Public School Superintendent accidentally fires gun during class

Superintendent accidentally fires gun during class - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com

Let's Party !!!!!!

 

Drop by Homeschool Bytes to read this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling ~ The Party Edition.

A ? Answered

Marlis said...



http://www.principalspartnership.com/fourdayschoolweek.pdf


Alasandra, there is an interesting article about a 4 day school week being considered in some areas to combat dwindling budgets. The above link appears to be over all convinced that it is a positive change which wouldn't affect students at all. Admittedly I skimmed over it since I haven't found enough time to read it yet. I wanted to forward this to you since I found this so entirely appalling. Let us know what you think about this.

My answer is probably going to surprise Marlis. IF I had young children and they were in PUBLIC SCHOOL I would be in favor of the 4 day school week. Mainly because my husband has a 4 day work week and I just think it is easier for families if everyone has the same schedule. When my husbands company went to the 4 day work week our homeschool went to a 4 day week too. Although if we didn't get the work done Monday through Thursday due to sickness or a field trip we used Friday to catch up.

That being said I really hate the 4 day work week. By the time Friday rolls around my husband is so exhausted from the 10 hour days and shortage of sleep that Friday is basically spent recuperating.  But I do see how a 4 day work/school week would be better for the environment, save a company or school district money and provide workers/students with a day to keep business & doctors appointments.  So I think it would be a matter of some families would like it and others wouldn't. There would be some drawbacks but there would be some advantages. Like much of life there would be pros and cons.  Unfortunately public schools are not able to do what is best for each individual child and must make their decision on what is best for the community as a whole. Parents who choose to homeschool are free to tailor their child's schedule to suit their families needs.

Teachers Sound Off

According to one retired Coast teacher.
Test scores rule

As a recently retired Coast teacher, I can tell you that the only motivation for superintendents and their districts is test score results. Teaching children to think and be creative is not an issue. Teaching for the spring test begins the first day of the school year, and that is the yearlong learning theme of all classrooms. The joys of teaching, and the joys of learning, have been taken away.

Another teacher critizes the budget cuts
Cuts will cost

I am a local public school teacher and worry that parents don’t realize the effect the budget cuts will have on our children. Possible cuts could include the loss of lead teachers, assistant principals, resource officers, teaching assistants, special education programs, extracurricular activities, and school days. There are between 27 and 30 children per room in most schools and these numbers are expected to increase. These cuts are coming. I don’t need to have technology, chalk boards, books, paper, pencils or desks, but is that how you want your child to learn? Is your child going to be safe when there are no security personnel on campus? This kind of school was OK when you were a child, but in today’s society I would wonder. What do you want for your child? You no longer have a choice, because this is what your school is being forced to become.

Another retired teacher offers a solution
Cut administration

I was a teacher for 25 years and the “cuts will cost” Sound Off hit home with me. Perhaps for the wrong reasons. When began school there was a teacher in every classroom and each school had a principal and a secretary. That’s all. I don’t remember the number of people in the superintendent’s office but I don’t think it was more than five. There were about 30 children in each classroom and by all indications, our teachers did a fine job of educating students. Now there are lead teachers, assistant principals, resource officers, special education program directors and heaven knows the multitudes in the superintendent’s office! The schools today are over-administered. Perhaps a budget cut will cut some administrative positions.

Secular Homeschool Textbooks Not That Hard to Find

According to Dianna Narciso

Atheist, secular, and religious homeschoolers who have no argument with evolution, struggle to find homeschooling books that accurately present science. Unfortunately, they often have trouble finding textbooks in all subjects that aren't saturated with Christian doctrine.

Well at least she realizes all homeschoolers aren't Christian Fundamentalist (sigh). But no, we don't have trouble finding secular textbooks just do a Google search for Secular Homeschool Textbooks and voila.

I have to agree that I did generally wind up using the same textbooks public schools used or at least the same publishers. But ..................it really wasn't a problem, and yes the books were pricey. But I am perplexed by the people who seem to think it is nearly impossible to find secular textbooks to use for homeschooling. I do agree that there is a market for secular homeschoolers and it is growing every day, perhaps some bright young homeschool entrepreneur will fill the niche.

The Raw Story Gives Homeschoolers A Raw Deal

According to The Raw Story Top US home-school texts dismiss evolution. REALLY!!! What is the top homeschool text?  Homeschoolers are a diverse bunch and I assure you we do not all use the same textbooks. Far from it, the beauty of homeschooling is we can search out the best text to fit our children's needs.

Home-school mom Susan Mule wishes she hadn't taken a friend's advice and tried a textbook from a popular Christian publisher for her 10-year-old's biology lessons.

Mule's precocious daughter Elizabeth excels at science and has been studying tarantulas since she was 5. But she watched Elizabeth's excitement turn to confusion when they reached the evolution section of the book from Apologia Educational Ministries, which disputed Charles Darwin's theory.

As a Homeschool Mother I reviewed each textbook I choose for my children, I didn't just blindly buy a book because so and so said I should. When I asked for advice concerning textbooks I asked people whose educational philosophy was similar to my own. There is no way I would have used Apologia Educational Ministries for anything. And how could Susan Mule not know what was in the book if she was preparing lesson plans for Elizabeth. You don't blindly stumble into a chapter, when you homeschool you prepare for the chapter in advance.

Christian-based materials dominate a growing home-school education market that encompasses more than 1.5 million students in the U.S. And for most home-school parents, a Bible-based version of the Earth's creation is exactly what they want. Federal statistics from 2007 show 83 percent of home-schooling parents want to give their children "religious or moral instruction."

Christian based materials do not dominate the growing home-school market contrary to what  is stated at The Raw Storey. Many homeschoolers choose to buy textbooks from mainstream publishers. The same publishers that furnish textbooks to public schools. Also while 83% of homeschoolers my want to give their children "religious or moral instruction" the 83% are not necessarily Christians; Muslims, Pagans, Buddhist and those of other religions also homeschool and wish to pass their "beliefs" on to their children. Also MANY Christians Homeschoolers do believe in evolution and teach evolution to their children.

"The majority of home-schoolers self-identify as evangelical Christians," said Ian Slatter, a spokesman for the Home School Legal Defense Association. "Most home-schoolers will definitely have a sort of creationist component to their home-school program."

Those who don't, however, often feel isolated and frustrated from trying to find a textbook that fits their beliefs.

First off I doubt the majority of home-schoolers self identify as evangelical Christians. H$LDA has a vested interest in promoting this fallacy. I also fail to see why any homeschool parent should feel isolated or frustrated while looking for a textbook.

Secular Homeschool Curriculum
Saxon Math
I was very happy with Amsco School Publications, Inc. for Science and EMC Publishing for Literature and Language Arts. For those publishers who do not sell directly to homeschoolers most textbooks can be found at the Homeschool Supercenter or Amazon.com.

What another Homeschooling Mom has to say on the subject Homeschooling and Evolution.

NH PUBLIC SCHOOL teacher accused of sending nude photo to teen

NH teacher accused of sending nude photo to teen - Nation Wire - SunHerald.com

Book Review: the Raindrop by Brian D. McClure

the Raindrop by Brian D. McClure Illustrated by Buddy Plumlee

The Illustrations by Buddy Plumlee are great. I loved just looking at the pictures. It is really nice when children's books have lovely illustrations so the children can enjoy looking at the book when the adults don't have time to read to them.

I loved the way Brain D. McClure explained the water system in a way a small child could understand. I also appreciated the underlying message that no matter how small we are, we are part of a greater whole and can accomplish great things together.

Lovely Book, I highly recommend it if you have small children.

A list of books by Brian D. McClure can be found here. To learn more about Brain and the Universal Flag click here.

Fired Public School teacher charged with enticing student

Fired PUBLIC SCHOOL teacher charged with enticing student - Local - SunHerald.com

Political Asylum for Homeschooling?

Ronda Kaysen  @ Momlogic doesn't think being forced to send your child to a government school amounts to persecution Political Asylum for Homeschooling?

