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Dec. 14, 2005
Walk the Bible
Check out a public
television broadcast coming this January. Maybe we will even pull
out the bunny ears!
Walking the Bible
tpt2 Wednesdays, January 4, 11 & 18 at 7PM
tpt2 Sundays, January 8, 15 & 22 at 6PM
Part adventure, part archaeological detective work and part spiritual
exploration, this three-part series follows storyteller Bruce Feiler on
his inspiring 10,000-mile odyssey as he searches for traces of the
great biblical heroes. Feiler travels by foot, four-wheel, camel and
boat to re-create the journey he recounts in his best-seller, Walking
the Bible. The series wanders through 10 countries on three continents,
including volatile areas of the Middle East. Accompanying Feiler is
Avner Green, one of the world's leading biblical archaeologists.
Also showing in December
Minnesota: A History of the Land
tpt2 Wednesdays, December 28 and January 4 at 8PM
This four-part documentary series vividly brings to life the epic story
of Minnesota landscapes and people. From the retreat of the last ice
sheets to the growth of today's suburbs - the series seeks to entertain
as it enriches our understanding of Minnesota's past, present and
future. Produced by the University of Minnesota's College of Natural
Resources and Twin Cities Public Television, the series features
visually stunning images from across the state and an original
soundtrack by award-winning composer, Peter Ostroushko.
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Dec. 14, 2005
Narnia Followup Activities
After the movie the kids and I did several
activities. We printed out paper dolls they colored, a wardrobe
with lampost and map of Narnia. They printed out family trees
with the shield and sons and daughters of their family. Rhiannon
and I had a Q and A about the movie, based off some of the materials
found in the Narnia Resources - here it is:
How did you feel about each person as you first met them?
I thought Susan was thinking she was always right
Peter was a little bossy
Edmund was a lying boy
Lucy was a pretty truthful girl.
I thought the professor was pretty old.
How would you feel if you walked into a magical wardrobe?
Pretty shocked. After I saw what it was like I might try
it. At first I would have wanted to be like Susan and go home.
How would you feel if it was always winter? Pretty stressed.
Why? Because
I would never have my birthday. Only daddy would have a birthday.
What difference would it make to you if there was no Christmas?
I would be so angry I don't know how to express it. I would rather move away.
Why do you think the professor belived Lucy's story?
Because he had been in Narnia before.
Why do you think Edmund lies about being to Narnia?
Because he is liar and he wants to protect the witch's secret.
Do you think Mr Tumnus is good or bad?
Pretty much good, but some bad because he tried to betray Lucy but then
he helped her get away.
What would you tell Mr. Tumnus to do?
I would tell him to do what he thought was right? If you take
Lucy to the White Witch you will not hurt but she will - if you dont
you will get hurt but she won't.
If Lucy is your friend would you be nice to her
If you were Edmund would you take the candy?
If I had been there before I'd heard the queen and known it was
enchanted. No because I know that I don't know this adult and I
don't know if this is poisonous candy or something. They might be
trying to harm me or something.
Why isn't Edmund punished?
Because Aslan forgave him and stood in Edmund's place
Does that seem fair to you?
Yes and no. It wasnt fair because he did it and should be
punished and the good thing was Aslan died for him so Edmund did not
have to die and could be one of the kings.
Why was Edmund so tempted by Tuirkish Delight?
Because it was his favorite thing.
What type of things are kids are tempted by today?
Above all - Satan gives them things that tempt them.
Like what?
Like he tells them to steal a cookie.
What temptation do you struggle the most with?
Candy.
What's the difference between temptation and actually doing something wrong?
If you are tempted you just really really want to do something.
When you are actually doing it - its different because you can't turn
back.
What can you do when you are struggling with temptation?
Call on God. Ask Him to help me.
What is the most courageous part in the story?
When Peter fought the White Witch
What was your favorite part?
When Aslan came back to life.
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Dec. 14, 2005
Chronicles of Narnia Review
We just returned from seeing Narnia
today. I organized a private showing for our group at a local
theater. It was fun we had around 60 people from our homechool
group, quite a few fathers were able to take off work and join us as
well. It was nice to just have our group in the theater. On
to the movie.
This is the main reason I really loved this film. During the car
ride home I discussed the film with the kids. Rhiannon said Mom I
realized something about Jesus and Aslan. They both came back to
life from the dead. They both died for someone elses
mistakes. They both choose to die to save the other person.
Then we had a great conversation about the basics of
Christianity. Both my 4 and 6 year old really saw this message in
a real way through this film. Of course both of them know the
story of Christ's death quite well but still they found it there
themselves, atleast Rhia did and Ciaran understood and could articulate
the point back to us. We talked about the stone table cracking
and the veil breaking. We talked about Christ and us and how it
was a similar story. It was a very meaningful conversation.
