Another paranoid homeschooler is blathering about public schools brainwashing kids and how she will protect her kids from stuff like REAL SCIENCE. Why I Homeschool--Part Four: (I can brainwash my own kids, thankyouverymuch!). She of course is partly right by choosing what to teach and how to teach it you do have a tremendous amount of power when it comes to shaping a child's mind.
Apparently Lisa Luper's understanding of SCIENCE is woefully inadequate, but then what can you expect from someone who thinks evolution is silly. Why really learn about it from actual Science Textbooks, when you can dismiss it as silly and turn to an ancient book full of myths and legends (aka The Bible) for your Science instruction.
OK, I don't completely agree with the PC idea that being homosexual is OK I tend to view it as a Gender Identity Disorder. But the author of this nonsense completely ignores the fact that sometimes "a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem
to fit the typical definitions of female or male. For example, a person
might be born appearing to be female on the outside, but having mostly
male-typical anatomy on the inside. Or a person may be born with
genitals that seem to be in-between the usual male and female types—for
example, a girl may be born with a noticeably large clitoris, or lacking
a vaginal opening, or a boy may be born with a notably small penis, or
with a scrotum that is divided so that it has formed more like labia. Or
a person may be born with mosaic genetics, so that some of her cells
have XX chromosomes and some of them have XY" You can read more about Intersex People here. But then this is SCIENCE so possibly Luper isn't ignoring it so much as she is ignorant of the condition.
Global Warming is a fact not a fantasy someone cooked up to give Luper heartburn, so is the fact the world is becoming overpopulated. How we deal with Global Warming and Overpopulation will determine if our species survives and what kind of standard of living our species will enjoy. So far the deniers seem to be doing a pretty good job of insuring that we will continue on our hedonistic way polluting the earth and spitting out babies until all the fossil fuels are depleted and droughts and food shortages are common. But PLEASE don't try to explain the Science behind Global Warming to them if it doesn't fit into their Biblical World View they don't want to hear it.
Not all homeschoolers are ANTI-SCIENCE and many of us disagree with her viewpoints.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The American Jury
The Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago has lesson plans on the history of juries as well as on JURY NULLIFICATION.
DEFINITIONS - Jury Nullification
"Jury nullification occurs when guilt is established but the jury
decides to acquit on its own sense of fairness, propriety, prejudice,
or any other sentiment or concern." Randall Kennedy, Race, Crime, and
the Law (1997)
"Jury nullification… may take on a variety of meanings or shades of meaning."
"True" or stringent nullification "occurs when the jury
recognizes that a defendant's act is proscribed by the law but acquits
because it does not believe the act should be proscribed. The behavior,
in other words, is not criminal in the eyes of the jury."
"Intermediate" nullification occurs when "although the act proved
is properly classified as criminal, it is within a class of acts that
do not deserve the punishment prescribed for them."
"Weak" or "ad hoc" nullification "reflects the jury's view that
although the act proved is criminal and falls in a class of acts that
may well deserve the prescribed punishment, such punishment is
inappropriate in the case at hand."
Friday, January 13, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Carnival of Homeschooling the Gemstone Edition
Welcome to the Gemstone Edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling. Below you will find not only the wonderful submissions for this carnival but gemstones commonly used for birthstones and the history behind them.
Home Spun Juggling delivers Home Spun comic strip #694
Homeschool Bytes offers Haiku: Poetry my boys loved and my daughter hated.
Amethyst and magic have been connected for at least 2,000 years. The Greeks believed it to be an amulet against inebriation. It is one of the few stones specifically recommended for men to use for attracting women. Amethyst is the birthstone for February:
"The February-born shall find
Sincerity, and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they the Amethyst will wear."
Amethyst can be used to increase psychic awareness, to sharpen the 'sixth sense'. Because of this, many people keep a crystal with their I-Ching, tarot, or Rune tools. It is considered a very spiritual stone.
Sue @ A Life Full of Days gives examples of how she used the community wherever they lived in her post Out and About.
There is some evidence that the blue diamond resurfaced in London by 1813 and was owned by a jeweler Daniel Eliason by 1823. No one is sure that the blue diamond in London was the same one stolen from the Garde-Meuble because the one in London was of a different cut. Yet, most people feel the rarity and perfectness of the French blue diamond and the blue diamond that appeared in London makes it likely that someone re-cut the French blue diamond in the hopes of hiding its origin. The blue diamond that surfaced in London was estimated at 44 carats.
There is some evidence that shows King George IV of England bought the blue diamond from Daniel Eliason and upon King George's death, the diamond was sold to pay off debts. By 1939, possibly earlier, the blue diamond was in the possession of Henry Philip Hope, from whom the Hope diamond has taken its name.
Simon Frankel, an American jeweler, bought the Hope diamond in 1901 and brought the diamond to the United States. The diamond changed hands several times during the next several years, ending with Pierre Cartier. Pierre Cartier believed he had found a buyer in the rich Evalyn Walsh
McLean. Evalyn first saw the Hope diamond in 1910 while visiting Paris
with her husband. Since Mrs. McLean had previously told Pierre Cartier
that objects usually considered bad luck turned into good luck for her,
Cartier made sure to emphasize the Hope diamond's negative history. Yet,
since Mrs. McLean did not like the diamond in its current mounting, she
didn't buy it.
A few months later, Pierre Cartier arrived in the U.S. and asked Mrs. McLean to keep the Hope diamond for the weekend. Having reset the Hope diamond into a new mounting, Carter hoped she would grow attached to it over the weekend. He was right and Evalyn McLean bought the Hope diamond.
Evalyn McLean wore the diamond all the time. According to one story, it took a lot of persuading by Mrs. McLean's doctor to get heto take off the necklace even for a goiter operation. Though Evalyn McLean wore the Hope diamond as a good luck charm, others saw the curse strike her too. McLean's first born son, Vinson, died in a car crash when he was only nine. McLean suffered another major loss when her daughter committed suicide at age 25. In addition to all this, Evalyn McLean's husband was declared insane and confined to a mental institution until his death in 1941. Though Evalyn McLean had wanted her jewelry to go to her grandchildren when they were older, her jewelry was put on sale in 1949, two years after her death, in order to settle debts from her estate.
When the Hope diamond went on sale in 1949, it was bought by Harry Winston, a New York jeweler. Winston donated the Hope diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958 to be the focal point of a newly established gem collection.
Six sided luckiest square brings balance and harmony triangular disharmony and friction.
Diamonds are the birthstone for April.
No Fighting No Biting! describes their experience sending Will to Catholic School in the post Will's first week.
Read about Transmogrified Education posted by Learning @ Home
Peridot is the birthstone for August.
Opals have traditionally been considered "lucky" stones...but only for those born in the month of October. It has been considered bad luck to wear them if you were born in any other month.
Opals are considered to be able to confer the gift of invisibility on its wearer. To accomplish this, Cunningham says "The gem was wrapped in a fresh bay leaf and carried for this purpose." He also says, "Opals are also worn to bring out inner beauty.
A beauty spell: Place a round mirror on the altar or behind it so that you can see your face within it while kneeling. Place two green candles on either side of the mirror. Light the candles. Empower an opal with your need for beauty -- while holding the stone, gaze into your reflection. With the scalpel of your visualization, mold and form your face (and your body) to the form you desire. Then, carry or wear the opal and dedicate yourself to improving your appearance."
Annette presents Back to Homeschooling posted at A Net in Time, saying, "Being more organized is helpful.
TOPAZ: If you want to conquer your fears, wear a topaz. A stone of trust, strength, and protection. It relieves depression, anger, fear, tension headaches, and insomnia. Bestows inner vision and helps light up the correct direction to pursue. Increases personal abilities. Stimulates the intellect for writers, scientists, and artists. It aids abstract thinking and creativity. Topaz is also believed to prevent colds and tuberculosis as it strengthens the breath.
Home School V Public School ask What Are the Goals for Your Home School Children ?
