Just yesterday I responded to an anti-homeschooling article and gave school violence as just one of my many reasons that some people choose homeschooling over public school. I really hate to add another log onto the fire but today I read about 13 year old David Muneton from New Jersey. He was savagely attacked by fellow students on his way home from school stemming from a misunderstood incident that occurred. Eleven students are believed to be involved. David has several broken facial bones and had to have surgery. His eyesight is in jeopardy as well. The youngest student involved in this horrific and violent incident is just 12 years old.
This particular story does not represent every public school in all fifty states just as the occasional incident of a parent who claims to be a homeschooler and chains their child to their bed does not represent the legions of homeschoolers who do truly embody the spirit of home education.
It is stories such as these and also the ones about teacher sex scandals, gangs, bullying, dropping test scores etcetera that make me glad that I homeschool and thankful that I have to choice to do so. It isn't for everyone but I believe it is a right that should be preserved and defended.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Public school is not a protective, educational twelve year womb that spits out well rounded, capable individuals in a graduation cap at the end of its gestational period. - Sandy Walker
I am proud of myself for summing up my thoughts and responding to an astoundingly offensive anti-homeschooling article. Here is the link if you have the stomach for it. I can't even quote the most ridiculous or offensive parts but I did respond to the author of this drivel. I might not be as educated or grammatically correct as the writer is but I could not not respond.
If you homeschool you should read it. Inaccurate, ridiculous and condescending as it is I think that it might just be a case of ''BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW THAN THE DEVIL YOU DON'T.''
I am proud of myself for summing up my thoughts and responding to an astoundingly offensive anti-homeschooling article. Here is the link if you have the stomach for it. I can't even quote the most ridiculous or offensive parts but I did respond to the author of this drivel. I might not be as educated or grammatically correct as the writer is but I could not not respond.
If you homeschool you should read it. Inaccurate, ridiculous and condescending as it is I think that it might just be a case of ''BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW THAN THE DEVIL YOU DON'T.''
End of the homeschooling road
My son is glad to see the light at the end of the tunnel. He is almost done with homeschooling. He is anxious to be independent and adventurous. Talking to military recruiters and planning his future is his main focus these days. By May he will have not only finished high school with me but will have college credits too as he has taken several classes at Metropolitan Community College for dual enrollment.
The many lessons I have learned from homeschooling him I will save for another day but there are a few important lessons I hope he learned:
The many lessons I have learned from homeschooling him I will save for another day but there are a few important lessons I hope he learned:
God created you and loves you
Family is forever
Do for others
Never stop learning
Think before you act
Of course there is more but that is what comes to me off the top of my head. His little sister is seven so I have at least ten more years of homeschooling to enjoy!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
School in North Carolina sells test points but this homeschool won't
A little blurb on Fox News caught my eye today. A middle school in North Carolina is selling test points to students. The principal is on board with the idea as well as the school's parent advisory council. Twenty test points for twenty dollars. The students who buy the points can add them to any two tests. The principal rationalizes this by stating that it is not enough to impact a students overall grade. I don't know how accurate that is since the purchased points can bring two failing test scores up to a passing score.
What message does this send to the children who can't afford to spend twenty bucks on a better grade?
Does this encourage students to work harder and study more diligently?
This idea came about since the school's chocolate selling fundraiser failed. I don't think that is the only thing that failed at that school.
The State Department of Instruction thinks this is wrong and so do I.
Read the original article on Fox here.
What message does this send to the children who can't afford to spend twenty bucks on a better grade?
Does this encourage students to work harder and study more diligently?
This idea came about since the school's chocolate selling fundraiser failed. I don't think that is the only thing that failed at that school.
The State Department of Instruction thinks this is wrong and so do I.
Read the original article on Fox here.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
There Is No Substitute
Recently I was having brunch with some other mommies whose children were in elementary school. They were discussing what the qualifications were for a substitute and the chaos of their child's classroom when their teacher had been temporarily replaced.
As the only homeschooler in our group I didn't have much to add to the conversation but as I sat and listened I realized just how glad I was that I was in control of my child's education. Not to say that there isn't occasional chaos in our home, there is but it is a controlled chaos. Two children and one mom is a far cry from 25 children and one unfamiliar stand in who doesn't know they schedule or even their names.
For our family there is no substitute for homeschooling, we love it but there are times too that I am not feeling well or am totally overwhelmed. That is when I call in my substitute, Grandma!
As the only homeschooler in our group I didn't have much to add to the conversation but as I sat and listened I realized just how glad I was that I was in control of my child's education. Not to say that there isn't occasional chaos in our home, there is but it is a controlled chaos. Two children and one mom is a far cry from 25 children and one unfamiliar stand in who doesn't know they schedule or even their names.
