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I wish I had been a fly on the course when this event took place. Let me explain . . .
I have a very dear friend who lives and homeschools in the city of Detroit. Her neighborhood is rough and her circumstances are difficult; yet through it all she manages to smile and trust the Lord to help her do the work necessary to raise five children without the support of her husband. Her children range from 12 to 19 in age.
The oldest two young men are both homeschool graduates and attend a local college. To help pay for their studies they tirelessly work as caddies at an exclusive golf course. My friend sent me this exchange her son Josh had with the golfer he recently assisted around the course.
Let me set the scene for you . . . Josh meets his golfer. They shake hands and begin the loop of 18-holes (3-4 hours) together. Golfer expresses how impressed his is with Josh and comments on how well versed Josh is (says Josh is able to give intelligent opinions on many subjects golfer initiated, speaks English not Ebonics, wears trousers that fit and such)The Detroit Public Schools is currently seeking more money to fix the schools. It's a public works project that's never works. Currently DPS spends over $11,000 per student yet they have the worst graduation rate in the country. Young men like Josh are living proof that it isn't money that is the problem. It is a government system that creates a poverty of spirit and a vicious cycle that Robert Bobb and many others perpetuate to protect their power. However, parents have the ultimate power if they would use it.
GOLFER: So what school do you go to? (eagerly awaiting an answer)JOSH: I recently completed my high school studies and just graduated one month ago.
GOLFER: Really? Which DPS (Detroit Public School)?JOSH: The Mitchell Academy! (proudly spoken)
GOLFER: a look of bewilderment . . .JOSH: Smiling proudly. I am home educated.
The golfer begins coughing and (for a black man) turned white as a sheet.
Who was the GOLFER? None other that Robert Bobb, Detroit Public Schools' emergency financial manager who is trying to encourage every Detroit resident to denounce charter, private and home schools and return to DPS. Even though Josh knew his name, he still had no clue what this man did for a living. Josh then offers his golfer bottled water to calm is choking cough.
My courageous friend bucked the government's system of dependency and despair. Like her son, she is proof that a dedicated mother can break the cycle and raise GREAT kids who positively impact their community and the world. Bravo to you both!
-Spunky
Cross-posted, with permission, from SpunkyHomeSchool
When a mother at church asked me about homeschooling our six children and I mentioned our involvement in a co-op, she said, "That sounds good, but it doesn't sound like true homeschooling to me."
So, who is a "true" homeschooler?
A recent Wall Street Journal article referenced a 2007 statistic by the National Center for Education Statistics where online schoolers were included among the 1.5 million children who were homeschooled. But some homeschool advocates would say, "Using virtual academies is not true homeschooling." (Annette explains why here.)
All of the various choices available to parents who want to educate outside the "pupil shed" led reader Carol Topp to wonder if it is time to create a new term for what we do because "true home schoolers" are public virtual school families.
I think we home educators messed up when we started using the term "homeschooling." "Parent directed learning" is a better term for what we do, but it is a mouthful.So will the "true homeschoolers" please stand up and tell us what you think?
"Homeschooling" is a term that better describes public school at home.
Now the waters are muddied. I read an article in our local paper about a gathering of public virtual school students and parents. 230 families in our area and 2,042 in the state. The article mentioned "home schooling" about 5 times. Thee public virtual school families are probably the *true* home schoolers.
We are the parent directed learning families. Can we find a better phrase?
-Spunky
Cross-posted, with permission, from SpunkyHomeSchool
David and Kim back on the radio!
Ok, but this time we were honored to be interviewed by Bob and Geri Boyd on their excellent nationally radio broadcast show "Issues in Education".
Click here to see if there is a station near you (or copy and paste link below into your web browser):
http://issuesineducation.org/radio_stations.asp
Please make note that it will broadcast Nov. 14th but if you miss it you can click here or copy/paste link below. The name of the Nov. 14th show is "Freedom to Learn".
http://issuesineducation.org/programs.asp
Please feel free to pass this info on to others whom you think may be blessed by it.
God's richest Blessings!
Soli Deo Gloria!
David and Kim
Are you in a homeschool co-op? I joined one last year so my son, a high school junior, could take a Physics class; we enjoyed the experience and signed up again this year. There are quite a few co-ops in our area and they appear to be a growing trend among homeschoolers around the nation.
When my children were younger, co-ops did not appeal to me because I felt the time was better spent learning at home and every day out seemed to take us a day to recover. But as the children have grown, that doesn't seem to be an issue.As home schooling continues to grow, parents expect to see even more co-ops and organizations formed. Home-schooling parents tend to be creative and motivated: If they feel a need for another organization, most likely they'll create it.
Some parents are afraid that the explosion of co-ops, clubs and activities for home-schooled children can take away from what home schooling is supposed to be about: learning in the home.