LEGEND and LORE: This stone has long been used for protection against traumatic injuries. It was thought that the stone would shatter, thus warning the wearer of imminent physical danger. It was also used to decorate the bridles of horses, to protect them against broken bones from falls. Among the Native Americans of the Southwestern United States, Turquoise is believed to be a connector of Earth and Sky. It is one of the four "elemental" gemstones of the Pueblos; (the others are coral, jet and abalone shell). This is considered to be one of the Birthstones for December:
"If cold December gives you birth,
The month of snow, and ice, and mirth,
Place on your hand a Turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate're you do.
Turquoise is thought to increase Wisdom. "An old ritual utilized Turquoise to gain wealth. Perform this rite a few days after the New Moon when the crescent is first visible in the sky. Avoid looking at the Moon until the proper time. Hold a Turquoise in your hand. Visualize your magical need -- money -- manifesting in your life. Move outside and look at the Moon. Then directly shift your gaze to the Turquoise. The magic has begun. Carry the stone with you until the money arrives."
Bethany presents Marco Polo Study: Persia-Modern Iran posted at Little Homeschool Blessings.
Danica from Adventures at the Kitchen Table presents Counting Coins, Lesson 2 - Graphing Coins
I hope you enjoyed the Genstone Edition, the next Carnival will be held at Time 4 Learning.net.
Blog Carnvial is partially broken. It is accepting submissions, but not forwarding them. It would be easier if you just submitted your post directly via email. Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
My thanks to all of you who submitted a post and thank you for taking the time to read the Gemstone Edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling. ~Alasandra
Home Spun Juggling delivers Home Spun comic strip #694
Homeschool Bytes offers Haiku: Poetry my boys loved and my daughter hated.
 |
| A rare bright-green garnet. |
Garnets are the birthstone for January.
Garnets provide a strong help to balance your energy system, stimulate your desires and
uplift your attitude. Draws happiness, power, possessions, and peace to you.
Aids in patience, persistence, sexuality, and purification. Sharpens
self-perception. Increases creative energy and sexual appetite.
Enhances bodily strength, endurance, and vigor. Protection against
thieves. Helps to align the emotional body to the spiritual body.
Sleeping with it will help you remember your dreams.
Red Garnets Firstly as it is the color of menstrual blood, it is a stone of fertility. As a gift it is a symbol of happiness and loyalty. It is thought to be a antidote to plague and fever. Women were known to wear it around their waist to help with the menstrual cycle. If it is obtained unlawfully it will bear a curse upon its wearer until it is returned to its lawful owner. Persephone is the Goddess associated with Garnets.
Introducing the World gives Ten Reasons We Are Loving Using Ambleside Online.
Aasha @ Homeschool World presents Is Homeschooling Right For you?: 10 Tips before you Start to Homeschool
Red Garnets Firstly as it is the color of menstrual blood, it is a stone of fertility. As a gift it is a symbol of happiness and loyalty. It is thought to be a antidote to plague and fever. Women were known to wear it around their waist to help with the menstrual cycle. If it is obtained unlawfully it will bear a curse upon its wearer until it is returned to its lawful owner. Persephone is the Goddess associated with Garnets.
Introducing the World gives Ten Reasons We Are Loving Using Ambleside Online.
Aasha @ Homeschool World presents Is Homeschooling Right For you?: 10 Tips before you Start to Homeschool
"The February-born shall find
Sincerity, and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they the Amethyst will wear."
Amethyst can be used to increase psychic awareness, to sharpen the 'sixth sense'. Because of this, many people keep a crystal with their I-Ching, tarot, or Rune tools. It is considered a very spiritual stone.
Sue @ A Life Full of Days gives examples of how she used the community wherever they lived in her post Out and About.
The Birthstone for March is Aquamarine.
Aquamarine is a traditional protective and lucky stone for fishermen. In
addition, it has been carved into cups and goblets because of the
belief that it aids digestion and reduces body fluids. Aquamarine is associated with Mermaids (Sea Goddesses).
5 Tips to Help Plan Your Homeschool Winter from 7 Sisters
Kelly @ The Homeschool Co-op presents High Needs, Attachment Parenting & Homeschooling: How it Works for One Momma
5 Tips to Help Plan Your Homeschool Winter from 7 Sisters
Kelly @ The Homeschool Co-op presents High Needs, Attachment Parenting & Homeschooling: How it Works for One Momma
 | |
| The Hope Diamond |
The legendary curse of the Hope Diamond is said to begin with a theft. Several centuries ago, a man
named Tavernier made a trip to India. While there, he stole a large blue
diamond from the forehead (or eye) of a statue of the Hindu goddess Sita. For this transgression, according to the legend, Tavernier was
torn apart by wild dogs on a trip to Russia (after he had sold the
diamond to King Louis XIV). This was the first horrible death attributed to the curse.
In 1673, King Louis XIV decided to re-cut the diamond to enhance its
brilliance (the previous cut had been to enhance size and not
brilliance). The newly cut gem was 67 1/8 carats. Louis XIV officially
named it the "Blue Diamond of the Crown" and would often wear the
diamond on a long ribbon around his neck. The Hope Diamond was eventually inherited by Louis XVI, according to the legend, Marie Antoinette and
Louis XVI were beheaded during the French Revolution because of the blue
diamond's curse.
During the French Revolution, the crown jewels (including the blue
diamond) were taken from the royal couple after they attempted to flee
France in 1791. The jewels were placed in the Garde-Meuble but were not
well guarded. From September 12 to September 16, 1791, the Garde-Meuble was repeatedly
robbed, without notice from officials until September 17. Though most
of the crown jewels were soon recovered, the blue diamond was not.
There is some evidence that the blue diamond resurfaced in London by 1813 and was owned by a jeweler Daniel Eliason by 1823. No one is sure that the blue diamond in London was the same one stolen from the Garde-Meuble because the one in London was of a different cut. Yet, most people feel the rarity and perfectness of the French blue diamond and the blue diamond that appeared in London makes it likely that someone re-cut the French blue diamond in the hopes of hiding its origin. The blue diamond that surfaced in London was estimated at 44 carats.
There is some evidence that shows King George IV of England bought the blue diamond from Daniel Eliason and upon King George's death, the diamond was sold to pay off debts. By 1939, possibly earlier, the blue diamond was in the possession of Henry Philip Hope, from whom the Hope diamond has taken its name.
The Hope family is said to have been tainted with the diamond's curse.
According to the legend, the once-rich Hopes went bankrupt because of
the Hope diamond.
A few months later, Pierre Cartier arrived in the U.S. and asked Mrs. McLean to keep the Hope diamond for the weekend. Having reset the Hope diamond into a new mounting, Carter hoped she would grow attached to it over the weekend. He was right and Evalyn McLean bought the Hope diamond.
Evalyn McLean wore the diamond all the time. According to one story, it took a lot of persuading by Mrs. McLean's doctor to get heto take off the necklace even for a goiter operation. Though Evalyn McLean wore the Hope diamond as a good luck charm, others saw the curse strike her too. McLean's first born son, Vinson, died in a car crash when he was only nine. McLean suffered another major loss when her daughter committed suicide at age 25. In addition to all this, Evalyn McLean's husband was declared insane and confined to a mental institution until his death in 1941. Though Evalyn McLean had wanted her jewelry to go to her grandchildren when they were older, her jewelry was put on sale in 1949, two years after her death, in order to settle debts from her estate.
When the Hope diamond went on sale in 1949, it was bought by Harry Winston, a New York jeweler. Winston donated the Hope diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958 to be the focal point of a newly established gem collection.
Diamonds are said to Bring fierceness, strength and fortitude. Strengthens friendships and
protects from evil, disease and plagues. If set in gold it drives away
night monsters... When stolen attracts negative vibrations. Diamonds
require cleaning often.
Six sided luckiest square brings balance and harmony triangular disharmony and friction.
Diamonds are the birthstone for April.
No Fighting No Biting! describes their experience sending Will to Catholic School in the post Will's first week.
Read about Transmogrified Education posted by Learning @ Home
 | |
| Hooker Emerald Brooch |
Emerald is considered a birthstone for the month of May.
"Who first beholds the light of day,
In spring's sweet flowery month of May,
And wears an Emerald all her life,
Shall be a loved, and happy wife."