For our family there is no substitute for homeschooling, we love it but there are times too that I am not feeling well or am totally overwhelmed. That is when I call in my substitute, Grandma!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Court Removes Girl From Homeschool
This article from Foxnews.com frightened me as it should every homeschooler. An academically promising ten year old girl has been ordered to public school by a New Hampshire court. Her divorced parents do not agree on the homeschooling issue and so her father took it to the court as he is concerned about her ''socialization''.
Socializing is what garners success isn't it? High ACT/SAT scores, academic prowess, long term goals that is what is discussed at the lunch room tables while dining on over processed, nutritionally sparse lunches right?
I have never been to New Hampshire but unless they produce different kinds of kids there the socialization will include bullying, cussing, sexual innuendo, introduction to drugs and alcohol, peer pressure and cliques.
Well, isn't that great that her father is looking out for her? I am sure the first time she is excluded for being different, not wearing the 'in' clothes or whatever other reasons kids exclude each other I am sure that she will be thrilled with her father's concern of her socialization. It isn't just boys that bully. There is a huge problem in public schools with girl bullying.
I can tell you that the first time I had a cigarette I got it from a fellow public school student. Same goes with beer and a few other things. You get the idea.
The news is all about headlines and rarely is there follow up but I would sure love to know the depth of this father's interest in his daughter's level of socialization once he gets his way and she is in public school.
If her grades start to fall maybe she can buy better ones like the kids in this article did. Hopefully she won't be one of the many unfortunate students involved in a teacher sex scandal. They are so commonplace that they don't all make headlines anymore but you can find many of them here.
Maybe the father thinks things like that don't happen in New Hampshire. Perhaps he should read this story about a cheating scandal in his state. Those kids socialized with each other and came up with a cheating plan.
Here is a pretty yellow graph of serious violent crimes in U.S. public schools. Don't let the cheery color fool you these are kids getting hurt and killed in school. Maybe the father should ask some of those victims how they feel about socialization.
Socializing is what garners success isn't it? High ACT/SAT scores, academic prowess, long term goals that is what is discussed at the lunch room tables while dining on over processed, nutritionally sparse lunches right?
I have never been to New Hampshire but unless they produce different kinds of kids there the socialization will include bullying, cussing, sexual innuendo, introduction to drugs and alcohol, peer pressure and cliques.
Well, isn't that great that her father is looking out for her? I am sure the first time she is excluded for being different, not wearing the 'in' clothes or whatever other reasons kids exclude each other I am sure that she will be thrilled with her father's concern of her socialization. It isn't just boys that bully. There is a huge problem in public schools with girl bullying.
I can tell you that the first time I had a cigarette I got it from a fellow public school student. Same goes with beer and a few other things. You get the idea.
The news is all about headlines and rarely is there follow up but I would sure love to know the depth of this father's interest in his daughter's level of socialization once he gets his way and she is in public school.
If her grades start to fall maybe she can buy better ones like the kids in this article did. Hopefully she won't be one of the many unfortunate students involved in a teacher sex scandal. They are so commonplace that they don't all make headlines anymore but you can find many of them here.
Maybe the father thinks things like that don't happen in New Hampshire. Perhaps he should read this story about a cheating scandal in his state. Those kids socialized with each other and came up with a cheating plan.
Here is a pretty yellow graph of serious violent crimes in U.S. public schools. Don't let the cheery color fool you these are kids getting hurt and killed in school. Maybe the father should ask some of those victims how they feel about socialization.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
There's No Place Like Home
We just got home from our family reunion in Wyoming. It was nice to see everyone but being gone for five days was tough on everyone. The drive home took nearly eight hours on that long, boring, state wide ribbon we call I-80. We were all exhausted and went to bed without unpacking.
The next morning I woke my daughter up for our homeschool field trip. She peeked out of one sleepy eye and told me she just got out of the car, she didn't want to get back in it. It wasn't easy(understatement) but I finally got her up, fed and into the car so we could head to Blair, NE to meet up with a couple of our homeschool friends which is about 30-40 minutes away.
As part of the Blair Library Summer Reading Program they had a storm chaser who gave a great talk about storm chasing, tornadoes, radar and safety tips. He 
had slide show for the kids with terrific pictures of different tornadoes. He told all about his storm chasing team and his chase truck named Dorothy. The kids loved it and I learned a few new things too. Afterwards Laramie reluctantly admitted that it was worth getting out of bed and driving for.
had slide show for the kids with terrific pictures of different tornadoes. He told all about his storm chasing team and his chase truck named Dorothy. The kids loved it and I learned a few new things too. Afterwards Laramie reluctantly admitted that it was worth getting out of bed and driving for.Monday, July 20, 2009
Dinner With A Side Of Science
Last night we went out to dinner with a friend and her two children. With kids in tow you are in better shape if you pick a kid friendly place. Red Robin is a good choice for us. Kind of noisy but they have kids meals, menus, crayons and my daughters favorite part is they give you a balloon when you leave.