If the movie encourages that kind of discussion then it is a great
movie in my book. Still on its own merits I thought it was a
great movie. Disney really managed to create Narnia. Just
as I felt a part of Middle Earth in LOTR I felt a part of Narnia.
The charachters were believable, Aslan was majestic and the movie
captured the spirit of the book and stayed pretty close to the book
overall. The boy who played Edmund was fantastic and demonstrated
the conflict very well, Tumnus and Lucy were also favorites of mine.
Having read these books many times I was pretty set to be disappointed
or left unhappy - I was not, I really was pleased. The movie is
good even for those who have not read the books as a child adventure
film. The pacing is good, the storyline easy to follow and the
adventure is there but never goes over the top.
Personally I feel it is an intense film and would not feel comfortable
recommending it to kids under say the 8-10 range unless their parents
saw it first. Serona disagrees and thinks it is fine for younger
children. I say make a case by case judgement on your own
child. The scene where Aslan is taunted and killed is very
intense. The creatures are mythical and dark in nature and
personally I think nightmare material for sensitive children.
Still we did take our very young children and they were fine.
They loved the movie.
Our decision was based on how much a part Narnia is to our
family. We have read the series aloud several times to the kids,
they have seen The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe several times as a
play, Serona has portrayed Aslan and they have watched the White Witch
"kill" Aslan (their Dad)- therefore we felt they were prepared enough
for this and they were but I would hesitate to recommend it for real
young children. Some of the creatures are a small step from LOTR
IMHO.
This is a keeper, a good film. One we will own and one we hope
they will make sequels too. It treats children with respect but
does not cross over to make them superior to the adults around
them. It is an excellent child fantasy and adventure film.
Our whole family enjoyed it.
Peace,
Tenn
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Dec. 13, 2005
Homeschool Blog Awards
It's official. Voting for the Homeschool Blog Awards has
begun. There are many great blogs to visit. Plan to lose a
few evenings reading, being inspired and learning from some of the best
homeschool bloggers around.
Thank you faithful readers for nominating us in several of the
categories as well. If you like what you read here you can vote
for us as best blog in any or all of the following categories:
Best Homeschool Family Blog, Best Homeschool Blog
Template Design, Best Homeschool Curriculum/Business Blog, and Best
Homeschooling Mom Blog! Serona's blog Cyber Ecology is also nominated
in the Best Current Events Homeschool Blog
Rules - you can only vote once, you can only vote for one blog in each
category (though you can vote for the same blog in different
categories) and you need to give a valid email or url. Voting is
open now and ends December 26, 2005.
Cast Your Vote Here for the Homeschool Blog
Awards
Peace,
Tenn
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Dec. 13, 2005
Gingerbread, Glue and Narnia
Confession of a homeschooling mom - I
hate glue! I hate all projects related to glue. Therefore
arts and crafts is not my favorite time. I have small
children, I have artistic children, we have lots of glue.
Lots of glue yields unhappy moments for mommy. Wiping glue off
kitchen table for 13th time. Statements like "No you may not glue
the board game to the stool" and "Keep the glue away from the dog" and
"Your sisters hair does not look better with more glue added" have
actually come out of my mouth. Finding little pieces of paper
glued places they should not be and that perpetual sticky feeling on my
hands no matter how often I watch them for there is more glue waiting
to be cleaned up. I'm a great homeschooling mom, right?
Well I do let them get the glue out. I try in vain to regulate it
which turns into supervision which ultimately leads way to the two year
old gluing her own pieces to the project because as she says "I do it
myself". Remember the days when you had one two year old and you
never even thought of buying a stick of glue or pair of scissors but
now you simply try to have more rules about when the two year old can
touch them?
Ah but she will perhaps be more artistic or atleast better skilled at removing glue from her own hair and clothing.
Why all the discussion of glue? Because tonight we made a
gingerbread house. No not the real kind - the thought of tears
over crumbled and broken gingerbread was too much to bear, even glue
was more appealing. Besides grandma sent a foam gingerbread house
kit in the mail today and it was about 25 seconds before it was opened
and being assembled on my couch. I gave in and we moved to a
semisafe location of the kitchen table. We put placemats down but
honestly why bother when it is inevitable they will find the one spot
uncovered on the table and that is where they will glue and stick
things to!
The house came out nicely actually.
The kids had a blast and my glue disasters were held to a
minimum. Because of the raging success tommorrow holds a foam
nativity scene in our future as well. Somewhere between seeing
the Chronicles of Narnia (yay!) and watching the Polar Express (they
got that DVD today too - thanks grandpa and grandma).
I
think I should just give up on school for the month of December.
The entire month of December is tough for anyones concentration.
We have packages to mail, presents to make, cards to write, and kids
who are very excited. We still have field trips, AWANA, and other
activities. The snow makes the kids just want to be outside in
the cold so they can come inside for more hot chocolate. Of
course I will keep trying to find those teachable moments and throw
things in now and then when they are unsuspecting. Besides
tommorrow gives me a nice segway into many Narnia lessons.
