Posted in homeschooling
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Have you seen the newest The case against homeschooling?!!? Man what will they come up with next? lol It's really hilarious. I took his 'top ten reasons to not homeschool' and answered them one at a time below. My answers are in red. But if you have the time, you really need to go check out the comments that he got on that one post. By JESSE SCACCIA Homeschooling: great for self-aggrandizing, society-phobic mother…… but not quite so good for the kid. Here are my top ten reasons why homeschooling parents are doing the wrong thing: 10. “You were totally home schooled” is an insult college kids use when mocking the geeky kid in the dorm (whether or not the offender was home schooled or not). And… say what you will… but it doesn’t feel nice to be considered an outsider, a natural outcropping of being homeschooled. Ha Ha Ha Ha and this is a reason NOT to homeschool!?!? Seriously? I hope my kids are self confidant enough to naturally stand out in a crowd, not to blindly follow the crowd. 9. Call me old-fashioned, but a students’ classroom shouldn’t also be where they eat Fruit Loops and meat loaf (not at the same time I hope). It also shouldn’t be where the family gathers to watch American Idol or to play Wii. Students–from little ones to teens–deserve a learning-focused place to study. In modern society, we call them schools. Well, we personally have a school room.... but even if we didn't: this home is where my kids have learned to walk, talk, eat with a fork, tie their shoes, and yes, read, write, and spell, too. How is that wrong? How is that even a reason to NOT homeschool? please! 8. Homeschooling is selfish. According to this article in USA Today, students who get homeschooled are increasingly from wealthy and well-educated families. To take these (I’m assuming) high achieving students out of our schools is a disservice to our less fortunate public school kids. Poorer students with less literate parents are more reliant on peer support and motivation, and they greatly benefit from the focus and commitment of their richer and higher achieving classmates. I am homeschooling to offer society a well educated, well rounded, well established, self confidant, man of God and woman of God. and I am forfeiting any and all 'spare time' while I do it. HOW IS THAT SELFISH??? OMGosh, this person is insane. Plus most of these (you assume correctly) high achieving students are high achieving BECAUSE of the commitment that their parents have in their education. Sheesh... selfish.. 7. God hates homeschooling. The study, done by the National Center for Education Statistics, notes that the most common reason parents gave as the most important was a desire to provide religious or moral instruction. To the homeschooling Believers out there, didn’t God say “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”? Didn’t he command, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me”? From my side, to take your faithful children out of schools is to miss an opportunity to spread the grace, power and beauty of the Lord to the common people. (Personally I’m agnostic, but I’m just saying…) Ok, now I must admit I LOVE this one. First they presume to know the mind of God, and then in the next sentence goes on to admit to being agnostic... hhmmm!?!? But I will answer it anyway. Because this person is just so knowledgable. 6. Homeschooling parent/teachers are arrogant to the point of lunacy. For real! My qualifications to teach English include a double major in English and education, two master’s degrees (education and journalism), a student teaching semester and multiple internship terms, real world experience as a writer, and years in the classroom dealing with different learning styles. So, first of all, homeschooling parent, you think you can teach English as well as me? Well, maybe you can. I’ll give you that. But there’s no way that you can teach English as well as me, and biology as well as a trained professional, and history… and Spanish… and art… and counsel for college as well as a school’s guidance counselor… and… and… hahaha. Ok, but I certainly can learn whatever you learned... correct? So if I stay 1 day ahead of my kids, then they are good. For Reals! 5. As a teacher, homeschooling kind of pisses me off. (That’s good enough for #5.) awww. Why thank you. Its great to know that my doing something in my own home, with my own children, useing my own resourses, while still paying you and your co workers paycheck (with my tax monies) is pissing you off. Great to know. (can you just smell the sarcasm?) 4. Homeschooling could breed intolerance, and maybe even racism. Unless the student is being homeschooled at the MTV Real World house, there’s probably only one race/sexuality/background in the room. How can a young person learn to appreciate other cultures if he or she doesn’t live among them? How can I appreciate the horrors of the holocost when I didn't live through it? You read, read, read, and read somemore. and when thats done, then you pick up another book. 3. And don’t give me this “they still participate in activities with public school kids” garbage. Socialization in our grand multi-cultural experiment we call America is a process that takes more than an hour a day, a few times a week. Homeschooling, undoubtedly, leaves the child unprepared socially. No one said anything about participating with public school kids. But for our family, my children spend time with other kids twice a week at church, once a week at Bible Study, and then at whatever play date/ academic class/ sport/ and/ or activitie we decide to participate in. And they aren't just bulked in with other kids based on nothing more than the year they were born.. and they don't have to stay in that same bulk class setting for 6 or so years. hhhhmmmm, socializing with a number of different ages, backgrounds, and befiefs, or socializing with the same 30 to 40 students for 6 years?!?!?! Who's more prepared socially? 