Monday, June 2, 2008
Poll Question...'Should Homeschooling Be Illegal?'
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Old Schoolhouse's "NEW" Digital Magazine!
We are very close to launching our new digital magazine.
Will you help us spread the word?
A lot of people might not even know what a digital magazine is. Some folks might not even know who TOS is. But with The Old Schoolhouse Digital Magazine we'll be able to reach more homeschoolers than ever!
A digital subscription will be very affordable, especially when compared to the cost of a print subscription. If price has ever stopped anyone from subscribing, this is the answer!
The Old Schoolhouse Digital Magazine will have the very same content plus the wonderful option of linking the reader to the different sites and links throughout the magazine. But perhaps the most exciting bonus is that the subscriber will receive their issue INSTANTLY - weeks before the print issue hits mailboxes! No more waiting for the mailman!
If you just click on the graphic above, you'll be able to see and actually try out our Summer 2007 digital issue for yourself.
Once you get there, you'll see how easy it is to navigate.
You can easily click titles right on the cover or in the table of contents to go directly to the articles. You can click on the contents tab and go directly to various sections in the magazine. Or you can click on the pages tab and see thumbnails of each and every page - perfect when you know what the page "looks like", but just can't remember the title!
The search feature is really handy too. Just type in a word and it will bring up each page where that word appears. I typed in autism and automatically found three pages with great information. Once you're looking at an article, you can also click on the link tab and easily see what links appear on that page. It will show you ALL of them - whether they're in the article itself, the author's bio, or in an ad!
Next you can adjust the settings to best suit you in the settings tab. Just decide if you prefer a one-page or two-page spread, what size you prefer most for the standard and magnification settings, and how quickly you want the pages to turn. It's as simple as that!
Now, we're getting to some of the neatest features. How many times have you found an article in TOS that you wanted to share with a friend, but you were kind of afraid that if you loaned out your magazine, you'd never get it back? With the share feature, you can quickly send a friend an email with a direct link to the article that you think they would enjoy. It's as simple as pie! You can also easily print a set of pages for a friend who doesn't have the internet or even just bookmark an article so you can get back to it without having to hunt for it. You can even download the edition onto your hard drive so that you don't have to be online to view it. And, of course, there's a friendly Help tab on there to give you more quick tips on reading your digital magazine!
See why we love it so much?! One of our staff called it "the coolest thing since MP3 players!"
We think you're going to love it and the homeschoolers in your area are going to love it too. A one-year digital subscription to TOS is only going to be $16.95. That is 32% less than our regular one-year U.S. subscriptions!
However, we have an EVEN BETTER offer for folks who subscribe before April 8, 2008! It's a four week Charter Subscriber Special, but the earlier you subscribe, the more money you save and the more gifts you receive.
- Week 1 - Plus 5
March 12-18
Subscribe for $10.95
Summer & Fall 07 archives
5 bonus gifts
- Week 2 - Plus 3
March 19-25
Subscribe for $12.95
Summer & Fall 07 archives
3 bonus gifts
- Week 3 - Plus 2
March 26-April 1
Subscribe for $14.95
Summer & Fall 07 archives
2 bonus gifts
- Week 4 - Plus 1
April 2-8
Subscribe for $16.95
Summer & Fall 07 archives
1 bonus gift
In addition, anyone who subscribes to the digital edition will get the 19 free gifts usually reserved for international subscribers and will also be eligible to receive our upcoming monthly Teacher's Toolbox online supplement!
It's going to be great!
You all know the retail value on the print magazine, but when you factor in the 19 free gifts (over $300 value!), the bonus gifts, AND the free downloads that are going to come with the Teacher's Toolbox, it just makes a digital subscription EVEN better!
But here is where we'd like your help.
We need to spread the word about the new digital subscription to all of the homeschool groups so folks will get in early. The earlier they subscribe, the more they save, and the more gifts they receive!
If you would be willing to send a message to your support group telling them about our new digital subscription, we will in turn give YOU a free one-year digital subscription, plus you'll get all of the bonus gifts as well!