Maybe we
will do some activities from this Gingerbread Man Lesson Plan, Gingerbread Activites my favorite print out
this great masks and act out the gingerbread man.
I think the notebooks and workbooks are away for the duration of the
month and we will just have fun and play around with our lessons.
That's the way they like it best and truthfully they tend to remember
more anyway.
Peace,
Tenn
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Dec. 13, 2005
Homeschool Coop Showcase
Over the years we have been members of
several homeschool support groups and coops. The one we are a
part of this year is far and above our best group. It is like
finally coming home to an extended family with similar goals and values
and a LOT of kids.
We have approximately 70 families
and too many kids to count. It seems that many of the families
have 3 or 4 kids so you can do the math. At first I was
intimidated by this number but we have developed some closer
friendships and still enjoy the entire group.
I jumped
right in, having joined just last May - I volunteered to help
coordinate and establish a field trip committee for this group.
Along with 5 other women we have just planned around 15 field trips a
month for the months of Jan-May. I am excited for this.
More details to come as we attend the trips.
The most
exciting part for our family has been joining the Coop portion of this
group (which is both a support group and a cooperative). The
group is very well organized and established even though the coop part
is only in its third year. I want to share a bit about the
cooperative. For those of you interested in starting one this
format is an excellent one for a larger group.
The group is
divided into four main age groups. Birth-2 in the nursery, 3-4
year olds in a class, 5-1st grade in another class, 2-4th grade in one
group, 5-8th grade in another group. The older two groups divide
up into smaller classes and choose from different elective
classes. We have a three hour day, with three sessions.
Each parent teaches or assists in two hours and has one hour off to
visit with and support other moms. Some dads also teach or assist
in the coop in a variety of ways.
We recently ended our
first semester with this group. We had one child in each of the
first three age groups and none in the older two. Our kids
classes were set in format. First hour they had a literature
based book loosely following a Five in a Row format. With age
appropriate lessons and activities. Second hour they had music,
arts and crafts and a snack. Third hour they had a PE type
class. My kids really enjoyed their classes and started to
develop relationships through them.
Rhiannon's highlights from
her class as she dictates to me - Reading about Robert Frost and the
Snowy Woods, playing at gym class, snack time, making new friends,
making a sculpture of London, singing Sunbeam, making my Thanksgiving
centerpiece, and reading Cranberry Thanksgiving. I had fun at
everything.
Ciaran's highlights from his class as he
recalls them - My favorite book was about Jesus and the Candy Canes, my
favorite craft was making blueberry buckets, making a manger with
graham crackers and marshmallows, and marching around Jericho to
make the walls come down.
To highlight some of the
other classes offered at the end of the semester the coop offers a
showcase where each class stands up and demonstrates or discusses some
of the things they learned. This is very fun as we see all the
coop offered and accomplished in a few short months. Rhiannon
especially enjoyed seeing all the classes offered and can not wait to
be able to choose her own electives and try out some of the different
classes.
This past semester the coop offered a wise
variety of classes including drama, knitting, purse making, science
experiments, chemistry, math games, fleece projects, literature class
on Betsy Tacy, Backyard Ballistics (building different kinds of
projectile items), and Contenders for the Faith (a boys practical life
skill and spiritual discipline class - excellent). There were
others I am forgetting but you certainly get the idea.
At the showcase each class came up and demonstrated what they made
(knitting, fleece, purse making, Backyard Ballistics, etc), what they
learned (Contenders, math, science experiments, Betsy Tacy, etc).
Rhiannon's favorites were the drama classes (which gave dramatic
presentations and did a dance) and the Chemistry one which played a
game with a circuit they built and had the audience match elements to
their symbols. Ciaran's favorite was backyard ballistics,
especially when they shot marshmallows into the audience with a
projectile they made. There were also PE classes for the older
kids and a class called Snack Servants - where the students made and
served all the kids in the coop (over 100) snacks for the day.
It was amazing to see how well this worked and all that the kids and
teachers were able to accomplish. More than what they learned
though is the community that they are building. Sitting at the
showcase I saw a group of about 9 boys in the preteen age (I am
guessing 12-13 range) who are clearly a community of friends after
three years in the same classes. Even my kids after just a few
sessions have developed friends and sat with them in the general
assemblies.
One memory from our coop that is burned
into my mind is Rhiannon going to coop the week she realized she had to
have her tonsils out. She was very nervous and uncomfortable
about it. She went up to a few of the moms she knows there and
explained what was going to happen and asked if they would please be
praying for her. She felt comfortable enough with
these women to ask that and with the children in the group as
well. That is building community, that is an excellent coop.
I am so thankful that we were led to this group and have been accepted with open arms here.
Peace,
Tenn
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Dec. 13, 2005
December Reading List
Ten Little Ladybugs - Gerth, Melanie
Today I feel Silly - Curtis, Jamie Lee
What if Zebras Lost Their Stripes - Reitano, John
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon - Lovell, Patty
Welcome Comfort (a Christmas story) - Polacco, Patricia
Enormous Turnip, The - Tolstoy, Alexei
Motorbikes - Oxlade, Chris
Where the Wild Things Are - Sendak, Maurice
Ship of Dreams - Morrissey, Dean
Madagascar It's a Zoo in Here - Steele, Michael
Stellaluna - Cannon Janell
Looking for Atlantis - Thompson, Colin
Library, The - Stewart, Sarah
Pocket full of Kisses - Penn, Audrey
It Looked Like Spilt Milk - Shaw, Charles
Muncha!Muncha! Muncha! - Fleming, Candace
One Morning in Maine - McCloskey, Robert
Snowy Day, The - Keats, Ezra
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No good, Very Bad day - Viorst, Judith
It's Spring - Berger, Samantha
Anansi the Spider - McDermott, Gerald
Magic School Bus at the Water works - Cole, Joanna
Monkeys, Apes and Other Primates - Lucas, Andres
Skywalker Family Albulm, The - Alfonsi, Alice
Year at Maple Hill Farm, The - Provensen, Alice and Martin
Duck for President - Cronin, Doreen
Tails - Fleet, Martin Van
Story of Jonah - Wickenden, Nadine
Korean Cinderella, The - Climo, Shirley
Giggle, Giggle, Quack - Cronin, Doreen
On Morning Wings - Lindbergh, Reeve
Cat in the Hat Comes Back - Dr Suess
Go Dog Go - Eastman, PD
Seven Days of Creation, The Sticker Book - Dayspring Cards
Ten Little Monkeys - Dalby, Danny
Rhainnon Reads
Kirsten Story Collection (all six books) - Shaw, Janet
Meet Kit - Trip, Valerie
Changes for Kit - Trip, Valerie
Hundred Dress, The - Estes, Eleanor
Anne of Green Gables - Montgomery, LM (in progress as Read Aloud with mom)
Pollyana - Porter, Eleanor (in progress as main read)
Stopping By woods on a Snowy Evening - Frost, Robert
Last updated - December 9, 2005
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Dec. 7, 2005
Just For Fun
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Dec. 7, 2005
Ciaran's Toilet Paper Game
Today Ciaran was feeling creative and I was
feeling patient. It turned into a good combination but I must
admit a twinge of panic arose as I watched my 4 year old son carry 12
full rolls of toilet paper into his bedroom.
I took a deep breath and let it go on. He came to find me and ask
me to play a game with him. I said after he cleaned his room and
he said that it was part of the game so I agreed. Here is what I
walked into. Are you ready, do you feel my sense of panic and
preemptive pain?....
It's not as bad as either you or I feared, it was creative and fun and
he came up with it all by himself. I found all twelve rolls of
toilet paper stacked on top of one another on his top bunk (which has
plywood not a mattress) He told me I needed to pick one.
Seeing the confusion on my face he told me some of them had something
hidden inside and we needed to see who got the most. I choose one
and stuffed inside the toilet paper roll (in the part you put on the
roller) was a plastic frog (are you really surprised?) I smiled
and realized where this was going. I was so proud of him to think
of it and create his own game with what was around him.
We took turns choosing roles to see what we would find. He hid 6
frogs in the dozen rolls. He impressed me yet again when I chose
one that did not have a frog in it. He peeked in the top (when he
thought I was not looking) and I was sure he was going to find one with
a frog. Instead he really surprised me. He chose the top
one which he knew to be empty. He looked at me and smiled and
said - I just wanted it to be even to help you out a little.
We tied in case you are wondering. But it was great fun, simple
and creative and straight out of the mind of my precious 4 year old
son. It was a shining moment in an otherwise challening indoor
day in MN with temps to cold to send him outside. It was a
blessing.
Peace
Tenn
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Dec. 7, 2005
Science Experiment on Oil
Today after learning about plants and seeds we did a simple science experiment to see which fruits or seeds contain oil.
We began with a brown paper bag. We drew several circles on
them. In each circle we placed small broken pieces of each of the
following: apples, orange peel, olives, sunflower seeds and
walnuts. We also placed several drops of water in one circle and
several drops of oil in another. We labelled each spot.
Then Rhiannon made a hypothesis about which would contain oil. We wrote it here:
Rhiannon's hypothesis
Which will contain oil
olives
sunflower seeds
oranges
Which will not contain oil
walnuts
apples
Then we ground each item into its circle. Careful to completly
wash and dry our fingers between each item to not influence the
items. Rhiannon made some observations as we did it.
Finally we threw out the items and let the items dry. The results
of our experiment were as follows:
Experiment Results
Those that contain oil
Walnut
olives
sunflower
Those that do not contain oil
oranges
apples
Observations according to Rhiannon.