“Because there is so much more that you can do with your children outside of the home, a lot of parents do too much,” said Trish Bober. “They are outside every day taking classes. The home part of home schooling is not as important now as it was earlier.”
This year, I've incorporated what I teach at home into a few classes at the co-op so I don't feel like I'm missing out on the home part of homeschooling. In fact, we've found that having the class one day a week motivates us and keeps us on track at home. We attend a full co-op on Monday and a few fun enrichment classes on Friday morning. All in all, it's been a very positive experience.
But I do sometimes wonder what the co-op trend means for the future of homeschooling. Will the government jump in and require those that teach other families to be credentialed; or God forbid, will the teachers union step in and demand that mothers be unionized. A few years ago, I would have laughed at that thought. But that is exactly was is a occurring with in-home health care workers in Illinois and mothers who do in-home daycare in Michigan. Right now this seems to be happening only with those workers who receive state aid, something our co-op does not do. But some co-ops may have members who do receive some sort of state assistance for their children and that's where things could start to get muddy.
There was an attempt in Texas to force a homeschool group to comply with state day care regulations. Thankfully, it was quickly settled when it was shown that the group was not operating as a day care. But that may not keep other states from trying to regulate homeschool co-ops.
Our co-op operates as a ministry of a local church; so we may have some protection against government intervention. I'm not looking for trouble where there isn't any, but the way things are going, I don't think any ground is sacred anymore.
-Spunky
Cross-posted, with permission, from SpunkyHomeSchool
Okay, I went with the fork instead of the knife in this stories headline, in part because everyone else is talking about the knife and because school officials aren't concerned about anyone having their eyes stabbed out with a fork. A 6-year old boy has been expelled from school for bringing a camping eating tool to school. Why? It has a knife and the school has a zero-tolerance policy for knives.
I can understand their concern, but this is outrageous. A young boy wants to try out his three fold eating utensil so he brings it to school to use at lunch, and the school board president defends their position by talking about how parents don't want to find out their child had his eyes poked out. Hello, a fork from the cafeteria could do the same thing. Perhaps they should go to a finger foods only policy. We won't even talk about the dangers of writing utensils.
The boy is now being homeschooled. Hopefully his parents will continue to do so, especially seeing how serious their son takes his education--he sometimes wears a suit and tie to school. Imagine what he could do if he could explore everything he wanted to--like how to make a better camping eating tool. Those things are a pain!
Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB
Today we wrap up this short 4 part series on how parents need to first begin in our own homes when it comes to making disciples of all nations. Again we notice that our Lord's strategy for reaching the lost is very clear and direct: before we go out to the ends of the earth, we are first to "begin in Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47 & Acts 1:8). Let's turn to God's Word and catch this last very important point on what we as families should be doing and that is Family Worship.
And he [Jesus] led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (Luke 24:50-53)
What we see here is simply the disciples worshipping their Lord and Savior at the scene of His ascension, and then they go back to Jerusalem where the worshipping continues. They keep praising and blessing God in the temple. Are you as a family continually praising and blessing God? Our children need to see that part of our lives. Our children need to see that we as parents have an authentic relationship with a real God. We need to model to them on a regular basis what it means to praise and bless God. This is part of our discipling them. Remember that we are not only supposed to tell them about who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He requires, but we should be modeling it also. The disciples asked Jesus to actually teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1) and our kids need to witness first hand how we worship our King and pray--not just on Sundays and before meals, but continually.
Parents we need to bring back family worship in our homes which was something that was commonplace in Christian homes for centuries. What is family worship? It is simply worshipping as a family, where the father, if possible, leads the worship time and the family participates by singing, reading, asking or answering questions.
Let me give you a glimpse into our family worship which we have been doing for several years. We choose a song for the month and start off our worship singing together, then whatever book of the Bible we are reading through that month, my wife and I read out loud and delegate verses to our older children to read out loud, too. We will stop at times during the reading as the Lord impresses upon our hearts to discuss a further a section of Scripture. Most often my children will have questions that come to their minds during the reading of God's Word. There have been times when we discuss for about an hour a certain story, lesson, or teaching in the Bible. Those are really wonderful times. To keep the younger children's interest and to flesh out the story a little more, sometimes I will have them act out a certain story in the Bible (great to do with Jesus' parables). After reading and teaching of Scripture, we pray, recite our Bible memory verse for the month that we are working on then close in song. We have chosen as our final closing song the old doxology, "Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow." Normally our family worship lasts between 10-20 minutes and we aim for the mornings, but if our schedules don't allow we will do it in the evening. Again I cannot stress enough that this family worship needs to be led by fathers where possible.
I would highly recommend a little book written in the mid-90's (20 pages long) called "Family Worship" by Jerry Marcellino. However you decide to do family worship in your home, remember the words from the saints that have gone before us, "Let family worship be short, savory, simple, plain, tender, heavenly."- Richard Cecil (1748-1810)
I cannot emphasize enough what an incredible blessing this has been to our family over the years. We have had some real tender moments during worship time. Some of the questions that the younger kids ask during this time surely show that they are paying attention, and that our Lord is working on their hearts and minds through His Word (Hebrews 4:12).