Her post of course brought out the anti-homeschool BIGOTS in full force one commenter had this to say.

Why would any parent confine their children’s knowledge only to that which the parent knows, robbing those children of the diverse and expansive knowledge of professional educators? Furthermore, why should any society be forced to harbor such? Homeschooled children are denied the opportunity to learn incredibly valuable lessons about navigating social groups, working alongside those different from themselves, and being both a contributor to and participant in a larger community. To those who would argue that it’s a parent’s right to confine their children’s experience to that which the parents deign appropriate, I say that is neglect, abuse, and excessive control of precisely the wrong things. All the world needs is more religious wingnuts with zero knowledge of history, psychology, sociology, science. (eyeroll)

- Libby

What an ignorant and offensive statement. Homeschooling doesn't confine a child's knowledge, in fact homeschooling opens more doors then most public schools do as homeschooled children are treated like individuals instead of clones. Also homeschooled children have more opportunities to engage in their communities then most public school students who are stuck inside a classroom are offered.

Most homeschool parents seek out resources; including the Internet that allow themselves and their children to explore the world. They are actively involved in their communities and interact with a far wider range of people then public school students will ever encounter in their classrooms.

I am really tired of bigots  like Libby who know nothing about homeschooling harassing, bashing and insulting homeschoolers.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Homeschool Buzz is hosting the Oddities Edition of the CoH.

Teaching the Bible for Cultural Literacy

Deborah Markus weighs in on Teaching the Bible for Cultural Literacy. I have got to go check out the LOL CAT Bible.

Certified teacher joins home-school world

Amy Travis explains why homeschoolers don't need government regulations in Certified teacher joins home-school world.

Listen to a Symphony of Science

You can visit the Symphony of Science site here.

Drunk PUBLIC SCHOOL mom allegedly runs through school with sword

Drunk PUBLIC SCHOOL mom allegedly runs through school with sword - Weird News - SunHerald.com

Much Ado ............. in the Public Schools

No public school coach or teacher should be promoting his/her religion to their students. If it was reversed and a Muslim coach was trying to convert the students, you can bet the Christian parents would be up in arms. But the question here seems to be was it a coach or one of the team members parents.

Trey's son, Paul Hancock, is a member of the Fordson wrestling team and so Trey Hancock would often attends meets and practices.

Now if ALL parents could attend meets and practices, I don't see how the coach was suppose to keep one parent from attending.

OH Please!!!!!! Freedom of speech and Freedom of expression doesn't just mean speech and expressions Christians don't find offensive. Did the teens exercise poor judgment and bad taste. CERTAINLY but it should have ended at the school doors.

At least nine Arab-American students on Monday sparked controversy at Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn by wearing sweatshirts with a design evoking the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.


Administrators lectured the students and their parents, and one of the teens offered a public apology Tuesday night at a public meeting.

But now the Conservative Media have decided to use it as an example of poor persecuted Christians can't express themselves but Muslims can.
Spunky ask

Do you remember the second-grader in another state who was sent for a psychiatric evaluation for daring to draw a "violent" picture of Jesus on the cross at Christmas?

Well yes, I do. This is what happens when you have Zero Tolerance policies in place. I also remember other children who were victims of Zero Tolerance Policies but didn't seem to garner the same amount of sympathy from Christian Bloggers.

N.M. Public School Parents Upset Over Porn in Classroom

Cliff High School students studying World War I history saw a few seconds of pornography during viewing of a video about the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. A History Channel program apparently had been recorded over a porn tape.

N.M. Public School parents upset over porn mix-up in classroom - Weird News - SunHerald.com

Carnival of Homeschooling

Super Angel over at The Daily Planet is hosting this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling.

Roll On Mississippi: Part 1 ~ The Chickasaw

Roll On Mississippi: Part 1 ~ The Chickasaw

Zero Tolerance = Zero Intelligence

"There is zero intelligence when you start applying zero tolerance across the board," he said. "Stupid and ridiculous things start happening."

I couldn't agree more

Read all about Alexa Gonzalez, the 12 year old arrested for doodling here.