"You could tell which ones had oil when you held it up to the light and
the ones with oil in them made a patch you could see through, a white
patch on the cardboard. The items with oil also left a stain on the
paper where the water dried up"
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Dec. 6, 2005
Why I Prefer the Cold
As I type this the temperature hovers
around 6 degrees with the windchill dropping it into the negatives,
snow falls lightly. It was even colder this morning. Still
I will admit it I prefer the cold to the hot. I feel I can make
an honest judgment as I have experienced both in their extremes.
An interesting thing about Minnesota is that the weather people
typically say whether the temp is positive or negative, because it is
not rare. I have experienced negatives in the double digits
before the windchill, you don't even want to know how cold that feels
with the windchill.
On the other hand I have lived in the heat as well. Having lived
in southern Georgia where the temps stay in the upper 90's from
May-late September. Where the temps rise into the 100's and the
humidity is so thick it feels like you can not breathe. Where a friend
visiting from Benin Africa made this comment "This is Africa hot"
So why do I prefer the bone chilling, hair nose freezing cold to the
hottest days of summer? Because no matter how cold it gets you
can always add more layers. The opposite can not be said for no
matter how hot it gets. My heating bills are still lower than the
air conditioning bill which is not a luxury but a necessity in heat
like that. And I can easily create warm moments in a cold climate
but never really mastered creating cool moments in a hot climate.
I've taken up knitting and crocheting - my mother taught me and between
her gifts and the talents of my hands one is never far from a blanket
or sweater in our home. I like snuggling up under blankets and
reading to my kids. I like that they play in the snow (which
never melts because it is too darn cold) and then we have hot tea and
cocoa. I prefer this to the stickiness of the heat - who wants to
snuggle close and read in that kind of weather?
Even going outside - I can dress warm and manage from place to place
here. We wear layers, buy good clothes and move fast (the cold
motivates you to move quickly to your next stop). When I went
outside in Georgia I still needed to be clothed and even if I could
have gone in just my bathing suit I know I would never have been able
to get cool in that heat.
So on days like this when I can feel the chill even inside my nice warm
house I am thankful. I am thankful I live in the cold. I am
thankful for my heater. I am thankful for my home and for the
craft of my hands and of the women of generations before me. I am
thankful for the warm moments that you can easily create even in the
coldest of climates and moments.
Peace,
Tenn
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Dec. 6, 2005
Rhiannon's Fairytale
Here is a fairytale as Rhiannon wrote it
today as she recited it I typed it. Grammar was not a
consideration - I was doing my best to keep up with her as she spoke.
Rhiannons Fairytale
Once upon a time there was a young man who wished he were king of the
30 continents. He fought for cities and begged them to let him be
their king. Finally one of the cities let him be their
king. Because their kings before had not treated them good.
He ruled them well. But people in other cities around that city
got jealous. People came and asked him to be their king
too. So the young mans name turned from Chel to The King of the
30 continents.
And soon all 30 continents were turned into his empire. They
asked him to conquer cities and make them rich. But he did
not. He made friends with other cities and let their kings stay
in charge of the cities. But he asked them to be part of his
empire. They all gladly accepted the invitation. They made
friends but people in the south continent surrounding the empire did
not like that they were getting so rich and powerful they said lets
attack the city. But the wise people in the city said no lets
make friends with the city. That is what they did.
After the kings death his sons ruled wisely as well. His empire
grew and after awhile people started coming from cities afar to live in
their city even though they didnt have a king once in awhile they
still obeyed the laws their great king had given them. Another
young man came to the throne he saw that the people obeyed the laws so
he obeyed them to. They survived many attacks and saved many
cities and made friends with many cities as well. His empire
lasted for a long time.
One day an evil god from the clouds said I do not like the way people
obey one Kings laws. I shall send down a wild beast to destroy
their city. A wild lion that was half man and half god was sent
down from the clouds and destroyed parts of that empire. Brave
people stuck together and destroyed that wild beast and rebuilt the
parts of the empire it had destroyed. Once again it was a
powerful city.
People started turning against the people who had fought. Many
people came and gave them gifts thanking them for destroying the wild
beast that had destroyed their homes. So they started turning
against the king. King Abush said Lets make peace so they
divided the gifts people brought them between the 30 continents.
They were happy again. Their city reigned for a long time.
The End
P.S. People all over the world I hope will like this fairytale. Rhiannon
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Dec. 5, 2005
What's Under Your Christmas Tree?
I will tell you what was under mine
today. A two year old hiding with a guilty pleasure smile on her
face. As I approached I discovered why my dear Sirah was hiding
under the tree. Along with her was a big tin of hot chocolate
with marshmallow mix. Which was being properly shoveled into her mouth
as fast as her little fist would allow her too.
I stifled a laugh mixed with an exasperated sigh. Let the dogs
inside from the pleasant weather of 3 degrees and watched as they
happily licked the remains of it off the carpet. I figure there
is not much real chocolate in there anyway. Atleast I did not
need to vacuum!