2. Homeschooling parents are arrogant, Part 2. According to Henry Cate, who runs the Why Homeschool blog, many highly educated, high-income parents are “probably people who are a little bit more comfortable in taking risks” in choosing a college or line of work. “The attributes that facilitate that might also facilitate them being more comfortable with home-schooling.” Oh, I'm sorry, I should just blindly follow the crowd. I get it. Because that is what George Washington did. And Henry Ford. and Lincoln. and Bell, and any number of inventors, politicions, and revolutionarys. Right? I HOPE that you are right, and that we are risk takers, and scene changers and world shakers! More comfortable taking risks with their child’s education? Gamble on, I don’t know, the Superbowl, not your child’s future. urg. No one is taking a risk with their childs future by homeschooling. Check out any of the top collages and you will find that they are actually SEEKING homeschooled graduates. hee hee Are they actively seeking out public school graduates? 1. And finally… have you met someone homeschooled? Not to hate, but they do tend to be pretty geeky***. And if you mean that they are hard workers, considerate, and kind, and are learning at way above their grade levels. Then thank you. I appreciate the compliment. Alexia |
Posted in homeschooling
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ClickSchooling <http://www.clicksch ooling.com/> - Get free, daily, web-based curriculum ideas that save you time and money and boost your kids' knowledge of the world. The free reviews are sent in a daily email, Monday through Saturday, that are focused on a specific subject as follows: * Monday = Math * Tuesday = Science * Wednesday = Language Arts * Thursday = Social Sciences * Friday = Virtual Field Trip * Saturday = Electives: Music, Art, & Languages The sites include excellent information delivered in a student-friendly, multi-media format, and often contain free interactive games as well as printable lessons and materials that can be tweaked to your needs and interests whether you are homeschooling, unschooling, or after-schooling. Many teachers use these recommended resources in the classroom as well. Most of the sites are suitable for a wide age range. Subscribe to ClickSchooling (by visiting http://www.clickschooling.com) and start getting the latest reviews for free. You can also search the content-rich ClickSchooling archives here: <http://www.homefire s.com/clickschoo l/archive. asp> So why don't you go ahead and visit soon? :-) Mommy. |
Posted in homeschooling
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Heres a little general info. and the website is down at the bottom. Frequently Asked Questions Who is eligible for the BOOK IT! Program for homeschools? What are the program dates for 2009-010? When will the 2009-10 materials be shipped to enrolled homeschools? http://www.bookitprogram.com/enrollment/homeschool.asp |
Posted in homeschooling
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It's 2:30 in the morning. and I just got home an hour ago! lol Once a month our homeschool group (one of the one's I'm in) has a parent meeting. It's great because it's super inspirational. and just plain fun. Then we all head over to the local hang out..... eatery.... or diner... whatever you want to call it. & we basically just talk. and cackle. and laugh. So anyway, it is just what I needed. My favorite part? I love that I can mention that my kids are driving me up a wall, and no one suggests that I should put them back 'in real school'. I think that is the hardest part about talking to non-homeschoolers about my kids. They just assume that if I'm stressed out... well, then I must need to get rid of them. "why do this to yourself? put them back in school!!" I love to be able to talk about my children to someone (or a group of someones) that know and comprehend that I LOVE my kids. Yes. they drive me nuts sometimes. Yes. I've yelled too much sometimes. Yes. I've even threatened to put him back in P.S. once or twice. but I still want to be with them... I still want to teach them. I don't want them to be gone. As a matter of fact... I think that when I'm going nuts, that means something is up with me and I need to get some serious prayer in... There isn't anything wrong with my kids. :) wow. what a revelation! :) Good night. we have a field trip tomorrow. um, today. :) |
Posted in homeschooling
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So the other day we went to our local grocery store, and my kids began talking to the bagger. (they always talk to people so that part isn't something I would write about! lol) Anyway, my four yr old is introducing us to the bagger boy; and she spells my son's name. Which the bagger thinks is really cool. and then she tells him that a president was also named Andrew (to which Andrew say's "yeah, it's Andrew Jackson!"). So as the bagger stands there in shock (I'm assuming because he's speechless by this point! lol) my 4 yr old goes "thats the 7th president!". Now by this point I'm also standing there with my mouth hanging open. So I hustle them out the door, and I ask her if she's sure that Andrew Jackson is the 7th president???? She responds that she's not sure, but (and my son says this part) when we get home we'll look it up! lol And it was! Now I wish I would've thought to pretend that I wasn't shocked and that I always study presidents with my 4 and 6 yr olds! lol but I didn't! (shoot!) Oh, well, next time someone questions homeschooling I know I can bust out that fact! Kids really do say the weirdest things! lol |
Posted in homeschooling
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So, a friend of mine invited me to a Mom's Nite Out that her church was having...... I kinda hesitated for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that I really wont know any of these ladies. & well, the usual stuff about leaving the kids with DH & all that jazz. But truthfully I needed the break. The baby's been just really fussy & clingy lately, & we've been having some attitude issues with both of the other ones. So basically this is a really good time for me to get some 'ME' time. So, I decide 'What the Hey!?'. It really can't be that bad, right? I'll know my friend & one other lady there, so if push cames to shove I will just stay near them! Anyway, I just got home about 1 hour ago...... And I had the time of my life. Really, I can't get over how friendly & welcoming these ladies were. They totally made me feel at home, at ease, & comfortable. So much so that I really lost track of my friend for a few hours there! LOL Honestly, that is such a testament to Christ. They really showed me the love of our Saviour. OK, If I wasn't already saved, I would get saved because they are so nice that you would want what they have. I guess, that is a lesson I need to learn. If someone is there, that doesn't really know anyone, just include them. Make them feel welcome. Don't just shake their hand, and say 'welcome'..... REALLY welcome them. Talk to them.... Explain the 'inside' joke to them. Or better yet..... tell 'outside' jokes. Ask them questions.... Listen to their answers... Just be a friend. These ladies did that. They made my nervousness go away within about 1 hour. I pray God's blessing would pour out HIS blessings on these ladies, and their families. I pray blessings on their children, homes, marriages, & finances. I really just pray that God would bless them for their hospitality tonight! OK, that was my nite.... Good Nite. Mommy in the fun house! |
Posted in homeschooling
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Update on the baby: he's a crawler. Yup, it's on to a new faze in our lives. The wonderful faze of "Move your ____ before the baby gets it!" & "Oh no! Baby, what do you have in mouth? Let Mommy have it!" lol I'm looking forward to it. But I honestly am not looking forward to the walking faze.... Then he'll be able to reach higher.... =) Update on DD (3 1/2): She is riding a bike with out the training wheels.. Or in her words 'a 2-wheeler bike'! She rode my oldest's bike and begged (and begged.....and begged) my DH to take off her training wheels.... So after mcuh pleading & cajoling, he gave in and took them off. So, she walks in the house with her face scraped up! Yup....needless to say the wheels went right back on. My poor baby. But she's always had this urge inside her to do the crazy, impossible, spontanious things. Example: at about 2 years of age she climbed onto DS's top bunk & dived right off. Yes, as if she was diving into a pool.... at the same time she yelled "I'm Spider-man..." lol Needless to say we separated the bunk beds. She makes life interesting, I'll give her that! Update on DS (6): His reading is much improved, as is his penmanship. Printing is hard for him. But I make him trace his spelling words for me every day. Which serve more than one purpose. He not only is getting better at forming his letters, but he also knows how to spell & read those words! =) Gotta go, the littlest one has a lil fever... Might be teething. God Bless! Mommy in the fun house! |
Posted in homeschooling
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Why do people think they have the right to tell me what MY CHILDREN need? Do they really think I've locked my kids in a closet & they never see the light of day? Sheesh.... just because you're a 'teacher at the high school'....whatever! You are not my children's mom! You are not the final authority on what they need! AND you don't decide if my kids 'need socialazation'!!!!!! Urrrgggg! How dare people presume to tell me what my kids need? My goodness! And sheesh... can't they at least be more original? I mean that is becoming the 'S word" ! lol I guess she caught me on a bad day cause I pretended to be 'best buddy'... "Oh, my goodness I know! They're are just SOOOO many things to do! We definitely need to lay off the sociallizing for a while!" lol She didn't know whether to argue with me about what she meant or agree! lol Oh well...From what I've heard I better get used to it! At lease she can't say my babies don't know anything....DS (6) blew this 8 or 9 year old out of the water! lol She was impressed...as if I care! As long as God is impressed, then I'm happy! OK! That was my vent! Gotta run!
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Wow, I'm new at this whole 'homeschool community' thing... I've never realized there is so much to do. Of course, being new, I signed up for way too many things. Good things. Fun things. But things that are taking time away from my priority's.... Those being my Husband, Children, Family, Friends, & Church... In that order. Yes, I'm spending time with the kids on these field trips, & since DH's been out of work he's been with us too... But it's not the same. Our routine is shot. We are rushing the kids to do their work... Although if there isn't any time I pretty much just lay off.... They're learning a lot. But the housecleaning is (of course) falling victim to our new busy lifestyle. Instead of being the haven of tranquility & peace that it was becoming......It became a place to grab a quick meal, crash, & get up and do it all over again. Well, no more. From now on I pick 1 or even 2 days a week......& If the field trip/ activity/ tour/ whatever isn't scheduled on that day, we just can't go. The kids still have their friends (Yes, I fell into the 'socialization' trap) but I still have my sanity, too! =) Speaking of things we've done..... To play catch up: We had 2 tours of resteraunts... Cici's Pizza last week, & In & Out Burgers yesterday. We also had a big Easter Party last week, & a gardening craft/ park day today. In the midst of all that activity.....DH decides we are going to go to California to go visit his family. That was fun...but I realized that it was definitely time to focus on Spanish for a while. My children can not communicate with their grandparents. How deprived is that?!?! If I say that I want to give my children the best of everything .... Which I do! Then how come I am not making the best effort to teach them some thing that I know; that enables them to have a relationship with 2 people that love them very much; & also that will benefit any future job hunting! Yeah, I'm gonna try to set up a coop class for Spanish. that will help to get them interested & to keep me focused on the goal. It's so much easier for me to speak English to them that I forget to speak Spanish until we go see the family & everyone is speaking Spanish & my kids begin to feel left out. Maybe I should leave myself reminders around the house to speak Spanish to them. lol Yes, I am a sticky note person! =) DH update: His cast came off on Wednesday. They told him that he just needs to stengthen his hand for 2 weeks, And his boss said there would be another position coming up in about 3 weeks. Here's praying that the Good Lord gives my Hubby favor in his work site, & complete healing in his hand. & That he gets called into work soon! DS (6) update: He's reading now! Yes, he had read before, but with out constant practice he forgets simple things. So a new rule was established....read one book a day! The lil beginning reader books, so they are easy enough for him to get up his confidence & to practice. I got a whole stack of beginning readers from the library, & some regular books that I read to him also. I have to read about 2 or 3 at each sitting! Then he reads his book to us! Since he gets to pick the book I don't really have a fight on my hands! =) It's a win win situation. I'm so proud of him..... he doesn't even know that he's reading at a 1st grade level already! He just knows that reading is something every one does! THANK YOU GOD FOR HOMESCHOOLING... DD (3 1/2) update: She is teaching herself to ride a 2 wheeler! Yup, yesterday she rode my sons bike (which is too big for her, and hard to steer) so she begged my DH to take off the training wheels on her bike. Which he did today, and she rode it around and around the park! She needs help starting, but on her bike can steer & everything. So cute! I'm proud of her too....she doesn't know the meaning of the words 'too young'. This girl does anything she puts her mind to! Here's praying that Jesus helps her to keep that spirit for good! Time to buy a helmet! =) DS (7 months) update: He's sitting up really good now, rarely falling over at all. The news is that now he is trying to crawl. Hasn't happened yet.... I'm trying to get the kids to crawl around the floor for him to mimic, but they don't want to... Or we just haven't had the time! lol But he is wanting to get around now. I can sense it in him. He even gets on all fours, but he doesn't know quite what to do once he's there. Any day now! May the Lord bless him, & make His face shine upon him. Love that baby! OK, I got to get up for another thing I signed up for.... Yeah, I got about 1 more month of previous commitments that I will keep. Thank God for Spring Break. I'm breaking their break up into every day we don't have time for school. I don't know how to give breaks... What do I day 'Stop It! Stop that learning right now. Your in the middle of break for Pete's sake!!!'?!?! lol Not gonna happen in this house. God Bless, Mommy in the Fun House!
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