Parents, we need to turn our hearts towards our children (Malachi 4:6). Turn your own houses into "temples" that are places of worship, praise, and blessing to the Lord. I would say that few things will have as much impact on a child than to see their own parents worship the Lord on a regular basis.
The saints that went before us understood the importance of parents modeling the Christian walk to their children. The great 19th century preacher C.H. Spurgeon wrote, "Children do not take to religion as ducks to water; they must be led and trained with earnest care. Are you sighing after Christ for yourself and your children? Are you content without Christ? Then you are not likely to care about your children. Do you already possess a home in Jesus? Rest not till all yours are housed in the same place."
Parents let's begin in Jerusalem. Homeschooling is so much more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. Our families are our first God-given mission fields. Let us work our mission fields for God's glory while using our Lord's methods, which include blessings, singing praises, worshipping, and yes, beginning in our own families first.
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)
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—David d'Escoto is a teaching elder, the co-author of "The Little Book of Big Reasons to Homeschool" and its companion Bible study, he also co-hosted the former radio program "Homeschooling for Life." He and his wife, Kim, have homeschooled their five children for over 10 years. Visit their website to sign-up for their free webinars and newsletters at http://dexios.info.
We are starting to get a glimpse of what is in store for America's school children should they choose public schools under Obama - end summer break and spend more time in school learning to serve the state.
"Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas," the president said earlier this year. "Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom."The president, who has a sixth-grader and a third-grader, wants schools to add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go."
What this really means: Parents you're potentially dangerous; therefore, only the government can keep your kids truly safe. Longer school days and years also increases the the demand for teachers and the hours of indoctrination so children can learn more praise songs to "The One" and how they can serve the needs of the state and has nothing to do with keeping kids safe.
Which brings up the next change under Obama, National Service-Learning:
A teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.This is compulsory voluntary service to promote liberal causes and social justice such as voter mobilization with Operation Rainbow/Push. (I wonder if they'd count voter mobilization toward Sarah Palin as service-learning too?)
The national service-learning campaign kick-off is scheduled for October 5.
I'm all for volunteering when it comes from the heart not a requirement for school. The challenges of a new century may require Obama's daughters to spend more time in the classroom but Obama's choices as the father should not become our mandates as a nation.
-Spunky
Reposted, with permission, from spunkyhomeschool.
Have you heard that ObamaCare has plans to put Planned Parenthood clinics inside public schools? You can read the actual language of this plan from part of the report School Based Health Clinics.
Very often the TOS staff gets emails about reports like these and we pass them around to other staff members sharing our thoughts and concerns. For this particular topic, Pat Marcum, TOS Contributing Writer, weighed in.
"The idea of government placing abortion clinics in public schools is purely evil and is another attempt by them to say they are the ones who can decide what is best for the children not parents. Almost as bad is the idea that this can be rectified by simply saying “It’s time for America’s families to rise up and say “No” to ObamaCare.” Back when government first began favoring abortion by providing funds to Planned Parenthood it was difficult to find an effective and practical way to stop it. Many citizens opposed to abortion thought the most effectual means might be to stop paying their taxes, but for understandable and justifiable reasons that didn’t happen. However, Christians now have a significant opportunity to stop Planned Parenthood from increasing their business by simply taking a stand based on God’s Word, declaring abortion as a terrible sin, and refusing to participate by removing their children permanently from the government school. Perhaps that won’t entirely stop Planned Parenthood, but God’s people should in no way be involved with supporting such an evil agenda, which is also in God’s word (Colossians 2:8 and 2nd Corinthians 6:14). Those Christians who do not take a godly stand are, in fact, confirming that the government not parents knows what is best for their children."
What stand will you take?
Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB
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No wonder students can't write well--their teachers need basic grammar training. I'm not talking just about dangling participles, but about full stops (periods), question marks, and verbs. There's even a manual that teaches the teacher how to use them, and it is a completely demeaning publication. They may as well have Barney the purple dinosaur teach the class, because it's that sickening.
So why do teachers need such preschool-style material? Personally, I don't think they need to be treated like they're five, but according to one professional, thousands of teachers in training fail the basic tests they have to take in order to become teachers. Some of those trainees needed to take the test at least twice.
This goes to show that not even the high school language arts classes are doing the job, probably because they have teachers who don't even know what a full stop is. Do you see where I'm going with this? The vicious circle is created by educators who believe that it's damaging to a child's psyche to correct his grammar instead of his creativity. In order to teach someone how to write well you have to teach him everything about writing, not just how to put a neat idea on paper.
Parents, teach your children at home. The teacher's manuals won't treat you like you're an idiot, and you can encourage your child's creativity along with teaching him grammar.
Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB