EASIER SAID THAN DONE

Sometimes homeschooling is like trudging through mud. It is tough but not impossible and best if you keep chugging along. It is when you get thrown off track or lose your balance that make it tough to get your footing back and get in the groove again.

Our home school group breaks for seven weeks beginning in mid-November which occurred right about the time as my son's 16th birthday and Thanksgiving. We took a short enough three day trip out of town to see family, shortly thereafter we had family come visit us. Throw in some Christmas preparations and well, I am a bit off schedule with my homeschooling. OK, a LOT off schedule. There goes my ''HOME EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD''. I might not have exactly been in the running for that one anyway. Being a stay at home mom is wonderful and sometimes it is just exhausting. It is easy to get off schedule with errands and household chores but remind myself of what is most important. My children aren't going to succeed in life because I vacuumed and dusted. They are going to succeed because I am going to impart upon them love and knowledge. So I will ignore the dust bunnies and get up to speed on our curriculum. It is easier said than done but it will get done.

My Support of Public Schools

I got a parking ticket on our latest venture into Omaha. I didn't even notice the meter. I was cold so I rushed into the store and didn't give it another thought. I obviously should have. Much to my dismay I had a parking ticket on my windshield when I returned to my car. Bummer. I was sure that it was going to cost me an arm and a leg. I have only received one other parking ticket before and that was years ago at an airport. That one cost me $25.00 so I had a sinking feeling that this one was going to be a whopper. Wrong. $16.00. That isn't too bad. Of course I could have avoided it by sticking a couple quarters in the meter but I was relieved that it was under twenty dollars. The ticket comes with an envelope and states I have two weeks to pay it. As I was writing out the check today I noticed the instructions indicate to make checks payable to the Public School Fund. I chuckled at the irony of an avid homeschooler such as myself has to pay a ticket that benefits the Public School Fund.

Not Your Average Homeschooler

Most everyone knows or knows of a homeschooling family but depending on your social circle and geographical area you would think that all homeschool families are white, middle class and Christian but there are increasing numbers of families that choose to educate at home from different segments of the population.

The League of Observant Jewish Homeschoolers has a very informative website I came across.(http://www.chayas.com/homeschoolindex.htm) There is also the Jewish Home Educators Network website (http://snj.com/jhen/).

Most people seem to assume that families opt for homeschooling for religious reasons whether that be Christian or Jewish but that is false. Many do it for fear of physical safety due to gang violence or to avoid vaccinations. There are families that are religious or spiritual but wish to educate their children in a manner that is not based in faith. There are several groups in the United States that support that undertaking. One website I found is Secular Homeschool (http://secularhomeschool.net/).

Regardless of your reasons for homeschooling or considering homeschooling there are support groups of all kinds and that is the best place for information. Check your local paper to see if there are any homeschool groups that meet in your area. Stop by one of their meetings, it is a great way to gather information and meet new people.

Homeschooling is a big decision and a big commitment. The more information you arm yourself with the easier it will be.

PUBLIC SCHOOL SEX SCANDAL

I hesitated to write about this as I don't want to use this space solely for the purpose of bashing the public school system but the latest sex scandal bears mentioning. According to the Augusta Chronicle seven faculty members of a Richmond County middle school have been implicated thus far, two of which still remain employed at the school. Using the school's public safety office on an inflatable mattress they were having sex during school hours.

Yes, during school hours.

While the children were there.

Unbelievable.

I suppose we should be relieved that it was consensual sex and that no children were involved but this kind of behavior is ridiculous . It makes me wonder what other rules they broke or were willing to break given their lack of responsibility and morals.

These are the people in charge of educating hundreds of young children in that school. What must those kids think now that this has been on the news. What kind of message does it send them?

ONE OF MY LEAST FAVORITE WORDS

I was watching a clip on the news about homeschooling and much to my dismay but certainly not to my surprise a representative from John Hopkins University stated he scrutinized homeschoolers applications more because of lack of transcripts and he wondered about their ability to get along with others at college because the lack of socialization. What? How did a chowder head like that get into such a prestigious and most likely high paying position? Wow.

First things first. Lets give good ol' Websters Dictionary a look shall we?

Main Entry: so·cial·iza·tion

Variant(s): also British so·cial·isa·tion /ssh-(-)l-z-shn/

Function: noun

: the process by which a human being beginning at infancy acquires the habits, beliefs, and accumulated knowledge of society through education and training for adult status

Most certainly public school doesn't begin in infancy and considering the problems that the public school system is brimming with these days even they do not fit this definition. Of course Mr. University Chowder Head did not have any specifics or evidence of this lack of socialization. He did not provide evidence anecdotal or otherwise of how homeschoolers do not function as well as they public schooled peers once in college. It is a myth, it is bigotry and it is really irritating. Homeschoolers don't have the peer pressure to act or dress a certain way, they are not bullied or offered drugs in the hallways. They do not fear another Columbine in their school and are not having sexual relationships with their teachers (there were over 2500 reported cases in a five year period!) There would be public outrage if any other group was targeted in this manner. Can you imagine how quickly they would protest or ask for his resignation if he had said this about Blacks, Gays , Southerners, Parochial School students? For now looking down on homeschoolers is a safe prejudice but prejudice is like a mirror and it isn't a very flattering reflection on him or the university he represents.

IMPERIAL NUTCRACKER

Last week the kids and I took a field trip to Omaha to see the Imperial Nutcracker at the Orpheum Theatre. The theatre itself was worth the trip. Built in 1927 and later restored in 2002 the Orpheum is breathtakingly wonderful. Gorgeous velvet curtains, ornate lighting fixtures. What a grand theatre. Its beauty just adds to the experience.

While waiting for the performance to begin I took the opportunity to discuss the architecture with my son and daughter. I wanted them to see and appreciate the difference between the Orpheum and the typical cramped movie theaters they are more accustomed to.

We enjoyed the Imperial Nutcracker very much. The set designers did a fantastic job and the costumes were perfect. We were all enchanted with the dancers, their costumes were a perfect compliment to the set and storyline. We had a fantastic experience that afternoon, one we won't soon forget.

A BAD IDEA ALL AROUND

I know my blogging is slanted much in favor of homeschooling but I don't want it to seem as if I am 100% against public schools. I am not. I think they are adequate for the vast majority of pupils and even great for a small number. I worry about homeschooling rights, especially with a new President. I am not sure where Obama stands on this issue but I know where I stand. For my family homeschooling is the best educational option. I do not need further convincing or proof but if I did this article from CNN would have been another push for homeschooling. (http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/12/03/teacher.ads.on.tests/index.html)
A teacher in a California public high school sold advertising space on the tests he handed out to students. This was in response to budget cuts for his office supplies. This is such a bad idea on so many levels. Who can advertise there? I wouldn't want certain products, services or groups to be advertised to my child at school and that is ripe for a lawsuit if advertising is denied to someone and they decide to litigate. Better to just spend the hundreds of dollars on paper instead of thousands fighting a lawsuit.
Our children's education is important and if a school does not have enough paper then the school board should be lobbying the government on whatever level they need to in order to properly educate these kids.
I find it ironic that there cannot be prayer in school but there can be advertising. Isn't praying in a sense advertising for Jesus? Maybe I will buy an ad!

MONEY TALKS?

Washington D.C. schools have rolled out a new program called the Capital Gains Program.

Aimed at low income students it pays them to have good behavior, good conduct and improve their test scores. I can appreciate that the school system there is trying to improve these kids chances at graduating high school and success in life but I think that this is actually sending negative messages to not only the kids in the program but other children and families who might hear about this. Why strive to work two jobs to stay off welfare when you can get food stamps and put your teenager in this school and they can bring home up to $200.00 a month? Trust me, I used to live on welfare and in low income housing. There were the parents that were the ''strivers'' and then there were the other kind who knew every loophole and could squeeze and manipulate the system to their ongoing benefit. That earned money will go to anything but that child's future. If education is the true focus and the future of the student is what is truly at heart here than make the funds into a scholarship fund or educational IRA that cannot be touched unless it is going to college or vocational school tuition. Would the students be as interested in it then?

The schools do have some sort of money management training but it is vague and not stated that it is either mandatory or ongoing which I believe should be both if they are going to insist on keeping this ridiculous program going. Why not use that money to hire more teachers or improve after school programs such as mentoring and tutoring.

As a homeschooler this annoys me. A portion of my taxes go to the public school system whether I use it or not , however, once a child is approved by the state to be homeschooled any services, testing, educational materials, tutoring, field trips etc are the sole responsibility of the parents even if you have a child with learning disabilities . Regardless of how our children are doing there is not a bonus from the local,state or federal government. Doing a good job on a test should be its own reward. Learning for self enrichment and the excitement of growth is there in all kids, you just have to cultivate it. There is no learn to earn in our household except that if my kids want to earn their usual privileges such as TV or computer time then they need to learn their lessons. I think that teaches them a whole lot more than to stick their hand out for everything they do. I practice what I preach and that is why the buck stops here.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27969265/







The above link takes you to an article about parents whining about commercials aimed at their children this holiday season. They go on to pout and stomp their feet that they can't buy their children everything that is advertised on TV and GASP that is just not fair!! Sticking their bottom lip out these parents have begun a LETTER WRITING INITIATIVE. For crying out loud. I don't know what the most fitting adjective would be here. Pathetic or ridiculous. I can't decide. I can certainly solve their problem though and for free too with the following tips:

• TURN OFF THE TV
  
• WATCH COMMERCIAL FREE MOVIES FROM THE LIBRARY
  
• READ A BOOK
  
• PLAY A GAME
  
• MAKE UP A STORY
  
• TELL YOUR KIDS ''NO''

Instead of these parents pulling the victim card and writing a letter to the toy companies how about they sit down with their children and help them to write a letter to someone who will actually read it and care. A veteran, a relative, a teacher, neighbor or babysitter. An even better idea is to write a letter to another child who has LESS than your child. A child who doesn't have the luxury of wanting a toy on TV because they do not have TV or it is just out of the question to get a new item just to play with when there are so many necessities their family needs.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/) Is just one of the many organizations out there to help underprivileged, impoverished or otherwise very needy children.

This could be a terrific opportunity to teach their child how to help others and in return it would most likely help the child appreciate what they have if they packed a shoebox for another child who had so little.


I have zero patience for whiny , over indulgent parents. What are they teaching their children about responsibility, values and good citizenship?

For the past few years we have made a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child and we will continue to do so. My children don't ask for everything under the sun and pout until they get it.



Coincidence?

23 Pilgrims and other Thanksgiving facts I think you need to know!

• There is more to Thanksgiving than a table loaded with food, people loaded with food and football. Shocking claim but it is true! There is tons of valuable knowledge I feel compelled to impart on you. (otherwise known as trivia.)
  
  
• The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land.
• Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the United States.
• The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.
• Turkeys have heart attacks. When the Air Force was conducting test runs and breaking the sound barrier, fields of turkeys would drop dead.
  
  
• Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a turkey.
• In the movie ''The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance '' John Wayne calls another character ''Pilgrim'' 23 times. (He used that term only one more time in one other movie)
  
  
  
• Age is a determining factor in taste. Old, large males are preferable to young toms (males) as tom meat is stringy. The opposite is true for females: old hens are tougher birds. ( Men are from Mars and women are from Venus - even for turkeys!)
  

So now I consider myself ready for Thanksgiving. I have the food, I gave the knowledge, the kids put the decorations out. I have much to be thankful for and if you are reading this then THANK YOU for reading my blog too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yet another reason why I homeschool!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27898395/

The above link takes you to a news story about a 13 year old Florida boy who was arrested for passing gas and turning off fellow students computers while they were working. Odd, and deeply disturbing.

Thinking of the class he was disrupting I would think that the environment was not conducive to learning and not just that particular day either. Why did the student think this behavior was acceptable, tolerable or achievable? Did he think he would get away with it? What prior experiences had led him to that conclusion?