Peace,
Tenn
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Dec. 5, 2005
Kudos Homeschooler Michael Viscardi
"A 16-year-old, homeschooled California boy
won a premier high school science competition today for his innovative
approach to an old math problem that could help in the design of
airplane wings.
Michael Viscardi, a senior from San Diego, won a $100,000 college
scholarship, the top individual prize in the Siemens Westinghouse
Competition in Math, Science and Technology."
Read the whole article here.
Peace,
Tenn
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Dec. 5, 2005
What Makes a Homeschooler Symposium
Last week I put out the question "What
makes a homeschooler a homeschooler?" and sought out the wisdom of home
educating bloggers. The answers that have been put together here
are worth your complete attention and a full reading. Personally,
I think they do an excellent job outlining many of the major issues and
concerns in defining homeschooling.
I must admit I was surprised in the commonality of the answers. I
was prepared for more diversity and perhaps heated discussion.
All who gave me a final submission are included here. There were
others who expressed interest but did not offer a submission.
Many due to the holiday season. Here are the submissions for your
enjoyment.
Ron and Andrea at Atypical Homeschool outline the three
characteristics of a homeschooler:
"The first characteristic we identify with homeschooling is that it is
an education which is created or developed in the home...The second
characteristic we identify with homeschooling is educational
independence...The third characteristic we identify with homeschooling
is the individualization of education..." Read the entirety of
their post.
The following interview in Home Education Magazine illustrates the
importance of keeping strong distinctions between homeschooling and
home-based public charter schools:
"Sometimes when these discussions happen about home-based public school
programs it can be easy to think that the discussion is about the
"right" way to homeschool. That is a common misperception and
misunderstanding especially for those parents who have recently
enrolled their children in a home-based charter school program. The
discussions can sadly, throw them for a loop. Asking for clarity in
language when there are discussions or articles about these educational
options, isn't an attempt to be exclusive or judgmental to any parent
for their choice. Again it is the issue of attempting to prevent
homeschooling from being viewed as any form of "public schooling". We
do not want homeschoolers to be viewed as "public schoolers at home" by
the media, the legislatures, the general public or the homeschool
community."
Tim who often writes over at Home Education & Other Stuff sent this
submission via email:
"Parents who use home-based but state-funded educational options are
often shocked and hurt when those who educate their children wholly
outside the system tell them they aren't "homeschoolers". "But we're
teaching our children at home!" they say, followed quickly by
accusations of hypocrisy and elitism.
I'd like to assure these folks that no one is questioning their choices
or their approach -- just their terminology, and it's not because we're
snobs. There is a huge battle brewing over the future of educational
freedom, and hybrid programs such as cyber-charters and part-time
enrollment are perhaps the best weapon the other side has come up with.
I've always recognized that home education -- representing as it does
the most sustained assault in decades on the government's primary tool
of social control -- is inherently political. Every family who thinks
little Johnny and Jill would simply learn better at home is really
taking part in a revolution that fundamentally questions both the
competence and the right of the state to determine what and how our
children learn.
Education officials and lawmakers see this, but have become generally
powerless to stop it -- our numbers are now such that outright attempts
to regulate are routinely crushed in committee or are never even raised
for fear of an onslaught. So they've had to get sneaky and create
something that blends the best physical and emotional characteristics
of homeschooling with the financial, curricular, and legal control of
public education.
And it's working -- states that offer charters, part-time enrollment,
and "independent study programs" are seeing a leveling off of the
number of statutory home educators. That's phase one. Phase two is to
continue to build a hybrid constituency while waiting out the current
generation of "freedom or death" home educators who make their lives so
difficult. Once the numbers are in their favor, phase three kicks in --
changing the laws to herd the much-weakend FODers into the public
system.
Reflexive insistence that "school at home=homeschooling" no matter what
is clear evidence that the plan is working. Parents who take this line
are unwittingly undermining the educational and parental freedom of a
bunch of ornery people who have been fighting battles for 25 years and
have no intention of losing now. And let me point out that we FODers
aren't singling out such parents -- every time a reporter or a local
official equates hybrid schooling with homeschooling, they face the
same blast.
On a more positive note, charters and other kinds of hybrids could end
up being a concurrent revolution -- just about anything that removes
children from industrial schooling, even part-time, is a step forward
in my book, and one I'm happy to help support -- but first their users
and proponents have to recognize their category error and adjust their
rhetoric accordingly."
Annette offers a powerful listing of information and quotes
that look at the importance of funding, accountability and strings in
control of education at AHA Focus on Charter Schools
"The freedom, autonomy and independence that are distinctives of
private education become trade-offs for financial gain. There is a
direct correlation between bureaucratic government and the decrease of
personal liberty. Private education is coming under a legislative
microscope in this country, because it takes a microscope to see the
lines that are successfully being blurred.
Snips and quotes regarding the relationship between public funds,
public accountability and strings... Be sure to read through the entire
post and this one as well.