Usually I am rather annoyed by balloons when they are bobbing around and the weird sound when they get near my ears freaks me out. Last night though my daughter was intrigued by her balloon and so we spent about an hour discovering what the balloon can and cannot hold and still stay aloft.
We kept a log and discovered that the balloon would carry one dime but not a nickle, penny or quarter. It would not carry Daddy's wedding ring or six paperclips but it would carry five paperclips. After we were done we weighed the string down with a glass on the table so we could see if it was still floating as high in the morning. It wasn't. Today it couldn't carry the things it did yesterday.
This sparked a whole new realm of questions from my daughter and necessitates another trip to the library so we can find the answer together. This is what is great about homeschooling. You never know when a learning opportunity is going to float by.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Hot Stuff!
Educational opportunities seem to be everywhere if you keep an eye out for them. Earlier this month I was trying to find some unrelated information on our city's website when the words ''Fire Safety Camp'' caught my eye. Then the word FREE jumped out at me. Educational and free? That is like winning the homeschool lottery!
Perhaps this is one of the perks of living in a smallish Midwestern town. My daughter definitely thought it was a perk and could not wait until July 9th. She was giddy with anticipation.
Finally camp day rolled around and I dropped her off from 8:00 to 12:00pm. Free, educational AND I get a break? I am loving it!
Our local fire department outdid themselves with this free camp. The kids all obviously enjoyed learning about fire safety, calling 911, touring the safety trailer, putting out pretend fires, seeing the fire trucks and being fed pizza. Wow. They fed them lunch too! To top it off each child got to take home a sticker, lollipop, certificate, t shirt and a tie string gym sack to put all their take home goodies in.
I always try to find unexpected learning experiences for my kids and this one was one of the best. We will certainly sign up for this next year!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
ROYAL BREAKFAST
It is not always easy to convince my six year old that not only is breakfast the most important meal of the day but it must be a good breakfast. She would much rather munch on cereals made for (but certainly not in their best interest) kids. High School Musical cereal made it in to our cart once in a moment of weakness. Once in awhile stuff like that is ok but with all the sugar, chemicals and artificial whatevers I try to not even bring it home. (Reason 134 for not bringing kids grocery shopping)This morning I made my daughter a breakfast princess. Sliced bananas for the tiara with grapes as crowning jewels. Whipped cream for eyes, strawberry mouth and a peanut butter nose. I threw a couple dashes of sprinkles on there too for more jewels.
My daughter loved it. She ate it without realizing how healthy it was for her.
Monday, May 18, 2009
FIELD TRIP - HENRY DOORLY ZOO
Today was perfect weather to visit the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Laramie loved the carousel. The brightly colored animals made it difficult to choose which one to ride on.
The llama did not seem to be too interested in us and certainly did not seem to appreciate my attempts at finding words that rhyme with llama. (Silly momma!)
The baby goats were adorable. Just two months old. Laramie was fascinated at how they ate straw right out of her hand.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
PARK IT
Warm spring days can be hard to come by in Nebraska so when a sunny, calm day presented itself the books went on the shelf and we headed to one of the neighborhood parks.
One of the many gifts of homeschooling is not only the flexibility of our schedule but the flexibility to learn in many different ways.
An afternoon at the park brings so many opportunities to meet other people, learn about nature, weather, conservation and just about any subject can be incorporated.
Some days the best thing about being a homeschooler is not always having to school at home!
Friday, May 8, 2009
ALOHA
I bought this dress last year at Old Navy on sale for six bucks. I was so excited and thought it was cute. Laramie would not wear it. Would have not a thing to do with it. I almost threw it in the Goodwill box but then thought that it might still fit her the next year. (Good thinking Mom!)We have been learning about Hawaii and volcanoes this spring. When warm weather hit we got out the summer clothes box and I brought out the dress. ''Look! A Hawaiian dress! " I asked her to try it on and told her we would read her favorite volcano book again. It worked like a charm. She loves the dress now.
Monday, April 13, 2009
No School Today?
If any of you who read this have ever been pregnant you might have experienced boundary disordered people who due to brain stem injury, lack of oxygen or IQ points equal to the amount of times the Cubs have won the pennant think it is within reason to touch your protruding stomach or pepper you with questions in a manner more suited to maceing a mugger. When are you due? Do you know if it is a boy or girl? Do you want a boy or girl? Unless you are using their DNA or they are an OB/GYN how could they possibly think it is any of their business? Once I was done having children I thought this annoyance was a thing of the past, thankfully never to be revisited.