Why was the student arrested? The news story didn't give much detail but going out on a limb here I am going to assume the 13 year old in question was not special needs and therefore aware of his actions, held accountable and therefore arrested. (If I am wrong I will update this!)

Why wasn't he stopped before it got to the point of police involvement? Does the school not have the ability to handle its students?

I also wonder where the parents are. No matter your socioeconomic surroundings you can be taught how to behave properly and handle yourself in public with dignity and manners.

Regardless of why he did it, I feel bad for the boy. In general teenagers with self confidence and a decent amount of self esteem don't behave in ways that scream for attention or intervention.

As a parent this is why I home school. It doesn't immediately matter why or how this happened, what I see and wish others realized is how much of this goes on daily in every public school that our tax dollars pay for, including mine.

I wish I could pull my tax dollars out of public school as easily as I pulled my son out.

A Very Important Lesson

As a homeschooling mom I take my children's education very seriously. It is so important to me that they get quality, well rounded schooling that I took it upon myself to do so.

We cover the basics of reading, writing, science,math and geography but we also incorporate Bible lessons, fine arts, Latin and citizenship. Don't even get me started on how difficult it is to teach Latin to a child who is so grounded in her own reality that she believes Hannah to be the capital of Montana. Imagine my embarrassment when she answered that during our home school Jeopardy challenge! My face turned red as the other mothers got a good laugh out the situation. Kids will be kids and whether their mistakes are funny or not it is a learning opportunity.

Good citizenship is one of the easier subjects to teach. It is easy to model and all you have to do is ask the child how would they feel in that situation, how would they want to be treated. Kids can be taught how to empathize with others. Basically it is just the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Imagine my shock (yes, I was shocked. Maybe I am naive.) when I was surfing Blogs of Note and came across this lovely blog http://capecodmemories.blogspot.com/. Beautiful pictures. I have never been to Cape Cod but this blog sure makes me wish I could visit there. It looks so awesome and peaceful. I was going to comment it but was unable to. The comment function had been disabled and this quote explains why:

Our belated gratitude to Blogger for naming us "Blog of Note" last week. We appreciate the honor.
Most unfortunately, the quality of negative feedback far outweighed the quantity of positive feedback we received. We enjoyed using this space to share our photos of Cape Cod with others. We may do so here once again, but comments will remain turned off. We don't want the negativity of others to prevent our self-expression on Blogger. Thank you for your understanding.

I read the archived posts and looked at the pictures and could not find anything remotely controversial or offensive. Why on earth did these people receive such negative feedback that they have now refused all feedback altogether? Why would someone take the time to write negative feedback. Constructive criticism is fine, many welcome it. (me too, just be gentle)

All I can think of for the negative posts is ''Didn't their mother's teach them any better??"

Yeah, it's that good.

I love the flexibility of homeschooling. Teaching my kids at their level at their pace makes so much more sense for us .

Entering into public school at six years old with a hundred or so other children and being expected to arrive on graduation day thirteen years later all having accumulated the same level of knowledge at the same pace just doesn't make that much sense to me. It doesn't seem realistic or achievable. According to CNN the graduation rate in our country is 73%. That is not to say that homeschooling is the answer for everyone just because it was the answer for us. Schools need to get away from their assembly line thinking and actually teach the children so that they can learn at their pace and ability level.

Not everyone can afford to have a parent stay home to teach but if vouchers were available as they are in some areas for private and charter schools then it might be more accessible. These are the children who in twenty years or so are going to be our doctors, lawyers, soldiers and politicians. I want them to have the best education possible, don't you?

Snap, Crackle, Ewwwwwwww!

Perhaps I am a slow learner. Looking at my latest batch of ''kitchen oops'' I must be. I have tried numerous variations on the good ol' standard Rice Krispie Treats and have never met with any kind of success. When kids won't eat something that is sticky and sweet then you know you have failed in the dessert department.