Annette pulls this quotes together to show how it applies to
homeschooling more directly here:
"It is not a theory that public funds come with strings, it is a fact.
There is a relationship between funding and greater accountability and
control. Moreover, there are indications when a portion of a given
sector (i.e., private schools) accepts public funding, all of that
particular sector in a state is at risk of coming under the
"legislative microscope". If homeschoolers are perceived as accepting
public funds to homeschool, then all the h hmeschoolers in that state
risk coming under the legislative microscope. It is happening, and it
is an example of a negative impact to homeschooling. The solution I
present is to delineate between home-based public school programs and
the principles found in homeschooling."
Kim from Life in a Shoe offers her Ultimate Goals in
Homeschooling:
Why do you homeschool? What if homeschooling did not produce the
benefits listed? Would you still homeschool? In our household, our
ultimate goal in homeschooling is to produce children who will serve
and glorify God. Plain and simple. This is, after all, man's chief
end." Read her descriptions of how that influences
her homeschooling.
Finally my own two posts that spurred the idea for me.
Check out Q and A with MN virtual Academy which
concedes state funding and proves that students enrolled in virtual
public schools are legally 100% public schoolers NOT
homeschoolers:
1. Can you please outline for me who funds your program? Is it state
funded, district funded, grant funded, etc? I am referring to the MNVA.
"As a parent open enrolling 100% to Houston Public schools you would
not have a financial responsibility. We are state funded like any other
public school student."
3. If enrolled in MNVA is my child legally considered a public school (charter school) student or is she a homeschooler?
"Your child would be considered 100% open enrolled to Houston as a public school student."
In conclusion read my summary of the issue at Homeschooling or Public School at
Home:
"The best analogy to sum it up is the difference between homeschooling
and public school at home to me is the difference between working at
home for a company and owning your own home based business. While both
may be done at the same location - the location does not make
everything about them the same. If I own my own business I call the
shots, I am fully responsible and accountable for my actions. In short
I am in control. If on the other hand I work from home for a company -
I simply control the location I am in - I am still accountable to the
office, they own my work and they make my assignments and decide if I
do them well or not. In short, they are in control and I simply gain
the freedom of being in my own home.
To conflate the two concepts of telecommuting (working at home) and
owning your own home based business would have serious legal
implications and therefore the two are kept distinct and separate. The
same must be true for the distinction between homeschooling and
participating in a public school program in your home. If you do not
wish to see the laws and standards of public schooling foisted upon
home educators then be sure the two concepts do not become conflated.
We can not allow the two concepts to be merged into one or the laws
will become muddled and confusing. Keep homeschooling and public school
in the homes separate as they should be."
Thank you to all who submitted and to all who read this. It is an
important question one that all home educators must think through
and make decisions about where and when to stand their ground.
Peace,
Tenn
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Dec. 1, 2005
Warm Winter Clothes - MN style
I started to write this as a comment and
then realized more people may want to read about it. The key to
our pleasant MN winters is to stay warm. I found my kids still
needed to be outside - even when below 30 and the key was to buy them
good warm clothing. I thought I would share some wisdom from
Minnesota with you.
We buy most of our supplies from LL Bean and it has made all the
difference. Be especially vigilant about boots, snowpants and
above all winter coat. It is worth the extra money. We buy
neutral colors and pass them down from child to child and bean has a
wonderful warranty - return it period and they will exchange it or
refund you if it did live up to expectations of normal wear and
tear. You can also buy things on clearance. I don't work
for bean or invest in bean (though I probably should), I just find them
to be hands down the best company for our winter supplies.
Here is what we use:
For kids and adults - Rugged Ridge Parka for a coat - warm, hood
that can retract into coat, good pockets, lightweight and stands up to
Minnesota cold (even the deep negatives). These usually get
clearanced at the end of the season for almost half off - that is when
we bought ours - we bought the kids two sizes two big the first year,
rolled the sleeves and they just had added length. Ciaran and
Rhiannon are both in their third year with their coat (this year it is
their actual size) and next year it passes down - still in great
condition. Serona and mine still look new after four years with a
little staining.
Kids and parents - boots - Sorel packing boots. We again got ours
at LL Bean's warehouse in Maine but even Target carries them.
They don't look like they will be the warmest but they are. They
are worth the money. For adults we also like the LL Bean Wildcat boots (available in slip on or tie
like a hiking boot).
Snowpants - If you want your kids rolling in the snow, sledding without
getting cold and so on spend the extra money and buy them good water
resistant and lined snowpants. Also available at bean. We
have the Katahdin Pants (I prefer the bib but they
were not on sale at the time) and Glacier Summit Pants - they also have rugged
ridge that would be good. Watch the clearance page in Jan or Feb,
sometimes as late as March. They even have some on clearance
now. Use Bean's comparison chart to see how cold it is
recommended for, what it is lined with and more details.
For adults only (I do not recommend this for kids as believe it or not
they get too hot and start complaining and wanting to take layers off).