Then I began homeschooling.
Then I began homeschooling.
Who knew there were so many educationally inquisitive store clerks?! My children and I simply cannot experience an outing without someone questioning why they are not in school. Granted it does not take a great amount of physical energy to answer a question or two (or three, sometimes four!) but it does require more patience than I seem to have to keep answering the same questions when really it is no one’s business why I homeschool. Whether we are getting an oil change, buying shoes, grocery shopping people feel compelled to question us. Not a simple exchange such as ‘’No school today?”
‘’No, we homeschool.”
“Oh, very nice. Have a good day.”
I could handle that.
Perhaps I am still in a snit because the education specialist masquerading as a store clerk at the Fareway today practically grilled my six year old and even had the audacity to ask if she had done any school work today. Thankfully I am not prone to violence but if I was it could easily fulfill a Health/PE requirement for my children to learn First Aid and tend to the people I wallop when they ask me stupid questions.
I could make a badge that says ‘’Homeschool Field Trip” or get a t shirt made that says ‘’ Tell me your weight and I will tell you why I homeschool’’ but that would only be effective on some of the offenders.
If I was the first homeschooler to grace the face of the Earth I could understand but there are approximately two million homeschooled children in America surely others must have heard of this phenomena before.
Meanwhile I will hold my breath and count to ten next time we are asked “No school today?”
‘’No, we homeschool.”
“Oh, very nice. Have a good day.”
I could handle that.
Perhaps I am still in a snit because the education specialist masquerading as a store clerk at the Fareway today practically grilled my six year old and even had the audacity to ask if she had done any school work today. Thankfully I am not prone to violence but if I was it could easily fulfill a Health/PE requirement for my children to learn First Aid and tend to the people I wallop when they ask me stupid questions.
I could make a badge that says ‘’Homeschool Field Trip” or get a t shirt made that says ‘’ Tell me your weight and I will tell you why I homeschool’’ but that would only be effective on some of the offenders.
If I was the first homeschooler to grace the face of the Earth I could understand but there are approximately two million homeschooled children in America surely others must have heard of this phenomena before.
Meanwhile I will hold my breath and count to ten next time we are asked “No school today?”
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Ready For An Adventure???
Homeschool discount tickets are available for Adventureland Park in Des Moines, Iowa . Read my Examiner article http://http://www.examiner.com/x-5395-Omaha-Homeschooling-Issues-Examiner~y2009m4d2-Homeschool-discount-tickets-to-Adventureland-Park-available
I am considering taking the kids on an adventure to Des Moines. A theme park sounds great and Des Moines also has a water park, zoo, miniature golf and the National Balloon Museum. Sounds interesting!
Sure, it isn't a Disney vacation but with the recession maybe it is a good thing to show the kids how to have fun on a budget and stay somewhat closer to home than Florida or California.
I am considering taking the kids on an adventure to Des Moines. A theme park sounds great and Des Moines also has a water park, zoo, miniature golf and the National Balloon Museum. Sounds interesting!
Sure, it isn't a Disney vacation but with the recession maybe it is a good thing to show the kids how to have fun on a budget and stay somewhat closer to home than Florida or California.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
A New Book For Laramie
I love books and I love to buy books about as much as I love to buy shoes. For those who know me, you know what that means! It is no surprise when I come home from the store with books or get (yet another) box from Amazon but the book we received in the mail today was special. Rain Fordyce's I AM LEARNING ALL THE TIME.
It was special because it is different than any book we own. It is for Laramie and it is the story boy who is homeschooled.
When I told Laramie what the new book was about she stopped in her tracks and wanted it to be read to her. I told her I was saving it for bedtime but she wanted me to read it to her NOW. She paid attention to every word as I read to her about the central character Hugh who is homeschooled. Hugh's story unfolds much like Laramie's from people in stores asking why you aren't in school and having just a twinge or two of envy that other kids get to ride in the big yellow school bus. It has scenes common to probably most homeschoolers such as playing in the park with their other homeschool friends and vacationing during other parts of the year.
When I finished reading it Laramie said ''Ok, you can send it back now.'' Surprised at her reaction I asked her why she wanted to send it back. She replied earnestly '' So all the other homeschool kids can have a turn reading it too." What a sweet heart she has. I told her it was ours to keep and she skipped to the bookshelf and put it with her other books.
I Am Learning All The Time is very true to life so if you homeschool or know a homeschooler I highly recommend this book. I ordered it from Rain's website at http://homeschooladventurebooks.com/ . Rain also has another website that is rather interesting http://www.authentictimes.com/.
Enjoy! Tell me what you think of it. Have you read any books with a homeschooler as a central character? I would love to hear about it!