"If you wish to bring a love into your life, buy an emerald and charge it with your magical need through your visualization, perhaps while placing it near a green candle. After this ritual, wear or carry the emerald somewhere near your heart. Do this in such a way that it cannot be seen by others, so when you meet a future love, you'll know it wasn't the visible jewel that attracted him or her." The Greeks associated this stone with the Goddess Venus. It has come to represent, for many people, the security of love. Emerald, like almost all of the green stones, is also advantageous for business/money ventures.
SONset Academy offers a post on motivating your students in the post God Answers Prayer: An Idea for Motivating Your Kids.
Charles Chua C K @ All About Living with Life presents P.L.E.A.S.E. Spend Time with Your Child
"Who first beholds the light of day,
In spring's sweet flowery month of May,
And wears an Emerald all her life,
Shall be a loved, and happy wife."
"If you wish to bring a love into your life, buy an emerald and charge it with your magical need through your visualization, perhaps while placing it near a green candle. After this ritual, wear or carry the emerald somewhere near your heart. Do this in such a way that it cannot be seen by others, so when you meet a future love, you'll know it wasn't the visible jewel that attracted him or her." The Greeks associated this stone with the Goddess Venus. It has come to represent, for many people, the security of love. Emerald, like almost all of the green stones, is also advantageous for business/money ventures.
SONset Academy offers a post on motivating your students in the post God Answers Prayer: An Idea for Motivating Your Kids.
Charles Chua C K @ All About Living with Life presents P.L.E.A.S.E. Spend Time with Your Child
June's birthstone is Pearls.
Pearls were once believed to be unlucky; in medieval times they were thought
to be 'solidified tears'.
Pamela Jorrick presents Teacher Vs. Facilitator posted at Blah, Blah, Blog.
Linda Dobson from PARENT AT THE HELM presents What Do Homeschooled Adults Have to Say?
Pamela Jorrick presents Teacher Vs. Facilitator posted at Blah, Blah, Blog.
Linda Dobson from PARENT AT THE HELM presents What Do Homeschooled Adults Have to Say?
The birthstone for July is the Ruby.
Rubies aid regeneration of the physical/spiritual heart.
Enhances circulation. Vitalizes blood and entire
body/mind system. Strengthens immunity. Activates sluggish
or dormant conditions on physical/spiritual levels. Refines
lower passions. Courage, integrity, selfless service, joy,
spiritual devotion, power, leadership. Helps banish sense of
limitation.
MrsMamaHen.com submitted Mid-Year Refreshing, nice to know that I am not the only homeschool Mom who preferred my own customized sheets to to the slick pre-made planners being marketed to homeschoolers.
MrsMamaHen.com submitted Mid-Year Refreshing, nice to know that I am not the only homeschool Mom who preferred my own customized sheets to to the slick pre-made planners being marketed to homeschoolers.
Completely aligns all the
subtle bodies. This helps one receive information from the
higher self more easily. Good stone for channeling.
Visionary stone - it helps connect us to our destinies and
to an understanding of the purpose of existence. Keeps the
mind free from envious thoughts and jealousies. A good
stone for people who cannot relate to realities beyond the
physical world. Aids in manifesting physical work into
material abundance. A healing stone working with the heart
and solar plexus chakras.
Misty presents Haiku: Poetry my boys loved and my daughter hated posted at Homeschool Bytes, saying, "Learning how to write Haiku is a simple from of poetry even my 5-year-old could figure out. Plus, it's a fun break from our usual writing lessons."
Misty presents Haiku: Poetry my boys loved and my daughter hated posted at Homeschool Bytes, saying, "Learning how to write Haiku is a simple from of poetry even my 5-year-old could figure out. Plus, it's a fun break from our usual writing lessons."
Sapphire has been associated with divine
favor. The Buddhists believed that the sapphire favored
devotion and spiritual enlightenment. It is the birthstone
for the month of September:
"A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze.
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
'Twill cure diseases of the mind. (5)
The ancient Greeks linked sapphire with Apollo, and wore it as an aid to prophecy when consulting oracles. For this reason, it is considered an aid for developing the "third eye". It was also considered to be able to guard its owner from being captured. It is worn and utilized in rituals to strengthen the ability to tap and send forth power.
Laura Grace Weldon presents School ADD Isn?t Homeschool ADD posted at Laura Grace Weldon, saying, "Our son's ADD seemed to be a side-effect of school. Gradually we learned how to homeschool in a way that worked for him."
"A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze.
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
'Twill cure diseases of the mind. (5)
The ancient Greeks linked sapphire with Apollo, and wore it as an aid to prophecy when consulting oracles. For this reason, it is considered an aid for developing the "third eye". It was also considered to be able to guard its owner from being captured. It is worn and utilized in rituals to strengthen the ability to tap and send forth power.
Laura Grace Weldon presents School ADD Isn?t Homeschool ADD posted at Laura Grace Weldon, saying, "Our son's ADD seemed to be a side-effect of school. Gradually we learned how to homeschool in a way that worked for him."
LEGEND and LORE: Opal is a birthstone for October.
"October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know;
But lay an Opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those foes to rest."
"October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know;
But lay an Opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those foes to rest."
Opals have traditionally been considered "lucky" stones...but only for those born in the month of October. It has been considered bad luck to wear them if you were born in any other month.
Opals are considered to be able to confer the gift of invisibility on its wearer. To accomplish this, Cunningham says "The gem was wrapped in a fresh bay leaf and carried for this purpose." He also says, "Opals are also worn to bring out inner beauty.
A beauty spell: Place a round mirror on the altar or behind it so that you can see your face within it while kneeling. Place two green candles on either side of the mirror. Light the candles. Empower an opal with your need for beauty -- while holding the stone, gaze into your reflection. With the scalpel of your visualization, mold and form your face (and your body) to the form you desire. Then, carry or wear the opal and dedicate yourself to improving your appearance."
Annette presents Back to Homeschooling posted at A Net in Time, saying, "Being more organized is helpful.
| Man made Mystic Fire Topaz |
The birthstone for November is Topaz
Home School V Public School ask What Are the Goals for Your Home School Children ?
Turquoise
history dates back over 6000 years. Archeological and literary
references to the gemstone predate the Christian era by five millennia.
It has been unearthed in tombs from ancient Egypt...specifically
the 4 bracelets of Queen Zar, found on her mummified arm. These
date back to the second ruler of Egypt's First Dynasty, approximately
5500 BC!
Aristotle
and Pliny both refer to turquoise. Marco Polo even wrote about
it. Turquoise has always been considered a stone of life. It also
has a long standing history of more than 1000 years with Native
Americans who have used it extensively for protection and healing.
The stone was also used in religion, art, trade, treaty negotiations
and, of course, treasured jewelry.
LEGEND and LORE: This stone has long been used for protection against traumatic injuries. It was thought that the stone would shatter, thus warning the wearer of imminent physical danger. It was also used to decorate the bridles of horses, to protect them against broken bones from falls. Among the Native Americans of the Southwestern United States, Turquoise is believed to be a connector of Earth and Sky. It is one of the four "elemental" gemstones of the Pueblos; (the others are coral, jet and abalone shell). This is considered to be one of the Birthstones for December:
"If cold December gives you birth,
The month of snow, and ice, and mirth,
Place on your hand a Turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate're you do.
Turquoise is thought to increase Wisdom. "An old ritual utilized Turquoise to gain wealth. Perform this rite a few days after the New Moon when the crescent is first visible in the sky. Avoid looking at the Moon until the proper time. Hold a Turquoise in your hand. Visualize your magical need -- money -- manifesting in your life. Move outside and look at the Moon. Then directly shift your gaze to the Turquoise. The magic has begun. Carry the stone with you until the money arrives."
Iran
For at least 2,000 years, the region once known as Persia has remained an important source of turquoise which was named by Iranians initially "pirouzeh" meaning "victory" and later after Arab invasion "firouzeh".In Iranian architecture, the blue turquoise was used to cover the domes of the Iranian palaces because its intense blue color was also a symbol of heaven on earth.Bethany presents Marco Polo Study: Persia-Modern Iran posted at Little Homeschool Blessings.