Tomorrow I am supposed to bring in treats for our Classical Conversations home school group. My last couple attempts to put a spin on the treats was coconut, chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. Yeah, I know, but it sounded good at the time. That batch ended up uneaten. The next stab at it included sweetened condensed milk. Again, it sounded like a good idea at the time. It wasn't. That leaves me with my latest concoction. I thought I would use marshmallow creme instead of marshmallows and added chopped up Andes mints. Doesn't that sound good? I thought so too! Guess what...it doesn't taste anything like it sounds.

I official give up. I concede victory to the three little elves taunting me from the front of the box. I will leave their recipe alone from now on. I promise.

Combo Mumbo Jumbo

There are so many things that I take for granted that sometimes I just have to stop and appreciate the little things that come so easily for me but for others are yet another hurdle to overcome.

On our way to the gym tonight my teen aged son told me he needed a new lock for his swimming gear so we stopped by Target to buy one real quick.

Standing in the aisle facing the display of locks and seeing the look on his face I realize what I try to forget. He is dyslexic and it isn't going away. There is no remission and it isn't outgrown. It is there lingering under the surface and always will be. He makes a joke about all those numbers being a "dyslexic's hell" and laughs. What a good hearted kid. He can't change the fact he has learning disabilities any more so than he could change his height or color of his eyes. It is part of who he is and how he has dealt with it and learned from it make him the patient , gentle hearted guy that he is.

We drive to the gym and sit in the parking lot while he tries to remember that combination. Over and over again he repeats it to himself. He apologizes for taking so long but I don't mind. I just watch him and listen to the radio. I am proud of him for doing what it takes to memorize those numbers without self pity or anger. I realize how fortunate we are. There are mothers without sons and sons without mothers. I can't imagine life without him and I can't imagine him without this burden/blessing. The fact that somethings are so much tougher for him makes us both appreciate when things come easy.

How do you verb?

Recently I have been working on reading skills with my daughter. Her reading is improving slowly but surely. Her brother being ten years older is of course working on a much higher level. It is difficult at times to work with them both at the same time but this week I had a light bulb moment. (I love those!)

I wrote a few mad lib stories. These are little stories just a paragraph or two in length. Leave out a couple words from each sentence. Without reading the story to them I asked them for the specific types of words I had omitted such as noun, adjective, verb etc.

What a great way to learn the parts of speech. My daughter quickly caught on to ''a noun is a person, place or thing.'' and ''an adverb is how you do an action'' or as she said ''It is how you verb!"

The three of us had a great time laughing at how silly the stories ended up and I love how it was a great tool for learning as well.

The Homeschool Minority

It is estimated that there are now more than two million children homeschooled in the United States and that number is growing each year. Homeschooling is not unheard of to most people but the general population doesn't understand or appreciate this method of education unless they know a homeschooling family fairly well.

I will admit that I was one of those people when I was a single mom and had to work. I had gone to public school just as my son was going to public school. I didn't have any other options and didn't know any homeschoolers. I had my misconceptions that all homeschoolers were ultra conservative religious nuts trying to shield their children from the modern world. What did I know? Here it is seven years later. I am married and have another child. I am now homeschooling my son and my daughter. I am religious but not in a crazy chicken sacrificing way. I am trying to shield by kids from some of the unsavory elements of public school ranging from bullying, peer pressure, unhealthy lunches and the schools version of sex education.

I pray that our right to homeschool is kept intact. I am anxious to see if President - elect Obama clarifies his stance on homeschooling. His website does not address it specifically. It is not a topic on the forefront of America's concerns such as Iraq and the economy but it is important to me and all the other families exercise their freedom to educate their children as they choose.

Time for school

It finally feels like November. The temperature is dropping and we can hear the wind howling. Outside our windows we see the chilly gusts tossing the leaves around as our neighbors scurry their children to the car.

It is time to for school to begin. I draw my daughter into my lap. Our big comfy recliner is a great place to start. We wrap up in a blanket and start our reading lesson. We are reading Little House on the Prairie. My daughter can recognize only a few of the words so far but loves the story. The blanket is not the only thing that warms me as she pleads with her eyes and says ''Oh, one more chapter Mom, please?''.