It was special because it is different than any book we own. It is for Laramie and it is the story boy who is homeschooled.
When I told Laramie what the new book was about she stopped in her tracks and wanted it to be read to her. I told her I was saving it for bedtime but she wanted me to read it to her NOW. She paid attention to every word as I read to her about the central character Hugh who is homeschooled. Hugh's story unfolds much like Laramie's from people in stores asking why you aren't in school and having just a twinge or two of envy that other kids get to ride in the big yellow school bus. It has scenes common to probably most homeschoolers such as playing in the park with their other homeschool friends and vacationing during other parts of the year.
When I finished reading it Laramie said ''Ok, you can send it back now.'' Surprised at her reaction I asked her why she wanted to send it back. She replied earnestly '' So all the other homeschool kids can have a turn reading it too." What a sweet heart she has. I told her it was ours to keep and she skipped to the bookshelf and put it with her other books.
I Am Learning All The Time is very true to life so if you homeschool or know a homeschooler I highly recommend this book. I ordered it from Rain's website at http://homeschooladventurebooks.com/ . Rain also has another website that is rather interesting http://www.authentictimes.com/.
Enjoy! Tell me what you think of it. Have you read any books with a homeschooler as a central character? I would love to hear about it!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
What Exactly is Dora going to be Exploring???
Change is inevitable but it isn't always for the better.
Mattel and Nickelodeon announced a new Dora the Explorer that will be released this fall. By that they surely mean a heavy commercial campaign and tons of product buy ins. Marketed at the tween level this Dora looks a whole lot different. What she lost in weight she gained in eye make up. New Dora lives in a large city and attends middle school sans Boots and the Big Red Chicken.
I prefer Dora as she is now. Sweet but smart. Independent but has friends to help her when she needs it. The story lines are cute and educational. I am sure the new Dora will have storylines that interest the population they are aimed at but what will children learn from new Dora? Take a look at new Dora. What message is she really sending?
Monday, March 16, 2009
See Ya Later, Alligator!
Homeschooling a six year old calls for repitition and patience. In trying to help my daughter retain information we play games, sing songs, make up stories and use memory drills. She is doing pretty well with addition and the ABC's.
Currently we are working on States and Capitals and the Presidents. She knows the capital of Nebraska is Lincoln but is disappointed that the capital of Montana is not Hannah but some lady named Helena that she has never heard of and doesn't have her own show.
We will come back to that I tell her and start working on the Presidents.
Great!
She knows George Washington is the first President. Who is the second president?
Blank stare
I prompt her...John....
John Hericks?
No, that is your cousin. John Adams was the second President.
There are a lot of people named John.
Yes there are.
Was John Hericks President?
No, he is just your cousin. Who was the third President?
Do alligators believe in Jesus?
Huh?
Do alligators believe in Jesus?
Uh, no. They don't have to. Answering these questions on the fly is not easy. Animals are God's creatures so only people have to make the choice to believe. All animals go to heaven.
What if they eat a Christian?
Hmmm... then I guess they are in trouble.
See ya later alligator!
Ok. Let's try this again.
Who was the first President?
Currently we are working on States and Capitals and the Presidents. She knows the capital of Nebraska is Lincoln but is disappointed that the capital of Montana is not Hannah but some lady named Helena that she has never heard of and doesn't have her own show.
We will come back to that I tell her and start working on the Presidents.
Great!
She knows George Washington is the first President. Who is the second president?
Blank stare
I prompt her...John....
John Hericks?
No, that is your cousin. John Adams was the second President.
There are a lot of people named John.
Yes there are.
Was John Hericks President?
No, he is just your cousin. Who was the third President?
Do alligators believe in Jesus?
Huh?
Do alligators believe in Jesus?
Uh, no. They don't have to. Answering these questions on the fly is not easy. Animals are God's creatures so only people have to make the choice to believe. All animals go to heaven.
What if they eat a Christian?
Hmmm... then I guess they are in trouble.
See ya later alligator!
Ok. Let's try this again.
Who was the first President?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Field Trip - Kearney, Nebraska
When people think of Nebraska, which is not often if you are not from here, they tend to think flat, boring, corn etc. Driving for five hours on Interstate 80 this past week I tend to agree. I 80 is a flat asphalt ribbon that cuts a rather straight path entirely through Nebraska. This wide expanse does not vary much in scenery but at exit 272 is something to see. The Great River Road Archway cannot be missed. The structure is built over the four lanes of I 80. Due to the speed limit being 75 mph and that it is a well known fact that hardly anyone goes just 75 mph the exit for the museum is approximately a mile from it. Exiting safely and winding your way back towards the museum you will pass life size metal buffalo sculptures with vines growing on them. My first impression was that they looked like random Midwestern Chia Pets. The parking lot of the museum is ample and well laid out with a maze and a giant buffalo sculpture that you surely will want your picture taken in front of.
Inside the museum we were greeted by authentic looking ''mountain men'' who played their parts very well. Adding a touch of authenticity with their throwback pioneer dialog and prop guns.
I was completely surprised at the size of the museum. From the outside it does not appear that large. The museum is home to the second largest escalator in Nebraska. Ok, that fact did not surprise me. Where in Nebraska would one need a mammoth escalator? Getting back on track, the museum has wonderful exhibits with twenty four life size figures along with paintings, quilts, lights, video and vehicles depicting a span of 150 years in America such as goldrushers, pioneers and drive in movie theaters. The museum is built at the only place where the Oregon, California and Mormon trails intersect. Those trails were the ones most often used by westward heading pioneers.
The museum is open seven days a week and also boasts a large and eclectic gift shop. Inside the museum is the Chuckwagon restaurant which is open six days a week.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Miracle Seeds
Every night I read the same easy reader book to my six year old daughter. Each week we pick a new word sight word for her to learn. One of the larger words in the book is 'miracle'. Typical for a six year old she asked me what a miracle was. I had to think about that. How do you explain a miracle to a child? Doing the best I could I explained to her that it is something only God or Jesus could do. We conversed for a short while about what is (parting of the Red Sea) and isn't (baking a cake) a miracle.
Obviously the lesson was not lost on her as few days later we were driving in the historic Old Market District of Omaha when she spied a large , vibrant mural. Very excited to use a big word she proudly pointed out the huge miracle on the side of the building. I hated to dim her enthusiasm but I explained that while God did give us life and talents to use in our life that people had painted the mural. She accepted that pretty easy and it didn't detract from her appreciation of the enormity of the painting on the side of the building.
Yesterday we were talking of the weather and how the snow is pretty but we are ready for Spring. Warm weather, green grass and planting a garden. I said that Grandma would come over and help us plant flowers, lots of colorful flowers such as pansies, petunias and marigolds.
"Miracles!" My daughter gets excited when she hears this. '' I am going to plant miracles with my Grandma'' she proudly says nodding her head. Watching her sweet face and her head of bobbing blonde curls I couldn't correct her. Unmarred faith that only children have and believing that everything that is wonderful to her is a miracle is nothing less than a miracle.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Just Say No To A Free Lunch!
When I was young I went to a public elementary school. Lunch was forty cents. Sometimes my mother gave me exact change. I remember carefully checking throughout the morning that my quarter, nickel and dime were still in my pocket. There were times that she wrote out a check and I had a punch card for my lunches. There were red cards and blue cards. For a long time it didn’t even occur to me to ask why there were two different colors of cards. One day in third grade I was standing next to my friend who had a blue card. I asked her why hers was blue when mine was not since we were in the same grade, same class etc. She told me that her card was free. That was all. No entitlement or embarrassment (that I could sense).
While I read about the school in Albuquerque , New Mexico that has begun to hand out cheese sandwiches to those children who owe the school for lunches. Parents cry out. Some to say thank you because tax payers grow weary of picking up the tab. Other parents of course are angry. The entitled ones are so quick to pipe up and complain. They call the school and radio stations crying out that this punishes their children for being poor. They should be thanking the school system for feeding their child lunch and then buck up and take more parental responsibility. If they don’t have money for school lunch and they are not eligible for reduced or free lunches then they could see if they are eligible for food stamps, WIC, commodities or even visit a food bank and make their child lunch. Of the complainers I would love to know how many have cable, cell phones, internet access and luxuries of that sort when they proclaim to not be able to provide their own child lunch.
Being singled out in school or seeming different from your peers is never fun but instead of blaming the school and spending time protesting the fact that someone fed your child for free maybe the parents in debt for lunches could pay off that debt by volunteering at the school. Given that option (that none of the complainers seemed to come up with) how many would work to pay off that lunch money owed? The amount of unpaid lunches in Albuquerque last year came to $130,000. That is a staggering amount of unpaid lunches.
We were not rich by any means when I was growing up but we made do. My mother did without and her children came first. Necessities came before luxuries and we didn’t always get what we wanted but we did get what we needed. My friend with the blue card? She grew up without much money but she never complained about it. Striving for more without wanting it to be handed to us can make us stronger. We went all through school together and she became a doctor.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Waste of Money? Si!
Lemon Grove Middle School located near San Diego California is shelling out ten thousand dollars per year to teach thirty five students Advanced Placement Spanish.