Sound like a good deal?
You can write your own message to your group or just copy & paste the message below to them. Then just email Angela (AQuigley@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com) with the following information:
- Your name
- Group name
- Website if applicable
- Date you sent the email
- How many people it went out to
Once we get your email, we will send you a coupon for one free year of the digital magazine which you can redeem in our Schoolhouse Store.
Thanks so much for your time and for all you are doing for the home educators in your area!
Sincerely,
Nancy Carter
Director of Marketing
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com |
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Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Homeschool Minute -- Special Bulletin!
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The Old Schoolhouse has MORE for you!
Check out these other fantastic resources:
New to homeschooling?
We can help!
Looking for Curriculum?
Favorite Articles
Free Stuff
Who We Are
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If you like The Homeschool Minute, you won't want to miss a single issue of
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine!
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The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Home Where They Belong
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March 10, 2008
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"The fundamental theory of liberty upon which all governments in this Union repose excludes any general power of the state to standardize its children by forcing them to accept instruction from public teachers only. The child is not the mere creature of the state; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations." (Pierce vs. Society of Sisters, 1922)
What In the World Is Going On In California?
By Karen Braun
By now, most homeschoolers across the country have heard about the California appellate court ruling handed down on February 28 ordering the children of Phillip and Mary Long to attend public school or a legally qualified private school. The judge's ruling surprised everyone and sparked a firestorm of concern among homeschoolers nationwide, many wondering if homeschooling had become illegal in California.
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine staff has been following the developments since World Net Daily first broke the story a week ago. In this Homeschool Minute, we would like to provide a brief summary of the events and offer links to various perspectives to help homeschoolers understand this ruling, how it impacts homeschoolers in California, and what homeschoolers across the nation can do to help.
To gain a better understanding of this case, it is necessary to note that prior to this ruling, the Long family had been involved with the juvenile court system regarding the care of their children. Such proceedings are confidential, and in most cases, a court-appointed attorney is provided to represent the interests of the minor children. The attorney representing two of the children was not satisfied with a ruling made by Superior Court Judge Stephen Marpet, who found the children's education to be "meager" but determined that Phillip and Mary Long have a constitutional right to school their children in their own home. The attorney for the children brought an appeal before the Second Court of Appeals of California.
The California Second Appellate Court in Los Angeles found that the Longs had not demonstrated that any of the exemptions to California's compulsory attendance applied to their children. The court reversed the finding of the Superior Court and ordered the children to attend public or a "legally qualified" private school. The court remanded the case back to the lower court for a hearing to determine if the family was in compliance with the law. The family plans on appealing this ruling decision to the California Supreme Court.
Read the complete court opinion here.
The ruling spurred reactions from attorneys representing various homeschool groups and interested parties across the country. The Homeschool Minute provides these links for informational purposes related to this case and does not necessarily endorse these sites.
Sunland Christian School. The Long children were enrolled in this school.
Pacific Justice Institute (PJI). These attorneys are representing Sunland Christian School and advising the family.
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). HSLDA presents several appeal options to reverse this ruling or diminish its impact upon California homeschoolers. There is a petition available for those interested in supporting the HSLDA's move to depublish the ruling.
National Home Education Legal Defense (NHELD). Attorney Deborah Stevenson offers a detailed and informative analysis of this case.
Several homeschool groups in California issued statements concerning this ruling:
Homeschool Association of California
California Homeschool Network
Christian Home Educators of California
Private and Home Educators of California
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement in support of homeschooling:
"Every California child deserves a quality education and parents should have the right to decide what's best for their children. Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children's education. This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts and if the courts don't protect parents' rights then, as elected officials, we will."
By the end of a long news week, the court decision reached the broader Christian community through a radio broadcast by Focus on the Family. Dr. Dobson discussed the California court case with several prominent guests.
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From All of Us at TOS
We hope this information has helped you gain a greater understanding of the facts surrounding this case and its impact on homeschooling in California.