Purchase a pair or two of llbean's silk long underwear. Don't cringe away - it
is not the long underwear you remember. It is wonderfully
comfortable, soft (as silk) and even though it appears paper thin keeps
you warmer than anything.
The winter we moved here form Georgia I bought a pair (5 years ago) and
I will never go back. It was the key to my warmth that year and
many years to come. Often I just wear the pants underneath my
regular pants and that is sufficient.
And don't forget mittens are warmer than gloves and scarves (if you can
get kids to wear them) make a huge difference in how warm you stay.
You may not need to bundle up this much in warmer climates but it is a
great way to stay warm. The difference a good winter coat makes
goes a really long way - as do the long underwear - for adults those
are my two first recommendations for kids a good coat and boots would
be first on the list.
Get out there and enjoy winter again!
Tenn
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Dec. 1, 2005
Scholastic Book Sale
For those in MN the annual Scholastic book
fair is coming up next week. You can find great deals here.
In general 50% of list price. But just like a homeschooling
convention, plan your budget ahead and leave the rest at home or you
could spend too much!
Here is the summary of information from their website. for more details
and to preregister and avoid lines and get a coupon visit their website
- http://teacher.scholastic.com/fairs/warehouse/states/mn.htm
Minnesota
Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park Scholastic Warehouse
9201 Wyoming Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55316
(800)-422-0632
December 7 - 17, 2005
P O. & Book Profit Day: Wed 12/7, 9-7 PM
Wed-14th, Thursdays, Fridays 10 AM-8 PM
Saturdays 9 AM -3 PM
Monday & Tuesday 10 AM - 3 PM
Many states have these sales through the year and as homeschoolers we
can go. Visit here to find one near you.
Peace,
Tenn
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Nov. 30, 2005
Online Symposium - What Makes a Homeschooler?
In light of recent discussions over
public school at home and homeschooling I would like to offer some
space for an online symposium (similar to Spunky's Online Convention -
only dedicated to one subject) to discuss what makes a homeschooler a
homeschooler. What are the legal issues? What are the
charachteristics and choices that make an individual home educated or
home schooled rather than a public school/charter school/or private
school student? What are the important distinctions? Your
posts can cover issues like virtual charter schools, public school at
home and the defintions of homeschooling.
Many of you have
strong opinions on this issue and many of you are very smart and
passionate about this subject. Let us work together to see if we
can come up with good ways to define homeschooling and protect the
rights of all homeschoolers.
Here are the
guidelines. Please write a post (it can be a previous or older
post) and email me your link as a submission at tenniel@gmail.com by
Saturday December 3rd and I will organize and post all the submissions
on Monday December 5th. If you do not have a blog I will accept
and publish an emailed piece that meets the guidelines.
Please be respectful of all while writing your piece. Your
opinion may be strong and you should express it but please be
respectful of those with a different opinion. Keep the posts well
reasoned, avoid attacks and keep the focus on the issues and not on the
people. As moderator I reserve the right to retain full editorial
control over what to post and what not to.
Please post this on your blog and spread the word. I look forward to reading what everyone has to say.
Peace,
Tenn
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Nov. 30, 2005
What vegetarians eat
Today's lunch - kids choice. Here is what they chose to eat by consensus with ni input from me:
crackers and cheese
garbanzo beans (right out of a can)
peas
applesauce
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Nov. 30, 2005
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let it Snow!
One of the best parts about living in
Minnesota is the snow. I love that it snows. I like it when
we get alot of snow and it stays around forever. I like that it
is generally too cold for the snow to melt so it stays nice and white
and pretty instead of turning into black slush like it does so many
other places.
We have had a few snowfalls already. One completely melted and
one has not. Still but a few inches I would like some more - so
would the kids. They have been determined to sled even on a
little bit of snow. Amazing to see how well they can make it work
but how much nicer it will be with just a few more inches.
Yet another reason I love homeschooling. The kids can go outside
and run around, sled, make snow angels and whatever they want for
several hours in the morning before we start schoolwork. They are
happier and therefore the day goes smoother. It is also an
incentive to them to get their work done so they can go back outside
again and play in the snow some more.
As the kids waiting on the bus stop are cold from standing still mine
are tromping through the snow getting their snowpants wet and having a
ball. As the kids head off to school mine keep playing in the
snow for awhile longer. Come inside to some hot chocolate and
some good reads. Then settle into the afternoon for some
work. If they get their work done quickly they are back outside
again before the school bus passes our house on its return.
It is true Minnesota winters are very cold but we buy really warm
clothes and boots and once they are about 3-4 years old the cold does
not really bother them and I find myself having to drag them inside
even when it is below freezing. They are not even cold when they
come inside! Of course those days when it dips below zero or we
have severe windchills we are housebound but for the most part we make
the best of Minnesota winters especially once the snow falls and
stays. So let it snow!
Peace,
Tenn
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