Danica from Adventures at the Kitchen Table presents Counting Coins, Lesson 2 - Graphing Coins
I hope you enjoyed the Genstone Edition, the next Carnival will be held at Time 4 Learning.net.
Blog Carnvial is partially broken. It is accepting submissions, but not forwarding them. It would be easier if you just submitted your post directly via email. Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
My thanks to all of you who submitted a post and thank you for taking the time to read the Gemstone Edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling. ~Alasandra
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
For those of you who do not already know Christopher Paolini was homeschooled.
Inheritance is the last book in the Inheritance Cycle. I found it a tad boring and the ending was incredibly sad. Except for Katrina and Roran being in love sucked as you were forced to leave the one you loved behind. I hope there is another book where the lovers are reunited. I would also like to know more about Angela.
The book was pretty predictable. Eragon and his allies battle King Galbatorix when it seems they can't possibly win Eragon finds another ally. Even with the help of the new powerful ally and Murtagh Eragon was losing but then he stumbles upon the idea of making Galbatorix feel the pain he has caused. Eragon wins but many sacrifices are required and many lives are lost.
Inheritance is the last book in the Inheritance Cycle. I found it a tad boring and the ending was incredibly sad. Except for Katrina and Roran being in love sucked as you were forced to leave the one you loved behind. I hope there is another book where the lovers are reunited. I would also like to know more about Angela.
The book was pretty predictable. Eragon and his allies battle King Galbatorix when it seems they can't possibly win Eragon finds another ally. Even with the help of the new powerful ally and Murtagh Eragon was losing but then he stumbles upon the idea of making Galbatorix feel the pain he has caused. Eragon wins but many sacrifices are required and many lives are lost.
Carnival of Homeschooling
The Cates have been running the CoH for 6 years, today they are hosting the Carnival of Homeschool: Week 314 - The 6th Anniversary. Do go over for a look. Also I will be hosting next week, click here to find out how you can submit a post for the upcoming Gemstone Edition.
Submissions Please
I'll be hosting the upcoming Carnival of Homeschooling and would greatly appreciate it if my readers would submit a post, click here to learn how. Remember to email the post to CarnivalOfHomeschooling@gmail.com.
Here are some icons to use if you would like.
Small:
Medium:
Large:
Here are some icons to use if you would like.
Small:
Medium:
Large:
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Saturnalia & The Carnival of Homeschooling
This weeks Carnival of Homeschooling is up.
Greg Laden has some useful info on How to not get caught plagiarizing.
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
John McCarthy
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Book Review ~ Trixie & Jinx by Dean Koontz
A delightful children's book. I highly recommend it and love it's message "a friend is more precious than pirate gold".
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Carnival of Homeschooling & News
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Carnival of Homeschooling ~ Rollerskating in a Buffalo Herd Edition
Monday, October 24, 2011
I Certainly Don't Support Bachmann, I Think She Is Crazy
The title of the article, Evangelical Iowa homeschoolers could be important to Bachmann campaign, gave me hope that finally the media was catching on that not all homschoolers are Christians and that not all homeschoolers support Republican Candidates. Alas it was just another piece touting how homeschoolers support so and so.
No one group can speak for all homeschoolers no more then any group can claim to speak for all public school parents.
I certainly don't support Bachmann, I think she is loony.
No one group can speak for all homeschoolers no more then any group can claim to speak for all public school parents.
I certainly don't support Bachmann, I think she is loony.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Required Reading
I believe that The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood should be required reading. A chilling account of how a religious group takes over America and creates a theocracy, where the government controls everything concerning reproduction. Women are divided into groups and are forced to dress in certain colors to donate what group they are in. Wives wear blue (only first marriages are recognized), Cooks and Household Help (composed of unmarried older women too old for child bearing) wear green. And Handmaids (all second marriages and non-marital liaisons were declared adulterous the women's children were taken from them and they were arrested and forced to become Handmaids) wear red. Econo Wives wear striped dresses of all 3 colors. Handmaids are given to men in positions of power who do not have children and are forced to bear these men's children. (Under the new laws Men are not infertile if a woman doesn't get pregnant she is entirely to blame). Anyone breaking the new harsh laws can be killed and hung on the wall or sent to the colonies where they are forced to clean up toxic waste. And under the new laws reading is forbidden for women.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Josiah Cantrall American Non Thinker
Mr Cantrall wrote Repeal Obamacare - but Keep Socialized Education? for American Thinker, apparently he put little thought into it.
Horace Mann (1796-1859)
Horace Mann, often called the
Father of the Common School, began his career as a lawyer and
legislator. When he was elected to act as Secretary of the newly-created
Massachusetts Board of Education in 1837, he used his position to enact
major educational reform. He spearheaded the Common School Movement,
ensuring that every child could receive a basic education funded by
local taxes. His influence soon spread beyond Massachusetts as more
states took up the idea of universal schooling.
Mann's commitment to the Common
School sprang from his belief that political stability and social
harmony depended on education: a basic level of literacy and the
inculcation of common public ideals.
Apparently Mr. Cantrall is unaware that before Horace Mann's idea of universal schooling took hold much of the population was illiterate. Or perhaps he just doesn't care.
According to Mr. Cantrall
However,
as we all know, "free education" isn't free, but subsidized through tax
levies on all citizens -- even those with no school-age children and
those who have chosen to educate their children privately. Herein lies
the genius of the left: by dictating the funding of government-run
education and health care programs, millions of families are left with
few alternatives outside the government's control. Although the right
to enroll their children in private schools remains, this "right," for
all practical purposes, often cannot be exercised due to income
limitations. The reality is that many middle- and lower-income families
cannot afford to pay taxes towards our public schools while also sending
their own children to schools of their choice. The same holds true for
health insurance policies -- thus, freedom of choice is suddenly
available only to the elite and wealthy.
On the contrary public schools ensure that ALL children will receive an education, not just the children of the elite and wealthy that can afford to educate their children. School taxes are a mere pittance of the taxes you pay in most areas and a well educated community provides benefits to all in the community. Those who wish are still free to send their children to private schools or to homeschool them. And in many states homeschool restrictions are very lax and do not provide any undue hardship for parents wishing to homeschool. Without public schools many children would not receive even a basic education as their families would not have the resources to provide an education for them. To the detriment of not only the children, but the communities in which they live.
Just like public education aims to ensure that every child can read and write The Affordable Care Act seeks to ensure that each American has access to affordable health care.
You can read The Affordable Care Act here.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Crown of Thorns by Stephane Groueff
Biography of Boris III of Bulgaria. Very interesting college level reading.King Boris III, helped save the Bulgarian Jews from Hitler and tried to keep Bulgaria out of WWII as much as possible.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Recommend
Calling myself a homeschooling mother doesn't make me one By Rose Godfrey/For the Appeal-Democrat
The Chicago Tribune has been calling Lydia Price a homeschooling mother.
Apparently, for the Tribune, restricting the definition of
homeschooling mother to someone who actually educates her children is as
nit picky as expecting me to pass all those pesky Harvard classes
before saying I've earned that Ivy League degree.
Was this really written by a homeschooler?
Homeschooling is Bad Because sounds as if it was written by one of the children of a stereotypical Fundamentalist Homeschooler and I feel for her/him I really do, if they actually exist. But just because this was their experience with being homeschooled doesn't mean it is everyone's. Honestly this hatchet job on homeschooling sounds as if it were made up.
We choose to homeschool our children because we wanted to provide a better academic education for them then was available at the local public schoools and because we wanted them to be free to dress as individuals not forced to look like clones in mandatory public school uniforms. We certainly didn't want to hide anything from them.
I did a kick ass job educating my boys, they are both doing very well in college. That said I did not want some bureaucrat telling me what I had to teach and when I had to teach it. I am sure the bureaucrat would have found some reason my eldest son couldn't start college at 16.
None of the homeschoolers I know sequester themselves. We are out in our communities often doing volunteer work and lending a helping hand. We belonged to a INCLUSIVE homeschool group, PEAK Homeschool Network, when I was actively homeschooling.
Now I have to question WHY a site that sells homeschool curriculum would publish such nonsense. Did they do so in order to attract traffic to their site? I certainly wouldn't buy from them if that is the case.
Because you might have to spend the ten years after being homeschooled
for 18 years recovering and trying to find out all of the things that
were hidden from you. All of the things you were not allowed to know-
about history, science, the world... I'm not kidding- this is MY
experience. Not pushing it off on anyone else.
We choose to homeschool our children because we wanted to provide a better academic education for them then was available at the local public schoools and because we wanted them to be free to dress as individuals not forced to look like clones in mandatory public school uniforms. We certainly didn't want to hide anything from them.
And if you are doing a kick-ass job teaching your kids everything and
MORE then why would you be afraid of someone checking in to make sure
it's all okay. I mean, for the sake of the kids that aren't in a right
situation, other homeschool families should be advocating for it.
I did a kick ass job educating my boys, they are both doing very well in college. That said I did not want some bureaucrat telling me what I had to teach and when I had to teach it. I am sure the bureaucrat would have found some reason my eldest son couldn't start college at 16.
We don't learn how to get along by sequestering ourselves away and
hiding. We don't learn how to be more open-minded. We don't learn to
accept.
None of the homeschoolers I know sequester themselves. We are out in our communities often doing volunteer work and lending a helping hand. We belonged to a INCLUSIVE homeschool group, PEAK Homeschool Network, when I was actively homeschooling.
Now I have to question WHY a site that sells homeschool curriculum would publish such nonsense. Did they do so in order to attract traffic to their site? I certainly wouldn't buy from them if that is the case.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Sunday, October 09, 2011
Book Review ~ Neighbors by Jan T. Gross
A chilling account of how the Poles of Jedwabne killed their Jewish neighbors during the German occupation. Mainly out of greed, but also due to long held superstitions spread by Catholic Priest that the blood of Christian Children were used in Jewish rituals during Passover.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
NOT a Republican Foot Soldier
I really expected better from Reuters, then this hatchet job portraying stereotypical homeschoolers.
Homeschoolers are a diverse group just like public school parents are. Some of us are even DEMOCRATS or Independents. By no means are we all Republican Foot Soldiers. In fact my husband is running for office as a Democrat.
Another myth is that homeschoolers are all Christians or that we all teach Creationism. Nothing could be further from the truth . There are Pagan, Atheist, Agnostic, Jewish, and Buddhist Homeschoolers just to name a few, and many homeschoolers believe and teach EVOLUTION.
And contrary to how the Reuters article portrays us their are many PRO-CHOICE homeschoolers that are supportive of both boys and girls being given mandatory vaccinations to prevent the spread of HPV, a sexually transmitted disease.
Homeschoolers are a diverse group just like public school parents are. Some of us are even DEMOCRATS or Independents. By no means are we all Republican Foot Soldiers. In fact my husband is running for office as a Democrat.
Another myth is that homeschoolers are all Christians or that we all teach Creationism. Nothing could be further from the truth . There are Pagan, Atheist, Agnostic, Jewish, and Buddhist Homeschoolers just to name a few, and many homeschoolers believe and teach EVOLUTION.
And contrary to how the Reuters article portrays us their are many PRO-CHOICE homeschoolers that are supportive of both boys and girls being given mandatory vaccinations to prevent the spread of HPV, a sexually transmitted disease.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Homeschooling best for children according to the Brazen Careerist
I feel like I have no choice. Because while I was waiting for the
kids to go back to school, I was reading. And, of course, now my
homeschool site makes me a magnet for research about school. And the
evidence is overwhelming that schools are not meeting the educational
needs of children
I challenge you to read these links and tell me you don’t think
homeschool would be better for your kids. And this is why I tell myself
that I have to make homeschooling work.
Read the full article here.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Homeschooling Gets An A+
A new study from Concordia University and Mount Allison
University has found that homeschooling -- as long as it's structured or
follows a curriculum -- can provide kids with an academic edge.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Monday, September 05, 2011
Saturday, September 03, 2011
Friday, September 02, 2011
Found a great................
homeschool blog. Must read Rebel Homeschool : Why Secular Homeschooling?
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Are Students of Protestant Christian Schools/Homeschools Receiving Inferior Educations?
This report seems to indicate they are.
"In many cases, the difference in outcomes between Catholic and Protestant Christian schools is striking," the study states. "Catholic schools provide superior academic outcomes, an experience that translates into graduates' enrollment in more prestigious colleges and universities, more advanced degrees and higher household income.
Additionally, graduates of Protestant Christian schools attend less competitive colleges than both their Catholic and non-religious private school peers."
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Teen Reading Suggestion
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan - Interesting tale with lots of info about Egyptian mythology. Sadie and Carter Kane watch their father unleash ancient Egyptian Gods. In an attempt to rescue their Father they set off on a world wide adventure, while getting to know each other and learning to perform magic.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
What's the problem?
I have long maintained that football and other sports programs have no place in our public schools. Recreational Sports Leagues that all kids in the community would be eligible to play on would be a much better way to fund football and other programs. Leaving our public schools to concentrate on academics.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Lowell Milken Center Discovery Award
Explore unsung heroes in history and win $10,000! Visit the Lowell Milken Center to find out more.
Homeschoolers NOT for Ron Paul
According to Business Wire
I value educational choice and I homeschooled my boys until they started college but I AM NOT FOR RON PAUL, and I deeply resent his campaign trying to make it sound as if all homescoolers are.
The 2012 Ron Paul Presidential Campaign today announced the national
“Homeschoolers for Ron Paul” coalition to energize voters who value
educational choice.
I value educational choice and I homeschooled my boys until they started college but I AM NOT FOR RON PAUL, and I deeply resent his campaign trying to make it sound as if all homescoolers are.
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Carnival of Homeschooling: The Hand-Crafted Education
Home Spun Juggling is hosting this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling: The Hand-Crafted Education
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Carnival of Homeschooling Simplified
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Carnival of Homeschooling
The Technical Difficulties Edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling is up.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
what the night knows by Dean Koontz
The Calvino's are a charming modern homeschooling family who band together to defeat evil. Kuddos to Dean Koontz on his portrayal of a modern day homeschooling family, thankfully you won't find any stereotypes here.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
This is just stupid
Monroe County court records show that the parents of a West Amory Elementary second-grader who was unusually disciplined were awarded a $75,000 settlement from the school district.
The settlement was finalized in Monroe County Chancery Court last week.
Johnny and Regina Frederick of Wren had filed a notice of intent to sue and seek $500,000 from Amory School District and school principal Leigh Todd.
Todd allegedly made the boy stick out his tongue March 7 as punishment for sticking out his tongue and telling a teacher to shut up. Todd was fired in April.
It is outrageous that $75,000 will be taken FROM TAXPAYERS, because a second grader was made to stick out his tongue.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Cheating in the Public Schools
Moss Point schools are no longer fully accredited because of testing violations that include cheating. The Clarion-Ledger reports the district is on probation, and if problems are not corrected by early September, the commission's options would then include voting to withdraw its accreditation.
Moss Point Superintendent Kim Staley says a corrective action plan was sent to the commission and the district is awaiting official notice on a final decision.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Mock Trial Champions are Homeschoolers
From the New York State Bar Association
And from the Philadelphia Homeschool Examiner
The verdict is in. The homeschoolers have the best mock trial team in Burlington County!
A team of home-schooled students from Schenectady County won the statewide mock trial championship this week, defeating the Bronx High School of Science team.
And from the Philadelphia Homeschool Examiner
The verdict is in. The homeschoolers have the best mock trial team in Burlington County!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Carnival of Homeschooling
My all time favorite movies are The Lord of The Rings trilogy: The Fellowship of The Ring, The Two Towers & Return of The King
Monday, April 25, 2011
500-year-old book surfaces in Utah
I love books, so I find it exciting that someone had a book handed down for generations.
500-year-old book surfaces in Utah - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com
500-year-old book surfaces in Utah - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Blog Against Theocracy 2011
I just found out about this (April 22-24) Welcome to Blog Against Theocracy 2011. I hope to find the time to do a blog post against theocracy for it. I have two "issues" to choose from an Easter Egg Drop using the Jackson County helicopter. I wonder if any of those stupid tea baggers will protest the gas being used to drop eggs from a helicopter?
We should just teach the world is flat and here be dragons and be done with it. Seems like school boards in the South are determined to drag us back to the dark ages.
Count me in the #AgainstTheocracy, maybe we can stop the lunacy.
Easter eggs -- 20,000 of them -- will fall from the sky today at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, courtesy of the city and Oasis Gulf Coast Church.
A helicopter from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department will hover over the football field as it releases a colorful shower of the plastic eggs, which will be filled with candy and prize coupons
And Louisiana School Board Considers Adding Creationism to Science Class. We should just teach the world is flat and here be dragons and be done with it. Seems like school boards in the South are determined to drag us back to the dark ages.
Count me in the #AgainstTheocracy, maybe we can stop the lunacy.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
NYC officials defend decision to cuff 1st grader
Who knew decorating Easter Eggs could land you in cuffs if you attend public school and get upset.
NYC officials defend decision to cuff 1st grader - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com
NYC officials defend decision to cuff 1st grader - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Not a Homeschooling Issue
When parents divorce courts are often involved in deciding things about the children, sadly this is such a case, NH Court Upholds Order to Send Homeschooled Girl to Public School. But unless you are planning to divorce your spouse this case does not and will not affect your homeschooling freedoms.
H$LDA should butt out
The justices also noted that homeschooling “has become a widely used alternative to more traditional public or private schools as the vehicle for education children” in recent years.
“Courts have neither the mandate nor the expertise to determine from among these options which generally provides the most suitable education,” they said.
Homeschooling advocates praised the New Hampshire Supreme Court for adopting language that does not set a negative precedent for other homeschoolers and for recognizing that homeschooling is a viable education option in lieu of public and private schooling.
H$LDA should butt out
“While this case has religious overtones, it is not about religion. While it involves home schooling, it is not about the merits of home versus public schooling. This case is only about resolving a dispute between two parents, with equal constitutional parenting rights and joint decision-making responsibility, who have been unable to agree how to best educate daughter.”
Friday, April 15, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Friday, April 08, 2011
Chancery Court Judge Joe Dale Walker on a homeschool witch hunt
For more information read Natalie's Ramblings, Rants & Remedies: Updated: District 13 judge demands info on all homeschoolers:
For those of you interested these are the qualifications for Chancery Court Judge;
For those of you interested these are the qualifications for Chancery Court Judge;
CIRCUIT AND CHANCERY COURT JUDGE
Qualifications: A practicing attorney for five years, at least 26 years of age, and five years a citizen of the state. MISS. CONST. of 1890, art. VI, §154.
Fee: $100 made payable to the State Board of Election Commissioners, delivered to the Secretary of State's OfficeTuesday, March 29, 2011
Carnival Of Homeschooling - The Homeschool Journey Edition
Carnival Of Homeschooling - The Homeschool Journey Edition @ Consent of the Governed.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Elizabeth I, Queen of England
As a child, Elizabeth was given a very impressive education. It had become popular amongst the nobility to educate daughters as well as sons and Elizabeth excelled at her studies. She was taught by famous scholars such as William Grindal and Roger Asham, and from an early age it was clear that she was remarkably gifted. She had an especial flare for languages, and by adulthood, she could reputedly speak five languages fluently.
Elizabeth was crowned Queen on Sunday 15th January 1559. In the months that followed, the new Queen re-established the Protestant Church in England and restored the debased coinage. Perhaps to appease Catholics or to appease those who did not believe a woman could become head of the church, Elizabeth became Supreme Governor of the Church of England, rather than Supreme Head as her father had been. She did not like religious extremism and did not want to persecute any of her people for their religious beliefs. However, the tenacious political nature of the Catholic/Protestant split meant that her government had to take a harsher line towards Catholics than she wanted.
Elizabeth was dedicated to her country in a way few monarchs had been or have been since. Elizabeth had the mind of a political genius and nurtured her country through careful leadership and by choosing capable men to assist her, such as Sir William Cecil and Sir Francis Walsingham. When she ascended the throne in 1558, England was an impoverished country torn apart by religious squabbles. When she died at Richmond Palace on the 24th March 1603, England was one of the most powerful and prosperous countries in the world.
Elizabeth was crowned Queen on Sunday 15th January 1559. In the months that followed, the new Queen re-established the Protestant Church in England and restored the debased coinage. Perhaps to appease Catholics or to appease those who did not believe a woman could become head of the church, Elizabeth became Supreme Governor of the Church of England, rather than Supreme Head as her father had been. She did not like religious extremism and did not want to persecute any of her people for their religious beliefs. However, the tenacious political nature of the Catholic/Protestant split meant that her government had to take a harsher line towards Catholics than she wanted.
Elizabeth was dedicated to her country in a way few monarchs had been or have been since. Elizabeth had the mind of a political genius and nurtured her country through careful leadership and by choosing capable men to assist her, such as Sir William Cecil and Sir Francis Walsingham. When she ascended the throne in 1558, England was an impoverished country torn apart by religious squabbles. When she died at Richmond Palace on the 24th March 1603, England was one of the most powerful and prosperous countries in the world.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Grace O'Malley (Granuaile)
Grace O'Malley (also called Granuaile) was a famous pirate, seafarer, trader and chieftain in Ireland in the 1500's. She was born in 1530 in County Mayo, Ireland and was the daughter of sea captain Owen O'Malley.
Grace took up piracy by taking on Turkish and Spanish pirate ships and even the English fleets. She grew her estate to include a fleet of ships as well as several islands and castles on the west coast of Ireland.
In her later years, Grace developed her reputation as a fearless leader through her efforts in battle along side her followers. Legend has it that Grace gave birth to one of her sons while out to sea. The very next day following the birth of the baby, the ship was attacked by Turkish pirates. Though exhausted from giving birth Grace grabbed a gun, went on deck and proceeded to rally her men against the Turks, forcing their retreat.
Grace took up piracy by taking on Turkish and Spanish pirate ships and even the English fleets. She grew her estate to include a fleet of ships as well as several islands and castles on the west coast of Ireland.
In her later years, Grace developed her reputation as a fearless leader through her efforts in battle along side her followers. Legend has it that Grace gave birth to one of her sons while out to sea. The very next day following the birth of the baby, the ship was attacked by Turkish pirates. Though exhausted from giving birth Grace grabbed a gun, went on deck and proceeded to rally her men against the Turks, forcing their retreat.
Read more about Grace O'Malley here.
Grace took up piracy by taking on Turkish and Spanish pirate ships and even the English fleets. She grew her estate to include a fleet of ships as well as several islands and castles on the west coast of Ireland.
In her later years, Grace developed her reputation as a fearless leader through her efforts in battle along side her followers. Legend has it that Grace gave birth to one of her sons while out to sea. The very next day following the birth of the baby, the ship was attacked by Turkish pirates. Though exhausted from giving birth Grace grabbed a gun, went on deck and proceeded to rally her men against the Turks, forcing their retreat.
Grace took up piracy by taking on Turkish and Spanish pirate ships and even the English fleets. She grew her estate to include a fleet of ships as well as several islands and castles on the west coast of Ireland.
In her later years, Grace developed her reputation as a fearless leader through her efforts in battle along side her followers. Legend has it that Grace gave birth to one of her sons while out to sea. The very next day following the birth of the baby, the ship was attacked by Turkish pirates. Though exhausted from giving birth Grace grabbed a gun, went on deck and proceeded to rally her men against the Turks, forcing their retreat.
Read more about Grace O'Malley here.
What does Alan Ford have against homeschoolers?
Alan Ford's objections to homeschoolers being allowed to play on public school teams is laughable. First there is the whiny "but all public school students don't get to play because of cuts, so it's unfair a homeschooled student might get a spot". And he seems to be laboring under the misapprehension that a homeschooled student who lacked athletic ability would get a spot over an athletically gifted public school student. Get real the Coach will pick the best athlete for the team.