I wouldn't want anyone else to experience this with her. I am so thankful that I get to be her mother and teacher.

Homeschooling is not easy and it is never ending. Days like today make it all worth it.

Great Idea

I love a great idea and will admit I didn't come up with this on my own. Another home school mom in our Classical Conversations group gave this tip to me.

Cut four inch circles out of different colors of construction paper. Have your child use each circle to write words in their own handwriting that they know. Use one of the circles to draw a face for the word worm. Tape it to the wall where it can be easily added to as they learn more words.

My daughter is so proud of hers. Every time someone comes over she shows it to them and reads the words. Every repetition helps when it comes to learning.

The Great Indoors

Although I love fall and walking in the crisp autumn air is energizing it is getting too chilly to spend lengthy periods of time outside. This is a great time to look at your community to see what it has to offer for indoor opportunities. Eastern Nebraska is brimming with wonderful museums.

The Joslyn Art Museum has a children's area as well as terrific backpacks to check out. We had a great time with it. Ours was specific to the Impressionists gallery. My kids loved it and bringing art to their level helped make it so much more meaningful to them.

We purchased a Home Educators membership from the Durham Museum. They asked for something that identified me as a home educator. I simply replied '' these are my children, I am their teacher''. That was sufficient for them. The Durham also offers home school educational events at the museum. The latest session we attended was $6.00 per child. As a member/chaperon my admission was free. The session explored Laura Ingalls Wilder, pioneer life and included a craft. It was a terrific learning experience. My daughter is currently reading Little House on the Prairie so she was especially enthralled with it.

Fontanel Forest also has backpacks for children to check out and currently has a designated play area ''Acorn Acres''. The leaves are beautiful this time of year so it is a great time to go for a hike there before it begins to snow.

The Strategic Air Command museum is a bit further away but well worth the 20 minute drive. To see the many aircraft up close is exciting for every age. The SAC also has temporary exhibits that are always interesting. The flight simulator is always a must when we go. My son especially enjoys the in flight sensation.

We have so many more museums and local historic sites to visit. I am sure we will have plenty to keep us busy this winter inside and out of the snow.

Time flies when you forget what you are doing!

Wow, I utterly forgot that I had started a home school blog. No time like the present to pick it back up again.
We have had many changes in our home school since February. Luke went back to public high school half time this semester so he could be eligible for sports. This has not gone as well
as we had hoped but are thankful for the lessons learned from the experience. At least in his case it seems that it is necessary to commit to one path or the other and to try to do both 50 % did not equal a 100% educational experience. He appreciates that I allowed him another go at public school but is now looking forward to coming back to home school life.
Another change was moving across the state to eastern Nebraska. We joined a home school program Classical Conversations. Laramie is in the ''Foundations'' class. We meet once per week. The program is great as it leaves the responsibility of homeschooling on the parent but adds the benefits of a wonderful curriculum, fellowship with like minded homeschooling parents, accountability and support. Each week new topics are introduced in the history,science,math and fine arts categories. The rest of the week the parents expand on those subjects and work on memorization skills according to age and ability level. While we are just eight weeks into the program we are very impressed with it thus far.
We are not sure if Luke will join us for in Classical Conversations or complete the curriculum that he has been in. I am leaving that decision up to him.
I have so much to say about our home school experiences. I will try not to be so neglectful in my posting of it.

Blog me baby one more time!

My first attempt at creating a blog chronicling our homeschooling experiences didn't fair very well. This site seems to be a bit more user friendly so I am hoping I fare better here.

We began homeschooling Luke November '07 . Laramie is going to start kindergarten in the fall with me but I have already started her on the basics.

Thus far our field trips have been to the Denver Mint in January and Brown Sheep Co. in February. Both were very interesting and enjoyable.

Looking forward we are going to Denver again in March. Depending on the weather we will either visit the zoo or aquarium. In April we have a field trip planned for Warren AFB in Cheyenne, WY.

Meanwhile we are working on learning all the states and capitols.