This sounds a bit frivolous considering the current economic situation in our country and especially in California. That is quite a bit of money for middle school but what makes it more ridiculous is that thirty four of the thirty five students is already fluent in Spanish. Yes. Fluent. Lemon Grove Middle School is taking the stance that this enhances the students natural assets and increases these students feelings of accomplishments and self worth.
Advanced Placement classes carry more weight, enough weight that can make a grade of B worth as much as an A. This can be valuable when trying to get the attention of college admissions offices .
This can also pad the GPA's of these students which in turn makes Lemon Grove Middle School appear to be perhaps something that it is not.
Spending tax payer dollars to teach students something they already know does not make them smarter or enhance their self esteem. There is a huge difference between working for grades and having them handed to you. If those kids don't know the difference now, they will. When the classes stop being handed to them on a silver platter and they have to actually work for the weighted grades of Advance Placement classes then what they will have learned is not at all what Lemon Grove intended to teach them.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
teen absitenence not realistic at all?
Bristol Palin the daughter of Gov. Sarah Palin stated in a recent interview that her mother's view of abstinence for teenagers is not realistic.
Bristol then went on to say that she thought everyone should wait ten years to have children because it would be easier when one already has a spouse, a house and a career.
So then what Bristol is really saying seems to be,um, abstinence would have been easier (if not better?). She now wants to be an advocate for preventing teen pregnancy. Since no birth control is 100% effective and abstinence is unrealistic (in her opionion). I am curious to see exactly how she is going to advocate for that.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Socialization
To any homeschooler the term ''socialization'' is like fingernails screeching down a chalkboard. People who make assumptions about what social needs homeschooled children might have are of the same ilk of those who don't have children themselves but know all about parenting. They don't have the personal experience to back up what they are talking about. After having my son in the public school system until the beginning of ninth grade I saw first hand the type of ''socializing '' he had access to in school.
This past week we went on a ''Homeschoolers Field Trip'' hosted by the Durham Museum in Omaha. We have gone on these field trips before and have always had an enjoyable time meeting other homeschoolers from the area and learning more about history. This week though a public school group (for reasons unbeknownst to me) joined our homeschool group. There were six children and three chaperons. The very patient Durham employee who led the field trip repeatedly had to keep those kids in check. Constant reminders to not climb on exhibits, to not crowd in front of the other children, let other children look at the display case, take turns to touch the hands on display, keep quiet while she was talking, not touch the displays that were labeled ''do not touch '' , stay with the group and I seriously could go on and on. Meanwhile the three chaperons rarely corrected their children and mostly talked amongst themselves. They were such a distraction that after the field trip three of the homeschool families (including myself) went back through the exhibits so our children could see what they had missed out on.
I wish I had a video tape of this field trip. I would show it to anyone who ever misused the word ''socialization'' with me again.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Field Trip!
There are many positive reasons to homeschool and definitely one of them for me is taking field trips. This past week we went to the annual auto show at the Qwest Center in Omaha. The very nice gentleman at the ticket booth didn't charge me for my sweet smiling six year old so I just had to pay admission for Luke and I. Being sixteen Luke enjoyed the day more than Laramie and I but we all had a great time. We sat in incredibly small vehicles and Hummers. Ooohed and ahhhhed over the Mercedes and BMWs. It wasn't just a good time, we learned about sticker prices and options and the difference between economy and luxury cars. We enjoyed speaking to the representatives of the Smart Car and hybrid cars. The current economy has greatly affected the automotive industry and many of the representatives held different opinions as to where it was headed. Only one dealer questioned why mine were the only children there that day. When I explained to him that we homeschool and this was a field trip he asked if he could show me a minivan. I guess many people have that stereotype of homeschoolers as the uber-evangelicals with a passel of conservatively dressed kids.
So we learned about more than cars that day, we learned how funny and inaccurate stereotypes can be.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
How High is High School?
