them.

Should Mississippi homeschoolers be worried? I think not. This issue is very complex and has little to do with homeschooling.

When Hell Came to Our Home

This is so scary. Please go by Lioness' blog and read her post When Hell Came to Our Home Mega Post and if there is any way you can help.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Celebrating Autumn CoH.

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.