For some reason Ford seems to think homeschoolers will be a discipline problem for the Coach. But this is utter nonsense. The Coach will see the homeschooled student every day at practice. The other team members will also have a chance to see the homeschooled student every day and form that all important "bond" Ford is so worried about. And if the Coach is truly interested in how the homeschooled student is doing away from the public school grounds he can always talk to the student and his/her parents. There is also the fact that homeschooled students are generally better behave then their public school peers.
Ford ask
Why would the public school student have his cell phone on at school? What would stop a public school student on the team from doing the same thing?
Ford brings up grades and attendance but that is such a non-issue, homeschoolers attend school for a certain number of hours each school day, they also do school work. I wonder if Ford realizes that colleges court homeschoolers because they are generally better prepared academically then their public school counterparts.
Fords bogus concerns are nothing more then ignorance on his part about homeschooling. But then as I have maintained athletics should not be part of our public schools. Far to much of our tax money that is allocated for eductaion finds it's way into the public schools athletic department, especially the football programs, instead of purchasing new textbooks for students or paying teachers salaries.
Get athletics out of our public schools and concentrate on educating all the children. Those parents who wish their children to play sports can enroll them in recreational sports.
For some reason Ford seems to think homeschoolers will be a discipline problem for the Coach. But this is utter nonsense. The Coach will see the homeschooled student every day at practice. The other team members will also have a chance to see the homeschooled student every day and form that all important "bond" Ford is so worried about. And if the Coach is truly interested in how the homeschooled student is doing away from the public school grounds he can always talk to the student and his/her parents. There is also the fact that homeschooled students are generally better behave then their public school peers.
Dr. Shyers further discovered that the home-schooled children had consistently fewer behavioral problems. The study indicated that home-schooled children behave better because they tend to imitate their parents while conventionally-schooled children model themselves after their peers. Shyers states, "The results seem to show that a child's social development depends more on adult contact and less on contact with other children as previously thought."8
Ford ask
Homeschooled or not, they’re still teenagers. What’s to stop one of these players from texting friends on the team at the public school and urging them come meet them for a hamburger at a local fastfood places, in defiance of school rules?
Why would the public school student have his cell phone on at school? What would stop a public school student on the team from doing the same thing?
Ford brings up grades and attendance but that is such a non-issue, homeschoolers attend school for a certain number of hours each school day, they also do school work. I wonder if Ford realizes that colleges court homeschoolers because they are generally better prepared academically then their public school counterparts.
This year (2000) Stanford University accepted 26% of the 35 homeschoolers who applied--nearly double its overall acceptance rate. Twenty-three of this fall's 572 freshmen at Wheaton College in Illinois were homeschooled, and their SAT scores average 58 points higher than those of the overall class.
Most colleges take a close look at standardized-test scores when weighing homeschool applications and find that homeschoolers outperform their school-educated peers. This year homeschoolers scored an average of 1,100 on the SAT--a full 81 points above the national average--and 22.8 on the ACT, compared with the national average of 21.
Fords bogus concerns are nothing more then ignorance on his part about homeschooling. But then as I have maintained athletics should not be part of our public schools. Far to much of our tax money that is allocated for eductaion finds it's way into the public schools athletic department, especially the football programs, instead of purchasing new textbooks for students or paying teachers salaries.
Get athletics out of our public schools and concentrate on educating all the children. Those parents who wish their children to play sports can enroll them in recreational sports.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sallie Eola Reneau
Sallie Eola Reneau was born on August 1, 1836 in Somerville, Tennessee, and had the first womens' public university named after her.
Sallie Eola Reneau was a crusader for state-supported higher education for women in the South and the founder of Reneau Female Academy, which was later named Mississippi College for Women at Columbus, Mississippi. Reneau hall, at this college, is named in her honor. Sallie was a remarkable woman and, when the yellow fever epidemic broke out in West Tennessee, she went and volunteered her services as a nurse. She caught yellow fever while in Germantown, Tennessee. A telegram was sent to her father in Washington, D.C., and he boarded the train to come to her bedside. In Pittsburg, a telegram was waiting for his train to tell him Sallie had died.
On August 10, 2009, university president Dr. Claudia Limbert announced that a new name for the college, Reneau University, would be presented to the state college board and state legislature for approval.
Sallie Eola Reneau was a crusader for state-supported higher education for women in the South and the founder of Reneau Female Academy, which was later named Mississippi College for Women at Columbus, Mississippi. Reneau hall, at this college, is named in her honor. Sallie was a remarkable woman and, when the yellow fever epidemic broke out in West Tennessee, she went and volunteered her services as a nurse. She caught yellow fever while in Germantown, Tennessee. A telegram was sent to her father in Washington, D.C., and he boarded the train to come to her bedside. In Pittsburg, a telegram was waiting for his train to tell him Sallie had died.
On August 10, 2009, university president Dr. Claudia Limbert announced that a new name for the college, Reneau University, would be presented to the state college board and state legislature for approval.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Eudora Welty 1909-2001
Eudora Alice Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on April 13, 1909. Welty attended Mississippi State College for Women from 1925 to 1927, finishing a bachelor of arts degree in 1929 at the University of Wisconsin.
Her first published story, "Death of a Traveling Salesman," appeared in 1936, after which Welty's stories were accepted by top publications such as Atlantic and Southern Review. During her early writing career, Welty's work was often narrowly defined as regionalist or feminist. Still, she was admired by other writers, and her first collection of short stories, A Curtain of Green, left critics eagerly anticipating Welty's future work. Over the next thirty years, Welty had over fifteen books published, including short fiction, novels, and nonfiction.
Welty's work has been recognized with prestigious awards such as a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1942; the O. Henry Award in 1942, 1943, and 1968; the National Institute of Arts and Letters literary grant in 1944 and Gold Medal for fiction in 1972; and a Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for The Optimist's Daughter.
Her first published story, "Death of a Traveling Salesman," appeared in 1936, after which Welty's stories were accepted by top publications such as Atlantic and Southern Review. During her early writing career, Welty's work was often narrowly defined as regionalist or feminist. Still, she was admired by other writers, and her first collection of short stories, A Curtain of Green, left critics eagerly anticipating Welty's future work. Over the next thirty years, Welty had over fifteen books published, including short fiction, novels, and nonfiction.
Welty's work has been recognized with prestigious awards such as a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1942; the O. Henry Award in 1942, 1943, and 1968; the National Institute of Arts and Letters literary grant in 1944 and Gold Medal for fiction in 1972; and a Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for The Optimist's Daughter.
Former surgeon general calls for sex ed in Miss.
Words of Wisdom
"I've said forever, if you can't control your reproduction, you can't control your life," she told the crowd.
Former surgeon general calls for sex ed in Miss. - Health & Fitness - SunHerald.com
Ralph Nader calls for ending athletic scholarships
Not only should they end athletic scholarships they should get athletics out of our schools and spend our tax money on educating the children. Surprisingly one person in soundoff agrees with me.
GregNBiloxi
Ralph Nader calls for ending athletic scholarships - Baseball - SunHerald.com
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Isabella of Castile and Aragon, Isabella the Catholic, Isabel la Catolica
Queen Isabella I ruled Castile and Aragon jointly with her husband, Ferdinand (Ferdinand II of Aragon, Ferdinand V of Castile).
In 1480, Isabella and Ferdinand instituted the Inquisition in Spain, one of many changes to the role of the church instituted by the monarchs. The Inquisition was aimed mostly at Jews and Muslims who had overtly converted to Christianity but were thought to be practicing their faiths secretly -- known respectively as morranos and moriscos -- as well as at heretics who rejected Roman Catholic orthodoxy, including alumbras who practiced a kind of mysticism or spiritualism.