The above link is an article from the Omaha news website about a 16 year old girl in Iowa who brought prescription drugs (Xanax) to school that belonged to her mother and gave them to three other students. The girl also took them and for whatever motivation was behind it she took b
etween four and eight pills which was enough to send her to the hospital. I didn't know that Xanax could be crushed and snorted like cocaine. It can also be disolved in water and injected like heroin. The news article doesn't give that info or just how the girl and the three other students took the pills. It is also easy to overdose on Xanax with symptoms of that being:
etween four and eight pills which was enough to send her to the hospital. I didn't know that Xanax could be crushed and snorted like cocaine. It can also be disolved in water and injected like heroin. The news article doesn't give that info or just how the girl and the three other students took the pills. It is also easy to overdose on Xanax with symptoms of that being:confusion
coma
impaired coordination
sleepiness
slowed reaction time
dizziness
slow heart beat
difficulty breathing
difficulty walking and talking
an appearance of being drunk
unconsciousness
Scary stuff. Medications that might be in the parents or Grandparents medicine cabinets could be trickling into the schools without anyone catching on like they did in this instance. The girl had 50-100 Xanax pills with her. She could have given them to far more student with far worse consequences. Thank God that didn't happen. As it stands the girl could face charges of some sort for the choices she made. Could? Perhaps that is the problem. Unless there is swift and measurable consequences the message it sends to that girl, the other students who were not afraid to accept the pills and anyone else considering taking drugs to school is that they might just get away with it. Surely that is not an effective deterrent! Not to worry though, the sheriff's office is getting right on the issue. They said in a statement that they plan to IN A FEW MONTHS assign a deputy to the Drug Awareness Resistance Education Program. Lets see, it is near the end of January so in three months it will be the end of April so for the last month of school there will be a deputy assigned to the DARE program. Hmmmm. Doesn't sound like protecting our kids is a high (pardon the pun) priority. Lack of action and consequences make me think that the DARE program really stands for Drugs Are Really Easy to get program.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Do Poker Chips Have a Place In Homeschooling?
I am not teaching my kids Texas Hold 'Em. I don't even know how to play that or any poker game for that matter. I have found though that the cheap , plastic , colored poker chips can be a great resource in my overflowing bookcase of nifty homeschool stuff.
Math: these chips are great for addition and subtraction. Using two different colors can help the child see what they need to do. Two blue chips plus three red chips is much easier than using 5 of the same objects such as mini marshmallows, baby carrots etc. (Yes, I use food too for math).
Probability: with poker chips and a brown lunch sack you can help your child understand the concept of probability. If there are 4 chips in the bag and 3 of them are red then there is a 75% chance you will pull out a red one.
Fun: with a sheet of paper draw out the tic-tac-toe (or use straws or uncooked spaghetti noodles) Pick your color of chip and play. Games are great fun, a good bonding time but can also teach your child strategy, sportsmanship and patience.
Air-ish hockey: tape a paper bag to each end of a kitchen or coffee table, don't block each other's shots but see who gets the most out of ten chips in the bag opposite of them with just flicking the chip with their finger.
Teaching your kids can be fun and cheap if you use your brain and things you find around the house.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Andrew Wyeth July 12, 1917 - January 16, 2009
How sad that Andrew Wyeth passed away today. Famous American realist painter, his works even hang in New York City's Museum of Modern Art.
In our homeschooling my children and I are studying artists and plan to go to the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha for a field trip in a few weeks. How fortunate that they house one of his works. We will have to make a special point to view the painting of Wyeths that is on display there. Half Bushel was painted in 1959.
A fact that many people do not know is that Wyeth was homeschooled and viewed it as a ''great opportunity''. What a terrific view of homeschooling and a valuable lesson for our homeschooled kids. You can be anything you want to be even if you are not on the treadmill of the public education system.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
You Gotta Love the Lunch Box
For many of us just the sight of a lunch box brings back reels of memory tape of our elementary school days. I remember every fall getting a new metal lunch box with a coordinating thermos inside. I loved my Dukes of Hazard lunch box. It was so cool. My mom put milk in the thermos, peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a banana or cookie for dessert. Often she would write Love, Mom or a smiley face on the napkin. Ah, good times. As a homeschool mom I don't send my six year old daughter off to school everyday with her lunch in tow but old habits die hard and I still buy her a new lunch box every fall. The thermos comes separately now and there is more variety to choose from Various styles and colors. Soft sided, plastic, old school tin . The thrill is still there. Sometimes she packs a lunch in her horsey lunch box to go to her Grandma's or puts toys in it if we are going on a road trip. She loves her lunch boxes. Guess she gets that from me. 
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Write Stuff
I am anxiously awaiting my latest find in online shopping. I recently ordered Spencerian Penmanship. With my two children being ten years apart and homeschooling them both it is a juggling act except for one crucial area. Handwriting. Laramie is six and is progressing relatively well but Luke continues to struggle as he always has. Since being diagnosed with dyslexia (along with dysgraphia and dyscalculia) when he was Laramie's age every year that he was in public school we had allowances in his IEP (Individual Education Plan) to make things easier. It really didn't get easier for him and now that he is in his second year of homeschooling I think it is time to address the handwriting. How much can it improve if any? I know he is self conscious about it as he asked me for help. Good for him for doing so! Many of the programs, books etc that I perused were too childish and certainly not anything a 16 year old would want to spend time on. Then I landed on the Spencerian Penmanship set. It has the look of an antique book from the 1800's. Probably because that is exactly what it is. I hope it helps. My kid has had a tough road with all things academic. I am looking forward to seeing how he fares with this. I will have to post before and after writing samples if it works!
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