The Homeschool Minute encourages you to pray for the family and those involved in this situation. Several of the websites present ideas about what you can do to help. We encourage you to prayerfully consider those ideas, to do all that you can to help retain the freedom to homeschool in our country, and to pass this message along to others. We will be following this case and will provide further updates as information becomes available.
Join us again on Wednesday with our normally scheduled topic. And now as much as ever, be sure to enjoy every minute!
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Saturday, March 8, 2008
A Plea Against Signing the Petition!!
Received this in my inbox! Please read and pass along the information! Thank you to Lisa R. for passing along this information!
At some point, and you may already have, you will probably receive an e-mail
asking you to sign a petition about the court case in California. PLEASE do
NOT sign it! It could do more harm than good. What it really is about isn't
California, but more scare tactics and part of a membership drive.
Homeschool is still very much alive and LEGAL in California. We do NOT need
hysteria fueled by HSLDA! The last time they did this we almost lost our
right to homeschool. Please don't feed into the craziness.
If you have questions, go to the HSC (Homeschool Association of California) or CHN (California Homeschool Network)
The leaders of both groups have repeatedly let us know that the legal teams of the California homeschooling groups are meeting, and will deal with this in a calm, logical and well informed way. IF, let me repeat myself here, IF the legal teams feel that California needs help, then HSC and CHN will send out a message asking for help.
P.S. Please feel free to forward!
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Friday, March 7, 2008
Unit Studies, Field Trips & More!
Announcing Our Newest Project!
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You all know how TOS is a quarterly magazine? Well a lot of our readers wish the magazine came monthly. So guess what we're going to do?
No, we're not making the magazine a monthly.
Instead, we are going to start sending our magazine subscribers something brand new online monthly between magazine issues.
It's called The Teacher's Toolbox and you all are going to love it!
Each edition, we'll focus on a different topic giving you words of encouragement, hands-on teaching ideas, book recommendations, field trip suggestions, and then some type of bonus download item.
This online mini-supplement to TOS is a FREE resource only for our subscribers! If you're a TOS reader, but have been buying your copies at a bookstore, now would be a great time to subscribe.
We'll be sending out the first one at the end of this month, and you are NOT going to want to miss out.
It's supposed to be a surprise, but I can tell you this much - the topic is perfect for Spring, has some great science ideas, and the freebie gift itself, practically covers the price of your subscription!
So, here's what you need to know.
If you are a current TOS subscriber, you'll want to make sure that we have a correct phone number on file for you. Your phone number will serve as your subscriber number and will be how you retrieve your online free gift. Email customer service if you have any questions or need to update your number.
If you haven't subscribed yet, NOW is your chance. This month's toolbox is scheduled for March 24th.
You won't want to miss out on all of the great resources. Just click one of the appropriate links on the side to become a TOS subscriber and make sure that you don't miss out on this month's Teacher's Toolbox.
Sincerely,
Nancy Carter,
Director of Marketing
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
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New subscriptions will start with the Spring issue due to arrive in homes late April!
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This Spring is our big preschool issue.
Just like preschoolers,
it is full of "energy"!
It will be another TERRIFIC issue that will enourage and support your family and homeschool.
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Canadian
One-Year
$30
Click here!
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International
One-Year
$45.60
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The Last 100 Shoppers Will Receive Five Surprise Bonus Gifts!
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The Last 100 Shoppers Will Receive
Five Surprise Bonus Gifts!
If You're the 30,000th Customer,
YOU WILL WIN ALL OF THESE PRIZES!
PLUS Five Surprise Bonus Gifts!
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Greetings!
We're getting close to the 30,000th customer.
We're about 100 customers away!
To celebrate, we're giving the exact 100 last customers five SURPRISE gifts.
PLUS, the 30,000th customer will win ALL of the prizes pictured above and the five bonus SURPRISE gifts.
YOU can be the BIG winner of our Win Big contest in the Schoolhouse Store.
The 30,000th customer in the store is going to win this amazing prize pack worth $800, plus the five bonus surprise gifts!
But, time is running out! We're quickly approaching the 30,000th customer.
We've had our Win Big contest before, but this time the prizes are even bigger and better than ever!
Could it be you?!? It certainly could!
But, HURRY! We're only about 100 orders away.....so, what are you waiting for?
You can start by looking at our current specials!
Spring is just around the corner, and it's the season to take your homeschooling outdoors to enjoy the fresh air! As your family discovers the buds and blooms of Spring, delve into a hands-on botany unit or study gardening. It's a perfect time to start a nature notebook. Wouldn't it be fun to act like pioneers in the great outdoors, while sporting fun coon skin caps? Then, gather for some quiet time in the shade of a favorite tree, travel back in history, and meet children who traveled the Oregon Trail. Your family will be engaged and inspired!
Still too cold to go outside at your house?
Kidwords: 90 Nouns is a great resource for helping children learn the high-frequency words they need to know in order to become fluent readers. We have plenty of other magnet sets to choose from as well.
Perhaps you're planning to study some new and exciting subjects, such as a foreign language, piano, or computer programming!
And don't forget, this election year is the ideal opportunity to study our election process, the United States presidents, the history of the constitution and our form of government. Plus, we just added 28 Fogware Publishing interactive software downloads for only $4.99 each. What a great way to bring history to life!
You're sure to find some great products to help you in your homeschool in our Schoolhouse Store where the shipping is always free.
Here is everything included in the
EXTRAORDINARY prize pack!
A 12-year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine! A $300 value. You'll receive encouragement, advice, teaching ideas, product reviews, and more for 12 years. Our magazine will be a helpful resource you'll refer to over and over throughout your homeschooling years.
A $250 gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store. Remember, the $250, in its entirety, is good towards anything in the store...except SHIPPING. The Schoolhouse Store always offers free shipping. Won't it be fun browsing all the terrific products and selecting $250 worth of materials?!
Transcript Boot Camp from Inge Cannon. A $79 value! Do you have junior high or high school students? The four hour DVD from Education Plus is a fantastic resource for learning about high school credits, transcripts, diplomas and so much more!
Times Tales Deluxe, Memory Triggers: Elementary Math Terms and Zone Cleaning for Kids from Trigger Memory Systems. A $45 value! If your child is learning multiplication, you'll want these fun products! Plus, chore time is made easy with Zone Cleaning.
An Amazing Insects kit and InsectLore Ladybug Land from Treasure Box Press. A $40 value! Your family will enjoy this hands-on study during the warm Spring and Summer months. Watching the larvae transform into ladybugs is fascinating!
Help! I'm Married to a Homeschooling Mom, Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe, and The Official Book of Homeschooling Cartoons from Familyman, Todd Wilson. A $25 value! Enjoy the insight, encouragement and humor of Todd Wilson. He sent over three of his most popular books.
Draw, Write, Now Book 6 from Barker Creek. A $12.99 value! Draw, Write, Now is a much-loved series! Study habitats while developing handwriting and drawing skills.
'Tis So Sweet worship CD from Steve Sensenig. A $14.95 value! What a treat to fill your home with Steve's uplifting music. The entire family will enjoy this prize.
Homeschooling Methods from The Old Schoolhouse. A $14.99 value! This is Paul and Gena's very first print book, and it is packed with advice on learning styles. In addition to an in-depth explanation of each method, two experts on each method lend their knowledge. Veteran and new homeschoolers alike have praised this book!
Homeschooling The High Schooler audio CD from The Old Schoolhouse. A $17.95 value! You CAN homeschool through high school and veteran homeschoolers share their knowledge and advice in this encouraging audio book. You will enjoy this title over and over!
Homeschool Dialogues audio CD from The Old Schoolhouse. A $17.95 value! This cd is full of the conversations you wish you could have with the greatest names who are discussing homeschooling.
Secrets of Successful Homeschooling audio CD from The Old Schoolhouse. A $17.95 value! Do you ever wonder how other homeschooling families get it all done? Veteran homeschooling moms share their advice and insights on everything from scheduling to reading to the special needs child.