Isabella and Ferdinand proceeded with their plans to unify all of Spain by continuing a long-standing but stalled effort to expel the Moors (Muslims) who held parts of Spain. In 1492, the Muslim Kingdom of Granada fell to Isabella and Ferdinand, thus completing the Reconquista. That same year, all Jews in Spain who refused to convert to Christianity were expelled by royal edict.Also in 1492, Isabella was convinced by Christopher Columbus to sponsor his voyage of discovery. The lasting effects of this were many: by the traditions of the time, when Columbus discovered lands in the New World, they were given to Castile. Isabella took a special interest in the Native Americans of the new lands; when some were brought back to Spain as slaves she insisted they be returned and freed, and her will expressed her wish that the "Indians" be treated with justice and fairness.
Isabella was also a patron of scholars and artists, establishing educational institutions and building a large collection of art works. She learned Latin as an adult, was widely read, and educated not only her sons but her daughters. One of these daughters, Catherine of Aragon, is known in history as the first wife of Henry VIII of England and mother of Mary I of England.
In 1480, Isabella and Ferdinand instituted the Inquisition in Spain, one of many changes to the role of the church instituted by the monarchs. The Inquisition was aimed mostly at Jews and Muslims who had overtly converted to Christianity but were thought to be practicing their faiths secretly -- known respectively as morranos and moriscos -- as well as at heretics who rejected Roman Catholic orthodoxy, including alumbras who practiced a kind of mysticism or spiritualism.
Isabella and Ferdinand proceeded with their plans to unify all of Spain by continuing a long-standing but stalled effort to expel the Moors (Muslims) who held parts of Spain. In 1492, the Muslim Kingdom of Granada fell to Isabella and Ferdinand, thus completing the Reconquista. That same year, all Jews in Spain who refused to convert to Christianity were expelled by royal edict.Also in 1492, Isabella was convinced by Christopher Columbus to sponsor his voyage of discovery. The lasting effects of this were many: by the traditions of the time, when Columbus discovered lands in the New World, they were given to Castile. Isabella took a special interest in the Native Americans of the new lands; when some were brought back to Spain as slaves she insisted they be returned and freed, and her will expressed her wish that the "Indians" be treated with justice and fairness.
Isabella was also a patron of scholars and artists, establishing educational institutions and building a large collection of art works. She learned Latin as an adult, was widely read, and educated not only her sons but her daughters. One of these daughters, Catherine of Aragon, is known in history as the first wife of Henry VIII of England and mother of Mary I of England.
No Ham at Homeschool Convention
Ham's latest attacks got him uninvited to a Homeschool Convention.
Ham's response
The organization rescinded invitations for Ham to speak at homeschooling conventions next weekend in Cincinnati and in June in Philadelphia. It said in a statement:
"The Board believes that Ken’s public criticism of the convention itself and other speakers at our convention require him to surrender the spiritual privilege of addressing our homeschool audience. -
One of the core values of our convention is that we believe that good people can disagree and still be good people. We believe that Christians do not need to personally question the integrity, the intelligence, or the salvation of other Christians when debating Biblical issues. Ken has obviously felt led to publicly attack our conventions and a number of our speakers. We believe that what Ken has said and done is unChristian and sinful. A number of attendees are demanding explanations from our board and we must respond to them"
Ham's response
Ham shot back that the convention organization has hosted speakers that question literal interpretations of the Bible and write for BioLogos, a Web site that promotes Christian acceptance of scientific conclusions such as evolution. (In the past year, BioLogos writers have repeatedly sparred with Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler, who maintains that the Bible trumps the consensus of scientists. And BioLogos’ publicizing of a comment by prominent evangelical biblical scholar Bruce Waltke, showing an openness to evolution, cost Waltke his job as a professor at Reformed Theological Seminary)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Louisa May Alcott 1832-1888
Louisa May Alcott, was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on November 29, 1832. In 1840 the family moved to Concord where prominent American author and close friend of the Alcott's, Ralph Waldo Emerson, helped the family to set up residence. Louisa enjoyed the county atmosphere of Concord and found her time divided between acting out plays with her sisters which she had written, and nature walks with Henry David Thoreau. In 1843 the Alcott family took part in an experimental communal village known as the Fruitlands.
In 1852 Louisa's first poem, "Sunlight" was published in Peterson's magazine under the pseudonym, Flora Fairfield. Although modest payment was received, Louisa was beginning a career that would bring her great fame and end her financial worries.
Three years later, in 1855, her first book, Flower Fables was published.
She headed for Washington, DC. in 1862 to serve as a Civil War Nurse. Her stay in Washington prompted Louisa to write Hospital Sketches which was published in 1863 followed by Moods in 1864. At this point Louisa's publisher, Thomas Niles, told her that he wanted "a girls story" from her. Having spent her life with three of the most interesting girls, Louisa wrote furiously for two and a half months and produced Little Women based on her own experiences growing up as a young women with three other sisters. The novel, published September 30, 1868, was an instant success and sold more than 2,000 copies immediately.
In 1852 Louisa's first poem, "Sunlight" was published in Peterson's magazine under the pseudonym, Flora Fairfield. Although modest payment was received, Louisa was beginning a career that would bring her great fame and end her financial worries.
Three years later, in 1855, her first book, Flower Fables was published.
She headed for Washington, DC. in 1862 to serve as a Civil War Nurse. Her stay in Washington prompted Louisa to write Hospital Sketches which was published in 1863 followed by Moods in 1864. At this point Louisa's publisher, Thomas Niles, told her that he wanted "a girls story" from her. Having spent her life with three of the most interesting girls, Louisa wrote furiously for two and a half months and produced Little Women based on her own experiences growing up as a young women with three other sisters. The novel, published September 30, 1868, was an instant success and sold more than 2,000 copies immediately.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Anne Sullivan (1866-1936)
Anne Sullivan Macy was an American educator, best known for her work as HelenKeller's teacher. Born in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, on April 14, 1866, she was named Joanna Mansfield Sullivan, but was always called Anne or Annie.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Christa McAuliffe
Christa McAuliffe (first teacher in space) was a civilian mission specialist aboard the Challenger Space Shuttle, and died with the rest of the seven member crew when Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch on January 28, 1986.
Mississippi Literature
Ford County by John Grisham - A collection of short stories. Would be great for an American or Mississippi Literature Class. Truthful portrayals of small town Mississippi life.
Maloney contines his crusade against homeschoolers
Maybe someone should inform Maloney that "those homeschool people" he snidely refers to can vote.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Mary Pickford (1893-1979)
Mary Pickford was one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[1] Known as "America's Sweetheart," "Little Mary" and "The girl with the curls," she was one of the Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood and a significant figure in the development of film acting.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Georgia O'Keeffe (1887–1986)
Georgia O’Keeffe and her paintings remain an icon of American modernism to this day.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Sandra Day O'Connor (1930-)
Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Queen Lili'uokalani (1838–1917) Hawai`i's last ruling monarch
By age 15, Lili`u was already an accomplished musician and composer who could write music and is reported to be the only native Hawaiian composer who could.
Miss. homeschoolers can face test before transfer - Regional Wire - SunHerald.com
I don't have a problem with homeschoolers being tested before entering public school but I do wonder if they test ABOVE grade level if they will be promoted to the grade they test at are forced to stay in the grade for their age group.
Miss. homeschoolers can face test before transfer - Regional Wire - SunHerald.com
Miss. homeschoolers can face test before transfer - Regional Wire - SunHerald.com
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Lucille Désirée Ball ( 1911 – 1989 )
In 1971 Lucille Désirée Ball became the first woman to receive the International Radio and Television Society's Gold Medal. In addition there were four Emmys, induction into the Television Hall of Fame and recognition for her life's work from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Helen Keller (1880–1968)
In 1909 Helen Keller joined the Socialist party in Massachusetts. She had read Marx and Engels in German braille, and welcomed the Revolution in Russia in 1917. Keller was an activist for racial and sexual equality, and as an avowed socialist she had such left-leaning opinions that the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover kept a file on her. In 1964 she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Martha Graham (1894-1991)
Martha Graham died in 1991, after a career that lasted 75 years and produced some of the greatest masterpieces of the American modern dance. The Martha Graham Dance Company is still a vital force and can be seen in residence in New York City and on tour.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Katharine Graham (1917-2001)
For years Katharine Graham was the only female head of a Fortune 500 corporation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)