The Well-Integrated Homeschool presentation on CD from Gena Suarez. A $12.00 value! This is a wonderful title you'll want to share with friends or a support group. A syllabus is also available to help you get the most from this informative selection.
YES! One winner is going to receive all of these gifts, worth over $800, just for being our 30,000th customer!
Our 30,000th customer is going to receive the 12 year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, the $250 gift certificate from the Schoolhouse Store, ALL of the gifts shown above, and five bonus surprise gifts!
So, don't miss out on your chance to be our 30,000th customer!
Blessings,
Dena Wood,
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Comparing Yourself to the Public Schools (As In - Don't)
It's Just Common Sense
Ruth Beechick, Curriculum Specialist
If you haven't worked in public schools you can have an unrealistic idea of what grade levels are. A sixth grader, for instance, is not at a level well defined by test scores or state lists of curriculum items. Any one sixth grade class has children who test from second grade or lower to tenth grade or even higher.
A grade level score of 6.1 means that a child scores like the average of children in grade 6 month 1. Half of children are above that average and half below. Thus there is lots of overlap in every grade.
If your child scores 6.1 does that mean you should put him in sixth grade? Not necessarily. If he is 10 years old you may prefer fifth grade with his age mates where he will be in the upper half of the class instead of in sixth where he will be exactly the middle. The school does not move everybody up when they score sixth grade.
If your child can read the textbooks in a grade, he will do okay in that grade even if he did not happen to learn the history or geography facts that the class was supposed to learn last year. Only in arithmetic do the skills pile up in difficulty. So he will have trouble in sixth grade if he missed fractions and other fifth grade topics. You and your child can look at the books and decide for yourselves whether he could do the work. You can do the same for reading other textbooks. If the child stumbles on 2 or fewer words in a 100-word section, that shows he can read that book independently. Missing 3 to 5 words means he can be instructed from that book, and more than 5 is frustration level.
Nothing highly scientific in this. It's just common sense.
--Ruth
This is but one example of the superbe articles that you can receive in your inbox each week to encourage, enlighten and support you up! Subscribe today! |
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Saturday, February 23, 2008
The Homeschool Lounge is Open!
I was recently invited to join the Homeschool Lounge! (I have plans of doing so tomorrow because today is my son, Zach's 18th birthday, and I'll be otherwise occupied!) It looks to be great fun and a valuable resource for us! There's no reason to go it alone...
The Homeschool Lounge is a FREE online social network community for Homeschool Moms; the very first of its kind! The vision of The Homeschool Lounge is to connect Homeschool Moms from all corners of the web; get advice, give advice, share, learn and laugh with those who truly understand you. There is something for everyone inside the many pages of this pioneer website so go check it out!
Site Features Include:
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Create your own space
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Start or join discussions in our Forum
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Start or join a group
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Start a Blog or Promote an existing Blog
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Create a slide show widget of your pictures for your blog
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Photo Gallery
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Video Gallery
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Live Chat
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Invite other Homeschool Moms, friends and family
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Members only community ~ All members, all videos and pictures must be approved and only the front page of our site can be viewed by the public for the safety and comfort of our homeschool moms.
We invite you to join us, share tips and advice, and find encouragement, fellowship, and friendship in a safe, fun, friendly environment. Our goal is to provide you with a resourceful and encouraging platform for all of your interests and needs, in order to help create and facilitate the most enriching network for Homeschool Moms on the Internet today.
All homeschool parents can sign up to join the Lounge from the front page and from there they will be approved for full membership to view all pages of The Homeschool Lounge. As for invites, you can send anyone you want an invite by clicking on the tab that says "Invite" and also the people that join The Homeschool Lounge from your invite link will automatically be included in your list of "Friends" aka Lounge Sisters."
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Saturday, February 23, 2008
Less than 250 More Orders to Go Before Winner is Announced! It could be YOU!!
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We're Only 250 Away from a Winner!
YOU COULD WIN ALL OF THESE PRIZES!
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